The Next Top Model: Soul Society

by Otaku X

  Chapter 26: Finale

  The day of the fashion show was dry, too warm and sunny, and the show's crewmen had spent hours transforming the large open area outside into a showcase for the imminent walk-off between Rangiku and Yoruichi. There were others, too, provided by what had become a last ditch effort when Tara and the Rays realized there was not a model or talent agency to be found in all of Soul Society, and the scrambling to locate an additional twelve models ensued.

  Fortunately, Uryuu Ishida had proved his capabilities as a designer, and the evening gowns were completed on time. Stuffing the newly acquired models into the gowns was now in progress.

  Tara walked down the center of the raised runway that afternoon, hands on her voluptuous hips, encased in a white Grecian style gown that showed her figure, nodding as she looked to either side. Around her came the flash of last minute lighting tweaks and the sound equipment being tested boomed.

  "I like it," she said to Ray Migel's assistant, who was escorting her, taking notes on a notepad. "The weather is working with us. That's a plus. Lord, it's hot here!"

  Ray's assistant nodded.

  Tara pushed her hair from her face with a hand bejeweled in a smoky topaz slave bracelet, gold chains tinkling, looking to the low-rise bleachers to each side of the runway. Chairs were placed before the bleachers for captains, with designated spots behind them for vice-captains, with stadium seating for the rest of the divisions. To one side an area was sectioned off for the elders of Rukongai, and farther on, in the midst of the bleachers already claimed by Second Division, were four chairs reserved for a sect of judges from outside Soul Society.

  No one really expected those chairs to be filled, but Second Division was hopeful.

  Tara pointed to the section of chairs in the front row midway down the runway. "Miss Ray, me," she said with a smile and capital M, "Virgil, and our guest judge." She nodded and waved to the guest judge as he entered at the far end of the show area. "There he is now. Ooh, mama," she purred, smiling with a sudden libido surge. "Gorgeous, don't you think?"

  Ray's assistant debated his answer, looking to the man in the distance. "Slick."

  Tara wrinkled her face at the assistant. "Slick? No, he's smooth. Slick is tricky like that Aizen judge. Something sneaky about that handsome man. Smooth is absolutely scrumptious, like that Kyouraku judge." She smiled wider, preening a little as she started her own glide down the runway. "This one looks smooth."

  Ray's assistant shrugged, and turned back to the dressing areas behind the stage, where trouble was brewing.

  Uryuu looked around at the eleven models milling around the dressing room, some half-naked, some half-dressed, all panicking, chaos at every mirror and make-up station lining one canvas curtained wall. "Wait!" he cried for the fourth time. "We're missing someone! Who's missing?"

  Over the noise of the pulsing music that was now on track and grumbling of the women, all eyes went to him. The eleven former contestants stopped struggling with their evening gowns of varying colors to lend him their collective attention.

  Kuukaku, towering over most of the other also-rans, looked out over the crowd. "I think we're all here."

  Around her Nanao, Momo, Rukia, and Orihime gave the other models a cursory look. "Everyone is here," Nanao said. "I think."

  Uryuu held up a cornflower blue satin gown by its hanger. "No. Someone isn't here." A look of dread coupled with relief washed over his face as he estimated the models. "Where's Yumichika?"

  Yachiru hopped to his side, already in her pale pink gown trimmed with tiny bells. "He's not coming. Don't want to."

  Uryuu paled. "He has to. He's a former contender. There has to be fourteen. I made fourteen gowns. It's a collection!"

  Retsu came over to him, looking demure in her mauve gown, eyes on the blue dress. "Is that what you designed for him?"

  Uryuu nodded too many times, frantically looking around the room to see Hiyori fidgeting in her tangerine gown, and then to where Orihime was zipping up Tatsuki's dress. "I need another warm body!"

  Retsu nodded, smiling at him. "Stop flapping around, Quincy. I'll get you another model."

  "She's got to be pretty," Uryuu called as Retsu made her way across the crowded dressing area. "And she has to be a she!"

  Retsu nodded again, waving a hand at him, one hand scooping the skirt of her gown off the floor.

  "You can't be seen in that yet!" he added, voice squeaking in desperation.

  "Designers," Retsu mumbled, snagging one of the many capes hanging from a nearby mirror. "Quincys," she added, shaking her head at the cape and draping it over her shoulders before leaving the dressing area.

  She wove her way through the maze of draped canvas walls, sound and lighting equipment, crewmen, and miscellaneous personnel - including one very manly looking woman who was smoking a cigar and cursing at a cell phone at the perimeter - until she was in view of the bleachers and runway, looking out over the seats being filled with black and white robes, spotting Tara talking to Byakuya Kuchiki near the judges seats. It took Retsu a moment to find the section she wanted. She went there, waving off the complimentary murmurs from the other Division members, until she halted before the section comprised mostly of Eleventh and - oddly - Fourth Division members.

  "Let's see it," Zaraki said, eyes falling over the cape as Retsu paused before the bleachers, a few steps in front of him. Beside him were Shunsui and Ukitake, with General Yamamoto farther down.

  She gave him a reserved smile, fingers closing on the cape's edges, pulling it closer around herself. "Not yet," she called over the loud music. She searched the crowded stands, past Ikkaku and an alarmed Yumichika, and then up to the third bleacher to see her slightly peeved vice-captain sitting beside Renji and Hanatarou. "Isane, come down here."

  Isane looked surprised, sitting straighter. "Me, Captain?"

  Retsu smiled. "Yes, Isane. We've got a lovely gown for you."

  Isane jumped to her feet so quickly she nearly knocked Renji and Hanatarou off the bleacher. "Yes, Captain Unohana!" She hastened down the riser, dangerously wedging herself hurriedly between Zaraki and Shunsui in the front row. She followed Retsu back to the dressing area.

  After the blue dress was filled by Isane in the main dressing area and Uryuu made the necessary alterations, he bustled his way to the smaller room partitioned off, where Ray Migel was giving the final two contestants a few runway directions before their walks. Uryuu blushed red as he glimpsed Rangiku and Yoruichi finagling into their evening gowns, until he remembered to look away.

  "... final walks, so make it count," Ray was saying, dressed sharply in a black jacket over white shirt and pants. He tugged on a tendril of Rangiku's hair as it caught on a shoulder strap of the midnight blue silk gown.

  He turned the gilt trimmed edge bemusedly so it lay flat. "Bright smiles, but not overly-indulgent, powerful walks, snap those turns, and make an impression. This will be the last chance you get before panel tonight."

  Uryuu cleared his throat. "You both look very nice."

  Yoruichi did a test pose before the floor length mirror, making the magenta silk gown fold over her curves, smiling back at him. "You like us in your designs, Quincy."

  Uryuu shook his head. "I mean it. You look ... beautiful."

  Rangiku looked to him, smiling at the blush beginning again across his face. She cupped his chin in one hand, stepping away from Ray. "Talented guy, Ishida-kun. If I win this, you make me a dress like this."

  He stammered an answer as she withdrew and put her hands on her hips, looking to her reflection in the mirror, running a hand over the blue silk that wrapped around her torso, fanning out mid-thigh in a mermaid skirt. She adjusted the black pashmina scarf to drape across her back, sweeping behind to dangle at her elbows as she turned to see her backside, giving the mirror a flirty look. "That must be some sewing club you and Inoue have at school."

  "Uh, well, yes ... it is." He looked to Yoruichi, who was fingering her dark hair that was pulled up high to fall in
loose twists.

  Ray's eyes traveled over Yoruichi's dress, looking for any minute problems. "A school sewing club? Is that how you got your start in fashion, Uryuu?"

  Uryuu nodded, then shook his head. "Yes. You could say that."

  Ray nodded, his attention going to Rangiku's dress for inspection. "Excellent story. It'll make a great biography, when someone writes one."

  Yoruichi smiled slyly at Uryuu, patting her hair. The iridescent material hugged her in magenta folds, the plunging scoop neckline snug at her waist to fall into a wide, flowing skirt at her ankles. "Love the color."

  "Oh, good. I'm happy you like it." Uryuu grew more uncomfortable as she let Ray arrange the twists in her hair. "I, uh, think I'll go see how Nemu and Captain Soifon are faring."

  Yoruichi giggled. "So, Mr. Judge Ishida, will you be voting for one of us today, or for one of your dresses?"

  "Uh, I'm not voting," he said, clearing his throat, looking from her to Rangiku. "I'll go see about the rest of them."

  Ray grinned as Uryuu left. "He's a nervous one." He brushed what little backing there was of Yoruichi's dress with his hand. "More nervous than I've seen most designers on a show opening."

  "If he's not judging," Rangiku said as the music changed to a stronger beat outside as the show opening neared, "it could be a split vote."

  "Oh, no, honey," Ray said, raising an eyebrow and ushering them into the commotion of the main dressing area. "I'm judging today, too."

  Yoruichi threw Rangiku a shrewd look. "We've been kissing-up to the wrong guy."

  The tempo of the eurobeat music quickened, making the models in the holding area shift nervously on their high heels, clutching their stomachs with the jitters. Out on the runway Tara was making a speech, something that Rangiku and Yoruichi couldn't quite hear clearly. Ray was hustling a somewhat reluctant Tatsuki into position at the edge of the opening curtains, giving her final directions before she was to make the first stomp down the runway.

  The noise of the crowd rose, to be matched by the thumping beat of the music, and Ray pushed a tottering, wide-eyed gown-swagged Tatsuki into the limelight.

  A cheer went up from the gathered crowd, and Tatsuki found a smile and made her galumph down the runway carpet.

  "Kuukaku, you're next!" Ray called, waving over the woman, now with both arms.

  Behiind the other models, Rangiku and Yoruichi peeked out between a doubled fold in the curtains that separated the holding area from the show's sideline.

  "Ooh, everyone is here," Rangiku said. Yoruichi hovered near her shoulder to see the crowd.

  A hoot and a holler went up from the more belligerent segment of audience as Kuukaku did her walk down the runway. She grinned her trademark maniacal smile in the direction of boar-riders and her brother, giving them a thumbs-up.

  Rangiku and Yoruichi watched Kuukaku make her retreat and Hiyori begin her angry trot down the runway. In the judges' section were Miss Ray in all his purple suited glory, beside him Tara in her white dress, Virgil to her side in a tailored sable suit looking handsome, and beside him Byakuya, enjoying himself more than he generally allowed. Yoruichi looked past the block of chairs designated for Rukongai's esteemed elders, past the captains section, and way up to the top bleachers where a familiar figure wearing a green and white hat sat with a rather large Kidou officer and two smaller figures shoving at each other.

  She smiled. "It's been a very long competition."

  Rangiku nodded and looked to the four empty chairs at the front of Second Division. Still empty.

  Oh, well, it was too much to expect, she knew. Too much to hope for.

  She looked to where Hisagi and Kira were sitting behind Hitsugaya. She smiled at her captain, who was watching Retsu do her walk on the runway, saw the short captain's face register a bit of disappointment as Rukia took her strut on the runway, happier in her gown than the lingerie, followed by Yachiru's happy bop down the carpet.

  Rangiku sighed. "The time moved so fast I didn't realize how long it's really been." She saw Hitsugaya's face light up, a genuine smile on his lips as Momo began her stomp down the carpet. "A very long time."

  "I don't know what to do!" Isane was suddenly heard wailing from the front of the holding area as Ray tried to give her a crash course in runway strut. Behind them Soifon took her turn on the runway, her eyes on the four empty chairs more than the carpet before her.

  Rangiku and Yoruichi took their place in line behind Nanao, Nemu, and Orihime as Isane found herself suddenly in the spotlight, music pounding around her, wobbly on her heels, cornflower blue gown looking surprisingly form-fitting with Uryuu's last minute alterations.

  A bellow of cheers went up as Isane did a passable stomp down the runway, smile growing as she went, pausing before striking a modest pose at the end.

  She was followed by Nanao, and then Nemu, and then Orihime's flouncy walk, which had lost little appeal since her elimination. From the Ryoka section - just below where the Shoten residents sat - Ichigo and Chad whooped and waved as the Living girl passed. Orihime flashed them a peace sign as she did her end of the runway pose.

  Ray was grinning, as he'd been for the last fifteen minutes, as he indicated Rangiku. "You're next, sweetheart."

  Rangiku nodded.

  She appeared at the beginning of the runwway, the spotlight casting her shapely silhouette on the cream curtain behind her. She put one hand on her hip, pausing as she looked out over the crowd of mostly shinigami, a few townsfolk, all the previous judges, sans the four empty chairs, and started down the carpet at a gait half strut, half swagger. Cameras flashed around her, the dark blue satin skirt flowing, her smile inviting. The crowd roared approval, making Tara turn in her chair to look at the black-clad audience behind her.

  Rangiku stomped to a stop, struck a seductive, daring pose at the end of the runway, the copper glitter on her shoulders and decollete' catching the natural light. She turn abruptly and headed back down the walk, black scarf draped across her back at her crooked elbow, trailing from her other hand.

  When Rangiku returned, Yoruichi took her turn. She halted at the carpet for a second, and then moved out at a quick pace as the crowd cheered. The camera flashes danced off her iridescent magenta dress, sparkled off the bronze glitter dusted on her shoulders, touched at the low cut of her neckline, hem sweeping just above her heels. She sent an bewitching smile across the audience as she struck her pose, angling one hip to the side before turning and stomping back to the holding area.

  Once at the rear of the runway it was another pass, all of the models in a line, catching some of them by surprise.

  "No!" Ray suddenly realized he was in trouble as Tatsuki began the end walk - barefoot.

  "Everybody put their shoes back on!" Ray ordered.

  Rukia, Yachiru, and Hiyori were already barefoot, and ignored him, instead taking their place in line for the final walk.

  "Holy meard, Tara's going to kill me," Ray said as the models disappeared out through the curtains.

  Uryuu tagged along after Yoruichi, smiling more than he had in years, reddening a little at the applause that went up from the crowd, who were on their feet, knowing the bulk of the applause couldn't be for his creations. At the end of the runway, as Yoruichi took the final turn, he turned and caught up with Orihime, who gave him a wide smile, and hooked her arm under his for the walk back.

  "Good job! Good job, ladies!" Ray called as the models returned, smiling in relief. "Even without the shoes - well done, still good."

  Everyone headed to the dressing area, where shoes were kicked off, and assorted complaints arose from stuck zippers, sticky hair unmoving under layers of spray, and a shriek when Tara burst through one of the draped wall segments.

  "Hey, hey, girls!" she shouted, smiling and hopping on her gilt heels. "Wow, ya'll did so good tonight."

  "Thanks, Tara!" came the rush of reply.

  Tara found Rangiku and Yoruichi and waded through the silk and satin dresses being shucked off. She gave each of them
a hug, smiling and giggling. "You did good! Powerful walks, working the angles, showing that strut that got you this far. And the audience loved you both!"

  Yoruichi and Rangiku smiled back at her, anxious to get out of the gowns.

  "You've got one last panel yet," Tara said, raising an eyebrow. "You've got fifteen minutes to get out of these," she gestured to the gowns, "and meet us at the judges table."

  Rangiku and Yoruichi nodded.

  The final panel was gathered at the judges table shortly after the runway show, sounds of the audience leaving the stands still audible from nearby. Uryuu was seated at the far end of the table beside Miss Ray, Tara in her center chair, with Ray Migel now to her left, followed by Virgil, and the guest judge, Byakuya Kuchiki, whose usual aloof demeanor was slightly askew in light of the recent show.

  "I got to say," Miss Ray said, "you are one of the best put-together looking fellas I've ever seen, and we've had some real lookers this season." He wagged a finger in Byakuya's direction. "We've had several judges wearing those outfits, and none of 'em looked like you in 'em. That's what separates the polish from the general masses."

  Tara nodded, her gaze fastened on Byakuya. "It's not the rank, is it? 'Cuz we've had other captains judge."

  Byakuya looked past Virgil and Ray to Tara. "I'm nobility. I don't think you've had other judges of my status here."

  "Ooh, nobility," Miss Ray said, tapping his tiara, lifting his eyebrows, looking down his nose at the guest judge and adopting a cultured female British accent. "Well, that makes all the bloody difference now, doesn't it, sir?"

  Byakuya wasn't quite sure what to make of the man in the purple suit. "Yes. Yes, it does."

  Virgil studied Byakuya. "Not royalty?"

  Byakuya held his stare. "Nobility."

  Ray grinned and looked to the doorway as the final two contestants appeared there, dressed in black slip dresses and heels, their hair brushed out but still voluminous.

  Byakuya cracked a regal smile.

  Tara scooted out of her chair and stood, smiling graciously back at the women. "Good show today, ladies," she said softly, leading a round of polite clapping from the judges. "Both of you gave a good show." She smiled and waved an arm at them. "Come on down here and we'll look at your best photos."

  Rangiku and Yoruichi both approached the judges table, looking back at the judges, nodding slightly to the guest judge.

  "Before we get started, allow me to remind you who makes up our panel." She angled a jeweled hand to her right at the table. "First we have Mr. Uryuu Ishida, noted fashion designer, who created those lovely dresses you all wore on the runway today, and who will be contributing to our deliberation, but sitting out of the actual judging today."

  She made a small bow to Uryuu, who blushed, swelling with pride at his new notoriety.

  Tara indicated the next judge. "Miss Ray Constance, runway coach extraordinaire."

  Miss Ray circled a finger around one of the two remaining points on his tiara.

  Tara gestured to the other side of the table. "Ray Migel, your photo shoot director who mama hen'd you throughout the competition."

  Ray smiled and waved. "Hi, ladies."

  "Hi, Ray," Yoruichi and Rangiku returned, smiling.

  "Mr. Ray is voting today also," Tara said. "Our very own Virgil Parker, sought-after photographer to the modeling elite."

  Virgil gave them a charming smile and waved.

  "And, our special guest judge," Tara said, drawing out the word, "Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, from the noble House of Kuchiki."

  Rangiku made a short bow to the last judge. Yoruichi flashed him a mischievous smile Byakuya recalled from her earlier hair-tie stealing days of their youth.

  "Now, let me tell you about the prizes," Tara said for the final time of the season. "First is a contract with Up Front Agency, a very well-known, highly respected Japanese agency responsible for producing some of the top idols in Asia. There's also a two-page spread in BLT magazine, a multi-million yen contract with Revlon cosmetics, and finally, $100,000 US. Just over twelve million yen." She raised an eyebrow. "A lot at stake. Let's take a look at the runway footage from today's show."

  The lights went down as Tara sat in her chair, and all eyes looked to the screen.

  It picked up toward the end of the show, with Rangiku appearing at the runway and proceeding to do her stomp down the carpet, deep blue skirt flowing around her as she moved.

  "Rangiku has a strong walk, working the scarf, enough swish to her hips without putting the hootch in it," Virgil narrated, pointing to the screen. "She's got -"

  "Hootch?" Byakuya repeated.

  "You know, hootch," Miss Ray emphasized. "Putting the street in walker."

  Byakuya nodded slowly, glancing at Yoruichi. who gave him a slight shake of her head.

  "A little is okay," Tara said, smiling at the guest judge, "but too much puts a model into another category."

  They watched the screen as Rangiku struck her pose, turned, and made her way back down the runway.

  Virgil nodded. "She's a natural."

  Byakuya looked to Rangiku with new interest.

  Next Yoruichi appeared at the end of the runway onscreen, advancing down the carpet with her flirty stride, magenta dress sweeping the carpet as she moved fluidly to the end and holding her pose before returning.

  "Yoruichi has the classic smooth walk, not quite gliding, but definitely feline," Virgil said as Tara opened her mouth to speak. "She's come a long way from her first walk."

  The screen went blank and the lights came up. Tara smiled back at the finalists, standing behind the table. "Both strong walks, both beautiful girls, both would make an impact on the modeling world. I'm going to ask you to leave the room while we deliberate, and we'll call you back in to announce who is The Next Top Model."

  When Yoruichi and Rangiku had left, Tara sat down and looked to each of the judges in turn. "This is it, guys, our last vote." She pushed her hair back from her face and sighed. "Is it just me or is it hot in here?"

  Miss Ray nodded limply. "It's a hot one, Tara-baby."

  She shrugged and looked to the screen. "We've got two strong models, each with something different to offer as The Next Top Model. Let's take a look at some of their best previous photos. Are we keyed up, boys?"

  The head cameraman nodded and pointed to the screen. On it flashed side by side photos of Red Amazon and The Executioner.

  Virgil nodded. "The Boris Vallejo shoot. Both found the light in that challenge, both looking strong."

  Ray's eyes were on the screen. "You know, Rangiku's movements in that shoot were unrehearsed yet somehow self-choreographed, the way she worked the lighting and the props, like she'd been doing it for years."

  Byakuya appraised the photos, trying to identify the head Yoruichi was holding. "It's very realistic."

  Miss Ray nodded. "Both are aware of their bodies, how the light hits them, not a bad pose among them."

  Tara's left eye twitched as she nodded in agreement. "Not many off-days for either of them."

  The screen changed to the Textures photos, with Yoruichi crouched on the boulder and Rangiku leaning against said boulder, both smiling back at the camera.

  "Rangiku's photo is right out of a Fifties pin-up, with more clothing," Virgil said as he grinned at the photos. "Yoruichi here has reined in that hootch factor without losing the seductive edge."

  "Both are looks each of the finalists have used all through the competition," Ray said, "but this is the best of their styles."

  "They'd both sell, both would book all over the world," Tara said.

  "But which would be more marketable?" Miss Ray said.

  Byakuya studied the photos. "You have to admit Miss Yoruichi has the exotic appeal. Rangiku," he made a half shrug, "appealing in other ways."

  "I can see them working as soon as one of them won," Virgil said, eyes remaining on the screen.

  Tara smiled engagingly. "They will be." The judges looked to her. "Up Front Agency alre
ady has the winner booked for three photo shoots and tentative work for the next eight months."

  Miss Ray whistled, eyes widening. "The word is getting around."

  "Any thoughts, Captain Byakuya?" Tara asked, smiling down the table.

  Byakuya considered the screen for a long moment. "I've decided."

  Virgil looked to him. "We still have to vote."

  Byakuya sent a sharp glance to Tara. "I was under the impression I was the judge here."

  Uryuu chuckled, until Byakuya made eye contact with him.

  "Yes, we value your opinion," Tara said soothingly, "but we're all judges here, and we all have a voice in the final outcome."

  Byakuya looked uncharacteristically insulted.

  Tara tilted her head to one side. "Have we made our final decision, gentlemen?"

  Ten minutes later the finalists were called back into the room where Tara stood before the judges table, the screen blank to her right. Behind her the judges sat, faces belying nothing as Yoruichi and Rangiku stood midway down the runway carpet. Tara smiled at them, hands clasped before her. Except for Byakuya, who was sulking in a noble way.

  Tara smiled at the finalists. "Before me stand two talented women. You both have the looks, the walk, you know your angles. One has that exotic allure," she said, looking to Yoruichi before turning her attention went to Rangiku, "one that sultry appeal."

  The screen blinked white, and all eyes went to it.

  "The winner of The Next Top Model is ..." Tara said with a pause for affect, the screen flashing again.

  Rangiku's photo appeared on the screen.

  "Rangiku!" Tara cheered, arms outstretched, smiling grandly.

  "Me?" Rangiku stared stunned at the screen, and then squealed, throwing her arms around Yoruichi, who hugged her back with equal fervor, a good-sport smile on her face. "I can't believe it!"

  "Congratulations," Yoruichi said, mussing Rangiku's hair.

  Tara beamed at them both. "How does it feel to be The Next Top Model, Rangiku?"

  The finalists separated and Rangiku fanned a hand in front of her face, trying to catch her breath. "I don't know yet!"

  "Well, you better get used to it, girl," Tara said, giving her a quick hug and holding her at arm's length. "You've got two photo shoots scheduled in London next week, and one in Rome, before it's off to Hawaii."

  "Next week?" Rangiku said, her face losing some of its glee.

  Tara nodded. "After that, you're jet-setting to Paris, and on to Los Angeles."

  "...Oh." Rangiku frowned, looking to Yoruichi, who appeared surprised also at the itinerary. "How long will all this take?"

  "How long ... how long?" Tara echoed, her composure faltering.

  "You're a top model now," Virgil said, rising with the Rays and joining them at the carpet. "Nothing will be the same. Congratulations, Rangiku." He gave her a lingering hug, followed by one from each of the Rays.

  Rangiku parted from Ray, looking to Tara. "How long is this going to last?"

  Tara laughed, waving a hand at her. "As long as the industry allows. Modeling can be a few years, or a lifetime - that's twenty years, on the plus side," she said lower, leaning to Rangiku. "This can be a career."

  "A career change, honey-child," Miss Ray added.

  Rangiku looked to where Byakuya was still sitting, and then to Uryuu down the table. She shrugged. "I can't. I've got a job." She rolled her eyes. "Do you know how far I am behind in paperwork already, just to come here?" She smiled. "I can't leave my taicho."

  "Your what?" Tara began to comprehend. "You don't, you don't ...?"

  "I don't want it." Rangiku turned to Yoruichi. "Do you want it?"

  "Years?" Yoruichi shook her head, crossing her arms. "No way."

  Tara sagged as she grasped the issue. "You don't want it? Ya'll don't want it?"

  Rangiku and Yoruichi nodded.

  Tara huffed in disbelief. "Then why for did ya'll try out if ya didn't want the prize? Hmm?" she asked with a ghetto swagger. "Answer me that!"

  "I just wanted to win," Rangiku said, trying to run a hand through her still-starched hair. She grimaced and pulled her fingers out.

  Tara leveled her attention on Yoruichi. "You, too? You don't want to model? Just win?"

  Yoruichi nodded.

  Virgil cleared his throat as the Rays stared dumbstruck at the women. "I think it's over, Tara."

  "Thanks," Rangiku said as the twitch in Tara's eye came back in force. "It was fun. Thanks, everyone."

  She waved to the judges, and then nodded to Yoruichi, before turning. Together the two finalists walked back down the carpet runner, and through the doorway.

  Tara let out a scream of bewilderment and frustration that was heard all across Seireitei. "No one wants it?!"

  And then, there was Tara.

  * * *

  Thanks for reading! More good stories from Echo Press and WordLink. Visit us.