Disclaimer: Kubo-sensei owns BLEACH! I own nothing!
Warnings: AU, uber OOC-ness, ManyxIchigo, side pairings, etc...
Skirting Through Life
009 Open Mic Night and All That's Before After and In Between part 4
A loud pounding noise roused Starrk from his sleep. "Hmm? Huh"? Feeling a bit disoriented at first it took the goateed senior a moment to realize that he wasn't at home in his bedroom.
"Starrk, you lazy bum, open the damn doors already!"
When he didn't move fast enough for the little lady Lilinette pounded even harder which was a bit strange since she had her own set of keys and could enter the hummer at any time. Unless she mis placed them again. A common occurrence.
"Yeah, yeah quit your griping give me a minute."
()
Keigo could hardly believe his dream girl was swearing. Granted "damn" wasn't the most vulgar curse word in the dictionary but it still surprised him a bit. Not that it made him like Lilinette any less because of course it didn't.
Her exotic jackal like looking features were further pronounced as her perfectly curved brow twitched and her jaw clenched as she slammed her small body into the side of the closed door and tried to force it open. She grumbled under her breath, "Stupid, useless lazy-"
"Would you like me to try?"
Lilinette blew her chunky bang out of her face as she considered the brunet's offer for a moment. He looked so anxious to help her out. It was almost sweet. But in the end, she shook her head. "No that's alright I'll get it eventually."
Keigo watched as the guitarist worked up a bit of a sweat as she repeatedly attacked the door with her body and when her efforts proved pointless, he thought maybe just maybe Lilinette would let him take a crack at it. What he did not expect was for his dream girl to tell him to, "Back up a bit, I'm gonna try something else."
It was the only warning he got before Lilinette did a back-hand spring and then shot forward like a bullet and kicked the door in with her knee-high boots. He took the opportunity to appreciate the glistening creamy skin and the brief flash of underwear.
Was it possible for her to get any hotter than she already was?
"Wow! You're-that was amazing!"
Lilinette turned and grinned at Keigo.
"Oi Lily what did you that for? I just finished paying off damages why must you be so always be so reckless." came the irritated lazy drawl.
Keigo only vaguely recognized the voice. He racked his brain as he tried to remember.
()
A fur lined boot was the first thing to come into to view, the shadow of a tall masculine figure followed before the moon lit up the stranger's face.
()
Starrk's drooping slate gray eyes narrowed to sharp slits as he sized up the kid who was standing a bit too close to his younger sister. It didn't matter that Lilinette was perfectly capable of handling herself the Coyote was protective by nature.
He released a yawn, "I'm not really the type of guy to threaten another guy for getting better acquainted with my sister but if you try anything funny, I will not even so much as raise a brow before putting two bullets in each of your knee caps."
The brunet flinched and paled visibly.
Starrk almost felt like grinning but he wasn't the grinning type.
()
Orihime felt like doing a victory dance now that Kurosaki-kun's attention was focused completely on her. The way he was smiling at her was almost like a dream come true-the only thing that could top this would be if the strawberry boy swooped in with a kiss.
But the night was not over there was still time.
The princess ignored the applause from the crowd as she continued to stare dreamily into Kurosaki-kun's eyes.
He wasn't uttering a single word but it didn't matter because he didn't have to.
()
Ichigo felt if he had to smile any longer the muscles in his face might start to cramp up. Inoue just kept looking deeply into his eyes, he wasn't even sure the girl had blinked in the past 5 minutes.
It was weird and a bit uncomfortable. He really wanted to flee but he knew it wouldn't be that easy. So, he decided to give the cheerleader a compliment. "You have a nice voice, Inoue."
"Really? You think so? Oh, thank you so much Kurosaki-kun!" She looked like she wanted to hug him just then but just barely managed to hold back.
Ichigo released a sigh and decided to just hug the princess. It was the least he could do since he basically avoided her ever since she arrived. Then mentally cringed when he heard his friends cheering and howling obnoxiously.
He stumbled a bit when he felt some one kick him from behind. "Hurry up and kiss her idiot!"
"Damn it Tatsuki! What the hell?!"
The tomboy ignored the berry. And kicked him a second time.
Ichigo scowled and rather than giving into his friends' ridiculous demands he released his hold on the princess. "Anyway Inoue, good job. If you'll excuse me, I actually need to speak to Rukia about something."
Not waiting for a response, he descended the steps and made a beeline towards Rukia. The ravenette appeared to be having a heated argument with Renji. Ichigo hesitated a moment before approaching the couple. This did not look good at all.
()()
"I won't be played for a fool Renji!"
Rukia wasn't the type of girl who raised her voice often so it was a little surprising to hear her shout.
Renji looked emotionally wounded in that moment as he asked/demanded "What are you are you talking about? Why the hell are you so angry with me all of a sudden Rukia?"
"Oh, don't give me that you've been acting strange for weeks and I'm sick of it!" Rukia's voice was positively shrill.
Renji winced and tried to calm his girlfriend down. "Rukia, come on let's not do this here. People are starting to stare."
"I don't give a damn. Let them stare."
"Rukia, baby this isn't like you."
The ravenette's nostrils flared, "Don't call me such a stupid pet name! You will respect me or so help me I'll-"
"Uh Rukia?" Ichigo tentatively interrupted.
"What?" Rukia snarled then apologized when she realized it was Ichigo. "Sorry, yes Ichigo what is it?"
"We're um up next I think unless you no longer want to do it."
In all honesty singing a duet was probably the last thing Rukia wanted to do at the moment.
Ichigo certainly wouldn't force his friend to perform if she was no longer feeling up to it. He knew she was already not in the best of moods. It was pretty clear that Renji had royally fucked up.
"Do what? What exactly are you two going to do Ichigo?" Renji demanded with an angry snarl much to the berry's utter and complete bafflement.
Before Ichigo could issue a response Rukia beat him to the punch.
"We're going to sing you idiot what the hell do you think we're going to do."
More stupid images of his two friends embracing flew through Renji's mind and he barely bit back another snarl "Is that really necessary anymore? Rukia, let's just-come on I'll take you home and we can talk about everything. I wasn't trying to hide it from you but-
Rukia promptly ignored whatever else Renji had to say and focused her full attention on her berry friend, "Ichigo let's not waste any more time and go right now."
In that next minute the ravenette grabbed hold of the berry's hand and headed for the stage, practically knocking over the group of cheerleaders in her mad rush.
()()
Rukia was so damn angry she could spit. Singing some sweet and soulful pop ballad was probably the last thing she should be doing but she promised and Kuchiki's kept their promises.
Willing herself to calm down she grabbed the microphone while Ichigo positioned himself behind the keyboard.
She was a bit surprised to find out that her berry friend knew how to play because he had never mentioned it in all the years that they had known each other. Perhaps it was a skill passed on by Masaki-san herself?
The music did not start right away. Ichigo's eyes were closed as if he was in deep concentration. And maybe he was?
()()
Ichigo's leg was shaking uncontrollably, his palms suddenly felt clammy and he wasn't even sure he'd be able to play one note let alone a whole song.
An electric keyboard was not the same as his mother's grand piano and yet...there was something about feeling the smooth polished keys beneath his fingertips that made him almost want to cry.
It had only been a few years since his beloved Kaa-san walked out and yet sometimes during moments such as these he almost felt like the woman was right beside him. Encouraging him with her warm gentle smile. How ridiculous!
Ichigo scowled. 'What the hell is the matter with me? She's not dead she's just not living at home is all.'
()
Kurosaki was just full of endless surprises. Just when Uryu thought he couldn't fall even harder for the other boy; he was proven wrong. Deep in concentration orange brows furrowed, eyes closed, nimble fingers gliding along the keys of the keyboard, perfectly toned leg shaking nervously, voice coming out sort of breathless and almost broken as the first note was played-
Ame... (1)
Kurosaki was nothing short of beautiful in that moment.
Mae no hi mo ame de
Sono mae mo ame de
Slow Motion ai wa totsuzen ni
Ore no mae de kowarete
Uryu smiled into his coffee cup. It was decided. Not only would the strawberry boy be his boyfriend and muse but that Kurosaki would also be his mate for life.
He doubted very highly that his father would approve his eventual decision to marry another male but he hardly cared. Even if there was a wedding in the future...many, many years into the future Ryuken would probably be too tied up in his work to even bother attending.
His mother would be there and Isshin-san would be there and perhaps Kuchiki-san would be there was well?
Her voice complimented Kurosaki's quite well. A bit deeper than her youthful features suggested but very pleasing to the ears.
Because just one thing...only one thing
I couldn't protect
Uryu noted that the ravenette looked a bit sad in the moment and he wondered if it was the music that was having an effect on her emotions or something else. His eyes moved back to Kurosaki and he sighed like some dreamy love sick idiot as the berry started singing again...
The battle still continues
for the sake of pride
()()
No time to cry
Naku no wa ato da
Roku gatsu no ame ni mata chikau dake
()()
Renji was disgusted and a little bit jealous. Not only did his best friend and girlfriend visually look good together but they sounded good together.
Their voices wonderfully in sync the expressions on their faces so deep and soulful that the duo appeared to be a great deal older and vastly more mature in that moment then they actually were.
Kedo atatakana ame wa
Ore no hoho wo nurasu
Slow motion atsui suzushisa de
Ore wo tsuyoku michibiku
The lounge had grown almost eerily quiet no one made a sound as Rukia and Ichigo continued their performance.
Some people even drew nearer to the stage so they wouldn't miss a single moment.
Renji wanted to move closer to the stage for an entirely different reason especially when Rukia walked over and sat next to Ichigo behind the keyboard.
Because things such as 'memories' are not tepid things
Even though I don't understand
right now, I have no choice but to run
It was quite unsettling that there was barely an inch of space between them, even more unsettling when suddenly the two locked gazes in the next moment.
NO TIME TO CRY
Tsuyoku naru dake
Roku gatsu no ame wa tada inochigake
In that moment, more wild images started playing in Renji's mind quite against his will, the expression on Ichigo's face was so damn fierce it was almost frightening as he abandoned his "clueless blushing berry act" and leaned in to cradle Rukia's face with his hands.
Silver blues shot open in wide surprise and Rukia sounded damn near breathless "Ichigo what are you?"
Ichigo's voice came out as a gentle purr "Shh close your eyes and just let me do this"
And then he was suddenly attacking Rukia's mouth with the kind of fiery passion that should only exist in old Hollywood movies or a dirty manga. Quickly stripping the petite ravenette out of her clothes and- (2)
"I never imagined I'd see such a murderous expression on your face Lil' Pine."
Renji jumped at the sudden voice ignoring the delightful chill that went up his spine. He knew that voice. That was the same voice of the person who had been haunting his dreams lately. He would be a damn fool to turn around now.
The "pet-name" that he would have normally found offensive (since there was nothing little about him) if it had been coming out of anyone else's mouth made the redhead flush with pleasure and embarrassment all at once.
"Which one is pissin' you off more? The dandelion in drag or your girl?"
Renji did not respond. He knew he should keep his mouth shut in that moment or else he would end up saying something he definitely did not want to say. Especially not to the person behind him.
"Can't quite make up your mind Lil' Pine that it? Well, you've got time. Graduations' not gonna be for a while and even when that time comes still don't matter cuz' I got connections and if I wanna find you I will."
Renji still said nothing not that he wasn't tempted. Because he definitely was.
"Not picky jus' so ya know Lil' Pine. Sharin' is not outta the question either. Spice of life and all that." (3)
Forget fire Renji felt like he was being consumed by a fucking volcano in that moment it was so hot. He nearly let a painful torturous groan slip past his lips.
The crowd erupted with applause just then and Renji was brought back to reality. Not that the person behind him wasn't real but-
"See you...in my dreams Lil' Pine."
The feather light touch of a single finger brushing against the collar of his neck made Renji shudder and wince and he almost wished he wasn't acting like such a chicken shit in the moment. It was becoming more and more difficult to resist temptation.
He shut his eyes and bit his tongue drawing blood and remembered that there was something else demanding his attention. Yes, something much more important-Now that Ichigo and Rukia had finished their little duet he could kick his best friends' ass!
()
Orihime felt like she might just die right then and there. Just when she thought the night couldn't get any worse-it did. Kurosaki-kun sang a duet with Kuchiki-san.
Just as the princess had always know Kurosaki-kun was oh so talented and oh so perfect and so everything she dreamed he would be but she had no idea he was that deep. Naturally she knew HER strawberry boy wasn't shallow or an idiot but the poetic side Kurosaki-kun had shown, the quality of his voice, the expression he had worn on his face...while he performed, while he had looked at Kuchiki-san.
There was no other definition for it...that was LOVE. (4)
Kurosaki-kun loved another. Loved someone who wasn't her. The princess saw red and she wasn't sure she would be able to hold her inner demon back this time.
She waited a few minutes before she followed the smaller girl to the bathroom. She doubted she'd be interrupted since it seemed like Abarai-kun had something to discuss with Kurosaki-kun.
()
Ichigo barely registered the applause or Rukia's departure so lost in his memories as he was.
Huddled away in the far corner of his bedroom with a pile of blankets over his head a 7-year-old Ichigo whimpered as lightening crashed and thunder rumbled outside.
He hated when there was a rain storm more than he hated anything else.
Kaa-chan and Tou-chan had already gone to bed and all Ichigo had to protect him was his favorite neon blue panther plushie. But even Panther-san wasn't proving to be much comfort to the frightened little boy on this night. (5)
'It's just a storm. It can't hurt me. It's just a s-
Thunder boomed loud enough that for a moment the child thought he might have gone temporarily deaf. Ichigo released another whimper clutched his plush toy even harder and crunched into an even smaller ball.
Oh, how he wished it would end. He'd rather see the sunshine and hear the birds chirping. Morning couldn't be that far away could it?
'Think Ichigo think! What would Kaa-chan do?'
Kaa-chan would sing. That's what she would do. That's what he should do. Ichigo didn't think he was very good at singing and he couldn't remember the lyrics all that well but it was worth a try.
"N-no time to cry. C-crying is for la-later."
How was it possible for the thunder to grow even louder? Not just louder it sounded like it was practically on top of him. 7-year-old Ichigo decided he'd had enough. He threw off his blankets and raced out of his bedroom and down to the end of the hall and into his parents' room screaming at the top of his lungs.
()
"Kaa-chaaaaaaan! Tou-chaaaaaan!"
A small light flicked on. Isshin grumbled something unintelligible in his sleep but did not wake. Masaki sat up and smiled at her little boy, voice soft melodic and calming as ever, she held open her arms, "Ichigo, come here."
Ichigo only hesitated a moment before he barreled right into his mother's arms and hugged her tightly, crushing Panther-san between them. "I hate the rain," he mumbled.
Masaki smoothed his unruly orange locks and sighed, "Oh Ichigo you don't have to be afraid of the rain. I've told you before. The rain is your friend."
Ichigo shook his head and hugged his mother even tighter. "I-I tried to be brave Kaa-chan, I-I tried to s-sing but," a sniff, "It didn't work."
"Did you? Well perhaps we should sing it together instead?"
Another sniff, "Can't I just sleep with you tonight Kaa-chan? I won't take up too much space promise."
()
The memory drifted away as something hard and painful connected with Ichigo's face and sent him to the floor.
What the fuck?!
The berry blinked feeling irritated stunned and confused all at once.
Who the hell-?
More pain blossomed on his face and Ichigo now recognized the source behind the pain-it was a fist. No not just a fist-Renji's fist.
Why the hell was his friend attacking him?
"What the fuck was that huh? What made you think you could start getting all cozy with Rukia?!"
What the hell was Renji talking about? Ichigo couldn't understand any of it. He noticed the fuming redhead was winding up for another punch and decided that he would not be Renji's fucking punching bag!
He might not punch back but he sure as hell wasn't going to just take it either. Ichigo dodged out of the way and tried to put some distance between himself and his friend.
"Don't be a fucking coward Ichigo take it like a man!"
Take it like a man? Not only did Renji sound angry and irrational he sounded down right stupid. What the hell had happened? Ichigo hadn't done anything to warrant such whatever the hell this was.
Renji bristled and snarled and charged in his direction-his fist probably would have connected a third time if someone hadn't stepped in to intervene.
"That is quite enough. The Smoked Boar is an entertainment lounge not a bar."
"Who the hell are you? Let go of my arm asshole!"
"I will not release you until you apologize."
Ichigo blinked only dimly recognizing the person who had come to his rescue. He wracked his brain trying to put a name to the face of the guy with two-toned colored hair and horn-rimmed glasses.
The berry felt someone else come up from behind him and place a hand on his shoulder, a low murmur followed, "Daijoubou desu ka?"
He turned and looked up into beautiful jade green eyes. The waiter from before. Ichigo hadn't caught the guys' name earlier but it didn't really matter. For now, he'd just call his two rescuers 'two-tone' and 'jade' in his head. "Yeah, I'm uh I'm fine. Thanks."
()
Ririn punched her fist in the air and grinned from her place at the bar. "Nice one Cloud! Noba!"
Yes, there was no way their BOY would turn down their offer to friendship now. Not that he had earlier but-
"Excuse me can I order a drink please?"
The buttercream haired blonde blinked a moment and then snapped to attention. "Oh sorry, yes, yes of course what would you like?"
()
Ulquiorra frowned. Originally, he intended to order some more Seltzer since his impromptu make out session with the fabulous 'Shi' had left him quite parched but it had turned rather chilly suddenly inside the lounge and he decided that something warm was probably a better option. "Do you have any cider?"
"Cider? Yes, actually we do. Would you like extra cinnamon cloves?"
Ulquiorra only briefly registered the question as his green eyes flickered back and forth between the stage and the bar.
As always Kurosaki Ichigo had attracted a lot of attention. His little song with the Kuchiki woman seemed to have stirred emotions and brought about even more admirers. The berry teen's face looked flushed, sad, drained and confused all at once. Wincing as he touched his cheek, which was starting to swell. Who the heck was that overgrown gorilla who had lashed out at him? Abarai Renji wasn't it?
Ulquiorra did not like it. At all. While it was true his berry friend had ignored his warnings about the cheerleading princess and her entourage and had never bothered returning to the table, Kurosaki did not deserve to be assaulted. By anyone!
'I don't know why I feel this sudden urge to protect you Kurosaki Ichigo. But I will protect you.' (6)
"Yes, extra clove would be nice. In fact, make it two ciders, please."
"Two ciders! Coming right up!" the small blonde bar maid chirped happily.
Ulquiorra drummed his fingers rather impatiently while he waited.
()
TBC
A/N I have no more excuses any more "Open mic night" keeps growing and growing, lol. I don't want any of the berry's suitors/admirers being left out. Ah well hopefully some of you are enjoying it all the same. Hope to have the next part up soon.
Ame... (1) Memories in the rain. I love this song. Like it's seriously just love arguably my favorite BLEACH chara duet...although Gin and Rangiku's duet is a pretty close runner up. Anyway I may be totally and 100 percent in love with blushing queer as blazes berry boy but I will always have a small soft spot/appreciation that is the total canonness that makes Ichigo and Rukia. The woman changed his destiny after all. They both saved each other's lives. Ichigo is my favorite BLEACH character hands down. And while Rukia isn't my favorite female character exactly she is most definitely in the top 3. Back to the song that is so wonderfully beautiful and canon. I do not know if there is an actually piano or keyboard in the official song but...even if there isn't there are other songs where Ichigo is playing the piano or a piano is playing. Whatever. I love the piano and the keyboard. And just about oh almost every fic I've ever written so far I mention the berry's love for piano/keyboard...or how Masaki taught him to play...etc.
And then he was suddenly attacking Rukia's mouth with the kind of fiery passion that should only exist in old Hollywood movies or a dirty manga. Quickly stripping the petite ravenette out of her clothes and- (2) Renji is paranoid and has a very overactive imagination at the moment. He's also struggling with his emotions and his own guilt over being attracted to someone besides his girlfriend Rukia. Also if I ever wrote a IchiRuki/Ruki/Ichi love fic it would probably be a bit like this. LOL.
"Not picky jus' so ya know Lil' Pine. Sharin' is not outta the question either. Spice of life and all that." (3) I think if A) you are familiar with SLY's stories by now or B) you read my authors notes or both than you have pretty much concluded that Renji is attracted to another guy. Obviously. However Cas was/is a major RenjixRukia/RukiaxRenji shipper so out of respect to her I've decided that instead of full blown queer as with most of my fics Renji will mostly likely be BI in this story. And he's got it bad. Real bad for Mr. B. LOL
There was no other definition for it...that was LOVE. (4) Don't give a rats ass that Inoue lands Ichigo in the end of the manga, everyone knows how jealous/insecure she was over Ichigo's connection with Rukia. And she should be. Rukia is 10 times no 100 times the woman Inoue will ever be. Ahem...anyway enough about her. There will be plenty more Inoue and her appetite/obsession to come in the next chapter
Kaa-chan and Tou-chan had already gone to bed and all Ichigo had to protect him was his favorite neon blue panther plushie. But even Panther-san wasn't proving to be much comfort to the frightened little boy on this night. (5) Something you dear readers should know the Ichigo in my stories loves plushies. And his panther plushie who is in fact very much supposed to represent Grimmjow in a way appears quite often. Even in my fics where Grimm and Berry don't end up together in the end Panther-san has appeared. Just something I thought I should point out. =) Plus it's just too cute the idea of Ichigo and a plush and being afraid of rain. Course once the berry meets the panther in the flesh once again well...then Grimmjow can protect him from the thunderstorms instead.
'I don't know why I feel this sudden urge to protect you Kurosaki Ichigo. But I will protect you.' (6) Everyone is gonna be OOC in this universe. Some only sometimes some lots of the time. I like the idea of Ulquiorra being a little-less Ulquiorra like when it comes to Ichigo. I like the idea of going against canon!Ulquiorra who called Ichigo trash and wanted to kill him over and over to an Ulquiorra who wants to protect his friend. And why? Because Ichigo needs good friends and also...even though I said I wouldn't I might have a little bit more than a "friendship" moment between these two develop as the story goes on. Mind is still debating on this one. But what about "Shiro" you might ask? That is not the last of our favorite bino. He'll appear again. Bit by bit as will Zan. But not for a while.
Well that's enough notes for now...
Thanks for reading
Hope to see you again soon!
~SLY~