A/N: Alright let's keep this thing going. More Orihime X Rangiku goodness. Here we go. Yeah!
Disclaimer: Whoo amusement park! Whoo! (…I do not own Bleach).
It was a warm, sunny afternoon at the Karakura Town Amusement Park. Orihime and the two highest officers of Division Ten of the Gotei 13 had expressions ranging from excitement to complete and total loathing as they took in the colorful scenery of the park.
"Oh wow, this looks like so much fun! Don't you think so, Captain?" Rangiku said in a cheery fashion as she skipped around happily.
"Oh, yeah, it looks like lots of fun." Toshiro said with incisive sarcasm.
"Glad to hear it, Captain!" Rangiku said with a laugh, purposely ignoring the tone ot her superiors statement. She turned to Orihime to whom she addressed the following, "Which way to the biggest, fastest roller coaster, Orihime?!"
"Well, let's see…." Orihime said somewhat nervously as she fumblingly perused the park map and guide she had retrieved from the entrance. After a moment she said with certainty as she pointed in the correct direction, "That would be the Kanoji Ultimate Spirit Hunter Mega Coater Z, it's over this way."
"Alright, let's go!" Rangiku exclaimed as she raced off toward the roller coaster with Orihime close behind, Toshiro followed behind reluctantly, going just fast enough to where he didn't fall behind.
The roller coaster was very large. Its long track of thick purple metal seemed to wind endlessly through innumerable twists and turns, three complete loops, and through two "evil spirit rooms". It was a very daunting ride, and honestly Orihime was slightly nervous. The large sign for the ride was not surprisingly decorated with a giant picture of Don Kanoji's face, what was surprising was that this same bizarre man was standing a few feet away from the sign.
"Oh look! That's that guy from the TV, isn't it Orihime?" Rangiku pointed out the television star with an excited call.
"Yeah that's Don Kanoji! I watch his show all the time!" Orihime affirmed, crossing her hands over her chests and mimicking the Don Kanoji laugh. Rangiku joined her after awhile while Toshiro rolled his eyes and gave a sour expression.
Don Kanoji was largely being ignored (which was surprising since he was the supposed inspiration for the ride he was standing in front of), took immediate notice of the two women performing his trademark stance. He walked over to them and after a few seconds showed them the authentic Don Kanoji laugh.
"Hello my adoring fans! Have you lovely ladies come to ride the Kanoji Ultimate Spirit Hunter Mega Coaster Z! The world's fastest most amazing super coater!" Don Kanoji shouted in a loud, obnoxious manner.
"Yes! It looks like so much fun." Rangiku said at once, offering a wide grin.
"So what are you doing here, Mr. Kanoji?" Orihime asked sweetly, giving the strangely dressed man a kind smile.
"Bwa Ha Ha! Glad you asked my little lady! I, Don Kanoji, the world's greatest medium of spirits, have decided to make a rare public appearance during the first weeks of this lovely park's opening to draw the crowds in to my amazing ride! Amusement parks the world over will be abuzz with discussion of the world famous Kanoji Ultimate Spirit Hunter Mega Coaster Z!" Don Kanoji said in a quite boisterous manner, starting and finishing with his loud trademark laugh.
"But how come there isn't a huge crowd around you?" Rangiku asked a little puzzled.
"I don't know! No one seems to even notice me anymore…" Kanoji said in a dramatic tone.
"You've been standing outside this ride since the day this park opened two weeks ago, haven't you?" Rangiku asked smartly.
"Well yeah… I have to promote my Ultimate Mega Coater… (I mean with how much the studio paid for this thing)." The television personality said defensively.
"Well then it's only natural they're ignoring you now. Everyone who's wanted to see you probably already has." Rangiku explained logically.
"Yeah… The crowds were bigger the first couple days. But even then… It's just that ever since I put the Karakura Superheroes on my show that's all anyone cares about anymore. No one wants my autograph anymore…" Don Kanoji discoursed on his falling career in an over-played, loud, miserable voice.
"Oh yeah! Karakura Superheroes! Ichigo's sisters are part of that aren't they? It looks like so much fun!" Orihime declared with enthusiasm before going into a daydream. In this dream she was wearing a hot pink superhero outfit and grappling with a rather large alien robot bear.
"Oh…? Could it be…? You know my young disciple, Kurosaki?" Kanoji said in surprise, his eyes coming to focus on Orihime.
"Oh yes!" Orihime started excitedly. Her voice sank to a completely different level as she continued, "Ichigo… he's my, he's my… friend."
"Glad to hear it! That's a good kid, that Kurosaki! And to think that it was I who taught him everything he knows about hunting the spirits of the departed…" Kanoji said with usual flamboyance.
"You did?! Really?!" Orihime asked with wide eyes.
"You bet. It is only through my tutelage that that boy has become the great slayer of evil spirits he is today!" The strange man boasted with another of his bizarre laughs.
"That's actually kind of a relief. I had always thought it was Rukia who taught Ichigo about all that stuff…" Orihime said with a smile.
"That's because she did teach him. This guy didn't teach Kurosaki; this guy couldn't teach a tree how to grow." Toshiro decided to finally speak up, offering harsh words in a caustic tone. The smug look on Kanoji's face vanished in an instant, as did Orihime's smile.
"Whoa now, kiddo. That's wasn't very nice. It's not good for little boys to say mean stuff like that to grown ups." Don Kanoji asserted in an overtly condescending voice
"He's right, Captain. I'm sure that if it's what he says, this Don Kanoji fellow must have taught Ichigo lots of stuff." Rangiku took the moment to scold her superior on his bad attitude. She continued in a way that was more directed at Orihime, "Now enough talk let's go ride this thing!"
Orihime nodded and the three theme park guests began walking into the line of the roller coaster. Don Kanoji quickly called out to them before they had entered, "I think you guys need to take one more look at the sign."
"The group turned around to do as the odd man advised. The sign for the roller coaster had a picture of Don Kanoji holding his cane outstretched beside horizontally. Across it read the line "You must be this tall to ride". As it was, the top of Toshiro Hitsugaya's head was roughly half an inch below this line.
"Sorry, Captain, but it looks like me and Orihime have to ride this one without you." Rangiku gave a hard laugh as she said this with a smirk.
"Does it really matter; it's not even a full inch!" The short shinigami had the most terrible of expressions on his face as he spoke in high irritation.
"Rules are rules, kid. What would people say if I let a shorty like you ride such a fast and dangerous ride?" Don Kanoji said with authority.
Toshiro looked even more irritated then he was before as the two women began to walk off without him. Kanoji seemed to notice this and addressed the young shinigami in a overt tone of encouragement, "Now don't you pout little boy! Rides like my Ultimate Mega Coaster are for the adults. You should just be happy that your pretty older sisters decided to take you to this wonderful park today." Rangiku couldn't help but burst out with laughter as she heard these words while walking through the line with Orihime.
After about thirty five minutes of waiting in line, Orihime and Rangiku finally boarded one of the roller coaster's cars. They buckled themselves in securely and were soon set on their way. The car (which was solid steel painted a deep purple and was decorated on either side with a mural of Don Kanoji's face) began to move on the track.
Orihime began to get a little scared as the car made its way up the first hill, and then as they went over into the first drop and the car picked up some velocity that fear only began to intensify. But Orihime looked over at Rangiku. Rangiku was smiling and calling out her excitement. Suddenly Orihime found herself joining in, her fear seemed to disappear entirely.
It was mostly pretty fun for Orihime after that. Sure some of the higher drops and the loops would cause her heart to skip, but with Rangiku there beside her it didn't seem so bad. Not even the scariness of the "evil spirit rooms" (pitch black rooms filled with cheap special effects), could get to Orihime over the exuberant cheers of her dear friend. Orihime was smiling widely as she walked off the roller coaster with Rangiku.
"Well that was fun, right Orihime?!" Rangiku asked with excitement.
"Oh yes! It was so fast and kinda scary. But I liked it. I felt like I was the alien captain flying my spaceship through the stars…" Orihime said, trailing off into a daydream.
"But the guide says you're supposed to feel like a world famous spirit hunter racing through the world of evil spirits." Rangiku said with a somewhat bewildered expression.
"Really? I guess I could see that." Orihime said with a soft laugh. Her and Rangiku soon emerged from the line to find Toshiro waiting for them. He and Don Kanoji had apparently been engaged in conversation for the length of the other two's absence. Upon first sight, Toshiro ran quickly to his lieutenant's side.
"Hey there shorty. Don't you want to hear the rest of my idea for the Don Kanoji: Spirit Hunter Extreme The Motion Picture?" Don Kanoji called after the white haired shinigami.
Toshiro gave a harsh laugh as he stared at the man. He had a look on his face as if he had just had to suffer through a great deal of pain. He spoke insistently, "Let's go… please."
"Yes sir, Captain." Rangiku answered with an amused laugh as the three walked off leaving Kanoji behind.
The group proceeded to the next largest roller coaster. Toshiro was also too short to ride this one, as it had the same height requirements as the other. Rangiku after that dragged everyone to a ride called the "Super Death Drop". Toshiro again was deemed to be of inadequate size. Orihime found this ride to be particularly scary; when it was over she was so shaken she had to hold tightly to Rangiku's hand for a good five minutes.
Toshiro spoke as he caught up to the group after this ride, giving his best scowl, "So is there anything in this damn place that will actually let me on it?"
"Sure there are, Captain! There's the merry-go-round, and the toy train ride, and the kiddy coaster… ooh and there's the little tea cup ride. I bet you'd love that one." Rangiku said with wickedest of grins.
Toshiro stared with contempt at his subordinate as he let what he had just been told sink in, he spoke in a somewhat indignant way, "I don't even care anymore. I've had enough fun. You two can stay here by yourself for all I care, Lieutenant Matsumoto. I'm leaving."
"Alright, see ya, Captain." Rangiku said with a slight laugh and a little wave as the young shinigami left her and Orihime behind.
"Oh, it's too bad little Toshiro wasn't having any fun…" Orihime gave a soft sigh.
"Yeah. Kids are supposed to enjoy theme parks, aren't they? It's a real shame that one has to be so grumpy all the time." Rangiku still found herself laughing, "But that doesn't mean the two of us can't have some more fun. Come on let's go find the next ride."
"Alright, Rangiku. But nothing real scary like the last one." Orihime said with a nod.
"Okay. We'll do some of the more gentle rides now." Rangiku said agreeing, as if it was already in her plan.
The two girls proceeded to ride the remaining roller coasters, most of which were more subdued and slower (and all of which Toshiro could have ridden… in fact aside from the first three rides Rangiku had picked out Toshiro could have ridden anything else in the whole park) as well as some of the other assorted rides. Orihime liked the slower rides better. Her and Rangiku could laugh and cheer together as they remained close. It put Orihime at ease. It was with little effort that Orihime found herself able to forget she even had troubles in the first place.
Soon it had gotten rather late into the afternoon. Rangiku decided to make it clear to the other that the day was almost at its end, she sighed, "Well, Orihime, looks like we should be heading out of here."
"Wait! I want to ride one more ride! We still haven't been on the Ferris wheel…" Orihime spoke insistently, pointing in the direction of the giant wheel shaped ride.
"Oh! Okay. That should be fun…" Rangiku said in agreement. Her and Orihime raced off toward the Ferris wheel.
The line was fairly short and the giant wheel was far from full. Orihime and Rangiku got a whole gondola to themselves. They began to talk as the wheel began its slow ascent.
"So you have a fun time today, Orihime?" Rangiku asked with a warm smile.
"Oh yes! Today was amazing!" Orihime declared without second thought.
"Makes you forget about it all doesn't it. About all the pain we've seen, about all the danger the world faces, about all the bad things out there. Today it was like all that mattered was you and me, Orihime, and all these fun things. It was like everything else was just some far off dream." Rangiku said in an oddly poetic fashion; a tear came to Orihime's eye.
"I wish it was like that all the time. That all there was was me Rangiku and fun things like this." Orihime said in a serene, dazed voice, they were nearing the top of the wheel's arc for the first time.
"Oh? And I thought it was Ichigo you loved." Rangiku gave friendly laugh at Orihime's dream like statement. Orihime gave an intense blush as she realized how foolish what she had just said must have sounded.
"I, I was just saying… that I've really enjoyed myself today. You're a really good friend Rangiku. I sort of wish today didn't have to end." Orihime continued to blush as she spoke shyly.
"Well it really doesn't have to quite yet. I mean we've done most everything at the park. But we can go somewhere else after this." The shinigami woman suggested in a soothing voice.
"Where do you have in mind, Rangiku?" Orihime asked smiling at the new prospect.
"There are some neat stores in this area I'd like to check out... You up for some shopping, Orihime?" Rangiku suggested with brightly lit eyes.
"Yeah, that sounds like fun." Orihime agreed to the idea with little thought.
Soon the girls were getting off the Ferris wheel. Orihime realized she had not once looked out at the no doubt glorious view of the park the giant wheel had provided to her. The entire length of the ride her eyes focus had remained on the woman who sat across form her.
With highs spirits the two women left the amusement park. They walked a fair distance to find the nice clothing shop Rangiku had wanted to visit. The two went inside. A full hour passed as Orihime and Rangiku painstakingly examined the store's merchandise. Either girl soon had a decent array of outfits they wanted to try on. They both made their way for the dressing room.
The two began trying on the clothing they had picked out. Most of Orihime's clothes, were simpler in design, but were quite cute. Rangiku on the other hand decided to partake in the most fashionable of outfits.
"So how does this look, Rangiku?" Orihime asked as she displayed one of her outfits to the shinigami. It consisted of a dark green skirt and a cute bright pink shirt.
"Looks cute, Orihime. How about me?" Rangiku commented and then asked her question with a smile.
"Oh wow! You're so beautiful Rangiku." Orihime declared as she examined Rangiku's new outfit. She was wearing tight black pants and an intense red blouse. The blouse was cut low in the front and seemed to perfectly frame the Division Ten Lieutenant's exemplary bust.
"You think so? I have to say that clothes in this world are so much cuter that those from Soul Society." Rangiku seemed to be utterly delighted as she tried on new clothes.
"But you look pretty in anything, Rangiku." Orihime protested.
"Maybe you're right. I am able to turn something like an old, dull shihakuso into something cute and fashionable. And I do have quite the figure, don't I? But it's not like you aren't every bit as incredible, Orihime." Rangiku said proudly, basking in the compliment.
"I'm not so special." Orihime sighed. Rangiku began removing her blouse causing Orihime to avert her eyes.
"Nonsense. Mine are only just a few sizes bigger. A lot of guys might say I'm excessive whereas you're just perfect." Rangiku said with an air of finality as she turned around and grabbed another one of the blouses she had picked out. She began to work her way into it to try it on.
"I think you might be right. That one might be too small for you..." Orihime said with a soft laugh. This new blouse was subtle blue, like the other it was fairly low cut. This one however barely managed to contain Rangiku's ample chest, which appeared to strain against the fabric.
"Yeah, you're right. I suppose that's the curse I must pay for possessing these mammoth things." Rangiku sighed as she reluctantly pulled of her blouse, "And that one was cute too!" she stammered. She then thrust the blouse at the other girl and offered, "Here you try it on."
"I don't know…" Orihime tried to protest as the blouse was forced into her hand. She didn't usually wear things that showed off her chest. Unlike Rangiku, Orihime had always been a little shy about her body. Still Rangiku was only asking her to try this on. She could do that much. Slowly the human girl removed her shirt and replaced it with the soft blue blouse.
"Oh my, Orihime! You don't know how stunning you look!" Rangiku exclaimed in awe.
Orihime blushed a little. She was somewhat uncomfortable, but she figured she could at least look at herself in the mirror. When she did she was a little surprised. She did some cute poses in the mirror and discovered that the other woman was telling the truth, if Orihime tried she could easily be someone "sexy" like Rangiku. Orihime began to smile.
"See. There's no need to be shy. Whether you dress sexy or not guys will still be looking at you with the body you have. Really there's no need for you to be so set on Ichigo." Rangiku said while puffing out her chest which was barely contained by her bra.
"Is it really so special for them to be big?" Orihime said while finding it hard to take her eyes off Rangiku.
"It sure is. Girls like us have a real advantage over someone like Rukia. It because the guys know there's more fun to be had with us." Rangiku answered nonchalantly.
"What do you mean by that? I mean I know it sorta looks nice… but…" Orihime was beginning to feel embarrassed about the conversation.
"Here. Feel." Rangiku said with a laugh as she grabbed Orihime's hand and forced it to her chest. Orihime gasped loudly as she attempted to pull away but Rangiku held her there rigidly. Eventually Orihime lost the will to struggle and Rangiku let go, Orihime continued to feel at the other woman's bust, now voluntarily.
"You see, the flesh there is incredibly soft and tender. It's delicate, and in a lot of women, quite sensitive." Rangiku said in a relaxed somewhat vulnerable voice.
She was right. It was soft. It was also really warm. Orihime tried to remember if her own breasts were this soft and warm. They were, she knew, but touching someone else was so completely different than touching her own. It was so much more electrifying. Orihime didn't want to stop.
Then something happened that made Orihime realize just how awkward what she was doing was. Rangiku had extended a hand and had begun to do the same thing to her. It felt good. Rangiku's touch felt amazing. But Orihime wanted to pull away.
Since her "developments" had first become noticeable Tatsuki had always warned her that she was not to allow other people to touch her there, and especially men. Men had never touched her, the only one who had ever touched her there was a girl, Chizuru.
But this was different than Chizuru. Chizuru was Chizuru. Orihime was always able to count on Tstsuki to get rid of Chizuru if she ever did anything too embarrassing to her anyways. Chizuru was nothing more that good friend, someone nice and friendly who Orihime liked but felt nothing towards beyond what she felt for everyone of her many friends. Rangiku wasn't like Chizuru, Rangiku was more than a simple friend.
But then what was Rangiku to Orihime then? She didn't have an answer. She didn't know anything. She was confused. She just knew that somehow this must be wrong. That thought in mind she forced herself free from the other woman.
Orihime opened her mouth and stumbled unintelligibly over some words that never really came out.
Rangiku gave a warm smile. She grabbed her original blouse and replaced it on her body. She spoke with a soft laugh, "You know I didn't mean anything by that, Orihime. Just a little innocent fun to prove that you're a special girl. Don't take it serious."
"A-alright…" Orihime said in a faint voice. She was in a daze. At that moment Orihime didn't know pain. At that moment Orihime didn't know Ichigo. At that moment it was unclear if Orihime even knew herself.
"Great. Let's go pay for this stuff now." Rangiku said with subdued laugh; Orihime could only wonder if her friend knew what she was making her feel.
"Y-yeah." Orihime reluctantly nodded in affirmation as she quickly changed back into her original clothing, making sure to throw the sexy blue blouse Rangiku had given her into the bag with the things she had chosen.
The two girls paid for the clothing and both left the shop with an overstuffed shopping bag on either arm. Rangiku was silent as they walked, as if she was lost in a dream. Orihime wished she would speak, that she would give one of her casual jokes, or that something would happen to make the confusing feelings go away.
Something did happen once the two women had covered about half the distance back to Orihime's apartment. But this something was probably not what Orihime had wished for, for this something did not make any of the feelings go away.
A dark rift opened in the now evening sky overhead as if the fabric of that sky had been torn in two. Slowly there emerged a hollow. It was fairly large, grotesque, and ferocious. At first sight, Orihime knew it as an Adjuchas level Menos Grandefrom it's shear elvel of power. It appeared to be fairly angry as it jumped down to earth with a crash.
Orihime watched the hollow. She watched it, but felt strangely disconnected from it, as if it didn't matter, as if it wasn't even really there. Rangiku, however, had took a more conventional approach; shopping bags lay scattered across the floor, she had forced herself from her gigai, Haineko was drawn and pointed at the evil creature. She was ready for a fight.
A/N: That's chapter 3. Okay, the amusement park scene was interesting; it was a last second idea to include Don Kanoji. At most amusement parks I've been to, the biggest rides always are tied-in to some movie or character or something, and since Kanoji's show's supposed to be popular it seemed like it would be a good idea. I also thought it would make for some humorous material with Hitsugaya. I've always thought those two should meet, the anime people should really do a filler episode with Hitsgay and Kanoji, it could be hilarious. Also I realize I might be exaggerating about Hitsugaya being so short, but then again who really cares? As for the rest, I thought I had some pretty cute Orihime X Rangiku scenes here with the Ferris wheel and the clothing shop. I set up next chapter to begin with a hollow fight but who knows where it might end… Oh and another thing, if you're new to my writing (which I've noticed a lot of you are), one click on my profile should tell you that I rarely write stories over five chapters. The exceptions are cases where I've had a real strong plot going. I'm willing to admit this fic doesn't have the strongest plot (it's substantial enough for the fic in my opinion even if it is light, you probably wouldn't expect a killer plot for this pairing anyways), and as such this fic will be one of the five chapter deals. Sorry if you were hoping for more.
Oh and I think I'd like to mention my character death poll (that was a kinda dark poll, wasn't it). Out of my (not so) random list of characters (I either don't like or am indifferent towards) the favorites to die are Byakuya and Keigo (5 votes each). I suppose Byakuya should be obvious, he's a little cold and doesn't seem like the nicest person, and those of you who are watching the dub episodes exclusively (You probably are a little confused by some of this fic, aren't you?) still think he's a real bastard. I never knew Keigo was the catalyst for that much hate though, I guess he really is that annoying. Glad to see Hitsugaya hatred running high as well, second only to the aforementioned and people asking for evil characters on the list (which of course there aren't any since anyone with a shred of conscience would vote saying they want Aizen to die). Oh and the 4 of you asking why there were no girls listed, that's just because of my bias... I don't want to think about any of the cute girls dying, I love them all. Kinda interesting that Ikkaku and Ukitake were spotless. I can understand Ukitake, since I kinda actually do think he's cool (him, Shinji, Ichigo, and Yamamoto I put on the list even though I kinda like their characters), I mostly put him there since I figured his death was one of the most probable. Ikkaku I guess just doesn't generate hatred, either that or he was just lucky. Another surprise from the poll is that 2 of you actually voted saying you wouldn't mind if Ichigo died. That's kinda crazy in my opinion since the show's mainly about him in the first place. Anyway I asked this question since I was noticing that no major characters have thus far died in Bleach. So, yeah, enough about that. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and come back for more.