Author's note: Finally! It's done and up. I'm sorry it takes me so long to post, I've just got so much crap going on in my life that I don't always have time to write and post when I want to. But anyway, it's up now, so please enjoy!
Chapter 14: Real bad mood
The next day, I trained with Shinji. I thought him being my boyfriend and all, he would go easy on me. Oh, the joys of youth, to be that naïve. I can understand why he didn't, though. If I was going to be of any use at all during the war, he had to make sure I could take care of myself. He had enough to worry about without adding me to the list. Though, he'd probably do that anyway. I dodged as he aimed a strike at my head. He wouldn't really kill me, would he? Probably not, but he'd still put me through the ringer.
I pinned him to a boulder with my mind and ripped his katana away from him. I could see him glaring behind his mask. Uh-oh. I released him. He bent down and picked up his sword. He flash-stepped to me and raised his mask.
"Good job. You're learning to use your powers simultaneously," he said.
I raised my mask as well. "I have a good teacher."
He smirked. "Flattery will get you nowhere."
"That's funny. Last night flattery got me everywhere," I said.
He rolled his eyes. "Talking dirty isn't the same as flattery."
I stood on my toes and kissed his pulse. "It is if you do it right."
He tilted my chin up and caught my lips. I gripped his shirt. He broke the kiss and turned me around, giving me a swat on the rear.
"Go watch Hiyori and Ichigo. Maybe you'll learn something," he said with a smirk.
"Like what? How to properly concuss someone with a shoe? I've already learned that by watching her beat your ass."
"Ha ha. Go watch," he said.
I sighed and walked off, plopping down beside Hachi. I watched Hiyori kick Ichigo in the face, sending him flying through a boulder. I giggled and looked at Hachi.
"Is Hiyori enjoying her play time?"
He smiled. "I think so. Though, I wouldn't let her here you say that."
"Good point. Hiyori's like a rabid animal that not even animal control wants to go near."
Hiyori's head whipped around, vein throbbing. "What was that?!!"
I hid behind Hachi. Safety. She'd never attack him. Everybody loved Hachi, he never fought with anyone. Hiyori would never go after him. A tall, thin shadow fell over me. Three guesses as to whom it was.
"So, what have you learned?" Shinji asked.
"That Hiyori's hearing is better than I thought."
"What did you do now?"
"I referred to her as a rabid dog."
"Well, the similarities aren't exactly hard to see. Both are a little rough around the edges and foam at the mouth."
Then a pair of feet appeared at the side of Shinji's head and sent him flying across the dirt. I cringed. I stood and went to help him up. I placed one foot on either side of his hips and crouched down. He laid there dazed with a bloody nose. I leaned down and gave him a kiss on each cheek. He groaned.
"Poor beat up Shinji." I grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a sitting position.
"Rei?" he slurred.
"Yes, darling?"
"Why do I say things that get me beaten?"
"Because you're petulant and don't know when to quit."
"Oh, right."
I stood and pulled him up. "But wait! I was just agreeing with what you said!"
"I was hiding behind Hachi. And besides, you're an easier target."
We made our way over to Kensei for food. After we were done, Shinji sat talking with Rose and I went to help Ichigo with the dishes.
"Ohayo, Kurosaki-kun."
"Ohayo, Rei-chan."
"Hey! Get your own nickname, copycat!" Shinji screamed.
"Shut the hell up, Hirako! I've known her longer than you have!"
"She's not your girlfriend!" Shinji answered back.
Ichigo grimaced. "He's coercing you, right?"
"No," I replied.
"You got her to date you willingly? Wow, congratulations on dating out of your league!"
Uh-oh. Shinji looked like he was about to bust Ichigo's head. Hiyori popped up beside me.
"Now who looks like a rabid dog?" she said. I ignored her and turned back to Ichigo.
"Kurosaki-kun, he's really not so bad once you get to know him," I said.
"Tch. Bastard shows up and tries to kill me, then recruit me into this group," Ichigo said.
"He wasn't trying to kill you, so much as test your skills. Right, sweetheart?" I said.
"Actually, I was trying to test him by killing him. So, you're both right!" Shinji said.
I sweat dropped. He wasn't helping his case.
"Okay, the point is that the vizards have had decades to perfect their techniques. They've mastered their hollows. You, on the other hand, are still kind of your hollow's bitch. Stick around and stop being such a pain in the ass. Freakin' learn from them! They haven't gotten to where they are by collecting bottle caps."
"Tch. Whatever," Ichigo said and stomped off to train with Hiyori some more. Oh well, maybe he'd figure it out for himself. On second thought, it was Ichigo and considering how dense he was it wasn't likely. I stretched and yawned. I was tired, so I decided to go upstairs and take a shower, then go to bed.
"Hey, Shinji! I'm gonna turn in early," I said.
He looked mildly concerned. "You feelin' okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just tired."
He nodded. He flashed over and kissed me on the forehead. "Alright. Sweet dreams."
I smiled and hugged him. "Okay. I love you."
He gave me a gentle smile. "I love you, too."
I went upstairs and took a quick shower. As I was turning down the covers of the bed, I happened to look out the window. My blood froze. There was Gin staring at me, eyes wide open. He winked at me and blew me a kiss before disappearing. I climbed into the bed and curled up into a ball, squeezing my eyes shut. So much for sweet dreams. Nightmares abound.