Chapter 12: Telephone
Important: This is not KurosakiLove! I am "Chicken-butt" as she lovingly calls me, posting for her. She's been busy and has no internet, so I stole her laptop and will post her last chapter for now. Here are notes and announcements she texted me to post, after cussing me out for stealing her laptop.
Strawberry Meets Death: I have decided to finish strong. I want to take my time, re-write new chapters over and over until I like it, but not drive you all insane, wondering "When the hell is she going to update?" So I want to write the chapters and finish my "baby" before posting. When that will happen, I do not know, but it will. To everyone who has supported it and watched it grow- thank you.
Telephone: I start school 01/22/2011. My schedule and demand for focus will be far heavier than the last semester, so I don't know how frequently I will update. However, just as it started, I will continue to use it for stress-relief. The later chapters will be longer, but even then, I may push my chapter limit to twenty. I have been asked kindly to really make it mature a couple of times, so I want to span it out more, rather than shove everything together.
As for reviews, I do not have steady internet access. I've been reading reviews on a tiny screen of my friend's phone (I actually do not own either an iPhone or Torch, as a matter a fact- just a flip phone) so I can't respond, but I do read and love each one! I can't thank you enough for all your support. I truly appreciate you all.
After Telephone: As another "light" multi-chapter to keep my sanity, I actually had an "essay" PMed to me on why I should author either a story of the sinful-yet-so-good teacher/student relationship, or of (mindless) sex. So, after Telephone, I will have "Ride It," a one-shot collection of quickies, nearly-caughts, caughts, and the good ol' longer than 5 minutes. HA.
To my SMD supporters asking me if I still have no actual experience- I still don't. LOL :)
Stay safe, study hard, work hard, sleep a lot, eat, laugh- I'll see you guys soon!
Enjoy!
And yes, I know I'm a tease :D (heart)
[She is. -Chicken-butt]
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.
Rukia was fast asleep on the small couch she had taken a liking to, her current manga resting on her stomach, the corner of its pages grazing the smooth, firm skin exposed just above her jeans' hem; trying to keep his gaze concentrated on his notes scattered over the coffee table, and not the petite death god on the couch beside him, Ichigo sighed for the umpteenth time, dragging a hand over his face, biting back a groan.
He had a midterm tomorrow, and to be honest with himself, he rather go to bed, and just… not… wake… up.
Ichigo's head met the table rather heedlessly; fuckin' midterms.
"Kurosaki-kun-?" Inoue's timid voice managed to startle Ichigo enough into banging his knee on the table's edge, cursing at the sharp pain as he rubbed at it through his sweats, rolling his eyes at the strong temptation to yell out "Damn it, Rukia!"
Should he worry that pains like this immediately registered as Rukia's doing?
"Hey, Inoue." Ruffling his hair, Ichigo looked over at the curvy female making her way over to him, her burnt-orange hair cascading over her shoulders and large bust, a track sweater over a white tank and jeans; sitting down on the couch, her thigh just some inches from him as he sat on the floor against it, Inoue rubbed her hands together, looking over at him.
"… studying going well, Kurosaki-kun?"
Flipping a page, amber eyes glancing over at Rukia, Ichigo shrugged a bit, craning his head back to look up at Inoue, her grey eyes shying away from his gaze.
"Did the apartments go well?"
Her gaze snapped over to his, immediately struggling to stay on it; "I… I sent a message earlier."
Ichigo frowned as he started patting down his sweats, looking around him for his phone, coming to a still when he remembered ignoring its hum by the bed earlier, Rukia's mouth one hell of a distraction.
This is exactly why he never got into this romance shit earlier.
"Sorry…." Ichigo's cheeks burned lightly, rubbing at his neck with a sly glance at Rukia, the sleeping she-demon turning over on the couch, her shirt hitching up to expose that sinful curve of her lower back; "I probably tossed my phone somewhere in my room."
She nodded, playing with her hands in her lap; "Sado-kun told me I should take up the offer we found today… that he texted you about it and you said you'd pay for the bus."
"Ah, yeah; couldn't let you pass it up just 'cause it was farther away…."
Ichigo leaned over to grab his stack of notes, absentmindedly thumbing through them, feeling Inoue fidget around beside him, her soft voice so low he almost didn't hear her-
"Do you want me out of here that badly, Kurosaki-kun?"
He's definitely an asshole, now.
"Inoue…." He tossed his papers back on the table, looking over at her; "I didn't mean for you to see it like that-."
They looked over at Rukia jerking in her sleep, a familiar hum coming from the couch she slept on; moving up to his feet, glad for any excuse to steer clear of the conversation they'd been leading to, Ichigo took it upon himself to answer her phone still vibrating about, catching sight of it nestled between her jeans and pelvis, grabbing her hips to gently turn them enough to grab it and carefully slip it out.
Inoue stared with wide eyes as he simply smiled at the screen, tapping his thumb on it; "Hey, munchkin."
"Ichi-nii!" Ichigo's smile grew at Karin's voice, carefully cocking his head to hold the iPhone between his ear and shoulder, leaning down to tug Rukia's shirt down, hands lingering on her as he forgot about the grey eyes watching him, Karin scolding her brother over the line; "The hell do you think you're doing, answering Rukia's phone, hm?"
"Like she'd really care if I answer, especially when my sister is calling…."
He straightened out, grabbing his phone to relieve his strained neck; "What do you want anyways?"
"Hey, don't be rude, just 'cause Inoue drives you insane, Ichi-nii."
Inoue. Ichigo abruptly turned back around, Inoue stuttering a breath as she quickly looked away, standing up and hurrying over to the kitchen, moving out of sight. Looking back down at Rukia, Karin cautiously calling out for her silent brother, Ichigo dragged a hand through his hair, looking over his shoulder to the kitchen.
"Y-yeah, sorry, Karin- how's it over there?"
"It's fine… we're missing you and Rukia, Ichi-nii…." Amber eyes looked back onto Rukia again, a soft smile at his lips; "Miss you, too, Karin… we miss you, too."
From: Tatsuki-chan
Hey Hime!
Inoue set down the knife covered in mayonnaise as she slid the screen up to her phone, quickly replying to Tatsuki, her ears set on Ichigo's low, alluring voice coming from the living room, still talking on the phone.
To: Tatsuki-chan
Hi, Tatsuki-chan. How are you? Did you just come home?
She finished spreading the mayonnaise over her slice of bread, topping off her fish and red bean paste sandwich with its final detail, capping the small plastic jar.
From: Tatsuki-chan
I'm good. Got back some two hours ago, watching a cheesy soap translated from English. Those Americans have horrible soaps.
From: Tatsuki-chan
What are you up to? How's it going over there, with Ichigo?
Inoue looked around the kitchen's cut-off, Ichigo sitting on the couch's armrest, Rukia's small feet up on it beside his thigh.
To: Tatsuki-chan
I found an apartment today… I can move in, in a few days.
"No, Karin… she's sleeping… just call tomorrow, then. I'll leave her my Mac so that you can chat."
Inoue moved back to the counter on which her plate sat on, her phone vibrating.
From: Tatsuki-chan
I can't believe it. You wouldn't be moving out if Ichigo hadn't dragged Kuchiki in-.
Half way through the text, and Inoue couldn't help the tired sigh, turning her gaze out towards Ichigo's voice around the counter, in the living room.
"Hey, midget…."
Ichigo woke with a start, his alarm's shrill ringing blasting from his night stand, vibrating as it went, loud against the dark wood.
Groaning, pushing aside the sheets he had buried himself under, Ichigo reached out and took hold of it, turning off the alarm. A few sighs and murmuring passed, Ichigo rolling over onto his back, laying still in bed as his hand dropped, amber eyes up on the ceiling.
He could hear the shower turn off, his bare abdomen tightening at the creak of the stall door, closing his eyes; Rukia wrung her hair dry as much as she could, wrapping the large towel around her damp, bare body, looking out beyond the open door Ichigo never bothered to close.
She took a step closer to the frame, clutching the towel much too large for her petite frame; "Are you awake, Ichigo?"
Rukia stood still as sheets were carefully pushed aside beyond the door, Ichigo's soft footsteps on the carpet coming to her, Rukia looking up into amber as he came to the doorway, leaning onto the frame; they stood silently, Rukia there in her towel, Ichigo in his favorite sweats, low on his slim, defined hips.
"… morning, shrimp."
He smirked as her eyes fell into an immediate glare, catching the tension in her muscles along her arm to move into a strike, his voice full of a husk warning; "If you move that hand from that towel, trust it not to stay on, Kuchiki."
Rukia's chest rose as sharply as her violet hues struck Ichigo's eyes with an intensity, Ichigo biting back a growl as she actually managed to resist her violent tendency to lovingly punch his guts out, pushing off the frame to grip the sides, his gaze locked with Rukia's- eyes narrowed suspiciously as she took a cautious step towards him; "Kicking me will only gain you the same."
She cocked her head up at him with strands of damp, black tresses falling about teasingly, eyes bright with mischief….
"But I thought I'd lose my towel, Ichi?" Rukia bit her lips, fighting back a smile as he glared, muscles along his arms tense as he gripped the frame- really gripped it.
"Don't give me that look, Ichigo; now, stop playing around and get going. You have an exam you need to get ready for…."
Rukia made to duck under his arm, caught instead around the waist, Ichigo moving behind her to envelope her small frame in his arms, hugging her tightly as he leaned in to nuzzle her neck, Rukia resting her cheek against his hair; "Ichigo, you're going to be late to that study group before class."
Ichigo pulled away from her neck, resting his jaw against her head, Rukia glancing over to the mirror, looking at their reflection; she could see him staring out the door before slowly closing his eyes, feeling his bare chest against her back take a deep breath, biting his lip.
"…want to… check out a… a small place they've been drooling about, people in my classes?"
Rukia turned her head to try and look at him, but he kept his chin on top her head, violet eyes on the mirror instead, finding him glaring out the door now; "What's this small place that has you trying to burn a hole into your wall out there?"
His glare let up, clearing his throat awkwardly as he held onto her even more tightly, muttering into her hair, Rukia having to scold him into talking clearly.
"It's a…." Ichigo cleared his throat again, Rukia's elegant brow slowly and curiously rising at the growing blush along his cheeks, certain there wasn't a play of the light in their reflection; "It's a small res-staurant… or something."
Rukia's eyes grew wide, quickly falling back into a playful gaze into the mirror, Ichigo finally catching her eyes in it; "Kurosaki Ichigo… are you-?"
Ichigo shrugged beneath her; "We can order some take-out… or we can go out to eat, somewhere nice… or something…."
Ichigo frowned at her smirk, her elegant brows wiggling unbelievably similar to Karin's, her violet hues playful.
"Are you trying to lead me into a date with you, Ichi?"
"No!" He frowned tightly at Rukia as she began laughing, glaring at her; "I don't do that crap! We're eating take-out, midget. Was just being considerate…."
"-trying to lead me into a date with you?"
He glared lightly, remembering the last time she asked those exact words, sighing as he looked away from her violet eyes in the mirror, back to the innocent lamp he had been glaring at before, resting on top a small bookcase beside his bed.
"…yeah."
From: Kuchiki Rukia
Good luck on your exam, Berry.
They were walking down the large, high-ceiling hallway, Ichigo replying a quick 'Thanks, I'll talk to you after' before turning off his Torch as Inoue and Chad also turned off their cell phones, joining their classmates filing into the lecture auditorium, dropping their devices into labeled bags after muttering their names to their professor by the door.
Any backpacks abandoned by the front, students taking their usual places as they quietly talked whilst the room filled, Ichigo and Chad headed up to their row with Inoue right behind them, moving into their seats, Inoue leaning over to look past Chad's broad chest at Ichigo; "Ready for the exam, Kurosaki-kun?"
"Yeah, s'why I skipped the study group… and you two?"
Chad simply nodded, Inoue practically cheering out a 'Hai, Kurosaki-kun!'
Ichigo smiled lightly, settling back into his seat as his gaze wandered, ignoring any appreciative glances trying to catch his eye; "We have two lectures after this, right?"
Chad nodded, the three Karakura alumni falling silent with the rest of the class, their professor starting to hand out exams.
With Inoue wishing them luck in a hushed whisper, Ichigo looked over to the single, large clock hanging above the chalkboards up front, anxiously waiting for the end of class already.
Ichigo frowned at the lamp as Rukia cackled, looking over to the mirror to see her covering her mouth in a lame attempt to hide her laughter, her entire being trembling against him from her fit, a vein along his temple throbbing with his blush growing deeper.
Tearing his arms from her, Ichigo quickly backed away from her, cussing at his back roughly meeting the towel bar on the stall's door, glaring at Rukia turning around to look him, her laughter quieting down with her hands clutching her towel; crossing his arms, Ichigo's glare dropped into a heavier one.
"The hell are you laughing about?"
She shook her head, a hand surrendering its hold on the towel to fan herself as she took deep breaths, Ichigo eyeing the extreme, but slight drop in her towel over her chest, watching it rise and drop with every breath she took; "I-Ichigo, don't get all defensive, I didn't-t mean to la-ugh-!"
Rukia slapped her hand over her mouth, trying to control her laughter again, Ichigo's reiatsu flaring as violently as his blush.
"Forget it, then! Forget I made an idiot of myself, shit I avoided for four, fuckin' years back in high school!"
He finished off his first short answer, Chad and the blonde on either side of him silent as Ichigo was, along with the other hundred-forty-seven students in the room, their professor and student assistants quietly watching them, moving up the walkways to get a good look at everyone.
He rushed past her, ignoring her as she yelled after him, Ichigo grabbing a shirt off his bed and pulling it on making for the door, his hand on the handle and turning it- opening the door just to have it slammed back shut.
His amber eyes glared at the small hand on his door's wooden grain, following her arm up to her bare shoulders and collar bone, snapping his eyes up to hers, any amusement long gone from her features; "What?"
"Ichigo, I'm sorry… just never expected it."
Ichigo kept his glare stubbornly, silent. Sighing lightly, Rukia stepped closer to her humiliated male, her hand still on the door.
"Ichigo-."
"I've gone… through so much shit with you, Rukia." She held still as he finally spoke, caught by his intense eyes, almost afraid of what he could say- Rukia still held guilt at times, of putting him 'through so much shit' at just the tender age of fifteen.
Nineteen years old now, and he just ended a war that held the fates of two worlds.
So much shit.
"I've been abused by Urahara for four years, lost sleep for four years, almost dropped my grades and had rumors of me being a sex addict from how many times we ran off together at all hours of the day, every day-."
Rukia fought back a grimace, knowing this was just the beginning.
"-gained a fuckin' Hollow, invaded Soul Society to save your ass-!"
"I get it!" Rukia pushed off the door, clutching her towel tightly as she looked up at him, a painful stinging just beneath her eyes- like hell she'll let him see her cry; "I know all that, and… I'm sor-."
"Don't say it!"
Just one more page….
Ichigo steadily made his way through the exam, only two questions marked for another try just to make sure he was satisfied with his answer, nothing but multiple choice questions left.
He was almost done and feeling damn good so far.
"Damn it, Rukia, don't you dare fuckin' apologize!"
He glared into wide, violet eyes, Rukia standing there, silent and confused. His hand leaving the door handle he had held a death grip on, Ichigo took the only step between them, looking down into her; his eyes softer than just some seconds ago, Rukia's eyes slipped closed as he reached up to cradle her jaw, pulling her closer- "Look at me."
He went over his exam, glancing at the clock again, playing with his hoodie's drawstrings.
With half an hour left of class, all questions answered, Ichigo quickly scanned his exam once more, scrawling his family name on each page.
"I've been through battles and wars with, or for you, Kuchiki…." Their gazes held strong, Rukia's silent breaths far and slow from each other, hardly remembering to hold up her towel, unable to break away from him even if she wanted to.
"… who else can I trust to make a fool of myself with, with all this 'normal' human shit that scares the hell out of me more than Aizen ever did?"
Rukia let out a shaken breath, her mouth slowly parting to say something- say anything- but he didn't want to hear something or anything; he just wanted her, quickly meeting her mouth with his own.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, sensei-sama." Ichigo waited patiently for his professor to look through the bags sorted into 'K,'exchanging his exam for his Torch; his professor's daily student instructor- looking much like Matsumoto, in his opinion- handed Ichigo his messenger, winking prettily with a small 'hope you did well.'
Thanking her, Ichigo left with a final nod to his professor, ignoring the pout from the female he had definitely thought only Matsumoto could pull. Heading towards their next lecture without Chad and Inoue, Ichigo stuffed a hand into his jeans, his beloved cell phone in hand, starting up after nearly two hours of a rare period being turned off.
Opening his recent calls, he gently tapped his thumb over a highlighted 'Kuchiki Rukia,' turning a corner as it dialed, quickly picked up; "Hey- how did it go?"
"I think I did pretty damn well, to be honest. What are you doing?"
Ichigo pushed through large double doors, walking down the short set of stairs.
"I'm at a small café; matter of fact, the one where I got that screwed up drink of yours yesterday. If she messes up again, then I'll find another one or something. I like this one, though, so hopefully it was a one-time thing…."
He came up to the wide, long steps of his next building, slowly taking them now that he was near; "Ah. Reading your manga there?"
"One of your textbooks that you left, actually. You don't mind do you?"
A smirk pulled at Ichigo's lips, standing aside from the doors' traffic, leaning against a bulletin board.
"Would it matter if I did mind, midget?"
"Like hell it would." Rukia grinned as she easily imagined the roll of his amber eyes he had over the phone, gently running her fingers along the hefty book's spine, Biological Science resting comfortably in her lap; "Is Biology a course everyone has to take at your university?"
"Depends on what you want to do. We can talk about that later tonight…."
Tonight; leaning back in her chair, few tables around her taken up mainly by other young people lugging around books similar to Ichigo's, Rukia's teeth toyed with her lip, glaring at a male eyeing her suggestively a few tables down; "What time do you want to go to that 'small place' of yours?"
Rukia's breath was caught in a gasp, forgetting about the towel she held onto as her hands shot out to grip his shirt, the soft material slipping down her body, caught by his hands before it could fall beyond her hips.
Breathing heavily, fighting not to roam his hands over her bare body or tear away from her to take in the sight of her naked beauty, Ichigo clumsily covered her best he could, wrapping his arms around her to hold her tight, his hand running down onto her hip to gently push her over to his bed.
"Let's head out at six; I want to show you a place you can take the girls to, if they visit us."
Rukia smiled as she brushed back her bangs, her stray strand back in place as always; "Alright, Berry. You have class in few minutes, right?"
"Yeah, I do. I see Chad and Inoue heading over… text me when you get to the apartment."
They fell into his bed, Rukia moaning at the lush comforter cradling her body, Ichigo falling onto her, her legs immediately hooking around his hips and leg, hands pulling his shirt up, Ichigo reaching over his shoulder to grab it and tear it off for her.
Rukia pulled at his orange mane, bringing his lips onto hers roughly, writhing and squirming beneath him to feel as much as she could of his half-naked body, her arm slipping around his ribs and hooking up to bury her nails into his strong shoulder's back, feeling his growing erection against her.
He could tell whatever success he had at blindly covering her up was now wasted, feeling less and less of the towel the more they moved against each other, mouths desperate for one another, Ichigo feeling more and more of her warm, smooth skin against his exposed torso; "Ru-kia-."
He groaned at the feel of her body arching off the bed into him, Rukia's small, but full mounds pressed up against his bare chest, shuddering as she moved up, her aroused, pert nipples grazing his flesh.
Their panting filled the room, laced with their groans and moaning, Ichigo catching Rukia's lips with his own; reaching underneath her, fisting his hand around the towel and pulling it out from her, he tossed it aside, his death god completely bare beneath him. Pulling away from Rukia, quickly leaning back in for a small peck on her swollen lips, Ichigo rested his jaw against hers, slowly moving down into her neck, his hot mouth on her pulse.
"Why-?" Rukia's voice caught as Ichigo moved up to suckle the skin just behind her ear, his clothed arousal pushing up against her naked core, her legs tightening their hold around him; "W-why haven't you looked at me- ah-!"
She couldn't breathe, Ichigo grinding his arousal against her, feeling Rukia's hot, wet intimacy through his sweats slipping lower along his pelvis, their skin slick with sweat; his mouth moving along her ear, Ichigo's breath heavy and warm, Rukia moved her hand from his wild, tousled hair to his nape, pulling him close, her breathing shallow and shaken as his lips moved against her ear.
"Do you really want me to miss my exam today?"
Rukia pushed up on an arm to meet him in a searing kiss, Ichigo tangling his hand in her damp tresses, delving deeper into her mouth to massage her tongue.
A few moments passed before he pulled away again, reaching over Rukia's head for his shirt barely hanging from the edge, handing it to her before he rolled off her to the side, the heels of his palms rammed up over his eyes as she pulled on his shirt.
Tugging the tee to hide herself, violet eyes on Ichigo's laid out body beside her, trying to calm himself, Rukia leaned over to him, gently catching his lips; "Sorry I distracted you…."
Her male scoffed, dropping his hands out to the sides, looking up at Rukia from beneath his orange fringe.
"If I don't know my shit by now, some last minute study group won't help."
Rukia clicked her tongue, brushing back his hair away from his eyes.
"If you say so…."
Ichigo sat up from his bed, a gentle grip of her nape holding Rukia still as he claimed her mouth again, pulling away with a tug of her lip between his teeth, moving off the bed to stand, immediately moving around the footboard.
A brow raised curiously at him, Rukia moved over to the bed's end as he beckoned her over, smirking as he took yet another kiss from her, his hands over hers gripping the board; "Is it going to be another ten minutes before you finally get to the shower, Berry?"
His mouth ghosted over hers, Ichigo shrugging innocently.
"Was actually going to suggest you head out of the room while I shower- you might hear some things that can make you blush."
"Make me blush, Ichi?"
He should have seen it coming, the challenging gleam in her violet hues as he pulled away, Rukia sitting back on her legs as she watched him move to the bathroom, gripping the hem of his shirt; "Ichigo!"
Rukia truly only intended to raise the shirt just barely beneath her breasts, but she moved so quickly, poor Ichigo didn't realize her bluff once he turned back to her, choking with a fierce burn of his cheeks as he jerked back, crashing his spine just along the frame, tripping on his feet and falling over into a stuttering, angry mess beneath the doorway; "Rukia-!"
The damn, beautiful bitch was cackling again.
"Kurosaki-kun! How did you do on the exam!" Inoue and Chad hurried up the steps, Ichigo joining them in their rush to get to the lecture before their testy professor, a smug smirk on their shinigami's lips; "I think I did pretty well, actually…."
He bit his lip as they headed down the hall, Chad and Inoue talking about any questions they remembered in particular.
Maybe I should have a bout of our painful 'foreplay' before all my exams….
Ichigo didn't see much of a problem in that.
Rukia's feet mindlessly drew patterns along the tile floor beneath her seat, chin in her hand with her elbow along the table's edge, violet eyes running over every line on the page with leisure, snacking on anpan.
That textbook of Ichigo's was brilliant.
She grabbed her iPhone resting beside her water bottle, sliding her lock aside, tapping her thumb over her Notes application.
The skin is our largest organ.|
Setting her phone aside, eyes keeping to the page, Rukia continued reading, coming across Post-Its every few paragraphs, notes written in Ichigo's familiar scrawl.
Reaching for her anpan, Rukia jumped at a hand closing around hers, looking up to see a young male of brown hair smiling down at her, her brow quirking up at him; "…yes?"
She recognized the shirt he wore over black dress pants, a lap apron tied around his waist, the burgundy shirt the café uniform, as the other two workers wore the exact shirt.
"I was wondering if I can get anything else for you, miss. I can bring right to you, so you don't have your studies disturbed."
Rukia's gaze fell into a dead stare, pulling her hand from his light grip, sitting up as she hooked a leg over a knee, hands clasped together in her lap, head straight; she may be in torn jeans and sandals, her faded, grey hoodie a size too large for her, hair clipped up lazily- but she was still a Kuchiki.
"You mean aside from the disturbance you've already given me?" She held no mercy for the blushing male, his confident, charming smile gone, stuttering nervously; "O-oh. I'm… I'm really sorry, miss. I… I just wanted to ask y-you for some, some tea after my shift-."
"You can apologize by following up on your offer. A White Mocha with extra caramel, and sweetened tea. Make both of them a grande."
The young male nodded vigorously, bowing deeply as he muttered his apology again, bumping his forehead on the table in his haste. Rushing away with promise of her order to be made immediately, he left Rukia in peace at her small table, a few young men close in age to the brunette employee whistling as they sat impressed, Rukia fighting back a roll of her eyes.
Men. Hearing her phone vibrate against the table top, Rukia relaxed her posture, leaning over to grab it.
Want me to pick up anything from the store? Chad and I don't feel like heading to our next lecture.
Rukia looked up as the young male skidded back to her table, drinks in hand; setting them down with a napkin tucked under each cup, he bowed again, minding the table's edge.
"Anything else I can do to apologize?"
Rukia gave a slight shake of her head, looking up at him with a stern look; "That's all, thank you. Keep to letting your customers come to you for any orders."
She turned her gaze back onto her phone, the brunette male taking that as his dismissal, quietly leaving her to herself.
What time? I'll pick you up.
Finishing off her anpan to stuff her trash into the small bag, Rukia set it aside as she stood up, slipping her phone under her hoodie and jeans, shoving her bottle and Ichigo's textbook into her school bag waiting for daily use again.
Pushing the seat in, Rukia took out her wallet, thumbing a few bills aside and placing them on the table, deeming the young male lucky to have her pay for his apology after all. She reached over for the warm drink of the two, another feminine hand grabbing its top as Rukia's hand closed around it, violet eyes moving to find brown ones beneath a glare; the hell is wrong with these baristas?
"If you came to try your chances with me as your co-worker did, I'm afraid you're not my type, either."
The pretty brunette before her scoffed, eyeing Rukia's shorter frame; "We have the right to refuse service, and quite frankly, we don't serve bums, drug addicts or whores- much less take orders from them. Take your pick of which you'd like us to call you."
Rukia ignored her phone vibrating its quiet hum, straightening out as she tossed her heavy bag onto the table, arms crossed beneath her modest chest hidden in the loose material of her hoodie, the café silent and attentive of the two beauties-
"Excuse me?"
Ichigo slowly followed behind Rukia as they walked between shelves of broth and spices, slouched over on the small cart he pushed along after her, arms crossed over the cart's handle, the elder shinigami ahead of him tossing in a jar of bonito; "Really, Ichigo- you're going to have to let me know where that café of yours is. I'd dance with a Hollow before going back to that crazy one…."
They turned from the aisle, walking along the refrigerators lining the farthest wall of the grocery store.
"Nee-san!" Rukia looked over at the male from before, running up to the tall, lean brunette before her, violet eyes taking in their stunning resemblance now that they stood together; "R-really, Rin, it's not what you think- it's my fault and she is paying for it-."
Rin snapped at him, smacking his head; "This has nothing to do with you, Ichirou! I could care less of your attempts to pick up women here and failing like the idiot you are!"
"Then what is your problem with me?" Rukia stepped up to the taller beauty, eyes cold as those of her Nii-sama; "If I remember correctly, it was you who ruined my last order here- I don't think you are in a position to be refusing me service, but one of kneeling might earn you better results."
Ichigo smirked deviously as they slowed, Rukia looking for her orange juice.
"She'd probably still be taller than you on her knees- fuck!" He nursed his collar, glaring down at the small jar of bonito back in the basket where it had fallen into, rather than shattering to the floor, Rukia turning her deathly stare from him onto the clear refrigerator doors; "Asshole."
"Bitch." Ichigo pushed off the cart when Rukia couldn't reach the last carton labeled 'Lots of Pulp,' coming around behind her, easily reaching into the back of the top shelf to grab it. Dropping it into her waiting hands, he moved back to the cart, Rukia walking off towards another aisle with her juice cradled in her arms; "Why is your textbook so much more elaborate than the one I had? I thought science was the same no matter where you study…."
"You bitch-!"
"How original." Rukia didn't break from the heated glare the brunette had on her as she grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulders; "Keep the money- you'll need it after losing so many customers with your immaturity."
Rin tore her eyes from Rukia, obviously seething with silent rage as she looked about them, mainly any elders they had in the shop shaking their heads and leaving, many in line deciding against their choice, following after.
She looked back at Rukia, glaring and sneering, unable to pinpoint why she felt such hate towards the petite stranger, wondering why she went to such extent to try and get her out.
Rukia felt her iPhone vibrate again, longer than a text alert, breaking Rin's angry gaze to pull out her phone from its place, hardly looking at the screen before sliding the lock aside, bringing it to her ear- "Ichigo…."
The barista was given one final glance before Rukia turned on her heel, making her way out of the café; the sibling baristas were left behind, Ichirou gathering up the abandoned drinks, looking over uneasily at his sister, Rin scoffing as she whipped off the towel from her shoulder to wipe the table down, even the seat.
"Che… 'Ichigo'… what kind of pathetic idiot is she leading along?"
She leaned over the table again, wiping the top furiously just to make sure.
"Technically… but Biology is my major, so our courses require more depth than the general course you were taking…."
They walked to the front of the store to the registers, Rukia moving beside him, pushing him aside lightly to slip in front of him and lean against the cart as he had been, resting her chin on the carton still in her arms, feeling Ichigo lean into her with his arms on the cart around her, his larger frame practically enveloping her.
"Have you talked to the girls, midget? Karin called yesterday…."
He rested his cheek against her soft tresses, the lady in front of them still loading her purchases.
"Talked to them earlier; your father, too, actually."
"What'd they say?" They moved up in a bit in line, Ichigo leaving Rukia to load the groceries onto the conveyor belt, her violet eyes on him; "…they're missing you and wish you luck on the rest of your exams."
Ichigo looked over at her as he placed the last of their items from the cart, the beeping from the scanner behind him ignored as he stared at Rukia, her violet eyes large and bright behind that bang of hers, hugging the carton of orange juice with 'Lots of Pulp' with her chin still on it.
He frowned as his stomach tightened, looking at her. What a sap he's become.
"…I miss them, too… but only the girls can know that. I'd dance with a Hollow before admitting that to my father."
Rukia smiled, glaring at him playfully; "You'd still reap that poor Hollow, seeing you of all people dancing!"
From: Tatsuki-chan
Okay so, are you outside of your complex?
To: Tatsuki-chan
Yes... are you going to tell me what to look for yet?
Inoue pulled her scarf closer around her neck, standing before the modest building, definitely no larger than the parking structure from Ichigo's.
Her white jacket tight around her, Inoue looked at her phone, immediately opening Tatsuki's new message once it came through.
From: Tatsuki-chan
The window above the awning is yours. Look up, Hime.
Pouting with confusion, Inoue looked up, eyes growing wide as she saw Tatsuki looking out her window, waving with a smile.
"T-Tatsuki-chan!"
Tatsuki barely managed to open the door before Inoue hurled herself through, crashing into her friend with arms wide, tightly embracing her as they stumbled about, the pair laughing together.
Pulling away moments later to look into brown eyes, Inoue grinned, a small bounce in place.
"Oh, Tatsuki-chan! How are you here! When did you get here, why, how'd you get in-!"
"Hime!" Brushing Inoue's bangs behind her ears, cupping her face between her hands, Tatsuki smiled at her, shrugging innocently; "Just felt like seeing you… and the manager let me in, since roommates have rights, too, don't we…?"
Inoue cocked her head with a pout, brows scrunched together before it hit her, seeing the bags by the living room's only window with Tatsuki smiling idiotically at her, grey eyes wide again- "You mean…?"
"Hai! I got transferred here, Hime! I'm staying with you-!" She was caught off guard as Inoue threw herself onto Tatsuki once more, hugging her tightly.
"Oh, Tatsuki-chan!"
The last of the paper bags were folded and stored away, Ichigo rummaging around the kitchen for a snack, Rukia at the breakfast counter, iPhone in hand.
Hey Inoue, are you on your way home? At school? Need a ride?
They had stepped into an empty apartment some minutes ago, Ichigo fighting with the door as he always managed to; worried, Rukia had called their curvy friend, but the call had gone to voicemail.
"Did you text Inoue, midget?"
He stood across from her in the kitchen, apple in hand, taking a large bite out of it. Nodding as she slipped her phone between her legs, her firm thighs holding it in place, Rukia leaned her arms onto the counter, fingers tangled in her hair holding her head up; "I'm hungry, Kurosaki."
Chewing his mouthful of the apple, he stared at her, shrugging indifferently.
"So?"
Violet eyes rolled themselves, feeling her phone vibrate, reaching for it as she straightened up; "So- feed me."
He took another bite, resting a hand on the counter to lean on, chewing shortly before covering his mouth with the back of his hand, amber eyes glaring lightly; "You may be a noble, but as you've called me many times before, I'm an inconsiderate dumbass who can't do shit…."
Swallowing what he had, he lowered his hand, turning his apple over.
"…so I guess you're a noble who will have to feed herself- and I know for a fact you can cook, midget."
He was simply met with a dead stare, Rukia slowly leaning forward on her elbows again, her violet eyes narrowing onto him, her thumb rubbing her iPhone's side. Their gazes were locked as that for some seconds, Ichigo's eye slowly beginning to twitch as he fought back further betrayal of her effect on him, staring at him like that, giving up with growl; "Fine!"
Rukia smirked victoriously, any sign of glaring long gone from her flawless skin, turning her attention onto her phone as Ichigo moved to the refrigerator, muttering curses beneath his breath.
Sorry, Kuchiki-san. Didn't feel your call. I'll be out late- don't worry about me, Kuchiki-san!
"Huh… Inoue won't be home until late."
Ichigo looked over at her from the stove, heating up the last of their broth from the other day, leftover soba noodles beside him; "We don't have anything major to cram for… wonder what she's doing. She's never out if it isn't with me and Chad."
Rukia shrugged, quickly replying, setting her phone aside as she pulled up her legs, sitting cross-legged up on the tall counter chair.
"Hurry up, Berry."
"Shut it, dwarf." He dropped the noodles into the broth close to boiling, reaching over to the cabinet holding the bowls, taking out a clean one, grabbing his abandoned apple for another bite. Drumming her fingers on her thighs, watching Ichigo stir the noodles, Rukia ran her gaze over him, admiring the toned muscles his hoodie and jeans fitted themselves around, his mane hiding the nape of his neck and his fringe teasing his cheeks.
Ha- who would have guessed the twerp I ran into would grow so handsome?
"Here." Rukia snapped at the bowl suddenly dropped in front of her, brought out of her thoughts as he left her side, Ichigo moving back to the stove to place the pot on the back burner until it cooled to wash. Thanking him quietly with her legs dropping back down, Rukia grabbed the pair of chopsticks he'd stuck into her bowl, taking in a small mouthful, nibbling on the long pieces as Ichigo moved about behind her, pulling the chair beside her.
Climbing up on the tall chair, Ichigo set his Macbook on the counter, Rukia silently eating, amused as she looked down between them, her small feet kicking the air as his were set on the lowest rung of the chair.
"The hell are you looking at down there?"
She looked up into highly curious eyes, blushing as she realized what she could have been interested in, jabbing his arm with her chopsticks; "Not at that, you perverted fool!"
Swatting her away, Ichigo shrugged, turning back to his Mac, the starry, black and purple background crisp and clear.
"I didn't say anything- you're the one who strayed to that…."
"Shut up!" Rukia took another mouthful, Ichigo laughing softly beside her, staring at his screen. Licking the corner of her lips as she swallowed, Rukia looked over to him, nudging him lightly with her elbow; "What are you doing, staring at your computer…?"
"How… how do you use that chat thing?"
Amber eyes looked at her, glaring as she smirked deviously, leaning her elbow over onto the back of his chair, clicking her chopsticks together by his ear-
"Gomen-nasai, Kurosaki-kun … but are you asking little Kuchiki-san how to use your computer, hm?"
Ichigo sighed as he closed his eyes, impressed with himself as he managed to keep off his smirk, opening his eyes as he leaned over close to Rukia, his hand on her thigh, lips breathing out gently on her ear; "… you called yourself 'little,' Kuchiki-san."
He didn't hold back his laughter as she bristled, shoving him back into his own space, punching and smacking his thigh as her chair teetered, Ichigo hooking his foot around her chair's rung, steadying it as she continued cussing him out, Rukia growling as he continued laughing.
"- you fruity bastard!"
"Karin-chan!" Yuzu waved over her sister at the school's front doors, her dark-haired half waving back, taking a short sprint past the crowds leaving campus, ignoring the cat-calls from their male school mates; "There you are, Yuzu! I was waiting for you by your locker…."
Hardly a pant left her as she joined her twin sister, her body trained well from her soccer, shifting her bag as Yuzu shrugged, pulling her jacket's hood over her long, sandy-brown hair.
"There were some of the seniors waiting by it when I came out. Had all I needed, so I just came out here. Want to get ice cream?"
Karin rolled her eyes, jerking her head to leave the gate, grasping Yuzu's hand in her own, their sleeves covering their hands from the chilled wind.
"Just hearing 'ice cream' makes me colder! Don't know how you can crave it in this weather…." Shivering, Karin pulled her pony-tail loose, hoping her long, full tresses would help warm her, glaring lightly as Yuzu laughed; "What?"
Yuzu shook her head, cheeks a faint hue of pink from the cold; "Not having a scarf is what's making you colder!" Pulling on Karin's hand just as they reached the corner, Yuzu brought them to a still, unwrapping part of her long scarf, looping it over Karin's head no taller than her, wrapping it around her neck with enough length between them to move comfortably.
Smiling gently, Karin took hold of Yuzu's hand again, the Kurosaki twins crossing the street together, Yuzu debating whether to get strawberry or lemon ice cream.
"But Yuzu- if you choose strawberry, you'll be eating our brother."
Yuzu let out a wail, Karin snickering as they continued on.
Ichigo closed his closet door, pulling the drawstrings of his sweats tight, moving back to his desk to close his Macbook; his sisters probably doing their homework… or Karin taking Yuzu to get ice cream despite the weather… he settled to try later, picking up his silent phone by his laptop, pressing down on the track pad.
3:14PM
"So fuckin' early…." Dropping his Torch back onto his desk, he rubbed at his chest, happy to be roaming about his apartment, half-naked as he pleased. Stepping out of his bedroom into the living room, he found Rukia draped across the small couch, laying down with his textbook propped up on her stomach by her legs.
"Thought you usually went out to the park at this time…." He rounded the counter into the kitchen, grabbing a glass. Turning the page to continue on about their 'first line of defense,' Rukia looked across the apartment, tuffs of orange hair barely visible over the marble top; "Do you want me to leave and be at the park?" He mumbled 'no,' assuring her with his reiatsu, taking a drink of water as he stood by the fridge.
Rukia eventually saw him make his way out of the kitchen towards her, smirking as she noticed him shirtless.
"Enjoying the fact Inoue won't be home until late, I see…."
Ichigo didn't answer her, swiping his textbook out of her hands, letting it fall to the ground as he dropped on top of her, careful of her petite body; his legs on the arm rest, he settled against her on his back, his hair teasing her collar bone with Rukia's legs on either side of him, his large hands gripping her arms circled around him to rest her hands just above his chest sheltering a calm, beating heart.
She could feel its pulse through the strong muscles of his back; "Did you get to talk to the girls?"
"Nah, they weren't online…." Fishing out the remote Ichigo knew Rukia hid between the cushions whenever a new Chappy episode was being aired the next morning, he turned on the television, turning on the guide, browsing the channels as the arm he had let go of moved to run her hand through his hair; "They're probably getting ice cream before heading home…."
Rukia smiled, tugging at his hair.
"Or maybe they're as 'invisible' and just ignoring you, Strawberry." Ichigo's sudden turn onto his side startled Rukia, the remote dropped carelessly onto the floor, on top of his textbook laying forgotten, Ichigo moving up onto his arms to hold his torso over her; "No one can ignore me, midget. Simply impossible, just as you've shown me."
She rolled her violet eyes, leaning up on her elbows, her violet gaze narrowed onto his.
"My, your reiatsu seems to have weighed far too long on that thick skull of yours, hasn't it?"
A wicked hue of amber looked back at her behind those orange bangs of his, Ichigo breaking off from her eyes to lean in for her mouth, his tongue tracing her lip before pushing through by himself, no need for permission from the woman beneath him, his death god biting back a moan as she ignored him.
Rukia was quickly regretting their bout, her every muscle tense in a pathetic attempt to keep from responding to his very being, Ichigo's warm hand with the slightest of calluses slipping beneath her layers of clothing to run over her toned stomach, fingers ghosting against the material of her bra before tracing its wings to curve over her side, his arm circling beneath her to pull her up against him.
Son of a-
Ichigo left her mouth to find her neck, his teeth biting at the soft skin along her jaw, a shudder knocking Rukia breathless as she fought to keep silent and still, biting down harshly on her lip as his hips ground down between her legs, certain it wasn't his phone she felt against her; nails digging into the suede cushions beneath them, legs threatening to painfully pull their muscles as she fought against the yearning to wrap around his hips and pull him even further against her, Rukia cussed herself for every wretched piece of clothing she hadn't stripped of, feeling sweat build up along her burning skin.
Fuck. A shaking pant left her, Rukia cringing as they heard it leave her, closing her eyes tightly before Ichigo's amber eyes could find them as he looked at her; "Rukia."
She ignored him, even as his lips moved onto hers, pressing a kiss onto them, muttering against her mouth; "You can tear off that sweater of yours if you just admit you can't ignore me, Kuchiki…."
Rukia's eyes fluttered as she nearly sat up and did tear off her damned sweater, the uncomfortable feel of her hot, sweating skin against her sweater and shirt disgusting her, desperate for his slick skin instead.
But she'd have to admit defeat- like hell she will.
She didn't acknowledge him, violet eyes looking up to the ceiling as if it displayed a show on it.
"Alright… keep ignoring me, then."
Rukia lost her breath at the feel of his hand pushing beneath her bra's cup, palming her breast, his open mouth on her pulse forcing her eyes shut tightly, his grinding hips driving out a gasp from her parted lips; "I-Ich-i-go-!"
At least she didn't admit it.
She wasted no time in pushing him back, sitting up as she gripped the hem of her large hoodie, tearing it off with a sigh as the cooler air hit her burning skin, throwing it aside to raise her arms above her head. Ichigo pulling her thin, damp shirt off just as quickly to expose a black bra, he abandoned it carelessly as Rukia's hands gripped his neck to pull him down with her.
Rukia's mouth for the claim, her long, smooth legs hooking around his hips and pulling him in, Ichigo dropped his weight on his arm beneath her, hips writhing against each other without care, skin slick with sweat running smoothly together; digging her nails into his skin at the feel of his sly smirk between their feverous kissing, only managing to drive his hips hard against her, Rukia groaned as her cheeks betrayed her nerves, still reaching down to his hand rubbing at her thigh and pulling it up onto her stomach, gripping his hand tightly.
She hadn't forgotten the breathless state she'd been in at the feel of his hand on her breast, massaging her tongue against his as he led her to, breathing in deeply before pushing his hand up, up beneath her bra and over her bare mound, Rukia's blush fiercer at the hitch in their breath, his arousal against her solid.
Left to pant freely, Rukia watched Ichigo's eyes glance down to her hand clasped over his larger one, the cup of her bra pushed up out of the way, their hands moving with every heavy breath Rukia took.
Rukia was met with his intense eyes back on hers, the slightest tightening of his hand around her breast enough to shaken her breath; "T-take it off, Ichigo…." He sat up on his knees as his hand moved slowly from her breast, Rukia letting go of his hand to clutch the cushion beneath her.
Catching the faint burn of his own skin, Rukia bit down on her lip as he gripped her hips and pulled her down closer, her legs tightening around him as Ichigo ran his hands up over her stomach, its muscles tight and firm, hands curving over her bra, moving to take to the gore and unhook it; leaving the bra as it was, he moved his hand just under the released clasp, brushing the cup aside to replace his hand over her breast, mirroring his action on the other.
Moving her hands over his again, Rukia pushed up to meet him as Ichigo leaned over to find her lips, opening her mouth to his urging tongue, his hands gently, but firmly kneading her breasts in time with every stroke of their tongues and move of their lips, a shiver running up her spine as his thumbs traced her areolas clumsily, running over her hardened nipples.
She was a stubborn idiot to think she could ignore him.
His knee slipping off the cushion, Ichigo's foot pushed against the floor to push against her body, a moan leaving them before he suckled on her swollen lip once more, trailing his open mouth down her jaw to her neck, slowly moving down further, a loud, breathless moan arching Rukia into him as his mouth closed down on her breast.
Licked and suckled, his teeth grazing her skin before biting down on her nipple, Rukia could barely keep back her moans, her hands buried deep into his mane, pulling at it whenever the sharp, erotic pain his teeth gave her was too much, meeting the grinding of his arousal against her, unable to keep her eyes from slipping shut; "Ichigo, Ichigo-!"
His erection was nearing a painful need for more attention than just rubbing between her legs, four agonizing layers of clothing between them. Biting down on her pert nipple, Ichigo pulled away as he reached up into her damp hair and grabbed a fistful of it in a tangled mess, pulling her into a sloppy kiss, no longer the one writhing their hips into the other, groaning as she whined at his still hips.
Regretting for the first time in his life, not having his stupid, perverted, psychotic father around some days before with that box of condoms he always tried to sneak into Ichigo's possession, Ichigo pulled at her hair to bring her down, sitting back again as he loosened her legs around his hips, pulling back his pelvis from her.
Skin grazed Rukia's as Ichigo's hands moved to the fly of her torn-up jeans, roughly pulling at the button, lucky he didn't catch skin with the metal teeth in his haste to bring the zipper down; her bare chest heaving for air she felt her head just wasn't having enough of, her stomach tight with nerves laced with anticipation as he didn't look at her, eyes on her jeans as he pulled at them, Rukia moved enough to finish taking off her open bra, dropping it to the floor as he pulled at her jeans again.
Black cotton exposed enough for him, ignoring the desperate arousal tenting his sweats as he leaned over her, reaching out to grip the armrest just beside her crown, Ichigo met her confused eyes shortly, their gaze broken as her eyes snapped shut, arching off the couch with a surprised, shaken scream, his hand between her legs underneath the damp cotton of her underwear, caressing her wet, warm folds.
There's that scream he'd only heard of in boasting stories of 'hot bangs' from his classmates.
F-fuckin' hell….
Rukia couldn't breathe, yet she kept hearing her voice call out to the skies beyond the walls surrounding them, moans building up in the back of her throat and slowly leaving her, gasping and panting air when she wasn't screaming, eyes wound shut as she writhed at his touch.
Legs rubbing and curling up against his, her spine rolling and arching to push into his hand, his finger caressing deep within her, a calloused thumb pressing and rubbing at a hard nub just above, Rukia couldn't bother with shame at what she was letting him do to her, blushing instead at the pained look in his eyes as she gazed up at him with heavy eyes, an intense want within his amber colors.
Her attention was pulled away, though, a sudden split-second in which she felt every muscle of her entire being come to a slow, her throat tight at the violent contraction in them, a pleasured scream pushing past the tightness of her throat into the hot air about her, hands gripping onto anything she could.
Falling limp, hardly able to feel his hand still against her spent intimacy, Rukia fought to keep breathing as her muscles trembled, opening her blurry eyes with difficulty, her vision clearing to find Ichigo shaking above her, his face buried against his arm holding him up, eyes shut tightly.
Carefully reaching up to him, slowly and numbly, she watched her fingers graze his jaw, Ichigo huffing out a breath before opening his eyes, slowly turning to her, keeping his head against his arm, his voice faintly hoarse; "Hey…."
"… why…?"
Ichigo moved before she could breath out another word, pulling his hand from her underwear to grip her knee, pushing over her leg from his side to meet her other, staggering up onto his legs before dropping onto his knees beside the couch. Running his hand through her hair, his other resting on his lap, slick with her pleasure, he leaned in and pressed his lips against her temple, moving to kiss her cheek, ending on her lips.
Pulling back, grabbing her hoodie and shirt abandoned about them, Ichigo draped her sweater over her bare chest as he bundled her shirt over his pelvis, pushing back up onto his legs, held back as a small hand grabbed his pant leg, Ichigo looking back down into violet.
"Where are you going? You still-."
Rukia was silenced as he crouched down beside her, his mouth over hers, tracing her lips with his warm tongue, caressing her skin. He pecked at her before pulling back, nuzzling her jaw, brushing her hair behind her ear as he leaned in to mumble against it; "… shower."
He stood with that, rushing over to his bedroom door, throwing it shut behind him to bounce off the frame and stay ajar, Rukia hearing the downpour of the shower almost immediately after, moving up onto her side.
A shiver ran over her skin at the muffled groans from within their bedroom; Ichigo...
":D"
"Much love, KurosakiLove"