XX: SCHOOL TRIP

One week and four days ago

Years before, when he was still a rookie under that bastard – formally known as Aizen – Renji had been assigned to patrol a part of Osaka. He didn't pay much attention to the town, at that time.

Then, his class had gone there in a three days trip. At first it had been a shock to see how many things had changed – people in Soul Society tended to forget how quickly Time moved on Earth.

In fact, those days had passed in the blink of an eye. At least, the daytime had – evenings and nights had been more difficult, since he was rooming with Ichigo and Ishida.

Finally, the last night had come around and he had the room all to himself: Ichigo was going to stay with Rukia and Ishida was going out with Inoue.

Stepping out of his one-hour-long shower, he started contemplating his options for the evening – until a loud knocking sound abruptly jerked him out of his thoughts.

Muttering curses under his breath, he wrapped himself in one of the hotel's bathrobes and stomped toward the door.

"What the hell, have you lost your keys?" he yelled, as he threw the door open. Then, his face turned purple and the sting of insults that he was about to add was caught in his throat, forming an almost solid lump and effectively choking him.

Instead of Ichigo or Ishida, standing on the threshold of their room there was none other than Arisawa Tatsuki.

The black-haired girl merely looked at him up and down, raising an eyebrow, but her face didn't betray any other emotion.

Renji's face, on the other hand, was nicely paired with his hair. He started praying that a lightning would strike him and turn him into a nice pile of fuming, unfeeling ashes – forgetting that, technically, he was already dead.

Tatsuki crossed her arms to her chest. "So? Are you letting me in or what?"

Renji stepped back, then closed the door – and dived back into the bathroom, deeply thankful that he had brought there his clean clothes before showering.

"What are you doing here anyway?" he shouted as he dressed quickly.

"Rukia and Ichigo are staying in." Tatsuki rolled her eyes. "Since I felt I was intruding, he said I could stay here."

"It didn't occur to you that he isn't the sole occupant of this room?" Renji scowled.

She shrugged. "Ishida's out with Orihime. Besides, he wouldn't mind."

"But I'm here!"

She stopped looking around and glanced at him. "What? Does my presence bother you?"

Renji blinked, caught off guard. "No…I mean…well…"

"No problem, then." she shrugged.

Renji opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, then muttered something incomprehensible – but certainly not exactly flattering.

"What? Did you have a date?"

"No. I was trying to decide what to do, but then I was – interrupted."

She didn't reply. "So? What are we doing?"

His eyes widened a bit. "Why should I know?"

She glanced at him again. "As you kindly pointed out, it's your room."

Renji promptly blushed and looked away, trying to find something that avert his attention from the not-exactly-chaste thoughts that had just took control of his mind.

Luckily, he spotted Ichigo's deck of cards. "Are you up for a game of cards?"

Tatsuki shrugged and sat down on a bed. "Sure."

"Hey, that's my bed!"

"I don't see you using it!"

He shut his eyes tightly – trying to erase the suggestive images.

"Abarai? Are you okay?"

Renji opened his eyes again. "Ehm, sure." he sat down on the opposite bed and started dealing the cards.

Two hours later, Tatsuki stood up, lips pursed in a thin line and eyes flashing with anger. Her cheeks were also strangely flushed.

Renji smirked, although he was secretly very glad that looks couldn't kill. "Come on, honey, you don't want to back out now, do you?"

The venom in her glare was tenfolded. "A bet is a bet…"

"Well?"

She really felt like hitting him. "I'm not taking it off in front of you, you pervert!" she marched to the bathroom and slammed the door shut. "And don't you dare trying to peek!"

"Che. As if!"

One minute later, Renji rose from the bed and kneeled in front of the bathroom door, trying to see something through the knothole.

Much to his dismay, he discovered that he couldn't see a damn thing – plus, it was only thanks to his Shinigami strength and speed if he managed to go back on the bed right before she opened the door.

Tatsuki glared at him and threw him a white bundle of cloth. Here's your trophy, Abarai. she remarked, disgustedly.

The red-head simply caught it and unwrapped it. "It" was none other than a white cotton bra with a bit of lace at the edges.

"Thank you." he smirked as he stood up and placed his "gambling prize" in his suitcase.

"Go to Hell."

"You can always try to win it back."

"Of course. And I'll make sure to win your boxers, too…"

"If you want them now, no problem…"

Her eyes widened infinitesimally and her right fist clenched, but she merely muttered, "Go to Hell, you swine."

She sat heavily on a bed, huffing, then grabbed the TV's remote and started flipping through the various channels.

"What the Hell are you doing?" he said, sitting down by her side.

"Just seeing if there's something on TV." She moved to another channel again, then abruptly changed back, sitting up a bit straighter than before. "Well, aren't we lucky!"

Renji studied the screen. "Why?"

"They're broadcasting one of the best movies ever – and we just caught the beginning."

"Ah. And this movie would be…?"

"The Blues Brothers. she replied. "Now shut up and pay attention, I won't explain anything if you miss it."

The red-headed Shinigami rolled his eyes and sat back, hoping that the movie wouldn't be too boring.

A few minutes later he was watching with wide eyes as two police cars chased each other though a mall.

"I see you like it." Tatsuki remarked, eyes twinkling in amusement.

"It's not bad." he replied, his gaze still on the TV screen.

The black-haired girl smirked, then turned back on the TV.

The movie went on.

White man, white woman, the Jews use the nigger…

"What's that?" Renji frowned.

Tatsuki hushed him. "Just wait and see…"

Illinois Nazis, Elwood Blues explained on screen

I hate Illinois Nazis, Jake Blues replyied.

Then, the Blues Mobile – former police car – was moved on the pavement and he pushed on the accelerator.

They laughed as the Illinois Nazis were forced to throw themselves in the river not to get run over.

"That's on of my favorite scenes!" Tatsuki said.

"Yeah, it was good." Renji said, looking at her.

Their gradual shifting and searching for a comfortable position had brought them close. Much closer than they expected.

If he lowered his head a little…

If she turned around just a bit…

He was staring at her. She could feel his gaze on her skin.

Fire was her element, in every possible way – yet, Tatsuki found herself trapped by the flame shimmering in his eyes.

It felt as if an invisible force was pushing them closer, like puppets pulled by a thread.

Right before their lips could finally meet, however, a loud, imperious knock came from the door.

Immediately, they jumped one feet apart – Tatsuki focused back on TV screen and Renji got up to open the door.

"What the Hell are you doing here?" the red-head snapped when he saw Ishida and Inoue standing on the threshold.

Ishida carefully cleaned his glasses with a handkerchief. "It's raining, Abarai." he scoffed, marveling at the Shinigami's thick-headedness. "Didn't you notice?"

Orihime bounced on the bed where her best friend was sitting. "Tatsuki-chan! What are you watching?" she peered at the screen and lit up. "Great! The Blues Brothers! We're so lucky!"

"Yes," the other girl muttered under her breath. "Really lucky."

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