(ダウン)
"Tatsuki-chan, please explain to me again, as to why am I doing here?" Inoue Orihime asked grudgingly of her best friend. Though at this moment, Arisawa Tatsuki was not fondly regarded as even a friend to the gentle-natured princess.
Tatsuki glared impatiently at Orihime. "Orihime, how many times must I tell you as to why and what we are doing here?"
Orihime sighed in exasperation. "That is the point, Tatsuki-chan. You told or rather ordered me to drop whatever I was doing to meet you here." She used the placard in her hands to wave as to where 'this' was. Tatsuki grabbed the 'weapon' in the pale hands to stop it from hitting on the other protesters.
"Here, Orihime, is where they are using harmless innocent animals for their cruel crimes against humanity experiments. We have to stop them. We will make them listen to what the people demand of them. We will burn down their laboratories and factories to achieve equal rights for all creatures, great and small!" Tatsuki got a little carried away with her strongly-held ideology.
Mild-mannered Orihime stared, speechless in shock at her violent friend. The other protesters slowly moved further apart from them. They too, stared wide-eyed at the karate practicer.
The auburn-haired beauty wearily noticed the weird looks they were given.
But Tatsuki was too far gone to pay any attention to the strange and slightly terrified gazes directed at her.
"Tatsuki-chan! Watch what you are saying." Orihime cautioned her, a little too late and lightly smacked her on the arm.
Tatsuki snapped out from whatever visions of destruction she was playing in her head and returned a look of confusion at Orihime. "What did I say?" She asked dumbly.
Orihime covered their faces with the placard and whispered, "You said something about burning down the pharmaceutical company laboratories and factories."
"I DID?!"
"Hush. Not so loud. You do not want people to think you are an unstable impulsive pyromanic, do you?" Orihime looked around and smiled sheepishly at everybody who was still continuing to view Tatsuki as a hot-headed lunatic.
And her next words proved everybody right.
"Although it is not really a bad idea. It sure as hell would get everybody's attention. Burn, Baby, Burn!" Tatsuki grinned devilishly.
"Tatsuki-chan!"
(とともに)
The tall lean orange-haired sharp-dressed figure stood contemplatively at his office window, scowling down at the protesters blocking the entrance to the company.
"Yo! Ichigo!" His red-haired colleague and friend sashayed in without a single knock on the door.
Kurosaki Ichigo turned and with his scowl firmly in place, he took the opportunity to chide the chief security officer for the mess outside their company.
"Renji, how long has the protest been going on? I would say three months, give or take, am I right?" He asked quietly.
Abarai Renji nodded, not sensing the chewing out he was going to receive.
Ichigo narrowed his eyes. He got himself ready to...
"So I am correct, am I. Then... WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT! AND CLOSE THE DAMNED DOOR. BETTER YET, CLOSE IT AFTER YOU LEAVE TO DO YOUR JOB, YOU WORTHLESS BABOON!"
One would have thought after such a loud dressing down, the CSO will cower in shame, offered his most sincere apologies about not getting the job done and get the hell out of the office.
But, instead Renji walked to the door, closed it and turned to face his old friend.
"What is it, Ichigo? Something is bothering you..." He put a hand up to stop what he knew Ichigo was going to say. "Besides the damned protesters, of course. You know you can tell me anything, and I or even Rukia, will try to help you in solving it."
Ichigo gave a rather annoyed noticeable disbelieving snort.
"Ichigo, I am hurt. Are you doubting our friendship?"
"Not our friendship, you doofus! But you and the midget."
"Why, Ichigo, are you jealous? I didn't know you felt that way for... me."
Renji began laughing at the disgusted expression that appeared on Ichigo's horrified face after the assumptions.
Ichigo did what he usually does when Renji caused him mental anguish of the revolting kind. He hit him. He hit him hard.
"Ouch! Ichigo, just because I don't love you that way, you don't have to resort to violence. You know I love you, but only as a brother."
Ichigo glared furiously at the idiot he called a friend.
Before he could retort that he has never even consider the red-haired pineapple top as a friend, much less a brother, the better half of his 'brother' strolled in without knocking as well.
"What is it with you uncultured philistines? Don't you know how to knock?" Ichigo scoffed mockingly and he was rewarded with a knock to the head.
"Who are you calling uncultured, you loud-mouthed orange top!" Kuchiki Rukia placed her hands on her hips and glared at Ichigo.
Ichigo returned the sentiment, tenfold. He did not hit women, even one as annoying as the midget. So he just glared deathly daggers at her small frame.
Renji just stood and looked from his friend to his girlfriend. Both were waiting for the other to wither first. At this rate, he doubted either of them will lose to the other. He decided to break the eyeballing 'each other to deepest depths of hell' match.
"Rukia, don't be so harsh on him." Renji waited for Rukia to glance his way before proceeding, "He might have suffered a lost of some sorts." Rukia's expression softened. "Ichigo, I am so sorry." She patted him on the arm.
Ichigo looked stupefied. "What the goddamned fuck are you blabbering about?!" He turned to Renji, just in time to catch him mouthing the word 'l.o.v.e.' to Rukia.
"You know I can spell, you buffoon! And what is it about 'love'?"
"Well, I assumed you have broken up with..." Renji began to explain.
"Don't mention that parasitic bitch's name!" Ichigo spat out.
Rukia looked at Ichigo with sisterly concern, "Oh Ichigo,"
"I do not need your pity!"
"It is not pity. More like congratulations for getting rid of the bimbo leech. You are better off without her. Much better off."
"Rukia's right. She was not the one for you either. You are trying too hard to look for love in all the wrong places and the wrong bodies, tempting as they were... Ouch! Rukia!"
"The big lug is right. You are trying too hard. You will know you have found it when true love decides to make an appearance."
Ichigo ruffled his untameable spiky hair roughly, "I just want the love my parents have." He looked in reluctance, with a tiny touch of envy at them and blew out an exasperated breath, "Even what the two of you have." He admitted resentfully.
Renji and Rukia looked at each other and smiled lovingly. Renji placed his big arm around her thin shoulder.
What they have, eh?
"Ichigo..."
"No. Why are we even discussing about my personal life during office hours. We should be finding a solution to that." He jerked a finger at the window.
"Yea. It's a public relation worse nightmare."
"Didn't you have a 'talk' with them when they started with the protest?"
"I did try to negotiate a peaceful solution with them but, they insulted me by saying I was just a small lackey and they want to 'talk' to someone in a higher position."
"And that someone would be?"
"You, Ichigo."
"And you are telling me, only now."
"I did not want to make matters worse with your 'death' face. Who knows what would escalate when you 'talk' to the protesters."
Renji started laughing like a damn hyena again.
Ichigo glared at the two of them before walking to his window. He stared down at the protesters.
A shinning reddish orangy shade enticed him to take a closer look.
His mouth lifted up into a smirk.
So they want to talk?
"Rukia, regardless of what you think I would react at a negotiation with the protesters, I will still want to talk to them. But only with one of them and with her."
He instructed for both of them to come to the window.
"Which one, Ichigo?"
"The one with the long hair and in a light blue dress."
Renji screwed his eyes and then the eyes widened, "Wow! Great choice, bro! Even at this level, we can tell she has got big bre... Ouch! Rukia! Why did you hit me for?!"
"What do you think? For admiring another woman's assets in front of the one you love."
Renji grinned wolfishly. "Sorry. But you know it's the truth. And I was only pointing it out for Ichigo."
"Don't be ridiculous, Renji. The only reason I am willing to talk to her is because for the last three months that the protesting has been going on, this is the first time I have seen her here. She looked unhappy to be here. Like she is forced to take part. Look at her, she's not even waving her placard. She's just standing there. She will be easy to 'talk' to. Besides, do you think I would be interested in someone like her." Ichigo scoffed at the prospect haughtily.
"You will never know." Rukia suggested mysteriously.
"Ha! I do know. Now go and bring her to me, Rukia. Renji, you should go along as well. You sure do not want your girlfriend to be trampled by the maddening mob down there, do you?"
(愛)
"Wow! She's even more of a babe, close up." Renji whistled appreciately and then remembering his 'killer bunny' girlfriend, he jumped a few steps away from her.
"What are you afraid of, Renji?" Rukia smiled sweetly at him.
"I... For her?"
"Renji, Renji, Renji. I am not so clouded with jealousy that I could not admit to someone as beautiful as her." Rukia graciously offered. "But if she starts to flirt with you, all bets are off and I would start to hurt the two of you, slowly. Understand?"
Renji nodded obediently.
"Good boy." Rukia patted him on the chest.
"Oi! Are you here to chase us away!" Somebody shouted at the approaching couple.
"We don't want anybody from 'human resource' to talk to us." A jeer.
Rukia turned on her professional face.
"Good morning. No. I am not here to ask you to leave the company premises. I am here to invite one of you to have a little talk with our chief executive officer."
"Finally!" Somebody interrupted her.
"Now you don't have to burn down any buildings to get your point across, Tatsuki." Somebody else jokingly stated.
"W-What?!" Rukia was shocked, to say the least.
"Insane criminals." Renji muttered under his breath.
"So who do we send to meet the head murderer?"
"Anybody but Tatsuki."
"That's right. She might strangle him in cold pissed-off blood."
"Hey! I heard that. Who said that?! I dare you to say it to my face." Tatsuki looked coldly at everybody.
Orihime giggled softly. "It's true, Tatsuki-chan."
"Orihime!
Rukia turned to the giggling woman. "So you are Orihime-san. I am Kuchiki Rukia, vice-president of human resource and this is Abarai Renji, chief security officer. We cordially invite you to meet our CEO." Rukia bowed.
Orihime squeaked, "M-Me? Why me?" She asked in astonishment.
"Yeah, why her?"
"Must be the breasts."
"Alright! Who said that!" Tatsuki slammed her fist into her palm.
Rukia just wanted to get away from the violent woman. She addressed Orihime directly. "You were chosen specifically by him. Shall we go?"
"Can I bring someone with me?" She looked to Tatsuki for help.
"No. I am afraid not. He wanted to see you and you only. But if it will help to put yours and your friends' minds at ease, I will be there as well, alright?" She asked the dark-haired woman.
Tatsuki glared back at Rukia, "Just make sure nothing happen to her. Your neck's on the block, lady." She warned ominously.
Rukia swallowed and Renji stared in horrified fascination at Tatsuki.
"Shall we?" Rukia wanted to get the hell away from the seething danger she felt.
Orihime nodded nervously. She took a look at Tatsuki for encouragement.
Tatsuki smiled warmly at her. "Demand for their rights and don't let anyone intimidate you. Go for the kill, girl!"
Orihime grimace embarrassingly at Tatsuki's choice of words.
"Your friend is very, shall we say, energetic, isn't she, Orihime-san?" Rukia suggested diplomatically.
"Yes. She is. Oh, I have not introduced myself properly to you. I am Inoue Orihime, Kuchiki-san." Orihime bowed as they were waiting for the elevator.
"Inoue-san." Rukia found herself liking this polite woman. "After you." She said when the elevator doors opened.
Orihime smiled and went in.
"Um... Kuchiki-san. This person I am going to meet?" She asked hesitantly.
"Ichigo?"
"S-Strawberry?" She stammered and then quickly covered her hasty mouth with her small hands.
Renji laughed out loud. He was having a good day.
"I am sorry." A muffled apology was made by Orihime.
Rukia smirked. "It's alright. But don't let him catch you saying that to his face."
Whatever was going to say was halted by the announcement of the arrival at their floor.
"I will see you later, Rukia. Inoue-san." Renji remained in the elevator as the two women stepped out. Rukia acknowledged his chickening-out with a resigned nod and Orihime bowed at him.
"Nervous?" Rukia asked of the fair princess.
"A little." Orihime admitted.
Here goes nothing.
Rukia remembered to knock on the imposing doors.
"Come in." Orihime felt a shiver ran down her spine at the authoritative strong voice.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, Inoue Orihime." Rukia did the introduction.
"Kurosaki-san." Orihime addressed him softly and bowed gracefully.
Ichigo gave a smug smirk. So he was right after all, she was to be as docile as a deer. He did make the right choice.
He ignored her polite greeting. Instead he turned to Rukia and ordered her, "Leave us, Rukia."
"But... I..." She turned to look at a shocked Orihime.
"Leave us, Rukia. Or are you staying because of Inoue-chan. Are you afraid of me, Inoue-chan?"
His hard chocolate eyes finally met her gentle honey eyes.
So the game has started.
Orihime gamely met his intense gaze with her own feisty one.
"No, Kurosaki-san, I am not afraid. Unless there is a reason for me to. Is there, Kurosaki-san?" She asked defiantly.
His eyes glowered with discontent but he was suddenly very interested in this seemingly not so meek woman.
He scowled at Rukia.
"Why are you still here, Rukia? Go and do your work." He repeated his order to her.
Rukia huffed in annoyance. "Hope to see you around, Inoue-san." She told Orihime and then she mouthed 'Don't try any funny business with her, you idiot' to Ichigo before she closed the door on her way out.
Orihime stared at the closed door.
"Well, Inoue-chan, what can I do for you? What do you want from me?" The husky voice startled her, she turned hurriedly around and promptly met his hard chest.
'W-When d-did h-he move so c-close?'
(あい)