Chapter 11: Telephone
Hi everyone; sorry for the lack of updates. Been going through some stuff... =,= And it took me FOREVER to have access to the internet! And the stupid "Keep FFnet free, so answer a survey!" thing has been in the way D: Sorry for the lack of responses to your reviews- I will once I get internet back. I am sitting outside my neighbor's house stealing their internet just for uploading, so yeah... LOL
Real quick, I know the food isn't exactlyyyy of their true culture, but I'll make of an effort to make it more. I kinda just do whatever for the food. And I was going to have *wink wink nudge nudge* fun, but then it seemed too... not-right-for-the-time-being, so just a push in this chapter, not much.
Okay, I better get out of here quick before they see me, haha :P As for SMD, we got in a fight and currently trying to kick my ass :( hopefully I have a chapter soon :( I appreciate you all!
*Anpan = a type of "pastry" in Japan... according to Google, haha
Disclaimer: I do not own any brand/copyrighted names used in this story. They will always be italicized. I do not own any songs mentioned, or any characters/concepts from Bleach.
Inoue sat quietly at the breakfast counter, watching the two shinigami at the stove; she stifled a laugh, hiding her grin with her hand, looking away at Ichigo's glare glancing over at her, moving back onto Rukia.
"But I want pancakes-!" Rukia swiftly smacked the back of her hand onto his stomach, hushing him as she lightly ran her finger along her iPhone's screen, reading off ingredients to herself; "I don't know how to make any of that yoshoko you seem so addicted to…."
"Liar!" His stomach growled, Ichigo's hands pulling at his freshly showered hair with a childish scowl; "You've had Yuzu all to yourself for five months- how the hell could you not have learned to cook like her!"
Rukia sighed, her eyes looking over at Inoue laughing softly at Ichigo's damn tantrum, violet eyes back on her phone, taking a screen shot of the list for the dinner dish she was craving- and will make.
"I can cook like her- Yuzu and I can dish out the same wa-shoko any day, any time, Strawberry."
She pocketed her iPhone, stirring the miso soup just minutes from being ready, looking over at him with a slight raise of her brow; "If you want pancakes, then shunpo your ass over to Karakura, harass poor Yuzu to make them for you and then manage to come back in time for your class."
His brows fell into a heavier glare, silently watching Rukia fill up bowls with rice, plates full of rolled omelets and other foods she'd already made in the early morning, his midget cook still in her pajamas.
Ichigo let out a low growl, rubbing his neck as he muttered; "…thanks for making breakfast…."
Rukia smirked, turning off the low heat to the stove.
"Was that so hard to say, Ichi?" She meet his amber gaze, Ichigo rolling his eyes at her, fighting back his growing smirk; it was then Inoue felt like she was just a stranger, glancing in on a private life from the other side of a window, the corners of her lips dropping, leaning back in her seat, Ichigo and Rukia already bickering about something else between themselves.
I shouldn't be here-.
"Inoue, do you want juice or tea?" Rukia's eyes weren't on her for long, ladling the soup into bowls. Inoue looked at Ichigo standing pointlessly beside the small raven-haired beauty, just leaning against the counter and tossing his phone around, his gaze on the cabinets across from him.
"Actually… I'll just have this for lunch later, Kuchiki-san. I'm set on those daifuku at the café before classes… I should head out, actually."
Inoue was surprised Ichigo bothered to look over at her, over Rukia's head just barely reaching his shoulder, his eyes wide with questioning; "You're going already?"
Inoue nodded, sliding off the chair as Rukia turned to her, frowning lightly with the bowls in hand-
"Inoue, I know I'm not one to always cook, but I swear it's not-."
"It's not that- I really will eat it later. I just want to take my time at the café today… I'll see you after classes, Kuchiki-san." Rukia watched Inoue gather up her jacket and bag, the busty female leaving the apartment without another look at them, a sigh leaving Rukia as she looked back at Ichigo, her frown in place; "I don't think Inoue's too happy having me around…."
Her brows furrowed more at his scoff, Ichigo grabbing their plates and moving around her, heading out of the kitchen- right past the counter and table, moving straight for the coffee table.
"You sound as if it matters; as if she's living here with me and you're some potential 'home-wrecker' trying to seduce me with food."
He sat down along the table's length against the couch, looking up at Rukia standing by the kitchen, bowls in hands. She stood with a frown and looking between the table and marble-top counter, turning her gaze onto him out in the living room with a confused brow quirked up at him; "You have a table and breakfast counter… and you still use the coffee table?"
Ichigo huffed, narrowing his gaze on her.
"Are you going to sit down and have breakfast with me, which you've made me choose over pancakes, or judge where I eat?"
Rukia bit her tongue, looking back between the table and counter, stomping her foot; "Really, though?"
To: Inoue Orihime, Sado Chad
Are you guys still at the café?
The morning rush had Ichigo bumping into a few shoulders, his bag caught a few times by others, his warm breath visible in the cold, chilled air with everyone else; he was waiting at the cross-walk when his phone vibrated, Ichigo laughing softly as he stood with the small crowd, nearly everyone else also checking their cellular phones.
From: Sado Chad
We're looking for apartments. We checked our e-mails at the café- most of our classes are canceled.
"…hontou?" He opened his menu and selected 'call' as the light changed and they were signaled to cross, Ichigo careful of walking into anyone as he maneuvered about with his Torch at his ear, Chad picking up on the other end; "Hey, Chad!"
He stepped up onto the curb, cursing at the bench nipping his hip, moving to stand aside from the rush along the sidewalk, just a few doors down from their usual café.
"So we skipping the other lectures then? Where are you guys, you should have waited for me-."
"Inoue-san figured you'd rather go back to the apartment."
"…ah." He really couldn't argue, watching people pass him, recognizing a few classmates and wondering if they knew they shouldn't even bother heading to campus; "Well, I guess I'll see you guys later. Let me know if you find anything."
"Hai, Ichigo. Tell Kuchiki-san 'good-morning.'"
They hung up, Ichigo pocketing his cell as he made over to the café, stepping into the warmth with most students heading out for classes, the line only a few people in length; his eyes scanning the menu for anything he could take back to the evil, demonic dwarf at his apartment, he stepped up with the line, feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket.
From: Kuchiki Rukia
Why didn't you tell me you had THE Chappy Network on this giant television!
"Aw, hell." He rubbed at his neck, breathing out a laugh, feeling the man in front of him move away, amber eyes looking up- his brunette admirer pushing a cup across the counter, 'Kurosaki-kun' written neatly on the lid, brown eyes reflecting her pretty smile; "Morning, Kurosaki-kun."
"…hey." He rested his Torch beside the cup on the counter, taking out his wallet, feeling her intent stare on him; sliding a bill over the counter, Ichigo met her gaze, tapping the lid of his drink.
"Make it two, with anpan, please."
Her smile faltered, looking around the shop; "I hope you're buying me your favorite drink?" Her smile immediately flashed back, Ichigo wishing he had his precious aviators to roll his eyes behind, forcing a smile instead.
"Not today. Mind hurrying it? I need to get going." He ignored her pout she'd given him a couple of times already in his attempts of easing off her flirtation, fingers drumming softly along the counter top, his drink and anpan soon brought over.
Taking the bill to give him his change, the barista glanced over at Ichigo, watching him gather up his drinks and small paper bag, the hum of his cell phone grabbing her attention, brown eyes on its screen with a groomed brow raised curiously.
New Message From:
Kuchiki Rukia
"Should I be jealous of this 'Rukia'?"
Ichigo grabbed the single bill of change she held out for him, amber eyes locked with hers, noting how they looked the same way Inoue's did every time she managed to keep from looking away from him.
"…it's Kuchiki-san." Her eyes grew wide before narrowing, confused; "Gomen nasai?"
He turned away slightly, grabbing his phone and raising it, the brunette barista's eyes on it before moving onto him.
"She's 'Kuchiki-san' to you. Thanks for the drinks." Ichigo walked away without another look or word, his attention on his Torch, careful of running into people. The barista felt a burn along her skin, ignoring the timid male walking up to the counter after Ichigo and wondering; is it the girl that he's always with during the week?
"Um… excuse me… miss? Hello?"
Inoue sighed as she crossed out another address on the list they had made, leaving the complex with Chad walking beside her, the pair silently standing on the sidewalk; reading off the next one to check out, Inoue looked up to Chad with a small smile, shrugging her shoulders.
"Maybe this one will work out!"
She was met with a nod, Chad following along behind her to the building just some two blocks away, Inoue randomly talking to him about foods and robots; coming up to the modest building, Inoue noted how it honestly appeared only as big as the complex's parking block where Ichigo lived, feeling her phone vibrate, taking it out to see it was- "Tatsuki-chan! How are you?"
"Hey, Hime; I'm doing well, just heading over to the dojo. Thought I'd give you a call."
"Arigato, Tatsuki-chan. Sado-kun and I were just about to check out a complex not too far from the university! Do you want to say hi?"
"Sure, Hime, tell Chad 'hi' for me." Inoue relayed their greetings, Chad letting her know he was going ahead to talk to the complex manager, leaving the busty female to herself; "So… how is it going with Kuchiki there, now?"
Grey eyes watched a jogging pair pass her, leaning against the lamp post by the lobby door.
"It's fine… we ordered pizza last night, and she made us breakfast in the morning…."
"Ha, playing house now? Well, I hope he has two couches for you two-."
Twirling a long, stray strand of her dark, orange hair, Inoue moved off the post, gaze on the pavement she slowly paced on; "… they're sharing his room, just as they always have…."
"… are you fuckin' ser-."
To: Kuchiki Rukia
What are you up to?
He smiled gently at the elderly couple that passed him in the lobby, back-tracking quickly to open the door for them on their way out, his Torch vibrating in his hand.
From: Kuchiki Rukia
Watching this amazing channel of yours. How's school?
Ichigo pressed '4' on the elevator's panel, texting with his free hand.
To: Kuchiki Rukia
Lazy shrimp. And it's good.
He was let out onto his floor, making his way down the hall with a faint feeling of her reiatsu, calm and relaxed from what he could tell; patiently working with the key to turn the lock, Ichigo slipped through the door and closed it, looking around for Rukia, catching sight of her bundled up in blankets on the couch, her violet gaze fixated on the television.
Reaching out his hand to the counter, amber eyes on his petite shinigami across the large room from him, Ichigo dropped his keys onto the marble top, smirking at the striking flare of her reiatsu, Rukia snapping her gaze up to him, glaring at the sight of her handsome idiot; "What the hell, Ichigo!"
He laughed as he abandoned his messenger, phone left at the counter, Ichigo walking over to her despite the threatening eyes looking at him from within her warm wrappings, Rukia muttering any creative cussing she could as she watched him place his drinks down, a small white bag in hand; "Aren't you supposed to be in class? I thought you were in class… you said you were in class!"
"I know, I know," he muttered, wiggling the bag in front of her; "But I figured I should bring you food before you starve-."
"-what are you talking about, I told you I'm going to make-."
"-you're not moving from this couch, are you?"
"Nope." Rukia turned her attention back onto the television, smiling at her beloved cartoon character, groaning at Ichigo's larger body falling onto hers, his legs hanging over the armrest, the nape of his neck against her modest breasts; "Damn it, Ichigo! You're heavy-!"
"Then push me off if you really want me off- fuck!"
He met the floor with his arm smashed between his chest and soft carpet, his leg still up on the couch, Rukia turning over in her blankets to look over the cushion's edge at him, smirking deviously; rolling onto his back, bumping into his coffee table, Ichigo glared up at her, scowling.
"You actually pushed me off."
"Honestly, Strawberry..." Rukia rested her head in her hand, leaning on her elbow, violet eyes looking down at him; "It was more like I shoved you off, with you being as heavy as Komamura's bankai."
Ichigo gaped at her, his brows slowly falling into a heavier glare. Rukia wasn't quick enough to avoid his sudden movement, Ichigo sitting up and grabbing her through the blankets, pulling her down onto him, Rukia kicking and cussing as she went; "Ichigo!"
He rolled them over in the tight space, pushing the blanket aside as much as he could, holding Rukia's dangerous, kicking legs still between his own, pinning her wrists down; looking over Rukia, her black tresses a mess, her grey camisole out of place and exposing the very top of her black bra, Ichigo shifted his legs around hers, both shinigami panting lightly.
"Yes, chibi?"
Rukia huffed, squirming beneath him, snapping; "Stop call me a fuckin' chibi-!"
Fast to lean in, Ichigo caught her violent mouth with his own, biting down on her lip caught between his, dropping his body down onto his side against her; her moan swallowed hungrily, his hold on Rukia's wrist was surrendered, brushing her hair away before running down to her jaw, grabbing a firm hold of it, pulling at it to open her mouth.
Tongues were quick to meet, Rukia moving up on her elbow to push up onto her hand, Ichigo letting her turn them over, Rukia's smaller body moving up onto his, legs now straddling his hips with hands roaming his chest, Ichigo's hands anywhere he could touch, breaths turning heavy.
He was caught off guard when Rukia broke away, tugging at his shirt, moving up on her knees long enough to pull it out from beneath her. Looking up at Rukia sitting back on his abs, fists clutching his shirt, Ichigo meet her gaze of violet hues, Rukia pulling at his shirt again; "Off."
New Message From:
(0)4-9786-5687
Ichigo didn't need her to tell him twice, easily sitting up as his arms moved up over his head and pulled his offending shirt off, tossing it aside as Rukia met his mouth again and pushed him back down, Ichigo's hands on her waist as her own explored his bare skin, lips moving smoothly against each other.
From: (0)4-97865687
It's Tatsuki, Ichigo. Pick up your phone.
He groaned at her sitting up again, moving further down his body to sit on his pelvis, pressuring a growing erection even more, Rukia's soft hands slowly- agonizingly slowly- moving up along his sides and down his chest, moving close together as they reached his navel, ghosting over his skin until they reached the hem of his jeans low on his hips.
From: (0)4-9786-5687
Pick up!
Rukia's violet eyes dared him to sit up, his mouth immediately on her neck as his arms circled her waist, holding her close, Rukia's hands buried into his hair, her crown thrown back to expose her neck to him.
"I-Ichigo."
From: (0)4-9786-5687
Ichigo!
Her back met his door the moment Ichigo slammed it shut, hands hooked under her thighs to pull her up onto his hips, pushing up against Rukia to free his hands of holding her up on the door, tangled in her raven tresses.
He fused their lips together roughly, locked with each other, with teeth nipping at one another, Rukia's legs tightening their hold around his slim, defined hips; the hard bulge obvious through the thin material of her shorts, Rukia's skin burned, just as his skin her nails raked across, a violent shiver rushing down her spine at the feel of his warm hand beneath her shirt, running over her tight stomach and just barely teasing the curve of her clothed breasts.
"Tatsuki-chan, please- it's not like they didn't share a room for four years…."
Inoue stepped through the glass doors, cringing at Tatsuki's angry voice over the line; "I don't care! It's rude and disrespectful to you! You're living there, too!"
Rukia practically tore off her thin camisole, throwing it over Ichigo's shoulder to land wherever it may, cheeks burning fiercely at the feel of his hands freely learning any and all of her exposed skin, dark, amber eyes taking in the most she'd brought herself to show him, leaning in to find her lips.
Inoue pouted at her keys dropping by her feet, leaning over to grab them off the rug within the elevator, rushing out before the doors could close on her.
"But Tatsuki-chan, I'm not a permanent guest to Kurosaki-kun; I wouldn't want him to feel forced to-."
"Don't tell me you wouldn't like him to anything, Hime. You left me and Karakura behind for him…."
Inoue stood in the middle of the hallway, her grip tight on her phone, fighting back a frown; "Don't give up, Hime."
"W-wait, Ichigo-!"
He slammed his hands up on the door above her, both Rukia and Ichigo panting desperately for breath, his arms shaking, struggling to keep their place on the door with Rukia's sweating, panting body up against his; "What… shit, Rukia, I didn't mean to push-."
Her hand covered his mouth, silencing him at the very moment a gentle close to the door out front was heard, metal of keys meeting his marble counter top, Inoue's reiatsu finally obvious to him.
Violet eyes met his, Rukia breathing out heavily with a close of her eyes, pushing gently against Ichigo as Inoue called out; "…Kurosaki-kun? Kuchiki-san?"
They sat silently in the living room, Inoue and Rukia on either couch, Ichigo sitting with his back against the longer of the two, eyes moving onto Rukia on the sofa beside him; they had The Food Network on, much to Rukia's dismay, and none had yet to say a word- Inoue's eyes on the back of Ichigo's head beside her knee as she sat cross-legged on the cushions, Rukia's violet eyes on the screen in front of them, feeling amber eyes on her.
Rukia sighed, turning her gaze onto Ichigo before moving over him onto Inoue, smiling a smile she was sure looked a bit tight.
"… so, Inoue… how did the apartments go?"
Ichigo scowled as Inoue began talking about her morning.
Four days later.
"Fuck!" Ichigo tossed his phone aside onto his carpeted floor, pulling on his charger fed beneath his bed to reach the power outlet behind his bed frame, his hands pulling and pulling, the base of his charger pulled out from underneath- it wasn't plugged in.
"You're kidding me!" He bolted up from the floor to his closet, tearing the door open and rushing inside, grabbing any jeans he could find, taking off any shirt and jacket from the hangers that he grasped; taking off his sweats and shirt, throwing them about, Ichigo stumbled around pulling on his jeans, skipping out on trying to find his belt, rushing out of his closet into his bathroom.
Fuckin' hell, I'm so late. We have a quiz and I'm late!
He brushed his teeth, feeling his stomach already beginning to growl with hunger, spitting out the strong paste into the sink and splashing water onto his face as he rinsed, blindly reaching for a towel to dry himself with; the faucet turned off with the towel thrown into its basin, Ichigo pulled on his shirt, barely bothering with the jacket before his messenger was quickly slung over his shoulder, the male bolting through his door out to the living room.
Violet eyes looked up from the coffee table as Ichigo sped by without even a look or word for her, watching him push things around on the counter, Rukia sitting up on her knees from the floor, her brow raised up questionably; "Ichigo? What's wrong, what are you-?"
"Why the fuck didn't you wake me up!" He didn't see her shrink back against the couch as she had been before, glaring lightly at him as he started looking in his bag, digging through various pockets; "Honestly Rukia, Inoue already left- didn't you think I should, too, her having all my damn classes!"
"She didn't say anything to me… thought you had your damn alarm for that…."
He found his keys from what she could tell, Ichigo simply moving to the door and shoving his feet into his shoes, tearing the door open; Rukia waited for him to look back at her and say anything… but he just left, the door slammed shut behind him, not even bothering to lock it.
Rukia dropped her gaze onto the book she had been reading, frowning; "…bye."
To: Inoue Orihime
Why didn't you wait for me or something? My alarm didn't go off.
From: Inoue Orihime
Sorry, Kurosaki-kun. I'll make sure to check on you from now on.
Ichigo frowned, walking as fast as he could, pocketing his phone; not exactly what I meant for….
Seven days later.
"Midget!"
Ichigo rammed his book into his bag, wrapping a scarf round his neck, beanie snug on his head before he made out to the living room, Rukia nowhere in sight; Inoue grabbing her own bag, Chad waiting at the door, Ichigo grabbed his Torch off the counter, sliding the screen up-
To: Kuchiki Rukia
Where are you?
"Kurosaki-kun, I got you your favorite…."
He looked up to Inoue holding out a cup from the café, a timid smile on her face; "You guys already went?"
"I-I thought since we want to study before our quiz, I should pick up our drinks earlier…." Ichigo looked away from her blushing cheeks, shrugging as he grabbed the cup, careful to grab it from the top; "Thanks…."
The three made their way out, Inoue fast to take care of locking the door, Chad and Ichigo slowly walking ahead, Ichigo's Torch vibrating longer than a text alert, picked up with a frown; "Midget, where the hell are you at this hour-?"
"I went to get you your coffee, Berry. I'm just some blocks away-."
The elevator doors closed as Chad pressed the button for the lobby, Ichigo turning into the corner, his forehead on the cool, metal wall; "Shit, Rukia, we're already leaving."
"Damn, sorry… hope you're not too much of a Hollow without it." He smiled at her laughter over the line, looking at the cup in hand; "Actually, Inoue went earlier to get Chad and I our drinks…."
"Oh."
The doors to the elevator opened with its soft ring, Ichigo turning to follow Chad and Inoue out to the lobby, making their short trip by foot to campus; "We might finish early today, so just save it, yeah?"
"Ew, re-heated coffee?"
Inoue glanced over her shoulder to Ichigo, the male rolling his eyes at no one in particular, smirking as he barked into the phoned; "Just save it, midget! I'll see you later…."
She turned away as he hung up, taking out her cell as it vibrated.
Eight days later.
"K-kurosaki-kun? Do you want me to edit your rough draft?"
"No."
Rukia sat silently on the couch as the three students sat around the coffee table as always, her gaze on Ichigo before moving off his stressed, tired form, looking over at Chad's mop of loose curls beside her knee instead.
She already figured this was always how they had studied, Ichigo sitting against the longest couch, Chad along the table's width sitting against the smaller one she sat cross-legged on, with Inoue across from Ichigo; it was early Friday night, and watching them study was nothing new for Rukia, nearing the end of the novel she had taken a liking to.
"Kurosaki-kun, have you found any quotes supporting the theme? I can't seem to find any good ones…."
"No."
Violet eyes strayed off her book's pages again, finding Ichigo reading over the same paragraph for the third time, his fingers tapping his pen on his thigh, his other hand scratching at his sweats' material.
"…Kuro-?"
Ichigo slammed his textbook shut, tossing his pen onto it; "Is anyone else hungry?"
Chad nodded as he closed his own textbook, Inoue softly agreeing. Gathering up his papers and piling them on his book, Ichigo stood up with a groan at his tired, tense muscles, picking up his things and carrying them to his bedroom, Chad and Inoue slowly putting away their own work, Inoue's grey eyes on Rukia.
"Are you hungry, as well, Kuchiki-san?"
Rukia folded the top corner of the page she made only a few lines into, closing the soft-covered novel and placing it on the couch's armrest, nodding as Ichigo made his way out from his bedroom, door left ajar behind him.
She looked up at Ichigo as he rounded the breakfast counter into the kitchen, lowering a leg from out beneath her, leaning forward as to stand; "Want me to help make dinner, or are we-?"
"I don't need you burning the kitchen down before midterms." She held still watching him leave her sight further into the kitchen, Inoue turning her wide eyes onto Rukia as she slowly sat back down, Chad turning his head to look up her, silent as she was.
Pans clanged around, the sink turned on with a drawer pulled open and slammed back shut, Rukia pulling her leg back up beneath her; Chad making to stand up, Rukia reached out and grasped what she could of his large bicep, shaking her head.
"…don't."
Fifteen days later.
Ichigo gently slid the door to his closet shut, dragging a hand through his hair as he walked over to his bed, shirt in hand.
With the heater on in the apartment, he by no means needed to wear the shirt, but with Inoue still around, her grey eyes always on him despite the blush it gave her, Ichigo always wore one, covering up from her.
He fuckin' hated it; "Rukia, you done in there! Need to brush my teeth…."
"No!"
He groaned as he pulled his shirt on, grabbing his used towel off his chair as he stood up to move up against the door frame of the bathroom, the towel over his head, covering any wandering, amber eyes, Rukia rinsing off in the shower; "You know, I don't make you cover your eyes when you're in here while I shower… this is unjust, you lousy noble."
He heard the water shut off, slouching further against the frame, the stall door creaking open.
"You only have one place to hide, and you can easily do that with a towel on the bar."
Ichigo could hear the towel ruffling over her body… which was surely wet… beads of hot water where he had yet to have permission to… damn it.
Rukia rubbed the soft material over her hair, smirking at Ichigo silently standing at the door, towel over his head, looking miserable as she stood just some steps away, naked- a sight she had yet to let him see.
She's a Kuchiki; he had to work for even a chance of that sight.
…though he isn't doing so bad; "I have certain assets you can see above it…."
"I didn't know you were tall enough to expose anything over it." His snicker was cut off harshly, Ichigo growling at the sharp pain in his shin, leaning down to rub at it; "So when are you going to actually sleep in the bed and not the walk-in? I was joking when I mentioned it…."
That's right- his midget was actually sleeping in the closet.
"Mhm…." Rukia leaned over to dry her long, smooth legs, mindlessly admitting- "I don't think we'd do much sleeping-."
"That's it!" She looked up with wide eyes to find Ichigo tear the towel from his head, chucking it back out to the room, lunging at her; "Ichigo-!"
She covered what she could of her naked form, barely covering her front before he grabbed her arms, whirling their bodies around, pushing her up against the tiled wall; Rukia gasping at the cold tile against her bare back, her breath left her again at the searing kiss Ichigo claimed her mouth with, immediately taking in her taste.
Trying to remember not to let go of the towel she clutched onto, holding it up by her breasts, Rukia struggled to breathe through her nose, pushing up on her toes to meet his fervor, his hands moving off her arms and reaching down to cup the curves of her thighs into her rear, pulling her up with her arm around his neck; her bare legs hooking around his hips, Rukia moaned at the hard bulge she'd felt some days ago press against her again, breaking away from his mouth to look down between them, making damn sure the towel covered her bare intimacy between her spread legs. Ichigo nudged her chin back up, fusing their lips together.
They only last seconds, Ichigo pushing off her lips to strip off his shirt, throwing it out into the bedroom, hissing at Rukia's open kisses along his neck, biting at his skin.
"You're pushing limits, shorty…."
Ichigo moved closer against her, an arm up on the wall, hand tightly clenched in a fist, his other hand at her bare thigh, Rukia's mouth at his neck moving up to his jaw, ghosting her lips along it; "I really don't think we even have any, Strawberry."
Her damp hair was brushed away, tongues massaging one another, lips moving in a fierce tune together.
He broke off into a trail down her neck, Rukia's hand moving up into his hair as she tighten her grasp on her towel, head thrown back against the wall at his hot mouth over her pulse, biting her lips; "Ichi…."
Ichigo gave her skin one last bite, his hand moving off her thigh onto the wall, sliding along it from his sweating palm, pushing up against her further to keep her in place; his forehead resting on her collar, panting as heavily as Rukia, watching her chest heave just under that damn towel she managed to cover herself with, Ichigo followed the soft material down her length, the towel barely covering her between her legs, the pressure between his own unbearable-
Rukia's hand pulled on his hair to raise his gaze, their lips on each other without thought, her hand faltering on her grasp around the towel, his arm moving behind her back, reaching to grip her hip.
Their kiss fading into gentle pecks, nipping lightly at each other, Ichigo pulled back to stare into violet, pushing her stray bang aside before his hand trailed her face, caressing her skin, amber eyes nearly a brown hue, deep with want; "Want to take a leap with me, Kuchiki?"
She breathed out a laugh, tossing her crown back with her eyes slipping closed, Ichigo's eyes catching the slight drop of the towel off her breasts, forcing his eyes shut with a shuddering breath….
Violet eyes opened, the lights reflected in her eyes.
"… yes-."
"Kurosaki-kun!"
They stood in a tense, motionless silence, Inoue calling out for Rukia, knocking on his bedroom door; he dropped his forehead against her collar with a growl, irritation gnawing at his very being, Rukia moving her head to rest against his, her hand tight around his orange mane.
"A-are you two alright-?"
"We're fine, Inoue!" Ichigo straightened up, carefully dropping his petite death god from his hold, her gaze down on the floor, Ichigo catching the faint tinge of color on her cheeks; "Rukia…."
He reached for her cheek, but Rukia jerked her head aside, holding tightly onto her towel, eyes still on her feet.
"Go out there with her, before she gets any ideas…."
Ichigo dropped his hand by his side, leaving the bathroom without a word; grabbing his shirt he had managed to throw as far as his headboard, he pulled it on, tugging at his pants' front.
Making for his bedroom door, he took one last look at the bathroom, light pouring out from it, turning the handle as he stepped out, Inoue standing abruptly from the couch.
"Kurosaki-kun…."
Rukia watched from the bathroom door, her towel wrapped around her small frame, violet eyes on the door Ichigo had left ajar; "I felt your reiatsu… I thought you two were in trouble, or-."
"We were just… arguing. Don't worry about it…."
Rukia turned off the light, moving to the closet to change; just arguing….
Seventeen days later.
Rukia muted the television, Chappy dancing around silently on screen, Ichigo's Macbook on the coffee table; brushing her hair back, her stray bang in place, Rukia grinned widely as Yuzu and Karin settled on her bed back home in front of the web-cam, the twin beauties smiling back at her, beaming.
"Rukia!" "Rukia-chan!"
"Hey, you two…." She sat on the floor in the empty apartment, Ichigo out with Chad and Inoue at a review session, out since noon, their Sunday well into the evening now; "How have you been? How was dinner?"
Karin shrugged, Yuzu scooting up closer to the Macbook they had resting on the bed, her brown eyes wide.
"We've been great! We both passed all our exams, but we have more before the holidays. For dinner we just had some take-out, didn't feel like cooking."
Karin tugged on Yuzu's hair, her twin whining as she rolled away, out of the screen; "How about you? Ichi-nii could have at least waited to take you away until he finished for the semester… dropping Community would have been just fine…."
Rukia gave her a gentle smile, playing with the drawstrings of her flannels, leaning back against the couch.
"I know, Karin, but you know how he is… at least this way I can explore the city, know where to take you guys when you visit-." She was startled as Yuzu jumped back into view- literally on Karin's back- with a smile, Rukia laughing as she watched her pin Karin down, talking over her sister's yelling and cussing, a faint 'Watch your pretty mouth! Don't be like your idiot brother!' in the background; "When are you visiting, Rukia? We miss you!"
"I miss you, too, Yuzu… both of us miss you both. And maybe I'll head down while he's in midterms… your brother can be a bit like Kenpachi when he's stressed."
Yuzu squealed as Karin rolled her off, huffing out of breath as Yuzu simply laid there, laughing beside her, Karin smirking into the camera; "I bet Inoue is what really makes him so crazy. Ichi-nii isn't one to let exams get to him, and he certainly doesn't mind having you around, Rukia."
Karin was surprised to see Rukia frown lightly and drop her gaze, Karin nudging Yuzu to quiet down, brown eyes immediately on the screen again with Karin's; "Rukia-chan, what's wrong?"
Violet eyes looked up at them, from miles away on a computer camera.
"It has been a little-."
The door slammed open, Ichigo quickly walking in without bothering with his shoes, Inoue coming in behind him; "K-kurosa-ki-kun, are you alright-?"
"Yes, damn it!" He disappeared into his room, slamming the door shut behind him surely for the hell of it, Rukia sighing from her place on the floor as Inoue carefully closed the front door, slipping off her shoes.
Looking back the screen, the twins silent, Rukia shrugged in defeat, mumbling a 'I'll call back later' to them. The chat was cut, Rukia slowly closing the Macbook's screen, looking up at Inoue by the counter standing deep in thought.
"Inoue… did something happen?"
Inoue simply shook her head, feeling her phone vibrate, looking over at Rukia as she stood, laptop in hand; "Well… actually… we were at the café before the review…."
"Chad, you want your tea?"
Chad gave his oldest friend a nod, leaving to find a table, Inoue staying behind with Ichigo as they headed for the short line, the crowd barely building up.
"Kurosaki-kun, want to share some daifuku?"
"Nah, I just want my drink…." He moved up in line, his brown hoodie hugging his torso, Ichigo's hands pushing up his sleeves to his elbow. Fingering his cell phone nestled deep in his jeans' pockets, Ichigo glanced around the café as Inoue babbled on about something he couldn't really care for, brown eyes catching his from the register, a groan leaving him; 'when will she just give up?'
"My, what a surprise to see you here on a Sunday, Kurosaki-kun." He moved up to the counter, Inoue moving up behind him, letting the customer behind her be taken care of by the other barista.
The brunette smiled prettily at Ichigo, drumming her hands on her register, pouting her lips; "Had I known I'd see your handsome face today, I would have already had your drink. Please give me a few seconds to make it-."
Inoue moved up onto the tips of her feet, blushing fiercely as she ghosted her hand on Ichigo's shoulder for support, looking over it to chirp at the brunette; "Ano, may I have mine as well?"
Ichigo would have preferred Kenpachi's wild craze for another fight than have to receive the look their brunette barista was giving Inoue, shifting his weight to distance himself from Inoue's close stance, keeping careful of moving too close to the counter, itself.
The brunette slowly gave a smile of some sorts, quietly moving over to their machines and preparation bar without a word, Ichigo exhaling a breath he didn't notice he had held, his temple throbbing at Inoue moving beside him, bouncing.
"So nice of her to take care of us both…." She looked over at him, her pink jacket exaggerating her blush even more, snapping her gaze away when she found his, biting her lip.
Rubbing his neck, Ichigo pulled out his wallet as the brunette came back, her eyes looking between the pair of orange hues for hair; "So… must be nice that your girlfriend has the same addiction as yours."
Ichigo rolled his eyes, handing over money; "She's not-."
"We just live together."
Nails dug into the register, Ichigo closing his eyes tightly, rubbing the bridge of his nose, Inoue smiling brightly as she took out her money.
'Fuckin' hell….'
Twenty-one days later.
Ichigo bolted upright from his desk with a sweat, amber eyes wide; "Disease!"
Panting, looking around for his demanding professor to come at him and scold him- be his answer right or wrong- Ichigo calmed at the sight of his bedroom about him instead of students and a large auditorium room, his textbook and papers on his desk where he had fallen asleep, ear-buds still blasting his music; fuckin' midterms….
He dragged his hands over his face with a groan, certain he could possibly be sporting text from his Biological Science book on his cheek, frowning at the ache in his back slowly catching up with him, cursing himself for falling asleep at his desk- again.
"Damn, I feel so dead." He tore his ear-buds out as he pushed his chair back, standing with groaning and aching and protesting muscles, his vision still blurred from sleep, eyes heavy and begging to rest again, sick of paragraphs upon paragraphs, countless images and diagrams….
Rubbing his eye with the palm of his hand, his thermal's sleeve over it, Ichigo hauled his damn, numb ass to his bedroom door, pulling it open with difficulty he could not fully register, squinting at the sudden light from the living room; "Damn it-."
"Thought you were dead, Berry…." He found Rukia laying on the smaller couch, book in hand.
"Sure feels like I was…."
Rukia laughed lightly at his tousled hair, flat where he had rested his head, wild and untamed all over the rest; stretching out her legs, her back arching off the cushions, Rukia yawned widely with her book covering her mouth, Ichigo standing in place with a weak glare as he watched her, his death god settling back down into the couch.
Beckoning him over, smirking as he immediately shuffled his socked feet along the carpet, Rukia pulled on his arm to bring him down into the couch with her, Ichigo dropping in carelessly, Rukia smacking his arm when he nearly crushed her beneath him; "Remember Komamura's bankai!"
He groaned, shifting in the couch with her, settling on his side with arms circled around her waist and his crown just beneath her chest, Rukia's long legs on either side of Ichigo, hooked and tucked about him however they could.
Rukia reached over to the coffee table to rest her book, arms circling around Ichigo's head, resting on his back, rubbing his tense muscles.
"… the incredible Kurosaki Ichigo, savior of both worlds… and you like to cuddle."
She smirked at his muffled cursing, Ichigo burying his face further against her, earning a squeal from her, looking up at Rukia from beneath her clothed chest; "And Kuchiki Rukia is ticklish… wonder what Byakuya would think of that…."
"Kuchiki taichou, you brainless monkey."
"Che, I'm the brainless heart-throb; Renji's the monkey, remember?"
A good while was spent just laying there, talking and bickering as usual, Ichigo falling in and out of sleeping with Rukia's fingers running through his mane. Their comfortable air grew tense as Rukia picked up on Inoue coming into the complex, her fingers becoming still in his hair; "Ichigo…."
"I don't care."
Sighing, tugging at his hair, Rukia nudged Ichigo with her legs, trying to roll him off towards to edge, reminding herself not to laugh at his stubborn hold around her; "Ichigo, come on. I can feel her on our floor already- get up."
"Fuckin' hell." He sat up as keys rang together just beyond the door, metal slipped into the lock; standing up before Inoue stepped through, Ichigo ignored the smile she had at the sight of him, moving into his bedroom, closing the door behind him.
Another sigh left Rukia, dragging a hand through her hair, Inoue walking over to the couch beside her, her smile gone; "Did you… did you get into another argument, Kuchiki-san?"
Rukia fought back a glower, turning her face away.
Twenty-three days later.
"Yeah, Chad, we'll meet you there- damn alarm didn't go off again, Inoue got me up some minutes ago."
Ichigo pulled his sweater down over his hips, reaching over his shoulder and straightening out the hood, Chad's deep voice on the line, his cell pressed onto his ear; "See you then, Ichigo."
"Yeah." He hung up, grabbing his bag off his desk, shoving his cell phone into his pocket. Ichigo hurried out his bedroom into the kitchen, Inoue waiting by the table, Ichigo rummaging around the kitchen for a bottle of water, amber eyes glaring at the time on the microwave; "… this sucks."
The front door opened then, Rukia stepping through with the café's seasonal cup in hand, looking at him with a small smile, the door shut behind her-
"Felt you guys were still here; I brought you your addiction, Berry."
He practically moaned at the fact she held his amazing, fuckin' delicious poison he wouldn't have been able to get himself that morning, nearly jumping the counter between them to reach her; his hands on hers around the warm cup; "My double-shot-?"
"-White Mocha with caramel, as always…." Her violet eyes gave him a stern look when he leaned in towards her, smirking at his scowl, Ichigo patting her head instead, giving her his own smirk at her irritated glare; "You have no idea how much I needed this- I have an exam in an hour and you just saved my ass, midget."
She grinned, pushing him away, letting him take the drink out of her hand.
"Well, get your ass going, then." Rukia met grey eyes by the table, mirroring Inoue smiling gently at her, the curvy female shifting her hold of her textbook; "You already made Inoue late."
Rukia leaned against the guest bathroom's door to slip off her heels, Ichigo patting himself down for everything he needed, nodding over at Inoue to head out, taking a large drink of his coffee- choking on it, trying to keep from spitting it out onto the floor.
"Kurosaki-kun!" Rukia looked up at him, confused; "Ichi-?"
"What the hell, Rukia!" Ichigo tore the lid off, staring at the liquid with disgust; whatever the hell it was, it had egg in it- what the hell.
Rukia only frowned at him, crossing her arms beneath her chest, glaring at him as Inoue backed away, looking nervously between the two; "Don't yell at me for it! I asked for your damn drink, so it's not my fault if that barista ruined it-!"
"You couldn't fuckin' check it!"
"No, I couldn't!" Rukia kicked her heels aside, coming up at Ichigo, her small frame standing tall, yelling up at him; "It's not my filthy job-!"
Both shinigami looked over at Inoue coughing awkwardly, Rukia's anger letting up, cringing at the guilt she suddenly felt for fighting in front of her- "Inoue…."
"I'm sorry I didn't go myself this morning. I woke up too late, but I'll make sure to be up in time next time. I-."
Rukia snapped the drink out from his hand and pushed past him into the kitchen, throwing it into the sink, whirling back onto him, her small fists clenched tightly before pointing over at Inoue- "Problem solved, Ichigo-!"
Ichigo needed Inoue out of his apartment- now.
"Chad, I'm telling you, take any damn offer you find in that block." He banged his head back against the wall, sitting on the floor by his desk, his Torch pressed against his ear; "But what about the distance to campus-?"
"I'll pay for the buses, Chad- just please make sure she takes up a place."
"I will."
The line was cut, Ichigo tossing his cell phone aside, rubbing his hands over his face with a groan before dropping his head against his knees, feeling as miserable as he probably looked, his black hood pulled up over his head.
They were in the middle of midterms, and the last thing he needed was another… argument, with Rukia, his short reaper still out on a walk, wherever she went, angry at him
He felt like an asshole again.
"Ichigo?" His head snapped up at Rukia's voice, grabbing onto his desk to stand up, walking over to his door as it opened, meeting Rukia beneath the frame; "Hey…."
He grabbed the drawstrings of her white hoodie to pull her close, bumping his jaw against her crown, Rukia's small hands clutching the black covering his torso; they stood quietly for some time, Ichigo leaning his arm up on the frame, Rukia dropping her forehead against his firm chest.
"Ichigo, we need to talk-."
"I'm getting her out of here, if you were going to tell me you're leaving…." Ichigo felt Rukia tense, pulling on his hoodie to bury her face against him, silent.
"If you still want to leave, I get it."
It was a few seconds before she shook her head, sighing against the warm material of his hoodie, Ichigo moving an arm around her shoulders.
"I just… I don't think she's doing anything on purpose, of course… want to go before I say something I don't mean…."
Rukia looked up at him as he laughed, frowning with confusion; "What the hell are you laughing about?"
He stole a chaste kiss from her, smirking as he pulled back and looked at her, meeting her irritated hues of violet from beneath his teasing bangs.
"Just take it out on me for the next few days until she heads out, yeah? I'm sure I can handle it… it's obviously not safe for someone so short to bottle up so much anger in such little space."
He laughed despite the harsh hook she managed to strike into his side, Rukia cussing the cuss out of him as she shoved him back into the room, kicking the door shut behind her; easing her fury by pulling her into him, mouths locked together, Ichigo paid no mind to the faint hum of his Torch by his bedside, resting on the carpet-
From: Inoue Orihime
Kurosaki-kun… we found an apartment.
Sorry if there are any mistakes. Kinda rushing here .
Much love, KurosakiLove