Chapter 17: Telephone
LOOK WHO HAS ANOTHER CHAPTER FOR YOU! Haven't been able to get out of bed all day, so BAM! New chapter.
As I mentioned before, this chapter is going to start leading to the end, beginning to wrap things up (but don't expect me to end in five chapters, sadly, haha. So much for 15 chapter limit!). It was a little hard to make the conversation at the couch, well, like what Ichigo and Rukia would say! And it felt rushed, by I couldn't figure out how to get rid of that vibe... I skipped about a month or more after, using flashbacks to give the gist of the after effects. There will be more flashbacks I suppose in Chapter 18. Also, I want to mention some things I saw in reviews (I have only glanced at them for Chapter 16):
1) I am experimenting with Yuzu and Karin, since this is the first I've had them both in which isn't a one-shot. Their characters aren't deeply developed anyways in Bleach, so how I portray them is by my own imagination, and my own interactions with my sisters, or what I see in other siblings. Sorry if you don't connect with them in Telephone.
2) Yes, Ichigo is a heart-throb, but don't worry- he'll have his moments of being jealous and having to chase off men from Rukia. Just wait for her to start at the university ;D Beh heh heh heh.
3) Don't worry about Inoue. I'll be somewhat nice. And Rin falling mad for him- I never said she loved him! But hey, "love" is loosely used now, sadly, and confused for crushes or lust. Don't like it? Sorry, but that's how it went.
4) I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts. And Mike Shinoda is so godly in the Iridescent video /drool.
ENJOY! Once I post, I'll try to read and respond to reviews, and I have to effin' blog! I forgot, 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.
The shower ran hot, Rukia's toes pink from the temperature, water running down every curve of her body, her laughter bringing a handsome grin to his lips; "Hold still, midget!"
"But we're supposed to be showering! Not playing with my hair!"
Pouring more shampoo onto her tresses, her male went back to lathering them, gathering them up over her head and twisting them, creating a thick, single spike, its tip curling over from the weight and length; "There- I heard this is the trend in America."
His petite reaper glaring at him, he laughed as Rukia destroyed his work, scooping up lather in her small hands, moving up onto her toes to reach his hair, Ichigo bowing his head to let her mess with his mane.
"Ow - I was gentle on yours, so don't go pulling mine!"
Rukia tugged on his hair at his whine, running her fingers through his orange mane, splitting it down the middle, shaping his hair into pigtails; "I think you should definitely take up this style, Berry-."
He pecked at her lips, pressing another onto her jaw; another on her cheek, her forehead, her temple, Rukia laughing as she tried swatting him away, Ichigo grinning as he foiled her attempts time after time.
"Ichigo!"
"Oh, I'm sorry- I can't hear you from all the way down there!"
Rukia punched his arm, Ichigo catching her hand before she could hit him again, pulling her against him, leaning in quick to find her lips as he moved them under the downpour, white lather running down their bodies from their hair.
She didn't protest his affection, up on her toes again to wrap her arms around his neck, fighting back a smile as their lips moved together, tongues sneaking caresses against each other.
Ichigo pulled back with a small bite at her lip, hands moving up into her hair, running his fingers through her tresses as he rinsed it, Rukia letting her head fall back; "…we need to hurry up. We left everything out there…."
Squeezing the water out of her hair, Ichigo turned their bodies around, Rukia straightening up as the downpour was blocked by his body, Ichigo rinsing his own hair.
"So what- Inoue went ahead to campus and our classes don't end for another two hours. It's just us," shaking out his hair, "and I clean whenever the hell I want-!"
The elevator doors opened to a dim hallway, wide with colors easy on the eyes; digging into her bag, pulling out her key, Inoue sighed as she made her way down, hurrying her steps as the familiar door came into sight.
I didn't realize how tired I am… I can barely feel Kurosaki-kun….
Grasping the handle, Inoue glanced away at the neighboring apartment's door opening, a young couple stepping out into the hallway with feminine eyes finding hers with a smile; "Hey!"
"O-ohayo…." Inoue stepped aside, waving shyly as the male locked up their apartment, his partner looking over Inoue with a wink; "Didn't think you'd look so young and innocent the way you scream and moan. Our neighbor's a lucky one…."
Skin burning, stuttering as she looked about, Inoue forced out a breath, hands shaking as she clenched her fist around the key.
"E-excuse me-?"
Large arms circled the woman's waist, Inoue looking into brown eyes, the smirk on his lips making Inoue frown-
"No need to be shy, miss. Nothing to be ashamed about. Maybe we'll catch you later…." Giving Inoue a small wave, they headed down the hall, grey eyes watching them until they stepped into the elevator, the key digging painfully into her hand as she squeezed.
Inoue let out a shaken breath, shoving her hair back as her skin grew hot, the couple's words running through her mind as she looked at Ichigo's apartment door.
She felt sick, sweat building along her neck, biting her lip.
"Sado-kun, I can't concentrate at all…."
Inoue rubbed at her forehead, Chad looking over from the seat beside her, frowning; "Do you want to step out-?"
"Hai."
From: Sado-kun
Inoue-san, where are you?
Inoue pushed the key into the lock, nearly whining as it refused to turn, jamming it further in as she forced it. Lock coming undone, she pushed through, leaning back against the door as it closed.
She tried not to hold her breath, forcing herself to breathe, eyes shut tight as she stood there, cheeks flushed.
"Didn't think you'd look so young and innocent the way you scream and moan."
Slowly opening her eyes, Inoue pushed off the door, hand wrapped tightly around her fingers as she looked into the kitchen, catching sight of keys underneath the large refrigerator.
She stepped off the wooden floor onto the lush carpet, looking to the living room- frozen in her steps. Swallowing hard, lips in a tight frown, Inoue closed her eyes, counting to herself before she forced herself to look, hands digging into her hair.
The very clothes she had seen them in just that morning littered the floor, Rukia's heels and shirt with Ichigo's cotton white and jacket, grey eyes finding jeans and lace by the couch. She felt her throat tighten, shaking her head, the slight scent of that surely engulfing her senses as she stood there, looking about the floor.
Trash caught her eyes, her feet moving before she could stop herself, Inoue moving to the couch, standing over a pile of "c-condoms… they're… they're condoms…."
She stumbled back, hand over her mouth to strangle a cry, hot tears stinging her grey eyes-
"Ichigo, have you seen my flannels?"
Inoue's head snapped to the bedroom, door wide open, eyes wide as Rukia stepped into view, a loose, large towel around her petite, naked body, Ichigo following behind her with his own towel low on those slim, defined hips….
"Probably in the laundry-." He ran a hand through his hair, looking out to the living room, amber eyes large with shock- "I-Inoue!"
Rukia spun around to the door, eyes wide as Inoue moved her gaze onto hers, tears running down her flushed cheeks; pushing Ichigo aside, Rukia clutched her towel as she ran, Inoue already out of sight, door thrown open before rushing out of the apartment.
"Inoue! Orihime, wait!"
She sped out into the hallway, tripping on the rug running down the entire hallway, cussing as Inoue ran ahead, her burnt-orange tresses disappearing around the corner, a door slamming open to the echoing stairwell beyond the elevator.
Falling against the wall, Ichigo coming at the door, Rukia stared where Inoue left her sight, sighing and closing her eyes, feeling Ichigo moving to her side; "Rukia…."
"She wasn't supposed to find out like that…."
Rukia tightened her fists around her towel, letting Ichigo's arm circle her small frame, his hand reaching up to the nape of her neck as she buried her face against his chest.
He didn't know what to tell her, resting his jaw on her crown, amber eyes looking down the hallway- Inoue.
"Ichi-nii isn't online…."
Yuzu sighed as she closed the laptop, Karin sitting down beside her on the floor, the coffee table littered with books and papers; "Oh well. He's probably busy with school."
Her twin simply smiled, the pair clad in flannels and their brother's shirts, long tresses tied back in ponytails. Pulling her mathematics textbook to her lap, Yuzu thumbed through the pages, eyes scanning the pages for the lesson they left off on; "I really miss him… Rukia-chan, as well. I loved having her here at home."
Karin sighed, scribbling on a paper.
"I know, Yuzu. Maybe this break we can make enough money cooking and baking, for phones. I think it'll be easier to keep in touch with them…."
Yuzu nodded, both looking over at the door bursting open, laughing at their father's wide, beaming grin as he stood there as a super-hero, his briefcase tossed aside-
"My lovely daughters! I've come to save you-!"
The girls laughed, Isshin slamming the door shut, making his way into the living room.
"Hi, dad; why are you home so early?"
Their eyes were on him as he dropped down into the couch, groaning as he stretched his tired body, his bright hawaii'n shirt fooling anyone; "I finished my paperwork, and everyone was on call today. Figured I'd come home, spend some time annoying my precious darlings."
Karin smacked his knee, father and his daughters laughing. Things had changed after the war, the girls finding themselves almost missing his crazier days, enjoying his calmer antics nonetheless.
"What do you want for dinner, dad?"
The twins yelped as he suddenly rolled off the couch, jumping to his feet. Hands on his hips, Isshin struck the super-hero look again; "No need, daughter chef! I'm cooking tonight! Now finish your homework so that I can beat you senseless at those ridiculous video games!"
Saluting him, Yuzu and Karin grinned as he ran off into the kitchen, textbooks and pens picked up as they turned back to their work.
"My darling chef! Where…where is the Mac n' Cheese?"
"Dad!"
Tatsuki woke with a start, groaning as the door slammed, sitting up in a blurred haze; "Who-?"
Inoue dropped her bags, rushing into the living room, falling to her knees beside Tatsuki, trying to hold back her tears.
"Tatsuki-chan…."
"Hime! What's wrong?" She was wide awake now, moving onto her knees, brushing Inoue's hair back from her wet cheeks; "Did someone try anything on you! Tell me, I'll beat them-!"
"K-kuro-saki-kun! He, he and Kuchiki-san are toge-ther!"
Tatsuki's breath slowed as she stared at Inoue, eyes wide; "…they… when did they tell you this-?"
She was put off when Inoue huffed, suddenly standing, twisting her long locks of hair as she blindly paced the small room, fresh tears brimming her eyes. "They didn't tell me, Tatsuki-chan…," she confessed, her voice small; "I-I left classes earlier than usual, a-and I went in, and their… their clothes were everywhere-!"
Shit. Tatsuki felt dizzy, a hand slapping back a choked gasp, Inoue crying as she kept pacing, her voice strangled as she looked to the ceiling, eyes shut tight.
"T-there were, c-cond-doms and, and I turned to his room, a-and they walked out in towels, from the s-shower!"
A sob left her control, dropping her face into her hands, shoulders shaking as she cried. Tatsuki couldn't bring herself to move, breath shallow, her own eyes burning from the threatening tears.
She wasn't… she wasn't supposed to find out like this….
"H-Hime…."
A knock startled them both, Tatsuki looking to Inoue at her gasp, grey eyes looking back at her in near terror- "It's Kurosaki-kun!"
Ichigo knocked again, sighing as he dragged a hand through his damp mane, biting back a growl as he stepped up against the door; "Inoue! Inoue, please, just open the door! We need to talk-!"
He jumped as the door was torn open, pushed back as Tatsuki rushed out, door slammed behind her. Fisting his sweater's collar, pulling him further down the hall, Tatsuki shoved his larger build against the wall, glaring up into amber eyes glaring right back at her- "How the fuck did you let her see that-!"
"We didn't do any of this on purpose, Tatsuki!"
Ichigo let his childhood friend cry out in frustration, slamming her fists onto his chest, pushing another shove against him. Tatsuki stepped back from him, eyes red and glistening from tears she simply refused to let fall.
"You know how she feels about you, Ichigo… you know she lov-."
"We're fucking nineteen years old, Tatsuki! Are you really going to tell me she loves me! For fuck's sake, listen to yourself!"
They stood in heavy silence, Tatsuki falling back against the wall across from him, her shoulders falling in defeat as she looked at him, biting her tongue and cringing as last night flooded her mind, thinking of Inoue's tears...
Ichigo pushed off the wall, speaking softly to her; "Look, I'm sorry... but I came to talk to Inoue…." Met with silence, Ichigo slowly turned from her, making his way back down to the door, knocking gently before grasping the handle and turning it, slowly opening the door.
Tatsuki watched him step in, calling out for Inoue, leaving the door ajar behind him.
She wrapped her arms tightly around herself, sliding down the wall to the floor, sitting in silence.
What's become of us all?
Rukia ran her hand over his textbook, papers stuffed between its pages, making it thicker than it should be.
She sat at his desk in one of his large sweaters, sleeves much too long and its hem hiding enough of her thighs and completely covering her shorts, hair tied back.
Sighing, she grabbed her iPhone as it vibrated, sliding the lock aside.
Kuchiki-san, it's Sado.
He didn't have to say more, Rukia turning her phone onto its side, thumbs gently moving against its screen keyboard.
Things are complicated, Sado-kun. Please come anyways.
Inoue had her back to him when he walked in, her forehead against the wall of their small living room, few boxes and bags around the floor. Ichigo stood at the kitchen's mouth, heavy eyes looking at her; "Inoue…."
Her eyes closed, breathing in, fingers twisting her hair.
"Inoue, what you saw back in the apartment… we wanted to tell you differently."
Ichigo stood still as he watched her, Inoue's shoulders falling before she straightened her back, leaning off the wall, grey eyes red and glistened with tears as she turned to him, hands clasped together as she kept her gaze away from his; "I-It's alright, K-kurosaki-kun. I'm sorry for that scene-."
"Stop it, Inoue."
Grey eyes looked from his chest, to his heavy eyes, Inoue's breath shaken. Her hand ached as her other tightened, Inoue fighting back the tears she felt burning at her tired eyes, flickering her gaze back and forth between amber hues behind his teasing bangs.
She had thought he looked so handsome with his longer mane, that day he defeated Aizen. She always thought she'd be terrified of such power, shy of his boldness and strength… but she wanted to know, if his strong hands could caress gently.
What other emotions his eyes could tell; "What do you mean, Kurosaki-kun…?"
Ichigo frowned, hands slipping into his pockets, holding her gaze for what he has realized to be the longest she's held against him. He could tell she was struggling to hold it, to not shy away.
"I know, of your feelings for me, Inoue. I know they are not easy for you to have."
Her lip trembled, biting it to keep still, a single tear running down her flushed cheeks stained by dried tears.
Ichigo sighed, his eyes growing heavier as he looked at her; "Rukia only thought of you and your feelings before it all came down to this…."
Inoue smiled, tears falling freely now.
"T-that's why I only wish the best for you, K-kurosaki-kun! I w-want Kuchiki-san to be happy…."
She finally turned from him, hands wiping at her tears, a small laugh carrying through a sob; "I'm really fine, Kurosaki-kun. I just need a day or two, some rest."
Ichigo huffed, shaking his head, "Inoue-."
"…kudasai, Kurosaki-kun."
Inoue didn't look back at him, shoulders defeated, her long tresses hiding her face from him. Ichigo swallowed hard, bowing his head as he turned, Inoue jumping at the door closing behind her.
She felt his over-whelming reiatsu leave her behind, moving further away.
Kurosaki-kun….
Violet eyes stared at the dark wooden grain of the coffee table, her legs brought up close to her chest as she sat on the lush carpet, back against the couch. Chad walked over from the kitchen, setting down glasses of water; "Do not worry, Kuchiki-san."
Rukia looked up at him, following him as he sat down, leaning his large, muscled arms on the short table, very little of his brown hues looking back at her through his hair.
"I don't want to hurt Inoue-."
"You and Ichigo hurt more, apart." Chad said nothing more, Rukia dropping her gaze from his back onto the table, Chad watching her gaze dull, surely thinking back.
He smiled gently, turning to his books on the table, both looking to the door as Ichigo stepped through, his keys tossed to the counter as he closed the door- "Hey."
Rukia smiled back weakly, watching him move to the couch, sitting on the smaller of the two which she leaned against, his leg beside her as his hand rested on the back of her nape.
"…feeling better?"
She nodded, reaching out to rest her hand on Chad's arm and looking back up at Ichigo; "Hai."
Ichigo smiled lightly, looking to Chad, the two males exchanging a single nod.
"Well, Chad- what did I miss today?"
Isshin smiled as he rinsed the plates, Yuzu drying them as Karin returned them to their place. They had had a filling dinner, stomachs full and content, Isshin's stomach showing it the most; "How was school today?"
Karin shrugged, telling him little of her classes, Yuzu glaring when she bumped her hip against her, wiggling her brows.
"How about you, Yuzu? Anything happen the few hours I wasn't with you?"
Yuzu rolled her eyes, passing Karin a dish as she took another from her father.
"Actually- I signed you up for the soccer tryouts."
Isshin quickly leaned to reach beyond Yuzu beside him, catching the plate Karin let go off, brown eyes flaring angrily as Karin glared at Yuzu- "You what-!"
Chad waved before he let himself out, door closing locked behind him, Ichigo turning over his textbook onto the table. Stretching his arms up above him, he sighed as he relaxed, looking over at Rukia's curled form on the couch, her back to him.
He wasn't sure if she was asleep or not, slowly moving up onto his feet, tired and sore as he walked over to her.
Leaning over, his hand gripping the couch's frame, amber found violet looking up at him within seconds; "Thought you were asleep, midget."
Rukia shook her head, curling up further.
"Just thinking, something you may not be too familiar with…." He smirked at her small jab, reaching down to brush her hair back, lightly calloused fingers running over her cheek and tracing what little remained of Rin's hit; "What are you thinking about?"
She didn't answer him for a long time, eyes simply remaining on his, letting him trace her stung skin.
"…I know Inoue and I aren't so close, especially once the War ended… but I don't want her to hate me."
He frowned at her words, moving the back of his hand over her skin; "I don't think Inoue is capable of hating anyone, much less you."
Rukia sighed, closing her eyes, the back of his fingers brushing against her soft skin.
The Hollow made for them, Ichigo holding out his hand to her, Rukia looking up at him from her place against the lamp-post, the light flickering above them.
"Gimmie that blade, shinigami."
"It's not 'shinigami,' it's Kuchiki Rukia."
"You were such a brat, Ichigo…."
Ichigo was put off at her words, scowling at her; "What the hell-?"
Violet eyes opened, looking up at him, her bang between her gorgeous hues, almost teasing her lips.
"Yo."
Her robes billowed in the air and flames and power about them, Ichigo's mantle flowing and catching the glow as his mane did, smiling as he blocked the Sōkyoku effortlessly.
"I-Ichigo…."
Violet flashed, Rukia crying out angrily; "You idiot! Why do you keep coming back!"
"Rash and stubborn- reckless and hot-headed, so bratty looking." She was looking up with such fondness, her younger male gaping and flailing his hand about.
"Oi!"
Ichigo looked up at her from down below, over his shoulder as he stood before the Hollow, charging at him.
He looked at her, standing up above on the building, her voice clear and strong-
"That's the kind of man you have been, in my heart, Ichigo!"
"Fuckin' hell, woman-!"
Rukia reached out to grab his collar, pushing up onto her arm as she pulled him down, noses brushing against each other, their breaths shared as he stared wide-eyed at her, Rukia looking into amber; "And I don't regret stranding myself in your world, watching you grow up into our savior…."
His eyes softened, Ichigo's hand tightening on the frame as he carefully sat along the edge, his hip along the curve of her lower back. He moved his hand onto hers, his larger hand closing around her fist, gazes locked.
"I'm no savior, Kuchiki." Smirking, Rukia's eyes narrowing suspiciously onto his, Ichigo moved his hand off the couch's frame, reaching over to curl around the nape of her neck; "Just didn't want you kicking my ass."
Rukia breathed out a laugh, shaking her head as he leaned in, his lips pressed against her temple. Letting go of his sweater, she turned her palm into his, fingers intertwined, Rukia staring at his hand enveloping hers so carefully.
Ichigo tugged at her hand, bringing her eyes back up onto his.
"…we're gonna be alright, shinigami."
December
The TSX pulled in smoothly onto the driveway, light frost covering the neighborhood, the sky hardly letting the sun through its dark clouds. Ignition cut, lights turned off, the Acura sat silently in the drive, its windows quickly beginning to fog over.
Rukia mumbled as she pocketed her keys, sighing blissfully at the frost along her windshield, Ichigo unbuckling his seatbelt beside her and zipping up his sweater beneath his jacket; "Didn't think it'd be as cold down here…."
"I hope it snows so that I can throw a snowball at your big, bright head." Smirking at his glare, Rukia snickered as he flicked her stray bang, her handsome death god opening the door and stepping out from the car. Unplugging her iPhone, Rukia soon followed suit, eyes up to the sky as she stood by her open door; "Well, we made it in time for dinner."
She slammed the door shut, moving to the trunk to gather their bags and luggage with Ichigo
"Tatsuki-chan, I have a taxi!" Waving over her friend, Inoue smiled at the driver's offer to take her bags, Tatsuki coming over with her own; "Of course you'd have more luck catching one."
Inoue hurried themselves into the back with a grin, door closed as the driver moved back behind the wheel, his old, gentle eyes looking back at them through the rear-view mirror.
"Where to, miss?"
Tatsuki reached over the seats to hand him a slip of paper, her address scrawled in Inoue's neater writing, the driver nodding as he recognized the cross streets.
Settling back, Inoue's hand clutching hers, Tatsuki grinned as the cab pulled out from the train station, the streets soon a blur beyond their windows; "Excited to be home, Hime?"
Nodding, Inoue glanced out her window, watching the streets and buildings become more familiar by the block.
"Yes, Tatsuki-chan… very happy…. I definitely needed to come back home."
Yuzu laughed as Karin herself squealed at the sight of their brother and petite reaper, both teens rushing down the stairs in their large sleeping shirts, Ichigo barely dropping their luggage in time to hook his hands under Karin's bare thighs, pulling her up onto his waist as she hugged him tightly; "Ichi-nii!"
Laughing, moving his arms to circle her waist, Ichigo nuzzled her neck as he spun her, Yuzu and Rukia smiling as they embraced, watching Ichigo with his raven haired sibling.
"Ah, Karin. I feel like I haven't seen you in so long…." She pulled back to glare at him, her long legs hooked around his slim waist; "That's because you haven't! You didn't make it your last break…."
Ichigo frowned regretfully, looking to Yuzu's sad, agreeing eyes.
"I know- had a lot of exams to study for and I knew I wouldn't touch my books here…. Least the midget made it, ne?"
His twins smiled over at Rukia, nodding, Yuzu hugging Rukia closer in her arms; "Hai! We had missed you so much, Rukia! It wasn't the same without you."
"And I missed you, living with your idiot of a brother." They laughed as he snapped at her, Ichigo carefully dropping Karin from his hold, meeting her halfway as she pressed her lips to the corner of his. Beckoning over Yuzu, Ichigo pulled her in to an engulfing embrace, Yuzu laughing as she practically lost herself within his larger frame; "Ichi-nii, you're going to break me!"
Rukia smiled as she moved further into the warm house, leaning against the couch's back as she watched them, Ichigo pulling in Karin to hold them both. She closed her eyes to their laughter, Ichigo's reiatsu pouring over them- gasping as Isshin's arms suddenly hoisted her up, holding on dearly to his shoulders as he carried her over to his children; "O-Otou-sama!"
Dropping her into Ichigo's arms, Isshin took advantage and hugged his startled son to himself, planting a messy kiss on his son's cheek, Ichigo growling as he nearly dropped Rukia, unable to push him off- "Dad!"
Jumping away, Isshin spun into a cheering jump, eyes glistening as he crossed his arms proudly; "Finally! Calling me papa, both my idiot son and my precious, third daughter!"
Rukia smiled with flushed skin as Ichigo held her closer, amber eyes glancing down at her as the twin beauties laughed, a slight smile just barely showing itself on his lips.
Rukia closed her eyes, smiling as she let her head fall back, laughing as Yuzu and Karin hugged the shinigami again.
Home.
Their heavier cases were kicked in heedlessly as Ichigo carried his book bag, his Macbook carefully tucked away.
Flicking the light switch, kicking the luggage further in, Ichigo smirked at the sight of his old bedroom, memories flooding in again as some months ago, only with the scent of a reaper gone.
"Fine by me- it's all over other things now…."
He abandoned his bag on his desk, stripping of his jacket and scarf.
"Kuchiki-fucking-Rukia, the hell did you do to my clothes!"
Violet eyes peered up from behind his textbook, Rukia sitting on the floor at the coffee table, the television set on low.
"What are you talking about, Strawberry! I did the laundry just fine!"
Ichigo came out from the bedroom, pulling at his shirt and jacket, sniffing the clothing once more; "Whatever happened to the scentless detergent- I smell like a girl!"
"Maybe because you are one!" She laughed as he threw his beanie at her, Ichigo moving around the table, taking back the beanie she held out to him; "Enough with the scented crap, woman."
"I don't use any, though…." Rukia scowled at her lap, his hand grabbing a fistful of her tresses, pulling her head back to find her lips as he leaned over, mouths moving together, Ichigo breathing in-
Amber eyes opened wide, the smell of her skin and hair and everything about her exactly as what he found in his clothes, remembering the scent on the couch, in his comforters….
He smiled into her, nipping at her lips, Rukia reaching a hand up to push him away after a few more teasing caresses of their tongues; "Go away, you smelly goat."
"Says you." He dodged a swipe at his leg, grabbing his bag, heading out the door with one last look at her, fighting back a smirk.
Jeans pooling at his feet, kicked aside, Ichigo grabbed whatever sweats he could find, pulling them on before he headed out, flicking the switch on the way. He closed his door, walking over to his sister's room and knocking; "Come in!"
Stepping in, Ichigo smiled at the twins buried beneath blankets on Yuzu's bed, their Macbook on her pillow between them, Rukia sticking out her tongue at him from the screen.
"What the-?" "Hey, Ichi-nii!" "Berry!"
He climbed into bed with the twins, ignoring their teasing of his weight breaking it, carefully falling between them on top of the blankets; Rukia smiled as she watched him join his sisters, the screen blurring only a bit as they moved around, the Kurosaki siblings looking back at her-
"Are you guys really chatting under the same roof?"
"Why not?" Rukia grinned as he shook his head, Yuzu resting her cheek against Ichigo's shoulder, Karin bundling a pillow beneath her; "It sucks how we still have school to worry about, and you're already here."
Ruffling her hair, Ichigo shrugged, glancing back to the screen with a sly smirk.
"Not like you want to hang out with old people…and me."
Rukia bristled, moving closer to the screen; "Who you calling old, Berry! Get down here, I'll kick your ass!"
That's all he needed, quickly shoving a kiss to his sister's cheeks, fast onto his feet and out the door in seconds. Muttering angrily, Rukia wished the twins a good night, Karin and Yuzu laughing as she started off her bed, yelling obscenities at their brother before she cut the connection.
Rolling her eyes, moving onto her back, Karin kept to Yuzu's bed as her twin turned off the laptop, setting it aside on the floor beneath her bed.
"Rukia and Ichi-nii seem to be the same as ever…."
Karin snickered, resting her head beside Yuzu's on her pillow, their long, clashing tresses splayed about them, the lamp switched off.
"No, Yuzu… they're closer than ever, I think."
"Asshole-!"
Rukia's ankle was caught as he slammed the door behind him, pulling her towards him before she could strike any kick onto him. Back against the door, her body pulled recklessly against his, Ichigo caught her smaller frame by her hips, lifting Rukia up to hook her legs over his own; turning their bodies to have her up against the door, Ichigo stood still as they stared each other down, his breath slightly shallow at her pants.
"You still kicking my ass, reaper?"
He felt her legs tighten around him, hands gripping his sweater, breasts heaving with every breath beneath that tight camisole she wore.
Biting her lip, his firm stomach against hers, large hands gripping her curves tightly, Rukia pulled him closer, mouth teasing against his; "I'll kick your sorry ass tomorrow."
Hands fisting up his orange mane, Rukia molded their lips together, breaths heavy as they claimed each other.
Rukia woke up to Isshin's yelling, smiling despite the early hour, Karin yelling back at him to sit down.
How she missed this.
She tossed the comforter off, swinging her bare legs down onto the floor, left in one of Ichigo's over-sized shirts. Rukia made for the door, pausing at the vibrating hum against her nightstand, violet eyes looking back at her iPhone.
She sighed, making her way back, picking up the sleek device- scraped screen and all- and sliding the lock aside.
T ierd. tell grls bye fo r me.
Rukia nearly snorted, smirking as she tossed her phone onto her bed, heading out of her room.
Her bare feet stepped lightly across the living room, smiling as she rounded the wall into the kitchen; "Morning Yuzu, Otou-sama."
Yuzu beamed back at her as she placed bowls of food at the table, Isshin waving from behind the morning newspaper. Rukia sat down in her usual seat, Karin bounding down the stairs in high shorts and sneakers, her blouse and bow undone to reveal a tank top underneath, Rukia raising a brow in question; "No uniform today?"
Rukia was surprised when Karin rolled her eyes, glaring at Yuzu, the young cook smirking awfully much like her brother.
"No- someone signed me up for soccer tryouts. They start today, and your signature is a commitment to show up since it's during class…." Karin fell into a chair beside Rukia, the older female handing her a plate, voice gently asking, "why are you so bitter about it?"
Isshin remained behind his newspaper, Yuzu sitting down across from the ravens, frowning as she grabbed her own plate.
"Because it's for the boys' varsity team. Since Ichi-nii left for the War, she's been so conforming to what-."
Fists slammed down onto the table, plates and forks clanging against the table top- "I am not conforming to anyone's shit!"
"Karin-!" Rukia grasped her tense arm, snapping her gaze to Yuzu's sharp tongue; "Then step up and do what you know you can!"
The air was tense at the table, Rukia running her reiatsu over the twin beauties, Isshin silent as he turned the page, Karin glaring at him through the paper; "I'm missing class because of her, old man. Write me a note-."
"A commitment is a commitment, Karin."
Her chair was pushed back carelessly, Karin leaving the table with heavy steps, moving out into the living room for the door, Rukia rushing out of her seat as she heard it open; "Karin! Karin, hold on-!"
"I'm walking today, Rukia-chan." Duffle over her shoulder, Karin closed the door behind her, Rukia opening it, frowning and watching her make down the driveway, pulling her hair up into a clip.
Isshin sighed as he folded the newspaper over, setting it down, lips heavy as he looked to his youngest by minutes, Yuzu's brown eyes staring down at the plate.
Karin….
Amber eyes stared up at the ceiling, the house quiet after the slam of the door. His brows were furrowed, heavy, Ichigo breathing in deeply.
"Since Ichi-nii left for the War, she's been so conforming…"
His breath had caught at the sight of his sisters when they returned, their arms around each other as they stood at the wreck, staring back at their brother for the first time in months.
The roundness of their young eyes was so hard to find, nearly gone while the length of their tresses was much more, Yuzu's teasing her shoulders as Karin's already passed them. Dirt was smeared across their cheeks, Yuzu resting her temple against her twin's, Karin's eyes tired and faintly red unlike Yuzu's….
They had ran to him, ran and ran as he fell to his knee, catching them in his arms.
Ichigo had known something was different in them, Yuzu cradling his head to her chest so lovingly, Karin clinging to him in a tight embrace, head buried between his chest and her arm reaching up to curl around his neck.
"…she was scared. Gave an opening to what others say…."
He shut his eyes tight, dragging his hands over his face, groaning.
"Damn it, Karin."
Rukia sat within the muffled silence in her car, watching Yuzu pass the school gates, making her way to the building as boys now only glanced at her, a smile pulling to her lips as she remembered some time ago when she called, telling Rukia all about Nakamura-kun.
Not one dared to whistle or call at the sophomore, violet eyes catching sight of a young senior waving just beyond the open doors, Yuzu making her way up the steps.
She slowed at the door, glancing to the field beyond her left, Rukia frowning as Yuzu stood there, eventually looking away to enter the building.
Rukia turned to the field, finding Karin's lone figure at the bleachers, jacket wrapped tightly around herself, watching the morning practice.
She sighed, turning the ignition, rolling her eyes at the males catching sight of her through the windows and whistling at her, Rukia shifting the gear into drive.
"…idiots."
Inoue smiled as she and Tatsuki rounded the corner, finding Keigo waving them over at the small table beyond the café.
Making their way over to him, Keigo jumped to his feet, arms wide as he moved around the table, waiting for Inoue to walk into his embrace- "Beautiful Inoue-san-!"
Tatsuki's fist pounded his weak abdomen, shoving him back towards his seat.
"When will you learn, Keigo?" She sat down with Inoue beside her, her curvier friend greeting Keigo lightly. Grinning at Inoue, the loud male looked to Tatsuki, his grin immediately dropping; "I'm not one to give up on what I want!"
Inoue cringed, her gaze dropping to her lap.
She stood beside Chad out in the hallway, his large hand gently rapping the door beneath '413.'
They could hear Ichigo's voice yelling from inside, the door torn open moments later, Ichigo standing there in his jeans and messy hair; "Slept through my damn alarm, give me a few minutes, yeah?"
They nodded, Inoue keeping her gaze on Chad's back, Ichigo frowning as she didn't even look his way. Hand running through his hair, he moved back inside, the pair following him in, Ichigo moving into the bedroom with Rukia looking up from the coffee table; "Inoue, Sado-kun…."
"Good morning, Kuchiki-san." "O-ohayo, Ku-chiki-san…."
Inoue glanced over to her, violet eyes heavy with apology as they found her grey ones, Inoue dropping her gaze.
Rukia sighed, rubbing the stem of her large mug at hand, her hot chocolate cooling down as she ignored it.
"Damare, you idiot… let's order food already. We're hungry-."
Tatsuki waved over the waitress, Keigo looking to Inoue, the voluptuous female's shoulders heavy and eyes dull; Keigo leaned back, arms crossed as he raised his ankle to his knee.
"Ichigo's with Rukia-san, isn't he, Inoue-san?"
Their eyes snapped to his, Tatsuki's flashing furiously as Inoue's strained with such emotions in them, Keigo frowning as that alone answered it all; "…gomennasi, Inoue-san."
D: Tell me your thoughts!
Much love, KurosakiLove