Chapter 3
"Principal Urahara would like to remind you all that your semestral test is coming in two days, I suggest you all study well and as for you Kurosaki-san, this test is optional for you but I suggest you earn some extra credit and take it." Kuchiki-sensei said as he readied himself to leave the classroom. Homeroom was at its end already.
As soon as the Kuchiki left, the class burst into panic and mayhem. Though a lot of the girls began their panic by panicking for Ichigo. "Oh my... Kuchiki-sensei is right though Kurosaki-kun... Extra credits make it easier for you to graduate... But who can teach you."
"If you like Kurosaki-kun, we can teach you."
"Yeah, we should have a study session Kurosaki-kun."
Ichigo smiled sweetly. "It's quite alright actually... I'll just ask Fubuki-san instead... Hey Fubuki-san, you've got a whole lot of time in your hands don't you?" Ichigo said in his nice guy knowing very well that it would piss her off.
As he predicted, she was visibly pissed by his gesture.
"Yeah... Sure, what do you want me to do Kurosaki-san?" she asked but her voice was laced by discrete venom only Momo, Ichigo and Renji picked up.
He smiled innocently. "Come by my place after school, let's have a study session."
Rukia wanted to execute him with a guillotine. That was just another way of saying let's have fun Rukia-chan. Besides, she was going there anyway whether she liked it or not. "Sure, just text me your address later and I'll stop by." Rukia replied, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Rukia faced Momo with an apologetic smile. "No practice today I guess..."
"I can come along if you want." Momo offered sincerely.
And see his closet full of maid uniforms specifically designed for her? Hell no.
Rukia shook her head. "I don't want to bother you. I won't take long, just an hour or two and I'm coming home." Rukia smiled at her worried best friend.
Momo mouth a few words silently ad Rukia understood her message.
He's a guy. You'll be all alone with him.
"Don't worry about it. Kurosaki-san's a gentleman." Rukia reassured Momo while ignoring the stabbing glares from all the other envious females of the class.
Momo was still worried. Rukia was with a complete and total stranger. It never hurt to be too cautious. She had a plan.
Momo approached him during lunch with some cash in hand. She placed the cash on the table and he checked the amount. His glasses glinted as he looked at her. "And? What's the item?" he asked professionally.
"Make me a small camera Ishida-san... Like a surveillance bug." Momo demanded.
He looked at his watch. "Well you seem desperate Hinamori-san... I'm guessing you want it done before dismissal?" he asked.
"Preferably."
He smirked as he fixed his glasses again. "No problem, what happened to that other surveillance bug I made you?"
Momo crossed her arms. "It got crushed in her bag... Though it was necessary. I mean, she was teaching one of those dumb third year jocks last year and luckily enough, she used a Judo throw on the guy and scared him shitless when he made a move on her."
He nodded in agreement. "I understand... Fubuki-san is very attractive; it's only natural that you're protective of her most especially when boys want her alone. Especially, when you don't know them very well.
"Thanks for understanding Ishida-san." Momo thanked. "By the way, can you improve the audio of the bug and the frequency and signal strength... I don't want to have to hang around his apartment for two hours plus... I'd look like a stalker with a laptop."
Ishida Uryu laughed. "They don't call me the Mechanic over nothing. Consider it done... You want to surveillance it from you home? Well I just researched that on my phone just now, his house is just a few blocks away from yours meaning he lives quite near you and Fubuki-san... I can upgrade the signal… Keychain form again?"
"Yes please, I trust your good taste in cute things to make it something I would give."
"Consider it done... Ah... Kuchiki-san's back from cleaning the music room with Abarai-san... I'll get it done in a heartbeat." Uryu assured her. "You know what? I'll just place a fake insect on the windowsill to serve as your extra eyes... If you're so desperate to protect Fubuki-san, I'll stick insects at his windows."
"You can do that!"
"Yeah, I've got my methods... And besides, your cash is more than sufficient and it's a good opportunity to test out my new toys."
Momo smiled. "Gotta go, I trust your hands."
Momo returned to her seat and pretended to have been studying the entire time. Rukia was the only girl who befriended Momo back in elementary. When Momo was accused of stealing lunch money, not only did Rukia stand by her, she also caught the real perp. She needed to keep Rukia safe.
Rukia returned to her seat and what Momo was curious about was why did Rukia glare at Ichigo when he winked at her discretely.
Rukia was completely and utterly resolved to stay five feet away from him as he walked towards his place. She tried to be as casual as possible and she even decided to walk behind him. Her glares were practically piercing his back.
"What's wrong Rukia-chan? Can't stand to walk next to your beloved master?" Ichigo asked teasingly as he stopped in front of one building and went upstairs while Rukia followed closely behind him.
"Yes... Why would I want to walk next to a pervert and asshole like you." Rukia replied hostilely
He chuckled as he used his keys and opened the door. He let Rukia go in first and pretended to be a gentleman which only fueled her anger even more. She literally stomped inside and placed her bag on the table. Ichigo walked in and closed the door. He dropped his bag at the table too.
"Are you serious about studying? I mean, you're practically a genius." Rukia asked.
He shrugged. "Just give me all the topics you covered before I arrived and I'll be fine... I mean, I'm a straight A Japanese student and much to your common misconception, I won that piano concour in Prague."
Rukia sighed and rubbed her temples furiously. "What the hell is wrong with you? Have you ever worked hard before?"
"Not really, that's what you call a genius prodigy Rukia-chan." he grinned mockingly knowing it would incite her wrath even further.
Rukia sighed and held the anger in. She pulled out a bunch of notebooks and shoved them into his face. She pointed to each and every one of them with her pencil. "Okay, so this one's math, science, English, Japanese, history. Those are the only topics to be covered in the test."
"No biggie... However, teach me history." Ichigo demanded.
"Why?"
"I know German and world history but not Japanese history. That's gonna take a while." Ichigo reasoned sensibly.
She looked at him with her amethyst eyes. It was also nice to not see a hostile Rukia every once in a while but a hostile Rukia was a cute Rukia. Ichigo smirked as he gestured to his lap.
"Teach me over here, that's an order from your master."
"Insufferable bastard." she seethed as he saw how her forced herself to get up.
"Think about it this way, sitting on my lap while teaching me is better than when I got you to cosplay a maid. See? This is easier and less humiliating." Ichigo said smugly as he leaned back and supported himself with his arms.
Rukia got over to his side after much protest and cursing. Ichigo had to drag her down to his lap. Rukia sat on him looking all flushed. His order was just an excuse. He wanted to breathe in her unique and fantastic scent. All the other women reeked of perfume; it was a first to be able to find someone who smelled delectable in her own right. "Now then teach me Rukia-chan." he demanded
Rukia swallowed thickly before she spoke. "Okay, so the topic is the Edo Period... So Tokugawa Ieyasu became the most powerful man in Japan after Hideyoshi's death. Tokugawa was against's the ideals of Hideyoshi's successor Hideyori. So In the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Ieyasu defeated the Hideyori loyalists and other Western rivals. Hence, he achieved almost unlimited power and wealth. In 1603, Ieyasu was appointed Shogun by the emperor and established his government in Edo, which you know now as modern day Tokyo. The Tokugawa shoguns continued to rule Japan for a remarkable 250 years."
"Ah, the warring states period of Japan... I stopped at Nobunaga Oda." Ichigo commented.
"Carrying on, Ieyasu brought the whole country under tight control. He cleverly redistributed the gained land among the daimyo: more loyal vassals received strategically more important domains accordingly. Every daimyo was also required to spend every second year in Edo. This meant a huge financial burden for the daimyo and moderated his power at home. Ieyasu continued to promote foreign trade. He established relations with the English and the Dutch. On the other hand, he enforced the suppression and persecution of Christianity from 1614 on. You still following me?"
"I'm not stupid... And besides, I have photographic hearing so just keep reading and I'll remember." Ichigo replied.
"Photographic Hearing? Now you're seriously unfair to the point that it's annoying." Rukia said bitterly.
"Keep reading Rukia-chan."
She sighed. "After the destruction of the Toyotomi clan in 1615 when Ieyasu captured Osaka Castle, he and his successors had practically no rivals anymore, and peace prevailed throughout the Edo period. Therefore, the warriors A.K.A the samurai were educating themselves not only in the martial arts but also in literature, philosophy and the arts, for example the tea ceremony."
"Toyotomi clan?" Ichigo asked.
"You know. Nobunaga's successor was Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Hideyoshi's supposed successor was Toyotomi Hideyori but since his ideals wouldn't bring peace, Tokugawa eliminated him."
"Oh... Carry on then."
"In 1633, shogun Iemitsu forbade travelling abroad and almost completely isolated Japan in 1639 by reducing the contacts to the outside world to very limited trade relations with China and the Netherlands in the port of Nagasaki. In addition, all foreign books were banned."
"The most important philosophy of Tokugawa Japan was Neo-Confucianism, stressing the importance of morals, education and hierarchical order in the government and society: A strict four class system existed during the Edo period: at the top of the social hierarchy stood the samurai, followed by the peasants, artisans and merchants. The members of the four classes were not allowed to change their social status. Outcasts, people with professions that were considered impure, formed a fifth class."
"In 1720, the ban of Western literature was cancelled, and several new teachings entered Japan from China and Europe. New nationalist schools that combined Shinto and Confucianist elements also developed."
Even though the Tokugawa government remained quite stable over several centuries, its position was steadily declining for several reasons: A steady worsening of the financial situation of the government led to h-higher t-taxes and riots among the farm p-population... Wh-what are you doing?" Rukia said in a strangled way.
Ichigo smirked as he continued to kiss her neck slowly. He could feel her entire body stiffen. "Kissing your neck... I'm getting a bit bored... Just teach me again later. It's master- maid time..." he whispered into her ear.
"S-studying is also i-important!" Rukia retorted.
"We still have two days of studying my dear Rukia-chan... Now then, entertain me." he said smugly like the rich bastard he was.
"Rich asshole..." she seethed and that only made him laugh.
"Oh? If you plan on disobeying, I'll just submit this club transferal form to Kuchiki-sensei and you won't have a club... Don't forget just who was the one who came begging as soon as she heard me play Alkan." he mocked.
Rukia flushed red, ah the humiliation. "Fine... What do you want me to do master?"
"I want you to endure what I'm about to do to you for five minutes." Ichigo said smugly as he continued to press wet open mouthed kisses against her milky white neck.
"If you give me a hickey, I will murder you to a bloody unrecognizable pulp." Rukia threatened before sharply taking in some air.
"I won't do anything that stupid nor will I touch you that much... Even I have a limit to my lack of morality." Ichigo replied,continuing his ministrations
"So you do have a conscience..." she spoke breathlessly.
"Everybody does, as I said before, I'm not entirely heartless that I would ignore such cruelty to a human being."
"So if I was being mugged in an alley?"
"I would save you without a second thought but it applies to everybody."
"Just get on with it... I want to go home." she said stubbornly.
Ichigo smirked. "Five minutes starts now." he said.
Ichigo's strong arms were already wrapped around her thin waist. His assault on her neck was now more vehement. He could hear her softly panting whenever he licked her pulse. Ichigo's hot breath would sometimes linger on the parts her had just kissed and when he bit the shell of her ear, he hears her suppressing a moan. He smirked as he got her to face him and he instructed her to wrap her legs around his torso.
Ichigo surged forward and captured her lips. His lips slid against hers slowly. If he wanted her to give in, he would have to be excruciatingly slow. Ichigo made a bet with himself as to how long would it be before she responded and it took quite a while for her to do so. It just proved how stubborn she was. He loved how her involuntary self wrapping her arms around his neck. He would have a field day teasing her over this.
Ichigo shoved his tongue in a masterfully taming Rukia. With his skillful strokes and ministrations, Rukia ended up responding against her greater judgement but it was too late, five minutes was up. Ichigo withdrew first and he gave her five seconds to regain her sense of self. The first thing she did was withdraw her arms and give him one harsh slap on reflex. Rukia then covered her mouth and began to apologize profusely. Ichigo wanted to laugh at the cuteness of it all despite the stinging pain of his left cheek.
He laughed at her a laugh that didn't mock her. "Damn... You really are entertaining aren't you midget?"
"M-midget!"
"Yeah, it's my second nickname for you." he said. "Oh, you can get off my lap now."
Rukia did just that quickly and decided to stay on the other side of the table this time.
"Okay, let's keep studying shall we Rukia-chan?" he asked with a huge grin plastered on his face.
Rukia nodded in an ashamed way.
"Aww... My Rukia-chan has finally learned how to use her tongue... I am such a good teacher."
"Shove it asshole... Why don't you make your own dinner and why don't you study yourself and etc..." Rukia replied angrily, her face was still beet red.
"Are you mad?"
"Of course I am... Stealing my first Kia and all, forcing me to work for you just so I can keep my club running... See, you are a jerk... If it weren't for Renji and Momo I wouldn't be doing this at all..."
"True... They did look rather down on my first day but they seem happier when I joined."
"See? I'd be selfish to take that happiness away..."
Ichigo smiled. "You're a very dedicated person... Why do you love music so much?"
"That's personal, why did you stop making music? Did you even love it?"
"Of course I did, but that's personal."
"Ah well... Keep studying..."
"Okay..."
"What the hell?" Momo cussed as she watched her laptop screen. Her hands were quivering as she gripped the laptop. Her heart was racing and she felt something unpleasant in the pit of her stomach.
She wasn't dreaming was she?
Wait... Recap.
Their conversation didn't sound like a conversation between strangers. How long has this been going on? Why didn't Rukia tell her? Wasn't she her best friend, did she think she wouldn't believe her? Of course she would and what was that she heard?
Rukia worked and humiliated herself for her and Renji's sake? She didn't need to do that for them? Weren't they gonna solve this problem together?
What kind of relationship is that? He was obviously taking advantage of her and she even consented. Though technically she slapped him afterwards, she apologized profusely. That wasn't right, she needn't apologize. But who knew that Kurosaki Ichigo wasn't nice at all. He was completely the opposite. He wasn't the dream boy every girl dreamed about nor was he super polite and charming. He was spoiled and arrogant. He had an awful attitude and he treated Rukia badly.
Anyone who treated Rukia badly was horrible in Momo's book.
He even had the nerve to take her first kiss. He had no right.
And did she hear right, he forced her to cosplay? That was borderline pervert.
Momo felt bad about herself. She was happy that they were keeping the club but she didn't know that it was at Rukia's expense. She ought to google Kurosaki Ichigo.
Something needed to be done.
"Kurosaki... That jerk... If he has the nerve to do that to Rukia then he's lower than scum." Momo seethed as she closed the laptop before she got any madder.
Tomorrow... She needed to talk to Rukia...
XxxXXXxxx
Love ,
Amethyst hazel.