A/N: So! Here's my attempt at another Bleach story, hopefully it'll be a little better then the last lol. Originally I was co-authoring this one with someone but through unforeseen circumstances, I am not going it alone. *crosses fingers* Wish me luck! lol.
Also, since this one doesn't strictly follow the plot/storyline of either animes, I have dubbed it AU. Still it should be quite entertaining and I think I've done a well enough job at tying them together :) Hope you like it! ^^
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Yu Yu Hakusho.
Sakurada Yuuka sighed as she flipped through an art magazine. The store in which she was currently working was completely dead, and she hadn't seen a customer for the past hour and a half. As she leaned against the counter, her feet aching, she couldn't wait for her shift to be over so that she could finally head home.
Yuuka reached up and idly twirled a strand of her long brown hair. The rest was worn in a high ponytail with random braids throughout it, and her bangs were held back with a black wrap-around bandana. Her eyes, which were a blending of blue and green, lazily took in the pictures of the magazine splayed out on the counter.
Hearing the chime of the tiny bell over the door, Yuuka's eyes widened in mild surprise as she watched a customer stroll casually into the store.
"Cool human clothes in here…" He muttered to himself.
She didn't care that his words didn't make sense. All she could do was gawk at him like some love-struck schoolgirl crushing on the captain of the basketball team. He wore his wild and untamed red locks in a ponytail and had a white bandana tied around his head like a head band. His black t-shirt couldn't hide the muscles rippling underneath, and his gray jeans hugged his body just right. He was wearing a dark purple hooded open sweatshirt with the sleeves pushed up, his hands in his pockets as he browsed the various skater/punk clothing that the store sold.
Narrowed brown eyes finally landed on her. "Oh… hi."
Eventually, Yuuka found her voice, fighting the impulse to leap across the counter and tackle this hottie to the ground.
"Hi!" She greeted cheerfully, straightening and placing her hands on the counter as she studied him. "Can I help you?"
"Gods he is smokin'! Please say yes! All I need is one excuse – any excuse, to come around that counter!"
"Maybe." The redhead replied casually. "Think ya can help me pick out some cool clothes?"
Resisting a grin, Yuuka quickly moved from behind the counter, revealing her outfit. She herself was wearing a white sleeveless boy-beater that exceeded the black zip-up hoodie which reached her waist, the baggy sleeves pushed up just below her elbow, a faded grey denim mini-skirt over black leggings and plain black flats. She had eight piercings in her left ear and ten in her right. Around her neck was a black cord with a strange symbol on the end. Needless to say, the clothes the store sold was exactly her type and then some.
"So are you new to Karakura Town?" Yuuka asked slowly, trying to remain cool and collected as she shuffled through a rack of shirts.
It was hard, especially since now she was standing very close to the god-like man and pulling random articles of clothing that she would die to see him in off the rack. She had to look up several inches from under her lashes, mainly due to their height difference. He had to be at least 6'2" and she only came to about 5'6".
"Been here for a bit. Just getting to know the area." He admitted.
She turned and held up a tight black shirt that had a cool red and black graffiti design on the front.
"This would look great on you…"
"Thanks…" He paused, realizing he hadn't introduced himself. "Name's Renji by the way. Abarai Renji."
"I'm Sakurada Yuuka." The brunette replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
She couldn't put enough emphasis on the word 'pleasure'.
Renji blinked once, finding himself suddenly lost in her eyes as she stared back at him with a very attractively confident gaze.
"So what do you think?"
Brown eyes blinked for a moment, the unique blue-green shade momentarily entrancing him, before eventually snapping out of his trance and mentally shaking his head. "Huh? Oh... Yea, it's cool. You have good taste."
Yuuka smiled wide but didn't thank him.
"So how old are you?" She asked curiously, unable to stop herself. "Do you attend the university?"
"Oh, um…." Renji paused for a minute, seemingly either debating an answer or having been caught off-guard. "I'm twenty. No, I don't attend the university. Do you?"
"My first year. I'm going for an art major." Yuuka replied, smiling at him.
She wanted nothing more than to keep him talking. He was by far the most gorgeous man she had ever encountered, and he seemed nice and cool for the most part. Most of the boys she had met were either losers or pigs.
Renji seemed decent though, and it was hard to deny the attraction she had for him.
"So you're about eighteen then?" The Redhead questioned.
"That's right."
Renji smiled. Yuuka reminded him of Rukia in some ways, just by her attitude and demeanor. That is, she seemed like an interesting and creative person.
"So you work here all the time or just on weekends?"
The brunette grinned a huge, cheesy grin.
"Why? Thinking about coming in and seeing me again?" She replied playfully.
"PLEASE SAY YES!"
A small smirk appeared on the redhead's lips.
"Maybe. I like the clothes." He replied back teasingly.
Yuuka bit her lower lip and gazed up at him. It was the most flirty she had ever been with a complete stranger, but man she wanted nothing more than to be more then that. She wanted to know anything and everything about Abarai Renji.
"Hey, Yuu, your shift's over."
Yuuka mentally cursed her manager, Shizuru, who had just entered from the backroom.
"Kay. Lemme just ring up this customer."
Renji took the three shirts that Yuuka had picked out for him and followed her to the counter. She rang him up his total, slyly using her employee discount, and Renji gave her one last smile.
"There ya go. So maybe I'll see you around?" Yuuka said, as he picked up the bags from the counter.
"Yea, maybe you will." He said with a sly smirk. "Thanks again. Later."
Yuuka sighed dreamily and propped her chin in her hand, watching as Renji disappeared from sight. Suddenly she had someone nudging her ribs.
"Hey kid, you got a little drool on your face." Shizuru teased.
Yuuka felt her face flush as she straightened again and gave the tall brunette a small shove.
"Shut up, Shizuru!" She replied with a laugh. "Come on, you gotta admit, he was smokin!"
Shizuru smirked as she popped a cigarette into her mouth.
"Yea, wasn't too bad. Maybe I should see if he's single..."
Yuuka's eyes widened slightly.
"R-really? You mean you're interested..?"
She looked the elder brunette over, nothing with slight dismay the woman's utterly attractive profile. If Shizuru wanted Renji, then there was no chance in hell she'd be any competition.
However, Shizuru simply laughed heartily and reached out to ruffle the younger girl's hair.
"Relax, will ya! I was kidding. Besides, how old did he say he was? Twenty? Geeze I'm not a cradle robber!"
Yuuka released a silent sigh of relief before smiling again. She watched as the tall brunette reached into her pocket and pulled out a lighter before reaching up to light her cigarette.
"Ah-ah!" Yuuka exclaimed, reaching up to snatch the foul stick from the other woman's mouth. "You can't do that inside anymore, remember?"
Shizuru cursed foully before reaching up to take the cigarette being offered back to her.
"I forgot about that." She replied in irritably. "Morons! What a stupid law! Taking away a person's right to kill themselves slowly."
Yuuka laughed.
"They're not taking it away, just driving your smelly butt outdoors so the rest of us wholesome people don't have to die alongside you!"
Shizuru gave the younger girl a playful push, making her laugh again.
"Get the hell outta here will ya, before I decide to cut your lifespan in half right now!"
Yuuka grinned wide as she turned and stooped to snag her bag off of the floor.
"OK, OK, I'm going!" She replied, slinging the messenger bag over her shoulder and adjusting the strap. "Try not to make away with any of the customers while I'm gone."
"I make no promises." The other brunette said around the cigarette she'd placed back into her mouth.
Yuuka grinned and shook her head before making her way around the counter again.
"Fine, just make sure you dispose of the bodies before I come back. Don't really feeling being an accomplice to murder."
"Deal." Her boss replied playfully. Yuuka laughed one more time before bidding the woman goodbye and finally leaving.
Heading out of the store, Yuuka walked past the theatre, thinking about Renji. She couldn't stop thinking about him, and was anxious to see him again. Smiling to herself, the brunette couldn't help but hope she would.
"Hey! Hey, you! Get offa there!"
A tiny blue jewel sparkled in the setting sun as Wakahisa Emiko laughed and stuck out her pierced tongue. The man behind her shook his fist angrily as her skateboard grinded along the edge of his outdoor produce display. She landed gracefully on the sidewalk with practiced ease, giving the tubby man a mocking wave over her shoulder as she continued on her way.
"Mmmm. It is so great to be me." She thought with a grin. "Now, what am I to do with the rest of my night? Hmmm…."
Wakahisa Emiko had long hair she often wore loose and free, most of which was a light blue color except for several inches of white at the roots. Her skin was a pale tanned color and her eyes were a brilliant aquamarine shade, a good match for the cerulean polish usually adorning her nails. Like many personas her age, Emiko loved her piercings, all of which included; several ear piercings, tongue, eyebrow, bellybutton, a tiny blue diamond on the side of her nose, a pair of snakebites, labret and a half-dozen tiny black studs lining either side of her nose. This particular day she was wearing a blue tank top, black baggy capris with two long straps hanging from them, a black zip-up graphic hooded sweater with the hood – as usual – pulled up, blue converses and her favorite black studded leather belt with a brass knuckles-shaped buckle. Along with her multitude of piercings, she also wore aqua shaded eye makeup and lipstick.
Despite her appearance and the things she wore, no one could deny that the girl was very beautiful and that her jewelry looked tasteful, suited her even – even if many people didn't like it. It made many people frown in dismay that such an attractive girl would 'distort' her body the way she did, but Emiko was happy with herself and the opinions of others were the least of her worries.
Hearing her stomach growl angrily in protest, Emiko reached a hand up to absently rub it.
"Well, food is a definite must." She thought in consideration.
Sticking her hands into the pockets of her black hooded jacket, Emiko tipped to the side a little, causing her board to turn right as it carried her steadily along the streets of the town. Soon enough, the teen rolled into the park and gave a loud whistle. Down the road a little ways, a middle-aged man turned and grinned when he saw her coming. Quickly pulling a small package from his cart, he tossed it to the blunette. Emiko grinned back at him as she passed and easily caught the item before tossing the man a few coins, which he also easily caught with practiced ease.
"Thanks, Goro!" She called as she rode away.
The man gave her a wave as he watched her go.
"Hai!" He called after her, cupping his hand over his mouth. "Say hello to your dad for me!"
"Will do! See ya tomorrow!"
Emiko unwrapped the package and withdrew one of two hotdogs. Chomping down on one, she hummed happily as the flavor exploded into her mouth.
"Mmmm…. Still the best hotdogs in town!" She muttered over a mouthful of food.
Emiko continued on until she came to a beach. Coming to a stop, she got off her skateboard and kicked it up into her hands before walking into the sand. She approached the water and sat a few feet away from it, staring out over the scene absently as she finished her food.
"Say hello to your dad for me!"
The words rang out in her head and Emiko looked down, picking up a pair of dog tags hanging around her neck as she fingered them lovingly while she ate.
"Hmph." She thought ruefully. "Sure, whenever I get a chance to talk to him again…"
With a heavy sigh, Emiko stuffed the last of her second hotdog into her mouth before plopping backwards into the sand, staring up at the slowly appearing stars as she allowed the gentle roll of the waves to sooth her soul.
Yuuka yawned wide as her head turned to look at the clock beside her bed.
"Nine-thirty." She said to herself, sitting up and stretching hard. "That's late enough for a Sunday."
That said, the brunette got up, grabbed a quick shower and dressed, then grabbed her messenger-bag. She poked her head into her father's bedroom, seeing him snoring lightly, before she rolled her eyes and moved to head down the stairs. She made him a quick pot of coffee for when he decided to join the world of the living.
"See ya, Dad…" Yuuka couldn't help but say softly, before heading out the door.
A gentle smile occupied Yuuka's face as her hand glided across her paper. Just like every Sunday, she was sitting in the park drawing. She loved the peace and quiet and the park was the perfect place for inspiration, always something new to see and interesting people around.
Interesting people...
Yuuka smiled as a particular interesting redhead appeared in her mind's eye. She looked up at the pond before her fondly as her hand continued to glide across the page of her sketchbook.
"Renji..." She whispered with a smile.
"So, do you work here on weekends?"
"Why? Thinking about coming in and seeing me again?"
"Maybe. I like the clothes..."
Remembering their conversation from the day before, Yuuka felt herself squirm with delight as a huge, no doubt dopey, grin split her face at the prospect of Renji making a special trip to 'Sukebo-Panku' to visit her at work.
Absently looking down at her drawing, the brunette did a double take and her hand stopped its motion as she realized with a bright flush that what had started out as a beautiful scenery with a pond, gorgeous swans, and random people walking by now held a huge image of a certain redhead's face, floating above the serene scenery with a charming smile. As usual with her drawings, Yuuka's picture was so life-like and real that Renji's face staring up at her made her brilliant blush deepen.
Looking around quickly, as if looking to see if someone had seen this whole display, Yuuka hurriedly ripped the picture from her sketch book and tucked it behind the pile of loose papers underneath it, determined to push the redhead from her mind and start a new drawing.
"Man, what an awesome day." Emiko thought cheerfully as she glided around the park on skateboard. "Great weather, small crowd, the smell of the world's best hotdogs wafting through the air. What more could a skater ask for?"
The spunky girl was little more than a blur as she flew around the spacious park with the speed of a race car and the grace of a figure-skater. Every once in a while she'd pause to longingly watch a happy family, a parent playing with their kid and a pet, a mom or dad handing Goro money in exchange for a hotdog before handing it down to a grinning son or daughter. She'd only watch for a moment though before continuing on her way again. She loved being active and loved the feeling she got when she was on her board; as far as she was concerned, it was as close to flying as she could get.
"Much as I love this place, Sunday's are so boring!" Emiko thought with a bored sigh. "What I wouldn't give for a bit of excitement."
The thought hadn't left her mind before her wish was granted. Too little late, the blunette pulled her hands from her pockets and lifted them to brace herself.
"Look out!"
After quite some time, Yuuka stretched and closed the front of her sketchbook before standing up. She made to place it into her messenger bag but a voice to her right startled her as her head jerked up just in time to see someone hurdling towards her at a dangerous speed.
"Look out!"
Both girls screamed as they collided hard with each other and were knocked back a few feet, papers flying all over the place as they fell backwards, sprawled out awkwardly across from each other.
After a few moments, the girls groaned, the spunky skateboarder being the first to sit up.
"Hey, wow…. My bad! I am so sorry about that." She apologized, holding her throbbing head.
"Do I have to go to school, mama...?" Yuuka mumbled with swirly eyes. "...The other kiddies don't play fairly."
The brunette sat up and shook her head to clear the blurriness. When she could finally see and think straight she blinked at the other girl, found that she recognized her, and grinned wide.
"Hey! Emiko!"
Emiko grinned back at her.
"I knew I recognized you from somewhere!" The bright-eyed girl replied enthusiastically.
The girls knew each other because they lived across from each other and had for several years. Yuuka's father often sent his daughter over to their neighbors with meals every so often, since he knew that Wakahisa Akio – whom was a high-ranking officer in the American military - was gone ninety percent of the time, which left his daughter of eighteen alone in their modest Japanese home. The two girls were therefore familiar with each other, however weren't really friends, seeing as they'd both gone to different schools and had very different lives and jobs afterwards.
"Wow, talk about skill." Emiko commented, greatly impressed as she helped the brunette pick up the scattered drawings. "You did these? You've got wicked talent."
"Thanks." Yuuka replied modestly with a smile.
The blunette's hands and eyes then fell on another picture and she grinned wide.
"No way! That's me!"
Yuuka blinked at her in confusion.
"What? Really?"
She moved to look over Emiko's shoulder and laughed at the picture in the blunette's hands. It was a perfect image of Emiko skateboarding in front of the pond, little more than a blur, and swans scattering in fright as if the drawing was, in fact, a photograph.
"So it is." Yuuka said with a laugh. "I don't usually pay attention to what I draw; my eyes see something and my hand just moves."
"Sweet." Emiko replied, still grinning wide as she handed a stack of papers to the brunette. "Man, that is seriously awesome, Yuuka."
Yuuka smiled and both girls stood up but Emiko caught sight of one more stray picture on the ground and stooped to pick it up.
"Who's that?"
Yuuka's face flushed as she saw the picture Emiko was reaching for; the one that just so happened to be the picture of Renji she'd unconsciously drawn earlier. Quick as lightning, the brunette bent and swiped the picture up off the ground and stuffed it into her bag.
"No one!" She blurted hurriedly.
Emiko blinked at her, stunned, then burst into laughter.
"Ooookay then!" She drawled with amusement. "If you say so."
Yuuka sighed and finally gave the spunky teen a wide smile.
"Hey, so, I was gonna go grab some lunch. Care to come with?"
Emiko shrugged and stepped on the edge of her board, flipping it up into her hands with practiced ease.
"Yeah, sure. Let's go."
Leaving the ice cream parlor, a rather nice afternoon treat for such a beautiful day both girls thought, they made small talk as they walked – which had become a bit of a strange concept for Emiko since it was very rarely she ever walked such a distance rather then board.
"So, any luuurve interests?" Yuuka asked her companion with a wide grin.
Emiko shrugged absently.
"Not really." She replied simply, biting a big piece out of her ice cream. "Don't really have much time or use for relationships. Plus, most guys around here are so lame."
Yuuka laughed and licked her own ice cream.
"Yea, can't argue there." She agreed playfully. "Most of them are pretty… I duno, lame is a good word, I guess."
Emiko's smile widened and she turned to look at the brunette as she took another bite of her treat.
"So, what about you?" She asked casually. "Any hot dudes in your line of work?"
Yuuka felt her cheeks flush slightly and a small smile crept up her face without her permission.
"Actually, funny you should say that… there was this really hot guy who came into the store yesterday, Renji. I've never seen him around before but was he ever gorgeous! Like one of those ruggedly handsome model guys you see in magazines."
Emiko raised a brow in interest as a smirk crossed her face.
"In this dinky, boring old town? You're kidding. Lucky you. So, any pics? "
Yuuka laughed shook her head.
"Unfortunately, no; a major faux pas on my part! But I assure you, I'll have one next time!"
Emiko grinned before finishing off her ice cream and stuffing the stick into her pocket where her hands stayed.
"Good idea. Good eye candy is hard to come by around here, you've gotta savor every bit you can get!"
Both girls laughed heartily at this, thoroughly amused though they knew it wasn't really that funny. Just then, both girls stopped talking, and walking, as a loud roar was heard. After this the two saw a large white blur fly by followed by three black blurs. Both girls shifted uneasily at this.
"Come on, not now!" Yuuka groaned in her head, biting the side of her lip. "Man! What are those funny people in black? And how come I always see them everywhere?!
Taking a sideways glance at Emiko, she noted that the blunette was looking out the corner of her eye and looking a little uneasy as well. Both girls quickly looked away from each other and shifted uncomfortably.
"Keep your mouth shut, Yuuka!" The brunette mentally scolded herself. "You don't need anyone thinking you're crazy! Seeing monsters and funny people in black! Come on!"
Meanwhile, beside her, Emiko was standing rim-rod stiff, thinking very similar yet very different thoughts.
"Gimme a break, it's those freaks again! At least there's no poor sob bawling and screeching for help this time. But damn, what terrible timing!"
Emiko chewed her cheek as she considered her options.
"Well, I don't need a shrink to tell me I'm not supposed to see them, but those nut cases are always around… maybe they're angels or something...? Anyway, I think I've got Yuuka all nervous now thinking there's something wrong with me… Better hurry up and make up a good excuse as to why I stopped."
Emiko forced a convincing laugh and reached up to sheepishly rub the back of her head.
"Heh... sorry about that. I uh... I just thought of something and I guess I got a little caught up in it."
Yuuka grinned, though it looked a little forced.
"Yeah, no biggie. I thought of something too. I um... thought I'd left something back in the park earlier but, nope! Got it all right here!"
Yuuka patted her messenger bag and Emiko nodded. There was a long awkward silence until finally Emiko coughed and Yuuka cleared her throat.
"So! Shall we get going?" The blunette said a little loudly.
Yuuka nodded enthusiastically, more than willing to move on lest the strange people return.
"Yeah! Let's go!"
The two girls stopped walking as they reached their houses, or more accurately, Emiko's house.
"Well, it's been real." Emiko said with a grin.
Yuuka smiled back and nodded.
"Yeah, it's been fun. So listen, I was thinking about going to see that new movie tomorrow night, but none of my friends are into that kinda thing. Mostly artsy geeks, ya know?"
Both girls laughed at this, seeing as Yuuka was one of those 'artsy geeks' too, and the brunette spoke again.
"Anyway, you wouldn't wanna come watch it with me would you? I know it's a school night and all, and you've probably gotta get up early, but…"
Emiko didn't need to think very hard to answer.
"It's cool, I'm actually not in school at the moment and I've got an early shift at work. You talking about that new thriller that just came out? I've been dying to see that!"
Yuuka smiled wide in excitement.
"Great! So the six o'clock show work for you?"
Emiko nodded, absently shifting her board to her other hand.
"Works for me!"
"Awesome!" Yuuka said with a laugh. "See ya then!"
Emiko laughed as well and gave the brunette a mock salute.
"Cool! Catch ya later, Yuu."
The girls finally bid each other goodbye then and Emiko turned and headed into her house. She stopped in the kitchen, grabbed a box of pizza pockets from the freezer and popped them into the microwave. When they were finished, she grabbed a bottle of water, went to grab her things for work and set off to make her way to her usual Sunday shift.
Instead of crossing the street and heading home, Yuuka continued walking, allowing herself to become lost in her thoughts as she wandered aimlessly forward.
"I can't wait until next weekend!" Yuuka thought with a big goofy grin. "I wonder if Renji will come in again."
Yuuka sweatdropped.
"Oh boy... this is getting pathetic... I'm crushing on a guy and I don't even know him."
With a big sigh, the brunette placed a wide grin on her face and lifted her head confidently, not really sure where she was going, but not really ready to go home just yet. The grin froze on her face however when her eyes fell on someone just down the street, sitting on a bench at the bus stop.
"Oh no! I hope that's not who I think it is!"
But even as she stared at him, Yuuka knew that the young man sitting on the bench was in fact the person she'd just been thinking about. Yuuka looked down at herself and noted her black lazy, lounging pants, self-decorated black and white converses, and her plain white t-shirt with red graffiti design on it. In her opinion, she was in no state to mingle with cute boys just then.
The brunette whipped around and began hurriedly walking away, determined to get as far away from the handsome redhead as quickly as possible. She froze once again however as she heard a familiar voice shout her name.
"Hey, Yuuka!"
Her shoulders slumping, Yuuka slowly turned around and forced a weak smile upon seeing the person she'd been trying to avoid approaching her.
"Good, I remembered your name! Wasn't sure if that was right or not."
If Renji noticed or minded Yuuka's attire he said nothing. She couldn't help but smile genuinely as she noted that he was wearing one of the shirts she'd picked out for him the day before; a black sleeveless boys' version of the shirt she was wearing. Pushing her nervousness aside, she looked up into Renji's face and gave him a charming smile.
"Nice shirt." She teased, reaching out to tug at it playfully.
Renji returned her smile.
"Yeah, some cute chick picked it out for me." He teased back.
Yuuka laughed, blushing faintly over the compliment, and feeling her nervousness slowly ebbing away.
"She's got good taste." The brunette countered.
"Eh." Renji replied, suppressing a grin. Both people laughed and unconsciously they began walking again.
"So, you live around here?" Renji asked casually, his hands stuck into his pockets.
Yuuka nodded and replied. "Yeah, really close to here actually. I just came from there a while ago after walking my neighbor home, but I wasn't quite ready to go home so I kept walking."
"Oh." Renji replied. "Cool."
Yuuka smiled and there was silence for another while until eventually Yuuka broke it.
"So, where were you going? If you don't mind me asking?"
Renji looked down at her with a confused expression.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"The bus stop." Yuuka replied. "You were waiting at the bus stop. I just assumed you were waiting for the bus."
"Oh." Renji said again, and then he shrugged. "Nah, I wasn't waiting. I was just- uh… taking a break."
"A break?" Yuuka replied, tilting her head to one side questioningly.
Renji swallowed, unwilling to allow himself to get lost in her eyes again and unable to talk to her when she was looking at him like that.
"Yeah... I was uh… doing a job with some friends earlier and… afterwards I was kinda beat out so I stopped for a break."
Yuuka blinked at Renji for a moment, but as it seemed he wasn't keen on elaborating, she decided not to push him.
"I see." She said simply.
There was another long, this time awkward, silence and this one lasted a lot longer than the last. When finally Renji opened his mouth to speak again, he was cut off by Yuuka's statement.
"This is my house."
Renji stopped alongside her and blinked at the modern, average-sized house before them. Turning back to Yuuka he found himself once again drawn to her eyes, not noticing her fidgeting nervously as she stared up at him.
"So um... I guess I'll see you around then?"
Renji shook his head slightly and blinked a few times as if coming out of a trance.
"Uh, yeah. I'm sure you will."
Yuuka gave the redhead a smile and he returned it with a small one of his own.
"Well, bye."
"Later." Renji said simply, turning, surprisingly a little reluctantly, to leave.
"Renji?"
Renji stopped a few feet away from Yuuka's house and looked over his shoulder.
"Yeah?"
This time the redhead noticed the brunette's fidgeting as she pointedly avoided his gaze. Without really thinking about what she was saying, Yuuka nibbled her lip for a moment before spilling her words.
"I was gonna go see that new movie tomorrow and um... I was wondering if you'd like to come? With me?"
Renji blinked at her for a moment, and then turned fully around to face her again.
"Uh..."
Yuuka bit her cheek and shifted her weight to her other foot as she looked up at Renji now.
"Stupid! Why'd I say that?! He probably thinks I'm such a dweeb! I just met him yesterday for cryin' out loud!"
Watching her for a moment, Renji finally looked up as if thinking then shrugged and looked back at the brunette with a small smile.
"Yeah, I guess so. I don't really have anything better to do."
Yuuka blinked at him, stunned, and then suddenly broke out in a wide, dopey grin.
"Okay!" She replied enthusiastically. "See you tomorrow then!"
Renji nodded and gave her another small smile before turning and walking away. Yuuka watched Renji until he was nearly out of sight, then began dancing around happily as she made her way into the house.
"I'm going to a movie with the hunkiest, coolest, most sexy, gorgeous...est! Guy in town! GO ME!"
She suddenly paused as she remembered asking Emiko to the same movie as well. Looking back at the place where Renji had once been, she bit her lip.
"Uh-oh..." She thought sheepishly. "I hope Emiko doesn't mind..."
Deciding she'd have to wait and find out, Yuuka chewed her cheek for a moment before finally turning and heading into her house to spend her night in anticipation for the movie.
