The Trouble with Love-games

Eventually, you are going to lose…

So many of you read the last chapter, and by the sounds of my reviews (again, thank you Miku Alli, StrawberryDragon94 and Kaileychigago) you liked it :D I'm so pleased.

Little author's note here, nothing important, but since people were guessing in the reviews :P the other pairings I shall feature throughout the story are UhrahahaxYoruichi, Ulquihime, GinRan, HitsuHina, KenpachixYachiru (She is his age in this fic its not creepy I promise!) and possibly some ShunsuixNanao and UkitakexUhnohana. Just incase you were wondering. Though obviously the stars of the show are IchiRuki :D

Still mooching of Tite Kubo here!

….

Slowly and quietly, Kisuke's BMW X5 crawled to a stop, on top of a small cliff top. The occupants all got out, leaving the doors open, and walking to the edge.

"There" Said Toshiro, pointing "You see that small shack down there, that is where me and Momo used to go and play when we wanted to be alone. No one really comes to this part of the river, we thought it was probably used to store canoes before this area was abandoned."

"Ok, I think Toshiro and Rangiku, you guys should go, and Kisuke and I will wait here. If she tries to run we will stop her, don't worry!"

"Thank you, Kisuke, Yoruichi." Said Rangiku

"Ok, let's go"

The younger two set off down a ragged winding cliff path, as the couple climbed up onto the roof of the big black 4x4.

They watched the other two scurry on towards the small rundown cabin.

"Do you think Toshiro is right babe?"

"I reckon so" Uhrahara replied, putting his arm round Yoruichi "Honestly, how did we end up parenting this group of idiots?"

"Cos we are the oldest and wisest?"

He chuckled and kissed her head.

"That's probably it"

"Or because the other inter-group couple is Kenpachi and Yachiru, and if they were the parental figures this group would be in even more ridiculous messes all the time" She laughed to herself

"Yeah, but I like the other one better, makes us sound sensible"

"Who'd have thought eh?"

They intertwined their hands, as they watched their two friends approach, and then enter the old building.

…..

They could hear sobs coming from the cabin as they approached.

"Oh no she is still crying!" said Rangiku

"Don't worry, Ran, we won't let that bastard ever hurt her again." Toshiro had a pretty dangerous glint in his eyes, that Rangiku had never seen before.

'He must really care for Momo, all this time he has known her so well, and he obviously has a thing for her, and Aizen ruined his chance, no wonder he is so grumpy all the time' She remembered the pain in his expression as he had explained to the group how him and Momo used to play here all the time. It was heart wrenching. In the car he had been silent, while the other three talked. 'Poor guy'

"Rangiku are we going or not?"

She snapped back to reality.

"Oh yeah, sorry"

They slowly wandered in.

They could see Momo, sobbing, curled into a ball in the back corner. The site set Rangiku off again. Tears started dripping down her own cheeks.

"Oh Momo…" She whispered.

The small girl looked up.

"Rangiku, Toshiro!"

"It's ok Momo, we are here to keep you safe now"

He walked over to the girl and picked her up.

Rangiku ran over and hugged her, tears still flowing

"We were so worried about you Momo!" She drew the girl into a bear hug.

"I..I'm s… So sorry!" Momo sobbed more. "But I was so scared, I didn't want him to be able to hurt lil' Shiro or anyone else, so I hid away on my own."

"It's ok Momo, Toshiro said. Let's get you home, don't worry, there is no way we are gona let him touch you. You're safe with me"

"Thank you" Momo smiled weakly up at him.

'They belong together' Thought Rangiku. 'Aizen has to go'

…

It was a brisk morning on Saturday. The first day of February was upon them.

Rukia was at Isane's. She was waiting for the tall medic to decide how many layers to wear to the soccer game.

"How cold is it again Rukes?"

"Bloody freezing, same as it was last time you asked"

"I guess"

"Just wear that scarf" Rukia pointed at a big red scarf "With your black coat, you will be fine"

"My my Rukia, since when were you so worried about being late to a soccer game? In fact, since when have you cared about soccer at all?"

"I er…" Rukia blushed "Well you see I met two of the cheerleaders when I was at Montgomery and they were really nice and they asked me to go watch and I don't want to let the down having agreed to go" She blurted out, speaking at 100 miles an hour the way she did when she was telling some kind of elaborate lie to hide the truth. Luckily Byakuya had never paid enough attention to her to notice this fact, and so had not questioned her motives when she had told him she was going to study with Isane that morning. However, her best friend was not so easily fooled.

"Oh, so you met them while you were at Ichigo's. Say, isn't he the soccer team captain?"

Rukia blushed intensely.

"Oh is he! He never mentioned that"

"Sure" Said Isane, with a knowing smile on her face. "Let's go watch some hot guys kick a ball and promote school spirit"

….

A massive roar of cheering erupted from the Seireitei stands. The star center forward, Kurosaki, had just scored a goal. It was now 2-1 to Seireitei, with only 5 minutes left of playing time.

Rukia watched with admiration as all his team mates flocked round him to bundle him. 'They are so funny' She thought, chuckling to herself, as Renji threw himself on top of the heap.

As he stood up, Ichigo scanned the crowd, and looked to wear he had spotted the midget sitting earlier. 'I knew she couldn't resist coming to check me and my skills out' He had thought. As he saw her, he noted she was not jumping up and down screaming, as most girls (and guys for that matter) in the stand were. No, Rukia Kuichiki had a great big beaming smile that went from ear to ear, as she looked back at him.

He winked at her.

To his surprise, she did not scowl, she giggled.

'Well, that makes a change, perhaps I am starting to get through to her'

The annoying voice was back 'Yeah, cos she's affecting you dumass, look at you searching for some girl in the crowd in stead of admiring the sexy cheerleaders doing a special celebration dance for you…'

'Ahhh' He thought. 'Soccer time, not girl time!' And he ran back to take his position.

…

The game had ended, and everyone was in high spirits. The game had ended 3-1, since Hisagi had managed to score in the last minute of the game. Furthermore, Rangiku recieved a text from Gin saying that The Espada's drew with The Vizards, and so Seireitei had overtaken both in the league table thanks to the win.

Everyone was of course, heading to the bar for post-match celebration.

Rukia and Isane were leaving the stands.

"So Rukes, think we should go have a drink, harass Shun and Jyu for a bit?"

"Sure, I have no desire to go be stuck at home with my boring brother" She replied. In her mind though, there was another reason for wanting to go for drinks, she could see strawberry and wind him up some more…

….

Ok guys, surprise for you, since I am going on vacation for 2 weeks tomorrow and won't have my laptop, I am going to post chapter 11 later today as well, which will be about the post-match party! Yayyyy! But yeah obviously after 11 is up, I won't be updating for 2 weeks, don't worry. I have not forgotten this story. I'm just not able to update.

See you in chapter 11!