Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. But I happily obsess over it to distract myself from other things!
Chapter 10-Working
After dropping Rukia off at the kindergarten, Ichigo headed back to the high school. He knew his friends were on the rooftop still planning for the party. After 'convincing' Keigo to finance the bulk of it, the guy had been full of ideas and was most likely still raving about them to everyone else.
Sure enough, when he got to the school, Ichigo found his friends still hanging around on the rooftop. Only now they were gathered around a laptop. Ichigo paused at the doorway before barging in.
"Alright, at least 10 people have been eliminated because Ichigo and Renji made it to the weekend without any broken bones." Mizuiro spoke as he was seated directly in front of the laptop.
"And 6 more have been dropped because neither one proposed outright." Tatsuki added.
"Oh man!" Keigo whined. "I'm already down 20!" He grabbed his head between his hands and shook slowly.
Tatsuki crossed her arms and sneered at him. "What made you think anyone was going to confess so soon anyway? You've known Ichigo for a long time now, you should know how stubbornly dense he is."
"I just didn't think those guys could keep quiet for so long." Keigo stopped mourning and went back to his sparkling self. "I can barely keep my feet off the ground when I think of Kuchiki-san and all her beautiful, graceful, shining glory!"
"Oi!" Ichigo made his presence known before he could hear anything else that would set him off. "What the hell are you guys rattling off about?" He said angrily.
"J-just a few business dealings Ichigo!" Mizuiro smiled and quickly shut his laptop.
"And did you just call me dense Tatsuki?" Ichigo turned his anger towards the black-haired girl who didn't look fazed in the least.
"I just call it like I see it Ichigo." She shrugged.
"Are you here to help with the party planning Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime chimed in before Ichigo could call Tatsuki something else.
Ichigo crossed his arms and scowled heavily. He really didn't have time to bicker with his idiot friends who were trying to make a buck off of him. He needed to make his own buck if he wanted to help out Rukia and be useful.
"It didn't sound like you were planning any party." He grumbled. "Why don't you guys scram and actually make yourselves useful to Rukia instead of profiting off of her." Ichigo knew he didn't have a lot of room to talk. But his scowl was strong enough, and his general mood told his friends he wasn't to be trifled with at that time.
Tatsuki nodded slowly, sensing his attitude, and for once not challenging it. "Yeah, lets reconvene somewhere with a refrigerator. I'm starving."
"I'd be happy to host a get together at my house!" Orihime offered. "I have plenty of bread for sandwiches, tuna, graham crackers, olives, and red bean paste."
Ishida surprised everyone with a slight blush on his face before saying, "Um…it's actually quite good…once you get used to it."
Orihime beamed, but everyone else looked nauseous.
Ichigo grimaced. "You guys go on ahead. I need to talk to Ishida about his sense of taste real quick." He jerked his head signaling for people to leave, and the group obliged. They were hoping whatever the Quincy had caught wasn't contagious.
Ishida pushed his glasses up his nose and huffed. "My sense of taste is just fine Kurosaki. It's actually quite acute if I'm able to enjoy-"
"I don't give a damn about your whacked taste buds or even that stupid bet you guys were talking about. I just need to ask you a favor." Ichigo gruffed out.
"Oh I see Kurosaki, you've finally decided to swallow your pride and ask me to give you some girl advice." Ishida smiled smugly.
"I thought being a glasses wearing dork was supposed to mean you're smart." Ichigo said, honestly confused.
Ishida sniffed. "We you trying to ask me a favor or ask me to punch you?"
"Look," Ichigo started, and then actually did swallow his pride. He hated asking anything of anyone…especially Ishida who would surely hold it over his head forever. That damn things he would do for Rukia. " I was wondering if you could talk to your dad about giving me a job."
Ishida arched his eyebrows and looked in surprise. "A job? My father? You want to work at his hospital?"
Ichigo stared. "Well I'm not asking to be your nanny. Yeah dumb ass, I was hoping I could help out there part time."
Ignoring Ichigo calling him a dumb ass while asking a favor, Ishida continued. "Don't you get enough time with injured people at your fathers clinic?"
"Well I don't get paid when I help out there." Ichigo shrugged and looked way. He didn't enjoy answering so many questions.
"Oh I see now." Ishida smirked. "You've finally decided to stop acting like a fool and more like a man."
"Something like that." Ichigo sneered. "So what do you say?"
"Well my father hates you more than I do." Ishida said thoughtfully.
"I'm assuming you mean shinigami in general?" Ichigo asked with a bit of an edge.
"Whatever. But…I suppose if you really wanted a job…the hospital is pretty big, he might not notice one more idiot intern."
"It would really help me out Ishida." Ichigo looked to the ground, not being able to meet Ishida's eyes anymore. "It would really help Rukia out."
"Yes, I'm sure I could work something out and get you a position there. I have a lot of swing with the people who work under my father." Ishida nodded firmly at Ichigo who slightly smiled back.
"Thanks a lot Ishida. I owe you one. But…could you-"
"You want some discretion in this matter yes?" Ishida tipped his head in understanding before Ichigo could get the words out.
Ichigo nodded. "Yeah that would be best."
"Well no problem Kurosaki." Ishida smiled. " I'm good at keeping secrets."
Ichigo expected a catch and looked at the Quincy suspiciously. "Don't you want something in return?" he asked with narrowed eyes.
"Not everyone is out for themselves Kurosaki. Maybe that's just a shinigami thing." Ishida chided. "But on the honor of the Quincy, I don't accept bribes. I'm just doing this out of the goodness of my own heart."
…
"You bet on me to get Rukia didn't you?"
"About a years worth of sewing supplies."
Ichigo shook his head. "You're such a loser."
"Ahem…" Ishida titled his head. "Still in impolite brute even when you need help." He said with distaste.
"Sorry." Ichigo muttered before walking off with Ishida to make arrangements. He wanted to get started as soon as possible.
Although he did already regret asking Ishida by that smug grin that graced his face. Once he'd saved enough money to really help out Rukia, he'd make sure to wipe it off for him. But for now he was just happy to finally be taking a step in the right direction.
Ichigo had never given much thought to what kind of career he might pursue, but being a doctor did run in the family. He'd grown up in a clinic and he was sure he'd find himself at home, so to speak, working at a hospital.
Hospital work sucked.
He hated it. He'd been working there for almost a week and he already couldn't stand the place. They had been running him ragged. Every time someone vomited, peed, or…any other kind of disgusting bodily fluid, Ichigo was the one called to take care of it. If he hadn't of known for a fact that Ishida's father wasn't aware he was working there, he would have thought he was purposefully being tortured. Sure he had to do his fair share of dirty work at his own home clinic, but at least the building was small. Ishida's hospital was practically a town in itself and Ichigo was lucky enough to have to cover all floors from top to bottom.
But what Ichigo really hated about working at the hospital had nothing to do with the random tasks he was assigned. He knew that if he got an education and became a doctor, those things wouldn't be a part of his duties anyway. What Ichigo deeply hated about the hospital, was how useless he felt. He was meant to protect people, but everyone who came into the doors was already injured. They were sick, or in pain, or dying. He needed more from life than to fix the mistakes of others. Ichigo wanted to spend his life preventing injury, not cleaning up the mess. Literally and figuratively.
He would have quit in a second if he hadn't been working for the sole purpose of supporting Rukia. He decided that she was worth the bitter feeling that had settled in his stomach after a day of work. And even though she didn't know it, Rukia had been the remedy to such pains as well.
Ichigo rounded a corner and the one story kindergarten school came into view. It was the highlight of his day. His guilty pleasure had been visiting Rukia and watching her work after he was done for the afternoon. He couldn't quite explain what he took from watching her, but he knew it made him happy.
Ichigo walked up to the waist high wooden fence and leaned against a tree outside of it. He realized he might look a bit odd if he were caught watching the playground of a kids school, but he'd been doing it everyday the past week and no one had noticed him. Not even Rukia had an inkling he had been visiting. She was pretty busy though. Ichigo smiled to himself.
He could see Rukia holding hands with the kindergarteners dancing in a small circle. She practically glowed. Growing up in Rukongai, Rukia probably never had the chance to play and be carefree like a kid should. So now, even though she was centuries older than her students, she played with the same excitement and eagerness as they did. Seeing Kuchiki Rukia spin around with a bunch of 6-year-olds until they all fell to the ground in a fit of giggles, made Ichigo forget the uptight, duty-bound Rukia who pestered him about hollows. Playing suited her well.
"What's your name?" A small voice jarred Ichigo from his thoughts and he looked down to see a small girl with bows in her brown hair staring up at him.
She nodded as if she recognized him. "You look like an orange haired bear I've seen." She confirmed.
Ichigo had no idea about orange haired bears, but figured the kid just had a really colorful imagination. But he was caught, and he wasn't just going to ignore her. "Uh…that's nice. But I'm not a bear. My name's Ichigo, I'm Rukia's friend. Do you know Kuchiki Rukia?" he asked gently.
People his own age seemed to think Ichigo had a scary face, but for some reason, little kids were taken with him. The little girl just smiled brightly and nodded with excitement. "I know Rukia! My name's- " A brunette boy, a mere inch taller than the girl jumped up and started pulling on her hair.
"Ow! Stop it Teo!" the girl whined and tried to pry the boy's fingers from her hair.
"Rukia said don't talk to strangers Kiyo!" The boy let go, but pulled the girl behind him and stood between her and Ichigo. He crossed his arms and glared bravely.
Ichigo smirked, appreciating Teo's spunk. He bent down and ruffled the boy's head causing the boy to stumble back and forth.
"That's pretty smart teaching you not to talk to strangers. But you can't go around pulling girls' hair either." He let go of the kid who was rubbing his head and glaring even harder at Ichigo.
"That is, unless they really deserve it." Ichigo added with a thought to the bratty girls he grew up with.
"Teo," Kiyo pulled on the boys arm to get his attention, "This is Ichigo! The one Rukia talks about! He can be our friend."
Ichigo's ego inflated a fraction, at discovering Rukia talked about him to the kids she looked after.
But Teo didn't look convinced. "I thought the Ichigo she was talking about was a girl. Ichigo is a girls name after all! You're pretty tall and ugly to be a girl, Ichigo."
There went his ego. A six year old was getting the best of him. Ichigo leaned down to give the little twerp a noogie or something, but was interrupted by the company of another person.
"I know you're not over here talking to a stranger." Rukia approached them tensely, but quickly relaxed at the sight of Ichigo.
"Ichigo? What are you dong here attacking my students?" The children ran to Rukia, smiling brightly and each attached themselves to one of her arms. Apparently Rukia was good with children too.
"I told Kiyo not to!" Teo bragged. He earned a pat on the head from Rukia and Ichigo frowned at the way the boy practically purred under her hand.
"Suck up." Ichigo muttered.
Rukia threw him a look before Kiyo pulled her arm for attention. "I'm sorry Rukia! I just recognized him as the bear you drew for us. I thought he was our friend!"
"You're not actually teaching them how to draw are you?" Ichigo asked frightened and appalled at the idea.
Rukia sighed deeply and bit her tongue. She ignored Ichigo and looked down to the kids, "It's okay, we can trust Ichigo, just make sure to be a little more cautious around people the next time." She pushed them gently to usher them towards the building. "It's time to go inside for now though, I'll be right with you after to I talk to Ichigo."
Teo looked darkly at Ichigo, then smiled at Rukia. "If he tries any funny stuff, just call me okay Rukia?"
"I'll keep that in mind…why don't you look after Kiyo for now." Rukia smiled and waved at the two kids skipping back to the classroom, before turning a quick scowl to Ichigo.
"Wow Rukia, I didn't know you'd get a job and a boyfriend working here." Ichigo teased dryly.
With the kids out of sight, Rukia pinched Ichigo in the arm quickly, before crossing her own arms.
"I can't believe you have the nerve to hide in the bushes like a creepy stalker and then get jealous over a six year old." She chastised.
"I'm not jealous! I just didn't realize puberty hit kids so early these days." He ducked away from another painful pinch, because no matter how many times he was stabbed…pinching still hurt damn it.
"Ichigo, what are you doing here?" Rukia asked a little more seriously.
"I was just on my way back home from your house." He answered simply, albeit dishonestly.
"That's funny." Rukia put a finger to her chin in mock contemplation. "Because this school is no where near my house or yours."
Ichigo thought of a quick lie. "I found a short cut."
"What kind of shortcut?" She asked, obviously not believing a word he said.
"Shit Rukia, -" she slapped him in the middle of his exasperated sigh.
"Don't swear at my place of work!" she scolded.
"Well gee-golly Rukia!" Ichigo mocked. "You're not the only one who's busy. I just had a few minutes to come check things out with you. I just wanted to make sure you hadn't burned down the building or anything. Who knows what kind of influence you're having on these little monsters."
Rukia sighed herself. "I'm just going to take that as an, 'I missed you Rukia.' In that round about way that men call thought process."
Ichigo snored. "Take it as whatever you want. So how's it going?"
He did miss her though. That was something else he hated about working at the hospital. He worked impossible hours, and he was only interning. He worked a few hours before school, after school, then he'd make his way to Rukia's house for a short time, and finally at night he went back to the hospital again. He was pushing himself hard, maybe even a little too hard. It would be fine for a short time, but Ichigo knew that if he wanted to keep an eye on Rukia, or spend time with her in general he'd need a new occupation eventually. He was finding out that being a doctor wasn't for him.
"I've been fine, but what's been keeping you so busy lately?" She tried to keep her tone neutral, but he could tell she missed him too.
The only reason he hadn't told her about his job was because he knew she'd make him quit if she found out he was doing it for her. She would never accept the money he was earning. It almost made him miss the days before Soul Society took Rukia away. Back then, she had no problem using what she called, The Bank of Ichigo. No matter how many times he argued that banks don't just let you spend all the money you want without something in return. But that wasn't really the point of it…
Now she was asking why he was so busy, and until Ichigo spent his paycheck on something non-refundable that she'd have to accept, he had to lie to her. It was near impossible lying to Rukia, so he used as much truth as he could. "Well you're not the only one going through senior year Rukia. I've got stuff to take care of too."
She smiled at him smugly. "You should take advantage of the college prep class period Ichigo. I've already completed all my school applications."
He jerked his head in surprise. "You-you know where you're going already? You…picked some place without me? I-I mean without my help?" he stammered quickly.
"Rukia!" The young students called to her from the building. Ichigo saw a pack of small heads and hands waving at Rukia through a doorway.
"Well…I guess I'll go now." Ichigo scowled to hide the awkwardness he was feeling. "You seem to be doing just fine here, now that you've made them your little minions." He joked lightly.
"Um…Wait," Rukia held onto his elbow to keep him from turning away. "Do you wanna stay Ichigo?" Then she rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Come on, I know you're itching to watch those little terrors walk all over me the way you never can."
Ichigo's face brightened. He did have a few hours to spare for once. "Sure…I guess someone's gotta tell the those kids that what you've been showing them is in no w ay shape or form a drawing." Her grip on his elbow tightened as they walked closer to the building. "And we certainly don't want a generation of kids who don't know how to open a juice box." Ichigo grinned.
He knew he was safe from pinches, punches, and kicks in front of her students, but faltered when he saw her smile sadistically as they entered the colorful classroom.
"Hey everyone, I brought a guest to play with us today." Rukia offered Ichigo to the class like he was a pan of fudge. "We're going to play rodeo, and this is our pony, Strawberry!"
"No way..." Ichigo tried to object, but his words were ignored as a mob of pint-sized bodies jumped on him and attached themselves to his long and lanky limbs.
"Oi!" He yelled out while trying not to fall over and crush the class of children. "That's not how you ride a horse!" He shook the children off of him and smirked at Rukia. Two could play the game she had started. He swiftly pulled her up onto his back piggyback style, and forced her to hang onto him so she wouldn't fall off.
"Ichigo!" Rukia cried out startled, and to Ichigo's surprise, actually restrained from attacking him like she usually did.
He craned his neck to look up at her. "You said you wanted to play rodeo. What kind of teacher doesn't show the kids how to do it first?"
Rukia scowled back down at him, then smirked. "Fine. Well rule one of rodeo, is that the pony doesn't talk!" With that, she crammed the closest object, which of all things, was a juice box, into Ichigo's mouth.
Ichigo was forced to let the kids take turns riding on his shoulders while he bounced around the room like the happy pony he was supposed to be. He made a silent oath to destroy Rukia later, but for awhile he actually had fun. It reminded him of playing with his sisters when his mom was still alive. He didn't mind playing make believe and looking like a dork. As long as no one from school or Soul Society saw him…
Time flew by and soon enough the kids' parents were arriving to take them home for the day. Each one waved goodbye to Ichigo and Rukia before leaving.
"Bye Rukia! Bye Strawberry!"
Ichigo found himself even more exhausted than he was when he first dropped by to visit, but also in a much better mood. He could understand why Rukia enjoyed working there. It was something even he could get used to.
As soon as the kids were gone, Ichigo and Rukia started on their own trip home.
"I don't think I've ever witnessed you showing that much patience Ichigo." Rukia commented. "I can't help but think of all those times you rushed into something or got yourself hurt because you weren't patient enough. To think that you had it in you all this time."
Ichigo just shrugged. "Well kids are different. I can tolerate them. I do have two little sisters."
"I guess I just didn't know you had a soft spot Kurosaki." Rukia teased.
"I could say the same for you." Ichigo shot back. "It's only been a week and that whole class already idolizes you. You didn't even have to use that freaking voice I hate." Ichigo was surprised that Rukia spoke in her normal tone, if not a bit more gently with the children. That was probably one of the reasons why they liked her. She didn't talk down to them. And probably her shared obsession with Chappy…
"I really do like it there." Rukia smiled to herself and looked down. "I…I think I want to keep doing it. You know, as a career. Teaching is a good career isn't it?"
"Yeah, it's really honorable…and you're actually good at it…" Ichigo said slowly, looking down as well. "Is that the kind of college you applied for?"
"I haven't picked a specific place. I just managed to prepare for whatever school you decide to pick."
Caught off guard, Ichigo looked back up at Rukia. "So…you're waiting for me to make a decision?"
She squinted her eyes at him. "Sure…I suppose you could put it that way."
Ichigo let himself smirk. "Hmm…So Kuchiki Rukia is not only asking me my opinion, but making the whole choice for her? Wow, I think I might get high on this kind of power."
"I wasn't asking you anything!" Rukia smoothly whapped his stomach with the back of her hand. "I just have no preference, and I don't want to hear you complain about keeping an eye on me. It's just easier to let you have your way sometimes."
Ichigo took a few deep breaths to recover, then said, "Now you know how I feel all the time."
"Oh shut up. Stop saying stupid things." Rukia crossed her arms and looked straight ahead.
"You can't say that kind of stuff to your students. It's not very encouraging." Ichigo goaded.
"Oh, would you like to join my kindergarten class? I know the naps and cookies appeal to you, but I think you'd look quite scandalous in such a small uniform." Rukia mocked.
"Hey don't make fun of me." Ichigo scowled out of habit and not out of seriousness. "I just entertained all your students and made a complete ass of myself. I think I deserve some thanks or some kind of payment."
"Oh do you?" Rukia said. Ichigo thought he heard a suggestive tone, but dismissed it.
"Yeah I do." He grumped.
"Were you expecting a carrot? Or maybe a little sugar?" Rukia asked. This time Ichigo was sure she was actually flirting with him.
He rose his eyebrows high in surprise and a bit of anticipation, but was quickly let down when Rukia just laughed at him.
"How about dinner?" She asked through her smile.
"Like…out to dinner?" Ichigo asked slowly, still preoccupied with the fact that Kuchiki Rukia had been flirting.
"No you fool. I can make you dinner. And before you even think about insulting me with words or a disgusted expression on your face, let me tell you that Yuzu's been giving me cooking lessons." Rukia said quickly.
Ichigo was surprised again. With her absolutely accurate analysis of his actions and the fact that she'd been learning to cook. "Really? When did Yuzu start doing that?"
Rukia frowned at him. "You've been gone so much recently, you haven't been around long enough to notice."
"I told you." Ichigo replied somewhat shortly. "I've been really busy working on school stuff, party stuff, your house…"
"Well Renji's been working almost non-stop, but I've seen him plenty." Rukia said lightly.
Ichigo just sneered and then twitched with frustration. "I'm glad you both go out of your way to spend quality time with each other."
Rukia rolled her eyes. "He's my best friend Ichigo. What do you expect?"
"Well if he's your best friend what am I?" Ichigo asked quickly, but immediately regretted it. Asking for a definition was asking for trouble.
But Rukia sidestepped the question and saved them both a lot of strife. "You sound like one of the girls at school Ichigo. All about gossip and cliques."
She sounded like she was about to continue to insult him which would result in their usual banter, but an out of breath, and slightly…scorched Renji came thumping towards them.
"Renji? What are you doing here?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo crossed his arms in annoyance and curiosity at the redhead's arrival.
"Um…Rukia…" Renji bent over trying to breathe and obviously trying to avoid Rukia's eyes. "There…was a minor set back with your house…" In Renji speak, minor set back could mean the place had imploded.
"There was a kind of implosion." Renji braced himself.
"What?!" Rukia shouted at the tall man who was cowering before her.
"I hate to say that I was kinda expecting that." Ichigo scowled with a slightly amused expression.
"Renji, what are you talking about? What happened?!" Rukia asked looking really upset. She didn't look just angry, but grief stricken as well.
Renji groaned in agony. "Well everything was going fine with the building until Yumichika said it wasn't beautiful enough…and…it kinda started from there…"
Flashback
"Fucking shit Yumichika!" Renji yelled at the pretty boy who was getting on his very last nerve. "It doesn't matter if the beam is ugly, that's where it fucking goes! It's a fucking support beam!"
Yumichika had the nerve to tsk Renji and wave his finger back and forth. "Renji, trust me, I know everything about being beautiful. And this house…is not."
"Of course it's not." Ikkaku grumbled leaning on a completed wall. "It's out in the middle of no where with fucking trees and squirrels running around. What kind of modern place is this anyway?"
"It's a modern house in the woods Ikkaku!" Renji stated, still pissed off. "It's Rukia's house, and she likes those rodent bastards running around. Stop killing them for snacks!"
Ikkaku argued back. "What's the point of having a house in the real world when you're too far away from all that easy access food and shit? I've gotta start hunting if I don't wanna take an hour to get back to civilization and hit one of those…convenience shopping store things."
"Well then just don't touch the rabbits." Renji crossed his arms and glowered. "Rukia really likes those. We're almost done fixing it anyway, so just be patient." He couldn't believe he was lecturing someone on patience.
"Yes," Yumichika exclaimed. "Patience is a virtue, so if we're fixing it up, we should take the time to make sure we do it beautifully!"
"It's gonna look fine," Renji gritted through his teeth.
"Beautiful." Yumichika corrected.
"Beautiful…" Renji swallowed the urge to murder one of his best friends. "It's going to look beautiful, but first we have to make sure it's sound enough to stand on it's own. Now quit being a fucking bitch about whether or not it's pretty right now! Leave it to the women to do when we're finished!"
"Then why am I here now?" Matsumoto whined lazily. She was draped over a tool bench that she was supposed to be using to help out.
"You're here to work damn it! Get your lazy ass up!" Renji couldn't understand how a short fuse like Hitsugaya hadn't combusted already, from having Matsumoto as his lieutenant. It only confirmed his belief that they were banging each other behind closed doors. "You drink the most, so you're going to have to work the most for it!" Renji reasoned angrily to the blonde who hadn't even twitched at his thundering yells.
"I will work the most, but I don't know why I'm here with the building part of it." She perked up and sat on the bench. "I could paint it!" she thought it over, "Well…I could pick out the colors to use as paint."
"Rukia's doing that because it's her house. And you can't fucking paint anything if you haven't built it yet!" Renji started yelling again.
He really wanted to impress Rukia with the house and his leadership skills. But in hindsight, it probably would have better for him to ask the unseated, no name, shinigami to help if he wanted to do that. They never hesitated to follow his orders, unlike his cocky and independent friends. But Renji also considered that if Rukia were going to have a party after the house was built, she wouldn't want to be around people she didn't know. For some reason he couldn't fathom at the moment, Matsumoto, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Shuuhei were their friends.
Wait.
"Where the hell is Shuuhei?"
"Oi! Renji!" Shuuhei sauntered through the completed front door carrying a few large brown bags.
"I thought we could start the party a little early!" he smiled and pulled out two large bottles of hard liquor.
"Alright! A tea break!" Ikkaku jumped up, looking a lot more animated now, and in a flashstep, Matsumoto and Yumichika joined him.
"No, no, no, NO!" Renji grabbed the bottles and the cups that Matsumoto happened to always carry on her person…he didn't want to know where… and threw them towards the middle of the living room.
"Renji!" Shuuhei cried out before letting his face slide into a pout. "Some very nice ladies were generous enough to buy those for me!"
Renji stared at his former senpai. "You mean you man-whored your way into their wallet."
"Abarai!" Shuuhei took an official tone with him. "We're doing you a big favor here. Sure we get a party, but you're the one who Rukia's going to give all the credit to. This is my time off too damn it, I'm gonna enjoy it."
"Sorry…" Renji muttered. The tattooed man still managed to strike a lot of fear in him. "But we can't start drinking until this place is done. I just want to do a good job for Rukia."
"Then she'll give you a private party right Abarai?" Ikkaku leered at him and Shuuhei winked.
"It's not like that!" Renji tried not to blush. "Rukia's my oldest friend. And she's not an ass like you four. She deserves something for her hard work."
"Isn't she kinda hung up on that Kurosaki though?" Shuuhei scratched his face in thought.
"We're all friends. We're all helping Rukia." Renji crossed his arms and then muttered. "I just want Rukia to know that I'm working the hardest."
Building Rukia's house was like a mark Renji would be able to leave in the living world when he couldn't see Rukia. He felt that it was his own way of giving her the security he'd always wanted to provide her with. That was something Ichigo wouldn't be able to take away…
"Alright, alright." Shuuhei kicked Ikkaku who had started to take a nap on the floor. "Let's work hard to make sure Abarai gets laid."
"Shuuhei!" Renji forgot trying to hide his blush and concentrated on not knocking out his friend.
"Don't get all prudish like Kurosaki, Abarai." Ikkaku chided. "You gotta act like a man if you want Rukia to give it up."
"Would you stop talking shit like that!" Renji thundered.
Yumichika shrugged lightly and said, "He probably still wants to surpass Kuchiki-taicho before he mounts Rukia."
Renji balked. "Don't fucking say mount! It's not very beautiful!"
"Renji! You're learning!" Then Yumichika jumped up as an idea hit him." I know what would make this place absolutely glow…" he walked out of the living room to go off who knows where. Renji was just happy the peacock was out of his hair for awhile.
"Renji?" Matsumoto asked seriously. "Are you really going to tell Rukia how you feel? Because you know you're up for a promotion to captain as soon as everything is settled. Are you going to wait until then?"
Renji glanced down at the floor. She was being sincere, and he knew he had no place denying his feelings for Rukia. At least he was better than Kurosaki in that respect.
"I waited to tell her the last time I was promoted and look how everything ended up…" When he became a lieutenant, Rukia had gone off to the living world and met Ichigo. That might have been his only chance. "I'm not making the same mistake again. Not where Rukia is concerned." He looked around him and the stares he was receiving. "Oh shut up. I'm just giving her options to consider."
"Candles!" Yumichika cried out carrying a set of lit tea lights.
"Damn it Yumichika!" Renji yelled and took the set away from him. "Don't fuck things up with frilly shit yet!" And then threw the candles in the same direction he'd thrown what Shuuhei had brought.
"Uh…Renji…" Ikkaku pointed to the alcohol spilling dangerously close to the flames…
"Oh shit."
Renji looked generally ashamed so Ichigo had to bite his tongue really hard to not make fun of him. Rukia seemed to be doing the same thing.
"I'm so sorry Rukia!" Renji said in anguish. "I didn't mean to let you down or nothing…"
Rukia cooed uncharacteristically at the shinigami lieutenant who was still bent over in shame. "It's not your fault Renji."
Ichigo huffed a little. Whenever he screwed up, all he got was a kick in the face, not a pat on the back.
"Yes it is." Renji didn't seem comforted by her gesture. "You put me in charge to supervise, so that makes me responsible. Plus…I did kinda cause the explosion."
"You just need a break Renji. Having to bark orders at those four is enough to make anyone lose their common sense." She brightened slightly. "Besides…I've always wanted a skylight."
"That's what Yumichika said." Renji grumbled.
Ichigo felt sorry for the poor bastard who was kicking himself pretty hard. He scratched the back of his neck and tried to be helpful. "Well…having a skylight would save some time for the shinigami when they 'pop in' to visit Rukia." He still remembered the group who popped into his bedroom through the ceiling. They never did fix that hole either.
"You can just have an extra week to finish up the house Renji." Rukia added. "Inoue said the party planning was going a little slow anyway. Something about Keigo getting distracted…Next weekend would be a much better time to celebrate."
Rukia smiled at Renji who just nodded slowly. "I'll work twice as hard Rukia. I promise." he said solemnly. "I won't fuck up again."
"Great!" Rukia suddenly slapped both boys on the back hard. Ichigo and Renji arched painfully in unison. "Now why don't I treat you to some dinner Renji. As a thanks for all the work you've done so far."
Renji finally perked out of his pout. "You mean like a date?"
"Hey!" Ichigo protested loudly. Not knowing which of the two people he was objecting to. Probably both.
Rukia ignored them and threw her head back into the sky exhaling loudly. "What is it with you guys always thinking with your damn zanpukutos?" She alluded. "Can't a woman just be nice without offering herself up as a prize to be won?"
She stomped angrily down the street and Ichigo and Renji chased after her.
"I'm just offering some damn food. Take it or leave it." She huffed without looking back behind her.
"I thought you were going to make me dinner?" Ichigo complained. Renji had snuck his way into the first quality time Ichigo would have had with Rukia in ages.
"I thought you wanted to vomit at the thought of me making you dinner?" Rukia stated calmly.
"Quit exaggerating, I never said anything like that…" Ichigo matched her pace and crossed his arms bitterly. It seemed all the brownie points he'd earned earlier went out the window when Renji arrived with his sob story.
"I am pretty hungry." Renji murmured. "Ordering those idiots around is hard work."
Rukia just smirked. And Ichigo caught on. "Oh don't even say anything Rukia! Aren't you using dinner as a thank you to us?"
"That's why I didn't say anything moron!" Rukia snapped back.
"What are you two talking about?" Renji asked, completely missing what he had started.
"Pfft." Ichigo shoved his hands in his pockets and gave up arguing. "Just make sure you fuck ups finish before next weekend." With the deadline extended another week, he could save up more money. But he wasn't going to thank Renji for his mistakes, even if they worked to his advantage.
"Oh it'll be done." Renji said in almost a grave tone. "I don't think I can handle playing real world babysitter to Ikkaku, Shuuhei, Yumichika, and Matsumoto much longer." He shook his head with a tremble. "You know if I hadn't of stopped them they would have put a stripper pole in Rukia's bedroom."
Ichigo and Rukia jerked in horror.
"I'm beginning to wonder if I have the words 'objectify me' stamped to my forehead." Rukia muttered before wrapping her arms around her chest protectively.
"Just don't mention that to my dad…" Ichigo said fearfully.
"Actually…"Renji scratched his head. "Your father and Urahara stopped by saying they were going to contribute their own…additions to Rukia's place…"
Ichigo looked at Rukia who nodded back in silent agreement before they sprinted off towards Ichigo's house.
If Rukia's employers found out her house could also function as a brothel, it would probably put a damper on her teaching career. Dinner would have to wait until they successfully bashed his father's head in.
Having medical knowledge was handy in a few ways he supposed...
AN: I totally blame my photography teacher for this not coming out when I wanted it to. I've been so out of touch lately due to projects, developing, printing, writing, reading, working. Sorry. But some good plot stuff is coming up soon. Stuff I've been waiting to write!
Thank you so much to everyone who's been reading so far! It really means a lot to me to know people are enjoying the story! Hooray! Happy feelings in my tummy! And breaded mushrooms because it's lunch time. But thank you guys! And of course, I love your reviews. Tell me what you think, I hope I haven't been slipping, but I get the feeling that I have. Thanks again!