Disclaimer: Don't own Bleach. Don't own it's characters. I'm just a humble fan writing about them. :) There's language, drinking, adult situations...yadda yadda...with those three things you know what to expect. ;)
Sake, Memories and Loose Lips
Chapter 1: A Dare And A Plan
A thoroughly sated couple lay entwined on the futon in the apartment belonging to a popular vice captain by the name of Abarai, Renji. His long red hair fell down his shoulders and onto his bare chest. A black satin sheet barely draped carelessly across his hips; hardly covered his male modesty. Also, a similarly covered blond snuggled tightly against his body, resting her head on his muscular chest.
"Renji?"
"Yes, Rangiku?"
He was tired after several hours of drinking sake, followed by even longer periods of feisty sex with the busty woman. Cautiously, he lifted his head slightly to gaze down at her pensive face. "What is it?" Dubiously, he asked her, "You're not ready to go again are you?"
Giggling, she replied, "No. Just thinking. That's all. And I like it better when you call me Matsumoto. I've never liked my first name. In fact, I've always hated it!"
Sitting up, she pushed the sheet aside and walked over to the table by his bedroom window. Picking up the sake bottle, she realized it was still cold...and FULL! Hell yeah! She really felt sorry for Renji now. For when the sake hit her bloodstream...it immediately went to her head and other regions. She'd wear him out again! Good thing he knew how to wear her out too.
Concerned about his fellow fuku-taicho and lover, he rose from the bed and crossed to the table to stand behind her. Wrapping his strong, tattooed arms around her waist he gently placed his chin on her pale shoulder. "What gives? You're not usually this quiet. Unless you're sleeping, of course."
Turning in his arms to face him, the quiet look had vanished from her eyes to be replaced with a mischievous light. "I've been wanting to get all our friends together again. It's been so long since we've had one night to talk and just have fun." Wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. "Besides, I want to see if they're as happy as we are."
"No way, Matsumoto! I know exactly what's stirring in that mind of yours." His eyes widened as he realized she'd pull him into her scheme, whether he wanted to be involved or not. "I don't think our friends would approve of you playing matchmaker with each other."
Slightly affronted, the beautiful blond glared at him. "And just why not? Almost all of my attempts at it have worked with a very low failure rate. If anything, we'll just get together for drinks and fun with no one the wiser. Okay?" She looked at him with her huge, blue doe eyes, batting her lashes; lightly biting her bottom lip.
Renji sighed. "Man! The shit I let you drag me in to, Matsumoto. So who's being invited?"
"Just a minute! Let me go get my paper and pen and I'll show you." Breaking the hold on his arms, she ran to get the mentioned items. Grabbing them off his small table by the bed she promptly sat and began to write. Moments later she yelled, "Done!", and thrust the paper up in her lover's face.
Smirking, he said, "This ought to be fun. But how are you gonna get everyone on this list to actually "show up"?" Staring back down at the paper in hand, he realized they'd have a hell of a time getting several to put in an appearance.
"Well, there are certain ones that'll be easy to invite. Just say "sake" and they're there!" Matsumoto smiled in remembrance at several of her friends obvious love for the drink. She, herself, adored it on many occasions ,when she needed help to ease the loss of a friend, or just when she was feeling down.
"I know I'm gonna regret asking this, but who and what am I responsible for?" He sat down beside her contemplating the scribbles on the white stationary.
Bouncing on the bed a few times, she squealed in glee. Handing him the sheet, she threw her arms around him and spilled her plans for him. Explicitly, she instructed him on the one individual that had to come regardless of his plans. "I want to fix him up with the new recruit in Hitsugaya-taicho's unit. I think the two of them would make a perfect couple!"
"Hell, no! He barely talks to me, so how am I gonna get him there? The only time we speak is when we're training or filling out the required paperwork, and that's it. No small talk or nothing."
"Please, Renji, for me!" She picked right back up with her begging eyes routine. Adding to it, her slim fingers slowly crawled up his chest; tracing the black tattooe's that ran all over his back, shoulders, abdomen and head.
Matsumoto giggled when her lover groaned at her touch. "So, please say you'll do it? I'll bet you a whole bottle of sake that you won't do it?"
"What kind of bet is that?" Confused, Renji wondered what game she was playing at now.
"Tell you what, I know you've got another bottle of sake in the kitchen. The object of this game is that we'll each drink a bottle of sake and whoever finishes their's the quickest...wins!" Staring at her reluctant lover, she whispered, "I dare you." The woman was a genius at manipulating men around her whim. She'd done it all her life.
"You know that's a weak point for me, Rangiku! That's not fair!"
She was more than aware of it. She'd heard it straight from Hisagi, Shuhei and Kurosaki, Ichigo after they spent the night drinking and playing poker. It had been a rather interesting conversation indeed.
Flaunting her impending victory, she threw back at him, "Life's not fair, Renji, so get used to it already! Come one, what have you got to lose?"
"A week in unit four's infirmary."
"He wouldn't do that to you?"
"Oh, really? Who do you think put Kenpachi in the infirmary for several days? All because he refused to mind his own business. He asked him if he was screwing the nice, hot package from unit ten and man, Byakuya coldly told him to "piss off! Not many people have ever heard the man swear, but bad went to worse and Kenpachi insulted him. All of that resulted in a badly destroyed part of the outer court and the fighting demon from hell was the recipient of Byakuya's final release of his bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi shūkei. He was cut all to hell! Took Kenpachi two weeks to fully recover from it."
"All you have to do is hint that the new recruit will be there and I'm sure he'll come. He's had his eyes on her since the moment their paths crossed. He watches her especially when he thinks no one's paying attention, but we do."
"What about your taicho? How will you convince him to come?"
Blue eyes twinkling brightly, "Simple. I'll tell him Hinamori-chan will be there. He'll come."
"As I said, how do you know?" Renji crossed his arms dubious that this would have a chance in hell at working out.
"Trust me. I'll just drop a few hints here and there about Hinamori coming and about the two younger recruits in unit thirteen that have their eyes on her. He'll be jealous enough to show. I know my captain and I know him well."
The blond continued, "So let's get our sake bottles, and if you win, I'll ask your taicho as well as mine, you get a bottle of sake...and me." She held her index finger up in the air, "But, if you lose...you have to request the presence of both our taicho's, and you'll owe me a bottle of sake." Holding out her hand, Matsumoto patiently waited for him to shake on it.
Reluctantly, the usually courageous red head closed his eyes and grasped her hand, firmly, and shook it. "Deal", he muttered.
"Deal. Let me go get the other bottle." Jumping up from the bed, her perfect body flounced to the kitchen. Seconds later, she returned sake bottle in hand. Now they each had one.
Taking up her previously vacated position on Renji's bed, she yanked the top off and grinned, 'Ready to lose fuku-taicho, Abarai, Renji?"
Smirking back at her, "To you...never! Get ready to eat your words fuku-taicho, Matsumoto, Rangiku! You're looking at the victor, so prepare your "convincing speeches" for our superiors."
"That's what you think! Raising her bottle to her lips, she waited as her lover joined her in the same position. "Ready...raise...drink!"
Both of them speedily gulped the beverage down, necks and heads bobbed as they drank. Suddenly, the busty unit ten's second in command raised her bottle high up in the air. "I win!"
Renji was still drinking and he glanced sideways at her in disbelief. Dropping the bottle from his mouth, he asked, "How the hell did you finish that so fast?"
Quirking her eyebrow in his direction, she decided to tease him a little. "Well, Renji, it's like this...drinking sake in a speedy fashion and giving a blow job are the same in that you use speed and deep throat action. The quicker and more efficient everything works together, the better you will be!"
She laughed at the perplexed expression on his face. Wouldn't his friends die to see that look! "Well, Renji, you lose the contest so you'd better be preparing speeches!"
"I'm in deep shit! How do i let you do this to me?"
Kissing him, she pulled back briefly to say, "Because you love me, that's why."
"Yeah, are you sure that's what it's called though?"
Shooting him a dirty look, she pushed him hard, and he landed backwards on the bed. Then the talented woman showed him just how much speed and team action she could indulge in.
A young woman dressed in the formal style of a shinigami recruit walked leisurely along the river bank, near the Kuchiki residence. Pale, blond hair shimmering softly under the full moon's eager light, she sighed. There was so much she wanted to think about, but she didn't think the gently rippling waters could help her concentrate tonight. There'd been so much to happen since she'd come here. So much. And it was good that she easily made friends because she'd already befriended several top ranking taicho's and fuku-taicho's. She wasn't worried about her performance for she'd graduated with top honors leading her fellow classmates.
After leaving the academy, she'd been assignned to unit ten led by taicho Hitsugaya, Toshiro. With his silver hair and sometimes impatient personality, he wasn't the friendliest sort. Thanks to Matsumoto, she quickly found her own way around his cold barriers. And she knew that people talked about their closeness, even hinting that the two were lovers. Like that would ever happen! He was completely hooked on unit five's taicho, Momo, Hinamori. They were so cute together.
The girl thought about the man she adored from afar. The one who'd never know she was alive, and that thought made her incredibly sad. He was a high ranking shinigami in an even higher ranked family of nobility. Why would he ever look her way? She really didn't have anything to offer him. She wasn't that pretty or skinny, but she never lacked for friends. Better to have friends than no one. That was her life long philosophy.
Completely wrapped up in her thoughts, she walked forward, head down when she abruptly ran into a huge, wall of solid muscle. The force of the sudden stop sent her reeling, and she gasped.
A pair of strongly built arms quickly, but gently, grabbed her, keeping her from falling on her pride.
She was almost afraid to look and see who her rescuer happened to be. Squeezing her eyes shut, the girl hoped it wasn't the very subject of her pensive contemplations. The mortification would be beyond belief.
Drawing in a shaky breath, she finally chanced a glance at the one who'd kept her from falling. Slowly, her eyes took in the regulation black shinigami outfit with...oh no!, a white captain's robed worn over his clothing. Please no! Not him. Anyone but him. She didn't think she could take this right now.
Her eyes finished the slow sweeping look up his body to land on his face. What a beautiful, or handsome face it was! His dark blue eyes regarded her in icy questions. Mouth slightly open, the girl wondered if she was drooling. Quickly swiping her hand across her mouth, she discovered she wasn't salivating all over herself. Good.
"Are you alright?" His tones caused an involuntary shiver to run down her spine. "You are Kotasho, Inate. Are you not?" He released her hands from his tight grip.
"Yes. How do you know me?" Inate was shocked that unit six's rather infamous, gorgeous Kuchiki-taicho knew her name! She was basically a nobody in the shinigami world, so how did he know?
Replying in his typical flat manner, "It's my business to know all new recruits and their abilities when they join. It's the responsibility of all the taicho's in Gotei thirteen."
Oh. So she wasn't special enough to particularly stand out, grabbing his attention. Talk about a harsh let down. Not that she really expected anything different. Every time she looked at him, a strange feeling welled up within. He occupied her dreams, her every waking thought, but she was a nobody so why would he ever glance her way?
Byakuya watched the pensive girl knowing all the while she was nervous in his presence. There was something interesting about her. He'd read all about her grades and performance statistics and reports. She'd make a good taicho one day after she gained the much needed field experience.
"Would you like to sit with me?"
His deep voice startled her. Looking at him wide eyed, she swore she was going to faint. Kuchiki-taicho was inviting her, Kotasho, Inate to sit with him! Matsumoto wasn't going to believe this!
Nodding her head, she shakily gave him her answer. "Yes, Kuchiki-taicho. I'd like that very much."
"When we're alone you may call me Kuchiki-sama or Byakuya if you wish. But only when we're alone. Is that clear?" The ice in his voice almost made her breath turn to frost with it's coldness.
"Hai, Kuchiki-sama."
Placing his hand on her back, he steered her towards his favorite spot by the river. A delicately decorated wooden bench sat close to the water's edge underneath a huge Sakura tree. Unknown to him, that was her favorite tree. The pink blossoms that floated in the wind made her happy in it's beautiful splendor.
The two sat down, each facing the river, refusing to look straight at the other. Inate was extremely nervous sitting here with the one man only one woman had been able to attain. Unfortunately, she'd died long ago and he'd never looked at another woman the same way again. Desperately, in her heart, she prayed to be the one to break the spell, capturing his frozen heart and melting it in her hands.
Byakuya and Inate talked long into the night. Soon her eyelids grew incredibly heavy and she wouldn't acknowledge how tired her body was. All she wanted was to stay here with Kuchiki-sama. This was her chance. She had to grab onto it with both hands, not letting go until he forced her.
The last thing she remembered is him asking was more about her life. She sleepily mumbled something, probably unintelligible due to her weariness. Only she never noticed the slight smile to break out on the unattached taicho.
In a way, she reminds me a little of Hisana, he thought. But then again, she wasn't. Hisana would never come back, and he'd never be lucky enough to get another opportunity with anyone like her in the least.
Looking down at the young woman sitting by his side, she'd already fallen asleep on his shoulder; snoring slightly. He couldn't help but smile at how angelic and child-like she appeared in sleep. Not many could carry off those attributes as she did. But she did it well.
Turning his gaze to the stars, he whispered, "Help me, Hisana. I miss you."
He never knew that the Inate had stirred enough to hear his words, and they tore at her heart, bleeding out the hurt they'd caused. Silently, she allowed tears to run down her face, the wind drying them the moment they fell. She'd never be able to compete with a ghost. Not one of this stature and elevated devotion, even after death. Her foolish thoughts came back to haunt her. Bitter regret tasted horrible when swallowed by force. That was her luck, always was, and would always be thus.
Eventually, the silently sobbing girl fell back to sleep. Byakuya glanced down and was surprised to see the last remaining, glistening tear on her pale cheek. Reaching over, he tenderly wiped it away, and caressed her cheek.
Giving the stars and the stirring water one last glance, he breathed out the night's sorrow. Wondering what to do with the sleeping girl, he mused there was only one thing to do. Picking her up bridal style he headed back in the direction of the mansion. It was time to sleep, and he felt it was sorely needed after dealing with the newest batch of newbies.
As he walked, the wind rose again blowing a stream of full, pink and lively Sakura blossoms. He smiled at the irony and continued on his way, calmly walking in the dark with a newly gained friend, maybe someday she'd be more.
"Hell no! What does he think he's doing?! Is he nuts? Seems like Kuchiki-taicho has a new toy!" The red haired tattoed man whispered loudly.
The blond by his side giggled at her lover's reaction. She turned to see the friends that were with them. Hisagi, Kurosaki, Rukia, Yoruichi and several others were taken aback by unit six's taicho. Definitely not his typical behavior. Could there be buried feelings for the girl in his arms? The party would tell!
"Told you, baka-teme!" Ichigo spouted off when Byakuya was out of earshot and eye range. Throwing an arm around the buxom blond, he said, "I agreed with Matsumoto-fuku-taicho about Kuchiki-sama and Kotasho. Pay up, Renji."
"Fuck off, Ichigo! Double or nothing after the party. Then we'll see, won't we?" Renji flashed his orange haired friend a wolfish grin daring him to accept the bet.
Easy money, the substitute shinigami thought. "You're on."
Both of their eyes shone with the promise of reckless behavior and easy money. The party would definitely be something that none of them could miss. Both of them wanted to see the apathetic, acting commander fall on his ass and wound up by a girl! They wanted to see him fall badly and it looked as if they'd get their chance.
After the exchange between Renji and Ichigo, all the rest of the shinigami broke up going to their perspective squad houses. Each of them anticipated the events that would go down two nights hence. It'd be one hell of a get together! That much was sure.
Another pair of eyes had been observing the taicho's and fuku-taicho's from a distance. It was fervently hoped that the group wouldn't cause too much trouble. After all wasn't attraction and flirtations enough trouble as it was without adding sake and their friends in the mix?
Shrugging his shoulders, the shadowed figure hurried off to climb in his warm bed awaiting the welcoming daylight and more paperwork. The trees and leaves barely rustled in his path, and the wind easily took care of that as it softly blew it's currents in and around his hair. It's cool caress felt so good, but not as good as the arms of a certain girl would feel. One day, they too, they'd get their chance. One day.
A/N: That's it for now. Hope you liked it at least a little. If I screwed up on anything feel free to let me know..but I caution you... I don't take flames, just nicely written constructive crit. :) Thanx to everyone who reads this...and if you don't mind reading/reviewing for me. It'd be greatly appreciated!!
