OH MY GOD. I'M ALIVE! Inspiration hit yet again. It's short, but expect more soon. All those Renruki moments in the manga recently inspired me yet again~

"That bracelet is gorgeous Rukia!" Momo complimented as she inspected the rubies circling Rukia's tiny wrist. "I can't believe I didn't notice it before!"

"Yeah, it was a little higher up my arm during school. I didn't want anyone to take it away," Rukia said. The bracelet had not crossed her mind during her meeting with the Kuchiki. What if Captain Byakuya had seen it?

"That's a good idea," Mihane agreed, taking a sip of the sake before her. "Our teachers usually don't like modifications to the uniform, even if it is just a little piece of jewelry."

"Well, even if they do see it, they'll never take it away from me," Rukia stuck out her tongue and the girls laughed, huddled over in the corner of the dim-lit bar. Rukia and Mihane really didn't know Momo (she was more Renji's friend than anything else), so it was a good opportunity to finally meet the "other" woman in his life. Rukia was surprised just how lay back and cheerful Momo was. She had suspected she might be a little naïve and prudish given some of the ways she looked at Renji and Izuru when they were performing some wild antic. But it seemed that when in the company of other women, she had no qualms of gossiping and giggling.

Speaking of those two…Rukia looked over Momo's shoulder to see Renji, Izuru, and Shuhei laughing rambunctiously, pouring and downing shots of sake by the second. The boys and girls had separated after dinner when Shuhei suggested they have a drinking contest. Rukia might have joined in if not for Momo's and Mihane's polite refusals.

As though he felt her eyes, Renji turned his head and gave Rukia a wide smile and beckoned her with his hand. "I think that's enough girl talk! Why don't you come over here? See how much of a man your man is, Rukia!"

Mihane and Momo giggled as Rukia smacked her forehead. I forgot how dumb he can get when he's tipsy.

"C'mon Rukia!" Momo grabbed her by the arm. "Renji's waiting!"

The girls made their way to the boys and watched as Renji took another shot of sake, his cheeks rosy and his eyes watery.

"How many of those have you had?" Rukia asked, looking at the stack empty sake bottles. She knew he could hold his liquor but she really didn't want him to get sick later on.

"Aw, you worried, Rukia-chan?" he grinned and pulled her into an awkward embrace. "Don't worry, your Renji-kun is just fine!"

"Izuru…" Momo's voice held a hint of frustration. The blonde turned around, unaware of the tone. "Why is Renji talking in honorifics?"

"Uh…" If it was even possible, Izuru's cheeks were redder than Renji's and his body swayed back and forth involuntarily. "I don't know, Momo. Maybe you should ask him?"

Momo sighed. "You don't remember the last time he started doing that?"

Izuru chuckled a little too forcefully. "No…"

"He went streaking!" Momo yelled at him and pulled at Izuru's ear. "And you've obviously had too much to drink to if you can't remember that! I think we're done here."

Momo turned her attention to the bartender. "Excuse me sir, could you give us our bill now?"

"I don't know, these guys still look like they want to…" Momo's eyes hardened and the man winced. "But if you insist! I'll get the bill right away!"

Momo smiled. "Thank you very much!"

"Aw, really Momo?" Shuhei rubbed the back of his neck, a little disappointed. Clearly, he was much sober than the other two. "I was just getting started."

"Renji and Izuru are done, Shuhei," Momo insisted. "And I'm sure Rukia would like to have some time to celebrate with Renji in private. That is, if he can even walk."

"I can walk just fine, woman," Renji slurred. "I don't need you to worry."

"Fine then I won't," Momo huffed, although a small smile tugged at her lips. "I'm taking Izuru home."

"Oooo….taking Izuru home to do what?" Shuhei teased. "Gonna tuck him in or ravage him under the covers?"

"Ew! Quit it, Shuhei!" Momo flushed crimson as she took her nearly-unconscious friend by the shoulder and made her way towards the door. "Just stay here and drink alone, you loser!"

"Hey, I'm not a loser!" the officer shot back. "I've obviously held out better than these two!"

Rukia watched the whole scene play out in mild fascination. She wondered if this is what she had been missing out on all those times Renji had asked her to join them on a nightly excursion. She would always decline, insisting she didn't have time. In truth, she had always been scared to be with people other than Renji. Rukia knew they would treat her nice because she was Renji's friend, but what if they secretly hated her and didn't want Renji to be their friend anymore? Silly to think about now but Rukia had never been the most secure individual when it came to other's opinions.

"Hey," Renji's low, sultry voice whispered into her ear. "Let's get out of here, Rukia-chan."

Her heart quickened and the blood warmed throughout her body. She couldn't remember the last time he placed a 'chan' after her name. It was usually when he was being sarcastic or rude. But his tone carried neither.

"Hey Shuhei, me and Rukia are leaving," Renji stood up, a little shaky at first. With Rukia as his primary support he was able to move in relative ease. "Have fun without me."

"Mihane, you going to make it to the dorms okay?" Rukia asked, feeling a little guilty that they were leaving her friend all alone with a minor acquaintance.

The girl in question smiled and nodded. "I'll be fine. You two go out and enjoy yourselves. You deserve it."

"Okay then," Rukia returned her smile and walked out of the sake bar with Renji. "Make sure she gets home safe, Shuhei."

Shuhei snorted as they watched the pair leave. "Just who does she think she is giving me orders? I'm the one who's writing up her damn recommendation."

"Oh! You're going to recommend Rukia to the advanced classes?" Mihane asked. "That's wonderful! You must be have been an excellent student when you were here. They only take recommendations from the strongest alumni."

Shuhei looked down at the girl, her eyes bright and smile sincere. She was kind of pretty. "Well, I do my best…"

"So, what division are you from?" Mihane asked another question, taking a seat at the bar. "I've only really been in contact with the sixth division."

"First things first," Shuhei claimed the seat next to her. "Can I buy you a drink?"

Yep, that's it for now. Did you enjoy all the shiptease? ;)