Author's Note: Here's a big fat thirteen for ya!! Mwahahaa. Okay, enough of the crap. I personally hated this chapter, I guess maybe I had a writer's block - even though I know exactly what I'm gonna write for the other chapters. I think it's overall boring (except a few pieces) and contrived.
So, anyways, I apologize for any typos, spelling errors, OOCness etc. But please try to enjoy and don't be too harsh with your comments! Arigatou! Enjoy!
Rukia slowly opened her jaded violet eyes, awakening from her deep slumber. She felt the emptyness that laid next to her and glanced up.
"Ichigo?" She whispered, half-asleep. He was seated at the edge of the bed, ajusting the buttons on his shirt. He was already dressed. Well - the top half, anyway. All he had on the lower half of his body was his underpants and socks.
"R-Rukia??" He jumped, turning to face her. His cheeks instantly turning crimson.
"Ichigo, where are you going?" She sat up. "To school?"
"I-I didn't wake ya 'coz I thought you needed your sleep an' all."
"You're not goin' to school are you?" She said as if it was the end of the world. "Please don't leave me."
"Rukia, you're sick. You need rest. Even though you don't exactly look it, you have a fever. Try to get some sleep." His tone grew soft.
"That's exactly the reason why you should stay." She tugged at his shirt.
"I gotta go - ya don't think my Dad'll just let me have the day off, do ya?" He smiled reassuringly.
Ichigo stood up. Rukia launched herself at him. Holding on tightly to his waist, hanging off him like a small child.
"Rukia, don't be a spaz. It's only a couple of hours."
"But, I'll be all alone!" She cried.
"My Dad's here all day - you won't be totally alone! And Kon's here, so."
"No!!"
"Rukia!! Let go, damnit!! I need to get to school already!!!" He yelled, desperately trying to shake the female Death God off of him. "RUKIA!!!"
"But, Ichigo, I'm soooo weeeaaakkk - you should staayyy and take care of your friends when they are in neeeeed!" She embraced him tighter, her nails digging into his hips.
"OW!!" He grasped her arms in an attempt to pull her off. "Get the hell away, will ya!!??"
"What the...?" Kon slid open the closet door, scratching his little lion head. "What's all this noise so early in the mornin'?"
"This dosen't concern you, so," Rukia began politely. "ICHIGO!!! Let go of my freakin' arms!! It HURTS!!"
"You're the one that needs to let go of me!" He shouted, twisting around - still holding onto her wrists. Her head was now a few inches from his groin, and her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Suddenly, the bedroom door opened and Isshin appeared. Kon cursed and quickly disappeared into the closet. Rukia, noticing Isshin's presence, immediately let go.
"Ha! You've finally given up strugglin', eh?!" Ichigo held Rukia's arms triumphantly in the air.
"I-Ichi...go?" His father asked worridly, almost dropping the bowl of cereal he was carrying.
Ichigo blushed deeply as he turned his head to see his father standing awkwardly over by the door. "Er-ha-D-Dad?"
"Ichigo, son, what were you trying to do to the poor girl, may I ask?"
"N-nothin'! I was just, um..."
A horrified expression crept across Ichigo's face as he realized where Rukia's head was at. "Shit! No-no-no-no-no! I-it's not what it looks like, I-"
"Looks like some kinda sexual act to me, son." Isshin stated knowingly.
"No!!! It's not like that, we-" Ichigo stammered.
"He wasn't-I wasn't-" Rukia desperately tried to say the words that were swimming around in her head.
"Okay, well, teenagers will be teenagers. As long as you're not pressuring her do to anything she dosen't want to, I don't see why I should stand in the way of normal adolescent hormones. I mean, c'mon, we all get a little...fruity sometimes." Isshin smiled. "Although...next time, I would advise you not to have intercourse while the other person is ill. I'll just leave this here for Miss Kuchiki."
The two stood frozen in their current positions, dumbfounded as Mr. Kurosaki calmly placed the bowl of cereal on the desk and winked before exiting the room.
"So...you two finally got it together, eh?" Kon slid open the closet door once more, a perverse glint in his eyes. "Took ya a while, Kurosaki."
"Do...do you think that Kuchiki-san is ok?"
"Mmm." Tatsuki took a large bite out of her sandwich.
"I hope Kurosaki-kun is safe."
"I'm sure they are both alright. They're probably jus' screwin' around to make us all worry. Well, I'm not gonna worry about Ichigo's sorry ass." Keigo folded his arms.
"Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime beamed.
"..." Ichigo suddenly appeared in the doorway.
"Ichi-ggooooo!!!!" Keigo flew over to him, teary-eyed. "OhmyGod!! OhmyGod!! Ichi!! I missed you so much!!! Are you hurt!!! Never mind, you're alive!!!! I was so WORRIED!!"
"Shut the hell up!" He punched his hysterical friend in the stomach. "You Goddamn freak!"
Keigo fell to the floor, writhing in agony. "I...chi...how...could you..."
"Ichigo, what happened yesterday?" Tatsuki asked.
Orihime ran over to him. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
"Ohhh, I'm so glad." She smiled.
"Kurosaki?"
The orange-haired boy turned to see Ishida pushing back his glasses, with an angered expression on his pale face.
"Yeah?" He said bitterly in response.
"Where's Kuchiki-san? Is she well?"
"Ahhh, I almost forgot about her..." Orihime pondered quietly to herself. "I wonder if she's coming to school today..."
"She's..." He trailed off, notcing Tatsuki's, Keigo's and Mizuiro's intrigued faces. "...She's in bed."
"Whose bed?" Keigo chuckled evily, now off the floor and right as rain.
"Her own, you pervert!!" Ichigo punched him over again, stamping on his gut. "Whose did you think!?"
"Is she sick?" Mizuiro inquired, sucking the straw of his empty juicepack - hoping to get all the remaining (non-excistant) drops of juice out.
"Y-yeah."
"I hope she gets better soon." Orihime said gently, thinking of what Ishida might do if Rukia's status wasn't stable.
"It's all your fault!" Ishida suddenly yelled.
Everyone looked at him, surprised. They'd never heard Ishida be so loud, he'd never shouted before.
"Is Ishida...shouting??" Someone whispered to another member of the class.
"What do ya mean, 'all my fault'!?" Ichigo said.
"You just ran off! You know what Kuchiki-san is like, you knew she'd follow you! Even if it meant putting her own health in danger!"
"Why would Kuchiki-san follow Ichigo?" Another person said.
"I never asked her to follow me!" Ichigo screamed. "It's the teacher's fault for not stopping her - or whoever was there at the time!!"
"Well...!" Ishida fell quiet. It's the teacher's fault for not stopping her - or whoever was there at the time...Whoever was there at the time...
"Wonder what that's all about..." A random classmate observed.
"Ishida-kun...?" Orihime began, not quite knowing how to finish. She'd never seen Ishida like this. Well, no one had. They didn't know how to react - other than Ichigo, that is.
"What were ya gonna say, Quincy?" Ichigo asked, knowing that Ishida didn't have anything to say to follow up the last comment - although he was unsure why.
It's all my fault. I shouldn't have let her go, I should've stopped her. I could've, if only I'd have used my brains...She might be really sick, and it's all my fault...
"What the hell'sa Quincy?" Keigo frowned with confusion.
"Yeah, what is it?" Mizuiro said.
"Hmph!" Ichigo said, walking away.
"Ah-Ichi! What's a Quincy!?" Keigo raised his voice just incase Ichigo was hard of hearing.
Everyone else, except Orihime, mindlessly wandered off - quickly losing interest in the whole affair. (Other than the bewildered Mizuiro and Keigo, who were persistant with their inquiries to what a Quincy was - much to the annoyance of Ichigo).
"Ishida-kun? Are you alright?" Orihime touched his shoulder.
"It's my fault..." He mumbled, slumping down on the nearest chair.
"What is?"
"N-nothing...never mind..." He glanced away.
"Ishida-kun, you can tell me, right? If it's a secret, I won't tell. Just like the thing with Kuchiki-san. I keep my promises." She sat down beside him, smiling comfortingly.
"Really, it's nothing important."
She placed her hands on his cheeks, forcing him to blush. She furrowed her eyebrows to make it look like she meant buisness. "Ishida-kun, if it isn't that important why do you look so sad? Tell me..."
"It's just..." He looked as though he was about to burst into tears. "The thing with Kuchiki-san, why she's sick, is because...is because of me."
"What do you mean? Don't be silly." She giggled, removing her hands.
"I was the last person to see her and, she wanted to find Kurosaki, and I could've...I could've pulled her back and made her stay...but instead I let her go and now she's sick."
"Ohhh, Ishida-kun, she's just ill. She'll get better - it's not as though she's dying or anything. She probably just has a high fever or something."
"But, she might've died if I-"
"Ishida-kun, stop it!" She gripped his hands tight. "There's no point in going over all the what-ifs. She isn't dying, and you're just making yourself feel bad over nothing. Stop it! Or you'll make yourself ill!"
"Inoue-san, I-"
"That's enough! Let's have no more chat of this nonsense! It's silly."
"..."
"Alright?"
"T-thank you, Inoue-san." He smiled.
"That's ok!" Her voice grew light and fluffy again.
The orange-haired girl thought deeply for a moment. (A pretty rare moment, if you ask me!!). So...it is Kuchiki-san that likes Kurosaki-kun, huh. It must be her! Who else could it be? Why else would she run after him in that horrible weather? She must really like him...to go through all that - to even get sick just to make sure he's alright...Maybe...maybe I like him less than Kuchiki-san, then. Maybe she deserves him more than I do...Ohhh, what if Kurosaki-kun likes Kuchiki-san too!? Even though I bet he won't show it! But, ahhhhh, poor Ishida-kun...who will like Ishida-kun if Kuchiki-san and Kurosaki-kun both like eachother...?
(cough Orihime! cough)
There was a soft rapping on the bedroom door. Rukia quickly stuffed the manga she had been reading underneath the bed and laid down.
"Come in..." She said weakly before coughing.
"Juuust poppin' in to see how you're doing." Isshin beamed, entering the room. "Feeling any better?"
"Um...a little, yeah." She struggled to keep a straight face.
That cough medicine was the nicest damn thing she'd ever tasted in her whole freakin' life, and she didn't care how much acting it took; she was gonna get as much as possible! She couldn't believe Ichigo's Dad's hair was black!! (WTF!! XD) Nor could she believe he was falling for her acting. Well, she knew she was a marvellous actress, but Christ! She didn't know she could fool people for this amount of time!
"How's that cough of yours?"
"Not very good..." She coughed and splattered some more, really laying the 'pain' on thick.
"Hmmm...I can't give you anymore medicine."
WHAT!!??
"...Seriously!?" She shot up into a sitting position.
Isshin looked at her suspiciously.
"Uhhh, I mean, r-really?" She quickly used her 'sick' voice again. "But it really hurts..."
"You'll have to make-do, I'm affraid. We're all out."
"Hmph." She folded her arms. "Okay., I guess I'll have to cope..."
A silence ensued.
Isshin hadn't been in contact with a girl from Ichigo's school for this amount of time before. She seemed perfectly fine around him, but he on the other hand was finding it quite difficult. After all, what should he say to a girl that age? What was she into? What did she like? He had no idea. But it sounded really stupid just asking - it felt as though he should know what teenagers those days were into through his son...But let's face it, Ichigo wasn't exactly the most normal of kids. He hadn't the foggiest idea of what Ichigo's favorite band was, or what sports he liked to play. All he knew was what he liked to eat - but even Yuzu knew that better than his own father!
There was something that he wanted to talk about; just one of those parent-y things that usually a mother gets all excited about. But, there being the absence of a mother figure, Isshin guessed he'd have to fill those shoes.
"So, are you n' Ichi...ya know...goin' out?" He tried to say in the coolest way - failing miserably of course.
"Well...no, not exactly..." Rukia said cautiously. What does he wanna know for?
"That's a shame. I think it's about time Ichigo got himself a girlfriend."
"I'm hoping we will go out, though." She said sadly. "I like him, and I think he likes me too, but..." She trailed off.
Jesus! I can't believe I'm actually saying this to Ichigo's dad!!! Maybe I should just shut up about the whole thing...
"Ichigo can be a real ass sometimes."
"Huh?"
"You probably already know this. But, it takes a lot for him to say how he feels, and only if you're extra extra paitent you'll get it out of him. I know it's hard to bare him sometimes, but you just have to ride with his stubborn attitude."
Duh...what do'ya think I've been doin' all this freakin' time, damnit!?
"Do...do you think he likes me?" Rukia blurted out.
"Yeah."
"Really!?" She smiled brightly. She quickly turned red afterwards. Not to self: try to hide reactions in order to avoid looking like a right idiot!
"There's no mistaking it. I've never seen him worry so much over one person. All he wanted to do was stay with you the whole time you were asleep, just to make sure you were alright."
"Huh."
"Not the answer you wanted?" Isshin said, going by her reaction.
"Of course it's what I wanted. But, I just wish he'd say how he feels. I mean, there's nothing holding him back - after all, he already knows how I feel about him. It's not like he fears rejection because he knows that I won't reject him."
"Hmmm." Isshin thought momentairily. "This is a dilema."
"But, even though he hasn't come out n' said it - I think we're coming closer together."
A pause.
"What would you do if he never said it?"
"Uhhh..." The last comment had really thrown her off. Oh God, what if Ichigo never says how he feels? I mean, it's a possibility, right? He might not ever say it...He might not even love me, after all. It dosen't matter what I think nor what his dad thinks...we could both be wrong. Maybe Ichigo is just becoming more affectionate - and that's it. Just because we're closer dosen't mean he has those sorts of feelings for me...I can't believe I naturally assumed that he liked me because I like him! God, Rukia, you can be so stupid...
"Are you alright?" He noticed the stress in the eyes.
"Huh? Oh, yes, I'm fine..."
"Hey! Sorry if I upset you there, my curiosity got the better of me! I'm sorry."
"I-it's fine. I just got lost in thought."
"Well...seeing as you're alright and everything, I best go. You need your rest after all." He stood up and ventured towards the door. "Oh, and, about this morning,"
"Ah! Mr. Kurosaki, we weren't...ya know..." She stammered urgently.
"I know, I know." He smiled. "I was just doing it to piss of Ichigo."
The door closed and Rukia sat dumbfounded staring at the empty space where Ichigo's dad had previously been. Much like a replay of what had taken place that morning. "That...bastard!"
"Um...Kurosaki...?"
"Mmm?" He turned.
"Kuchiki-san is...staying at your house, right?" Ishida asked, ajusting his glasses.
"Yeah. What's it to you?" He growled.
"Could I, maybe, see her?"
"What? Like visiting? My house isn't a damn hospital, ya know!"
God! I feel so dirty for saying this! But I must see Kuchiki-san! "...please?"
"Uhhh, what was that, Ishida? I couldn't quite hear it."
"I said..." He lowered his voice. "I said: please. Please may I see Kuchiki-san?"
"Did anyone hear anything!?" Ichigo said, enjoying this newly-found game. "I must be hearin' shit, huh."
"Kurosaki, please...I just want to see her, to make sure she's alright. Please?" Damnit, Kurosaki!
"Hmmm..." He rubbed his chin. "No."
The orange-haired boy turned back around on the chair and continued eating his lunch.
"Eh? Ah-Kurosaki? You mean I'm not allowed to see her?"
"No." He stated firmly. "Unless..."
"Yes!?" He said desperately.
"Unless you do whatever I say for four weeks starting from the nearest Monday, which is..." He did the math. "...Oh, just three days away."
"How many times do I get to see Kuchiki-san?"
"As much as you like...but if you turn up at my door and I say 'go away, little Quincy', you have to leave."
"Well, that isn't exactly how many times I want to see her is it? If you can turn me away anytime you like, and I have to go..."
"Look. Do ya wanna see Rukia or not?" Ichigo looked at him and couldn't help but smirk. This power over Ishida could prove to be quite fun! "Deal?"
"Ummm..." Think of Kuchiki-san. Think of Kuchiki-san. She's worth it, right? It dosen't matter what ridiculous crap Kurosaki puts me through, I'm sure it's all worth the hassle...
"O-okay. Deal."
How was it? Gomenasai for unleashing this terrible chapter unto the world and may I repent for my sins in eternal damnation! Woe is me!! R&R damnit!!