The Trouble with Love-games
Eventually, you are going to lose…
Again, since I am posting 2 chapters together to make up for my forced 2 week hiatus from this story, I have no one to thank for reviews sad face.
Still don't own bleach.
…
Rukia and Isane made it to the bar, after Rukia, using her small size to her advantage, managed to sneak through the crowds, dragging her poor friend behind her.
"Well if it isn't my two favourite bar staff!" Shunsui cried, happy to see them. He then saw Nanao walk past with a bucket of ice, which he grabbed off her and dumped, and grabbed her into a hug "Except of course, my little Nanao"
Nanao elbowed him.
"Why must you be so violent, Pretty Nanao?" She shook her head and moved further down the bar to where she was serving.
"Still no luck there eh Shun?" Asked Isane.
"It would seem, don't you worry though, one day my Nanao will realise what she is missing."
"Yeah and pigs will fly" Remarked Rukia
"You would be surprised, miss Rukia, to know that love often first presents itself through the pretence of hate. I know she loves me really"
Rukia turned pink for what felt like the millionth time this week.
'Is that how I feel about Ichigo? Does that mean we are acting so hostile because we secretly like each other?'
Shunsui stood there, watching the cogs turn in Rukia's head, processing the information he had just given her. He was sure she would realise. Much as he would hate to lose the bet against Renji, the whole bet idea was just a front for Jyushiro's love for match making and his love for meddling. The two of them were an unstoppable force when they teamed up to do something like this. Hell, Shunsui's first meddling was what brought Jyu and Retsu together, and that couldn't be going better.
"So, philosophy aside, what can I get for you lovely ladies?"
Rukia was about to ask for a gin and tonic, but Isane beat her to it.
"We'll have a large pitcher of berry woo woo please Mr Kyoraku! On me," she said, looking at Rukia.
Rukia was about to protest, she didn't want to get drunk!
"No arguments Rukes! You can pick the next round!"
'Next round? Jeez. Though, I have done all my work, and I am in an awfully good mood! So a few drinks wouldn't be the worst thing in the world…'
They took their drinks, and went and sat at a small table for 2 near the end of the bar.
Isane secretly suspected that Rukia had subconsciously lead them this way, as this table was right near the one that Ichigo's group always occupied, though she did not say anything. Whilst some of the guys Ichigo hung out with were twats, (Zaraki sprung to her mind) the girls were always nice enough, especially considering they were cheerleaders… and Rukia was always so lonely, having a guy she likes might be good for her.
By the time they had moved onto their second glass of cocktail, the team arrived, to a lot of cheering, congratulating, and hand shaking.
They were given a free round by Kyoraku and Shunsui, in appreciation for them bringing so much business to the bar today, since the majority of the spectators seem to have come here for a drink and to congratulate the team.
As he sat down, Ichigo saw the midget. However, he was kept pretty busy by team mates and well wishers, almost an hour and a half passed before he was able to catch her at the bar on his way back from the toilet.
'Ok, Kurosaki, play it cool, you still don't know how to handle these strange feelings this midget is giving you' he thought as he approached her.
He walked up behind her and bent down to her level to whisper in her ear. Rukia was so engrossed in her conversation with Nanao that she didn't notice.
"BOO"
"Ahhhhh who the fuck!"
She whirled round as he grinned
"Who'd have thought you were such a jumpy little thing"
"I should have known it was you, who else would greet their friend in such a childish manner"
"Who ever said I was your friend midget?"
'Oh shit slip of tongue!' Rukia mentally slapped herself.
"Well if you don't want to be friends why did you invite me to the game?" she recovered.
"Well, I couldn't have you feel deprived of seeing such great talent, why, did you want to be my friend."
"No, I only like smart people."
He frowned, then smiled with his comeback.
"So how come you like Hime and Ran"
"They are smarter than you, and nicer."
"I can be nice!" He said, in a tone of mock offense "I'll show you"
He turned to see Shunsui, and yelled him over.
"Hey Shun, can I get a bud, and a drink of the midget's choosing"
"See, nice."
"Yeah calling me a midget is real nice" She remarked bitterly, but she was smiling.
"Can I get a vodka lemonade please boss?"
"Of course my sweet Rukia"
"So" began Ichigo, "Did you see my goal?"
"No, I must have been looking at someone more interesting" She feigned disinterest, smirking.
"Well how comes when I looked into the stands you were grinning at me like the Cheshire cat?"
She turned pretty red.
"How come you were looking at me?" She retorted.
"I wasn't, I was er scanning the crowd."
"I'm sure you were." She said, smugly.
"There you go Kurosaki"
Ichigo paid and handed Rukia her drink.
"There you go midget"
He was then grabbed and dragged away by Renji to play I have never with the gang.
Rukia made a mental note to block all noise from his table out. For some reason, she was not too keen on the thought of hearing what Ichigo got up to with other girls. The thought alone, much as she hated to admit it, was flooding her with jealousy.
'What is wrong wrong with meeeeeeeeee? Even when I was with Kaien I wasn't jealous when he talked to other girls! But then again, he was my boyfriend, and I knew I was the only girl he wanted.'
…...
About an hour later, Rukia and Isane decided to go home. They'd had a few drinks and Rukia was feeling a little tipsy, and she didn't really fancy going back home to Byakuya drunk. Just as they were going, someone grabbed Rukia's wrist.
"Heyyyy Rukia right?"
It was Orihime.
"Oh hey Inoue, this is my friend Isane."
"Please, call me Orihime, were you leaving?"
"Well actually yeah"
"No stay! I want to introduce you to everyone!"
"Er ok…Isane?"
"No I have a test on Monday I really must get back"
"Oh er ok…"
They exchanged goodbye's and Rukia walked over to the strawberry's table.
"Hey everyone, this is Rukia, she is tutoring Ichigo, and she's really nice!"
…..
The group sat for a few more hours, sharing banter, welcoming Rukia into the group, although she had to admit she was still pretty scared of Zaraki.
She liked the girls though, and most of the guys seemed nice, and they weren't half as stuck up as she would have expected. She kinda liked the way she was being welcomed into Ichigo's group, it was like they wanted her to hang out with him more…
By 9 o clock, Renji, who was pretty hammered, declared that he was going to host a flat party, which Ichigo whole heartedly agreed to.
"Wooooooo flat party!" He yelled.
"Let's go mother fuckerrrrrrrrs!"
The group downed their drinks and headed out. Rukia made to go off towards hers, when Rangiku grabbed her.
"Where do you think you're going missy?"
"Er home?"
"Nooooooo! You're coming to our partyyyy!" She cried.
'A party does sound fun, and I never get to go to parties, what with not living in halls, and oh shit! Byakuya!' She hesitated 'Oh screw him, he probably won't even notice that I'm gone.'
"Really? Awesome let's gooooo!" She said, falling onto Rangiku. Ok, so maybe she was feeling quite drunk, these people drank a lot more than her and she was struggling to keep up.
"Wooooooooooo! The boys are going on to the liquor store, which is good, means I have time to find you a better outfit, I bet Momo's clothes would fit you!"
And they skipped all the way back to Montague, rejoining the others, who were drunkenly singing American Pie.
'This is going to be great fun' Thought Rukia.
…..
Tah – dah! See you in 2 weeks! Or if I feel like writing more when I get back from seeing friends tonight :P I am bursting with ideas!
R&R would be much appreciated!
Laters!