Standard Disclaimer Applied

(A/N) Ohohoho, I think everyone will enjoy this chapter…

Chapter 11: Orange with Envy

Ichigo was not the kind of person that would come right out and admit something that was potentially damaging to his ego. Rather, it had to be dragged out of him (usually by Renji) and usually it was harder than pulling teeth.

And even though he would deny it if anyone asked, though nobody sane would believe his denials considering the stream of bloodlust emanating from his body, he was insanely jealous.

And what's worse is that he is insanely jealous of his target, because he's touching Rukia.

And not just touching her either, his hand is clasped over hers on the table and he is constantly trying to tuck her dumb bang behind her ear. And he's doing it with a smile on his face, acting as if he has any right to do that to her.

To make things even worse, Rukia is letting him!! No, not only that, but she has a stupid smile on her stupid face as she lets the stupid bastard touch her…stupidly.

Ichigo downed the shot glass filled with ice and clear liquid and beckoned to the bartender to send him another one. The man looked wearily at him, considering how much Ichigo has had already, but the feral amber eyes frightened him so he quickly obeyed.

After tearing his eyes from the 'couple' he glared at wall of drinks and glasses across him as he shifted on the bar stool. The mustached man came back and gave Ichigo the drink.

"You might as well just put the whole bottle here," Ichigo says hoarsely. "It would save me the trouble of calling for you and save you the trouble of dealing with me."

"Um…I d-don't think that's such a g-good idea," the man paused for a second. "Sorry."

Ichigo simply waved a hand in the air and leaned his head on the palm of his other hand. "Don't worry about me getting drunk, I handle my alcohol well. And I'm not gonna drink all of it…just give me a bottle."

The man hesitated for another second before he finally gave in. He took one of the half empty bottles (just in case) and handed it to the orange haired man. Ichigo nodded his thanks and looked away, hinting that the man could leave now. The man wasted no time in scurrying away, completely terrified by the aura of the young man.

After two more shots and the disposal of a young brunette who rushed up in hopes of 'a talk' (he scared her away with a menacing glare) he turned around to see if Rukia had led the man to the hidden room yet.

And his eyes promptly popped out when he saw the two of them standing up and dancing.

0OooO0

Li was an okay guy. He was a bit dull and arrogant, but then again so was Ichigo.

But then again Ichigo was never dull, not for a moment. And as for his arrogance, well she found it quite…sexy.

Oh… she did not just think that.

So when Li stood up and asked her if she would dance, she accepted, if only for the fact to get her mind off Ichigo. The music was slow and required close contact with more swaying then dancing. Li seemed to enjoy it and Rukia knew that once the song ended, it would be the prefect moment to invite him to the other room.

Soon, the two of them switched positions and she caught Ichigo's eye, who looked absolutely furious. She simply grinned mischievously and lay her head on Li's chest.

0OooO0

When Rukia ignored his warning look and rested her head against the guy's chest instead, Ichigo felt like screaming.

It didn't look right, and for a moment, his feelings went beyond jealousy. Though Rukia may have been used to these types of social gatherings, she didn't look right amidst all these people. She stuck out like a sore thumb. Sure, maybe others bought her act, but only he, who really and truly knew who she was, could tell how out of place she actually was.

She didn't look right with Li either, despite the fact they made an attractive couple.

Ichigo felt that if she were to look…right with anyone, it would be him. And he wasn't ashamed to admit this. He somehow knew that she was the water to his flame. Either that; or she was the fuel.

Ichigo imagined that if it were him in Li's place, Rukia would fit perfectly in his arms. Her curves would meld against his and form one being. Ichigo imagined that there was a place in her back especially for his hands and a place in his neck made only for her head. Like two puzzle pieces that didn't look right together, but you knew they fit. One wouldn't know how or why they did but they just knew.

And then Ichigo started wondering when he had turned into a fucking poet.

0OooO0

"Li-kun, how would you like to have a drink in another room?" Rukia purred into the cuff of the man's ear. She was amazed at how good she was.

Li pulled back and grinned deviously, which probably reduced a lot of woman to puddles. "What a wonderful idea Rukia, but I'm not very familiar with this hotel."

Score! "That's fine considering that I am," insert girly giggle here. "Come on, we'll have some tea."

She took his hand and started walking toward the double doors that would lead to the closed off room. She glanced around to look for Ichigo, who was nowhere to be found.

She shrugged it off and continued leading him away, hoping Ichigo would already be in position.

0OooO0

Ichigo came back from the bathroom and sat back down at the bar, cursing under his breath when he noticed someone had stolen his vodka. He sighed and looked around the dance floor for Rukia but didn't find her.

Because she was gone.

He cursed at the timing and rushed off to the door to wait until the guy was fully unconscious so he could drag the two of them out of here and be free again.

0OooO0

Li sat across her, admiring her graceful and sophisticated movements as she pulled out tea cups and a floral teapot. As flattered as she was, she was slightly annoyed that he was watching so closely. How was she to drug his drink? It's not like she could yell out 'look, a moose!' and drop it while he turned. He'd think she was insane.

Rukia though for a moment and shrugged. "Hey, what's that?" and pointed behind him. When he stupidly turned to look, she pulled a white pill attached to the back of her necklace pendant and dropped it in his drink.

"I didn't see anything," he said confusedly.

"Hm? Oh, I'm sorry. I must be imagining things." She handed the tea towards him and sipped her own. He looked perplexed for a moment before gulping down the brown liquid.

Rukia watched eagerly, but nothing seemed to happen. Li started whining about his company again and she blinked.

Of course he wouldn't get knocked out immediately. It would take a while. But how long?

So she decided to stall. After all, she was so good at that. A few minutes later, his eyes became unsteady and his words started slurring. He gave her a drunken smile and reached a hand over to hold her own.

"You're so pretty Rukia-chan," he garbled out. "Like a pretty, pretty cloud. I was actually hoping to impress you enough so you'd let me screw you. Am I doing good?"

Rukia twitched. "No."

"Aw, damn. I really wanted one too… and you seem kinda smart, almost. Not as much as me, hehe, but close." A few seconds later. "Are you sure you don't wanna screw Ruliak? 'Cause I'm really good."

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Li shook his head to get any thoughts he had left in order and stared closely at her. He leaned forward and placed a hand on her cheek, and Rukia let him. Only a couple more seconds…

"But you're so pretty," he said softly, eyes drooping. "I think I love you."

If Li had been given one more minute, he probably would have been knocked out and the mission would have been a success. But it just so happens that a furious Ichigo burst in and smashed a sheathed tantō sword into the back of his head, and effectively knocked him out.

"W-what the hell was that for?!" Rukia yelled in indignation. "He was almost there!"

"Please," Ichigo spat. "He was declaring his love for you. If I hadn't come in, he probably would have sprung up a proposal."

Rukia was at a loss for once. After sputtering for a while, she finally got control of her tongue and shot back.

"NO! I had him right where I wanted him!"

"Where's that, two inches from your face?"

"W-you lit-I can't bel-BASTARD!! I had this. You weren't supposed to harm him. If you hadn't come in—don't walk away from me! I'm not done!"

Ichigo ignored her screams and started walking out a private entrance into the waiting car. The noise was starting to irritate his pounding head.

0OooO0

Ichigo didn't understand what was wrong with her. Even after depositing Li to Renji and on the ride home, she still hadn't shut up. He tried ignoring her, thinking of something peaceful…like koala bears. But every time, her voice would start up again and keep going.

You weren't supposed to hurt him!

I had it under control!

You ruined my perfect plan!

"I was perfectly fine on my own!" Rukia screeched in his ear for the hundredth time. It was no good, his head was throbbing with the affects of alcohol and his brain was begging for a brief moment of peace and some aspirin.

"Did you—" she tried saying it again, but the thread of Ichigo's control had long since snapped.

"Shut the hell up!" he screamed at her with twice as much strength. Rukia looked shell-shocked for a second before pursing her lips and inhaling.

"Make me!" she yelled back easily. Ichigo stared at her clover lips, the same ones that allowed him no peace and he thought, 'screw it'

He came down aggressively and clamped his lips over hers. She froze for a second before struggling back. Too late, he had already gripped her wrists with his hands and backed her against the wall.

He knew that once he let go she would start screaming again so he held on as long as possible, moving his lips with a one-sided dance against hers. So it was pleasantly surprising when she tentatively started kissing back. He peeked through one eye to see both of hers closed and a flush across her cheeks.

He smirked against her lips and she must have felt it as she let go of her inhibitions, and kissed him with just as much force as he had applied on her. Her soft lips glided over his easily as she tilted her head for better access.

Ichigo came up for air and a single lucid thought flitted through his brain before he dove down for more. She was the best damn aspirin he'd ever had.

She wound her hands around his neck as he gripped her hips to pull her closer. He wasn't satisfied with where this was going and quickly swiped his tongue across her lips. When she gasped he took the chance to enter her mouth for a brief moment before re-entering his own, just in case she felt the urge to clamp her teeth over his unwanted tongue.

Seems it wasn't as unwanted as he thought as he felt Rukia's own tongue pushing his. He laughed against her and she pulled back.

"What?" she demanded with a blush and Ichigo couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked at the moment. Of course, he easily blamed it on the several glasses of alcohol ingested earlier…

He shook his head, "Nothing, except…you're a bit surprising."

She raised an eyebrow in confusion and he sighed.

"Are you always this dense?" he asked. "I meant that I never knew you were such a good kisser. I assumed you've never kissed before." He taunted her easily with a grin; waiting for the retort he knew would come.

"I could say the same about you," she responded with a smug look. "But I assume you're used to practicing on pillows and teddy bears?"

He snarled. "Ouch, but touché. Shall we proceed?"

"My pleasure you asswipe," and she kissed him again. He explored every crevice and detail of her mouth and stored it away for future needs. Just in case.

She tasted like snow (as ridiculous as it seemed) and jasmine tea. A surprising combination, but yes, that was how Rukia tasted, and he found that he liked her taste very much.

Rukia's fingers were entwined in his short hair, giving an occasion tug when he got too rough. He tore apart from her swollen lips to plant kisses on her exposed, creamy neck, and Rukia moaned in pleasure. But when he placed both lips over her collarbone and started sucking, she quickly pulled him back with her grip on his hair and glared at him.

"No way in hell are you giving me a hickey," she deadpanned. He smirked and shrugged before conquering her lips again.

She decided that Ichigo tasted like beer (duh) and some kind of spice…most likely cinnamon. She had never really liked cinnamon before, but thought that this time, she could make an exception.

They found themselves moving from the wall, and Rukia steered the two of them into the living room. Her legs hit the arm of the couch and the two of them collapsed. He landed on top of her but quickly adjusted it so he wouldn't crush her under his full weight.

But soon the thrill that alcohol provided, and the heat of the moment faded and Rukia found herself growing drowsy. She was tired, the window was open; letting the cold in and Ichigo was remarkably warm. She pulled back from one last kiss and didn't return to his lips.

Ichigo was tired too and wrapped an arm around her thin waist and pulled her close. He was on the open edge of the couch, making sure that if either of them were to fall, it would be him.

Her body cupped his perfectly and he knew his earlier theory about them fitting was proven. He rested his chin on her head as she buried his face in his neck while his hands grazed along the skin of her back. He bent his head down to her ear and paused before speaking.

"I'm sorry Rukia," he murmured before falling into a light, dreamless sleep.

Rukia's eyes started burning with the arrival of tears. She didn't have to ask him what he meant by that, she was perfectly aware. She knew that this was just bought on by some attraction and insobriety, she knew that he didn't care about her, she was perfectly aware that they would wake up tomorrow without anything having changed.

She knew, dammit! She knew he was drunk and she should have known better than to kiss him back. Now she was going to be the one hurt, and he was apologizing in advance.

She sniffled quietly and cursed herself for getting too attached. He was nothing more then her kidnapper and she had to remember that. And the extreme attraction she felt for him tonight would have to be forgotten.

She sighed in resignation as the stress of the evening caught up to her. Uncaring of anything at the moment, she buried herself deeper into his arms and basked in his warmth. She may not have him tomorrow, but she would be damned if she couldn't hold him tonight.

TBC

Holy mofo, they kissed. What was I thinking? So am I a good kissing scene writer, or was that as poorly written as I thought it was?

It was incredibly awkward writing this, and I was worried so that's why it took a while to update. Sorry, eh? I really hope you enjoyed it…