Concentrating in class was impossible, you decided, so you settle on doing something productive, hastily scrawling out a small note and flicking it over to the Shinigami's desk while the teacher's back was turned.
'Meet me on the roof at lunch. We need to talk.'
Rukia doesn't even raise her head to acknowledge you, but she taps the note twice after reading it. You suppose that's a yes.
"Staaaaaaaalker!"
That voice was getting annoying. Just how did one talk with it, anyway?
Minutes begin stretching, and your eyes are a little heavy. You resist the urge to fall asleep, though you rather desperately want to. Your body simply aches.
"You really don't have any idea, do you?"
And you wished the voice would go away.
"Not happening."
…
You blink, slowly raising your head. Could the voice… hear you?
"Yes, you blithering idiot! Finally, you're paying me the attention I deserve!"
The only thought that popped into your head at that point was that you were going crazy. This couldn't be happening. No, it had to be a hallucination. Seeing spirits was enough, you didn't want to deal with being insane.
"You're not insane, Ichigo."
…
Suddenly talking to the Shinigami became very important. You had to know what was going on, and what the hell this voice was.
"You know my name. Use it."
This couldn't be normal.
"It is."
And you were surely going crazy.
"Ugh… stupid."
You try to put the voice out of your head and focus on the class. It wasn't easy, when it was taking small snipes at you throughout class.
-
It took a while, closer to an eternity, but the bell did finally ring. You glanced to your right, but Rukia was already slipping out of the classroom. You were a little surprised. You'd been hoping to lead her up there and get the conversation started.
Still, you shake it out of your head, packing your books away. You could see the other congregating at Chad's desk. A piece of you wants to go and join them.
You don't, though.
"You okay, Ichigo?" You blink, your gaze falling on Tatsuki. She was quite tomboyish, really, but her face showed nothing but concern.
"Yeah…" You answer, as you finish tidying up. "I'm fine. What about Inoue? She was limping."
"That's nothing, just twisted her ankle." Tatsuki waved the question off, her hands falling to her hips as she examined your face. "You aren't fine at all! Those bags are huge!"
Bags? Oh, the ones under your eyes.
"Lack of sleep. Nothing special." You grumble. Tatsuki just watches you for a moment, before glancing at the others. You see a spark of indecision for a moment, before she grabs you by the hand and outright drags you from the room.
"Wha-"
"Therapy time!" She declares. Soon you're on the stairwell to the roof. Well, trapped in it is more accurate, as Tatsuki has you cornered against the wall. "What'd you do!?"
Just how were you supposed to explain what happened last night?
"I… did something…" You whispered. "And… Karin might be a little pissed at me." Tatsuki watches you for a moment, before sighing.
"So that's why she was peeved." You blink. That's right; Tatsuki lived between your house and the primary school. They must have walked right past each other. "Well, what happened?"
You debate lying to her face, but what would that accomplish. On the other hand…
"All right. For now, I will leave well enough alone."
The Shinigami was watching, waiting…
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