The Cold Heart Across The Hall Chapter 2 -Ichiruki

Chapter 2: Blind Love

Jackie stares angrily at the blank screen in front of her. She should be working on sending everyone notices on an upcoming meeting with a big client; Kyoraku-san. Ukitake-san is an old friend of the strange, lenient man, and is an owner of a business that needs our advertising expertise. Jackie's mind is far from her job however. The recent predicament with Renji has taken a strange toll on her daily life. She thought it wouldn't be hard to forget about touching Renji's lips with her own - I mean she isn't a Highschooler. But every time she closes her eyes she's there sitting in that tall bar chair, and Renji is leaning in close to her face; and the worst part is she let's him kiss her despite the fact she's sober!

Jackie hadn't told Rukia the entire story; she left out the fact that she did not drink a thing, and the fact that she had to help Renji into a cab with her. That the man was spewing out nonsense on how beautiful she looks when she's working at her desk, and she has a small crease on her forehead when she's thinking, how he loves looking at her when she's laughing with Rukia. He couldn't be telling her the truth - or at least that's what she told herself to believe, it's not like she didn't notice some sexual tension between them, sure there is some but they were co-workers, they can't possibly date each other.

Renji seemed so happy though, he was smiling more than she has ever seen him smile, and there was this brightness in his dark small eyes that she never saw in those orbs before that night. This is why every time she went to work she worried if Renji would talk to her - she'd ignored him practically all week. Normally she ate lunch with him and Rukia but lately she's lied and told Rukia she was busy with work and couldn't eat with them in the cafeteria.

She finally decides to give up on her work for the night and closes her laptop's screen before shoving the device away from her. She notices that she left her phone in her jacket pocket, and decides to check it in case Rangiku needs a ride home (she often got drunk at bars) or if Rukia is having a crisis of some sorts. Whether it be her judgmental, strict brother-in-law, or her pushy older sister who wants to know everything about Rukia's love life. Jackie doesn't really have any family members, they are all distant; her brother, sister, mother and father all passed away in a robbery gone wrong in her old house. She doesn't like thinking about them but her only family is Rukia, Rangiku and Renji. Every time she talks with them she wonders what life would be like if her family was still living. Would she not worry about Renji and her becoming more than friends?

She shakes her head in order to rid those strange thoughts from her mind. Jackie reaches her hand inside her black jacket's pocket and realizes her phone is vibrating. She unlocks the screen and discovers she has 3 new messages.

Message One.

From: Rukia Kuchiki

Do you have plans for tonight? Maybe a late movie? We can laugh at a cheesy rom-com. Or even talk about what happened with Renji - have you even talked with him since then? He's getting worried you know - and I'm running out of excuses to say. It's quiet around my apartment - it kinda feels creepy, and you know how deserted my place is. Come over or something.

Sent at 8:30 p.m

Message Two.

From: Rangiku Matsumoto

Heyu~! How's my tall chocoalita doing? I'm only kidding J-chan! Call, ASAP! Serious emergency!

Sent at 9:00 p.m (2 minutes ago)

Message Three

From: Renji Abarai

Hey, how are you? Haven't heard from you in awhile.

Sent 1 minute ago.

Jackie makes her way to her kitchen as she scans the messages, a worried line etching on her forehead after reading Rukia's message, and it becoming more apparent after Rangiku's. She never understood why Rukia never texted Rangiku to come over, then again Rangiku may be out at a bar and needs to be taken home. But Rangiku doesn't normally text when she needs a ride - she can barely even talk. Rangiku probably didn't want to worry Rukia about whatever this emergency really is.

Renji's message is so daunting that she just ignores it momentarily, then she realizes he will only get angrier if she does that. She decides to have a drink of water before thinking of what to text him. She hates using her phone to text - she has a flip phone so it's extremely hard to use when texting any message - normally she calls the person and talks with them, but she can't call Renji. Not when she's thinking about them kissing and replaying it in her head wherever she goes.

Whilst struggling to type on her phone Jackie finally types and sends a message to Renji.

To: Renji Abarai

I'm sorry. Been busy lately with work. I miss eating with you guys at lunch. And talking with you - especially talking with you.

(^3^)

Rangiku is staring at her cell phone's screen, she texted Jackie awhile ago, there still hasn't been a call - she may be doing work, or out on a hot date with Renji. She seriously doubted the latter, she would be surprised if the two even locked lips as of yet. Those two were oblivious to love, but almost everyone never knows when they are in love. Rangiku sure understood that more than anyone. There was a time when she thought Gin would always be there for her, then he had gone to a University - she was happy for him of course almost no one in her countryside farmland ever went to the city. But, in the back of her mind she had imagined the two leaving together one day, like lovers or something, maybe a confession of his love before he left.

But Gin was always the same, he left with nothing more than the smell of him in her bedroom. He was all but a memory in her mind; no one knew of his existence when she moved to the city and went to college. She never heard from Gin again, it felt like he was a ghost that followed her every move - haunting her thoughts. She never felt as happy with anyone else as Gin. When it was Gin and her, it was just them - no one else. They were always together. It was always that way.

She couldn't stand waiting for a man who may never even come.

Rangiku giggles lightly as she beams up at her Father who's milking one of the cows in the barn. "I'm going on an adventure - and I'll find something, I swear it!" Rangiku hollers loudly. The only other noises apparent were the moos of other cows, and oinks from the new born piglets. Rangiku's light blue eyes were shining even in the shade of the old manure smelling barn. Her father was doubting her abilities to find a piece of treasure on her adventure around the farm. Rangiku is 6 years old, she is running out of games to play and hunting for treasure seems to be her new found joy, especially ever since her father showed her the fairy tale of Peter Pan, and the pirates who wanted treasure and nothing else.

"Of course, my little Beauty. You go on that adventure and find something magnificent! Just make sure you finish your chores by dinner," he father says with a grin, his blue eyes contrasting his dark hair colour. She was blessed with her father's eyes, and her Mom's bright strawberry blonde locks. She didn't talk about Mom ever though - her Dad didn't like it when she asked when her mother would be back from her "working trip". Parents assume children are oblivious to things, but even Rangiku knew better than believing that her mother would come back any day now. It had been three years already, she wouldn't be back anytime soon. Maybe even ever.

Rangiku's head bobs her short hair shifting as she nods eagerly to her father in agreement. She woke up early today to finish most of her chores. So her entire day is free to hunt for treasure.

"See you later, Dad!" Rangiku says as she skips out of the barn, her old brown boots squeaking slightly, and her grin so large it rivaled the Cheshire cat. She pulls out a crumpled lined piece of paper from her blue overalls pocket, and reads the map she drew quickly the day before after dinner. She decides to start her mission in the wheat fields that were very large and tall compared to her small height. She thought someone may have left their things in the fields or a coin may have fell out of her father's pocket. She never ventured into the fields before, but since her father never told her it was dangerous she decides it's okay to go look around for a little bit.

The bright blaring sun, causes Rangiku to squint her eyes immediately when she looks up form her map drawing. She sighs, remembering to get her new white sunhat for the treasure hunt, and some sunscreen. She heads into her small white cozy house, with only two bedrooms, one kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom. Her small room is in the attic, which Rangiku loves most about her home. It got cold during winters, and hot during summer, but she loves the musty smell of it.

She grabs her sunhat from the kitchen table and begins searching for the sunscreen. She finds it in the bathroom in one of the cabinets, but in order to reach the damn sunscreen she has to stand on the toilet.

Once retrieving her small backpack to put her treasure in and the sunscreen bottle to reapply more for later during the day, she heads outside once more. She turns towards the wheat fields across the small path beside the barn containing most of their animals. The others were out in the fields eating grass or just standing around - like most of the cows.

She stops in front of the tall wheat and takes one last breath before stepping into the field. Immediately Rangiku is taken aback by just how tall the wheat is, but Rangiku is a persistent child, and if Peter Pan can sword fight Captain Hook, then surely, she can handle some ordinary wheat fields. So she ventures on, pushing the wheat out of her way as she continues. She doesn't know how long she's been walking since her eyes are focusing on the ground, hoping to find some rare artifact. So far she's found one yen coin and an old bobby pin.

She realizes it's getting pretty hot and she should probably turn back until she realizes that she doesn't remember which way she came from. To calm herself from freaking out she decides to sit down, catch her breath, and reapply sunscreen. Her arms after her white short sleeve shirt were slightly burned near the top of her arms, above her elbows. Her throat is dry, and her thirst for a cold glass of water hangs over her head. Envisioning the water only causes her mouth to water, and she shakes her head frustrated with her predicament.

Since she couldn't possibly fathom which way she came from she decides on spinning around in circles and counting to ten before stopping at a direction. Her pointing finger lands to her left and Rangiku begins walking again, praying in her head that Kami would take her home safely by the time it's lunch. Another thing she forgot to bring was a watch - she doesn't know whether ten minutes have passed or over an hour. She wonders if her father is still working on milking the cows.

She hopes that if it starts turning dark that her Dad will get a search team in order to find her like in the movies she watches sometimes on T.V. Where the father stops at nothing and the mother is freaking out because her child got lost at the mall. The kid always seems overly stupid, causes too many problems and the parents aren't very bright as well. It's only then that Rangiku realizes that she's the stupid kid in the movies that she saw, who went off without any idea on how to get back.

After walking forwards for who knows how long, Rangiku begins second guessing herself, thinking she chose the wrong way. She's tired of walking now, and just wants to sleep despite the fact the burning sun is seeping heat onto her sweaty back. Her cheeks flush from the heat in the air and sunburn stains her nose. Rangiku feels like crying because she wishes she never left - adventures weren't as fun as they made them out them to be - especially when you're alone. She didn't want to be lost forever.

She didn't want to be forgotten.

Tears began falling from her pale eyes, and she could no longer see where she's going. She stops walking and sits down onto the dry ground. She huddles her legs close to her torso, wrapping her hands tightly around her knees. Her short hair is a tangled mess, and frizzy since her hair is naturally wavy, some pieces of wheat are left discarded onto her locks. Her feet are aching, and she feels like ripping her shoes off her feet; just to let them breath.

This is this point when she wonders if she will never be found - and if anyone would even miss her. They didn't really have any relatives, and each farm in the neighborhood is far apart from each other. There is a school that takes twenty minutes to drive to; Rangiku is lucky she even got to go to that school. The kids at school knew her but didn't always talk with her. She is a little too extravagant for them - and she doesn't understand half of the games or T.V shows they all talk about. She doesn't have any video games or cartoon channels; she only has three channels on her television set that's outdated by a couple of years.

Her tears are coating her cheeks and she begins rubbing her dirty hand over her eyes in hope of ridding the embarrassing tears. It didn't seem to help at all; her eyes still wouldn't stop tearing up, and a sob began to escape from her dry throat. She didn't understand why she's crying - she's not a toddler anymore! She doesn't know why she can't stop herself from the sobbing and the sniffling of her red sunburned nose.

She begins picturing her Dad's face, how he loves to tickle her and make her laugh in the silliest ways. This only causes her heart to break in half, she didn't want to disappoint him, or get him angry she didn't want to make him sad! The only thing she feels is anger towards herself for thinking she can be some mighty hero, like Peter Pan is. She wasn't, she will never be good enough, or smart enough like the other kids at school.

It is in this moment of her sobbing and self wallowing that Rangiku hears crinkling of wheat being pushed aside, and shuffling of feet. At first Rangiku is ecstatic and brimming with joy, until she realizes that it could be an animal, or maybe even a stranger. She wouldn't know until she saw the person. She didn't know whether to call for help or run away. 'What if it's a axe murderer?' Rangiku thinks to herself, 'Then I'll be stupid for leading them towards me'. But before she can debate whether or not she should do anything someone's hand moves a piece of wheat away directly in front of her.

Rangiku is staring at the hand and realizes, it's not her fathers and is much smaller. 'A murderer wouldn't have small hands' Rangiku thought quickly as she stood up, readying herself for the person whilst rubbing her teary eyes. Despite this new predicament tears were still forming around her eyes.

The stranger finally pokes their body through the wheat and takes a step right into Rangiku, causing the said person to fall over from the impact. "Ouch," the stranger mumbled whilst rubbing their head. Rangiku realizes as she rubs her own head that the stranger was anything but a threat to her.

The stranger is a little boy about her age. She didn't quite trust him completely, but she knew the probability of him being bad is low. The said boy gets up from where he fell and continues to rub his head. "Hello thar. What ya doing in the fields?" the silver haired boy questioned with a wide happy smile. Rangiku wonders why any boy could be smiling in these scary wheat fields that's practically a maze - with no way out.

She sniffles slightly, and rubs her teary eyes before opening them again mumbling, "I came to find treasure - you know forgotten stuff. But I failed - and now I don't know how to get home!" She sounds like a baby and she knows it, she's whining as much as a two year old. She looks away from his curious gaze and is full of astonishment when the boy chimes, "Don't ya worry. I'll get ya home if a jiffy. Yer pretty nice so I'll help ya."

Rangiku looks up at him, her eyes shining in happiness. She didn't understand why he'd said that - that the reason he's helping her is because she's nice. She is sure that everyone would be nice to a boy like him. He seems smart, and probably has answers to anything. She then notices that the boy's eyes were always closed ever since he rammed into her.

He takes her hand in his, and Rangiku's eyes widen, remembering all the fairy tales where the knight in shining armor comes to save the princess - is this boy her knight?

She shakes her head - trying to think logically. Those are fairy tales she tells herself in her head. She stills blushes as the two begin walking towards her home - or at least that's what she's guessing. She tells him her address, and rambles on as to why she went into the fields in the first place. Normally kids find her boring and tell her to be quiet but the boy laughs at her jokes, and listens to her every sentence that comes from her mouth. She likes this boy, and hopes they can be friends. She never had a friend to talk to before. She doesn't remember seeing anyone who resembles the boy - with his strange silver hair, and the unseen eyes that lay hidden.

She begins thinking of different possibilities, that he's maybe a spirit, or an alien from another planet; it could be like one of those movies. But the boy is definitely human, his white t-shirt had stains on it, and his shorts were a little too big on him. His shoes were old and looked like they were about to fall apart with every step he took. Rangiku looks up at the boy again and realizes how sure of himself he is, that each stride taken is confident, and calculative. How many times has this boy walked in these fields? Is this what he does for fun?

"What's your name - if you don't mind me asking?" Rangiku questions as she stares up at the sky, realizing a crow is flying over their heads. She can even see the scarecrow her father and her made last winter, meaning that they were close to her farm.

"My name? Gin. Gin Ichimaru."

"That's a strange name," Rangiku mumbles, her eyelids becoming heavy, and her body begins slowing down. She doesn't even realizes she fell until Gin is hovering over her, his smile still present. He gives a short laugh at her statement, grabs her arm, and puts it over his thin shoulder.

She didn't remember much after that, she faintly remembers being hoisted onto Gin's back and him saying something near her ear. She is sleeping now, and the only sounds she hears is the shuffling of Gin's feet on the dry ground, and the sound of wheat being moved.

"Gin. I like how it sounds."

Rangiku snaps back to reality when the bartender clanks her now refilled glass in front of her. She is drinking heavily tonight - and she's not quite sure why. Gin said he may be able to meet her here tonight, and when he spoke on the phone with her there were noises in the background. She wonders where he is, if he's kissing some girl in an apartment, or watching a movie with a long time girlfriend. Picturing both causes her stomach to flip in circles. The memories of the simpler days were coming back to her. And she didn't want to remember anything right now; she didn't want to relive those moments she misses.

She downs the drink in one go, and signals to the bartender to have another. She groans as her eyes fall on a couple flirting with each other, whilst laughing beside her. Her lips fall on her new drink, pales eyes casting forwards, those eyes reflecting the memories of a past life she no longer accepts. A part of her wishes she can go back; but she knows even doing that wouldn't change a thing.

It would all still turn out the same damn way.

(^3^)

"So you're telling me that we have a meeting today? Why didn't you tell me this last night - I don't know maybe when we talked on the phone?" Rukia asks angrily, her thin eyebrow twitching in irritation at Jackie who is grinning as if this is nothing big at all.

It's currently Monday; meaning a start of a new week. Or in other words, repeating the same job routine you always do. That is what Rukia thought her day would turn out to be - just sending emails or talking with clients, and assisting Ishida in any way. But no, apparently they have a meeting this afternoon. This means that she has to help Ishida with everything concerning it, while finishing everything else she has to do on top of it all.

Jackie seems guilty for a moment, her eyes looking away from Rukia's darkening orbs, and Rukia immediately stops Jackie by raising her hand. "It's fine. I forget about things sometimes too - don't worry about it," Rukia sighs her eyes closing. The two women were in Rukia's office, and Jackie is making the rounds to people who she forgot to e-mail about the meeting. Rukia notices Jackie's look is still there and Rukia plops down onto her leather desk chair, knowing immediately Jackie wants to talk about something.

"You haven't talked with Renji yet, have you?" she asks, her voice serious and calm. Jackie's eyes cast down to her shoes, guilt written on her face. She mumbles, "I'm going to tell him about the meeting right now." Violet eyes met with brown eyes, and Rukia smiles at her friend, and signals Jackie to go now. Jackie blushes slightly and rolls her eyes at her friend before heading out of the office. Rukia turns to her PC, just wishing for lunch to arrive so the meeting could be over with. It is going to be a long day.

(^3^)

"Aren't you supposed to be bussing tables?" Ichigo Kurosaki questions pointedly.

"Shouldn't you start getting a girlfriend? Or are you afraid to come out of the closet?" Lisa Yadomaru remarks with a flip of her woman's swimsuit magazine she's reading at the bar. Her bangs fall slightly over her blue eyes and her ebony braids swing around her shoulders.

Ichigo's eye twitches angrily, "Why you little!" -

"Lisa stop pestering Ichigo about getting a girlfriend and maybe start focusing on the job I told you to do," Riruka Dokugamine interrupts Ichigo, and bonks Lisa on the head lightly with her clipboard. Lisa is unfazed by Riruka's threat and just rolls her eyes at the pink haired woman standing behind her.

Lisa is the busgirl - she wipes and cleans dirty tables. Riruka tells her where to go and is also the main hostess of the restaurant "Ken & Yachiru's" named by Kenpachi himself. He may seem tough but he has a secret soft side for a certain bubble gum haired child. Ichigo glares at Lisa for insulting him, and then says his teeth grinding impatiently, "Riruka next time don't interrupt me!" his eyes darkening as he glances to Riruka.

Riruka sighs her pink eyes unamused by the orange haired bartender. She's not in the mood to have any more problems tonight it's only 6:30 p.m. and Mashiro already spilled a whole tables food on the floor, four guests have gotten cold food from Hachi, and now Lisa's slacking off, what else is next?

Lisa is wearing her regular black button up, with black jeans and her usual apron tied around her waist. Riruka flips one of her long ponytails over her shoulder of her black frilly dress shirt, wearing matching black suit pants.

Riruka replies, "Relax carrot top - I just have bad timing. Calm yourself."

Lisa laughs at Ichigo who merely glares daggers at the woman across from him as he wipes a wine glass. His amber eye twitches in annoyance holding back the urge to rip her face off for laughing at him as Lisa shoves her magazine towards Ichigo and heads to a dirty table.

"You're gonna need it more than I do," Lisa chimes, between giggles. At this point Ichigo feel as if he's about to explode from pure anger. He wonders why he even bothers coming to this job, since everyone treats him like a horny teenager.

Ichigo's multiple thoughts of murdering the busgirl are interrupted by Riruka stating, "Don't let her bother you, Ichigo. Anyways, Kenpachi-san wants to talk with you in his office," she then walks back to the restaurant entrance waving a goodbye to Ichigo. Ichigo waves at Riruka also, despite the fact she's not even looking back to him.

He instantly became nervous his whole body frozen thinking why would he want to talk with me? Ichigo decides to leave now since no one is at the bar yet. Plus, Gin - the manager of the restaurant - is supposed to arrive soon anyways. Gin normally works at the bar with Ichigo, bartending whilst managing the entire restaurant.

Ichigo places the glass down among the other clean glasses, and turns back towards the magazine still sitting on the bar. Ichigo gives the said magazine a slight glare remembering Lisa's smug voice, Ichigo shivers at the thought of Lisa, and immediately grabs a napkin to pick up the magazine and throw it into a nearby trashcan. Ichigo has no clue where that revolting thing's been, and there's no way in hell he'd ever touch it with his bare hands. Lisa is known for being kind of perverted and creepy at times.

"Good riddance," Ichigo says, feeling accomplished in some sort of way. But he did feel sorry for the poor trashcan having to carry such a disgusting magazine.

The orange haired man makes his way around the square wooden tables towards Kenpachi's office that is on the right side of the restaurant. The kitchen is located in the back, Hachi the chef has a variety of different foods on the menu from french fries to exquisite fancy dishes from Paris. Anyone and everyone comes to eat at this restaurant in the city, and it's become a popular spot amongst university and college students. Also for hot dates, and singles who crowd the bar late at night. Kenpachi is lucky he bought the place.

Most people working there are paying for school whether it be university or college like Lisa, Orihime the new bubbly waitress that Riruka has taken under her wing, Kensei the dish washer, and Mashiro, his girlfriend who's a waitress. Ichigo wonders how Kensei can work with his girlfriend - then again they work in separate rooms.

Ichigo takes a deep breath before knocking on Kenpachi's dark brown office door. "Come in," Kenpachi's rough voice rumbles from behind the closed door. Ichigo nods to himself, for mental encouragement, before opening the office door. He immediately loses all faith when witnessing Kenpachi's large body squashed behind his small desk.

The office doesn't really grant much thinking space, and the desk is filled with papers and binders, the only character brought to the office is the lone picture frame of Kenpachi and Yachiru hugging each other, a bright smile on Yachiru's face, and a small slight smile on Kenpachi's sitting on his small desk. Besides that there were no paintings, or even plants for that matter. Though Riruka tried bringing in some decorative items once - which didn't end too well since Riruka's style is known to be quite girly and well, childish.

"Sit down Kurosaki," Kenpachi states seriously, no happiness in his voice at all, as he looks up at Ichigo. Kenpachi is a pretty strange man, but a lot less strange than Urahara. Kenpachi may seem weird due to his large size, booming voice, and long dark hair but the man is actually quite normal once you get to know him. Sometimes he can be weird but most of the time he acts like a regular owner of a restaurant. Though he does look like some sort of body builder.

Ichigo plops down quickly, onto the small leather seat in front of Kenpachi's desk. Ichigo feels kind of too tall for the seat but keeps his mouth shut since Kenpachi doesn't seem to be in a good mood at the moment. Ichigo isn't quite sure he's even seen the man in a good mood before. Ichigo wonders if he's about to lose his job; he wouldn't be surprised since it's happened plenty of times before. He isn't sure whether he'd be able to find a new job to pay for rent and food for this week- he mentally prays to not be fired for a little while longer. These jobs were just what he needs to pay for everything necessary.

"Relax Kurosaki - I'm not going to fire you or anything," Kenpachi smiles slightly at Ichigo, holding back a laugh from Ichigo's panicked face, like a deer caught in the headlights. Ichigo sighs from pure relief and wipes his sweaty forehead with his hand, brushing his hand against his tangled orange locks slightly in the process. "So what do you want to talk about?" Ichigo asks quickly, despite his job here being safe, he still felt uneasy sitting in front of Kenpachi and looking at him straight in the eye.

"I just wanted to say you're doing well here, and Gin has been saying nothing but great things abut you. Says you're a natural in the bar setting, and that the women keep coming back - meaning more profit. So keep doing what you're doing now and everything will be fine," Kenpachi answers his voice sounding happy, and even a little excited about Ichigo's success. Ichigo begins thinking he may need to get his ears checked; Kenpachi is never like this. Ichigo thanks Kenpachi and begins to stand up thinking he's done talking, but Kenpachi growls, "I'm not done yet!"

Ichigo practically squeaks an apology, his voice cracking and he sits down so fast, a cheetah would wish to be as quick as him. Kenpachi chuckles to himself at Ichigo's fearful expression on his face. Kenpachi remembers times where he'd beat up and rob people like Ichigo, but those days are over now. He has Yachiru now, and he wouldn't change a thing about his new life. It may be different but he loves it deep down inside that stone heart of his.

"I've decided to put you on work this Friday night, from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m.," Kenpachi states, his dark eyes digging a hole through Ichigo's skull. "I'm working Thursday still, right?" Ichigo questions, but he wishes he didn't have to work Thursday also - he hasn't had enough time with Mai. He also hasn't been getting nearly enough sleep, and it's seriously beginning to show. "Yes you are. That's fine, right?" Kenpachi clarifies. Ichigo is about to tell him he'd like the day off, but realizes he might as well work and earn some extra money for next week.

"Yeah, it's fine. Is that all?" Ichigo asks, wanting to get out of this hell of an office as soon as possible. "Yes, you can go. Oh and close the door on the way out," his boss growls, his voice echoing throughout the small room.

"Yes sir," Ichigo nods, before swiftly getting up from his seat and heading out the door, making sure to close the door on his way out.

As Ichigo heads back to the bar, he realizes the tables have now become full with customers, and he starts sprinting back towards the bar as quickly as he can. When he's behind the counter he allows himself to give a content small smile for getting back before anyone went to the bar. He notices with a frown that Gin has yet to arrive to the bar. The moment he thinks of the whereabouts of his co-worker, the said man arrives from the restaurant's entrance. Maybe getting an update from Riruka since Gin is the manager of the restaurant, and also the best bartender in the entire city, at least for Ichigo - and it wasn't an exaggeration, the man knew how to do everything, and almost everyone loves his work.

Gin's silver locks shine against the lights of the bar, and it's only until Gin stands beside Ichigo's left side that Ichigo realizes Gin has a deflated look on his face. It is strange - Gin is always up and atom, and lively - he's never upset or unhappy. Gin is the prankster amongst the group, he teases almost everyone, and always knows how to brighten someone's day, Ichigo would say if he didn't get a job as a manager he could might as well be a psychologist.

Gin's eyes had purple bags underneath his always closed eyes. To this day Ichigo has no clue what Gin's eyes look like, and he would rather keep it that way considering the fact that Gin goes out of his way to close them all the time. Gin coughs, into his elbow as to not disturb the customers around them. Ichigo turns to his friend. Ichigo uses the term friend loosely since Gin is probably the only person he actually talks with still that he may consider a friend. Everyone else work in different areas, so he doesn't really call them his friends. Despite Gin's weird presence and strange looks, he isn't a bad person, and Ichigo knows more than anyone to not judge a book by it's cover. He has bright orange hair for Kami's sake!

"Are you alright?" Ichigo asks.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You don't look too good."

"I was sick all of this weekend - could barely get out of bed. Thought I'd cough up ma lungs," Gin jokes, but in between his sentence he has to cough a couple of times. Gin being sick is news to Ichigo, the man is always there at work.

"Why don't you take the day off? I can handle the bar tonight, I'm sure Kenpachi would" -

"No way. Ya still a beginner, and someone needs to serve the customers the harder blends that even I have troubles with at times. Kenpachi would rip out my lungs with his bare hands if I told him I was taking today off. I'm the manager remember? Who do ya think keeps this place going?" Gin questions Ichigo with a raise of an eyebrow.

Ichigo stills doesn't believe him, the man did look seriously ill. And the fact the man never takes a day off is crazy. Sure, Ichigo didn't take days off, but he has Mai, Gin doesn't have any kids to take care of or food to put on the table for more than one person. But when Ichigo finally opened up about Mai, Gin told him he'd love to meet her one day. He said he'd like a kid of his own one day - but he doubted it would ever happen. Ichigo is about to disagree and force Gin to leave when a high pitched voice interrupts them, "Kurosaki-kun! How are you doing?"

Gin and Ichigo's faces turn towards the right and they see Orihime Inoue smiling brightly at Ichigo. Gin says, "I'll let you two chat," before leaving Ichigo alone with the bright woman. Ichigo scowls at Gin who waves as he walks to the other end of the bar, a large grin spreading across his pale face. Ichigo thinks, I'll get you back for this. Ichigo begins thinking of possible ways to screw over the man later - but comes up with absolutely nothing.

"Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime asks, her voice seeming worried as a small line etches onto her forehead, her grey eyes lingering on Ichigo's angry ambers.

"Oh, yeah I'm doing fine. How bout you?" Ichigo answers his co-worker immediately, wanting to get the conversation over with. He immediately regrets responding to her when Orihime begins rambling about her weekend at her University- she is studying to become a nurse. It's not that Ichigo doesn't like Orihime, she's a really nice person, it's just that she can be so talkative and such a handful at times. Orihime always seems interested in Ichigo, and he can tell she may have feelings for him - he wasn't oblivious to others, he just pretends he doesn't know so that he doesn't have to face rejecting her. He doesn't like hurting peoples feelings, especially someone as innocent and kind as Orihime.

"Anyways, enough about me Kurosaki-kun, how's Mai doing?" Orihime questions Ichigo and before Ichigo can respond, Riruka calls Orihime from the front entrance sounding urgent. "We'll talk later!" Orihime chimes as she skips over to the entrance, her long orange-red hair bouncing from side to side in it's ponytail.

Gin slowly slides over to Ichigo after refilling a man's glass. "You're going to have to tell her at some point," the silver hair man states seriously - today Gin seems to be acting completely strange, being sick was one thing but acting actually serious is completely new. "I can't tell her - not yet," Ichigo replies quickly, "Plus, what about you? Shouldn't you be looking for a woman to be with or something? I've seen many women flirt with you, but you don't flirt back at all."

Gin shrugs at Ichigo, not saying anything back at all. Ichigo's amber eyes glance towards his friend, and Ichigo still feels Gin may be even more mysterious than Urahara and that's saying something. He kind of feels like Gin has some sort of other entire secret life that Ichigo doesn't even know about like a superhero. Ichigo sighs, giving up on asking Gin any questions since there's no chance the sick man would even bother answering. The only sounds heard are the loud murmurs from people sitting at tables enjoying their dinners.

"People are so strange sometimes, ya know? Gathering to one certain place surrounded by people you know and people who are strangers. Not having a worry in the world," Gin states, his mouth still not smiling as he wipes a glass to rid it of smudges.

"You're right."

(^3^)

Rukia gives out a long awaited sigh of relief before closing her apartment's door. She turns on the lights, and despite giving the room some brightness, the apartment feels as lonely as ever. She sighs again before ripping off her wedges, and stretching her aching toes - she should have worn flats today.

Rukia is about to text Jackie to drive over and maybe even Rangiku too, when her phone starts ringing, she slides the touch screen to pick up the call from Rangiku.

"Hello?"

"Heyu~! Ruk, hon, I'm - I'm at a bar and-and" -

"Rangiku, just tell me where you are I'll be there in a few minutes," Rukia states swiftly, she knows the woman can barely talk, let alone keep a straight conversation with her. After getting the address, Rukia ends the call after swearing to Rangiku she'll come. Rukia grabs her car keys, and apartment keys before heading out the door of her apartment. She can't help but feel worried for her tall bright friend, the flirty woman has been acting strange lately - especially ever since that encounter she had with Gin.

(^3^)

Rukia parks on the side of the road quickly, and waits for some cars to go by before hopping out of the car and walking around to get to the sidewalk. Her violet eyes squint around, looking for her busty friend, and soon enough her eyes land on the bright strawberry blonde hair of Rangiku who's leaning against the brick wall for support. Rukia wonders how Jackie could deal with Rangiku so well on multiple occasions, she may need to call Jackie for some moral support. Rangiku never calls Rukia, so it may be serious.

Once Rukia helps Rangiku into the passenger side of her small car, she gets into the driver's seat and begins driving smoothly back to her apartment, thinking she should probably watch Rangiku until she calms down.

"So, what happened?" Rukia asks.

"Awe, Ruks, you'll never get a boy with that frowny frown on your face~!" Rangiku giggles, and hiccups towards the end of her sentence.

Rukia's cellphone begins ringing from it's spot near the cup holders, and Rangiku takes the phone and answers the call.

"Helloo~!" Rangiku singsongs, her voice high pitched. Rukia immediately cringes from the horrible sound and yells, "Hey, give me the phone!" and she reaches over to grab the phone out of Rangiku's hand.

"Hello? Who is this?" Hisana Kuchiki questions, Rukia recognizes her sister's voice and begs Rangiku to put it on speaker phone. "It's Rangiku, Rukia's friend!"

"Oh - Rangiku, now I understand. Where's Rukia?" Hisana was told about Rangiku getting drunk on multiple occasions.

"Oh, she's -hic- driving-hic-!" Rangiku hiccups, and giggles whenever she hiccups.

"Can you put the phone on speaker phone? Please?" Hisana asks sweetly her voice patient and calm. Rangiku squeals and listens to the older woman, clicking speaker phone before roughly placing the phone back into the cupholder.

"Nee-chan what is it?" Rukia questions, while taking a right turn.

"What are you doing?! You're supposed to be going on that blind date, remember? It took forever to reschedule this!" Hisana whines into the phone, sounding desperate.

"Ruks, you have a date?!"

Rukia rolls her eyes at her eccentric sister, and ignores Rangiku's astonished face, "I'm not going and I already told you I wasn't ready! Plus, I have to take care of Rangiku!"

"But Rukia you haven't gone out in forever, you have to put yourself out there. This guy is different than the others, he's tall, successful, and really gorgeous-"

"I don't care if he's the sexiest man in the world, I'm not going!"

"Rukia-nee! You promised me one more try, remember? Please?"

Rukia groans in defeat, "Fine! I'll call Jackie and-"

"Jackie's out on a date with Renji!" Rangiku pipes up, just as Rukia is about to end the call with Hisana. Rukia freezes, "Wait, what?! With Renji! Oh ma god, they're on a date?!" Rukia explodes, as she jumps up and down in her seat in pure delight. They were at a red light and Rukia kept glancing at the road to watch for when it changes back to green.

"Oooooo, Renji and Jackie?!" Hisana asks, seeming absorbed in the love life of Rukia's friend.

"Well, it's actually just a meeting since Renji's in charge of all the graphic designers~! But I know Jackie secretly means it's a hot date! So don't call her - unless you want to interrupt some serious Renji and Jackie time!" Rangiku bursts excitedly, and Rukia falters from ending the call, since now Jackie couldn't be bothered by Rangiku.

"Rukia-nee, how bout you go to the date and I pick up Rangiku?" Hisana suggests quickly, Rukia's cell still lying in the cup holders.

Rukia sighs as she drives forward past the now green lights, "No it's fine Nee-chan. I'll go to the date though and handle Rangiku."

"Don't be" - Rukia ends the call cutting off Hisana's reminder swiftly. Rangiku giggles and her glossy lips are in a tight smile, "Sooo, start going to that date of yours!"

"Wha? I have to drop you off, plus I'm a mess and" -

"Ruks, I'm serious, I'll just wait in the car. You said yourself you want to get it over with right? So it'll be quick! Plus, you need to loosen up and quit being so uptight!"

"Huh? I'm not uptight! I just" -

"You don't have to get dressed up perfectly for every date, relax and have fun already!" Rangiku encourages Rukia, the alcohol in her somehow leaving her system in a couple of seconds. Rukia is surprised Rangiku isn't slurring her sentences anymore. She guesses the woman can hold her liquor.

"Okay," Rukia nods.

Rangiku smiles towards her friend repeating Rukia's response, "Okay."