An AU story. Reviews are appreciated, I hate getting a bunch of views and no reviews. Makes me feel like there's something wrong. And yes, character rights go to Tite Kubo, though I doubt I really had to say that lol:D There may be yaoi...later V-V
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The school bell rang, and students flooded the hallway before Mr. Kuchiki even had a chance to assign the homework.
Class had been pretty tedious today. We'd been learning about the Battle of Bunker Hill, though the blank face and flat voice of Mr. Kuchiki made it kind of hard to stay engaged. I mean, we all tried our best to participate as much as possible, but most of the students were tuned out by the time the teacher began to start one of his lectures. I, on the other hand, was on the verge of failing history, and if I couldn't bring my grades up before the end of the semester, well I'd be pretty screwed, wouldn't I? And Grimmjow's frequent distractions didn't help either. Throughout class, he had a consistent run of painfully stupid actions, like when he'd whisper, "Hey Renji, check this out," as he'd attempt to balance his pencil on his nose. He'd be able to hold it there for a good five seconds, after which he'd screw up, causing the utensil to fall. He had his feet up on his desk, and his fingers laced together behind his teal head of hair.
So now we were heading out, and I wanted to ask the teacher a few questions before I left. Like, what was this bayonet he kept talking about? Was it some type of...food?
"Urm...Mister Kuchi-"
I was interrupted when a forceful hand took me by the collar of my uniform and pulled me towards the hallway. So much for my questions. Guess I'd be spending my summer in school. Once again. Being poor and stupid all day every day pretty much sucked.
Once we were at his locker, he released his hold and stuck out his tongue.
"Meow."
"Woof. Now what'dya want? Idiot..."
I turned the knob on my lock until it clicked open. I shoved my books inside.
He faked a pouting expression, but I didn't pay much mind to it. Same old Grimmjow. He didn't have any books; he never brought them to class. He wasn't your average old slacker though. Yes, there were many notable features that he possessed. His blue hair, for one. His feline mannerisms for another.
"Well I was gonna inform you of the latest news that's been roamin' 'round the school. Ya see, theres a dance ta'night. I hear its a costume party where you can dress up anyway ya want. I was thinkin' we could go as cat and dog, you know, on account a' the fact that your always barkin' insults at me."
Party...It'd been a long time since I'd been invited to a party. I was usually too busy cleaning my house for parties anyway. But an invitation-that's what it took to actually get in.
"Whose party is it?"
He replied with a huge smirk that only he could pull off.
"Ichigo Kurosaki. You know, the strawberry that I-"
"I'm perfectly aware of who he is, thank you very much. And I'm also perfectly aware that he was the guy whose clothes you stole durin' P.E. that one time. An' then you filled his locker with cat nibble. I mean really, I don't know why I hang out with a jerk like you."
He grinned and put his hands behind his head once again, like he was proud of his actions and wouldn't dare take a single one of them back.
"Cause ya love me,"
"Aha. You wish."
He winked.
"Yeah, maybe I do. So you comin' to the party or what?" I was tempted to say yes, but there was still one problem. Surprisingly, Grimmjow had the answer to it.
"Don't worry about the invitations. Just leave that to me."
He flashed a toothy grin, and ran down the hall. I grumbled to myself.
"Dumbass."
I dug around in my locker for my lunch bag, but it wasn't there. Hadn't I packed my lunch that morning? Oh yeah, that was right, there was no food to pack. Money was low, and food was scarce at my house. Guess I wouldn't be eating much today. To be honest, most days were like this. I'd look for my lunch, realize I hadn't packed any, and then make my way towards the lunch room empty handed. It was like a daily regimen, but in a sick, twisted kind of way. And really, you should see the inside of my fridge. Freakin' ghost town. Basically, it was like my own personal little recession. It just never ended.
"Renji!" A girlish voice yelled down the hall. I turned to see a beautiful girl with glistening black hair and violet eyes filled with life.
"Hey Rukia. What's up?"
She was waving a sheet of paper in the air like it was some kind of flag. If she waved it any harder, I thought it might tear.
"You know what this is? An A plus. Bet you haven't seen one of these before, have you Renji?"
She stuck her tongue out teasingly.
"Sure I have. I get A's all the time."
I think she could tell I was lying, because that's when she put her hands on her hips. You know, the way that girls do.
"Oh really? So what did you get on your last lest, hmm?" She had me there.
"Urm..."
"Yeah, that's what I thought."
We walked to the lunch room and I, like the gentleman I tried to be, opened the door for her. Inside was just a normal old lunch room. There were round tables scattered all across the room, and everywhere you looked there were students laughing, eating, and smiling. All the tables seemed full, which left Rukia and I standing in the middle of chaos. Busy students rushed past us with bulky blue trays and heavy lunch boxes, while we tried to avoid stepping in the unknown substances of the cafeteria floor.
"Over here!"
From across the room, Ichigo was waving his hand in the air. Next to him was a girl with the same colored hair. She wore a smile that could turn even the coldest of hearts into warmth. On the other side of Ichigo was a silver haired boy with icy blue eyes. Beside him was a petite girl with a silk bonnet-like accessory covering the bun at the top of her head. Across the table, a busty blonde sat. She had long and flowing hair with waves and ripples so magnificent that they could challenge the oceans themselves. Shuuhei was sporting the usually "tough guy" look: three deep scars that ran down one side of his face, and muscled arms that were folded over his chest. I sat down beside him, while Rukia sat next to Momo. There was one seat left between us, and, with any hope, a certain someone wouldn't come to occupy it.
"You're coming to the party right?" Rangiku held out a bottle labeled, "SAKE".
"Should you be having that out during school?"
She quickly stuffed the bottle in her bag, giggling hysterically.
"Well, of course not Renji! But does that mean I can't have it out anyway? No! Besides, it's not like anyone's gonna find out, right?"
Orihime spoke with a mouth full of chocolate covered rice (don't ask).
"Wite Wongiku!"
Momo chimed in. She was eating some type of soup that smelled like soy sauce.
"I believe she said 'right Rangiku'. Maybe."
Toshiro was eating from a bag of candies, though he was trying to hide it by holding them under the table. It was kind of obvious though, with his indiscreet chewing and all. Candy sounded good right about now. Heck, anything sounded good right now. My stomach was growling like crazy, but that could be helped, now could it?
"So Renji? Aren't you going to answer the question?"
It took me a while to finally remember what we were talking about, and when I did, I didn't know how to answer.
"I-I'm invited?"
Ichigo laughed like the question was absurd.
"'Course you are! Your one of my best pals! But it's a costume party, so be sure not to wear your regular clothes. Oh and, you gotta bring a date."
Date? Costume? A costume would cost money, and money was something I lacked at the moment. And a date? Basically, I was lucking out in both categories.
"Um, thanks."
The seat beside me was suddenly filled by none other that Grimmjow. Just great.
"So what're you guys up to?"
Ichigo grimaced at the sight of him, probably remembering his previous antics. I was about to fill Grimm in when Shuuhei beat me to it.
"Discussing Ichigo's get together tonight. You coming?"
Grimmjow replied with his head cocked to the side and a very proud look on his face, though I couldn't think of anything he'd ever done that someone would be proud of.
"Wouldn't be a party if I didn't, now would it?"
It annoyed me how Grimmjow had a way of charming others, no matter how cocky-or jerk like-he came across. He always said he "had connections", and I didn't doubt he did. I mean, with a sexy smile like his, who would doubt him?
"Hey Ichigo will there be any sake there? Pleeaaasse tell me my sake will be there!" Rangiku slurred.
"Yeah, sure. I rented out a place and they said they'd supply us with all the good stuff."
I leaned over the table and looked over at Rukia, who had placed her sushi rolls in the shape of a Chappy face.
"So Rukia, what are you going as? To the party, I mean."
She looked at me like I was stupid.
"A bunny."
I wasn't surprised.
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The sound of our footsteps echoed off the cement as we walked home. Grimmjow's house was just past mine, so we had to travel in the same direction. Unlucky for me, he was quite the chatter box.
"So then I told the guy I didn't have any money, and ya know what he did? He threatened to call the cops on me! Like, seriously, is that unfair or what?" I sighed.
"Yes, Grimmjow. Eating at a diner and then being threatened by the manager because you forgot to bring money is totally unfair. Definitely not irresponsible. And just in case you didn't notice, that was sarcasm."
Grimmjow yawned, stretching his arms into the air.
"Yeah, yeah. So what're ya gonna do about the whole costume situation?"
"Uh...well to tell you the truth, I don't think I can afford to buy one right now..."
His eyes lit up, a tell tale sign for something bad, usually at my expense.
"Oh, really? Well I could happily provide ya with one, my dear ol' Renji. I'll just stop by your place before the party an' dress ya up all nice and pretty."
He spoke deviously, and it made me nervous. There was no telling what that guy was planning, but I had a feeling I didn't really want to know. Still, the free clothes didn't sound too bad, I just hoped I wouldn't end up regretting the decision.
"Oh yeah, and one more thing."
Grimm reached deep into his pockets until he caught what he was searching for. He retrieved his hand from the depths of his pocket, and placed what he'd found in the palm of my hand. He closed my fingers over it so that I couldn't see the item, which only made me more nervous. What if it was a bunch of tacks? A wad of gum or something?
"See ya tonight Renji!"
"B-But I still need a date!"
"I'm your date. Duh?"
He fled down the street. Once he was out of sight, I slowly opened my hand, praying nothing bad was in it. Then I saw it. I blinked, and stared at it for a long time. Andrew Jackson stared right back.
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Love ya RenjiX3 *hearts* Mwah!