"Oi, Rukia! Get up!" Ichigo yelled, pounding his fist against Rukia's door like a hammer, "If you don't get up now you'll be late for school!"
"…"
"RUKIA!" Ichigo was about to slam his fist down one last time when the door suddenly swung open. "Finally you're awake—" Ichigo paused when he noticed the state Rukia was in. "When did you come back from the grave?"
Rukia glared up at him as much as she could. She was still in her pajamas with her hair all disheveled and eyes bloodshot red. "Your sarcasm will only lead you to an early grave, so I advise you to keep your mouth shut," she growled before pushing past him and heading towards the bathroom.
But before she could reach too far, Ichigo grabbed her elbow and stopped her. "What's wrong?" he asked in a serious tone.
"What are you talking about?" Rukia groaned, obviously annoyed. She rolled her arm to release herself from his grasp but Ichigo only held on tighter. "Will you let go? Like you said, if I don't get ready now, then I'm going to be late for school."
Ichigo ignored her remark and placed his free hand on her forehead, feeling her temperature. "I don't think so. You have a high fever right now. I advise you to stay home."
"Don't be stupid," Rukia slapped his hand away, "I haven't missed a single day of school before so there's no way I'm going to start now."
Ichigo sighed, grabbing her again when she tried to walk away. "Rukia, I'm serious. I advise you to stay home."
"Ichigo let go," she growled in frustration, "Besides, how would you know if this is serious or not? Last time I checked you're not a doctor."
"No, I'm not. But my father is and I attended medical school for several years so I know all the symptoms of a bad flu. So I advise you to stay home before you get others sick," Ichigo glared.
Rukia sighed. Snapping her arm back she continued her way back to the bathroom. "I don't care; I'm going to go get ready."
Before Ichigo could retort, Rukia slammed the door against his nose. He let out a deep sigh. "Rukia, will you please listen to me just this once." But instead of getting any reply all he heard was the water running, loudly, blocking out any other sound. "Stubborn bitch," Ichigo glared at the door before making his way towards the kitchen.
There was still a good thirty minutes before school started, which let him enough time to quickly brew up some warm soup. He grabbed a small pot and quickly poured in a can of soup and placed it on top of the stovetop. Time passed as Ichigo prepared the soup and squeezed a pair of fresh orange juice into a cup. As the water from the bathroom stopped, Ichigo checked his watch and sighed. When he heard the bathroom door open, Ichigo shouted out, "I have to get going right now."
"Fine," Rukia called out in a scratchy voice.
"I have some soup out here on the table and a glass of juice. Eat some of it before you leave the house," he said.
"…whatever," Rukia replied.
If it were someone else they might have taken Rukia's reaction as inconsiderate, but Ichigo's been living with her long enough to understand that she was grateful but her stupid pride wouldn't let her say it. With a smirk, Ichigo grabbed his bag and left the apartment, heading towards school.
Summer is just around the corner… how could she have possible gotten a cold? Ichigo thought to himself as he walked, must be because of her cold personality.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Kurosaki-sensei!"
Ichigo looked up and smiled at the students and staff members as he arrived at school. "Ohayo," he greeted back. He made his way towards his private office and settled down on his desk after closing the door. Looking around his desk, Ichigo let out a sigh. He should be getting ready for class…but something else was occupying his mind. He looked at the clock and frowned.
8:10 am.
There was still twenty minutes before class was to start. Ichigo grabbed his cellphone and quickly called a number.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Ichigo patiently waited as the ringing continued on the other line.
Ring. Ring. Ri—"What?"
Ichigo smirked before replying, "Where are you now?"
"…Fuck you," Rukia groaned over the phone, "I'm almost there so don't bother me."
"You really need to work on your speaking skills. I'm still your teacher," Ichigo teased before becoming serious, "But you did eat the soup, right?"
"Yes, so will you stop bothering me,"Ichigo could feel Rukia glaring through the phone.
"I will when you stop being such a bitch," Ichigo replied just before Rukia hung up on him. He glared at the phone before grabbing some stack of paper and going through the materials. For some reason, after talking to Rukia, Ichigo felt like a small load was off his shoulders so he could concentrate on his work.
He pulled out one of Shakespeare's play from his bag and returned to rummage through his bag to get some papers when his hand suddenly collided with something hard.
"What the—" Ichigo grabbed the small object and pulled it out. In his hand was another copy of the Shakespeare play that he had on his desk. Confused, Ichigo flipped open the cover page and read the name of the owner. He couldn't help smirking upon seeing the name.
"Dumbass," he whispered before placing the second copy on top of the papers that he was going to take to class.
In a matter of minutes the bell rang signaling the start of class. Ichigo gathered his materials and made his way to class. From outside the classroom, he could see his students still fooling around. But that didn't bother him.
What was bothering him was that Rukia was looking even paler than she was when he woke her up.
With a deeper frown, Ichigo slid open the door and walked in. "Calm down and get back to your seats!" he shouted over the noise. Everyone returned to their seats and quieted as Ichigo went to the front and called out attendance.
After Rukia raised her hand to indicate she was 'here,' she dropped her head on her desk and rested there while Ichigo continued with attendance.
"Psst. Rukia, you okay?"
Rukia responded with only a groan.
Renji leaned forward even more and tapped her shoulder. "You sick?"
"…yeah," she replied.
"You want me to take you to the nurse's office?" he asked in worry. He's known Rukia for years but he could barely remember a day when she was this sick.
"No," Rukia quietly moaned, "I'll be fine."
"You two! Quit your yapping and open your book to Act III Scene VII," Ichigo called out to them.
"Hai," Renji responded before grabbing his Shakespeare book.
Rukia sent Ichigo a small glare before rummaging through her bag, looking for her book. But no matter how many times she rummaged through her bag, she couldn't find her book anywhere.
"Matsumoto, Hinamori and Mizurio, please read from the first line," he called out.
"Hai," they replied before standing up and reading the play out loud.
Rukia started panicking. The three already started reading but she still couldn't find her book! Never had she forgotten something for school. And what happens if Ichigo suddenly calls on her? Just then, Ichigo started walking around class with his one hand holding up his book in front of his face and the other hand hidden behind his back. He was slowly walking towards Rukia, who was still silently rummaging her bag.
If Ichigo finds out I left my book at home, he's going to hang this over my head forever! Rukia thought. She was starting to sweat as Ichigo approached. The hand that was behind his back was starting to move forward and Rukia shut her eyes tight waiting for him to point out she wasn't reading along with everyone else, and then—
She heard a small thunk on her desk and Ichigo's footsteps walking past her. Rukia peeked open one eye to see Ichigo gone and her book on her desk. Confused as to what just happened, Rukia turned around but Ichigo continued walking around class through the aisles.
Luckily nobody seemed to have saw Ichigo place the book on her desk because they were all too busy trying to stay in line with what the three were reading.
Rukia looked at the book on her desk and stared at it for awhile. She lifted the front cover and there it was: her name. But why did Ichigo have her book? With a sigh, Rukai grabbed her book and quickly opened to the page as Matsumoto started to read her next line.
As soon as she opened to current page, a piece of paper fell out and onto Rukia's lap. She picked it up and read the single word written on it.
Dumbass.
Rukia glared before crumbling the paper in her little fist.
Rukia let out a low growl as she rested her warm head against the cool desk.
"You really look like shit," Renji said.
"Thanks a lot," Rukia glared.
Tatsuki reached over and placed a hand on her friend's forehead. "You're really heating up. You sure you don't want to go home?"
Rukia shook her head against the desk after Tatsuki pulled her hand back. "Summer break is almost here, which means exams are coming up."
Hinamori released a sigh as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll take notes for you so why don't you go home?"
"Thanks for your consideration Momo, but I really don't want to leave in the middle of school. Besides," she looked up and gave her friends the best reassuring smile she could muster, "There's only two more hours of school left."
"Is my lovely Kuchiki-san sick?" Keigo jumped in front of them and started to cry, "Why are you suddenly ill, my love? Your pain is my pain and it hurts!" he dramatically shouted as he grabbed his shirt by his heart.
Rukia only grunted before facing downwards on the desk again.
Renji grabbed Rukia's bag and started going through her stuff. "Hey Tatsuki, get her a water bottle," he said before pulling out her small bottle of aspirin. "This should help her out a bit."
Tatsuki quickly went out the room and returned with a water bottle. "Here you go." She handed Rukia the water while Renji placed a single aspirin on Rukia's other hand.
"Thanks," Rukia groaned before taking the aspirin.
As soon as the little pill was forced down her throat the bell rung and break was over. The others returned to their respectful seats when Ishida-sensei walked in.
"Okay guys, let's get started," Uryuu said as he started writing out a problem on the board.
Rukia pulled out her notebook and started to take down notes… but slowly, with each passing minute, her eyesight started to get really blurry.
"Kuchiki, will you answer—Kuchiki? Are you okay?"
Startled, Rukia looked up to see Uryuu looking at her with a worried expression.
"Are you alright?" Uryuu asked again.
"H-hai," she answered, "Just a little dizzy."
Uryuu eyed Rukia for a second before looking up at Renji. "Abarai, can you please take Kuchiki to the nurse's office?"
"Hai—"
"No!" Rukia held up her hands and shook them in front of her face, stopping Renji in his seat. "I'm fine, really. There's no need to worry, Ishida-sensei."
"You sure?" Uryuu asked.
Rukia nodded her head. "Hai."
Behind her, Renji sat back down but placed a hand on her shoulder. "If you're not feeling well then tell me. I'll take you straight to the nurse's office."
Rukia nodded at him before looking back at the board where Uryuu started to continue class. She took in a deep breath and took down notes, but her head wasn't getting any better.
Ring ring ring!
The bell finally rung after a long, excruciating hour of Ishida-sensei talking about nothing but photosynthesis. It should have been bliss but the bell just added to Rukia's pain.
"Rukia, I really think you should go lay down for a bit," Tatsuki said.
Rukia sighed. "Maybe I should," she finally gave in.
"Let me help you," Renji said as he started to get up.
"No," Rukia interrupted him again, "I can go by myself."
Renji watched as Rukia made her way to the door. "You sure?"
"Yes so don't—" Rukia turned around to reassure her friends with a smile, but she must have turned around a bit too quickly because suddenly everything became fuzzy and she started to fall back.
"RUKIA!" they all shouted out to her.
Renji jumped up and rushed forward but…
Rukia was already halfway out the door when she suddenly started to fall backwards. In her dizzy state, she expected to hit the hard ground when instead she landed on something soft and hard at the same time.
Renji slowed down when he noticed that someone else seemed to have caught Rukia from the other side of the door. He looked over to see none other than Kurosaki-sensei holding onto a barely unconscious Rukia.
"Rukia!" Tatsuki pushed passed the red head and quickly knelt beside them. "Ichigo, is she okay?" she asked him.
Ichigo placed his hand on her forehead and his frown deepened. "She's worse than before…" he mumbled before standing up with Rukia in his arms, an arm around her shoulders and the other one under her knees. "I'm taking her to the nurse's office," he told Tatsuki as he quickly made his way down the hall.
Ikkaku and Yumichikia appeared beside Renji. "Looks like she was worse than what she was really letting on," Ikkaku said.
Renji didn't reply. In fact, he hadn't moved after seeing Rukia in Ichigo's arms. Maybe it was because he felt like it should have been him to catch Rukia, or maybe because it was the worried look Ichigo had on as he looked down at her.
But what bothered him the most was what Ichigo mumbled.
"She's worse than before…"
How would he know that?
Ichigo was on his way to his office when suddenly he saw Rukia falling backwards, out the door. Without thinking he charged forward and luckily caught her before she could hit the ground.
"Rukia," he softly breathed out when he caught her.
Rukia, who was about to pass out, lightly opened her eyes to see who caught her. "Ichigo…" she whispered before blacking out.
"Rukia!" Tatsuki ran towards them and knelt next to them. "Ichigo, is she okay?"
Ichigo barely heard what Tatsuki said. He placed his hand on Rukia's forehead to feel her temperature. "She's worse than before…" he thought out loud. If he didn't know any better it seemed like her temperature might be over a hundred degrees.
He collected her limp body into his arms and said, "I'm taking her to the nurse's office," before quickly making his way down the hall.
He didn't care who he passed or who he knocked over. Ichigo was in hurry to get Rukia to the nurse's office. When he arrived, he used his feet to slide open the door. "Inoue!"
Orihime looked up from her desk when she heard her name. "Kurosaki-kun!" she jumped up with a huge smile, "Did you need me?"
Ichigo stepped in and nodded his head towards the beds. "Where can I place her?"
"Who—" Orihime looked down to finally notice an unconscious Rukia in his arms. "Oh my! Please place her over here," she led them towards one of the empty beds (though it wouldn't have mattered since they were all empty) and lifted the covers.
Ichigo gently placed Rukia on the bed and grabbed the covers out of Orihime's grasp and covered her up. He felt her temperature again which was still high as before. "Her fever is not going down," he said before looking at Orihime, "Do you have anything to lower her temperature?"
Orihime quickly walked over to a cabinet and started to rummage through several rolls of tape and bottles of medications. "I know I have something in here…" she pulled out several bottles and read the labels. "I'm not sure what these are—Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime stepped back with a blush when Ichigo walked forward and grabbed her arm. But instead of anything romantic, he just pulled her away to grab something from within the cabinet himself. Orihime hid her blush, anticipation, disappointment, and pout.
Ichigo pulled out an instant cold pack and started to crack it to release the chemical that would freeze the bag. As soon as it was ready he returned to Rukia and placed it on her forehead, earning him a soft whimper as her face scrunched up.
Orihime silently watched from the side and frowned. "Do you know what you're doing, Kurosaki-kun?"
Ichigo carefully shifted the pack to the center of her head as his other hand reached up to touch Rukia's pale cheek with the back of his fingers. "My dad's a doctor, remember? I learned all this basic stuff since I was a kid," he replied.
The buxom woman nodded. "Shouldn't we call her home? Somebody should pick her up and take her home." Orihime suggested.
Ichigo flinched for a second before responding, "She lives alone so I think we should wait until she wakes up." At that moment the bell rung and the final class was starting.
"Don't you have class, Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime asked.
Ichigo shook his head. "It's my free period so I'm done for the day," he said.
Orihime nodded before grabbing her purse. "That's good."
Noticing Orihime packing up from the corner of his eye, Ichigo looked up and frowned. Where the hell was she going when there was a sick student in here? "You going somewhere?" he asked.
"I wish I can stay and watch over Kuchiki-san but I have an important nurse meeting to go to at another school," she grabbed her papers and smiled apologetically at Ichigo, "Since you're free, can you watch over her?"
Ichigo nodded before looking back at Rukia. "Just go."
"Arigato Kurosaki-kun," she said before walking out of her office, closing the door after her.
Ichigo didn't even bother saying 'goodbye.' He was too busy watching Rukia's face which was contorted in pain. "Dumbass. That's why I told you to stay home…" He brushed aside her bangs and let out a sigh.
He stayed like that for one entire class period: checking her temperature, shifting the cold pack on her head, and waiting for her to wake up.
As soon as the bell rung, the nurse's office's door swung open and several students stumbled in.
"How is she?" Renji asked.
Ichigo looked up and shook his head. "She's still unconscious."
Renji and the others walked over and leaned over Rukia's still form. "What should we do?"
"We don't even know where she lives now," Tatsuki added, which made Ichigo's back go rigid. "How do we get her home?"
Nobody answered.
Ichigo sighed. "I suggest you guys just let her rest here until she wakes up. Then we can take her home."
"But how long will that take, Kurosaki-sensei?" Hinamori asked, "We can't all stay afterschool."
Matsumoto nodded. "We have a part-time job to go to—" she pointed at herself and Hinamori before pointing at Tatsuki, "—and she has karate class today."
"And we have kendo practice," Ikkaku said for him, Yumichika and Renji.
"Then allow me the honor to—"
"Don't even finish that sentence, Keigo," Renji glared.
Keigo immediately stiffened and let out a nervous chuckle. "No problem."
Ichigo sighed, more out of relief but they didn't have to know that. "I'll just stay and watch her then."
Tatsuki looked at him and frowned. "You sure? Don't you have lot of papers to grade?"
Ichigo shrugged. "There's nothing I can do about it since you guys can't stay here. Besides, I'm her teacher so she's my responsibility. I will make sure she gets home safe."
"Do you know where she lives?" Mizuiro asked.
Ichigo shrugged. "I'm sure her new address is in the student data. If not, I can ask her when she wakes up," he said the little lie he's been practicing in his head for the past few minutes.
Matsumoto held up her wrist and read the time. "We have to get going," she said, grabbing Hinamori's hand and dragging her away from Rukia's bed. She turned to the others and said, "I suggest you guys get going too."
Renji checked the clock on the wall and scratched the back of his head. "Maybe I should skip today…"
"No can do," Yumichika shook his glossy head, "We have a tournament coming up and if you miss it then Kenpachi-sensei will take your head."
"Psch, that guy doesn't even follow the simplest rules of Kendo when he fights so why should he care?" Renji crossed his arms across his chest and pouted.
Tatsuki slapped him over the head. "Stop babbling like an idiot. Rukia is in good hands. Ichigo used to live in a clinic so he'll take care of her, right Ichigo?" she looked at Ichigo who responded with a nod.
"Just go. There's nothing to worry about."
Renji sighed. "Fine. Just tell her to call us when she gets home," he said before grabbing his duffel bag and following Ikkaku and Yumichika out the door. But before leaving the room, he turned around and took one last look at his childhood friend, breathing heavily on the bed.
Tatsuki also grabbed her bag. "I should go, too."
Ichigo nodded. "Yeah, go on."
Tatsuki nodded back before looking at Keigo and Mizuiro. "You two coming?"
Mizuiro nodded. "Of course. Come Asano—"
"NO!" Keigo dramatically cried as he launched himself towards Rukia, "I will not leave my lovely princess alone with this big orange head buffoon—EUGH!" Before Keigo could go any further towards Rukia, Ichigo swung around and sent a punch straight at Keigo's face.
Tatsuki and Mizuiro automatically grabbed either arms of Keigo's unconscious body and started to drag him out.
"I see you haven't lost your touch," Tatsuki smirked, "Anyways, I'll see you later. Make sure she gets home safe, okay?"
Ichigo nodded his head before the three left the room and Tatsuki closed the door. He finally let out a sigh of relief before looking back at Rukia. He smirked as he removed the cold pack and replaced it with his hand. "You're lucky to have such great friends by your side."
"Mmm," Rukia groaned. She fidgeted to the side before slowly opening her eyes.
Startled, Ichigo leaned closer to her face and softly called out, "Rukia? You okay? Oi, can you hear me?"
Rukia swiveled her head right and left before opening her eyes completely. When her vision finally focused, she was a little startled to see Ichigo looking straight down at her at a very close proximity. "I-Ichigo?"
"Yeah it's me," Ichigo responded, "Are you feeling okay?"
"I will once you get that loud hair color of yours out of my face," Rukia groaned before lifting up her hand and shoving Ichigo's face away.
Ichigo grabbed her wrist and yanked her hand off his face. Glaring down he snapped back. "Good to know you're getting better."
Rukia groaned before looking at her surrounding. "Where am I? I swear I was in class just a second ago."
"You're in the nurse's office," Ichigo told her.
Rukia looked at him and frowned. "Why?"
"You fainted, that's why," Ichigo said, "I had to carry your fat ass all the way here all because you wouldn't listen to me about staying home."
"…" Rukia was quiet as she looked up at the clock. "School's out."
Ichigo turned around to look at the clock hanging on the wall behind him, above the door. "Yeah," he replied before looking back at Rukia. "Your friends came over here as soon as class ended and they just left." Rukia moaned as she tried to sit up but Ichigo stopped her by grabbing her shoulders. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Trying to get up," she said, "I can't stay here all day."
Ichigo sighed before pushing her back down. "I know that. Just wait here a moment while I go grab our bags. Then we'll go home."
If it was like any other times Rukia would have argued back, but she was feeling faint again so she nodded her head and stayed put.
After being assured that she was going to stay still Ichigo rushed out of the nurse's office and went to his private office to grab his bag before going to Rukia's classroom to grab her bag. In a shocking record of only a minute, Ichigo returned to the nurse's office where Rukia was silently waiting on the bed.
"Okay," he huffed, walking over to Rukia, "Let's go home."
Rukia reluctantly allowed Ichigo to pull her out of bed. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, while carrying their bags on his other shoulder. They slowly made their way out of the school building but by the time they exited the school's gate, Rukia stopped in mid-step, leaning her full body weight against him.
"You okay?" Ichigo looked down and placed his hand against Rukia's forehead again.
"Yeah, just let me rest a bit," Rukia panted.
Ichigo sighed before placing their bags on the ground.
Rukia was taking in deep breaths with her eyes tightly shut when she felt one of her arms being lifted high and placed on something hard. "What are you doing?" she asked, peeking an eye open.
Ichigo was on his knees and had placed Rukia's arms on either side of his shoulder, pulling her up on his back. "I think we can get home faster this way."
"Wait a second," Rukia tried to pull her hands away but Ichigo just held on. "What if somebody sees us?"
"Who cares?" Ichigo yanked her forward and quickly stood up, holding the back of her knees before Rukia could get off. "I'm just taking a sick student home, that's all." He bent forward and grabbed their bags. "Here, at least hold onto these," he lifted their bags into her hands.
Rukia groaned as she grabbed their bags. Ichigo lightly jumped to lift her higher onto his back before making his way down the street.
"You do know you could get sick too if you're close to me," Rukia sighed into his shoulder.
Ichigo chuckled. "Please, I'm not stupid like you to get sick a few weeks before summer." Rukia tightened her hold around his neck, choking Ichigo from behind as a response. "Augh! Okay, I get it, I get it!" Ichigo choked. Rukia finally lightened her hold on his neck and Ichigo coughed as he started breathing again. "You really need to do something about your people skills."
"Shut up," Rukia groaned.
In a few minutes Ichigo finally turned the corner towards their apartment and kept a slow pace so Rukia wouldn't get too dizzy. But when he appeared in front of the stairs, he stopped and let out a long sigh.
Rukia looked up and chuckled. "Want me to get off?"
"No," Ichigo lifted her again and took the first step. "I can do this so just relax."
"Fine, but don't regret it later," Rukia snuggled deeper into his neck.
Ichigo sighed as he took the second step, the third, the fourth, and so forth. By the time he made midway Ichigo had to stop and jump to lift Rukia higher again on his back. "Man, I'll never take these stairs for granted again."
Rukia chuckled as she shifted her body to make it easier for Ichigo as he started the second half of the stairs. "You should have let me down awhile ago."
Ichigo only growled as he mustered the remaining of his strength, finally reaching the top of the stairs. "Ha! I told you I could make it!" Ichigo huffed as he made his way to their apartment. Rukia dug into her bag and grabbed her keys, handing it to Ichigo. He slouched forward to literally lay Rukia on his back as he took the keys in one hand and unlocked the door.
He staggered into the genkan and stumbled as he kicked his shoes off. As Ichigo stepped out of the genkan, Rukia lightly knocked her head against his head. "Ow. What?" he asked, turning his head as much as he could towards her.
Rukia lifted up her legs from either side of his hips. "Don't forget to take mine off too."
Ichigo rolled his eyes as he bent down again to rest Rukia's weight fully on his back as he took hold of her legs and pulled off her shoes. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he groaned.
"Stop complaining," Rukia snorted, "You're the one who brought this upon yourself."
"Yeah yeah yeah," Ichigo shook his head as he carried her towards her room. He reached her bed and dumped her body onto the bed.
"Augh," Rukia moaned as she rolled over to the side, "Bastard, you didn't have to drop me on the bed like that."
Ichigo just sat down next to her and let out a breath of relief. "Shut up. I'm just glad it's over." He lied down next to her and stretched his arms in front of him, trying to get some feeling back into them.
Rukia tuned over to face him. After watching him moaning and groaning as he stretched his tired muscles, she lifted her arm with much difficulty and dropped it on his face, smacking him hard on the head.
"OW!" Ichigo sat up and glared down at her. "What the fuck was that for?"
"Get off my bed," she groaned.
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "I carried you all the way home and this is how you thank me?"
Rukia smirked. "I didn't ask you to carry me, now did I? You did it on your own accord."
Ichigo mumbled some curses as he picked up his bag and left Rukia's room. He went to the kitchen and dropped his bag next to the table before heading over to the refrigerator to grab a nice cold drink. He finished half the bottle in a single gulp and let out a long breath when he pulled the bottle away from his lips.
As he felt some blood flowing through his body again, he grabbed his bag and made his way to his room. Dropping his stuff on his desk, Ichigo yanked his tie off and shook out off his jacket, tossing both items on the bed. Next came his shirt and his pants. Once finally free from the uncomfortable clothes that he had to wear for his job, he yanked on a pair of shorts while wearing nothing on top but the wifebeater he always wear under his dress shirt.
There were still a few weeks before summer but it was hella hot! This was baffling him even more that Rukia was sick with a flu! Ichigo went to the bathroom and opened the cupboard searching for anything that might help her. He found some medicine and a brand new cold pack. After returning to the kitchen to grab a cup of water, Ichigo quietly walked to Rukia's room and peeked in.
Kuchiki Rukia was in the same position that she was in when he left, still wearing her school uniform. Without even bothering to ask her permission Ichigo entered her room and placed the stuff on her night table, next to the bed.
"Rukia," he gently shook her shoulder, "You should get out of those clothes."
Rukia groaned as she carefully shifted to her other side.
Ichigo sighed. "Rukia, I'm serious. You're sweating through your clothes. If you don't change soon you'll get even worse.
Again, Rukia groaned, not bothering to move this time.
"Rukia, I'm serious," Ichigo said as he shook her shoulder more furiously, "If you don't do it then I'll change you," he threatened.
"Shut up and go away," Rukia mumbled.
Ichigo sighed. There was no way he would be able to get through her in this situation. So, knowing he was going to regret this later, Ichigo gently turned Rukia over and started to undo the bow in front of her uniform.
Feeling something moving against her body, Rukia strained her eyes open to see Ichigo unbuttoning the top of her blouse. "Ichigo, what are you doing?"
"Getting you out of these clothes," he replied, not even bothering to look up at her.
Rukia sighed. "Just leave it alone," she said as one of her hands came up to try and stop his fingers. But Ichigo only slapped her hand away and glared straight at her.
"Trust me," he said as his fingers continued their journey down her blouse.
"Just don't get any ideas," she sighed, giving up.
"Please, I'm not into little kids," he smirked, earning him a weak smack on the head.
Ichigo finally unbuttoned the last button. He grabbed Rukia's arms and carefully lifted her up into a sitting position, leaning her against his body.
When Rukia grunted in pain, Ichigo held her and stroked her hair. "Sorry," he whispered, trying to keep her comfortable as he slowly took off her blouse.
Rukia released a long sigh when the cool air touched her wet skin, stopping Ichigo after he tossed her blouse on the ground. His body stiffened and the hair on the back of his neck rose as she snuggled her nose into the crook of his neck, exhaling puffs of warm air. He bit his lower lip to stop himself from shivering at the feeling. But damn, a weird feeling was starting to travel down his body to…
Um…can you say 'good morning?'
Ichigo frowned, trying his best to keep any sick thought from coming into his mind. She's sick! She's your student! Ichigo chanted in his head, don't even think about it! But hell, he was a young, attractive man who hasn't been with a woman—NO! Don't you dare continue with that train of thought!
"…Ichigo?" Rukia sighed against his neck.
"Y-yeah?" Ichigo choked.
"Hurry up," she moaned, "It's cold."
Ichigo swallowed and nodded his head. He grabbed the end of her soaked tank top and carefully lifted it upwards. But he made the mistake of placing his hand under her top, lifting it up from underneath the shirt, feeling her sweaty skin as it went up. He gulped when the palm of his hands reached the bottom of her bra.
She's my student! She's my student! SHE'S MY STUDENT! He chanted like crazy in his head.
Rukia moan as Ichigo's cool hand ran up her body, bringing out goosebumps on the trail he was making. She grunted as Ichigo lifted her arms and pulled them through the thin strings. When it came time to pull it off her head, Ichigo lightly pushed her off his shoulder, catching her back with one hand and pulling the top off her head with the other.
But that was when he made the greatest mistake by looking down.
Ichigo took a big gulp when his eyes roamed up and down Rukia. Her head was hanging back, making her huff out deep breaths as her neck was fully exposed to him. Small drops of sweat made its way down from her forehead to her neck and passed her collarbone, straight down the valley between her small breasts.
Her heaving chest was going up and down, almost glowing with the sun's ray bouncing off her wet skin. And every time her chest heaved up, her breasts would lightly touch his own chest before going back down.
Ichigo could DEFINITELY feel his pants getting tighter.
Before his mind could make mental images that would make him take advantage of a sick student, he brought her forward, leaning against his shoulder again. But this time he slouched forward so their chests wouldn't touch. As he held onto Rukia with one arm around her shoulder, the other hand extended to the drawer next to her bed, pulling out whatever tee-shirt was on top. He pulled out a simple white shirt with a small Chappy on the top left of the shirt.
Carefully, he grabbed the back of Rukia's neck, straightening it so he could pull the shirt over her head. Rukia released a small groan, annoyed that he was making her move her aching body so much. But she stayed still as he gently caressed her arms as he pulled them through the sleeves. And as he pulled the remaining of the shirt down her body, he made sure that he didn't touch her skin this time.
"Are you done?" Rukia whispered.
Ichigo gulped. "Almost," he whispered as he laid her down on the bed.
Rukia had her eyes closed but was forced to open them when she heard a zipper going down. "What are you doing now?"
Ichigo stopped his fingers to look up at her, trying his best to hide his blush. He remained quiet before gesturing her to look down with his own eyes.
Rukia strained her eyes to look down just as Ichigo pulled the zipper down completely from the side of her skirt. If she didn't have a fever, anyone would have been able to see a red hue on her face. With his mouth still clamped closed, Ichigo kneeled at the end of her feet. He grabbed the end of her skirt and Rukia lifted up her hip slightly to help him slide the skirt down her legs completely.
This time, Ichigo had already mentally prepared himself to not look at her hips or anything else in that region. Instead, after he pulled down the skirt an inch, he kept his eyes focused on her knees. Thankfully she was wearing a pair of shorts underneath but that didn't mean the actual act of taking off her skirt wouldn't bring naughty and wrong images in his mind. Once the skirt was off, he quickly grabbed the comforter that was off to one side and covered her up to the middle of her body.
"You can go to sleep now," he mumbled, keeping his head low to hide his blush, "I only have to place the cold pack on your head."
Rukia nodded as she closed her eyes, allowing sleep to take over her.
As soon as Ichigo heard her even breathing, he let out a sigh of relief. He finally looked up to see Rukia sleeping with a contorted expression. He let out a frustrated sigh this time as he placed the cool pack on her forehead. Rukia took in a sharp breath at the sudden coldness but soon relaxed as it cooled her face.
Ichigo silently and carefully tended to her for the next several hours, barely leaving her side. After the sun finally went down did Ichigo lightly shook Rukia's shoulder, waking her up.
"Mmmm, what do you want?" she groaned.
Ichigo helped her sit up with one hand while holding a bowl of soup in the other. "You have to eat something if you want to take your medicine."
Rukia groaned, trying to lie back down. "I don't feel like eating."
"Shut up and just eat. It will help you get better faster," he said as he sat behind her to stop her from lying down. His arms and legs took place either side of her, keeping the covers around her small body. Ichigo got a spoonful of soup and brought it up to his lips to blow on it. Once it cooled down a bit, he brought it back down near Rukia's lips. "Here."
Rukia grunted as she opened her chapped lips and took the spoon into her mouth.
Ichigo smiled as he got another spoonful of soup, repeating the process to feed Rukia. It took a lot more of his bitching to get her to eat at least half a bowl of soup, but that was better than nothing.
"Ichigo," she sighed as she leaned her head back and away from the soup, "I had enough. Please just leave me alone."
Ichigo sighed. "Fine." He returned the spoon into the bowl and placed it on her nightstand.
Rukia was waiting for Ichigo to leave so she could lie back down but the man stayed still. "Ichigo? Why aren't you leaving?"
"Sorry but you can't lie down yet," he said as he reached over and grabbed the pills and water. "You need to take these first. Then you have to stay up so they can all go down into your stomach and digest."
Rukia groaned. But before she could retort, Ichigo held up a small pill up against her mouth. She reluctantly allowed him to push it in between her lips and tilted her head back after taking some water into her mouth. "Can I sleep now?"
"Yeah," he answered, leaning back against the headboard and Rukia leaning back into him. "I'll leave in a bit."
Rukia snuggled deeper into his body. "Just don't blame me if you get sick," she chuckled before closing her eyes.
The aftermath was better than what Rukia expected. She leaned against Ichigo's hard chest and relaxed as he wrapped his limbs around her body to keep her warm. She soon fell asleep as the medicine that she took slowly took affect. And Ichigo sat like that for several more hours until he felt like she was well enough to lie back down.
For the rest of the night Ichigo sat by her side, tending to her every second she needed him. Luckily there was no school the next day, which was a Saturday. He would wake her up to give her more medicine, change the water in the cool pack for some ice, and change her clothes every time she sweated through her shirts. Of course Ichigo learned from his first mistake so he was able to keep his eyes on something else, constantly chanting she's my student! in his head like a mantra.
Luckily Rukia was too busy going in and out of consciousness to realize anything.
Rukia rose up that morning with the sun shining warmly against her face. She sat up and stretched her arms above her.
"Eugh," she moaned, "That was a nice nap." She scratched the back of her head and looked around. It was only two days ago that she was feeling like shit. Thankfully Ichigo was next to her twenty-four/seven, changing the pack on her head and feeding her porridge so she could take her medicine with something in her stomach to help her digest.
She swung her legs out of the bed and stood up, no longer feeling dizzy. She placed her hand on her forehead to feel her temperature only to notice it felt normal.
"Thank god," she breathed out as she made her way to the bathroom to get ready for a fresh new day. While brushing her teeth, she thought back to the past two days which was still hazy.
The first day Ichigo never left her side. He kept checking on her until he fainted on the ground. The second day was no different, but this time Rukia shouted at him to go sleep in his room. Of course the stubborn bastard won't move. But Rukia was finally able to make him leave when she showed him that her temperature went down a lot.
Now, she was feeling much better, and although she doesn't want to admit it, it was all thanks to that orange head…well, also her strong will to get better fast.
Rukia rinsed her mouth and dried her face with a towel before making her way to the kitchen. "Ichigo? Did you make breakfast yet…" Rukia stopped midstep when she noticed nobody was there. In fact, it seemed like nobody's been in the kitchen all day.
Sensing something was wrong, she looked over to check the clock on the wall.
It was 11:00 am, Sunday.
Ichigo should have been up by now.
Cautiously, Rukia made her way to Ichigo's room. She stood in front of his door and leaned her ear against it. There was no sound coming from within the room so she knocked on it lightly and waited for an answer.
"…"
Rukia knocked again, but this time a lot harder. "Ichigo! Wake up!" Her hand stopped moving when she suddenly heard a grunting noise from inside. Worried, Rukia opened the door and stuck her head inside. "Ichigo?"
The orange head was buried deep under his covers, not moving but moaning and groaning.
She entered the room and walked over. "Oi, you okay?" she asked as she gently peeled his covers off of him. And below her was a pale Ichigo with his hair sticking onto him like a second skin because of his sweat. "Ichigo?"
Ichigo groaned as he opened one of his eyes. "Leave me alone," he groaned in a husky voice.
Rukia placed a hand on his forehead. "You're heating up."
"Not shit, Captain Obvious," he groaned.
Rukia glared before releasing why he was suddenly sick. "Don't tell me you got it from me," she grinned.
"…" Ichigo sighed, turning away from her.
"Who's the dumbass now?"
"SHUT UP!" Ichigo yelled, burying his head under the pillow.
Rukia smirked. "I told you, you would catch it. It's your fault."
"…whatever," Ichigo groaned.
A/N: Again, just a fluff chapter that's leading up to the romance later on. I'm not entirely happy since I was rushed to upload this chapter . And I couldn't present the full image in my head into writing so I'm a bit frustrated.
Oh well! Hope you guys liked it. Please review and let me know what you think! (but be gentle ^^)
Preivew for next chapter:
Summer break= Beach= Romance under the moonlight with a crazy person screaming in the background about grandchildren— wait, what?
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