Chapter 3: Oh damn, you're not pregnant?
~Thanks for reading guys! This chapter is more supporting characters heavy. I think it's important to establish the friends of Ichigo and Orihime's story and the roles they play in the couple's lives.~
I'm in over my head
Lyin in her bed
Somethin she said
Makes me think that I'm in over my head
Over my head
Over my head
Over My Head by Lit - Titan AE soundtrack 2000
"So," Uryû said slowly. "What you're saying is, you've had this in your possession for five years?"
Ichigo's expression told him everything he needed to know.
A wicked smile wormed its way onto the young doctor's face, and he waved the small box around in the air triumphantly. "And I'm the first to know?"
"Ishida, if you mention one word of this to Hime," Ichigo let his thinly veiled threat hang in the air.
"Yes, yes fine." Uryû waved Ichigo off. "I won't tell her what I know. I'm just impressed you thought so far ahead."
Ichigo swallowed as he took the velvet box back from Uryū. He knew he was in over his head.
The incessant tapping from Tatsuki's fingers on Chad's kitchen table drew the man's attention to his girlfriend.
"Are you worried about something?" Chad asked softly, tilting his head.
Tatsuki took in a deep breath and then blew it out, steadying whatever emotion that was bubbling to the surface.
"It's not-'' she started to explain before mulling over her words. "It's not as if I'm not happy for them. Because I am. I just worry about Hime. She's been in love with Ichigo since before I met her. I want this to work out. I do."
Chad placed his large hand over hers to soothe the agitation and worry that presented itself in her movements. He gave it a comforting squeeze when he replied.
"You feel like it's now entirely out of your control and that concerns you. But Tats," he paused to gain her attention. As soon as her gaze lifted to his, he gave her a soft, reassuring smile. "It never was in your control. You can't think of it like that. Hime is a strong and kind woman with her heart on her sleeve and Ichigo is a fiercely loyal and honest man who would do anything for her. You have to have faith in them."
"I do," Tatsuki spoke with conviction. "I trust them. I don't want either of them to get hurt."
Chad nodded at her, giving her hand another squeeze. "I get it. I want them to be happy and in love forever. I have a sneaking suspicion that they will be too."
Tatsuki narrowed her eyes shrewdly while sporting a mischievous grin. "Oh? You know what? I do too."
Tatsuki rose from her seat and placed a kiss on Chad's cheek. "Alright, m'love. I'm off to work. I have a few clients looking forward to more karate lessons. Will you be around later?"
Chad chuckled and it rumbled in his chest. "I have off all weekend. I'll see you when you get home."
Tatsuki smiled brightly before grimacing. "About that. We have to tell them soon. I don't need Rukia's ire directed towards you or me for not being straightforward."
Chad's eyes crinkled at the corners as his smile grew. "Yeah. Hime will be supportive and understanding. Rukia, I wouldn't want to mess with."
"Well," Tatsuki sighed. "I'm having a private practice with Rukia today, so if I tell her there, at least it will be a soft place to get beat up."
Chad rose to his full height and gathered Tatsuki in his arms before cupping her face and placing a sweet kiss to her lips. "If you need help, just call me."
Tatsuki pecked her boyfriend on the lips again for good measure before leaving the embrace she was tempted to stay in. "I will. Just be ready for an incoming Renji."
Chad's deep chuckles made her smile as she waved and left through the front door.
Rukia was stretching on the mat when Tatsuki entered the dojo. The smaller woman hadn't noticed her, which Tatsuki took as an automatic blessing. It didn't last for long.
"Hello, sensei." Rukia grinned as she heard the footsteps behind her on the mat.
Tatsuki sighed. "Hello, Rukia. Are you ready for today's lesson?"
The other woman leaped up from her seat and grinned. "Absolutely! Been eager to fight someone since we caught Ichigo and Hime canoodling."
Tatsuki chuckled at the eagerness of Rukia's voice. "You know what? Me too."
Tatsuki and Rukia fell into position, bowing to each other, taking their stances. The small woman was quick with her kicks and punches, but Tatsuki found various openings to hinder her. She recovered quickly, using a flying kick to stagger Tatsuki back and swept her leg under her ankles. The martial arts expert did a backflip as she fell and launched up into the fighting stance. She disengaged her pupil's next move by grabbing at Rukia's shin, causing her to fall onto her back, knocking the wind out of her. It was when she had Rukia in a chokehold, she felt two taps on her calf.
"Okay, okay! Let me up." Rukia grumbled. She took Tatsuki's offered hand to help her stand.
"You're getting better, Rukia. I'm impressed." Her smile was full of pride.
"Thanks. I have a good teacher," Rukia jabbed with a grin.
"Really? How lucky are you then?"
"Well, it helps that she's one of my best friends too. She knows not to go too soft on me on principle." Rukia chuckled, smoothing out the wrinkles in her Gi. Her violet eyes narrowed in on the forced grin that was plastered on Tatsuki's face. "What's wrong?"
Tatsuki let out a breath and pulled her lips to the side. "We need to talk."
"I certainly hope you're not taking back that compliment, because I'm pretty sure I caught it on tape," Rukia joked.
"No, I'm not worried about- Wait! You what?" Tatsuki's shrilly shout was ear splitting.
Rukia quickly covered her ears and waved the woman off. "I'm kidding. What's up with you?"
"I need to tell you something, and I don't want you to get mad." Tatsuki's tone was cautious as she looked at her friend.
"It depends on what you're going to tell me, Tats." Rukia crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her hip to the side.
"It's about me and Chad..."
"Ohmygodareyoupregnant?!" The words rushed out of Rukia all at once and it nearly knocked Tatsuki over. She was taken back by the pure joy that flickered on her friend's face.
"No, I'm not pregnant. I don't think so, anyway." Tatsuki muttered the last part and placed her hands on her hips. "Not the point! I was about to say that Chad and I are moving in together and I'm going to have to move out from our shared apartment."
Rukia blinked owlishly.
"You know. The apartment. That I help pay for. With money. The one we live in together." Tatsuki eyed the other woman, gauging the delayed reaction.
Rukia shook her head as if to clear the ramblings in her head with a faint frown. "So, I'm not about to be an aunt? Well, that's disappointing."
Tatsuki's mouth opened and closed like a fish. "Seriously? I tell you that I'm leaving you and Hime in the lurch and your only reaction is 'oh damn you're not pregnant'?"
"Hey! I'm allowed to dream! You've been with Chad since senior year of high school! What did you expect me to think?" Rukia shouted defensively. Her shoulders relaxed when she looked at her friend. "Did you really think I would be mad?"
Tatsuki shrugged before she plopped down to the mat, crossing her legs and slumping back on her outstretched arms. "I don't know, Rukia. I figured that you wouldn't be pleased with me skipping out on the rent."
Rukia huffed from where she stood, rolling her eyes. "I may have a temper, but I wouldn't take it out on you or Chad. I wouldn't do that to Hime either. Renji and Ichigo, however. Now they're fair game."
Tatsuki gestured for her to take a seat. "I get it. I was dumb to think otherwise. But Rukia…" She took her friend's hand before continuing. "Please don't automatically jump to the conclusion that I'm pregnant."
"Alright, I'll try not to." Rukia patted Tatsuki's hand comfortingly. "Hell, for all I know, Hime could be the first to pop out a kid. I mean, you saw firsthand that she and Ichigo were going at it like they were living on borrowed time."
Tatsuki groaned at the memory and dropped her chin to her chest in defeat. "Please don't say that either. I'm still trying to deal with that whole scene. It's like…"
"Walking in on your sister or brother making out with their significant other. I get it." Rukia supplied, squeezing her friend's hand again. She shuddered as she remembered. "And since I see both Ichigo and Hime as my siblings, it really weirded me out. I'm happy for them, but I could do without that again."
Tatsuki laughed at Rukia's dramatics, nodding along with her in agreement. They both rose to their feet and went through several more exercises before getting ready to leave. As they left the dojo and made their way to the parking lot, Rukia swept her up in a bear hug, with the strength that Tatsuki sometimes forgot the woman possessed.
"I'm rooting for you, Tats. I know you guys will be happy." Rukia whispered.
Tatsuki patted her friend on the back. "Thanks, Rukia. Me too."
They parted ways to go to their cars. Rukia gave her wave, her overloaded keychain jingling loudly. Many of the charms were different shapes of the same rabbit. "See you at home, when you decide to darken our door again!"
Tatsuki chuckled. Putting her keys in the ignition, she smiled. That was silly, to be afraid of one of her best friends' reaction. She drove back to Chad's apartment with a feeling of elation thrumming in her chest. She couldn't wait to tell him the entire thing.
Renji watched as his roommate paced back and forth. "Ichigo, you're gonna wear a hole in the floor. What the hell is wrong with you now?"
His friend stopped his frantic walking and turned to him with a worried glance. "I uh, I'm thinking about something."
The tall redhead deadpanned and spoke with dripping sarcasm in his voice. "Gee, are you? I couldn't tell. You seem so calm."
Ichigo threw an annoyed look at Renji and let out a breath. "It's about Hime."
When Ichigo didn't elaborate, Renji narrowed his eyes at him suspiciously. "Uh huh. And what about her? Are you getting cold feet about being with her? Because if you are, I'll beat you to a pulp to bring you back to your senses."
Ichigo put his hands up in surrender. "No, it's nothing like that. I promise you, that's not what's got me in knots right now."
Renji gestured with his hand for Ichigo to continue.
"I… I may have anticipated the possibility of a positive outcome. And I may have already made decisions based on that possibility." Ichigo's gaze dropped to the floor as he clutched something in his pocket.
"Okay," Renji drawled. "So, it's a positive-worried pacing. Do you have anything else to share with the class?"
Ichigo rolled his eyes at his friend before answering. "Not currently, no. Look, could you not tell Hime or Rukia anything about this? I'm struggling enough already. Besides, Hime's the first I want to know."
"Alright, alright." Renji put a hand over his heart. "I swear not to tell either of them anything about this conversation. Happy?"
"Ecstatic." Ichigo said sourly.
Renji opened his mouth to retort, but Ichigo was saved by Rukia entering the living room. Her violet eyes peered at him and Renji skeptically.
"What the hell is wrong with you two?" She demanded grouchily.
Ichigo was tempted to flip the exasperated woman off but held back. He'd suffered enough of her wrath for the week.
"Nothing in particular," Renji responded. "Ichigo is just being ridiculous again. That's nothing new, though." He shrugged his broad shoulders in defeat.
Rukia's gaze narrowed a fraction before she let the conversation drop completely. "Well, I need to find Hime. Did she already leave for work?"
Renji snarked a reply as he glanced at Ichigo. "Do you see Ichigo and Hime in the throes of passion? Of course, she left."
The short woman clucked her tongue at Renji. "Fair point. I'm surprised they even came up for air."
Ichigo grumbled under his breath, shooting Renji a death glare. Rukia looked at him with a crooked smile, bringing her hands up in a placating gesture. "Fine, fine. We'll stop messing with you. For today, at least."
He let it go but saw the impish light in his friend's eyes. "I'm holding you to that."
Rukia nodded seriously and Renji put his hand up. "Scout's honor!" He promised.
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "What honor?"
"Hey!" Renji retorted. Rukia cut him off before an argument could start.
"You going to visit Hime at the bakery?" she asked.
"Yeah," Ichigo sighed. "She has her thirty-minute break soon. I'd better get a move on."
"Just remember that it's frowned upon to make out at her work." Renji smirked at his friend.
"Yeah, yeah." Ichigo rolled his eyes as he grabbed his keys hanging from the hook in the entryway. "Don't worry. Her honor is safe with me."
"But for how much longer?" Rukia's smug reply hit his ears after he was out the door. Forcing the unease from his shoulders, Ichigo descended the stairs to the parking lot. It was only after he got in his car that he allowed his body to slump from exhaustion. It was only noon, and he was already drained. Clearing his throat and pushing thoughts of his intimate moment with Orihime that their friends had caught them in, he started his car and pulled out into the street. It was about three miles to the bakery she worked at, but after all that happened, he figured it was better to drive there instead of walk.
Coming to a stop light, Ichigo paused at the intersection. He was startled by the car next to him when they honked their horn. Ichigo rolled down his driver's side window to yell at the other driver but stopped short when he saw Uryû Ishida grinning smugly at him.
"Kurosaki. I see you're as easily annoyed as ever," Uryû jeered.
"Ishida. I see you're still an asshole." Ichigo responded dryly.
Ignoring Ichigo's poor attempt at an insult, he continued. "I'm on my way to Hime's bakery. I'm guessing you are as well. I'll meet you there." With that, he drove off, leaving Ichigo in his dust.
Ichigo groaned at his friend's grating nature and drove behind him to Orihime's work. This was definitely something he didn't need right now.
Ichigo pulled into his usual spot. After getting out and locking it, he turned to see Uryû leaning against his expensive car. He looked infuriatingly pleased with himself.
"So?" Ichigo asked suspiciously. "What brings you here?"
Uryû shrugged in response. Ichigo unrelentingly continued to stare expectantly so he elaborated. "I sometimes stop by to visit Hime. Usually on a day when she's been the one in charge of baking. It's been a while, so I thought while I was between shifts at the hospital, I'd stop in."
Ichigo nodded, slipping his hand in his pocket, and fiddled with the object within. "Well, let's go in. I think she's on break until two."
Uryû's clever dark blue eyes zeroed in on Ichigo's nervousness. "Okay, what's going on?"
Ichigo looked at him like a deer in headlights. "Huh?"
"You're acting weirder than usual, and you're fondling something in your pocket." Uryû explained with poorly veiled interest. His normal stoniness erased from his voice. "What is it?"
Ichigo took a step back from his friend with a glare. "None of your damn business, Ishida!"
The man refused to back down on his assessment. "I beg to differ, Kurosaki. You appear to be sweating and fidgeting right before we're going to visit Hime. What are you hiding?"
The orange haired man glanced around like a caged animal looking for an escape. Uryû's irritation flared, and he stepped over to Ichigo, grabbing his arm.
"Ichigo! What the hell is wrong with you-" he yelled impatiently as he wrenched Ichigo's hand from his jeans. The object he had been clenching his fingers on fell out carelessly to the floor. Uryû stooped down to pick up the tiny, dark red velvet box and stood up with wide eyes. His look of pure surprise made his friend cringe.
"A jewelry box. Is this an engagement ring?" Uryû gaped at Ichigo.
The other man let out a loud sigh. "Uryû, please give that back."
His friend grinned unrepentantly. "Explain why you have it, and then maybe I will."
"I bought it senior year. For Hime, thinking that one day I'd confess to her, and it would turn out well." Ichigo said bitingly. His body went rigid as his nervousness mounted.
"So," Uryû said slowly. "What you're saying is, you've had this in your possession for five years?"
Ichigo's expression told him everything he needed to know.
A wicked smile wormed its way onto the young doctor's face, waving the small box around in the air triumphantly. "And I'm the first to know?"
"Ishida, if you mention one word of this to Hime," Ichigo let his thinly veiled threat hang in the air.
"Yes, yes fine." Uryû waved Ichigo off with the same hand holding the encased ring. "I won't tell her what I know. I'm just impressed you thought so far ahead."
Ichigo swallowed as he took the velvet box back from Uryû. He knew he was in over his head.
Orihime was cleaning up in the kitchen of the bakery when the men entered. Hearing a distinct argument brewing from the seating area even over the faucet and dishes clinking, she grinned, knowing who it was.
She wiped her hands off on the towel by the sink and a giddy feeling overtook her, even after the hectic day.
Orihime walked out to the front to see Uryû and Ichigo squabbling.
"Dammit Ishida! Let me pay!" Ichigo insisted through clenched teeth.
Uryû's cool tone made him sound like he was bored with his friend. "Kurosaki, let me get this. Think of it as a congratulatory lunch for finally having the balls to act on your emotions."
Orihime cleared her throat, dragging their attention to her. "It's good to see you, Uryû!" She cheered.
Uryû smiled gently at the woman, dipping his head. "And you, Hime." He cut a glance at Ichigo and smirked. "I hear this moron finally confessed to you. I can't imagine why you put up with him."
"You bastard!" Ichigo growled menacingly, taking a step forward in the other man's direction. A soft hand stopped him in place. Orihime placed her hands on either side of his face and smiled lovingly at him, raising up on her toes to peck his lips. He instantly melted, feeling the anger leave his body.
Orihime pulled back slightly from his lips, tenderly stroking his cheek with her fingertips. "Hi," she whispered shyly.
Ichigo chuckled and rested his forehead against hers. "Hey, Hime."
"Just as I suspected," Uryû said dryly. "Ichigo is completely useless after being kissed by you, Hime. Perhaps you can stay at his side constantly. It would make everyone's life less irritating."
Ichigo let out a sound of frustration. Orihime tapped his cheek and pressed a sweet kiss to his lips again before lowering herself back to her heels. The calming touch sunk into his muscles, and he almost chased after her lips, before remembering where they were. He begrudgingly held back.
Ichigo sighed, pulling in a few deep breaths. "I came to take you out to lunch, but I ran into Uryû. So now we have a third wheel."
The raven-haired man scoffed behind him and Ichigo grinned smugly. That'll teach him.
Orihime giggled and peeked at Uryû over Ichigo's shoulder. "Oh, I don't mind the company! It's been too long, Uryû!"
Ichigo grumbled as he gave into the situation at hand. "Alright, but I get you all to myself later. Okay?"
The auburn-haired woman's smile was blinding. "Always, Ichigo."
"I'm holding that to you, Hime." Ichigo smiled.
"Ahem!" Uryû harrumphed.
"Yeah, okay Uryû. Let's all get lunch." Ichigo rolled his eyes and took Orihime's hand, taking off with their friend following close behind them. Ichigo would have time later to spend alone with Orihime. For now, he'd entertain himself by messing with Uryû.
Rukia sat down on her bed, her short black hair still damp from the shower.
"Now it's my turn to ask what the hell is wrong with you?" Renji asked with a teasing grin. He leaned against the doorframe and studied her with keen interest.
Rukia considered her words prior to answering. "Tatsuki told me that she is moving in with Chad."
"They are? Jeez! Took them long enough." Renji chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. When Rukia's worried expression remained, he stepped over to her bed. "Why am I getting the feeling that it's more than that?"
Rukia brushed a lock of dark hair away from her face. "It's just," she huffed. "I'm noticing that everyone is moving on and I'm dealing with the change. As glad as I am for them, I'm not a fan of things not being the same."
Renji hummed in agreement. "Yeah. It's a lot in twenty-four hours. It will get easier."
Rukia nodded, raising herself up to her knees on the mattress. She pulled Renji down by his shirt collar to kiss him. A smile pulled at her lips and her light eyes sparkled. "Thanks, Renji."
The redhead grinned roguishly. "Hey. If I get a kiss every time I agree with you, I'd probably never get on your bad side again."
She tilted her head from side to side as if debating Renji's words. "You could, but where's the fun in that?"
Rukia felt Renji's lascivious grin as he kissed her, and she giggled giddily.
Ichigo waited for Orihime in the café area while she closed for the day. He traced the lines on the counter and his face was drawn in contemplation.
"I can hear the wheels turning in your head even from all the way over here," Orihime said with a teasing grin. She was counting the bills from the till, one of her favorite tasks of closing. Ichigo never understood that, and it made him nervous that she was often the last person to leave after.
"Uh yeah, sorry." Ichigo winced at being caught. "It's nothing." When Orihime raised an eyebrow, he gave in. "Okay, it is something, but it's also nothing to worry about."
Orihime pulled out the money drawer and closed the cash register with her hip. She rested it on her other hip as she turned her attention to him.
"Ichigo," she said, drawing his gaze. "I know it's been, well a hectic day. I'm sure our friends didn't help with it. As well meaning as it may have been. But you know that you can tell me absolutely anything, yeah?"
Ichigo grinned softly at her. "Yeah, I know Hime. Go ahead, put that in the office. I'll be here." He made a shooing movement with his hands, and she left, giggling.
While he waited, Ichigo fiddled with the jewelry box he had stashed away in his jean's pocket. Was it too fast? Too slow? Was he worry for no reason? The thoughts flooded through his mind incessantly.
"Okay!" Orihime chirped as she walked in from the back. "All set!"
Ichigo jumped in his seat but recovered quickly. "Good. I believe you owe me some alone time."
Locking the front doors, Orihime giggled when he gathered her in his arms and pressed kisses to her neck. "Okay, Casanova, let's go home."
Ichigo's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Yes ma'am. Your chariot awaits." He swept his arm under her knees and picked her up bridal style. Her gleeful squeal as he took off towards the car was music to his ears.