A/N: Here's the next chapter. This is the where this storyline starts to diverge completely from the manga/anime. First, Review Responses:
skylark dragonstar: Well, good. That's what I'm aiming for. Cliffhangers are the best way to go.
Espadakatsukreuz XIII: Their relationship plays a bigger role later on in the story.
Guest: Thank you.
The Endless Hourglass: I'm glad you like it.
550: Thank you.
PartyPony2: Hopefully, this chapter will give you more questions.
Haylzey: I'm glad you like it.
Thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and follows!
Note: I know its fast, but I really wanted to get this chapter out.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Tite Kubo does.
~8~8~8~8~
Chapter 8: Kon's Greatest Plan of All
"ICHIGO!"
The two brothers were woken up the next morning by Kon's screaming and...crying?
"Why did you wake us up so early, Fuzzball?" Ichigo asked. "You had a nightmare or something?"
"I'll say it's a nightmare! Look at what your sister did to me! A bath was enough, but then she went and...!"
Ichigo kicked him in the face, which sent Kon flying to the wall.
"Quit complaining. Yuzu did it because you were filthy," Ichigo said.
"Besides, Kon, it looks good on you," Toushirou added.
Kon crawled back onto Ichigo's bed. "Shut up! The bath and the fu-fu outfit are bad enough, but then she took super glue and stuck this flower to my ear!"
"Let's see..."
"Cripes! She thinks I'm just a stuffed toy and...Owwee!"
Ichigo had pulled on the flower stuck to his ear.
"Yep, that sucker's really on there to stay. Well, let's see, I could surgically remove your ear."
"Why you-!"
"Hey, look at the time! We'd better hurry or we'll miss breakfast, Toushirou!"
"I'm coming. I just got up."
The two left the room, leaving Kon laying face-down on the floor.
'Dammit...Am I not a comrade? Am I not an equal? Well, then, I'll leave on a journey. Then, I'll find people who want me.'
Orihime skipped on to school. On her way, she spotted Momo.
"Hinamori-san! Good morning!" Momo turned to see who was calling her.
"Good morning, Inoue-san."
"Let's walk together."
"Sure."
So they did.
"But you really come early, don't you?"
"Of course. It's almost summer vacation, right? I kept thinking about it and can't sleep, like, sparkle!
"I see." Momo has a little smile on her face.
"Oh, yes! Hinamori, do you have any plans for the summer?"
"Oh...not really."
"There's a huge fireworks festival in August. Tatsuki and the others, we're all planning to go together," Orihime said. "Wanna come with us?"
"A Fireworks Festival?"
"Yeah! We should ask Kurosaki-kun and Toushirou-kun to come, too. It'll be like the time we all went to the Don Kanonji show. Now that was fun."
"That was some event, huh?" Momo said, remembering what happened.
"Yeah. But the two only went along because their family was going. Those two can be so kind. They have such a fun family. But, they should lighten a bit more. Both of them. If I didn't know better, I'd say Ichigo has a permanent frown on his face."
"I know what you mean. But, I thought you didn't care too much for either Kurosaki."
"Not really, but when you take a good look at the two of them, they both have an interesting face." Momo giggled. "Please come with us to the Fireworks Festival."
"I'll think about it."
At P.E., the girls were messing around, playing their game of Yakka (Soccer and Baseball). The boys were putting the equipment away.
"Just what are they doing?"
"Yo, Ichigo!" Keigo landed on Ichigo's back. "What'cha looking at, big guy? Oh, I gotcha. Starin' at Orihime. Oh, she is quite the boobalicious babe."
"Knock it off!" Ichigo pushed Keigo off of him.
Keigo got up immediately. "What?! Like you don't know it's totally normal for teenage boys to be obsessed with hot cuties!"
"Alright, I admit, there's nothing wrong with that."
"Huh? Oh, I get it. Orihime's not your type. Your type is the Mizuiro type."
Keigo got a ball chucked to his head. "Quit fooling around and get over here and help me out!" Mizuiro yelled.
"Oh, sorry!"
When all the equipment was put away, Keigo asked a very interesting question.
"Hey, where's Toushirou? He said yesterday that he would play with us today."
"That's true," Mizuiro said.
"He's fine. He's studying in the classroom," Ichigo said. 'There's something bothering him. But what is it? If only he would tell me...'
"Ishida's not in school today. Didn't you notice that too?"
"Ishida! What happened to you?! Where did you get those injuries?" The teacher asked.
"Fell down the stairs."
The class fell silent.
'Yeah, right,' they all seemed to be thinking.
"Well, whatever you say. Take your seat and turn to page 110."
Momo whispered to Ichigo, "Don't let it bother you. His injuries aren't your fault. Besides, it would've happened anyway."
"You've got to be kidding. I'm not worried about Uryuu."
"Funny, I never suggested you were worried. All I said was don't let it bother you."
"Why you-!"
Momo simply giggled.
"Ichigo! Ready to have lunch, big guy?"
"Sure, but can I invite someone new to join us?"
"What? A new girl? Who?"
"Hey, Uryuu. What's up? Let's eat lunch together."
"No thanks!"
"How rude!" Keigo said.
"C'mon. It's Keigo's treat."
"Well, if you insist..."
"Hey, Toushirou. Come join us."
Toushirou looked up from a book that he was pretending to read. "Sure..."
Momo was sitting in a tree. 'Shirou-chan...is in danger. I can feel it...'
"Hey, there she is! Hey, Momo, why don't you join us for lunch?" Mahana called out.
"Sure."
"And Jinta swings! It's a home run!"
"Jinta, stop. You're supposed to be helping me sweep."
"Shut up! This is the age when men are silent and play baseball."
Ururu turned around.
"Excuse me, Mr. Urahara. Mr. Tessai. There's a cat."
"Oh! If it isn't Yoruichi! Welcome back!"
"Who is that?"
"That is Yoruichi. The feline happens to be the boss's best friend."
'Oh, this is the most miserable lunch ever. What am I doing with these lameoids anyway? It's like eating in a graveyard,' Keigo thought.
"Hey, Keigo, you seem to be a little on edge today."
"Oh, it's just you, Chad. Am not. Shut up!"
"Hey there, Keigo. If you're all done, why don't you tell us a story?"
"What! No way, I'm not in the mood."
"Then, get in the mood. Pronto."
'If you wanted happy times, you shouldn't have invited Ishida to eat with us. But I'll do my best.'
Toushirou and Mizuiro simply listened to Ichigo and Uryuu argue.
'Man, these two are alot alike,' Mizuiro thought.
"Tadah! It's a castella sandwich! It has green bean jelly filling in it that makes it so yummy!"
"Blergh! How can you eat that?" Tatsuki hated Orihime's unnatural cooking abilities.
"I think the real question is, how can she eat that and not be as big as a blimp," Michiru asked.
"I guess her boobs absorb the calories," Ryou said.
"Hey, Momo, can I ask you something? Do you have a crush on Toushirou?"
Momo spit out her chocolate milk. She wasn't expecting that. "Huh?"
"I'll take that as a 'maybe', but what is your relationship with that guy?"
Momo wipped her mouth with a napkin. "Well, he's my friend."
"Mahana, that's not a question you ask straight out like that."
"Why? You wanted to know, not me, but you wouldn't ask."
"Hey, who said I wanted to know about that anyway?"
"Well? What's the story, Momo?"
"Um...Shi-...Toushirou and I are...just friends! That's all there is to it!"
"For real?"
"Yes."
"You mean you feel nothing special for him at all?"
"I'm sure," Momo said.
"Anyway, Momo, I'll be sure to come tomorrow with some of my other yummy deserts. So let's eat it together, all right?"
"I'll think about it, Orihime."
"Aww...that's the same thing you said to me last time. You keep saying that, Momo. 'I'll think about it'. Try to have some fun once in a while," Orihime said.
"Really? I suppose you're right..."
Toushirou was listening to the sounds of his usual lunchtime group.
'This is nice. But it won't last long. Because...I don't belong here...'
It was time to go home. Toushirou put his books away, and then got up and left the classroom. He met Ichigo outside.
"Ichigo!"
Ichigo turned around. "Oh, hey, Toushirou! I was looking for you."
"Sorry about that."
"It's nothing. What's wrong?" Ichigo's voice was gentle, something that happened very rarely.
Toushirou paused. 'How do I say it?' He hung his head. He took a deep breath. "Are you...feeling okay?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" Momo walked up to them, but said nothing.
"No reason..." He paused again. "I'm sorry. All this time I haven't been thankful for what you've done for me. You saved me six years ago. And ever since then...you've tried to fill in that hole in my life. So...thank you."
"You're welcome. But...you know...you've been acting a bit strange today. Did something happen to you?"
"It's just..."
The two heard screaming in the background.
"Ichigo!" Kon grabbed Momo around her breasts. "I'm sorry I ran away. I understand now! I realize that my place is with you! I promise I'll never do it again!"
Ichigo grabbed Kon's tail. "I'm over here, you worthless piece of fuzz!"
"Ohh! The world was cruel to this one who ran away from home! Please, take me back to your room! That's where I belong and that's where I'll stay!"
Toushirou did nothing. "You want to go back, huh?"
"What's wrong?" Momo asked.
"Nothing. He's become quite attached to you, Ichigo."
"He's a pain in the butt. Hey, what happened? You're stuffing is coming out."
"I'm amazed he didn't die," Momo said.
"Me too, but I know just the guy to fix him."
"I can't help you," Uryuu said.
"Why not?"
"I don't have to give you a reason."
"Good one. Oh, I get it! You won't do it, because you can't do it. With those hands all bandaged up, Mr. Handicrafts, you're completely useless."
"How insulting! These wounds are nothing! Give me that! Now step back and watch the work of a master!" After about ten seconds, "It's finished."
"Good job!" Ichigo said.
"You think?" Momo asked.
"Is that really Kon?" Toushirou asked.
"Used to be..." Momo said.
"What the hell do we call him now?" Ichigo asked.
"A nightmare," Momo said.
For that, Kon ran away again.
Yoruichi meowed at the sky. Urahara stepped outside with some fresh milk.
"What's the matter, Yoruichi? Checking the sky for rain?"
"You can cut with the act now, Urahara. We both know what's really coming. The three of them are already here."
"You wanna talk about it before or after you've had your milk?"
"Hey, Toushirou, Momo! It's dinnertime! Huh? Where is he?" Ichigo set the tray of food down, narrowly missing the note on the edge of the table, which said 'Thank you for everything'.
Toushirou silently closed the door and ran off into the night.
Up in the air, a guy with red hair with a pair of goggles was observing him.
"Rear conformity 113! Neural coefficient 88.5%. Is this for real? I didn't think we'd actually find him here. Momo was right after all," he took of his goggles. "Hitsugaya Toushirou...we've finally found you."
~8~8~8~8~
A/N: Review, please!