DISCLAIMER: All rights of original Bleach characters/story go to Tite Kubo (we love you!). ….
…..….~o0o0o0o0o0o0o~….
The crowd of the Urahara Hour reverberated in excitement over the prospect of the two bands pairing against each other in a concert. Some people were cheering for Grimmjow and some were cheering for Getsuga Tensho.
"What a sensational turn of events!" Kisuke clapped. "And what's this?" the host put his hand to his earpiece. "Why I'm told we have a very important guest caller, let's put him through."
Great. Is this another one of Kisuke and Grimmjow's surprises? Saya thought wearily.
A smooth hypnotizing voice was projected onto the stage….
"I must agree with you, Kisuke… This is a most interesting outcome."
Saya froze at the voice of the caller. She looked to Grimmjow and his eyes were wide in alarm. They both knew this wasn't good. Grimmjow looked as spooked as Saya felt.
"This is unexpected!" Kisuke blinked with an impressed air. "It's been quite a long time since I've had the pleasure of speaking with you, Sousuke Aizen."
The audience gasped and "Ooooooo"ed at the famous trillionaire's presence.
"Indeed it has been a while since we spoke face to face, Kisuke." Aizen's voice carried. "But I must admit, I am a frequent viewer of your…amusing talkshow."
"Why thank you, Sousuke," Kisuke replied with a flourishing bow. "To what do we owe the honor?"
"I was curious…" Aizen began in an eerie tone. "Just when is this concert to take place, Grimmjow? Am I to presume you have the details arranged? I'd hate for this to be a thoughtless, spur of the moment proposal…"
Grimmjow's neck felt a chill. Fuck. He knew that was a warning. He had to come up with something fast—something Aizen wanted to hear—
"Because I think its a worthwhile endeavor…I'd very much like to be involved," Aizen added before Grimmjow could say anything.
"Its your call, Boss," Grimmjow said as coolly as he could, steadily letting out the breath he'd been holding in.
Saya watched Grimmjow carefully. She knew he was afraid of his kingpin leader. Saya was freaked out by Aizen too. It was evident in Grimmjow's face he'd had no prior knowledge that Aizen would show up like this.
"Very good," Aizen rang out with approval. "Then Getsuga Tensho members, and my dear Saya Kurashina…allow me extend an invitation to host you at my Hueco Mundo concert stadium..."
Saya instantly looked over to the others. Rukia's dark tiny eyebrows were knitted in mistrust. Ichigo's face was set with a scowl. Chad looked curious, but worried. Renji had his arms crossed with an expression that said "Bring It Fool!"
"…I shall sponsor the entire performance. And as Grimmjow said, we shall see who makes the better music…" Aizen let his words linger. "You have one month to prepare," he decreed. "Good luck."
Saya quivered at the rich drug-lord's farewell. Why…do I not feel safe?
"THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE, FOLKS!" Kisuke clapped wildly to the camera. "WE'LL BE SURE TO KEEP YOU POSTED ON THIS UPCOMING MUSICAL THRILL! TICKETS ON SALE SOON!"
And with that, the talk show session ended.
Backstage, the exact terms of the duel between S.M.U.R.F'ed and Getsuga Tensho became clear. The concert would take place in October.
The arrangement was: each band needed to come up with fresh songs for the public's ear. A committee of three judges would determine if the songs qualified on a "one-hit wonder" or a "flashy new single" level. Additionally, the audience would rate each song individually, and with the combined evaluations, the winner would be chosen. Along with the victory, the triumphant band would be featured on the cover of Seireitei Monthly Entertainment Magazine.
Any involvement with Aizen automatically sent Saya on red alert. She didn't know if he wanted in on the challenge just because Grimmjow was one of his boys, or if there was a sneakier reason.
...~o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o~...
"Are you guys really set on doing this?" Saya asked uneasily on the ride home.
Nel was in her car seat next to Saya. Renji was driving and Rukia was in the passenger seat. Chad and Ichigo were in the back of the van, having to sit on the floor with the musical equipment that was clanging around.
"Hell yah!" Renji answered brightly. "We're gonna show those rich bitches that just cuz we came from nothing doesn't mean we can't rock harder than anyone else!"
Rukia smiled at the Pineapple, then peeked back at Saya.
"Why? Having second thoughts, Saya?" Rukia asked curiously.
"I don't know…" Saya looked out the window.
Ichigo and Chad listened silently from the back of the van.
"I don't like the idea of you all getting wrapped up with Aizen. Next thing you know, he'll hook you into a contract and start you pushing—" Saya froze when Nel stared at her.
"Pushin wat, Mama?"
"Uh…" Saya drew up blank. Not drugs…obviously…
"Moon rocks," Rukia chimed in with a smirk.
"Moon rox?" Nel blinked in fascination. "Pushin moon rox tuh where?"
"To the moon," Renji lied with cheery affluence, raising his tattooed eyebrows at Rukia.
"Auhh you guys," Saya shook her head at the couple's illegal substance slang.
"You brought it up," Rukia pointed out.
"Buh Nel doesn't want you tah go to dah moon, Mama," Nel protested, panic-stricken. "Not if Nel can't go too! Itsygo!" Nel banged her head against her seat. "Itsygo make Mama stay wiff Nel! Don't leave Nel all alone!"
"She'd never leave you like that, Nel," Ichigo finally spoke, his voice rather gruff. "You're overreacting."
"He's right, Nel," Saya kissed her daughter on the head. "I'm not going anywhere without you," Saya stroked Nel's curly hair that was sticking out from under her beanie-hat and Nel snuggled her head against Saya's chest.
Saya glanced over her shoulder at Ichigo.
He was hunkered against the side of the van's interior, his neck craned in the direction of the back window of the trunk. Saya expected Chad not to say much over the subject of the upcoming event, but not Ichigo.
Grimmjow must've really set him off when he insulted Getsuga Tensho…she thought glumly.
She wondered if she should have had Renji drop her and Nel off at their apartment instead of joining them at the house; to give Ichigo some space. Dealing with her and Nel on top of the pressure of their deadline was probably the last thing he wanted to do right now.
It was already around 6 o'clock, since it had taken them so long to get out of the Urahara Studios with all of Getsuga Tensho's new fans obstructing the way to Renji's ride. But they were practically at the Clinic, so Saya decided she and Nel would just walk. They'd been walking to and from her job regularly…since she no longer had Grimmjow's mustang.
Karin, Yuzu, and Isshin all greeted them when they arrived, congratulating them on their performance. That seemed to lift Ichigo's spirits a little—till his Dad launched into an inquiry over whether or not they had gotten paid, and what was going to happen at the concert Grimmjow had challenged them to. Luckily, Karin was there to cover for her brother and kicked Isshin in his face till he left Ichigo alone.
Saya stuck around to help the band unload their instruments.
"Here you go, Chad," Saya set down the tall guitarist's amp.
"Hm," Chad nodded in thanks.
"Is that everything?" Rukia asked Renji as he and Ichigo re-entered the garage with the last of Renji's drums.
"That's the lot," Renji carefully placed his beloved barrels in their usual corner. "Man, I'm starving. Ichigo, what's for dinner?"
"Make your own damn food, Renji," Ichigo answered grouchily.
"It's your house man! If we were at my place, then I'd take full responsibility!"
"You don't even have a house," Ichigo shot back with an irksome squint.
"Exactly! So feed me!" the moocher full-circled his reasoning.
"Renji," Rukia crossed her arms. "Stop being a pest. Besides…I want pizza."
"PIZZAH?!" Nel slobbered wildly.
"Hmm," Chad nodded and he, Rukia, and Nel all murmured longingly: "Stuffed crust…"
"Pizza it is!" Renji pulled out his phone to call in an order. "Hey Ichigo, you got any coupons?"
"How should I know?" Ichigo shrugged.
"Well, go check!"
"FINE!" Ichigo stormed out the garage door. "Damn free-loader," Saya thought she heard him mutter.
Rukia sighed after the ginger. "He's certainly stressing."
"I'm not sure it's stress," Chad blinked with disquiet through his shaggy—but well conditioned—hair. "He's been acting strange since before we played the Urahara Hour."
"Yeah," Renji agreed, crossing his tattooed arms over his well-muscled chest. "What the hell was with him pussy-footing around and losing his nerve like that?"
"What are you guys talking about?" Saya frowned at their comments and picked up Nel, who had a similarly troubled expression.
"You now how I came out on the stage saying we had technical difficulties?" Rukia reminded Saya. "Well, I lied. The problem really was Ichigo wanted to cancel the performance."
"Why?" Saya's brow creased.
"I'm guessing it had something to do with him feeling responsible for you having to intermingle with Grimmjow," Rukia tilted her head at Saya. "Not sure he thought playing one song was a fair trade for putting you through that."
"He said that?" Saya stared widely.
"No," Rukia surveyed Saya watchfully. "Like I said, I'm only guessing…"
"Tha's cuz Itsygo knos Dadah hurted you," Nel whispered to her Mother softly, then nestled her head against Saya's heart. "Itsygo knos…"
Saya's focus flickered between Nel and the others in the room. "Well," Saya found her voice. "I'm glad he did play, cuz you guys kicked ass—"
"Mama!" Nel snapped up and gasped at her mother's language.
"Oh sorry Nel! I meant uh…"
"You kicked bottoms!" Nel smiled at the three band members toothily.
"Right," Saya smiled. "You were great—and they loved you, Chad."
The towering Mexican lowered his head with a bashful shrug.
"Hardcore parkour, man!" Renji clapped Chad on the shoulder proudly.
"Thanks guys," Chad smiled softly. "And thanks for getting us on the show, Saya."
"Don't thank me!" Saya pointed to Rukia. "Thank this lady, she talked me into it!" Saya then whispered darkly in Rukia's ear. "So if you see Ichigo being hard on himself for what happened, you'd better make it clear to him that I solely blame you, Rukia. Just you."
Rukia smiled slyly at her friend. She's certainly lashing out a little excessively just to defend Ichigo… It was only a matter of time now.
"I take full responsibility for setting you up and feel no guilt whatsoever," the Kuchiki replied coolly.
"Huh?" Nel blinked between her mother and Rukia. "Auntie Rukia set Mama up wiff who?!"
"Nevermind, Nel," Saya patted Nel's head. "She's just a cold-blooded attorney, a heartless power-suit with no feelings whose only weak spot is tropical fruit—"
"Oi!" Renji interjected. "That's MY heartless lady you're talking about!" he glared at Saya. "And the only reason she's missing one is cuz I got it right here!" the Pineapple winked charmingly at Rukia, and tapped the center of his chest.
"I would expect no less of you to show no remorse," Saya smiled at Rukia. "But I don't want someone else feeling bad in your place."
"I understand," Rukia nodded.
"Good," Saya nodded back. "Then…I guess we'll see you guys later."
"We's not stayin fer stuffed crust!?" Nel wailed in her mother's arms.
"No today, munchkin," Saya said. "I thought we'd go home and bake some cake instead, since you were such a good girl today."
"CAKE FER DINNER?!"
"For dessert, silly!" Saya laughed at Nel.
"Kay kay!" Nel wiggled happily—then halted in an emergency. "Buh Nel has tah go potty!"
"Oh! Alright!" Saya rushed Nel towards the garage door. "Bye you guys!"
"See yah!" the group waved.
"Mama, put Nel down!"
"You don't need me to go with you?" Saya asked.
"No!" Nel struggled free from her mother at the foot of the stairs and scurried up the steps.
"Ok!" Saya hollered. "But no messing with the toilet bowl cleanser! AND WASH YOUR HANDS!"
"BLTHH!" Nel blew her Mom a raspberry before disappearing into the upstairs hall.
"I mean it, Nel!" Saya sighed and crossed her arms. "That little miss is about to lose her dessert," she mumbled to herself at Nel's bad manners.
"No she's not."
"Huh?" Saya turned around at Ichigo's voice.
"There's no way your gonna take away her dessert if you've already promised it to her," he predicted. "You're too much of a softy."
"Then it wouldn't be because I'm a softy," Saya denied. "It'd be because I'm a man of my word."
"Right," Ichigo scoffed. He turned off to head back to the garage.
"Hey," Saya called to him.
Ichigo stopped and looked back at her with his trademark scowl.
"So uh," she shuffled her feet. "How do you really feel about this whole thing with the concert? You've been pretty quiet…." Saya briefly flickered her gaze to him.
"I'm gonna give it everything I've got," Ichigo shrugged. "I ain't worried about it. And I don't plan on making any deals with Aizen, so you don't need to worry either."
"Then is there something else on your mind that's bothering you?" Saya asked timidly. "Rukia said you didn't want to play the show—"
"I didn't," Ichigo answered bluntly.
"Well I think it was good you guys played," Saya told him. "And I didn't do the interview with Grimmjow totally against my will, it was my choice—"
"Yeah I know," Ichigo cut her off a hard look. "That's what bothers me the most."
Saya returned his scowl with a confused squint. "What do you mean? You don't need to be bothered by it because you had nothing to do with it! It was my decision, so don't take it out on yourself—"
"I know it's got nothing to do with me! You're the one letting Grimmjow back into your head!" Ichigo snapped at her roughly.
Saya stared at Ichigo with puzzlement. "Um…no…" she said with a dragging undoubtedness.
"Yes you are, Saya. I know how he bullies you into things," Ichigo claimed, pointing at her. "He knows you're soft and that if he keeps pushing, you're gonna fold."
"No I'm not, Ichigo!" Saya laughed unbelievably.
"You're gonna take him back," Ichigo continued.
"Ichigo—"
"—And he's just gonna use you all over again—"
"Ichigo," Saya channeled her voice with impatience. "I am not getting back together with Grimmjow!"
"Then why'd you sit by him?" Ichigo interrogated hotly. "And what the hell were you whispering about when he grabbed your arm? I saw that, Saya. I know he said something that made you uncomfortable. He traps you like that so the only thing left for you to do is what he wants!"
"I think I know better than anyone how Grimmjow manipulates me!" Saya snapped back.
"And yet you still do what he says!" Ichigo attested with fervor.
Saya stopped herself from yelling further and took a deep breath. "Ichigo," she said with her eyes closed. "I agreed to do that interview, and risk dealing with Grimmjow's stupid shit, because I know for absolute certain I do not love him anymore."
Ichigo stared at her. It looked like he was thinking awfully hard about something.
"If there was a part of me that still had a soft spot for him, then I would have said no. Because you're right," she said to Ichigo. "It'd be no problem for Grimmjow to get back into my head. But that's not going to happen, because I do not care for him anymore…I know I'll never be rid of him," Saya crossed her arms on a sour note. "Because he is Nel's father and she loves him," Saya explained. "If Nel decides she doesn't want to see Grimmjow anymore when she gets older, that will be her choice. But I'm not gonna poison her against her own father if I can help it, not when she still holds him close to her heart. That would hurt her more than it would make me feel better."
Ichigo bowed his gaze a tad. He could understand that. Saya didn't want to wreck the bond her own child had with her Dad. Even though he doesn't deserve that kind of mercy, Ichigo thought grudgingly.
"Now if Grimmjow screws that up," Saya changed her tone sharply. "That's on him. I hope he doesn't put Nel through that—"
"MAMA! I'M DONE!" Nel cried and footsteps closed in on the stairs.
"Did you wash your hands?!" Saya called up to the hallway just as Nel came to the top of the stairs.
"YAH!"
"Really?" Saya analyzed suspiciously from a distance.
"…" Nel frowned and turned wordlessly back to the bathroom.
Ichigo rolled his eyes lightly at the toddler's defeated retreat.
"So anyway…" Saya mumbled vaguely. "I guess you could say today was like a test."
"A test?" Ichigo frowned.
Saya nodded. "To make sure I really have no feelings left for him."
"And you think you passed?" Ichigo asked curiously. A prickling feeling was expelling throughout his chest, a wish sprouting like lightning. He wanted to believe her. He wanted that to be true more than anything.
"Well," Saya considered. "If I were to get a phone call telling me that Grimmjow got hit by a bus and died on impact, the first thing that comes to mind isn't 'Poor Grimmjow.' More like 'Poor Nel...she's gonna miss him...I have no idea how to explain this to her..and I hope it won't take much to convince her Grimmjow won't come back as a zombie.' That's about it." Saya summed up. "Oh, minor additional detail," Saya confessed to Ichigo. "I would've been the one driving that bus."
Ichigo grinned at her pipedream. "You and me both."
"Sure why not?" Saya laughed at him.
Ichigo looked at her sternly. One last thing was bothering him. "What did Grimmjow say to you? During the break when he was trying to make you sit by him?"
"Ughh," Saya turned away with a grimace. "Nothing," she shook her head. "I was trying to be civil and he took it the wrong way."
"So you won't tell me?"
"That's right," Saya nodded.
"C'mon," Ichigo badgered carelessly. "I already know it was something crude."
"I don't wanna say it!" Saya groused, her cheek heating up pink.
Ichigo's eyes narrowed on her with heavy concern and she faltered.
"He just—He said if I didn't sit by him, he'd pull me into his lap and.. spank me..." Saya disclosed in a harsh whisper.
Ichigo's mind obliterated, his blood went boiling-wanting nothing more than to cleave Grimmjow in half and watch him bleed out—and yet a small dark voice in the back of his head thought…Heh…spank.
"ON LIVE FRICKIN TELEVISION!" Saya ranted madly. "And he would've done it too!"
"Like hell he would've," Ichigo eyed her with conviction. "I would've tackled that bastard the second he tried touching you."
"Thanks Ichigo," Saya shook her head with a smile. "But I think I've let you fight my battles one to many times already. I don't want you to keep getting pulled into all this drama…there's enough rumors going around as it is…" Saya's stormy eyes flickered over him.
"Rumors?" Ichigo blanked.
"Yeah, I mean…" Saya awkwardly fidgeted. "D-didn't it seem like Kisuke was trying to… hint at something between..uh you..and..me?—Which is you know," she looked down. "…stupid."
"Oh… That," Ichigo felt like a splash of ice water had just been thrown in his face. Of course she thought it was stupid. What was more stupid than Ichigo thinking he and Saya as a couple was attainable? Not even Uryu could be this stupid. Stupid. Ichigo tightened his jaw. "Yeah. Wouldn't want those kinds a rumors spreading around…Sorry if that makes you uncomfortable—"
"—No not for me! I-I don't care what they say. I," Saya shook her head nervously. "I know were just friends—I just don't want you having that forced on you when it's not even a thing," she waved her hands rapidly, a squinty smile on her face.
Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows. She's acting kinda…weird.
"Anyway, I should-I'm gonna go," she turned abruptly and took three steps at a time up the stairs. "NEL! WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG?! YOU'D BETTER NOT BE EATING THOSE Q-TIPS AGAIN!"
"You're not staying for practice?" Ichigo looked at her from the bottom of the stairs.
"No, I kinda just want to chill out with Nel at home," Saya answered.
Ichigo nodded. "..Do you really have a notebook full of songs you've written?"
"Eh, it's about half full," Saya bobbed her head with the estimate.
"How come you never showed me?" Ichigo smiled oddly at her.
"Mm-nnh.." she shrugged, blinking and rubbing her chin shyly. "I don't know, I guess I'm not used to people wanting to hear my stuff."
"Bring them tomorrow," Ichigo cast his eyes up at her, glancing through his spikey orange bangs. "We'll see if they're any good."
Saya scoffed. "Alright. But I'm warning you, some of them are about Grimmjow."
Ichigo's mouth tightened.
"You know…sort of…making fun of him," Saya added with a playful smirk.
Ichigo let out a crooked grin. God he loved when she made jokes at Grimmjow's expense. She looked so sexy when she wore that devious smile. It sent a rush to all the right places.
"Cool. Can't wait," Ichigo drank in his view of Saya one last time before sliding past the staircase banister and heading to the garage.
"Bye," Saya murmured at the top of the stairs. She knew he didn't hear her, but her mind was already miles away thinking about something else.
Ichigo wanted to read her music…
An even more fluttery feeling swept over her. What if he actually liked what she wrote? What if Getsuga Tensho actually beat S.M.U.R.F'ed?
OH BUGGER! Saya suddenly thought in dread. What if we end up writing a song together and I accidently write something stupid that sounds like.. i like him.. AND HE GETS CREEPED OUT because he just wants to be friends and then everything gets awkward AND I RUIN IT?!
Saya took a deep breath.
She would be calm. She would remove those feelings from the situation and be entirely objective when it came to composing or critiquing. Right. I am Simon Cowell. And therefore not attracted to Ichigo...Right.
"Nel!" Saya trudged down the hall. "What are you doing?"
The bathroom door flew open. "Nothin Mama!" Nel zoomed out, shutting the door behind her. "Nel was just washin up like yah said!" the toddler smiled overly wide…with green inkish stained teeth.
"Were you drinking mouthwash again?"
Nel froze. "No."
"Nel," Saya picked up her little girl. "You're gonna get sick and need your stomach pumped again if you keep eating and drinking things that are bad for you—Ahh NE-el!"
Saya had opened the door to the bathroom, and sure enough, there were puddles of green mouthwash all over the sink and floor.
"What did you do to the toilet paper!?" Saya gaped at the sight.
"Nel jus wanted tah see if der was enough fer Nel tah sleep on," the troubled child explained. "N'then Nel got hungry. N'then Nel puked."
..
….~o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o~…
..
A week went by.
Getsuga Tensho determined they had about five songs that they knew would give S.M.U.R.F'ed a run for their money. Or at least they hoped. They weren't sure how many songs they needed to play for the concert, but Ichigo figured the more they had, the better prepared they'd be.
Two of the songs were from Saya's notebook. And they were considering two more of hers.
Ichigo had been blown away when she showed him all the notes she kept on file. Not just lyrics for songs she'd thought up, but all the instruments and ideas for extra effects for a performance too. They sounded awesome when the the band played them aloud, barely needed any tweaking—her music was very well thought out.
When Ichigo had been skimming through her notebook, he'd even found sections on lyrics she'd written for Grimmjow. Scribblings of her editing a guitar chorus or a bass solo for songs Grimmjow had already made billions on. Whenever Ichigo would ask Saya about them she'd always brush it off, saying working on Grimmjow's music was easier than how Ichigo's band composed.
"A lot of the time he goes for catchy, instead of being more personal like you are in your songs," was one thing she had said.
Which lead her to showing Ichigo the songs she had written as somewhat of an 'anything you can do I can do better'—slash parody—mocking Grimmjow's "thug life" that he usually sang about. Some lyrics she wrote even made Ichigo blush when he first heard them; they were more explicit that he would have thought Saya capable of. He honestly was a little embarrassed, knowing he would have to sing some of those lines.
It was a little riveting for Ichigo...knowing some of the dirtier, inner working of Saya's mind. He thought he was acting like a lecherous old man, wanting to drag more erotic lines like that out of her thoughts. His curiosity always peaked to no end when he thought about Saya like that.
He needed a freaking reality check.
Rukia was pretty good with writing lyrics too, and she helped a lot with the vocal harmonies. Renji and Chad worked best by experimenting a tryout string of notes. Renji could take a beat and improvise it into something ten times better—and yet he still kept the underlining tempo. Chad had a way of catching when they needed to slow down and really hold a moment in the song—he knew where the sound should take off and always found a way to show strength in their music—not through power—but with soul.
Saya wasn't very eager to sing the songs she wrote. Ichigo didn't know why. She'd sing in front of him and the band to demonstrate how she thought a verse should sound, but she claimed she'd be better of focusing her talents elsewhere. She thought it might give Getsuga Tensho another layer to their music if she worked with a keyboard and mixing beats while they were on stage. Everyone was onboard with that. But Rukia and Ichigo kept encouraging her to sing.
There was no doubt Saya's favorite part was songwriting. Her ability to churn out lyrics so fast almost intimidated Ichigo. He had to force himself to work harder to keep up.
She had been embarrassed the first time she showed Ichigo her compositions, which had made Ichigo laugh. He'd always been embarrassed as well, having Saya scrutinizing his music.
And then Ichigo had been forced to show Saya the songs he had written recently…which were mostly inspired by her. Her and his stupid infatuation. Ichigo had hoped to heaven Saya wouldn't notice, but damn his luck, she picked up on the meaning immediately.
"OH MY GAWD ICHIGO!" Saya had gasped looking over the verses. "I had no idea you were a romantic on the inside! Awww," she nudged him with her elbow, a sneaky smile on her face. "You got'a crush on someooone. Or are you just trying to drive those jealous fangirls crazy!? HAHAHAHA!" she had smacked Ichigo on the shoulder harder than he thought necessary. A lot harder V_V
Thankfully that was all she read into it.
He liked sharing his music with Saya, and vice versa. They were getting really comfortable strengthening each other's lyrics if they saw room for improvement. They didn't hold back in pointing out weak spots or things that were downright not working. It was like they were showing a deeper level of themselves to each other; lending a voice to thoughts and feelings that weren't meant for ordinary conversation.
...
….~o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o~….
Today it was just Ichigo and Saya in the garage.
It was Saturday, so Saya didn't have work.
"….I'm just saying, Ichigo," Saya was trying to articulate her observation that Ichigo's voice was lacking something. "You just aren't owning your voice the way you should."
"What do you mean? I'm singing my ass off out here!" Ichigo shrugged, feeling like he had nothing left to give.
"I know you are," Saya promised. "But…you…" she struggled to spit it out. "Have you ever seen Drumline?" she asked suddenly.
"What?"
"You know the part where the white kid is asking advice on how to play his drum better? And then Nick Cannon tells him he needs to love his drum? And the white guy is like 'I do love my drum!' And Nick Cannon is like 'no, you need to LUV your drum'?" Saya raised her eyebrows suggestively.
"…I'm not following you…" Ichigo said at a loss.
Saya shut her eyes with a heavy huff.
"I'm talking SEX APPEAL, Ichigo!" she blared with obvious embellishment. "For heaven's sake! When you sing it, BRING IT," she annunciated and gestured her hands like she was grasping her inner essence.
…What? Ichigo blinked innocuously.
"And I mean, BRING IT. You're good-looking, Ichigo. Flaunt it when you sing!" Saya ordered him. Even from an objective standpoint, Ichigo was good-looking. He sang with his heart, but Saya knew that was not going to cut it. This was Grimmjow they were up against…shamelessly salacious Grimmjow.
"I-uh..I'm what?" Ichigo blanked. Did she…say I'm..?
"Look," Saya rubbed the bridge of her nose. "It's really sweet that you have no idea how attractive you are—but seriously. Get with the program. You'll get way more fans if you start acting like you know you're a looker."
Ichigo blinked in a daze. I'm…what?
"Put some," Saya stuttered over her word choice, "—lust into how you sing! I know that sounds weird," she waved her hands uncomfortably. "But it really makes a difference. Why do you think Grimmjow has so many fans?"
"Well I'm not Grimmjow!" Ichigo protested hotly.
"I know that," Saya assured. "I'm glad you're not. But he's the one you're up against. If you really want to get on top of the other musicians, you unfortunately need to spice it up—that's just the way the music industry rolls."
"I don't know how to do that.." Ichigo trailed off with ashamed frustration.
"Okay let me think…" Saya stopped for a minute.
Ichigo hoped she hadn't picked up on how red his face had gotten.
"Got it," she snapped her fingers. "In Crush Me, you know your line were you sing 'hit me harder?' That's a perfect opportunity. Try singing that, but sing it like…like your seducing the audience." [A/N: Crush Me by Eyeshine.]
"WHAT?" Ichigo squinted in embarrassment. "But that's! THAT'S INAPPROPRIATE! HOW CAN YOU ASK ME TO DO THAT?"
"I'm not saying make it sound like a fricking porno!" Saya flushed. "Just try it and sing!"
"I can't just-just.." Ichigo's face burned. "—D-do that! HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO THAT?!" It had never occurred to him to try that sort of strategy. Although he was pretty sure he could bend his voice towards that sort of mood—doing it publicly was a whole other mountain entirely. And in front of Saya?
He'd rather drop his pants in front of Byakyua Kuchiki.
"You're right…this is too weird talking about this." Saya mumbled more to herself. "Should we wait for Renji and Rukia to get here and have them coach you instead?" Saya suggested.
"Hell No!" Ichigo cried. He could only imagine how Rukia and Renji would mock him.
"Why not? They'd understand. And you need to work on this. They agreed with me when we were talking that if you can't bring a little sexy to your voice, there's no way—"
"YOU TOLD THEM ABOUT THIS?!" Ichigo shouted in disgrace, his hands flying to his face and squishing his temples in a panic.
"…Yah," Saya blinked. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. It comes more naturally to Renji, but he works at it too. Rukia's already good at acting, so it's easy for her."
"Freaking heELL," Ichigo dragged his hands over his face in misery. He couldn't keep talking to Saya about this much longer. It was too humiliating.
"Look. Ichigo, I'm trying to help you. Musician to musician. Just—pretend I'm someone you want to seduce—and seduce me. With your singing!" she clarified. "Just try it." Saya scooted one of the foldout chairs closer. "Visualize me as someone you like. And sing that line in a way that'll, you know, make me want you er whatever."
Ichigo laughed bitterly to himself. She has no idea what she's saying does she? He had been trying to get her attention for years and had completely failed. How was he just supposed to flip a switch and make her want him?
"I'm not even here, Ichigo. I'm the audience..or some celebrity like Yoruichi Shihoin—I don't know—whoever you have a crush on. Can you do that?"
Ichigo glowered at Saya. His insides were starting to sting. She was right there. She had freaking said the words 'seduce me.'
You are walking a fine freaking line right now.
"It's only gonna be awkward if you cant pull it off," she titled her head seriously. "Alright," she sighed. "If that's too hard for you to visualize we can try something else. Maybe you could practice by yourself. Oh! You should use Hyde for inspiration! That guy's voice is like liquid romance—"
"IT'S NOT HARD ALRIGHT?" Ichigo couldn't hold back his vexation. "THAT'S WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"
Saya squinted at Ichigo outburst. "If it's not a big deal…then what's the problem? Just sing it," she shrugged and pointed to the microphone.
"THE PROBLEM IS, I LIKE YOU DAMMIT!" Ichigo shouted angrily.
O/o
….
…
…
Neither one of them said a word….
For many...
Many moments….
Awwh fuckin dammmit… Ichigo's breath choked in his throated, dumbstruck at what he had just made public. Saya didn't blink. Her mouth was slightly opened at she was staring at him like he was crazy.
Shit, Ichigo's teeth tightened. What the hell had he been thinking, spilling his guts like that?
Saya's eyes abruptly fluttered open.
"You're..you're not serious?" she stared, searching his face. "…Are you?"
Ichigo turned away from her, his head fuming. I'm so damn stupid. He was such a freakin idiot for springing this on her.
"No," Saya shut her eyes and she shook her head. "No way, that's just—you're being ridiculous, Ichigo."
"Yeah, I am being ridiculous," Ichigo scoffed bitingly. "Cuz if you want the whole damn truth, I've liked you since middle school." There. He'd finally said it. It was out in the open and he was gonna have to deal with whatever came after.
"What?" Saya gaped at him confoundedly, her cheeks reddening. "But—That's impossible!"
"It's the truth," Ichigo confessed again. Here it comes. Tell me I'm a big waste of fucking time. Spare me and get it over with.
"No," Saya shook her head in misunderstanding. "I remember you! We never even—You hated me! Every time you'd look at me you'd glare like I was the CEO of SeaWorld or something! Like every starving child stemmed from my existence!"
"I was trying to TALK TO YOU!" Ichigo announced maddeningly. "I'm not good at this stuff!"
She stared even more shockingly at him. Her head switched to the side in a confused sort of frenzy. Her chest rose and her mouth opened, then closed. Once again, a breath jutted out of her lungs but she remained speechless.
Her hand crumbled against her forehead, her eyes shutting tight.
"..How the hell was I supposed to know?..." Saya mumbled. "Your Grumpy Cat face isn't exactly a friendly invitation," she stated despairingly.
"So I've heard!" Ichigo retorted back, sending her a sharp glower.
Saya's lips puffed out stubbornly and she looked away from him.
Ichigo sighed. It wasn't like he didn't know this was going to happen. He couldn't blame her for his own fucking foolishness.
"Forget about it, alright? Its whatever," he scratched his head roughly. "I just wanted you to know." He stalked past her towards the garage door. "I'll see you at practice tomorrow—"
"—Ichigo don't," she cut in front of him before he could reach the door.
"Just!—just answer me one question!" Ichigo lashed out again. He couldn't bear not asking now that everything had already blown up in his face. His jaw clenched, so he took a breath before looking at her. "Was there even a chance you'd have gone out with me if I'd asked?"
Saya stared up at him, her stormy eyes darting sternly across his face."Were you as much of an idiot back then as you are now?"
Ichigo snorted and cast his eyes down, hopeless. "Probably…"
"Then yes."
Ichigo's head snapped up at her reply.
"I would've… liked that…" Saya pursed her lips crookedly, and cleared her throat, catching Ichigo's gaze before glancing towards the wall.
Ichigo's heart amped overwhelmingly. He scanned her face at a loss of thought. He couldn't hear anything besides her voice echoing inside his head. She would've…liked that? Ichigo's chance was restored.
Saya gingerly looked back at Ichigo and bade herself to stay calm. His eyes were keen on her, engaging her so intensely it sent chills rippling down her legs. Gradually, he inched forward and Saya's chest rose in anticipation.
"Then," Ichigo's eyebrows slanted into a strikingly curious expression. "What if I asked you now?"
Saya had to clear her throat again."N-now…?"
He was getting closer.
"…Now sounds…" she couldn't focus on what she was saying. "Nnow would be…" She had lost control of her speech skills with Ichigo's mouth looming so near. His deepening brown eyes weighed on her. He was heart-poundingly close….
He hesitated; prolonging the moment where they already should have meshed. Their eyes were set on each other—but Ichigo's long-rooted restraints held him back. Till a freaking miracle happened and Saya leaned herself forward, barely skimming his lips—That was all the assurance Ichigo needed before he claimed her mouth.
Saya's brain exploded as she tasted his hot breath and tongue. Her hands found Ichigo's strapping chest and she smoothly caressed her way to his neck, sending a tingling tremor up Ichigo's back, but he didn't stop.
Ichigo was in heaven with Saya's hands on him like this. Damn. He kissed her harder, savoring the feel of her lips. He wanted more of her against him. Damn. He tangled his hand up the back of her neck, into her dark hair. She felt so damn good. Her movements shot his skin hot with maddening fire. His mind was raging with intoxication.
Ichigo groaned with sudden relish as Saya worked magic with her mouth, kneading her tongue against his. Holy $^% $$, he'd never had anything so sweet. He just wanted more of it, but his excitement couldn't make up for his low oxygen level. Ichigo opened his eyes and looked at her, taking a break from their lip-lock.
"S'now's good then?" he panted at her, winding his hand down her brunette locks.
"Now's great," Saya smirked breathlessly back, slowing tracing her hands along his shoulders and back to his neck, bringing his face back for more—
"Oi Ichigo?!"
The two of them jumped at the sound of Renji's voice. The door behind Saya flipped open and Rukia and Renji—
*Slam!*
Saya kicked the door shut.
"OW! What the hell!?" Renji's voice shouted from the other side of the door, banging on the wood. "You almost crushed my finger!"
"Saya? Ichigo?" Rukia called and the doorknob jiggled, but Saya's foot pinned it shut. "What's going on? Open the door you morons!"
"In a minute!" Saya fussed at them. She wasn't going to let Ichigo off the hook just yet. She needed a second dose of Strawberry before she could willingly put her passions on hold.
Ichigo watched as Saya kept her leg bracing the door, then with a toss of her hair, twisted around to face him. Ichigo licked his lips with a hasty swallow at the enticing glimmer in her eyes.
"Ichigo needs a little one-on-one." Quick as a whip, Saya seized his belt buckle and yanked Ichigo against her.
HOAaw FUCK! Ichigo literally almost yelped—he was so startled at her domineering move. Thankfully all he let out was an exhilarated huff before Saya smothered his lips with another kiss.
She moaned wistfully as Ichigo leaned down further and heavily returned the favor, curling his fingers down her cheek, running his thumb over her ear and stroking down her neck. At that point Ichigo did not give a freaking crap if Rukia or Renji overheard them. Saya's pleasure sounds were the sweetest music he'd ever had the privilege of hearing and he did not want it to stop. His breath became tighter as Saya's fingers thrillingly itched the bottom hem of his t-shirt, though still maintaining a grip on his belt and ensuring their torsos stayed glued to each other. He couldn't contain his hands any longer. He groped past her shoulders, down her sides to what he desired and grabbed her backside like there was no tomorrow.
BOOTY BOOTY BOOTY BOOTY ROCKIN' EVERYWHERE! Ichigo's inner immaturity howled at the moon. Saya almost lost her balance due to his sloppy, eagerly roaming hands pushing her even harder against him—she did only have one foot on the ground. But she coiled her arm around Ichigo's neck and kept her balance, not missing a beat between kisses. Her fingers combed through his spikey hair with blind tenderness, making Ichigo's shoulders slack soothingly—only to have his muscles flex again while he squeezed her tush. Their eyes locked on each other intensely before Ichigo adjusted his head and dragged his tongue over Saya's bottom lip, then snogged her again.
Not bad for a beginner, Saya hummed charmingly in her head. To tease him further, she grazed her thumbnail from Ichigo's belt up his navel. His abdomen contracted tensely in response, and Ichigo let out a grasping hiss against the side of her cheek.
Saya stopped herself right there. Whoah Girl.
She wretched her hand away from the top of Ichigo waistline, realizing just how fast they were taking this. She needed to cut herself off from Ichigo's Strawberry goodness.
Damn.. Ichigo let himself sink into the crook of Saya's neck, indulging in how close he was to her. He was slightly ashamed of himself—his pants were tight as fuck—but at the same time, he was finally holding her. Ichigo breathed in the damp, sweet scent of her hair and cherished the rhythm of her chest rising and falling against his. He felt so good right now he could've passed out then and there—but his senses were more wired than ever. He didn't want to lose a moment of this achievement. He couldn't freaking believe it.
With the heat settling between the two of them, Ichigo stood back to his full height to see her face.
She was bright pink with her mouth still slightly ajar, taking in long airy breaths and staring at him with a conscience-stricken expression.
"That really…just happened…" Saya mumbled out loud in a daze. She blinked and glanced away from Ichigo, red-faced at her total loss of self-control. "I thought I might've been daydreaming again but no…that came off really…really strong," she shut her eyes with a wrongful exhale. She was much to used to her pace with Grimmjow.
JESUS SAYA! YOU'VE BARELY LEARNED THAT HE LIKES YOU AND YOU BARREL STRAIGHT FOR THE GOLD?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!—STOP LOOKING AT HIS ADAM'S APPLE GOD DAMMIT!...o/o
STOP IT!...o/o
I SAID STOP IT!
Ichigo watched her bashfully torn expression with an amused gleam and pushed her hair back behind her ear. "Again?" Ichigo stammered with a reckless grin. "You've actually daydreamed about me?"
"Hmn..?" Saya went even brighter red, "Well no—I mean…yeah…" She gradually started mumbling down at her shoe. "But it's not like I think about that all the time…I just…may have thought about it..one or…twelve times…"
Ichigo laughed loudly at her timid confession and kissed her again, lightly this time on her forehead. She closed her eyes smiling, and brushed her hand gently across his cheek to his neck, letting both of her arms drape around his shoulders. Looking up at him with her bright blue-green eyes, she got up on her tip-toe and kissed him back on the forehead. Then on his cheek. Then on his lips.
Ichigo had no idea a girl could blast him so freaking high off his rocket. He knew it in theory—but that paled in comparison to how satisfied he felt right now. Looking at Saya with the playful curl of her lips as she smiled while kissing him made his chest ring out with every beat of his heart. Saya. He was finally kissing Saya. He might as well be slaphappy drunk.
Saya started giggling and pulled back from him, but Ichigo didn't let her get far before stealing another kiss.
"Nope," Saya laughed him away. "You aren't getting another one of those until you get on the microphone and sing."
"What?" Ichigo frowned at her stingily. Screw singing, I'm busy.
"Sing," she repeated challengingly. "Sing to me in a way that'll make me want to kiss you again."
Ichigo's eyes flickered over her, raising an eyebrow beneath his spikey orange bangs. "That shouldn't be to hard now, considering how little it took to get you roweled up a second ago…" he picked a strand of her hair and let it slip through his fingers, falling back on to her shoulder.
"True," Saya only smirked. "But I have a trick to staying level-headed," she said mysteriously.
"Ah yah?" Ichigo tilted his head doubtfully. "And what's that? You memorize some spell? Er wait, let me guess, it's Occlumency."
Saya grinned at his joke. "I wish my answer was that cool and magical, but it's much simpler."
Ichigo quirked his eyebrow inquisitively. "So what is it?"
Saya closed her eyes and suddenly her forehead creased in disgust. Her face split in a hilarious cringe and she laughingly divulged her secret. "I picture Nicholas Cage doing a lap dance," Saya covered her mouth, overcome with ridiculous giggling at the image in her mind.
Ichigo snorted in absurdity at the concept. Wait.. His hands flew to his head in repulsive horror as the image became clearer in his mind. Nicholas Cage cat-walking in high heels and a thong—"Sick!" Ichigo cried out in mercy.
Saya pointed at him, cackling. "Works every time! Doesn't it!?" Upon seeing Saya's smile, Ichigo was able to appreciate the comical aspect of the idea and cracked up along with her.
"That's messed up, Saya! It won't go away!" Ichigo rubbed his temples between laughs.
"I know!" Saya hooted non-apologetically. "I told you!"
"Uggh!..Shit," Ichigo shuddered. Nicholas Cage, with the stupid creepy expression from that internet meme, lying out on a table in his underwear, curling his fingers in a come-hither sort of way—Ichigo broke into a rib-cracking laugh again. "God dammit Saya!"
"What the hell are you two giggling about?" Rukia called from the garage door.
"If you're making fun of Rukia's height again, Saya, I'm gonna beat the crap outta you!" Renji roared.
"Geeze," Ichigo flinched at the volume of the drummer and bassist. Were they screaming like that the whole time? Ichigo seriously hadn't notice.
"Just because she's a half-pint, and smaller than most 6th graders doesn't mean you can—OWW! RUKIA?!" Renji griped in pain. "I WAS DEFENDING YOUR HONOR!"
"It didn't sound that way to me!" Rukia hollered back.
"Whatever! OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!"
"I'm gonna let them in," Saya said. "And you're gonna show us what you've got."
"You want me to sing like that in front of THEM?" Ichigo scowled.
"They're gonna hear it eventually, plus they don't think you can do it," Saya goaded him with reverse psychology. "You want to prove them wrong or not?"
"Fine," Ichigo conceded. The sooner he got this out of the way the easier it would be to work on his voice for the future.
"Good," Saya let her foot off the door. "Now remember, bring it," she whispered. "And save me from these horrible images of Nicholas Cage!" she added with goofy desperation.
Ichigo smirked at her and shook his head, walking towards the microphone as Saya opened the door.
"Finally!" Rukia chided. "What took you guys so long?"
"I was giving Ichigo a pep talk!" Saya said with a straight-faced attitude and put her hands on her hips. But when Rukia looked away she flashed Ichigo a stealthy smirk.
"Seems like a long ass pep talk if you ask me," Renji strutted across the garage to his drums. "How many seconds does it take for someone to say 'Man up, Bitch!'?"
"He's gonna play Crush Me," Saya told them. "Except he's gonna try throwing in some, uh, sensual undertones. Since that song is kinda…depressing. It should make it more appealing for fans."
"Really?" Rukia raised an eyebrow with observant doubt. "You? Singing sexy?" she blinked at Ichigo.
"I'm givin it a shot alright?" Ichigo glared at Rukia and slung his guitar strap over his shoulder.
"Alright, Ichigo," Renji clapped, supporting his friend. "Sing to me like one of those French girls!"
"Renji," Rukia shut her eyes at his stupidity, half laughing. "You butchered that phrase."
Ichigo tried to ignore them and focused on singing. He started from the beginning of the song, and Renji backed him up on drums.
He'd cleared his mind of all intentions but one. 'Seduce me,' Saya's voice rang in Ichigo's head. His concentration was on her, standing to the left of the garage. Saya's arms were crossed, her head tilted at him with her stormy eyes calculating under dauntless, slanted eyebrows. Her dark hair spilling over one shoulder like a silky curtain, obscuring the collar bones that peeked from the neck of her t-shirt. She raised her eyebrow a hair when he hit the particular line she had critiqued him on.
Ichigo sang the words "Hit me harder" like he wanted nothing more than to charm Saya out of her clothes.
O/o...
"See," Saya cleared her throat when the song ended. "That..that was hot…and if I was one of your fans..I'd probably feel the need to hit you harder," she stated without looking at him.
"Yeah," Rukia blinked oddly. "It's a shocking improvement."
"If you say so," Renji squinted with an unimpressed shrug. "He sounds exactly the same to me."
"It's about lunch time," Saya looked at her watch. "I should go check on Nel. G-good rehearsal, Ichigo," she waved briefly and left the room.
Rukia did not miss Ichigo's eyes following hot on Saya's trail as she disappeared.
"I didn't know you had the spine to sing so suggestively, Ichigo." Rukia crossed her arms, studying him. "What could have inspired you to conduct yourself so indecently?"
"What? Nothing," Ichigo shrugged hastily at her.
"I wouldn't call that nothing," Rukia stared flatly. Ichigo glanced at her and he went beet red under her all-seeing eye.
"Whatever, Rukia!" Ichigo glowered and set down his guitar. "Just-give me a second, I'll be right back," he headed out of the garage as well, leaving Rukia and Renji to themselves.
"So," she spoke out loud thoughtfully. "It's finally happened."
"Eh?" Renji inquired with a tilt of his head.
"He made a move."
"Who?" Renji frowned at the vague comment.
"Ichigo," Rukia answered, turning her gaze towards the drummer.
"Ichigo?"
"Yes. Ichigo likes Saya—obviously."
"WHAaatT? Since when?" Renji gaped widely. "That ain't obvious! If it had been obvious, I would have seen it." Renji said, more to himself. "I'm good at picking up obvious stuff like that…." he muttered with a self-assured pride.
Rukia rolled her eyes with a light scoff. "Sure you are," she humored him.
"Thanks, I know," Renji grinned heartily and crossed the distance to his dream girl.
"Mmm-hm," Rukia crossed her arms, sending him a witty smirk.
Renji smiled back at her and unwound her arms, wrapping them around himself so her could look her in the face. "So what?" he flashed her a roguish grin. "You wanna go screw with them?"
Rukia paused with a short thought. "Yeah, alright," she smiled equally as troublesome.
…TO BE CONTINUED….
What do you guys think!? Thank you for reading and please please review! Coming up next, Ichigo and Saya have a day to themselves—but who will they run into? Hint: It's a character who has yet to make an appearance!
Yuri Tora: Thank you! I totally agree, Grimmjow makes things interesting. He is so confused! HAHAHAH! FO REEL! That's great! And I'm so happy you liked the zombie thing with Nel! I feel like the line between reality and fantasy is so blurred for her, so would have no regard for safety hehehe, like her logic of how fast people heal when they get caught on fire would be based off of looney tunes or something.
Koaichan: Sooooo? Was that racy enough for Ichi and Saya's first kiss? Hhehehehee. And yes! I've always loved Nel's attachment to Ichigo in the original Bleach and I'm hoping I can stay true to that. But now Aizen is in the picture! WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT!?
RavenxScarlet: Thank you so much! I hope you liked this one too!
Crazyforgrimmy: Yaaay! You're back! Thank you thank you so much! I wish I could write an actual book—I want to make my own animated series one day—but dammit I WILL MISS THE LOVABLE INCREDIBLE CHARACTERS OF BLEACH! I loved writing that chap with them at the pool though hehehe!
Next Chapter: Go Go Power Ranger! ^-^