I think this is my favorite chapter I've posted so far; I just couldn't wait :) I hope you all like it too!

Give me a second, I-I need to get my story straight.
My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the Empire State.

My lover, she is waiting for me just across the bar.
My seat's been taken by some sunglasses asking 'bout a scar.

So, if by the time the bar closes and you feel like falling down,

I'll carry you home tonight

We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monae) - Fun

Chapter 8: Let the Party Begin!

-Rukia-

Too tight… too short… too… nonexistent

Rukia sighed as she looked herself over in the mirror and decided that this would be the third outfit of Tatsuki's that she refused. After returning from their walk that morning and spending the afternoon on the beach, the girls were getting ready to go to the party on the other side of town.

Tatsuki and Orihime had nixed her first idea, a nice pair of jeans and a black blouse, and insisted that, if she wanted to be noticed, she should wear something more provocative.

"I don't think this one will work either. I'm sorry." Rukia exited the bathroom to find Orihime fixing her make-up and Tatsuki sitting on the bed they shared, looking thoughtfully at Rukia's jeans.

"Are these really expensive?" Tatsuki asked.

Rukia paused. Most of her clothes were picked out by a maid. "Umm… I don't remember exactly. Why?"

"Would you mind if I… altered them a little bit? I think we can find a compromise." A large grin crossed Tatsuki's face and it made Rukia a little uneasy.

Oh, what the hell…

"Go ahead. I don't wear them much anyway." Rukia shrugged for added effect, curious to see what Tatsuki was going to do.

"Hey, 'Hime. Did you bring any scissors?"

"Yeah, I think they're in my pink bag under the bed. Why?" Orihime applied a shiny coat of lip gloss and walked over to join the dark haired girls on the large bed.

"Just a sec…"

Rukia watched, half fascinated, half horrified, as Tatsuki cut off the legs of her jeans.

"Well, what do you think?" She now held up a pair of ridiculously small shorts.

Fishing for words, Rukia was saved when Orihime gushed, "Oh, that's perfect! Can I do the shirt?"

Noticing Rukia's hesitance, Tatsuki smiled reassuringly, "Orihime's really handy at stuff like this. You won't be disappointed."

"Oh… Ok, then." Rukia smiled weakly.

At least it can't get worse…

-Ichigo-

"What on earth is taking them so long? We're already an hour late." Uryuu adjusted his glasses in irritation.

Ichigo chuckled. "We'd look like losers if we showed up on time. At least we can entertain ourselves while we wait."

Chad smiled and placed his cards on the table. "I win."

Uryuu groaned and got out his wallet. "Some entertainment..."

-Rukia-

"I… I love it, Orihime." Rukia's voice was quiet but sincere. The alterations to the blouse had been slight, a long cut up each sleeve so just the wristbands and shoulders were still connected and the neckline had been widened so it fell just off her shoulders but Rukia still admired the way it flowed around her body.

She smiled at her reflection. Though she would never admit it out loud, Rukia felt badass.

"You look hot." Tatsuki nodded encouragingly. "Here. Put these on too." She handed her some gold bangles and a long necklace.

"I guess we're ready!" Orihime beamed.

She looks beautiful, Rukia thought. The curvy redhead wore a navy blue shirt with a short red skirt, clashing attractively with Tatsuki, clad in a tight scarlet top and loose fitting cargo pants.

"Let's go!" Tatsuki opened the door, pulling Rukia out of her thoughts.

She nodded eagerly, "Coming!"

-Ichigo-

"Finally!"

Ichigo heard the door open down the hall and laughed at his friend's impatience. "You guys ready to go?" He asked, standing up.

"Quit whining. Yes, we're ready." Tatsuki smiled, pulling Rukia in front of her. "What do you think?"

… Damn.

Ichigo took a deep breath. Tatsuki's question was obviously pointed at him.

"You don't look like Miss Honor Roll anymore, that's for sure."

There was a long pause as everyone waited to see how Rukia would react.

Ichigo saw a flash of annoyance in her eyes but she covered quickly. "Thank you. At least you clean up decently."

"Thanks, midget." Ichigo smirked. He knew he looked damn good in his dark jeans and white shirt.

"We should probably go now!" Orihime said quickly, grabbing Rukia's hand and leading her outside before she could retaliate.

"And you're sure you're not interested?" Uryuu asked quietly, grinning and nudging Ichigo with his shoulder as he followed Orihime.

"Girls in my car!" Tatsuki called as they walked out the door. Ichigo scoffed at his friend's comment but, watching the petite girl get into the white car with her long creamy legs and silky hair, he wondered if he wasn't just the tiniest bit interested after all.

-Rukia-

Rukia looked around awkwardly, sipping occasionally from a cup of water and standing by a table of food in the open kitchen. She didn't know what she had expected this party to be like but it certainly wasn't this mess.

The music was blaring, sloppy drunks were everywhere, and Rukia was pretty sure she had walked in on a group of people getting high when she tried to go to the bathroom.

Is this how all parties are?

Rukia moved to take another drink of water but decided against it.

Who knows what they're doing in the bathroom now…

The beach house was set up much like their own, only smaller with the kitchen connected to the living room. She spotted Chad and Ichigo talking to a group across the room and Orihime seemed to have convinced Uryuu to dance with her. Tatsuki was off in a dark corner talking to some guy.

He looks sort of familiar. I wonder if-

"What's a pretty thing like you doing all by yourself?"

Rukia found herself uncomfortably close to the blue haired man sidling up beside her.

"I'm …waiting for someone." Rukia blushed, realizing how pathetic her lie must seem.

"Is that so? Mind if I wait with you?" The man had a wicked grin.

Rukia tried to find her voice. "I'm actually friends with the host. Do you know where she is?"

"You're friends with Matsumoto?" The man's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You seem awfully quiet to be friends with a girl like that."

"We're childhood friends. If you'll excuse me-" Rukia's voice was laced with annoyance and she considered hitting him when he grabbed her arm.

"Oh, come on. I'm sorry." Icy blue eyes softened and he let go. "I didn't mean to insult you. Matsumoto's busy right now but why don't you stay and chat? My name's Grimmjow."

Rukia looked him over carefully before glancing back to find her friends. She only saw Chad now, still with the same group. And then she noticed Ichigo, talking off to the side with some girl.

"I'm Rukia." She pasted a smile on her face, determined to appear just as confident as this strange man with the piercing eyes.

"Pretty name. Let me get you a drink, Rukia."

-Ichigo-

"I like your shoes." The girl sitting across from him giggled, leaning forward to get a better look and giving Ichigo a perfect view down the front of her shirt.

"…Thanks." Ichigo rolled his eyes. First his hair, then the music, his shirt, the beer… Apparently this girl liked everything.

She was hot, no denying that with her purple hair and slim figure, but drunk girls were not exactly stimulating conversation.

"I like your belt too." Her hand moved down his chest to his waist. Her amber eyes met his and she smiled suggestively.

So much for subtlety…

"Ichigo." Chad's voice caught Ichigo's attention. The tan boy had risen from the couch and tilted his head in the direction of the kitchen.

"I think I should go, Sara." Ichigo stood slowly, untangling himself from the girl clinging to his arms while trying to see what Chad was gesturing to.

"My name's Senna, silly." The girl giggled again.

Ichigo didn't say anything in response, instead he moved to where Chad was standing.

"What do you think?" Chad asked, still watching the scene taking place in the kitchen.

Ichigo frowned. What does that punk think he's doing?

The blue haired man had an arm around Rukia, who was sitting on top of the counter, her face flushed. Blue Hair had an amused look on his face as he watched Rukia talk, he laughed when she laughed, and, every once and a while, he moved just a little bit closer to the petite girl.

They were sharing a cup of something; Rukia took a sip when he spoke and he would drink while she talked. This time though, while Rukia was busy laughing at her own story, Blue Hair slipped a hand in his pocket before taking the cup from her, dropping something into the drink.

"Hey!" Ichigo yelled, pushing through people to get to the kitchen. "Hey! Rukia!"

She couldn't hear his shouts over the music but Chad was surprisingly agile for someone his size. Within a few long strides, he had crossed through the doorway and taken the cup from Rukia before she could take another sip, crushing it in his hand.

"What are you doing?" Rukia shrieked, moving farther back on the counter to avoid the foamy spray.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Blue Hair drew back an arm to hit Chad but Ichigo was faster, stepping between them and landing a punch dead center on the jerk's face.

People flooded the kitchen, swarming around Ichigo and the blue haired man.

The man wiped blood away from his nose and tried to regain his balance. Ichigo moved quickly before he lost his advantage and deftly kicked him in the stomach.

Blue Hair coughed a couple times as he stood up but didn't seem interested in attacking again. "What's your fucking problem?"

"You fucking tried to roofie her, you asshole!" Ichigo cursed. The room was quiet now and Ichigo looked around for Rukia.

"I think we should go now." Chad spoke firmly. He had swept up a stunned Rukia in his arms, her eyes wide in shock.

"Maybe next time you should keep your bitch on a leash-"

The man's muttering was interrupted by a forceful kick to the back of the head. Ichigo couldn't help but smile as Tatsuki knocked Blue Hair to the ground again.

Turning to face her friends, the athletic girl grinned with a satisfied smile. "Let's go, guys. We don't have to deal with this."

Ichigo watched her wave to some weird looking guy with red hair before leading Chad, still with Rukia, and himself away from the crowd of people.

Orihime and Uryuu met up with them as they reached the door and Orihime took Rukia in her arms when Chad set her down.

Adrenaline still pumping through his body, Ichigo told Uryuu what had happened, in between long rants and strings of curses, as they headed home.

-Rukia-

Tatsuki drove carefully, trying to absorb what had happened as she pieced the story together. Rukia was mostly silent; the girls had stopped asking questions when they noticed her reluctance to answer.

Orihime had opted to sit in the back seat with her and was stroking her hair soothingly.

"It's ok, Rukia. Chad and Ichigo stopped him. You're safe now."

Rukia let her head rest on her friend's shoulder. She refused to think about what might have happened if they hadn't stepped in, what he would've done to her. She refused to think about Ichigo and Chad getting hurt because she was too stupid to realize when she was being taken advantage of.

Instead, she shut her eyes so tight everything was black and cried on Orihime's shoulder until they got home.

So much drama ;) haha Did this chapter live up to expectations?

Review and wish me a happy graduation!