Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ The Project ❯ A Lazy Sunday Afternoon ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach; I just enjoy the anime, perhaps too much since I'm writing this. Anyway, Kubo Tite owns Bleach, not me, so don't sue. I'm just a lazy-assed teenager who likes to write.

 

A/N: I know that I haven't updated in a while, but here is chapter four of seven. I'm sorry for my long period of absence, I've been really busy recently and this is the first time in a while I'm able to update my fic. Enjoy.

 

A Lazy Sunday Afternoon

 

 

“Orihime… you look beautiful.” Ishida looked with awe at his red headed girlfriend across the room.

 

“Thanks, Uryuu.” Inoue shifted her gaze as a small blush crept up her cheeks. She still wasn't used to him complimenting her like that, although it was a nice change of pace.

 

Ishida wanted to keep the conversation up, the last time there was an awkward silence, he ended up in bed with her. He still wasn't sure how far she was planning to let their relationship progress so soon, “So… are you feeling better? After the shower and all?”

“Yeah, it really was nice to clear my head. Thanks again.” Her eyes were browsing over the walls of his living room, trying to find something to talk about. A small picture frame of an older man caught her eye. “Who is that?” he finger lifted up to point to a gray haired man in the photo, “Is that you he's standing with?”

 

“He was my sensei, and grandfather. He taught me all about being a Quincy. How to use a spiritually powered bow, how to channel my reaitsu, how to defeat a hollow, everything I know about being a Quincy is from his teachings…” Ishida looked away; still a bit angry at how his grandfather was killed-at the hands of a vile Hollow.

 

Inoue moved closer to the picture, hoping to get a better look at Ishida when he was younger. “You look so cute here,” she moved a bit so that he could see what she was talking about. “You look like you're having a lot of fun with your grandfather.”

 

“He took that when I mastered my technique. He was so proud of me to do that. He said I even finished it before my father did at his age.”

 

`Wow, Uryuu, you're so talented…' “So, why isn't your father a Quincy like you?”

 

“My father decided that being a Quincy was not worthwhile, seeing as in there is no `true' gain from helping people. As you can tell, I have different morals. That's why I left home two years ago. I needed to prove to him that being a Quincy was important, but he doesn't care. To him, I'm nothing more than a blinded son who can't focus on the real meaning of the world.”

 

“I'm sorry to hear that, Uryuu.” `You've had a much worse childhood than I did. You had to hide your proud heritage and amazing abilities while I only received mine a couple of months ago.' Inoue thought of how unfair it was for someone like him to be brought down, only because he needed to help her.

 

“It's no big deal; I've already proven myself. That was enough for me.” Only a trained professional could pick up on the slight discontent in his voice and even they would have a hard time doing so. “Now then, what do you want to do today? We still have to work on the project but we got a lot of it done yesterday. We can put it off until later if you would like.”

 

“We don't have to work on it? That doesn't sound like something you would say, you're usually so punctual, Uryuu.” She teased lightly. There was still a lot she didn't know about her new boyfriend. He seemed completely different at home, away from others at school.

 

“Well, I usually wouldn't do this either…” he moved swiftly closer, taking her into an embrace. Her eyes flashed in a bit in surprise but settled after realizing what was happening. Slowly his face lowered unto hers as he gently laid his lips against her skin. He felt her go limp into his arms, already enjoying what he was doing to her. Inoue muttered something incoherent as he gave her a small kiss, only to stand up and finish cleaning up his table. `I hope you liked that, Orihime.'

 

`Wow, he really is different at home. That was… so… wonderful and unexpected! I hope he does that more often.' Inoue regained her composure, still unsure of what else might come her way. “We could go out if you want; I think I might need a change of clothes from my apartment…that is… if I might be… staying here, again…”

 

`Did she just ask to stay over again tonight? Maybe I heard her wrong…?' `Well she did agree to taking a nap with you, she might want to stay the night again.' `That's good and all, but would it be like last night or this afternoon?' `Probably the former… that's not that big of a deal, is it? You managed just fine earlier.' `What if she has more than just `sleeping' planned though?' `…' `That's what I thought too…' “Uh… if you want to stay over… then, I guess we need to get some clean clothes for you then…” `Why are things like this hard? Damn awkward moments…'

 

Inoue had moved over to the couch where she had fallen asleep last night. Their work had been put away and organized into a neat pile at the far end of the table. Her eyes once again surveyed the walls, hoping to find more pictures of Ishida when he was younger. She shifted her attention to him as he walked near her. “So what do you usually do on the weekends? I might go to one of Tatsuki's matches, but she doesn't have one today.”

 

“I study or sew. I don't do much other than that, except going to the store. I occasionally go on Sundays.” `Wow… that sounds really sad. I should find more stuff to do...' “I think I might need to go sometime soon. Other than that, I have nothing to do.”

 

“How about I go pick up some clothes while you go get some groceries and then we can meet somewhere later so that we can have something to eat. Does that sound okay?”

 

Ishida looked down at his pale eyed girlfriend, admiring her beauty. “That sounds fine. Is that going to be okay to go across town in?” he asked pointing out her clothes.

 

Inoue herself forgot what she was wearing, “Yeah, I think these will be fine,” she replied after looking at the loose fitting clothing. `This is really comfortable… why can't the school uniforms be more like this?'

 

“Okay, do you need anything else before we leave? Wait, that reminds me… hang on.” Ishida rushed back to his bedroom to grab her clothes. He returned with them in hand, “I'll wash these while we're gone.”

 

“Thanks, Uryuu.”

 

---

 

`Okay, now I used most of my rice this morning with breakfast. I need to get some more. And some more juice. I'm almost out of that too… maybe some more bread for later.'

Ishida continued going down the mental list of what he needed, thinking of everything he might need for the next week. `I probably should get more than usual since Orihime might be staying over more frequently. I'm not really used to guests… How much should I get?' He looked down at the line of fruit out on display. `Should I get some fruit too? What type did she say she likes…? Was it strawberries or cherries? I'll just get both then…'

 

---

 

Inoue opened her door and crept in, fumbling for the light switch as she slipped off her shoes. “It's nice to be home,” she murmured to herself. “Now I just need to get some clothes and I'll be set.” `How much should I bring? Maybe two day's worth…?' `No that seems to be too much. Just a set to change into and one for tomorrow.' `But Monday is a holiday. That means we don't have school. And besides, I already have my supplies at Uryuu's apartment…' `Then maybe two day's worth would be better… how will he react to that, though, it's not like he's the type to be too comfortable to have a girl spend several nights with…' `I think he'll be fine with it.' She finished packing her clothes and prepared to leave to meet Ishida at a nice restaurant for some sushi. `I think this lunch will count as our first public date, right? I wasn't technically with him yesterday. I wonder how he feels about people knowing we're together.' `It's doubtful he'll do what he did earlier out in public…' `Too bad, that was fun and exciting. Since when was he so spontaneous?' She kept thinking of his little surprise as she closed and locked the door to her apartment.

 

---

 

`I think this is everything I'll need… maybe I should get Orihime something…' he thought as he headed to small corner filled with brightly colored flowers. He picked out some from a group of yellow roses and began heading to the register. A display case caught his eye, filled with boxes of varying sizes. `Condoms… will I need some?' `Don't be stupid, she only told you she loves you this morning. Don't you think that this is a bit wishful thinking?' `Yeah, probably best to wait…although this does seem to be moving pretty fast. Maybe a box wouldn't hurt…just in case.' `Until she finds them and wonders why you have them in your apartment. Isn't it possible she'll start thinking you're expecting a lot so soon? It may end up badly…' `I'll hide them or something. I just don't want to get caught off guard… we are teenagers...who love each other.

 

He moved through the line after taking a box, nonchalantly placing it amongst his other items. Ishida kept his head low and paid. `Now I just need to meet up with Ori-`

 

“Hey Ishida, what are you doing here?”

 

He looked up suddenly, forced from his inner thought. `Damn it Kurosaki, why now?' “Uh… I needed some groceries. Why?”

 

“No reason, just wondering…” replied the orange haired teen. “Ishida,” Ichigo continued, this time with his voice down, “is it just me or are there a lot of Hollows recently? I've been out for hours some nights and they just keep coming, no matter how many I've killed. What about you?”

 

“It does seem like something is up, although I haven't had much trouble myself.” `Just keep it cool, he can't tell you've lost your powers. Stupid idiot can't even pick up a difference in reiatsu. Unlike Orihime, her powers seem focused on the flow of a being's power. It's amazing how well she picked up on it…' “I haven't sensed anything today yet, you?”

 

“Only a small one but I got rid of it on my way here, even before the detector Soul Society gave me could trace it. Something just doesn't seem right in the atmosphere, you know?” They continued walking in the general direction of were Ishida was heading. “Last night there was a bad storm but it didn't seem to hinder their activity at all. There must have been six during the entire time I was out on patrol. The only thing is… they were acting differently. Almost organized.”

 

This grabbed Ishida's full attention. “What do you mean `organized'?” His concern was hardly evident but it was there.

 

“I can't really explain it, but it looked like they were attacking in pairs. Like they could coordinate their attacks against me. It feels like something is going on in Hueco Mundo and it just keeps reminding me of what happened in Sould Society. About Aizen and all… What do you think? Am I just being paranoid or what?”

 

“What has Sado said on the matter? It's likely he has been fighting them more recently too.”

 

“I was on my way to ask him the same thing when I bumped into you. I tried to call Inoue last night to see if she's noticed something but I couldn't reach her at all. Have you seen her?”

 

`What do I say?' `Just keep it bland…' “Yeah, she was over at my place working on our project. I'll let her know what you said when I see her next. Is that it?”

 

“Oh, alright then. Thanks. Let me know if you notice some strange behavior too. I'm going to try to at least talk to Urahara-san later. Just be careful until I get some more info.”

 

---

 

Inoue walked cheerfully down the street, looking up at the sky as the clouds above her moved lazily over the horizon. She was in a great mood. A better one than normal, this one seemed so natural, so genuine. It felt amazing. `I wonder if Uryuu is done shopping yet. Maybe I'm running late to meet him… I should hurry up some, but it just feels good out today. I'm sure that he won't mind if I linger a bit longer…'

 

Across the sky to the north, a small hole in space opened as a Hollow emerged, hungry for energy.