DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH, TITE KUBO DOES THOUGH I KNOW HE SUPPORTS ICHIRUKI~

Chapter 5: Orange Disputes

Ichigo Kurosaki sat in a rather improper manner as he leaned against his loathsome female acquaintance's bathroom door. Though basically he would have easily passed off for a pervert, he wasn't as immoral as a pervert. He just happened to run into Rukia who happened to be naked in the shower because he heard her scream, apparently it was because she nearly slipped in the shower and if she did slip she would've been unconscious with a head concussion.

He managed a view of her in her naked glory for precisely ten seconds before she kicked him out abruptly. And because of that moment, he had to settle himself down because mini Ichi had problems keeping himself down. Though technically, all the blood rushing down there was almost settled down, he still couldn't simply leave. He had to apologize first and clear thing up. It would really be bad to leave things on a bad terms with her. The she-devil would never live it down and he would never ever taste the rare but fantastic Hot Chocolate of the bitch again. As much as he hated to admit as much, everything she makes is fantastic. Though that's all the compliments he would knowingly allow.

He had no idea why he actually tried to be nice to her yesterday, maybe it was because she felt the exact same emotion as he did at that time.

Oh well, the moments gone. Along with the alcohol.

There's no way in hell I'd ever get along with her. We have nothing in common.

Ichigo still sat idly in front of the bathroom door, his erection had finally settled down and he was contemplating on a question. What now?

Though as soon as the question actually registered in his groggy brain he felt a sudden sharp pain. The door behind him flew open bruising his back and allowing his head to connect to the wall opposite the door an making a really huge lump on his head. He only managed to sit up seconds later only to find a very angry and pissed Rukia behind the door. Hey on the bright side, she was in a bath towel.

Ichigo frowned to the extremes. "Rukia... What the fuck are you doing?"

She stomped hard on the floor threateningly. "What the hell do you mean what the fuck am I doing. The corect question would be what the fuck are you doing! First you barge in my bathroom, you saw me naked and now you're off stealing my bra! What kind of sick closet pervert are you!" she literally screamed at him furiously.

Ichigo, ignoring the throbbing pain of the bruise on his back stood up tall and proud. "Me? A pervert? Get real midget! Who in the right mind wants to intentionally peek at you! You have nothing to show anyway!" he retorted.

Rukia growled. Yes, growled. "Hah! At least make a better cover up you asshole! Why is my bra hanging around your leg!"

Ichigo was pissed and confused. He looked down on his leg to find a black lace bra wrapped around his strong firm leg. Though as much as he found black lace bras to be hot, this was greatly to his dismay.

What the hell is it doing there?

Ichigo racked his temporarily non functional brain for a valid reason. His face on the other hand showed bewilderment.

"Ain't it obvious midget, it got caught while you kicked me out! I probably stepped on it and it found a way to wrap itself around my leg!" he spat with a tone the made it sound like he was calling her stupid.

Rukia began to look dangerously mad. The look in her eye read murder and the possible intent of finding pleasure in a slow death for him. "Alright asshole, you asked for it..." she said dangerously with a smirk in her face as she was working out her knuckles.

In Ichigo's point of view though, beyond all that murderous intent was a somewhat attractive chick who was only wearing a bath towel. Though that technically nude chick would actually come hacking at him with a bloody chainsaw within a few moments.

Ichigo prepared to fight for his life. He wasn't prepared to die without first finding the one person who was really meant for him. Only then will he die peacefully and contently.

Bring on the martial arts shit I took when I was nine...

Ichigo readied a stance made for quick and agile attacks but also allowed the occasional heavy hits.

Rukia aimed for his face first. The force of the punch was enough for him to feel the wind as well as make an evident indention on the wall.

Shit, that punch was a Taekwondo. Taekwondo may specialize kicks but their punches still pack a er... punch.

"Korean martial arts, meet your Japanese match!" Ichigo shouted as he performed a Karate block on Rukia's punch.

"Shut up." she spat. "Don't get cocky!" she said as she readied a stance for extreme kicking.

She made a powerful kick aimed towards his stomach but he managed to dodge and block it but as he performed the impressive Karate maneuver, he saw a glimpse of pinkness underneath the white towel.

Ah... She's flaunting off her cunt inadvertently. That's pleasant he grinned. Hey, any man would be happy to see the pussy of any woman who was somewhat attractive in their own right. Not saying she was though.

After blocking and dodging multiple kicks, it was only then that she realized that he was actually enjoying himself thoroughly and she eventually realized that she was giving him a free pass to peek at her.

Suddenly Rukia stopped in her tracks.

"Finally giving up midget?" Ichigo taunted.

"No..." she replied.

"So Ichiberry, do you know any of Byakuya Kuchiki's hobbies?"

Wow, that's a random question.

"From what I've heard, that guy likes collecting Katanas and Showa period Japan goods." Ichigo replied cautiously.

"Very good, seems you actually have access to that brain of yours that happens to be nearly nonexistent and is currently residing in some alternate dimension..." she said with a sadistic smile.

Now that is creepy.

Rukia took a few steps back and while still looking like a carbon copy of Sadako but with short hair entered a room which seemed dust filled.

"What now?" Ichigo groaned.

Rukia came out with a Katana. A snow white Katana with a snow white hilt and a white ribbon attached to the end. She pointed it at him. "My brother needed to store his Katanas somewhere else because he lacked space in the Kuchiki estate so he entrusted his collection to me because I'm his trusted sister..."

"Uhh... Rukia... What are you going to do with that?" Ichigo said as he was slightly quivering at the sight of a real Katana.

She smirked. "This is Sode No Shirayuki, it's my personal favorite from his collection. It's white like the moon and the snow. You know, unlike summer and the sun which happens to be the same shade of that infuriating hair of yours..." she seethed. "Oh, did I mention that I won first place in the national Kendo tournament?"

"Shit!" Ichigo cursed as he began to run for his life.

Rukia chased him like a ghost out for vengeance swinging the sword wildly at him. She hacked and slash at him only while expertly avoiding slashing her walls.

Ichigo managed to make it safely downstairs. He stopped only to grab a chair in self defense and backed up from the stairs. "R-Rukia! Listen to me, drop the authentic Showa Katana and let's have bygones be bygones shall we?" he attempted to reason bit to now avail.

She came down slashing and hacking.

Ichigo instinctively grabbed the Chappy the Rabbit blanket in a last ditch attempt of self defense and threw the chair at her, she just blocked it and casted it aside with her Katana.

"Can't we talk this out?" he asked hopefully.

She lifted her Katana once more and readied another stance. "No."

Ichigo internally sighed. Damn she's stubborn. He then lifted the blanket with a smirk.

Rukia began to lower her weapon as well as her guard. "You wouldn't dare..." she seethed at him.

"I would actually, I bet you love this blanket don't you?"

"No shit Sherlock... It's a Chappy collectible... It was my only extra blanket, be thankful I actually wasted it on you..." she growled at him.

Ichigo chuckled. "If you bring down that Katana of yours you're bound to break your little collectible." he taunted.

She snarled. "Shut the fuck up Kurosaki and you can go home with your dick intact..." she threatened.

He took a few steps closer to Rukia while cautiously hanging onto his hostage. "Make me midget."

Rukia was shaking in evident rage, she was gripping the hilt of the sword so hard she might as well have bled from how hard she was holding it.

Oh yeah, take that midget!

She eventually dropped the Katana begrudgingly. Her form was still as mad as ever.

Ichigo leaned over Chappy. "Does this mean I win?"

Rukia growled before grabbing Chappy away from his hand. Ichigo barely had enough time to retaliate much less keep his hostage. Then she grabbed his collar ferociously. "No, you don't." she replied in a voice filled with venom.

Before Ichigo could speak, he felt her hand make contact with his face. His head had been forcibly turned to the side due to the impact and an extreme stinging pain on his cheek surfaced in a few milliseconds. A red hand print was evident on his cheek.

She slapped me, he thought as though it wasn't obvious enough.

"I won't do anything stupid like slice a limb or something that would get me sued, that would be plain stupid of me who got my law degree in year..." she stated, her voice now attaining a state of calm slowly.

Ichigo tried to soothe his aching cheek. "Look, Rukia... I'm er... sorry for earlier. I didn't mean to peek I heard you scream so I rushed up. Maybe you got hurt, and technically speaking, the bathroom is the best place to slip and get a concussion. I got kinda worried... Hey! Don't get cocky now midget! I just have the tendency to help people okay?..." Ichigo blurted while hiding his blushing self.

Rukia chuckled, or rather laughed out loud much to Ichigo's confusion.

"Damn... I got you good didn't I? I actually got you to apologized. Sure I was mad and I was willing to forgive you because I know it was an accident but I wanted to play a bit and guilt trip you for a bit so I played Kill Bill..." Rukia said while stifling another laugh.

Ichigo looked shocked then pissed. "What!"

"Fool, I was joking about the Katana part. It's too old to actually cut something but it would be enough to deal a few bruises," Rukia stated as though she was dealing with a total idiot.

Ichigo looked down. "It can bruise right?" he stated angrily.

Rukia looked at him weirdly. "Yeah it does..."

In just split second Ichigo crouched to the side to grab the Katana on the floor and Rukia had no time to register the theft. He the pointed it at her. "I may not be a Kendo expert but I've done enough stunts with swords to handle this..."

Rukia smirked. "You wanna play hard ball do you?" she said fixing her knuckles.

Then Rukia rushed upstairs and Ichigo followed suit, it was his turn to slash and hack.

Rukia used her agility to get through the ordeal, unfortunately, Ichigo had longer arms as well as the height so she was in a big disadvantage.

Eventually Rukia managed to escape to her brother's store room unscathed and grabbed the next best thing against Sode no Shirayuki.

She grabbed a sword with a star like pattern for a hilt with an ice blue handle and rushed out where Ichigo lay waiting. "Bring it on I can take you!" she shouted.

Ichigo gripped his Katana. "We'll see about that midget..."

Then they clashed. Rukia had managed to match Ichigo in strength but not with small effort. Ichigo's height was weighing on her as she began to steady her feet on the second floor ground.

Rukia quickly broke apart and began to aim low and deliver a staggering slash to his shins. Ichigo managed to dodge it by jumping but that only allowed Rukia to get behind him stealthily. She had attempted another blow but Ichigo managed to stabilize his footing and swung the sword behind him to block successfully. With his blade behind his back, he simply casted her blade away for a moment so that he had a moment to retaliate. He had decided to take a low blow to the edge of her torso. He crouched a bit and rushed to attack only to be simply dodged by one step to the side.

Rukia smirked. "Even a five year old could see that coming Kurosaki."

"Shut up!" he scoffed as he attempted a head blow. Something which was blocked.

Rukia made a three sixty degree turn so that she was behind him and the blade was pointing at his back while his was still facing an empty corner. "Work on your technique." she stated.

"It's not like I'm trying to learn midget!" he roared as he made a mid slash while turning his body to face her.

In that moment, Ichigo felt a connection with his blade. He had momentarily rejoiced at the fact that he landed a hit. Unfortunately, he found that he managed to hit something else.

The one cloth obscuring her naked body to him was now tearing of her body along with the swing of his sword. The flimsy towel was now being pulled by his blade.

Ichigo now stood with his back facing a corner in the hallway sweating due to the sudden exercise. His eyes were wide in shock.

"Shit." he cursed.

Rukia Kuchiki was now standing fully naked in front of him. Her hair had been all over her face since it was wet from her shower earlier. Her creamy ivory skin had literally glowed. She looked fantastic when she was wet, though that was due to their little exercise. Her snow white cheeks had been painted with a shade of pink as the realization hit her. Her front mounds looked so raw and so delightful as her nipples were looking oh so very sensual. Her pussy was no longer obscured by any insignificant cloth and was displayed in full view. Her curves had looked so perfect and her ass was posing as a delectable treat again.

The word registering in his head was Shit. He could feel the blood rushing to his most sensitive organ again. This was certainly not looking good.

Rukia lowered her head in embarassment and quickly grabbed the towel from the floor barricading herself from him. She had dropped her weapon with her shaking hands. Her hands may have been shaking in fear but they were now shaking with absolute rage.

"Ichigo Kurosaki." she seethed. "I was willing to forgive you but this is the second fucking offense..."

Then she moved quickly only to grab his collar once more and shove him against the wall. "I believe this was on purpose..." she said. Then she shoved him again. "Right?" she asked dangerously.

Shit, she's mad now...

"R-Rukia it was an a-accident..." he croaked pitifully.

"Accident my ass..." she replied.

"Look, I'm sorry..."

"I don't need your apology, I need my dignity back. So give it back." she ordered.

"Hey! At least hear me out!"

"No! I won't!"

"Please Rukia, you're acting like a child!"

"I don't give a shit on how I act..."

"Damn it Rukia..."

Ichigo couldn't stand being helpless and not being able to get his point across. He used used his strength to grab her wrist to remove her grip on him and turned her around so that it was her turn to be shoved at the wall.

Rukia squeaked at the impact.

He held her wrist above her as his amber eyes bore into her amethyst ones.

"Stop being so difficult!" he shouted at her frustratedly.

Rukia on the other hand was looking very mad and helpless. As much as she wanted to kick his ass, she couldn't. She loathed what she was feeling as if the moment. "You're the one being difficult." she retorted.

"Even a three year old could see who's being difficult here!"

"If you had been more careful and at least showed me an apology that actually came from the heart then we wouldn't be in this situation right now asshole!" she growled.

"Rukia." he said with much intensity. "Can you control your temper around me for one fucking moment, I've only known you for three days and you go hostile as soon as you see me! Is there a problem!"

Rukia averted her eyes. "Look, I don't understand myself either okay. I just know I get mad whenever I see you..."

"Mad? At who... me?" he asked.

"How the hell should I know! I just don't know okay! Now stop acting like you know me! We're like total strangers!" she shouted.

"But-"

"But what! Face it Ichigo, I know I remind you of Senna but she isn't gonna come back if you hang around me! It will do us good to leave each other alone!" she shouted at him, her eyes were now clouded with helplessness.

Ichigo then froze. Was he doing this because she was like Senna? Did he fight with her because that was how he fought with Senna before they started dating?

As soon as these questions surfaced a scene from three years ago flashed before his eyes.

Ichigo had held her wrists against the wall and against her will. His eyes were of sadness, pain and anger.

"Please Senna... Stop acting this way! Tell me what's wrong..." he pleaded.

She had averted her golden eyes. "You're the one with something that's wrong." she retorted as one of her purple locks fell on her face.

"What did you say?"

She redirected her golden eyes at him. "Ichigo... You heard me plain as day."

Ichigo looked even more confused than ever. "I-I'm sorry... I got mad because I felt you were keeping something from me..." he croaked as he broke down to the floor.

Senna had begun to look worried. She simply tore his hands off her gently and walked closer to him. She hugged him gently.

"It's not your fault..."

"I shouldn't have gotten mad at you, I hurt you..."

She them cupped his pale face with her warm hand. "None of that matters. All I know is that I love you... We're gonna get through this. I'm not gonna lose, it won't kill me. I'll survive this ordeal and we're still gonna be together." she said encouragingly.

Then she leaned down and kissed his cold lips pulling them into a sweet and tender kiss.

His eyes looked so broken as he relived one memory he had hoped he would never have to recall again. It was a memory that occurred only moments before life as he knew it came crashing down on him.

His grip on her wrist slackened.

Rukia stepped forward as she broke his grip and slapped him hard. "Get a hold of yourself idiot!" she yelled at him furiously before going around him and heading to her room.

Her steps had been heavy with rage as it resonated in the hallway but it came to and abrupt stop.

"You know Ichigo?" she said using his first name with conviction. "I actually had fun messing with you. It's been a while since I've had that much fun but to think it was with you... Now I regret ever thinking that thought."

Then she opened her door, entered and slammed it shut.

He crouched down to the floor. "I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to treat you like her... Rukia..."

Little did he know, Rukia was listening intently to his apology from behind the wood sharing his exact same expression. "I didn't mean to see you as him..."

Renji Abarai roared out in frustration as he ferociously faced the damned computer monitor. His face carried eye bags and he looked a hundred times scarier than usual. He quickly ran his hand through his untidy red hair to keep it out of his view. He was too lazy to tie it as of the moment or maybe he just simply didn't want to be bothered with the task of simply tying his hair.

He racked his brain for some decent ideas but all he drew was a big blank as he vigorously typed on his keyboard.

He was about to start insulting the computer before he felt his stomach grumble.

He frowned and simply shrugged as he found a hair tie in the crevices of the pocket of his butter soft jeans. He smoothened out his form fitting shirt and grabbed a thick aviator jacket which was hanging on the edge if his couch. He effortlessly tied his hair and grabbed his phone and his wallet. He cooly grabbed a pair of shades on the nearest table as well as his keys.

He then walked out roughly.

He clicked a familiar button in the hallway and waited for the elevator to arise. Moments later, the elevator came and he absentmindedly entered as though it was a daily routine.

After descending, he exited and walked steadily in the cold air towards the one place where his stomach was urging him to go to.

He walked straight for two blocks before rounding a corner and walking past a few shops. It was a ten minute walk but if he was forced to run he could probably make it in five.

He approached a familiar looking shop labeled Luna Cafe. The proprietor was none other than Rukia Kuchiki.

He stared through the glass and he didn't appreciate the view.

Rukia Kuchiki was talking to some orange haired punk over the counter, she seemed to be enjoying herself while the little bastard seemed to be openly hitting on her. What a douche bag.

No random punk flirts with her without going through me, he thought angrily.

He gritted his teeth and barged in the shop. He stood inside proud and tall.

Rukia's attention turned to Renji's loud entrance and frowned. "Renji... Don't go barging in here in the morning..." she said grumpily before facing that unknown guy.

"So as I was saying Kurosaki, it's better to leave each other alone..." she said to him.

The man she was referring to was scowling in dismay. "So I can't get coffee anymore? Come on, I'll admit I like yours better than Starbucks..." he complained.

Renji ignored the friendly chattered and placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "Who the hell are you orange haired freak..."

The man stopped his friendly banter with Rukia to glare at Reniji. "The same could be said to you circus freak..." he retorted.

Renji saw red as the hand clenching the orange haired man's shoulder tightened. "Why you-" he shouted before being abruptly stopped by a familiar hand.

Rukia glared at him. "Renji behave." then she snapped at the other man. "Kurosaki! Don't provoke the man God dammit..."

"Let's be civil shall we? I don't want to get more pissed in the morning..." she said to both men but the sentence seemed to be directed towards Ichigo.

"Right... Absolutely." Ichigo agreed.

"If you say so Rukia..." Renji reluctantly agreed.

"Good." she nodded. "Kurosaki this is Renji Abarai, my childhood friend and still is my best friend. Renji, this Ichigo Kurosaki. He's a special friend." she stated.

They both extended their hands for a handshake if that was what they wanted to call it. It was a squeezing contest between these two muscle brains. The more appropriate term would be some testosterone match.

They both tore their hands off each other. "Nice to meet you..." Ichigo said angrily.

"Ditto..." Renji replied matching Ichigo's tone.

Then the room was silent. Only the sound of the air conditioning was heard. Then Renji broke the silence.

"Aren't you that actor?"

Ichigo shot him a look that read: are you an idiot? "Yeah..."

Renji shot him a look of disbelief but Rukia didn't seem to doubt him and what Rukia believes can be trusted.

Renji shrugged his suspicions off and sat in an area within eavesdropping range and began to listen to their conversation discreetly.

"So as I was saying earlier, I suggest you don't come back here at all Kurosaki..." she stated as she began to make Renji some brunch.

"What? And deprive me of good food. Please no..." he whined.

"Oh, so you admit my food is good?"

"Yeah yeah, don't get cocky no midget..." he murmured bitterly.

"Though honestly, hanging around each other does more damage than good. Sure you're the best person to rant to when it comes to that department but then we'd just end up stress and pissed again..." Rukia tried to reason with him.

"Is this you're way of getting rid of me Rukia?" he complained.

"I thought you loathed me the same way you loath the cold weather?" she asked though it actually sounded like a statement than a question.

"Well yeah sure I do but-"

"No buts Kurosaki..." she interrupted. "Please, this would be a huge favor to me. I just don't want to see your face for an eternity..." she said tiredly.

"Ouch. Do you hate me that much?" he teased.

Rukia glared a normal glare at him to set him straight. "That's besides the point. I don't want to look at you and I bet you will have a hard time dealing with me. Why are you being so stubborn? I thought you'd be happy to not see me!" she yelled at him.

"Look, I don't know Rukia..." he said sullenly.

Rukia looked him straight in the eye. "Please, for the love of God Ichigo... Don't get too attached to me, you'll end up falling for me for all the wrong reasons..."

Ichigo faced grimaced. "You know I'll never like you in that sense... That's scary and impossible. That would be the end of the world." he mentioned the thought with disdain.

"Didn't you fall in love with Senna hard? Now you claim I act like her so there's a chance and we are never taking it got it Kurosaki?" she demanded in a business like fashion.

"Same thing goes for me, though you're just a look alike. Oh and promise me to never wear black hair dye..." she told him.

"Right..." he agreed. "Though I am certain you remind me of her to a certain degree. You're not a total carbon copy Rukia. That's a relief right?" he asked hopefully.

"Well that's one plus Kurosaki..." she stated in agreement.

"Oh... And speaking of which, I want you to call me Ichigo." he said with a smirk.

"What now dumb ass? Why should I do that?" she asked stubbornly.

"Because, it sounds nicer to hear." he simply stated his reason.

Rukia averted her eyes and seemed baffled for a while but then she faced him with tray in hand. "That's a stupid reason... Think of a better one... Ichigo..."

As she was giving Renji his tray Ichigo began to say something.

"Well I do believe Rukia Kuchiki actually has a fucking heart underneath all that ice." he said smugly.

Then Rukia snapped in that very moment. She dropped the tray in Renji's table nearly causing him to jump out of his seat and sharply turned towards Ichigo. Though to Ichigo, it looked like the second coming of Sadako. In slow motion.

Ichigo then looked scared. "W-wait Rukia! That was a j-joke!" he defended.

She walked to the counter, each step signaling Ichigo's untimely demise or rather, apocalypse. She grabbed a familiar white blade and pointed it at him.

Ichigo was nearly startled but he managed to put up a brave front. "That's not scary at all... It can only bruise..." he attempted to calm himself down.

"Actually... I sharpened it while I was changing earlier..." she stated as she pointed the sword towards the base of his neck.

"Shit!" he cursed as he attempted to grab the abandoned Hyourinmaru on the corner of the staircase. Something Rukia forgot to pick up earlier and readied himself.

Rukia came upstairs and delivered a head blow which missed it's target much to her dismay. The blade was lodged in the wall. Rukia only gave little effort to dislodge it.

"Shit Rukia... You actually weren't kidding were you?" he stated instead of asking.

Rukia tried another attack to the head but he managed to roll away and quickly ran downstairs and rushed past Renji.

"Come back here Ichiberry! I'll make sure I'll have you running home with a bloody dick..." she threatened like a mad man.

"I'm sorry!" Ichigo yelled.

"Three strikes and you're out Ichigo..." she mumbled like an evil spirit out for vengeance.

As Rukia began to lunge straight for his heart, the door burst open like usual.

"Ichigo... What are you doing playing with Katanas with Rukia." a familiar voice called out to them from the door.

The happy couple's heads turned towards the voice simultaneously. "Tatsuki..." they said in synchronicity.

The tomboyish but still attractive woman was wearing a black coat and some warm looking jeans while holding a bag of instant hot tea boxes for the infuriating cold of November. She had looked surprised at the scene.

Rukia was the first to lower her weapon. "Sorry to ruin your morning. I was just busy kicking his ass." she stated smugly.

"You did not." he angrily retorted.

"She owned you man..." Renji's rough voice echoed from where he sat.

Tatsuki just laughed. "Wow, I kicked your ass and so did she, how splendid."

"So, Rukia. Is Mr. Muscle there a friend of yours?" Tatsuki asked.

Rukia smiled at the comment. "He's the male friend I mentioned before..."

Tatsuki grinned at him. "Ah... So he's the one who can't seem to get over his crush on you..."

Then Renji stood up from the table. "Am not!" he shouted in his defense.

"Come on Renji... It's pretty obvious by now." Rukia stated before looking back to Tatsuki. "Want something?"

Tatsuki smiled. "How bout that White Hot Chocolate you made on a random whim back in college."

The Tatsuki approached Renji's table and gestured to the table. "May I?" she asked politely.

Renji looked at her but then averted his eyes as a small blush surfaced on his cheeks. "G-go ahead..." he replied shakily.

Rukia got behind the counter. "Sure, this one isn't on the menu so it's on the house."

Then Ichigo smirked at Rukia. "Just like alcohol."

Rukia saw his smirk and landed a blow on his face. "Shut up Ichigo..." she seethed.

Then she began to make Tatsuki's drink from behind the counter.

Tatsuki brought out a hand towards Renji. "Tatsuki Arisawa, Ichigo Kurosaki's manager." she stated.

Renji reluctantly shook her hand. "Er... Renji Abarai, Rukia's best friend..." he mumbled as he swiftly grabbed a paper back version of a best seller book from his back pocket and began to read after introductions.

Tatsuki sighed in boredom as she looked at the book he was reading so intently. The author was named Araji Ibaren. It was such an odd name that it would instantly register to anyone as a pen name. The title was called Tune the Rainbow. With a title like that, it was obviously a romance novel.

So this guy reads girly stuff? How quaint...

"So... What are you reading Renji?" Tatsuki asked nonchalantly.

He looked up from his book slowly to speak. "It's nothing special..." he replied.

"So trashy love novels are nothing special?" she replied.

Renji began to shift uncomfortably in his seat. "It's not trashy... The author's a genius." he replied in the book's defense.

Tatsuki smiled as she grabbed the book from his big hands. "I know its not trashy. I just wanted to get your attention. I have all the books of this author and I'm still collecting. His books aren't trashy, they're brilliant indeed.

Renji looked at her in utter disbelief. "You think they're good?"

Tatsuki shrugged. "Well yeah they are. Especially the part where Kyoko decided that fate couldn't control her and she decided to control fate. I love that part, it's so empowering. The guy, Hiro was so believable. I could almost feel his pain. You know because Miyuki was making it so difficult for him to be with Kyoko. Just when things started looking good for the couple." Tatsuki blabbered to Renji.

Renji seemed happy. "Really, though what's your take on Miyuki?" he asked excitedly.

Tatsuki shot him a weird look. "My take? Well... I bet she has some sad history. Though I'm hoping it would be revealed in the next book. She seems like a disturbed girl but I know her love is real and that she's trying to keep her loved ones but Hiro really isn't the guy for her. She's just ruining the happiness of others. That's simply not right and she needs to know that." Tatsuki said.

Renji looked excited seeing as though he was writing down what she said on a notepad. That's odd...

He doesn't sound like a fan but he seems to know the book so well. Could he be?

Tatsuki showed a knowing smirk whir he wasn't looking. Definitely, she thought.

"Hey Araji Ibaren!" she hollered.

Renji impulsively looked up. "What?" he said casually before noticing he answered to the name in front of a fan. He covered his mouth then grabbed the book back from Tatsuki's hands and covered his face with it.

Tatsuki laughed. "If you think about it, you just need to switch a few letters around to get that absurd pen name of yours..."

Renji looked at her disapprovingly. "You won't start a blog dedicated to telling the world who I am are you?" he asked cautiously.

Tatsuki laughed hard as she began to involuntarily slam her hand against the table. "Those blogs are for fanatics who would love to find you and rape you!"

"Right." he said with disgust.

"After all, they're all fantasizing and dreaming about the hot and romantic author. From what I hear, the logic is that an male author who can write

the best romance must be an absolute hot and hopeless romantic..." Tatsuki stated as she mocked a fan girl midway.

Renji grunted. "Tell me about it, that's what pen names are for..."

Rukia approached the table with a steaming hot mug filled with a rich and delicious creamy white liquid. It smelled like vanilla rather than white chocolate. Rukia smiled at Tatsuki. "I hope I didn't forget that random recipe I made up on the spot..."

Tatsuki took the mug, inhaled the luscious scent and blowed to cool the liquid. Then she took a tiny sip, even though the delectable drink was somewhat scalding she didn't mind. It tasted the same. Tatsuki gave her an approving smile. "It's still the same."

"That's good then, might as well add that to the menu." Rukia replied before heading back to behind the counter where Ichigo was leaning on looking rather bored.

"Do you want to sit?" she offered to him.

He simply shrugged. "Nah..."

"Suit yourself then, don't blame me when your legs start freezing up because you refuse to move." she stated as if they were talking about the weather.

Ichigo's head snapped at her. "Do you want me to leave you alone that much?" he said to her in an assertive tone.

Rukia sat on a stool, propped up an elbow and placed her head on her palm directly twelve inches away from him. "Pretty much... You can't just loiter around here, it's either you buy something or we go straight to our agreement."

Ichigo cringed. In all honesty, his soul had wanted him to be honest and just admit he didn't want to carry on with the agreement but his pride would not allow such honesty. His pride was stupidly stubborn. "Fine then. Who cares about your stupid cafe then. It doesn't even compare to Starbucks. It's not like I can live without it, its not a necessity..." he replied snobbishly and stubbornly.

Rukia glared at him using the Kuchiki glare. "Did you just call my cafe stupid! I poured my own sweat and blood to keep this thing running." she retorted.

"That's gross, so all this time I've been stepping in something that has your sweat and blood flowing through it. Splendid." he said sarcastically.

She banged the table hence, disrupting Ichigo's comfortable position leaning against the desk. "It's not like you actually worked hard for anything! Everything was given to you on a silver platter! What did I get? I got that stuck up arrogant family who only cares about blood and status! How do you think I feel being the black sheep in the family just cause I was adopted. They keep repeating the fact that me being there was a privilege. Well... It's fucking not!" she shouted at him.

Ichigo was taken a back for a second but he recovered his tough streak. "No, you're the one who doesn't get it! I lost two of the most important people in my life, my family was poor! My father couldn't pay back our debts! You had the fucking money!" he shouted back.

"Money isn't everything dumb ass!" she retorted.

"It sure as hell was everything back then! I almost had to quit high school because we couldn't pay for my tuition!"

"Your rich now!"

"Because I worked! I bet this cafe came from your brother's little trust fund!"

Rukia gritted her teeth an grabbed his collar. "How dare you!"

Before another serious fight escalated Tatsuki ad Renji were now calming the both if them down. Eventually, they reverted back to being civil though the anger lingered in the air.

Ichigo stood up in a snap and took one heavy step towards the door. "Screw this, you're not worth the arguments over my life." he stated as he exited the cafe in pure stubbornness. "You know! Let's just get that agreement on the road, it would be so great not to see your face for an eternity!" he yelled as he slammed the door.

Rukia grew mad. "You're not even worth a shit." then she spat angrily." Stupid fucking actors..."

"Calm down Rukia..." Renji said calmingly.

"See you around Rukia, I need to run after him. Sorry about his temper." Tatsuki apologized before running off to chase Ichigo.

"Come on Rukia... Take a chill pill and chill. He's not worth wasting your breath on..."

Rukia then slammed the countertop once more. "Of course, I already know that Renji..." she seethed.

Why do you actually take the time to argue with him? The Rukia I know once told me not to associate with those not worth wasting your breath on, Renji thought.

Is he worth it to her?

AN: Yo! Hisashiburi! (Long time no see!)

I know I've been taking to long but summer break is just around the corner for me because in two weeks I'll be spending it. School has been hectic and writing has been difficult since I nearly had a full on writers block. Almost, until I read a bunch of bleach manga.

So that's boring and besides the point. Tell me what you think of this chapter because even I'm still unsure of it and I have no other way of changing it. That means Reviews!

So yeah, I'm urging you all to Review! Because more reviews means faster updates. That is a fact. For me that is, reviews serve as motivation to keep writing you see. It's evidence that there are people reading but I'm being melodramatic now.

So now I'm busy with a school project called craft sale and I'm one of the designers for the pins and bookmarks and ballers so I've been pretty tired racking my brain to think of things other than anime which has been difficult another reason for not being able to post another chapter.

Songs while writing:

Echo- Fumiko Orikasa

Joint- Mami Kawada

Kazemachi Jet- Maaya Sakamoto

Shunkan Sentimental- SCANDAL

So yeah, I'll be through my playlist by the time this fic's finished.

AkaBaka-chan signing off!