Chapter 10: The Date and the Execution (Part 1)

"10:55am," Shuhei checked his watch as he exited the train. "I am running a little bit late. Should I text Abarai?"

The crowd continued to push and shove their way to the exit, making him Shuhei slightly uncomfortable. The group of people was quite thick, making it hard to reach into his pocket to grab his phone. He needed to message his friend about his short delay. It wasn't "a date" per say, but he still needed to conform to societal norms.

Shuhei pulled out his phone as he exited the pay gate and typed as he walked to the amusement park. Why did Renji give him a ticket? It was something that was on his mind, moments since he given him the ticket. Sure, what Renji and Rukia did could be considered "dating", and sure he had to use the air quotes in his head, however, everyone knows he is gay. To use a term that a bit derogatory, Renji was a bit of a closet case. Rukia was fine acting as his beard. After all, Renji is Rukia's beard too. Other anecdotal evidence includes observing Renji checking out other guys on the sly, especially in the changing room for gym period.

Although, Shuhei was pretty sure Renji was super into Ichigo. They fight like an old married couple; they constantly touch each other in more intimate areas than normal friends do. Sure, there is a thing called skin ship, but that only extends so far with friends. Maybe he wasn't having luck with Ichigo, and wanted to see if he was compatible with him.

Renji is an attractive guy, don't get him wrong, but his wild personality was a little too much for Shuhei. So, it is decided. Shuhei will have to "break up" with Renji, so to speak.

A few minutes had passed, and with great stride he arrived at the amusement park. Without much hesitation he beelined for the fountain, but the person there wasn't who he was expecting.

Red VS Blue

"Renji, fill me in," Ichigo sighed the moment he spotted the red head. "Rukia told me to keep an eye on you and to help you out with her scheme."

"Did you just agree to her plan, just to get her off your back?" Renji asked the orange hair boy.

"Yes," he answered. "No hesitation. She told me to do something and I did it no questions asked. You know how she can get."

"You're preaching to the choir buddy," Renji nodded. "Long story short she wants us to make sure that Shuhei and Trent have a good time on this date so that they end up together by the end of the day."

"Sure," Ichigo's brow furrowed. "The easiest thing in the world is playing Cupid." Ichigo's body tensed up. He was trying to work on controlling and containing his anger.

"She also gave use these," Renji handed him a special badge. "This grants us access to all areas of the park to help us with our mission and allows us to use anything we need."

"That rich girl," Ichigo growled. "She wants us to interfere and force the romance, doesn't she?"

"Is that a question that needs to be spoken?" Renji chuckled. "You know the answer. This is one of her schemes."

"So when do they get here?" Ichigo eyes moved towards the entrance gate. The park has been open since ten, but Rukia told him to tell Trent eleven, but the ticket itself has a noon admission.

"They should both be here by eleven," Renji checked his phone for the time. "Oh, but it seems Shuhei is running a few minutes late. Quick, lets hide behind that building over there, we can get a better look."

Ichigo and Renji hid behind an information booth kiosk. This gave them a good view of both the fountain in the center of the welcome area, and the entrance gate. A good tactical vantage point, after all, this is a mission.

"Look, Trent is already here," Ichigo pointed out. Trent's raven hair was styled up into a faux hawk. He was wearing black leggings with jogging shorts on top. The leggings stretched into combat boots that had a ridiculous about of buckles on them. He had a black, skin tight, long sleeved tee-shirt on it, but the neck line hung low.

"Didn't you tell him to dress nice?" Renji scolded. "This is a date after all! He has to make a great impression!"

"Rukia didn't give me much information!" Ichigo defended. "She told me to bring Trent here and that's what I did! I did my part!"

The two boys stared daggers at each other for a few seconds and let out a sigh. There was no point in fighting right now. It was too early and they have a job to do. However, now they have to work that much harder.

"Shuhei is here," Renji noticed. Shuhei was wearing tight black pants that seemed to have some sort of blue, tropical plant like pattern on them. It was noticeable, but barely. He was also wearing a black tank tucked into his pants, with a studded belt wrapped around. He had many accessories, wrist bands, a chocker, and countless ear piercings. His black hair was spiked up.

"Didn't you tell Shuhei to dress nice?" Ichigo threw Renji's word back at him.

"I want to say," Renji scratched his head, "that is nice for him?"

"You don't seem too sure," Ichigo sighed. "Whatever, we got to make this work; otherwise we won't hear the end of it."

"Oh Trent," Shuhei waved as he approached the fountain.

"Hey Shuhei!" Trent smiled. "You look very cool today. I mean, you always look cool..."

"Thank you," he smiled back. "You look pretty cool yourself. What brings you here?"

"I am supposed to meet Ichigo today," Trent said. "What about you?"

"I am supposed to meet Renji." Shuhei answered.

"That's tight."

"Are they just standing there in silence?" Renji panicked. "Why aren't they making small talk?"

"They don't know each other that well I guess," Ichigo face palmed. "Is Trent really this awkward?"

"I think I see the reason why Rukia said they need our help," Renji sighed. "I want to give up. This seems like it is going to be a lot of work. Too much work."

"I can't believe they are just standing there," Ichigo sighed along with Renji. "Haven't they realized it's a set up? I just want to scream "go into the park together!" at them."

The two boys stood quietly at the fountain for the better half on an hour, both watching the entrance gate. Shuhei kept checking is phone, but no contact from Renji. Trent nervously tapped his foot. He didn't have any contact information for Ichigo, at least not in his phone.

"Well it is almost noon," Trent spoke. "Ichigo is not coming. Guess I will go home."

"Don't go home!" Ichigo screamed internally. "Ask Shuhei to go in with you!"

"There is nothing we can do if they don't actually go in. Hold on, I got an idea," Renji pulled out his phone and began furiously typing away.

"It seems Renji won't be able to make it," Shuhei said as he looked at his phone. "An emergency came up, so it would seem. It also says that Ichigo is involved in the emergency and to let you know."

"It says what?" Ichigo hissed at Renji. "Subtle Renji, really subtle."

"Well, since they won't make it, want to explore the park with me?" Shuhei offered.

"Are you sure?" Trent asked but looked away. "We don't know each other that well and I am not that interesting."

"Stop being awkward," Ichigo said under his breath. "Just say yes."

"It'll be fine," Shuhei reassured with a smile. "It will be a great chance to get to know each other!"

"Then I would love to! Thank you Shuhei." Trent's eyes lit up.

Red VS Blue

The two boys walked into the park side by side, closely followed by two others. Ichigo and Renji made sure to keep their distance, but still able to observe. The two boys quickly realized they forgot to bring head wear, which is bad considering they both have hair colors that stick out, like really stick out. Once in a while Renji would text an update to Rukia, just to keep her in the loop. This was to create bookmarks of sort to help keep his thoughts organized because Rukia would ask questions and want details.

"What should we do first?" Shuhei asked. "Anything you want to do is fine."

"Well," Trent said as he open and unfolded the park map that he was handed at the entrance. "I do love roller coasters. Amusement Parks are really big back home, but I know they are not as popular here. The haunted house looks fun as well. I love scary things. Oh! There a bunch of stalls with games and food we can try. Not to mention the stage shows."

"You seem really excited," Shuhei chuckled. "It is possible to do all of this in a day. Whatever you want to do, we can do it."

"Is there anything you want to do?"

"Well, there is the Ferris wheel. However, that one is better to do in the evening, the scenery is better, and it is the best place to see the fireworks too!" Shuhei blushed a little un-noticeably.

"That is right Shu!" Renji cheered. "Best way to end the night. What do you think Ichi?" The red head turned his head and noticed that his partner in crime was missing. His eyes darted around but he couldn't spot orange hair anywhere.

"What is it?" Trent asked as he turned around. A giant stuffed bear holding a bouquet of balloons tapped him on the shoulder.

The bear gestured for the two boys to follow. They obediently followed. In a few minutes the arrived at the haunted house. The bear gestured for them to go in. It quickly bowed and sauntered out of sight. It quickly reappeared next to Renji.

"Good call Ichigo," Renji said. "Forcing them to go the haunted house could get them to move faster and hold hand at least."

"Yes I thought as much," Ichigo said as he removed the bear heard. "Let's hope it plays out in our favor."

Author Note:

Just a brief update. The second part will come soon. I have to find my old file of notes and re-read the past chapters to make sure everything stays current and updated.