Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach) Chapter 3 (Short Story)
"Fight me!"
"No!
"Please!"
"No!"
"Just one battle, I won't even use my zanpakuto."
His vein popped.
"ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME!! I SAID NO SO QUIT IT!!" Everyone on that street certainly heard that yell, and you sulked to the side.
"I didn't realize humans were so mean."
A few passers by sent Ichigo dirty looks, and he could feel his annoyance rising.
"Let's go!" He grabbed your hand, pulling you away from the public eye, and you followed with a snicker. Maybe if you pissed him off enough he'd give in. After a few minutes of walking, your eyes drift to your linked hands. His hold had lessened considerably. In some strange way, it felt kind of nice.
"Where are you taking me?"
"To get a snack." you smile at that, tighten your hold on his hand. Ichigo's cheeks flushed at the action and you move closer, walking in step with him. "What kind of snack?" He stopped at one of the buildings, and you were too busy admiring it all to ask anymore questions. He bought something, walking out. Once you were outside he released your hand, opening the small packet he purchased.
"They're called gummy bears, try one." He passed the snack to you, and you stared at the packet, placing your hand inside as you popped one into your mouth. Your eyes light up as you continue to chow down the gummy bears. "This is delicious!!" Ichigo smiles. He'd found your weakness apparently.
"You know this world has a lot more to offer than people for you to fight." You're a bit distracted by the fruit snack, so he figures you didn't hear that last comment. "Why do you like fighting so much anyway?" That you seem to register. You stop eating, looking over at him. Ichigo is a bit taken by the look in your eyes. He was so used to your excitement. That vulnerability you display is foreign.
"I just do, you got a problem with that." He can feel the hostility.
"Hey, no need to get worked up, I was just curious."
You don't speak, dropping the remainder of your snack on the floor. You look away from him. "Call me when hollows start to show up." you jump onto a building nearby and Ichigo yells. "Hey where the hell are you going!!" you don't offer a reply, just vanish. He sighs scratching his head.
"Damn it."
~~~~
"Where's (Y/N)." Ichigo shakes his head. "No idea, she just took off. " Renji's brows furrowed.
"What'd you say to her you idiot."
"Who are you calling an idiot, idiot!!" They both glared, and Ichigo huffs, folding his arms. "All I did was ask her why she likes to fight so much. Then she got weird and took off." He was glad you were no longer chasing him for a battle, but something about that look in your eyes just felt so...lonely.
"You dumbass, you really don't know a thing about girls huh."
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm not psychic, she just took off!!" Talking to Renji was just making him more annoyed. Renji smacked him over the head. "Find her and apologize." He sprung up, kicking Renji in the face. "What the hell, I didn't do anything!!" A fist came hurtling in his direction, and the minute it connected his body hit the floor of Kisuke's shop.
"It doesn't matter, just apologize!" Renji screamed after his vicious punch.
"That doesn't make any sense!!"
~~~~
With a deep sigh, you stare at the night sky.
"I shouldn't have run off."
It was a childish move. He did nothing wrong, just asked a question. One you couldn't truly answer. Growing up in the Rukongai, it was a kill or be killed situation. Everyday was a battle. For food and survival. You couldn't count how many times you'd almost been devoured by a hollow, or attacked by another soul who was desperate for food or shelter. Survival of the fittest they say. As a child, you had no choice. You had to fight. You needed to survive. Your clench your fists, and the sword on your back shifts in it's hold.
"I need to be strong."
"You don't always have to be strong. " you flinch at the voice. Turning, you stare at the reaper. Ichigo is in his black robes, and he sends you a grin. "Gotcha." your eyes widened. Those were the exact words you'd said to him when you met.
"I figure you'd be on some building scoping out the city. " You are perched on a tower, looking down at the many lights.
"I'm sorry." you mutter. You're a bit embarrassed. You usually never get worked up for such silly things.
"Don't worry about it. " Ichigo takes a seat next to you. "I get it, you don't have to explain anything to me. Next time don't go running off. I was worried. "
"You were worried..about me?" He nods. "Course I was, we're friends now. It's normal."
"Friends." you look over at him, and his gaze shifts to you. There's that look again. He's not sure why, but he feels like he has to protect you, so you never have to look so sad ever again. He knows in the soul society it's more about loyalty and subordination, so a lot of the concepts that applied in his world don't truly exist in yours. He's unable to fight the urge, he reaches out, and your eyes shake the minute his hand touches your cheek. It's so soft and warm.
"I'll show you everything I can. Don't force yourself to be strong alone, I'll help you. You can lean on others for your strength, you can lean on me. " You don't have any words. None. When he'd told you there was more to life than fighting, you wanted to laugh in his face. But now, you can see that. There is apparently a whole lot more that you never even considered. It takes you a few moments to realize he's gotten closer to you. It's only when his eyelids lower, and he leans in that you blush and panic. You shoved him back, and Ichigo faceplants.
"W-WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING!!
"N-nothing!!"
"Liar! Y-You were trying to kiss me!"
"NO!! T-THERE WAS A BUG IN YOUR HAIR, I WAS GETTING IT OUT! "
"THE HELL YOU WERE!!" With a smack to his face, you flash step, cheeks still blazing. Your heart was hammering as you made a stealthy escape.
"W-What the hell was that?"
A part of you felt..disappointed that he didn't actually get a chance to kiss you. You clench your eyes close, moving quicker. You needed to get this mission done and get far away from him.
















