Escape
Toushiro was not enjoying himself. Their food had arrived and Nina was digging in. But Toushiro wasn't hungry, and even if he was, he couldn't eat. He was allergic to persimmons after all.
Nina: "Why aren't you eating?"
Toushiro: "I'm not hungry."
Nina: "Not hungry?! But this-"
Toushiro: "Was YOUR idea!... Not mine."
Nina was getting angry. But she calmed down and got up.
Nina: "I'm going to the little girls room. Some of that food better be gone when I get back!"
And she headed for the restroom. Oh something would be gone! But it wouldn't be the food. Toushiro turned to the couple behind them who seemed to have sympathy for the boy.
Toushiro: "Could you give this to our waiter?! You can keep the change if you do this for me!"
Man: "My pleasure, kid!"
Lady: "Run for it!"
Toushiro gave them 50 dollars to pay for the whole meal. Chances are the princess wouldn't pay even if she was left with it. The couple took the money and he ran for it! And not a moment too soon!
Man: "Hurry, man! She's back!"
Nina: "Toushiro! Get back here at once! I order you!"
Cashier: "No wonder he ran when he got the chance!"
Nina: "TOUSHIRO! YOU'RE RUINING MY DATE WITH YOU!"
Men And Women At The Bar: "Go, kid! Go!"
Toushiro had a good head start. Now he had to find Vegeta and Rangiku. But the mall was huge, they could be anywhere! And he couldn't stop or else Nina would catch up with him! But luck finally shined his way. He saw two familiar figures walk out of the book store.
Toushiro: "Ichigo! Chad!"
Chad: "Ichigo, it's Hitsugaya."
Ichigo: "Huh? Toushiro?"
The young captain stopped in front of the two teens. As he quickly caught his breath, Ichigo and Chad looked at him.
Toushiro: "You gotta help me!"
Chad: "Date didn't go well?"
Toushiro: "Wha... You know? How?"
Ichigo: "Rangiku and Vegeta. We ran into them just a little while ago."
Chad: "They told us everything."
Ichigo: "So how bad is it?"
A scream behind them got their attention. Nina was closing in! But she hadn't seen Toushiro yet, so there was still time to hide! In seconds, she was facing the two teens.
Nina: "Where is he?!"
Ichigo: "Who?"
Nina: "Toushiro Hitsugaya! This is suppose to be our date and he ran off! I saw him with you two, now where is he?!"
Ichigo and Chad shrugged. They acted like they didn't know where Toushiro was and were doing a good job at it.
Chad: "He went that way."
Ichigo: "Chad!"
Nina: "Ah-HA! I got you now!"
The princess ran off passed them. Ichigo and Chad looked at each other and grinned. Once she was gone...
Ichigo: "You can come out, Toushiro."
Toushiro popped out from behind Chad, the only thing he could easily hide behind.
Toushiro: "Thanks, Chad."
Chad: "Don't mention it."
Ichigo: "We saw Vegeta and Rangiku by the video store. Hurry! We'll hold her off if she comes back!"
Toushiro: "Thanks, you guys! I owe you one!"
And Toushiro headed back the way he came to look for Rangiku and Vegeta. Next to the video store, Rangiku and Vegeta were just leaning against the railing looking down at the bottom floor. Well Rangiku was. Vegeta was leaning against it with his back and hanging his head over.
Rangiku: "So how do you think the captain's doing?"
Vegeta: "Knowing him and how that girl has treated him so far... In all honesty I can see him splitting the moment he gets the chance."
Rangiku: "You think he will?"
Vegeta: "If he's smart, he will."
Rangiku: "He is smart, Vegeta."
Vegeta: "Smart with women?"
Rangiku: "Uh... I take that back."
Sleazy Man: "Well, well... What do we have here?"
Rangiku: "Oh god..."
A sleazy man had spotted Rangiku and she was in no mood to deal with his crap.
Sleazy Man: "My, my... What's a babe like you doing without a man like me?"
Vegeta: "Hey leave her alone, man."
Sleazy Man: "Huh? Thought I heard some zero talking to me."
Vegeta: "Hey now-"
Rangiku: "I'll take care of this."
Sleazy Man: "Oh, c'mon, sweetheart! I'll show you a good time!"
And Rangiku grabbed the man in his most sensitive part and squeezed! As he winced, she just glared at him with an evil look.
Rangiku: "Don't push your luck, buster!..."
The busty woman let go of the man and he staggered off to nurse his wounded 'pride'. Rangiku just went back to looking over the railing as if nothing happened. After a few seconds, she glanced over at her fellow lieutenant. Poor Vegeta was staring at her wide-eyed and uncomfortable as all hell!
Rangiku: "Wha- Did I make you uncomfortable, Vegeta?"
And there was a slight 'squeak' in his voice.
Vegeta: "Ah... Yes! Ha um... Except for my wife, this is the most time I've ever been with a woman alone!"
Rangiku: "What about Val?"
Vegeta: "She and I see each other more like brother and sister considering that we grew up together."
Rangiku: "Haha, I'm sorry, Vegeta! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable!"
Vegeta: "No, no, that's alright, Rangiku! Not like I haven't been there before! But, um... Do me a favor... Please give me fair warning if you ever decide to do 'that' to me."
Rangiku: "No problem, Vegeta."
Vegeta: "I'm assuming there's a story behind that, right?"
Rangiku: "Yeah there is but I just promised that I wouldn't make you uncomfortable again, so..."
Vegeta: "Fair enough!"
Toushiro: "Vegeta! Rangiku!"
Toushiro finally found his lieutenants.
Vegeta: "Toushiro, what is it?"
Rangiku: "What's wrong, captain?"
Toushiro: "Get me outta here and away from her! I can't even begin to tell you what she's done to me so far!"
Vegeta: "Close your eyes and calm yourself."
Rangiku: "What are you going to do, Vegeta?"
Vegeta: "Read his mind. It'd be a lot easier if we just look at his memories. Just put your hand on top of mine, Rangiku. You'll see it too."
Rangiku: "Ok."
Toushiro calmed down and closed his eyes while Vegeta read his memories. In a flash, Rangiku and Vegeta knew exactly what had happened and they were both shocked beyond belief.
Rangiku: "That. Little. Bitch!..."
Vegeta: "Ok, let's get outta here before she catches up with him."
And both Rangiku and Vegeta took Toushiro home. As for the princess, she'd eventually call one of her servants to come get her. That night, Toushiro was quiet. He just couldn't take anymore of Nina's demanding and bossy attitude and he had ran off. Now Nina was probably mad and there was no telling what was going to happen within the next few days. Was he going to be arrested, or worse... Was he going to lose Rangiku and Vegeta? Toushiro just stared blankly down at his desk with his chin buried in his arms.
Rangiku: "Captain?"
Only his eyes moved.
Rangiku: "Are you alright?"
Toushiro just shook his head.
Rangiku: "Are you upset about what happened?"
He nodded.
Vegeta: "Don't tell me you actually liked her?"
That got a reaction out of him.
Toushiro: "Hell no..."
Vegeta: "Ha ha ha... Just makin' sure you're still with us."
Rangiku: "Don't worry, captain. Everything will be fine."
Toushiro: "No it won't. She's probably telling her family some sappy story to make herself look innocent and the victim. And you know how that's gonna end."
Vegeta: "Don't worry, Toushiro. We're not gonna leave you just because some little spoiled brat didn't get her way. And if they decide to arrest you, well Rangiku and I will defend you. You're a captain, there's gotta be some limit to what a Noble Family can do."
Rangiku: "And if that little bitch shows her face around here, she's going to have ME to deal with!"
Toushiro just smiled softly. Exactly what Rangiku wanted. The busty woman just lifted his chin up with her fingers to make him look at her as she smiled back at him.
Rangiku: "There... That's what I wanna see."
There was a long, comforting silence. A cough from Vegeta broke the silence.
Vegeta: "Ahem! Well... I'm glad you're gonna take care of that little princess if she comes around here, Rangiku. 'cause when it comes to angry women, no offense, I try to stay out of it as much as I can."
Rangiku: "No offense taken, Vegeta. I've seen how mad Bulma can get!"
Vegeta and Rangiku started laughing and soon so was Toushiro. But it soon stopped. It was getting late.
Vegeta: "Well I think it's time we all got some rest. Especially you, Toushiro."
Toushiro: "... Yeah."
Rangiku: "Goodnight, captain. And don't worry. Everything'll be fine. You'll see."
Toushiro: "Thank you, Rangiku. Goodnight."
Rangiku headed off for bed and Vegeta took Toushiro back to their room. Tomorrow was a new day... And a surprise would await them with a colorful greeting.
