A\N: Oh my lord, it's a miracle! Two updates in one month! I think I got it out so quick because it was my birthday on Wednesday! Yup, I be nineteen nows! So, I've got some Rukia in this chapter, some Renji, and of course, everyone's favorite moody sansaki, Sakasana. This chapter is longer than the other ones have been, just a little warning. Well, enough of my blabber, here's chapter four.


Chapter 4

As Rukia left her Taicho's quarters, she felt her soul pager vibrate in her pocket and heard an all too familiar ringtone. "Ugh, what does he want now?" She had just come from receiving her assignment for the day, and Renji was already calling her. It seemed like he was always blowing up her telephone.

I guess I should be grateful…she thought to herself while staring at her pager. I was so lonely when he was still in the academy… not to mention the forty years we spent apart…

She answered the pager. "What Renji?"

"Rukia?"

"Yeah?"

"How'd you know it was me?"

"Hmm…let me think, maybe because you call me every day, I have caller ID, you set your ringtone in my phone.."

"Oh, right."

"Well?"

"What?"

"What do you want?"

"Do you want to go to lunch with Kousugi and me today?"

"…You all are eating together?..."

"Yeah, and you too if you can come."

"Um, yeah sure. Where are we going?"

"Don't know yet, but it's cool, we'll figure it out."

"Okay."

"Oh, I gotta go, I'll see you later right?"

"Yeah, see you later."

Click.

Wow, that was fast.


"Oh, here it is," said the shinigami receptionist as she pulled out the proper card from a drawer of one of the hundreds of file cabinets behind her. She was a small wiry woman with dull brown hair and black eyes. "Rokuban SanSaki, Kousugi Sakasana, right?"

"Yeah, thanks." Said Sakasana as she pocketed her new ID. She was just turning to leave when she remembered something. "Ummm… can I ask you a question?"

The shinigami deadpanned. "What?"

"Do you happen to know where the nearest shihakusho shop is?"

"Do I look like I know where it is?"

"Well, no, I just thought that you might…"

"Well, I don't". She replied curtly.

Sakasana felt her temper flare. "WELL FINE THEN!" she screamed, not caring that everyone was staring at her. She turned on her heels and made her way out of the building. Who does that woman think she is? The nerve of her… I guess I'll just have to find the shop myself.

She found herself wandering the area for the next hour and a half becoming more and more frustrated as time went on. Confused, angry, and now with her second splitting headache of the day, she was just about to give up when she heard a familiar sing song voice call out to her.

"Sakasana!" It was none other than Matsumoto Rangiku.

Great, just what I need, another headache.

"Matsumoto Fukitaicho, what a pleasant surprise." Replied Sakasana, as she bowed and plastered on a fake smile.

"Oh please, how many times do I have to tell you, call me Rangiku." Said Matdiuumoto as she slung her arm over Sakasana's shoulders, her shopping bags smacking against each other. "What are you doing way out here?"

"What do you mean…Aren't I in the sixth division?"

"Nope! This is the tenth division. I'm afraid you're lost again, hon." Said Matsumoto looking at her sympathetically.

"Are you serious?" asked Sakasana, her shoulders slumping. "Now I'll never find that shihakusho shop!"

"Nanda? Shihakusho shop? There's one right there!" said Matsumoto pointing across the path where the little shop sat. "But I don't see anything wrong with the one you have on."

"Yeah you wouldn't."

"What's that supposed to mean?" exclaimed Matsumoto, her hands on her hips and her face in a pout.

Crap. "No-nothing, Matsu-ah, I mean, Rangiku-san, just that mine looks just like yours, so of course you wouldn't see anything wrong with the one I have on."

"Oh, then why don't I go in with you and help you pick out a new one!"

Sakasana's head swam with images of all kinds of inappropriate shihakushos that she could be forced to buy. "No, you don't have to-"

"I insist!" interrupted Matsumoto as she pulled Sakasana towards the shihakusho shop. "I can even get you a discount!"

"How can you-" Sakasana was cut off by a loud voice that rang through the air. "MATSUMOTO!"

Suddenly, the air beside her was void of all sign said Fukutaicho. "Rangiku-san?" Hmm, guess she had to get back to work…

Yeah, right.

Sakasana made her way into the shop alone and placed her order, thankful that a certain boisterous Fukutaicho had disappeared.


Walking the familiar streets of the thirteenth division, Rukia could hardly contain her curiosity for the envelope burning hole in her pocket. Ever since that incident with her first assignment, she decided that she would make all her deliveries first and then check her assignment.

She would never admit to anyone, but even after being a part of the Gotei Thirteen for all these years, she still got excited when she was handed her next assignment. A certain sense of fulfillment resonated through her… and yet, something was missing… it had been for awhile.

As hard as she tried, she couldn't pinpoint it. Thinking back, she couldn't remember where or when she realized something was off. She was happy with her friends in Soul Society, she was happy with her relationship with her brother, she was happy that Ichigo was safe… She was happy.

But she wasn't complete.

Something inside her had changed.

As she made her last delivery, her mind still plagued with these thoughts, she finally opened the envelope containing her new assignment. Upon reading the contents, she froze in her tracks.

Kuchiki Rukia was being sent back to Karakura town in exactly one week.


Sakasana left the shop with her receipt in hand. Her shihakusho wouldn't be ready until next week. I guess I'll have to find my way back now… but how?

In her earlier anger and confusion, she had missed the signs sticking out of the ground telling the way to each division. Wow. That's just sad. She headed in the direction of the sixth division.

She was thinking back over the day so far and didn't know whether to be elated or disappointed in her behavior. I guess I got over my nervousness when I exploded in Kuchiki Taicho's office this morning… but what's going on?

In truth, these mood swings were scaring Sakasana; not just because of the way they made her look, but also because she knew they weren't normal. I can't imagine what Abarai-Fukitaicho must think of me. I never used to just go off on people for no reason…Not since I started training for bankai…

When it happened it felt more like she was being overwhelmed than enraged. It was like she blacked out and had to figure out what happened later. Like this morning in Kuchiki Taicho's office, she couldn't remember what had made her so angry. I remember being uncomfortable with Abarai-Fukutaicho, but then… That's where her memory became fuzzy. It didn't pick up clearly again until she heard Byakuya call her name. The same thing happened outside and inside the registration building.

Sakasana dug for a connection, she racked her brain for a reason, a cause, anything to explain what was wrong with her. She was too embarrassed to talk to Rukia and there was no way she could consult Renji or her Taicho. Maybe Ikakku… but she squashed that idea quickly. If he knew anything he would have told me already… And then it hit her like a ton of bricks!

"Of course! Hime-san! She can help, maybe she can even fix my brain; reverse it back to being nice again!"

In her excitement, she hadn't realized that she began speaking out loud. The surrounding shinigami stopped and stared. I've got to get myself under control before it's too late! She thought to herself as she made her way around a corner to hide out of sight. Or everyone will be talking about the psycho Rokuban Sansaki for the rest of eternity!

She had no idea just how right she was.


Rukia's mind was full. She couldn't stuff one more thing in there even if she tried. But even with her pending departure, she tried to push forward. She had other things to think about. Like making sure Sakasana didn't act like a complete spazz at lunch today…

She had made her way to the sixth division, taking a short cut through an alley, and was honing in on Renji's reiatsu, when she bumped into someone unexpectantly.

"Oh, excuse me! I didn't mean to… Sakasana?"

Sakasana turned around. "Rukia-san!"

"What are you doing back here?"

"…Hiding…" Sakasana's voice had dropped to a whisper.

"Why are you hiding?"

"B-Because! Everyone was staring at me and I didn't know what to do! You didn't see their faces Rukia-san!" protested Sakasana when Rukia tried to calm her while pulling her out of the alley. "They were looking at me like I had horns growing out of my head!"

"Sakasana you're getting worked up over nothing. Look around, no one is staring anymore!"

She was right, they weren't.

"Now, where are we going for lunch?" asked Rukia as she and Sakasana made their way towards Renji.

"How about that new Korean BBQ place that just opened up in the eleventh division?"

"I don't know… Renji and I usually go somewhere; as in we bring lunches and go somewhere to eat them instead of going out to eat…" She saw Sakasana glance around before she whispered to her.

"Because he doesn't have any money?"

How does she know? "…Yeah."

"Abarai-Fukutaicho told me this morning by the Silver Dragonfly."

Wow, he opened up to her like that?

"Hey! You know what we should do?" exclaimed Sakasana, wrenching Rukia from her thoughts.

"What?"

"We should treat Abarai-Fukutaicho to lunch!"

"Yeah, right!" scoffed Rukia, "He would never ever let us do that!"

"Why not?"

"Because," began Rukia, stopping Sakasana and looking her in the eye. "It would go against his honor as a 'man and as a higher ranking officer' to let us pay. Trust me, I know this for a fact."

"Oh, come on Rukia-san! He's been working so hard lately! Don't you think he deserves a little pick-me-up, something that says 'you done good', even if it is something as small as a free lunch?"

"Isn't that what his paycheck is for?"

"Please Rukia-san? Pretty please with…with…with Chappy on top?"

Rukia could feel herself caving. She could also feel Renji getting closer. If she didn't decide now, then it would be too late. "You really like him, huh?" She laughed when Sakasana blushed and looked at the ground. "…FINE! I'll help you feed your precious Fukutaicho!"

"Oh, yay! Thank you Rukia-san!" exclaimed Sakasana, enveloping Rukia in a fierce embrace.

"Yeah, yeah. Calm down. Renji's almost here, so if you want this to work, do exactly as I say and let me do ALL the talking. Got it?"

"Got it!"

"Good. Now straighten up, here he comes."

Sure enough, Renji was making his way through the crowd.


Renji was looking forward to this lunch. As hard as it was to admit, he liked Sakasana, and anytime he got to see Rukia was always a plus. Sure, they both had a bit of a temper problem, but overall they were nice. His sack lunch in hand, he made his way through the crowd to where he could feel Rukia and Sakasana waiting for him. Upon reaching them he noticed that they weren't carrying a sack lunch with them.

"Where are your lunches?"

They exchanged looks and Sakasana giggled. "Come on let's go." Said Rukia, grabbing Sakasana's arm and pulling her along with her. Renji either had to follow or get left behind.

He opted to follow.

But after about five minutes of walking, he started to wish he was going to eat alone. Rukia and Sakasana kept looking back at him, whispering to each other, and then procceding to giggle. Probably at my expense… What is with those two?

Soon he realized that they weren't in the sixth division anymore, but were in the eleventh; and they had stopped in front of the new Korean BBQ place that had just opened up.

"Umm, guys, what are we-" He never got to finish his question. Before he knew what was happening, Rukia snatched his lunch out of his hand and chucked it as far as she could. "Rukia! What the he-" Then, to his ultimate surprise, Sakasana jumped on his back and looped her arms under his, her knees folded up against his back. He thought they were going to fall backwards until Rukia reached up and grabbed his collar and began dragging him forward into the restaurant.

"Table, now!" barked Rukia to the attendant. They were led to a booth in the back of the restaurant. Sakasana jumped off Renji's back and promptly slid into the booth. Rukia slammed Renji into the seat across from Sakasana and then slid in the next to her as if nothing even happened.

"And that is how it's done." Remarked Rukia dusting her hands off and straightening her uniform.

Renji was livid. No, he was surprised. He didn't know which he was. They had just kidnapped him! Not to mention chucked a very good lunch that he had spent most of the night before making. They had dragged him into a very crowded restaurant with him looking like a complete buffoon. He was positive that everyone there knew who he was. They were his colleagues, his buddies that he had worked with when he was on the eleventh squad, and they had ALL just seen him overpowered by two pint sized women!

"What are you two doing?" hissed Renji as he sat up in his seat. His face was about as red as his hair.

"We," began Rukia matter of factly, "Are treating you to lunch. So sit back, shut up, and enjoy it."

Renji was flabbergasted. This was NOT happening. "Look, you two-"

"Can I take your order?" He was interrupted by the shinigami waiter who obviously had just gotten over some sort of laughing fit. His eyes were red and watery and his face as flushed.

"Yes. We," said Rukia, pointing to herself and Sakasana, "Will have the spicy, grilled beef and… Renji, what would you like?"

"I'm not ordering."

"Renji, don't be rude, order something."

"No."

"Order."

"No!"

"DO IT!"

"FINE!" he exclaimed. "I'll have the spicy grilled chicken." He grumbled to the waiter.

"Very good, Sir."

"Are you sure that's what you want Renji?" remarked Rukia as the waiter collected the menus.

"Yes." He wouldn't look either her or Sakasana in the eye.

"Okay… I just could have sworn that you don't like spicy food, but I mean, whatever…"

Crap. He quickly called for the waiter and changed his order.

"So!" said Rukia brightly, completely ignoring Renji's death glare.

"So? SO! After all that, all you have to say is so?" exclaimed Renji, standing and slamming his hands on the table.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Don't be getting all mad at me! It was HER idea in the first place, I just got it done!" retorted Rukia, jerking her thumb at Sakasana.

"Oh, so this was your idea?" replied Renji turning his glare on Sakasana.

She jumped when he turned on her. "Uh, w-well…"

"Yep, it was all her idea. She said she wanted to give you something that said 'you done good' and- OW! Stop kicking me, Sakasana! I'm just trying to give you a little credit…"

"You said that, Kousugi?"

"Y-yeah…I just thought it would be, you know, nice…"

She thought it would be nice? How do I respond to that? Renji lowered himself back into his seat, his face still burning; not just from anger but from embarrasement too. He didn't know how to respond to Sakasana's generosity, and he was flattered that someone finally noticed him… lord know's Rukia doesn't.

Silence reigned across the table as Renji calmed down. "You know, this goes against my honor, both as a man-"

"And as a higher ranking officer." Finished Rukia, rolling her eyes. "Well, just get over it, cause today, you're eating on us."

"...Thanks." Replied Renji, letting one of his smiles seep onto his face.

"So…" began Sakasana leaning forward onto the table, her head resting in her hands. "You don't like spicy food?"


I worked hard on this, I literally had to drag it out of my brain. I'm exhausted, so I hope you like it. Please review!