The Trouble with Love-games
Eventually, you are going to lose…
Hey guys! That's right, I'm updating! Again! (I'm procrastinating from packing. Packing is stupid.)
I'd like to point out, at my end A/N last chapter there was a 3. This was meant to be a less than sign then 3 so it looked like a heart. Apparently FF thought no. Oh well. But yeah, I'm not a weirdo who just puts 3 in random places.
Thank you to Kalthurin, Kaileychigago, Strawberrylove, Himawari 19, MitchRyan, Paradox-otaku, OnepieceX3, and Kittens Hellfire for your reviews!
I'm still amazed by the way the interest in this story appears to be growing. Awesome.
On with the mooching.
…
Rukia had got a ride with Jyushiro to her house when they finished work, where he was explaining to her brother that they were going on a staff meeting / field trip, and that it would just be a few quiet drinks, and he would see to it Rukia got home safe.
She was upstairs getting dressed, not wanting to be around if her brother got mad.
'Nii-sama may like Jyushiro, or well, not hate him, which is close enough, but it doesn't mean he will be happy about this!'
Though, she did have to admire her manager's unbelievable smoothness, as she heard him lie about how they were going to be visiting other bars to check out competition and get inspiration, and that staff attendance was compulsory. No way for Byakuya to say no. You would never suspect someone as gentle and kind as Jyushiro to be such an excellent manipulator. Which, she supposed, was what makes him so good at it. Kyoraku, was less reliable.
As she brushed her hair back into a messy bun, her eyes fell on the rabbit plushie on her desk. She couldn't bring herself to throw away something so cute, even though she hated the person it reminded her of.
'Damn that strawberry. I can't believe he actually paid attention when I mentioned I couldn't find this doll anywhere. It must have taken him ages to find… No I have to put all thoughts of him out of my mind! Tonight is about fun with friends.'
Grabbing her black over the shoulder purse, she checked her reflection briefly. She wore grey platform shoes, black skinny jeans that hugged her figure perfectly, a pale blue and black patterned flowery top, and a grey blazer jacket. Seki-Seki was a nice bar, so Rukia had made sure she looked fairly smart.
As she came down the stairs, she saw the two post-grads sat in silence, each sipping tea occasionally.
"Ah Rukia!" Ukitake broke the silence "You look lovely, are you ready to go, we have to pick Shunsui up."
"Yes, I am ready" She did not look to her brother as she left, saying "Good night Nii-sama" over her shoulder as she went.
"Thanks for the tea, Kuchiki"
Byakuya nodded as the two left.
"I really hope he isn't giving you too much trouble Rukia, I know he can be rather cold." Ukitake stated as they climbed into his Ford Fiesta and drove off.
"Hmmm I'm kind of used to it to be honest. I wish he was less strict with me though. Sometimes I really wish I could move into halls, have a bit of freedom."
"Perhaps you should look into it for next year" He said, smiling. "Wait here a second Rukia, I have to go and drag Shun away from the mirror." And he cut the engine and headed to the apartment block in which he and the other manager lived. It was just off of campus, populated largely by post-grad students, so Rukia had never seen it before. Not that she was paying much attention, her mind was busy staving off the traitorous thoughts in her head about how she wished Ichigo and his friends were coming out with her tonight.
'God, I even miss his friends. This is ridiculous!'
However, her thoughts were interrupted by the return of her two lovely managers.
"Okay, lets go get miss Rukia all cheered up!"
….
Ichigo was in Renji's room. It was half 8, but he was ready. Renji wasn't.
"What do I wear!" He panicked.
Ichigo couldn't help but laugh. Now Renji was all smitten over Halibel, the girl from Arrancar, he was hilariously uptight over his appearance. Usually, his friend was laid back, and chilled like him. They knew they always looked good, and so they never worried. But this girl seemed to be affecting Renji's sense of cool.
"You know you sound like such a girl… just put on some chinos and a shirt for god's sake!" He rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, you're right. What is happening to me! That girl is evil bro, she is getting into my head!"
"Trust me, it's even worse once they are gone…"
"No! don't you dare get broody on me!" Renji turned and pointed his comb at Ichigo as if it were some kind of threatening weapon.
"Whatever."
"Seriously, I'll punch you out of it"
Just at that moment, Rangiku burst in.
"Hurry up! It's pre-drinks time and I want to take pictures!"
"Pre-drinks?" Ichigo questioned "What happened to the 'it's not a hardcore night' idea?"
"Come on bro, when do we ever not do it propery? Go, I'll be there in a sec Ran!" Renji smiled as the crazy cheerleader dragged his friend away. They would get a smile on his face, nice group night out. Perhaps he would even make an idiot out of himself on purpose for once, if it would cheer Ichigo up.
…
By 8.30, Rukia had already been bought two cocktails by Shunsui. He then bought three for Nanao, just so she knew she was still his favourite.
"Like I could forget" she muttered, though gladly took the drinks, giving one to Isane and one to Nemu, who had, for once, come out with them.
The four girls were sat at a high up table along the left wall in the smaller of the rooms. The other room felt too empty at this time to actually go dance, so they were waiting here for it to fill up a bit.
They drank their cocktails and laughed about Uryu's obvious crush on Nemu, and how Shunsui would probably buy all their drinks all night if they kept saying they were for Nanao.
'This is nice' Rukias slightly fuzzy brain thought 'I miss Ichigo, but at least, for now, I am having fun without him, but, I think perhaps everybody is right, and in time, I will feel able to forgive him.'
…..
Ichigo's group pulled up outside Seki-Seki at about half 9. Rangiku was already considerably drunk, and tried to jump the line because she could see Gin and the arrancar lot inside already. Luckily for her, her boobs got her in rather than banned.
The line wasn't actually that long in reality, and the others were in within a few minutes. They instantly hit the bar.
Carrying the drinks back to a dancefloor-side table, were Shuuhei, Zaraki and Kira. They had brought a bottle of sake for the group, cocktails for the girls, and beer for the boys.
Ichigo happily knocked back his beer. The atmosphere at predrinks had been the happiest one he had been part of in a week, and he really found himself in quite a good mood.
The alcohol seemed to fortify the hope he had in the back of his mind.
'She will come back in time. The bond between us is too strong'
And he was happily pulled onto the dance floor by Yoruichi.
Orihime had stayed put as most of the group made their way out onto the sparkly black dance floor. She had decided she wanted to talk to the sad looking boy from arrancar, whom, as she had suspected, had not gone to the dance floor. She moved next to him.
"Hi, my name is Orihime, I don't think we have been introduced?" She began, smiling at the boy.
'Well this is unusual' He thought 'Most people avoid me, I cant even remember the last time someone voluntarily came and introduced themselves wanting to be friends, other than my flat mates, and they didn't have much choice… what an odd girl'
And so they began to talk, and Ulquiorra found that, whilst this girl was undoubtedly very odd, she was very sweet, and very intriguing. He even allowed her, after a few more drinks, to drag him onto the dance floor with the others.
…..
It was now approaching half ten, and Ukitake and Kyoraku's bar staff found themselves somewhat drunk. Not helped of course, by Kyoraku's constant purchasing of shots of sake for everyone! He, of course, was the drunkest of the lot, and was desperately trying to convince Nanao to dance with him.
Eventually succeeding, most of the group headed off to the bigger room that had just started to blast party rock anthem. Everybody loves that song.
Isane and Rukia and Jyushiro however, lingered a little, to observe Nemu and Uryu, who had stayed, giggling about it as they went. So much so Isane nearly fell over. Which made them laugh more.
They found Shunsui and Nanao and the other bar staff who had come out, Hanatarou, Ganju, and Uhnohana, having taken a quick detour to the bar. They need not have bothered, as Shunsui had bought a whole bottle of sake and was happily passing it around whilst dancing wildly. They danced for about twenty minutes before anything eventful happened, Nanao punched Shunsui for kissing her. After laughing their heads off, Isane, Uhnohana and Rukia thought that would be a good time for a toilet trip. Since, you know, girls in clubs go to the toilet in packs.
When in a cubicle alone, Rukia finally realised just how drunk she was.
'Its funny how you always notice as soon as your alone! Oh well!'
The four of them stood there for a bit, sorting their make up.
"So" Uhnohana said, "You and Hanatarou are looking very close tonight, Isane"
The other two giggled as Isane flushed bright red.
"Errrr what? No we aren't!"
"You like him?" Nanao asked, sipping her vodka cranberry through a straw, trying but failing to keep a straight face.
"No er I errr! SHUT UP OKAY" she said.
"My drink is empty" Said Uhnohana, looking at the glass as though it had upset her. "I need a new one"
"Wait!" said Rukia as everyone made to move "Let me finish my text!"
"Ooooh who are you texting? Is it Ichigo?" asked Isane, determined to take the focus off herself.
"Mayyyyyyybe" said Rukia, cheeks glowing red.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" Asked Uhnohana
"Yes. Yes I do. I told him he is an idiot, and he is stupid, and I hate him, but I miss him, and his present was really sweet and I love it"
"Hmmm okay" She said. "To the bar! But, Rukia babe, I think you should consult us before you hit send if he replies!"
"Deal!"
As they approached the bar something caught Rukia's eye. A bright red ponytail. She looked round, and saw, Renji and Tia, making out against the wall?
'What are they doing here? Does that mean?' Before she could finish her thought, she was pounced upon by a small flying girl.
"RUKIA!" yelled a delighted Momo. "How are youuuuuuu?" She stumbled into the bar and grabbed it for support. "I'm drunk." She continued "But I have missed you! Did you come to see Ichigo? He was trying to text you earlier but Grimmjow took his phone and called him a pussy…."
"I-Ichigo is here?" she didn't know what to do.
"Yeah, I'll take you to him!" And with that, she grabbed Rukia and pulled her over to the group.
"Look who I found!"
"R-Rukia!" Ichigo explained.
"Er, hey, guys, how is everyone?"
Rangiku pulled her into a bear hug, which eventually, Toshiro freed her from, telling Rangiku "You will kill her you giant boobed monster!"
Though Rukia wasn't really aware. Everything had just happened very fast, and suddenly, she found herself stood, right in front of the boy who broke her heart.
'What now?'
…..
Yay a slightly longer chapter today! Hope you all enjoyed it :D