Bleached! Ep. 2. New Year's Resolutions

    It was the 31^st of December. Besides being the last day of the year it was Urahara’s birthday. He was having a double birthday party because Yoruichi’s birthday was right the next day. Everyone was invited.

    While the two lovebirds were making all the preparations for the party Renji was locked in his room listening to Mariah Carey’s We belong together and thinking about Rukia. Little did he know that Rukia was actually coming to the party with a late flight.

     Busy with his sobbing, Renji was spaced-out and almost jumped like burnt when his phone rand thinking it was Rukia.

-         Hello, my little princess. What are you doing, my love?

      

-    You idiot. It’s me, Ichigo. I’m calling to ask you about the presents you were supposed to buy. The ones we all contributed to.

        

-    Uhm…yeah. I remember. I have them right here in…under my bed. He he.

     

-   Renji…do you think I’m stupid? I can tell that you’re lying. You are hyperventilating into the phone, you moron. You forgot to buy the presents, didn’t you?

  

-   Well...it slipped my mind. But we still have another six hours before the guests arrive.

   

-  We? You created this problem so you fix it. If not, you will be the one to explain to Urahara and Yoruichi why they didn’t receive any birthday presents from us.

    

-   Oh, hell no. They are already mad at me. One more wrong move and I’m sleeping on a bench in the park. No worries. I’m going shopping right now.

-   You do that. Bye.

    Man, oh, man…I messed it up. Almost every store is closed. What am I supposed to do now? I need to keep on looking. I’ll just go to a gas station and buy them some keychains.

No. No. I need to focus. I’ll just go to the mall. That is still opened.

    Renji went to the mall and bought the two some sexy stuff; a pair of crimson boxers for Urahara and black lace lingerie for Yoruichi, perfume for each of them and scented candles. He was proud of his choices…

    Two and a half hours later he was back at Urahara’s house where the guests were starting to show up.

    Everyone was there: Ichigo and Inoue, Ishida and Chad, and mostly all of the Gotei 13. This Urahara sure had a big house. I guess these are the perks of being an entrepreneur.

    Urahara was not the one to have motivational speeches if not needed so instead he brought up Renji’s promise regarding him not being a freeloader anymore and starting his intensive training.

     - So Renji, have you added this to your New Years Resolutions like you said?

    -Of course I did, Urahara. What do you think of me? That I am a man with no word? Well…let me tell you something. I am a man of word. I’ve always been. That’s how I got into squad 6. Do you think Byakuya sama would accept someone with no moral values? I don’t think so.

    - Yeah…it’s not like you’re making a move on his sister.

     - Oh, come on…Rukia has been my best friend since we were little kids. Byakuya doesn’t even know her for as long as I do. She was my all time crush and still is, because Rukia is special. I love her eyes, I love her voice, I love the way she draws…badly…horribly wrong. But I still love her. I love everything she does.

In that very moment Rukia arrives to the party.

- Really, Renji? asks Rukia

      

      -Rukia, I did not realize you were here.

      

      -Yes, you stupid. I sent you an e-mail saying that I’m coming over for the Holydays. Did you get it?

      

      -Rukia, I’m sorry but I haven’t learned yet how to use e-mails and stuff. I don’t know how to use them.

    

      -You should have told Urahara to teach you.

    

      -Yes of course. I am very skilled in anything. says Urahara.

   

      -Yeah, we know…shut up. Rukia, yes. Everything I said is true. I like everything about you.

   

      -I know, Renji. That’s why I came back for you.

    

      -For me?

    

      -Well…actually no. I came back because in two weeks time it’s my birthday and I want presents.

     

      -I know. And guess what I have for you…you have to unwrap it in the bedroom.

    

      -Oh, c’mon. Really, Renji? Are you saying that in front of all these people? You’re such an idiot.

Needless to say that wasn’t the only awkward moment that night. Everyone blushed when Urahara and Yoruichi unwrapped the presents from Renji. Come to think of it, everyone besides the two. They really liked it. Renji was proud once again for his choice. So proud that he really did go through the stripping show he talked about after drinking a little too much champagne.

     It was the beginning of an exiting year for everyone, especially Renji who fell asleep on the couch in the living room with Rukia in his arms.

     Besides the promises he made to Urahara, he did make a promise to himself. That he would become the kind of man to make Rukia proud…

     Want to know what happens next? Stick around for the next episode of Bleached!

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Best wishes,

Cory Kay