Rukia looked at him in bewilderment. He had to have seen the white coats right when he walked in. He's not that much of an idiot. She looked into his eyes and smiled.
"Hey Renji. Welcome back."
"It's good to be back. Now I got someone to hold in bed again. The nights are cold without ya."
The last part melted her legs, but she quickly recovered. She looked over to the Shiro gang. They were all looking at Renji. Then, a pink haired man got up and walked over to the register. Orihime went over. The man had all the receipts and paid them all in cash. She thanked him and secretly rejoiced that they actually paid. The man then walked over and pulled a chair out to sit next to Renji. Renji was still gazing up at Rukia. She moved to the man cautiously with Renji's eyes following her.
"Can I get you anything?"
"Just a little chat with your lover if you don't mind."
Rukia nodded, then looked at Renji. His face was partially covered by his hands as he leaned in to put his elbows on the counter.
"Hello Renji."
Renji remained motionless. "What do you want Granz?"
"Just a friendly chat. I have a request actually from our boss."
"Why doesn't Stark just ask me himself?"
"You know our Stark doesn't like talking much."
Renji groaned in obvious annoyance. Ichigo then entered the diner with the others closely behind and immediately noticed the Shiro gang.
"Sit down Ichigo."
"Bastards."
"ichigo."
"Yeah, yeah. Come on guys. Let's sit down."
The rest of the gang sat down slowly across the diner and then all members looked over their shoulder to their rivals. The atmosphere was tense. Orihime ran over to Ichigo before he sat down. She jumped into his arms and was spun around. Rukia noticed all attention was on them.
Granz continued. "Renji, I know our gangs don't exactly get along, but we wanted to offer a truce."
Renji ignored the squeals from Orihime behind him and looked over to Granz. "What are you talking about?"
Granz sighed. "We Shiro members live here. Our families are here. This area of the world is our home. We may travel all over the world, but this is still our home. We know that the same goes for you. I know you would never want to be away from this petite waitress in front of us, so we offer the following conditions. We take the north side and you the south. We know this diner and most of your families live in the southern side, so this should be a simple exchange."
Renji put his hands together and rested his head on them. "I don't really care what any of you say. You've gotten into too many fights with us over the smallest things. How can we just ignore your constant call to fight?"
"We're just offering sides of town that we can reign without so much trouble."
Renji's eyes lowered. "We're not the ones causing the trouble."
Suddenly, a blue haired man from the Shiro gang stood up. "If it's a fight ya want. I can give that to ya."The man walked over with his hands in his pockets. A huge grin plastered on his face. Orihime was walking over to take the orders of the members of the Reds. The blue haired man walked right past Renji and Granz.
"Grimmjow, whatever you think you're doing, stop."
Grimmjow just snickered and walked over to the other side. Grimmjow reached out and grabbed Orihime's ass firmly. Everyone was shocked and froze. Orihime let out a small shriek. "Nice ass." Grimmjow grinned and let go just in time for a punch to send him flying across the room. Grimmjow grabbed his face just in time to look up to see Ichigo land another punch. Orhime shouted. "Take it outside!" She was concerned that something would get broken. Suddenly behind her, she heard another voice.
"Hey, hey, can't be havin' a fight without me. Who wants to go?"
"I'd love to shove that smirk right up your ass Kenpachi."
"Nice face Noitora. Where'd you find it?"
Rukia looked on in amazement as Ichigo and Grimmjow continued to punch each other like they were punching bags. Then she heard a crash as Noitora was thrown out the window by Kenpachi. Kenpachi laughed and jumped right out after him. Rukia had had enough. She stood up on the bar and yelled her loudest.
"TAKE IT OUTSIDE NOW!"
Several members, including the fighting ones, piled out of the diner and began fighting each other outside. The rest ran outside a moment later to watch the fights. The only ones that were left were Stark, Granz, Renji, and the workers. Rukia sighed and jumped down off the counter. Orihime looked at her in concern. "I've never heard you yell that loud."
Rukia shrugged. "I'm not dealing with their crap anymore." She glared at Granz and Renji. "Between the two of you, you need to pay for that window. I'll get an estimate and send an invoice to both of you." Renji looked annoyed. "Aww damn Rukia, can't I just pay you in lovin'?" Rukia's cold gaze stopped him from continuing. "I'm not a prostitute Renji."
"I didn't say you were." Renji rubbed his neck. "Aw, this sucks. Ok Granz. If tellin' ya ok will get me out of the doghouse and everything back to somewhat normal, I'll do it."
Granz smiled. "Glad to hear it. Hey Stark. Get over here and shake on it with Renji." Stark slowly got up from the booth and walked over to Renji. He extended his hand and Renji took it and they shook on it. Stark remained silent and walked outside. Orihime followed him and turned the sign for the diner to say closed.
"Well that's that Renji. Tell your boys that they have the south to do what they choose without us interfering. If they come to the north, there may be some resistance, but we will try to keep everything as peaceful as we can."
"Like what's going on outside? Keep your men in line."
Granz got up. "I'll see what I can do. I'll see you around Renji."
Renji grunted a response and Granz was out the door. Orihime had since walked outside to watch the fight and try to convince Ichigo to stop. Sado came out from the kitchen to watch over Orihime. Then the diner was empty except for Rukia and Renji. Rukia hopped up on the counter. Her legs dangling next to Renji and she leaned over and kissed Renji on the forehead. "I'm glad that's over. Now, are you going to be staying for a while?"Renji smiled and pulled Rukia off the counter and onto his lap. Her legs now dangling over his. He leaned in and gave her a deep kiss. His strong hands sliding down her neck until they reached her hips. Rukia pulled back. "I guess that means yes."
Renji smiled and spoke deeply into her ear. "I ain't goin' nowhere for a while baby. All I've wanted is you." Rukia shuttered at the deep tone. She snuggled in to under his chin. They stayed there for a moment until the door shot open. Orihime smiled. "They are all gone now. All the members went home.
Rukia looked over at Orihime. "Who won?"
"I did of course." Ichigo stepped up. Blood dripping from his mouth and the dirt covering his face and clothes. Renji spun the chair around and faced them. "Ya gonna go back home now?"
Ichigo took Orihime's hand. "Yeah. I gotta get cleaned up to get dirty again." Orihime blushed and Rukia laughed. Renji even chuckled a bit. "I'll see ya later guys."
Orihime looked at Rukia. "Will you lock up? Sado went home already."
"No problem Orihime. You guys have fun." Moments later, they were alone again.
"Ya wanna head home Rukia?"
"I guess we should."
"Ya wanna go for a ride later?"
Rukia's yes widened. "Yes! It's the perfect night for it. Let me just bring the car home. Meet me at the house?" Rukia jumped off and spun around to face Renji still sitting in the chair and smiling.
"Sounds good baby. I'll meet ya there."
Rukia skipped out the door and held the door open for Renji. He nodded a thank you while his eyes dug deep and Rukia felt that melting feeling again in her legs. "He's got to stop doing this to me some time." She thought. She got in her car and rolled down the windows. As she drove off, she could hear the roar of the motorcycle behind her. She looked in the rear view mirror and saw Renji following her. She knew he would be there, but she wanted to see him riding his bike. They got to the house in a few minutes and Rukia motioned to Renji to turn off the bike.
"I want to change quick."
"I'll be here."
Rukia ran inside with a giddiness to her. She always liked riding with Renji. She emerged a few minutes later and climbed on. He revved up the engine and put on his sunglasses. He looked back at her. "Let's ride baby." She clung to him tightly as the roads turned red with the setting sun. The breeze blowing her hair around. The smell of the lake they were passing. Everything was perfect. Renji pulled in to an area overlooking the large lake. He helped her off the bike and they walked hand in hand to the edge of the overlook. The sun was setting in the most vibrant way with many oranges and reds dancing across the sky. She looked over to Renji, who was already looking at her.
She smiled. "The Reds are amazing."
"Yeah, we are."
She giggled at the obvious connection that she didn't think of. He then surprised her by sweeping her off her feet and held her close to him. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder and with the sun setting behind them, gave each other one last kiss before the night came. All they needed was each other and this quickly departing sun to tell them that this love was real. This love was forever.
The End
