Death and Strawberry

Chapter 8: Goodbye Halcyon days.

Inoue ran after Ichigo to his car. She got inside without waiting for his permission. He shut the door closed and turned on the engine.

They drove in silence. He was angry. And Orihime couldnt understand why. Why does he hate it so much? Does he really dislike the idea of her being on the same team as him?

He went for the stairs instead of the lift when they reached their apartment building. He needed to let off some steam. She followed him despite the long walk up in her heels.

"Why are you so against it? I deserve that promotion like anyone else. How do you think I feel?"

Huh! How do I think she feels? Has she any idea how I feel?

He turned around catching her off guard, captured her lips and forcefully kissed her. She tried to push him but his grip was stronger. "You couldnt even dodge that right?"

She slapped his hand away. She hated it when he kisses her just to make a point.

"How I feel? How am I supposed to do my job if I have you to worry about!"

She was dumbfounded to say the least. So he find her a nuissance.

"I dont need your protecting!"

She covered her mouth when she realized what she'd said. She didnt mean it to sound like that. She was grateful for his concern. Really. And he had saved her countless times.

"I- It's, Kurosaki-kun..."

But he had already turned his back on her and shut the door close.

A deafening silence fell on the hallway after their heated argument. Inoue stood there outside his front door. She walked closer and raised her hand to knock but thought against it. She wanted to go after him and apologize, but he's still probably mad at her and insisting to talk now would only make things worse.

Defeated, she went to her apartment, opened the door with her key and shut the door closed.

.

Okay, he worded that wrong. He meant to say, he couldnt help but worry over her safety all the time and that he was afraid he would jeopardize his job if it meant she was safe. But on the rarest of occassions she just had to get on his nerve today.

He had to apologize. She looked so crestfallen earlier that his conscience is gnawing at his gut. He was guilty of over reacting and he had to set this straight. But damn his pride.

He took a deep breath to calm himself and set out for his neighbor's unit. When he got to the hallway it was empty. She had already gone inside. He went for her door and tried the handle but it was locked.

He guessed she really is mad at him. Ichigo took his phone from the back pocket of his jeans and dialed a number.

.

Chad went to the baseball court across the street from the headquarters to meet with his long time friend.

The strawberry had a dangerous look when he stormed out of his office earlier. The blonde wasnt called a 'shinigami' back in highschool for nothing. Kurosaki Ichigo had a temper. There's a 50 : 50 % chance he'd go home scratch free or he'd have to drop by the ER. This convesation could go either way.

Only Ichigo could ever go against him even if he was Chief. He was taller and bigger, but the strawberry wont give a shit.

"Ichigo." He called out. The surly man was standing near the pitcher's base, brooding. The strawberry didnt even turn his head to greet him.

"Look. I know you're angry. Hate me if you want-"

And without warning, Ichigo punched him square in the face. Chad has built and is a good foot taller but the angry blonde managed to knock him down.