Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Tell Her ❯ The Days of Wine & Roses ( Chapter 2 )

Thanks to Titbua for the revisions…

 

Tell Her

Chapter Two

 

The little plush lion opened his eyes, stretching across the soft comforter that lay in the closet. He turned over; rubbing his nose into the material as he tried to take in Rukia's fading scent that was left on them. He sighed, rolling onto his back as he stared up at the closet's ceiling.

 

“Nee-san…” Kon whined, rubbing his cuddly soft face. He sat up, looking briefly at the closet door as he heard a muffled cough on the other side. Sliding the door open quietly, he noticed Ichigo sitting up at the head of the bed. He was fully dressed for school, but he hadn't pulled his school jacket on yet. What puzzled Kon was how Ichigo was just sitting there, one leg propped up on the bed and the other hanging off the edge. His arm was sitting on his propped leg, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed. Ichigo had a bandage on the side of his forehead and one on each of his knuckles. Ichigo's eyes opened; his dark and angry gaze following over to Kon.

 

Kon opened the closet door fully, hopping out and landing on the bedroom floor with a squeak. He was going to start with his usual yelling that he was so keen on doing every morning with Ichigo when he noticed something gloomy about the boy. Ichigo eyes moved off of Kon, staring blankly at the poster on his wall.

 

“Ichigo-san?” Kon asked meekly, not sure if should approach him. Ichigo never replied, and Kon frowned, placing his soft little hands on his sides. “Are you feeling well, Ichigo-san? You look like shit.”

 

“Leave me the fuck alone,” Ichigo seethed, turning his face to the window.

 

Kon cringed. He even sounded like shit. But the tone of his voice was all the warning he needed, so Kon snorted as he hopped out the bedroom window, never looking his direction.

 

Ichigo sighed as he watched Kon walk across the lawn grumbling to himself. Slumping against the headboard of his bed, Ichigo rubbed his stomach. He was feeling so sick this morning… it felt like his head was going to explode also. He knew his ailment didn't come from a virus or bad food. It came from a person… one particular person, that is.

 

He thought about not showing up for school today, but decided against it. After all, this was the day after the night he realized the most important thing in his entire life. He had to show his face at school. He had to see her. One glimpse of her and maybe, he thought, all would be well.

 

He just had to get himself together. He had a reputation to uphold in school. There was no way he was going to school acting like some lovesick dummy, crying and carrying on like a little girl. Crying, Ichigo scoffed as he thought about that. It was eight years ago when he last shed a tear for anyone, and that person meant the world to him. He figured it was only the tension breaking in him from the tumultuous night he had.

 

Sliding over to the edge of the bed, he grabbed his jacket off the arm of the desk chair. He fumbled with the fabric briefly, still deep in thought. To think I almost told her I loved her, Ichigo thought to himself. And I was too late… I'm such a fucking jerk. I lost. I fucking lost.

 

Renji Abarai. That asshole. Ichigo had bested him twice in actual battle and once when they sparred together in the Soul Society. He just couldn't comprehend that Rukia would want someone like that. Ichigo growled lowly in his throat, thinking back at how undressed Renji was when he came to the door. Probably just finished screwing her too, Ichigo thought glumly. It should have been me in her bed; not that tattooed clown.

 

Ichigo stood, pulling his school jacket on. He buttoned it up halfway, and turned to look at the mirror. He pulled the bandage off his forehead, and decided to keep the ones on his knuckles. They were still a little raw from crawling on that ledge. He exhaled sharply, shaking his head as if he was trying to shake himself awake. “You can do this, Kurosaki,” Ichigo told his reflection. He grabbed his book bag and walked downstairs.

 

@@@@@

 

It felt like Ichigo was in a dream when he first got to school. Keigo and Mizuiro ran up to him, talking about what he wasn't sure. The entire school seemed to be on mute; Ichigo just watched their mouths open and close with no sound coming from them. Feeling dazed and weary from the pervious night, he quickly escaped from his chums as he made it to the classroom. As he walked in, he noticed Rukia sitting at her assigned seat, writing.

 

Ichigo's palms began to sweat. He gripped the handle of his book bag tightly as he coolly walked in. As he got closer to the little death-god, his heart and stomach began fluttering anxiously. Trying hard to ignore this sudden reaction he was suddenly having around her, Ichigo set his book bag down stood at his desk, staring at her.

 

God, she is so beautiful, Ichigo thought to himself. He mentally kicked himself for not noticing it until now. She was concentrating on her paper so hard she never noticed his presence. Ichigo noticed that as she wrote her tongue was neatly tucked in the corner of her mouth. His mouth opened, so taken with how hot she looked right now. He could envision sucking on that sweet tongue of hers, kissing her so hard it would literally take her breath away. He shook his head again, bringing himself out of his reverie as he cleared his throat to get her attention. When her head snapped up to his direction, he thought his heart was going to pop right out of his chest.

 

“Oi,” Ichigo ground out slowly, and for the life of him he couldn't stop the smirk that curled on the end of his mouth. “What are you doing?”

 

“My paper for English,” Rukia sighed, flicking a stray hair out of her face. “I didn't do my homework last night. Hey… are you okay?”

 

“Yeah… are you?” Ichigo asked, raising his eyebrows.

 

Rukia narrowed her eyes, wondering what he was getting at. “…I'm good. What's with the stupid grin on your face?”

 

Ichigo frowned, not realizing he was actually smiling. “I wasn't grinning. It's called a smirk; totally different from a grin.”

 

“Whatever,” Rukia sighed as she turned her attention back to her schoolwork.

 

Ichigo paused, his eyes still on her as she wrote when he finally asked, “So… how was your night?” Rolling his eyes, he regretted saying that the moment the words fell out his mouth.

 

Rukia stopped writing, looking up at him oddly. “My night was fine, Ichigo. Why do you ask?”

 

Setting his jaw, he hunched his shoulders. “No reason. Just asking.”

 

“Well I'm sure you had a reason to ask. So what is it?” Rukia inquired; her tone beginning to sound irritated.

 

Ichigo stuffed his hands into his pant pockets, and he slowly turned from her, walking to the classroom door. “It's nothing.”

 

“Okay…now I'm annoyed.” Rukia fumed, slamming her pencil down on the desk. “Can you please tell me what is wrong?”

 

Ichigo stopped at the doorway, and then suddenly closed the door, turning around with an angry look on his face. “What's wrong? You tell me on the way home last night that you're going to get reckless with a total stranger, and then show up here the next day like you didn't say it?” He walked up to her, leaning down as he grasped the ends of her desk. “I was worried about you… did it ever occur to you that I might have been worried about you?”

 

Rukia's expression softened when she heard his concern, and she smiled. Ichigo eyes followed her hands that now brushed the stray hair aside from her face, and he just melted inside. She was simply adorable when she did that.

 

“I'm sorry… I didn't mean to make you worry,” Rukia said softly, looking down at her desk. “I did go out last night… but not for what you think,” She leaned forward in her chair, clasping her hands together. “When I came home an old friend was waiting up for me.”

 

Ichigo swallowed thickly. He tried to keep the anger out of his voice at as he managed to sound surprised. “…An old friend?”

 

“I've known Renji since I was 8,” Rukia said as she was now playing with a strand of her hair. Ichigo's eyes were following her every move, and he wondered why the mention of Renji's name made her fingers toy with her hair. “I know you remember him from the Soul Society… well we stayed up all night talking… he's suppose to meet me for lunch today at school. So I won't be on the roof, okay?” Rukia got up from her desk, and walked to the classroom door. “I gotta go to the bathroom, I'll be right back.”

 

As she walked out, Ichigo was still in the same position at her desk. He gripped the ends of the desk so tightly he could have reduced it to splinters.

 

@@@@@

 

School was not good today.

 

Ichigo spent most of time in an anger induced fog; his mind replaying the events from the pervious night. He would occasionally glance over at Rukia from time to time, heating up when she licked her lips or chewed on her pencil. His legs would start to bounce nervously as he began to feel himself harden, so he would snap the rubber band he found on the floor on his wrist to distract himself. It perplexed him how his body was suddenly reacting around her… he felt like a maniac. Feeling unrestrained and lovesick were emotions he stayed away from, and feeling them now was driving him crazy.

 

Lunch finally came around and Ichigo still had no appetite. He did manage to see Rukia meet Renji for lunch in front of the school as he stood on the rooftop, and he clutched his chest. A deep, dull ache emitted there; and he just didn't know what to do about it.

 

After school was over, Ichigo walked home and laid across his bed. Between the swirl of newfound emotions and the lack of food and sleep made him mentally and physically exhausted. He was glad that he could sleep in the next couple of days since the weekend was here. He finally fell into a fretful sleep only to awake a couple of hours later. He sat up at in his bed, rubbing his eyes as he glanced over at the alarm clock. 7:35 PM. He gasped, remembering that tonight he and Rukia had Shinigami patrol for the evening. He slowly smiled. Finally, he could have some time with her, even if it meant they were killing hallows in the process.

 

By eight o'clock Ichigo was knocking on Orihime's door, trying not to look too happy be there. Orihime answered the door, pulling her jacket on.

 

“Oh… Kurosaki-kun!” Orihime exclaimed happily. “How are you?”

 

“I'm good Hime,” Ichigo told her as he stepped inside her tiny apartment. “Is Rukia here?”

 

“She's upstairs,” Orihime replied as she threw her purse over her shoulder. “I'm off to Ishida's… see you later!”

 

As Orihime walked out, Ichigo looked up at the top of the stairs to see Rukia descending down wearing a black kimono with big red flowers. She looks stunning, Ichigo thought. Ichigo gulped nervously, the fluttering of his empty stomach already swimming around in his stomach.

 

“Hey,” Rukia said with a smile. She brushed past him, and he closed his eyes as he took in her flowery scent. “What are you up to?”

 

“I thought we should get started early on our patrol tonight… Uryu told me killed three hallows last night.” He noticed how Rukia stiffened at the mention of `patrol', but she continued to walk into the living room and sat down on the couch.

 

“Oh… well I figured that maybe tonight you can handle patrol by yourself,” Rukia said as she smoothed out the wrinkles in her kimono.

 

Ichigo turned around, the pleasant smile disappearing as the scowl returned. “By myself? Why is that?”

 

“I have plans.” Rukia replied.

 

“Plans… like what kind?”

 

“I'm having dinner.”

 

Ichigo smirked, walking over to her as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I forgot to mention to that tonight's patrol includes that Shokudo*you like so much … my treat.”

 

“I'm having dinner with someone,” Rukia told him, standing up and walking into the kitchen. Ichigo followed, stopping at the doorway as he watched her grab a glass from out of the cupboard.

 

“Oh… any someone I know?”

 

“With my friend.”

 

“Benji?”

 

“Renji.” Rukia said dryly, noting his sarcasm.

 

“Ah…“ Ichigo responded, raising an eyebrow.

 

“I know should have told you earlier, but he just asked me.”

 

“Well I guess Renji will understand you'll have to cancel.”

 

Rukia set the glass down on the counter, glaring at Ichigo. “Ichigo… I'm not going to cancel.” There were a few moments of silence as Ichigo and Rukia stared at each other. He nodded.

 

“I see… Well I guess that's that.” Ichigo said with a hunch of his shoulders. With a rather cocky expression on his face, he turned, heading for the front door.

 

Rukia ran up to him, turning him a round roughly. “Ichigo? Can you please tell me what is wrong?”

 

“Why is there anything wrong?” Ichigo began, his tone tinged with anger. “You want to act totally irresponsible and ruin two years of good Shinigami work-”

 

“Irresponsible?” Rukia interrupted him quickly, her tone even angrier. “Is that what you're calling me? Is that what you're accusing me of, tell me! Did you give this a lot of thought or did this just pop into your head like everything thing else that's stupid?”

 

“That's not the same thing!” Ichigo shouted back defensibly.

 

“You're right it's not the same thing!” Rukia shouted, walking away from him and then turning around. Her face was red with anger, and for once she couldn't remember being so mad at Ichigo as she was right now. “Being irresponsible is something I do once in a century, and it's something that you've turned into an art form!”

 

Ichigo stomped up to her, his eyes wild with resentment. “Fine… when was the last time I sent you out on patrol alone because I wanted to get-“

 

“Wanted to get what?” Rukia countered, daring him to finish what he was saying. He paused, swallowing hard.

 

“Nothing.” Ichigo spoke softly.

 

“I'm not sending you out alone. If you don't want to go alone, take somebody with you!” Rukia explained harshly.

 

“That's not the point.” Ichigo argued, shaking his head.

 

“Take Ishida!” Rukia nearly screamed, infuriated where the conversation was going.

 

Ichigo stared at her angry face, and sighed as he reluctantly conceded. “Okay… fine.” He turned, storming out of the apartment, making sure to slam the door as loud and as childishly as he possibly could.

 

@@@@@

 

“I still think it was rather rude of you to interrupt me and Inoue-san's dinner,” Ishida snapped as he pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “Are you that afraid to fight a hollow by yourself Ichigo?”

 

“Shut up,” Ichigo snapped bitterly as he looked over the ledge of a skyscraper they were standing on. Ishida was one whiny little bitch. He was having a shitty evening already, might as well let everyone be miserable too. So what? He interrupted Orihime and Ishida's dinner plans and forced him to go patrolling with him, telling him it was a huge hollow not far away. Being the competitive type, Ishida couldn't resist. But now two hours had passed and there was still no sign of the alleged hollow Ichigo reported. Ishida figured it was all a lie to ruin his plans for the evening.

 

“Look,” Ishida said vehemently, pointing his finger at Ichigo. “If that damn hollow doesn't appear in the next ten seconds, I'm going home.” He waited for Ichigo's response, but it never came. Ichigo still had his back turned to him, the wind blowing through his Shinigami robes. Puzzled, Ishida walked around to look at him, and he seemed to be staring off into the night, his hand clutching his chest. “Is there something wrong, Ichigo?” Ishida asked cautiously.

 

“I'm fine,” Ichigo spoke, not really sounding like himself.

 

“Is there something you'd like to talk about… you know, man-to-man?” Ishida asked.

 

Ichigo looked over at the Quincy, and chuckled when Ishida said `man-to-man.' He frowned, turning his gaze back to the city. Minutes went by before he spoke in a melancholy voice. “When did you tell Hime-san you loved her?”

 

Bewildered with his question, Ishida furrowed his eyebrows. “What concern is that to you?” Ichigo looked over at him again and Ishida noted how his face looked dare he say, desperate for an answer.

 

“I wanna know… how do you know when it's the right time to tell someone you love them?” Ichigo asked, and Ishida sworn for a moment that Ichigo's tone was so sad… tormented almost.

 

Clearing his throat sharply, he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose before replying. “I told her the minute I knew. It's very important to inform the person right away, you know. Keeping it to yourself can be quite regrettable.”

 

“Tell me about it,” Ichigo muttered as he sighed.

 

“Is there someone you're in love with, Ichigo?” Ishida prodded, raising a curious eyebrow. No response. “Well… all in good time, I suppose.” Ishida stood next to Ichigo, looking out over the city. He gasped and pointed down to the street when he spotted something. “Hey… look over here.”

 

“A hollow?” Ichigo asked, finally glad to be distracted by something else.

 

“Isn't that Rukia and Renji?”

 

Ichigo head snapped over to Ishida's direction, franticly looking down on the street where Ishida pointed. He then saw Rukia, still wearing the black kimono with the big red flowers from earlier that evening. Her arm was hooked around the tall red-headed and well dressed warrior Renji Abarai. They were walking into a restaurant- and by gods what a coincidence- in the very same vicinity where Ichigo was patrolling.

 

“Uryu, do me a favor,” Ichigo said with much excitement in his voice.

 

“Coming out here tonight was one favor too many, Ichigo. I'm not-” Ishida began but stopped mid sentence when he saw the anxious look in Ichigo's eyes.

 

“I thought you told me it's important to tell them right away,” Ichigo said with his voice nearly breaking. Ishida eyes widened with surprise as he looked down on the city street where Rukia was, and then back at Ichigo. “Please.”

 

“What is it?” Ishida asked easily, now knowing the nature of Ichigo's distress.

 

“Finish my patrol for me tonight. That's all I ask.” Ichigo tried not to plead.

 

After a brief pause Ishida sighed, rolling his eyes. “Alright, Kurosaki. But you owe me one. Two, in fact.”

 

Slapping him hard on his shoulder, Ichigo grinned. “Thanks man.” As he began to leap off the roof, Ishida who was now nursing his shoulder called out to him.

 

“Kurosaki,” Ishida said, and Ichigo turned around. “Make sure you tell her.”

 

Ichigo only smiled, giving him a thumbs up as he leapt off.

 

@@@@@

 

After returning his soul to his human form that was discreetly hidden in a nearby vacant warehouse, Ichigo dashed down the street to the restaurant he saw Rukia and Renji enter.

 

He stopped at the door, catching his breath and running his fingers through his hair before he entered. He walked in hurriedly, his eyes darting all over the establishment as he looked for Rukia. The maitre d' soon approached him, his hands clasped neatly at his chest.

 

“Sir I'm sorry but you cannot dine here.” The maitre d' told him in a snippy tone.

 

“Why not?” Ichigo flustered, not needing another roadblock from his primary mission.

 

“Gentlemen wear jackets in this restaurant sir.” The maitre d' informed him.

 

Reaching down into his pocket, Ichigo brought up about 4600 yen** (nearly all his allowance from the last two weeks) and inconspicuously placed it in the maitre d's palm. “Have you seen Mr. Yen around here tonight, then?”

 

Stuffing the money into his pocket inside his jacket, the man smiled. “No, I haven't but I can give you a jacket and you can go look for yourself sir.”

 

“Splendid.” Ichigo said dryly.

 

The maitre d' snapped his fingers sharply, and another man walked up with a jacket thrown over his arm. Ichigo grabbed it, throwing it on quickly.

 

“Does the jacket fit well sir?” the maitre d' politely asked.

 

It must have been a little boy's jacket. The sleeves rode up his arms, the shoulders hunched up like it was about to give away. Ichigo brought his arms down into each other, stretching his back and the sound of the jacket's material ripping apart was quite evident. “It fits just well now. Thanks.”

 

It didn't take him long to spot Rukia and Renji in a small, secluded booth, both of them sitting rather close to each other. Renji was whispering something in her ear and it made Rukia giggle, her cheeks reddening. He took in a deep breath and approached them leisurely. Rukia's eyes finally drifted over to his direction and surprisingly she sat up, moving a little from Renji.

 

“Ichigo.” Rukia spoke with much wonder in her voice.

 

Ichigo nervously rubbed his hands together, staring at both of them seated there. “Evening… hi.”

 

Rukia expected him to say something else, so lifting her eyebrows she said, “Ichigo?”

 

“Forgive me, I'm sorry… sorry to interrupt your dinner,” Ichigo began, his tongue suddenly swelling in his mouth. “It's just ah…there's kinda an emergency.”

 

“Emergency?” Rukia quickly asked. “What kind of emergency?”

 

Ichigo starched his head, squinting his eyes. “Well…”

 

“Oh! I'm sorry,” Rukia gasped, noting her rudeness. “Renji this is Ichigo Kurosaki my Shinigami partner, Ichigo this is Renji Abarai. I'm sure you two remember each other, right?”

 

“Yeah, we actually saw each other last—” Ichigo began, but Renji stuck his hand out in front of him.

 

“Yeah, from the soul society… how you doing?” Renji said loudly, and Ichigo warily took his hand, wondering why he didn't want Rukia to know he came by her house last night.

 

“Nice to meet you too.” Ichigo said slowly.

 

“Listen, why don't I excuse myself and let you two discuss whatever's going on.” Renji offered.

 

“It's not necessary for you to go,” Rukia seemed to whine, making Ichigo mad at how she was acting around him.

 

Standing, Renji patted her on the shoulder. “It's okay. Have a seat Ichigo; I'll be back in a few minutes.” He gave Rukia a quick wink of the eye before he left the table.

 

Once they were alone, Rukia smiled at her friend, and patted the seat next to her. Ichigo smirked and sat down. There was a brief silence before either of them spoke.

 

“Well.” Ichigo said nervously.

 

“Well.” Rukia repeated, clasping her hands together on the table, staring at him patiently.

 

“So that's your old friend Renji.” Ichigo asked.

 

“That's my old friend Renji.” Rukia replied, noting his mockery.

 

“I had an old friend Renji once. Kinda looked like him too,” Ichigo said with a bit of mirth in voice. “He had heartworm really bad so we had put him down.”

 

“What is the emergency Ichigo?” Rukia asked, her tone agitated.

 

“I'm getting to it,” Ichigo assured her, nodding his head, never looking her in the eye.

 

“There is no emergency, is there Ichigo?” Rukia spoke gravely.

 

“Yes there is. There is an emergency.” Ichigo repeated again. He couldn't get his damn leg from shaking from under the table…

 

“Alright,” Rukia drawled out slowly, her patience wearing thin.

 

Pausing briefly, Ichigo grabbed the nearest glass of wine and gulped it down quickly. Yeah, he was underage, but he was no stranger to having a drink. And he needed one badly now. Rukia just watched him, bemused at how jittery he suddenly became.

 

“Well… I kind of realized something last night.” Ichigo began, still not looking at her.

 

“…What?” Rukia asked, her curiosity now peaked.

 

“I made a decision. A big decision,” Ichigo added, finally looking over at the raven-haired beauty, his cheeks flushed. He quickly looked away from her, ashamed of what she might have seen in his eyes. “God, Rukia.”

 

Rukia fretfully smiled at his vulnerability, trying to search his eyes but he shielded them away. “…What Ichigo?”

 

Ichigo looked at her again; this time ready to say what needed to be said. “Look, what I'm trying to say is I-“

 

“Hi,” Renji said coolly, making them both jump. They both stared at him awkwardly before Ichigo slid down in his seat a little and Rukia tucked her hair behind her ear, smiling. “Did I come back too soon?”

 

“No,” Rukia and Ichigo said in unison, diverting their eyes off of Renji nervously.

 

“In fact the meeting is over,” Ichigo said with a placid smile, getting up from his seat. Renji never sat down, and they both seemed to stare each other down for a moment; sizing the other one up. Rukia notices the sudden apprehension between the two, and she bit her lip, thinking hard of something to say.

 

“Would you like to stay for a drink?” Renji asked Ichigo, breaking the tension between them.

 

“I wouldn't want to impose…” Ichigo told him as he stuffed his hands inside of his pockets.

 

“You're not imposing, I insist,” Renji sat down next to Rukia, nodding to Ichigo to sit.

 

He hesitated for a moment, catching a brief glance of Rukia's pleading face to not follow through. He hunched his shoulders, giving a slight chuckle as he said, “Maybe for just one drink.”

 

Rukia sighed, pursing her lips together as she sat back against the leather red cushions. “Great.” As Ichigo sat back down opposite of Rukia, she couldn't help but wonder what were the chances of the two men that she was now sandwiched between both being here tonight. “This is good… I wanted you two to meet again; I didn't think it would be tonight… but this is nice.”

 

There were a few small chortles between them before it died down to an awkward silence. Getting an extra glass, Renji filled all their glasses and they made a brief toast. Rukia's eyes lit up with a topic for conversation as she took a small sip from her glass. “You know Renji has been promoted back to Vice-Captain.”

 

“Really?” Ichigo said as took a gulp of the house wine again.

 

“It's really no big deal, Rukia.” Renji chided.

 

“It is a big deal Renji,” Rukia said placing a hand on his briefly. “You're only a step away from captain now and there are two captain positions open!”

 

“Maybe you can try out for one of the captain spots Ichigo,” Renji told him as he took a drink.

 

“I can't do it; I have to finish up school you know, it being my last year and all.” Ichigo replied as he jiggled the wine glass from each hand.

 

Renji nodded, taking another sip. He looked down at his drink, nudging Rukia. “This drink reminds me of when we had that training up in the Tongan Mountains south of the Rukongai. Remember that, Rukia?”

 

Rukia laughed, covering her mouth as she thought about what he said. “How can I forget the Tongan Mountains? That was something!” They both chuckled together, and Ichigo noticed how they seem to blush.

 

“What's so special about the Tongan Mountains?” Ichigo asked, inwardly irritated that he wasn't part of the conversation.

 

“It was towards the end of the semester when our class got assigned to go to the Tongan Mountains for hollow training,” Renji started off with much enthusiasm in his voice. “We camped out on that mountain for five days. On our last night Rukia twisted her ankle badly while fighting this hollow… and instead of holding up the entire class I offered to carry her back down to the Soul Society. She wasn't heavy or anything… it was all the camping gear we had that made the trip down so strenuous.” Renji looked over at Rukia, a small and yet obscure smile on his face. “But we made it down… didn't we Rukia?”

 

Ichigo didn't like the cryptic tone in Renji's voice. And as he watched how Rukia blushed, lowering her head shyly as Renji gazed at her it was quite obvious that something occurred between them while they made their hike back down that mountain.

 

“Yeah… two days and two nights, but we made it.” Rukia spoke softly, seeming to look lost in nostalgia as she lifted her head up to smile at the red-headed Shinigami.

 

Ichigo's eyes narrowed down to mere slits, hating how they just ignored him as they swooned looking at each other… revolting. Taking another huge swig of his house wine, he looked at the couple darkly as he managed to say, “Seemed like fun.”

 

“What was?” Rukia asked quickly, hearing the suspicion in his voice.

 

“The hike down the mountain… what else would I be referring to? Unless there was something else…” Ichigo quipped, his head already spinning from the effects of the alcohol.

 

“Maybe you've had too much to drink, Ichigo,” Renji warned him, amused with his sudden outburst. “You are still a school kid-“

 

“But I'm still a man, just like you,” Ichigo spat out, his light spirited mood quickly evaporating. “I don't have hundreds of tattoos on my body or my fucking hair up in a sissy ponytail, but I'm all man. Fucking believe it.”

 

“Ichigo!” Rukia exclaimed, shocked he was behaving so badly.

 

“I wasn't calling you a child, Ichigo… but you're acting like one now.” Renji teased, jabbing Rukia in her shoulder. “He can't take a fucking joke!”

 

“Can you both stop using that language in here?” Rukia pleaded, looking over her shoulder at the other patrons. “This is a fancy restaurant. Act civilized.”

 

“Spoken like a true noble,” Ichigo spoke, his tone cruel as the effects of the alcohol gave him courage to say things he only dared to think. “You think you're some high class shit, don't you Rukia? You curse just as bad as we do!”

 

“There's a time and a place for everything Ichigo,” Rukia spoke through gritted teeth, trying hard not to yell. “Shut up.”

 

“Let's get out of here, shall we?” Renji finally said, throwing his hands up into the air. Rukia frowned, not only was her evening ruined, but Renji had managed to get slightly drunk as well.

 

Rukia sighed, throwing her napkin down onto her empty dinner plate. “I suppose so…”

 

As Ichigo stumbled out onto the sidewalk, he grabbed a hold of the bus stop sign on the corner. He felt good; but his head was spinning like a damn top. Clutching the sign tighter, he shut his eyes tight, hoping the vertigo would leave him. He finally opened his eyes, looking at Rukia and Renji chatting quietly with each other, and then she looked over at him, pity laced across her face at his drunken display. Renji reached out and rubbed her arm, and he heard him tell her it would be okay. He walked over to Ichigo, who was now letting of the sign as he attempted to stand up straight.

 

“Come on Ichigo… I'll walk you home buddy.” Renji proposed.

 

“I don't need anyone to walk me home,” Ichigo slurred waving his hands. “You walk Rukia home, I'll be fine.”

 

“Ichigo,” Rukia said softly as she walked up to him her with concern in her eyes. “Let Renji walk you home. I've called myself a taxi… so I'll be fine.”

 

Ichigo smiled, placing a heavy hand on her shoulder. “You always look out for me, Rukia…” He looked over at Renji with heavy eyelids. “Isn't she the greatest?”

 

“Yeah, she is.” Renji replied.

 

“This is a good guy, Rukia.” Ichigo shouted out to Rukia, slapping him hard on his back as they began to walk down the sidewalk. Rukia only waved, watching her two friends walk away. Sighing, she felt grateful that the evening was over, but she now pondered on what Ichigo was trying to tell her earlier.

 

@@@@@

 

Pulling up the closed window, Renji climbed inside before pulling a very drunk and very limp Ichigo through. He was glad his bed was right over the window, and Ichigo plopped face first onto the mattress.

 

“Hanging in there, Ichigo?” Renji asked after noticing he wasn't making a sound. Frowning, he poked Ichigo in the shoulder, and he groaned. “Are you okay?”

 

“I'm gonna hurl,” Ichigo rasped out, trying his best to pull himself up on shaky arms. Renji looked around the room, and saw the wastepaper basket under the desk. He quickly rushed over and grabbed it just in a nick of time as he heard Ichigo dry heave. Setting the basket down, Ichigo was now sitting up on the edge of bed. He pulled it close to him, leaning forward as the vomit spewed from his mouth.

 

After vomiting for what seemed like for several minutes, he weakly fell backwards on the bed. Renji walked over and picked his feet up, sliding his legs around until they lay at the foot of the bed. Crinkling up his nose at the wastepaper basket, he patted Ichigo on the leg. “Keep that basket near you in case you gotta go again, okay?”

 

As Renji began to climb back out the window, Ichigo called out to him. “Hey, Renji.” His voice was gravelly and sluggish, almost like he was in between unconsciousness. “You're alright man.”

 

Renji smiled. “Try not to fall out of bed. Night.”

 

Renji was an earshot out the window just when he heard Ichigo mutter, “Rat bastard.” He froze; looking over his shoulder at the man lying there, obviously passed out and snoring. He narrowed his eyes at the Shinigami as he closed the window, climbing down the Kurosaki Clinic building and making his way down the dark city street.

 

@@@@@

 

Rukia sat on the edge of her bed, nervously playing with a string on her nightgown. It wasn't anything fancy or revealing- just a simple cotton oversized tee that she lounged around in on the weekends. In the background she had her CD player on, the music playing lightly as she thought about what she was about to do- and with whom. Everything was so perfect tonight- Renji came to her door with flowers, they laughed all the way over to the restaurant and he even managed to give her a quick peck on the lips while she snuggled close in the booth. At that moment she knew what she was doing was right, it felt good to be around Renji, and it was time they rekindled what they almost started so many years ago.

 

Then Ichigo came and chaos ensued.

 

Why did he come there, tonight of all nights? Rukia thought to herself. Just looking at his face crashed all her expectations of what was going to happen tonight. Damn you Ichigo, for ruining my evening and my piece of mind!

 

Then there was something weird about how he was acting, too. He was nervous- a trait she never saw in him. His face was getting all flushed and he was jittery when he was trying to tell her something- but what was it? And then he began drinking- yet another thing she'd never seen him do. It was like he was drowning his sorrows, right in front of her.

 

But over what?

 

A small knock on her door drew her out of her thoughts, and the door opened. Renji poked his head in, a warm smile on his lips.

 

“Are you decent?” Renji said in a playful tone.

 

“Yeah, come on in knucklehead.” Rukia laughed. Renji stepped inside, quietly shutting the door behind him. He leaned against the door, gazing at Rukia as he titled his head to one side.

 

“You know he's quiet a character,” Renji noted, referring to Ichigo.

 

“Who? Justin Timberlake?” Rukia asked, the music until the end of time playing on the CD player.

 

Renji laughed, pushing himself off the door as he placed his hands on his hips. “Yeah… him.” Rukia smiled shyly, putting her head down to cover her laugh when she heard him speak again. “Come here.”

 

Rukia raised her head up, looking at Renji. All the humor had left his features; he now stared at her with wanting intensity. She hesitated to move at first; but then she stood and walked slowly across the room to him. As she stood in front of him, her heart beat furiously as his hand reached out and caressed her face. She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. Renji's other hand rested on her shoulder, which led up to the back of her neck. He gently pulled her towards him, and they kissed. This was not like the kiss she got at the restaurant. This kiss was hungry and passionate. As he backed her to the bed, he slid his hands across her ribs under her tee, making Rukia shiver with anticipation. They both fell back on the bed, and Renji pulled the tee over Rukia's head, exposing her naked body to him.

 

@@@@@

 

Rukia laid there tangled in the bed linens, her head propped up on her pillow as Renji was lying partially on her, his head resting on her stomach. Renji was gentle as he made love to her, in spite of fact it was over before she could get warmed up. She was so close to climax when she felt him shudder with his thrusts, so to ensure that he wouldn't feel bad about it later- she faked.

 

He rolled off of her exhausted, and Rukia's body still tingled for more. She knew the effects of the alcohol didn't help him or their bout; but at the present moment their lovemaking wasn't the primary problem.

 

Even now as she lay entangled between the sheets with another man, her thoughts still plagued her. She looked down at Renji, his hair lying down around his back and shoulders as he held on to her possessively. My dry spell is over…I should be satisfied…right? Rukia thought to herself sullenly. Her eyes drifted over to the bedroom window, noticing how the stars twinkled in the night sky. With a fully awake mind, she knew rest was not coming soon. One thought, or one person kept coming to mind.

 

Ichigo.

 

::To Be Continued::

 

 

_____

 

 

 

*Japanese-style cafeterias

** $40.29 US dollars