"Haha" - Normal Speaking
"Haha" - Thoughts/Internal speaking
YEAH - Exaggerated feelings/actions
Story Start!
It was the beginning of a new year for the residents of the soul society. It had been a challenging first year since the Quincy invasion and blood war had ended. A year of pain, regrets, and grief. It had also been a year for new bonds to be forged, new lives to be started, and new leaders to ensure the peace that so many had laid down their lives for wasn't in vain.
No one had even noticed it had been 14 months since Yhwach and the wandenreich had been defeated. 14 months had passed in the blink of an eye for most. The new captains of the gotei 13 spent the new year rebuilding everything. Their barracks, buildings, and their ranks. The arrancar returned to Hueco Mundo restoring their own peace and establishing a partnership with the shimigami.
For one soul however it had been an exhausting affair. Ichigo Kurosaki had spent every minute since the war helping out all sides. When he wasn't sparring with kenpachi he was sparring with grimmjow. If he wasn't purifying hollows he was studying for exams as a university student.
Everyone had praised his work ethic but everyone had failed to see the motive behind it. Ichigo had been a strong pillar for everyone during the war, using his newfound strength to help turn the tide to victory. However it had come with a cost, his mental health had suffered.
At first he didn't realize it, the crushing weight on his heart and mind. It wasn't until a few months after he began to realize this. He was truly happy for the first few weeks. Initially it was a blur school, soul reaper duties, funerals, award ceremonies, and his new relationship with orihime had kept him busy.
Suddenly it hit him, once everything stated slowing down the nightmares began. His mind raced through all the battles and torment he had suffered through for the past few years. He started to sleep less and constantly felt anxious. A never ending cycle.
As Zangetsu had told him once when they spoke "This is a tough one Kingy, there's a price for war and unlike some of your friends yours isn't physical. I'll be here for ya but I'd recommend talking to your father he is a doctor after all."
He understood and truly wanted to talk to his old man about it but he couldn't bring it up yet. His father had been happier than ever. All the weight and stress from having secrets plus the knowledge of numerous impending doom was finally removed. Ichigo figured he could endure it at least a while longer.
However, days had turned to weeks and weeks to months. Next thing he knew he couldn't stop. If he wasn't working, studying, or training he felt anxious and he couldn't stop spiraling. It was the cause of his split with orihime.
Two months after the war
They had decided to go to the movies since Ichigo finally had a free afternoon and orihime didn't have school.
He was excited since they have only had two dates so far. He knew that was his fault though, orihime has tried spending more time with him but he would always have to cancel for one reason or another. Their last date was over a month ago now. Sure they still saw each other at school but they hadn't actually spent quality time together.
Ichigo has felt bad when tatsuki had pulled him aside and told him to quit being a jackass. So he invited orihime out to make it up to her. He meant well however his newfound anxiety plus his general lack of experience with women, except for a certain feline woman who loved to tease him, didn't help.
Of course he knew the basics be nice, open the door for them, pull out their chair, etc. He couldn't help the slight jump and tenseness the felt whenever she would try to grab his hand or arm.
Orihime would notice this as well and felt bad, wondering if he truly even liked her. He had given her only a few chaste kisses since they got together. He didn't even relax when she would try to comfort him instead recoiling away from her.
The movie date was just the breaking point. It has started out fine he went and picked her up. She had wanted to see this new dramatic romance movie. He bought the tickets, snacks, and drinks. However, when the lights turned down and he found himself bored out of his mind he felt it. The memories flashing over the movie, his palms starting to sweat, his breathing becoming shallow.
He couldn't help it he stood up and rushed out of the theater until he was outside with fresh air.
That was the sight orihime walked out to. She had rushed after him calling his name but he didn't look back at her once. When she finally caught up to him he was hunched over breathing hard.
"Is everything okay kurosaki-kun?" She asked tentatively.
He took a moment to steady his breathing "yeah, I'm alright orihime. I just didn't feel great for a sec, I'm fine now." He tried reassuring her as he stood up and faced her.
She took a step towards him, pure concern in her eyes "You don't have to lie to me it's okay. You can tell me what's wrong."
He couldn't help but feel a little pissed, not at her but at himself. She shouldn't have to deal with his issues like this. Especially since they're just starting their relationship. " I really am fine, don't worry alright?" He said once again trying to get her to drop it.
"Kurosaki-kun you're not a good liar. You can tell me, it's okay. I won't judge just let me know what I can do to help." She pleaded reaching her hand out to touch his cheek.
"I'm not lying orihime just drop it. If I said I'm fine, I'm fine." He said sternly looking into her eyes and seeing what he hated to see the most. Pity.
"Kurosaki-ku" she started to say as she reached out to caress his cheek.
Again, he recoiled at her touch. Again it hurt her more than anything. And again he hated himself for seeing her tear up.
He couldn't help it, it wasn't her it was him. "Look orihime I-" He stated once he saw the tears starting to drop down her cheeks
"It's okay I have to go home anyway!" She cried and took off towards her home
He wanted to follow her and tell her it wasn't her fault. He even wanted to tell her what was wrong but something inside him wouldn't budge. Instead he just watched her go and deep down he knew. It was over
Flashback end
Of course it was awkward the next few days. He expect for it to be rough once orihime told tatsuki what happened on their date. He didn't expect for tatsuki and ,surprisingly, uryu to pull him aside and lay into him.
He knew he deserved it, after all orihime was a wonderful girl. He just wasn't mentally ready to be in a relationship with her. Instead of telling her or any of them that. He kept quiet.
He apologized to them and her for being a too tensed up. Blaming his stress on balancing school and he new found duties. Which they all understood to a degree, even if they all didn't believe it they let it slide for orihime's sake.
It didn't change though and Ichigo ended up breaking up with her a week later. Telling her he had too much on his plate and wasn't ready to commit to a relationship at the moment. She acted like she understood and supported him, even though she spent the next few nights crying.
It had been rough for a minute after that. His friends were still nice and cordial, but there was a wall. It was small but there. A divide that happens when two friends get together and break up.
It soon turned into just chad and him having lunch together again. Not because anyone else did want to eat with him but the guilt of constantly seeing orihime look sad, she even stopped looking in his direction if they were taking as a group.
Next thing he knew, it was graduation time. By the summer everyone had pretty much gotten over their break up. It helped that orihime and uryu started dating.
He had comforted her and been there for her to cry on. After that they started spending more and more time together before uryu finally decided to ask her. Uryu even told Ichigo before he did not wanting to betray his friend by keeping it from him or anything.
Ichigo didn't really know what to expect but all he felt was relief and happiness for his friends. He almost expected to feel bitter or jealous but there wasn't a hint of those feelings.
It was then he realized he has only been going out with her as a comfort. He didn't really want to be with her and that made him realize he really was trash to use one of his closest friends like that.
Ichigo sighed and blew his cigarette smoke in the air. One of his vices he's picked up between late night studying and to calm his nerves. Just thinking about the past 14 months brought on the beginnings of a migraine.
On top of his relationship and mental issues he was given a "promotion" as they called it to tokubetsu taichou. He has no squad but he's too powerful to be just a regular shimigami allowed to run around as he pleases anymore. Which was a really nice way of putting a long leash on him.
However nice, however comfortable it was still a leash. Not that he minded too much on that aspect. The pay was good enough to compensate some of his complaints after all.
No the majority of his complaints came from his duties. Which was being the liaison between soul society, the arrancars, fullbringers, and the remaining Quincy's. You can imagine the complicated mess that was.
He once again sighed to himself. He was doing that a lot lately. He had 2 weeks before he had to return for university. So there wasn't anything but work and sparring to throw himself into. He stepped into his apartment.
It was nice and simple apartment 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a small balcony in downtown karakura. He had moved in a month ago but hardly anyone would think so. His apartment was spartan due to him only eat, sleeping and showering in it. He had only moved out due to the commute from his fathers house to school taking too long.
He would still try and visit his little sisters on the weekend but as they were growing up it became harder and harder to have everyone around when he would stop by. He hadn't seen his dad in about a month as well.
Putting his cigarette out on the ash tray on his counter "Hey Kon I'm gonna be gone for two weeks so don't forget to feed and bathe my body!"
"Oh Ichigo can I please take it for a spin on the town!" He called out from the balcony looking down at the city "all these hot chicks and you haven't even attempted to have a taste! Those looks are wasted on you!" He sobbed into the railing
Ichigo only rolled his eyes "you're not using my body for your perverse desires kon."
"Fiiiiine, I'm just bored though. I read through all the old mangas and magazines you got me forever ago! Atleast when we lived at the clinic I wasn't alone." He said loudly at first but whispered the last part to himself not wanting Ichigo to hear
He had heard though and honestly felt bad for the mod soul "I gotta look into getting him a fake body or something so he can have some sort of life" he used his badge to exit his physical body "tell you what, you can go visit the girls at the clinic and go out for ONE night. No sex no hard drugs just alcohol and that's it's got it?" He stressed the last part knowing unless he gave kon boundaries the possible shenanigans were endless.
"Oh Ichigo~ my sweet boy! You're the best!" Kon exclaimed as he was literally jumping for joy.
Ichigo couldn't help but have a small smile "see you later Kon" he jumped over the rails opening a gargantua to the soul society "AND REMEMBER NO FUNNY BUSINESS!" He talked as the gate closed behind him
"Yeah yeah keep your panties on! I'll have to fight off the ladies with your body and my charm though." He called back now sitting next to ichigo's body reading through another manga
Ichigo came out of the gargantua to his own surprise. He understood gargantuas were portals to a place you focus on, usually with great memories or detail, and for some reason it dropped him further from soul society than he thought. I had kind of spaced out and gone on auto-pilot but this was a little ridiculous.
"Wow it's been a minute huh?" He said looking up at the huge banner banner in the distance from where he stood.
KUKAKU SHIBA FIREWORK EXTRAORDINAIRE
"She seems like she hasn't changed" He said and he couldn't help but smile at the memories that seemed like a lifetime ago now even though it has only been 3 years
He started walking and calmly lit another cigarette "maybe I should stop by and say hey, I got time to kill anyway" he figured aloud to no one as he let out a cloud of smoke
Kukaku Shiba was many things. A clan head, royal, a fighter, a sister, and a self proclaimed all around badass. What she wasn't however, was honest with herself. She had been bored lately.
Ganju had found some poor girl to fall in love with him and so he's been spending more and more time away from the clan house. She wasn't a needy person or anything but going from having a constant companion, even if it was your annoying blockhead of a little brother, to just quiet was off putting.
She had filled a good amount of her time by preparing al large fireworks for the new festival happening in 2 weeks to celebrate the end of the war and alliances. It was a lot sure and kept her busy but still she needed breaks too!
It was on those breaks or at the end of the work day that the quietness would set in. All that she would be left with was her fireworks, her pipe, and her alcohol.
It had only been 3 months of this but it felt longer than the entire time yoruichi was gone. He dear friend was back to the spiritual world but she was so wrapped up in her clan politics and taking back over at 2nd division's captain that she could only stop by once and awhile.
She chomped down on her pipe and let out some smoke. On top of that to find out that the uncle you thought was dead wasn't and that he also isn't blood related to you sucked. That was the biggest pain in her eyes from the Quincy war. She knew that they would come out on top. After all it was everyone coming together, add that orange haired vagabond Ichigo and it was a sure thing.
She smiled thinking back on Ichigo, he was such a brash kid. Always pushing forward and smashing his was through obstacles. Yes, she knew once he came out of invading soul society with his small band of friends without any major damage. He was gonna be all right.
Too bad the little twerp never got around to thanking her or anything. Once she learned that isshin was still alive and he was supposedly he younger cousin she was ecstatic. She had more family after all! Then all of that was immediately crushed upon the revelation that isshin was a bastard descendant of the soul king and just entrusted to the shiba's as a kid.
He was still like and uncle to her but it did hurt, not that she would ever admit it. She would just kick his ass for lying to her and say it was no big deal.
"Ah fuck, what does it matter." She said aloud throwing her drink back annoyed at her stroll down memory lane. It was all fucking annoying in her eyes.
"When ganju gets back I'll teach him a lesson on abandoning his clan head!" She said with a fire in her eyes and holding out her clenched fist in front of her face
Suddenly there was a knock at the front door
"Perfect timing!" She stated and moved to strike
Ichigo stood at the front entrance expect the same two weird guards to jump out like the first time he stopped by, but nothing. It was eerily quiet.
"Huh maybe-" was all he got out before a small explosion happened before him. He felt something collide with his face HARD. Hard enough to actually make him take a small step back from being caught off guard but not hard enough to knock the cigarette from his mouth
"OW what the fuck is your face made of now you blockhead!" He heard a familiar voice yell from the smoke
Ichigo could help but smirk "well I don't remember being called block head but I've been told I could run through a brick wall with how stubborn I am" he said blowing the smoke away with a simple swipe of his arm
Kukaku froze in the middle of shaking her hand, which felt like she broke after smashing it into a steel wall, and looked up into the eyes of the young vagabond she was just thinking about "well shit if it isn't the 2 time war hero" she said instantly getting some joy after seeing the annoyance the title brought to his face
"HA-HA, I'm just another shimigami in the eyes of the prestigious firework god" he said crossing his arms and rolling his eyes before looking back at her
They stared into each other's eyes for what felt like forever. Then they couldn't help but smile.
"Well fuck kid what brings you back here? And when the hell did you start smoking?" She asked. To anyone else it would've sounded accusatory but Ichigo had dealt with enough abrasive people to hear the warm undertone.
"Just in the neighborhood and wanted to drop by. See you and Ganju. As for your second question idk I just picked it up during school" he said just now noticing how much shorter than him she was. It really had been forever.
A year and a half since he first went to the soul king. He had grown where as before he was 5' 11" he was now 6' 1" but she stayed the same "beautiful as ever" the stray thought entered and exited his mind before he could think about it
"Well bring your sorry ass in here, you could atleast have a drink and chat since this is the only time you've come to see me with no gloom and doom overhead." She called turning away from him and walking into the house
Ichigo wanted to argue but it was true. The first time they were invading the soul society and second time was to see the soul king.
"Well how about I grace you with my presence and we call it even." He joked before having to duck from a fire ball
"Shut up and get in here! You're either drinking or smoking something with me idiot!" She called from inside the house
"Yes your highness." He called back chuckling and shutting the door behind him
Kukaku returned and sat down on her pillow pouring herself another drink. As she saw Ichigo walk in she started to actually see him.
"Time has done you good kid" she thought looking at him set down zangetsu. He was a lot taller than the first time she met him that's for sure but also more handsome.
Gone were the slight bits of baby fat. Instead he had the face of a chiseled young man. His hair was longer too all the way down to his neck and just past his ear on the sides. He was handsome but not in a girly super clean cut kind of way.
He was wearing clothes similar to his original bankai styles excepts with a captain's haori and shoulder pauldrons similar to his father except they were less bulky. He looked like a warrior and a damn good one if the muscles and scar just barely poking out from the v cut on his robe showed
"Strange I don't remember yoruichi ever talking about that scar before" she thought and let out another puff of smoke from her pipe.
"So you going to drink up or what kid" she asked with a grin and pouring him a saucer full of sake
"Sure I got some time before I'm supposed to be at a meeting. It's why I dropped by after all." He said sitting across from her and taking in the room
She started pouring him a drink when he noticed everything the slightly cracked door showed a room full of finished and half finished fire works along with a futon that showed she literally slept where she worked. It was also kind of dark. Most of the doors were shutting only allowing faint light into the rooms filled with smoke.
If he had to guess she must've been just smoking and drinking alone for awhile before he had arrived.
"Here" she said passing the saucer to him eyeing him carefully as she did so
"Thanks" he said and slammed it back. A year and a half ago he would've started caught him but a year and a half of working and sparring had also led to him drinking after some spars with kenpachi. He wasn't a total novice
"Damn you really have grown up some huh" she grinned as she saw him take that drink easily
"Well it would be pretty bad if the war hero could win a battle but lose to a drink" he said chuckling
"Cheers to that. This is our little celebration after the big one you got to have" she said refilling him
"Ah that wasn't a celebration it was torture. All people wanted to do was shake hands or introduce me to so and so. I hated it." He said staring at the ceiling and taking a deep drag on his cigarette
"Well it's to be expected you brought peace between all the factions and all" she said enjoying his annoyance yet again
"Yeah yeah they're more headaches than anything, having to spar with a shimigami battle break and an arrancar one get annoying sometimes" he said rubbing the back of his head and taking a drink
"Well it can't be all bad can it? Got a nice promotion and good pay" she said jovially but genuinely curious since she didn't remember him being so bummed out?
"Yeah it's alright but it's not all it's cracked up to be" he said looking at her as she took a drag
"I take it they didn't give you much of a choice then" she remarked finally getting his drift "sons of bitches"
"Well shunsui definitely tried to sweeten the deal for me, he didn't tell me exactly what would happen if I said no but I got a pretty good grasp." He said as if it was no big deal
"Motherfuckers!" She growled slammed her fist into the table "You're a hero and a kid. It shouldn't matter what it is. They shouldn't be putting a leash on your life!" She said pissed off at the situation for him
"Exactly" he thought while smiling at her.
"Well it's alright I can't complain and so far there hasn't been any issues so my best option is to wait and see." He replied calmly
"The brat really had grown up a lot. No longer the hot head that I met." She smirked looking at him "well what's going on now? I haven't seen you and last I heard you were dating that other orange haired girl with you"
She saw a dark and sad look cross his face "well it's been like this.."
He told her about the break up, not all his mental stress and anguish, and about how he's been in school for medicine hoping to take over the clinic from his dad once he was ready.
They talked for hours. Eventually sitting on the porch facing the training grounds. Laughing and swapping stories. Kukaku would tell him of all the shenanigans yoruichi and her would get up to along with kisuke. He told her about his battles that she hadn't heard before and about his two sisters she had yet to meet.
It was pleasant for the both of them. For him it had been a safe and warm space to vent and genuinely relax for the first time in a year and a half.
For her it was the first sign of true life in the house since Ganju had moved out. It was warm full of smoke, sake, and laughs. She didn't want it to end.
Alas it had to, before they knew it a hell butterfly same and landed on ichigo's finger telling him the captains meeting was to start soon. This was the 3rd official meeting he would be apart of since they allowed him to miss due to his human life and studies. Aside from shunsui and kenpachi he really hadn't seen any of the other captains due to him constantly bouncing around from dimension to dimension.
He stood up and cracked his back "Well I guess I better hit the road. Can't be late for my third meeting ever" he said at he went to get zangestu
"Damn did time really go that quick? I was 6 hours early" he thought to himself not knowing kukaku was thing along the same lines
"Fuck 5 hours already flew by? I still need to go get some ingredients and sake" she thought starting at his back. She wouldn't admit it but deep down somewhere she didn't want him to leave yet.
It was the first time in months she had genuine fun and laughs with someone besides her brother or workers.
"Hey" he called out bringing her from her thoughts "I can always come back to finish that drink right?" He asked pointing at the half full drink next to hers
She looked down at the drink and smirked "sure kid. It'll be right here waiting for you" she said as she patted the porch space he previously occupied
It was then that Ichigo really looked at her and could help the slight heat building on the back of his neck. She looked beautiful smiling at him like that with her pipe hanging out of her mouth. Carefree with her black hair flowing down one side with the slight breeze.
"Beautiful" this time the thought sped into his head and stared there for a minute
"Wow kingy isn't totally brain dead, she's not all sexy like that other older hottie you used to hangout with but she's feral and feisty" Zangetsu chuckled out hearing his wielders thoughts
"Shut up idiot, I mean yeah she's like yoruichi but different." He shot back
"You alright there mister hero?" Kukaku called with an eyebrow raised
"Yeah just dealing with an idiot in my head" he replied
"You talking about yourself or your zanpaktou?" She Slee with a smirk
"Hardy har har" he replied strapping Zangetsu back to his back and hip and stepping past her onto the grass
"Don't forget your drink" she called from behind
"Trust me I won't" He replied as he took once more glance over his shoulder before he disappeared in a shunpo
"Better not asshole and it better not be another almost 2 years before you come back" she said to the now empty yard looking down at her drink. She also noticed he left his pack of cigarettes next to her as well "huh won't forget his drink but forget his smokes. Well I guess I'll just hold on to them" and she tucked them in her shirt, you know, for safety.
The meeting had went smooth, well as smooth as a boring ass meeting can go. For an bunch of people who lived hundreds of years they had a lot of meeting and not all of them were important or even eventful.
"Man what a drag." He drawled out finally walking down the steps of the hall running his neck
"Oh my poor student does your neck hurt need a massage?" He heard the velvety voice whisper into his ear as he felt two arms come around his neck and a large pair of breast press into his back
"Well I would say yes but I'm pretty sure you would want to embarrass me and get naked" he replied not fazed by one of his teachers tricks
"You sounds like that's a horrible idea" she said chuckling as she stepped around and in front of him
Yoruichi hadn't really changed much except now she wore an outfit reminiscent of soi-fons except with an orange undershirt and no arms on the haori
"It's good to see you Ichigo" she said genuinely with a smile
"It's nice to see you too yoruichi, how's everything?" He replied glad this wasn't going to be one of the constant teasing attacks
"Good good, I mean it's been peaceful but soooo boring. I miss being able to stretch my legs and wander about the town as a cat." He fake cried to him causing him to chuckle.
They talked very briefly before she had to attend another meeting this time with her clan but not before grabbing his ass and disappearing in a shunpo. Leaving him red faced in the middle of the street
"Damnit yoruichi!" He yelled but the only reply he got was a giggle
"Damn cats always causing trouble" he grumbled before reaching into his coat to pull out a cigarette only then realizing he didn't have them
"Where the fuck?" He started before realizing there's only one other plebe they could be "well I guess I better go finish that drink" he said unknowingly letting out a small smile and disappearing as well
Kukaku was once again bored. It had been 3 goddamn hours since Ichigo left for his meeting. The happiness and warmth lasted for about 30 minutes before it had settled in. He was gonna again.
It was back to quiet and peaceful. She hated it. When Ichigo was here it was laughs and arguments with no real anger or reason.
She stared at his cup still unfinished and waiting for his return. God she felt like a giddy academy loser. Waiting for a guy to show up and finish a drink with her. The last man she had a drink with tried getting fresh with her and instantly met a harsh beating from her and then from Kaien when he found out.
She couldn't help but smile and chuckle. She missed him a lot. "If only you could see the peace you dreamt of kaien" she thought letting out another wisp of smoke.
After awhile she went back to work figuring she could get the ingredients for the rest of the order tomorrow and finish up what she had.
It was during this she decided to try one of ichigo's cigarettes. Since she ran out of tobacco for her pipe. She took one drag and realized something. This kid was alright, it had a weird crisp feel to it and it was a bit stronger than her usual but it wasn't bad. As soon as she smelled it she realized it was almost exactly what he smelled like. It was missing something though.
Ichigo had shunpo'd to the training yard half expecting kukaku to be there waiting for him. When he looked around and realized she wasn't he felt a pang of disappointment.
He did see that the sliding door was left open. When he went inside I finally heard where she went if the sound of her cussing was to be believed. He chuckled and grabbed his saucer from the table and walked to the cracked door of her workshop.
He slid it open and almost said something but instead he decided to watch her for a second and take a sip.
He was mesmerized, kukaku had her hair wrap off for the first time since he's ever seen with her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail somewhat similar to her close feline friend. She was smoking one of his cigarettes focused intently on creating the colorful firebombs she's known throughout the soul society for.
"Damn" what all he could manage even in his own head "well look at that looks like you owe me a smoke now" he finally decided to say once he got his thoughts together
"Ah shit! Don't scare my like that jackass! I could've blown us up!" She yelled throwing anything that wouldn't explode within arms reach at him.
"Woman! Hey stop! I was kidding! Sorry!" He yelled out at he kept dodging objects set on a trajectory for his face and/or crotch
Once she calmed down they both shared a laugh and he sat next to her.
"So this is how you create fireworks in soul society huh?" He asked genuinely curious of the process
"Yeah, unlike the human world mine are a combination of different ingredients and kido spells. There's a good amount of kido writing and math on the different ingredients to get the right results. However it's been handed down in the shiba family for decades so suffice to say I'm the best clan head at this there has ever been!" She said more excited and animated than Ichigo had ever seen. Her eyes lit up like fireworks the more she talked about the process and outcomes.
It was refreshing to him. Everyone he had interacted with lately always seemed to bummed or stressed out about their jobs wether it's in school or a captain. Not that they hated their jobs but they didn't have or show that burning passion the kukaku did for her craft.
"Well how is it done? What kido spells do you use?" He asked her
This had a surprising effect on kukaku. Usually the only times guys asked about her craft was to get in her pants. Obviously they knew her name and craft and that was the standard go to when hitting on her.
To hear it from Ichigo though was different. He was honestly curious and asking about her passion. She heard it in his voice and saw it in his gaze from when she was telling him about it. He didn't gaze at her breast while she was talking to him he stared straight into her eyes.
It send a tingling sensation like a low powered Tsuzuri Raiden spell coursing threw her spine to see his gaze affixed on her face. He gazed at her with those pools of deep brown.
"Well I guess I could show you since your old man was technically a shiba" she grumbled out deciding to look at her tools than focus on his staring anymore
"Alright sweet" he smirked and scooted a little closer. As he did he noticed something. "You're not smoking that right" he chuckled
"What the hell do you mean brat?" She growled looking at him "I've been smoking since before you were a thought to uncle isshin" she smirked confidently
"Oh yeah?" He challenged
"Yeah brat, if I'm doing it wrong I'll buy yer dinner" she laughed out
"Fine watch this" was all he said confidently before he cracked the menthol ball in her cigarette bud and then it it her
She had a slight gasp of surprise from the sudden coolness that she inhaled "damn that's smooth" was all she said before she looked over at the smug bastard to her right
"So whats a good restaurant around here?" He asked with a shit eating grin and a raised eyebrow
"Whatever jackass!" She yelled in frustration "what the hell do you like to eat?"
"How about grilled beef and beer?" He asked wondering what she would even enjoy
"Hot damn Ichigo, you're on a roll now. Let's go while it's still empty!" She shouted and immediately got up to leave while pulling him by the collar of his haori
"Kukaku! I can walk damnit!" He shouted while being drug along trying to get up. He only response was to laugh.
She had done it now. After a few more seconds of getting to drag the famous war hero along the ground he finally decided to stop humoring her and stood up.
Sure he grumbled and acted but she could tell there wasn't any actual anger. But he had to put on that manly facade for the public. Hearing how popular he was and seeing it were two totally different things.
From the second the left and started walking to one of her favorite restaurants he was accosted by people left and right. A picture here, autograph there, women wanting his attention or "affection" for the night. It was humorous and annoying to her.
"Stupid little girls fawning over this handsome idiot" she grumbled internally
The only reason she hadn't blown her lid was Ichigo kept looking at her and smiling or holding onto her arm so they didn't get separated. She would never admit that out loud though.
Ichigo was in the same line of thinking. All he wanted to do was talk to kukaku but he kept getting swept away with different groups of people. He would try and hold onto her subconsciously or smile at her so she wouldn't feel ignored.
He wouldn't admit it out loud but having her within arms reach or eyesight was...calming.
Eventually they did get to the restaurant.
It was a small place but seemed lively and the smell coming from it was delicious. The only marking on the building were the two curtains hanging in the doorway one held the kanji for beef and the other for alcohol.
Kukaku led him in pushing the hanging curtain out of the way when all he heard was a loud cheer and "oi oi oi! Look who finally graces us with her presence!" He heard a voice sternly yell
When Ichigo entered he saw kukaku smiling and shaking the hand of a big man, he was shorter than Ichigo but he looked like he could've been cut into two full sized Hachi's.
"Shut up, I need to eat too ya know! How're you doing ya bastard!" Kukaku laughed making the man instantly smile and chuckle
"Good good my dear, I was wondering when you were going to drop by I haven't seen you in at least 2 months" he said in a fatherly way
Kukaku for her part looked mildly admonished "sorry about that teuchi-san, I just got busy you know prepping the fireworks"
"It's alright dear, I was just worried. I've seen your brother and his nice lady in here a few times. He just said you were busy smoking and drinking" he joked/inquired
"That idiot couldn't tell you a hole in the ground from his ass. He's lucky she puts up with him" she grumbled out making the older man laugh and Ichigo chuckle
Which finally turned their attention to him
"Oh is this you boyfriend? How wonderful, it's finally nice to see you bring someone in. Hello my name is teuchi hanagi and I'm the owner." He said warmly extending his hand out to Ichigo
This had both of them turn red and shout "He's/I'm not my/her boyfriend!" Instantly making them both turn a shade darker and making teuchi belly laugh hard enough that it seemed to shake the building
"Sure sure, I'm sorry it's my mistake. It's just the first time kukaku-Chan has brought some one here." He said smiling pretending he didn't know what info he just dropped
Ichigo finally getting over his embarrassment extended his hand out "it's okay sir, I'm ichigo kurosaki is a pleasure to meet you hanagi-San"
"Oh my a ruff looking young man who's polite. You sure are kukaku-chain's dream" he said shaking ichigo's hand. Again causing another round of embarrassment
"Cut the shit old man!" She yelled smacking him lightly on the arm
"Of course, of course go ahead and seat yourselves wherever. Although your regular booth in the back is open." He said smiling warmly to them
"Alright thank you." She said roughly but without any anger as she moved past him to the both
As Ichigo moved to follow her teuchi leaned ever so slightly "Be careful boy, she's a clan head and all but she's a very dear patron to me. You may have that huge sword but I've been using my cleaver for 300 years. Understood?" He said leaving no room for argument before slapping him on the shoulder "don't keep a lady waiting now!" He shouted warmly and walked into the kitchen where he could be heard yelling at some poor young line cooks
As he sat down in the fathers booth in the back across from kukaku she was looking at him inquisitively
"Eh it was nothing" he said smoothly
"Sure, I figured he would want you autograph" she said with a straight face
"What? Why?" Ichigo asked slightly shocked he hadn't given that vibe at all
"He's a huge fan. He's asked yoruichi for it a few times already" She continued
"Damn I guess I could-" He said and started to get up before she busted out laughing
"Do that and he'll ban you from here! But oh man you should've seen the look on your face, my poor adoring fan!" She continued to laugh as ichigos ears turned tomato red
"Shut up" he grumbled and he started looking at the menu trying to tune out the still laughing ravenette across from him
It took her a few minutes to calm down and see Ichigo deadpan staring at her "tell me what's good here already"
"Everything's good here honestly, a great cook with good booze. Anything you order will be fine." She said cooly not even looking at the menu
"Haha well damn I appreciate the high praise. Good thing I prepped your favorite for you and your date" "shut up old man!"here you are lad braised beef short ribs and warm sake" he said not even bothered by kukaku telling him obscenities while he was serving the tray
"Enjoy and kukaku-Chan visit more often ne? I miss you and yoruichi plus it seems like I see y'all less and less these days" he said
"Sure thing teuchi I'll drag her here if I have to!" Kukaku grinning wildly with a piece of beef hanging out from between her teeth and a thumbs up
"I'm sure you will, I can already hear you two arguing way out from the 90th district." He said with a chuckle before walking away
As soon as teuchi walked away it settled into a comfortable silence. Ichigo looked across a kukaku and noticed she looked a lot lighter and happier than he had seen her this morning.
"So teuchi-San seems pretty nice" he started
"Yeah, old man teuchi was always real nice to ganju, kaien, yoruichi, and I as kids. When uncle isshin was out busy we could come by and he would always treat us to a nice meal." She said smiling fondly looking down into her drink
"Yeah he gives off a warm grandpa feeling" Ichigo chimed in
"Pfft, don't let him hear you say that. He's always been like another uncle to me. Never prying to much but always happy to listen to my troubles. Always handing out his "butcher wisdom" as he calls it" she continued with a small laugh
"Goat-chin could learn a thing or two from him then, instead of flying knees and kicks." He grumbled out thinking about his father
"Haha nope that's all shiba taught behavior! You got the first class experience!" She exclaimed
"Lucky me" replied with a sweat drop
"Anyway tell me about how your little meeting went-" she continued changing the subject
The rest of the evening flew by in a blur. They just continued talking for hours fueled by booze, meat, and smokes.
They would be laughing and teuchi would saunter up with some more drinks. Popping in and out of their conversation depending on how busy it was. Occasionally telling Ichigo stories from when kukaku and yoruichi were just "unruly brats" trying to figure out how to be superstars over a plate of barbecue.
It was a pleasant evening for them. By the time they knew it the sun had set.
"Alright kids, I don't care where ya both go but ya can't stay here. I gotta close up and head home to the missus." Teuchi told them jovially as he walked up to the booth.
It was then they realized they were the last two people left in the restaurant besides teuchi.
"Sorry about that hanagi-san, time got away from us I guess." Ichigo said apologetically rubbing the back of his head with a flushed face from both the booze and embarrassment
"Just call me teuchi son, no need for all that when you're friends with this one here" he said smiling and pointing a thumb at kukaku
"Hey!" She shouted indignantly "whatever it was nice to see you old man" she got up and gave him a hug
"You too dear. Get home safe and remember to stop by more often." He replied softly before ending the hug
"Yeah yeah, I will." She called over her shoulder as she turned to leave
"It was nice to meet you Ichigo. Be safe as well." He said extending his hand
"Likewise teuchi, thank you for the food it was delicious" he said grinning
"No problem, now get! I told you not to make a lady wait." He mock scolded him
"Hai!" He yelled and gave a fake salute before exiting the restaurant
Once they left teuchi sat down in the same booth where Ichigo had previously sat. He looked over to where kukaku had sat and laughed.
He remembered the two young tomboys who would always barge into his shop. Wether it was to learn to cook, eat or just to tell him about their days. They would come in a keep him company. It was nice since his wife had passed away close to 200 years ago now. His kids, both shimigami's had passed in the line of duty before that and his poor wife couldn't take it.
Luckily for him he had a small group of squirts to constantly annoy him and keep this old man showing up to work.
"She's a good woman Ichigo, just take care of my little girl." He said still staring at the seat across from himself smiling with tears in his eyes.
Ichigo and kukaku had settled into a comfortable pace and silence as he walked her back to her house. It was chilly since the new year was around the corner. Without even asking Ichigo draped his haori around kakaku. She looked up to argue with him.
"Shut up. It's chilly and you're dressed like it's summertime." He replied before she could even get a word out
"Fine you stubborn ass." She shot back before pulling the massively oversized haori a little closer. Now that she new the same she could smell the earthy scent mixed in with menthol on his coat.
"Ah shit I forgot to pay!" She exclaimed before looking up exasperated "teuchi is gonna be a pain about it tomorrow"
"Don't worry about it I paid earlier" he replied turning to look at her while lighting another cigarette "I figured it was the right thing to do since it was my first time going out to dinner with you."
"Oh so this'll happen again you say? Quite bold of you mister war hero." She called back reminiscent of her close friend
Ichigo instantly choked on the smoke he had just inhaled before going into a coughing fit. Kukaku could help it and busted out laughing again. It was becoming a common thing while hanging out with the orange haired shimigami.
"You two devil women" was all he could get out once he got himself under control
"Hey yoruichi had to learn from somebody. I just don't do all the seduction shit, not my style." She said still chuckling as they continued on their journey
It was late and the streets had pretty much cleared out by the time they arrived back at the shiba household. They stopped at the front door where the events this morning led to this.
"So you going to keep you word and take me to dinner again or what?" She joked walking up a few steps before turning to look at him
She had walked up 2 steps and still wasn't at his eye level"Stupid tall kurosaki genes"
"Sure, I'd love that" Is what shook her out of her thoughts. She didn't know why that made her neck run hot or made her heart beat faster. She didn't even know why she did it in the moment.
"Good don't keep a lady waiting asshole." Was all she said before pulling him down into a kiss.
It was shocking to Ichigo. She pulled him in with force but the kiss itself was gentle and warm. On instinct he put his hands on her hips and held her closer. They didn't know how long it was but it was long enough for both of them to require air before they spilt apart a little.
It was then as they looked into each other's eyes that they realized what happened. Ichigo turned red and before he could say anything kukaku turned and rushed up the rest of the steps.
Right before she went inside she looked back at him with a bright blush across her face "6pm tomorrow. I'm free then." And immediately when inside shutting the door behind her
Ichigo barely getting control of his motor functions called out "I'll be here at 6 then! I'll plan something." Before walking away to sleep at the squad 11 barracks.
Kukaku had her back pressed to the front door when she heard him call out that he agreed and would see her again tomorrow.
Most people wouldn't believe that she could be so shy, sweet, and nervous about a man. Given her attitude and best friend, but kukaku had never actually been in a relationship.
She had gotten drunk and fooled around with one guy in the past but that ended so quickly and terribly that she just hadn't dated anyone since.
She only had one last thought race through her head after she walked inside still holding on tight to his haori and laying down in her workspace to fall asleep.
"That kiss was my favorite firework ever"