Title: Halloween Shopping – Renji's worst nightmare!

Author: Tara Kitaide

genre: family/friendship/humor

Pairing: Renji/Ichigo and Zoro/Sanji

Disclaimer: I do no own Bleach, One Piece, Angel Sanctuary, Zombie Powder, Skip Beat, Naruto, Kingdom Hearts, or any of the other anime's and their rightful characters. I do, however, own myself and this odd fantasy world where 20 different animes seem to have magically converged into one. And yes, I own Zaxel. Muahahahaha...

Warning: shonen-ai, language, brief sexual humor

Rating: M

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The ride to the store was a hell hole and a half.

It was bad enough that they had to take two cars to fit everyone (Renji driving one, Zoro in the other) but then Renji ended up having to drive stick and to top it all off, the clutch gave out. It was a while before Renji could calm the roaring storm of frustration inside him before calling Zoro for help.

They pushed to car about a block before settling it in the parking lot of drug store and cramming into the Volts Wagon BW(1) van and continuing on to the store. When they finally arrived, it was as if a tidal wave had surged from the poor van and washed over the parking lot as everyone burst from the van rarin' to go. Everyone but a few, that is.

"YA-HA! THE MALL! WE FINALLY MADE IT!!" Tara shouted, bursting from the vehicle. "Now let's g-!!"

"DONT. EVEN. THINK. ABOUT. IT."

Before the young girl could take off, she was gripped by the back of her shirt color and hoisted up, her actions being halted completely. Renji's voice was deep with the intent to kill, venom laced in every word. When Tara turned to look at him with a seemingly innocent angelic face, she was met with dark glaring eyes and a murderous reiatsu to match.

"U-Um... That is we'll go when you say so, Renji!"

Renji "hmph"ed and his murderous glare softened to an irritated gaze. "That's what I thought you said..."

Tara grinned and Renji released her, allowing the girl to sprint over to her beloved friends.

Zoro stopped by Renji's side once the girl had sprinted out of sight and smiled a little. "It looks like everyone's accounted for."

Renji sighed in relief and smiled back at him. "Thank you Zoro. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"No problem." Zoro said with a wave of his hand. "Like I said, we don't want them tearing up the place, right?"

"Right."

"OKAY EVERYONE!! LISTEN UP!!"

Like earlier, everyones attention was drawn away from their previous actions and focused on Tara. The only difference was there was no box for the girl to stand on this time, to hold herself highly before them.

"Now there is an awful lot of us so I suggest we split into two groups! Zoro will lead one while Renji and I--"

"Oh HELL no!"

This time everyone turned to Renji in mild surprise at his interruption. If Tara didn't know any better, she'd say steam was fuming out of Renji's ears while a deathly glare aimed directly at her.

"We are by no means splitting up!" He growled. "We are staying together! As a group! If you think I'm gonna let you run around like a bunch of monkeys you've got another thing coming!"

"Well you're one to talk about moneys baboon boy!"

Renji's eyes would have popped out of his head if possible. Of all the people to ever throw that insult at him, Tara was the last he needed. He stomped over to her, grabbing her by her jacket and hoisting her over his shoulder, carrying her off inelegantly. She let out a small squeak of surprise and began to pond his back.

"R-Renji!! Let me down! This isn't funny! Zaxie!! Zaxie make him stooop!!" She whined.

"Shut up! I'm carrying you like this the whole time if I have to!"

"Hey, man! Calm down!"

Renji stopped and tensed when he felt his arm apprehended. Mainly, because he knew who it was. He turned slowly to look at Ichigo who had his arm in a tight grasp, his heart beginning to beat wildly.

"Come on, Renji. Don't cause a scene! She was just joking!"

Renji and Ichigo stared at each other for a moment longer, Renji's glare softened into a wide eyed glance. He slowly shrugged Ichigo's hand off and placed Tara back down, the girl looking from man to boy before fixing on Renji.

"I'm sorry." Renji muttered, patting her head and smoothing back her hair.

"It's okay, Ren... I shouldn't have pissed you off."

Renji gave her one of his half smiles and turned to the rest of the group that watched with extream interest at the scene before them. He smiled apologetically and locked eyes with each of them briefly. "Sorry guys."

There were a few words of acknowledgment throughout when the moment was ruined by the strawberry death god.

"Oi! Ain't ya gonna thank me?!" He snapped, taking a few step towards Tara.

"PFT! As if! I didn't need your help anyway, ya fuckin' emo!"

Everyone watched as Ichigo snapped just as he did everytime Tara called him that. His face became red with anger as he reached threatingly for his shinigami bade, ready to transform and slash the girl's head off if need be.

"I told you not to call me that!! I'm not emo!!"

"Are so! Shut up fuckin' emo before I go ninja on yer sorry ass!"

"SHUT UP YOU GENDERLESS DUMBIE!! I'M NOT EMO!!"

"'Dumbie'? Nice one, IchEMO(1). Tell me, how old were you again?"

Ichigo's just about exploded as he yanked out his badge and all hell broke lose. "THATS IT!!" He just about slamed the device into his chest when another strong grip and a soft voice stopped him.

"Ichigo, no! People will see!"

Ichigo turned and met Zaxel's stern eyes, his arm stopped in mid flight.

"People are staring Ichigo! What'll they think if you suddenly collapse?"

Ichigo sighed and loosened his arm from her grip, stuffing his badge back in his pocket and turning to face her completely. "You're right, Karyna. I'm sorry. Just got a little carried away."

Zaxel smiled and he smiled in turn, sending a painful twinge through Renji's heart. Ichigo and Zaxel turned back to the now uninterested group and began to talk amongst themselves, getting back into a cheerful carefree mood. Renji turned back away only to be met with now narrowed and concerned eyes.

"Renji...?" Tara put her hand on his arm lightly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." He sighed. "Just thinking... about it."

"O-Oh..." She sighed. Renji sighed two and the two stayed quiet for a moment longer before Tara smiled reassuringly at him. "I hope we're wrong." She whispered. "For both of our sakes."

Renji smiled back and they turned back to the rest of the group, ready to start their day once again.

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A/N: Not much in this chapter but still a chapter none the less. Please Review!