Author's note: This story will contain Yaoi in later chapters, so consider yourself warned :)
I do not own Bleach and I don't make any money from writing this.
The Substitute Teacher
Chapter 1
xXx
The classroom went completely silent as a stranger walked inside, carrying his stuff to the teacher's table. Everyone was staring at the tall redheaded man, mouths hanging open at the sight of the black tattoos that seemed to go everywhere.
"This is the substitute?" Someone hissed incredulously.
"He can't be, he looks like a punk!" One girl said.
"I heard we'll be having a replacement... Is that really him? Gosh, he's so hot!" Another girl squealed.
The man rolled his eyes at the not-too-subtle way the pupils were showing either an interest or displeasure of having a substitute teacher. But, that's the way it goes with a bunch of teenagers, so he sighed and turned towards the classroom.
"My name's Abarai Renji. I'm pleased to be here and I hope we'll all get along until Miss Ochi returns."
His voice was deep and a bit gruff – perfect for showing who was in charge.
"What's with her anyway," a female voice asked.
"So nice of you to worry about your teacher, but the matter is private. I can't tell you anything more." The substitute smirked at the small brunette, who in turn blushed furiously.
"Michiru-chan is blushing," a couple of her friends giggled.
"Alright, alright, that's enough," Renji chuckled, already used to the people's reactions on his looks. "Now, I want to get to know you too," he said and took the school register from his desk, going through it.
He called out the names and turned his gaze to the students that raised their hands once they were called. He'd ask everyone about their hobbies and future plans, chatting a bit longer here and there. It seemed the kids were getting over the initial shock and were starting to like him.
"... Kurosaki Ichigo," he looked around until he connected the raised hand with a long arm, a skinny shoulder and a mess of unruly orange hair. 'So we have a punk in the class,' he smirked to himself. 'I just hope he's not a troublemaker.'
"So, Kurosaki-kun, how about you?"
"What about me," the teen seemed completely apathetic.
"Hobbies, plans, hopes and dreams?" The teacher gave a friendly, encouraging smile.
"None..."
"What do you mean 'none'?"
"I mean I have none," the brandy eyes tiredly focused on the substitute. It seemed like all the sadness in the world resided in those eyes, almost making Renji to take a step back.
The class fell silent, everyone avoiding looking at the kid. Renji found it peculiar and decided to leave the teen alone.
"Alright, if that's the way you feel," he sighed and resumed calling out other names, breaking the tension in the class.
xXx
Later that day, Renji was sitting at the teacher's lounge, flipping through the register to see how his new students were doing before he came to substitute. His thoughts kept going to that orange haired kid, wondering what his problem was. He knew that teenage years brought a lot of awkwardness and confusion to a young mind, but every time he saw such a troubled kid, he got worried.
He hardly noticed when someone else came in, jumping slightly in surprise but then he smiled, recognizing the school's psychologist.
"Unohana-san," he gave a little bow.
"Abarai-kun," the woman smiled kindly, "how was your first day?"
"It went good, thank you."
"The students didn't give you much trouble, I believe?"
"No, they were nice. A little surprised at the beginning, but they're okay. Though, I've a question..." Renji scratched the back of his head. "What's with that Kurosaki kid? He seemed somehow indifferent... empty, if you know what I mean. Does he have a problem?"
Unohana sighed, shaking her head slowly. "Such a sad story... Kurosaki-kun lost his mother and he has been like that since then. He just closed up and now he won't let anyone in."
Renji felt his heart sink. Poor kid. "When was that?"
"Almost two years ago," the woman said.
"And he's still like that... That's a long time. What happened, if I may ask?"
Unohana went to the sofa and sat down, motioning for Renji to join her. "A traffic accident. Ichigo and his mother were walking together and a car appeared out of nowhere. His mother only had time to push him away, but she was hit and... She didn't even make it to the hospital. The poor boy was crushed. At first he wouldn't even talk to anyone, but when he finally did, the first thing he said was that it was his fault... that she would still be alive if it weren't for him."
"But it's not..." Renji gaped.
"I know," Unohana sighed. "He's scheduled to come to my office at least once a week and whenever he feels he might want to talk about it. But lately, he just comes over when he has to and asks me how I am, and that's it. I feel like I can't reach him."
"That's awful," Renji stared down at his feet. He'd never imagined he'd end up having a student with such a backstory. "What should I do, Unohana-san?"
"Well, all the other teachers just let him be. He gets good grades at the exams, so nobody is forcing him to be active at class if he doesn't want to. I don't agree with that method, but I understand they feel sorry for him... Ah, it would be so nice if he starts to open up to someone..."
"Do you think if I could maybe...?" Renji asked, a little uncertain.
"Well, if you are willing, that would be nice. You are young, maybe you can connect better."
"Alright, then I'll try," he smiled and thanked her.
xXx
The next day, the students were having a literature class and Renji decided to make it more active, picking the students to read certain passages or poems and then explain what the writer wanted to show, or how they saw it.
His eyes fell on the Kurosaki kid. "Kurosaki-kun. Why don't you pick a poem and read it out loud? Let's hear what caught your eye in this book."
Ichigo stared at him incredulously. Well at least something besides emptiness was in those eyes now. Renji was surprised when the teen started flipping through his book. When he found what he was searching for, he straightened up in his chair and cleared his throat.
"The Message, by Jacques Prévert," Ichigo read out softly.
"The door that someone opened
The door that someone closed
The chair on which someone sat down
The cat that someone petted
The fruit that someone bit into
The letter that someone read
The chair that someone tipped over
The door that someone opened
The road where someone is still running
The woods that someone crossed running
The river in which someone jumped
The hospital where someone died."
The class was quiet. Some were staring at Ichigo, some were staring down at their desks and one girl was crying quietly. Inoue Orihime, as Renji recalled.
Renji tried to swallow. "Uh, well... That was an interesting choice..."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes on the substitute. "She told you, didn't she?"
"Yes, she did." There was no point in lying to the teen.
"Great," Ichigo muttered, slouching back down in his seat. "Now you can start acting like all the other teachers and leave me alone."
A few gasps resonated through the room.
Renji frowned. "I had no such intentions. And that's not the way to talk to your teacher, substitute or not." He almost smirked seeing the genuine surprise on Ichigo's face at being scolded. "I want to talk to you after school. Come and wait for me outside the teacher's lounge."
Ichigo managed to remove the shocked look off his face and replace it with indifference. "Yeah, whatever."
"Good." Renji nodded and then turned to the rest of the class. "Now, let's continue... Ishida-kun, your turn..."
The redhead felt like he'd won the first battle, smiling a little to himself as he felt Ichigo's eyes following him around for the rest of the class. At least he'd gotten his attention.
xXx
To be continued...
