Chapter 1-

Each morning I check the paper, seeing if there are any openings for a photographer. But all I see are places where I have already applied and got rejected on the spot. I'm still an amature and not much talent.

I crumple up the paper and toss it in the garbage. I grab my bag and fix my apron before I head out the door. I double check I have all of my stuff when I hear a door open in the apartment. It was my roommate and best friend deciding to come out of her room.

Yawning and rubbing her head, she walked over to the stove and started up the kettle to make herself some tea. "Heading to work already?" She asked me, scratching her chin.

"I have an early day today. So I'll be home late as well. Maybe I'll see if my dad can spare a ride home. Thought I don't want him to leave my mom alone. She's been too sick for that. So I might have to take the train back. So don't wait for me to eat dinner." I smiled at her and headed to the door.

"Oh dear lord…" I heard come from my roommates room. Out walked her boyfriend holding his head and pulling his sweat pants up.

I laughed. "It's so easy to tell when you two had a fun night. The whole apartment building can hear you guys. You realize Mei, if our landlord finds out he living here, he will have to pay rent right?"

Mei's eyes widened and she grabbed her boyfriend's arm. "He doesn't have to find out Grimmjow is here. Just keep your mouth shut and I'll try try to keep my quiet at night as well."

"Mezuki wouldn't be such a stiff if she would have a little fun herself at times." Grimmjow held Mei close and smirked.

I glared some. "I rather not. Especially right now. Going back and forth between my parents diner and here… can't afford to have a boyfriend. I have no time for one anyway." I shrugged and left heading for the train station.

Grimmjow was right thought having a boyfriend. I would like one but . . . sadly I have no time. Hell I may have to move back home to be closer and help take care of my mom. I don't want to leave my friend. Thought Grimmjow has changed her some. I've noticed it since they started dating. He's the bad boy type and she was sweet and innocent.

I boarded the train to Karakura town from Tokyo, which was almost an hour trip there. I sat down and looked at the pictures on billboards and noticed the same image. The new male model rising fast in the industry. He was a childhood friend Mei and I grew up with but he moved with his adopted family. I haven't seen him since. Now I have to see his face plastered all over Tokyo and Karakura town. He's in so many magazines and his girlfriend as well. That's how he got into modeling. She helped him get started. her brother owns the company which is also a huge factor as well. 'Renji Abarai: Rising Star!' Plastered across almost each and every billboard and

Before I know it, an hour passes and I am in my hometown. I stand up and make my way off the train and to my parents diner. Holding my bag close, I close my eyes tight and pray and hope to have a job as a photographer soon. If Renji can become famous then I can become a star photographer. I just can't give up yet.

"Hey Mezuki!" My dad called out from the front of his diner. He waved his hand and smiled. "I was worried you weren't going to make it! How was your last interview?"

I set my bag down and changed my shoes. "I was rejected again sadly." I shrugged my shoulders and fixed my apron one last time before starting my shift. "How's mom doing?"

I saw my dad's eye. "She's asleep right now. I'll check on her throughout the day. We have a big party coming in today." He pushed his hat up on his head and smiled. His mood change was normal. He believes mom will get better and I do as well but it's a very touchy subject to him.

"Really? What's occasion?" I asked blinking.

"You remember Renji." I nodded at him. "He and his girlfriend and a few friends of theirs are coming to town for a small get away. He wants to see his hometown since he hasn't been here for a long while."

Seeing Renji face to face will be slightly awkward. I remember giving him a small note admitting my feelings but we were so young. Like he would still remember or care. He has a girlfriend and is obviously happy with her. Maybe just being friends again would be nice.

As the day went on, it was getting closer to seeing Renji again in over 10 years. I pushed a few tables together and checked on my mother. I sat beside her and made sure she ate. She looked a lot better than before. Getting more color to her face and smiling.

"Oh Mezuki, you're father is taking great care of me." She smiled and ate some food. "Your Uncle Isshin as well. He's been making home visits. Taking good care of his baby sister." She laughed.

"Kisa?" My dad's called from down in the restaurant. He headed up the stairs and made it to their bedroom. "You look lively today." He smiled and sat next to my mom and held her hand.

"Kisuke," She smiled at him. "I'm feeling a lot better than before. I am a Shiba and Urahara of course." My mom's laughter filled the room, which caused us to join her and end up in a huge family hug.

"I have a more important question Mezuki." My mom asked giving me a serious look. It sent major chills down my spine. "When are you going to find a good man?"

I swallowed hard and avoided eye contact. I hate when my mom brings up me not having a boyfriend. I want to make sure I have a good career and have my family taken care of first. "Mom, a good man doesn't happen overnight."

My mom and dad looked at each other then at me. "So that's a never." They said at the same time.

I jumped in surprise. "Not never just when I'm ready is all. I'm not ready yet." I jumped at the sound of the bell letting us know when we have a customer. "I think they're here dad." I stood up with him and kissed my mom's head and headed down the stairs to the diner. As I made down the stairs and around the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks. Before me was Renji, a grown man who was a former childhood friend and now a model. His hair was longer and he's grown taller as well. I can still remember when he was ten years old like me and Mei. Laughing and playing with other kids.

Renji looked at me and smiled big. "Mezuki? It's been over ten years! You've hit puberty well!" I watched as his eye wandered over my body. "Guess it's a bad thing I left. Should have stayed to keep the other guys off." He laughed.

I felt my face heat up and saw his short girlfriend, who was obviously Rukia Kuchiki, glare at me and grab his arm. Claiming her territory… great she's clingy. "Um . . . Well I had Mei for that. She kept them away. But anyway, the table is this way." I walked the small group to the table.

"Ah! I know I just up and left ya Mezuki but I shouldn't be rude! This is Rukia, my girlfriend. She's a bit touchy when it comes to girls." Renji laughed nervously and rubbed his head.

"It's nice to meet you." Rukia said pushing herself up against Renji. She jumped a bit when her phone rang. "I better take this outside. Shouldn't be long." She hurried outside and answered her phone.

Renji cleared his throat and smiled. "And this is my boss and her older brother, Byakuya Kuchiki." Renji pointed to the man who was a few inches shorter than him and dressed very nice. "He's a good guy. Gotta get used to him."

I watched Rukia hurry back inside and make herself comfortable next to Renji and look over the menu like the rest. Byakuya gave me minor glances, which made me very uncomfortable. I took their orders and served them most of the night.

As I picked up their dirty dishes, Renji grabbed my wrist and smiled at me. "I forgot to ask! What are you doing nowadays?"

I stood up and looked at him. "I graduated with my degree in photography hoping to do that for a living but no luck so far. So until then I'm working here and living in Tokyo with Mei and her boyfriend" I walked away so he couldn't really respond. I didn't want his sympathy.

"Renji it's late, we should head back." Rukia said standing up and leaving a small tip.

Renji stood and stretched. He kissed the top of her head. "I think I'm going to explore around the town. I haven't been here for a long time." He set some money down on the table and walked out the door followed by the others and he went his way while they went towards the hotel.

I spent the last few hours of my night cleaning the shop and making sure all the dishes were clean.