AN: I'm so glad you all are enjoying the story!
Songs used: Nellie McKay – I wanna get married and Celine Dion – Taking Chances…I don't own or operate either.
And moving sucks…
Chapter 9
The BBQ was held on the ships uppermost deck, Deck 11. Because Deck 10 was open in the center, Deck 11 was at the very bow of the ship accessed only by the stairwell. The deck held a shuffle board area and a golf putting strip along with many lounges as passengers used it as a sun deck.
Tonight, it was sectioned off and only those invited were permitted to go up.
Toshiro and Momo arrived shortly after seven at Momo's urging and nagging. After visiting the excursion desk, Toshiro went back to his room and back on the computer. He found Momo had changed from her Minnie Mouse garb into a pair of tight jeans and a peach color button down blouse. She had left the first several buttons undone as Rangiku had advised.
"Nothing will get your man more excited than to get a glimpse of your assets. Unless he's gay, he'll be wrapped back around your finger in no time!"
Momo was disappointed when he came back to the room and barely acknowledged her. He did ask her to button up before they left. That had to count for caring, right?
Momo's eyes lit up upon seeing her friend.
"Rangiku!" Momo said as she waved. Rangiku waved back and walked over to the couple. "Happy Birthday!"
"Ah, thank you!" She said as she hugged her.
"Yes, happy birthday, Rangiku-san." Toshiro said.
"Aw, thank you too!" She said as she gave Toshiro her signature Rangiku hug. Momo stood back with a small frown. She decided even if they were friends, she didn't care for her Shiro to be in anyone else's arms but hers. "Lighten up, Momo." Rangiku said as she noticed her frown.
"I've heard you two had a great time at Disney yesterday." Toshiro said as to break the tension. "I hope Momo didn't give you too much trouble."
"She was sweet and we had a grand time!" Rangiku said with a wink and a smile. "Oh, there's someone else I need to say hello to. Please enjoy yourselves!" She said as she excused herself. Toshiro watched her as she made her way to the stairwell and throw her arms around someone else.
"Would you like something to eat, Momo?" He asked as he eyed the full BBQ buffet spread along the side wall.
After they loaded up their plates, they took a table that was close to a small makeshift stage up front.
"Rangiku said she wanted Karaoke!" Momo said as she shoved more food into her mouth before finishing what was already there. Toshiro watched.
"Did you not eat these past two days?"
"Huh?"
"Nothing," he said as he looked at his watch. It was almost 8:30. He heard Rukia would be coming when her shift at the desk ended, but he had yet to see her.
A spot light was turned on and lit up the small stage in front of them. Momo squealed in excitement.
Rangiku took out the microphone and tapped it a few times, making sure it was on.
"Hi everyone! Thank you for coming to my birthday party! As you know I love love love karaoke and seeing as this is my birthday, I have made a wish. I wish for all of you to sing to ME!"
The crowd laughed.
"I'm being serious," she pouted.
More laughter followed by a random party goer volunteering to go first.
"That's the spirit!" She said as she handed off the microphone and set up the machine. She stepped off the stage and stopped by Momo's table. "You're the third one up!" She smiled.
Momo's eyes lit up. "Yes! This is so cool, isn't it, Shiro?" He looked at her and gave her a small smile.
"I know you love it, Momo."
She excused herself and went to the machine searching for the right song.
Toshiro scanned the crowd for the millionth time that night looking for the small violet eyed beauty. He tried to take comfort in knowing she would meet him later that night if he didn't see her at the party, but he wanted to see her. Now.
He didn't notice that the next few songs had ended until he heard Momo on stage.
"I want to dedicate this to the man that means the world to me," she said as she smiled and started to sing:
I wanna get married
Yes, I need a spouse
I want a nice Leave it to Beaverish
Golden retriever and a little white house
I wanna get married
I need to cook meals
I wanna pack you cute little lunches
For my Brady bunches
Then read Danielle Steele
I wanna escape
This rat race I've created
I'm feelin' enervated
I don't care if I make it
I just want to bake a sugar cake for you
To take to work in the morn
And I'll stay home cleaning the dishes
And keeping your wishes all warm
I wanna get married
That's why I was born
I wanna partake in bake sales for the classroom
I wanna hear the sweet tune
Of Sally's little vroom-vroom
As she zooms around my broom
As I exhume the gloom
Of my shallow life
I wanna be simple and honest and dimpled
'cause I am your wife
I will never tarry
I'm not even torn
I wanna get married
That's why I was born
She was good and the crowd cheered and clapped for her. She smiled before wishing Rangiku a happy birthday and returning to her seat. Toshiro looked at her as she smiled.
"It was the only song that had any meaning for me."
He was about to reply when Rangiku interrupted as she finished clapping for her friend and started talking again.
"Next up is a very good friend of mine. I had to bribe her to perform, so please be kind to her!" She said as she handed the microphone to a short raven haired woman.
Toshiro had to bite his tongue to keep his mouth from dropping.
Rukia took the microphone and thanked the crowd who was already applauding. She was dressed in jeans and an off the shoulder violet shirt. She was stunning.
"Happy birthday, Rang." She said as she smiled to her friend as the music started.
"Don't know much about your life
Don't know much about your world but
Don't wanna be alone tonight
On this planet they call earth"
Toshiro fell into a trance as he listened to her voice. It was beautiful as he knew it would be. He smiled at the lyrics of her song choice. He would have to ask her about it later. His heart sped up as he thought about meeting her at midnight.
"You don't know about my past and
I don't have a future figured out
And maybe this is goin' too fast
And maybe it's not meant to last
But what do you say to takin' chances?
What do you say to jumpin' off the edge?
Never knowin' if there's solid ground below
Or a hand to hold or hell to pay
What do you say? What do you say?"
Rukia stole a glance at Toshiro. She didn't know what to pick for her song choice and had made the mistake of asking Rangiku to choose. She picked her favorite.
"I just wanna start again
And maybe you could show me how to try
Maybe you could take me in
Somewhere underneath your skin
What do you say to takin' chances?
What do you say to jumpin' off the edge?
Never knowin' if there's solid ground below
Or a hand to hold or hell to pay
What do you say? what do you say?
Hey now hey my heart is beatin' down
But i'm always comin' back for more yeah
There's nothin' like love to pull you up
When you're lyin' down on the floor babe
So talk to me talk to me like lovers do
Yeah walk with me walk with me like lovers do
Like lovers do
What to you say to takin' chances?
What do you say to jumpin' off the edge?
Never knowin' if there's solid ground below
Or a hand to hold or hell to pay
What do you say? what do you say?
Don't know much about your life
And I don't know much about your world"
When she was done, the deck applauded and cheered. Rukia smiled and wished Rangiku happy birthday again before leaving the stage. She dared to glance in Toshiro's direction and found herself a bit disappointed as he and Momo had already gone.
Rukia found herself peering through the crowd looking for the familiar mop of white hair. She made her way chatting with various guests, but not finding the one she was looking for.
"What was up with that song?"
Rukia turned around and smiled.
"Rangiku picked it. She said it was her current favorite," she said as she punched Ichigo in the arm. He coughed.
"Hng, you had whitey practically drooling," he said in a whisper and didn't miss his friend's eyes as they lit up.
"Ichigo!" Rukia hissed. He laughed.
"Just be careful, eh? I'm not just talking about Renji."
"How….?"
Ichigo smiled as he gave her shoulder a squeeze before leaving to seek out the guest of honor.
Rukia's eyes followed him until he was lost in the crowd. She checked her watch and found it was nearing midnight. Her heart fluttered. What was she doing? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before making her way to the 6th deck.
No one was around. She wasn't sure what she expected; him standing there, waiting for her? It was crazy, it was wrong, yet…yet…
She sighed and opened the door to the room. She had placed one of the welcome guest cards by the slot, preventing the door from automatically locking. She then went out on the balcony. Even if he didn't show at least she could feel free. Maybe clear her head from all of these feelings.
Wait…
Feelings?
Sure, she had a great time with him going sight-seeing around Yokohama yesterday, but she just met him. She knew nothing about him really. He could be another Renji for all she knew.
No.
She shuddered. She had to stop thinking like that. Isn't that what Ichigo told her? Not every man was out to use her for her name. Not every man wanted full control. Not every man considered their supposed loved ones possessions. Not every man was out to take what wasn't offered. Not every man showed love through their fists.
She sighed. She was confused. She looked at her watch. It was nearing 12:30.
She felt foolish waiting for someone she shouldn't be.
"This is stupid. Why did I even come? I should have told him…" Rukia turned around and found herself staring into a familiar set of teal eyes. Instantly her heart was in her throat as she felt her body heat up.
"Should have told him what?" he asked softly.
"Sh-should have told y-you…" she said as she took a step back. "Th-that I couldn't come. I shouldn't be here."
"But you are here," he said as he stepped forward and took her hand in his not breaking eye contact.
Warm. His hand was warm as it engulfed her own small one.
"I know I am, but…"
"Shhh," he said as he stepped closer. He took his other hand and gently ran the back of his fingers down the side of her face. "I don't know what it is about you, but you're all I think about." He admitted. "The best time I had in my life was when I was with you yesterday. I tried like hell to concentrate on work today and for the first time in my life, I couldn't."
Rukia looked like she was going to say something, but Toshiro cut her off.
"I don't want to stay away from you. I don't want yesterday to be it between us. I'm taking Momo out Saturday when we dock and I am telling her that we're done." Rukia's eyes were wide. "I love her as a friend, as family even, but not…"
"Toshio…"
"I was only with her because she was always there. I figured it was what was expected of me. I promised to take care of her when we were little, and I will always do that, but I can't love her like she wants me to. There's no way I can marry her like she's been hinting at. Especially not now, not after yesterday."
Rukia looked at him. "I-"
"I wanted to thank you. I meant what I said. I can't remember the last time I was with someone and enjoyed myself," he said as he then kissed her hand he was holding.
Rukia didn't know what to think let alone say. She melted against his warmth as he pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. She found her body betraying her mind as she held him. She fit perfectly against him, like two halves of a whole coming together. She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent.
"You felt it too yesterday, didn't you, on the Ferris wheel?" He asked her and felt her nod. He held her tightly against him. She felt so soft, so good.
"I…We can't," she whispered against his shirt. "This isn't right, this isn't-"
"What's not right about it?"
She pulled away and looked into his eyes. Damn those eyes. Every argument she had was tossed into the wind as she looked at him with a conflicted, confused expression. Toshiro pulled her back and pressed his lips against hers.
Again, her body betrayed her as she let out a soft moan. He took advantage and deepened the kiss, letting his tongue gently pry her lips apart. He explored every inch of her mouth, leaving her breathless before moving down to her throat and neck.
His hand gently slid underneath her shirt and gently grazed her breast. He felt her erect nipples through her bra and smiled as he gently sucked her neck. He left his other hand fall to the top of her jeans, fingering the button.
Rukia felt like a puddle. She couldn't remember when she had felt this good. She felt the heat within intensify. With every kiss he left a burning trail in his wake. She plunged her hand into his hair and was surprised to find it so soft. Her groin filled with heat as her panties became flooded. She tilted her head back, giving him more access as she moved her other hand underneath his shirt.
He about came in his pants at her touch. It was light and feathery, not rough and hard like Momo. She softly ran her fingertips across his chest, memorizing the muscles by touch.
"Rukia…" he breathed. "I don't know if I can stop," he finished between kisses as he tweaked her nipple through her bra.
She let out a moan. "I'm not sure I want you to," she said.
He stopped and looked into her lust filled violet orbs before crushing his mouth against hers. He picked her up and took her inside the cabin. He laid her down on the bed, climbed up and hovered over her.
As their eyes locked Momo's face popped into Toshiro's mind and he paused. A small corner of his mind screamed out that was wrong; this put him on the same level with what Momo did to him. He knew this, but he also knew it was over between him and Momo a long time ago – maybe even before she cheated on him. He leaned in and kissed Rukia. As their lips met, he felt like he was on fire as desire burned brightly within him. He never felt this way before.
He knew one thing as he removed Rukia's shirt and stared at her tiny but beautiful breasts…he didn't want Momo, he wanted this woman before him.
