Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
You would think people would be more prepared for this sort of thing.
The large crowd of media surrounding the infinitely smaller stage in the middle of Tokyo's biggest mall roared with applause as Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni stepped out in his black tuxedo, looking at the crowd with a small grin on his wizened face.
The press was simply happy that they saw the old man back into acting – at least for the time being. He was popular when he was younger as a rich lawyer, which if you really think about it, is the perfect job before getting into the acting business. Being able to keep your face straight and all.
After 37 years of acting, he finally announced to everyone that he was retiring to live with his wife and grandkids… and great grandkids…
So you can imagine how pleased everyone was that he was going to be in the soap… despite the small part given to him.
More and more famed actors and actresses came out looking their best – smiling and waving at the jovial people screaming up at them. I guess even the reporters would get exultant with a famous person waving and beaming at them, ne?
Soon, the whole stage was filled with famous people, and the press couldn't get enough of it. Their cameras clicked away, flashing and nearly blinding the whole cast with the repetitive glare of the camera who everyone wanted focused on them. I guess it was sort of a funny thing to watch when you knew prominent figures wanted to go home nearly blinded.
But it was also quite troublesome. You see, most half of the individuals on the raised concrete platform were tired of the constant nagging of the horde of paparazzi always wanting the most scandalous thing out there, but a certain orange-haired boy was just plain pissed off.
Looking at newspapers and magazines full of half-naked women on the beach just trying to have a fun time was all ruined considering that was basically stalking. No one liked stalkers. Even the sweet and innocent Inoue Orihime didn't really like the enormous amount of attention given at her, especially when most of this attention was from men.
She had eyes only for one person… a scowl-faced teenager who never noticed her much in the first place. In fact, even as the names were broadcasted over the speakers placed everywhere, he hardly looked at her. She almost thought she knew why she and Ichigo were picked as the leads.
Her situation, known to many, was quite like the script played out in the booklet of papers in barely legible print she knew she was going to get right after she was out of sight from the people snapping photos.
She loved Kurosaki-kun, but he never paid an ounce of attention to her. Another well-respected actress, always one to play the 'mean girl,' Kuchiki Rukia, was Inoue Orihime's best friend. She was the one in charge of slapping Ichigo upside the head whenever given a valid reason, namely, not noticing Orihime's affections for him.
Ichigo, Orihime, Rukia, and another renowned actor, Abarai Renji was 'in the loop.' They had known each other almost since prekindergarten, and were always the best of friends. Work didn't separate them, in fact, they relished the time when they worked on separate movies or dramas because it gave friendly competition among the four. They would always try to see who was the most watched. Ichigo almost always won, the bastard.
I guess girls really do go for that 'bad boy' type.
Tired and weary thoughts overcame most of the illustrious minds up on the stage that evening. Everyone was tired, even though the meeting didn't really last as long as it should have, considering how many infamous people were on the stage, but nobody complained.
As soon as everyone was off the slab of smooth concrete, scripts were handed out hastily, and assistants made sure everyone knew what they were doing. As the main roles looked over their lines, starting to memorize them already, sets were given last minute touches for the next day, cameras were being tweaked, the directors awkwardly conversed, and the younger, more amateur roles were given disdainful looks by everyone.
The whole mess was considered an orderly mess, as everyone was aware of what was going on, until an earful of screams penetrated the stuffy air.
"DEAL WITH IT, BITCH!" the louder voice shouted in a very un-ladylike way.
Somewhere on the east side of the building something crashed down and bright lights suddenly switched off, causing more shrieks and crashes.
You could say the directors weren't the happiest campers alive at that moment.
Several months out of the directors' own time were taken to overlook the sets that had just crashed down because of some idiot's fear of the darkness. In fact, it wasn't even the directors that should've been the most livid. It should have been the set designers and the people who labored for the making of the sets.
Not to mention the expensive cameras that had just thundered to the ground. No, the directors were undeniably outraged. They did not care about the people that lay collapsed on the floor from being so high up on a ladder; they were expendable and so could be replaced. Ulquiorra didn't even care about the actresses who caused the drama, it was their job to start drama and get merrily wasted while on camera for attention. Ulquiorra didn't get mad at people merely doing their jobs.
No, he was mad at the moronic cameramen for dropping the freaking cameras in the first place, simply retarded set designers for making the sets so flimsy, and the senseless people making the sets. Yes, this is why Ulquiorra Cifer was mad.
Tia, on the other hand, clenched her jaw and motioned for her personal assistants to come to her aid. When they didn't come, she became more than irritated. She gestured again. Nothing. Tia Halibel took one long and deep breath, making sure to close her eyes against the darkness.
"Apache! Mila-Rose! Sun Sun!" she yelled with her slightly raspy and boyish voice, but continuing to keep her straight posture. At once, three sets of footsteps were at her side in an instant.
Sounding breathless, Apache spoke first. "Hai, Halibel-sama?" her head was bowed, as were Mila-Rose and Sun Sun's.
"Why are you not taking care of the screeching noise of those two foolish children? One, they caused mayhem on the set. Two, they're making me deaf. And lastly, they have not stopped. Get your furry asses over there and shut them up!" Tia growled.
The trio nodded simultaneously and ran off in the dark oblivion. Tia took to heavy breathing, as she was not as calm as she ought to be.
More yelling was echoing throughout the building and Tia rubbed her temples furiously. She was beginning to wonder why she even took this job…
Tatsuki Arisawa and Neliel Tu Oderschervank had hated each other from the day they met at high class restaurant, otherwise known as a ryotei. They had never met before then, though each knew of the other's presence. They had both been excited at the thought of meeting each other, but that didn't last very long.
Tatsuki and Neliel's mutual friends who planned the whole evening at the restaurant were Ichigo, Orihime and Rukia. None of them expected the outcome to be World War III.
At first, Tatsuki and Neliel seemed to get along well enough. That was, until Neliel decided to ask about Tatsuki's hobbies. When martial arts and karate were her first picks, Neliel had made a disgusted face and insulted on Tatsuki's femininity because of it.
"A girl doesn't do such a boyish thing. Is that why your hair is so short, and you have such a flat chest? Gosh, I can't imagine karate going that to your body!"
And so the war began.
So as you can imagine, the two were instantly peeved at having to play as best friends in the new show. And I mean, best friends.
On stage, the two pretended they had nothing against each other of course, but after everyone else left, they couldn't handle it any longer.
"AT LEAST I HAVE A WOMAN'S BODY!" a tall, very pale woman with long, flowing green hair that cascaded down her back shouted. Her small pink lips were formed into a snarl and her tan-gray eyes were glaring at the boyish female across from her, none other than Tatsuki Arisawa.
Tatsuki was somewhat shorter than her green-haired opponent, but the intensity of her actions and words matched the other woman's just as well.
"DON'T TALK LIKE THAT TO ME! I COULD WHIP YOUR ASS FROM HERE TO NEXT YEAR! MAYBE YOU'LL ACTUALLY HAVE A CHANCE WITH YOUR FOX-FACED FREAK THEN!" Neliel's face looked permanently red. It reminded Tatsuki of Christmas…
Neliel wasn't talked about a lot in the media. She had a good reputation for being able to stay out of the camera's eye when she wanted to, so no one knew about her crush on the famed silver-haired actor named Ichimaru Gin. And she wanted to keep it that way.
"HOW DID YOUR PUNY BRAIN EVEN PROCESS THAT I LIKED SOMEONE?" Neliel shouted, unable to keep her rising temper down and out of ear shot from other lurking people.
"HAH! YOU'RE NOT EVEN SUBTLE ABOUT IT! HOW COULD I NOT FIGURE IT OUT?" Tatsuki shrieked right back, ignoring the comment about her puny brain for lack of a good comeback.
Neliel looked furious. Her face felt hot and she knew it would be forever stained with red. She screamed in frustration and on instinct, threw her body towards Tatsuki.
Tatsuki was already ready, her body braced for the impact. She couldn't wait to get a fair shot at the green-haired woman.
But just before impact, Neliel was caught by the shoulders by pale long hands.
"My, my Nel-chan. You jus' gotta fiery little temper… don'tcha?" Neliel's breath caught in her throat. It was him. He was right behind her.
Ichimaru Gin.
Yeah okay, this wasn't as great a chapter as I had hoped, but even so please review!
