The guys bring Ichigo to their favorite bunny lantern lamp bar.
Continuing from Chapter 12~
Post Full Bringer Arc
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Ichigo, Renji, Ikkaku and Yumichika are out at the bar, the one with the bunny lantern lamps hanging all over the place. They are at a wood table in the corner all with drinks in hand. A promise Renji wanted to fulfill for the orange haired kid after everything he didn't know he just went through. The bar is dark and there's constant plumes of smoke from some of the patrons being wafted through so heavily you can see the gray clouds hovering. They are seated near one of the window areas where a slight breeze makes it easier for them breath. Ichigo takes a deep breath in of the tobacco smoke with a desire to hit something of his own. The little one night stint with Unohana really put a dent in his psych. Whatever it was she did it felt like his body and mind was coming down from a horrible flu where he took too much cold medicine, then got a concussion, and then stabbed in the neck. Ichigo puts a hand to his neck feeling sore, he is never going to mess with that witch doctor again.
"So, Renji tells us you escaped Unohana's rehab, how'd you manage that?" Ikkaku asks then takes a pull from one of the sake jugs on their table. Yumichika takes the jug and sets it down forcing a little sake cup in his hand, "none of that tonight,".
"Eh," Ichigo throws Renji a glare then looks down at his sake cup. "Wasn't hard... she didn't restrain me or anything, I just snuck out." Ichigo mutters quietly while looking over his shoulder. He's not going to boast about escaping her so soon, and not here in public.
"How incredibly stupid, I'm amazed you're still alive." Yumichika chuckles into his own sake cup.
"Kid has a death wish." Renji agrees before picking up the sake and pouring himself a cup.
Ichigo scoffs and shakes his head then throws back his own sake. He lets out a sigh and pours himself another cup. The bald Lieutenant begins rambling on about new training sessions he's coming up with for Kenpachi to implement into their mornings. Renji also begins to explain the new course work they plan to have the newbies start with now that things in Soul Society have been pretty quiet.
"You think prissy ass is gonna let you teach that!? Come on Renji, you have better luck asking for time off!" Ikkaku slams his hand down on the table rattling the sake jugs.
Renji sighs and nods, "I know..." Then looks up looking hopeful, "You really think he'll let me take time off?"
Yumichika and Ichigo both burst out laughing.
They banter for another hour or two going over the best battle tactics they should be teaching the younger ones. Ichigo telling them he thought Urahara's vicious method was useful and would probably be a good fit for their divisions. Renji throws his head back laughing while Ikkaku seems to take it into consideration.
"I'm telling you, and you guys know, it's all about mental games with that guy, makes you believe you will die in a way you don't believe, gives you the hype, then bam! Success! Guys a genius." Ichigo says while thinking back to all the training he went through with Urahara and the Visords, even though in the beginning some of it he wouldn't call training.
"You give Urahara too much credit Ichigo." Renji says sounding bitter picking up the jug of sake and taking a swig. Ichigo stares at the red head wondering what has him so uptight.
"Are you still upset he calls you a freeloader?" Yumichika asks then starts laughing at Renji who starts choking on his sake. Ikkaku and Ichigo join in knowing all too well.
Their fourth bottle of sake is almost out when Ikkaku slurs out, "When Urahara gave ya back your powers... I overheard tha man that was with'em used ta be the Captain of the Tenth Division, and that he's your old man, tha' true?"
"Ikkaku!" Yumichika elbows him.
Renji looks over at Ichigo, the kid takes another cup of sake up to his face and downs it.
"'Eahhh, guess so."
"What! Whatcha mean, 'guess so', it's a yes or no! He's had ta have trained ya at some point! The things I've heard from Rangiku, that guy was a beast!"
Ichigo flinches at the thought, his father is a beast. He's never been this wasted and the last thing he wants to do while being so is think of that man. He puts his hand on the edge of the table and with much effort pushes himself up to stand. The sudden need to escape this conversation before he says anything is strong in his gut and is beginning to make him feel nauseous.
"Why'ya think I can take a beating." Ichigo slurs and feels himself sway, he laughs and puts a hand to his head. Damn he really drank too much. He feels a hand grip his arm and turns to
find Renji looking unusually stern considering they were just all having a good laugh. "Wha's wrong Renj? Uh, I don't think I'm gonna make it back to Ura's like this."
"Alright, time for us to go, good time guys, catch up with you later." Ikkaku looks at Yumichika, "Already?"
"See you." Yumichika waves to them while dragging off with Ikkaku.
Ichigo lets Renji direct him through the streets and finds himself looking around the buildings they pass in awe and in realization of just how much he had missed this place. The old fashioned architect and the layout of the town brings back the memories that feel so long ago to when his friends had helped him rescue Rukia. Those days when things felt out of their control but still in their favor. Ignorance truly bliss. He blinks hard finding his eyes becoming dry and watery.
"Where's Rukia?" He asks Renji who is still dragging him along looking focused.
"She was sent on a mission once we got back, she should be back soon though." Renji sighs, "She's gonna kill me if she finds out I let you get this hammered."
"Nah, trust me, she loves you too much to kill you." Ichigo says not realizes the depth of his words.
Renji's face blushes red and he slides the door open to the room. "Here, you can sleep in Byakuya's spare guest room. He won't mind."
"No dude, you can't leave me here," Ichigo tries to protest as Renji plops him onto the futon but he can't move any longer. "Bya'kya's not gonna be happy with this."
"Trust me, he loves you too much to kill you." Renji jeers and throws his head back in a loud laugh.
"I didn't just hear that Renji." The deep voice behind Renji startles him causing him to jump. Ichigo can be heard trying to stifle a laugh into the pillow.
"Captain! I- uh, well you see, uh," Renji stares at his Captain then back to Ichigo who decides then to pretend to pass out.
"I think it's time for you to head home," Byakuya says and Renji nods taking his leave. "Bathroom is down the hall on your left, Kurosaki."
Leave a golden nugget, and I'll smoke it ayyyyyyyyy ;D