Disclaimer: A cat stopped by and waved with its paw and I waved back…then I woke up and realized something…I'm not Kubo-sensei!
Dedicated to and inspired by: CASTIEL4LIFE
THANK YOU TO ALL READERS/FOLLOWERS of this series!
Special thanks to Cas and darkheart133 for dropping reviews. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
A/N This chapter features jealousy and bits of bullying. I do not condone bullying under any circumstances…I am a firm believer in karma and justice being served…but sometimes its necessary to do these kinds of scenes in order to carry on with the story…that being said please ENJOY!
Warnings: Uber OOC-ness, AU, Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, Jealous bitches (both of the male and female variety) berry chasers/admirers…etc
()()
SKIRTING through LIFE
002 CUTER THAN…
Ichigo tried to enter the gym with out drawing too much attention. He figured his best strategy was to hide behind the taller students but he should have known his efforts were pointless when a familiar whistle sounded next to his ear followed by-
"Well, well look what the cat dragged in, nice of you to join us."
Ichigo opened his mouth in order to explain himself but Shihoin Yoruichi cut him off with another blow of her whistle.
"I don't care to hear it Kurosaki, now get your ass in line!"
Ichigo jumped more so from the volume of the woman's voice rather than intimidation-although he was a bit intimidated too if he was going to be completely honest with himself.
Not that there really was a reason he should be since Coach Shihoin was one of his father's long time friends-the two had attended high school and 3 years of college together.
And when Ichigo was really young the woman had been his baby sitter for a short period of time.
Ichigo should view Yoruichi like an adopted aunt or a really annoying and bossy older sister. Or at least this is what goat face wished for. Not that the berry teen hadn't tried to please his father. But it was kind of difficult to be friends with a well respected coach who could also make a crack in a wall with just her feet.
Ichigo thought about it quite a few times-the fact that Yoruichi would be better suited for kick boxing rather than soccer but of course he wouldn't dare voice it out loud.
Grumbling under his breath and rolling his sweat pants up a couple of inches so they didn't hang over his shoes, Ichigo joined the rest of his classmates in line.
()
"Psst! Ichigo Psst!"
Someone was calling him. Ichigo didn't know who it was until he turned and looked down at his far left. The moment he saw who it was he wished he hadn't looked at all.
Luppi Antenor. A kid who wore sparkly barrettes in his hair, false lashes on his eyes and probably would have made a better girl then guy.
Not that there was anything wrong with this, after all who was Ichigo to judge when he'd gone around half the morning dressed in his mother's clothes?
No in truth it wasn't Luppi's fashion sense that Ichigo had a problem with, it was the other boys' personality.
In short Luppi was unpleasant, he never could say a single sentence with out some form of sarcasm coloring his girly tone.
It was decided. Ichigo decided that he would ignore the other boy.
"Psst! Ichigo!"
Or not!
"Yes what is it?" Ichigo hissed during the brief moment when Yoruichi's back was turned.
The other boy turned up his nose and stepped out of line, hands on his hips, tone accusatory "Just what did you think you were doing coming to school dressed in that skirt this morning?"
A brief pause
"Think you're real cute do you," a sneer, "Well I've got news for you Ichigo you'll never be cuter than me." As if to empathize on the word "cute" Luppi stuck out his butt just then, not caring in the least that he knocked into the other students as he did so.
Several grumbles, protests, whines and a few death threats followed. Not that Luppi cared.
"Oops, sorry." He sing-songed insincerely and giggled behind his obnoxiously long lacy lined sleeve.
Ichigo didn't even know how to respond. When he put on his Kaa-san's skirt earlier that morning, he'd only been thinking of the promise he made to her. He wasn't trying to issue some sort of a challenge against an effeminate guy like Luppi.
A sharp whistle sounded.
"Oi, oi Kurosaki! Antenor! You two better get a hold on yourselves or I'll kick you out of class!"
Ichigo opened his mouth to apologize/explain but Luppi beat him to it, flashing a bright smile at Yoruichi, "Sorry Coach, promise it won't happen again."
Ichigo resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He'd bet anything that Luppi's fingers were crossed underneath his long sleeves.
Yoruichi's whistle sounded once more. "Alright now that everyone's accounted for let's get started. Today we're playing floor hockey so grab a stick and follow me!"
Ichigo wasn't an expert but he was pretty sure that floor hockey wasn't supposed to be played with so many people not that it really mattered though since he would do his best to avoid playing at all costs.
Especially since he was now apparently on Luppi's shit list.
As if sensing his uneasiness the smaller boy grinned nastily as he knocked into Ichigo's shoulder, "Don't try to out-cute me Ichigo or I promise you'll regret it."
Ichigo didn't think it was an empty threat, not by the crazed look in Luppi's too-sparkly-too-be-natural eyes.
Maybe he could pretend that he was sick?
()()
Too bad for Ichigo his plan had failed. Yoruichi hadn't bought his line for a minute.
"Unless you're bleeding from your skull or your intestines are spilling out on the gym floor I don't want to hear it, now get back in line or I'll give you a detention."
Ichigo willed himself not to jump or cower. He willed himself to keep calm as he tried a different approach, "Yoruichi-san, why are you treating me like this, you've been friends with my dad for years, heck you changed my diapers so can't you cut me a little bit of slack?"
Yoruichi's hard expression softened just a little bit and Ichigo felt that victory was right around the corner.
Sadly he was mistaken.
Yoruichi still refused to budge as she placed her mocha-toned hand on the boys' slim shoulder and looked down at him.
"Ichigo you know you're special to me kid but I can't play favorites when you're already a runt around here."
Ichigo opened his mouth to protest but coach didn't want to hear it.
Yoruichi shook her deep orchid colored locks and continued, "I'm doing this for your own good Ichigo you should thank me."
Ichigo scowled but knew that it was pointless. There was no way he'd change Yoruichi's mind. Not today anyway.
"Fine."
Yoruichi gave him a pat on the head "Atta boy now go play!"
()()
And so Ichigo played. Or at least he attempted to play. It would be more accurate to say that Ichigo spent the rest of the gym period trying to avoid Luppi and that damn hockey stick.
Tried being the key word.
"This will teach you to try and out-cute me in the future, Ichigo."
Bastard had gotten lucky a few times-managed to hit Ichigo repeatedly in his shin before the berry decided he'd had enough.
He didn't want to stoop to the other boys' level and hit back so instead he ran and dodged until the bell rang.
()()
Ichigo winced as he made his way into the cafeteria, quickly masking it over with a smile when he spotted his friends heading towards him.
()
Keigo was at the head of line, quickly followed by Rukia and Renji with Mizuiro taking up the rear. That must mean that Kiyone, Sentaro and Tatsuki were waiting at the table.
Ichigo scanned the crowd for one more person even though he knew it was pointless.
Because the person he was searching for was miles away-but old habits diehard and even after a year of his departure, Ichigo still wasn't used to the noticeable absence of his shaggy haired best friend Chado.
He knew it wasn't forever of course. Knew that Chado would return just as soon as his grandfather was well enough to work again. But still, thought Ichigo, was it really so difficult for the older teen to send a post card or an email or something once in awhile?
Ichigo knew his thoughts were a bit selfish but he couldn't help it. He missed Chado. Not that the berry teen didn't value all of his friends, for he did but Chado was particularly special.
He was the only person (aside from his mother) who never chided or belittled Ichigo in anyway.
"Oi Ichigo you just gonna stand there like a deer in the headlights or are you gonna order lunch?"
Rukia's snapping command pulled Ichigo from his thoughts.
"Sorry."
The petite raven-haired girl looked at Ichigo curiously for a moment and then shook her head. "No big deal, it happens to all of us." A shrug, "Anyway remind me when we get to the table I need to ask you something-well a couple of things actually."
Ichigo felt a bit wary now. He did not like the slight mischievous twinkle in Rukia's silver-blue eyes. He turned away from the girl, decided he was better off not thinking too far ahead and turned to Renji and Mizuiro, completely ignoring Keigo who was waving his arms wildly in the hopes of getting his attention.
"Renji, Mizuiro what's up guys? How'd your winter break go?"
Mizuiro looked up from his phone and answered, "Fine, fine winter break was fine. Best part about it was spending time with the ladies under the mistletoe."
Ichigo could never decide if he was jealous of how Mizuiro so easily and naturally charmed every girl with in a 3 mile radius or if he was disturbed by it. Probably a little bit of both.
Ichigo didn't know the first thing about sweet talking a girl under the mistletoe let alone several.
Not wishing to come off like a complete dork though, he made sure to high-five Mizuiro and when the other boy returned to his phone, Ichigo turned to Renji and repeated his question.
The redhead, it seemed, was determined to look anywhere but Ichigo's face.
Weird.
What was that about?
"Ichigooooo I know you can see me, I've been waving to you for the past 15 minutes, surely you can-
Yes Ichigo could see and hear Keigo but Ichigo had learned long ago that if he answered Keigo's desperate plea for attention every time, the other boy would never shut up.
So he continued to ignore the brunet while he waited for Renji's answer.
"Oi Renji what's up with you? Santa-sama leave coal in your stocking for Christmas again or what?"
The redhead snapped to attention and finally met Ichigo's face, his brow twitching ever so slightly, "Eh heh hey Ichigo, what's up man? You askin' me 'bout Christmas? It was good, I mean great I mean some parts were a little boring like sitting in front of the fire and listening to Rukia's grandfather drone on and on about 100 generations of Kuchiki nobles or whatever but yeah it was good and you?"
Honestly Ichigo didn't really feel like discussing the holiday because with out Kaa-san it hadn't felt like much of a holiday at all. Of course he couldn't tell his friends this. They wouldn't understand.
So instead Ichigo plastered another smile on his face.
"Oh you know just another Christmas like any other, goat face pulled out the sled, fired up some marshmallows, sang in really bad English, you know the usual."
Renji laughed. Laughed a little too hard. Ichigo raised a brow once again feeling there was something off with his friend.
Slim and dainty fingers (obviously a girls') snapped in front of Ichigo's face just then.
"Hello! Are you guys just going to stand around all day or are you going to come eat lunch with the rest of us?" In truth Rukia only seemed mildly miffed, probably because she had cheated and already eaten half of her cucumber salad.
Ichigo threw a piece of grilled fish and a slice of chocolate pie on to his plate and the followed the ravenette out to the table.
()()
"Okay Rukia so what was it you wanted to ask me?"
"Hmm what? Oh! Well two things actually," Rukia reached for her yogurt cup and lifted the lid as she continued, "The first question is why is the corner of your lip bleeding again and don't even bother to try and lie to me Ichigo because I can always tell."
It was true. Rukia could always tell. Ichigo wasn't sure how his friend did it only that she did.
"The split lip is from this morning during my mad dash to the bus stop I tripped."
It wasn't the first time. And it probably wouldn't be the last. Not that Ichigo was a klutz or anything it was more so the carelessness of his next-door neighbor.
"Uh huh and what about the way you were wincing when you entered the lunch room just a few minutes ago?"
At that exact moment not just Rukia but all of Ichigo's friends were pinning him with questioning stares. Keigo had noodles hanging from the corner of his mouth, Renji had a mouth ful of spinach and black olive pizza, Tatsuki was mid-nibble on her dango stick, Mizuiro's chopsticks were poised in midair and Kiyone and Sentaro had put a momentary pause on their daily meat-bun eating contest.
Ichigo was silently glad that he hadn't touched his food because he probably wouldn't have been able to keep it down at that moment.
"It happened in gym class. Luppi thought it would be funny to hit me repeatedly in the shin with his hockey stick," Ichigo shrugged. He didn't really feel like talking about it. "That's all."
"Thought it would be fun to hit you? Wait a minute! Are we talking about the same guy whose like a whole 2 and a half feet shorter than you?"
Ichigo nodded. It was embarrassing when he really thought about it. But no sense in denying it.
"Yeah, that's the one."
There was a moment of silence and then Tatsuki was the one to break it. "But why? What's he got against you? I mean I know you've had your run ins with some of the guys from class 3B in the past but I thought Antenor did his own thing."
"I'd really rather not talk about Tatsuki. Its done and over and I'm still in one piece."
"Well too bad because WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS." Rukia declared and everyone at the table nodded.
Ichigo sighed. "Fine what else do you guys want to know?"
"Um how about why? What have you ever done to him?"
Ichigo raised a forkful of fish up to his mouth "Guess he didn't care too much for my outfit this morning," took a bite and swallowed before shrugging once more, "Worried I'm trying to out-cute him or whatever."
Tatsuki shook her head. "I don't get you Ichigo. You come from a family of fighters, everyone is loud, brash or some variation or the two and yet here you are- she trailed off and shook her head once more, clearly disappointed in him. "Surely a twig like Luppi doesn't really intimidate you does he?"
Ichigo scowled. He may not be the bravest of souls but he wasn't a completely coward either. And he damn sure wasn't scared of a guy who insisted on wearing a diamond tiara to celebrate his birthday year after year.
Kiyone shook her short tapered locks and slapped the berry teen so hard he nearly flew right into his food tray "Nah our boy Ichigo ain't intimidated by nobody are ya Ichigo?"
Before Ichigo could utter a reply or a gripe or anything Sentaro chimed in with an "oh-so-helpful"
"Course not Ichigo's not scared of nothing 'cept for maybe Iba-san's panty-line."
Renji, Keigo and Mizuiro laughed while Tatsuki handed Ichigo a napkin and Rukia rolled her eyes.
"Anyway Ichigo speaking of your outfit this morning," another slap, this one on his shoulder and thankfully didn't send him flying into anything, "I'm proud of you! Takes some real balls to wear a skirt!"
"Uh, thanks Rukia."
The ravenette grinned and was about to say something else but Renji cut her off-
"Hey! Why is it okay for Ichigo to wear a skirt to school but when I told everyone that I wanted to grow my hair longer all I got were mocking jeers?"
Rukia patted the redhead as though he were her pet. "Because Renji if you grow your hair down to your back everyone is going to automatically assume that you're my older sister rather than my boyfriend and even though I have nothing against other lifestyle choices, grandfather and Byakuya-nii-sama would have both my head and yours."
Renji went pale for a few minutes. No doubt imagining the horror that would occur if he dishonored the Kuchiki's in any way.
But of course Ichigo had no way of knowing this for sure. He couldn't read Renji's mind it was merely a guess.
"Anyway back to the point of this discussion, you looked super cute in that skirt this morning and yet I noticed you're no longer wearing it, the question I want to know is why?"
Was it really necessary for Rukia to get so close? He could practically taste her lunch not that it was unpleasant per se but the last thing Ichigo needed was rumors to spread about how he and his ravenette friend were more than friends.
And with Renji right there….yeah Ichigo did not want to even complete his thought.
"Well you see-
Ichigo was interrupted with the arrival of the cheerleading squad.
()()
"Afternoon everyone."
Mixtures of "hello, hey, hi and sup" were returned as a way of greeting the princess (aka Inoue Orihime) and her entourage.
Ichigo couldn't quite put his finger on it but he always felt that there was something not quite right about a girl whose boobs seemed to enter the room before she did. He didn't care much for Inoue's million-dollar watt smile or her high-pitched girlish squeal of a voice.
Not that Inoue wasn't a nice girl for she was in fact one of the nicest, most gentle people the berry teen had ever met but-
"Afternoon Kurosaki-kun." She stopped right in front of him, sending a waft of her flowery scented perfume up his nose.
Ichigo smiled politely "Hey Inoue, how are you?"
The princess swept her long caramel colored locks to the side and knelt beside Ichigo's chair. "I'm well Kurosaki-kun and you?"
"Fine I mean good I guess."
Inoue nodded as if she really didn't care or if her mind was elsewhere-probably the later Ichigo figured.
"That's nice so anyway Kurosaki-kun um I was wondering if maybe you'd like to join me for open-mic night on Saturday if you're not too busy or anything I mean?"
Ichigo was momentarily distracted as Inoue curled a piece of her long hair around a perfectly manicured finger-even he could admit at the very least that Inoue was one of the prettiest girls in school.
Still…he wasn't sure he was really ready for a date-
"Um well Inoue I appreciate the offer and everything but mmmph!"
What the hell? Ichigo's orange brows furrowed into a tight line as not just one but two sets of hands came across his mouth.
"Don't listen to him Inoue, Ichigo would love to join you for open mic-night on Saturday."
"That's right Orihime, Ichigo loves to sing!"
What the hell seriously?! Did Tatsuki and Rukia really have to make his life more complicated then it already was?
The princess looked mildly confused and her squad looked highly amused.
Ichigo tried in vain to remove Tatsuki and Rukia's hands from him mouth but wasn't having much success.
"Really?" Inoue's eyes lit up like twinkling stars in the sky and Ichigo ceased struggling. At least for the time being and did the only thing he could do, nod.
"Oh I'm so happy! This is going to be so much fun and-
Rukia grinned and nodded "Of course it will be a night to remember, kind of wish I was coming along."
Ichigo couldn't decide if he was grateful that his friend had decided to self-invite or not.
"Hey great idea Kuchiki! Let's all go I mean if you don't mind Orihime?"
That was Tatsuki, ever the thoughtful one. Well that and Ichigo was quite sure his tomboyish looking friend secretly harbored some sort of feelings for the princess.
Rather than looking annoyed or disappointed (either that or she masked it really well) Inoue's sparkly star like eyes brightened even more. "Of course it's okay! The more the merrier right?" She turned to her squad as if to get their approval and received several nods and grins and a chorus of
"Yep the more the merrier!"
Something told Ichigo open mic-night was going to be a bit of a nightmare.
"Yes I can finally show off my talents, after all these years I'll get to serenade all the lovely ladies in the crowd with my moonlight tenor."
"Hah! Get serious Asano the only ladies you'll serenade with your chicken squawks are little old bitties in their rockers."
Keigo looked highly insulted by Renji's comment and squawked "What? Why you!"
"I on the other hand will take the ladies to paradise when they hear my jungle beating baritone." Renji closed his eyes just then, stupid grin on his face as he fantasized about making a room full of women swoon over his quote "jungle beating baritone".
"Pfft! Yeah right the only one who'd willingly follow you to paradise is Kuchiki-san and that's only because she pities you."
Low blow. But Ichigo had to admit (if only to himself) Keigo was probably right.
Renji's reddish-browns flashed violently, he kicked over his chair and went straight for Keigo's collar "Why you lil' bastard I'll get y-urk! What the hell Mizu?"
"Asano-san. Abarai-san stop making a scene. Need I remind you two that we are in the presence of the fairer set?"
"Oi, oi Mizuiro who the hell do you think you're talking to?!"
"And what's with the Asano-san all of a sudden? We've been best friends since pre-k and -?"
Mizuiro was no longer listening to Keigo or Renji. He resumed eating his rice and text messaging on his phone.
Ichigo shook his head at his friends' antics and swallowed another bite of fish.
()()
"So Ichigo five minutes left until the bell so are you gonna tell me why you stopped wearing the skirt?"
"The answer is simple Rukia. Not everyone feels the same way as you. Most were disgusted with my look this morning. I spent a half hour in the principal's office and he told me I'm not allowed to wear skirt without joining the drama club first."
"Huh? Wait! Back up and start again I'm a little
"I said-
The bell shrilled next to Ichigo's ear effectively drowning him out.
"What was that? I didn't hear anything you said just now."
Ichigo shook his head and picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder "We'll talk later Rukia. I was already late to one class this morning and I can't let it happen again."
Rukia did not look happy as she chased after him and called out "Wait! But Ichigo we're not-
Ichigo wasn't the type to run off. He wasn't the type to be rude especially to one of his best friends but he honestly didn't feel like discussing the events from the morning any more and he really did need to high tail it to his next class.
He'd make it up to the ravenette later. Call her on the phone or skype or something. But right now Ichigo needed to focus on his classes.
Because Unlike gym class with Coach Shihoin which he tried to avoid at all costs Ichigo actually looked forward to English Literature with Ukitake Jushiro-sensei.
TBC