Note: Alright, here's chapter three. It's even worse than the last chapter. xD; I'm sorry. Anyways, please, read and review.
Okay, also - the little 'conspiracy' between Ichigo and Fai isn't really here in this chapter, but it will definitely be next chapter. I tried to fit it in, but I couldn't - not with Hitsugaya in there. w; Sorry~
Edit; Thanks so much to Mimic, I've had to edit some stuff in here, but it makes me feel a little bit better about the chapters~ 8D; I really appreciate it!
Summary: BleachxTsubasa crossover. Two dense, hot-tempered males, with the two that love them dearly. But the temperamental ones can't seem understand. It's up to Fai and Ichigo to help one another get the ones they love to see it. IchiHitsu, KuroFai.
Warnings: Shonen-ai/yaoi. No like, no read~ Also, some of the characters might seem a bit out of character, my apologies. xDD; Bit o' angsting in this chapter as well, it is kinda needed to continue on with what I've got planned.
Pairings: IchiHitsu, KuroFai.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Tsubasa R.C. – Bleach belongs to Kubo Tite, and Tsubasa R.C. belongs to CLAMP.
"Come on, Toushirou – we're almost there. I know you're tired, but it's fine – you can catch up on the nap you missed when we get back."
"I'm not a child, Kurosaki!"
"Sure, sure. I was using humour – something you apparently don't have. Sometimes, I swear you're some sort of shorter twin of 'Byakuya the Stiff'- OW!" The orange-haired teen stumbled forward, watching the white-haired taichou with a hurt-filled glare as Hitsugaya passed him by with long, calm strides.
"I suggest you respect every taichou you meet."
"… What about the freakshow of the twelfth division?"
"Kurotsuchi-taichou…? I don't think he deserves a lot of respect, so do whatever you wish."
"Ah, you're still no fun." Ichigo pouted childishly as he lengthened his strides to catch up with the fast taichou.
"Quit behaving like a child, Kurosaki." Hitsugaya's cold voice admonished in irritation, and Ichigo felt his lip curl slightly.
"Of course – after all, I know that you don't like it when I behave like you." Silence reigned over the pair for long seconds, before it finally clicked in Hitsugaya's brain.
"… Kurosaki."
"Hm?"
"I'm not a kid." Ichigo quirked an eyebrow at the deadly tone in the adorable boy's voice, and blinked once.
Then twice.
"Wait… So you're not gonna beat me up for saying that?"
"Hn."
"I knew you were a sweet person beneath your icy exterior." Ichigo smirked at the top of the boy's head.
"You know absolutely nothing." Came the chilling reply, before they turned and entered the house.
"I-chi-gooooo!" The teen's father lunged for the two of them, but Hitsugaya easily ducked and evaded the oncoming attack. Ichigo, on the other hand, was body slammed back outside, where the two of them started a… 'Good-natured' scuffle.
"Sorry, 'tou-san's always like that." Hitsugaya averted his teal gaze to look at the brunette that spoke to him.
"My name is Kurosaki Yuzu. May I ask your name?" Yuzu smiled politely, offering a hand to the white-haired taichou.
"… Hn. My name is Hitsugaya Toushirou." The boy responded after a moment, taking her hand and shaking it momentarily before pulling away.
"Oh! I didn't know Ichi-nii was bringing company over, so I don't have enough lunch… Would you like me to make extra?" Yuzu's hands clapped over her mouth, and her eyes were full of worry. Hitsugaya felt a bead of sweat roll down his face at the sight – wouldn't she be annoyed about the intrusion, not worried if he wanted anything after arriving unexpected?
"U-Uh… No thank you. I'm not very hungry right now." Hitsugaya replied, clearing his throat uneasily.
"Yuzu, who is this-" A black-haired girl entered the kitchen with her hands in her pockets, and she glanced around her sister's shoulder. Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of the white-haired boy.
"Hey, Toushirou!" Hitsugaya's eyes narrowed to slits, and he nodded briefly at Ichigo's other sister.
"Hello… Karin, was it?"
"Yeah, I'm glad you remember me." Karin laughed, before patting his head again. A tick developed in Hitsugaya's eyebrow, which began twitching rapidly.
"How's elementary school going?"
"Actually." Hitsugaya ground out from between tightly clenched teeth. "I'm in your brother's class in school."
"Ah, Ichi-nii brought a friend from school home? I've never met you before." Yuzu blinked her hazel eyes innocently, before giving the boy another sweet smile.
"Well, I need to continue making lunch. You're sure you don't want anything?"
"I'm quite sure. Ah – a-arigatou." Hitsugaya stated calmly, shaking his head.
"Alright! Let me know if you want anything!" With that, Yuzu bounced off towards the stove again, humming an upbeat tune.
Karin eyed Hitsugaya haughtily for a moment, before gesturing with a hand that he should follow her. Confused, the tendo obeyed, and the two of them entered the living room. Karin made sure the door was shut, before she turned to face the taichou.
"Why are you here, Toushirou?"
"It's Hitsugaya-taichou to you, Kurosaki."
"That's what you call my brother, not me."
"Both of you should call me by my title, since you obviously know who and what I am."
"Hmph. I'm just gonna call you Toushirou."
"You're just as dense and idiotic as your brother." Karin's eyes widened at this statement, before she hissed between her teeth.
"Ichi-nii is smart!"
"Which is exactly the reason he risks his life every day, instead of giving up his powers."
"Maybe he wants to help people!"
"That's our job, too. It's been our job for centuries, Kurosaki."
"You call me dense?! You don't realize the love that's always been in front of you!" Karin blurted out, as the door to the room opened.
"What are you talking about?" Hitsugaya sighed in irritation, placing his petite hands on his waist and eyeing Karin levelly.
"You don't realize that someone really cares about you, do you?"
"… Listen, Kurosaki. If you're not going to give me a straight answer, then I'm going to go." Hitsugaya muttered impatiently, sensing a flare in Ichigo's almost uncontrolled reiatsu.
"You're so dense!" Karin cried out in exasperation. "He really li- Mmph!" A hand was instantaneously clamped over the raven-haired girl's mouth, effectively silencing her.
"Sorry about that, Toushirou." Ichigo sighed in annoyance, ignoring his sister's struggling.
"Karin here just doesn't know when to keep quiet."
"I see she's like you in more ways than one." Hitsugaya responded cynically, before crossing his arms over his chest. "I'll be up in your room until I'm needed, I do not wish to intrude upon your loving family moments." With that, the white-haired taichou turned and exited the room.
Isshin stared at said boy as he walked past silently, clearly brooding over something and running it through his mind multiple times. He opened his mouth to inquire if the taichou needed anything at the moment, but two voices screamed at the same time from the other room.
"Toushirou! I'm nothing like this kid!"
"That's so mean, Toushirou! Ichi-nii's an idiot!"
"Who are you calling an idiot?!"
"You!"
"Why you little-!"
The father sighed and closed his mouth, shaking his head with a small grin on his face. Hitsugaya walked calmly up the stairs, ignoring the commotion coming from the two siblings.
The Kurosaki household was going to be a very interesting place while the white-haired boy stayed.
"We should probably head back – I'm done wandering around, and these people know nothing about your feather. Sorry, Sakura-chan!" Fai sang, twirling briefly before a hand connected with the back of his head, sending him stumbling forward with an uncharacteristic yelp.
"Quit twirling around like an idiot."
"But, you say I'm an idiot, so can't I twirl around like this if it just says what I am?" Fai inquired, bringing a confused look to the ninja's face.
"…"
"Aw, is Kuro-wan confused?" Fai laughed jovially, before doing the one thing that caused the ninja's temper to flare up to a frightening level.
He pinched the man's cheek until it went red.
And he released.
And ran.
"Get back here, you stupid bastard!"
"Wai wai, Kuro-wanko is so scary!"
"Shut up!"
"Hyuu hyuu!"
Syaoran and Sakura sweat dropped, before the brunet boy cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Kurogane-san? Fai-san? If you two are going to fight, can you please go towards Urahara-san's shoten?" Syaoran called out, and Kurogane ceased his pursuit as Fai slammed on the brakes.
"Uh… Sure!" Fai spun around and tackled Kurogane to the ground, scrambling over the bewildered ninja and taking off in the direction of the shop. Kurogane leaped to his feet with a feral roar, and took off after the bouncy blonde.
"Come on, let's go, hime."
"Wait… Where's Moko-chan?" Sakura asked worriedly, but the boy just gave her a patient smile.
"Asleep in my clothes. Please relax, hime – let's go back to the shoten, maybe Urahara-san will know something about the feather, or about someone who might hold it." The girl nodded briefly, before taking the boy's proffered hand. Syaoran led the two of them away quickly, following the 'chase' that was going on many feet in front of them.
The yells echoed through the air, and birds took flight, causing almost as much of a ruckus as what was on the ground below.
Night had fallen in silence upon Karakura Town. Ichigo had not gone upstairs since Hitsugaya had vanished – he had gained visitors in the form of his friends, which kept him busy enough – and the white-haired taichou had not come downstairs. Even for dinner.
Yuzu had asked Ichigo if Hitsugaya was hungry, but when the boy did not come down, it was clear he did not plan to come down at all.
"Kurosaki-kun, Hitsugaya-kun is staying at your house, right?" Orihime asked tentatively, a light blush covering her cheeks at the orange-haired boy glanced at her.
"A-Ah, yeah. Why?"
"Well… Why haven't we seen him?"
"There are no traces of his reiatsu in the town right now. You sure he's here?" Ishida pushed up his glasses until the glare covered his calculating eyes.
"Of course he's here, Ishida." Ichigo snarled with barely covered vehemence. "Are you saying I'm imagining things?"
"Of course not, Kurosaki." Ishida responded, shaking his head.
"Oh! It's so late!" Orihime cried out suddenly, her orange eyes finally noticing the position of the moon in the night sky.
"Ah. We should go now." Sado's baritone voice brought Ichigo's attention to the bulky teen sitting on the couch across from him.
"Alright. Well, see you guys tomorrow – we've got a few more interesting people that are coming to school, you'll meet them soon. It's been arranged that they'll be in our class." Ichigo warned, a slight smirk curling his lip. He couldn't wait to see the Quincy's reaction to the bubbly blonde and the temperamental ninja.
"Good night, Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime grinned brightly at the substitute shinigami, followed by a silent wave from Ishida and a small smile from Sado. The three of them exited the house, closing the door quietly behind themselves as they hurried out through the streets, heading quickly for their homes.
Ichigo stood staring at the door for a few minutes, his chocolate-coloured gaze thoughtful. Finally, he shook his head and turned around, slumping wearily up the stairs. It was almost an hour to midnight, and he had school tomorrow.
The orange-haired teen tiptoed silently past his sisters' room, knowing that the two of them were already lost in the clutches of sleep. His father was resting as well, the teen could tell by the sound of snoring coming from behind the closed door. Ichigo finally reached his own room and opened the door calmly.
"Oi, Toushirou, I'm coming in."
Silence was his only answer.
Quirking an eyebrow in confusion, the substitute shinigami opened the door fully and stepped in, shutting the door behind him and gazing upon the ethereal scene in front of him.
A futon had been laid out on the floor, leaving Ichigo's bed open for its owner. But that wasn't what Ichigo found surprising.
Hitsugaya was curled up on the futon, the moonlight falling in through the partially open window and landing on the thin boy. Ichigo stepped forward, barely breathing as he knelt in front of the slumbering boy. With the shadows falling across the boy's face, he could not see the frown pulling at the rose-coloured lips, nor could he see the taichou's brows furrowing as if in fear.
"Good night, Toushirou." The substitute shinigami murmured softly, brushing back some of the white hair from the boy's face. "Sleep well." Ichigo stood up and made his way around the futon, stumbling into his bed.
As he drifted off into sleep, his last thought was that maybe he should have changed into his pajamas, but he would have to change in the morning anyway. His eyes slid shut, and he drifted off.
That night, everyone in the house slept through the pain-filled cry that escaped Hitsugaya's mouth.
The alarm clock blasted a monotonous beeping noise through the room, awakening Ichigo from his slumber. He rolled over and tapped the top of the clock, shutting it off after a few moments of the noise.
He threw an arm over his eyes and kept them closed against the pale light of the dawn filtering in through the window. Ichigo heard a small whimpering noise, but chose to ignore it.
After a few moments, he heard it again, and realized it was coming from his room.
The shinigami bolted upright, opening his eyes as his arms fell from his face to be cradled in his lap.
Hitsugaya was curled up tightly on the futon, his teal eyes shut tightly. A small noise of sorrow escaped from slightly parted lips, and the orange-haired teen darted off the bed, resting a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Toushirou, wake up!" Ichigo hissed, violently shaking the white-haired taichou. Hitsugaya's eyes shot open, and he jerked away from Ichigo's grip.
"What is it, Kurosaki? Why did you wake me up?" Hitsugaya snarled, ignoring the slight hoarse tone to his voice.
"Oh, I don't know – maybe because you were whimpering like a beaten dog!" The teen replied sarcastically, before his ochre eyes were clouded by concern. The boy had stiffened, and his face had paled considerably.
"What's wrong, Toushirou. Tell me." Ichigo's voice softened considerably, and was meant to be soothing as he reached out for the boy's face.
His hand, of course, was immediately slapped away.
"Nothing's wrong. Now, remember we have school today, Kurosaki." Hitsugaya stood up, exiting the room in silence to change into the school uniform he had left in the washroom to remind himself.
Ichigo watched him go sadly, clenching his fists at his sides as he stood.
"Ichi-nii, Hitsugaya-kun! Breakfast is ready!" Yuzu's voice called up the stairs, dimly entering Ichigo's cluttered mind.
"And some people think you're a genius… How long is it going to take you to realize that the answer's right in front of you?"
"Urahara-san, thank you for everything! We'll be going now!"
"You have the directions to the school, yes?"
"Of course. We'll be back later!"
"Have a good day at school!"
"Bye-bye, Kisuke-kun!"
"Hmph."
"Ja ne, Fai-kun, Kurogane-kun! Now, Fai-kun, make sure Kurogane-kun behaves, alright? I don't want to get a phone call telling me that our bad little puppy has bitten someone."
"Excuse me?!"
"Of course, Kisuke-kun!"
"Oi – when did his name change to 'kun'?"
"I don't know – maybe if you had been paying attention…"
"You just said you don't know either!"
"Did I?"
"Kurogane-san! Fai-san! Hurry – we don't want to be late!"
"Oops, sorry, Syaoran-kun! We're coming!"
The group raced down the street towards the school.
Urahara watched them go, his eyes gleaming eerily in the light of the rising sun.
"Heh. Such an interesting little group, they are. I'm going to enjoy their company. Tessai, would you mind preparing some breakfast?"
"Of course, sir."
"Where are Jinta and Ururu?"
"They're both still asleep."
"… I see. Well, we'll wake them up when it's time for breakfast."
"Have a good day at school, you two!" Yuzu and Karin waved at the two shinigami as they calmly exited the house, heading off towards school.
Ichigo spared the boy a confused glance, and blinked his ochre eyes. Hitsugaya seemed the same as always, no change in the cold demeanour.
It made him wonder if he had been daydreaming this morning.
"Uh… Toushirou?"
"Hitsugaya-taichou."
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Uh, about this morning…"
"Can we just forget that ever happened?" Hitsugaya interrupted sharply, his head snapping quickly to face the orange-haired teenager, who looked taken aback at the tone.
"W-What?"
"It means exactly what I said, Kurosaki. Forget that this morning ever happened, there is nothing wrong." With that, the white-haired taichou continued walking, leaving behind a dumbfounded substitute shinigami.
"… Jerk."
"I heard that."
"Maybe you were supposed to."
"Hn. Come on, we don't want to be late." Hitsugaya continued walking the rest of the way in silence, either ignoring or not noticing the gaze that was focused on the back of his head.
Calm overtook the pair, causing them both to relax after a few moments… But, of course, it was shattered when he came.
"Shirou-chan! Ichigo-kun!" Fai sang gleefully, bounding over to them.
"Oi, it's Hitsugaya-taichou!" Hitsugaya snarled as the blonde almost tackled him – note, 'almost' – the boy jumped backwards, causing the blonde to sprawl on the ground with absolutely no grace.
At all.
"Owie! Wai, Shirou-chan is so mean!" Fai wailed pitifully, before a hand took hold of his wrist and tugged him to his feet.
"Quit complaining, you're so annoying!" Kurogane barked angrily, causing the blonde to clap his hands.
"Kuro-daddy is such a good father!" Fai grinned amiably before turning away from the group, noticing Syaoran and Sakura waiting for them in front of the school.
"We're coming, you two! Mokona was left with Kisuke-kun, right?"
"Hai, Fai-san!"
"That's good! Then we don't have to worry! Now, let's go!" With that, Fai took a hold of Kurogane's arm and began dragging him unceremoniously towards the entrance to the school… Much to the ninja's despair.
"Let me go! I can walk myself!"
"I'm sure you can!"
Hitsugaya and Ichigo watched the two bicker in silence, blinking ever so often at a loud roar that might accompany a statement. Slowly, their legs began moving them towards the school.
"Ichigo-kun!" Fai called out, waving frantically at the slow-moving orange-haired boy.
"What is it, Fai-san?"
"Which classroom is your's?"
"… Didn't Urahara tell you?"
"Well, yeah. But I can't remember." Fai rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Do you remember, Kuro-puu? Syaoran-kun? Sakura-chan?" Silence reigned over the area, before the blonde began blinking his mismatched eyes repeatedly.
"Kuro-min? Sakura-chan? Syaoran-kun?" Fai spun in multiple circles before he let out a wail and lunged forward, clutching Ichigo's shirt collar in both of his bony hands.
"Ichigo-kun! They left me behind!"
"Fai-san, calm down! We're in a school – you have to be quieter!"
"Ah… Well, where is your classroom?"
"Right around the corner. You coming, Toushirou?"
"It's Hitsugaya-taichou!" Hitsugaya snarled severely in an undertone, so others would not hear him.
"Yeah yeah, sure. Come on." Ichigo waved it away dismissively before he led the way towards the room, sliding open the door.
"There you are, baka. We thought you got lost." Kurogane smirked cynically, bringing a pout onto the blonde's face.
"So cruel…"
"I-chi-g-augh!" Keigo jumped towards the substitute shinigami, before a fist was planted firmly in the middle of his face, sending him backwards.
"Oi, Strawberry. We were wondering where you were." Renji raised a hand in greeting, himself and Ikkaku snickering at the boy's reaction to his nickname.
"Shut it, Pineapple."
"Oi! You bastard!"
"Hey, Yumichika, Cue Ball."
"Who's bald?!"
"I don't know, do you see anyone else bald in he- Ow!" Ichigo glared at the boy, and began massaging his injured arm.
"What was that for, Toushirou?!"
"It's Hitsugaya. And you two are arguing like a married couple." The two males stared incredulously at the white-haired taichou, as Yumichika and Renji began chuckling gleefully.
"Hitsugaya-taichou has a point, you know." Renji whispered into Ichigo's ear, elbowing the 'Strawberry' in the side. The class was gaping at the display in front of them, with many people sniggering behind their hands.
Keigo picked himself up off the ground as the small, brunette princess walked past him.
"O-Oi, I haven't seen you around here before. Those three guys your friends?" He asked pleasantly.
"Hai! Syaoran-kun, Fai-san, Kurogane-san and I have been friends for a long time!" She smiled sweetly, causing Keigo's cheeks to light up in a rosy blush.
Before he could say anything, though, a fist sailed through the air and struck him on the cheek, sending him tumbling to the side.
"Be careful around him, he's a perv." A black-haired girl grinned down at Sakura, who blinked in surprise. A few others had come along with her – an orange-haired girl, a bespectacled boy with navy-coloured hair, and a large teen with curled, dark-brown hair.
"My name's Tatsuki Arisawa. This is Inoue Orihime, Ishida Uryuu, and Yasutora Sado. We heard the names of your friends, but who are you?"
"Ah! My name is Sakura!" The princess replied politely, bowing her head in respect to the group.
Orihime opened her mouth to speak, but a loud yell interrupted her.
"Let me at him! I don't care who he is!"
'How nostalgic…' Syaoran thought, before turning around. He was under the impression it would be Hitsugaya going for Fai's neck again.
But it wasn't.
Hitsugaya had latched onto Ichigo's wrists, and was holding them behind his back, bending his arms at an awkward angle. Yumichika had Ikkaku in a similar position, and was snickering quietly to himself.
Both of the shinigami 'tied up' were glaring at each other with murderous intent, clearly ready to kill the other.
"Calm down, Kurosaki, Madarame!" Hitsugaya had found it amusing in the beginning, but this was getting out of hand. No one moved, not even the teacher that had just arrived in the classroom doorway.
"Both of you are behaving like children! I suggest you act your age, or you're going to have a time out."
"You would know what a child is." To the other students, it only seemed like the temperature dropped in the room, from the white-haired boy's rage. But, in reality, it had dropped.
"You want to take this outside, Kurosaki?" The orange-haired boy craned his neck around, meeting the enraged gaze of one Hitsugaya Toushirou.
"Hm… I would, but class has already started."
"What a pity. We'll have to save your beating for another time, then." Hitsugaya released Ichigo's wrists none-too-gently – with a shove forward – and, nodding to the teacher, walked to the front of the room to be introduced to the class, as per usual.
Kurogane swallowed his sarcastic remark silently, and, gesturing at Fai, Syaoran and Sakura, followed the tendo up to the front.
Ichigo stumbled into his seat, glaring daggers at the little taichou.
It was going to be a long day at school.
Before anyone actually realized it, the day had come and went, and night followed shortly after.
They all had watched the sunset at one of the highest points in the town – excluding Kurogane and Hitsugaya, the two of them argued quietly with one another a short distance away – before bidding each other farewell.
"Good night, Kurosaki-kun!"
"Bye-bye!"
"Hn."
"Kisuke-kun will be waiting for us! Come on, Kuro-wan, Syaoran-kun, Sakura-chan!"
"It's Kurogane!"
"Hai, Fai-san!"
"Coming!"
"Bye, Shirou-chan!"
"It's Hitsugaya-taichou!"
"See ya, Shorty."
"Hmph. Later, ojii-san."
"Now now, no arguing you two."
"Oh shut it."
"See you all at school tomorrow!" Ichigo waved politely after the group, before glancing down at the clearly annoyed taichou.
"Heh, someone's having a temper tantrum." The orange-haired shinigami remarked in an almost bored tone, before bracing himself for the storm that was imminent.
Which never came.
Instead, Hitsugaya completely ignored his comment, and turned, walking down the path towards the buildings.
"Toushirou?" Ichigo could not conceal the worry in his voice.
"It's Hitsugaya-taichou... Let's go, come on."
"Something the matter?"
"No."
"Right, just like this morning there was nothing wrong either, right?"
"Exactly. Now come on. Unless you want me to beat you here and now."
"Fine, I'm coming. But you can't beat me."
"Don't be so cocky, Kurosaki."
"I could say the same about you, Toushirou."
"It's Hitsugaya-taichou!"
"That's always an automatic response, isn't it?"
"It's become one, since I met you, you disrespectful brat."
"At least I'm not a child."
"I resemble a child, but in reality, I'm much older than you."
"I'm sure you are."
"Get moving." Hitsugaya's foot was coming a little to close to an area for comfort, and Ichigo lengthened his strides almost frantically.
"I'm going, I'm going! Hold your horses, kid!"
"I'm not a kid!"
Their argument echoed through the breezy air of Karakura Town, disturbing the solemn silence of the town.
It was a pity it wouldn't last much longer, the being thought without emotion as it stepped forward, out of the rip in the sky.