Auburn eyes fluttered for a second, noticing that he was in front of the Kurosaki Clinic, his home. Ichigo walked in with his hands in his pockets, scooting over to the side once his soft-brunette sister rushed past with a wooden box full of medical supplies.
"What's going on, Yuzu?"
"T-there was an accident n-nearby!" she panted, hurrying along as her bright haired brother began to walk near the stairs, side-stepping in time before getting run over by his dark haired sibling.
"Outta the way!!" she shouted, zooming past with a wheeled stretcher with a grown man laying on it. A groan slipping past his parted lips. "Next patient, old man!!"
"M-move Ichigo!"
Said Kurosaki sighed, shaking his head while he walked up the steps, setting his dark colored bag onto the seat next to his desk, brining his cell out of his pocket, staring at it as it started vibrating, the screen flashing a bright pink, the color he chose for Orihime. Bright and the color of bubble gum, since she was always so giddy and rearing to go.
I can't answer, he thought bitterly, resenting the fact that he couldn't bring himself to talk to the young Inoue. It'd kill me...
"Jus' answer the damn phone, it's annoyin' me."
Ichigo lifted his thumb, hovering it over the red sign, indicating to hang up, pressing it and ceasing the vibrations. Tossing his cell down, he plopped his bottom onto the bed, sighing and shaking his head once again, contemplating on how he was going to announce to Orihime that it was over between them.
It had only been a few weeks.
"King...are you all right?"
"Yeah," he muttered, lacing his fingers together in a saddening grace, making Hichigo's voice lower as he continued to speak.
"Look, you don't need t' break up wit' her," His voice was sincere and calming, "as long as you're happy, King, I'm happy. No more rain is good enough for me."
He was trying to joke and the vibrant haired teenager knew that, but...he wondered how he could be happy if Zangetsu made him realize he had more feelings for his Hollow than he bargained for. Oh, he damned the old man now, he damned him all the way.
"Hey, Hichigo,"
"Y-yeah?" By the sound of his tone, the substitute shinigami took it that he had taken the albino off-guard.
"I'm gonna need you to explain a few things to me,"
Hichigo sighed, slowly materializing next to the orange haired shinigami, who merely looked at him with half-lidded eyes, full of confusion and despair.
"What do ya need to know?"
"Well," the teen started, looking down on his loosely laced fingers, "why didn't you tell me sooner that you...liked me? And why did Zangetsu get the idea to play matchmaker?"
Hichigo laid on his back with a deep sigh, "First question...I didn't because I knew you were straight...or thought, 'cause your heart was like a freakin' jackhammer around Orihime. Second question...how should I know? I didn't ask him to if that's what you're thinking."
"Alright..." Ichigo nodded, then un-intertwined his hands' limbs. "Another question...how do you think I should break the news to Orihime?"
Hichigo pursed his lips together, his golden-black eyes shut, brows furrowed in concentration. He crossed his arms and frowned, slowly letting his eyes reopen. "I think I have an idea..." he whispered in a low hush. "I think I have an idea," This time his voice was heard, "but I don't think she'll take it very well."