The Can

Ichigo had just taught Rukia how to open a juice box. Rukia had since then been drinking juice boxes nonstop just to practice this new "technique." Ichigo watched her drink all these juice boxes, warning her that they would take their revenge in the bathroom later on. Naturally, Rukia paid no heed to Ichigo.

Ichigo was having a relatively good day. Rukia was getting up to run to the restroom nearly two times every hour, sometimes three. Every time she got up to go, Ichigo got a little laugh out of the look on her face. In fact, none of Ichigo's friends had seen him smile that much in one day since his mother had died. All in all, Ichigo was having a pretty good time, and Rukia was regretting not listening to him earlier. In the Sereitei their bodies could hold down more liquid then that, more sake in most cases.

The next day, after Rukia's urinary problem had died down, Rukia saw Ichigo down the hall talking to Chad. Wow. I've never seen them actually talk just because they could. I guess it is a silent friendship, Rukia thought. Rukia approached them, and before she could say anything, Chad handed her a small note with an address on it. Rukia looked up at the silent giant of a teenager, and then to Ichigo.

"Chad's birthday is next Saturday, so he's inviting all of us to his place to hang out for while. Ya' know, share some drinks, talk, and listen to some music," Ichigo explained.

Rukia energetically accepted the invitation. Ichigo didn't need to say anything to confirm that he'd be there. This was his best friend's birthday, after all. When Saturday rolled around, Ichigo and Rukia walked over to the Chad residence, an apartment where Chad lived alone. Chad had lost both parents and his Abuelo. Ichigo knocked on the door and Chad silently let them in, but he did faintly smile to see Ichigo had actually come. The party, being at Chad's place, wasn't an all out rave with lasers and blasting music. It was more of a party with the music just loud enough to be heard while everyone talked, but everybody was having a good time. Rukia mostly talked to Tatsuki and Orihime. Ichigo leaned against the wall with Chad beside him exchanging a few, brief words.

As the party passed, Rukia became thirsty. When she went to retrieve a drink there was a problem. The drinks were in metal, cylinder-like containers. She brought one of said containers to Ichigo, with a panicked look on her face. Ichigo understood and taught Rukia how to open these "cans" as he called them. It was not easy, and Ichigo literally had to take a stance behind Rukia and guide her fingers on how to do it. When people saw this, it spread a considerable amount of gossip, but Ichigo didn't care, he just wanted to help Rukia. Rukia eventually got the hang of opening cans, so she thanked Ichigo and walked away.

Later in the party Keigo walked up to Rukia and handed her a can. Keigo said he'd gotten for Ichigo, but needed to use the restroom, so he asked Rukia to take it to him. When Rukia cheerfully began her task, Keigo pulled a camera from his pocket and hid behind a corner. Rukia approached Ichigo and offered him the can. Ichigo accepted the drink, but before he could take it, Rukia announced to him that she would open for him to show her progress. Rukia closed her eyes, just to show off, and pointed the can at Ichigo. She clicked open the can, smirking, but she heard a strange fizzing noise coming from the can. Rukia opened her eyes and saw Ichigo covered in cola and scowling darkly at her. Rukia and Keigo both fell to the floor laughing.