Ladies and Gentlemen- Chapter 2
Ladies and Gentlemen 2
I had a firm belief that relationships were never worth the trouble, but since fate likes to watch me suffer, it put him on the same train. Bleach fic, Hichi-Ichi, Yaoi
Bleach belongs to Kubo and the song is David Guetta's dance version of Sexy Bitch. I profit off niether.
2. Trouble in Transit
Looking over my notes on the central nervous system with Moonlight Sonata playing softly in the background, I wonder how far in depth the professor will go on the final. Luckily, it seems I remember most of the information he has deemed important on the study guide. Hearing someone shout outside, I turn my head to the window and take a brief look. Apparently, someone decided to start partying early.
Before turning back I take quick notice of my reflection in the window. Huh, Chad was right, it looks as though I haven't slept in days. While the numerous empty coffee cups lining my desk may have done their job in keeping my brain working, they did nothing for my physical appearance. The dark circles under my eyes, my orange hair sticking out in every possible direction while defying the law of gravity, and my overall worn out look will speak the truth to any who see me.
I lean back in my chair and close my eyes, letting the music lull me into light relaxation. My roommate Chad should be back from work soon. I wonder if he will be up for grabbing a bite to eat. The only thing we have here are various types of instant noodles, and lately I have been wondering how long a person can live on pasta without getting scurvy. The door opened, interrupting my thoughts of food. I opened my eyes as Chad entered the room carrying a couple take out bags. Sometimes I wonder if he is psychic.
"Hey Ichigo, I brought some stuff back from the restaurant, hope your hungry." I smile and take the offered bag, "thanks man." I really couldn't have asked for a better roommate, not to mention the restaurant he works at makes a pretty mean burger. Thinking back to a conversation I had earlier with Rukia, I turned to Chad, "Hey, I remember you saying that your grandfather was out of town for the next few months. Would you like to come to Karakura with me this year? My friends and family want to thank the roommate who has been making me take care of myself the past four years."
He smiled and nodded "Sure, it sounds like fun." We spent the next hour or so working out the schedule and I called my friends to pick a day for our annual hang out session. Chad and I decided to leave for Kurakura on Monday and come back about a week before our primary clinical clerkship starts. We will both be 5th years in Toho Universities medical program, Chad for nursing and me for surgical medicine. Two more years and we will both have our master's, and I can start the Doctorate program for Surgical Medicine.
While the journey seems quite long and painful, the thought of 'Doctor Kurosaki Ichigo' is a promising reward. Chad plops down in his chair and pulls out his notes, waking me from my dream of a white coat and a Ph.D. Re-motivated, I turn to my own notes, one more final to ace before we are free for summer break.
Before I knew it, I had successfully completed year four and summer break was well underway. Chad and I made it to Kurakura and my family took to him immediately. Goat chin was thrilled to have 'another son' and my sisters politely thanked him for helping me survive. Renji came by and introduced himself about a week into our stay and we worked out the plans for our yearly get together.
Renji started, "Rukia went on vacation with her brother and will be back next week. She said something about wanting to go dancing, but I told her I'd run it by you guys first." Chad didn't seem like the clubbing type but when he said that was fine, I just nodded and gave what information I had. "Well, looks like we will be waiting on Grimmjow again. He got sucked into going on a business trip with his father when break started, and won't be back for another two weeks."
Renji looked mortified "stuck with Aizen for three weeks on business? Damn that really sucks for him. Probably should give him a few days to cool off once he gets back." At the end of the discussion, we settled on getting together the night before Chad and I were scheduled to go back to Tokyo.
The next week went by without a hitch. Rukia came back and met Chad. She seemed very interested in the only person I had taken the time to friend since I left. Chad was a good sport and answered her thousand and one questions without showing any signs of agitation. Hilariously, Renji was quite jealous of all the attention Rukia was giving the gentle giant. You'd think after nearly ten years of pining for the migit, he'd man up and confess. His excuse was some crap like not wanting to distract her from school. Oh well, it's not my job to manage his romantic life so I just tease him a little and let him be.
A few nights before we were supposed to go out, Chad got a phone call from his grandfather saying he was back in Tokyo. So Chad bid his goodbyes to my family, said he'd see me in a week, and boarded the next train to Tokyo. Rukia was a little upset he couldn't join us. Renji was thrilled.
After Chad left, I dedicated the rest of the week to my family. I played soccer with Karin, went to a book club meeting with Yuzu, and even spent a day in the clinic with goat face. Time finally dwindled down to the last day and I woke up feeling a little woozy. Deciding that I was probably just exhausted from all the activity this week I ignored it and started packing for tomorrow.
By the time Rukia and Renji showed up that night, I had everything ready to go for the next day. Grimmjow called and said he would meet us there. His flight had been delayed so he was coming straight from the airport. Before we left, I took one final glance at the mirror to check my attire. Rukia had pretty much dressed me when I voiced that I was comfortable going out in the track pants and large white shirt I had on previously.
She did a pretty good job, the tight red T-shirt accentuated my muscles and brought out my hair, while the faded jeans did wonderful things for my ass. We had to compromise on the pants as she wanted to originally put me in skinny jeans, which are just way too uncomfortable for my taste. After an approving glance, I threw on my black pumas and followed them out the door.
Not two steps in the door of the club and Rukia makes a mad dash for the bar, Renji close behind. Not quite ready to drink yet, I pick a spot on the dance floor and let loose to David Guetta's dance version of Sexy Bitch...
"...They say she needs to slow down,
The baddest thing around town..."
Moving my hips and feet to the beat, I relax and roll my shoulders, close my eyes and lose myself to the music.
"...I'm tryin to find the words to describe this girl
without being disrespectful.
Damn girl!
Damn you's a sexy bitch,
A sexy bitch..."
I open my eyes when I feel someone put their arms around me and pull my back to their chest. Just as I was about to turn around and bat them off, Grimmjow's deep voice whispers in my ear, "long time no see Ichi. Mind if I have this dance?" Just as I was about to tell him to back up, I noticed several people dancing much closer than they had been earlier, all eyes on me.
In no mood for unwanted advances from strangers, I decide to go with the lesser evil, knowing that I will be fielding Grimmjow's advances no matter what I do. I nod once and close my eyes again to get lost in the rhythm. Grimmjow smiles against my ear and begins swaying his body in time with mine...
"...The way that booty movin'
I can't take no more,
Have to stop what I'm doin'
so I can pull her close,
I'm tryin to find the words to describe this girl
without being disrespectful.
Damn girl!..."
A drink is thrust into my hand and I hear Rukia's voice yell over the music, "you know Grimmjow, you could have at least said 'hi' to us asshole." He laughed and replied, "Yeah, well sorry but someone had to protect the strawberry from gettin' jumped, the way he was dancin an' all."
I turned around and smacked him upside the head. "Don't call me that you ego inflated cookie freak!" I received my own little smack for that, Grimm hated cookie monster jokes. During our exchange the song ended and we decided to vacate the dance floor in favor of the bar. We discussed what all had happened in our lives since we last spoke, and knocked some drinks back in the process.
After about two hours and a very drunk Rukia later, we headed out and grabbed a bite to eat at one of the local 24 hour joints in town. When Rukia sobered up enough for Renji to take her home without Byakuya killing us all, they said their goodbyes and left. Grimmjow threw his arm over the back of the booth behind me and started the conversation that I knew had been coming all night. "You know what I am going to ask, right?"
I sighed and answered, "you mean the same thing you ask every year? Well the answer is the same as it has been for the past four years Grimm. You should really consider moving on." He chuckled at the expected answer before replying, "I told ya Ichi, that won't ever happen. I know ya belong with me, I just gotta find a way to make ya see it. By the way, who is Chad?"
Right, Rukia mentioned that he came to town with me at the bar. Should have seen this coming. "My friend and roommate. Not that it is any of your business but since I know you won't leave me alone about it, yes, he is straight, and no, I am not interested in him." Grimmjow's grin widened considerably. "Good then I won't have ta scare him off ."
That made me think about the possibility and I responded in a heated tone, "you know Grimm, if I were to find someone, and you tried to 'scare them off,' that I would beat your ass, right?"
Unsurprisingly, he didn't look fazed at all. "Sorry Ichi, but I've been training almost nonstop for the past four years while you've been locked in with your med books. You won't beat me again." If I wasn't so damn exhausted, I would probably put that challenge to the test. As it stands though, I can barely keep my eyes open so I reply with a simple "che, whatever asshole."
Grimmjow gave me a ride home and I successfully dodged his last advance of the night. Finally I was able to crawl into bed and look forward to a sparse 3 hours of sleep, before heading to the train station for the Eight o' clock to Tokyo.
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When the alarm went off a mere few hours later, I felt like shit. Correction, I felt like shit tumbled out of a moving car and got hit by a bus...twice. I wish I could blame it on the lack of sleep, or even the alcohol, but I knew the difference. The thermometer in the bathroom confirmed my suspicions, 101.2 degrees. Not wanting to worry my family, I played the out too late, and tired card when we said our goodbyes.
Boarding the train, I plopped down in a window seat and pulled out my I-pod. I would go to the medical center when I got back to Tokyo. My clerkship starts in a few days and I know they won't let me work if I am sick.
The train begins it's departure and I close my eyes, relaxing to the soothing music of the Fray.
Feeling the train slow to a stop, I open my eyes...wait, I fell asleep? I look around quickly to make sure I didn't sleep through my stop. I recognize enough of the area outside to know that my destination is next. Damn it is a good thing I woke up. Too bad the sleep didn't seem to help though. If anything I feel a little worse than I did earlier.
About 15 minutes later, my stop is announced and I grab my backpack. As the train begins to slow I stand, chalking the dizzy feeling up to getting up too fast. Unfortunately, fate proves me wrong when one step into the aisle, my world spins out of control.
I lose my balance and brace for a hard impact which doesn't come. Feeling an arm around my waist and a firm grip on my wrist I let out my breath and chance a look up. The quick movement was too much for my head and along with the spinning aisle, black dots begin spotting my vision.
The last two things I notice before passing out are the worried golden eyes of the man holding me, and his beautiful snow white hair.