Soul Society and the Living World
By: Ryou's 01 Fan
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or any of the characters in it. This is my first Bleach story.
Italicized words are thoughts.
Note: Just to remind you…it's Monday after school. On Sunday, everyone came and now it turned to Monday.
Chapter 7: What Happened After School
Where we last left off...
"Ahh….finally we are free!" Renji said as he and the others walked back home.
"It wasn't that bad, was it?" Rukia asked him. She was walking beside him and the other three were in front of them.
"Naw, not that bad," Renji responded. He was looking at all the little stores and places they were passing……the Candy Store, Wall-Mall, some kind of jail and………….
"So Renji, what shall I make for dinner today? You have to eat something," Rukia said. "Renji?"
She turned to look at him and found him a few feet behind her staring at a….
Pizza Palace Restaurant!
"Rukia, look at all those pizzas," Renji said pointing at the window in front of him. There was a little kitchen and then right in front stood shelves were all types of pizzas stood.
"Hey what are you guys doing?" Ganju asked turning to look at them.
"Let's get pizza again," Hitsugaya said heading towards Rukia and Renji.
"Fine," Ichigo said following the captain. He didn't feel like making anything and he really didn't want to eat Rukia's food today.
"Yes!" Renji shouted. He went inside the restaurant followed by Rukia, Ganju, Hitsugaya, and finally Ichigo.
Inside, the walls were covered in red wallpaper with pizza topping decorations everywhere. There were red tables and chairs scattered all over the place and to their right was the kitchen door and cash register.
"Hmmm……what should we get this time?" Renji said looking above at the menu.
"Let's get the same as last time," Rukia said.
"Yeah! It was…uhh…..3 large pizzas…..1 pepperoni, 1 sausage, and the other one mushroom," Ganju said. Hitsugaya nodded.
"Ok then. Let's order," Hitsugaya said. Nobody was at the register.
"Hello? Anyone here?" Renji called out.
Suddenly, a man appeared from the kitchen door. He had black pants, a red shirt, and black glasses. He looked like he was in his 30's.
"So sorry to keep you waiting," the man said. "We are having some trouble around here. Anyways, what would you like to order?"
"What kind of trouble?" Renji asked.
"Oh the usual. One of my delivery guys quit yesterday and today everyone seems to be dead," he said with a shrug.
Ichigo looked at the man. He had a white sticker below his right shoulder that read "Mr. Jerry, Manager."
"So does that mean you are hiring, Mr. Jerry?" Ichigo asked him. He had just gotten a great idea.
"Yes. Would you like to work here?" Mr. Jerry said excitedly. "I know there's no sign posted outside but I have been busy."
"No…not me…..him," Ichigo said pushing Renji forward.
"Him?" The man said looking at Renji.
"Wait, what?" Renji said confused.
"You are going to work here…..and pay me back my money," Ichigo said grinning.
"I can really work here?" Renji asked.
"Ah…well first I need to have an interview with you," Mr. Jerry said. Renji looked at Ichigo.
"We can wait," Ichigo said.
"Whatever," Hitsugaya said. "But can I at least get a coke?"
"Yes, right away," Mr. Jerry opening a fridge and giving Hitsugaya his drink.
"Thanks," Hitsugaya said opening his drink. "Kurosaki will pay." Ichigo looked at the captain and sighed. He opened his wallet and paid for the drink.
"Ok then. This way please, young man," Mr. Jerry said. Renji followed the man.
They went past the kitchen and entered a small office with a table in the center and chairs beside it. The walls were bare and it smelled strongly of…pizza.
"Ok, so what do I do?" Renji said sitting down into the comfortable, leather chair.
"First, what is your name?" Mr. Jerry said taking out his notepad.
"Abarai Renji," Renji said.
"I'm Mr. Jerry. Just call me 'Jerry,'" he said.
"Ok," Renji responded.
"Question one…..Do you live near here Abarai-kun?" Jerry asked.
"Yeah I guess," Renji said.
"Ok. Good. Question two…..do you go to school or do you have a job somewhere else by any chance?" Jerry said.
"Yeah, I go to school," Renji said.
"What time do you get out?" Jerry asked.
"Uh….like at three in the afternoon. We just got out," Renji responded.
"Excellent! Now the last question……do you like pizza Abarai-kun?" Jerry asked.
"Uh…..yeah," Renji said. He had just tried pizza but he had found that he had liked it.
"Hmmm……what was that?" Jerry asked frowning.
"What was what?" Renji said looking at the man in front of him. This guy he's……
"That pause…" Jerry said, still frowning.
"Huh?" Renji said confused. He's…
"When I asked you that last question….you didn't answer immediately," Jerry explained.
"Uh……"
"Do you really like pizza Abarai-kun? Huh? Or are you really a pizza hater who wants to come here and destroy my business? Huh?" Jerry accused him.
"What?!?! No! I like pizza. If I wanted to destroy your business, I would hav- uh…never mind but really I like pizza and I really need a job. Like you heard, I owe Ichigo $20," Renji said.
Jerry stared at Renji for a minute. Then….
"Congratulations Abarai-kun! You are hired!" Jerry said jumping from his seat.
10 Minutes Later…
"Can we go now?" Ganju said. "The pizzas are getting cold."
"I know, I know. We have to wait for Renji," Ichigo said. What is taking them so long?
"I don't understand why you guys won't just eat here?" Rukia said looking at Ichigo.
"Because….it feels…..weird here," Ganju whispered. Hitsugaya sighed.
Suddenly, the kitchen door burst open and out appeared Renji. He was wearing long black pants, a red shirt with the words "Pizza Palace" written across it, and a red headband with Renji's name written in white.
"Hey guys. Guess what? I'm hired," Renji said grinning.
Ichigo, Rukia, Hitsugaya, and Ganju stared in shock. The way Renji looked…..he looked almost like a normal, every day high school guy who had just gotten a job at Pizza Palace. Also, he looked kind of…..weird.
"What do you think? You are looking at Pizza Palace's new delivery guy! Isn't this great?" Jerry said. He looked very excited.
This guy……he's really into pizza, everyone thought.
"See you tomorrow at three, Abarai-kun!" Jerry said waving goodbye as they left the restaurant.
"Well….that was interesting," Hitsugaya said. I wish Kuchiki-taichou could have seen this.
"Yeah," Ichigo replied. Man, I am never going to work at a pizza place!
"Are we there yet? I'm hungry!" Ganju said. I wonder if there are any big slices in the sausage pizza…
"So Renji's going to be the delivery guy? Hmm….I wonder what Nii-sama would have said if he was here," Rukia said teasingly.
"Kuchiki-taichou! I don't know….I'm just doing this because I owe Ichigo his stupid dollars….it's not like I'm going to enjoy this or anything," Renji said looking away.
"Sure. Whatever you say Renji," Rukia said. She knew that in the end, he would end up loving the job.
Finally, they reached the house. They went inside and entered the kitchen.
"Ahh….it's good to be back," Ganju said sitting down. He opened one of the pizza boxes and started to search for the biggest slice.
"Hey, wasn't Inoue going to come over? I'll go call her," Rukia said leaving the kitchen.
"Hey….I forgot to ask earlier but how is your 'date-search' going eh Ichigo?" Ganju said with his mouth full of pizza.
"Hmph," Ichigo said, not looking at Ganju. "I'm doing fine…and you Renji?"
"Oh…..that. Yeah, I got it all figured out," Renji said grinning. Ichigo stared at Renji.
Damn……I better find someone quick, Ichigo thought.
"Inoue's on her way," Rukia said entering the kitchen. She sat down and grabbed herself a paper plate.
"Hey Rukia, are you going?" Ganju asked.
"Go where?" Rukia responded. She had not heard their conversation.
"The dance," Ganju said.
"Oh….I don't know. This year everyone has separate plans and I don't know… so….probably not," Rukia said looking at her pepperoni pizza.
"Hey Rukia," Renji said suddenly, "Why don't you go with me?"
Everyone stared at him. Even Hitsugaya, who was desperately trying not to spill out his drink, was staring at the vice-captain.
"W-What?" Rukia stuttered. She looked at Renji.
"HEY RENJI! THAT DOESN'T COUNT!" Ichigo yelled, getting up and staring at Renji.
"Why not? Besides, I would rather go with Rukia to the dance rather than some girl I don't even know," Renji said in serious voice. The events from this morning had made him realize how he did not want to go to the dance with some stranger. This way, he could actually have fun at the dance and win their little contest.
"So what do you say Rukia?" Renji asked again. "Will you be my partner at the school dance?"
Rukia was about to speak when –
"Hello everyone!" Inoue said entering the room. "Sorry for barging in but the door was open so I just let myself in."
Everyone turned to look at her.
"Hey Inoue, here sit next to me," Rukia suddenly said motioning at the chair next to her.
"Thanks, Kuchiki-san," Inoue said sitting down next to her friend. She served herself some pizza and began eating.
After explaining to Inoue what had happened, the conversation died down.
The dinner conversation went something like this –
"Can you pass the pepper Ganju?"
"Hey Renji, gimme some napkins."
"Inoue, what are you putting on your pizza?"
"Hey! You're spilling your coke all over my pizza!"
"WOW! Look at the size of that slice!" and
"Umm……you don't eat that white triangle thing you know?"
30 Minutes Later…
"Well, I better get going," Inoue said cheerfully. "I have to get home and start my homework."
"Yeah, thanks for coming Inoue," Ichigo said.
"See you all tomorrow!" She said and with that, she left the house. Ichigo closed the door and noticed that Hitsugaya had already left the kitchen. Renji and Ganju were in the living room and Rukia was just coming out of the kitchen.
She was heading up the stairs when she stopped and turned to look at Renji.
"Hey Renji," She called out.
"Hm?" Renji responded looking at her.
"I will be your partner at the dance," Rukia said grinning, "So you better remember." She turned and went up the stairs.
Renji turned his attention to the screen. Ichigo noticed he was smiling.
"Hey Ichigo," Renji said staring at the screen.
"Don't. I know you-" Ichigo started to say but Renji cut him off.
"Forget about that," Renji said looking at Ichigo. "Just find someone who you can be yourself when you're with them and join us. Let's all go and have some fun. It's time we did something….you know, normal."
Ichigo was surprised at what Renji had said. Was a shinigami's life that different?
"Sure," he responded. "Let's all go." He sat down on the couch and started watching TV.
Later Hitsugaya came downstairs and joined them for a change. After awhile, the taichou spoke.
"Change the channel," Hitsugaya said.
"What? Why? This is a good program," Ichigo said.
"Change the channel. Don't you have anything else to watch beside people kicking a ball around?" Hitsugaya asked.
"Fine, pick whatever," Ichigo said throwing the remote at Hitsugaya, who caught it easily.
"Hey taichou…..are you going to the dance?" Renji asked suddenly.
"No," Hitsugaya responded without blinking an eye. He continued switching the channels.
"Come on taichou! You have to come. If you're worried about a date, I know how to fix that problem," Renji said looking at the captain.
"No," Hitsugaya responded again. "And why are you so interested if I'm going or not Abarai? Surely, my presence at this dance isn't needed."
"Actually…..it is needed taichou," Renji said turning away. "I uh….kinda set up a 'date' for you."
"WHAT!" Hitsugaya said in a loud voice. The room temperature had suddenly gone down.
"Hey keep it down! I'm trying to watch TV here," Ganju said but no one listened.
"Abarai, I am NOT going to the dance," Hitsugaya said staring at Renji.
"But she's really excited about it. How can I go to class tomorrow and tell her huh?" Renji said.
"Wait, is this 'girl' in our class?" Ichigo asked.
"Yeah. Her name is Sakura. I talked to her and she really wants to go to the dance with taichou over there," Renji said looking at Hitsugaya.
"Abarai," Hitsugaya said in a threatening voice.
"But fine, if you want to break her heart fine. It's not my date," Renji said turning his attention to the screen.
"It's not mine either," Hitsugaya said. "I can get a date by myself. I don't need your help. Besides, I don't want to go and I'm not going."
Man, he is so stubborn, Renji thought, Well I guess I better do plan B.
"Hey, where are you going?" Ichigo asked Renji, who was getting up from the couch.
"Eh, I'm just going upstairs," Renji responded.
Ichigo turned back to the screen and saw the soccer game back on.
"Couldn't find anything else taichou? I thought you didn't like this program," Ichigo said grinning.
"Shut up Kurosaki," Hitsugaya said.
Upstairs…
"Hey Rukia. Is there a phone up here?" Renji asked. He had entered Ichigo's room and had found Rukia sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Yeah….it's over there," She said pointing at the white phone on the desk.
"Thanks," Renji said grabbing it. "Hey, are you okay?" He had noticed that Rukia was covering her stomach.
"It's nothing. I just ate too much," Rukia said. "Anyways, who are you calling?"
"Sakura from our class," Renji responded. "I set Hitsugaya-taichou on a date with her and he doesn't want to go so I have to call her."
"Wait, what? You set him on a date? Hitsugaya-taichou?" Rukia said with a surprised look on her face.
"Well she really wanted to go with him so I thought why not? Don't worry, I have another plan so that he will go to that dance," Renji said confidently. He punched in the phone number she had given him and waited.
"Hello?" A girl's voice answered.
"Hey, Sakura? It's me Renji," He said.
"Hey. Yes, I remember. Did you need something?" She said.
"Yeah….I was wondering if you could….."
20 Minutes Later…
Renji and Rukia had gone downstairs and joined the rest.
"Well, I'm going to go take a bath," Hitsugaya said getting up from the couch.
"I'm next!" Ganju shouted.
"No I am," Renji said.
"None of you are. I go after," Ichigo said.
"Oh yeah? I'll rock-paper-scissors you," Renji said extending his arm.
"I'm going to win," Ichigo said.
"Yeah right," Ganju said joining in.
ROCK. PAPER. SCISSORS.
"Ahahahahahaha! Beat ya both, rock beats scissors," Renji shouted.
"Whatever," Ichigo muttered.
After Hitsugaya had finished taking his bath, Renji went into the bathroom.
"Hey Ichigo. Did you do the homework for math already?" Ganju asked.
"Yeah. Why? Need to see it?" Ichigo said handing the notebook over.
"Yeah. I don't know how to do this stuff," Ganju said. He copied down Ichigo's answers.
After 2 hours, everyone had taken their baths.
"Don't forget to wear your uniforms tomorrow," Rukia said. Ganju nodded.
"Awww….do we really have to?" Renji said remembering how the uniforms looked like.
"Yes you do," Rukia said dragging her blanket over to the couch.
"Well good night and Renji you better wake up early tomorrow," Ichigo said grinning. "You wouldn't want this morning's incident to happen again, do you?
"Ha. You were the one with the blanket over his head," Renji said sitting down on the couch.
Ichigo and Ganju went upstairs. Hitsugaya appeared from the kitchen with a glass of water.
"Hey taichou! Good night!" Renji called out.
Hitsugaya stared at him. Hmm…Renji's too happy. He shrugged off the bad feeling he was getting and went upstairs.
Rukia turned off the lights and stared at the living room ceiling.
"Hey Renji, your plan better work," she said.
"It will. Trust me. Well, goodnight Rukia," Renji said pulling his blanket over his body.
Tuesday…7:45 a.m.
"Come on Renji! Let's go," Ichigo said. He was in the front door waiting fro Renji to come out. The others were already dressed in their school uniforms and were waiting outside.
"I'm coming, I'm coming! It's not like we are going to be late or anything," Renji said. He stepped outside and Ichigo locked the door.
"Let's go," Rukia said. They headed towards the high school.
A couple minutes later…
They had finally arrived at the school. The halls were full of students talking and heading towards their classrooms.
Renji opened their classroom door.
"Hitsugaya-kun!"
Ahhhhhh finally I had some time to finish. Another weird chappie...not much happened. Just wait till Wednesday and Friday...which will the the day of the dance, I just haven't mentioned the exact date yet on here. Well hope you enjoy and feel free to review D
