Believe me, or not, this was a difficult chapter to do. Mainly one part of Ichigo's POV and then Renji's WHOLE POV...wow...I'm stunned. Ah, sorry it took too long, hopefully the other chapters I'm working on will make up for the long delay.

chapter five

Ichigo's POV

Truth was…I only dragged Renji to the seat next to mine so I could get to know him. Besides, if we get to know each other then it'll be easier not to bite the redhead, since it'll feel like we've known each other for years.

Yeah…at least until he fades away from existence.

My lips part to release a sigh that I wasn't trying to hide. It was depressing to think about it, and painful. Letting my brown orbs travel to his direction they blinked, noticing that Abarai was leaning back in the chair with his arms crossed, his reddish-brown eyes focused on the chalkboard.

"So," the human mumbled, tattooed brows furrowed, "is there something else about you I should know?"

That I'm a vampire, sure, let me expose my family's history. To hell with school life…yeah…my dad'll skewer me with something sharp if that were to happen, or…I'll be thrown into a fire. Better yet, back into the hellhole we escaped from.

"Nothing much really, I just moved here when I was nine, my sisters were only six," I complied, glancing around the room silently, frowning as I wrote down quick mental notes of who Renji should avoid for the rest of the day. Let's see…that chick who tried to smoother me with her boobs, God what a nightmare. That girl that looks like a person who has a huge trunk of a tree shoved up her ass, wonder what would happen if a party was thrown. "They're allowed to stay home from school if they want. Yuzu has a serious illness anyway."

"What type of illness?" Renji asked, worry hidden under his sturdy tone.

"We just think she's anorexic, but…she eats with us, but is losing weight every day. We were impressed she gained some pounds once I gave her my popcorn last month. I think she's depressed."

I blinked, turning my head towards Renji once I felt his warm left hand's fingers grip my shoulder.

"Did something happen?"

"Yeah," My eyes were connected with his, the reddish-brown color mixing so easily, as though it were natural, a rare gem…or something close to it, "our mother was murdered when I was nine…she was…" The eye-contact died, my eyes falling to the floor, "I was there when it happened. She was…the nicest person anyone could meet."

The grasp on my shoulder tightened.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, eyes trailing down to the ground, his hand on my slumped shoulder falling onto my fist lying idly on my knee. My bangs may have hung in my face, but…my auburn orbs were wide. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

The beating heart within me skipped. My slightly pointed ears perked up, it was true kindness and concern flowing through his tone, not pity, kindness. He was worried about my family. I shook my head slowly, watching as Renji's expression softened a bit, as though still uncertain about if I was lying or telling the truth. Besides, I highly doubted a human could help a family of vampires.

Hell, what type of human would want too?

"No," I replied while looking back up at him with slanted brows, as if I was unsure of what I was saying, "We can handle it on our own."

Renji's expression fell, stunned by my response probably. Not like I should really care, this could be my last day in the realm of the light.

And yet, with only spending little time with the redhead and talking to him…made me silently wish it wasn't. I know that wishes don't come true and all that, but, I couldn't help but do so.

"That's how we've always been," I add, lifting my left hand up and forcing a reassuring smile on my usually straight-lined lips, "besides, my father's a professional doctor; he can take care of her…all of us."

"Right…" the tattooed form mumbled, and this was one of the main reasons I cursed my increased hearing, since I could also hear the emotions that were trying to hide themselves. Sadness, loneliness…as though he felt…unwanted. "I see, well," He looked up at me with determined reddish-brown orbs, "if you need anything, just ask, I'll try my best to help out any way I can."

My lips parted to thank him, yet the teacher walked in and told all the kids to shut the hell up and take their seats. Yep, the one teacher I hate the most, his skin was pure white, eyes crazed and no one really knew why his ears were missing, but…no one dared to ask.

And for good reason…

"Why's that guy's ears missing?" Renji whispered towards me, and apparently the insane teacher heard him, tossing a piece of chalk at the poor new-guy's head. Rubbing the site, the redhead pouted. "Ouch…"

That was the reason no one asked. In fear of getting hit with a piece of chalk and serious detention, for just one, simple, question.

Renji's POV

Okay, ow, ow, OW! My forehead still hurts from this morning. Maybe there's a bump? I reach up to poke at it with my right hand's index finger and instantly regret it, flinching from pain. Yep…there's a bump.

"Renji," Ichigo spoke beside me, causing me to look over with a questionable gaze, "you all right?"

"Yeah…" I grinned, readjusting the bag on my shoulder, "that was nothing." I looked ahead with a sigh, tilting my head to the side and a cracking sound erupting from it, and I barely noticed my classmate's flinch. "Anyway, I hope to see you sometime tomorrow, maybe…I dunno," I shrugged, "get to know each other a little more?"

This time, when I looked at the spiky haired teen, I saw his eyes become distant, as if wanting to keep something in mind and not losing it for the rest of his lifetime. To tell the truth, it looked kind of nice on him, and yet…so strange.

"Y'know what, forget that I said that," I nervously chuckled, rubbing the back of my head with my left hand, "I have a tendency to push things a little too far, sorry."

He simply shook his head, "Its fine."

Just hearing that calmed my fear that had risen each time I wanted to get to know someone, besides…Ichigo seemed too kind for words, making me question in the back of my mind why he was walking amongst the living and not among the Gods.

Ouch. Pain is returning to the bump thanks to that crazy teacher this morning. That wasn't very nice with chucking that chalk at me…but neither was my question.

My eyes steadied on my locker partner, taking in notes about how his eyes flickered every now and again, how his skin shimmered in the soft light that would illuminate the room, how his thin orange brows furrowed to the chatter around us, and how it seemed like he was singing in a low tone to himself.

The way the peach lips moved…looked like they weren't even moving at all, his eyes halfway shut, all focus thrown to the wind as the expression of being zoned out reemerged on his flawless face.

…wait…

Am I really thinking these things about a guy? And someone I just met for a day?! Whoa…maybe it's some effect he had on people. I know, ninety-five percent sure, I'm not into the same gender.

I continued to stare even when he turned his head towards me, bright bangs flowing in the small breeze, crossing his arms and tilting his head to the side with a soft, warm, smile.

"Renji," Ichigo spoke, his tone kind and yet also demanding, "how did you like your first day here?"

A rush of relief washed over me, a grin spreading across my lips while we exited out the doors of the school. Having already grabbed what we needed from the locker, Kurosaki's fans gushing over every detail and gesture.

"I…really liked it."

"That's good," Ichigo spoke with his voice sounding close to a pleased purr, the voice feeling like silk…hold up! I'm not into guys! My head mentally shook rapidly while on the outside I realized his eyes had flickered once again, a honey-brown color.

I couldn't look away for some reason, they drew me in…endless abyss.

Ichigo blinked and looked away with a frown gracing his lips for what seemed the third time today, his hands reaching behind himself to pull the hood to his black jacket up over the spiky, orange, hair he possessed, pale hands glistened for a reason, retreating swiftly back into the sleeves as though he was afraid of something.

The sun? Or maybe it was reality…possibly…me?

My facial expression fell, looking forth and holding onto my bag feebly, barely holding on. A couple of escaped red strands brushed against my face and I lifted my right hand to get rid of the tickling sensation on my nose.

Brown eyes steadied on me, studying my form possibly. I didn't see them, but I could feel it, like I was having everything I am torn away and rebuilt from scratch.

A shudder bolted up my spine at that thought, my heart thudding against my chest in a panicking motion. I could feel my blood rushing through my veins, the tenseness of the one next to me.

It was too quiet, way too quiet for my tastes.

Swallowing, I turned to look at Ichigo, only to see that his eyes were half-lidded, staring at me like I was his prey and that I should be running from the predator.

"You all right, Ichigo?" Passed my lips as my left hand tightened the grasp on the bag.

"Never better," he replied before shaking his head violently and looking in the other direction.