A/N: Hey all! Sorry I took so long updating, but I was sitting at home, throwing up and eating chicken soup (generally feeling sorry for myself) and decided I'd publish today. Hope you enjoy!
Finders Keepers, Chapter Seven - Take A Sip Of Vodka.
By the time Ulquiorra had calmed down and managed to climb back up to the guest room, the smell from before seemed to have dissipated out of the window. Only a vague whiff of burning lingered in the apartment. However, this only seemed to fuel his bad mood further; so much so that he was driven to the point of slamming the door behind him as he walked down the hallway and towards the kitchen. He paused a second, listening to the conversation taking place on the other side of the wall. Now, Ulquiorra was not normally one to eavesdrop, but today he was feeling particularly spiteful, probably due to the chimpanzee clashing a pair of symbols together inside his head. And so, he listened.
"-and then I could've sworn he turned green! He looked all queasy, especially after we went on the Pepsi Max-"
Ulquiorra felt his body go cold. It seemed Orihime had been telling their hostess about the time they'd visited Blackpool; a visit he had not enjoyed in the slightest. The Onna had insisted they go on every single ride available that day, a plan the former Espada could not comprehend. Why on earth would a human such as her be so willing to put her life in the hands of a rickety contraption designed decades ago, and consider it fun? He vividly remembered her explanation, and the torture that was soon to follow...
"But Ulquiorra!" She whined, "Don't you think it like looks fun?" He stared at her, searching for the hint of fear that most definitely should have been there; but all he saw in her dove grey eyes was excitement. He sighed. Saying no was impossible...
"It looks... dangerous." And indeed it did. The chipping red and blue wood looked uneven and splintered, while the drop itself (which had been advertised by the cheerful sales clerk as 205 feet high) tilted at such an angle one would have assumed the run down cart would simply fly off the edge, splattering it's occupants on the ground in a colourful array of cameras, scarves, and soupy red blood. Apparently, according to the ever knowledgeable mind of Orihime, this was impossible. He did not believe her.
"No it isn't!" The redhead cried, throwing her arms into the air in exasperation. He raised an eyebrow. Orihime looked crestfallen for a moment, before snapping her fingers and striking a ridiculous pose. Grinning, she pulled him over towards a map stand, plucking one from the row of neatly folded paper, and opening it up to reveal differently coloured squiggles interlinking and weaving around each other. In his opinion, a child could've done a better job.
"Look here!" She demanded, pointing vigourously towards a paragraph full of reviews for the ride she was currently trying to force him on. He leaned closer, ready to digest complaints about severed limbs and decapitated family members. The real feedback, however, suprised him.
'After visiting Blackpool for four years, I finally went on this roller coaster, being far too scared to even consider it before. The last day I was at the Pleasure Beach the usual queue for the Pepsi Max was much, much smaller than usual - so somehow I was convinced to try it. The slow ride up to the slope builds the suspense and I was absolutely terrified - the view when you get to the top is really beautiful though. Then we went down! I found it fine and yes, it was definately worth the wait. You can be lucky for this ride - i.e queue length, sometimes it won't be open due to weather. I know I'll definately be back again this August when I go to Blackpool!'
'This ride is still fantastic even though there are now many rides competing for its crown. The first drop is amazing, the height is truly awesome, and the crawl up to the top of the 200 ft+ drop fills you with suspense of what is to come! Just to say- DO IT! Its great, its fantastic, and its British.'
'This is the very first roller coaster I've been on, and I cannot describe how intimidating it looks as you approach it and see that first drop of 200 and something feet. Got there and thought, what am I doing? Hardly any time to que for the ride, and as my hands were shaking and gripping the bar it started. Going up that first hill for the first time, and the POV of just how high it climbs, I thought my heart would stop. Signs tell you when you reach 50 feet, 100, 150, 200 feet and I can remember thinking this is it, I wonder what a roller coaster is like. The first drop is amazing...you're pushed back into the seat, feel like your stomach is up in your throat and it takes, quite literally, your breath away. The only part of your body you can feel is your feet, tumbling to the ground - it does make you feel very slightly sick- and before you realise you're lifted back up for another drop (not as crazy). At this point I was shouting praises. Went on it straight after, but sat at the back... Here, the first drop is faster and you cannot see when it is coming, so for an extra thrill head to the back. Went on it again at the very front... You can see all as you slowly pass the top climb and begin to descend slowly until suddenly... whoosh! Excellent. I went on it four times in total. Don't let the sight put you off, it looks very scary but the first drop is over in seconds, then you can enjoy the speed. Also, the views from the top are amazing, you can see for miles! You will want to ride this again and again!'
Ulquiorra closed his eyes and counted to ten. It seemed the odds where against him this time. An 'excellent' ride, huh?
"So?" She yelled in his ear, gripping onto his T-shirt and peering over his shoulder at the pamphlet in his hands. He turned his head, eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. Was she trying to deafen him?
"Will you ride it with me? Please? Pretty please?" He continued looking at her pouting - and dare he say it - cute face. Orihime frowned.
"Pretty please with Blueberry Pie on top?" He didn't reply, instead glancing away to observe the ride in all its creaking glory. Shrieks of joy (or terror, he wasn't sure) radiated from the monstrosity in irregular waves as the tourists risked life and limb in the name of excitement. How pathetically human.
"-Pretty please with giant marshmallow cookies and apricot slices on top-"
"Woman." He growled, holding a hand in front of her mouth. "Cease your babbling. I will go on."
"REALLY?" She cried, bouncing up and down, much to his displeasure. He glared at staring onlookers, forcing them to avert their gazes from her jiggling chest. Grabbing his hand once more, she lead him over to a fairly short queue. The duo didn't have to wait long until they were next in line. And soon enough, they were boarding the cart(Ulquiorra rather gingerly, Orihime nearly skipping on board). A greasy looking attendant strapped them in, his hands lingering much to long to be necessary around Orihime's bust. Ulquiorra sent a withering glare in the direction of his pimpled face. He backed off.
With a jolt, the cart sprung into life, inching along the ramp with a daunting slowness that could make a grown man wet himself. He growled, pale hands clamped firmly around the cold metal of the lap bar in anticipation. He was not scared. He could do this. Closing his green eyes, he breathed in, making sure to treasure every bit of stale air that entered his lungs like it was his last, because quite frankly, that scenario was almost unavoidable. A giggle from beside him awoke him from his moment of (fear? despair?)... self-preservation. Ulquiorra glanced up, staring in horror at the girl. She was still enjoying this? This monstrous, twisted, grotesque idealism of fun? Her behaviour was simply appalling.
"Onna, you are not scared?"
"Of course I am! Roller coasters are supposed to be scary!" She shouted, her voice muffled slightly by the howling wind and clicking of the cart. His eyes widened. Then why...?
She grinned manically. "Sometimes, even scary things can be fun-" He felt his stomach drop past his feet as they noticed the sudden stillness around them. Turning their heads in unison, Ulquiorra only had a split second to notice their current position. At the height of the ride, they were tilted slightly forward, almost hanging of the edge. His eyes flickered downwards, and his breath hitched in his throat and-
"TATSUKI!" An obnoxious voice from the apartment door yelled. A very loud, familiar obnoxious voice. He pushed his way into the kitchen, only to be met with a huge explosion from the far wall. Covering his eyes, he waited a few seconds until the flying debris cleared, and dropped his arm to survey the damage. Bits of plaster and rubbish littered the floor, and he saw the girls in the corner, Tatsuki's eyes alive with rage as she clenched her shaking fists. Slowly, he raised his eyes to stare at the figure in the doorway. His hair was a shocking shade of orange, his mouth pulled down into a permanent frown. Ulquiorra could just make out a huge sword strapped to his back, behind the inky black robes swirling around his body.
Kurosaki Ichigo.
So yeah. Notice the complete lack of spelling mistakes? I'd like to thank my amazingly awesome BETA sama-chan for that! :)
A shout out to all my reviewers...
Seproth,
Cittyno2,
sama-chan,
OneWhoNeverStopsCrying,
Animerules3579.
I LOVE YOU LONG TIME! ;) Anyway, a few of you had questions about a game I mentioned previously. There's a description and link to a picture on my profile if you're still confused! So in this chapter we see Ichigo again! I'm sorry to all you Ichi fans, but I have a really bad habit of making him the bad guy. I'm sorry, hit me if you want!
If you have any ideas/questions you'd like to share, or would just like to tell me how much you love Bleach, feel free to tell me in your reviews! Remember, the quicker you reveiw, the more I write! Bye!