Okay so I dropped off the radar.
Let me explain.
I lost my book of ALL my ideas and I've never felt so lost in a long time, it was like my muse packed its stuff and went on vacation, but I am trying to pull my stuff together again. On top of that, i've started university and let me tell you that being a med/biochem student is not easy. The struggle is real between lectures, coursework and labs. Sometimes I don't even feel like I have time to breathe. But i'm back and trying.
On a side note, Thank you so much for the reviews! It took me forever and a day to realize that I broke the 100 mark and I'm really astonished aha, you guys are the best! Thanks for sticking around with me and this fic xoxo
This chapter is a bit mellow, just some more drama and a little peek into the mind of our favorite strawberry, I do hope you guys enjoy it :)
People always assumed. People always judged.
It was human nature, no matter how hard you try not to, you'll do it.
For instance, when you start school, there's going to be that one person that you're going to hate right off the bat. Or maybe hate wasn't the right phrase to use...strong dislike was more like it. It might be unconsciously done, or you might do it knowing full well that you are.
People always assumed wrong when it came to me.
For the people who knew me a little, they assumed I had the perfect family, that everything was all fine and dandy in my household, that my family had all the money with my dad scoring the big shot doctor job and all. How wrong they were.
For one, everyone thought my mom was dead. I tell everyone she is, I don't regret it. With how she's been in my life she might as well be. In reality she skipped country with her lover when I was 9, now happily married with twins. Since then it was always me and my dad. And it didn't take me very long to learn his lesson.
One night while I was crying like a bitch over missing her, he gave me a piece of drunken advice that stuck with me to this day.
"Trust no woman Ichigo, no matter how pretty or nice she is, don't let 'em draw you in"
It might seem dumb, but after witnessing how my father was single handedly sabotaged by one woman, I heeded his advice and always kept them at arm's length. Relationships were a massive no. Sleep with women, humour them even, but make sure I get rid of them as soon as possible.
Except Rukia. Sure we fucked, but if there was anyone that understood me even a tiny bit it was understood what the term "just friends" meant and I knew that she wouldn't expect anymore from me.
And there was Orihime.
To this day I still couldn't believe that she had propositioned me like that...sweet, gorgeous Inoue...who even taught her what sex was? She seemed almost too innocent to know about it.
But to the main issue.
Orihime made me...want.
In a way that wasn't just sexual, or temporary.
I wanted to take her places, hold her hand, eat her strange food, hold her, cuddle her...it made me edgy.
Seeing her with other guys made me angry.
What bothered me the most was that I haven't told Rukia about her. I tell Rukia everything, for the most part. She has been acting really clingy with me lately, especially upon discovery that my cousin was studying on campus with us. I didn't dare question her about him, nor did I feel anything about it or what they used to be. Honestly, I don't really care either.
Anyways. Today has been strange.
Starting off with Rukia chasing me half way across campus to question me about Orihime. Knowing that Orihime didn't want this- whatever this was- out in the public, I didn't tell her, just saying that I help her with her homework a couple of times a week. I didn't mind not telling her either. The rumours that went around this place were vicious and they'd tear someone as sweet as Orihime apart and if that happened to Orihime...let's just say that the thought didn't rest well with me. She's too sweet and lovely and she has the most amazing body and-
Anyways, I'm straying from what bothered me today. Rukia.
After I pretty much told her that it was none of her business, she slapped me and stormed off and I headed off to the dojo where I trained with my cousin, Grimmjow and Chad. Though this session could hardly count as sparring. I'd barely dropped my bag to the ground before Kaien had my shirt in his grip and me backed up against a wall.
"What the fuck are you doing Kai?" I rasped, gripping the hands that were on my shirt. I hate being caught off guard in situations like these, I hate being held down.
"What the fuck are you doing with Orihime, Ichi?" he rebutted.
So that's what this hold up was about. I glared at him whilst tugging at his arms, but he wouldn't let up. Why was everyone so concerned about what I did with Orihime anyways?
"That's not yer fucking business, now let go before I break yer damn arms," I snarled, getting angry.
"I'm making it my business as of now, what are your intentions with her?"
"Didn't I just tell you it's none of your business?"
He said nothing for a while then his grip tightened. "I like her. Now talk. I know you pop up in her flat during the week, what the fuck is that about?" he growled.
I finally shoved him off of me and said, "Chemistry. A whole lot of fucking Chemistry."
He growled and swung at me, but I dodged. If he was fighting wild there was no way he'd beat me.
"The fuck do you care about Hime anyways? Shouldn't you be banging on Rukia's door begging her to take you back?" I snarled.
Okay, low blow. Really low blow Kurosaki, especially since I kinda contributed to their break up. Whatever he manages to dish out to me, I deserve it.
No surprise when he tackled me and banged my head against the dojo floor.
"You fucking bastard, don't act as if you don't fuck her on the side along with every other girl you meet."
"She's never complained," I hissed right at his face.
Why was I goading him? He was my cousin, one of my best friends, even after all the times I've fucked him over.
"I'm gonna kill you,"
"No one's killing anyone," came a calm voice from behind us. Kaien was lifted off me not too long after and I saw Chad's massive figure grasping my cousin, telling him to calm down.
"Yo, Chad," I panted slightly.
"Yo yerself, you're in some shit, Abarai's tearing up this campus looking for ya an' by the look on his face he don' wanna exchange numbers an' take you on a date," said Grimmjow, entering the dojo and dropping his back to the floor as well. "Ya've got some serious explaining to do Kurosaki,"
Have you ever had your life go from dull/normal/mundane to Kim Kardashian type scandal in less than 24 hours?
I'm still trying to process what the hell is happening.
Currently I'm in Nel's room trying to contain my panic attack.
Try to keep up with me.
Ichigo and Rukia had that huge argument yesterday at around noon. She'd come blundering me with questions at least 15 minutes after. This was all on Thursday. By 3 o' clock everyone who had oxygen in their lungs knew about their little argument and the fact that she was apparently after me.
Here's where stuff starts to fall through.
It's now Friday.
I didn't get to see my girls during the day, Tatsuki was still avoiding me -more than the usual actually- and Nel was apparently behind in one of her essays so I left her to it. I spent much of my morning in the library and then by 2 I was on my way to my seminar. As usual, I sit by the window behind Ulquiorra and pretend like I understand what's being said. But today I couldn't help but notice the stares I was getting from most of the people in the room.
4 o'clock. I'm just leaving my seminar and I turn my phone back only to see about a hundred texts from Nel saying I should go to her dorm as soon as I was finished with seminars, straight there and take no stops.
While walking to Nel's, I noticed strange looks from people, which made me really self conscious so I sped up and kept my head down.
Something wasn't right.
As soon as I was on her floor I dashed along the corridor to her room and knocked three times.
The door instantly opened and she hauled me in.
"N-Nel? What's going on?"
"You're gonna wanna sit down for this Hime, would you like some tea? Water? Gummy bears?"
"Nel, what's going on?" I asked, feeling even more nervous because of my friend's unease.
"There are a whole bunch of rumours going round the university about you. Big ones. And I think they're being started by Rukia."
"Rumours? Like what kind of rumours?"
"Rumours like you were in a relationship with Mayuri-sensei because you were failing his subject and when they fired him because of your "illicit" affair you started fucking Ichigo to keep on top of your school work, and that you're also screwing around with Renji Abarai and apparently you have a thing with Kaien Shiba." she said in a rush.
My jaw dropped and my phone slipped through my fingers.
"Nel I think I'm going to be sick," I said weakly .
Now you've caught up with me.
I was changed out of my clothes into spare pyjamas by Nel and ushered to sit on the bed. Some Friday this was cropping up to be. We sat in silence for a while and then she said, "You know, Kaien I can totally understand, you two'd make a good couple...but Renji? Ew, he's like the embarrassing brother that you have to put up with! And that creep teacher as well, the nerve of whoever's doing this, making up this bullshit-"
"You know it's Rukia, who else would it be?" I said, giving her my blandest look possible.
Like really, who else could it be? It didn't take rocket science to figure this one out, she was threatening me yesterday after all.
"What are you going to do? She's got the entire campus thinking you're some easy whore!"
I rested my head on my knees and sighed. "I don't know Nel, I honestly don't know"
She didn't reply, the two of us just sat there in silence, just the way I needed it to be at the moment. After about 20 minutes of the silence, her phone went off and I felt her move but I didn't look up, the sudden sick feeling overwhelming me once more. I heard the door open and some soft whispering and then a spicy smell that I could pin to only one person wafted over me.
"How did you find me Kurosaki-kun?" I asked, finally lifting my head.
"I thought we got rid of that godforsaken name from your tongue, you forget your best friend's boyfriend is one of my good friends as well," he said while removing his jacket.
"Why are you here...Ichigo,"
He sighed and stared at the wall in front of us. "Well, after that monkey Abarai came breaking into the training dojo looking to smash my face in rambling about me needing to take responsibility and then Kaien and Grimmjow mentioning something along those lines too I've been looking for you for most of the evening but you weren't in your room. What exactly have you heard?"
"That I was sleeping with the man that tried to molest me, then started to sleep with you to keep my failing grades up, and on top of that I'm sleeping with the new guy and the guy who's like a brother to me. I wonder who she's going to be adding to the list by tomorrow," I said almost sarcastically.
"Yea, she's been working really fast this time. I heard she threatened you yesterday?"he said glancing at me.
I nodded. "Demanding to know of what kind of relationship I have with you. Honestly Ichigo, I don't think I can do this."
I kept staring at the wall, I didn't dare to look at him.
"What do you mean you can't do this? You were the one that proposed this Orihime"
I bit my lip. Anything I said from this point was make or break. If I let anything slip he'd find out that I fostered dangerous feelings for him, I don't know what I'd do if it came to that.
"When I thought of this it was because I thought you'd be the best person to help me. You don't date, you don't want a relationship...it seemed like the best thing to do. It seemed almost too easy and problem free. But...I don't feel comfortable having your girlfriend stalking me and spreading rumours about me on a daily basis because we...hang out."
"My girlf- Orihime are you insane? I could never date Rukia, she's just my friend!"
I bit my lip and stared intently at the wall. Do not look at him, do not look at him...
"I dunno Ichigo, in her head you two are more than that friends and-"
"Orihime, look at me,"
"-if she has feelings for you I'm sure she has more than what I could ever offer you-"
"Look at me."
"-I don't want to come between you two, I can see that you two have a close bond-"
"Dammit Orihime LOOK AT ME."
I jumped at his sudden outburst and he took advantage of my shock and straddled me, holding my arms in his steel grip. In this position I had no choice but to look at him.
"Get it through your head. There. Is. Nothing. Between. Rukia. And. I. Apart from casual sex. There will never be anything else. Now nod once if you understand,"
I swallowed and nodded.
"Good. Now listen once more, and nod when I finish that you understand. There is only one girl that I have any form of interest in right now, and she's the crazy one that asked me to teach her about sex. You. And I don't think that my interest in you or helping you will change for a long time. Understood?"
I nodded once more, throat suddenly too dry to even swallow. He nodded as well.
"I am going to speak with Rukia and hopefully get this whole mess sorted out. Tonight we obviously won't be able to do anything considering that we're on your friend's bed, but I'd like to see you again next week, if you'll have me. Nod once for yes, shake your head for no."
I nodded and he smiled softly then leaned down to kiss me.
"Get some rest tonight and I'll be in touch with you soon okay? Try to avoid going out a lot this weekend as well...let's just say that the gossip mongers are a very violent set of people." he said against my lips.
I nodded and he sat up, pulling me up as well.
"I should go, I've kicked Neliel out her own room for too long don't you think," he said slightly smirking.
"Thanks for coming to see me K-Ichigo," I said, blushing at the thought of Nel with her ear pressed tight to the door to listen to our conversation. He stood and picked up his jacket.
"I am sorry about this mess, I don't want you to feel threatened by her...strangely I always thought you two got along well when we hung out together in high school,"
I laughed at that. Oh yea, sureee we did. His obliviousness made him so cute.
"In all honesty, I don't think she's ever liked me," I grinned.
"You should have said something at least, now I feel bad" he said, frowning slightly.
"Don't worry about it, it's all done and gone now," I said, taking slow steps to the door.
"Yea, and now there are rumours going around this campus that would give your family a heart attack,"
"Well when you put it that way you have a point," I said pulling the door open.
Nel stumbled in, blushing furiously and straightening herself, trying to act as if she wasn't pressed to the door about a second ago.
"Hey Ichigo, leavin' already? Awww what a shame you only just got here, oh well see ya later k bye!" she squealed practically pushing him through the door and slamming it behind her. We stared at each other for a few seconds and burst into giggles.
Crazy best friends are the best friends.