Here comes chapter 3. Again a small detour from my original outline, but I do think it's for the best. To think that this was supposed to be part of chapter 3...
Again mucho thanks to Ghostface for helping out, expecially towards the end of this chapter.
And once more a call out for any suggestions for an overall title.
C&C welcomed.
Hope you all enjoy!
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Disclaimer: Bleach is created by Tite Kubo and is distributed by Weekly Shonen Jump, Shueisha,Studio Pierrot, TV Tokyo, Adult Swim, & Viz Media. Ah My Goddess is created by Kousuke Fujishima and is distributed by Kodansha, Afternoon Magazine, AIC, Tokyo Broadcast Station (TBS), Animeigo, Geneon, Media Blasters, & ADV Films. No infringement is intended.
Book I: Be Careful What You Wish For
Chapter Three
-Getting Reacquainted-
Dawn had broken over Karakura some time ago. As the rest of the world did at this time all over town many people were waking up and preparing for the day. Within the Kurosaki household, two such people were already awake handling matters for the rest of the family.
"How can you be so happy doing that?", Karin asked, leaning back in the chair. It was early in the morning, and the sleepiness had yet to leave her eyes. She was sitting at the table in the kitchen, watching the familiar show in front of her.
The object of her question, her twin sister, Yuzu, was currently making breakfast for them. She had been up earlier than Karin was, and if she was in any way affected by being awake in the early morning it didn't show.
Humming to herself while mixing the contents in the bowl she turned her head to her sister. "What was that?"
Karin yawned, her head now lying on the table. "I said...", she paused as she rubbed an eye, "How can you be so happy doing that, especially now?"
"Hm? Well..." She pursed her finger to her lips in thought. After a moment she giggled. "It's just fun". From her place at the table, Karin's eyebrow raised as she rolled her eyes realizing that she walked into that one.
"But", Yuzu continued, "It's much more fun when mom's here". Karin did agree with that. Mom would be rejoining them in the mornings soon enough, once she recovers a bit more from giving birth to their baby brother. Yuzu then went back to stirring the bowl, humming once more. With that Karin yawned again, realizing that her mid-night trip to watch Keiichi while her parents slept wasn't such a good idea after all.
Still watching Yuzu, Karin could feel herself slipping back to sleep. Yes, the table felt so nice, and felt oh so cool, so just closing her eyes for a moment couldn't be so bad...
"GOOOOOD MOOOOOHHHNINNNGG IIICCHIIIGOOOO!!!!"
Karin head shot up and Yuzu stopped and turned to her as a loud crash reverberated throughout the household. They both winced as they could both easily hear their brother's reaction to their father's wake up call.
"I really wish father wouldn't do that", Yuzu frowned in concern. "Oniisama hasn't been well lately".
"Hn", murmurred Karin while she rubbed her head, now awake. Dammit pops could be loud, and the idiot probably didn't think that he might wake mom and Keiichi up.
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Within her room, Belldandy slept peacefully, covered in blankets by her husband so she wouldn't miss his heat when he left. The earmuffs on her weren't the normal attire though. She yawned as consciousness was beginning to creep up on her.
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Within Ichigo's room the signs of battle were strewn about the floor. A pillow here, the blankets there with both combatants in the center of the room.
Isshin was behind Ichigo, keeping him close in a lock while Ichigo writhed before trying to gain his bearings to step back and toss him over.
'Heh, amateur.'
"Your dojo must be doing a piss poor job if you can't break out of this."
"Dammit pop!" Ichigo tried to bring his arms down and pressure his father's arms under his shoulder into loosening his grip. "Let...me...go!"
"Ok".
"Huh?" With that, Ichigo felt the pressure from his father leave him as Isshin's arms withdrew. Hitting the floor and turning around, he sucked in his breath to scream at his father before noticing the grin adorning Isshin's face.
Before he could react Isshin's hands flew to his collar while his foot swiftly kicked Ichigo's right foot out of position. Off balance, Ichigo couldn't react as his father twisted and brought him over his shoulder as he was thrown down to his bed.
Ichigo's fall was softened by his bed, though it had strained under the brief pressure of a second before. Hissing at the pain from his back he opened his eyes to find his father's face hovering over his, upside down from his point of view.
"WHAT THE HELL IS -", he was suddenly cut off as his father's hand covered his mouth.
"SHH! You'll wake your mother!", he hissed with his forefinger across his lips.
Mouth still covered, Ichigo's eye twitched at the absurdity of his father's request. He watched his father move away and sit on the floor, legs crossed, in front of his bed. After a second he turned around and mimicked his father on his bed and rubbed the back of his neck and stretched his back.
"What the hell is the matter with you!", he hissed. "Do you have any idea what time it is!"
Isshin nodded, arms folded in cross of his chest. "Ichigo, your strange behaivor of the last couple days has not escaped my notice."
Ichigo sucked in his breath before calming himself. 'Does he know? About mom?'
Isshin's eyes narrowed at his son's reaction. "So..It's true. For the past few days your mother's been worried about you, and nothing she has done so far has been able to snap you out of it. *That* in itself is unusual."
Ichigo began to sweat, wondering if his father would say if he found that this life was created by accident.
"After thinking about, it is now obvious what the problem is and why your mother cannot help you." Isshin then stood up and looked downward at his son.
"The time has finally come". Isshin had turned and went into a pack that he had brought with him and reached into it. Pulling the object out he snapped it towards Ichigo. Ichigo caught it out of instinct and looked at it.
'A...magazine?' He unfurled the magazine to look at the cover and his face paled.
"Ichigo", Isshin began, "you are getting older, and are now brimming with questions. Questions that your mother, a female, could never understand."
Ichigo continued to gape at the magazine cover, mouth moving but nothing coming from it.
"So now I come to you, a father to his son, to teach you about the facts of life."
Ichigo finally tore his eyes from the cover and glared at his father. "By giving me an issue of 'Big'Uns'?!"
His father nodded as he got up and took a seat next to his son. Putting an arm around him, he continued. "This will be the object to which I will explain the wonders of the female form and what it can do to the male body. Now...", he began using his other hand to turn a page.
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Belldandy gently picked Keiichi out of his bed, who was now wide awake, eyes focused on his mother. She had just changed his diaper and was ready to take him into the kitchen for his bottle.
"GET OUTTTT!!!!!"
Belldandy's eyes widened at the shout and crash as she now found herself trying to calm her now wailing son.
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"What happened?"
"Nothing Bell, it's ok. I know what it is and I know what will help, so don't worry."
She readjusted Keiichi in her arms to be on her shoulder as she bent downward, concerned. "Are you ok?"
He grinned from his position and raised his hand up to give her a thumbs-up gesture. It would've worked and looked better had Isshin not been turned upside down, head flat on the ground with his body upturned at the shoulders into the now cracked hallway wall.
"Just peachy Bell, just peachy. Don't worry 'bout the wall, I'll fix it."
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Breakfast had gone without a hitch, as the Kurosaki's were each at the table, finishing up. Keiichi had been put into a babyseat next to their mother and was quietly suckling on a pacifier.
Ichigo had mulled a bit during the meal, taking in the sight of each of his family members at the table. It had been quite awhile since he'd seen anything quite so animated, with his parents talking and his sisters gossiping amongst themselves, every so often bringing their mother into it. He resisted the urge to shake his head in wonderment at it all and decided to concentrate on his food.
Ichigo had glared at his father a few times during breakfast but had finished his food quickly. Thanking Yuzu for the meal he quickly got up and went to his room to finish getting ready for school. Both Yuzu and Karin had started to clean up, though not before denying their mother a chance to, letting her know that they could take care of it.
Isshin had gotten up from the table himself, ready to take the girls to school before heading to the clinic himself.
"How are things at the clinic?", Belldandy asked.
"Going well, though a bit busier than normal now since you've been away. Everyone there though has been really happy for us and have loved the pictures I've showed them so far."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"We're also going to be going over some applicants today. The temp that we had hired to fill in for you had to leave recently- oh yeah!" He smacked his palm in realization. "I just remembered I got a call from Sendo-san yesterday. She's going to stop by the clinic today to drop off something for you. She said it was for all the help we've given her, and that thanks to you she's felt better than she ever has."
She smiled at that. Sendo-san had been very ill when she first came to see Isshin a year ago. To know that she has come so far in her recovery due to both Isshin and herself had brightened her morning considerably.
Isshin had then come over to her and gave her a quick kiss on the lips, startling her and softly rubbed his son's cheek.
"I'll see you later, Bell."
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Ichigo had flown down the hillside, exhilarating in the rush of wind that came with the extra speed. While he wasn't by any means a lazy boy in his former life he was quickly discovering the virtues of having lived slightly further out as his legs pumped faster.
Further out than before...
He hadn't had much time in the last few days to think about his 'new' home. Having 'dug' into this life's memories on it he couldn't come up with much other than he had lived at the temple all his life.
It was also a bit of a surprise that when digging through those thoughts that he discovered just how well things had gone at his parents' job. While his father had been successful with their family run clinic it was moreso now that both parents were involved, and was known for being able to help with a myriad of problems.
As much as he didn't see eye to eye with his father he knew that the man to be a good physician, however for things to be so successful was no doubt due to his mother. He recalled the memory he had yesterday as he was completing his brother's crib and his mother healing his father's cut.
Yeah, no doubt as to why things had been better.
While his face scrunched a bit at that he found that he couldn't complain. His sisters didn't have the extra burden as doubling as nurses as they had before, as the clinic was well enough that they had regular employees. Also due to this was that his father had a bit more time off to spend with his family when he so chose to, though more often than not his father was dedicated to helping those in need.
He sighed. It just seemed too perfect, and tried to push out thoughts that perhaps this was a dream.
Ichigo soon found himself halfway to school and in the middle of Karakura. Recognizing the streets he realized that he was only a few miles away from where he 'used' to live. He was definitely going to go check it out later to see if anything of his old life was still there, but it would have to wait until after school.
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Ichigo made it into class with time to spare. 'That had been a good run', he thought to himself as he made it to his seat.
"What's with the smile, Shi-Ichi?"
"Hm? Oh, hey Tatsuki, what's up?"
Tatsuki was looking at him from her seat, slightly leaning on the desk with her left arm propping her head up.
"Nothing, why?"
She straightened her back as she turned in her seat to face him and stretched her arms out. "You just seem to be in a good mood. Did mommy make you a good lunch again?", she teased.
He glared at her momentarily, "No, she didn't". But Yuzu did, though that was left unsaid.
"Ohh, scary face."
He rolled his eyes as he plopped down in his seat and began taking his notebooks and pencils out. He heard the door open and quickly turned out of curiosity. 'Inoue?'
Orihime Inoue walked through the doors, gathering stares as people took notice of her as she walked to her seat. Ichigo watched her in confusion while Tatsuki groaned and palmed her face.
Orihime reached her seat and began to remove the object of the classroom's interest.
-THUD-
Orihime sighed as she raised her hands over her head and stretched her back. Along with a little moan she had more than gathered a few lecherous glances from the male half of class. "Ohhh that was heavy. Tatsuki, I didn't think I'd make it but I did!", she chirped happily.
Tatsuki looked upwards from her palmed face. "I told you I could help you after school or we could have Shi-Ichi help", she murmured through her hand.
Ichigo couldn't help but stare at what she brought and completely missed his part in the conversation. Inoue had brought with her a rather large stuffed backpack, far, far bigger than the carrying pack that everyone had. She even included her stuffed animal Enraku as an ornament.
Ichigo slowly closed his gaping mouth and asked the question on everyone's mind. Pointing to her backpack, he asked, "I-Inoue... what's with that?"
"Hm", Orihime murmured in confusion, causing some sighs amongst the boys at how cute it sounded. "These are my things from when I stay over with you tonight."
It was a funny thing, feeling the hairs on the back of your neck stand up at once. Moreso when they already were.
Tatsuki had both of her palms against her face as she wanted to refuse the reality that was now playing out in front of her.
"S-st-stay over?!"
"Yeah, your dad said it was ok".
"Pa-parental consent!?", a voice popped up behind him.
Ichigo turned around in his chair and found most if not all of the male half of class looking at him murderously. The others seemed to be holding tears in at the thought of lost dreams.
Ichigo was about to retort when the teacher made his way into the classroom and took his place at his desk. Tapping his papers on the desk to even them out, he looked upwards and stopped as he took in the sight on Orihime's desk.
"Miss Inoue, please take that off your desk."
She quickly shot her hand up in acknowledgment and agreed to so cutely that Ichigo could feel the male collective behind him burn a hole through his back.
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Lunch finally came, and Ichigo made a quick decision to take it outside today, mostly to get away from the others and make space in case one decided to do something stupid.
Making his way through the lunchtime crowd he began to unwrap the bentou, not bothering to wait until he sat down at his intended location.
Just as he was about to exit the swarm of students he shot his hands up and stood ramrod straight as a figure burst through the crowd.
Ichigo's eyes followed the figure as he rapidly turned a corner. 'That was -!' Ichigo never got a chance to finish as he was bumped and pushed as several other students shoved their way through the crowd in pursuit, knocking the bentou out of his hand.
As the last made their way around the corner he pushed himself off the ground, refusing the hand of another who attempted to help him up as others were helping other students up as well.
"What the hell was...", Ichigo stopped again, this time as his eyes took in the sight of his trampled lunch, it's contents decorating the ground. The container itself was now shattered from the feet that ran over it.
Ichigo's eye twitched at his lost lunch that his sister prepared before his brain reminded him at who it was they were following. Quickly snapping out of it he dashed off in the direction the others had, determined to find out what was going on and take his mind off his growling stomach.
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Keigo's body slammed into the wall before falling onto the ground. He could't figure out which way was up as he fell back down as he tried to stand. He tried to blink the fog out of his eyes but the pain that he felt inbetween them wouldn't let him. The strange coppery taste he had wasn't helping much, adding the nasueaous feeling he was experienceing amongst the pain.
He rolled over to his back and was about to try to get up again as a foot covered his face and held him down.
"Did you really think you would I would just ignore that! After I told you not to go near or look at her!"
From under his foot Keigo tried to answer. "I..I can't help it. Th...the teacher put us in the same group!"
That was true. Kyoko Yawara was one of the hottest girls in the school, and luckily enough they happened to be in the same class. Finally getting enough nerve up he managed to make small talk with her. Small talk in time turned into conversations, much to his excitement.
Then along came Ryo Hayashibara, her boyfriend who had found out about him from the others in his class. After getting some 'advice' to stay away, Keigo had taken the hint and backed off, however it seemed that fate had other ideas.
"Fuck the teacher, that's no excuse!", he spat as he began to ground his foot deeper into Keigo's face.
"Hey Ryo, the boys restroom in Takamura Hall is empty around this time. We can drag 'im there and really teach a lesson."
"I don't care! I'm gonna kick his ass right -oomph!!"
"Ryo!", his friends cried as he went flying facefirst into the pavement. They all turned their heads at his aggressor, who had just landed from his jump in attack.
"That's...", one began.
"Ichigo Kurosaki!" ended another.
Ichigo stood up, glaring at the boys around him. "What the hell is going on? Why the hell were you doing that to Asada?"
"A..sa...no...", a weak correction came from below.
"Why the hell?", a groggily voice asked. Ryo had gathered himself into a crouch off the ground and turned to glare at Ichigo. "Why the hell?! That little shit didn't take my warning to stay away from my girl, and now I'm gonna take it out on his ass. So now if you want to say safe, you go ahead and run along."
Ichigo's eyes narrowed at the response and took a quick look at Keigo down below. Keigo was still on his back, his face a bit bruised. Ichigo's breath caught when Keigo coughed and a few red specks flew out.
Looking back toward Ryo, who was now on his feet, Ichigo crouched into a fighting stance. "No. In fact, you got to the count of ten to get the hell out before I repay the favor for him."
Ryo glared back. "You really do think your hot shit, do you Kurosaki?" He then walked to Ichigo, stopping when the two were at arms distance. "Got some big ass ego for fighting off Yokomura? Too bad that bitch of a friend of yours did most of the fighting, from what I heard."
Ichigo's eye's twitched as his glare intensified before gathering himself. Smirking, he held out an arm and gestured as if trying to make Ryo look at the scenery. "She's not here now, isn't she? Wanna try your luck, asshole?"
Ryo smirked in return, bringing his hands to his hips and slightly leaned back. Ichigo tensed as he waited for the first move, only to be bewildered as Ryo leaned back only to gain enough momentum to throw his head forward and spit at him.
Ichigo's mouth opened in disbelief, and he stood still in shock as he could feel the warm saliva slowly make its way down the side of his right cheek, next to his nose.
Ryo's smirk and satisfaction grew as he could hear the gasps of shock and surprise from his friends. "Shit Ryo", Murakami exclaimed, impressed at the sheer nerve that was displayed before them.
Ryo briefly turned to grin at his friends, a move which ended being the dumbest thing he could've done. The moment Ichigo was out of his vision he felt the air forced out of his body as Ichigo's first strike came so fast it caught him completely off guard.
The instant Ryo turned his face Ichigo rushed him, using his momentum to shove his right knee into Ryo's sternum, causing him to double over. The moment Ryo's head dropped close to Ichigo's stomach Ichigo snatched it with both hands, quickly lifting it before crashing it down against his rising knee.
Ryo's head shot upward and blood flew from his mouth, arcing across the air. Ichigo twisted in place, spreading his legs as his left hand grabbed Ryo's collar while his right went back. His forward foot dug into the ground as he pushed off against it, increasing the power of his incoming right fist.
Ryo's face snapped to one side with a thunderous crack, and he once again found himself colliding with the ground. The gaping boys surrounding them gasped at the sudden attack, stunned at its viciousness and speed, as it all happened in less than a few seconds.
After gaping at their collapsed leader/friend, they all turned back to Ichigo before nodding at each other.
Ichigo tensed as all 4 boys charged him as one. He sidestepped and ducked, dodging two as one flew past him and the other over as they tried to pin him. He was quick enough to stand up as the third, Murakami, got in arms length. As Ichigo stood he hopped backward, using his weight as he grabbed Murakami with both hands at the collar for momentum to pull him and throw him backward, crashing into the other two.
He used the momentum from the throw to roll backward and hop up as the fourth tackled him. As they fell Ichigo twisted as much as he could so that they would fall side by side. Before they hit the ground Ichigo managed to shove a forearm under the other's jaw. As they hit the ground the shock of the forearm smashing into the adam's apple caused the boy to cough and clutch his throat.
Ichigo scrambled to his feet and backed a few steps to get his bearings. The first two who had charged him were already back up and were rushing him once more. This time the first came in with a haymaker that he blocked and pushed to the side however the second came in with a kick to his exposed stomach.
Ichigo grunted as he tried to hold in his escaping breath. The first boy got behind him and got him in a lock, both arms under Ichigo with the hands clasped behind Ichigo's neck.
"NOW HARADA!"
Harada screamed as he began to pummel Ichigo in the stomach. Ichigo struggled in his attackers arms as his stomach burned in agony. Finally Ichigo felt the rain of punches slow as Harada wasn't used to keeping up a sustained effort. With some breathing room Ichigo threw his head back, catching his captor in the nose.
Now free as his captor clutched his face and stumbled back Ichigo turned on him and rushed him, striking the boy in the stomach. Twisting his arm he opened his palm and shot it upward, striking the boy under the chin with a crack.
The boy shot upward and crashed into the floor, knocked out from the two hits. With two down, Ichigo quickly turned on Harada, who hadn't moved as he gasped for air, trying to get his second wind. Harada sucked in his breath in fright as he realized that Ichigo had him in his sights.
Luckily for Harada the other two had regrouped and had managed to get behind Ichigo. Rushing him, both were caught by surprise as Ichigo threw himself back, striking them with both elbows in the chests, their surprise attack countered.
Ichigo turned to his right, catching the first with a backhand. As the first fell backward Ichigo turned his eyes on Murakami, who had recovered from the elbow strike.
Murakami threw a combination of punches at Ichigo, who blocked and countered them. 'Sloppy', he thought as he knocked a wild swing away and followed with a right straight, knocking him out.
Ichigo turned to find Harada had regained his wind and was already starting a wind up for a kick.
'Got me!' Ichigo's mind screamed but his body continued to react, leaning down as if to let the kick slam into his face. When the kick got close to snap in his face Ichigo's arms snapped inward, catching the kick between his forearms, right hand grasping Harada's heel, left hand at his toes. Not stopping Ichigo immediately brought his arms out, still grasping Harada's foot.
Harada found himself twisting sideways, turning 180 degrees as Ichigo also pulled down, head bouncing as he crashed facefirst into the ground. Harada lifted his head in an attempt to get back up before darkness took him.
'Whoa...where'd that come from?', he thought as his mind caught up to his actions. Taking in a breath, Ichigo stood and straightened out, trying to calm himself. There was only one of the boys left, who was looking around at his fallen comrades.
He stood in a daze as he took in the sight of all four of his friends laying flat on the ground. He turned his gaze to Ichigo and with a bit of frustration noticed that Ichigo had nary a bruise on him. He brought his hand to his nose and rubbed it, decision made. He wasn't going to run.
Ichigo noticed this and was ready. His stomach ached from Harada's blows earlier but he held it back as much as he could. He waited for the other boy to make the first move, using the time to recover. He stood still as the boy began to circle him. He turned himself to keep himself facing the remaining boy.
Finally the boy stopped and charged, determined to make the most of this-
-CRACK-
Ok, maybe not. Ichigo slowly pulled his leg back, watching the would be aggressor crumple to the ground the second Ichigo's foot left his face.
'Well, that was anticlimactic', he thought. Looking around at the bodies around him he found Keigo trying to sit up and rushed toward him.
"Hey, how bad is it?", he asked as he slowly helped Keigo up. Keigo's head flopped a bit as the ground turned upside down as Ichigo got him in a standing position.
"Shi-Ichi!"
"Keigo!"
Ichigo looked up to see Tatsuki and Asano's friend Mizuiro rushing toward them as they rounded the corner. Both stopped as they took in the sight before them. Mizuiro gulped as he made his way to Keigo and helped Ichigo by getting under Keigo's right arm to help shoulder him up. Keigo groaned a bit as the world slowly righted itself.
Tatsuki looked around, checking some of the boys before turning to Ichigo. "I saw you run off after these guys, but couldn't get here faster with all the traffic. What happened?"
"That one", he motioned his head towards Ryo, "wouldn't take the hint."
"Yeah, I see that". She glanced back at some of them again and blinked a bit in surprise and put her hands behind her head. "Either you've improved or these guys really weren't much to talk about."
"What's that supposed to mean", Ichigo asked as he and Mizuiro began to carry Keigo.
Tatsuki turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "You're good Shi-Ichi, no one doubts that, but from the time I got here from when you ran off wasn't that long at all." 'And you've always managed to have a bit of a problem with crowds', she thought, the fight with Yokomura coming to mind. "So either you've improved or you managed to put down a bunch of scrubs."
Ichigo grumbled as he and Mizuiro carried Keigo past her. "Whatever, why doncha make yourself useful and let the nurse know we're bringing Akagi, ok?"
"Asano", Mizuiro corrected for his friend.
"Asano", Ichigo echoed, rolling the name in his mouth.
"And them?"
Ichigo breifly glanced at Keigo's bruised face and looked back at Ryo's group.
"They can wait."
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The rest of the school day went without any further incident. Keigo was admitted to a surprised nurse who took him in immediately. Thankfully, it ended up looking worse than it was. The others were mentioned and were to be brought in when they could or if they walked in. Ichigo didn't care either way as he tuned it out once he heard that Keigo would be fine.
Now that the school day was over there was another matter that needed attention.
"And why", Ichigo asked somewhat strained as he swayed back and forth as he carried Orihime's large pack, "am I stuck with this?"
"Because your a big strong man who won't let her carry it all the way to your house?", a grinning Tatsuki mentioned. She smacked his back, knocking him off kilter. He staggered for a few steps before regaining his balance. "I don't know why you're whining about it, you would've done it anyway."
He let out a breath as he turned towards Orihime. "I still don't understand why you had to bring so much stuff. Can we at least take off the stuffed animal?", he asked after noticing the amused glances he was getting.
"Well", Orihime began, not hearing that last part. "There was my stuff, and then I remembered that I was going bring some things for Yuzu and Karin, but then just as I did that I also remembered about showing Yuzu a new recipe so I went for that recipe book, only I couldn't remember where I put it, and..."
Orihime turned around and began to count off the number of things with her fingers as she continued to go on as Tatsuki then made her way closer to Ichigo and leaned into him and got next to his ear. "I don't think I need to tell you this, Shi-Ichi, but just so you can't say anything later, you be a good boy, ok?"
"What are you implying?", he asked her through half lidded eyes.
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"This will be the object to which I will explain the wonders of the female form and what it can do to the male body."
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Ichigo gulped and blushed as he remembered what happened earlier that day. Tatsuki noticed his reaction and frowned.
"That's what I mean." She leaned in closer, and tapped him on the head with her right knuckle.
Ichigo nodded before both looked up as Orihime turned back around to face them.
"And I also had to get something for your mother to thank her too! So that should be everything", she concluded, holding both fists up and nodding, satisfied that she got it all.
Ichigo nodded again as he then walked up toward her. "We'll see you later, Tatsuki."
"See you both later, Shi-Ichi! Orihime." She waived at both as Orihime waived back at her.
As they both walked off Tatsuki's face took on a disappointed look. 'He didn't even notice'. Realizing what she had just thought she then smacked her face and moaned, "What am I thinking?!", before she turned to walk home.
As Ichigo walked off with Orihime a part of his brain managed to deliver some late info.
'Did she press herself onto me...'? After a moment he reached a conclusion.
'Nah.'
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The walk home was almost over, and both Ichigo and Orihime were walking up the hillside. They walked side by side, though the pace had slowed somewhat when they started uphill. They hadn't talked much on the way over, as Ichigo had kept to himself, every so often wondering why she had wanted to come stay over, and why his dad had given an ok. The other reason it had been quiet was that Ichigo found himself concentrating on carrying the load, and keeping his thoughts off of how much longer they had to walk.
He glanced over to Orihime. She was looking straight ahead, a smile on her face, and she was still humming to herself.
'There is *no* way she carried this all the way to school, could she?', he thought.
"Inoue?"
Orihime stopped and frowned at him. He stopped a few steps ahead and turned back to her, now confused. She leaned a bit toward him, a bit of concern showing on her face. "Did I do something wrong, Ichigo-kun?"
"What do you mean?"
"This is the fourth time you've called me Inoue, today."
Ichigo became more confused. He then continued to walk again, with Orihime following him. He then ventured, "And that's strange because...?"
"You haven't called me that since the first time we met. Is something wrong?"
'Since we met?', he thought.
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"Ichigo!", his mother called from outside their home.
After a moment he walked through the front entrance, a hand on the frame to balance himself as he was putting his other shoe on. "Yes mom?" He paused as he saw that she had brought a guest. It was a girl, who looked to be the same age he was. It was hard to miss the somber and depressing air around her, but she was still holding his mother's hand.
"This is Orihime Inoue. She's going to be staying with us for awhile."
The girl, Inoue, finally let go of his mother's hand. She took a step forward and bowed to him. "It's nice to meet you". While the greeting was polite, it was hollow sounding, as if she had just been reacting and not really there.
"Orihime-chan, why don't you go inside, ok?" She smiled at the girl as she complied.
Ichigo watched the girl, Inoue, walk past him into the house before turning and walking up to his mother.
"Why does she seem all sad", he asked.
Belldandy sighed and her face took on a sad expression. She caressed her son's face as she answered him.
"Her brother died".
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Ichigo blinked at the memory and turned to stare at Ino - Orihime. They continued to walk as Orihime looked back at him, bewildered at his expression as she followed him.
Looking back at her and thinking about how she looked when she came that day and how old they were another yet different memory struck him.
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He had come downstairs to the clinic, wondering if things had calmed down a bit. It had been a bit crazy earlier as someone had been carried in and his father immediately went to work on him, and Ichigo had hurried his sisters upstairs to keep them out of the way.
He had peered into the hallway and could see his father talking to someone. From what he could barely hear it hadn't been good. The person who his father was speaking to had their head down, legs brought close to their body. Every so often he could see the shoulders twitch every so often, and could tell they were crying.
He could see that it was a girl, a girl with dark reddish hair...
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Ichigo blinked a few times as he studied Orihime's features as he compared the two memories - noting that they both happened two years ago.
'It was her! It was *her*!'
His mind was clambering at what to say at this revelation, his mouth opening and closing at what to say or not to say. Swallowing some saliva he was going to -
"Ichigo."
Everything in his mind at what to say came to a complete halt at the sound of his father's voice. Glancing ahead he realized that they had come to the gates, but his father was waiting for them.
"Yo pops. What's up?"
Looking at his father, he noticed that there was something amiss, the usual jovial Isshin Kurosaki vibe that he normally gave off was not present. His father looked serious, stern.
Like a parent.
Ichigo took in a breath as he knew something was wrong, and with a sinking feeling knew he was somehow at the epicenter of it. "Something wrong dad?"
"We need to talk. Now."
His father turned to Orihime and smiled, and while his smile was nice and warm was still tight at what was bothering him.
"It's nice to see you could make it Orihime-chan. Yuzu and the girls are inside."
Orihime looked at Ichigo worriedly, but Ichigo continued to stare at his father. She sighed and bowed to Isshin, "Thank you for having me, father." She went past the Kurosaki males and into the shrine.
After a moment Isshin tilted his head, signaling for Ichigo to follow him. Walking past the gates onto the court they made their way to the far side of the home near the sakura trees.
Putting down the backpack Ichigo sighed in relief and finally asked, "What's wrong?"
Isshin stared at the boy. "'What's wrong?' Ichigo, what did you do today?"
"Not much. Got to school, found out Ino - Orihime was coming here." His father seemed to miss his mistake. "Had a little incident, and finally - "
"An incident?"
Ichigo paused and shrugged, "Yeah. Some guys where harassing a friend of mine and I took care of them. No big deal."
Isshin's eyes narrowed at how casually he said that. "No big deal?" He paused a moment before continuing. "One twisted leg and ankle. One broken nose. One broken jaw. And that's no big deal? Those boys that you 'took care of' were brought in earlier today were not in any condition to stand the entire time they were there. From what I heard from them and their parents it was you who did that to them, and all you can say is 'no big deal'?!"
Ichigo blinked, "I didn't hurt them that bad! And besides, even if I did they deserved it!"
"Ichigo!"
Ichigo's quick outburst shrank back at the stern look on his father's face.
"I gave you your name, 'Great Protector', to be there for the one's you love. To defend them when they need help. Your martial arts lessons were to help embolden that, as well as teach you some restraint."
Ichigo began to shrink a bit. He could deal with his father when his father was loud, but when father started getting quiet and began to speak with a low tone he couldn't help but feel afraid.
"Did you just decide to throw away all that?"
Ichigo frowned, his own anger quickly returning. "No! No I did not. I protected Asano from a prick and his lackey friends who were going to beat up on someone because they could! He didn't do anything wrong but that jackass just had to prove his manhood by picking on someone who wasn't looking for a fight and couldn't fight back!"
Isshin countered back, not backing down either. "Even as that may be your martial arts experience should have been more than enough to dispatch them without any undue violence or injur- "
"Isshin."
Isshin turned to find his wife behind him, a worried expression on her face, "Belldandy..."
Much of Isshin's anger deflated in the face of his wife. Looking beyond her he could see that the sliding door was open, though he couldn't tell if anyone else was watching.
He faced his wife as she addressed him. "Isshin, can you leave us alone for a moment?"
Isshin looked into his wife's eyes before turning back to Ichigo. While still angered the moment was gone. He took a deep breath through his nose and closed his eyes. Opening them he addressed his son.
"Ichigo, we will talk later." With that Isshin picked up the backpack without a problem and walked back toward the shrine. He slid the door shut behind him, leaving mother and son by themselves.
Belldandy sighed as she turned to Ichigo, giving him a disapproving look, "Ichigo... did you really need to go that far?"
Ichigo huffed at the accusation, "Couldn't help it."
Belldandy blinked and echoed her husband of a few moments ago. "'Couldn't help it?' What do you mean?"
Ichigo looked toward the ground, and back up at her before glancing away again. Sticking his hands in his pockets he answered. "I couldn't help it. Those guys were going to practically kill him, just because he did something he couldn't help."
He then huffed again as he glared at the house.
"And now pops thinks that I'm going overboard when they had their feet at his throat! No, I'm not gonna stand for that, they got what was coming to them."
"Don't say such things, Ichigo."
Ichigo continued with one arm gesturing towards their home, thoughts still on what his father had said, "And now pops is all mad because I didn't show any sort of restraint?! Like they would have shown Asano any!" The arm he had gestured with snapped back and across his stomach before being rested at his hip. He turned away from the home, walking a few steps away, frustrated. "He doesn't understand. The old man doesn't get it at all!"
"Ichigo..."
He turned back to glare at the house and shook his head, thoughts of seeing Keigo spitting up blood coming forth. "I'm sorry, but if those idiots ever try anything like that again I won't show half the restraint pops thinks I have!"
"Ichigo!", Belldandy cried, fully concerned now. "That's not something a son of mine should be say-"
"I'm *not* your so-" Ichigo's left hand flew to his mouth and his face paled as he realized what he just said, at what he was going to say.
All the pent up anger Ichigo had was blown away at the shocked look at his mother's face.
"I... I..." Ichigo took a few steps back, his mind reeling at what had just happened. He took a breath in as he looked back and forth toward the ground before taking off and running past Belldandy to the gates and out of the shrine.
Outside the shrine, Ichigo continued to run. 'Why? Why did I say that?!' he thought.
Belldandy remained in her spot, rooted to the area as what Ichigo was about to say echoed in her mind.
"Ichigo..." she whispered sadly.
To be continued...
Again mucho thanks to Ghostface for helping out, expecially towards the end of this chapter.
And once more a call out for any suggestions for an overall title.
C&C welcomed.
Hope you all enjoy!
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Disclaimer: Bleach is created by Tite Kubo and is distributed by Weekly Shonen Jump, Shueisha,Studio Pierrot, TV Tokyo, Adult Swim, & Viz Media. Ah My Goddess is created by Kousuke Fujishima and is distributed by Kodansha, Afternoon Magazine, AIC, Tokyo Broadcast Station (TBS), Animeigo, Geneon, Media Blasters, & ADV Films. No infringement is intended.
Book I: Be Careful What You Wish For
Chapter Three
-Getting Reacquainted-
Dawn had broken over Karakura some time ago. As the rest of the world did at this time all over town many people were waking up and preparing for the day. Within the Kurosaki household, two such people were already awake handling matters for the rest of the family.
"How can you be so happy doing that?", Karin asked, leaning back in the chair. It was early in the morning, and the sleepiness had yet to leave her eyes. She was sitting at the table in the kitchen, watching the familiar show in front of her.
The object of her question, her twin sister, Yuzu, was currently making breakfast for them. She had been up earlier than Karin was, and if she was in any way affected by being awake in the early morning it didn't show.
Humming to herself while mixing the contents in the bowl she turned her head to her sister. "What was that?"
Karin yawned, her head now lying on the table. "I said...", she paused as she rubbed an eye, "How can you be so happy doing that, especially now?"
"Hm? Well..." She pursed her finger to her lips in thought. After a moment she giggled. "It's just fun". From her place at the table, Karin's eyebrow raised as she rolled her eyes realizing that she walked into that one.
"But", Yuzu continued, "It's much more fun when mom's here". Karin did agree with that. Mom would be rejoining them in the mornings soon enough, once she recovers a bit more from giving birth to their baby brother. Yuzu then went back to stirring the bowl, humming once more. With that Karin yawned again, realizing that her mid-night trip to watch Keiichi while her parents slept wasn't such a good idea after all.
Still watching Yuzu, Karin could feel herself slipping back to sleep. Yes, the table felt so nice, and felt oh so cool, so just closing her eyes for a moment couldn't be so bad...
"GOOOOOD MOOOOOHHHNINNNGG IIICCHIIIGOOOO!!!!"
Karin head shot up and Yuzu stopped and turned to her as a loud crash reverberated throughout the household. They both winced as they could both easily hear their brother's reaction to their father's wake up call.
"I really wish father wouldn't do that", Yuzu frowned in concern. "Oniisama hasn't been well lately".
"Hn", murmurred Karin while she rubbed her head, now awake. Dammit pops could be loud, and the idiot probably didn't think that he might wake mom and Keiichi up.
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Within her room, Belldandy slept peacefully, covered in blankets by her husband so she wouldn't miss his heat when he left. The earmuffs on her weren't the normal attire though. She yawned as consciousness was beginning to creep up on her.
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Within Ichigo's room the signs of battle were strewn about the floor. A pillow here, the blankets there with both combatants in the center of the room.
Isshin was behind Ichigo, keeping him close in a lock while Ichigo writhed before trying to gain his bearings to step back and toss him over.
'Heh, amateur.'
"Your dojo must be doing a piss poor job if you can't break out of this."
"Dammit pop!" Ichigo tried to bring his arms down and pressure his father's arms under his shoulder into loosening his grip. "Let...me...go!"
"Ok".
"Huh?" With that, Ichigo felt the pressure from his father leave him as Isshin's arms withdrew. Hitting the floor and turning around, he sucked in his breath to scream at his father before noticing the grin adorning Isshin's face.
Before he could react Isshin's hands flew to his collar while his foot swiftly kicked Ichigo's right foot out of position. Off balance, Ichigo couldn't react as his father twisted and brought him over his shoulder as he was thrown down to his bed.
Ichigo's fall was softened by his bed, though it had strained under the brief pressure of a second before. Hissing at the pain from his back he opened his eyes to find his father's face hovering over his, upside down from his point of view.
"WHAT THE HELL IS -", he was suddenly cut off as his father's hand covered his mouth.
"SHH! You'll wake your mother!", he hissed with his forefinger across his lips.
Mouth still covered, Ichigo's eye twitched at the absurdity of his father's request. He watched his father move away and sit on the floor, legs crossed, in front of his bed. After a second he turned around and mimicked his father on his bed and rubbed the back of his neck and stretched his back.
"What the hell is the matter with you!", he hissed. "Do you have any idea what time it is!"
Isshin nodded, arms folded in cross of his chest. "Ichigo, your strange behaivor of the last couple days has not escaped my notice."
Ichigo sucked in his breath before calming himself. 'Does he know? About mom?'
Isshin's eyes narrowed at his son's reaction. "So..It's true. For the past few days your mother's been worried about you, and nothing she has done so far has been able to snap you out of it. *That* in itself is unusual."
Ichigo began to sweat, wondering if his father would say if he found that this life was created by accident.
"After thinking about, it is now obvious what the problem is and why your mother cannot help you." Isshin then stood up and looked downward at his son.
"The time has finally come". Isshin had turned and went into a pack that he had brought with him and reached into it. Pulling the object out he snapped it towards Ichigo. Ichigo caught it out of instinct and looked at it.
'A...magazine?' He unfurled the magazine to look at the cover and his face paled.
"Ichigo", Isshin began, "you are getting older, and are now brimming with questions. Questions that your mother, a female, could never understand."
Ichigo continued to gape at the magazine cover, mouth moving but nothing coming from it.
"So now I come to you, a father to his son, to teach you about the facts of life."
Ichigo finally tore his eyes from the cover and glared at his father. "By giving me an issue of 'Big'Uns'?!"
His father nodded as he got up and took a seat next to his son. Putting an arm around him, he continued. "This will be the object to which I will explain the wonders of the female form and what it can do to the male body. Now...", he began using his other hand to turn a page.
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Belldandy gently picked Keiichi out of his bed, who was now wide awake, eyes focused on his mother. She had just changed his diaper and was ready to take him into the kitchen for his bottle.
"GET OUTTTT!!!!!"
Belldandy's eyes widened at the shout and crash as she now found herself trying to calm her now wailing son.
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"What happened?"
"Nothing Bell, it's ok. I know what it is and I know what will help, so don't worry."
She readjusted Keiichi in her arms to be on her shoulder as she bent downward, concerned. "Are you ok?"
He grinned from his position and raised his hand up to give her a thumbs-up gesture. It would've worked and looked better had Isshin not been turned upside down, head flat on the ground with his body upturned at the shoulders into the now cracked hallway wall.
"Just peachy Bell, just peachy. Don't worry 'bout the wall, I'll fix it."
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Breakfast had gone without a hitch, as the Kurosaki's were each at the table, finishing up. Keiichi had been put into a babyseat next to their mother and was quietly suckling on a pacifier.
Ichigo had mulled a bit during the meal, taking in the sight of each of his family members at the table. It had been quite awhile since he'd seen anything quite so animated, with his parents talking and his sisters gossiping amongst themselves, every so often bringing their mother into it. He resisted the urge to shake his head in wonderment at it all and decided to concentrate on his food.
Ichigo had glared at his father a few times during breakfast but had finished his food quickly. Thanking Yuzu for the meal he quickly got up and went to his room to finish getting ready for school. Both Yuzu and Karin had started to clean up, though not before denying their mother a chance to, letting her know that they could take care of it.
Isshin had gotten up from the table himself, ready to take the girls to school before heading to the clinic himself.
"How are things at the clinic?", Belldandy asked.
"Going well, though a bit busier than normal now since you've been away. Everyone there though has been really happy for us and have loved the pictures I've showed them so far."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"We're also going to be going over some applicants today. The temp that we had hired to fill in for you had to leave recently- oh yeah!" He smacked his palm in realization. "I just remembered I got a call from Sendo-san yesterday. She's going to stop by the clinic today to drop off something for you. She said it was for all the help we've given her, and that thanks to you she's felt better than she ever has."
She smiled at that. Sendo-san had been very ill when she first came to see Isshin a year ago. To know that she has come so far in her recovery due to both Isshin and herself had brightened her morning considerably.
Isshin had then come over to her and gave her a quick kiss on the lips, startling her and softly rubbed his son's cheek.
"I'll see you later, Bell."
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Ichigo had flown down the hillside, exhilarating in the rush of wind that came with the extra speed. While he wasn't by any means a lazy boy in his former life he was quickly discovering the virtues of having lived slightly further out as his legs pumped faster.
Further out than before...
He hadn't had much time in the last few days to think about his 'new' home. Having 'dug' into this life's memories on it he couldn't come up with much other than he had lived at the temple all his life.
It was also a bit of a surprise that when digging through those thoughts that he discovered just how well things had gone at his parents' job. While his father had been successful with their family run clinic it was moreso now that both parents were involved, and was known for being able to help with a myriad of problems.
As much as he didn't see eye to eye with his father he knew that the man to be a good physician, however for things to be so successful was no doubt due to his mother. He recalled the memory he had yesterday as he was completing his brother's crib and his mother healing his father's cut.
Yeah, no doubt as to why things had been better.
While his face scrunched a bit at that he found that he couldn't complain. His sisters didn't have the extra burden as doubling as nurses as they had before, as the clinic was well enough that they had regular employees. Also due to this was that his father had a bit more time off to spend with his family when he so chose to, though more often than not his father was dedicated to helping those in need.
He sighed. It just seemed too perfect, and tried to push out thoughts that perhaps this was a dream.
Ichigo soon found himself halfway to school and in the middle of Karakura. Recognizing the streets he realized that he was only a few miles away from where he 'used' to live. He was definitely going to go check it out later to see if anything of his old life was still there, but it would have to wait until after school.
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Ichigo made it into class with time to spare. 'That had been a good run', he thought to himself as he made it to his seat.
"What's with the smile, Shi-Ichi?"
"Hm? Oh, hey Tatsuki, what's up?"
Tatsuki was looking at him from her seat, slightly leaning on the desk with her left arm propping her head up.
"Nothing, why?"
She straightened her back as she turned in her seat to face him and stretched her arms out. "You just seem to be in a good mood. Did mommy make you a good lunch again?", she teased.
He glared at her momentarily, "No, she didn't". But Yuzu did, though that was left unsaid.
"Ohh, scary face."
He rolled his eyes as he plopped down in his seat and began taking his notebooks and pencils out. He heard the door open and quickly turned out of curiosity. 'Inoue?'
Orihime Inoue walked through the doors, gathering stares as people took notice of her as she walked to her seat. Ichigo watched her in confusion while Tatsuki groaned and palmed her face.
Orihime reached her seat and began to remove the object of the classroom's interest.
-THUD-
Orihime sighed as she raised her hands over her head and stretched her back. Along with a little moan she had more than gathered a few lecherous glances from the male half of class. "Ohhh that was heavy. Tatsuki, I didn't think I'd make it but I did!", she chirped happily.
Tatsuki looked upwards from her palmed face. "I told you I could help you after school or we could have Shi-Ichi help", she murmured through her hand.
Ichigo couldn't help but stare at what she brought and completely missed his part in the conversation. Inoue had brought with her a rather large stuffed backpack, far, far bigger than the carrying pack that everyone had. She even included her stuffed animal Enraku as an ornament.
Ichigo slowly closed his gaping mouth and asked the question on everyone's mind. Pointing to her backpack, he asked, "I-Inoue... what's with that?"
"Hm", Orihime murmured in confusion, causing some sighs amongst the boys at how cute it sounded. "These are my things from when I stay over with you tonight."
It was a funny thing, feeling the hairs on the back of your neck stand up at once. Moreso when they already were.
Tatsuki had both of her palms against her face as she wanted to refuse the reality that was now playing out in front of her.
"S-st-stay over?!"
"Yeah, your dad said it was ok".
"Pa-parental consent!?", a voice popped up behind him.
Ichigo turned around in his chair and found most if not all of the male half of class looking at him murderously. The others seemed to be holding tears in at the thought of lost dreams.
Ichigo was about to retort when the teacher made his way into the classroom and took his place at his desk. Tapping his papers on the desk to even them out, he looked upwards and stopped as he took in the sight on Orihime's desk.
"Miss Inoue, please take that off your desk."
She quickly shot her hand up in acknowledgment and agreed to so cutely that Ichigo could feel the male collective behind him burn a hole through his back.
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Lunch finally came, and Ichigo made a quick decision to take it outside today, mostly to get away from the others and make space in case one decided to do something stupid.
Making his way through the lunchtime crowd he began to unwrap the bentou, not bothering to wait until he sat down at his intended location.
Just as he was about to exit the swarm of students he shot his hands up and stood ramrod straight as a figure burst through the crowd.
Ichigo's eyes followed the figure as he rapidly turned a corner. 'That was -!' Ichigo never got a chance to finish as he was bumped and pushed as several other students shoved their way through the crowd in pursuit, knocking the bentou out of his hand.
As the last made their way around the corner he pushed himself off the ground, refusing the hand of another who attempted to help him up as others were helping other students up as well.
"What the hell was...", Ichigo stopped again, this time as his eyes took in the sight of his trampled lunch, it's contents decorating the ground. The container itself was now shattered from the feet that ran over it.
Ichigo's eye twitched at his lost lunch that his sister prepared before his brain reminded him at who it was they were following. Quickly snapping out of it he dashed off in the direction the others had, determined to find out what was going on and take his mind off his growling stomach.
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Keigo's body slammed into the wall before falling onto the ground. He could't figure out which way was up as he fell back down as he tried to stand. He tried to blink the fog out of his eyes but the pain that he felt inbetween them wouldn't let him. The strange coppery taste he had wasn't helping much, adding the nasueaous feeling he was experienceing amongst the pain.
He rolled over to his back and was about to try to get up again as a foot covered his face and held him down.
"Did you really think you would I would just ignore that! After I told you not to go near or look at her!"
From under his foot Keigo tried to answer. "I..I can't help it. Th...the teacher put us in the same group!"
That was true. Kyoko Yawara was one of the hottest girls in the school, and luckily enough they happened to be in the same class. Finally getting enough nerve up he managed to make small talk with her. Small talk in time turned into conversations, much to his excitement.
Then along came Ryo Hayashibara, her boyfriend who had found out about him from the others in his class. After getting some 'advice' to stay away, Keigo had taken the hint and backed off, however it seemed that fate had other ideas.
"Fuck the teacher, that's no excuse!", he spat as he began to ground his foot deeper into Keigo's face.
"Hey Ryo, the boys restroom in Takamura Hall is empty around this time. We can drag 'im there and really teach a lesson."
"I don't care! I'm gonna kick his ass right -oomph!!"
"Ryo!", his friends cried as he went flying facefirst into the pavement. They all turned their heads at his aggressor, who had just landed from his jump in attack.
"That's...", one began.
"Ichigo Kurosaki!" ended another.
Ichigo stood up, glaring at the boys around him. "What the hell is going on? Why the hell were you doing that to Asada?"
"A..sa...no...", a weak correction came from below.
"Why the hell?", a groggily voice asked. Ryo had gathered himself into a crouch off the ground and turned to glare at Ichigo. "Why the hell?! That little shit didn't take my warning to stay away from my girl, and now I'm gonna take it out on his ass. So now if you want to say safe, you go ahead and run along."
Ichigo's eyes narrowed at the response and took a quick look at Keigo down below. Keigo was still on his back, his face a bit bruised. Ichigo's breath caught when Keigo coughed and a few red specks flew out.
Looking back toward Ryo, who was now on his feet, Ichigo crouched into a fighting stance. "No. In fact, you got to the count of ten to get the hell out before I repay the favor for him."
Ryo glared back. "You really do think your hot shit, do you Kurosaki?" He then walked to Ichigo, stopping when the two were at arms distance. "Got some big ass ego for fighting off Yokomura? Too bad that bitch of a friend of yours did most of the fighting, from what I heard."
Ichigo's eye's twitched as his glare intensified before gathering himself. Smirking, he held out an arm and gestured as if trying to make Ryo look at the scenery. "She's not here now, isn't she? Wanna try your luck, asshole?"
Ryo smirked in return, bringing his hands to his hips and slightly leaned back. Ichigo tensed as he waited for the first move, only to be bewildered as Ryo leaned back only to gain enough momentum to throw his head forward and spit at him.
Ichigo's mouth opened in disbelief, and he stood still in shock as he could feel the warm saliva slowly make its way down the side of his right cheek, next to his nose.
Ryo's smirk and satisfaction grew as he could hear the gasps of shock and surprise from his friends. "Shit Ryo", Murakami exclaimed, impressed at the sheer nerve that was displayed before them.
Ryo briefly turned to grin at his friends, a move which ended being the dumbest thing he could've done. The moment Ichigo was out of his vision he felt the air forced out of his body as Ichigo's first strike came so fast it caught him completely off guard.
The instant Ryo turned his face Ichigo rushed him, using his momentum to shove his right knee into Ryo's sternum, causing him to double over. The moment Ryo's head dropped close to Ichigo's stomach Ichigo snatched it with both hands, quickly lifting it before crashing it down against his rising knee.
Ryo's head shot upward and blood flew from his mouth, arcing across the air. Ichigo twisted in place, spreading his legs as his left hand grabbed Ryo's collar while his right went back. His forward foot dug into the ground as he pushed off against it, increasing the power of his incoming right fist.
Ryo's face snapped to one side with a thunderous crack, and he once again found himself colliding with the ground. The gaping boys surrounding them gasped at the sudden attack, stunned at its viciousness and speed, as it all happened in less than a few seconds.
After gaping at their collapsed leader/friend, they all turned back to Ichigo before nodding at each other.
Ichigo tensed as all 4 boys charged him as one. He sidestepped and ducked, dodging two as one flew past him and the other over as they tried to pin him. He was quick enough to stand up as the third, Murakami, got in arms length. As Ichigo stood he hopped backward, using his weight as he grabbed Murakami with both hands at the collar for momentum to pull him and throw him backward, crashing into the other two.
He used the momentum from the throw to roll backward and hop up as the fourth tackled him. As they fell Ichigo twisted as much as he could so that they would fall side by side. Before they hit the ground Ichigo managed to shove a forearm under the other's jaw. As they hit the ground the shock of the forearm smashing into the adam's apple caused the boy to cough and clutch his throat.
Ichigo scrambled to his feet and backed a few steps to get his bearings. The first two who had charged him were already back up and were rushing him once more. This time the first came in with a haymaker that he blocked and pushed to the side however the second came in with a kick to his exposed stomach.
Ichigo grunted as he tried to hold in his escaping breath. The first boy got behind him and got him in a lock, both arms under Ichigo with the hands clasped behind Ichigo's neck.
"NOW HARADA!"
Harada screamed as he began to pummel Ichigo in the stomach. Ichigo struggled in his attackers arms as his stomach burned in agony. Finally Ichigo felt the rain of punches slow as Harada wasn't used to keeping up a sustained effort. With some breathing room Ichigo threw his head back, catching his captor in the nose.
Now free as his captor clutched his face and stumbled back Ichigo turned on him and rushed him, striking the boy in the stomach. Twisting his arm he opened his palm and shot it upward, striking the boy under the chin with a crack.
The boy shot upward and crashed into the floor, knocked out from the two hits. With two down, Ichigo quickly turned on Harada, who hadn't moved as he gasped for air, trying to get his second wind. Harada sucked in his breath in fright as he realized that Ichigo had him in his sights.
Luckily for Harada the other two had regrouped and had managed to get behind Ichigo. Rushing him, both were caught by surprise as Ichigo threw himself back, striking them with both elbows in the chests, their surprise attack countered.
Ichigo turned to his right, catching the first with a backhand. As the first fell backward Ichigo turned his eyes on Murakami, who had recovered from the elbow strike.
Murakami threw a combination of punches at Ichigo, who blocked and countered them. 'Sloppy', he thought as he knocked a wild swing away and followed with a right straight, knocking him out.
Ichigo turned to find Harada had regained his wind and was already starting a wind up for a kick.
'Got me!' Ichigo's mind screamed but his body continued to react, leaning down as if to let the kick slam into his face. When the kick got close to snap in his face Ichigo's arms snapped inward, catching the kick between his forearms, right hand grasping Harada's heel, left hand at his toes. Not stopping Ichigo immediately brought his arms out, still grasping Harada's foot.
Harada found himself twisting sideways, turning 180 degrees as Ichigo also pulled down, head bouncing as he crashed facefirst into the ground. Harada lifted his head in an attempt to get back up before darkness took him.
'Whoa...where'd that come from?', he thought as his mind caught up to his actions. Taking in a breath, Ichigo stood and straightened out, trying to calm himself. There was only one of the boys left, who was looking around at his fallen comrades.
He stood in a daze as he took in the sight of all four of his friends laying flat on the ground. He turned his gaze to Ichigo and with a bit of frustration noticed that Ichigo had nary a bruise on him. He brought his hand to his nose and rubbed it, decision made. He wasn't going to run.
Ichigo noticed this and was ready. His stomach ached from Harada's blows earlier but he held it back as much as he could. He waited for the other boy to make the first move, using the time to recover. He stood still as the boy began to circle him. He turned himself to keep himself facing the remaining boy.
Finally the boy stopped and charged, determined to make the most of this-
-CRACK-
Ok, maybe not. Ichigo slowly pulled his leg back, watching the would be aggressor crumple to the ground the second Ichigo's foot left his face.
'Well, that was anticlimactic', he thought. Looking around at the bodies around him he found Keigo trying to sit up and rushed toward him.
"Hey, how bad is it?", he asked as he slowly helped Keigo up. Keigo's head flopped a bit as the ground turned upside down as Ichigo got him in a standing position.
"Shi-Ichi!"
"Keigo!"
Ichigo looked up to see Tatsuki and Asano's friend Mizuiro rushing toward them as they rounded the corner. Both stopped as they took in the sight before them. Mizuiro gulped as he made his way to Keigo and helped Ichigo by getting under Keigo's right arm to help shoulder him up. Keigo groaned a bit as the world slowly righted itself.
Tatsuki looked around, checking some of the boys before turning to Ichigo. "I saw you run off after these guys, but couldn't get here faster with all the traffic. What happened?"
"That one", he motioned his head towards Ryo, "wouldn't take the hint."
"Yeah, I see that". She glanced back at some of them again and blinked a bit in surprise and put her hands behind her head. "Either you've improved or these guys really weren't much to talk about."
"What's that supposed to mean", Ichigo asked as he and Mizuiro began to carry Keigo.
Tatsuki turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "You're good Shi-Ichi, no one doubts that, but from the time I got here from when you ran off wasn't that long at all." 'And you've always managed to have a bit of a problem with crowds', she thought, the fight with Yokomura coming to mind. "So either you've improved or you managed to put down a bunch of scrubs."
Ichigo grumbled as he and Mizuiro carried Keigo past her. "Whatever, why doncha make yourself useful and let the nurse know we're bringing Akagi, ok?"
"Asano", Mizuiro corrected for his friend.
"Asano", Ichigo echoed, rolling the name in his mouth.
"And them?"
Ichigo breifly glanced at Keigo's bruised face and looked back at Ryo's group.
"They can wait."
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The rest of the school day went without any further incident. Keigo was admitted to a surprised nurse who took him in immediately. Thankfully, it ended up looking worse than it was. The others were mentioned and were to be brought in when they could or if they walked in. Ichigo didn't care either way as he tuned it out once he heard that Keigo would be fine.
Now that the school day was over there was another matter that needed attention.
"And why", Ichigo asked somewhat strained as he swayed back and forth as he carried Orihime's large pack, "am I stuck with this?"
"Because your a big strong man who won't let her carry it all the way to your house?", a grinning Tatsuki mentioned. She smacked his back, knocking him off kilter. He staggered for a few steps before regaining his balance. "I don't know why you're whining about it, you would've done it anyway."
He let out a breath as he turned towards Orihime. "I still don't understand why you had to bring so much stuff. Can we at least take off the stuffed animal?", he asked after noticing the amused glances he was getting.
"Well", Orihime began, not hearing that last part. "There was my stuff, and then I remembered that I was going bring some things for Yuzu and Karin, but then just as I did that I also remembered about showing Yuzu a new recipe so I went for that recipe book, only I couldn't remember where I put it, and..."
Orihime turned around and began to count off the number of things with her fingers as she continued to go on as Tatsuki then made her way closer to Ichigo and leaned into him and got next to his ear. "I don't think I need to tell you this, Shi-Ichi, but just so you can't say anything later, you be a good boy, ok?"
"What are you implying?", he asked her through half lidded eyes.
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"This will be the object to which I will explain the wonders of the female form and what it can do to the male body."
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Ichigo gulped and blushed as he remembered what happened earlier that day. Tatsuki noticed his reaction and frowned.
"That's what I mean." She leaned in closer, and tapped him on the head with her right knuckle.
Ichigo nodded before both looked up as Orihime turned back around to face them.
"And I also had to get something for your mother to thank her too! So that should be everything", she concluded, holding both fists up and nodding, satisfied that she got it all.
Ichigo nodded again as he then walked up toward her. "We'll see you later, Tatsuki."
"See you both later, Shi-Ichi! Orihime." She waived at both as Orihime waived back at her.
As they both walked off Tatsuki's face took on a disappointed look. 'He didn't even notice'. Realizing what she had just thought she then smacked her face and moaned, "What am I thinking?!", before she turned to walk home.
As Ichigo walked off with Orihime a part of his brain managed to deliver some late info.
'Did she press herself onto me...'? After a moment he reached a conclusion.
'Nah.'
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The walk home was almost over, and both Ichigo and Orihime were walking up the hillside. They walked side by side, though the pace had slowed somewhat when they started uphill. They hadn't talked much on the way over, as Ichigo had kept to himself, every so often wondering why she had wanted to come stay over, and why his dad had given an ok. The other reason it had been quiet was that Ichigo found himself concentrating on carrying the load, and keeping his thoughts off of how much longer they had to walk.
He glanced over to Orihime. She was looking straight ahead, a smile on her face, and she was still humming to herself.
'There is *no* way she carried this all the way to school, could she?', he thought.
"Inoue?"
Orihime stopped and frowned at him. He stopped a few steps ahead and turned back to her, now confused. She leaned a bit toward him, a bit of concern showing on her face. "Did I do something wrong, Ichigo-kun?"
"What do you mean?"
"This is the fourth time you've called me Inoue, today."
Ichigo became more confused. He then continued to walk again, with Orihime following him. He then ventured, "And that's strange because...?"
"You haven't called me that since the first time we met. Is something wrong?"
'Since we met?', he thought.
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"Ichigo!", his mother called from outside their home.
After a moment he walked through the front entrance, a hand on the frame to balance himself as he was putting his other shoe on. "Yes mom?" He paused as he saw that she had brought a guest. It was a girl, who looked to be the same age he was. It was hard to miss the somber and depressing air around her, but she was still holding his mother's hand.
"This is Orihime Inoue. She's going to be staying with us for awhile."
The girl, Inoue, finally let go of his mother's hand. She took a step forward and bowed to him. "It's nice to meet you". While the greeting was polite, it was hollow sounding, as if she had just been reacting and not really there.
"Orihime-chan, why don't you go inside, ok?" She smiled at the girl as she complied.
Ichigo watched the girl, Inoue, walk past him into the house before turning and walking up to his mother.
"Why does she seem all sad", he asked.
Belldandy sighed and her face took on a sad expression. She caressed her son's face as she answered him.
"Her brother died".
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Ichigo blinked at the memory and turned to stare at Ino - Orihime. They continued to walk as Orihime looked back at him, bewildered at his expression as she followed him.
Looking back at her and thinking about how she looked when she came that day and how old they were another yet different memory struck him.
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He had come downstairs to the clinic, wondering if things had calmed down a bit. It had been a bit crazy earlier as someone had been carried in and his father immediately went to work on him, and Ichigo had hurried his sisters upstairs to keep them out of the way.
He had peered into the hallway and could see his father talking to someone. From what he could barely hear it hadn't been good. The person who his father was speaking to had their head down, legs brought close to their body. Every so often he could see the shoulders twitch every so often, and could tell they were crying.
He could see that it was a girl, a girl with dark reddish hair...
---------------------------------------------
Ichigo blinked a few times as he studied Orihime's features as he compared the two memories - noting that they both happened two years ago.
'It was her! It was *her*!'
His mind was clambering at what to say at this revelation, his mouth opening and closing at what to say or not to say. Swallowing some saliva he was going to -
"Ichigo."
Everything in his mind at what to say came to a complete halt at the sound of his father's voice. Glancing ahead he realized that they had come to the gates, but his father was waiting for them.
"Yo pops. What's up?"
Looking at his father, he noticed that there was something amiss, the usual jovial Isshin Kurosaki vibe that he normally gave off was not present. His father looked serious, stern.
Like a parent.
Ichigo took in a breath as he knew something was wrong, and with a sinking feeling knew he was somehow at the epicenter of it. "Something wrong dad?"
"We need to talk. Now."
His father turned to Orihime and smiled, and while his smile was nice and warm was still tight at what was bothering him.
"It's nice to see you could make it Orihime-chan. Yuzu and the girls are inside."
Orihime looked at Ichigo worriedly, but Ichigo continued to stare at his father. She sighed and bowed to Isshin, "Thank you for having me, father." She went past the Kurosaki males and into the shrine.
After a moment Isshin tilted his head, signaling for Ichigo to follow him. Walking past the gates onto the court they made their way to the far side of the home near the sakura trees.
Putting down the backpack Ichigo sighed in relief and finally asked, "What's wrong?"
Isshin stared at the boy. "'What's wrong?' Ichigo, what did you do today?"
"Not much. Got to school, found out Ino - Orihime was coming here." His father seemed to miss his mistake. "Had a little incident, and finally - "
"An incident?"
Ichigo paused and shrugged, "Yeah. Some guys where harassing a friend of mine and I took care of them. No big deal."
Isshin's eyes narrowed at how casually he said that. "No big deal?" He paused a moment before continuing. "One twisted leg and ankle. One broken nose. One broken jaw. And that's no big deal? Those boys that you 'took care of' were brought in earlier today were not in any condition to stand the entire time they were there. From what I heard from them and their parents it was you who did that to them, and all you can say is 'no big deal'?!"
Ichigo blinked, "I didn't hurt them that bad! And besides, even if I did they deserved it!"
"Ichigo!"
Ichigo's quick outburst shrank back at the stern look on his father's face.
"I gave you your name, 'Great Protector', to be there for the one's you love. To defend them when they need help. Your martial arts lessons were to help embolden that, as well as teach you some restraint."
Ichigo began to shrink a bit. He could deal with his father when his father was loud, but when father started getting quiet and began to speak with a low tone he couldn't help but feel afraid.
"Did you just decide to throw away all that?"
Ichigo frowned, his own anger quickly returning. "No! No I did not. I protected Asano from a prick and his lackey friends who were going to beat up on someone because they could! He didn't do anything wrong but that jackass just had to prove his manhood by picking on someone who wasn't looking for a fight and couldn't fight back!"
Isshin countered back, not backing down either. "Even as that may be your martial arts experience should have been more than enough to dispatch them without any undue violence or injur- "
"Isshin."
Isshin turned to find his wife behind him, a worried expression on her face, "Belldandy..."
Much of Isshin's anger deflated in the face of his wife. Looking beyond her he could see that the sliding door was open, though he couldn't tell if anyone else was watching.
He faced his wife as she addressed him. "Isshin, can you leave us alone for a moment?"
Isshin looked into his wife's eyes before turning back to Ichigo. While still angered the moment was gone. He took a deep breath through his nose and closed his eyes. Opening them he addressed his son.
"Ichigo, we will talk later." With that Isshin picked up the backpack without a problem and walked back toward the shrine. He slid the door shut behind him, leaving mother and son by themselves.
Belldandy sighed as she turned to Ichigo, giving him a disapproving look, "Ichigo... did you really need to go that far?"
Ichigo huffed at the accusation, "Couldn't help it."
Belldandy blinked and echoed her husband of a few moments ago. "'Couldn't help it?' What do you mean?"
Ichigo looked toward the ground, and back up at her before glancing away again. Sticking his hands in his pockets he answered. "I couldn't help it. Those guys were going to practically kill him, just because he did something he couldn't help."
He then huffed again as he glared at the house.
"And now pops thinks that I'm going overboard when they had their feet at his throat! No, I'm not gonna stand for that, they got what was coming to them."
"Don't say such things, Ichigo."
Ichigo continued with one arm gesturing towards their home, thoughts still on what his father had said, "And now pops is all mad because I didn't show any sort of restraint?! Like they would have shown Asano any!" The arm he had gestured with snapped back and across his stomach before being rested at his hip. He turned away from the home, walking a few steps away, frustrated. "He doesn't understand. The old man doesn't get it at all!"
"Ichigo..."
He turned back to glare at the house and shook his head, thoughts of seeing Keigo spitting up blood coming forth. "I'm sorry, but if those idiots ever try anything like that again I won't show half the restraint pops thinks I have!"
"Ichigo!", Belldandy cried, fully concerned now. "That's not something a son of mine should be say-"
"I'm *not* your so-" Ichigo's left hand flew to his mouth and his face paled as he realized what he just said, at what he was going to say.
All the pent up anger Ichigo had was blown away at the shocked look at his mother's face.
"I... I..." Ichigo took a few steps back, his mind reeling at what had just happened. He took a breath in as he looked back and forth toward the ground before taking off and running past Belldandy to the gates and out of the shrine.
Outside the shrine, Ichigo continued to run. 'Why? Why did I say that?!' he thought.
Belldandy remained in her spot, rooted to the area as what Ichigo was about to say echoed in her mind.
"Ichigo..." she whispered sadly.
To be continued...
