The Substitute Teacher

Chapter 6


xXx


It was already evening when Ichigo woke up. He slowly blinked and looked around, confused for only a moment. The living room's lights were off, but it wasn't completely dark since there was a glow coming from the adjoined kitchen.

He was a bit stiff from lying in the same position on a sofa for a couple of hours, but overall, he felt warm and cozy. Safe. He sighed and snuggled into the fluffy polyester blanket, pressing his cheek against the soft material. It smelled like Renji. Like his embrace where he fell asleep. He suddenly wanted to be back in those arms, protected from the world.

He sat up slowly, rubbing at his eyes and sniffing the air. Renji was cooking something good. He heard him working in the kitchen, the food sizzling on the stove.

"You're up," he heard Renji's voice. It still didn't sound as usual, but at least it wasn't so depressed like before.

"Yeah... I'm sorry 'bout... that..."

"No sweat. I figured you'd be hungry so I made dinner," the redhead murmured a bit distractedly while distributing food into two plates.

"Thanks. It smells good. Chicken?"

"Yeah, with steamed veggies," Renji smiled a bit. "Sit down."

Ichigo obeyed and thanked him again when Renji put a plate in front of him. "Itadakimasu."

That big, gentle hand landed on his head and ruffled his hair before Renji sat down as well and began cutting the meat on his plate.

Ichigo observed his hands for a moment before giving himself a mental nudge to stop staring. Too many confusing thoughts were drifting around his mind so it was for the best if he ignored them until he had time to face them and think.

"This is really good," he said after trying a bite of everything.

"Thanks. I'm glad you like it," Renji smiled.

Being on his own for so long was a good enough reason to learn cooking for himself. When he turned eighteen and finished high school, he couldn't stay in the home for abandoned children anymore – he had to find a place of his own. Of course that Miss Saiko helped him out with the rent and food money until he'd found a job. And he repaid it all the first chance he got.

"Hey, um... I don't know if I'll be able to hang out with you for the next few days... I guess I'll spend afternoons in the hospital," Renji murmured quietly, the sadness nearly overwhelming him again.

Ichigo watched him for a moment, mulling things over in his head. He chewed and swallowed the food in his mouth and leaned forward with a hopeful look. "Do you have someone to be there for you?"

The teen almost regretted asking, remembering that Renji's girlfriend would be coming back any day now. But he guessed he still had the next day to keep him company – he didn't want Renji to be alone if something happened.

"Well, no..."

"I'll go with you," Ichigo offered.

"I can't ask you to go... You've got your stuff to do..."

"No, really, I'll go. Visiting hours are after school right?"

"Yeah... Thank you," Renji didn't know what to say. The boy was so sweet, so compassionate... And stubborn. The redhead managed a smirk, observing Ichigo. He had a face and body of a teenager, but his eyes looked much older. He remembered his first day of substituting, how he was taken aback with the sadness residing in those deep brandy eyes. He wanted Ichigo to open even more. What happened a couple of hours ago was a huge deal and it couldn't stop there.

It felt good to know how much trust the teen put in him; it felt good to comfort him, to hold him close. Renji knew he shouldn't go down that path, but he could at least admit that Ichigo was a person to wish for. Friend or a companion, either way, he was as equally sweet as messed up. Renji wished to be able to 'save' him. He wanted to save him but it wasn't just about being a teacher anymore. It was much more than that and it was beginning to worry him.


xXx


The next day, Ichigo went with Renji to the hospital and waited in the cafeteria. He didn't want to get in the way or anything and besides, he didn't even know the woman. The most important thing was that he was there if his sensei needed him.

He entertained himself with newspaper and crosswords until the visiting time was over. After a couple of minutes, Renji joined him at the table and sat down heavily. He looked drained.

Ichigo gave him an inquisitive look.

"I dunno," the redhead drawled. "She's barely awake..."

"Did you tell her?"

"I tried," Renji sighed. "She wouldn't hear it. Kept saying it's still not the time to say goodbye. She's onto me, man," the redhead actually laughed. "Knows me better than anyone."

Ichigo wanted to know him that good. He wanted to know everything. Well, there were some things he already knew – big stuff, like his tattoos. He knew about them all and still felt privileged because nobody in his class knew that. They've just seen those on Renji's forehead and neck. He also knew how his eyebrows drew together when he was concentrating hard. How his nose wrinkled just a little bit when he was annoyed. He knew the entire range of Renji's chuckles and smirks. And what each represented.

Ichigo didn't realize he was staring until his sensei poked him in the forehead with his index finger.

"Huh?"

"I said it's time to go," Renji gave a lopsided grin, seeing the utterly confused look on the teen's face. "What were you thinking about?"

Ichigo opened his mouth, only to close it again, blushing a bit while his heart pounded crazily. 'What the hell is happening to me?'

"Um, nothing... I just remembered I have homework to do," he lied.

"Then let's get going. I'm your teacher after all. Can't make you slack off," Renji patted his shoulder while standing up.


xXx


As the two exited the hospital and started walking together down the path to the street, Ichigo noticed a small, raven-haired woman coming towards them with a smile on her face. His eyes darted to Renji, who was deep into texting someone on his cell phone.

"Renji," the woman called out, waving at him.

The redhead nearly dropped his phone and after shoving it into his jeans pocked, hurried towards her. He effortlessly lifted her into a bear hug, making her squeal and giggle. The happiness over their meeting was evident. Ichigo felt his chest hurt like it never hurt before.


xXx


To be continued...