Chapter 38: Strawberry Meets Death
Alright, so my ANs might be a tad shorter, with less random ramblings, due to one reason: a blog.
It's a weird assignment for the semester this spring, and I figured if I'm wasting my time with a blog, might as well use it for SMD =] It is on public view (if not, let me know!) and anyone can comment.
The url for it is: http:// kurosakilove . blogspot . com/
Just take out the spaces :] So go ahead and give it a visit :] We'll see how it turns out x] Haha
I LOVE THIS CHAPTER. I believe y'all call it a 'lime' ;] Here is Chapter 38 of Strawberry Meets Death! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the original characters or concepts of Tite Kubo's Bleach.
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The early morning calm was shattered downstairs in the Kurosaki residence, Isshin's loud, booming voice echoing throughout the entire house. His only son growled in irritation, swiftly grabbing a pot to smash onto his father.
"Owie! Why must you hurt your favorite daddy!"
"You're my only dad and you deserve another one!" Ichigo aimed the metal pot at Isshin again, giving up when the older man quickly grabbed his toast, screaming a 'good-bye' as he escaped the house for the day.
Yuzu finished Ichigo's plate, turning from the stove to sit at the table, sliding his plate in front of him as he took a seat; "Here you go, Ichi-nii."
"Thanks, Yuzu." Sighing, Ichigo sat silently as he ate, the clinking of his fork against the plate the only sound between them.
Staring out the window, the sky a light gray, Yuzu turned to her brother; "Are Rukia and Shuuhei coming today?"
"Yeah; I need to help them sort out a few things for the university…."
"I'll make dinner then. By the way, your books are at the post office to be picked up."
Swallowing his mouthful, Ichigo frowned at his sister, pointing his fork accusingly; "Weren't you here to sign for them? I was wondering about it last night."
"I was here, but figured you could pick them up at the town center if you could easily spend two days out in the streets, anyways."
Smirking, Yuzu stood to leave to her room, ruffling her brother's wild hair as she passed him.
Grumbling, Ichigo finished his breakfast, shoving the dirty dish into the sink.
---
Rukia walked beside Shuuhei on the empty sidewalks, both sipping on warm drinks they had bought.
The shorter of the two shivered, never having been in Karakura during the colder season. Smiling, she pulled her jacket closer around her small body, remembering the day she dragged Ichigo through stores, making him help her find clothes.
Shuuhei finished the last his tea, tossing the cup into a bin as they turned the corner, crossing the empty road to the other sidewalk; "Can't believe Urahara signed us into their academy; how the hell does he expect us to survive?"
"It can't be that bad, Shuuhei. Isn't it just a continuation of what we went through last time?"
"I don't know; Ichigo seems more serious about this so-called 'university,' and I passed it last night- it's immense, Rukia!"
The pair walked up to Urahara's shop, allowing themselves in; "Urahara! Oi, we're here!"
"Ah, Hisagi-kun! Rukia-san! Do come in, I have hot tea ready!"
Walking through the familiar shop, Rukia and Shuuhei found the shinigami, Yoruichi curled in his lap, fast asleep.
"Glad to see you're both ready for the cold weather! Last time you were here, it was burning from the heat."
Sitting down, Shuuhei frowned at Urahara, immediately getting to the point; "Why the university?"
Laughing, Urahara leaned back against the wall, his hands massaging into Yoruichi's fur.
"Well, what better place to hide you for the majority of time than at a univeristy, bursting with people? I nabbed you an education in the human world while I was at it."
Rukia leaned over the table beside Shuuhei, his taller body hiding her otherwise; "But is it just a continuation of the high school, just another 'grade' in it?"
"No."
Growling, Shuuhei glared at Rukia, poking her shoulder roughly.
"No need to worry, you'll both be just fine! Kurosaki-kun will be with you, as well!"
---
"Shuuhei, I'm not so sure about the university anymore…."
"And why is that, oh mighty Kuchiki?"
Ignoring his teasing, their footsteps bringing them closer to Ichigo's home, Rukia huffed in thought, a puff of her breath disappearing into the chilled air; "Well, Urahara reminded us that Ichigo will be with us, certainly, but then wouldn't we distract him from his work?"
I think this matters more for him than for ourselves, Shuuhei…."
Frowning at her serious worry, the taller male slung an arm over her, ruffling her hair into a static mess.
"We'll work hard, then. If a rash, hot-head like your lover can go to this university, then we can, as well."
With a wide grin on his face, Shuuhei poked at Rukia until she laughed softly, her determination set.
---
Hurrying into the warm house after his trip to town for his books, Ichigo kicked off his shoes as he slammed the door shut, tossing his jacket onto the couch.
"Yuzu, I'm back!"
Checking the kitchen before he sprinted up the stairs with his package in arms, Ichigo knocked on Yuzu's door before stepping in, pouting when she wasn't in sight. Instead, he found a small note on her bed, his name neatly scrawled on it.
"Left with Shuuhei to the center. Be back later. Dinner is in the microwave. P.S. If I'm not in the kitchen, do you really have to check in here? Love, Yuzu"
Crumbling the note, shifting the heavy package under his arm, Ichigo chucked the paper ball into her wastebasket, mumbling in annoyance.
Went all the way to town for nothing….
Pushing his door open, quickly kicking it closed, Ichigo walked over to his desk, a smile pulling at his lips as he discovered the sleeping raven-haired woman beneath his blankets.
Gently sliding the package onto the desk, Ichigo sat against the headboard of his bed, carefully moving to avoid waking her up.
He sat silently for some time, watching Rukia sleep as the blinds cast light shadows across her covered body. He didn't make a single movement until she suddenly turned in her sleep, rolling over beside him.
Her arms sought the new warmth beside her, wrapping around his slim hips while she made Ichigo's thigh her new pillow.
Ichigo hesitantly reached out to her, tucking her hair behind her ear. His eyes freely roamed her covered body, a strange need to rip the blankets from her and look at her body completely.
I need to leave her alone before I jump her in her sleep…. Ichigo reluctantly peeled Rukia's arms from his waist, sliding out from underneath her head.
Heading out to the hallway, he took one last glance at his bed, closing the door softly.
---
His back was facing her when Rukia woke up, her breath shallow but quiet, her entire body still beneath the warm blankets.
Ichigo's hair was dripping wet from a shower, the drops running down his bare back, disappearing past the jeans hung low on his hips. He bent to dig through his closet, his whispered curses reaching her.
Rukia took the chance to shamelessly take him in, her eyes roaming the small of his back and his digging arms, her eyes not missing his shaped rear.
She nearly gasped when he found a decent shirt, straightening up to his full height to pull the shirt over his head.
His muscles moved tauntingly under his lightly tanned skin, his body turning from the closet as he pulled the shirt down, his toned abdomen teasing her as it was quickly hidden from sight.
Rukia didn't bother closing her eyes as he wandered towards her, amber eyes catching sight of her violet ones.
Ichigo glanced back to where he had changed, wondering for second since when she had been awake, turning back to her; "Free show, ne?"
"Yeah; easy to see why it was free, too…."
Smirking, Rukia rolled away from him before he could grab her, feeling the bed dip as she grabbed the pillow, hiding her head underneath it.
She felt Ichigo move next to her, his leg swung over her body hidden by blankets. His voice reached her ears, muffled by the pillow, but still alluring as he dragged out every syllable of her name.
Giving in, she pushed the pillow aside, turning onto her back. Ichigo immediately reached out to caress her cheek, his thumb tracing her lips.
Rukia lost the function to breathe when his warm hand wrapped around her neck, grabbing a fistful of her dark hair, pulling Rukia to his hungry lips.
There was nothing sweet about the kiss, Ichigo not bothering to plead her for entrance, pushing past her lips instead with a passionate need.
His body pushed against her smaller one, Rukia instantly frustrated with the blankets preventing her from tangling her legs with his own.
Pushing at his chest, Rukia groaned at the loss of his taste, quickly kicking at the blankets, Ichigo discarding of his shirt.
Crawling back over Rukia, his legs between her own, Ichigo dropped his body against her, holding as much of his weight above her without losing the feel of her clothed, heated body against him.
Rukia wrapped her long legs around his hips, pulling him flush against her; the feel of his arousal between her legs overwhelmed her, pulling on his neck roughly to kiss him, moans escaping her.
Ichigo let Rukia take control, her warm tongue pushing past his lips to explore him, her teeth nipping at him.
Supporting his weight on a single arm, Ichigo ran a hand through her hair before he dragged it down her body, his hand slipping under her shirt, risking feeling her up to her ribs, his fingers barely grazing the bottom of her covered breast.
Rukia surrendered her control of his mouth, gasping for breath as her body arched into Ichigo's, tightening her legs around him.
She didn't give any thought to her actions, simply needing to feel his touch, grabbing his arm to push his hand against her breast, his large palm cupping her.
Ichigo panted as the woman beneath him grinded his hips against her own, his hand roughly massaging her small, but round breasts, pulling back to slip underneath the bra, his thumb rubbing her hard nub. The touch drove Rukia to moan deeply, Ichigo silencing her with a rough kiss.
The male shifted his sweating body to cover her smaller one entirely, lifting his lower body onto his knees, slipping his arm under her to cradle her back; biting on Rukia's lip, squeezing her breast again, Ichigo pushed against her heated core, his body begging to take her at the sound of her desperate whimpers.
Nails clawed their way along his back, her other hand reaching into his hair to roughly tangle her fingers within it, pulling him away from her swollen lips.
Ichigo pulled his hand out from her shirt, breathing out at laugh as Rukia openly whimpered at the loss, wrapping his hand around her chin. Pushing her head back, Ichigo kissed along her smooth, sweating neck as he felt his way down to her thighs, biting her skin before soothing it with his warm tongue.
Rukia dug her nails into his back again as she fought to breathe, her pants encouraging the male to thrust against her, a cry of need escaping Rukia.
Ichigo moved up to nip behind her ear, nuzzling her before he managed to speak, his hot breath against her delicate skin; "R-Rukia."
Rukia tried to speak, tried to make any noise resembling words, but couldn't find the strength or will to find them, her mind thrown into a frenzy again as he pressed against her, his hand underneath her shirt again, running over her sweating skin.
"Rukia, look at me, c'mon…." His husky voice managed to register in her mind, her violet eyes searching for his amber ones, locking her gaze with him. She continued to stay silent, breathing heavily through her nose, afraid of opening her mouth.
Leaning in, Ichigo kissed her deeply, tracing her lip with his tongue, pulling back reluctantly; "Do you want to keep going?"
Rukia was certain a year ago his voice would have been shaky, his confidence and need running shivers throughout her entire, heated body.
Swallowing deeply, she managed to barely whisper; "N-no."
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Rukia sat against the headboard with her knees pulled to her chest, the cold breeze slipping through the open window.
She could hear the shower from down the hallway, Ichigo's shirt on the bed by her feet.
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"Do you want to keep going?"
"N-no."
-
A deep sigh escaped her, closing her eyes, leaning her head back over the headboard.
The running water from the bathroom turned off, followed by the loud creak of the shower door. Ichigo toweled himself dry for the second time that afternoon, pulling his pants over a fresh pair of boxer-briefs, stepping out into the hallway.
Rukia opened her eyes at the sound of his door closing, leaning forward to grab the shirt resting at her feet.
Ichigo walked further into the room, rubbing his towel into his wet hair. Rukia stayed silent as he walked up to her, moving her leg aside for him to sit in front of her, swinging her leg over his lap.
She leaned forward, her forehead resting against his shoulder; "Sorry…."
"Rukia, there's nothing to be sorry for. If it didn't feel right to you, then it didn't. I shouldn't have pushed so far, so soon. It's…."
It's just been a long time without you."
Ichigo nudged her forehead off his shoulder, capturing her lips when she looked up at him. Standing, the male took the shirt from her hands, pulling it on.
Her eyes on his skin until hidden from sight, Rukia frowned; "Ichigo?"
Sitting back down, Ichigo turned to face her, his own frown challenging hers; "Hai?"
"…What… h-how are you… what-?"
"What has Urahara made me into the past fourteen months?"
Blushing, Rukia nodded, pushing him away from her when he laughed; "It's nothing to laugh about, Ichigo!"
Pulling her from the bed to stand with him, Ichigo ran his hands through her hair, whispering against her lips; "You'll see…."
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"Yuzu; explain to me again why you can't walk?"
"Because of my Kinnikinnick condition. It's a curse…."
"Sure…."
Shuuhei walked leisurely through the streets on their way back home, Yuzu comfortably riding on his back, her arms loose around his neck with his arms locked around her legs.
They soon made it to the Kurosaki residence, Yuzu climbing down with trouble due to his height, Shuuhei refusing to crouch. Opening the door, Yuzu kicked off her sandals, calling out for her brother; "Ichi-nii! We're back!"
Shuuhei closed the door behind him, lifting the leg of his jeans to step on the back of his shoe and slide his foot out, opting to lift the other foot to remove the sneaker. Walking into the kitchen, he glanced at the stairway as the couple made their way down, sitting down at the table.
Burying her small hands into Shuuhei's wild, dark hair, Rukia tugged on it until he leaned back, staring down at him; "What took you guys so long?"
"Yuzu spent a good hour trying to convince me to carry her on my back."
Laughing, Rukia released her hold on his hair, sitting beside him; "And let me guess- she was convincing."
"Eh, only cause she's short and could get lost amongst the raging toddlers we passed in the park."
Rukia swiftly punched the shinigami, Yuzu pouting across the table from him; "That's mean! I'm not that short…."
Ichigo joined them at the table with a glass of water, ruffling Yuzu's hair; "It's our job as the brothers of a shrimp."
"…Strawberry…."
Ichigo choked on his water, Rukia and Shuuhei laughing uncontrollably across from them.
Catching his breath, Ichigo stared wide-eyed at his sister, an innocent smile on her pretty face, "What, Ichi-nii?"
Mumbling about Rukia's bad influence on his sweet, little sister, Ichigo turned his attention back to his water, pretending he never heard such a name from her.
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Ichigo leaned back in his chair at his desk, ripping the brown paper off his package.
Rukia and Shuuhei were both sprawled on his bed, Shuuhei laying on his stomach with Rukia's long legs resting across his back as she stared at the ceiling.
Sighing, Ichigo puffed his bangs from his eyes, frowning at the numerous and expensive books piled on his desk; "Did Urahara get the books you need, as well?"
Shuuhei turned onto his back beneath Rukia's legs, sitting up as they fell onto his lap; "He said we might be without them the first day, but that he ordered them."
Nodding, Ichigo stretched his arms above his head, yawning as he stood, sitting down by Rukia on the bed; "You missed senior year, so you'll have to start in lower classes to pull this off, but I think you'll both do fine…."
Not like you have to worry much about Hollows, with us in hiding and all…."
Rukia shifted on the bed, ignoring Shuuhei's protest at her moving legs on his lap; "What are we going to tell everyone?"
Frowning, Ichigo was surprised he forgot about his friends, huffing in thought.
"We… don't have to explain anything. You came back."
End of story."
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Aha, I bet you hate me and "Kinnikinnick" was a brand-name on some muffins at this small store by my friend's house; made me giggle.
Let me know what you think! And it has been decided to post the draft-chapter of my second story as a separate one. :]
Remember to check out the blog, and leave comments, questions, or simple love for this chapter :]
Thank you all SO much and I hope I don't disppoint; Happy New Years! Keep your dogs inside in case of fireworks! Stay safe!!
Much love, KurosakiLove~