If I Close My Eyes Forever

Author's Note: Thanks for those that did review. It might take a few chapters for things to really heat up and I hope you have the patience to wait for some Uryuu/Ichigo lovin. I'm trying to keep everyone in char. as best as I can. Also, I watched the jap. version and some refer to Shado as Chad so I kept it to that. Other than that the only Warning in this chapter is maybe language.




Chapter Two



“I got an appointment for Monday morning,” Tatsuki reached for an oversized bowl from overhead. Her face beamed bright, her excitement clearly seen. Her life was turning out like nothing she’d hoped for years ago but she was more than happy.


“Have you told him?” Inoue refrained from jumping up and down in wonder. This could be wonderful news, she loved kids. The couple was already living together, speaking of getting married, so it was only natural that a family might come into the picture.


“About the appointment, but not what I suspect. I’m not sure how he’ll handle it; I know he’ll be happy.” Tatsuki let herself have a giggling bout, which was so unlike her. “I’ve never thought I’d find a man that would feel the need to protect me. Me, of all people, but I guess he does have a point. I’m worried about how much he’ll worry if I am. We trust Ichigo to keep things quiet around here but he still concerns himself with my every movement. It didn’t matter that I pointed out that if anyone got attacked it’d be you or Ishida first.
Speaking of Ishida, is he still in bed?”


“Hai!” Orihime shrugged her shoulders, not wanting to worry about the male. “He’s fine, he usually sleeps in on the weekends and his lady has already left.” It had been the only bright spot of the day so far. Her and Ichigo hadn’t gotten intimate last night, she had tried but he’d been too upset.


“Is that what you call It?” Having met the woman, Tatsuki wanted to call her a few things and lady wasn’t one of them. She couldn’t understand why Ishida would put himself in that kind of relationship. There was a damn good chance the slut was killer in the bed but was a good lay worth putting up with that attitude?


“Out loud anyways,” Orihime frowned, not wanting to really be mean. “She and Ishida got loud last night and it really upset Kurosaki. He says it didn’t but I could tell that it did. It didn’t last that long, and they do it often.”


“Well, Uryuu does live here and he’s entitled to do his thing. Don’t you and Ichigo have sex here, too?” Tatsuki reached for the flour, she was making the cookies this time. Last time she’d allowed her friend to make them and there had been something sour in the dough. “You could ask him to quiet things down if it’s disturbing your sleep.”


“It doesn’t, most of the time we are still awake when they do it. Sometimes, I’m not even sure if they are but Kurosaki gets angry, so I assume they are.” Orihime wondered if Tatsuki would allow her to put some skittles into the dough.


“Okay,” that didn’t make sense to her. Why should either person care if the couple wasn’t disturbing their sleep? When you agreed to live with another male then hearing things was to be expected. Unless, hearing the woman made Ichigo feel incompetent because he couldn’t make Orihime scream her lungs out.


“I need to hit the bathroom,” Tatsuki commented feeling the need to tinkle. Not only had her period not been around for three months but last two or three weeks she’d been using the potty more. So far she’d been blessed not to have anything resembling sickness of the gut. That was if she were indeed pregnant, the home test said she was. Before telling Shado, she wanted to make sure from a real doctor. “Don’t add anything. I have to watch what I eat.”


Hoping Orihime would pay heed to the request, Tatsuki strolled down the hallway to hit the bathroom. Uryuu’s bedroom door was still firmly closed but Ichigo’s was wide open, to reveal the male lying on the bed. She knew he wasn’t aware of her presence, he was deep in thought. Orihime had said he had a headache and was going to try and rest. It didn’t look like he was sleeping, more like the putz was moping again.


She felt for whatever was disturbing him, he looked really upset. His face was a mask of worry and hurt, something was bugging her childhood friend. Caught between the need to give a shoulder and the need to mind her own business she hesitated by the door.


“Uryuu,” the name came out in a low pitiful moan. It took her a minute to realize that the man had indeed spoken the name. Tatsuki took a step back, ensuring he didn’t see her standing there. Had he just muttered Ishida’s name? That didn’t make sense, not to her. Why would he be worrying over his friend to that extreme?


As far as she was aware the Quincy was still in his bedroom and safe. Poor Ichigo, the guy had just sounded like he’d lost his favorite puppy. Unlike Orihime, she’d known the shinigami since they were both young kids and wasn’t convinced that it was just Ichigo getting upset over a little bit of noise. The need to urinate went ignored, her hand tapped on the wooden frame. “You awake?”


“Tatsuki,” Ichigo glanced to see the slender form filling the doorway. “You might not want to leave Inoue out there with your cookies. I know pregnant women like weird things but she might test your limits.”


“Ha! You can’t have that bad of a headache if you can still pick on Inoue’s cooking. I take it you can hear our conversation, so what do you think?” She went into the bedroom uninvited. The sight of him in nothing but a pair of sweatpants didn’t phase her; it was like seeing her brother in them. Now, if it were Chad wearing them, she might start having hot flashes.


“I think Chad will end up with grey hair soon but he’ll be happy. Maybe he’ll give you a rest so you’ll stop walking funny.” Ichigo chuckled seeing the peaked face going bright pink, it was adorable. The two must go at it like rabbits, but it wasn’t his sex life. He was starting to believe that becoming a shinigami so soon had somehow affected his sexual drive. If Orihime could get him in the mood, it didn’t last long. When they first started dating, it’d been easy for him to get an erection and to find release. Now, if she managed to excite him, he’d lose it during the act. He wasn’t sure if she knew what was happening or assumed that he was done.


“I don’t walk funny!” Her fist collided with his gut in a solid whack. How dare he poke fun at her in such a personal manner! She was more than aware of the fact that he picked on Chad, but she wasn’t a guy. Like she could help that it had taken her a few times to get use to the man’s rather impressive size. From what she’d heard from Orihime, Ichigo wasn’t exactly small either. “I’m shocked that Orihime can walk at all from what I heard about you.”


“Eh?” That got him to shut up. Ichigo wasn’t sure if he wanted to know what his girlfriend had been telling Tatsuki. He wasn’t that big and he never got rough with her.


“Moron, you do realize that an average male is between five and six inches.” She laughed so hard her ribs hurt at the disbelieving look on his face. Chad had been more than aware of this fact and had even tried to be extra gentle with her the first few times.


“Like I go around measuring, I got more important things to worry about.” Ichigo moved over enough for the girl to sit on the edge next to him. Her company was more than welcomed; it helped get his mind off other things.


“So, what were you thinking about before I came in?” That got the smile to leave his face, Tatsuki already knew but he didn’t know she’d heard him. “You looked deep in thought.”


“Not much, I didn’t get much sleep last night.” Ichigo couldn’t tell her that he’d been thinking about his roommate. He knew Orihime wouldn’t understand his confused feelings but there was a good chance that Tatsuki might. If he didn’t figure things out soon then talking to her was an option. Rukia would be a good choice too, if he could pry the other girl out of Renji’s ass long enough.


“I see, so it was nothing in partic…..” The other bedroom door opened suddenly, canceling anything she’d been about to say. Tatsuki turned her head to see a very dressed Uryuu glaring at them.


“Good, Kurosaki, since you are home today, will you please go do the shopping?” Uryuu pulled his coat jacket on. He’d been woken up by a call from his father, who wanted to meet for lunch.


“Hn,” the response sounded more like a sneer than an agreement. Ichigo had the urge to tell him to go to hell. He didn’t understand the need to strike up a fight, it was there brewing. Just looking at the other man was causing his gut to twist in ire. “I’m busy, do it on your way home.”


“I can’t, I’m not sure what time I’ll be home. I seriously doubt you’ll have much to do between now and this evening.” Uryuu could feel the heat coiling in his stomach, for many reasons. He didn’t need to start his morning wanting to choke the other male. “Just do it, the card is on my nightstand.”


“And should I expect you to be home at all?” Ichigo rolled over to a sitting position. Not noticing the way Tatsuki was staring at them both in amazement. He was more concerned about the man bringing the woman back over and another night of not getting any sleep.


“I don’t know should I expect to step over your damn body again? I don’t have time for this, I’ll ask Orihime to do it.” Uryuu spun on his heels, needing to get away from Ichigo. If he didn’t leave, he’d snap and say something he didn’t mean.


Tatsuki frowned seeing Ichigo burst out of bed with enough energy to fuel a rocket. Just like that he was rearing to go, ready to clash with the Quincy. Not only that but she was sure she’d seen something there. The tension between the two had been so thick it had wanted to choke her. If Chad hadn’t taught her how to deal with increasing reitsu, she might have freaked out. What was going on between the two? She wasn’t the smartest but if she had to guess, that had been jealousy in Ichigo’s voice when he’d questioned Ishida about being gone all night. Did the shinigami have feelings for the Quincy’s latest fling or was the answer much more complicated?





Uryuu adjusted the napkin on his lap, trying not to fidget under the penetrating gaze of his father. These little luncheons were his father’s way of trying to make a relationship out of their time together. How could he hope to befriend a man that he couldn’t begin to understand? The only parent he’d ever felt close to was his mother, she’d been gone since he was a small child.


“I’ve been told the billing department is running more smoothly,” Ryuken tossed the compliment on the table, willing his son to accept it. He had been concerned about giving his son a position, it had been unnecessary. His son had proved himself by taking the reigns and picking things up off of the ground for the failing center.


“As can be expected,” the younger Quincy didn’t feel right having his father doing anything but scolding him like an ignorant child. Granted that most of the time his father was in the right but Uryuu didn’t like to be told what he was doing wrong, he had his pride.


“Have you decided on any further plans for yourself?” The grey head cocked to the side, seeing his child flinch was answer enough. When would Uryuu decide to settle down and start a family? Or was he still being a fool and wanting to waste his energies chasing a dream that would get him nowhere? Being a Quincy would get the boy nowhere but killed, and no one would care.


“If you are referring to personal, then the answer is no. I’m not ready to think about such commitments.” A commitment meant settling down with someone that wasn’t the person he wanted. Wanting a family of his own was something he’d often thought about but the means to get it; was what bothered him.


“Very well, I can understand your hesitation. A man doesn’t want to end up with the wrong person.” Ryuken knew from experience about ending up with the wrong person, he’d done so himself. He’d met a woman, believed that she was the one for him, and only to find out that she was the one thing he couldn’t allow himself to be with. Still, despite that one fact; he had married her and raised their son the best he could.


“Exactly, so there is no need for that discussion at this time.” Uryuu knew better than to unload his emotion turmoil on the man he called his father. As much as the man tried to interfere in his friendship with Ichigo, this wouldn’t be tolerated. If the sophisticated and disciplined Quincy were to learn that his only child was in love with a male Shinigami, things would not go well for him.


“Eat; you are still too small for one of your height.” Ryuken narrowed his eyes at the too narrow shoulders. When would Uryuu fill out?


“Ishida-kun,” the low vibrating voice caused both of them to look up from their meal. The man that followed the low tenor had Uryuu catching his breath. The figure had to be topping six-five, broad shoulders, and a filled out form. The man was wearing a casual grey suit; one that shouted to look at the splendid physique beneath. Sandy brown hair reached the broad shoulder in waves, bangs dangled in front of bright blue eyes, and a nice full smile was aimed in their direction.


“Ah, Takayo,” Ryuken hoped the man noticed the slight. He gave a pleasant smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. What had brought the man to their table? Or even to this place? The last he’d heard was that the giant of a man was still working out West.


“Good Evening, I didn’t think I’d run into you so soon.” Takayo gave the Quincy a good look; the man had aged in the last ten years. Seeing his old friend after so long didn’t affect him the way he’d feared. Instead his eyes swerved to the left, aiming for the young man. The reason for his coming over and striking up a conversation. “Don’t tell me this is little Uryuu.”


Little Uryuu couldn’t stop the twitch in his jaw at the inclination. He didn’t need to be reminded that he was still small of stature compared to most males. Who the hell was this man? His father seemed to know him and obviously didn’t care for him either.


“Yes, this is my son.” The waitress was walking by, Ryuken hailed her down with a simple flick of his wrist. Half of their plates were going to be left uneaten; he felt the need for fresh air. “It was good seeing you again Takayo but I’m afraid me and my son were just about to leave.”


“Really; that’s a shame.” Takayo snickered at the grey head that had yet to meet him eye to eye. There were some things time couldn’t heal, but he wasn’t looking to heal an old friendship. “I have company waiting for me, so it’s just as well. Perhaps we’ll run into each other again; I’ll be looking forward to it.”


“I’m sure,” Ryuken winced at the acid in his own voice. He felt Uryuu’s gaze upon him, as he coldly dismissed the other man. It was best that if the man didn’t come around again. Whatever had brought him back couldn’t be good; not for him or his son.



Next Chapter: A heated argument and Uryuu gets a visitor. Please read and review.