Ch. #4
It was slightly tangy, with a sweet and addictive after taste. The background melted away, the crowded pub, the inquisitive stares of her friends, the dingy lighting, and the greasy tables. Her mind whirled a thousand directions, and then she swallowed.
It slithered down her throat like a snake, and made her stomach churn. Her taste buds begged for more, and her body seemed empty without it.
She brought up the cup to her docile lips, but her brain screamed 'no.'
No! Do you want to be wasted and out of control?
No! Do you want to make regrettable choices?
No! Do you want to mess up your life?!
She knew the effects. The fact that it got her brother to smile is proof enough. Hell, just look at Iba-sama and his sake addiction. Her mind and body battled, debating the ultimate question.
Will she?
"Yes," she whispered, air barely escaping her mouth to form the word.
The background flooded back in, loud music jolting her ears and the gentle tug of Ichigo on her shoulder.
"Rukia? Rukia?! You okay?" Her far away eyes focused back in, finding herself face to face with Ichigo's concerned expression. She blinked a few times than captured her bearings.
"Y-yeah. I'm okay."
She lowered her eyes to the cup clutched in her hand, ripples forming in the beer from her slight shaking. She squeezed her eyes shut and put the cup on the table.
"..Rukia?"
She stood up abruptly and awkwardly leaned against the table.
"I'll be in the restroom," she mumbled, and raced off.
----------elsewhere----------
Byakuya strolled to the kitchen, his stomach hungry for a quick snack before bed. When he walked through the sliding door, however, he noticed Rukia's vitamins sitting on the wooden table.
"Oh!" he thought, "I'll just take these down to Matsumoto's." He had grown accustomed to having Rukia around, and was quite lonely when she was gone. Taking vitamins to Rukia (which she could just take when she came home) was actually just an excuse to see her.
He shunpoed to Matsumoto's, his hair whipping behind him. But once arrived, instead of hearing the sounds usually associated with sleepovers (laughter, a movie playing in the background, squeals from the girls) Byakuya heard nothing.
The lights were on, but nobody's home. Literally.
His curiosity got the better of him and he sneaked up to the window. Hiding his body underneath the ledge, so that way in case somebody was there they wouldn't see him, he peered into the room with impassive ebony eyes.
Nothing. Empty chairs, dirty dishes, no people. Nada.
He opened the door and stepped inside, panning his head to survey the scene. He spotted a random piece of stationary on the kitchen counter, and walked over to investigate. He picked it up and scanned over it, his anger boiling.
Plans For Tonight!
Eat!
Play hide and go seek!
Capture Rukia! .
go to the real world!
Paaaartttyyy!!!
Even though Byakuya could tell that the loopy handwriting belonged to Matsumoto, one name filled his mind like a poisonous flood.
Renji.
He quickly made up a Senkai Gate and entered, his haori whipping angrily behind him.
But inside, he was secretly praying that Karakura town was there when he came out.
Because when you made a quick gate like he did, there was no telling where you would end up.
----------elsewhere----------
Rukia locked herself into the cleanest stall she could find and sat down, her head held firmly in her hands.
"What happened to me?" she wondered, beads of sweat tracing her brow. Her head started to spin again, and she took rapid breaths. Outside, she heard the restroom door open, and then shut again.
"Rukia? You okay?" She identified the voice as Matsumoto's, and unlocked the door.
Matsumoto took one look at Rukia and went over and hugged her, patting her slightly ruffled black hair.
"There, there," Matsumoto cooed softly, acting just like Rukia's favorite servant when she got sick. Matsumoto had a right to be comforting. Rukia just looked like she stayed up all week then learned that her brother died. Her eyes were dull and lifeless, and had dark circles around them. Her clothes hung limply on her scrawny figure.
For some people, beer makes them go loopy. (see The First Time Byakuya Tried Beer for reference) For others, beer has the opposite affect. Rukia happened to be in the latter category.
But unluckily for her, Matsumoto was determined to make this work.
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(looks at shoes ashamed) Ahh, yes, I know that there is a long wait, and I'm sorry!
..I'm unreliable, I know. (sheepish grin)
But oh well! Here is chapter four, and chapter five is already in development! yay!