Ultrabross's Vision
CHP 12: Friend?
Through the entire hour Ichigo had a hard time focusing. His mind was all over the place from the hollows to Ling Ling or someone else finding out about his mission. With all that he still completed every assignment handed out with relative proficiency. As the bell sounded through the intercom he stood gathering all his belongings being one of the first students out. Parts of the academy grew on him and certain the longer he stayed more of it would follow. Whether it was good or bad he was unsure. The only thing he knew needed to happen fast was the completion of his mission. That way he could return to his home town school and be around his family and friends. He felt a tug at his jacket from behind, "Are you ok? You seemed extra tense all class." Kurumu implied.
She sat in front of him all class but from time to time looked back witnessing the uneasiness in his eyes. Not just that but she could feel it as well, "I'm perfectly fine," He glanced back, "You're looking too much into it." Ichigo grinned continuing on.
From there they departed heading to their own separate class. On his way down the hall he stopped beside a door left partially open. Familiar laughs came from within but he was unable to put a face with it. He'd barely been around long enough to familiarize himself with each individual he came across. Before making another move he looked overhead setting his eyes on the sign that read "Photo Studio". Students still walked the halls in different directions, heading to lunch or their next period. Seeing that the door was left unlocked he let himself in. Numerous clicking sounds and flashes went off as he turned the corner.
His eyes widened at the sight of Ruby Toujo positioned over a couch with another female student on the edge of the couch striking a similar pose. Each wore matching red dresses pulled up so their black fishnet stockings were visible, "Perfect ladies now hold that pose for a little while longer!" Gin snapped various shots from different.
The entire time none of them noticed Ichigo leaning against a wall off to the side. By instruction of Gin the other female student hopped off the edge walking around and taking a seat next to Ruby. She then got on her knees over the sofa leaning forward and resting her head in Ruby's lap. Each of them looked directly at the camera Gin held in his hands, "You two are magnificent!" Gin complimented snapping another couple rounds of shots.
"Ok…" Ichigo slowly turned away having no idea what the whole scene was about and didn't care to find out.
"Where you going Ichigo?" Gin asked without looking his way, "Dontcha wanna get in on some of these shots?"
Gin only pretended not to not to notice Ichigo the moment he entered the room. His keen sense of smell, awareness and overall werewolf nature let him know of Ichigo the instant he opened the door, "Ruby San and Taiya would really appreciate it," Gin stood from his bent position looking over at Ichigo, "You ever been part of a photo shoot?"
"No and I don't want to be." Hurriedly turning the corner Ichigo exited the small studio.
"Your loss!" Gin shouted even though he was certain Ichigo couldn't hear him.
Down the hall Ichigo entered cooking class surprised to see Moka! She sat beside Tsukune in the spot where he'd been the day previous. Behind her was Fang Fang with Yukari across from him in the second row, "I had no idea you were in here," Moka looked up at the sound of his voice, "Did you transfer over to this class?"
"She's always been a part of this class," Tsukune spoke before she had the chance to, "The only reason Moka San wasn't here day one was because of the incident yesterday that put her in the infirmary."
"Kurosaki Kun, take a seat so that we can get started," The instructor called out. Making a quick decision Ichigo sat behind Fang Fang, wondering if the specific individual had the opportunity to speak with his sister recently. Or more accurately after Ichigo's encounter with her in the bathroom. How close the two seemed, he felt positive Fang Fang knew all about the run in. The instructor paced in front of each row handing out sheets of paper with guidelines.
"First thing today you will all be responsible for baking a cake. Unlike yesterday you will all be working individually. As for the dimensions your finish product must be within the ball park of fourteen inches by eleven. You will not only be graded on the quality of your cake, but how professional you can make it look using the frosting provided."
"How lame." Ichigo uttered causing three girls along with Yukari and Moka to laugh.
Mr. Baywer scratched at the side of his head grimacing at Ichigo, "I missed the joke. You mind sharing with the class what's so amusing?"
Almost everyone looked over at him. Back in high school in the human world he never usually brought attention to himself, especially not in classroom environment. It must have had something to do with bad luck, because it was the complete opposite for him in Yokai, "There's no joke at all," Ichigo felt annoyed having to be repetitive due to digging himself in the same type hole, "I'll keep quiet." He placed both hands over the desk.
"Good boy, that's what I like to hear," The instructor smiled going over the remaining small details.
Afterward everyone followed him to the kitchen, "This is so more of Yuzu's thing." Ichigo thought of the older of his two sisters. Thinking about it brought a smile to his face stepping into the kitchen alongside everyone else. Each student found an open work station waiting for further instructions.
"You will have almost all class to complete this, but the last twenty minutes will be devoted to looking over each individual cake for scoring. Manage your time well and do a good job…you may now begin. If you have any questions feel free to ask." Mr. Baywer took a seat in a far corner of the room allowing him a decent view of everything that went on.
Ichigo gulped dumping the cake mix into the large glass bowl, cracking open three eggs placing them over the top. On either side of him were Moka and Fang Fang. All around him it seemed as though everyone else worked a lot faster, but felt that was all in his imagination. Off to his left Moka saw the lack of poise in his face. She placed one hand over the mid section of his arm, "I wouldn't worry too much. The less you think about it, I'm certain yours will turn out to be one of the best."
Ichigo felt his confidence ascend, "Or turn out to be the worst." Fang Fang snickered.
"Says the guy with the swamp tasting soup." Ichigo remarked.
It was now Yukari that laughed from across the room, still able to hear their conversation, "Please guys don't argue." Moka implored.
Fang Fang was just about ready to say something else, and as hard as it was kept it in. Moka sighed in relief but hated there were two work stations between she and Tsukune. Once they entered the kitchen she took her eyes off him for one second and every station around him was already taken.
From there on Ichigo kept to himself blocking out everything happening around him. Thinking about how others were doing would only slow him down. Coming up with an idea to make his different from everyone else he pulled a thing of peanut butter from the cabinet above. Using a knife from the bottom cabinet he merged it with the three eggs and cake mix pouring in a half glass of water, "The peanut butter Kurosaki special." He thought with half a grin.
Remembering he had a small pack of unopened M and M candy in the front pocket of his bag Ichigo decided to throw it in as well. With all ingredients complete he stirred everything together. Not even ten minutes later dumped it all into a pan placing it into the oven. He crossed his arms leaning against the cabinets. As far as he was concerned the tricky part was still yet to come. Giving the cake a professional look using the frosting would be no easy task. During the thirty minute wait he took notes, putting together a couple ideas which direction he could go.
Ichigo reached in using an oven glove to pull it out setting it over the countertop. Outline and idea already in place he wasted no time going to work. He used chocolate icing covering the entire upper surface. With the white icing in his other hand he covered the outer edges, and used the green icing to write out "Ichigo's special" across the middle. The finish product brought a smile to his face, feeling it came out better than he planned.
Just as he turned around Yukari made her way toward him with a tray in hand, "Are you guys ready to see my masterpiece?" She asked looking to both Fang Fang and Ichigo.
"Go ahead let's see it." Ichigo replied.
Yukari immediately removed the silver pan cover, "What the HELL!" Ichigo emphasized jumping back with wide eyes. Fang Fang had a similar expression, neither of them believing the sight before them. It was truly a work of art but that wasn't what had them on the edge. Ichigo scratched at his head getting the vibe Fang Fang wasn't going to say a thing so did so himself, "It's great and all but," Ichigo bit back holding in a laugh, "Why does that look so much like Tsukune?" He pointed to a specific section in the lower right corner.
"That's because it is silly."
Ichigo was unable to control himself powerless to stop himself from laughing, but wasn't alone with Fang Fang quickly joining him. Yukari glared and in the next instant two gold tubs fell from above hitting Ichigo and Fang Fang over their heads.
"What was that for," Ichigo rubbed at his now watery eye, "I already told you I liked it so why'd you go and do that?!"
From out of nowhere Moka bumped Yukari off to the side holding her cake out in front of Ichigo and Fang Fang, "Mine is better right?!" Moka asked having a lot of energy.
Like Yukari's both could tell she attempted at placing Tsukune over hers using icing, "Is that supposed to be Tsukune," Ichigo pointed to the middle, "If so you failed at it."
Moka groaned lowering her head in dismay whilst Yukari chuckled in victory. Playfully punching Ichigo over the shoulder Fang Fang shook his head, "You shouldn't have said it like that, now her feelings are hurt."
Yukari turned away from the group looking out to a certain individual, "I wonder what Tsukune will think of my cake?" She smiled taking off without even the slightest bit of hesitation.
"No I want him to see mine first!" Moka took off after her.
Ichigo again laughed running a hand through his hair, "Those girls are hopeless."
Within the next fifteen everyone finished and from that point on each were scored and allowed to take the cake with them at the conclusion of class. Ichigo placed his cake in his regular hall locker within a plastic container. On his way down the hall he felt Kon moving around more excessively than usual. Doing his best to ignore the mod soul he entered the gym locker room. He stripped down out of his regular clothing getting into a pair of black shorts extending six inches down past his knees and white tea shirt.
As with all the other guys he entered the gymnasium taking a seat in his assigned spot. Near the front entrance entered Moka wearing a gray tea shirt and dark green shorts. Her hair was tied up in a bun with the use of a sky blue bow tie, "Oh that's right," Ichigo had almost forgotten she was part of the class. Because of the injuries she sustained during lunch period the previous day, Moka never dressed or participated the first day of class.
"Hi Ichigo." She waved running toward him.
He did the same as she took a seat in front of him. Neither got to say much to the other as the class quickly went underway. They started things off with stretches as they had done the first. As Moka reached down stretching out her back and legs Ichigo found himself staring at her butt! What made things worse was her shorts, "They're so tight on her…what an ass grabber! Wait what the hell am I thinking, this isn't me at all! I'm not a perv!" He contemplated getting angry at himself.
Dirty thoughts slowly crept into his mind which he tried to block out with different ones. Sweat ran down the side of his head, "What is wrong with me, I barely even know her. I shouldn't be thinking about her li…"
"Is everything ok, you look way tense?" She looked up at him from in between her legs.
"Wow she's so flexible! Ichigo get a hold of yourself!" He fought with his inner demons taking a deep breath, "I'm good," He answered in two words. She then looked away from him standing up straight and twirling her waist around in a circular motion. Ichigo's eyes broadened as he felt himself becoming excited fighting back a certain urge within his lower extremity! Those shorts on her butt should be illegal!
He quickly looked away before things got any worse doing some stretches of his own. Following the ten minutes of stretching the class continued with the gym teacher leading them outside where they were given the task to run a mile. Due to it being the first, their finishing times wouldn't go into the grade book. At the sound of the whistle everyone took off. Moka positioned herself next to Ichigo following him stride for stride, "If you aren't doing anything after school maybe we can hang out. I mean with Tsukune and everyone else included."
Ichigo continued running with his eyes partially on her and in front of him, "I'd like to, but I've got soccer practice."
"Oh that's ok," She replied right away while at the same time very cheerful, "I'll sit in the bleachers and watch. Hopefully everyone else will be there too."
"That's very nice of you Moka, but you don't have to…"
"It would be my pleasure," She cut him off, "Besides that's what friends are for."
Ichigo was unable to hide a smile at her mention of him being a friend. It brought warmth, comfort and most importantly acceptance, "Thank you Moka."
She simply winked as they prolonged at a steady pace finding themselves somewhere in the middle section of the runners.
To Be Continued