Yesterday's been laid to rest, changing of the guard [open!]

[flight_15]

Characters: Ichigo Kurosaki and anyone on the Amestris
Content: HATERS GONNA HATE. No really, this is Ichigo giving up on his reputation and getting on with his life. He hasn't been hiding out in his room or avoiding anyone--actually, he seems strangely confident. ALSO FEEL FREE TO NOTICE A RING HE'S WEARING. ON HIS LEFT RING FINGER. Surely

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[regendrache]

Uryuu was rather happily on his way to the mess hall - the ghosts were gone, and while he didn't know how, he found he didn't particularly care right now. They had been annoying.

A shock of bright-orange hair out of the corner of his eye distracted him from his internal train of thoughts. Speaking of things that were annoying... He gave Ichigo a small glare. "What are you doing here? I thought you left."

[flight_15]

Ichigo turned to look at the exorcist, puzzled more than annoyed. "Huh? Why would you think that I--oh," he said, realizing his mistake with a sheepish scratching at the back of his neck. "I guess I forgot to tell you. Since those ghosts were here because of me, I had to cut off access to my spiritual powers." It had been that or leave the ship -- and though Uryuu might have been pleased if Ichigo had done the latter, the pilot was glad he'd been able to stay here.

[regendrache]

Uryuu's slight glare didn't quite fade. He'd hoped to be free of the idiot mercenary and the pack of trouble that inevitably trailed after him. Though if what he said was true... "Well, I suppose this means you won't give me any more headaches, at least."

[flight_15]

Ichigo closed his eyes, shrugging carelessly. "Yeah, sorry to disappoint you, but I'm planning on sticking around for a while," he said, not sounding sorry at all. The illusion was further ruined by a sideways grin. "Looks like you'll just have to deal with me."

Yeah, Ishida was kind of an annoying guy, but he was good to have at your back in a fight. Ichigo didn't know how good the security forces on this ship were, but it was good to know there were people here he could count on, like Ishida and Zeetha.

[regendrache]

Uryuu pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and huffed slightly. "Well, I suppose if I hadn't strangled you in frustration yet..." Kurosaki had some good things going for him. Not a lot, mind, but some. And Uryuu had to admit that the lack of headache-inducing power leak was a point in his favor, right now.

[flight_15]

"Did it really bother you that much?" Ichigo asked, curious. As someone completely oblivious to spiritual energy unless it was overwhelming and right on top of him, he couldn't really imagine what it'd be like to be bombarded with someone's presence all the time.

[regendrache]

Uryuu just...stared, for a full moment at Ichigo, as his mind scrambled to pull together an appropriate retort. "Bother me?" he said with incredulity laced heavily with sarcasm. "Having a near-constant headache? The magical equivalent of non-stop ringing in my ears? You might as well have been shouting 'Look everyone, I'm over here!' without stopping to breathe!"

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Ichigo simply stared right back, surprised but not really fazed by the sudden onslaught. Watanuki was louder. "Whoa, I had no idea," he said. "Don't you have some kind of Quincy technique to block it out or something?" Ishida was the only one who'd been bothered enough by it to complain, anyway.

[regendrache]

Ichigo had, Uryuu reflected, a really punchable face. Particularly when he was showing his stunning lack of intellect like this. If Uryuu was more inclined to impulsive behavior, he might have done something with this fact. Luckily for Ichigo, he was not, and simply ground his teeth a little harder instead before answering. "Not for your level of power. If I could, I'd have done something about it years ago."

[flight_15]

"Oh." Ichigo looked down at the sealing-ring on his finger. "Good thing you don't have to deal with that anymore." It wasn't that he didn't give a fuck about Ishida's predicament, but the problem was solved now. Why kick up unnecessary grief about it? That was why his manner was as chill as it was.

[regendrache]

Uryuu was on the verge of launching into another tirade at Ichigo's complete and utter nonchalance - his eyes, however, followed Ichigo's glance, and for a moment he simply stared at the ring as words escaped him. After a moment of stunned quiet, the gears in his head started moving again, and he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "You got married?!"

Not the most intelligent thing he had ever said, really.

[flight_15]

"What? No!!" Ichigo shouted right back, an embarrassed flush creeping up into his face. Jeez, was everyone going to think that?! "This is the thing that's sealing my spirit energy!"

He'd kicked up a fuss about having to wear it on that finger, but there was nothing to be done about it if Ichigo wanted the rings to work.

[regendrache]

"A wedding ring?" Incredulity and skepticism warred with each other in Uryuu's voice. If it was true - and he had to admit the idea of the orange-haired idiot finding someone actually willing to tie the knot him was pretty unbelievable itself - someone was having a joke at Ichigo's expense. He couldn't help but approve a little.

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"I didn't have much of a choice," Ichigo deadpanned, pulling a face. "The witch said it wouldn't work if I didn't wear it on this finger." He had his doubts, of course, and suspected that Yuuko had been far more amused by the situation than she should have been, but Ichigo had no room to complain. It was working, wasn't it? That was the important thing.

[regendrache]

Uryuu snickered slightly. Definitely someone having a joke at Ichigo's expense, then. "Of course she did. Everything else is just an unfortunately misunderstanding, right?"

[flight_15]

"Shut up," Ichigo griped, scowling. "This wedding ring is what's keeping that headache of yours away. Don't knock it."