Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Jealousy ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any affiliates of Bleach.

 

Chapter 2

 

“Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.”

H.G. Wells

 

“Kurosaki-kun.”

 

Ichigo turned at the sound of Orihime's voice. His bag was propped over his shoulder—as usual—and Rukia was beside him. She gave Orihime a smile and asked, “Hi Orihime, how are you?”

 

Orihime looked down at her shoes and blushed slightly. “I'm fine, Kuchiki-san.”

 

Rukia's brow crease with a small frown. Orihime had always regarded her with respect, but never so coldly.

 

“I was wondering if I could talk to Ichigo.” Orihime said, her eyes still glued to her shoes. “Alone.”

 

“Eh?” Ichigo started. He looked over at Orihime and then at Rukia, who shrugged and turned. “I'll see you at home.” She said before walking off.

 

Orihime saw the way his eyes wandered as Rukia walked off. She could see the shine in his eyes as he stared hungrily after her. Hungrily? Was that the word? She thought quietly. Yes, yes it was, his eyes were raking over her body, as if picturing her without any clothes.

 

Once Rukia turned the corner, Ichigo redirected his attention to Orihime. “Yeah, was there something you wanted to tell me?” He asked, his cocky and oh so confident grin plastered on his face.

 

“Uhn,” Orihime muttered, shuffling her feet. “Do you think we could walk?” She asked him. Suddenly, her face changed and she beamed at Ichigo, with a look of surprise from him she rushed forward and grasped his arm, linking them. Orihime smiled shyly as she thought about how they looked, like lovers. She brushed the thought away and began to walk towards the park.

 

On the way towards the forested area Orihime talked of nonsensical things, of her latest recipes, how Tatsuki was faring, the new shirt she had commissioned from Ishida, and her latest school assignments.

 

Ichigo listened patiently, but it seemed as if his mind wandered while she was talking to him. Orihime would steal glances at him as they strolled; his lack of attention annoyed her while his otherworldliness astounded her. She smiled at him and blushed slightly.

 

“Kurosaki-kun…” she murmured as they continued to walk, her arm—still linked in Ichigo's—tightened fractionally. “Do you… do you like Kuchiki-san?”

 

Ichigo looked down at her and frowned, “I hope you're referring to the girl one.” He said smartly.

 

Orihime laughed and waved her hand in the air, “Of course! Of course! Not Byakuya! I know, I know! Kami Kurosaki-kun! That was funny.”

 

Ichigo lifted a single eyebrow as she continued laughing.

 

It wasn't that funny. He thought realistically.

 

“No,” she said, her thoughts returning to the task at hand. “But, do you?”

 

“Like Rukia?” Ichigo asked. For a moment his mind turned. A dark room. A single candle glowing near the corner. A panting woman. The shredding of clothing. The moans of contentment. Nails like knives raining upon his skin. Sweat kissing his forehead. The slick sound of skin as it slid sensually. The scream of satisfaction.

 

Ichigo blushed and nodded. “Yeah, I like Rukia, I mean, I've known her for a while now, and we've both been through so much. It's like we… I dunno, connect. Ya know?”

 

Orihime nodded and tightened her grip even more. “She's strong.”

 

Ichigo nodded, “Yeah, she's strong.”

 

“And brave.” She said.

 

“Definitely.” Ichigo agreed, his smile growing.

 

“And pretty.” She said, her voice going darker.

 

“Yeah, she—” Ichigo stopped and frowned down at her. “Orihime, where are you getting with this?”

 

She let go of his arms and crossed them underneath her breasts. Breasts she dreamed of him touching.

 

“It's nothing, Kurosaki-kun.” She whispered, stopping a few steps away from him. “I just wish that sometimes I could be more like Kuchiki-san. Strong, brave, beautiful.”

 

“More like Rukia?” Ichigo asked, “Why would you want to be more like Rukia?”

 

“Kuchiki-san, Kuchiki-san, Kuchiki-san!” Orihime exploded suddenly, her arms tightening. “Save her Ichigo, rescue her Ukitake, heal her Hanatarou, help her Byakuya! Why are so many people focusing their attentions on her? You, her brother, Aizen, the Bounto… you. While I'm… I'm just a useless piece of dead weight.”

 

Ichigo swallowed slightly and looked over at Orihime. “What are you talking about?” He asked her inquiringly. “Orihime, you're not a dead weight, and there is nothing wrong with you.”

 

“Yes there is Ichigo!” She shouted, turning around. Ichigo would have almost been frightened at her actions if he had not seen tears in her eyes. “You know Ichigo, when we were rescuing Kuchiki-san I didn't do anything! I sat there and watched as Ishida fought to protect me, I rode on Kenpachi's back when I could have walked, I was tucked away safely when you were battling to live, and I—and I—” She hugged herself tighter and looked down at the ground.

 

Ichigo stared, completely dumbfounded, not knowing what to say or do. He stunk at comforting people, he hated being around women who cried, and he couldn't think of a single thing to say to her that would calm her down.

 

“That's not true, Orihime!” He said, coming forward, his hand hovering over her arm, not quite sure he actually wanted to touch it. “You—you, you, um… you healed Jidanbou-san, when he was injured! You even healed me, when I was almost dead. If not for you, I wouldn't be standing here!”

 

“Yes,” Orihime spat, glaring at the ground, her tears evaporating from her eyes. “Orihime the medicine woman, Orihime the healer, Orihime the dead weight. If I'm not healing someone I'm getting into trouble and then people have to come and save me. Yes, I'm simply fantastic. I'm almost as helpful as Ishida-kun.” She fumed, turning away from him.

 

Ichigo recoiled and glared at Orihime. “That was low.” He said darkly.

 

Orihime gave him a swift look before gathering up her back pack and dashing off into the woods.

 

Ichigo glared at her back and watched her retreat.

 

“I'm just a useless piece of dead weight.”

 

Ichigo's frown deepened and he shook his head. Maybe she was just moody, he had noticed she was a bit more tired lately; it was probably the coming exams that had her on edge. Ichigo sighed and turned around to head home. It just wasn't like Orihime to be like that, cruel. Ishida was one of her closest friends; she wouldn't just say something like that to him. Ichigo knew that after everything Ishida went though to protect her in the Soul Society… and after, that she would never say something that harsh.

 

Ichigo shrugged his shoulders and made his way home.

 

But it was probably just the stress of exams.