Chapter 4: She finally lost it.

When Izuru and Hisagi showed up to the tenth division both girls were dressed and ready waiting outside. Hisagi flashed stepped to Rangiku once he saw how beautiful the voluptuous woman looked and whispered softly in her ear making her giggle. When they looked up they saw Izuru staring at Orihime who was looking at up the stars. Whispering conspiratorially to one another they nodded before Rangiku headed to a seemingly paralyzed Izuru, "What's the matter Izuru, it's not like you've never seen Orihime before."

By now Orihime had moved next to Rangiku smiling but not saying anything yet. Izuru was still a few few away from the three prompting Hisagi to say, "Izuru if you don't come and take Orihime's arm so we can get going, then I'll take both these hotties and leave you behind."

That stimulated him into motion and he headed to where Orihime stood. Clearing his throat her took her hand as he replied, "I'll take Orihime, Hisgai, you just keep your eyes on your girlfriend. Oh and one more thing," he met his eyes to those of his fellow lieutenant, "Orihime is not a hottie."

For a moment Orihime's heart clenched as the feeling of rejection washed over her but it was quelled seconds later by Kira's gentle hand lifting her head to meet his eyes, a small smile on his face as he clarified, "Hottie does not adequately describe you, Orihime-chan. You are enchantingly beautiful." Then he kissed he hand ensconced in his before wrapping it into the crook of his arm asking, "Are you ready?"

Orihime managed a nod, her cheeks flushed crimson as a result of the normally silent lieutenant's words. Moving in flash step they left their companions behind. Looking at each other Rangiku raised one eyebrow, "You're good. He's better. Why aren't you that smooth?"

Hisagi rolled his eyes as he took her hand wondering as they made their way in flash step what had gotten into Izuru. "He'd never say anything like that to Momo," he thought as they landed near the bar's entrance.

When Izuru and Orihime had arrived at their destination the redness of her cheeks had subsided somewhat and he explained, "I hope I didn't embarrass you too much. I meant to shut Hisagi up, though everything I said to you is very true. You are enchantingly beautiful both outside and in. I've never met another woman like you, living or soul."

Slightly flustered but pleasure Orihime stammered out her thanks of his kind words. He laughed gently before leading her into the bar. Upon entrance it was as if time momentarily stopped, everyone staring at the beautiful redhead. In her distraction of the unwanted attention she bumped into him but stayed as close as possible. Taking in the situation, his body acting on instinct, Izuru wrapped his arm around her making at least the female patrons go back to what they were doing though the males continued to stare. Though she was used to men and even some women staring at her Orihime was nonetheless very nervous to have this level of attention from drunken strangers.

When Hisagi and Rangiku entered the dark haired male made his way to Izuru whispering with a smirk, "Real smooth what you did back there, almost got me in trouble, so thanks a lot." Though Izuru wasn't paying attention to his words he nodded. Taking note of his distraction and Orihime's worried face along with how close the two were standing with Kira's arm around her Hisagi asked lowly, "What's with her? She's acting like she's never been around men before?"

Shooting a look of annoyance at his friend's denseness Izuru commented as low as he could, "Spare some brain cells to use a little common sense instead of blowing them on trying to figure out how to get Rangiku into bed." Hisagi frowned but before he could defend himself Kira was speaking again, "She is used to men staring at her but none of her friends or acquaintances in the living world drink. Admiration is one thing, but she's not used to being stared at like she's a piece of meat by drunken hooligans!"

Taking in the situation Rangiku patted Orihime's shoulder reassuringly as she whispered, "No problem girl, I got you." Striding confident towards a table the buxom blonde loosened her blouse to a point where her breasts were practically falling out bringing all the attention to her. She could handle herself fine, plus if she really needed help Shuuhei was with her.

Breathing a sigh of relief Orihime nodded her thanks to Rangiku before looking back to Izuru, "I'm sorry lieutenant Kira. I shouldn't worry so much." Izuru wasn't sure if he should be happy or hurt by her formality but decided to let it go for the moment. Following Rangiku the foursome took a table near the back, their leader ordering a large bottle of sake while Hisagi passed out the cups. Having filled their receptacles two lieutenants each took their first shots while Orihime and Izuru looked on.

Rangiku meet her eyes and commented, "Come on Orihime, you can't be such a timid creature. I mean really."

Hisagi nodded with a smile,"Don't worry we ain't asking you to drink the whole bottle. Just drink with us. It will ruin the fun if you don't. Plus Izuru won't drink unless you do, because he's too shy. But when he does he drinks like a fish!"

Rangiku sent her a pleading glance, "Please Orihime?"

Putting his third shot of sake to his lips Hisagi mumbled into the cup before downing it, "I'm sure we could get Nelliel to drink with us were she here." He'd not even realized how wrong what he said was until Rangiku jabbed him in the ribs with her finger and Izuru sent him a death glare. Before he could correct his mistake Orihime had grabbed one of the cups, poured sake into it and tossed it into her mouth, spluttering slightly from the surprise burning sensation but she managed to get it down.

But she didn't stop there, taking shot after shot until she'd downed at least six at which point she began to feel the effects of her rapid drinking. Eye blurry and mind fuzzy she began to blubber in a drunken stupor, "He should have.. He should have chosen me! She isn't even human. Everyone made allowances for her. She is an ex-espada, she deserved a chance. Chance my ass! She stole him from me. She even knew I was gonna tell him, but instead as soon as I healed him she goes off and kisses him. Not fair!"

When Orihime grabbed the bottle and began chugging down more sake Hisagi made an attempt to stop her but found himself on his ass after she'd kicked his chair out from under him. Rangiku stood as well only to find Orihime's finger in her face as she yelled out, "No Rangiku-chan! You all wanted me to loosen up. YOU wanted me to express how I feel! Well I feel lonely. I feel like no one gives a damn about me especially when I am in the world of the living. Tatsuki, Chad, Uryuu, Ichigo, even Chizuru aren't even around me anymore. Why should I bother huh?"

Izuru grasped her shoulder firmly while the other hand attempted to remove the sake bottle from her clenched fingers all the while speaking in a lot, soothing tone, "Orihime-chan why don't you give me the bottle then you and I can talk? Or if you don't want to talk to me, talk to Rangiku."

But Orihime was surprisingly moving the bottle away from him as she spat back, "Why don't you tell everyone how you feel Kira-kun? You don't tell people how you feel! You keep everything locked up, good or bad! No one has really seen you smile except me and it's beautiful! Momo-chan would have been lucky to have you! I mean, you're brave and kind; you care deeply for her and would always protect her! Why can't she see that?! Why couldn't he…why couldn't he see me?! Love sucks!"

Izuru sighed, "You're right, I am still hurting at times. But even though I have my friends I don't talk aout it because they are her friends too. I can't let out all my sadness when they are, and should be, happy for her. But you're right about me not smiling enough. I don't know what happened with your friends and I think they should still be there for you but when you're here Orihime, I'm here for you and I want to help."

Taking a seat to leave Izuru to talk with Orihime she scowled as Hisagi whispered, "Didn't think she'd react to what I said like that. I mean, oh Kami is she wasted."

Rangiku nodded, "Yeah she is two sheets to the wind and you're a moron. I can't believe you said that!"

When he'd finally gotten Orihime to calm down somewhat Kira drank slowly from his sake cup, a gentle buzz beginning to take effect since he rarely drank. Just as he believed they were making some positive progress Orihime stood up suddenly, an alarming glint of determination in her eyes as she stated bluntly, "You know, maybe I should find someone to take my virginity. I mean, having a real relationship is hopeless, men only want me for my body anyway, so I may as well just get it over with and hand it over to someone."

Hisagi laughed, at first believing her to be joking, while Rangiku remained surprisingly silent, her eyes wide at her sweet friend's declaration. Then she, having become fairly drunk herself by that point, giggled and promised to find her the perfect guy. Izuru choked on his sip of sake said quickly through his coughing, "No! No, Orihime-chan don't do that. Here, let me take you home."

But Orihime managed to get past him and made her way to the drunkest, rowdiest table of men she could find. One of them grabbed her arm as she stopped in front of them and at the contact Izuru froze, the look on his face bringing Hisagi and Rangiku's laughter to an abrupt halt. His stasis shattered the moment he saw the drunk pull Orihime into his lap, her becoming a mass of giggles at whatever the filth had whispered to her. In the blink of an eye the lieutenant had closed the distance and stood before them.

Rangiku and Hisagi looked at each other, the same thought exiting their lips, "This isn't gonna be good."

They both headed towards the table but as they reached it Izuru's cold, angry voice hissed to Hisagi, "Get Rangiku home Shuuhei. I'll get Orihime." Before Rangiku could protest Shuuhei wrapped his arm around her waist and they disappeared in a blur. Eyes never having left Orihime Kira asked as calmly as possible, "Orihime-chan, are you ready to go?"

Still lost in a fit of drunken giggles Orihime didn't reply. Izuru sighed and despite only knowing her slightly knew she couldn't have meant what she said. She wasn't the type to just hand herself over like some common whore. But because of sake, depression and his dimwitted best friend's words whatever ounce of self respect she'd clung to shattered in an instant. He tried to remain calm but seeing the man's meaty arm around the sweet woman began to infuriate him. True, she'd placed herself in this situation but he didn't blame her. He blamed Rangiku, Hisagi and the sake, so despite her poor alcohol induced decision he was going to protect her, whether she wanted him to or not.

Orihime head rolled back to look at Kira, "Oh hi Izuru-kun! Um I want to meet, wait what's your name again?" Her head lolled back to look at the man who's lap she was sitting on and he grinned, "Call me anything you want, but it seems to be getting crowded, let's get out of her where it's quieter.

Before Izuru could say a word the man stood up, as did Orihime and they headed toward the door. Izuru snapped and before the man could pull her out finally called, "Orihime Wait!"