English is not my native tongue, so please be kind to me. Reviews make me happy. :)
Ichigo always hated Maths. Always. At primary school, at middle school, even at Karakura high. It was just something he couldn't help. Simply, all those numbers and complicated formulae didn't fit into his head. Or maybe it was his brain, who refused to understand them?
Therefore, he felt bad, thinking that he would have had Biology and Maths classes, on that afternoon. Instead, Kira looked relieved. Maybe he was one of those who are good at rational thinking.
Biology teacher was called Unohana Retsu, and she was a woman who lost her maternal attitude and sweet smile just when she gave her students back the corrected tests. In that moments, and above all when someone got a bad grade, she made Ichigo slightly afraid, but he actually didn't dislike her. She was kind and equilibrated, and she didn't waste time in stupid pleasantries when she noticed his presence: she just gently greeted him and took note of his name on her folder.
However, it went a little worse with Aizen-sensei, Maths teacher. Maybe it was just because of the subject, which Ichigo abhorred, but he would have never expected the friendly-looking Aizen to question him immediately, testing his knowledge, at his first lesson with him.
That unpleasant moment (and the consequent bad mark) left him sulking and gloomy, while he followed Kira along the intricate corridors to enjoy the little free time they got before dinner.
«Don't be sad, Kurosaki» Kira said, trying to make him feel better. Ichigo grumbled, his eyebrows so knitted together that they almost hurt. «You'll have plenty of time to get higher grades.»
Another grunt, this time undoubtedly irritated, and the blond sighed.
«I'm afraid you'll have to get used to it» he murmured. «Aizen-sensei is like this all the time. If Kyoraku-sensei is a little weird, but overall a good chap, Aizen is... well, I'd define him a sadistic one, I guess.»
«And he kept smiling!» Ichigo growled, fuming. «While he questioned me, he just smiled as if he was having the best fun of his life.»
«Hey Kurosaki!» a cheerful voice exclaimed, calling from the bottom of the corridor. A door opened, and the read head of Renji Abarai peeked out. «Don't worry about that Aizen bastard. I'm shit at Maths too.»
«Thanks» Ichigo muttered. Renji approached them, stopping to ruffle Kira's hair. The blonde boy almost fell, under the pressure of Renji's strong hand.
From the semi-opened door of his room, Ichigo could hear the notes of Sympathy for the Devil, one of his favourite songs.
«Are you two roomies?» Renji asked, crossing his arms behind his neck. Kira smiled to him, nodding, and Ichigo looked at them. It looked like those two got along well. Maybe they were close friends, or they knew each other before attending that school.
«And who's your roommate, Renji-kun?» Ichigo asked. For some reason, he fond difficult to call that boy by his family name, as he did with Kira. Luckily, Renji didn't seem to mind.
«Byakuya Kuchiki» Kira answered for him, as if that name explained it all. Ichigo grimaced, and Renji started laughing.
«He's not that bad. OK, he's a damn order maniac and if I'd ever left any random sock around he could get really dangerous, but I think he's above all innocuous. Or at least I hope.»
Kira snickered, but Ichigo arched an eyebrow. Actually, he couldn't think of anything worse than being Byakuya Kuchiki's roommate. «Anyways, Kurosaki» Renji told him, «Tonight we are throwing a little welcome party for you. We have some stuff to drink and a couple other thingies we were keeping for special occasions, and if this isn't a damn special one...» he winked.
Ichigo sighed. That dude's face worried him: he wasn't so sure he still was ready to party with those guys he barely knew. But it wasn't like he could refuse, right? At least, this could have meant he was well accepted. Also, he was somewhat reassured by the fact that Kira was participating too. He tried his best to smile. «Thank you. See you tonight, then!»
«Alright! Later!» Renji greeted them, returning quickly into his room and shutting the door behind his back. He really was a honest and harsh one, Ichigo thought, shaking his head.
«What time do they turn off the light, in this place?»
«What?» Kira asked, absent-minded.
«I mean, what time do some professor or janitor or whatever come to check if everybody actually went to bed?»
«And why would someone do something like that?» Kira wondered, blinking at him with his enormous and innocent blue eyes. Ichigo shook his head, again.
«Do you want me to believe that Kyoraku-sensei and all the others would let us do all the ruckus we like without even trying to stop us?»
«I guess so» Kira replied, caressing his chin pensively, «since we usually do a lot o ruckus, if you get what I mean. The only thing that really drives teachers mad is when someone tries to flee the school during the night... this can grant you expulsion, for your information. A senpai, once, got out at night to meet his girlfriend, and the morning after he was sent home immediately, creating a big scandal since his father is a bank owner and so on. Renji-kun once risked a lot, when he went out to buy some stuff to eat at Royal Host, but luckily he was noticed just by Kyoraku-sensei, who just scolded him and didn't report to Yamamoto. Instead, Hisagi-kun continuously gets out and nobody ever found out…»
«Hey, looks like I became famous» a voice whispered, right into Ichigo's ear. The boy turned harshly, and he found himself facing Hisagi Shuuhei's tatted face.
«I was telling him about your adventures» Kira smiled.
«It's already six o'clock, Izuru» Shuuhei said, completely ignoring Ichigo and talking directly to Kira. He was furiously thumping on his cell phone's keys, using just his thumb. «Let's go to the club. Yumichika texted me, the others are already there.»
«Okay!» Kira exclaimed, cheerful. «Kurosaki is coming too.»
«Actually, I…» Ichigo started, wondering about Shuuhei's reaction at that news, but the tatted boy didn't look so impressed.
«Oh? Okay» he just commented, before walking towards stairs to reach the second floor.
Vaguely irritated by that lack of interest, Ichigo followed Kira and Shuuhei. The more he thought about it, the more that school looked like an American college. Or better, it distinctively reminded him of the movie "The dead poet society". The building wasn't as ancient and oppressive like the one portrayed in the movie, since it was brand new and carefully decorated, but he somehow thought it held the same aura of mystery and tragedy. Maybe it was because of the classrooms, that looked immerged in a perennial half-light, or the dusty and silent library... it all gave him an unpleasant feeling or déjà-vu. It wasn't bad, really, but it just...
A door opened along the corridor, and Ayasegawa Yumichika, the good-looking boy with the bob hairstyle, waved at them. «Kira, Shuuhei, hurry up, or we're going to begin without you.»
«Here we are, here we are» Kira replied, enthusiast, pulling Ichigo by his sleeve. «Come on, Kurosaki-kun, let's go!»
Rather reluctant, Ichigo let the other lead him inside. It was just a regular classroom, but in a corner he spotted a big hi-fi stereo, which played some rock music at a low volume. It was Simon & Garfunkel, Ichigo realized, his eyes widening, "Mrs. Robinson". There were also musical instruments, as a drum set partially covered by a thin white cloth and a couple guitars with a Fender amplifier.
Still, the music club was composed by a few members, Ichigo noticed: besides he, Kira and Hisagi Shuuhei, there were just Ayasegawa and Madarame, the loving couple and grumpy Hitsugaya, the little prodigy. A merry bunch indeed, Ichigo gloomily thought, letting himself fall on the first available chair.
«What's with the long face?» Hitsugaya asked him, without really expecting an answer. The white-haired kid was sitting on a desk, grinning. «You've been an idiot in the first place, to come to Maths without even reading the textbook before. And thinking that Aizen-sensei only asked you easy stuff.»
«Stop teasing him, Toshiro» Shuuhei told him, calm. «It's not Ichigo's fault, if you're a little Einstein.»
Ichigo turned towards him: the other boy was leaning against a wall, scribbling something on a piece of paper. He had called him by his first name. Did it mean something?
«Stop calling me by my first name!» the child exploded, echoing Ichigo's thoughts.
That was his answer, he guessed. No, it meant nothing. Or better, it meant just that Shuuhei disliked to use honorifics. He also addressed to Kira by his first name, before, right?
«Kami-sama. You always are so ruff and unpleasant» Ayasegawa murmured, snuggling closer to his mate, closing his eyes and sighing softly. Ichigo rolled his eyes. At least, Madarame didn't react to his boyfriend's tender gesture, staying as still as a statue.
Ichigo had the feeling that soon he would have been able to completely understand Hitsugaya's point of view.
«Good. I think we argued enough» Shuuhei said, putting down his pen and languidly stretching out his muscular arms. «What about starting rehearsals?»
«Rehearsals?» Ichigo repeated, frowning to Kira. The other smirked.
«Just wait and see» he whispered.
Ichigo's eyes followed Shuuhei while he walked to the electric guitar in the corner, taking it in his hands and plugging it to the amplifier. He pinched a string or two, just to let Hitsugaya check if the sound was right and clean. Nobody talked or made any noise: his gestures were tested, usual. All the others were still and silent, waiting.
«Okay» Shuuhei murmured, softly. Then, after bowing his head a little, he closed his eyes and began to play.
Since the first notes, Ichigo felt a strong pang of envy.
He had always wished to be able to play guitar. Firstly, because he loved music, especially rock, even if he was completely tone-deaf. And secondly...
Ichigo looked around, feeling suddenly shy and vulnerable. Kira was tapping his fingers on the desk, humming the melody so softly his voice was barely audible. Hitsugaya was sulking as usual, but he was following Shuuhei closely, keeping his eyes on the amplifier. It looked like sound check was his speciality. Ayasegawa and Madarame, instead, were tenderly hugging each other, keeping their eyes closed.
Ichigo suddenly felt sick.
«This one was awesome» Kira commented, when Shuuhei stopped playing. «What's the title?»
The dark-haired one blinked, looking a little lost, as if he had just woken up from a daydream. «I don't know yet» he replied, softly. For some highly unclear reason, he didn't seem satisfied at all. He frowned, and Ichigo could have believed he was watching a double of himself in his worst moments. «I composed it two days ago. The music came to me almost... what can I say... almost spontaneously.»
«You really are a genius, Hisagi-kun» Madarame grinned. His rounded, shaved head shone in the neon light. «It had something punk and alternative, I think.»
«But it was rather melodic too» Hitsugaya added, focused, «and it gave a Stones feel more than a Beatles one.»
«I want to learn to play it!» Kira yelled, almost jumping up and down in excitement. «Please give me the chords' tab, afterwards, Hisagi-kun!»
Shuuhei shrugged those compliments away, his eyes distant, as if he was thinking about something else. Ichigo was staring at him, so fascinated that when the other talked to him, he almost jumped in surprise.
«What do you think, Ichigo?» Shuuhei asked, casually. He wasn't even looking at him.
Ichigo opened his mouth and then he closed it immediately, unable to speak out a coherent sentence. He had the feeling that everyone but Shuuhei was looking at him, anxiously.
«Er, not bad I guess.»
Kira almost fell over. «But, but, Kurosaki! How can you say something like that?»
«Hey, people, it's almost seven o'clock» Hitsugaya make the group notice, «there's dinner. We'd better go, unless Kurosaki-san wishes to give us another pearl of wisdom.»
Ichigo glared at that awful midget who looked like he had just swallowed a broomstick, but was wise enough to stay silent. Kira kept him company during dinner, chatting with him and speaking about everything and anything, carefully avoiding to talk about music. But he couldn't do much to ease Ichigo's uneasiness, since the orange-haired boy found himself sitting next to Shuuhei.
«I'm sorry for before» he felt the need to say, noticing Shuuhei's frown.
The other didn't bother to answer. Kaname, who was sitting next to him, smiled lightly to Ichigo, but the latter, for some obscure reason, found much more difficult to stand Shuuhei's indifference, than everyone else's mockery.
«You can't be serious!» Kira exclaimed, dismayed, around an hour later.
«Please, Kira, don't make me lose my patience» Ichigo repeated, gritting his teeth to try keeping from exploding. «Today had been my first day here, and even if everything was terrific, I am dead tired, okay? Frankly, I don't fancy to celebrate, right now.»
«Che. You talk like an old man» Hitsugaya blurted out, leaning to the doorframe with a can of tea in his hand. Ichigo had to struggle not to start yelling at him.
«Hey Kira» he asked, «what's Little Midget Prince doing here?»
«Who did you just call midget, bro?» Hitsugaya growled, waving his can in Ichigo's face, maybe trying to sound intimidating. His white, spiky head didn't even reach Ichigo's shoulder. «Say it again, if you have the guts!»
«Oh, come on, stop fighting. You two just have known each other for a couple hours and you are already bickering» poor Kira said, desperately trying to mediate the argument. «Well, actually... Hitsugaya-kun swore he would never sleep again in the same room of Ayaseg-»
«Of those two damn fags» the kid angrily emphasized.
«Oh... er, of Ayasegawa-kun and Madarame-kun, so right now he's looking for another room. And since there are none free, and in our closed, as you pointed out before, there are some futons, I just thought that...»
«No way» Ichigo said, crossing his arms on his chest. He wondered if Hitsugaya would have hit him, but he wasn't worried. He was sure about his karate's black belt, and he knew he could beat that horrible little freak without even sweating.
«Bastard» Hitsugaya hissed.
It all happened in a blink of an eye. Ichigo suddenly felt that his forehead hurt and his shirt was soaked in iced Bancha tea, before realizing that Hitsugaya threw the can to him. Then, anything new, someone came in without knocking, with a perfect timing, and this someone was Renji Abarai. The boy wasn't wearing his uniform anymore, and he put on an old white tank top which fitted pretty loosely and jeans rolled up on his calves. Even his legs and arms were tatted, Ichigo noticed, between incredulous and disgusted.
«Kami-sama, Kurosaki-kun, what happened to you?» Renji laughed, looking at him. «Everything's ready for ya! Oh, but why didn't you change yet? Put on something normal, then come to our room!»
Ichigo sighed internally. He almost tore his tie apart, uncerimoniously throwing it on the bed, then he picked a plain, black long-sleeved shirt. He took off his shirt and he wore the black top, ignoring the two spectators, while Kira, neat and anxious as usual, picked up the wet uniform from the floor and hung it to let it dry.
«Tomorrow I'll show you were the laundry room is» he murmured, before looking at him, surprised. «Oh, you look a lot better, like this.» He approached Ichigo, adjusting his sleeves and collar with his long, bony fingers. Kira changed his clothes too, as well as the still angry Hitsugaya, choosing a pair of military cargo pants, trainers and a half-unbuttoned, red-blood shirt with a white tee underneath. He looked good too, very good indeed, but Ichigo wasn't keen to tell him directly. Still, he liked the way his blond hair looked always perfect, and he also secretly thought that the small movement Kira made with his hand, combing it away from his forehead, was definitely charming. More than once, actually, his attention had been drawn to Kira's graceful fingers while they entwined into his blonde locks...
«Okay» he muttered, ashamed of his own thoughts. «Let's hurry up, before I change my mind.»
Renji and Byakuya's room was number 20, and it wasn't far from Ichigo and Kira's one (by the way, it totally looked like he would have gotten to get used to Hitsugaya's presence too, since Kira refused to deny shelter to the boy). Anyways, Ichigo was thinking about nothing in particular when he opened the door without knocking.
«Finally!»
He would have never expected it to be so crowded.
His back was patted so many times and so quickly that he was barely able to turn and see who was greeting him. From what he could see, there weren't only freshmen, but also some older students. He understood immediately why the so-called party was organised in Renji's room: it seemed that room was at least three times bigger than his one, and he totally couldn't understand why.
Standing in a corner, he spotted a senpai who was staring at him. His features were peculiar, not common. His face was thin, almost scrawny, and his eyes were so squinted they assumed the shape of a slit. His hair were an odd silver shade.
«Good, good!» Renji bellowed, as usual energetic and lively, pushing a glass of something into Ichigo's hand. «Gulp this down, bro, or you'll stay as icy as a popsicle for the whole night!»
«What is th-» Ichigo attempted to protest, but Kira interrupted him, almost falling on him, his cheeks red and his expression stupidly happy. «Ahhh! Ichigo-kun's a popsicle!»
«Kira…» Ichigo muttered, embarrassed, trying to shrug away the attractive blondie, evidently drunk, who was like glued on him. «What on Earth...»
«Kira-kun can't hold alcohol» Byakuya Kuchiki coldly stated, appearing at Renji's side and pouring some drink to himself. «I hope this pathetic little party will be over soon.»
Renji wasn't paying attention to him, since he was busy putting some music on the CD player. The music of U2 reached Ichigo's ears, but he was still struggling to convince Kira getting off him. The blonde boy was... draped on him, putting his arms around his waist and leaning his forehead against Ichigo's shoulder. He smelt wonderful. Of soap, of course, and his own, masculine smell was intoxicating. Ichigo froze, as rigid as a stockfish, unexpectedly aroused.
«Oh, Bya-kun, don't be a party spoiler» a sicken sweet voice talked, emerging from Ichigo's inner vortex. The one who spoke was the odd-looking senpai he spotted before, who came to stop right in front of Kira and him. «Poor Izuru-chan... come with me, let's go on the balcony to get some fresh air.»
«Don't call me that» Byakuya blurted out, irritated.
«Uh, Ichimaru-senpai» Kira moaned, looking around with glassy eyes, «my head hurts...»
With his broad smile, the boy called Ichimaru eyed Ichigo's amusedly, before helping Kira on his feet. «Izuru and me are going out for a bit» he announced to the party's host, Renji. This one snickered and winked at him, and Ichigo suddenly disliked that gesture. Renji-kun was rather tipsy too, after a few glasses of liquor.
The party, in the end, revealed itself to be not much more than a pretext to get drunk and have fun. Another one who didn't seem to enjoy himself was Hitsugaya, who kept pacing around uncomfortably, always glancing to Ayasegawa and Madarame, who didn't do anything but kissing and dancing while tightly entwined. Ichigo considered to go and apologize for before, but in the end he decided not to do it. He would have accepted Little Prince Midget's apologies, if they ever came, but he would have never be the one doing it first.
Approaching what he supposed was Renji's desk, he poured a little sakè to himself, sipping on it calmly, making it slowly roll on his tongue.
«Aren't you enjoying yourself, Kurosaki?»
Taken by surprise, Ichigo turned, facing Kaname. The blind boy smiled to him, his white pupils half-hidden by a pair of sunglasses. His afro braids were tightly gathered in a ponytail at the base of his nape, and he was dressed in white. Ichigo couldn't deny he was good-looking. The thought was rather disturbing, he found out.
«It's your party, after all. I think you should forget about unpleasant thoughts.»
«Yeah, thanks» Ichigo muttered. Who knew how a blind guy could sense he was feeling lonely and uneasy? Wait a moment, though... Kaname never went around by himself. So, if Kaname was there, he had to be there too...
«Shuuhei's not here, if this is want you wanted to ask» Kaname murmured, lowering his voice in a barely audible whisper. The song changed, and Ichigo recognized "Elevation".
«Uh... I like this song» he stuttered, desperately trying to change topic. He didn't feel like talking about Shuuhei, and surely he didn't want to see him either. But, at the same time, he was disappointed not to spot him anywhere. «Er... can I know where Hisagi-kun is?»
«Locked in our room, thinking» Kaname replied, sipping on his Jack Daniel's. The strong liquor didn't seem to affect him. «And smoking, probably. I'll need to open the windows, later. I hate smelling smoke. It sticks on clothes, curtains and bed sheets. But it's better not to get mad at him, when he's not in a good shape. I just have to ignore him and wait for the bad moment to pass.»
Ichigo sighed. The party was slowing down. Ayasegawa and Madarame were the first to leave, apparently anxious to go on with their private "partying" somewhere else. Shortly after, most of Ichigo's classmates went out too, heading to their beds, and the only ones left besides him were Renji, Byakuya, Hitsugaya and Kaname. Kira and Ichimaru came back around 11 pm, but Kira's drunk state didn't seem improved at all. He still needed to lean on the tall senpai to walk, and he was still blushing. Those two looked intimate, Ichigo thought, averting his gaze.
He shook his head, trying not to brood about it. It wasn't his business. And Kira was a grown boy, he could do what he wanted, didn't he?
«Where's everyone?» a baritone's voice asked, while the door opened and Shuuhei made his triumphal entry. Kaname instantly turned his head towards him.
Quick, Shuuhei approached him, putting his hand on his slender shoulder. Kaname was shorter than him. «Are you okay? Are you tired?»
«I'm fine» Kaname sweetly replied, with a faint smile.
«Stop drinking» Shuuhei muttered, taking the still half-full glass from his dark hands.
«And you, stop smoking» Kaname hissed, pretending to be angry. «You smell awful.»
Ichigo stared at that dialogue, mesmerized. Then, suddenly, he felt tired, very tired. Sleepy, actually, and he didn't care about that party anymore. He just wanted to go to bed. But the worst, he was about to find out, was yet to come.
«Okay!» Renji yelled, brandishing an empty bottle like a club. «Gather all here! Time to spice up things a little!»
«Renji-kun, you're drunk» Byakuya made him notice, irritated.
«Obviously» the redhead replied, waving the bottle around and mimicking a swordsman's gestures. «Therefore, we'll play a game... spin the bottle!»
«You are just a bunch of friggin' FAGS!» Hitsugaya screamed with his still high-pitched voice, slightly drunk in spite of his obvious underage condition.
«Oh, come on, Toshiro-kun...»
«Wha-» the kid began, before burping soundly and freezing in surprise. Kira burst out laughing, finding shelter under Ichimaru-senpai's long, thin arm.
«No, wait...» Renji corrected himself, frowning in concentration, «I meant... SHIRO-CHAN!»
The joke made everyone laugh. The only one who didn't seem amused was Byakuya, who was sitting on his bed looking bored.
«Go fuck yourselves» Hitsugaya hissed, aggravated. «I'm so going to bed, after this. And you» he threatened, pointing towards Ichigo and Kira, «try not to be too loud, when you'll get back, or I'll tell everything to Kyoraku-sensei!»
Kira stuck his tongue out, while little Hitsugaya walked away slamming the door closed.
«Okay» Renji repeated, stammering a bit. «Come here, everyone.»
He moved the desk aside, to make enough room on the floor to let everyone sit in a circle, then he put the bottle he was holding in the middle of them. Renji was sweating copiously, maybe because of alcohol, and now little droplets were crossing his tanned muscles, mingling with the dark tattoo lines. It was a damn sexy view, Ichigo randomly thought, finding out that he was rather tipsy himself.
«I'm not sure we should...» he began, frowning, but Shuuhei suddenly grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the circle formed by the other boys, carefully guiding Kaname too.
Ichigo sighed. Sure, that morning he should have stayed in bed.
TBC
Yaoi and angst start in next chapter. ;)
