actually, i tought of ending it on the last chapter but.. i didnt expect to get a lot any favs and alert before...and so the story continues :p...
But wow, thank you so much for the favs and alert, also thank you so very much to yamihime misa-chan and rose black heart for the kind reviews :D
And uh.. there's slight ichiXhime in here but it probably means nothing so... anyway, here i go with the next chapter... hope i wont disappoint you *sigh*
disclaimer: i did not own bleach because if i did, the manga will be horribly drawn.
Chapter 2, Of Old Friends and New Friends
Here is the thing, when someone come from half way around the world, there is one problem that plaques the said person, jet lag. And of course, this particular problem didn't leave the orange haired teenager behind. The alarm blared, showing 6:00 AM in bold neon green. Grudgingly, the teenager turned of the alarm while he was still tucking on the comfortable blanket.
For a second there, he was evaluating weather to get back to sleep and forget about going to school for the day, especially with his severe case of jet lag. After a long musing, the obligation conquered his inner turmoil. Slowly, he sat up and stretch his well built muscle. His tanned skin is shimmering from the light as he opened the curtain and the window. He took a deep breath as the breeze caressed his spiky hair, welcoming the fresh air of the morning.
For a second there, he blanked out as he was observing the unfamiliar room that he will call as his own from now on. A small counter was placed directly in front of him. That's probably... For the TV... He pondered. On his left, an empty rack was placed beside the door, and on it's side stood a cupboard. He froze. His eyes were drawn to it like no other furnish in his room. As he carefully gazed to the textures of the cupboard, a head splitting headache has suddenly erupted from no where. He clutched his orange hair as he felt the vertigo wash over him. He fell back, trying to get better by closing his eyes. Slowly but surely, his raged breath got calmer with every second. Freaking headache... Must be from the jet lag, he thought.
After his blaring headache has finally calmed down, he sat up and stretch. 'Time to go for a shower' he thought.
He relaxed as the hot water sprayed all over his body, it loosens his tense muscles and tendons. Ichiru had a well built body, after all, back on America, he used to fight gangsters and bullies because of his damned hair. Thanks to that, his body is rather well formed. speaking of bullies, he did have a partner-in-crime back on America, the only one that he thought as friends. They were buddies after ichiru saved him from bullies that are envious of his grade. ever since then, ichiru trains him so that he could took care of whoever had the to pick on him. He smiled. He wondered how he were doing, now. He haven't told him that he is going to move to Japan... He wonder what will his reaction be when he finally found out.
He closed the tap and took the towel beside him, it covers his waist until knee. It was then that this phone rang. he took his black sliding hand phone and check who his caller is. He smirked, what do you know, its him. With a motion, he press the call button and put the phone on his ear.
"yeah?"
"ichiru! Finally, you pick it up! I have been trying to reach you for ages!" the caller exclaimed with such a volume that it made static on his ear. The loud music on the background told him right away where the caller call from.
Ichiru sighed, it's just typical of him. "it just been out for a while, you don't have to be so dramatic about it"
The other person in the line chuckled "Anyway, where have you been, you missed school for two days and I can't find you on your house either, really, things got lonely without you"
"yeah... Well, you see- "
"you better get your ass here right now!, Kate has thrown one hell of a party and it's gonna get crazy"
"um... Hey-"
"you are going to REGRET it BIG TIME if you don't get here this instant!"
"LOOK! just SHUT UP and LISTEN to me for a sec!" ichiru exclaimed as he had grown tired of having his words interjected. the shouting seemed to work since the other person on the line didn't utter a word, except for the heavy music on the background. finally he thought as he contemplate how to break the news for him, in the end, he decided to be blunt and get this over with. "I'm not in the USA anymore, can't come"
"what? just because you didn't work there any more doesn't mean that you can't come, I'm sure Kate would glad to have you, that's why get your lazy but out here!" ichiru sighed, it seems he catches the wrong USA, back on America, he used to work for an agency called Unitary Services Agency, in short, USA. it's pretty much a 'can-do-everything-for-money' job, just like the name implied, the agency hired workers to do services for whatever work the client ask.
"Its not that! I am NOT In the UNITED. STATES. OF. AMERICA." ichiru said as he speak each words with a pause, just so that he could make the point clear. no sound came from the other line, probably he was trying to process the information ichiru gave him.
"what?" exclaimed the caller with a surprise edge on his tone. Ichiru sighed. Finally, he understand what he was trying to say.
"yeah, I'm on Japan now, after the whole fiasco the school decided to... Well, take disciplinary action... Let's just say that I kick my self out before the school kicks me out"
the caller fell silent, contemplating on what he just heard. He knew that incident was bad, but he didn't know it was this bad... "okay, but why Japan though?"
ichiru put his hand on the back of his neck, felling uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation had gone to "well, since yagari-San passed away, I had been living in the accommodation of his relative, when I told them that I wanted to get a transfer, they told me to settle here instead... Can't say no to that can I"
again, after the information, the caller fell silent. As if trying to find the best course of action would be. "so, which part of Japan are you staying now? Where did you stay?"
Ichiru was quite surprised with the sudden question that the caller asked, but responded, nevertheless... "it's in a small town called karakura, I live on a house they bought for me"
"so, you live alone?"
"pretty much..."
Then another silence. Ichiru wondered what he was thinking about. Usually, When he was contemplating about something, actually means that he is going to do something crazy. He hoped that won't be the case though. His friend might be a genius for all he knows but he sure does have a way to cause trouble.
"alright, I think I understand your situation" the caller said after the short silence. "well then, see ya soon" with that, he cut the line, leaving a beeping sound signaling that ichiru is no longer connected. For some reason though, ichiru had a bad foreboding felling about this, that guy has a plan, and what ever it is, hopefully, it won't reach him here on Japan. After all, the only means to reach him is through phone or if he come here to Japan, which is unlikely because even some one like 'him' wont do something as crazy as that... Hopefully...
He was late. Thanks to that call he got from a dear old friend, he was now running through the streets of karakura. His grey school uniform waving on the wind, as he push his stamina to the limit. He cursed, this is only his second day at his new school, and already he was sprinting in order to get there on time. He did better arrive before the bell rang or he would make a bad first impression.
As he got closer to the karakura high, he pick up more speed. Its just a bit longer before the bell rang and he is not about to let up yet. With a determination, He dashed to the gate. just a little bit more.. He thought.
It was then that he bumped over someone, literary. The force of the collision topples both of them. although ichiru remains standing, his aggressor fell down.
"ouch..." she said. As she rubbed he sore part of body due her fall and the collision.
Ichiru looked down, he knows her, she was one of his new friend. Her name is... Er... If i'm right.. Inoue... Hime something... I think... He sighed, Japanese names are so hard to remember... At least, he remembered her last name.
"hey are you alright?" he asked to the auburn girl. For some reason though, he felt that he has done something very similar once before... Maybe it's just his felling.
Upon seeing ichiru, inoue had a flash back. That day when ichigo arrived in the middle of the break and she bumped into him... he had said something similar... For a second there, she thought she was looking at ichigo with his determined persistent scowl set on place, but then, that's not what she sees, even when they had such resemblance... ichiru doesn't scowl as much, even though he got the same sharp eyes... and that brilliant blue eyes... That seemed so wrong to her, it was probably because she wasn't used to have someone who happens to be the fraternal twin of her crush, yet has a different eye color.
she squealed, she just realized that she has taken more time than she intended to look at ichiru. She blushed, and immediately she stood up stuttering.
"... I'm.. I'm fine, it was nothing! you don't have to worry yagari kun!" she said cheerily like she used to.
"that's good then... Inoue? Right?" he asked, hoping that her name is indeed inoue, it would be quite shameful if he was wrong.
"yes!, my name is inoue orihime-tees!" she said with a big smile "I'm 17 and I have a part Time job at a bakery! My current favorite food is banana chicken sandwich with strawberry jam and salad!"
Ichiru sweat dropped as she started rambling about herself, especially on her weird taste of food. 'what kind of food is that? More like, why did she start rambling'
His thought though, got cut short by the loud sound of the bell. 'oh shit' he cursed, he's late! And this won't be good...
Ichiru tore trough the hallway of the school with inoue by his side. Their foot steps echoed loudly on the hallway attracting more attention than ichiru would like. Nevertheless, the duo ignores the ridiculous look by some students and sharp glare from the teachers as the ran.
By the time they reached their class, , the homeroom teacher, has just started the roll. Ichiru opened the door rather loudly making every single attention on the room shifted to the late comers. Due all of the running they had done, sweat trickled on their skin. Both of them appeared out of breath.
"did... Did we make it?" ichiru asked as he gasped for air.
"well, I should say, that is a real close one" said as she gives the two an amused look. Never in her long history as a teacher has any of the student who comes late got as frantic as these two. She also found that ichiru, the transfer student is quite amusing. Even if he did look like her former student, 'kurosaki ichigo' he has different disposition than the former. Unlike kurosaki who was brash and pretty much scowling all the time, this one was rather polite and less intimidating. Even though it still is weird of having a student that has an incredible resemblance on her late student, since she attended his funeral herself...
Ichiru take a deep breath and relaxed his tensed muscles. Since he didn't come late this time, he hoped that his teachers won't gives him much trouble for the day.
"alright yagari-kun! We did it!" exclaimed inoue happily as she threw a smile to ichiru
"y.. Yeah.." he replied as he was taken aback by inoue's personality.
"so, what are you kids doing? Hurry and go to your seat so I can continue the roll" ms. Ochi said. Noticing that inoue is much cheerful than she usually is, probably, because of the transfer student. She just hope that he won't skip class just like kurosaki did.
the duo complied and take on their respectful seats.
The lesson has gone agonizingly slow. much to slow for ichiru, who was a bit disoriented thanks to his jet-lag. Also, the guy from yesterday, with the glasses whose name he has forgotten keep glaring at him like there's something on his face. He scoffed. What the hell is his problem! he complaint inwardly. He was hoping to have some peace and quiet at the break but sadly, things doesn't always goes as planned. For the life of him, he was actually been interrogated about his arrival with inoue orihime.
The girls were the first one who got to ichiru's table. There are four of them in total. Ichiru was looking at them with surprise, bewildered by their sudden arrival. He was about to ask if there is something that he could help them with, but he decided to keep his mouth shut as the girls started to talk among themselves.
"so, how are we going break it to him" asked the short haired girl whose easily the smallest one on the group.
"isn't that obvious, were going to torture him until he confessed, then kill him afterward as the punishment for tainting my hime!" said a crazy girl with a malicious voice. Ichiru sweat dropped, what in the world is wrong with this girl! He thought
Another girl come and interjected her by slapping the crazy girl with a novel in her hand. "there you go again, with your homosexuality" she said. Ichiru did a double sweat drop. Ho... Homosexual? He shivered. "well, anyway, if you guys can't do it, then let me break it to him" she continued. By now ichiru is starting to get uncomfortable, all this talk about break something to him, sounds like trouble...
The girl with the long black hair spoke again with her eyes looking straight at ichiru. "so, did orihime confessed to you or what?"
Ichiru was caught of guard. Well, anyone will if they were assaulted with a question such as this. His face started to give out a red hue "wha... What the hell!" he exclaimed in English. After all, he has no idea what to say on japanese for this kind of situation. Still, he just meet her yesterday, how come they thought inoue is going to... Well... Confess to him?
The girls look amused by ichiru's reaction, they did at least know what that expression means.
"so she did it or not?" ask one of the girl. Then, she made a grin. "she did, did she" she said. That is not a question, it's a statement.
Ichiru calmed down and started wrecking his brain for an argument. "no... It's not like that... We just meet... In front and... Went here together" he said. Apparently, he just learned that thinking hard for words under tension is not such a good thing. His words is even messier and jumbled up than usual.
"okay girls, that's enough" said another girl who come and join the conversation. its tatsuki, his savior from this ridiculous talk. "come on ichiru" and she dragged him away just like that. Usually he was annoyed at how tatsuki keep on dragging him everywhere, but not this time though, he was thankful for it. He didn't know if he could take such a conversation much longer.
Ichiru let tatsuki drag him all the way to the roof. It's their usual spot. As it was yesterday, the group was taking lunch on the roof. Keigo was trying to be funny as usual, mizuiro was texting while he ignores keigo's rambling as he always did, sado is sitting quietly eating his bread, and the glasses, ishida uryuu, he just learned, is glaring at him, he seriously bothering him to no end. He had to fight down the urge to go to him and asked loudly on 'what is his problem' or weather he is trying to 'pick a fight' with him. But of course, the best course of action is just to ignore and his temper. As annoying as it is, he's still a new student at this school. It's best to be a good student from now on, it would be much of a problem if something like the last fiasco happened all over again.
As for inoue, she was showing them her new recopied which ichiru was sure that would leave a really bad case of stomach ache. She even offered him some.
"nee, yagari kun, why don't you try some, I put all of my culinary experience into this food!" inoue said excitedly. Ichiru was on a dilemma. It was rude to refuse but, he cant risk on having a bad stomach-ache after. Tatsuki, who see this on the sideline felt sorry for ichiru, although she can't help but smile a bit. Its been so long since orihime is this happy, normally she would make a fake smile, hiding her sadness upon the death of kurosaki ichigo. Ichiru really did bring light back into her world.
'i guess, a bite won't hurt' he thought. with a sigh and a prayer to be alive after he ate the offending food, he put the spoon on his mouth. Ichiru nearly threw up thanks to the slimy texture of the food. It tasted like... Well... Somewhere along the lines of the taste of bean paste plus some sour from the strawberry jam and the bitter taste of... Like a medicine... Not to mention that the slimy features of the food going through his throat made him sick. His stomach give a soft growl, attempting to throw the unidentified food out from his system.
"so, does it taste good yagari kun?" asked inoue innocently, not noticing the sick face ichiru put up with.
With an effort, ichiru brings out his usual voice with no sign of the pain he was felling on his stomach. "uh... Yeah, it does" he said as he rubbed his poor belly, he have to go to the nurses office latter.
"I'm glad" she said happily "do you want more yagari-kun?"
Ichiru sweat dropped, there is no way he's going to survive another bite "uh... No, it's fine" he said. Although it seems that inoue keep on pestering him. The rest of the group silently gives their sympathy for ichiru. Thankfully though, the bell rang before inoue forced another bite to him. It was a relief for both ichiru and his friends. After all, it was this close from losing him again..
The class continued. For ichiru though, he had asked the teacher if he could go to the nurse office because he didn't feel well. The teacher gives him a suspicious eye for a sec, but in the end, he let him go.
ichiru sighed as he rested on the infirmary. Its his second day here and already he got a food poisoning. What a life... He thought, at least, the school time is almost over...
As he tried to cheer himself up with the prospect of hot bath and peace&quiet on his home, he didn't realize that a he got a surprise visitor. The guest walked silently to the room. His quiet footsteps tell no one about his presence. That is, until he speak up.
"'yo" the guest called.
ichiru, who was laying on the bed, turn his head on a lazy manner, trying to find the guest that just come to greet him. He gasped. His eyes widened as he analyze the man standing before him. Blonde short messy hair, blue eyes... No that can't be... He thought to himself, besides, he was using the karakura school uniform, so that can't be him. But then, who is it if it's not him...
"its been a while hasn't it ichiru" the visitor said in English. He smirked "you think you can get away from me that easily?"
ichiru just cant believe what he heard just right now, its definitely him, unless he is just some kind of illusion, which is very unlikely, he's still sane, at least that what he told himself. The conclusion? It's definitely him, not some illusion, and in Japan no less. 'The hell! Why is he here!' he thought. It seems his dear friend had went to another level of craziness.
"Ray! Why are you here!" ichiru exclaimed as he got into seated position, lighting speed. the surprise really not helping his currently bleak condition.
"what? Didn't you see this uniform? I got transferred here" ray replied as if it was normal. despite ichiru's tone of surprise, Ray doesn't seemed to be bothered by it, in fact, he was enjoying this every second. What could he say, he loves messing someone up just as much as getting into trouble.
"The fuck? Don't give me that, I know that you still on America this morning!"
Ray smirked. "well, let's just say that, I took one of the night plane"
"what?"
"anyway, dandelion, bear with it, were going to be together for one more year"
Ichiru could only sit on his bed thinking that every geniuses did have a kind of insanity in them. What kind of sane people would chase a friend halfway around the world? it's true that his father owned a big company so that money is not an issue any longer, but it still is idiotically ridiculous for him to be transferred here just because he was here. This is stupid. Plain stupid.
The bell rang. The school's hallway is once again full of students going about. in the middle of the wave of students, the group, which consist of inoue, tatsuki, sado, keigo and mizuiro decided to pay their new friend a visit, while uryuu had a 'student council' matter to attend to. They were wondering if they could come to his house again today, after all, yesterday is still an unfinished business.
With a knock, and an excuse, the group enters the infirmary to find a blonde standing beside their friend. The said blonde was looking at them, analyzing them, from top to bottom, so did the group who were mesmerizing their eyes on the stranger.
Tatsuki shifted uncomfortably in his gaze "uh... You are?" she asked, it's the only thing that she could ask at the moment. After all, the backward silence and stare down has to end.
The stranger smiled as he confront the group. "my name is Ray lightstone, well, since I'll be here on Japan, just call me hikari Ray" he said in perfect Japanese. Ichiru staggered, wondering how his friend could do Japanese so smoothly, then again, this is Ray that he is talking about.. Even If he could speak 20 different language, he wont be surprised.
Tatsuki give back his smile. "I am arisawa tatsuki, and this is inoue orihime. The guys at be back are sado yasutora, kojima mizuiro and asano keigo"
"well, nice to meet you all" ray replied.
since i'm not and american nor a guy, i don't know if the oc's name is an american name but... oh well... =.=
now, since the national examination is getting near, i dont think i could make a fast update...
PS. my REALLY annoying brother is messing up my fanfics so, if there are any typing mistake here i'm so very sorry...
but anyway, review anyone?