Finally got around to write the second Chapter!
Chapter 2
Retsu sighed heavily as she glared out of the taxi window. She can honestly say, without a doubt, that this night was a complete disappointment.
Damn those two. She thought resentfully. I could have had a nice dinner with Dr. Ukitake. But she knew her friends. She couldn't blame anyone for her bitterness. Except for her ex-boyfriend. After all, He had the nerve to end their three year relationship on her birthday. But that was Aizen's style. He liked to make events just as memorable as they were devastating.
"Madam," the cab driver called out from the front seat. "You're reaching $20." Retsu had only a twenty dollar bill in her purse. She thought she would be going home with her friends. Luckily for her, her apartment was within walking distance
"That's fine. You can let me out here." Handing the driver the money, she stepped out of the cab, shutting the door behind her. As the cab drove off, Retsu looked around. This was the part of her town she hardly venture to during the day, let alone at 10:30 at night. Pulling out her cellphone, She was tempted to give Rangiku and Yoruichi a call to pick her up. But she wouldn't dare face them, not after leaving the club without giving them a heads-up. With that in mind, she began walking down the lighted streets.
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After walking down a block or two, Retsu suddenly stopped in front of a bar. The sound of electric guitars and drums were booming into the night.
Amateur Band Night. The sign in front had written on. She had always been a fan of rock music, call it a guilty pleasure of hers. Before Aizen, she would go to concerts every time a rock band was playing nearby. But Aizen always had an issue with it. He considered it too low-brow for his refined taste. It had been a while since she had been to seen a live band and she had nothing better to do tonight than to sit in her apartment alone, eating ice cream from the container.
"I should at least do something I like." She told herself as she walked into the bar.
The music was so loud, it was almost deafening. Everyone was gathering toward the end of the room, where the small stage was located. Moving inward, she couldn't help but feel a little overdressed. The men around her were in jeans. The women were in miniskirts and tank tops, while she was in a black cocktail dress. As Retsu took a spot next to an orange hair girl, the band on the stage ended their song.
"That was Arrancar 5." The announcer said as the band walked offstage. "Next up, we have a new band. Give it up it for Stone Hollow!" He shouted as four young men entered the stage. The guy who sat behind the drum set had crimson hair in a spiked ponytail. He must like tattoos, as he had them all over his torso to his forehead. The next guy was quite tall. He was dark-skinned with pronounced cheek-bones and has wavy brown hair with bangs that generally hangs over his brown eyes. The bass player was a lean and tall man with a batch of bright orange hair. Her focus landed on the lead singer. He was certainly very handsome. He was a tall and lean-built man with dark grey eyes and, short black hair. There were three scars that ran straight over his eye that lead down to his right cheek. On his left cheek he has the number "69" tattooed as well as a blue-striped tattoo running across his left cheek and over the bridge of his nose.
As this man walked up to the microphone, he looked into the crowd. Retsu looked his way and their eyes met. He just stood there for a couple of seconds, almost in a daze, before the orange hair man gave him a shove.
Was he staring at her? No. she thought. It's just her imagination. Without wasting another moment, he began to sing.
No more love to purchase, I've invested in myself
You know nothing about me, keep opinions to yourself
No more complications, everything's just swell
No more obligations, there's nothing more to tell
I just want to be alone
When I get weak or I'm tired and afraid
When I sleep, all my dreams turn out the same
When I bleed, I relieve you of your pain
I can't believe you won't let me do the same
She was in complete awe. He and his band were incredible. She didn't realized she was staring until her eyes met the lead signer's again. She quickly looked away.
Please give me a reason so I can shut you out
Though your heart is bleeding, you left me with no doubt
Give me segregation, give me back my health
Take your observations and turn them on yourself
I just want to be alone
When I get weak or I'm tired and afraid
When I sleep, all my dreams turn out the same
When I bleed, I relieve you of your pain
I can't believe you won't let me go
Let me live my life alone
Let me live my life alone
She looked again. Once again, he was looking straight at her. She gave him a little wave, causing him to smile.
When I'm running scared, that's when I need to know that you let me go
When I get weak or I'm tired and afraid
When I sleep, all my dreams turn out the same
When I bleed, I relieve you of your pain
I can't believe you won't let me go
Let me live my life alone
Let me live my life alone
As the song ended, everyone in the bar busted into cheers. The girl next to her was jumping up and down in joy as she screamed out Ichigo. Even Retsu found herself applauding. He gave her one last look before disappearing backstage.
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"I think that went pretty well." Chad said as he set his guitar down.
"Well nothing." Renji shot back. "We were awesome"
"Almost awesome." Ichigo took off his bass guitar and then gave Shūhei a slap upside the head. "What the hell was that shit about?! We practice for months for this moment and your dumbass gets stage freight."
But Shūhei didn't respond. He just zipped pass his band mates towards the bar.
"Where the hell is he going?" Renji asked the other. Ichigo knew where Shūhei was heading, but there was no need to let the others know about Shūhei's misadventures.
"Who the hell cares." He said, walking the other way.
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That chick. He thought. To say she was hot was an understatement. She was drop dead gorgeous. He knew from the moment he saw her, he had to talk to her. Quickly scanning the room, he saw her sitting at the bar alone. As calm as he could be, he walked over.
"Hey." He said as she turned around. Long black wavy, beautiful blue eyes and a killer body, she was the definition of hot. "Mind if I see next to you?"
"Sure." She said moving her purse. "Weren't you part of the band that just played?"
"So you noticed. Whatcha think?"
"You were very good."
"Just good." He said as he rose an eye brow.
"Sorry, but I'm not here to stroke your ego." For a moment, she thought that he had offended the young man, but seconds later he laughed
"Yeah, I don't want to get too cocky." He sat down next to her. He gave a quick glance, looking to see if she had come with some friends or maybe her man. "Are you here with your friends?"
"No, I'm here by myself. I figured I have a drink for my 34th birthday."
"Seriously? A pretty girl like you drinking alone on your birthday. That's a crime. Bartender. Two beers."
"Thank you, but I don't feel right accepting drinks from strangers." She said as she tried to give the drink back.
"The name is Shūhei Hisagi. And what is yours is."
"I'm Retsu Unohana."
"Well, I must say Retsu, age has certainly been very kind." He said as he handed her a beer. "Consider it a gift." He smiled back at her. She had to admit that beneath his wild appearance, he was quite charming.
"Thank you." She said as she took a drink.
As they drank together, Retsu and Shūhei had started talking about themselves. And Shūhei had to admit, he like the kind of person she was. She had great taste in music. She liked all types of literature, from classic books to comics. But most importantly, she was a kind hearted woman. She always love helping people since she was a little girl. She graduated top of her class in high school and she was a college graduate. Retsu was the top nurse at a large hospital where she hoped to be a doctor herself. Shūhei felt confident in saying that Retsu Unohana was the kind of woman he would definitely consider dating. After about three beers, he finally worked up the nerves to ask the question that had been on his mind since he saw her.
"So," Shūhei took another drink from his beer. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No, I'm single. I've been single for exactly two years."
"Sorry to hear that. That bastard must be kicking himself for losing a woman like you."
"I doubt." Retsu set her head down. She was starting to feel a little lightheaded. "He is nothing but a self-absorbed asshole. The day after I moved out, Aizen was already sleeping with another woman. Apparently I wasn't good enough for him."
"Your ex sounds like quite a catch." Shūhei said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Oh, he was." Retsu said as she struggled to push herself up. "He was a critical son of a bitch that thought he was perfect who enjoyed pointing out all my faults. He thought I was taking too long to become a doctor. He told me my taste in music and clothes were trashy. He called me stupid on a daily basis. And he always thought I was beneath him."
"Then why did you stay with him?" Shūhei asked out of curiosity. Retsu seem like a great woman. Why the hell would she put up with an asshole like her ex?
"That what happens when you turn 30." She said as she took another drink, "you start to feel that your window of happiness is slowly closing on you. You worry about missing your chance of having a family. And worst of all, you are constantly plagued with the fear about dying alone. And even though you know that your partner is a prick, you try to hold on, filling you head with the illusion that you can change him."
"It's probably for the best that you're not with him." Shūhei set his beer down. "You're better off without him."
""Yes, because being alone is so much better." She cynically responded.
"No, but it's a hell of a lot better than being miserable. A man that can see nothing but flaws will never truly be happy. That is why they try to drag down other person with them." He turned around to see Retsu leaning to the side as she began to fall.
"I got ya." He said, placing his arms around her. "I think it's time to get you home. Give me a moment and I'll get you a cab."
"No need." She said as she rested her head on Shūhei's shoulder. "I live nearby. I can get there myself." She tried to stand up, but her steps where shaky.
"Don't be dumb." He should ask the guys for the keys to the van, but he was pretty drunk himself. "I'll walk you home." With Retsu leaning against him, Shūhei led her outside.
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The walk to Retsu's place was a quiet one. Beside the occasional giggle she let out, they both remained silent until they reached the apartment complex.
"Home sweet home." Retsu said as she toss her purse over the couch. As she kicked off her high heels, she lost her balance. Shūhei rushed forward and caught her in his arms.
"You know what I hated about Aizen the most?" Retsu whispered into Shūhei's ear. "He was lame in the sack."
"Really now." Shūhei couldn't help but chuckle. This Aizen sounded like he thought of himself as a gift to women kind. But that dumb bastard couldn't even please a woman.
"Yeah, completely pitiful in bed." she pressed her body against his. "It's been five years since I've had a real man." Her tone was a lot more seductive. She looked up with her dreamy eyes and rose tinted cheeks. "Come to bed with me." She said as she grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and tried to lead him to her bedroom. "You look like you'll be a lot better than that stupid Aizen"
"We shouldn't." he said, backing away. It was very tempting to take Retsu up on her offer. After all, she was very beautiful and, even though they had just met, he actually like her. But at the same time, it wouldn't be right to take advantage of her while she was clearly drunk off her ass. But Retsu lunged forward and planted her lips on his. It was so full of passion, it nearly left him breathless when she pulled away.
"Wow." Was all he could say. He knew he shouldn't, but he was pretty buzzed. And when a beautiful woman wants to have sex with him, he didn't have nearly half the impulse control he would normally have when he was sober. He just followed as Retsu led him to the bedroom, closing the door behind them.
Author's Note: Sorry! I'm know I miss an Opportunity for a lemon chapter. But I am no good at writing lemons! So anyways, if you like the chapter, please leave a review!
BTW: The song is called weak from Seether.