#renji is like wait my plan worked??????

[bendingwind]

Chapters: 2/4 Fandom: Bleach (Anime & Manga) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Abarai Renji/Kuchiki Rukia Characters: Abarai Renji, Kuchiki Rukia, Kuchiki Byakuya Additional Tags: Pre-Relationship Summary:

“Ryōta Shumayaki is looking to marry off his second daughter. It’s common for nobles to marry younger daughters off to powerful members of the Court Guard Squads when the opportunity arises, in order to increase the family’s overall spiritual power, and you’ve just shown that you’re worth consideration!”

Renji’s brow furrowed.

“That explains the other invitations,” he said after a long moment. Rukia couldn’t help herself-- she burst out laughing again.

[kotonoba]

ISYT (Jushiro/F!Reader) Ch. 45

Renji & Rukia’s arrival to help Ichigo get Orihime back, Jushiro prepping to fight Aizen in Fake Karakura Town.

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After Jushiro confronted Ichigo’s group and told them that Orihime had been taken, you noticed some suspicious movements from Rukia and the Sixth Division Barracks. Still, Jushiro smiled and told you to keep quiet about it. But when the news of Renji and Rukia leaving for Hueco Mundo arrived for your husband, he acted surprised despite knowing what was happening. As the two of you headed home from a long day at work, a Hell Butterfly came in to inform you there would be a meeting in the morning regarding the “Fake Karakura Town” that the Twelfth Division had been working on.

You glanced at your husband, who seemed to know everything was happening. But he smiled, “don’t worry, I’ll tell you what the meeting is about once it’s over, okay, love?” You nodded, fingers entwined together as you two strolled back to the Ugendo.

“Speaking of which, ‘Shiro, why did you act surprised when the Messenger came to deliver news of Rukia-chan and Renji-kun’s departure to join Ichigo-kun’s rescue attempt in Hueco Mundo, even though you knew that they were planning so?” You glanced up at him as the night came around, and it was just the two of you along the path to the Ugendo. 

Jushiro hummed a little, thinking about it as he took his haori off to place around you instead of as the breeze blew by. “That way, there would be less suspicion. The messengers are under the command of the new Central 46, First Division, and Second Division since they also train them for a short period. If I did not act surprised, it would be reported to them, and they would do a tedious investigation. I'd rather not go through disputing that ordeal since I’ve gone through it twice already.” 

“Twice? When was the first and second time?” 

“Your memory fails you, love. The first time was when we first met. I wanted to give up my captain role to be with you, no matter how little you had left, but situational scenarios beat me to give up the role. They did a whole investigation but found nothing because the town and evidence were no more,” you nodded a little as you spotted sadness in your husband’s eyes. You offered his hand a little squeeze, and he squeezed your hand back gently to thank you. “The second time was when I went to offer my help to stop Rukia-chan’s execution,” he paused to see if you recall.

“Oh, was that why you were called into Central 46 the following day?” 

Jushiro nodded.

“It was tedious, but by the time I had been called into Central 46, they were in a huge mess because Aizen slaughtered the previous group. So I decided to help them sort the mess out, and they picked a whole new group that just dismissed my ‘wrongdoings–”

“I don’t think it’s wrong for you to stop the execution of Rukia-chan. She did nothing wrong, and it was a plot by Aizen,” Jushiro sighed as he led you into the Ugendo. You two worked pretty late, catching up on paperwork for the weekend to follow since Jushiro wanted to spend some quality time together with no hindrance of work in hindsight. 

“I agree with that, but destroying the Sokyoku is still an offense; sure, it didn’t take long for them to rebuild it, but it was still a lot of money,” Jushiro laughed; his clan was taxed heavily. You recall looking at its records as you helped them sort it out. 

“Hopefully, something like that doesn’t happen again.”

Jushiro nodded in response. You two spent the evening cooking together before eating and going to bed since he had a morning meeting to attend. Morning came around in the blink of an eye. As you were helping your husband dress, he proposed an idea.

“Why not, instead of my two third-seat officers accompanying me, you come with me and wait until the meeting ends. How does that sound?”

You hummed and nodded but decided to tease him, “You forgot to tell them last night, didn’t you?”

“M-maybe,” you laughed a bit; he followed along as you took an early leisure stroll towards the first division meeting room. You waited with the other lieutenants and stand-in lieutenants. There wasn’t much talk, but you didn’t jump in, even if there was. 

Maybe it was about an hour to two before Jushiro and the rest of the captains left the meeting room; you supported yourself, pushing yourself up from your former meditating position, “training with your Zanpakutou?” You glanced at your husband, smiled, and nodded, “Was it fruitful?” You nodded once more, “Achieved Bankai in that process?” He joked, holding his hand out to you; you took it happily. You grinned at your husband in response, “Oh, you did?” 

“Half of it, at least” was hard to explain; it was simply because your ability was divided into two halves, and doing half was good enough. 

“Want to show me?” He hummed, leading you to the training grounds behind the division barracks. You didn’t let go of his hand, almost as if you were shy. 

“Not particularly; I can’t control the power burst it carries. I don’t want to wound you somehow, ‘Shiro.”

“I can help you; I didn’t become a captain from pity points,” Jushiro teased. You know he’s strong, but you couldn’t shake off the thought when your Zanpakutou spirit repeatedly reiterated that you should only use it when you’re in danger. 

“I–” 

“I know, I won’t force you. There must be a reason why you’re reluctant to show me, and I’ll let you and your Zanpakutou deal with it; I believe in you, love,” Jushiro smiled, lightly kissing your forehead.

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This is so long overdue, so I did write this earlier this year, it's just that school has been tough. Did I pass all three of my classes? No, I failed 1 by 1 point, I'm upset, so I channeled that into writing fanfics. So, expect updates this month.

Cloudy's Ao3

[substituted-shinigami]

We… We have a lotta fun here xD

Channel Update!!!

Hello Everyone!!! Despite the, uh…rather silly presentation, I really have been working super hard on some fanworks in the background, and now I’m proud to finally present to you the “We Can’t All Be Winners” Fall Season Schedule! Plus I've got some previews for you to boot!!!

Let’s take a look!

"We Can’t All Be Winners" Fall Season Schedule plus FAQ and Previews!!!

(this post is already kinda long, (and is about to get a lot longer) so I put the rest underneath a tag xD)

October

Oct. 7th - Tiger Robe (fanfiction, renruki & Ichigo, hurt/comfort)

Oct. 14th - Three Times I Dreamed of You (fanfiction, renruki, some angsty longing but also fluff)

Oct. 21st - Who is Ichigo? (Karakura Gang Comic!)

Oct. 28th - Night Scare, Morning Care (fanfiction, renruki, hurt/comfort)

November

Nov. 4th - Double Feature! Bleach Book Club - Letters From The Other Side (light novel overview) + Roommates Assemble (Rukia & Ichigo + Karakura Gang drabble + fanart)

Nov. 11th - Bubble Tea (fanfiction, renruki + Yoruichi, slice of life, fluff)

Nov. 18th - Peaceful Day, Peaceful Night (fanfiction, renruki, fluff)

Nov. 25th - Commercial Break - Pocket Renji (Comic/fake ad)

December

Dec. 2nd - Bloodlines - Learning to Breathe (L2B) Prologue & Ch. 1 (multi-chapter fic, renruki, hurt/comfort, some angst, some humor)

Dec. 9th - L2B Ch. 2

Dec. 16th - L2B Ch. 3

Dec. 23 - L2B Ch. 4

Dec. 30 - L2B Ch. 5 & Epilogue

And that’s it! Yeah, Ichigo wasn’t kidding, it really is mostly just RenRuki fanfiction, haha!😅 Now I'm sure you all have some questions like: Wait…What is this?! Why is this?! How is this?! When is this?! And Where is this?! And I'll do my best to answer them in the FAQ below!

FAQ

Wait…What is this?!?

“We Can’t All Be Winners” or “WCABW” started out as an anthology series of RenRuki one-shots I started back in January. It contains a handful of stories featuring Renji, Rukia and occasionally others, and puts them in different scenarios, some of them canon-compliant and some of them in alternate universes. Originally, I planned to write and post one story a month, but I quickly fell behind. So I took a break and reassessed and decided to try posting in “seasons” instead. So now it’s a season of weekly uploaded fanworks to be posted from October to December, and will feature a variety of Bleach related content such as fanfiction, fanart, fan comics, bleach light novel overview, and, when I’m able to write one, a multi-chapter fic. All the fanfiction will be available on both Tumblr and AO3, but the rest will only be available on Tumblr (sorry!). Once this season is completed, I will mark the AO3 work as “completed”, and if I can do this again next year, I will start a new one!

Why is this?

Like most people, I originally planned to create and post fanworks whenever I finished them. However, I eventually found keeping up with a social media account stressful. Something about it makes you feel like you need to post all the time, even when no one else is pushing you. So I thought, hey, why not have a season! That way I have a predetermined end goal AND I don't feel like I gotta post outside of it! Plus if I feel like I need to just step away for a break (which I will most likely be doing once the queue starts running), it won't affect it since everything is already queued! So yeah, that's the idea behind it.

How do you plan to post this on AO3? It doesn’t have a queue system!

Yeah, that is a problem. My current plan is to have a tab open for each story/chapter I need to post, and then will just press the button to post it on the day it’s due to come out (or within 24 hrs). This will probably mean that the Tumblr post will link back to the table of contents of WCABW on AO3 rather than the chapter itself, so I would like to apologize for that in advance. I’ll try to fix it whenever I am able, or at the latest, when I become socially active on Tumblr again.

When is this?

Every Saturday from October 7 to December 30th at 11 am EST here on Tumblr, and within 24 hrs (either before or after) on AO3 (I'll try to make it before, but life happens sometimes). Now obviously this is no real substitute for the Bleach anime, not even close! But Saturdays were already a convenient day to post, so I thought, "Hey, why not?!" And just pushed the joke all the way!!!

Where is this?

Right here on Tumblr and on AO3 (links provided). On AO3, the one-shots will be posted under the We Can’t All Be Winners anthology series of one-shots that's already on there (if you haven't seen it yet, why not check it out? It already has some of my other one-shots on there!) The multi-chapter fic will have its own posting.

I have some questions/comments/concerns!

No problem! My ask box is always open! Now to be honest, I will be on break starting in early October, but I'll answer any I don’t see before then when I am able/get back! Also, if you are a part of the RenRuki discord, I may be checking in there from time to time even while on break.

And that’s it! Thank you all so much for reading this needlessly long and very silly announcement for Bleach fanworks of all things! To thank you for making it to the end, I added some previews for some of the upcoming works!! I hope you all enjoy!!! xD

PREVIEWS!!!

(Note: works are subject to minor changes)

Three Times I Dreamed of You

Chapter Summary:  Nightmares are always terrible. But they are made even worse when you aren’t even able to talk to the person that they are about. (RenRuki, some angsty longing but also fluff)

"Rukia!"

Renji awoke with a start, sweat dripping down his brow. He whipped his head around wildly, as he mopped off his forehead with his sleeve. He was alone, utterly alone. Quickly he reached out with his spiritual pressure to feel hers, his heart pounding loudly in his ears. Finally, he found her, a tiny cold gust on a frigid winter night. It felt so impossibly far away, but… it was enough. Renji left the Eleventh Division barrack's dorm and climbed on top of the roof to feel it better.

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Tiger Robe

Chapter Summary: While shopping with Ichigo in the World of the Living, Rukia finds a tiger print robe that reminds her of someone from her past. (renruki & Ichigo, hurt/comfort, Starts out in the Soul Society Arc, but then jumps around a couple of times)

“Okay, we're here,” Kurosaki Ichigo began as they entered the clothing store, “The women’s section is in the back.  If you need clothes, I don’t mind buying you a set or two, so can you just please stop stealing Yuzu’s?!? She’s starting to get suspicious…” But Rukia wasn't listening to him. Instead, she was looking around the store, completely enthralled.

“Woah! This is incredible!” Rukia replied with wonder, as her wide eyes flitted from one brightly colored clothing display to the next, “And you can afford such garments on your allowance alone?” Ichigo raised an eyebrow at her in response.

“Yeah…? It’s just a cheap department store, Rukia.”

“Incredible…” she muttered to herself again as she continued to look around the huge, lively store with a mixture of awe and nervousness. Several people passed them by, chatting as they filed in or out of the entrance, and loud music played on the speakers overhead. 

This is nothing like the open markets that sold only rags in Inuzuri, she thought, And once I got adopted by the Kuchiki Clan, the tailors came to me. I don’t think I’ve been to anything even resembling a regular clothing store since the Academy. There is too much choice! What should I…?

Rukia could feel Ichigo’s concerned eyes on the back of her neck. Quickly, she stood up straighter, and turned towards him.

“You said, I could get whatever I wanted, right?!” she asked with a devilish grin. Ichigo sighed heavily as if he was immediately regretting both this decision and his entire existence. He scratched the back of his head.

“Within reason! I’m not rich, you know," he scowled, "You can get one everyday outfit and one sleepwear, that’s it!” With that, he set off across the store.

“Ah! You're so stingy, Ichigo!” Rukia teased as she followed after him.

“Keep talking smack, and I’ll make you shop in the children’s section!”

“I might anyway,” Rukia mused, as they passed by a pair of child’s pajamas with bunnies on them, “children’s clothes have nicer prints.”

“Whatever,” Ichigo replied, “Wear what you want when you sleep, but when you are out and about, try to wear typical 'teen clothes'. Otherwise people might get the wrong idea when we are walking together.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Rukia dismissed with a wave of her hand. As they continued walking along on their way to the back of the store, passing from the children's section into the men's, Rukia’s eyes were caught by a brightly colored robe. Turning towards it, she felt taken aback when she beheld the largest, tackiest tiger print bathrobe she had ever seen. Suddenly, she felt like she was thrown back over forty years…

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Bubble Tea

Chapter Summary: Relaxing is difficult when you are so used to fighting. Now that the Winter War is over, Rukia and Renji shoot the breeze and talk about the future. (renruki + Yoruichi, slice of life, fluff, During the Fullbringer Arc timeskip)

“Hmmm… Getting to know you without the fangs of death constantly nipping at our heels feels…weird,” Rukia commented suddenly, and a little too casually, one day as she sipped her bubble tea. Renji coughed in surprise. That or he got another tapioca pearl stuck in his throat, Rukia wasn't too sure.

“H-Huh?!" he spluttered, after he had finally begun to recover. 

"Well, think about it," Rukia continued, as she settled her cup down beside her upon the park bench. She began to list things off on her fingers, “First it was surviving in Rukongai, then Aizen's betrayal, and then the Winter War. Whenever we were together it felt like our lives were in constant mortal danger. That it was us against the world. But now…now there’s no real threat.”

"Oh yeah…" Renji agreed, looking up to the sky in thought, "I guess, you're right…huh." 

“Yeah," Rukia went on as she picked up her cup again, "The only other time it was seemingly this peaceful was when we were separated."

At that, Renji was silent for a moment, before asking quietly, "Kind of makes you wonder whether or not we're cursed, huh?" Rukia turned to look up at him, but Renji continued to stare up at the sky. 

"If we are cursed," she began slowly, "then whoever made it, absolutely sucks at making curses,"  Renji quirked an eyebrow at her as she turned back towards her tea, "Curses are meant to make you the most miserable, but despite the dangers, I'm always more miserable when we're apart." Renji stared at her wide-eyed as she went back to sipping her tea. 

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Learning to Breathe

Story Summary: Turns out purple eyes and short stature aren’t the only things that run in Hisana’s family, illness does as well. As Rukia and Renji try to help each other navigate through this new storm in their lives, will they remember to take time to breathe? (multi-chapter fic, renruki, hurt/comfort, some angst, some humor, Post TYBW, Rukia gets the same disease that killed Hisana. (Bloodlines AU))

Here’s a scene from chapter 1:

I faced an execution. I faced an espada's blade. I even faced a man who could literally murder me with fear. And yet, tiny medical needles are too much for me? You are utterly ridiculous, Kuchiki Rukia…  Rukia thought glumly to herself, as she laid in bed one chilly morning before yet another doctor’s appointment. She began chuckling wryly, I've heard the pen is mightier than the sword, but I think the medical needle might be mightier still. 

Rukia stared up at her bedroom ceiling, the sound of the room's clock ticking loudly in her ears. She'd been laying there for hours as sleep frustratingly eluded her. Sighing, she tried rolling over and closing her eyes again, but she couldn't shut out the anxious thoughts that plagued her mind.

I really hope today’s tests don’t have them. If I can’t get through these appointments without stressing out everytime I see one, then I’ll never convince him that he can rest, because I’ll be okay. That it will all be okay in the end. Hopefully…

Suddenly, Rukia’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the alarm on her soul pager going off. Again. Rukia’s hand shot out, flipped the infernal device open, and managed to press the snooze button for the third time that morning without even looking at it. She went back to staring up at the ceiling.  

Guess I better get up now, huh? Can't keep putting it off, after all… My friends, my brother, and…Renji… they’re all so worried about me, so I can’t… I can’t be weak… I must be strong for them.

Rukia sighed, her stomach already all up in knots. Taking a deep breath to center herself, she forced herself to sit up. As she looked out her bedroom window towards the sky, she saw that it was pitch-black, that even the stars were blocked out by clouds. 

Hmmm… Looks like a storm is rolling in too… Figures…

Rukia slowly pushed off her blankets and got up to search for her clothes. She thought about just wearing her black shinigami uniform, but she already knew neither her third seat nor her escort were going to let her go back to work this afternoon. Speaking of her escort…

Rukia left her room, a neatly folded dark blue kimono tucked underneath her arm, and approached the door of the guest room next to hers. She lifted her hand to knock, but paused.

I could just leave without waking him… she thought briefly, Let him sleep in. Gods know he needs it. That way, when I make it through the appointment on my own, he’ll see he has nothing to worry about! But she quickly shook herself. No! No, I don’t do that anymore! I don’t just run away... I talk about it. We talk about it. And even if we can’t figure it out, we still do even that together. Rukia took a deep breath, glared resolutely at the door, and knocked.

“Oi, Renji, you awake in there?” She heard what sounded like a groan to the affirmative. “Okay, just so you know, we’ve got to leave in an hour.”

“Mhmm… Yup. I got you,” he responded groggily. This was soon followed by the sound of very fast shuffling, a very loud bang, an almost as loud curse, and then more shuffling. Rukia raised an amused eyebrow at that.

“You good in there? All your limbs still present and accounted for?”

“Ha ha. Very funny. And yes, I’m fine. Thanks so much for your concern.”

“Of course!” Rukia smirked. However, the heavy feeling inside her soon dragged the corners of her lips back down. She took another deep breath. Here we go… "Oi, Renji…" she began quietly, "If you are too tired, it's okay, y'know? It's like I said before, it’s basically just a long doctor's appointment. I'll…I’ll be okay going by myself." 

At that, Rukia heard the stomping sound of footsteps coming rapidly towards her, followed by the shoji door immediately sliding open with a sharp bang. Renji looked rather frazzled, with his sleeping robe half hanging off of his shoulder and his hair loosely pulled into a messy braid. He also looked rather cute…at least until he started shouting.

“WHAT? NO! OF COURSE I'M COMING WITH YOU, IDIOT!”

“QUIET, RENJI! ARE YOU TRYING TO WAKE UP THE ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD WITH YOUR RACKET?!?”

"You are way louder than me!" Renji replied in his terrible attempt at a whisper, "In any case, don't try to change the subject like that. You are downplaying it again, I know it. They are running medical tests today too, and I know those tend to make you nervous.” He managed to actually say that last part quietly. Then he smiled at her, “We're in this together, ya?" His lips might have been smiling, but Rukia saw his eyes. He was exhausted. She felt her heart lurch into her throat.

"Ya, well…don't go overdoing it, okay?" Rukia told him firmly as she fixed his robe for him, but her fingers lingered on his shoulder. Renji placed his hand over hers.

"Hmph… As if I could ever do too much for you… I'm fine, Rukia, really. Go get changed."

"Okay…" she murmured quietly, looking down. However, her face must have betrayed her troubled thoughts, because when she tried to remove her hand from his shoulder, Renji held it firm. She looked back up at him and he tilted his head down closer to hers.

"I love you~" he whispered to her in a cheeky sing-song voice with that toothy grin of his. He was clearly trying to lighten the mood, to make her smile or push him off and call him a dork, but instead Rukia felt her heart, already firmly lodged in her throat, leap even higher into her mouth.

“I know…” she barely got out, “I know Renji, but…”

“Uh uh. No ‘buts’, Ru. Go ahead and take your bath. I’ll see you in an hour, alright?” He winked and let go of her hand as he cheerfully went back into the guest room, closing the door behind him. 

Rukia, on the other hand, just stood there, staring at the floor.

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And that's it for the previews! If you somehow made it all the way to the end, thanks so much for reading! The "We Can't All Be Winners" Fall Season starts next week! Hope to see you there!

[jaxxsoxxn]

"Here comes the bride"

After an inside joke breaches containment, Kisuke and Shunsui need to work out how to fix everything - or play along.

The first time it happens, after Kisuke is cleared of everything, he's actually going crazy.

He flirts a lot with people, often expecting more of a bad reaction than a good one, so imagine his shock when not only Shunsui starts the cheeky teasing, but doesn't even try to stop it from going into flirty territory.

"Oh, Urahara-san, the handsomest shopkeeper around, how nice is it to see you!"

And Kisuke wants to laugh, of course he does, but he's surprised above anything. Yet it doesn't stop him from responding in the same teasing tone.

"Oh my, Shunsui-kun, you and honorifics? Should I start planning the wedding?"

When he gets the first chuckle, he expects the man to go straight back to business. He really should learn to expect less of the other.

"Depends, does the bride get any special deals?"

"Awh, is my charming bride broke?"

It starts so stupidly, yet before they can stop themselves, it becomes an inside joke of theirs. That is, until someone from the outside catches them.

"Ne, if that isn't my lovely bride!" Kisuke says, a soft hum following his words. "Are you here to talk over the wedding plans or should I expect you to, once more, try to milk me dry?"

Shunsui laughs, hiding his mouth behind his left hand, shaking his head a bit.

"I fear I came here for business, what a shame indeed." he states, before adding, with a cheeky wink. "But I have to say, I'd be more interested in the wedding night."

"Eh?!"

They both look at each other with a slight surprise before moving their heads towards the one who made that sound. Ichigo, somehow, happened to walk in without notifying either of them (and if it's because they were too focused on each other, well, that's between them and their minds only.) was looking wide-eyed at them.

"Bride?" he says, his eyes wide and, before they say anything, he continues, now with disgust. "Wedding night?"

Shunsui smiles lazily at the man, though from where Urahara is standing, he can easily see the faint blush on his ears - cute.

"Ah, sorry, Ichigo, didn't mean to say that out loud, but you know what love does to a man." he says, a sly wink at the end, hiding his mischievous smirk behind his hand like he's being bashful. "Can you keep it silent? We don't want to make a big deal out of it."

All they get is a hurried nod and a quick disappearance - maybe they should've demanded more or at least try to scare him a bit, but now it was too late or so Shunsui thought next time he saw everyone at Captain's meeting.

"...and thus-" the sound of steps coming from behind the door made Byakuya stop and Kyoraku looks up towards the

Renji runs inside, barely opening the door before stumbling to his place behind his Captain, his face red in embarrassment. They can feel Kenpachi's spirit pressure through the door when he finally comes in behind the other, Yachiru giggling on his shoulder.

When everyone looks at them, expecting an explanation, a shudder runs through him - Ichigo's soul pressure is disappearing by now, too far to be felt, but they were around each other not too long ago and-

Oh no.

"Well, we're happy you're here, let's maybe come back to-" he tries to take the attention away from them, to stop what he knows for sure will happen.

"Congratulation on your marriage, Shunsui-taicho" finally the lieutenant says, practically choking on his words, his eyes unable to look at him. "Hope Urahara-san will treat you well, sir."

He never saw the other one as polite as now, nor had he ever seen movements as quick as the turn of heads his way. He wants to die and to kill Kisuke because Ichigo is his problematic child.

"Ahaha, thank you Renji." he smiles softly back, making a mental note to beat up the blond for getting them into this. "If it's okay, I'd rather we'd come back to the main topic of the meeting-"

"Wait, what?" his Nanao says, her eyes burning a hole in the back of his head. "What do you mean 'marriage' Renji?"

Oh no.

By the time he's free and ready to go, he's tired as hell. Nanao, trying her best not to act like she's offended by the fact that he didn't tell her about his "marriage", said something about double-checking the paperwork from the week, before disappearing.

Ukitake's soft voice filled the silence in-between them while they walked towards the garden connected to his family home, talking about nothing special. Since his folks died and his brother also left, the place was pretty empty above him and his niece from time to time.

"Shunsui." he says, startling him and making him look up from one of the koi ponds. "I know it's too late now for you to tell us about the marriage yourself-"

"There wasn't a good time to." he says, almost panicking at the thought that his closest friend might take offense. "It's just- he swept me up from my feet, it all happened so fast, ahaha..."

He can't look Ukitake in his eyes, the shame of him lying and the deeper, burning shame caused by the fact that he somewhat wishes that this wasn't a joke that got out of the control, but a truth that just happened to be unfortunate were eating him alive.

"It's okay." he continues, forgiving as always. "I just want to make sure that you know you can come to me with anything and - if I'm being honest - I should've figured it out. You always came back so happy from the visits you paid to his shop, usually coming back without anything, too."

He lets his friend hug him, biting his tongue at the thought that if he was so obvious, then the Kisuke Urahara, the smartest person he knows, probably figured it out too.

Urahara starts stopping by his house, always happily mumbling something about the kids and Tessai taking care of the shop. They feed the fish together when he mentions figuring out how to fix the misunderstanding.

"Well, Shu-chan, why fix it in the first place?" Kisuke says slowly, almost seeming sleepy - to be fair, they both were late for a nap or two. "Isn't it better that now you can come over to me all you want without seeming suspicious?"

He sighs before letting his body rest on the blond's side, his muscles relaxing with ease. He can feel a back pain coming, how troublesome.

"But now Nanao-chan seems upset that she missed it all and I can't really fix it up with her." he pouts overdramatically, thinking about the fact that she seemed to avoid him when she could. "Don't even get me started on the old man, you'd think I killed someone."

A breathless laugh is all he gets back, a rough, delicate hand starts brushing through his hair, untangling it where needed. When the blunt nails run lightly on his scalp, he lets himself close his eyes and focus on Kisuke next to him.

"Well, how about a family dinner?" there's a teasing tone to it, but Kyoraku knows what he means - and since Urahara's side of "family" all knew of the bride thing before Ichigo bumped into them, they could probably be persuaded to keep it all correct. "She deserves to see how I captured your heart, Shu-chan."

He cannot help, but laugh lightly, his head and eyes heavy. He really shouldn't have missed his nap.

"I don't know what's your whole plan, Kisuke, but it'll probably backfire." it's the first thing Yoruichi tells him, laying lazily on the floor near the window in his bedroom, the sunlight warm on her skin. "Shunsui is pretty smart himself, but you're playing with people close to him too - you know better."

You are better hangs in the air, unsaid.

"I'm not playing anything, Yoruichi." he answers, surprisingly honest. "I didn't plan the whole thing with Ichigo, nor did I expect Shu-chan to sink deeper by his own accord."

She closes her eyes, humming for a while, before opening them again. The second her predatory gaze meets him, he knows he won't like what she has to say.

"Still, you like how it ended up going, don't you?"

He doesn't buy her favorite foods for a week after that - that should teach her.

Nanao is in his office by the time he finds her. She's looking at an old picture he had, all kinds of dust on it - it's a photograph from her parent's wedding, but the one with family only.

When he was younger, he used to laugh how they chose each other - both the bride and the groom had no close family, above his brother having him. By the time he got older, he decided to ignore the fact that no matter who he'll marry, he'll also probably end up with only one person on a picture like that, ignoring also the sinking feeling in his chest that it caused.

He almost stays outside, before he walks in and closes the door. His niece doesn't react, but he knows she's aware of him - she's waiting, giving him a chance even.

"I didn't expect to get engaged." he decided to start it with a truth that has been ringing in his soul for weeks now. "I didn't mention it because, I guess, it felt unreal. Like if I'll push, something horrible will happen."

Well, that's also almost a true sentence - but, instead, him staying silent was the thing that made it end up how it was.

"Why didn't you mention that you and Urahara-san were going out?" her tone is delicate, silent and if she'd be looking at him, he'd probably break and tell her everything - instead he answers her question with another half-truth.

"I didn't even notice when I got my feelings for... Kisuke." he says the name so softly that his voice shakes and he has to look away. Look away from the horrid, horrid truth that he walked around ignoring. "It seemingly didn't affect anything, they came to me so naturally. I let it go further and further, it felt more like letting him pull me instead of walking along him. It was so easy to let him lead, that I didn't even think of it as an actual change."

He wonders if he's not putting too much of it all on Urahara, worries that it'll make it look like he's trying to pin the blame on him. Too unfocused, he doesn't notice Nanao moving until she lightly hugs him, her face hidden in the pink kimono.

He lets himself hug her back, hiding his own face in her hair.

"You can always be a part of the wedding planning and the wedding itself, Nanao-chan, I wouldn't have it any other way."

The family dinner ends up with Yoruichi being included and, thus, Soi Fon too. Somehow, it's also awkward with them there. He half wonders if Ukitake here doesn't make it even worse, but if he'd have to handle this without some support, he fears that he'd have to end it early.

They sit parallel to each other, which makes him slightly upset, embarrassingly so. By his left hand sits Jushiro, while by his right sits Nanao. On the other side, Yoruichi is by his left with Soi Fon next to her and Tessai, Ururur and Jinta sit on his right in that exact order.

"So... let's talk about the wedding." he starts, his voice smoothly calm. "Do you have any specific no-goes from the start?"

Kisuke smiles teasingly and without his normal hat, Kyoraku can see his eyes with ease and notice the glint of mischief in them. The younger one is wearing an elegant kimono, very alike the one he wore as a captain - it's slightly more fitting than his normal clothes. The dark tone of it makes his light skin and blond hair pop out more, which makes Shunsui's eyes stray a few times more than it should. There’s a high possibility that Kisuke noticed it by now.

"I want my family to be there, so I fear no no-children policy." he says, moving his head to the side, like he's thinking more about it. "I know that you nobles like your big parties, but if we could keep it small, I'd like that."

He can't help, but laugh softly at that.

"Whatever's left of Kyoraku's family, they know better than to think they'll be invited - but we might have to make a bigger 'housewarming party' after the thing, just to make them feel like they're in the loop." he states, checking everyone's reactions before continuing. "There's nothing on my side, above maybe Nanao helping out as long as she wants to."

He gets a quick nod and notices a small smile on the girl's face. Even if the whole thing is kind of fake, he can't help, but feel his heart swell from the love he's feeling.

"If that's alright, I'd like Tessai to take a part in planning as well."

With a simple glance exchange, they both know that it's going to be a rather simple agreement.

They end up not doing anything wrong at the dinner, in the end - it's Ukitake who starts the problems. He mentions the possibility of inviting every captain and possibly the lieutenants, before Nanao quickly shoots him down - too quickly, it seems, and Soi Fon decides that it means that she's ashamed of Urahara (since when was she his protector?). Tessai agrees with Nanao, while kids jump from one side to another just to cause some chaos. Yoruichi does the same thing.

So they fight politely like only people trained in it can, while the two of them sneak off after taking a picture to get it printed out later - their first family dinner.

They end up deeper in the garden than usually, the trees hiding them from any prying eyes - and if their first kiss happens there, in-between sakura trees and Koi ponds, Shunsui's long hair brushed trough by Kisuke's sly hand, well, that's between them and a one bored cat.

What a wedding it will be.

[glacialdeath]

Rukia tilts her head at him, glaring at his stumbling. She hadn't been sure if it would be better to give his outburst more attention, but he continued to put his foot in his mouth and she can't shy away from it any longer. "'the hell are you going on about?" She throws a punch at his chest for good measure, shaking out her wrist after to loosen the muscle, using some oomph, just to make sure to knock him back to reality. "Idiot. Your principles evolve. I don't keep track of them all. That's for you to manage."

It feels unnatural to hear the term girlfriend used for herself, stiffening her muscles without her realizing and she moves past it quickly, not giving it too much spotlight, or else let her mind focus on it too much."You don't have to worry. I don't think that character would do well here. Nor would I want it to, really." A quick single idea comes to her mind as she brings her hand to her chin, and she interrupts one scenario it might have some effect. "Though... I bet I could get a haggle out of it in the lower districts. But I guess I should be happy you prefer my actual self." She grins widely, clearly having fun joking around.

"You're so certain." Rukia comments, her face torn as she looks him over and her grip tightens as she holds her breath. His words awaken that feeling in her stomach from before, like a little tickle, feeling like she's somehow light as a feather. Maybe she was overthinking it. That was something she had a tendency to do. When he puts it like that, it does feel right, his words easing her and tearing back her doubts and letting her release a breath. This was one way to state his intentions; he wasn't just playing around, but he had large dreams with her in them. Maybe that was what made him more head forward on aspects like living together and the things that would follow; he's already considered it. And she wanted to respect that. So, she crushes that part of her that wants something to fall back on, that wants a promise they could go back to normal if it went awful, and instead chooses to believe in him. It's not a reset, but a build on top of what they were. "Hmm. Okay. It'll work." She reaffirms to him. And as she lets her hesitancy release, she leans into him, getting close, giving him her weight while still keeping his hand in hers, placing her absolute trust and faith in him, and letting him have full range of her soul. She was supposed to be the one assuring her feelings but he's turned it back at her. "Thank you, Renji."

He takes over leading of their next plans so smoothly, but Rukia compromises. "Wha-- Fine. We can alternate. I'll make it up the next day. I've never really seen you cook. But I'm not that picky, so I'm sure whatever you can make will be fine. Don't make anything too elaborate." She hopes she's made it apparent that he doesn't need to hold himself to the level of the Kuchiki manor kitchen. Rukia was a bit surprised by his remarks, not realizing how he had this already considered. Sometimes Renji could be pretty smart."I guess we do already have that covered. We know each other already. But then-" She wants to ask a question, but rather than asking, maybe it would be better to just wait and see. She shrugs, shaking her head before cutting herself off. "We can talk more on it during lunch."

he was thankful that she didn't seem too bothered by his weird outburst then nor did she ask further on the topic even if she totally could have and would be justified to kick him. ' i mean... we have slept together but not in that other way that we would have to do eventually... but that's for later! no need to worry about it now. ' boy, was he really making things weird and putting his foot in his mouth. ugh! ' whatever they may be? you don't know what my principles are? I'm offended now. ' he was teasing obviously but then his face changed, taking on this serious although grossed-out look at the new "mode" she was displaying to him.

' if i preferred a character like that I wouldn't be telling you that I liked you. nor would I be okay with you being my girlfriend. '

oh. right. she was that to him now, wasn't she? it was strange the progression of how things went between them. childhood friends to now this. he found himself not minding it one bit. and was hella determined to make it work. there was no way it wasn't going to not work! he wouldn't allow it to go wrong. and had already taken the challenge upon himself. so when she took his hand he relaxed a little, offering her a smile but also stating. ' it will work. it just has to. there's no one else for me. it's always been you. and it isn't whatever we are. we've always been friends first and now we're only building on that. so it will work. ' it had to, he adamantly told himself. ' I've always liked you. a lot. so it's good that you've caught up, finally. ' he added, letting out a soft chuckle. he supposed she might not think it would work because she always thought and worried about everything. but he knew it would and that was enough for them.

at the mention of food and her offering then delaying he let out another chuckle and said, ' fine, I'll bring lunch tomorrow then. you do know I can cook right. and well enough too. ' he enjoyed food and was good at figuring out taste. maybe it was a by-product of where they came from but it did help him be where he was now. cooking, cleaning and taking care of things was something he had to learn the hard way which made him grateful for them too. ' and no, that's not the only way I see dating and we can do the whole going to do extra things too later. but people do those things when they don't know one another. you and me don't have that problem though. '

[fictionaryplace]

rumour has it.

bleach || ichigo/orihime, ensemble cast || 6050 words || pg—13 (language, sexual themes) ichigo and orihime have important news, but decide to have a little fun with their friends and family before coming clean. gossip begins, a game of chinese whispers ensues, and their friends try to get to the bottom of the mystery with disastrous consequences.

❝ “Orihime, I am this close to shouting from the rooftop, ‘Suck it, losers! Inoue Orihime is officially off the market!’ and now you’re telling me I have to pretend to break up with you?” ❞

“So who should we call first? Tatsuki? My family?” Ichigo reached for his phone but Orihime stopped him.

“Actually,” she whispered into his ear and he couldn’t stop a shudder running through his body, “I was thinking we could have a little… fun first.” “Well, I was planning on that, too,” Ichigo grinned saucily. “I didn’t mean like that.” She whacked him across the shoulder and he sighed in disappointment. “I mean, of course we can have fun like that, but I meant fun in a different way.” “Like a new position?” he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Ichigo-kun, will you get your mind out of the gutter for one minute, please?” she glared at him accusingly. “Okay, well, I’m really dense, as you know, so I think you’re going to have to spell it out for me.” “I was thinking, instead of just telling people we’re engaged, we should… not.” Ichigo scratched his head. “I’m confused. How would that be fun?” “Well, y’know, we could play around with them for a bit first. Pretend like we’re cooling our relationship off instead.” “I— what? Are you serious?” Ichigo was completely caught off guard. “Orihime, I am this close to shouting from the rooftop, ‘Suck it, losers! Inoue Orihime is officially off the market!’ and now you’re telling me I have to pretend to break up with you?” She coyly played with her hair. “Do you think you’ll have trouble not telling people?” “Uhh, yeah!” She smiled cheekily. “Well, maybe we shouldn’t spend any time with each other until we tell people, then.” “What?” “Maybe on Saturday when Kuchiki-san and Renji-kun come to visit? That way we can tell everyone at once.” “What?” “Well, when do you think we should tell people, then?” “How about now? I don’t want to have to wait a whole week!” She almost laughed at the horrified expression on his face. This was too good; not only was she going to have fun fooling everybody else, she was going to enjoy playing around with Ichigo, too. “Aww, c’mon, Ichigo-kun, this will work perfectly! If you’re going to have trouble keeping it a secret, we won’t spend any time together, and if we don’t spend any time together, people will think we’re taking a break. Perfect!” she patted him on the shoulder as she got up off the bed. “But, wait—” “And we can start right now!” She worked her engagement ring off of her ring, only five minutes after she had put it on, and replaced it back into its box. “I’m going to go home, okay?” “What? You’re not staying the night?” His jaw dropped. If there were any night a guy should get lucky, surely it would be the night he proposed, right? Surely he was right in thinking that. “Really, Ichigo, what kind of message would it send if we spent the night together when we’d broken up?” “But we… but I…” he floundered for words. “Alright, so I’ll see you tomorrow!” She paused for effect. “Maybe.” She kissed him on the cheek chastely before waving goodbye. “Wait, are you serious?” Ichigo only just managed to catch her before she left his apartment and knew from the mischievous grin on her face that she was dead serious about her proposition. He sighed in resignation, “Do you want me to walk you home?” “Now what kind of ex-boyfriend would do that?” she argued playfully before leaving. “The kind who’s still your boyfriend?” Ichigo answered rhetorically before flopping himself onto the couch. It was going to be a long week. Finally out of Ichigo’s presence, Orihime couldn’t contain her laughter anymore. She spent her walk home trying to come up with all the things she could do to him during the week. She was sure Ichigo was going to retaliate once he got over the initial shock and, honestly, she was looking forward to that, too. By the time she reached the apartment she shared with Tatsuki, she had reined in her fit of giggles, but her eyes were still teary and her face was still red from laughing. She could hear laughter coming from inside the apartment once she opened the door, but it trailed off as she stepped into the apartment. “Orihime?” Tatsuki stood up and Keigo and Mizuiro turned to face her. “What… what are you doing here?” Orihime rubbed her eyes for effect as Tatsuki continued. “Uhh, how was your night?” “Big,” Orihime replied simply and saw the three of them quickly exchange a glance. “Good big or bad big?” “Ichigo,” she sighed theatrically, “thought maybe it was time for a change in our relationship.” “A change in your relationship?” Tatsuki repeated, confused. She walked around the couch towards Orihime but stopped short before asking in horror, “Have you been crying?” “You know, I’m kinda tired, I think I’m just going to go to bed.” “Orihime—” “Night,” Orihime interrupted her, feigning weariness before shutting her bedroom door behind herself, grinning. She was not looking forward to spending a week without Ichigo, but finally coming clean on Saturday was going to feel that much sweeter after spending some time apart. Absence made the heart grow fonder, right? And really, since they were going to spend a lifetime (or five) together, one week apart wasn’t going to be the end of the world. She knew it was all her idea but she still couldn’t help thinking her bed sure was cold and lonely without him. Tatsuki was still staring at Orihime’s door. “Uhh, Arisawa-san?” Mizuiro approached her carefully and jumped back in shock as she spun around quickly. “Did you hear what she said?” she hissed. “Yeah, but it’s not the end of the world, right?” Keigo said in an attempt to soothe her but only served to fire her up even more. “Not the end of the world?” she repeated and looked at him in disgust. “Ichigo broke up with her, and you don’t think that’s the end of the world?” “We don’t know that for sure,” Mizuiro tried to reason but she interrupted him. “A change in their relationship? And she comes home this early? In tears? And goes straight to bed?” “Okay, well, when you put it that way…” “I can’t believe Ichigo would do this!” Tatsuki spat out, beginning to pace restlessly. “That jerk, I’m gonna pound him so hard—” “That sounded kinda dirty,” Keigo whispered. “I don’t think that would be very constructive,” Mizuiro chimed in. “I think it would be more productive to talk to him rather than beat him to a pulp. Think about it. I’m sure if we spoke to him, he’d explain everything. And even if it were true, we could convince him to rethink. I mean, we all know they belong together.” “Fine.” Tatsuki abruptly stopped pacing. “You guys go to Ichigo right now and talk some sense into him!” and she practically pushed them out the door. “I call dibs on not talking to him,” Keigo declared on their way home. “What? That’s not fair!” “C’mon, Ichigo will take it easier on you than me, think about all the abuse I’ve had to endure over the years. I’ve even bought a cup to protect myself.” “That’s because you antagonise him. Besides, why do you think he’ll get violent?” “Seriously? Ichigo does not like to talk about his feelings to anyone besides Inoue-san, and we’re going out of our way to do it? Please, it’s going to get violent.” “He’ll just walk away if he doesn’t want to talk about it,” Mizuiro argued as they entered their apartment. “Hey, Ichigo, you here?” “What?” came the irritated reply from the couch. “Uhh, how was your night?” Keigo ventured closer cautiously, repeating the question Tatsuki had asked Orihime earlier that evening. “I don’t want to talk about it,” Ichigo muttered. “Well we do,” Mizuiro started and Keigo whispered agitatedly, “Wait, let me get my cup first!” Mizuiro elbowed him in the stomach before continuing, “We were over at Arisawa-san’s apartment tonight and Inoue-san came home, but she was quite… upset. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” Ichigo grunted in response. “Ichigo—” “I’m going to bed.” He stood abruptly and Keigo covered his groin out of reflex. “Ichigo,” Mizuiro said more firmly but Ichigo continued walking towards his bedroom. “Did you break up with her?” “What part,” Ichigo muttered through gritted teeth, “of ‘I don’t want to talk about it’ don’t you guys understand?” “Ichigo!” they both exclaimed but Ichigo simply slammed the door in response. After a moment’s silence, Keigo spoke. “I call dibs on not telling Arisawa.” Ichigo awoke the next morning in a much better mood than he’d gone to sleep in. He realised that Orihime was only doing this to have a little fun with their friends and not to upset him; that this was like her last hurrah before settling down with him. Not that she was going to play around with other guys, or even toy with their feelings; the mere idea was ludicrous because Orihime wasn’t that type of person. It might actually work out for the better, allowing them to get a little perspective on their relationship before spending the rest of their lives together. Not that he needed it; he knew how lucky he was to be with someone like her. He walked into the kitchen for breakfast and noticed that Keigo and Mizuiro were regarding him warily. “Morning…” they murmured. “Morning,” he replied cheerfully. “Sorry about last night, guys. I was just in a bad mood after what happened.” “Oh, yeah, that’s okay.” Mizuiro paused. “So what did happen last night?” “What did Orihime tell you?” Ichigo asked over his glass of orange juice, not wanting to contradict anything she might’ve said. “Just that you said you wanted a change in your relationship.” ‘Brilliant wording, Orihime,’ Ichigo thought. “Well, that’s true. I wanted a change.” He caught their shared look of concern and quickly hid his head in the fridge to hide his smirk. “Seriously, Ichigo? I mean, this is Inoue-san. She’s… Inoue-san, I don’t think you're going to find someone else out there better for you.” “Well, how do I know that? I’ve only ever been with her,” Ichigo reasoned. “B-But that’s one of the things that’s great about you guys!” Keigo argued. “Aren’t you even worried about how she’s taking it? I mean, she was crying. You know how important you are to her, right?” “Look, we needed a change, guys. You might not agree, but you weren’t in the relationship so you can’t know what’s going on, and you can’t know what direction we were heading in.” Ichigo—” “Just… just leave it, okay, guys? Believe me, I did the best thing for us,” Ichigo said, a note of finality in his voice. “Have you thought about how Arisawa-san is going to take this?” ‘Oh, crap.’ Ichigo almost slapped his forehead in realisation. ‘Tatsuki’s going to skin me alive!’ After Ichigo didn’t respond, Keigo patted him on the shoulder. “I have a cup if you want to borrow it.” “Somehow I don’t think a cup is going to help with whatever she’s going to do.” Ichigo had to agree. He hoped he made it to Saturday to tell everyone the good news. With a rabid Tatsuki on the loose, he wasn’t sure he would. Orihime had awoken that morning shivering. One night and she already missed Ichigo’s body heat! She was heading towards the shops with Tatsuki who had been walking on eggshells with her all morning, treating her like she was a bomb ready to explode, when Ichigo suddenly appeared before them, Keigo and Mizuiro in tow. “Orihime…” Tatsuki took her hand. “I’m fine,” she said quietly. “We should go say hello.” “I can punch him,” Tatsuki volunteered but the boys headed towards them before Orihime could give her consent. “Hey, Arisawa-san, Inoue-san,” Mizuiro greeted them, watching Ichigo out of the corner of his eye. In fact, all three of them were watching Ichigo and Orihime closely. He looked at her with narrowed eyes. “Hey, Tatsuki. Hey, Inoue.” Their jaws dropped. Orihime blinked. Inoue? “Hello, Kurosaki-kun,” she replied coldly. The name felt foreign on her tongue, she had not used it in so long. “I’m heading off,” he said shortly and, without another word, he turned on his heel and walked away. Orihime could feel all their eyes on her and barely heard their words of consolation. The coldness she had felt this morning was nothing compared to the chill suddenly going through her veins. She felt like she had been walking around in a fog that morning. Was Ichigo seriously mad at her? She was sure that he would treat this like a bit of fun as she was, but now… she wasn’t so sure. Had she really hurt his feelings last night? Surely not; she had accepted his proposal, after all. While Tatsuki was cooking lunch, Orihime texted Ichigo. Are you mad at me? She kept checking her phone during lunch. Under normal circumstances, Tatsuki would’ve yelled at her for being so distracted, but after the events of the last day, Tatsuki didn’t have the heart to. Ichigo always replied straight away, he always picked up her calls. After an hour, he had still not responded and she was ready to phone him and call the whole thing off when her phone beeped. She quickly muttered a feeble excuse to Tatsuki and, once she was in the safety of her room, she flicked her phone open. What’s wrong, Inoue-san? You can dish it, but can’t take it? Are you ready to call this thing off? I’ve got a ladder to shout from the rooftops and your ring in my drawer. Plus, you owe me the type of fun I wanted. She almost laughed in relief. He had not only come clean about joking, but he’d called her ‘Inoue-san’, something he only ever did when he was making fun of her. She quickly typed in her reply. As if, Kurosaki-kun. The only way I’ll call this off is if you beg, something you should practise, future husband, just so you know. Happy wife, happy life. He responded almost immediately. You think I’m going to be the one begging? Please, Inoue-san, you’ll be calling this thing off before the day is out. Don’t you remember that night a couple of months ago? I had you begging within five minutes. Get ready to lose, Kurosaki-kun. Game on, Inoue-san. Game on. “This is serious,” Ishida mused over his coffee. Chad nodded silently in agreement. “Gee, what gave you that idea?” Tatsuki asked sarcastically. “What are we going to do?” Keigo asked in a panic. “They’re seriously going to break up if we don’t do something!” “I tried talking to Ichigo,” Chad said, “but he just brushed me off.” “I asked Inoue-san if there was anything she wanted to talk about, but she acted like nothing was wrong,” Ishida added. “Wait, “ Tatsuki held up her hand. “She acted like nothing was wrong?” “She’s been upset every time we’ve seen her,” Mizuiro was thoughtful. “Maybe she’s come to terms with the fact that they’ve broken up?” Chad suggested but Tatsuki shook her head. “Orihime’s been in love with Ichigo for years, there’s no way she’d get over him in the space of a day, it’s impossible. Something else is up.” “Well, maybe she’s still upset but, y’know,” Keigo paused, “maybe it’s… that time of the month?” They all stared at him incredulously. “Or not…” he trailed off weakly. “Well, they’ve gone back to addressing each other the way they used to,” Mizuiro said sadly. “I think,” Tatsuki said pensively, “it’s time to call in the cavalry.” “Ichi-nii!” “Onii-chan!” “Hey Karin, Yuzu. How’ve you been?” Ichigo gave them both a quick hug before opening the fridge. He missed Yuzu’s cooking a lot, especially after comparing it to Orihime’s. He had gotten used to her more... eccentric flavours, but he sometimes craved some normality as well. “Good, but high school homework is hard!” “Do you need any help or anything?” he volunteered but both twins waved off his offer. “Nah, we’ll be okay. But why are you here, Ichi-nii?” “I felt like I hadn’t seen you guys in a while, so I dropped by to catch up,” Ichigo lied. Truth was he needed to get out of his apartment; he was sick and tired of all his friends trying to talk him into getting back together with Orihime. After Ishida tried to lecture him, he’d almost punched the guy in the face in frustration but restrained himself, knowing he was only pestering him because of his good intentions. All of them were. “How’s Orihime-chan?” Yuzu asked. Ichigo hesitated. “Uhh, she’s good, yeah.” “You don’t sound sure,” Karin observed. “Is something wrong with her?” “Uhh, we’ve been going through some… stuff lately, that’s all.” “Bad stuff?” Yuzu looked concerned. Ichigo didn’t want to lie to them so he grunted noncommittally. “Just… stuff.” “Wow, that explains everything, Ichi-nii,” Karin said derisively. “C’mon, onii-chan, you can tell us.” Yuzu poked him gently in the arm. “Well,” Ichigo said slowly, “all I can say is that there might be a new member of the Kurosaki family soon.” He let the sentence hang in the air for a moment before he changed the subject. “So, how’s Dad?” The twins shared a look before answering him, making small chit chat until they sent him home with some leftovers for dinner. After they waved Ichigo off, the twins waited for a total of five seconds before they freaked out. “What the hell did Ichi-nii mean?” Karin shook Yuzu by the shoulders. “A new member of the Kurosaki family? I think that only means one thing, Karin-chan!” The twins were nearly hysterical as they exclaimed in unison, “Orihime-chan is pregnant!” Orihime arrived home rather late that night. “Hey!” Tatsuki called. “Just in time, ready to eat?” “I’ve already eaten actually, sorry. I get peckish while I was shopping.” Orihime gestured towards her shopping bags. “What did you buy?” She waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, a little of this, a little of that.” “That’s nice and vague,” Tatsuki laughed. “C’mon, show me! Clothes? Jewellery?” “Some clothes. Something to make myself feel better,” Orihime pulled out a skimpy dark green basque, followed by matching garters and stockings. Tatsuki stared at the outfit blankly and Orihime looked a little disappointed. “You don’t like it?” “No, it’s nice, it suits you.” Tatsuki tried to give her a reassuring smile but it faded as Orihime studied the outfit. “I just thought it would be nice to have now that, well, you know...” Orihime trailed off vaguely. “Guys like this kind of stuff, right?” Tatsuki blinked. “Oh, yeah, definitely. I mean, as long as they’re straight, anyway.” “Okay, good! I’m glad I bought it, then. I’m sure I’ll definitely get to wear it soon.” She winked at Tatsuki and she fought to hide a smile as she watched her best friend’s mouth drop open. “I’m gonna change and get some studying done. I’ll talk to you later, Tatsuki-chan!” She shut her bedroom door, leaving a confused Tatsuki in her wake. A small part of her felt a bit cruel messing with her best friend, but she decided it would all be worth it when she and Ichigo spilled the beans and shared their brilliant news on Saturday. Besides, it wasn’t like she and Ichigo were having an easy time pretending to have broken up. Although, she thought cheekily as she changed into her new outfit and opened the camera on her phone, she could still mess around with his head. It might’ve been a different kind of fun to the one she was used to having with Ichigo, but it was just as enjoyable. Well, almost, anyway. Ichigo stared blankly at his phone screen. It really didn’t matter how long they had been together, seeing Orihime’s perfect alabaster skin always did something to him. Especially when it was covered in lace. And silk. And holy shit, she looked amazing in knee-high stockings. He was content to stare at the image of his gorgeous fiancée in sexy lingerie draped seductively across her bed all night, especially since he wouldn’t be seeing her like that until the weekend, but his phone vibrated as he received a second message from her. ‘Please, please, let it be another sexy picture.’ Ichigo was disappointed to see that Orihime hadn’t decided to have mercy on him by flooding his inbox with sexy images of herself. I hope this serves as ample incentive for you to practise your begging skills, Kurosaki-kun. Ichigo groaned. She just had to use the word ‘ample’, didn’t she? Oh, yes, it was definitely ample incentive, his eyes focusing on a particular part of her anatomy that was practically bursting out of her sexy attire. It took a great deal of restraint and effort before he could calmly type out his reply. Better luck next time, Inoue-san. It’ll take more than that to break me. He only had to wait two minutes for her response, another text message with an image attachment. More, Kurosaki-kun? Or less? He hadn’t sufficiently recovered from the first picture to handle her second: she had unlaced the bodice on the basque, providing him with an even better view of her bust, and struck an even sexier pose. He hadn’t thought it was possible, but she had truly outdone herself. Fuck, this was really going to be a long week. “I call to order this emergency meeting!” Tatsuki knocked smartly on the wooden dining table, glancing around the room to ensure she had everyone’s full attention. The past few days had been beyond bizarre for everyone. Watching Ichigo and Orihime revert to a stage in their friendship where… well, to be honest, Ichigo and Orihime had never treated each other the way they were at the moment. Not only had they returned to using each other’s surnames, they practically ignored one another. According to the boys, Ichigo had apparently flat out refused to go to dinner one night because he ‘couldn’t stand to be near Inoue’. Desperate times called for desperate measures. “Is this about Ichi-nii?” Karin asked, noticing her brother and Orihime’s absence. “Yes, specifically about what’s been happening between him and Orihime.” Tatsuki began to sit, but stopped at the squeal from Yuzu. “Oh, isn’t it fantastic news?” Yuzu clasped her hands together in pure delight while Karin nodded along enthusiastically. “I’m so excited!” “No one could be more thrilled than I!” boomed Isshin gleefully. Tatsuki, Ishida, Chad, Mizuiro and Keigo looked at the Kurosaki family as if they turned into Hollows: in abject shock and horror. “You’re happy about what’s happening?” Tatsuki asked incredulously. Isshin couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “Well, why wouldn’t we be?” “I-I thought you liked Orihime!” “Of course I do! I love her, she’s perfect for Ichigo!” “I’m so confused,” Keigo whispered to Mizuiro. “For once,” his friend responded, “you’re not the only one.” “What are we discussing?” Yuzu did not seem to notice the confusion radiating from her brother’s friends. “Are we talking about what present we should get for them?” “A present?” they chorused in unison. Ichigo had always told them how wacky his family were; his friends were finally starting to understand what he’d been talking about all these years. “Well, isn’t that normal?” Karin chimed in. “I have never heard of a breaking-up-present tradition before,” muttered Ishida. Suddenly, the grins disappeared from the faces of all members of the Kurosaki family. “A what present?” “A present after a couple has broken up? The mere notion of it is ridiculous to me,” Ishida stated, adjusting his glasses. “Broken up? Who’s broken up?” Yuzu gasped. “You think Onii-chan and Orihime-chan have? They haven’t broken up, they—” “They have!” Keigo interjected. “They had a fight last Saturday night and they’ve barely spoken all week! It’s why we wanted to see you; you’re Ichigo’s family, we thought for sure you’d want to help us get them back together!” “But you seem to be thrilled about it,” Tatsuki couldn’t keep the confusion out of her voice, “and you’re talking about buying them presents…” Karin stood up. “They haven’t broken up! Orihime-chan is pregnant!” Dead silence. “WHAT???” She could feel all the boys’ eyes on her as she stomped home. “Arisawa-san,” Mizuiro said slowly, “I can understand why you’re angry, but maybe we should—” “ANGRY?” Tatsuki whipped her head around and all the boys reflexively took two steps back. “I’m not angry, I’m livid! The nerve of that… that…” she searched for a word that was vicious enough to sum up how she was feeling. “Bastard?” Keigo suggested. “BASTARD!” Tatsuki nodded vehemently in agreement. “I cannot believe Ichigo would knock Orihime up and then dump her like a tonne of bricks. I mean, can you?” “No, I can’t,” Mizuiro said calmly, “which is why I think we should handle this delicately. It’s possible that Ichigo has some reason for his behaviour—” “No reason is good enough,” Tatsuki spat. “I concur,” Ishida nodded. “Well, no, I don’t think so, either,” Mizuiro conceded, “but we should at least give him a chance to explain himself before we tear him apart.” “Maybe he didn’t know she was pregnant,” Keigo proposed. “‘There might be a new member of the Kurosaki family soon’, that’s what the twins said he said, so he has to know.” “Oh, yeah, sorry, I forgot.” Keigo scratched his head awkwardly as the group realised they had reached Tatsuki and Orihime’s apartment. “Why don’t you try talking to Inoue-san about it?” Ishida suggested. “Fine,” Tatsuki huffed. “But there is one thing I promise you: if it’s all true, there’s no way in hell that baby is going to have Kurosaki as their last name!” The boys watched as she stalked up the stairs and heard the door slam shut behind her once she’d reached her apartment. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared for Ichigo’s life than I am right now,” Keigo muttered. The others quietly agreed. Orihime heard the front door open and shut rather violently. She waited anxiously as loud and heavy footsteps quickly approached her door before there was a long pause and, finally, three soft knocks on her door. “C-Come in!” she called. Given her entrance into their apartment, the sight of a timid Tatsuki at her door was jarring. “Are you feeling okay, Tatsuki-chan? You came in so energetically and now you’re so quiet!” Tatsuki’s eye twitched. “I was angry when I came in, but I don’t want to take it out on you.” “… You’re not angry with me, are you?” “Of course not! To be honest, though, I’m about ready to castrate Ichigo.” Orihime’s eyes widened in alarm at the idea of castration. “Whatever Ichi—, I mean, Kurosaki-kun did, I’m sure he didn’t mean it—!” “Oh, yes, he did!” Tatsuki closed the distance between herself and Orihime with three long strides across the room and glared sharply at her best friend. “I don’t want you to lie to me anymore, Orihime. Is there something about you and Ichigo that you’re hiding from me? From all of us?” Tatsuki watched with narrowed eyes as Orihime cast her eyes downwards, staring at the material of her singlet over her taut stomach before flattening it with both of her hands in a nervous gesture. “I-I can’t think of anything,” Orihime whispered. Tatsuki ground her teeth, she was so frustrated that could scream. Wasn’t she the one Orihime always talked to about huge events in her life? Why was she blatantly lying to her now? Ichigo. It all came down to that stupid boy, the one who had broken Orihime’s heart and walked away. Not to mention the fact that he had also left her saddled with a life-long responsibility for her to deal with all alone! “You’re lying, Orihime,” Tatsuki hissed once she had calmed down slightly. “I know you are. We spoke to Karin and Yuzu and they said Ichigo had told them that there was going to be a new member of the Kurosaki family soon.” Orihime’s head shot up, eyes wide. “So it’s true? You’re…” Tatsuki could bring herself to say the word. ‘Oh well, it was fun while it lasted,’ Orihime thought. Her little prank was over, although, to be completely honest with herself, she was quite relieved. She couldn’t wait until she could finally spend some time with her fiancée. She smiled at the thought. ‘Fiancée. Ichigo is my fiancée.’ “Y-Yes, it’s true,” she finally whispered, her smile still firmly in place. Surprisingly, Tatsuki didn’t hug her or shout for joy. She spun around hastily and stalked out of the room towards the front door. “T-Tatsuki-chan? Where are you going?” “TO CASTRATE ICHIGO!” Tatsuki roared over her shoulder. Orihime stumbled, practically tripping over herself to chase after her. “What? Why? You can’t! If you do, then we can’t—” Orihime stopped. The end of that sentence was a little embarrassing to be shouting out loud. “You can’t what? Make more little babies to add to the Kurosaki family?” ‘More babies? What was Tatsuki-chan going on about?’ While giving chase, Orihime thought about the past few days from her best friend’s perspective. She had come home in tears and been practically ignoring her boyfriend and he had been doing the same. That was according to the plan to make it look like they had broken up. But if Ichigo had said what she said he said to his sisters, and it looked like he and Orihime had broken up, then that would mean Tatsuki would think… Uh oh. Ichigo was reclining lazily across the couch when Mizuiro and Keigo returned home. Little did he know hell was about to rain down on him in the form of an infuriated Arisawa Tatsuki. “Ichigo,” Mizuiro said seriously, his tone enough to make Ichigo crack an eye open. “We need to talk. Right now.” “And don’t lie. Your life could depend on it,” Keigo added. Ichigo rolled his eyes. “My life? What the hell are you guys on about?” “We just spoke to your family about something you said to them, about you and Inoue-san. Something about there being a new member of the Kurosaki family?” At Mizuiro’s words, Ichigo slowly sat himself up. “Uhh, yeah, I said that,” he admitted, still unsure about where the conversation was going. “So what?” “What did you mean by that?” the boys asked in unison. “What did I mean? What does it sound like I meant?” But Ichigo never found out what they thought he meant. The front door to their apartment was thrown off its hinges when a fuming Arisawa Tatsuki burst through the doorway, a panicky Inoue Orihime close behind, still trying to talk some sense into her. Her frenzied eyes scanned the apartment before finally finding the flabbergasted form of Kurosaki Ichigo. “Tatsuki, what the hell do you think—” And suddenly she was on him. She almost flew across the room, propelled by her outrage, until she kneed him in the stomach and punched him in the face. “Me? ME? WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?” “TATSUKI-CHAN!” Orihime’s desperate cry fell on deaf ears. She was almost sobbing, her hands frantically trying to stop her best friend from killing her fiancée. “What? Tatsu—” Ichigo couldn’t finish his sentence as Tatsuki kneed him again. Except her knee connected with something far more delicate than his stomach. “Ooooh,” Mizuiro and Keigo winced. “Tatsuki-chan, please, please, you have to stop,” Orihime begged. “There’s been a huge misunderstand—” “What’s going on here?” Karin’s voice called clearly from the open doorway, her eyes taking in the broken door and the scuffle in the living room. Her sister and father stood directly behind her, Ishida and Chad behind them. The sudden fluctuation in Orihime and Ichigo’s reiatsu had them fearing the worst and, as they watched the violent scene before them unfold, they realised the sense of trepidation they felt was definitely justified. “Onii-chan! Are you okay?” Yuzu began to hurry over to her brother who was currently doubled over on the carpet, when her father’s arm blocked her path. “Dad, what are you—?” “You’ll just get hurt yourself if you go in, I don’t think Tatsuki-chan is in a very reasonable mood at the moment.” “Oji-san?” Isshin turned around to face Rukia and Renji, both of whom were looking completely surprised to see him there. “What are you doing here?” “Rukia-chan! You’re here early! Oh, umm, there’s a bit of drama here at the moment. Best to stay out of the way,” he recommended as the two shinigami craned their necks to see the scene inside. “What did Ichigo do to get Arisawa so upset?” Renji asked, trying to hold back his laughter. “He got Orihime-chan pregnant!” Isshin failed in hiding his delight. “HE WHAT???” “I WHAT?” Ichigo gasped from the floor. Tatsuki heaved Ichigo up by the collar of his shirt and he winced, preparing himself for another attack. Then Tatsuki felt Orihime suddenly release her arm and she turned to see her dash into Ichigo’s room. “Orihime! Where are you going?” Orihime didn’t have the time or energy left to reply. Half blinded by her tears, Orihime rummaged through Ichigo’s dresser drawer before her hand closed around a velvet box. Flicking it open, she retrieved the diamond ring from inside and quickly slipped it onto her left ring finger. She hurried back out and held her hand up for all to see. “I’m the new member of the Kurosaki family! We just… we wanted to tell you altogether... to surprise you!” There was silence in the room except for Orihime’s sobs. Tatsuki’s grasp relaxed, releasing Ichigo’s shirt and allowing him to crumple into a heap on the floor. “Surprise,” he moaned weakly. “Kanpai!” Once the air had been cleared and the true story revealed, the Kurosaki family’s delight was unanimously felt by all. Tatsuki also felt a sense of relief knowing that her best friend wasn’t pregnant and that she wasn’t going to have to raise a baby on her own. It was hard to compete with Ichigo’s relief from being spared a castration by her hands, though. Orihime was in no doubt that she would’ve gone through with it if she could’ve. “Why did you guys pretend to break up, though?” Keigo asked curiously. “Couldn’t you just have not told us and acted normally so we wouldn’t freak out?” “But where would be the fun in that?” Orihime winked. “Speaking of fun,” Isshin chimed in, “I daresay these two are overdue for some!” A pregnant pause, then, “EWWWWW!” everyone chorused. “Dad, did you really have to say that?” Ichigo sighed as Orihime laughed into his shoulder. “Don’t say you weren’t thinking the same thing, son!” Isshin waggled his finger at his son accusingly. “Nor you, Orihime-chan!” Orihime’s mouth dropped open in shock as all attention was now focused on her. “If my son has inherited my talents, I’d say the act of love-making is enjoyable for you, too!” Both of them were beet red, Orihime from embarrassment, Ichigo from suppressed anger. “Okay, that’s it! OUT!” Although Ichigo was only talking to his father, everyone else stood from their seats and hurried to escape the apartment through the newly repaired door. Ichigo slammed the door shut behind them, but could still hear his father call, “I’m looking forward to even more members of the Kurosaki family!” Ichigo groaned and thumped his head against the door. Orihime’s arms snaked around his torso and her lips pressed against the back of his neck tenderly. “Are you still hurt anywhere?” she hummed. “Does my pride count?” Her body vibrated with laughter and he admitted easily, “I missed you.” He felt her smile against his skin. “I missed you, too,” she murmured. He gently grasped her fingers in his and whirled himself around, leaning down to rest his forehead against hers. “Can I finally shout from the rooftops that you’re off the market?” “You could,” she smiled prettily, “oooor…” she tugged on his hands, pulling him towards his bedroom and he smirked, “we could have some fun first.” “Fun,” he grinned cheekily. “Fun first sounds good.”

[recurring-polynya]

So I actually finally watched Memories of Nobody. I actually saw it years and years ago, in a theater, for some reason, back in 2008. I had vague memories of being disappointed by it at the time, but we actually enjoyed it on rewatch quite a bit. Some thoughts:

According to my husband, who found it on some shady streaming site, this film takes place “between the Bount arc and the Advance Team arc” which is the 2nd most ass-pulled place to cram some filler, second only the Amagai arc, which takes place in the middle of the Hueco Mundo arc.

Ichigo spends most of the film wearing what I believe are zip-at-the-knee cargo pants, a king

Iba and Ikkaku are 🎶drinking at work🎶

Hitsugaya is so tired.

There’s a scene where Urahara explains a bunch of metaphysics while Tessai sits behind him flipping through a book of (presumably his own?) sketches, exactly like that scene in the Advance Team Arc where Renji and Rukia do this. Notably, Ichigo does not pick on Tessai’s drawing, not even once.

I guess Urahara has some way of extracting Kon’s memories and playing them, like on a tv? W H A T.

ngl the world-building in this movie kinda slaps???

I am obsessed with the fact that it’s not The Valley of Screams, it’s “a valley of screams” and it’s they make is sound like a thing that just happens (although they later back off on that and claim that there must be someone nefarious behind it)

Did I made a “what if we kissed in the valley of screams? j/k... unless...?” joke? You know I did.

There’s a scene where everyone comes to arrest Senna and it’s so ham-fisted and dumb. They sent, like, 3 captains, 2 vice-captains, some ninja, and Rukia and let Renji shout at Ichigo at the top of his lungs. Literally, all they had to do was send Rukia to say “hey, it turns out Senna is the memory crystal we should take her to Soul Society to keep her safe” and Ichigo would have been totally on board. Anyway, this is the dumbest thing that happens is movie, so let’s just move past it.

The Reigai arc sure did rip some beats off this movie

Rukia forces her way into a captains’ meeting while two guards with detaining sticks try to hold her back, this fucking rules. Yamamoto screams at her. Byakuya does not even change facial expressions.

Hey, is this, like a grifting thing? At any given time, you’ve got (1) older, distinguished Kuchiki who never reacts to anything and (1) young, feral Kuchiki who raises ruckuses? And the Kuchiki can use the hothead to start shit and cause trouble while the older one just shakes their head in vague disapproval?

Anyway, someone gave Yamamoto a kidou cannon and he is going to fire it at that valley of screams, ain’t no one gonna stop him now.

It is explicitly stated that firing the kidou cannon will destroy a significant portion of both Soul Society and the Living World but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

So you know that animated gif where Renji and Rukia do a sick backflip off a bridge? No one told me they were backflipping into the valley of screams.

My precious husband says “that would make a good animated gif”. “I got you, babe,” I say.

Okay, literally half the Gotei leadership ignores Yamamoto’s orders and goes to the valley of screams.

One thing I do not like about filler/movies is that they are so afraid to do anything new that they just copy the beats of the canon material, which sort of, I dunno, cheapens it. Like, this movie evokes both Rukia and Renji deserting to save Orihime in Hueco Mundo and the captains doing their own shit at the end of the Soul Society arc, and the overall effect is that no one has any respect for Yamamoto, which I don’t think was the point they were trying to make.

They should have let Orihime go to the valley of screams, but she probably would have fixed the problem in 2 seconds

The group of people who go to the valley of screams is perplexing. Mr. P suggested that the reason Soi Fon is here is because she had previously promised to do something with Omaeda (maybe it’s his birthday??) and  was like “oh, shit, sorry man, valley of screams situation came up, catch you next time (i def will not)”

Yoruichi is not in this film. I am assuming she is off being a groupie for the Red Hot Chili Peppers or something.

Hisagi was here for maybe three frames and then did nothing. At least Kira got to release his sword.

Komamura is not here, but he is sort of a Yamamoto simp. We don’t see him hanging out with Ukitake and Kyouraku back at the kidou cannon, tho. Wait. Oh, no. That kidou cannon has gotta be pretty loud. Komamura probably had to go home and put on his thundershirt and hide under the bed.

Soi Fon’s shikai worked??????

RENJI USED ZABIMARU TO CATAPULT ICHIGO OVER SOME ENEMIES TO GO FIGHT THE BOSS!!!! MY HEART!!!!! 🐍💀💪🎇💯😍

I made a bunch of jokes about things Byakuya might be doing (napping, most likely), but then he showed up late and interrupted Rukia’s fight to announce “It is an honor to be slain by my bankai.” Dude, c’mon.

I kinda want to know more about this clan that got done dirty 700 years ago and learned to live in the Dangai like Westley and Buttercup living in the Fire Swamp??

If I had to wander the Dangai, instead of trying to implode the valley of screams and destroy all planes of existence, I would have just made a valley of screams and fixed it up real nice and lived there and not bothered anyone, but that’s just me

Yamamoto has fired the kidou cannon

RIP to Ganryu, you had kind of a cool design, dude, I’m sorry your plan was bad and also that you didn’t get any Vintage Soul Society Flashbacks

I am absolutely perplexed by the end of this film. Despite saving Senna, and being hit with the kidou cannon, the valley of screams is still imploding. Senna stops existing, Ichigo is sad, everyone is saved, it ends with Ichigo seeing a girl who looks like Senna because ???

Who cares! It’s time for Sen no Yoru wo Koete!!!!

Great movie, A+++

[m3kuroshirt]

House of Assassins Part Five

Links to Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four

Word count: 2632

Warnings: coarse language, family disagreements/fighting

The darkness was warm…heavy…firm. Ichigo didn’t want to leave it. But even as he struggled to stay in the comfort of the shadowy realm of sleep, his eyelids fluttered open, beckoned by the day light. With a low groan, Ichigo tried to move. He was unsuccessful. Something was stopping him, wrapped around him, holding him down. His eyes widened and he tensed, completely awake and alert now, ready to face whatever threat he needed to. Scenarios whirled through his head: how to get untied, how to get out from under a crushing weight, who was after him? Was it Aizen??? Did he find out about the assassination plan already?!

Ichigo’s eyes locked on what, or rather, who, was weighing him down. Blue hair was the first thing he saw, short locks splayed across his own chest. A strong jawline. Broad shoulders, with biceps emphasized by the lack of sleeves from the tank top their owner wore. Ichigo blinked once, twice. Then his face erupted in warmth, blood rushing to his cheeks. Grimmjow is on top of me?! When?! How???? Is this a dream????? Ichigo swallowed nervously and shifted. The arms around him loosened and a low grumble came from his companion as he slowly blinked awake. Ichigo just watched with wide eyes. Grimmjow pulled back a bit, his weight shifting uncomfortably onto Ichigo’s midsection, making Ichigo grunt. Grimmjow paused and looked Ichigo up and down, seemingly unsurprised by their position.

“Sleep well?” he asked. Ichigo felt his cheeks flush more. An odd look came across Grimmjow’s face; one that could be described as someone analyzing the pieces of a puzzle.

“M…more or less,” Ichigo managed to get out, shifting uncomfortably. He was acutely aware of every inch of his body that was in contact with Grimmjow’s. And while he didn’t hate the sensation, he wasn’t sure how his friend would react to his feelings. He swallowed. “Um…why…why are you on top of me?” he mumbled. Grimmjow tilted his head.

“Oh. Yeah.” He looked a bit embarrassed now, as he crawled off of Ichigo completely. Ichigo drew his legs up to his chest and the two of them sat on the couch, facing each other. “I was helping you to the couch last night, but when we got here you grabbed onto me and wouldn’t let go. So…I ended up sleeping here. With you.”

Ichigo groaned and closed his eyes. He rested his forehead on his knees. “I’m so sorry,” he replied. He could feel the blush spreading down his neck. He prayed Grimmjow only thought it was from acting out in his sleep and not the fact that he secretly enjoyed having the other man on top of him.

“Don’t worry about it,” Grimmjow replied. “It’s not like you did it on purpose.” Ichigo looked up at him a little glumly but nodded along. Grimmjow shifted awkwardly, eyes shifting toward the kitchen, then back to Ichigo. “Uh. Breakfast?” As if on cue, Ichigo’s stomach growled. He hunched in on himself even more.

“Please,” he agreed. Grimmjow nodded and stood. He walked straight to the kitchen without looking back. Ichigo slowly slid off the couch and followed after him. The mugs from the night before were still out on the table. Grimmjow grabbed them as he passed and casually put them in the dishwasher. He walked over to the fridge.

“What do you wanna eat?” Grimmjow asked over his shoulder. Ichigo shrugged, then realized the other man couldn’t see him.

“Uh, whatever is fine,” Ichigo mumbled. Grimmjow did look at him then, eyebrow raised and expression slightly exasperated. “Ok…uh, eggs?” Ichigo amended.

“Ok.” Grimmjow turned back to the fridge and grabbed a carton of eggs. He started bustling around the kitchen, grabbing a frying pan, various seasonings, and some butter. Ichigo stood awkwardly in the kitchen entrance and just watched. He enjoyed seeing the way Grimmjow’s body moved, confident and strong. The tank top allowed a nice view of his arms and shoulders, and Ichigo couldn’t help remembering that those very arms had been wrapped around him this morning. His blue hair was messy and tangled, and Ichigo flexed his hands, resisting the urge to walk over and comb his fingers through it. It looked soft.

“Good morning!” A soft, sing-song voice called. Ichigo jolted and looked behind him to see a pretty girl with long green hair.

“Oh…hi Nel,” he answered. “Uh. Good morning.” Nel smiled brightly at him.

“It’s nice to see you, Ichigo! I missed you,” she declared, not even questioning why he was there so early. Ichigo was not quite sure what to think of that. He gave her an awkward smile, while Grimmjow huffed.

“We live next door to him, you can literally go and see him any time. The hell do you mean you ‘missed him’,” he muttered. Nel just smiled wider, though her brother couldn’t see, and stepped past Ichigo into the kitchen.

“Ehhhh, Grimmy, are you making us eggs this morning?” she asked as she bumped shoulders with him. Grimmjow narrowed his eyes at her.

“I’m making Ichigo and myself eggs. You are on your own,” he retorted. Nel pouted at him. Grimmjow met her gaze and the two of them stared for a long moment. Finally, Grimmjow sighed and cracked another egg into the pan. “Fine. Whatever. You’re making lunch, then,” he grumbled. Nel cheered and threw her arms around Grimmjow in a hug. Ichigo couldn’t help but smile at the exchange. Then, seemingly satisfied that she’d gotten what she wanted from her brother, Nel whirled around and strode over to Ichigo. She grabbed his hands and led him to the table.

“Come on, Ichi! While Grimmy makes breakfast we can talk! It feels like we haven’t talked in foreeeeveeeer!” Nel all but shoved Ichigo into a chair, and then perched herself in the one directly opposite him. “How have you been? Still busy? How are Rukia and Orihime? Do you know if they’re free anytime soon? I want to go shopping! You would have to come, too, and we could bring Grimmy and make it a day for the group of us! Oh, and there’s a cute little cupcake place I found, that I really, really want to try, but Grimmy won’t go with me, but he’d probably go if you came and…” Ichigo just blinked and nodded along as Nel babbled on and on. He couldn’t quite keep up with every leap her train of thought seemed to make, but he did his best. Her enthusiasm and bright attitude made him feel more at ease, and he really did enjoy spending time around her.

It seemed to be in no time at all that Grimmjow placed the eggs on the table, along with a plate full of toast. Ichigo didn’t even know when he’d prepared that, too caught up in listening to Nel to even realize what the other man was cooking. He ate gratefully and assisted with clean up afterward. Nel gave him a very enthusiastic hug as he left and Ichigo patted her shoulders awkwardly. He did a half wave to Grimmjow, who only grunted and nodded. Then, Ichigo was on his way over to his own home. He braced himself at the door before opening it and stepping inside, tensing at the thought of the comments he knew would be coming his way.

He expected teasing. Jibes. Smirks and grins. Suggestive comments, even.

What Ichigo did not expect was chaos.

“Listen here, if I find out you did anything. Anything to him. If one single hair on his head is out of line, I will fucking end you. Do you hear me, Shunsui?!” Kisuke’s voice was the first thing he heard. It was odd, though, strained and erratic, almost panicky. Ichigo blinked. What’s going on? Who is he talking about? What happened? He wondered. He wandered to the kitchen cautiously.

A map was spread out on the table, held down by various make-shift paperweights; a shoe, a few books, and a…knife? What? Ichigo frowned. Around the map stood Rukia and Yoruichi. “Retsu said there’s a store here and here under Hueco Mundo Pharmaceuticals,” Yoruichi was saying as she pointed to two different places. “And then they have a warehouse where they deal with shipping here.” She pointed to another location. Rukia nodded.

“My brother said he can loan us a few bodyguards…we can have them help as drivers so we can split up and take all the places at once,” she stated matter-of-factly. Yoruichi purse her lips.

“Does he really want his name attached to this? When we go in, it won’t be a quiet operation,” she pointed out. Rukia gave her a firm look.

“This is more important. To me, and to him,” she replied. Ichigo opened his mouth to ask what was going on but was interrupted by a loud thud.

The door to the basement banged open and Jinta entered the kitchen with a large box marked ‘Dangerous: Explosives’. “I’ve got enough here to blow all of the town away,” he announced. “Tell me who needs ‘em.” Ururu followed from behind him, carrying another box, this one unmarked.

She said something, but Ichigo lost it in the sudden outburst from Kisuke.

“I don’t care what time you said he was there! You’re the last one who fucking saw him. That means that as far as I know, you’re next on the list if he’s not with that bastard!” he shouted. Footsteps pounded on the stairs and Ichigo barely turned in time to see Renji race down them, dressed completely in work gear, hair yanked back in a ponytail. He was followed by Chad, who was wolfing down some food as he ran into the kitchen.

“Chad and I are ready!” Renji announced. “’Hime! Where are the first aid kits!” Orihime was in a corner with Tessai, three first aid kits open in front of them on the counter.

“Here! Almost finished, we’re just making sure they’re all fully stocked!” she called, her usual bright tone now direct and sharp. Ururu carried her box over to her, and Orihime said something, but it was lost as more commotion arose.

“I’m ready to go, and I’m not waiting,” Uryuu announced as he ran down the stairs. He took a brief glance at the map on the table. “I’ll be at the warehouse. There’s an apartment complex right next to it; it’s a prime spot to set up my equipment.”

“The first aid kit!” Rukia protested. Uryuu turned away from her.

“I’ve got my own personal one,” he shouted over his shoulder. He almost smacked right into Ichigo as he turned around, and he flinched and stepped around him. “Move out of the way, Ichigo! We need to go find Ichigo!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, there was a pause. Silence descended on the household. Ichigo blinked. He glanced at each member of his household, before looking back at Uryuu.

“Find…me? I’m right here?” he stated finally. Everyone stared at him. Ichigo shifted nervously from foot to foot. “Uh. Is…is everything ok?” No one answered.

“Crisis averted,” Kisuke muttered into the phone, presumably to Shunsui, before he hung up. He pocketed his phone and walked over to Ichigo. He stopped right in front of him and crossed his arms. “So. Where were you?”

Ichigo swallowed. He glanced around at everyone nervously, before answering. “Uh. I was…next door…” Kisuke raised his eyebrows. He wasn’t wearing his hat and his hair looked a complete mess, as if he’d been running his hands through it and tugging at it.

“Next door. This whole time?”

Ichigo shrugged. “Um. Yeah? Since Shunsui dropped me off last night. Grimmjow was up and he…invited me over?”

Yoruichi frowned, hands on her hips. “And you didn’t think to send someone a message? Or at least answer your phone this morning?! We called you at least six times!”

“Wait, so you’re saying that while we were all worried you were fucking found out already and kidnapped by that fucking pharmacy, you were just over there getting laid?!” Renji demanded. Ichigo felt his cheeks heat up.

“What does ‘getting laid’ mean?” Jinta asked. Ichigo’s face reddened even more.

“No one answer that,” he snapped. Rukia glared at him.

“Oh no, you don’t get to make any rules right now,” she told him. Renji opened his mouth, but Rukia turned to him. “And you! You won’t answer Jinta right now, because I said so.” Renji shut his mouth.

“You should have answered your phone,” Chad stated, seemingly the calmest one in the household. Ichigo shook his head.

“It didn’t ring? I would have woken up if it did,” he replied as he fished his phone out of his pocket. “See…” his voice trailed off as he tried, unsuccessfully, to turn it on. “Oh. I…I guess it died.”

“Well, we can’t fault you for that,” Orihime tried to smooth the situation over, but Renji interrupted her. He shoved past Kisuke, grabbed Ichigo by the shoulder and shoved him against the wall. Uryuu protested, but Renji ignored him, focused entirely on Ichigo.

“Are you stupid? Do you just regularly go out on jobs without your phone fully charged? And why the hell would you not come home?! It’s right next door! It’s not like it’s that hard!” he shouted. Ichigo glared at him and shoved him off of himself. He stepped forward, bracing himself, muscles tensed and ready to fight.

“Am I stupid?! Me?! What about you all?!!! You were ready to go in, guns blazing, to destroy our cover, completely wreck our credibility, ruin the entire business we have going, because I was a little late in coming home?!” Ichigo snapped.

“As if you wouldn’t do the exact same thing!” Rukia shot back. She strode over to stand beside Renji, arms crossed.

Ichigo tensed his jaw. “That’s…different…”

“How, exactly?” Uryuu demanded now. Ichigo was starting to feel cornered. Adrenaline pumped through his veins and his eyes darted around, scanning for an exit route.

“I think we all need to calm down,” Yoruichi began. Next to her, Ururu was trembling. She placed a calm hand on the girl’s shoulder and stepped in front of her. “We should talk…”

Uryu ignored her and prompted Ichigo again. “How is it different?”

Ichigo was beyond listening. “Just! Shut up! It’s just different!”

“You can’t keep treating your life like it’s disposable!” Renji shouted at him. He took a step forward into Ichigo’s space again. Ichigo leaned forward and hollered back.

“Shut up! I’m fine!”

A hand slammed against Ichigo’s chest, and one against Renji’s, shoving them both backward two steps and effectively separating them. Between them now stood Yoruichi, eyes blazing.

“I said, calm the fuck down,” she ordered. Her voice was not a decibel above her normal volume, yet the silence that took over the household let her voice carry as if she was in the center of the colosseum. A few seconds passed. No one dared move a muscle. Yoruichi turned her gaze to Ichigo. “Ichigo: go upstairs and take a shower, cool off, then come back to the kitchen. We have some talking to do. I did not like what I was hearing just now.” She turned to Renji. “Renji, go have a glass of water or something. Get your hot head under control. Charging and aggression will get us nowhere.” Renji glared for a moment longer, before turning on his heel and heading to the cupboards. Ichigo thought about defying. He really did. But one look at Yoruichi’s fiery golden eyes told him that wasn’t even an option. With a huff, he stepped back and made his way upstairs. He didn’t look at anyone as he passed by, eyes firmly on his feet, face still heated in anger.

[goatbi]

If you still do the drabble ask, do you mind writing Ichigo and Uryu 19 because they deserve some happiness damn it.

19. things you said when we were the happiest we ever were

It wasn't often that they could all get together like this, bridging worlds to see each other. It was a lot easier than it used to be, but it was still an affair to handle, since messages between worlds took a bit to get there, in order to schedule a get together like this.

Now, however, at the end of the night, they were scattered across the living room, in piles of people that clung to one another as some random movie that Uryu had stopped paying attention to ages ago played on the tv.

Ichigo had the recliner pulled back, and Uryu pressed against his side, glasses digging into Ichigo's chest, something that neither of them mentioned. There was going to be a mark when Uryu got up, but he found the idea rather nice.

Instead of paying attention to the movie, Uryu focused on the little things. The way Ichigo's hand rubbed a small circle along his back, the other hand tapping along to the music playing in the background of the movie, never faltering or missing a beat. He focused on the way that small conversations, whispers, fluttered around the room, Orihime and Tatsuki quietly, playfully, arguing over Rukia's head, as she slept in between the two of them, Renji leaning against Chad's side and mumbling more to himself, while Chad listened in silence as he always did.

"That was stupid." Ichigo muttered, and Uryu blinked, focusing back into him, eyes darting upwards.

"Hm?"

Ichigo glanced down at him, then shrugged, careful not to dislodge Uryu from his spot. "You're not paying attention to the movie, but god these people are stupid."

Uryu snorted, leaning his head back down against Ichigo's side. "Now you see the other side of the stupid plan."

He got a jab to his side for that one, and he jerked, then almost growled at Ichigo, who lifted his hand away from Uryu's side, chuckling to himself. "Alright, alright, I'm sorry."

"Better be." He muttered, then shifted his one free arm-the other trapped underneath Ichigo and slowly going numb-carefully pulling his glasses off. Ichigo took them when Uryu folded the legs of them, and leaned over to the side table, carefully placing them there.

"Finally giving up the battle?" Uryu jabbed Ichigo in the side for that, but Ichigo was not nearly as ticklish as Uryu, and barely reacted to it.

"Perhaps." Uryu glanced out to the general blurry room. "I wasn't the first. I know Rukia's out, and that's all I need."

"You waited until someone else fell asleep to do so?" Ichigo half laughed, and Uryu huffed, leaning into his shoulder again, digging his chin into it in replacement of his sharp glasses, which... didn't exactly do the job he wanted, but worked enough as Ichigo flicked his forehead.

"It's polite. The host shouldn't be the first to fall asleep at something like this." Uryu yawned, closing his eyes.

"Well you might be the third, actually. Renji's passed out."

Uryu opened an eye to squint up at Ichigo. "He sleep talks?"

"Yeah, Rukia complains about it a lot." Ichigo shifts a bit, carefully lacing his free hand-the one not under Uryu and tracing shapes into his back-with Uryu's, and Uryu smiled, closing his eyes again.

"Poor Chad."

Ichigo laughed, hiding his face in Uryu's hair as not to bring too much attention to them. "Chad has listened to much worse than Renji's mumbles."

That gives Uryu pause for a moment, opening his eyes again to look up at Ichigo. He's close enough that his face isn't too blurry, and Ichigo smiles at him, soft, one that Uryu hadn't seen for years. "What have you subjected that poor man to?"

There's a pause as Ichigo has to stop himself from laughing again. "Well, he was there when I got my wisdom teeth taken out-"

"I'm asking about that in the morning. Actually, I'll ask you father, he's the type to video those things."

He got a flick to the back of the head for that one, and Uryu laughed again, closing his eyes and curling as close to Ichigo's side as he could. Ichigo settled, keeping his arm tight around him, tracing small shapes into his back, as Uryu finally drifted off, taken by Ichigo's quiet humming.

[pot-scenarios]

Sorry for taking so long to do this but it's finally here! I must say Atobe, Tezuka and Sanada are my babies and I had a lot of fun doing this. Because Atobe is way to extra and Sanada is way to awkward XD

Atobe:

• He's the most open about acknowledging it. Kind of "Oh okay, Ore-sama has a crush. How do I get them?"

• And then he goes all out:

- Remember that time they mentioned they kind of wanted a new phone because the camera lens was dusty and they couldn't find time to clean it? Now they have a new phone.

- Remember when they said their PC was a bit slow? Yup. Now they have a new computer.

- Remember that time they asked for a pony for Christmas? Guess what... They really need to tell Atobe to stop. For the sake of common sense.

If they don't ask him to stop, he WON'T. Clothes, tech, trips, whatever they ask for they have it.

• Now. If they tell him to stop, they will. And if they see that buying things isn't working or that they are just accepting out of politeness, he'll find some other ways to woe them.

• And then he goes all out. Again:

- Flowers on their desk EVERY morning

- Picking them up from home and then taking them back there on his limusine. (May have taken them to school on Sunday accidentally once. Who knows.)

- The most expensive Belgian chocolates

- Going down their window to recite them poetry on a white horse

So basically now he has forsaken the "Let's be a sugar daddy" for the "let's be a romantic gentleman".

And really. Atobe. Just. Ask them out.

• "Wait. I didn't?"

"Atobe. You literally only had to ask and all of this is completely unnecessary"

"So... You'll go out with Ore-sama, right?"

*Sigh* "Yes. Yes I will."

• And at this point, his s/o isn't even surprised that he rented out a whole theatre for just the two of them.

• Having said that. If his s/o REALLY hates it. He will be a bit more low-key. He knows better that being way too pushy on them.

Tezuka:

• He takes some time to acknowledge it. Confusing his feelings at first with admiration. Until all his team is basically calling his crush "his partner" and Tezuka tells them they're not dating. That's when he realises. "Oh. I'd... Actually like that, though."

• His teammates try to give him advice. He hangs up on them every time. Even in person. He knows better than to trust them with any kind of love advice.

• His courtship is a lot more subdued. Asking to walk them home at first, and if that's met with acceptance he'll try to ask for a date. Something non-commiting like going to a museum or hiking or fishing if his crush is into it. Something he can always say "just as friends" if he sees reluctance.

• Once he goes past that, and he sees that his s/o is comfortable enough with hanging out with him he'd finally ask them out officially. "Next trip... Would it be fine if we make it a date?"

Sanada:

• His crush finds out he has a crush before he himself realises. And once he does he's in complete denial. "Yukimura, I don't have time for such non-sense" "Renji, your data is clearly wrong this time" "Akaya fifty laps around the courts!"

• At some point he just has to accept it though. Because he loses his breath every time his crush talks to him and there's no way that THAT isn't a crush.

• And what does he do about it? Nothing. He just tries to be the less awkward he can. Which isn't much. Because if his crush as much as smiles at him he hides behind his cap so no-one sees him blushing.

• They study together, and have dates which are basically Yukimura and Renji asking them out and then "Oops we had plans. Have fun the two of you." Someone bless this two.

• And then one day he finally gathers the strength and confesses with a: "(S/o/N), I... I know I'm not the best at this kind of things but... Would you... Would you give me the chance to date you?"

• And really, it was about time and his s/o should have probably confessed first and saved him the internal struggle. But it's been worth it. Because once he confesses he knows that he's 100% sure that they are the person he wants by his side.

[odelschwanky]

Could you do a fluff Byakuya fic

Take a Break (Byakuya Kuchiki x Reader)

This not my best, but I was happy to write it. I’m working my way out of writer’s block. Thank you for requesting. I hope you enjoy.

Word Count: 2257

____________________________________________________

“Working late again, Captain?”

You poke your head into Byakuya’s office. The waning light of the late evening sun streamed in from the open door behind you. It cast your long shadow onto the tatami flooring, shading the man’s busy form. He sat dutifully, inked brush in his hand, looping and curving impeccable characters onto the pages. He held his sleeve regally, so he wouldn’t mess it. He finished his thought before he even thought to answer you. Even then, he didn’t look up.

“Yes. I normally always am.”

He sounded so tired. You didn’t like the way the dark circles made a home under his eyes. Your Captain’s mouth was set in a distinct frown as he stared down at the work he was doing. He still had his kenseikan in his hair which meant he didn’t have any plans of resting soon. You really wished he would relax. Maybe you could help with that.

You waited by the door, kneeling and sitting on your heels until Byakuya allowed you to enter.

“You don’t have to do that.” He murmurs in his even voice.

Byakuya didn’t require all of the superior-subordinate formality from you that he required from other people. He’d even go as far as allowing you to call him by his familiar name. You almost never did, though. You still thought your Captain deserved the proper respect. Deep down, you knew he appreciated it.

“Come in, (y/n).”

Once invited, you tiptoed inside the spacious room, leaving the sliding door open. You left your shoes outside on the porch, lightly scuttling in with bare feet. Byakuya’s sternness lessened a little when you sidled up beside him, hands clasped behind your back.

He would never admit it, but he loved when you came in to distract him from his work. Your bright smile and your lively aura always lifted his spirits. He loved the sight of you, inching playfully in to see him. You would come closer and closer until you were side by side. You always asked before you touched him, although it was never necessary.

“May I?” You lifted your hands to his scarf but waited to lay a single finger on it.

He looked over his shoulder at you before giving a slight nod. His thick black hair tumbled as you swept it gently aside. The masterful fabric of his scarf rubbed smoothly against you as you slipped it from his neck and piled it on the desk. You were mindful of the ink, setting the expensive piece of clothing far from it. Byakuya’s nape was a little red, and it only glowed more when you rested your fingers upon the cool skin of his neck. Tough muscles and stiffness made the tension in Byakuya’s body apparent to you.

“How was your day?” You quietly ask him.

The air in the room had freshened up since you opened the door. The gentle spring breeze danced in to tickle the more easily persuaded aspects of the room: your hair, clothes, and noses. Byakuya told you a little of what happened in his day, although he didn’t go into much detail.

To be honest, his day was tough. He had to discipline one of his subordinates, which pained him to do. There was a lot of paperwork that came with that. Also, he had duties pertaining to the other Royal Families of the Seireitei. He was working on those papers now. On top of all that, he was tired and hadn’t slept well the night before. The noble Head of the Kuchiki Clan wasn’t at his best. His poised and refined nature would’ve never let it show though. He kept it up, his aristocratic composure, especially around you. But you were one of the only people who could ease him.

“And your day?” His voice was deep when he echoed you. His eyes were closed, as he savored the way you worked on him. You shrugged, rolling your fingers firmly in the muscles of Byakuya’s neck and shoulders. He had let you peel back his haori just enough to see a small amount of his ivory skin. You smooth your hands over it, and his body relaxed as you touched him. You could feel him releasing all of that pent-up pressure in the form of a slight slouch. You were satisfied with that.

“It was fine.”

You hadn’t had the best day either but being here with your Captain was making everything better. You would spare him the details.

You leaned down until you were nose to nose with him, the fine hairs on his skin tickling you.

“Take a break?”

Your pleading eyes met your Captain’s. They were always so serious, so steely. His mouth wavered from that small tight line to a pair of parted lips, soft enough to kiss. He was going to try and protest, say that his work needed to be done.

“I can sit and watch you work a little later. Take a walk with me.”

He paused a long time. Byakuya Kuchiki loved nighttime walks.

“We can’t be too long.” You could swear you saw the hint of a smile on his face.

You shooed him away to take a minute while you put aside his inks and brushes, taking care that they would be ready for him when the two of you returned. You stacked the dry papers and held them with a paperweight while he put on his scarf once more and straightened his uniform from where you disturbed it.

“Come on,” you nearly skip out the door into the nighttime air. The sun had just barely set and the sky was tinted a rich purple. The cherry blossoms of the garden outside this part of Kuchiki Manor were twirling in the wind, falling like snow. You always loved coming to see the garden.

Byakuya follows with his usual refined regality. You wait in the middle of the stone path, some twenty feet away, while he closed the door to his office and steps off the porch.

“You’re not going to wear your shoes?”

You look down and shake your head. “No. Is that okay?”

Byakuya gingerly bites his lip and shakes his head, holding back an amused smile. He was probably thinking to himself how foolish you were. He never said anything so mean to you though. You’d heard him scold other people like Ichigo and Renji, and you were glad he was never so harsh to you.

“Yes. It’s fine. Just be careful.”

The two of you walked in silence, as you two normally did. The stones underfoot were so smooth on the bottom of your feet. They were still warm from the day’s sun. The suede finish of the cherry blossoms stuck to your feet too, and you loved the way they felt.

You approached a bench by a koi pond. You let your shihakusho blow open, teased by the breeze. Byakuya looks down at you, at your exposed shoulders and chest. Your uniform didn’t have sleeves like a lot of others did. You just never preferred them.

“You’re not cold?”

You shake your head. “No… not really. It feels nice out.” You stretch, looking at the tall dark-haired man beside you. He gives you another thoughtful glance as you two continued around the koi pond.

A cold gust of wind crossed the garden, carrying a reeking, damning smell. It made your stomach churn. You covered your nose and looked at Byakuya. “Do you smell that?”

He nodded, putting a hand on the hilt of his zanpakuto. A rustling in the bushes startled you.

You jumped a little, all the muscles in your body tensing up. Byakuya took a step in front of you, gently pushing you behind him. You peeked underneath Byakuya’s arm, trying to see what was going on.

A small Hollow emerged and slowly approached the place you stood with gnashing teeth.

“A Hollow, here?” You say, almost to yourself. That was almost taboo. You had never seen a Hollow in the Seireitei. Maybe in the forest, but never so close to somewhere like Kuchiki Manor.

“Hado number 4: Byakurai.”

Byakuya cast his Kido in an unimpressed voice that resonated throughout the garden with authority. He pointed his finger at the small furry creature, a flash of lightning shooting it straight in the face. It didn’t even have time to cry out before it was vaporized.

It was over almost as quickly as it began, and all that was left of it was a small pile of ash maybe ten feet away from you both.

“Are you okay?” Byakuya inquired of you, grabbing your elbow protectively. His fingers were surprisingly soft, and his touch was very gentle. He didn’t touch you often, you mostly did all the touching. You tried to hide your blush but didn’t pull your arm away.

“I’m fine… you took care of it. T-thank you.”

It was weirdly and awkwardly silent for a few moments.

Byakuya released you and nodded. “Do you want to go back?”

You shake your head. “No. Not if you still have time.”

Byakuya was quiet for a minute. “I have time.”

You look at him with eyes full of adoration. The nature of your relationship with Byakuya was so formal. You were sure nobody even knew you were together, Renji and Rukia maybe. They never talked about it though. When you spent time together with Byakuya, oftentimes you were alone. Like today.

You were fine with that. You didn’t need to use him as some publicity stunt, although it was pretty surreal that the Head of the Kuchiki Clan was in love with you. Other people might not view it that way, but you were sure of his feelings for you.

“Can I hu-”

Byakuya didn’t wait for you to ask before he pulled you into his arms. His touch and his hold were so sure, so safe. You drowned in his elaborate clothes, shihakusho, haori, and all. You breathed deeply the scent of him, and you seemed to relax. You didn’t realize how stressed you were until he hugged you. You needed his touch and he seemed to know exactly when to give it.

“Can you stay tonight?”

His unusual words caused butterflies to tear through your stomach like the cherry blossoms outside. You would have never expected him to ask you.

You were most often the one initiating things. You’d ask if he had time for you, to do things like taking walks or having dinner. He almost never refused you, only for the reason of a prior engagement pertaining to work. You were at the Kuchiki Manor more often than you were in your room at the barracks. You spent a lot of time here with Byakuya. You never expected him to go to the squad barracks to see you, though. That would be ludicrous.

But he never ceased to surprise you.

When he was there for business, he never failed to stop and say hello to you. If you were in a meeting, he’d politely come in and greet everyone (really looking at you) and then dismiss himself for work. If he’d see you in the hall between his meetings or duties, he’d soften his gaze and chat with you for a bit. Sometimes he’d watch you train, waiting for you to be done so you could go to the Manor together. You’d read together, talk, and just enjoy each other’s company. You loved Byakuya, and although some people might call your relationship with him stiff and ceremonial, you were very happy with it.

“Yes. I can stay.”

You smile up at him, putting your chin on his chest. He wasn’t quite smiling, but a look of pleasant contentedness greeted you from his handsome face. The locks of his hair streaming from his kenseikan billowed in the tumultuous wind. Your clothes sounded like flags with the way they whipped. It was most likely going to storm tonight. After he was done with his work, Byakuya would most likely keep the door to his bedroom open so that you two could watch the rain before bed.

You strained up on your toes to reach him, thankful that he came down to meet you halfway. Byakuya’s lips we soft and warm as he kissed you. His gloved hand came up and around your neck, pulling you deeper into him still until your senses were overwhelmed with him. The increase of pressure around you both came from your intimate embrace. All you felt was the familiar power of your love.

It wasn’t long until a crack of thunder interrupted your kiss with Byakuya, and rain began to fall. You both looked at each other and for the first time in a while, he laughs. You relish that sound, his light and beautiful laugh. The two of you turn to go back inside.

As you walk, he unwinds the scarf from around his neck and drapes in on your head in a silent joke. The cashmere shroud fell over your eyes and you giggle. You snuggle into it, wrapping it around your bare shoulders, breathing in its wonderful smell.

“There… so you don’t catch cold.”

You press into the side of Byakuya, leaning on him. He puts his arm on your back affectionately.

“Byakuya?”

“Hm?”

“I love you.”

You didn’t have to look at him to know he was smiling. You could hear it in his silence, then in the grace of his voice as he spoke.

“I love you too.”

[verothelilsparkleghost]

Two Best Friends.

Read on AO3

A silly attempt at a one shot for The Seireitei Discord Server Valentines Challenge. 

Prompt: "Did you just kiss me?"

Pairing: ICHIRUKI 🧡💜

Also a TikTok video made me do it xD

Special thanks to @hesesols , @darthrrae and @ariadnekurosaki for putting up with my annoying self 🧡💜🧡 (Thanks x2 to Ari for Beta-ing as well xD)

Summary:

“Two best friends... locked in a room... together and alone...” she said in a sarcastic tone of voice, “they might kiss.”

“Yes, we will.”

“Yes, of course we wi— wait what?”

—————————————————————————-

Oh, she was mad.

In fact, mad was not the correct word to express how fucking angry she was. The next time Rukia got her hands on Renji, he was a dead man.

.

.

.

Earlier today, Rukia had been driving her dark blue Mini Cooper on her way home from University, when she received a call from her friend Renji. He’d practically begged her to come to his old place and help him take some of his stuff to his new place, and Rukia being the great friend she is, agreed after she made him promise that Ichigo would be nowhere in sight, and that he would have to buy dinner for her as well. Renji agreed quickly, and now thinking back, he agreed too quickly. That should’ve been her first clue that something was wrong. But she didn’t pay much attention to it and made her way to Renji’s old place. First mistake in a series of mistakes.

When she got there, she parked her car in the driveway and got out of the car. Rukia made her way up to the door with her phone in hand, typing a reply to a text message she just received from Rangiku.

Rangiku: Are u still not talking to Ichigo?

Rukia: If u r asking this bc of your party, u can invite him. I won’t ruin ur party.

Rangiku: I just don’t want u guys to be uncomfortable.

Rukia: It’s fine, Ran.

Rangiku: K then. But I think you two need to kiss and make up soon ;)

Rukia rolled her eyes at her reply. She knew their friends had gotten caught between her and Ichigo’s fight. They’d been best friends since forever and arguments never lasted more than a couple of hours. But this time was a bit different.

Rukia was so caught up in texting her reply that she didn’t see the familiar motorcycle her best friend owned, poorly hidden by some bushes near the house. As she was about to knock on the door, it opened to reveal Rangiku behind it.

“What the…? Weren’t we just texting each other?” Rukia asked.

“Yes!” she replied, jumping slightly, “I just couldn’t wait to see you in person to send the invite text,” Rangiku explained.

Rukia felt she was acting strange. “Okay…”

“Come in, come in!” Rangiku grabbed Rukia’s arm and pulled her inside the almost empty house.

Renji was standing in the middle of the living room. “Ah Rukia! Thank you for coming, we really need some help… um… packing and moving boxes.”

Rukia looked around. The place was almost empty and only a few boxes remained. And both Renji and Rangiku seemed to be acting a bit odd. “What exactly do you need help with? To me it seems like everything has been packed and moved already,” she said, turning and pointing to the few boxes left.

“Oh well, Ran helped me move some stuff before you got here. All that’s left is in the bedroom,” he said walking down the hallway towards the bedroom. Both Rukia and Rangiku followed after him. Rukia saw him get some keys from his pocket and unlocking the door.

“Why do you have the door locked?” Rukia asked.

“No particular reason,” Renji replied in a hurry.

He opened the door and the first thing Rukia saw was Ichigo sitting on the bed. He was sitting with his elbows on his knees and his orange hair covered some of his face. But when he raised his head, she saw the scowl on his face.

Rukia turned to face Renji and asked “What is he do—" but Rangiku pushed her inside the room before she could finish talking. A yelp left her mouth and she almost fell face first to the floor, managing to catch her balance in time.

“What the hell, Ran?” Rukia asked exuberantly.

Rangiku winked, blew a kiss at her and said, “We can’t stand it anymore, you two need to talk, and it’s happening now.” And with that she closed the door on Rukia’s face. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Rukia heard her say through the door, and a second later she heard the distinctive click of the door being locked from the outside.

“Let me out of here you idiots!” Rukia screamed, pounding on the door repeatedly.

“It’s no use really, unless you want to kick the door down and pay for the damage,” Ichigo informed her, still sitting in the same place and position she saw him a moment ago.

Rukia rolled her eyes and looked at him from over her shoulder. She opened her mouth to say something to him but chose not to and continued pounding on the door. “Renji, you’d better open this door right now!”

Rukia could hear them moving around the hallway and talking to each other; they were clearly ignoring her yelling.

“Ok! We’ve accomplished the mission,” Rukia heard Renji say.

“This was easier than I thought it’d be, and to think no one thought this plan would work,” Rangiku said amusedly.

“Right! Let’s go get some food while these two make up!” Rukia could tell they were walking away. “By the way, I’m taking your car, Rukia.” She could hear the smirk he probably had on his face.

“Oh, please tell me we’re not getting—” Rangiku’s voice faded as they walked away and Rukia didn’t hear well what Rangiku had said but knowing Renji, she knew where he was going.

“Renji!” She hit the door with even more anger. “I swear to God, if my car smells like fried chicken again, I will fucking kill you!” Rukia yelled through the door.

No one replied to her yelling.

And now here she was, trapped in a barely furnished bedroom with her best friend. The same best friend she’d been actively avoiding for the past week because she was mad at him.

Rukia gave up on banging the door and moved towards the window to try and find another way out.

“It’s locked too. I tried that already,” said Ichigo.

Rukia felt her blood boiling. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself.

“Rukia,” She heard him say behind her.

“Don’t ‘Rukia’ me.” She turned around to face him. He stood up from where he was sitting and was now standing just a couple steps away from her.

“Rukia,” he repeated.

She walked away from him, but he followed her, still keeping a few steps between them. “They are right, we need to talk.”

“I don’t have anything to say to you, I don’t want to talk.” She turned her back on him.

“Fine, I’ll do the talking then,” he said.

“I don’t want to hear your apology, Ichigo. Save it.”

“Good. Because I’m not going to apologize,” he said nonchalantly.

That was the last straw.

Rukia turned around to face him. Ichigo was standing close to her with his hands inside his jacket’s pockets.

She moved closer to him. “You went behind my back.” She poked him in the center of his chest with two fingers to punctuate her words.

“You told Byakuya.” She poked a second time.

“After I told you about it in confidence.” She poked him again.

“And now Byakuya and Hisana are all proud and shit, and I can’t tell them I don’t want to accept it,” she said anxiously. Before she could poke him again, Ichigo grabbed her hand and held it in his. She tried to pull her hand away, but he didn’t let her.

“They needed to know, Rukia.” His voice was soft. Rukia lowered her eyes, looking anywhere else except his eyes. “You got accepted to the most prestigious University in the country and you were going to decline the offer and it’s a great offer,” he said, raising her chin up with one hand. “I’m not about to let you waste this opportunity.”

Reluctantly, her violet eyes met his brown ones. She felt her eyes stinging with unshed tears. But she was not about to let the tears fall.

“I don’t want to go there…” she whispered.

Ichigo searched her face with his eyes, “What are you so afraid of?” he asked.

“I’m not afraid, I just—” Rukia released her chin from his hold and looked away from him.

But Ichigo wouldn’t let her back down. “What, midget?”

She rolled her eyes at his use of the annoying insult and crossed her arms.

“Rukia…” His soft voice made her look at him again. And the look on his face made her answer.

Her eyes watered.

“I just don’t want to leave... my friends and my family… and… you.”

Silence settled between them.

A moment later, a noise outside the bedroom distracted her, maybe Renji and Rangiku were back?

She banged on the door again. “Come on guys, open up, we’re fine now.”

Ichigo stood quietly behind her.

What’s something Renji wouldn’t stand for and would run to open the door?

Mmm…

Oh yes.

This is a good idea.

“Two best friends... locked in a room... together and alone...” she said in a sarcastic tone of voice, “they might kiss.”

“Yes, we will.”

“Yes, of course we wi— wait what?” He grabbed her by her arm and turned her around. Her back now against the door, his body softly pushing her against it.

His face was close to hers and he kept leaning closer.

“What did you say?” she murmured, she felt blood rushing to her cheeks and her heart was pounding in her chest.

“I said yes we will,” he murmured as he lowered his face towards her.

Ichigo stopped a breath away from her lips. He was giving her the chance to push him away and saying no.

Time stood still.

Her eyes traveled from his lips to his eyes repeatedly, but his eyes never left hers.

In an instant, their lips met in a fervent kiss.

If someone asked Rukia who kissed who, she wouldn’t know the answer.

Rukia gasped when she felt his body pressing against hers and his arm wrapped around her waist to pull her even closer. Her own hands were not idle, and before she could even think about it, they travelled from his chest up to his neck. One of her hands caressed his hair and Ichigo let out a throaty sound. Rukia quickly came to the conclusion she liked that sound.

They kissed for a long moment, fighting for control until they ran out of air, and pulled away slowly. One of his hands rested in the back of her head stroking her hair in a comforting way.

She could only focus on how soft his lips had felt.

“Did you just kiss me?” she murmured.

He chuckled. “I think you kissed me,” he teased her with a grin.

“Shut up.” She stood up on her tiptoes and smashed their lips together again in a bruising kiss.

Without breaking the kiss, he lifted her into his arms. Ichigo walked backwards until the edge of the bed hit the back of his knees, and he sat down on the bare mattress with Rukia now on his lap.

She slowly broke away from the kiss, opened her eyes and saw him staring at her with caring eyes. With her hands on either side of his face, she brought him in for another brief kiss.

“What are we doing, Ichigo?” she asked. Her heart was still beating rapidly, and the blush hadn’t left her face.

He hugged her closer to him, “What we should’ve done long ago.”

They were silent for a moment; their breaths were the only sounds to be heard. With their foreheads touching, she closed her eyes. So many emotions were coursing through her veins. Her brain was still processing the fact that her best friend kissed her, or she kissed him… whatever, doesn’t matter who did it, the point was it happened.

But her thoughts got interrupted.

“I got accepted too, you know,” Ichigo informed her.

Her eyes snapped open.

“Why didn’t you tell me, idiot?” she asked, slapping his shoulder several times.

“You’ve been avoiding me for days, midget. Even our friends were annoyed.” He grabbed her hand and held it in his.

“Does that mean… you’re coming with me?” she asked in a timid voice.

“Yes… If you’ll have me.” He brought her hand to his lips and softly kissed it.

Rukia smiled and pulled him in for a passionate kiss.

.

.

.

“We’re back!” Renji shouted and opened the door with a bang.

“Yes!” Rangiku clapped and jumped excitedly, “I told you this would work!”

Seeing his two closest friends eating each other’s faces was something he’d need some time getting used to, “Ugh… and right on time for Valentine’s Day too.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes:

Renji and his love for KFC is something we like to explore in the IchiRuki Secret Basement Discord Server.

Interested? Join us xD

[kuronanox]

Trapped - Aizen Sosuke

Everywhere I go he is always watching, everything I do he knows. Aizen is the monster nobody knows about even till this day no one believes what happen a 110 years ago.

"What do you want?" (Your Name) bitterly says to the 5th captain as he kindly invited himself next to her.

"What do you mean? I'm nicely taking a stroll next to you."

(Your Name) pushes him away from her as Hinamori came running from behind them. "(Your Name) don't you think you are being rude to Aizen Taicho?"

"We are simply messing around." He warmly smiles to his lieutenant and pats her head as she smiles back. (Your Name) stares in disgust at the scene in front of her. Although she never told Hinamori he was a bad man she gave hints to the younger girl. (Your Name) knew he was up to something but she didn't know what yet.

"Tch." (Your Name) said and walked away, although Aizen kept the smile on his face as he watched her walk away.

"Why do you hate Aizen Taicho?" Renji asks her as most of the liutenants decided to go drinking for the night. "I have my reasons." she simply stated as Matsumoto shook her head and wrapped an arm around (Your Name). "Don't tell me that you confessed your feelings and he denied them."

(Your Name) furiously pushed her away before chugging the sake bottle infront of her.

"Aizen! He isn't kind like how you all think he is! Neither is Gin and Tousen." she yells as it got dead silence as the liutenants started hearing other captains names in her mouth. "He tried to kill previous captains and liutenants for his own advantages! I'm serious all my friends... I witness them. They were covered in white and he was just smiling like a sadistic!"

There was no words coming from anyone's mouth and they all started laughing as she gives a look of disbelief "No one believes me."

"Looks like someone had to much drinks tonight!" Renji blurts out as Shuhei and Kira laugh along side with Rangiku, Ikkaku and Yumichika.

"Good thing Hinamori isn't here, or else she would have told Aizen."

(Your Name) just ignored their laughter as she plays along with them and decided it was time to get back to her barrack. "Goodbye." she tells everyone and exit the small pub.

Almost reaching the 13th squad barracks where she is currently the 3rd seat she felt a menacing atmosphere around her almost as a snake was watching her. "I know you are following me."

Gin comes out from the shadows and grin towards her as he raises his hands. "Looks like I got caught."

"Why are you following me?" she says now as he simply gets closer to her as she backs up towards the wall where he cornered her. "Nothing much, Ya know ya shouldn't be spreadin false rumors."

Before she could say anything Ukitake opens the door and his eyes widen. "Oh my! So scandalous." He cheerfully laughs and scratches his head lightly to break any tension. (Your Name) pushes Gin off and runs behind her captain.

"See ya (Your Name)!" Gin waves off as she peaks from behind Ukitake and snorts.

"Weirdo."

"(Your Name) I didn't know you and Ichimaru Taicho were a item."

"We aren't, It's just-" she stopped mid sentence and sighed before opening the door for their barrack. "It's nothing Taicho. No one ever believes me anyways."

Ukitake watches her leave and then looks at Gin. "People have been suspicion about him recently especially Hitsugaya Taicho." He sighs and makes his way towards Kyorakus place for some night drinking. "Good work!" He cheerfully said to a shinigami that was sweeping the floor as he passed by.

Little did he know Aizen was watching everything.

"I am the absolute, everything will be to my command."

Aizen says wrapping his arms around the back of her, as if his long arms were going to suffocate her neck. She tried to scream but it was only silence that came out. The pain of her throat burning was present.

She wanted to move but her body was stuck as he moved himself to face her. He didn't look like the Aizen everyone knew. His glasses were gone and his hair was slick back. This was the real Aizen. He smiled elegantly as he watched her struggled to let her voice be heard.

"As it should be (Your Name), a voice that can't be heard. No one ever believed you and very soon they will regret not listening to you... very soon."

She woke up in the middle of the night with cold sweat, her heart rate was rocketing. She hugged her knees and cried. She missed them, Shinji, Yoruichi, Kensei, Urahara all of them. She was determine to find them one day even if it met betraying the soul society.

She shuttered in fear. "That dream felt so real."

The following months passed and the soul society was hectic. (Your Name) learned that someone murdered Aizen. "It can't be real." She shutters seeing his body. She knew it wasn't real, everyone was placing blame on Gin but Gin was working next to Aizen. Kira and Hinamori were locked up for advancing towards each other and now she felt the menacing reitsu of Hitsugaya flow out.

"We have to stay calm and act together. It's not him!" (Your Name) screamed to Hinamori as the girl was fast to yield her sword and attack Hitsugaya upfront. The smaller man hit her to hard as she fell on the floor

(Your Name) couldn't tell why but she was frozen. Her body couldn't move and her voice wasn't heard again. She saw Hinamori collapse.

"Stop fighting." (Your Name) quietly says watching Gin and Hitsugaya.

"All of you are pathetic. Aizen... he's doing this to throw everyone off. The vice captain and captains shouldn't be fighting each other." She screamed at them. "Shh (Your Name) your voice can't be heard remember?"

The smooth deep voice whispered in her mind as she grabbed her head. "STOP MESSING WITH MY HEAD!" Her cold sweat coming back as she sees a blurry view of the two captain engaged in battle.

Finally getting up to attend the aid of Hinamori she saw a flash of Gin's blade moving towards the small girl. With (Your Name) reaching out for Hinamori she was about to miss saving her by a second.

A sharp blade collapsed with Gin as Matsumoto showed up to save the day.

The following nights she had nightmares, it was as if Aizen was creating them. He was torturing her. With Rukia's execution and the whole gotei against each other she couldn't keep up. She began to get stressed, and depressed. She needed to find Aizen and confront him. "I know he isn't dead, that bastard."

A rough hand had covered (Your Name) mouth in her sleep as she was dragged out of bed. Aizen in her view as she screamed only to be knocked out cold. The next time she woke up was with Gin as she sees a happy Hinamori embrace Aizen. "Hinamori don't do it, please don't do it."

She was stabbed like a pawn, she watched as Hitsugaya wrath got lost in control. Aizen defeated everyone. No one was stopping him from his goal. She looked at two bodies and central 46 laid on the floor just as he did 110 years ago. "You monster." She tells him as he held her chin. "I'm simply achieving a goal, there is nothing to be bitter about." He defends as she spits in his face. Unpleasantly his hand slapped her face as she saw the red blood coming from her mouth.

"Why didn't you just kill me all these years?" She then says as he shakes his head. "Because watching you suffer and torturing your sleep everything night was pleasing."

The prescene of Unohana and Isane joined the room as her suspicions of Aizen were right. Looking towards (Your Name) Unohana gave a sympathetic look towards her.

Aizen revealing his plans throws (Your Name) towards where the bodies were laid as him and Gin made there way to the hill. "I am in no use of watching you suffer anymore." Aizen then tells her.

Unohana ordered Isane to warn the Soul Society that Aizen was the real enemy.

"No one believed me till now." (Your Name) mustered up as the tears fall down. "It takes our world to be thrown into chaos for my voice to be heard."

"We apologize for the behalf of all Soul Society, we should have listened to your warnings years ago." Unohana says taking care of the injured Captain of squad 10 and lieutenant of squad 5.

"It's fine, what's done is done. I have to go to the hill and see everything for myself." She then says as Unohana gives her permission to leave.

At the hill Aizen was already captured, (Your Name) already knew he was going to escape though. Aizen was the mastermind of everything that had been happening. He looked into her eyes with a smirk. "I knew you would come."

She sneers in disgust, she wanted so bad to hurt him, she wanted Aizen to feel the pain she did all these years.

"To everyone in Soul Society today, I've been hiding my plans under your noses for years. It's such a shame that no one believed my dear (Your Name)." Aizen announces as Gin and Tousen stand beside him as they escape through a garganta.

"(Your Name) congratulations, you survived all these years. I'll be waiting for you in your dreams."

She shutters, he was still planning to torture her? No he couldn't but then again Aizen is the mastermind.

As everyone recovered from the days event, she was given an big apology from everyone. She didn't want that though. She wanted her friends back.

"Let's see how things turn out for you (Your Name), you never fail to amuse me." Aizen voice says in her head that very night she fell asleep.

(Your Name) lays in bed unable to move. Aizen was going to mess with her head till he was captured and dead.  "Stop messing with me." she whimpered in her sleep as she curled up as a baby.

The room was white, she mentally was messed up. The room was giving her so much anxiety, she was going to have a panic attack. "Shh, no need to be afraid. I haven't decided to hurt you yet." His voice echoes through the room as she tried to find a exit.

"Where am I?!" (Your Name) screams as he chuckles. "You are somewhere safe. Somewhere no one can hear you."

That send chills in her back, this place was not soul society. She screamed in agony and pulled her hair. "Let me out!" closing her eyes and opening them back up the white room was still in her sight.

Aizen opens the door to reveal himself, he held a calm smile on his face. "This is your new home, learn how to like and love it.

"Bastard, I'll kill you."

"Hmm sounds great, have fun trying." he playfully says and grabs her chin. "This will be your new wonderland where I'll teach you to only listen to me." Aizen seriously says then.

(Your Name) woke up with sweat on her face, her heart was racing. "This has to be a dream. Please let it be."

"I'm sorry but it's not." She hears Aizen voice as he sat beside her bed.

Her face set with horror. "How, When did I get here?"

Aizen grabs her face gently. "Welcome to your new home, I've been waiting years for this."

She was trapped, this was also his plan all along. To toy with her head and then to take her hostage once everyone believed her. "You really are a cruel man."

He smiles and leans on his hand.

"You will learn how to accept me at a matter of time. Now sleep, I have much to discuss with you later." The last haunting imagine of him was a menacing smile on his face as she fell into deep sleep.

(Author note: I’m sorry this is not my best work ;-;......)

[pinkhairedlily]

Great Expectations

Chapter 4 of The Spring He Came Back | 4 of 12

Hinamori found herself spacing out in the middle of chores for about a month now. She would be cooking miso soup, and her mind would trail to their conversation on the hill. She would halt in front of the daffodil meadow on the way back from the market and reminisce in the midst of stalks yet to flower, counting down to the third month. She also stopped going to the library because of a growing resentment. If she didn’t bring Hitsugaya there, he wouldn’t have found the book, and he wouldn’t have left. She wondered if she had the right to feel this way, to feel like she lost a friend or a family.

The money from Hitsugaya’s generous allowance came in every end of the month through an academy representative. Baba’s refusals fell on deaf ears, but Hinamori knew she was grateful for the financial support.

True to his promise, Hitsugaya sneaked out of the academy on his third month and met Hinamori on the meadow. He saw her black tendrils flowing with the yellow petals. “Oy, Hinamori.” For a time, it would seem that the gears were running in normal shifts.

This went on for the next three years. Hinamori was given glimpses of his newfound life – of an increasing circle of friends that consisted of a noisy Rangiku, stubborn Rukia, and glutton on steroids Renji. For every encounter, their childhood memories and laidback banter on the yellow field were being replaced by tales of his experiments and model construction with Dr. Kuchiki, the culture shock to the life of the brightest, and the cutthroat competition in academia. For every encounter, he seemed more and more different, but he never let these get the best of him. After all, his silver hair was still shaped like a broomstick, and he still challenged her to watermelon eating contests.

Their meetings stopped when he had to participate in an overseas internship in Karakura. Monthly letters replaced his physical presence until there were none. Exasperated because of her growing loneliness, Baba assured her it was the natural course of things.

“As we grow older Momo, we form a lot of bonds. Some becomes the foundation of our nature and identity while others are circles at certain phases of our lives.” Baba gave her a cup of black tea with a dash of honey, her favorite brew. “There comes a point we grow out of those circles and seek the next set of bonds. The rarest of all, those bonds that accompany you forever.”

“I thought we were his family, Baba.” There was a burning feeling behind Hinamori’s eyes, and she felt a headache forming.

Baba stared at her wistfully and tucked a loose tendril behind her grandchild’s ear. “If you’re so adamant to keep those bonds, why won’t you walk beside him?”

Hinamori shook her head vehemently and slapped her palms on the table. “Baba! I will never leave you. Please stop saying that!” Some of her black tea spilled. “Besides, the academy is invitation-only, remember?”

“Momo my dearest and only, I’m almost 70. I’ve lived a good, full life so far, and I want you to live like that as well. I don’t want you shackled by your past or be burdened by taking care of me. The world is bigger than this town,” Baba chuckled to herself as she took a sip of her tea. “Besides, I have reliable neighbors who will take care of me. We have a telephone now so we can always communicate. Wondrous technology. Oh but you have to teach me.”

“Baba, stop it. The academy is not accepting low-tier students like me.”

“Oh Momo. Just throw it out there and the world will right itself.”

Baba’s wisdom never failed. When Hinamori became 15 years old, the academy opened its gates to the common folk. The complaints about accessibility and inequality probably got to the administration. Investments in the town kept pouring in, demand for residential space was increasing, the clamor to enter the academy regardless of social status eventually gained traction. While the invitation and referral arrangements still existed, the opportunities leveled through general admissions. Well, not quite. The examinations were grueling, and the interviews were tricky to answer. They asked outright for research proposals and the field of specialization one was interested in. On top of her head, Hinamori stated her concentration on terrestrial ecology. Actually, she just wanted to create perennial daffodils so their meadow would be yellow all year round, no matter the season.

Hinamori passed the screening. General admission passers were granted wider freedom but lesser privilege. They were not restricted to stay in the dorms and had normal class schedules that didn’t involve laboratory and experiments on weekends. On the downside, they were provided lesser amount of allowance (good for family of three) which Hinamori was still thankful for. They weren’t also allowed to venture into the buildings of the core members. From her initial grant, she bought a bicycle to make her trips faster and quicker across opposite end of the town. It was an unstable feeling, landing on shifting grounds, but soon enough, she found her balance.

I’m in. I’m inside the academy’s gates. It was an exhilarating feeling of great expectations and humble beginnings.

Only 100 students were admitted in the winter. Amid the flurry of post-inauguration activities, Hinamori saw the familiar silver hair sticking out like sore thumb in the middle of the crowd.

He’s not supposed to be here. He was accompanied by three people trailing behind at a safe distance. She presumed they were the three Rs – Rangiku, Rukia, Renji. On Hitsugaya’s arms was a bouquet. “Oy, Momo.”

Her cheeks were flushed red. She wished she wore her hair loose instead of a bun because it had started to snow. “Broomstick Shirou-chan.” Was he taller when she last saw him? Silly, he was gone for two years.

“I just got back from my internship in time for your inauguration.” He handed her the bouquet of bright yellow daffodils, fully blooming in winter. “Congratulations.”

“Oh, I’m still taller than you,” Hinamori blurted out. “Oops. It was supposed to be a personal observation.”

“You know what, give me back the bouquet.”

“But it’s true! You probably still have the same height!”

“Momo, give me the bouquet back.”

“Won’t.” They both laughed it off, unaware of stealing glances from his company.

“Oooh is she the one you’re always writing letters to, Hitsugaya?” the blond-haired girl asked. “How sweet! Childhood sweethearts!”

“Shut up, Rangiku!”

“Oh no, we’re truly not-“ Hinamori started, but she was immediately cut off.

“Childhood sweethearts?!” the red-haired one yelled. “You mean to tell me this was fate? Wow, I’m so jealous.”

“I’m literally right here, Abarai.” The black-haired kid who was almost the same height as Hitsugaya was probably the least intense of the group. “I’m Kuchiki Rukia, by the way.”

Well, her surname certainly is, Hinamori thought. “I’m Hinamori Momo, Shirou-chan’s childhood friend.”

“Shirou-chan?!” They collectively egged him on, laughing at his clear embarrassment.

“Momo, stop using that nickname!”

Hinamori inhaled the clear scent of pine and camphor trees, reminding her of Baba cozy with her stacked fireplace and of stored jams in their pantry. She can’t wait to tell her Hitsugaya’s back. With the mended symbol of their bond on the crook of her arm, she entered the new phase of her life. Shifting grounds and great expectations.

-------

“Please greet Dr. Sousuke Aizen. He’s one of the foremost molecular biologists outside of Soul, and we are privileged to have him teach here. He will be your professor for biology. Keep in mind that you are arranged by your specialization, and he will be your mentor until you graduate in the academy,” Dr. Unohana, the academy director, announced to a class of fifteen.

Hinamori already outlined ten distinct thesis proposals in her first week. She made headstart on her readings too, already halfway on their given references for the year. If she was going to reunite fully with her friend, she needed to be a core member, and she will work hard for it.

Then, the name finally registered in her mind. Sousuke Aizen. The author of the most recent book she borrowed from the library which was also her inspiration for her thesis topics. She was engrossed with his theories, his writing style, and argumentations that she borrowed all his related books. If she was a radiologist, he was her Marie Curie. Sousuke Aizen was her teacher.

He had a magnetic presence, demanding all eyes on him. It was difficult not to notice him with his broad figure and soft tussle of dark brown hair. If eyes could smile, then he had those, albeit hidden behind square-shaped spectacles. His authoritative stance and the emanating kind disposition were confusing and difficult to compromise.

What an interesting person. Hinamori thought herself perceptive of people’s personalities based on her first impressions with them. That wasn’t successful with Hitsugaya though.

“So, should we start, or would you like me to immediately dismiss?”

It also perked up her interest that he was comfortable enough to teach without a lesson plan in hand or books. He would just talk conversationally with his students and still cover a multitude of topics. He wasn’t the stiff professor that Dr. Kuchiki was. Her classmates would seek him out after classes, asking him to join their group dinners. When she attended once, he noticed she wasn’t talking.

“Hinamori, are you still uncomfortable with your new learning setting?” Dr. Aizen asked. He gestured to refill her now empty teacup, and she obliged him with a nod. “I’ve heard you mostly got your knowledge from reading. Impressive.”

She blushed at the compliment. “I try to do my best, Dr. Aizen.”

He placed his cheek on his hand and stared at her. “You know, I also came from a rural area. Made it hard for me to mingle with the central town brats.”

Brats. She laughed at this sudden connection. “I’m also trying on that area, Sir. I made friends, but they’re on the other side of building.” Was it safe to share that?

“Oh, you have friends from the core Soul group? Fascinating. That means you’re really interesting Hinamori.” He smiled at her, tapping the empty tea pot. “You can talk to me anytime. My office is open for any concerns, academic or otherwise. I want you to know I can be on your friend list.”

The fact that he related to her situation made her happy. A renowned professor with the same roots as her still managed to get to the top. She felt seen. By the end of the semester, Hinamori volunteered to be his research assistant.

NEXT CHAPTER | 5 OF 12 | WANTING VALIDATIONS

[biribirichan1]

We’ll find a way

A million memories flood through Ichigo as he witnesses Rukia, radiant in her royal regalia - ascending the steps to the high priest waiting to crown her as the first reigning queen of their nation. Queen Rukia. His heart felt like it would burst from pride - she had worked so hard to overturn the rules that said that only male heirs could be in line for the thrown. Even as a child, that’s what she’d aspired to. “Just you watch Ichigo, I’ll be Queen one day,” - with her arms held out to the sky, and her eyes sparkling with the ferocity that he loved so dearly.

Ichigo clutched his heart. “Don’t think about her eyes, you fool. You’ll never make it through this.” He knew that his heart was not just bursting, it was also slowly breaking, because he knew today marked the day when they had to part their ways. He’d known for so long that this day would come, had steeled his heart for it - so why did it still hurt so bad? It’s not like he hadn’t been warned. By his dad, by his friends, by anyone who knew. But call it fate, call it being soul mates, there was no keeping them apart. Ichigo had tried. Really he had. The first time he and Rukia had been caught kissing, his dad had given him the scolding of a life time. “We in the Shiba clan exist solely to guard the Kuchiki royalty, not to fall in love with them!” Isshin had roared. “She’s a princess, Ichigo! One day, she’ll be married into other royalty. You’re just looking to get your heart broken, son.”

After that, he had managed to avoid Rukia for a week. A mere week - until the red string of fate crashed them together. He smiled wryly thinking that rather than it being the string of fate, it was Rukia who had crashed him to the wall and kissed him senseless.

“Rukia, we’ll end up like Romeo and Juliet.”

“I don’t care,” she shot back, defiance in every fiber of her being. “Now, shut up and kiss me back.” And Ichigo had shut up and kissed her. He had never been able to say no to her anyways.

As the days turned to months, and the months turned to years, and Rukia successfully avoided all her suitors, Ichigo had started to get optimistic - perhaps, just perhaps, by some stroke of fate, they could be together.

That illusion didn’t last very long. Rukia’s determination and her magnetic personality really got people’s attention in court. Combined with her success on the battlefield, she had become immensely popular. Ichigo had long known it in his heart, but Rukia was born to be a Queen to her people. So it was no surprise to Ichigo, when without his own heir, her ailing older brother, King Byakuya, made Rukia his successor, defying hundreds of years of tradition. When Rukia told him, he had been so happy. He had picked her up and spun her around in the garden they were in and kept saying, “I always knew.” Rukia however, in response had burst into tears - one the few times in his life that he had actually seen her cry.

“Rukia, love, what’s wrong? You’ll be the first Queen of the land. You’re making history. You should be so proud!”

Rukia didn’t say a word. She had just wept, and held him close. Ichigo found out the reason for her tears from his father. “She has to choose her husband within a year of her coronation.”

As Ichigo had ranted and raged, his father laid a hand on his shoulder and told him, “His Highness broke all the rules to make Rukia the next queen. It’s just not possible for one person to alter so much at once.”

And so the race towards coronation began. King Byakuya had wanted to hand off the crown before he passed away to ensure a smooth transition. Their country was at a delicate stage with war brewing on the south borders, so it was essential to keep the morale high. It seemed to Ichigo that all the old advisors planned to incorporate the hunt for Rukia’s husband as part of the morale boosting activities.

“Should we really be having such lavish parties with His Highness in such a state and a brewing war?” Ichigo had complained to Rukia one night.

Rukia just flashed him her enigmatic smile, and said “Looks like someone is jealous.”

“Can you blame me. That pompous ass had his hands all over you while danci-” his words were cut off by a passionate kiss from Rukia. “Ichigo, you know I have eyes only for you, right?”

Night after that, all of Ichigo’s protests were drowned by her kisses and assurances of “Trust me” and “I love you” and “We’ll find a way.” Ichigo knew he was just fooling himself, but how could he say no to her, when all he knew was just to be with her? To love her? To never let her go? So he let himself be fooled and allowed himself to love her as long as he possibly could. And so the days kept going much like before, until it was finally the night before the coronation, and he knew he couldn’t continue this farce any longer. The advisors had finally picked a suitable man in his eyes. Ichigo had scrutinized Prince Renji for days, and couldn’t really find any major faults with him. He knew Rukia would be happy eventually, if she allowed herself to be. After all, she was getting to live out her life long ambition. He was just getting ready to go to her garden, where they usually met, and bid her farewell on his own terms. It was already getting harder and harder for them to meet in secret after she was named King Byakuya’s successor. He knew it would be almost impossible to meet alone after she was crowned Queen.

As he got ready to go, he heard a knock at his door, before a crying Rukia stumbled in and into his arms. “Rukia, what are you doing here?”

“Ichigo, Ichigo”. She kept crying his name and holding him like there was no tomorrow.

“Rukia, what are you doing - we can’t keep doing this! Your coronation is tomorrow -” Suddenly Ichigo felt his heart shatter. Rukia’s tears, her desperation, all clicked into place with such a painful clarity. It’s tomorrow, his heart thundered. It’s tomorrow. All this time, he had been thinking that he would bid her farewell today without really understanding what that meant. His heart had numbed him to his true circumstances. To his reality. But finally with Rukia in his arms, his heart had awakened.

He stopped fighting her, and poured his heart and all his love into her, hoping, wishing it would stay with her for her entire lifetime. Even if he was no longer there. Because today was all he had with her. There was no tomorrow. After tomorrow, all he would have would be his inner demons with her smiles, and the memories of the time they spent loving each other. 

Later as they held each other, Ichigo had tried to say how much he loved her. Had tried to say goodbye. Each time, Rukia had chased his farewells away with her kisses. She didn’t want them. So he resigned himself to just holding her and loving her until the first rays of dawn spilled across the bed they shared.

Rukia was the first to get up. As she pulled on her clothes, and got ready to leave, her mask was back on. She looked at him and asked, “Ichigo, you had once said that you’d leave the Shiba clan as soon as I got crowned. Is that still what you plan to do?”

Ichigo looked at her. “Rukia - I.” He hung his head. “You know I’ll always love you, and cheer for you and pray for your success. But I don’t think I could see you be married to someone else day in and day out. I just couldn’t. It’d kill me, Rukia.”

“I see. Very well then.” And before Ichigo could even say anything, she was gone. Gone from his arms, from his room, and out of his life forever. “Goodbye, Rukia.”

The tears wouldn’t stop anymore. Ichigo looked at his beautiful Rukia, radiant with the crown over her head. “Long live the Queen,” the jubilant crowd shouted. “Long live Queen Rukia!”

Rukia beamed at the crowd in front of her, and raised a hand for silence. “Today we have made history,” she roared. “To anyone who thinks that a woman is any less than a man, take note. The heavens have spoken and the people have spoken. I, Rukia, am proud to take up the crown today, and serve as your very first Queen.”

The roar was deafening. Ichigo looked around to see some of female spectators clapping with tears in their eyes, some waving their handkerchiefs, and some cheering with their fists raised. Rukia’s special squad of female warriors, Division 13, had their swords and spears high up in the air and kept chanting Rukia’s name again and again and again. He couldn’t have been prouder. He knew that Rukia had the whole country mesmerized by her charisma, just as she had him in her spell for all these years. “Look at how far you’ve come, love.” Ichigo breathed.

Rukia raised her arms again for silence. “As you all know, we are passing through a turbulent time. War is brewing on the southern border, and the lack of rains has our farmers in a dire crisis. It is exactly because the times are so pressing that I will need all your support and dedication. Together we will push this country to peace and prosperity once again!” More cheering erupted.

Rukia paused for a bit, and then started again, but in a slightly somber voice. “Though I will warn all of you - the road to prosperity is not easy and requires many sacrifices, changing of old mindsets and new ways of thinking. There are many places in which centuries old tradition have safeguarded our peace and happiness, but there are also places where it has held us back. Kings before me have promised to uphold tradition and honour in their coronation speech, but as you can see I’m a little different.” Rukia gestured to her dress.

The crowd roared with laughter, and Ichigo amused himself by seeing the sour expressions on the members of the royal advisory panel. Trust Rukia to use humour in her coronation speech and piss off those old farts. No one other that that daredevil could have the guts to pull that off.

Rukia continued, “So today, as your Queen, instead of promising to uphold tradition, what I promise to uphold are my people’s happiness and this country’s prosperity. Help me make that a reality everyone. Work with me!”

The crowd went crazy. Never before had a royalty asked to work with the common public. Never had they put the happiness of the people before the country’s traditions. “Rukia, you were born to a Queen. You’ll be amazing.” As he started walking away from the crowd, and out of Rukia’s life, he just wished he could have cheered for her success from right beside her than being just another spectator in the crowd. “Be happy, my love.”

...

“What do you mean, my application to quit got rejected?” Ichigo yelled at his father, who also happened to be his superior as the head of the Shiba clan).

“Here, you can see it for yourself. It has Queen Rukia’s seal and everything.” Isshin grinned.

“Dad - this is not funny. Who does that? I’ve never heard of a royal guard’s application being rejected! This is so ridiculously petty - even by her standards.”

“Ichigo - my boy. Calm down.” Isshin dropped his voice, “You’re one lucky bastard. Haven’t you heard? Rukia got into a lot of trouble after her coronation.”

Panic flooded his heart. “What do you mean, dad?”

“What I mean, you silly son, is who do you think all that breaking tradition in her coronation speech was aimed at? Shortly after she was crowned Queen, she broke off the engagement with Prince Renji too.”

“She WHAT?!” Ichigo sat down on the nearest chair and put his head in his hands. “Dad, I’m so confused. I let her go. I said goodbye. Why is she jeopardizing herself for me?” Ichigo knew how twisted court politics was, and felt nothing but fear for Rukia.

Isshin sighed, “Did Her Highness ever say goodbye to you, Ichigo? She told me she intended to fight for you with everything she had, son.”

“But the advisors, the generals - she’ll lose support in court. Dad, you know how it is...” Ichigo trailed off.

“Well, be thankful that your girlfriend has got quite the super powers. The generals can’t win the war without her, the advisors can’t win against her popularity. She’s been playing her cards magnificently.”

Patting his son on the back, Isshin continued, “Ichigo, stop sulking and go meet up with her. But before you do, do think of how you’ll handle her rage at submitting your resignation. You know how she hates it when people don’t believe in her.”

Ichigo balked. His dad was right. There would be hell to pay.

...

“Ah Ichigo, I thought you quit.” Rukia said impassively.

“Your highness, this is the matter I requested a private audience for - to speak about my application.”

Rukia turned to the two clerks handing off papers for her to sign, and said, “I’ll finish this in a few minutes. Can you give us some privacy?”

“Of course, your Majesty.” The two men turned to leave, closing the door beside them as they exited.

A deathly silence filled the room, until Ichigo could take it no more.

“Rukiaaa,” he pleaded.

In response, he got a heavily embroidered cushion in his face. “You fooool. You were actually going to leave, weren’t you? Didn’t I tell you to trust me?”

“You were crying the night before the coronation. I thought you had given up hope too. How would I know you had other plans?”

He got another cushion thrown at him. “Of course, I was crying! I was scared! Do you know how hard its been - fighting for you - for us?” Rukia trailed off, furiously wiping away the tears that had sprung up in the corner of her eyes.

Ichigo couldn’t take it any more. In one swift motion, he closed the gap between them and took her in his arms, breathing her in. “Rukia, I really am sorry. I should have believed you. Forgive me.”

He heard a muffled no from his chest.

“Rukiaaa, you know how crazily in love with you I am right? I won’t lose faith again. I’ll fight for you - for us, for our love.”

Silence.

Ok, Ichigo thought, she’d need a little more coaxing. “How about to make up when you get off the next day, you and I can have a little picnic in your garden. I’ll get all your favourite snacks.” He inched a little closer. “I’ll even smuggle in some of the juices boxes from the Southern border that you love so much.”

“Ichigo, we’re might be going to war with them!”

“Doesn’t mean they don’t have the best tasting juice in the continent.”

“Humph, fine.”

Ichigo laughed. Even with the crown on her head, Rukia’s pout made her look so much like the child she truly was. He leaned down to kiss her, and thanked the gods, or fate or whatever supernatural beings there were for allowing him to still be with Rukia. He didn’t know if they truly could ever get married, or be together like a normal couple, but he realized in that moment that he didn’t need normal. As long as he was the one in her heart, he was content to simply be by her side and love and cherish her with all his soul.

“I love you, Rukia.”

---

Happy Ichiruki month everyone! This story turned out to be super long because I combined 5 days worth of prompts! Written for Ichiruki AU Week Prompt Day 17: Coronation, Day 18: Tradition, Day 19: All my Demons have your Smile, Day 20: Romeo and Juliet, Day 21: Supernatural. I’m not sure if the characters were too OOC, but I tried to keep Rukia’s feisty nature alive as the heir to the throne, and Ichigo’s angst vibe from when he lost his powers and couldn’t see Rukia. Let me know what you thought! Hope you enjoyed

[love-the-purple-cat]

Oh don't you dare look back, just keep your eyes on me - Chapter 1 Part 5

“Yer hair again?” She asks, idly kicking one of the men when they try to get up.

“Not quite. They got mad I beat up their men who made fun of my hair and decided that I needed to be taught a lesson.”

She snorts unattractively. “Do ya even like yer hair colour?”

Once again, Ichigo pauses in though. “...Why do you ask that?”

“Cause, no offence, but yer hair keeps gettin' ya inta trouble, and ya don’t even seem ta’ appreciate it. If it’s too much then just dye it sumthin' borin'.”

...It’s not that he hadn’t thought about it, it’s just that it was one of the few connections he had still with his mother. Dyeing it seemed like a betrayal, and felt like giving up and admitting defeat after fighting others about it for so long.

“Ah, that does sound like a good reason not ta' dye it,” She says when he unintentionally thinks aloud. “But yer missin' ma' point: Are ya happy wit' yer hair? The colour will still appear when ya grow it out, it’ll just be temporarily hidden.”

He lightly fingers a strand. It was getting longer.

“I'll think about it.”

She nods. Neither pleased nor displeased.

 ------------------------

“Come over this weekend.”

They are eating lunch in her classroom, in a way celebrating becoming friends after knowing each other for a month. Her classmates occasionally throw them looks that they ignore.

“Sure. What are we goin' ta' do?”

He thinks of the box of black hair dye that he got on his last shopping trip with Yuzu two days ago. Yuzu had looked at him questionably but hadn’t said a thing to their family. “I need help with my hair.”

Cherī raises a brow, not getting the hint.

“I’m...” He swallows, eyes flickering to the other people in the room. “I’m thinking of trying something new. That thing you talked about a few days ago.”

It takes a moment longer for her eyes to light up in recognition and understanding. “Sure, where will we meet up?”

The corner of his lip twitches up.

 ---------------------------

“Yer mom famous or sumthin'?”

He looks to where she is examining his mother’s poster. “No, my dad got it after she died.”

She appears to be contemplating something before looking away. “So, where’s yer bathroom? Ah’m not gonna lie, da dye will stain yer bathtub/tiles like a bitch when ya wash it out. Best ya put on some old clothes too.”

Ichigo nods and leads the way, feeling nervous and calm at the same time.

Cherī orders him to sit on the edge of the bath, or bring a chair but then there’s a chance that it would be stained so he doesn’t. She starts by brushing his hair and parting it before beginning. “Ya sure ‘bout this, Ichigo?”

“Yeah.” His tone is breathless, heart thumping hard in his ribcage and something is lodged in his throat.

“Okay.” Her voice is soft and quiet, though not in comfort. It just is.

His eyes close, a foreign calmness taking over him as she works on his hair. It isn’t as short as it used to be, but it isn’t as long as he would have guessed it would be after not seeing a hairdresser for nearly a year.

“An’ now we leave it fer 25mins.” Her voice arouses him from the half-asleep state he had been in. He turns to look at himself in the mirror, but she blocks his view. “Let’s leave that fer later, okay?” Her voice is soft again.

He swallows thickly and nods. “Okay.”

They go to his room. They don’t talk, not really, but the silence doesn’t feel suffocating. She looks around the small space, and the though of how empty his room looks strikes him. There is only the essentials of a bed, a desk with a corkboard over it, and a chair. It doesn’t have any personality.

But, why does he care what his room looks like to an outsider?

“Ya got any favourite books?” Cherī asks, done looking around the bare room.

“Shakespeare.” He answers automatically.

“He’s good. Don’t know much ‘bout his works, only Romeo an' Juliet an’ that’s just a general idea. Ah like Dracula, an' Dr.Jekyl an' Mr.Hyde. Ya know, books wit' what could be considered a homoerotic undertone nowadays.” She looks at the notes stuck on the board. Most of them are related to school or past commitments so he doesn’t see a problem with her looking.

“Ya got any relatives? Ah got at least two first cousins an' a bunch of other great aunts an' uncles that ma' parents want me ta know ‘bout even though Ah only meet ‘em once every five years. Kinda pisses me off when they get annoyed that Ah don’t know any of their names, but that’s what happens when ya barely see someone.”

He blinks. This was the first time since the first day that she is mentioning family. “Not on my mom’s side, I think. But on my dad's...”

Did he have relatives in Soul Society? There were quite a few similarities between him and Kūkaku, and Ukitake-taichō had mentioned that he looks like his former lieutenant Shiba Kaien.

“’s okay ta' not know.” Cherī says. “Family’s confusin' sumtimes, an' it doesn’t help when they keep secrets, or don't bother mentionin' important stuff.”

She was right. His father had kept the fact that he was a shinigami from him, what’s one more secret?

“Time ta' wash yer hair. Ya need help wit' that?”

“No.”

She doesn’t smile, nor does she frown. “Okay.”

 -------------‐-----------------

He doesn’t like how he looks.

No...

He hates how he looks. He looks way too similar to Kūkaku, with his sharp chin and eyes.

He looks way too similar to them.

What was one more secret?

-The past is never dead. It’s just buried underneath soil and concrete-

“Ichigo,” Cherī calls, brown brows furrowed in concern. “Are ya okay?”

No. “Yeah.” He croaks. He clears his throat and tries again. “Yeah, just getting used to the new look.” He tries to smile but it must have come out as a grimace with the way she frowns.

“Okay. Ya got a dark hat or sumthin'?”

“Why?”

“’Cuz we're goin' ta' da store an' we're gonna buy ya a new dye.”

“This one is fine.”

“No, it ain't.” Her voice is a touch harder. “It’s makin' ya sad an' that’s da opposite of what we were aimin’ fer.”

“Cherī-“ He tries but is cut off.

“There's nothin’ wrong wit’ not likin' how ya look. Nothin' wrong wit' not likin’ black.” She says, and for a single moment, it feels as though she is talking about something else, like she knows what his inner tumour is about. “Let’s go get ya a new colour, Ichi.”

He nods, and chokes out an “Okay.”

 -----------------------

They're at one of the shops on the main street.

The first thing that greets them when they enter is hair dyes on one side of the aisle and deodorants on the other. Ichigo browses through the ‘natural’ colours first before going to the more ‘fun' – as Cherī calls them – ones. 

 All the colours of the rainbow were here: red, green, blue, purple, yellow and orange, along with a couple of other colours, each having different shades from lighter to darker. 

“When Ah first started dyeing ma' hair,” Cherī says, picking up a box and examining it. “Ah did it in ma' favourite colour – purple. Months later, Ah found out that if Ah planned on continuin' ta' dye ma’ hair fun colours, da colours would need ta' be ones that can easily be turned inta the next. Fer example: Ya dye yer hair blue, few months pass and ya want a new colour, yer either gonna havta bleach it or yer gettin' it done in green. Understand?” She places two bleaching kits in the basket.

Ichigo nods, examining the colours. His eyes stray towards the blue dyes, specifically the one that reminds him of Grimmjow.

He swallows.

Several months have passed since he had last seen the Espada; how would he react if he were to see him now – powerless and alone?

Well, he glances at Cherī as she compares two different shades of pink, not quite alone.

“Do ya like blue?” She asks, both boxes securely placed in the basket.

“Yeah,” He wets his lips. “I do.” It feels like he is confessing a sin by saying those words and thinking about his enemy. Were they even enemies now?

“Then get it.” She doesn’t reach for the box, preferring to wait for him to do it.

“It will clash with my complexion.” He argues weakly. Raising two girls since he was nine forced him to dive into fashion and learn the rules: body types, complexions, colour schemes and such. There were many other things he had to learn and do while his father was in mourning to survive but now was not the time to think about the past.

“So? This ain’t a fashion statement, Ichi. It's about makin' ya feel good and happy. But... if ya want a more autumn colour we can get red.” She reaches for the box and he grabs her wrist.

“No, not red.” Red reminds him of Renji, who reminds him of Rukia. Neither has bothered to visit him the months following Aizen's defeat. The excuse of him being unable to see them wouldn’t fly, not when he knew Urahara keeps gigais in his shop.

-There are bodies in the soil-

“Okay.” She says, slowly pulling her hand away. “Not red then. Bad memories?”

He winces, releasing her wrist to rub at his neck. “It’s... complicated.”

The girl huffs, “What does it remind ya of?”

He meant to say, “Nothing”. He wanted to say, “Renji”.Hell, he could have said nothing and she would have accepted his silence as an answer. Which is why he is so surprised when the word leaves his mouth without his permission.

“Blood.”

And it is true. The shade she was reaching for also reminds him of blood. It makes him remember the wound he had been inflicted in Hueco Mundo, where he quite literally died and was dead for a while, long enough for his inner Hollow to take control and battle the cuatro Espada Ulquiorra and win, before he managed to wrestle back control of his body. It also reminds him of the markings on his hollow mask.

Cherī looks surprised - not mortified, just... surprised. “Okay,” She repeats. “Not red.”

She’s examining the colours, searching for one that would fit his complexion, when he reaches forward and plucks the blue, Baby Blue, one and puts it in the basket. She doesn’t question him, doesn’t even indicate to have seen him do it but he knows she saw him and he appreciates her silence.

“What ‘bout green?”

His first though is Ulquiorra with his acid green eyes, marble skin, and black black bat wings that carry him over the sands of Hueco Mundo.

His second is Nelliel.

 “I like it.” He picks a turquoise shade called Mermaid.

“Pink?”

He likes pink, he's worn it often enough when he was younger and his sisters wanted to dress him up, but...

“No, not today.”

“Bad memories?”

He thinks of Yachiru, the girl with what he would describe bubblegum pink – even if that shade is called Cupcake here – hair and the man whose shoulder she would ride on.

“Not really.”

She nods, then juts her chin violently towards a reddish-pink colour named Love Letter. “What ‘bout that?”

The colour is nice so he gets it.

They continue on like that for a while, choosing and comparing colours - some of which repeat since Cherī also likes them - until the basket is overflowing. As a final colour Cherī chooses Snow – a pure white colour that reminded him of his inner Hollow's hair.

There's so much hair dye that he wonders whether he would ever be able to use each at least once.

The cashier is baffled by the amount but remains silent while she rings them up. It's as the numbers climb higher and higher that he begins to worry, given that he hadn’t brought that much money. But before he can open his mouth Cherī is already handing her credit card with a, “Could you also add one strawberry and one cherry flavoured chapstick? Thank you.”

He turns to look at her in bafflement. This was the first time he hears her speak ‘properly’ and it honestly unnerves him.

“Not ev'ryone can understan’ me, Ichi.” She says, handing him one of the bags.

They make their way to his house, talking about which colour they should do first. Cherī wants to see him in Love Letter or Milan – a light yellow colour that reminds him of an éclair's filling – but he says that he wants to try Baby Blue. She nods and gives him the strawberry chapstick.

“Yer lips are chapped.” She says and he accepts it.