Chapter Fifty-three
Boycott…
The sun filtered in through the curtains of Tatsuki's apartment. Weeks had gone by healing so much that was wrong in her life. Weeks had brought Renji back to where she wanted him. The battle won by the Shinigami and Athen lost even more forces.
"Good morning," she greeted kissing him.
His eyes opened up and looked at her smiling. She always loved his eyes that reminded her of caramel. That did it she had a craving for caramel apples in the middle of spring.
Getting any kind of food would mean leaving the warmth of her bed. Instead she continued kissing him.
"Someone's in a good mood," he said when she managed to come up for air.
"This shirt is really annoying me can you take it off," she asked tugging at his t-shirt.
"You know we'll never leave this room at this rate," he said.
Ignoring her request he somehow managed to quickly rid her of her shirt and had her on her back kissing her as she sheepishly tried to cover her exposed flesh.
"That's not fair," she said as he moved to kiss her upper thigh.
The veil of his hair hid his face but she was sure that he was laughing at her sudden coyness. Somehow he went from being a seemingly prim proper boyfriend to exposing her for what she was an absolute bashful wreck.
Whenever she attempted boldness he outdid her. Now she was the one warning him they were in danger of not keeping their promise. The problem was ever since the recent battle Renji didn't seem to be bothered with such things. He did take clues from her and sensing that she still wanted to wait he stopped.
Hovering over her face he looked her in the eye, "couldn't help it you were teasing me far too much for me to resist."
Sitting up he handed her the t-shirt which she red-faced pulled back over her head.
"Renji you conniving little-
"Maybe we need to get away. This time has been difficult one fight after another, separation and anxiety. I love our world at peace," he said wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"Our world at peace," she leaned into him.
"So where do you want to go," he asked.
"Nowhere really I'm fine here besides just blowing money on some vacation isn't like you," she said.
"It isn't my idea," he said.
"Tell the other idiots we aren't mad at you guys any longer so stop with all the platitudes," she said.
"You're speaking for the others in your mini woman's association of Karakura now," he mocked.
"Orihime and Rukia…we all decided together," she said standing up and stretching.
"With you as leader of the pack," he said standing up heading out the bedroom.
"So," she called out going to work making the bed.
Renji headed into the bathroom rolling his eyes. The girls were upset over the way the guys first left them locked away in a cell for their protection and second left them out of the fight with the enemy. Those events took place so long ago. The real reason for their guy boycott this time was unclear to the guys which only solidified the girls against them.
So far Tatsuki barely managed a day of not speaking to him before she caved. Renji found the affair ridiculous because she was the one who started it all. Not only that he was sure that Orihime and Rukia cracked as well but all three women were pretending that they were all still in. All three were still waiting for…any apology or something he wasn't sure.
"So you probably talked them into this war to being with," he said following her to the kitchen.
"I told you I'm not upset anymore," she said pouring juice from the carafe into a glass.
Renji helped himself placing cereal and milk on the kitchen counter. She was sure that he was going for a spoon when suddenly he pinned her against the island a hand on either side.
"Alright then," he said in her ear.
She ducked making her escape easily placing herself between the couch and him. They were much too old to play chase especially given the setting of her living room. None of those things slowed him down as he tackled her bringing her down to the floor in a move she easily countered in the past.
Off her game she struggled to push away. After a moment of squirming around on the floor she seemed to forget just why she was trying to get way. She managed to pin him to the floor grinning at her triumph. It seemed as if he were perfectly fine with letting her win as once again she started making out with him. She missed him too much and judging by his eagerness he missed her just as much.
"Damn you little firework," he said catching his breath from all the adrenaline and the chase.
"Are you going to be alright adorable sweet Renji," she asked.
"I'm going to be fine you should be the one worried," he replied.
"This means I win since you let up and I'm pinning you down," she asked.
"We can't stay here, more people the better so I'll behave," he said.
"I'm going to get dressed," she stood and headed toward the bedroom calling over her shoulder, "If Orihime calls tell her we have a truce she'll understand what I mean."
"Yeah," he said still lying on the floor.
She paused at the doorway staring at him. If he wanted to go further she was the one holding him back.
"I know what you're thinking and we talked about this so just get ready. Standing there looking at me like that isn't helping," he said covering his eyes with his forearm.
"Like leaving you here and showering in the next room is any better," she teased.
"Is that in invitation," he chuckled.
"In your dreams," she said.
000
Meanwhile another battle of sorts was going on at Ichigo's place.
"Would it be wrong if I told Tatsuki about your defection all along," Ichigo said.
"That's not what happened it was an accident," Rukia said.
"Accident," he said giving her a questioning look adding, "…right."
"Ichigo you have to-
"What, pretend we're at war so Tatsuki can feel like the queen of the pack? No way," he said.
"Fine I'll admit it I am weak just look at it," she said holding her wrist out to him.
Ichigo looked at the ridiculous charm bracelet that cost him less than a drink at the local juice bar. Yet she looked at that bracelet as if he gave her diamonds. Were bunnies truly the key to her heart, he wondered.
"I would have taken the juice," he said pushing away her hand.
"Ichigo as a matter of fact I'm thirsty," she said still admiring her charms.
"Of course you are…let's go," he said standing up and taking her hand and pulling her to her feet.
So she'd get both the charm bracelet and the juice. Staring at the bills in his wallet he frowned. Rukia wasn't money hungry but he was heavy into giving her whatever she wanted.
Already several steps ahead she glided out the door.
"I'm putting my foot down," he said pausing in the doorway.
"If you are walking obviously you are idiot," she said balancing on the curbing.
He locked the door and followed after.
"Don't walk in the street like that," he cautioned as they walked. He hated the way he sounded like an old man in this moment and opened his mouth to say something cleaver, "The street can break you…"
She jumped to the brick planter balancing along the edge ignoring him as he trailed off.
"Ichigo this is great we should get out here more often," she said smiling at him.
"Yeah," he said. She always had a way to ease his mind. Even if he emptied all his funds today she would remind him how lovely it was to spend time with her.
Pushing things further she took hold of his hand. Her smile and her eyes and their closeness strolling around the neighborhood added up to perfection.
Rukia delighted in the smile on Ichigo's face. The genuine sign of happiness on his face meant she was doing something right. She turned away the more she looked at him that way the more self-conscious she started to feel.
He stopped walking and she turned back towards him.
"Ichigo what's wrong," she asked.
"Nothing, I'm just so happy now. I can't think of anything else," he said.
"I know," she said.
Their eyes met and they stood there looking at each other for the longest time. All they went through seemed to wash away with this blissful feeling.
He drew her close kissing her lips. She closed her eyes their mouths dancing with passion. The warmth of the sun and the soft gentle breeze played like an orchestra accompanying them.
000
Then just outside a row of shops in Karakura another discussion took place.
"We lie to each other all the time. We say things like 'I can't live without you,' when that isn't completely true. As humans our body will fight to live. We can hold our breath for a while until we are forced to breathe. There is the-"
"Stop it Uryû you talk too much," Orihime said pulling his neck down she kissed him.
"Then you meant it," he asked.
"Shh," she kissed him once more.
He relaxed now as they continued walking side by side past various shops around town. Occasionally she'd point out some little thing and make a strange comment. It was refreshing to hear her point of view on everything from the mundane vacuum store to the truly odd garlic tea.
"The sky is clear and it is such a beautiful day," he said.
"I feel like a traitor," she confessed suddenly.
"Orihime what is the worst thing that she'll do to you," he asked.
"With a murderous glare she'll stone me and I'll never live it down," she said dramatically.
"Stone you? If that is the case you likely won't live at all…you have such an active imagination," he noted shaking his head.
"I can't help it if I feel like…like a total snake with venomous fangs and an evil little grin," she said.
Her face looked anything but evil and this time she seemed to draw inspiration from the snake display in the pet store they passed. He had to admit the snakes had a sinister look to them but she couldn't manage to mimic them. Instead he thought she just looked like a cute cartoon version of a snake.
"Really you make a terrible version of evil. I'm amused," he said.
She attempted to growl which nearly made him double over with laughter. Snakes don't growl!
"You're supposed to be terrified," she pouted.
He kissed her pouty lips.
"Stop that Uryû we could be seen," she said glancing around.
"Right the mongoose and the bunny. I'll wait and you pounce on them. The end of my worries," he smiled mock dusting his hands.
"What if Ichigo decided to make a pact with all you guys," Orihime asked.
"Since when did Ichigo become our leader and what makes you so sure I'd go along with what he said," Uryû replied.
"You know you'd feel the same way," she said.
"If it helps at all Ichigo is probably with Rukia now and your leader is likely off with Renji. Your war stood no chance to begin with. You were never truly angry with us and there is no clear need to fight," he said.
She folded her arms staring at him.
"Pout all you want it just makes your lips that much more kissable," he said.
"Uryû," she squeaked pushing him away.
"You aren't mad so stop this maddening pretense," he said.
She wrapped her arms around his neck pressing her forehead to his. He was so right and so wrong. He kissed her once more.