First argument - When hangovers do the talking.
When Ryo next woke up some time in the afternoon, she felt as if there were a million ants trying to pierce through her skull. She opened her eyes slowly, dreading the light. Once she got accustomed to the piercing light, she moved her head slowly, looking for Jushiro, remembering how she had fallen asleep in the middle of a scolding.
He sat by the chair on the side of the bed, staring at her.
" Ouch. Did you get the license plate?" she said humourlessly, wincing at her bad joke.
" Your head must be pounding. I left some painkillers and some water by the side table for you." he told her softly, although to her if felt as if he had shouted every single word.
" Okay. Thanks." she moved her hands around to the side of the bed, searching for the table, and the miraculous pill that could take away the orchestra that was using her brain to practice. Once pill and water had been swallowed, she turned her head again towards Jushiro, noting his solemn mood.
"Sorry I got drunk with your friend. Seems to be going around these days, huh?" she said jokingly.
It did not have the desired effect, the man in front of her finding nothing humorous in her attempt at levity.
" Ryo, we have to talk. This situation has gotten out of hand" he said sternly.
" Yes, I know. I'm sorry I involved your friend. I should have known better than that. I don't know what happened. Please don't be angry-"
"I'm not angry at you, Ryo. If anything, I'm angry at Shunsui for being such a sly dog, and angry at myself for not seeing through his devious plan. I should have known he would try and find you after all his prodding yielded no results yesterday. I just didn't think it would be so swift." he stated, not wanting her to blame herself. " You did seem to be enjoying his company avidly though" he sulked, knowing jealousy was a terrible shade on him, but not being able to stop himself.
" He's a pretty pleasant guy to chat with when you've had a few, I'll grant you. And he is wickedly handsome" she taunted, eliciting a frown from him. " But he's not my type, and he's crazy about his Nanao to boot." she said with a small smile, remembering the affection with which he described his lieutenant.
" You're right at that. They are practically married. It would be a dreadful mistake to set your cap on him." he said coldly, jealousy making him sullen.
" Oh, too bad. Here I was thinking after I was done hiding in your house, I could go and apply to him, see if he's willing to hide me for a few more weeks." she retorted sharply, not liking the tone of his voice.
He groaned, knowing his jealousy and careless words had gotten her angry at him. " I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I don't know what I was thinking." he apologized. " In fact, I don't know what I am doing, Ryo."
" I know" she agreed, "this is really not going anywhere, is it?"
" I don't even know where to start. A week ago, I had never seen you before, and now… I'm ready to punch my best friend of centuries because I saw him sitting in the same bed as you." he confessed with a wince, holding his head in his hands.
" A week ago, I was alive, and happy to continue that way. I didn't ask for this either Jushiro, and I'm just as messed up as you are." she said, lying back on her pillow.
" Regardless of our feelings, this is really not going anywhere. It will lead nowhere, Ryo. It's not that I don't like you. I do, quite a bit. But you're leaving in less than two weeks, and odds are you won't even remember any of this once you cross over properly." he told her sadly, regretting having to upset her, but knowing they had to put a hold on their growing attraction before it spiraled out of control.
" Fine. I'm fine with that. It probably would be better if I did forget you anyway." she said angrily, knowing he would be wounded by her words.
"Ryo, I-" he started, but she interrupted before he had a chance to continue.
"NO!" she yelled. " I don't want to hear it." she continued. "I was fine before you came along to mess me up, and I'll be fine after I leave. I agree we should continue our acquaintance with as little contact as possible until the day I'm well enough to go, which will hopefully be sooner than later." she finished, fighting back tears that threatened to give away just how much she was hurting inside at the thought of not seeing him again.
"Ryo, please-"
" NO! How many times do I have to interrupt you? I don't want to hear your apologies, and I don't want to hear excuses. We are both grown ups, and I understand perfectly what you are saying. And I agree with you. What more do you want?" she screeched, anger and sadness wreaking havoc inside her.
" Now please, leave me alone. I have a dreadful headache, and I'm tired of discussing this." she said more calmly, turning her back to him.
" Sweetheart, just lis-" he tried again in vain.
" Don't call me that. I'm not your sweetheart. And I already asked you to leave. Go! Leave me alone!" she shouted, unable to hold back the tears that had been bothering her since the beginning of this conversation.
"Fine. I'm leaving. I won't bother you anymore. I'm truly sorry, Ryo." he said softly, standing up and heading towards the doors that lead outside.
Ryo lay back in bed, crying softly to herself, not knowing how she had gotten to where she was, but hoping the pain in her chest that had appeared at the thought of never seeing him again would go away eventually, so that she could breathe properly again without hurting so much.