Author's Note: Okay, guys, this is not the last chapter - I don't know how many chapters I'll do for this story but I've still got a few more ideas in mind so there'll probably be quite a few more but nothing's for certain.
Also, VERY IMPORTANT: the eason why I'm taking so long to update is because I've got loads of crap happening right now with exams and stuff so please please be paitent - I know you already are but hey - I won't give up on you guys so don't think I've totally forgotten about this story if I don't update in a while. I appreciate your paitence ( I can't spell) and thanks so much for your reviews! (Also, again rolls eyes, I apologize for any typos, spelling mistakes etc.)! Enjoy!
"Sheesh, I'm so tired!" Ichigo yawned, stretching his arms high up over his orange head.
"Me too." Rukia sighed, scratching her arm nervously. "Um...Ichigo...?"
"Mmm?"
"About last night, I-"
"Hey, don't worry about it. Just ignore what I said if it-"
"No, no, I was jus' gonna say that...I really appreciate it...Even though I reacted like...Well, anyway, Thank you."
Ichigo smiled. "It's ok. It's what I'm here for, right?"
"Ichi-"
"Right, we best get moving, huh. Don't wanna be late for class."
Rukia closed her mouth. It's hard to talk to him about certain things with Ichi. If it's a topic that he finds uncomfortable, he tries to dismiss it. Well, I'm not gonna let him just brush it under the carpet!
"But I really mean it, Ichi. You're so sweet - maybe not all the time, but you're so...kind. In an unconventional way, sort of. If that makes sense...You don't show you care most of the time, and it's easy to be misled by your detached..." She trailed off, glancing at him - searching for the right word. "...image, but once you break through the surface...you see that you're such a nice person...And-"
"I really like you too, Rukia." He said softly.
The female Death god's jaw almost dropped in astonishment. Did those words just come out of his mouth...?
"Ichigo, I-"
He cut her off. "I like your height..."
"What do you mean by that!?" She snapped, frowning. Not the most romantic thing to say...
"Well, because you're so small compared to me...It's like...It's like I can look after you and...protect you..."
His words brought tears to the back of her violet eyes.
"But, even though I enjoy looking after you, you always manage to remind me that sometimes I need a little bit of help...And even though we fight from time to time, I know that we'll make-up...so, in a sense, I don't mind arguing with you sometimes - because I know we'll sort things out in the end."
"...See? This is what I like about you...This moment right now..."
Ichigo blushed, but desperately tried to hide it. "A-a-well, we really should get going now!"
I think that I should do something nice for Rukia...Beings there is a long weekend coming up, I should take her out somewhere and do all the things she wants to do. I think it's a pretty good idea, only where should I take her...?
"Ichi-gggooooooo!!" Keigo springed towards him, arms outstretched with a big unnerving grin on his face.
"Hmph." He rolled his eyes in response, attempting to get his train of thought back.
"Day dreaming again, are we?" He wrapped his arms around Ichigo's neck.
"Why d'ya have to be so annoying all the damn time!?" Ichigo struggled to get him off.
"I'm not annoying! Am I annoying, Mizuiro?" He called across the room, wounded by Ichigo's (true) words.
"Yes." Mizuiro replied.
Keigo just stared at the bewildered boy at the other side of the classroom, tears forming in his eyes. "H-how could thee!?" He screamed dramatically as if he'd just been stabbed through the heart. He let go of Ichigo's neck and deflated to the floor. "Why!? Why me!?"
Damn idiot! Always in the way!...Now, where to take Rukia...?
The male Death god glanced around the room until his amber eyes met the back of the black-haired girl seated next to boy that had proved to get in the way on more than one occaision. Ishida.
How can she stand that guy? He's just so...clingy. I'm surprised she hasn't been sufficated by now!
Ichigo turned away. Well, if she wants to be pals with him I can't really stop her. And anyways, Rukia wouldn't appreciate me getting in the way and making things worse, right? I'm jus' gonna have to fight the urge to kick his ass...
His vision uncontrollably crept to the couple sitting but a few feet away. But he makes me wanna scream! I hate him! I HATE him!
He looked away again, trying to focus on something else around the room. But I have to stay calm...Think of Rukia's sake. She's the one caught in the middle, I guess. I'll just let him be the bad guy - if I just ignore his miserable attempts to go out with Rukia, then I can't be blamed for causing trouble.
Ichigo glared at the Quincy. He's probably just doin' it to strike a reaction outta me! I bet he dosen't even like her!
He breathed deep, and stared at the front of the classroom. Remember that day...When Rukia went running off and Ishida found her? Remember he was just being friendly. He wasn't doing anything wrong - you said so yourself. He proved you wrong and yet you can't even admitt it!
"Ichigo, stop arguing with yourself!" An authorative ordered.
"R-Rukia?" Ichigo raised his head.
"I know what you were doing." Rukia seated herself down beside him, placing numerous books on the desk. "I saw you lookin' at me and Ishida. God, anyone would think you had a crush on him!" She calmly pulled an apple out from her bag and dusted it off.
"W-WHAT!!??"
"Well, you just kept starin' at him with those big, loving, puppy-dog eyes. It was enough to make me barf!" Rukia continued, taking a bite out of the apple. "But I'm afraid to tell you that Ishida is perfectly straight - despite the fact that he sews."
Ichigo stared at her in disbelief, his jaw dropped. "What. The. Hell?"
"Now, now, Ichi. No need to take this all to heart - I'm sure that if you ask him nicely, he'll give you a date as a consulation prize." She held the fruit out to him. "Apple?"
"How can you just change the conversation like that!!??"
"Okay, students, get back to your seats - it's time to take the register."
All the pupils grumbled as they gathered their belongings and returned to their seats.
"It's a boring subject. Your gay sexual urges are of little importance to me, frankly." She stated.
"I'm NOT gay!!!" He yelled, his frustration growing.
Several members of the class began taking interest in their unusual conversation. (Especially Chizuru)
"Is Kurosaki gay?" The lesbian inquired.
"N-not that I know of." Orihime replied worridly. Though she deamed the possibility to be very low, you just could'nt tell these days. Some people were very good at hiding their sexualities. (Chizuru not being one of them!!)
"Well, you were either gawping at Ishida or gawping at me - which was it?" Rukia calmly continued to eat her apple.
Shit, what do I say now? Damn! Everyone's watching me. It either sounds like I fancy Rukia or Ishida...I'd obviously choose Rukia, otherwise it will sound like I'm gay - when I'm absolutely not but - wait a minute.
"You fucking bitch!"
"Hmm? What have I done now?" She said innocently.
"Tryin' to make me say that I like you! You're so sneaky!"
Rukia smiled sweetly. "It took you long enough to figure it out, Kurosaki-kun!"
"Urrrgh! Not that voice again!!"
"You didn't take that little joke earlier personally, did you?" The female Death god asked, stuffing her school uniform into her gym bag.
"Er, no, 'course not."
"Good." She continued. "Because it was only a joke. I know you're not gay."
"Y-yeah, that's right."
"I mean, even if you were gay it'd be okay."
"Shut up."
"I'm just saying. Don't get all huffy over it."
Ichigo growled in response, shoving his gym bag and shoes aside.
"Kuchiki-san!" Ishida jogged towards her.
"Oh, hey, Ishida." She ajusted her ponytail. She had 'borrowed' the tie-up from Yuzu. (Not as though Yuzu's hair is long enough for but anyway)
"Your hair is nice." He smiled gently.
"Slimy little shit..." Ichigo muttered under his breath, occupying himself with stretching.
"Ummm, thanks." She replied.
"Been training for the race?"
"No. Tell you the truth, I care very little about physical education. It's just too boring." She said bluntly.
Ishida chuckled, which made Ichigo glare at him. "What's so funny!?"
"J-just-"
"It wasn't funny at all - you just laugh for the sake of it, don't ya!?" Ichigo shouted.
"Ichigo! Stop it!" Rukia yelled. "Just...Stop!"
Ichigo gave the Quincy a filthy look before marching off out of the gym.
"Kuchiki-san, where's Kurosaki-kun going?" Orihime approached, quickly followed by Tatsuki and a hand full of others.
"What's up with Kurosaki?" Keigo said.
"Miss Kuchiki, could you please go fetch Kurosaki! Everyone else get back to the warm-ups, please." The P.E teacher bellowed.
"Okay." Rukia confirmed, rushing out of the door.
Ishida stared blankly at the place where the incident had just occured. What was wrong with Kurosaki? What made him just lash out like that?
Rukia opened the door to the main building. It was pouring down with rain. Huge drops landed on teacher's cars with a loud thud, the grass was dark and drowning in amoungst all the water. The sky was cloudless, and a murky grey color. The world seemed dark and evil. Not a soul in sight, no one in the way of herself and the person she loved most.
"Ichi?" She called into the darkness. She could feel his presence; close and warm. "Ichi..."
She ran across the small stretch of concrete towards the summer field, rain falling mercilessly down around her like bombs in a war. She had nothing big and waterproof, like a coat, to keep her dry.
Drenched and shivering, Rukia desperately glanced around. "Ichi, where are you?"
Dun dun dun!!! To be continued...