A/N I thank anyone for reading. Much appreciated. X3
Luafua – Seika doesn't really care what Renta does, as long as he is happy. XD Wish I had a sister like that. X3 Kayo is the best. X3 Love her and all the Ocs I made. :3 At least you can dance, I can't dance worth spit. XD And poor, poor Ken-chan. XD
ShiningStar KiraKira – Cookie~! =D And don't worry, you'll get inspiration. X3 I get mine from songs. =3
Chibi-Onee-chan – \( ^o^)/ I missed updating. X3 Kaori dancing popped into my head and I finally noticed... they haven't danced since they went on vacation. D: So, I thought maybe after two years of not dancing made her forget. XD
Dina Sana – Thankies~! X3
dbzbnfan202 – Aw, your review made me smile like an idiot. X3 And I hope to read it soon. :3
Indefinate Shadow – Thanks, pal~! :D
O_o I have fifty-three reviews? XD Gotta be honest, I wasn't even keeping track until I decided for the heck of it to read the last chapter to get ideas for the next one. And I got six reviews for last chapter~?! :D Ah, this makes me so happy~! X3 Ah, you're all making me blush. XD
Ah... Christmas... I think this is the first year I'm buying presents for my family. O_o Seeing as I was broke most of the time I didn't really care. XD Already spent like... two hundred and fifty on presents? Last month I spent a hundred, and this month I already spent a hundred and thirty. Wow. Everything is so expensive. O_O
The problem is my little brother and mom. My mom said she only wants clothes. And my little brother... wow! Usually kids around twelve like games and all that, right? Well, he... likes clothes. I just find that weird! XD Anyway, gotta buy them clothes... And socks for my other brother. He goes through 'em like crazy. XD
Anyway, enough about that, on with the chapter~! :D
Disclaimer – I do not own Bleach.
Warning – Swearing.
-:-
Kaori slumped.
Looking up she glared at the green kimono, making a face and looking away. Ugh, she didn't want to wear it. Four hours... Four more hours and she had to go to the dreadful thing. Damn you, Riko! Why couldn't she do this herself?! She scowled as she glared at the pretty, little thing. Okay, should she get makeup? Try to pretty herself up? She stayed silent before snorting. Yeah, right. She never once wore makeup for any events, so why should she start now?
Walking out of her room, deciding to take a quick shower to at least be presentable, she yelped when she saw Byakuya staring at her. Quickly shutting the door, so he didn't see the kimono, she let a wide, nervous grin cross her face. He's sharp. If he sees it he'll most likely be asking questions.
"Do you know where Renji is?" Byakuya asked, seeing the redhead shake her head. "I see."
"I'll help you look!" Kaori said, wrapping her arm around the Taicho's shoulders and leading him away while chuckling nervously.
Byakuya frowned in confusion, silently asking what she was doing with his eyes. Irritation rose when her eyes slowly strayed from his. After three years of knowing her she still irritated him, in a good way. Especially when she would lounge in his office like it was any other room. He let her lead him around the division, both glancing around the halls for the redheaded fukutaicho. Kaori looked in the mess hall, letting a smirk cross her face.
"There he is!" She said, pointing at the redhead eating something that looked mighty sweet.
Byakuya looked in, glaring at his fukutaicho, who froze when he felt his gaze on him. Renji turned his head, his mouth full of fruit and whipped cream. He let a nervous grin cross his face, seeing that the Taicho did not... look... happy. Letting out a sigh he picked up his bowl and walked towards the door.
Like hell he was leaving it behind.
"Now while you two are working I'm gonna... get cleaned." Kaori said, glancing at her arms, as if she could see the germs.
"Why, you were training?" Renji asked, putting a spoonful of fruit and whipped cream into his mouth.
Kaori paused before her eyes slowly started growing large. Wow... She missed a couple of days of training. She shook her head, seeing Renji frown in disapproval. She quickly backed away while holding her hands up, as if expecting him to hit her. She cried out when he did hit her. Rubbing her head she stuck her tongue out at him, walking away from the two.
"You better train!" Renji yelled, shaking his head lightly.
"Renji," Byakuya said, directing a glare at his fukutaicho before he turned and walked away to head for the office, expecting the redhead to follow.
Renji sighed lightly.
Man, he wondered how it'd be if he was in charge. Work probably wouldn't get done. He smirked in amusement. Ah, yeah, that'd be the life. Having his subordinates do the work for him. While he daydreamed Byakuya stared ahead seriously, pausing in step and narrowing his eyes slightly. Renji bumped into his back, which had the redhead gaping as he scrambled away. Holy hell! He just bumped into Kuchiki Taicho!
He covered his arms over his face, as if expecting an attack.
He paused when no such thing happened, lowering his arms to see Byakuya staring in the distance. Looking in the same direction he frowned in confusion. Is he staring at something? He tried sensing for something... anything... except he couldn't sense anything. Clearing his throat he raised his tattooed eyebrows curiously when the Taicho glanced at him.
"Nothing," Byakuya murmured, answering the unasked question. "I must be feeling tired."
Ah, yeah, that's a perfectly reasonable answer.
Renji rolled his eyes, not noticing the glare directed at him, as if the Taicho knew what he was thinking.
Kayo rubbed her arm, biting her lip as she stared at the small mirror on her table. Should she put on makeup? Though she wasn't going to go meet anyone. She was just going to go with Riko. She wasn't intending to do anything else. She let out a sigh and looked up, glancing at the light blue kimono with a small blush on her face. Did she have to wear that? Though Riko... She can just imagine it.
"Why aren't you wearing your kimono?!" Riko snarled, glaring down at her as she crossed her arms."Go back and change!"
"But I-"
"No buts!"
Yes... She can imagine it. She closed her eyes and sighed lightly. Standing up she smoothed out the kimono, stepping back to stare at it with furrowed eyebrows. Can she wear? Of course she can, it's hers. But... What if she looked ridicu- No! She was getting tired of always putting herself down! Stomping her foot she pursed her lips and stood straight. She was going to gain confidence!
...Somehow...
She turned when she heard knocking at her door, answering it before her eyes grew wide when she was suddenly shoved into a hug. Why did the fukutaicho need to hug her?! Staying still, she endured the hug, trying to breathe as much as she could. Get through it! You can do it! The trick is to stay limp and breathe as little as possible. Then, when she thinks you're dead, run.
She took a deep breath when she was released, putting a hand on her chest.
"Kayo-chan, what are you doing tonight?" Matsumoto asked, letting a bright smile cross her face.
"Why?" Kayo asked, glancing up at the fukutaicho curiously.
"I want you to come to the meet 'n greet tonight~!" Matsumoto said, clasping her hands together in excitement.
"I can't," Kayo said, seeing the woman furrow her eyebrows. "I'm going with Riko and Kaori."
Matsumoto widened her eyes slightly before she narrowed them, which caused the small blonde to frown in confusion. She yelped when the fukutaicho pushed her inside, feeling incredibly scared when she shut the door. Glancing at the tall woman she asked what she was doing.
"You're not planning on leaving the Taicho, are you?" Matsumoto asked, pursing her lips as she stared firmly at the small woman.
"No!" Kayo yelled, holding up her arms and shaking her head. "Riko asked me to go with her!"
"Really?"
"Yes!" She yelled, quickly nodding her head with large eyes.
It's amazing how happy she in one second and angry the next. Once again that bright smile crossed the fukutaicho's face, reaching over and hugging the small blonde. Stay still, stay still, Kayo told herself. Once she was released she let out a sigh of relief, watching as the fukutaicho smiled and turned, saying she'll see her later on. Nodding, Kayo shut the door and let out a small huff. How can she even think that?
She was extremely loyal!
Glancing at the kimono she frowned and furrowed her eyebrows. Why did she even agree with Riko? Why did she say yes? She could have said no! But Kaori said she was going, too, so she needed to go. She idly wondered if they would be serving food, looking up in thought before shaking her head lightly. No! Right now, the most important thing to do, was take a bath. Then she'd get ready.
Hopefully the Taicho didn't see her.
Meanwhile, Hitsugaya blinked when he saw Renta stumble into the office with an exhausted look on his face, holding his head as he made his way towards the couch. Seika blinked as he collapsed on it, letting out a long groan and saying he had a hangover. The Taicho rolled his eyes with a snort. Served him right.
"What happened yesterday?" Renta asked, rolling onto his back and putting his hands over his eyes with a slight groan.
"You... don't remember?" Seika asked, seeing her brother shake his head. "Nothing... Nothing happened at all." She said, grinning widely in amusement.
Should she go in... or just forget about it?
Riko frowned as she stared at the makeup store... place... Ugh, god, she couldn't believe they made stores where the workers would put makeup on the customers. She rolled her eyes and scoffed. Why did she go there again? She reached up and let out a frustrated sigh as she rubbed her face, removing her hand to glance up at the building. Ah, fuck it. Who cared if she didn't have makeup?
And if Aina bitched about it she was going to get another thing coming to her.
Riko punched her hand with her fist for emphasis, smirking to herself as she walked down the street. Glancing around she frowned in confusion when she saw women rushing around with bright smiles on their faces. Oh, god... Were there going to be more women than men? She snorted lightly as she continued on. Man, some women were desperate. She didn't know about herself. If she hadn't been forced into a "relationship" to get rid of Aina she didn't know if she'd try to find a boyfriend.
She still punched men left and right when they would touch her, by accident.
She shrugged lightly. Eh, didn't matter to her.
Though it still made her curious. Sure as hell not Yumichika. Maybe Ikkaku...? She shuddered at the thought and made a face as she weaved through the crowd. No way. He was like a brother to her. Now, but in the beginning of their... "relationship" he was an asshole. He still was. Sticking out her tongue she blew a raspberry. A big asshole. She quickly moved out of the way when a pair of young-looking women ran by.
She stared after them. Hmm... She remembered being that age. She looked up in thought, unconsciously letting a smile cross her face.
"She's smiling~!"
Riko blinked, looking forward. Before she could even utter an, "Eh?" she was crushed into a hug, widening her eyes and quickly pushing whoever it was away. Trying to, anyway. Damn! The fifth seat held on, smiling brightly as he held the ninth seat. Dammit! Girly looking guy, yet he had the strength of a gorilla! Ikkaku snickered as he wandered over to them, the Taicho and fukutaicho trailing behind.
"Red-chan~!" Yachiru yelled, raising her arm and grinning.
"Let... go...!" Riko growled, trying to push the fifth seat away.
"So what are you doing here?" Ikkaku asked, smirking when his friend finally let go of the woman.
"Uh..." Riko rubbed the back of her neck and frowned. "I was debating whether to put on makeup."
The other four widened their eyes with shock, staring at the woman like she had tentacles or something. She quirked a brow, seeing the third and fifth seats' mouths fall open. Kenpachi snorted, crossing his arms as he thought how the woman would look with makeup. Nope! The image couldn't come together. His shoulders shook as he laughed silently, while Yachiru looked up in thought.
"Why would you want makeup, Red-chan?" She asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Wanted to know how I'd look as a real woman," Riko said automatically, receiving odd stares. "Don't know if you haven't noticed but I'm not exactly like..." She looked up in thought, trying to think of anyone girly she knew. "...Aina."
"I'm glad for that," Ikkaku said, crossing his arms and snorting. "We have enough of girliness with Yumichika and the fukutaicho at the division."
Yumichika shot him a glare.
"You know I'm right." Ikkaku said, grinning widely in amusement.
"We leave in three days," Kenpachi said, letting a smirk cross his face, receiving a grin from the woman. "So drop whatever plans ya have 'cause we're going hunting."
"Yes!" Riko yelled, holding up two fists with a wide, excited grin on her face.
Kenpachi paused and quirked a brow, turning to look in the distance with a frown. What did he just sense? He shrugged lightly. Eh, who cared?
Yamamoto was working, on the paperwork that darn shinigami's woman association was making him doing, lightly shaking his head. He didn't know why he let them push him around. Maybe it was because they were pretty... Better keep that comment to himself. With a light tinge of red on his cheeks he paused and opened his eyes slightly. Turning his head he closed them once more, trying to focus. This reiatsu...
Quickly moving some of his paperwork aside, he tried looking for one form, recognizing this reiatsu. He hasn't sensed it in quite a while.
Amusement spread through him when he found the request papers, looking at the date. Well, he forgot that it was the day he'd be coming in.
At the Senkaimon, the person arriving scratched the back of his head, holding onto a small bag as he glanced around. The people standing at the gate gawked at him, both their eyes growing wide with shock. Hmm... It's been a while since he's been here. Where was the Kuchiki manor again? Glancing around the area he frowned. Maybe he can find Byakuya. Smirking, he held his back over his shoulder, heading down the street. Man, either this place loves mazes or they were complete jerks.
As he passed people he couldn't help but notice people would glance at him for a second, look away, then whip their heads in his direction with wide eyes. Huh... This how it must be for famous people. Now, all he had to do was look for the sixth division.
Sixth division... Sixth division...
"Uh, excuse me?" He said, seeing a woman turn to him, her eyes growing huge before the brightest of smiles crossed her face. "Can you tell me where the sixth division is?"
She quickly told him, her smile unnerving. He nodded his thanks before following her directions, grinning to himself when he found the building twenty minutes later. Oh, man. He didn't tell anyone he was coming. He idly wondered how everyone was going to react. The only person who knew he was going to be there was the Soutaicho, and he clearly told him not to tell anyone else. 'Cause he sure didn't want any excitement.
Walking up the steps he slid the door open, pausing when he passed by what looked like a recreation room, pausing with wide eyes.
"A T.V?" He murmured, snorting lightly.
Wow, how other technology did they have here? 'Cause he remembered the last time he was there all the technology was at the twelfth division. He was also inexperienced the last time he was there, but now... Yeah, he could be considered a pro. He smirked smugly to himself, pausing and closing his eyes.
Okay... the office...
Opening his eyes he turned and changed directions, following the reiatsu.
In the office, Byakuya looked up, glaring at the redhead. Renji was humming lightly, doodling on blank papers. Yet he didn't know that Byakuya could see him doodling from his desk. Did he think he was blind? He cleared his throat, seeing Renji pause and look at him. The fool had enough guts to hold the picture out in front of him like it was a masterpiece. The Seaweed Ambassador was a masterpiece, whatever Renji drew was—from where he was sitting—looked like a crudely drawn pineapple. Or it could be a self-portrait.
Byakuya was still slightly amused that Renji's hair resembled a pineapple years before.
"Get back to work, Renji," Byakuya said firmly, seeing the redhead slump his shoulders and nod.
"Can't we slack off, just once?" Renji asked, having enough guts to ask that. "That stupid meet 'n greet is tonight and everyone's getting ready for it."
"Are you planning on going?" Byakuya asked.
"Uh... Well... no-"
"Then back to work."
Renji scowled and nodded, setting down his picture and grabbing the first form. He should just say yes so he could skip work. Actually debating it, he and the Taicho jumped when someone knocked at the door, loudly. They weren't expecting anyone. If it was Kaori she'd just walk in. She no longer feared the famous Kuchiki glare, except when he was serious. Glancing at each other, then the door, they both frowned slightly.
"Come in," Byakuya said, glancing at his work for a moment before looking back up when the door opened.
Renji, who was currently drinking coffee—he had gotten used to it—looked towards the door. He spit out the drink and widened his eyes, standing up in shock. Byakuya leaned back in his chair with slightly wide eyes, quickly regaining his composure. Everyone stayed silent before Renji let a grin cross his face, walking around the desk and heading for the guest. Lifting a hand, he clapped his against the other, both holding each others' hands with wide grins on their faces. Byakuya, hoping the two didn't notice, rolled his eyes at their greeting.
"Ichigo! Long time no see, man!"
Ichigo rubbed the back of his neck, letting a wide smirk cross his face.
"I didn't think you'd all show up," He said, motioning towards the line of Taichos. "Except I'm kind of surprised Kurotsuchi is here."
Said man frowned. "I was forced."
Ignoring the scientist, Kyoraku lifted his hat and smiled. "May I ask what brings you here, Ichigo?" He asked, offering a kind look.
"Vacation." Ichigo answered, shrugging lightly. Receiving stunned expressions he frowned and rubbed the back of his neck once more. "First place I could think of for having a month from work was here. And let's face it. Last time I was here was six years ago."
"'Bout time you came back," Kenpachi said, grabbing his zanpakuto with a smirk. "Wanna finish our fight?"
Ichigo paled. "Uh, no thanks. I'll stick to relaxing, instead."
Kenpachi rolled his eyes with a scoff. Pussy. It was quite a surprise when they were all called to a meeting, in Yamamoto's office. Hell, they all had to stop and gape when they saw who was standing in front of the desk. Kurosaki Ichigo, a little taller and muscular, but he still, amazingly, looked young for his age. He revelled in the fact that many people were envious and often asked what his secret was. He crossed his arms, some of the Taichos noticing the bag near his feet. So, he was staying.
"Come to think of it, Urahara-san told me something a while ago" Ichigo frowned, looking to the side in thought. "Did something happen two years ago?"
"What makes you say that?" Shinji asked, raising his eyebrows slightly.
Ichigo pointed his thumb towards the city, everyone turning their heads to see the trench made by one of the prisoners. It wasn't small, but it wouldn't be hard to spot in unless in a high enough place. The trench was too long for people to jump across, and it took quite a while to build a bridge across. No matter how much they tried filling the trench, it seemed endless. Even after two years. Yamamoto let out a frustrated sigh. It annoyed him to no end.
"Ah, yes, just a run in with some people," Ukitake said, smiling brightly. "It's been taken care of."
"What happened?" Ichigo asked, frowning in confusion.
"Oh, you know, the usual," Shinji said, grinning widely in amusement. "People faked their deaths, came back and tried beating the crap out of us, tried to kidnap the princess, but we beat their asses and kick them in jail." He snickered, ignoring all the odd stares he received.
"...The usual...?" Ichigo asked, his frown growing.
"I'll explain later," Ukitake said, smiling at the man. "You've grown a lot since you've been gone."
"Yeah, been working my ass off, too." Ichigo murmured, looking to the side flatly.
"So? Married a pretty woman, yet?" Shinji asked, raising his eyebrows up a few times suggestively as he grinned.
Ichigo blushed profusely. "Not yet." He murmured, looking to the side.
"Ah, yer too innocent for your own good." Shinji said, waving his hand at the substitute shinigami.
"So who were the guys that did that?" Ichigo asked, changing the subject, pointing back to the large trench.
"All that matters is that they're locked up," Soi Fon said, narrowing her eyes at the memory of those fools. "They are of no importance."
Ichigo looked to the side flatly. Well, they haven't changed at all since he's been there last. Unknown to them, besides the Taicho of the eleventh division, Riko was standing outside with a scowl. Leaning against the wall she glared ahead. She was the Taicho's "escort" since Yachiru was most likely busy putting the last finishing touches to that thing tonight.
"So how long are you planning on staying?" Kyoraku asked, smiling politely.
"Eh... three weeks?" Ichigo murmured, looking up in thought as he shrugged. "It depends."
"On what?"
"If anything interesting will happen."
Confused by the answer, the meeting was now finished, everyone heading for the orange-haired shinigami, while others who dubbed the meeting as pointless were already heading for the door. Byakuya had to frown when he was about to walk by, hearing Ichigo ask him if he could stay at his place for the time being. Meaning he did not have a place to stay before he went there. Sending him a glare, and knowing that Rukia and Renji would be happy—not that he cared if his fukutaicho was happy—he nodded.
Ichigo had to frown when Kenpachi tried tempting him to fight him, which wasn't working all that much.
"For the last time, Kenpachi, no." Ichigo said firmly, seeing the tall man frown and send him a glare.
"What do you plan on doing here, Kurosaki?" Hitsugaya asked, sending the man a hard stare.
"Eh... Probably check out... "Spa land." Ichigo said, shrugging lightly.
He's heard of that place once from Renji.
Hearing the name caused Hitsugaya to frown and glare ahead, remembering when Matsumoto had forced him to go there to "relax." Bastards had the gall to call him a child.
"Finally!"
Everyone looked towards the door, seeing Kenpachi's ninth seat peer inside with a scowl. The Taicho in charge of her rolled his eyes with a scoff. Jeez, he was trying to talk Ichigo into fighting him. Didn't she see that? If only the little idiot would agree then they'd be at it. Yeah, he can imagine fighting all out. He let a smirk cross his face as he daydreamed.
"Can we get going, Zaraki Taicho?" Riko asked, sending the tall man a glare. "I gotta... go do something." She said, looking to the side flatly as she snorted.
Ichigo quirked a brow. Wow, she must be pretty ballsy to talk like that to Kenpachi. Riko glanced at him, sending him an irritated glare. Pausing she furrowed her eyebrows and squinted her eyes, staring at the orange haired man closely. All the Taichos in the room... weren't ready for what happened next. Riko gawked when she recognized the man, seeming to run in spot before she ran towards the Soutaicho's desk, grabbed a blank piece of paper, and a brush—also apologized to the stunned Soutaicho—and ran towards the substitute shinigami.
"Can I get your autograph?!" Riko asked, letting a wide grin cross her face.
Stunned, Ichigo grabbed the brush and paper and signed it, still baffled. She seemed to beam when he gave it back.
"Wait until Kaori and Kayo see this~!" Riko said, turning and running down the hallway quickly, gone in the blink of an eye.
Ichigo blinked. "What just happened?"
"...My escort just left without me..." Kenpachi said, glaring down the hallway.
"Who was that, anyway?"
"That was his giiiiiirlfriend~!"
"SHUDDAP!" Kenpachi snarled, glaring at the grinning Taicho of the fifth division.
Ichigo gawked.
"The Kurosaki Ichigo?!"
Kaori and Kayo's eyes were wide, staring at the piece of paper Riko held out proudly. Oh, god! She had his signature... They both reached for it, scowling when she moved it away with a snarl. Kayo's eyes were wide. She was the one that stumbled upon how amazing the man was. Everyone knew about him when they entered the Shino academy. But reading just how incredible he was made them idolize him.
"How did he look?" Kayo asked, smiling brightly. "D-Does he really have orange hair?! Is he tall? Is his reiatsu powerful? Is he handsome?"
She blushed when Riko and Kaori sent her odd stares at the last question.
"He looked... like he does in the books," Riko said, a wide smile crossing her face, which had her friends raising their eyebrows in slight shock. "I want to meet him again!" She said, holding up a fist with a grin.
"Wait, I heard he was friends with Renji!" Kaori said, holding up her hands, another way to tell them to wait. The other two gawked at her. "Let's go ask him!"
They instantly ran down the hallway, with Riko holding onto the paper like it was a newborn child. Seeing as they met up in the sixth division it wouldn't take too long to go see the fukutaicho. They all skidded around the corner, startling the couple walking down in their direction, ignoring them and continuing their sprint down the hallways. Kaori was first, skidding around the corner and grinning when she found the man they were looking for.
Her heart stopped, her eyes growing wide and her jaw falling open.
And he was with...!
She quickly jumped back to hide, pushing both her friends against the wall. Riko and Kayo blinked, looking down to see Kaori holding them in place as she peered around the corner. Pushing her arm away with a scowl Riko looked around the corner, as well, her eyes snapping wide open. Kayo did the same, gasping lightly, all their eyes shining in admiration.
Kurosaki Ichigo was talking with Renji!
"So, Rukia's gonna be happy that you're here," Renji said, giving a wide smirk when he saw his friend pale. "Don't worry, I'm sure she won't hurt you... much."
"I haven't contacted anyone in six years... Of course, she's going to hurt me."
Renji snickered while Ichigo hung his head with a sigh. He didn't know why, but after Ichigo went to college, and amazingly university, they all just kind of lost contact with him. They didn't even know where he lived, but all that they knew was that he moved away from Karakura. Though he heard Urahara often contacted the Taichos from time to time to update them on the substitute shinigami and what he was doing.
And Rukia... whew! She's complained about Ichigo not contacting them.
And she was loud about the whole thing.
"So, what'd the Taicho say about you staying at his manor for the time being?" Renji asked, seeing a grin cross Ichigo's face.
"He said I can stay... just that I gotta stay away from Rukia's room at night," He said, frowning in confusion while the redhead rolled his eyes at his obliviousness. "Do you know why?"
"...I missed you," Renji said, reaching over and rubbing his knuckles against the orange haired man's head with a grin, ignoring the curses that came from his mouth as he tried pushing him away.
Renji blinked and paused, just holding Ichigo in his arm, seeing three heads disappear around the corner. He frowned. And one of them looked familiar. Releasing Ichigo he held up a finger to silently tell him to wait, receiving a confused stare, heading for the corner. Looking around, he met the sight of three women staring at him in surprise before wide grins slowly crossed their faces. He quirked an eyebrow, staring at his fellow redhead questioningly.
Ichigo frowned in confusion when he saw Renji's lips moving, staring at something around the corner. What was he—? He blinked and looked up, hearing thumping on the floor... behind him...
Turning he was met with the sight of a pair of feet before they crushed against his face, sending him flying and hitting the wall, which had the three women and fukutaicho jumping in surprise. Kayo smiled brightly when she saw the man close up, holding up her hands and shaking in spot from excitement. Renji blinked before he rolled his eyes with an amused smirk. Of course she'd be the first to greet him like that.
"Where have you been?!"
Ichigo rubbed his face and turned, seeing the fukutaicho of the thirteenth division glaring down at him. He blinked before grinning nervously, still holding his face.
"Hey, Rukia," Ichigo said quietly, not missing the way her eyes flashed. "Long time no see, right?"
"Why didn't you visit or anything!? Or say where you lived?!" Rukia snapped, kicking his chest with a scowl. "Do you know how many times Ukitake Taicho kept asking how you were and I had no answer?! Do you?!"
"Calm down, calm- ow! Stop! Okay, that's starting to hurt!"
"Kurosaki Ichigo is right in front of me," Kaori murmured, her eyes wide with fascination, missing the way the fukutaicho rolled his eyes at the new-found information that she was a fan of the man currently getting beaten up by a short woman.
"Hey, Ichigo, ya got some fans here," Renji said, placing a hand on his hip and pointing at the three awed women with his free hand.
Ichigo and Rukia paused, both turning their heads to see the women grin at the attention of the orange haired man.
"Hey, aren't you Kenpachi's, uh, girlfriend?" Ichigo asked, holding the small woman's hands so she couldn't punch him.
Didn't stop her from kicking him.
The grin was instantly wiped off Riko's face, replaced with a frown as she blushed in embarrassment at being referred as Kenpachi's "girlfriend." Kaori and Kayo snickered quietly before perking up when the substitute shinigami stood, sending him bright smiles. Rukia greeted Kaori, receiving a wide smile and a nod. Ichigo glanced between the two in confusion, signing the book Kayo was holding out to him with a marker. He had to admit this was weird. He never had to sign anything for anyone.
"So," Ichigo was genuinely curious. "how'd you meet Kenpachi?"
Riko's grin disappeared once more, receiving snickers from the other people.
Ichigo had to scratch his head when the women grinned at the "autographs" they got from him and ran down the hallway, turning to stare questioningly at both Renji and Rukia, seeing them shrug lightly. The man didn't know that he had fans with all the stuff he did for the Soul Society. He shrugged it off before flinching when he received a punch to his face, falling to the floor.
Seems he wasn't getting off that easily.
"Hey, Ichigo," Renji said, letting a wide smirk cross his face as his fellow fukutaicho continued to kick and punch the orange haired male. "You saw that redhead, right?"
"Y-Yeah! Ow! Okay, that hurt!"
"...That's Kuchiki Taicho's girlfriend." Renji said, narrowing his eyes until they were almost slitted, grinning widely when he saw Ichigo's jaw fall open.
"...SHE'S WHOSE GIRLFRIEND?!"
Guest appearance~! \( ^o^)/ What can I say? I missed Ichigo. X3 And unlike that other story that annoys me to no end—and the readers won't allow me to delete it XD—these three don't personally know him. But surprise, surprise~! :D
They're Ichigo's fans. XD
And wow! D: This chapter only has five thousand and seven hundred words?! I'm either losing my touch or I was just lazy. XD Just three hundred words away and I'd have made it six thousand. XD
And don't like it, too frickin' bad. XP My choice, remember. X3
December 1, 2012