You Are Here - Dual Strawberries
WHO: Ichigo, Kon, Orihime
WHERE: Byakuya's Apartment
WHEN: June 2nd, 2007
WHAT: Orihime swings by the Kuchiki apartment to drop off a gift for Rukia. But when Kon pretends to be Ichigo, she ends up staying a little longer than anticipated. Will Kon succeed in snagging a date with Orihime? And what's Ichigo got to say about all of this when he comes home?
Today was one of those rare days where practice was cancelled out on the field, and the Modsoul did indeed manage to reach back at the apartment before any of the other inhabitants...The afternoon had been setting up to have an upheaval of the sky-- its overhanging clouds a forboding shade of grey. It was the perfect oppourtunity for a quiet moment, perhaps a bit of tea...Except the television set was blaring on some random station showing a marathon of America's Next Top Model, a can of coca cola sat half drunk on the table-- one of the few pieces of furniture in the entire apartment, and at the center of it all...Kon.
The red-haired youth lay sprawled on the couch in loose-fitted draw-string pants and a t-shirt, his eyes intently fixed on the pages of a glossy magasine. They devoured every detail, every word of description that gave the womens sizes and explained what artistic impressions they were meant to convey. The Modsoul had managed to smuggle in one of the top one hundred hottest bunnies over the last two decades playboy edition, and it was this he studied like a test with drool restrained abandon.
...It was this, two pillows and Kon himself that went flying into the air when a knock rattled on the door. Luckily he'd thrown on the deadbolt too, so he wouldn't be interrupted without warning-- "Just a moment!" He called out, looking around frantically to stash the dirty evidence (why hello there mat) before approaching the door. Hmm. Peeking through the hole, suprise quickly etched on his face, then...He smiled. One of those devious plotting ones, not the other you know, one.
"Didn't expect to see you here." Came the flat response, a furrow etched down the middle of his lowered brows, 'Ichigo' barely refrained from scowling down at the usually optimistic frontally-gifted visitor.
The problem with Kon is that technically, he's wearing Ichigo's body. So it smells the same. The only thing that differs is the sheer force of reiatsu that tends to scream 'LOOK AT ME I AM ICHIGO HA HA'. However, Ichigo's learned to control that somewhat, and Orihime doesn't normally screen people for their spirit. She blinks in surprise up at Ichigo, probably just as startled as he is to see him answer the door. But she thought... Wasn't he going to the library, or something? Maybe he changed his mind.
Cheeks begin to blush as Orihime quickly reasserts her smile. "Ah, hi! I didn't think you'd be home! I just...I came to leave these for Rukia...they were on sale, and I thought she might like them," she looks down at the fluorescent pink box of marshmallow bunny peeps in her hands. They always have tons of those on discount after Easter, since people don't buy as many as the manufacturers think they should. "You're probably busy with homework, so I won't stay! Um...um...just tell Rukia I said hello! And Captain Kuchiki too!" She thrusts the box of bunnies forward, severely flustered, before she backpedals and bows. "Ha ha ha!" ...What's she laughing about?
By being in a sense, the babysitter for Ichigo's 'extra' body, Kon could be having way more fun than his 'twin' would ever approve of. On the other hand several soundly accurate hits later, no such thing has been the case, atleast as far as the Modsoul has noticed! And when it came to those who knew him from his old world-- there was that undeniable fact. Kon didn't have a modicum of spiritual presence that Ichigo had, and as such could be differentiated in a blink by any of the shinigami...and even Orihime if she were to try and focus.
He'd have to thank the sourpuss for actually becoming better at restraining his reitsu! Because he didn't expect to get this far. A flicker of suprise darted across his squinty-browed face, almost ruining his entire pretense. Luckily, suprise wasn't so far fetched in this situation. That scowl that had been hinted at came on full force, and with a hand opening the door a little wider, the other rested on his hip.
"You forget...I'm not the only one here in this apartment, you leave those here...I can't guarantee /he's/ not going to get at it." Oh, that hurt, but Kon was an excellent actor when it came to pretending to be Ichigo. If the kid had any more expressions than mr. frowny-face, then maybe it'd have been more of a challenge. "You might as well leave it somewhere inside." Turning about, he waved dismissively leaving the door open. His facade cracked a bit when his back was to her, a toothy grin.
Yes! YES...this was going to be awesome.
There was no homework in sight though, and the televsion-- well well. Atleast the magasine was gone!
"Ha ha! I didn't know Captain Kuchiki liked sweets!" Orihime beams. ...She's joking, right? She knows he's referring to Kon, right? (The answer is yes, but sometimes it's just hard to tell with Orihime.) "I'll put them under her pillow then." Ichigo probably thought it would be improper to mess around with the younger Kuchiki's bed, so she'll oblige his kindness and modesty.
"Um...which place is hers?" Orihime asks, once she's fully inside and able to get a good look around. Oh, television? How interesting! She wonders what kind of shows Ichigo likes...all she knows is what he /doesn't/ like. Don Kan'onji and other ghost-related programs.
Kon or rather 'Ichigo' stopped infront of the scattered cushions, listening to Orihime absently as he studied the hiding place, carefully toe-nudging one more over the spot just to be certain-- "What?" Turning back around to look at her blankly for a moment. Oh, right, "Yeah, she sleeps in that room there." Jerking a thumb to one of the bedrooms, the rediculously painful one. He didn't see fit to mention that it was also where Byakuya slept, though she may be able to figure something out depending on what paraphanelia he may have left laying about...
And that was a local tv special. Summer bikini hits for Europe and beyond...this was way better though. Seeing as how the television was an ilegal item in this here homestead-- the thing had to be smuggled in and hidden, only to be brought out on special occasions like this. Honestly, he wasn't sure when the taskmaster'd be back, but he couldn't afford to get it trashed! If only the modsoul'd realised, that no doubt the Captain had figured things out...or had he?
"Where're you headed off to next?" Ichigo, interested in something she's doing? He was watching her now, quite intently.
"Me? Oh, probably home, I guess," Orihime shrugs, padding into the forbidden Kuchiki chambers. Two beds? Ahhhh, that's right. Byakuya probably sleeps here too. Er, which is his bed? Shoot, it's hard to tell. Oh well. She doesn't think he'd be so unreasonable as to become violently enraged at finding a box of marshmallow bunny peeps on his pillow, and would just move them over to his adopted sister's place should he find them first. And if she mistakenly places them in the wrong spot and Rukia finds them first, they'll get swiped anyway. Most likely!
Setting down the eye-blinding box of fluorescent pink sweets, Orihime emerges from the room looking vastly pleased with herself. "There! I hope she likes them!" she beams, dusting her palms together. "So how have you been doing? It's been a long time since we got to catch up on things!" she grins, tucking her hands behind her back and leaning against the wall.
As an ever so eloquent reply, Kon grunted back a response that could at best be taken for a confirmation that he had heard her plans, and had nothing else to add about it...constructively. To think that Orihime was living alone in an empty apartment! It was like if she was begging for company, fine company like himself...not Ichigo. That idiot had managed to despoil her sacred haven before he even got there! And it was something the modsoul hadn't readily forgotten.
Did he even care the hell he caught from Byakuya for not knowing where he'd gone off too?! Of all the injustices in the world he'd had inflicted upon him by the ungrateful wrinkle-face, that had to of been the worse. Closely followed by his near weekly beatings by another infamous Captain by the name of Kenpachi. Honestly, did he just have scrawled across his forehead 'abuse me'?
"Yeah." If neesan didn't like them, he'd be sure to finish them off. Maybe he might even get into it before-- well. Kon had warned her about himself and just leaving the sweets behind... He shrugged at Orihime, rubbing a hand behind his neck as he glared at the ground. "The usual. Working on my training of late, I hate to say it but these fights aren't going the way they should." Or something, truely, Kon didn't pay that much attention! But he's just guessing here.
Good guess?
"I was just trying to relax, maybe work the knots out but there's only so much you can do..." His hand dropping to his shoulder, then, subtle pointed look in her direction.
...So smooth.
"Oh, you're training too? That's wonderful!" Orihime beams, clasping her hands together. "Captain Kuchiki must be terribly busy..." Perhaps it would be better if she asked someone else if they wouldn't mind taking the time to teach her better techniques. She certainly wouldn't want to impose on what must be already-limited time. Yoruichi, perhaps? She wouldn't mind seeing her again, and Nagi would most likely be there too. "Good," she inclines her head. "I'm glad! I'm sure you'll be super-strong before long!"
Her smiles shifts to one of sympathy when she hears his complaint. "Oh, that's hard to do on your own. Tatsuki used to have the same problem when she trained really hard with the karate club. But she taught me how to obliterate the knots really well!" she volunteers, raising a finger and nodding sagely. "If you want, I could use her techniques!"
The offer is meant kindly. But if Kon knows anything about Tatsuki and her violent ways, he *might* want to rethink this strategy.
Oh? She was training-- wait why? If the job was done right, Orihime shouldn't have to fight! And his frown this time was genuine...what was that ass doing anyways? He shouldn't have to train that much! He should be able to handle everything-- did he just hear her mention Byakuya? Oh yes. that frown was definately real. "I guess." Super strong huh? He'd better! Kon was somewhat deluded, but not so far as to failing to realise that a lot rested on the beleaguered teen's shoulders...including his own wellbeing sometimes. A most irritating fact!
"Did she now." Tatsuki, the girl who tried to clock him one with a desk for calling her cute. She had some issues, and oh yes, he couldn't fail to forget her! Parading as Ichigo's double when they were off galavanting in Shinigami-land, he did the wisest thing when it came to dealing with the voiciferous girl...avoid her. That she had some technique to top it off-- Kon looked dubious. Another show of true emotion.
He almost passed on it, but then he got to thinking...this was his chance to have Orihime's hands all over him! Caressing, rubbing, kneading his poor aching flesh, and if she leaned foward her soft pillow-ample breasts would, "I suppose." Ignore any goosebumps that surfaced on his skin, his imagination had made him all warm and fuzzy inside, it was all he could do to keep a stupid grin off of his face.
'Passively' he flopped back onto the pillows making a 'well come on' guesture with his hand, and closed his eyes. Oh yes, this was going to be awesome, the closest he's gotten to Orihime in a real body since, since...since too long! Finally the goddess of luck was smiling down on him. How you like dem apples Ichigo?!
Orihime's face takes on a reddish tint about her cheeks. Rubbing the back of Ichigo's body...? Well. Ahem. She's just helping him out. He's probably working really hard, and he's a good friend. She must ignore any butterflies going haywire in her stomach, recognizing the situation for what it is.
She pads across the floor to where Kon is sprawled, waiting for the warmth of Orihime's fingers. Carefully she settles herself beside him, the curve of her hip brushing Kon's t-shirt covered side. "Okay!" she beams, lacing her fingers together and turning out her palms, then shaking out her hands to limber them up. "Be sure to tell me when to stop, all right?"
Orihime breathes in...and breathes out. And then she begins. It starts out pleasantly enough. Her fingers move over the lines of his back, tracing out the scapula, moving over the bump of bone at the base of his neck. There are far fewer knots than she expected to find; either he's fibbing about the training, or he's just so good at it that it doesn't stress him out like it would most others. Knowing Orihime, he'll always get the benefit of the doubt. Her palms press against his flesh, moving from waist to shoulders, then back. Her hands withdraw. Now the Tatsuki techniques begin.
WHACKWHACKWHACKWHACKWHACK! A flurry of karate chops suddenly assault Kon's shoulders with rapid-fire impacts. "YAHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Orihime roars with that sweet little voice, savagely beating out the knots.
Oh yes, yes YES! Each passing second was like the build up to one of his many, many dreams. The scent of her nearby, the teasing touch, and then her nimble fingers and oddly forceful palms laying into his back, up and down. His head lay cushioned on the folds of his arms, and his eyes drifted closed with a ghost of a pleased smile wandering up to his lips, unseen by Orihime. So this was how it was to live life, "Uhuh." tell her to stop? Oh merciful heavens no. She could stay there for hours, and he wouldn't even care of either of them, Ichigo or Byakuya came walking through that door! This was purely worth it, this was--
"URUuguAGH" The shocked outcry sounded as his eyes snapped open. Immeadiately anything remotely relating to 'relaxed' and 'calm' flew out the window, his voiced pain lost in her unexpected roar. Roar of BEASTIALITY! Was this even his beloved tender, sweet and gentle Orihime?! Her hands were like knives raining upon his poor unsuspecting body, each blow as brutal was Kenpachi's hits with his sleeping zanpakutou. This wasn't what he signed up for! He fought to catch his breath to yell out the /safe word/.
Oxygen? Who needs that? Not when there's a diaphragm to flatten with crushing blows. "Taste the blows of justice!" Orihime yells at the knots that have plagued Kon so terribly. Orihime to the rescue! Whamwhamwhamwhamwham. The flat of her palm slams again and again against the poor boy's beleagured muscles like a meat tenderizer, beating out the tension. Just like Tatsuki taught her.
"Try not to tense up," Orihime smiles cheerfully down at Kon as he flails. Gosh, he might end up rolling off of the cushions if this keeps up. So she raises herself off the floor and primly sits upon him, 'side-saddle' so to speak, with her ankles crossed.
He, he couldn't take much more of this! That fluffy blissful dream had turned into a right nightmare, and he sqwaked in an undignified manner at her instructions. Not to tense up?! How could HE NOT, he was being battered slowly to death! Yes, he was sure of it. Kon was nolonger resting happily on his arms, but struggling to get them under him so that he could literally escape this. He wasn't even given a chance to enjoy the fact Orihime'd shifted positions to instead sit on his back, he only knew one thing...survival! "Need...to...breathe--"
Falling to the floor was a bit harder than it should have been, atleast he'd have tried to unseat the unsuspecting girl before upsetting the careful pile of cushions. A pity he'd never be given the chance for any prime shots. Once free of his confines and the torturous 'massage' he'd bolt across the floor to a far away wall, pressing up against it. His fingers were splayed like cats claws, and they dug into the prefabricated panel. Infact, his hair was a lot more disheveled than normal, and one could even fancy it was floofed up like a cats.
"The hell...the hell WAS THAT?!!" He was going to feel it in the morning!
Orihime blinks as Kon is suddenly fleet and airborne, magically transporting himself from the cushions to the other end of the room. Like a greased pig! Then she straightens, smiling proudly. "Arisawa's Hundred Hands of Slaughter!" is Kon's answer, as she clasps her hands on her lap. She sure doesn't LOOK very dangerous or bloodthirsty, her innocence reflected off of that sweet countenance. "Ah...was it okay? I'm still a bit of a beginner, so I'm probably not as good as Tatsuki," she wilts a little, resting a finger against the corner of her lips. "You didn't like it?"
It's one of the defining attributes the modsoul was in possession of, being able to flee to prolong his lifespan...and at the rate Orihime was going at, good intentions or not, he was sure it would have expired. "Hundred Hands of, of..." Kon panted out, his expression one of utter disbelief, and a smidgen of outrage. Maybe the 'twins' weren't so different afterall in some aspects. Alas! How his perfect picture had been ruined this afternoon, a shudder passing over him at the thought of continuing. That...that Tatsuki devil, she probably did that incase if some guy made the mistake of asking Orihime for a massage! Yes, it'd befit her dark and violent tendances...
"Eh?" Snapping out of his gloomy thoughts to look up at Orihime, seeing her shoulders slump as if the disappointment in her failure may have sapped her cheer. "Ah--" Crap. Now he'd be responsible for her unhappiness if, if, "no, no it was fine! I just didn't uh, expect it you know?" He tried to smile, instead it came out some kind of forced half-something. The proverbial 'tear drop' at his temples..."Infact I think it worked pretty good! I have to confess I can't feel anything in my back anymore!"Bone...numbing...
Ahem.
"Thank you." He still refused to come away from the wall though.
"Ah! Really? Yay!" Orihime claps her palms together. "Isn't it great? She gave me the Arisawa Hundred Hand Slaughter after my first karate lesson, too. I felt so much better!"
Then she survived it...? And /liked/ it?
"Okay!" Climbing to her feet, Orihime clenches a fist born of victory. "Now you just have to relax and drink some tea! I'll go make some," she volunteers, and trots into the kitchen happily. There's no need to ask where it is. She remembers from the last time she came to visit everyone. Kon was kind enough to help her in the kitchen, too. Even if she did forget, it's not like there's a lot of things she has to search through thanks to Captain Kuchiki's bare necessities lifestyle. "~I'll be your midnight blaze...brighter than the moon and stars...~" she sings cheerfully. /Someone/ has been frequenting the arcade lately.
Oh yes, totally great! Now he was going to have his body all black and blue, and what if Ichigo found out? For some reason that idiot was still fussy over the body he inhabited, and why?! Okay, so it was his in a past time and place, but all the same, he had his own here too right? It wasn't as if he were some spare!
...Right?
Kon-Ichigo merely shook his head, in what could have passed for aquiescence, but once Orihime was out of the room, the modsoul peeled himself off of the wall, and gingerly reached for his back...naturally wincing as his muscles pulled and protested their soreness. If he hadn't been feeling poorly before-- well. Kon slowly made his way back to the cushions, and sort of positioned himself in such a way so as to not press anything sharp-cornered into his back, sitting remarkably upright with excellent posture to stave off anymore injury. That sulking low-browed frown wasn't entirely an act now.
He was blaming that Tatsuki girl for foiling him, even when she wasn't here! Somehow he had to come up with a new plan, but his zeal was taking a bit of time to come back...having it thrashed out of you would do that.
It doesn't take Orihime very long to return. She only made one cup of tea, and it's especially for Kon. (She would feel bad drinking Byakuya's tea without permission, but since Kon and Ichigo are his wards, they're probably allowed.) "Here you are," Orihime moves to stands before Kon, smiling as she carefully passes him the pristine teacup filled with steaming amber liquid. "I'm really glad I could help! It's been a while since I could do anything like that," she beams.
Once he's taken the cup, she bows a little, then sits down beside him while arranging her skirts about her legs. "Finals are coming up soon. You must be excited about the long summer vacation, right?" she smiles, tilting her head to the side. "You should go see the zoo! I've heard they even have some polar bears here, isn't that amazing?"
...Not really. Pilfering Byakuya's precious tea stash was one that brooked possible retribution. And the Shinigami Captain was anything but gentle when he doled out punishment, even his glare was enough to chill poor Kon's spine. He hadn't forgotten the fact that the cold elder Kuchiki was allowing him to live...barely. And only because it was a new world and in this particular case-- and Ichigo's hassling, he'd put the pause on carrying out that particular decree. May their land never become involved with this one, else Kon may have to look over his shoulder a whole lot more.
He almost asked where she got it (hopefully from the cheap bagged tea box) but instead merely accepted it. He took a sniff, paling slightly, then taking a sip. God. It was /his/. Well, Orihime didn't know so..."Thanks." Muttering over the rim of the cup, he sort of stared pensively into its depths. His forehead was starting to ache, Ichigo you ass, you really needed to relax and smile more. "Exams? Right, studying." Oops, got to get on that. The soccer coach was being a fiend, and he hadn't yet had a chance to get to it!
"I don't know, I may have to get a job or something...for some reason I don't think Kuchiki there is going to let us just spend the summer I dont know, being a vacation." Oh the ZOO! That should be fun, he hadn't really gone to one, "You haven't been yet?" Didn't sound like it, AHA an OPENING! "I'll take you sometime then." What, Ichigo being thoughtful and nice? Perish the thought. He just had to somehow make sure that she didn't mention it to the real one later...he could sneak all of it!
...That all of this double-scheming could get him mired in one convoluted morass of a mess had occured to Kon, but with Orihime looking at him so cheerful and pleased, well. He was weak. Can't blame a poor modsoul.
"Wh-wh-wha...t...?" Orihime's eyes are as wide as saucers, the red spanning rapidly over her face once more. She knows it's not... Not really... But just hearing him say it, and thinking that it /might/ be...
Happiness suddenly begins to swell in her heart, softening those coffee-brown eyes, warming her smile. He's doing it for her sake, isn't he? He probably knows how she'd feel if he promised to take her somewhere, just the two of him. What a kind, kind person he is. "I...I haven't been yet, n-no," Orihime stammers, smiling down at her knees as she twines a lock of chestnut hair in her fingers. "But...but I really wanted to...to see the penguins," she confesses, beaming and lifting her shoulders. "Thank you. Thank you very much!" Gathering her composure, Orihime jerks her head down in a grateful nod. He's SO NICE!!!
Orihime raises her head to offer her brightest smile. "You know...if you want to...you can smile," she offers. "If you're feeling happy, I think it's okay." His forehead must be hurting him, so in gratitude, she'll give him that chance to relax it.
Still keeping that serious expression, Kon's cheeks turned flush at her response. If he could, if he weren't really trying to make this entire facade work, he'd totally throw himself at her and cling with enough tenacity as the modsoul was renowened to do when it came to a fine pair of well, uh, boobs. Instead he had to sort of, freeze, look embarassed, and then scratch his head. She agreed though! She agreed, Orihime and Kon were so going on a date, just the two of them to the zoo...Why Ichigo never took advantage of this, he'd never know. Orihime was a complete Goddess!
"Yeah it's not a big deal." Now he couldn't wait for summer to be over, if only he knew-- "What?" Caught ofguard, Kon checked himself. If he wanted to smile? Ofcourse he did, he wanted to hug her actually but...Ichigo'd never do that. Not in a million years-- sometimes he thought that boy was like. Not into girls or something. Coughing, Kon did manage to look uncomfortable. If he were standing, he'd be shifting from foot to foot, she didn't...catch on did she? "I'm fine." He mummbled, going after his tea instead.
Where has Ichigo been, all this time? He was out. Out doing things, important things! Like studying or training or who knows what else, but he was surely being more responsible than /Kon/. Anyway, at about this time, the berryhead himself returns home, with his courier-style bookbag slung over one shoulder, and a flat, tired expression on his face. He's been busy, busy! Plus Byakuya's training has been working him to the bone as well. And he's been worrying about the possible horrible things that could happen to people he cares about here, while he's not around to save them.
You know, the usual.
So, he opens the door with his key, if it happens to be locked, and then steps into the apartment, kicking off his shoes. Who knows what Byakuya would do to somebody if they walked around the apartment in sneakers? He'd probably bankai on the spot, uptight old ghost that he is. "I'm home!!" Ichigo yells, shutting the door loudly behind himself. And then he sees...?!
Orihime laughs. He's so sweet. "If you're sure," she smiles, her gaze moving upward to look at all that bright orange hair. She really...wants to fuzzle it. To see if it's spiky, or downy. Will it hurt? Will it feel like a baby chick? She's always wanted to find out, actually. But she's not sure if that would be going too far. Still. He's doing this for her sake, isn't he? Maybe it's okay...if it isn't, she'll retract her hand and apologize, then beat a hasty retreat home! ~Thank you,~ she thinks silently, stretching out her fingers...
Just in time for Ichigo to come home! Orihime freezes stock still, her hand just a fraction of an inch away from Kon's head. Ah--! /Ah/--! AH--! Oh no! OH NO! What's Ichigo going to think?! He might find out, he might--! (Well, no, he probably won't. He's a little dense in that department, isn't he?) Orihime's head jerks around to stare wide-eyed up at Ichigo, feeling her face turn hot. "G-good afternoon, Ichigo!" she greets him with flustered cheer. "I...I found bunnies for Rukia..." she points lamely towards the Kuchiki bedroom.
He really hated this, stuck in his little lie! He grunted something unintelligable to her, following her gaze up to his head, hair. What? What was so fascinating, watching her reach out as his stomach clenched, was she...was she going too-- and then he heard the key turn in the lock, and the door swing open. Oh god, the deadbolt! He forgot about it, the television was still out! HE HELD THE SHINIGAMI DEVIL'S TEA IN HIS HAND and was alone with A GIRL!!!
...Ichigo. Kon exhaled explosively in relief, he just saw his short, very short life flash before his eyes then he realised he was caught by the balls in another manner. OH SHIT IT'S ICHIGO! His knuckles were white about the cup-handle, his brown eyes flitting between Orihime and his 'twin'. "I..." Did she just say Ichigo? Wait, she knew all along? His mouth sort of opened and dropped.
She agreed to go to the zoo then with /him/?! Not that ass--
Fear, abject terror, shock, all of it turned to glee as that grin he had kept restrained burst out in pure white orbit-brightness!
...As Ichigo sees the scene before him, his expression somehow manages to go flatter. Why on Earth is Orihime reaching for Kon's hair? What /is/ that perverted Modsoul doing with /his (spare) body/?! But Orihime is speaking to him, so that takes priority, for the moment. A brief reprieve for Kon, perhaps. "Yo, Inoue." What's she flustered about? WHAT DID YOU DO, KON?! "...Bunnies? Like... Actual ones?" Because he doesn't think Byakuya would appreciate little rabbits crapping on his floor. ...Hey wait, maybe that's not so bad then.
However, it's Kon's big grin that draws Ichigo's attention back towards his 'twin', the gaze he gives the other strawberry blond boy rather suspicious. "The hell you grinnin' about?" he wonders, and it's only Orihime's presence that prevents him from going over there and kicking Kon in the face, even if it IS his. "Where'd you get a TV from, anyway?" Uh oh!
"Eh? You never had a TV before? But that's a crime!" They could go to jail for not having a TV, it's that terrible! Orihime looks between the two twins, stunned. Well, at least they have a TV /now/, so there's no way they can miss all the good shows. Thank goodness!
She laughs at Ichigo's question, then shakes her head. "Marshmallow ones! Ah, they're a bit old...leftover from Easter, actually...but I don't know if she'll want to eat them anyway, and they were on sale!" By female law, anything that was purchased on sale is ten times better than it would have been at regular price. "Anyway, I thought you'd be at the library a bit longer. Did you finish your homework already? That's incredible!" Hmmm...she should probably work on hers, but...she'll do that later. Right now, she'd much rather spend time with Ichigo and Kon!
Sorry, but Kon was too happy right now to care that Ichigo was having expressions of vague displeasure from stumbling upon this little parade. She'd known all along-- damn, unexpected, but whoo! She'd said yes to him, him! It was going to be great, they'd see the penguines and then, polar bears...and if she wanted to get a good view, why he'd happily jump her up to a good spot!
...All of these merry thoughts went on through the modsoul's mind, blotting out the brief exchange between Orihime and Ichigo. Bunnies, not important, never having television? Pass. Where Ichigo was? BORING--
Infact a few seconds of silence likely passed after that last question was posed to him, the modsoul busy staring off into space holding that cup halfway to his lips. "Huh?" The screen was flashing some trendy club scene as it followed the bikini modellers cavorts into the night life of this particular photoshoot and... "I get an allowance too you know! So what if I decided to buy one!" Knowing full well Byakuya practicall forbade it? Dangerous! "Not like if he doesn't need to know..." Muttering away, Kon defiantly got to his feet and suddenly, fell back down. OH GOD HIS BACK.
...Did he just spill a couple drops onto the cushions?
A... Crime? Ichigo's brow furrows in confusion at that, because it doesn't sound right. He just knows Byakuya doesn't approve of television, and as he doesn't really care one way or the other for it, he actually didn't fight the Captain tooth and nail on the subject. Kon, however, seems far more interested in that sort of thing. "Tch... Your funeral," Kurosaki says, shrugging his shoulders a bit. If Kon wants to be dumb, that's his own problem! Just so long as his body remains intact, it's fine with Ichigo.
"Well... She'll probably like 'em anyway," Ichigo says to Orihime, about the marshmallow rabbits. Somehow he doubts the tiny shinigami will even eat the things, even if they were fresh. As for his homework? "I didn't have that much left to do, so it went quick." And then Kon falls down like an idiot. "HEY! Be more careful with that body, stupid!"
Orihime blinks in concern as Kon drops. Goodness! She doesn't want him to spill hot tea on himself! At least it was just the cushions. Those should be okay! "Oh, ha ha, that was my fault!" Orihime raises her hand high in the air, like an overeager student begging to be called upon for the answer to a math question. "Kon said that his back hurt, training, you know, so I proudly delivered Arisawa's Hundred Hand Slaughter! It's a little numbing sometimes," she beams, shrugging her shoulders apologetically.
She can't possibly tell him that Kon was pretending to be Ichigo for her sake. And she still firmly believes that Kon was playing the role for purely unselfish reasons. Besides, she's not even sure that Kon knew she was aware! And he /did/ fool her at first, well done! Once she saw the television, though, well... It wasn't hard to figure out. Very few know Ichigo better than Orihime does. "We're going to go to the zoo after finals!" she announces happily.
Spilling the tea on himself would have been a better bet instead of...potientially staining the cushions. Byakuya was anal retentive enough to notice crumbs, spots, even the hint that someone may have been dirty standing next to his precious belongings! He grimaced where he sat, trying not to upset any more of the liquid, and not make it too obvious that Orihime's last massage was more...crippling than good. That numbness was starting to wear off, and the soreness set in.
"Hey, it's not like if I'm throwing myself at a Hollow or something!" Again, "See? See what abuse I have to put up with..." Kon groused, shooting Ichigo a glare, then looking all piteous at the soft-natured girl. "If he could I'm sure he'd step on me again." The plushie that the pair had bought upon fatefully meeting that day was actually tucked away in their shared room. A reminder of the past? A little nostalgia...and...who knows. A backup. So far Ichigo hadn't tried to stuff him back into it. Maybe it was because knocking him out of his body would have little use at this point!
Kon's already forgotten about his little scheming that could have blown up in his face. A little child-like sometimes in this, "He's...he's not invited!" Blurting out. Well, it'd make Orihime happier if he came along but, Ichigo'd totally cramp his style.
Hundred Hand... What? Ichigo can only imagine that it /would/ be rather numbing, yes. Especially considering who administered it. "Training? For soccer? I'd figure that'd be easy for you," he instead directs at Kon, sounding unimpressed! Is the Modsoul being lazy, letting his body get all flabby and slow? For shame, Kon! For shame! But no, even someone as naive and oblivious to such matters as Ichigo Kurosaki can tell just what was on the mind of his 'twin' in that situation. AND HE GOT EXACTLY WHAT HE DESERVED FOR IT.
Ichigo's mouth opens to say something about the zoo, but Kon is quicker on the draw, already making sure to reject him from possibly going along - as if Kurosaki would volunteer himself for such a thing! Except maybe to keep Orihime clear of Kon's grabby hands. Or Greed's grabby hands, because the homunculus is probably a big stalker. Or Setsuna's stabby sword. Instead, Ichigo just frowns at Kon. Frowns!
"Ah...!" Orihime glances between Kon and Ichigo, flustered. Oh no! It's just like the donuts all over again! Wh-what should she do?! "A-ah...i-is that okay, Ichigo? If you really want to go to the zoo, we can go on a different day!" Maybe she should rework her plans for the 16th. Instead of walking in the park, they can walk in the zoo? Yes, that works! She just doesn't want one of them yelling 'I quit!' and storming away forever, because that would be heart-breaking. And repetitive!
She turns to Kon, hoping to placate him and soothe his worries. "I-it's okay, Kon!" she reassures him, holding up her palms and lightly bobbing them forward and back. "Ichigo won't step on you, he's nice! I think you're both really nice, and...and...thank you for inviting me to the zoo!" She bows swiftly, then leaps to her feet, stumbling for the kitchen. Awkward. Too awkward! "I-I'll make you some tea, Ichigo!" He just got home, after all, he probably wants to relax!
For the first time today, Kon's scowl is all his own when he looked up at Ichigo. "Yeah well, soccer's no problem, but that damn football coach, you remember him right, Kenpachi?!" He jabbed a finger at his 'twin'. "Do you have any idea what I go through day to day just waiting on him to pounce me? It's about high time you reintroduce yourself to him and get him the hell off my back!" A lot more fight entering into his voice. "Him, soccer, class, I don't know how I have any freetime to relax at all..." More heated beneath the breath words.
Yeah! You go on and frown, see if he cared! And ontop of that trying to steal his bit? (Yes, the irony)...but it was only typical of Orihime to see both parties contented. And she was making him tea too? He grumbled to himself, taking a big long draught of his tea all angry like. And burnt his throat and tongue for it, still hot you see. "Aughkfg" Choking on it for a second while Orihime had already bolted for the kitchen.
Oh right... Zaraki. Ichigo looks decidedly unimpressed at Kon and is clearly not the slightest bit moved by the other boy's plight. "You're not supposed to have free time, s'what being a highschooler is all about. Y'know, /workin'/?" Honestly, Kon is just a big slacker like Keigo! Possibly even worse, since the Modsoul being lazy reflects poorly on Ichigo as well. As for Orihime, though. "'course, it's not like Kon here would do anythin' to you at the zoo, right?" Ichigo says to Orihime, almost rhetorically. And it might be a bit of a warning for his 'twin', too. Ichigo's got his eye on you, Kon!
"Eh?" What kind of things does Ichigo mean? She doubts Kon will kick her, or put embarrassing signs on her back. "Oh no, I trust Kon!" she laughs, relaxing a little as she pours a cup of water into the kettle to heat it once again. It shouldn't take long, since Kon's cup of tea was so recently fixed up. "And it really sounds like fun! There will be polar bears, and penguins... I can't wait!" she exclaims cheerfully, withdrawing another one of the elegant teacups and preparing more of the sacred Kuchiki tea. If only she /knew/ that a box of the cheaper stuff existed!
Once the tea is prepared, she presents it proudly to Ichigo. It's nice, really, to see to him after what was probably a long day of school and study. "It's a bit hot, so be careful," she warns with a gentle smile.
Why, why does he even try?! Halfway into clearing up his coughing, he sat up again. "Oh is that so? Well how's about I tell him where you live then!" The key flaw in this plan, was that it was also where /he/ lived, and godforbid he woke up to Kenpachi's leering face over him where he slept, and got mistaken for Ichigo there. The horrors, but Ichigo didn't know that! So it was a great threat, right? Cue up that second blitzing glare along the lines of 'and what is that supposed to mean?!' for the hidden threat.
...A little groping never hurt anyone!
"SEE" He almost tossed his hands up into the air, instead carefull he did so with...one hand. The other put the tea on the small table eventually. "She trust me! HA so THERE." In your face Kurosaki! No, this wasn't childish at all.
Finally removing his bookbag and setting it aside, Ichigo's brows raise at Kon's threat. HE sees the flaw in the Modsoul's plan almost immediately. "'course, you live here too," Kurosaki says, sounding quite pleased with himself for outthinking his supposed twin. "And if Zaraki shows up and totally wrecks the apartment..." Then Kon will have NOWHERE TO LIVE. Hu hu hu, not so clever now, is it?!
Meanwhile though, Orihime expresses her faith in Kon, and Kon gets all celebratory, while Ichigo gets some tea. "Thanks, Inoue," he half-mumbles. Well it /is/ nice of her, even if this isn't her house. In fact, she's the guest! "I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun." And that Kon will behave himself!
"Hee...! Yes," she holds her hands in front of her, looking down at her feet with a brilliant blush. It really will be fun... Even though the jig is up, Kon's still willing to take Orihime there. It'll be wonderful. It's a little embarrassing to know that Kon's aware of her deepest most private secret. She only ever told Tatsuki and Rangiku about her feelings for Ichigo. But if he's aware, then maybe she'll have someone to talk to about it once more. (She tried talking with Greed, but he just got angry and annoyed and stormed off.)
Her eyes flick towards Kon for a moment, then to Ichigo, and she smiles again. It's strange, being surrounded by Ichigos. But wonderful, too! The funny scowling face, the strength of his voice, the pride in his eyes, the way the sunset turns that orange hair into a brilliant flare of solar fire...
...Sunset...
OH NO!!! SUNSET!!! Orihime gasps, whirling to stare at the window as though it were a terrible monster. "Ah! I have to go! ...Ha ha!" she tosses in a quick laugh, so they won't worry. Orihime bolts to the door and throws it open, turning to wave back at the two. "I'm sorry! It's very abrupt, but I... I had fun!" She really did. If only she could stay with them longer...just a bit longer... Thank the stars for the long days of summer!
Damn, the dumbass was faster than he thought. "Fine, one of these days I'll just slip him your class schedule then. I don't care if the classrooms are trashed! That might give me some time off from those boring lectures." And then he gave an infuriating grin tht showed there was little flaw IN THAT SUCKER now was there! Really though, the two of them were like little children sometimes weren't they.
Kon snorted, clearly showing signs of jealousy as Orihime decided to make tea for Ichigo, settling back with folded arms to sulk. He caught the undertones. Infact, between that and suddenly her making her depature-- "Already?" Disappointed marked on his face, those wrinkly scowly-brows were gone, replaced with an expression that was all Kon. Must be weird for Ichigo sometimes, if he still wasn't used to it.
He just about got out one last wave before he's left all alone with his twin...and the room is a whole lot less brighter than it was seconds before. Thanks for bringing your gloomy rainclouds Ichigo! The modsoul might aswell pack away his things before the true demon arrived...
No, in all probability Ichigo will never get used to seeing Kon with his face. Even in the months they've been here, even in all the time back in Karakura... Not ever. It's creepy! It's weird! It's deeply wrong! But more importantly, Ichigo is left staring bewildered as Orihime takes off like that, and it takes him a few moments to process it. "Uh... Wait, Inoue, I'll walk you home..." Yeah, with Setsuna and who knows what else out there? He'd rather be safe than sorry, which is why he sets the tea down on the table without drinking it, and gets his shoes back on before hurrying after Orihime.
Now Kon can explain why there's /more than one/ cup of Byakuya's tea out when the Captain returns home!
Orihime is THIS close to closing the door in Ichigo's face. But if he walks her home, who's going to walk HIM home?
No, she chides herself, she shouldn't worry. Ichigo's encountered Setsuna twice and done just fine. Still, she can't help regarding him and his offer with hesitation. "N-no, it's okay, I'll be all..." He's already putting on his shoes. "I'll..." And he's hurrying after her. "Ah--okay..." Orihime relents, her heart beating just a little faster. She did want him to say yes. And if she didn't accept, he'd probably worry about her, wouldn't he? She grips her hand a little tighter as she backs away from the door and into the far end of the hallway, making room for Ichigo to emerge. He just got home, too. All ready to relax and drink tea and fight with Kon! Yet here he is, ready to step out again just to keep an eye on her.
It's very touching to Orihime. She's lucky to have a friend like him.
"Thank you, Ichigo. You're so nice," she beams, and glances at her watch. She'll time the length of their trip. Add five minutes. Then call his apartment and ask if she left her coat there. She didn't, of course, but she'll want to know if Ichigo got home safely. If he's going to look out for her, then the least she could do is return the favor.
WHERE: Byakuya's Apartment
WHEN: June 2nd, 2007
WHAT: Orihime swings by the Kuchiki apartment to drop off a gift for Rukia. But when Kon pretends to be Ichigo, she ends up staying a little longer than anticipated. Will Kon succeed in snagging a date with Orihime? And what's Ichigo got to say about all of this when he comes home?
Today was one of those rare days where practice was cancelled out on the field, and the Modsoul did indeed manage to reach back at the apartment before any of the other inhabitants...The afternoon had been setting up to have an upheaval of the sky-- its overhanging clouds a forboding shade of grey. It was the perfect oppourtunity for a quiet moment, perhaps a bit of tea...Except the television set was blaring on some random station showing a marathon of America's Next Top Model, a can of coca cola sat half drunk on the table-- one of the few pieces of furniture in the entire apartment, and at the center of it all...Kon.
The red-haired youth lay sprawled on the couch in loose-fitted draw-string pants and a t-shirt, his eyes intently fixed on the pages of a glossy magasine. They devoured every detail, every word of description that gave the womens sizes and explained what artistic impressions they were meant to convey. The Modsoul had managed to smuggle in one of the top one hundred hottest bunnies over the last two decades playboy edition, and it was this he studied like a test with drool restrained abandon.
...It was this, two pillows and Kon himself that went flying into the air when a knock rattled on the door. Luckily he'd thrown on the deadbolt too, so he wouldn't be interrupted without warning-- "Just a moment!" He called out, looking around frantically to stash the dirty evidence (why hello there mat) before approaching the door. Hmm. Peeking through the hole, suprise quickly etched on his face, then...He smiled. One of those devious plotting ones, not the other you know, one.
"Didn't expect to see you here." Came the flat response, a furrow etched down the middle of his lowered brows, 'Ichigo' barely refrained from scowling down at the usually optimistic frontally-gifted visitor.
The problem with Kon is that technically, he's wearing Ichigo's body. So it smells the same. The only thing that differs is the sheer force of reiatsu that tends to scream 'LOOK AT ME I AM ICHIGO HA HA'. However, Ichigo's learned to control that somewhat, and Orihime doesn't normally screen people for their spirit. She blinks in surprise up at Ichigo, probably just as startled as he is to see him answer the door. But she thought... Wasn't he going to the library, or something? Maybe he changed his mind.
Cheeks begin to blush as Orihime quickly reasserts her smile. "Ah, hi! I didn't think you'd be home! I just...I came to leave these for Rukia...they were on sale, and I thought she might like them," she looks down at the fluorescent pink box of marshmallow bunny peeps in her hands. They always have tons of those on discount after Easter, since people don't buy as many as the manufacturers think they should. "You're probably busy with homework, so I won't stay! Um...um...just tell Rukia I said hello! And Captain Kuchiki too!" She thrusts the box of bunnies forward, severely flustered, before she backpedals and bows. "Ha ha ha!" ...What's she laughing about?
By being in a sense, the babysitter for Ichigo's 'extra' body, Kon could be having way more fun than his 'twin' would ever approve of. On the other hand several soundly accurate hits later, no such thing has been the case, atleast as far as the Modsoul has noticed! And when it came to those who knew him from his old world-- there was that undeniable fact. Kon didn't have a modicum of spiritual presence that Ichigo had, and as such could be differentiated in a blink by any of the shinigami...and even Orihime if she were to try and focus.
He'd have to thank the sourpuss for actually becoming better at restraining his reitsu! Because he didn't expect to get this far. A flicker of suprise darted across his squinty-browed face, almost ruining his entire pretense. Luckily, suprise wasn't so far fetched in this situation. That scowl that had been hinted at came on full force, and with a hand opening the door a little wider, the other rested on his hip.
"You forget...I'm not the only one here in this apartment, you leave those here...I can't guarantee /he's/ not going to get at it." Oh, that hurt, but Kon was an excellent actor when it came to pretending to be Ichigo. If the kid had any more expressions than mr. frowny-face, then maybe it'd have been more of a challenge. "You might as well leave it somewhere inside." Turning about, he waved dismissively leaving the door open. His facade cracked a bit when his back was to her, a toothy grin.
Yes! YES...this was going to be awesome.
There was no homework in sight though, and the televsion-- well well. Atleast the magasine was gone!
"Ha ha! I didn't know Captain Kuchiki liked sweets!" Orihime beams. ...She's joking, right? She knows he's referring to Kon, right? (The answer is yes, but sometimes it's just hard to tell with Orihime.) "I'll put them under her pillow then." Ichigo probably thought it would be improper to mess around with the younger Kuchiki's bed, so she'll oblige his kindness and modesty.
"Um...which place is hers?" Orihime asks, once she's fully inside and able to get a good look around. Oh, television? How interesting! She wonders what kind of shows Ichigo likes...all she knows is what he /doesn't/ like. Don Kan'onji and other ghost-related programs.
Kon or rather 'Ichigo' stopped infront of the scattered cushions, listening to Orihime absently as he studied the hiding place, carefully toe-nudging one more over the spot just to be certain-- "What?" Turning back around to look at her blankly for a moment. Oh, right, "Yeah, she sleeps in that room there." Jerking a thumb to one of the bedrooms, the rediculously painful one. He didn't see fit to mention that it was also where Byakuya slept, though she may be able to figure something out depending on what paraphanelia he may have left laying about...
And that was a local tv special. Summer bikini hits for Europe and beyond...this was way better though. Seeing as how the television was an ilegal item in this here homestead-- the thing had to be smuggled in and hidden, only to be brought out on special occasions like this. Honestly, he wasn't sure when the taskmaster'd be back, but he couldn't afford to get it trashed! If only the modsoul'd realised, that no doubt the Captain had figured things out...or had he?
"Where're you headed off to next?" Ichigo, interested in something she's doing? He was watching her now, quite intently.
"Me? Oh, probably home, I guess," Orihime shrugs, padding into the forbidden Kuchiki chambers. Two beds? Ahhhh, that's right. Byakuya probably sleeps here too. Er, which is his bed? Shoot, it's hard to tell. Oh well. She doesn't think he'd be so unreasonable as to become violently enraged at finding a box of marshmallow bunny peeps on his pillow, and would just move them over to his adopted sister's place should he find them first. And if she mistakenly places them in the wrong spot and Rukia finds them first, they'll get swiped anyway. Most likely!
Setting down the eye-blinding box of fluorescent pink sweets, Orihime emerges from the room looking vastly pleased with herself. "There! I hope she likes them!" she beams, dusting her palms together. "So how have you been doing? It's been a long time since we got to catch up on things!" she grins, tucking her hands behind her back and leaning against the wall.
As an ever so eloquent reply, Kon grunted back a response that could at best be taken for a confirmation that he had heard her plans, and had nothing else to add about it...constructively. To think that Orihime was living alone in an empty apartment! It was like if she was begging for company, fine company like himself...not Ichigo. That idiot had managed to despoil her sacred haven before he even got there! And it was something the modsoul hadn't readily forgotten.
Did he even care the hell he caught from Byakuya for not knowing where he'd gone off too?! Of all the injustices in the world he'd had inflicted upon him by the ungrateful wrinkle-face, that had to of been the worse. Closely followed by his near weekly beatings by another infamous Captain by the name of Kenpachi. Honestly, did he just have scrawled across his forehead 'abuse me'?
"Yeah." If neesan didn't like them, he'd be sure to finish them off. Maybe he might even get into it before-- well. Kon had warned her about himself and just leaving the sweets behind... He shrugged at Orihime, rubbing a hand behind his neck as he glared at the ground. "The usual. Working on my training of late, I hate to say it but these fights aren't going the way they should." Or something, truely, Kon didn't pay that much attention! But he's just guessing here.
Good guess?
"I was just trying to relax, maybe work the knots out but there's only so much you can do..." His hand dropping to his shoulder, then, subtle pointed look in her direction.
...So smooth.
"Oh, you're training too? That's wonderful!" Orihime beams, clasping her hands together. "Captain Kuchiki must be terribly busy..." Perhaps it would be better if she asked someone else if they wouldn't mind taking the time to teach her better techniques. She certainly wouldn't want to impose on what must be already-limited time. Yoruichi, perhaps? She wouldn't mind seeing her again, and Nagi would most likely be there too. "Good," she inclines her head. "I'm glad! I'm sure you'll be super-strong before long!"
Her smiles shifts to one of sympathy when she hears his complaint. "Oh, that's hard to do on your own. Tatsuki used to have the same problem when she trained really hard with the karate club. But she taught me how to obliterate the knots really well!" she volunteers, raising a finger and nodding sagely. "If you want, I could use her techniques!"
The offer is meant kindly. But if Kon knows anything about Tatsuki and her violent ways, he *might* want to rethink this strategy.
Oh? She was training-- wait why? If the job was done right, Orihime shouldn't have to fight! And his frown this time was genuine...what was that ass doing anyways? He shouldn't have to train that much! He should be able to handle everything-- did he just hear her mention Byakuya? Oh yes. that frown was definately real. "I guess." Super strong huh? He'd better! Kon was somewhat deluded, but not so far as to failing to realise that a lot rested on the beleaguered teen's shoulders...including his own wellbeing sometimes. A most irritating fact!
"Did she now." Tatsuki, the girl who tried to clock him one with a desk for calling her cute. She had some issues, and oh yes, he couldn't fail to forget her! Parading as Ichigo's double when they were off galavanting in Shinigami-land, he did the wisest thing when it came to dealing with the voiciferous girl...avoid her. That she had some technique to top it off-- Kon looked dubious. Another show of true emotion.
He almost passed on it, but then he got to thinking...this was his chance to have Orihime's hands all over him! Caressing, rubbing, kneading his poor aching flesh, and if she leaned foward her soft pillow-ample breasts would, "I suppose." Ignore any goosebumps that surfaced on his skin, his imagination had made him all warm and fuzzy inside, it was all he could do to keep a stupid grin off of his face.
'Passively' he flopped back onto the pillows making a 'well come on' guesture with his hand, and closed his eyes. Oh yes, this was going to be awesome, the closest he's gotten to Orihime in a real body since, since...since too long! Finally the goddess of luck was smiling down on him. How you like dem apples Ichigo?!
Orihime's face takes on a reddish tint about her cheeks. Rubbing the back of Ichigo's body...? Well. Ahem. She's just helping him out. He's probably working really hard, and he's a good friend. She must ignore any butterflies going haywire in her stomach, recognizing the situation for what it is.
She pads across the floor to where Kon is sprawled, waiting for the warmth of Orihime's fingers. Carefully she settles herself beside him, the curve of her hip brushing Kon's t-shirt covered side. "Okay!" she beams, lacing her fingers together and turning out her palms, then shaking out her hands to limber them up. "Be sure to tell me when to stop, all right?"
Orihime breathes in...and breathes out. And then she begins. It starts out pleasantly enough. Her fingers move over the lines of his back, tracing out the scapula, moving over the bump of bone at the base of his neck. There are far fewer knots than she expected to find; either he's fibbing about the training, or he's just so good at it that it doesn't stress him out like it would most others. Knowing Orihime, he'll always get the benefit of the doubt. Her palms press against his flesh, moving from waist to shoulders, then back. Her hands withdraw. Now the Tatsuki techniques begin.
WHACKWHACKWHACKWHACKWHACK! A flurry of karate chops suddenly assault Kon's shoulders with rapid-fire impacts. "YAHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Orihime roars with that sweet little voice, savagely beating out the knots.
Oh yes, yes YES! Each passing second was like the build up to one of his many, many dreams. The scent of her nearby, the teasing touch, and then her nimble fingers and oddly forceful palms laying into his back, up and down. His head lay cushioned on the folds of his arms, and his eyes drifted closed with a ghost of a pleased smile wandering up to his lips, unseen by Orihime. So this was how it was to live life, "Uhuh." tell her to stop? Oh merciful heavens no. She could stay there for hours, and he wouldn't even care of either of them, Ichigo or Byakuya came walking through that door! This was purely worth it, this was--
"URUuguAGH" The shocked outcry sounded as his eyes snapped open. Immeadiately anything remotely relating to 'relaxed' and 'calm' flew out the window, his voiced pain lost in her unexpected roar. Roar of BEASTIALITY! Was this even his beloved tender, sweet and gentle Orihime?! Her hands were like knives raining upon his poor unsuspecting body, each blow as brutal was Kenpachi's hits with his sleeping zanpakutou. This wasn't what he signed up for! He fought to catch his breath to yell out the /safe word/.
Oxygen? Who needs that? Not when there's a diaphragm to flatten with crushing blows. "Taste the blows of justice!" Orihime yells at the knots that have plagued Kon so terribly. Orihime to the rescue! Whamwhamwhamwhamwham. The flat of her palm slams again and again against the poor boy's beleagured muscles like a meat tenderizer, beating out the tension. Just like Tatsuki taught her.
"Try not to tense up," Orihime smiles cheerfully down at Kon as he flails. Gosh, he might end up rolling off of the cushions if this keeps up. So she raises herself off the floor and primly sits upon him, 'side-saddle' so to speak, with her ankles crossed.
He, he couldn't take much more of this! That fluffy blissful dream had turned into a right nightmare, and he sqwaked in an undignified manner at her instructions. Not to tense up?! How could HE NOT, he was being battered slowly to death! Yes, he was sure of it. Kon was nolonger resting happily on his arms, but struggling to get them under him so that he could literally escape this. He wasn't even given a chance to enjoy the fact Orihime'd shifted positions to instead sit on his back, he only knew one thing...survival! "Need...to...breathe--"
Falling to the floor was a bit harder than it should have been, atleast he'd have tried to unseat the unsuspecting girl before upsetting the careful pile of cushions. A pity he'd never be given the chance for any prime shots. Once free of his confines and the torturous 'massage' he'd bolt across the floor to a far away wall, pressing up against it. His fingers were splayed like cats claws, and they dug into the prefabricated panel. Infact, his hair was a lot more disheveled than normal, and one could even fancy it was floofed up like a cats.
"The hell...the hell WAS THAT?!!" He was going to feel it in the morning!
Orihime blinks as Kon is suddenly fleet and airborne, magically transporting himself from the cushions to the other end of the room. Like a greased pig! Then she straightens, smiling proudly. "Arisawa's Hundred Hands of Slaughter!" is Kon's answer, as she clasps her hands on her lap. She sure doesn't LOOK very dangerous or bloodthirsty, her innocence reflected off of that sweet countenance. "Ah...was it okay? I'm still a bit of a beginner, so I'm probably not as good as Tatsuki," she wilts a little, resting a finger against the corner of her lips. "You didn't like it?"
It's one of the defining attributes the modsoul was in possession of, being able to flee to prolong his lifespan...and at the rate Orihime was going at, good intentions or not, he was sure it would have expired. "Hundred Hands of, of..." Kon panted out, his expression one of utter disbelief, and a smidgen of outrage. Maybe the 'twins' weren't so different afterall in some aspects. Alas! How his perfect picture had been ruined this afternoon, a shudder passing over him at the thought of continuing. That...that Tatsuki devil, she probably did that incase if some guy made the mistake of asking Orihime for a massage! Yes, it'd befit her dark and violent tendances...
"Eh?" Snapping out of his gloomy thoughts to look up at Orihime, seeing her shoulders slump as if the disappointment in her failure may have sapped her cheer. "Ah--" Crap. Now he'd be responsible for her unhappiness if, if, "no, no it was fine! I just didn't uh, expect it you know?" He tried to smile, instead it came out some kind of forced half-something. The proverbial 'tear drop' at his temples..."Infact I think it worked pretty good! I have to confess I can't feel anything in my back anymore!"Bone...numbing...
Ahem.
"Thank you." He still refused to come away from the wall though.
"Ah! Really? Yay!" Orihime claps her palms together. "Isn't it great? She gave me the Arisawa Hundred Hand Slaughter after my first karate lesson, too. I felt so much better!"
Then she survived it...? And /liked/ it?
"Okay!" Climbing to her feet, Orihime clenches a fist born of victory. "Now you just have to relax and drink some tea! I'll go make some," she volunteers, and trots into the kitchen happily. There's no need to ask where it is. She remembers from the last time she came to visit everyone. Kon was kind enough to help her in the kitchen, too. Even if she did forget, it's not like there's a lot of things she has to search through thanks to Captain Kuchiki's bare necessities lifestyle. "~I'll be your midnight blaze...brighter than the moon and stars...~" she sings cheerfully. /Someone/ has been frequenting the arcade lately.
Oh yes, totally great! Now he was going to have his body all black and blue, and what if Ichigo found out? For some reason that idiot was still fussy over the body he inhabited, and why?! Okay, so it was his in a past time and place, but all the same, he had his own here too right? It wasn't as if he were some spare!
...Right?
Kon-Ichigo merely shook his head, in what could have passed for aquiescence, but once Orihime was out of the room, the modsoul peeled himself off of the wall, and gingerly reached for his back...naturally wincing as his muscles pulled and protested their soreness. If he hadn't been feeling poorly before-- well. Kon slowly made his way back to the cushions, and sort of positioned himself in such a way so as to not press anything sharp-cornered into his back, sitting remarkably upright with excellent posture to stave off anymore injury. That sulking low-browed frown wasn't entirely an act now.
He was blaming that Tatsuki girl for foiling him, even when she wasn't here! Somehow he had to come up with a new plan, but his zeal was taking a bit of time to come back...having it thrashed out of you would do that.
It doesn't take Orihime very long to return. She only made one cup of tea, and it's especially for Kon. (She would feel bad drinking Byakuya's tea without permission, but since Kon and Ichigo are his wards, they're probably allowed.) "Here you are," Orihime moves to stands before Kon, smiling as she carefully passes him the pristine teacup filled with steaming amber liquid. "I'm really glad I could help! It's been a while since I could do anything like that," she beams.
Once he's taken the cup, she bows a little, then sits down beside him while arranging her skirts about her legs. "Finals are coming up soon. You must be excited about the long summer vacation, right?" she smiles, tilting her head to the side. "You should go see the zoo! I've heard they even have some polar bears here, isn't that amazing?"
...Not really. Pilfering Byakuya's precious tea stash was one that brooked possible retribution. And the Shinigami Captain was anything but gentle when he doled out punishment, even his glare was enough to chill poor Kon's spine. He hadn't forgotten the fact that the cold elder Kuchiki was allowing him to live...barely. And only because it was a new world and in this particular case-- and Ichigo's hassling, he'd put the pause on carrying out that particular decree. May their land never become involved with this one, else Kon may have to look over his shoulder a whole lot more.
He almost asked where she got it (hopefully from the cheap bagged tea box) but instead merely accepted it. He took a sniff, paling slightly, then taking a sip. God. It was /his/. Well, Orihime didn't know so..."Thanks." Muttering over the rim of the cup, he sort of stared pensively into its depths. His forehead was starting to ache, Ichigo you ass, you really needed to relax and smile more. "Exams? Right, studying." Oops, got to get on that. The soccer coach was being a fiend, and he hadn't yet had a chance to get to it!
"I don't know, I may have to get a job or something...for some reason I don't think Kuchiki there is going to let us just spend the summer I dont know, being a vacation." Oh the ZOO! That should be fun, he hadn't really gone to one, "You haven't been yet?" Didn't sound like it, AHA an OPENING! "I'll take you sometime then." What, Ichigo being thoughtful and nice? Perish the thought. He just had to somehow make sure that she didn't mention it to the real one later...he could sneak all of it!
...That all of this double-scheming could get him mired in one convoluted morass of a mess had occured to Kon, but with Orihime looking at him so cheerful and pleased, well. He was weak. Can't blame a poor modsoul.
"Wh-wh-wha...t...?" Orihime's eyes are as wide as saucers, the red spanning rapidly over her face once more. She knows it's not... Not really... But just hearing him say it, and thinking that it /might/ be...
Happiness suddenly begins to swell in her heart, softening those coffee-brown eyes, warming her smile. He's doing it for her sake, isn't he? He probably knows how she'd feel if he promised to take her somewhere, just the two of him. What a kind, kind person he is. "I...I haven't been yet, n-no," Orihime stammers, smiling down at her knees as she twines a lock of chestnut hair in her fingers. "But...but I really wanted to...to see the penguins," she confesses, beaming and lifting her shoulders. "Thank you. Thank you very much!" Gathering her composure, Orihime jerks her head down in a grateful nod. He's SO NICE!!!
Orihime raises her head to offer her brightest smile. "You know...if you want to...you can smile," she offers. "If you're feeling happy, I think it's okay." His forehead must be hurting him, so in gratitude, she'll give him that chance to relax it.
Still keeping that serious expression, Kon's cheeks turned flush at her response. If he could, if he weren't really trying to make this entire facade work, he'd totally throw himself at her and cling with enough tenacity as the modsoul was renowened to do when it came to a fine pair of well, uh, boobs. Instead he had to sort of, freeze, look embarassed, and then scratch his head. She agreed though! She agreed, Orihime and Kon were so going on a date, just the two of them to the zoo...Why Ichigo never took advantage of this, he'd never know. Orihime was a complete Goddess!
"Yeah it's not a big deal." Now he couldn't wait for summer to be over, if only he knew-- "What?" Caught ofguard, Kon checked himself. If he wanted to smile? Ofcourse he did, he wanted to hug her actually but...Ichigo'd never do that. Not in a million years-- sometimes he thought that boy was like. Not into girls or something. Coughing, Kon did manage to look uncomfortable. If he were standing, he'd be shifting from foot to foot, she didn't...catch on did she? "I'm fine." He mummbled, going after his tea instead.
Where has Ichigo been, all this time? He was out. Out doing things, important things! Like studying or training or who knows what else, but he was surely being more responsible than /Kon/. Anyway, at about this time, the berryhead himself returns home, with his courier-style bookbag slung over one shoulder, and a flat, tired expression on his face. He's been busy, busy! Plus Byakuya's training has been working him to the bone as well. And he's been worrying about the possible horrible things that could happen to people he cares about here, while he's not around to save them.
You know, the usual.
So, he opens the door with his key, if it happens to be locked, and then steps into the apartment, kicking off his shoes. Who knows what Byakuya would do to somebody if they walked around the apartment in sneakers? He'd probably bankai on the spot, uptight old ghost that he is. "I'm home!!" Ichigo yells, shutting the door loudly behind himself. And then he sees...?!
Orihime laughs. He's so sweet. "If you're sure," she smiles, her gaze moving upward to look at all that bright orange hair. She really...wants to fuzzle it. To see if it's spiky, or downy. Will it hurt? Will it feel like a baby chick? She's always wanted to find out, actually. But she's not sure if that would be going too far. Still. He's doing this for her sake, isn't he? Maybe it's okay...if it isn't, she'll retract her hand and apologize, then beat a hasty retreat home! ~Thank you,~ she thinks silently, stretching out her fingers...
Just in time for Ichigo to come home! Orihime freezes stock still, her hand just a fraction of an inch away from Kon's head. Ah--! /Ah/--! AH--! Oh no! OH NO! What's Ichigo going to think?! He might find out, he might--! (Well, no, he probably won't. He's a little dense in that department, isn't he?) Orihime's head jerks around to stare wide-eyed up at Ichigo, feeling her face turn hot. "G-good afternoon, Ichigo!" she greets him with flustered cheer. "I...I found bunnies for Rukia..." she points lamely towards the Kuchiki bedroom.
He really hated this, stuck in his little lie! He grunted something unintelligable to her, following her gaze up to his head, hair. What? What was so fascinating, watching her reach out as his stomach clenched, was she...was she going too-- and then he heard the key turn in the lock, and the door swing open. Oh god, the deadbolt! He forgot about it, the television was still out! HE HELD THE SHINIGAMI DEVIL'S TEA IN HIS HAND and was alone with A GIRL!!!
...Ichigo. Kon exhaled explosively in relief, he just saw his short, very short life flash before his eyes then he realised he was caught by the balls in another manner. OH SHIT IT'S ICHIGO! His knuckles were white about the cup-handle, his brown eyes flitting between Orihime and his 'twin'. "I..." Did she just say Ichigo? Wait, she knew all along? His mouth sort of opened and dropped.
She agreed to go to the zoo then with /him/?! Not that ass--
Fear, abject terror, shock, all of it turned to glee as that grin he had kept restrained burst out in pure white orbit-brightness!
...As Ichigo sees the scene before him, his expression somehow manages to go flatter. Why on Earth is Orihime reaching for Kon's hair? What /is/ that perverted Modsoul doing with /his (spare) body/?! But Orihime is speaking to him, so that takes priority, for the moment. A brief reprieve for Kon, perhaps. "Yo, Inoue." What's she flustered about? WHAT DID YOU DO, KON?! "...Bunnies? Like... Actual ones?" Because he doesn't think Byakuya would appreciate little rabbits crapping on his floor. ...Hey wait, maybe that's not so bad then.
However, it's Kon's big grin that draws Ichigo's attention back towards his 'twin', the gaze he gives the other strawberry blond boy rather suspicious. "The hell you grinnin' about?" he wonders, and it's only Orihime's presence that prevents him from going over there and kicking Kon in the face, even if it IS his. "Where'd you get a TV from, anyway?" Uh oh!
"Eh? You never had a TV before? But that's a crime!" They could go to jail for not having a TV, it's that terrible! Orihime looks between the two twins, stunned. Well, at least they have a TV /now/, so there's no way they can miss all the good shows. Thank goodness!
She laughs at Ichigo's question, then shakes her head. "Marshmallow ones! Ah, they're a bit old...leftover from Easter, actually...but I don't know if she'll want to eat them anyway, and they were on sale!" By female law, anything that was purchased on sale is ten times better than it would have been at regular price. "Anyway, I thought you'd be at the library a bit longer. Did you finish your homework already? That's incredible!" Hmmm...she should probably work on hers, but...she'll do that later. Right now, she'd much rather spend time with Ichigo and Kon!
Sorry, but Kon was too happy right now to care that Ichigo was having expressions of vague displeasure from stumbling upon this little parade. She'd known all along-- damn, unexpected, but whoo! She'd said yes to him, him! It was going to be great, they'd see the penguines and then, polar bears...and if she wanted to get a good view, why he'd happily jump her up to a good spot!
...All of these merry thoughts went on through the modsoul's mind, blotting out the brief exchange between Orihime and Ichigo. Bunnies, not important, never having television? Pass. Where Ichigo was? BORING--
Infact a few seconds of silence likely passed after that last question was posed to him, the modsoul busy staring off into space holding that cup halfway to his lips. "Huh?" The screen was flashing some trendy club scene as it followed the bikini modellers cavorts into the night life of this particular photoshoot and... "I get an allowance too you know! So what if I decided to buy one!" Knowing full well Byakuya practicall forbade it? Dangerous! "Not like if he doesn't need to know..." Muttering away, Kon defiantly got to his feet and suddenly, fell back down. OH GOD HIS BACK.
...Did he just spill a couple drops onto the cushions?
A... Crime? Ichigo's brow furrows in confusion at that, because it doesn't sound right. He just knows Byakuya doesn't approve of television, and as he doesn't really care one way or the other for it, he actually didn't fight the Captain tooth and nail on the subject. Kon, however, seems far more interested in that sort of thing. "Tch... Your funeral," Kurosaki says, shrugging his shoulders a bit. If Kon wants to be dumb, that's his own problem! Just so long as his body remains intact, it's fine with Ichigo.
"Well... She'll probably like 'em anyway," Ichigo says to Orihime, about the marshmallow rabbits. Somehow he doubts the tiny shinigami will even eat the things, even if they were fresh. As for his homework? "I didn't have that much left to do, so it went quick." And then Kon falls down like an idiot. "HEY! Be more careful with that body, stupid!"
Orihime blinks in concern as Kon drops. Goodness! She doesn't want him to spill hot tea on himself! At least it was just the cushions. Those should be okay! "Oh, ha ha, that was my fault!" Orihime raises her hand high in the air, like an overeager student begging to be called upon for the answer to a math question. "Kon said that his back hurt, training, you know, so I proudly delivered Arisawa's Hundred Hand Slaughter! It's a little numbing sometimes," she beams, shrugging her shoulders apologetically.
She can't possibly tell him that Kon was pretending to be Ichigo for her sake. And she still firmly believes that Kon was playing the role for purely unselfish reasons. Besides, she's not even sure that Kon knew she was aware! And he /did/ fool her at first, well done! Once she saw the television, though, well... It wasn't hard to figure out. Very few know Ichigo better than Orihime does. "We're going to go to the zoo after finals!" she announces happily.
Spilling the tea on himself would have been a better bet instead of...potientially staining the cushions. Byakuya was anal retentive enough to notice crumbs, spots, even the hint that someone may have been dirty standing next to his precious belongings! He grimaced where he sat, trying not to upset any more of the liquid, and not make it too obvious that Orihime's last massage was more...crippling than good. That numbness was starting to wear off, and the soreness set in.
"Hey, it's not like if I'm throwing myself at a Hollow or something!" Again, "See? See what abuse I have to put up with..." Kon groused, shooting Ichigo a glare, then looking all piteous at the soft-natured girl. "If he could I'm sure he'd step on me again." The plushie that the pair had bought upon fatefully meeting that day was actually tucked away in their shared room. A reminder of the past? A little nostalgia...and...who knows. A backup. So far Ichigo hadn't tried to stuff him back into it. Maybe it was because knocking him out of his body would have little use at this point!
Kon's already forgotten about his little scheming that could have blown up in his face. A little child-like sometimes in this, "He's...he's not invited!" Blurting out. Well, it'd make Orihime happier if he came along but, Ichigo'd totally cramp his style.
Hundred Hand... What? Ichigo can only imagine that it /would/ be rather numbing, yes. Especially considering who administered it. "Training? For soccer? I'd figure that'd be easy for you," he instead directs at Kon, sounding unimpressed! Is the Modsoul being lazy, letting his body get all flabby and slow? For shame, Kon! For shame! But no, even someone as naive and oblivious to such matters as Ichigo Kurosaki can tell just what was on the mind of his 'twin' in that situation. AND HE GOT EXACTLY WHAT HE DESERVED FOR IT.
Ichigo's mouth opens to say something about the zoo, but Kon is quicker on the draw, already making sure to reject him from possibly going along - as if Kurosaki would volunteer himself for such a thing! Except maybe to keep Orihime clear of Kon's grabby hands. Or Greed's grabby hands, because the homunculus is probably a big stalker. Or Setsuna's stabby sword. Instead, Ichigo just frowns at Kon. Frowns!
"Ah...!" Orihime glances between Kon and Ichigo, flustered. Oh no! It's just like the donuts all over again! Wh-what should she do?! "A-ah...i-is that okay, Ichigo? If you really want to go to the zoo, we can go on a different day!" Maybe she should rework her plans for the 16th. Instead of walking in the park, they can walk in the zoo? Yes, that works! She just doesn't want one of them yelling 'I quit!' and storming away forever, because that would be heart-breaking. And repetitive!
She turns to Kon, hoping to placate him and soothe his worries. "I-it's okay, Kon!" she reassures him, holding up her palms and lightly bobbing them forward and back. "Ichigo won't step on you, he's nice! I think you're both really nice, and...and...thank you for inviting me to the zoo!" She bows swiftly, then leaps to her feet, stumbling for the kitchen. Awkward. Too awkward! "I-I'll make you some tea, Ichigo!" He just got home, after all, he probably wants to relax!
For the first time today, Kon's scowl is all his own when he looked up at Ichigo. "Yeah well, soccer's no problem, but that damn football coach, you remember him right, Kenpachi?!" He jabbed a finger at his 'twin'. "Do you have any idea what I go through day to day just waiting on him to pounce me? It's about high time you reintroduce yourself to him and get him the hell off my back!" A lot more fight entering into his voice. "Him, soccer, class, I don't know how I have any freetime to relax at all..." More heated beneath the breath words.
Yeah! You go on and frown, see if he cared! And ontop of that trying to steal his bit? (Yes, the irony)...but it was only typical of Orihime to see both parties contented. And she was making him tea too? He grumbled to himself, taking a big long draught of his tea all angry like. And burnt his throat and tongue for it, still hot you see. "Aughkfg" Choking on it for a second while Orihime had already bolted for the kitchen.
Oh right... Zaraki. Ichigo looks decidedly unimpressed at Kon and is clearly not the slightest bit moved by the other boy's plight. "You're not supposed to have free time, s'what being a highschooler is all about. Y'know, /workin'/?" Honestly, Kon is just a big slacker like Keigo! Possibly even worse, since the Modsoul being lazy reflects poorly on Ichigo as well. As for Orihime, though. "'course, it's not like Kon here would do anythin' to you at the zoo, right?" Ichigo says to Orihime, almost rhetorically. And it might be a bit of a warning for his 'twin', too. Ichigo's got his eye on you, Kon!
"Eh?" What kind of things does Ichigo mean? She doubts Kon will kick her, or put embarrassing signs on her back. "Oh no, I trust Kon!" she laughs, relaxing a little as she pours a cup of water into the kettle to heat it once again. It shouldn't take long, since Kon's cup of tea was so recently fixed up. "And it really sounds like fun! There will be polar bears, and penguins... I can't wait!" she exclaims cheerfully, withdrawing another one of the elegant teacups and preparing more of the sacred Kuchiki tea. If only she /knew/ that a box of the cheaper stuff existed!
Once the tea is prepared, she presents it proudly to Ichigo. It's nice, really, to see to him after what was probably a long day of school and study. "It's a bit hot, so be careful," she warns with a gentle smile.
Why, why does he even try?! Halfway into clearing up his coughing, he sat up again. "Oh is that so? Well how's about I tell him where you live then!" The key flaw in this plan, was that it was also where /he/ lived, and godforbid he woke up to Kenpachi's leering face over him where he slept, and got mistaken for Ichigo there. The horrors, but Ichigo didn't know that! So it was a great threat, right? Cue up that second blitzing glare along the lines of 'and what is that supposed to mean?!' for the hidden threat.
...A little groping never hurt anyone!
"SEE" He almost tossed his hands up into the air, instead carefull he did so with...one hand. The other put the tea on the small table eventually. "She trust me! HA so THERE." In your face Kurosaki! No, this wasn't childish at all.
Finally removing his bookbag and setting it aside, Ichigo's brows raise at Kon's threat. HE sees the flaw in the Modsoul's plan almost immediately. "'course, you live here too," Kurosaki says, sounding quite pleased with himself for outthinking his supposed twin. "And if Zaraki shows up and totally wrecks the apartment..." Then Kon will have NOWHERE TO LIVE. Hu hu hu, not so clever now, is it?!
Meanwhile though, Orihime expresses her faith in Kon, and Kon gets all celebratory, while Ichigo gets some tea. "Thanks, Inoue," he half-mumbles. Well it /is/ nice of her, even if this isn't her house. In fact, she's the guest! "I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun." And that Kon will behave himself!
"Hee...! Yes," she holds her hands in front of her, looking down at her feet with a brilliant blush. It really will be fun... Even though the jig is up, Kon's still willing to take Orihime there. It'll be wonderful. It's a little embarrassing to know that Kon's aware of her deepest most private secret. She only ever told Tatsuki and Rangiku about her feelings for Ichigo. But if he's aware, then maybe she'll have someone to talk to about it once more. (She tried talking with Greed, but he just got angry and annoyed and stormed off.)
Her eyes flick towards Kon for a moment, then to Ichigo, and she smiles again. It's strange, being surrounded by Ichigos. But wonderful, too! The funny scowling face, the strength of his voice, the pride in his eyes, the way the sunset turns that orange hair into a brilliant flare of solar fire...
...Sunset...
OH NO!!! SUNSET!!! Orihime gasps, whirling to stare at the window as though it were a terrible monster. "Ah! I have to go! ...Ha ha!" she tosses in a quick laugh, so they won't worry. Orihime bolts to the door and throws it open, turning to wave back at the two. "I'm sorry! It's very abrupt, but I... I had fun!" She really did. If only she could stay with them longer...just a bit longer... Thank the stars for the long days of summer!
Damn, the dumbass was faster than he thought. "Fine, one of these days I'll just slip him your class schedule then. I don't care if the classrooms are trashed! That might give me some time off from those boring lectures." And then he gave an infuriating grin tht showed there was little flaw IN THAT SUCKER now was there! Really though, the two of them were like little children sometimes weren't they.
Kon snorted, clearly showing signs of jealousy as Orihime decided to make tea for Ichigo, settling back with folded arms to sulk. He caught the undertones. Infact, between that and suddenly her making her depature-- "Already?" Disappointed marked on his face, those wrinkly scowly-brows were gone, replaced with an expression that was all Kon. Must be weird for Ichigo sometimes, if he still wasn't used to it.
He just about got out one last wave before he's left all alone with his twin...and the room is a whole lot less brighter than it was seconds before. Thanks for bringing your gloomy rainclouds Ichigo! The modsoul might aswell pack away his things before the true demon arrived...
No, in all probability Ichigo will never get used to seeing Kon with his face. Even in the months they've been here, even in all the time back in Karakura... Not ever. It's creepy! It's weird! It's deeply wrong! But more importantly, Ichigo is left staring bewildered as Orihime takes off like that, and it takes him a few moments to process it. "Uh... Wait, Inoue, I'll walk you home..." Yeah, with Setsuna and who knows what else out there? He'd rather be safe than sorry, which is why he sets the tea down on the table without drinking it, and gets his shoes back on before hurrying after Orihime.
Now Kon can explain why there's /more than one/ cup of Byakuya's tea out when the Captain returns home!
Orihime is THIS close to closing the door in Ichigo's face. But if he walks her home, who's going to walk HIM home?
No, she chides herself, she shouldn't worry. Ichigo's encountered Setsuna twice and done just fine. Still, she can't help regarding him and his offer with hesitation. "N-no, it's okay, I'll be all..." He's already putting on his shoes. "I'll..." And he's hurrying after her. "Ah--okay..." Orihime relents, her heart beating just a little faster. She did want him to say yes. And if she didn't accept, he'd probably worry about her, wouldn't he? She grips her hand a little tighter as she backs away from the door and into the far end of the hallway, making room for Ichigo to emerge. He just got home, too. All ready to relax and drink tea and fight with Kon! Yet here he is, ready to step out again just to keep an eye on her.
It's very touching to Orihime. She's lucky to have a friend like him.
"Thank you, Ichigo. You're so nice," she beams, and glances at her watch. She'll time the length of their trip. Add five minutes. Then call his apartment and ask if she left her coat there. She didn't, of course, but she'll want to know if Ichigo got home safely. If he's going to look out for her, then the least she could do is return the favor.