Plans

Chapter 1: A Harmless Game of Truth or Dare

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, Kubo-sensei does.

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A harmless game of Truth or Dare

The school year was over. Ichigo immediately exited the room trying to avoid Keigo because he does not want to join the house party that his friend was sponsoring. He has received countless emails and text messages reminding him of the said event. There was even a countdown wherein Keigo sent messages everyday counting down to the day when the school year would be over.

Ichigo, being the anti-social person that he is, does not want to join the party. But Isshin - who is quite the opposite - predicted how his son would react, thus, devised a plan to ensure that he will attend the said party. And just as Ichigo was about to open the front door of his house, he suddenly felt his arms and legs snap together. He remembered this feeling. This was the first kido that Rukia did to him.

Someone kicked the back of his knees, making him kneel. His shoulders were pushed down to the ground and his head was covered with a supermarket paper bag. He then heard his dad spoke. "Thanks very much for the help, Urahara"

"Don't mention it Kurosaki-san. And besides, I will never miss a chance to see Ichigo in such an idiotic position" Urahara said with a chuckle.

Isshin laughed heartily, "true...true...my son is an idiot most of the time. But that will soon change"

And that is how Ichigo ended up in Keigo's doorstep. But as to why Ichigo is now sitting in a circle with his friends, playing truth or dare, was another interesting story.

He was quarrelling with his dad for abducting him and forcefully bringing him to his friend's house. But it seems like Isshin really knows how to play his cards well. Just as Ichigo was about to walk away, his father brought out a familiar looking photo album. Isshin gave him an evil grin, and he knew that he had already lost.

It wasn't really a tough choice between his baby pictures being broadcasted for all of his classmates to see, or attend a party that would consume a good 3 to 4 hours of his time. The answer was pretty obvious.

"Participate in the activities and have fun, otherwise attending this party would be useless...or else..." were his father's parting words. Ichigo's not really the obedient type or the type that would respond to threats, but this is one of those moments where he really has no choice. His reputation is at stake here.

Ichigo snapped back to reality when he heard Mizuiro's voice. "Truth or dare?"

"What?" Ichigo looked around stupidly. Everyone's eyes were on him, waiting for his answer.

"Dare" was his simple response.

"Kiss Kyoko on the lips for 10 seconds" came Keigo's voice. He was pointing at their blond classmate sitting beside Ichigo.

He tried looking nonchalant about it, but his heart was pounding hard against his chest. He nervously looked at the raven-haired girl sitting right across the circle from him, and swallowed hard. Why is she even here? he whispered to himself.

Rukia just stared back at him with a smile.

And why is she giving me that look like everyone else? As if she's expecting me to just oblige? Inwardly, Ichigo was expecting (or hoping) a different response from her.

"For Kurosaki-san to give me a peck on the lips is not an issue...right, Kuchiki-san?" Kyoko said.

"Sure, go ahead." Rukia said looking puzzled. Her expression clearly showed that she was surprised why her opinion was even needed.

Everybody knew, or assumed, that they have feelings for each other, except for 2 people – Ichigo and Rukia themselves. And that's what frustrates their close friends - Chad, Orihime, Ishida, Tatsuki, Mizuiro and Keigo.

Upon hearing Rukia's response, Ichigo suddenly became irritated. And that was enough to force him to do what he was asked to do.

So he slowly turned to his right and leaned forward, staring at the girl's brown eyes. This doesn't seem right, he thought but he continued anyway. And as he moved closer, he closed his eyes and saw an all too familiar purple eyes staring at him...and then came the kiss.

The girl withdrew quickly and blushed profusely. While Ichigo looked like he didn't even know what happened.

It's already over? He sighed.

"Now, that wasn't so bad right Ichigo?" Keigo was obviously trying to hide his laughter. He then reached out to spin the bottle again.

Everyone silently waited for the next victim. The innocent soda bottle spun for seconds before stopping. It was pointing at none other than - Rukia. What a coincidence. Keigo thought.

This is the first time Rukia played this game. Ichigo understood this by the way she looked at him, as if asking "What do I do?"

"Now it's Kuchiki-san's turn. Kiss me!" Keigo exclaimed a little too excitedly.

Everyone groaned and Ichigo spoke. "Now isn't that a little too unfair? She hasn't even decided if it's a truth or a dare."

"Hmmm...does our Ichigo want to claim Ms. Rukia's kiss then?" Keigo's words caused Ichigo to flush.

"Does it mean that they haven't kissed yet?" Kyoko asked innocently.

"And why would I want to kiss her!" Ichigo yelled. His irritation has not yet subsided.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Rukia retorted, forgetting about her little-miss-nice-girl act.

"You don't even look like someone who can kiss!" Ichigo blurted without thinking.

Rukia looked more flushed than Ichigo, but whether it is due to embarrassment or anger, nobody could tell. And at that very moment, she stood up and walked towards Ishida. Without any warning, she claimed his lips and gave him what seems to be a real passionate kiss. Ishida was too shocked to react. Orihime squealed and covered her eyes. After a few seconds, she pulled back and whispered an audible apology to both Ishida and Orihime.

No one was able to speak. They were all too stunned at the act that just transpired. Ichigo was opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish. He wanted to say something, but the words were caught in his throat.

It was Rukia that broke the silence, "now, you can ask for Ishida's opinion".

All eyes were on Ichigo. But all he can see was the scene replaying again and again right before his eyes.

"OK. Scavenger hunt!" Orihime exclaimed all of a sudden. Everyone stood to move to the living room, very glad that they found a way to escape the tension-filled room. Orihime was the first to exit. Ishida caught up with her and placed his arms around her shoulder.

Ichigo was the only one glued to his spot, who only moved just as Rukia passed by him. She was the last to leave the room, thus, he had more confidence to speak to her. He grabbed her arm, "Don't ever do that again" he said.

"Do what?...moron" she just can't resist giving a insult.

"Act...umm...inappropriately... around people...midget" Ichigo can't find the right words to express what he wanted to say. Well, to be honest, he doesn't even know what he wanted to say.

"And you're one to talk? Insulting me in front of everyone like that" this was turning out to be a shouting match.

Ichigo stood also stood up and faced her. "And acting like that was the only possible response to my insults? Is that how a noble lady would act?"

"If you hadn't pushed me, I wouldn't have done it!" her voice was up another notch.

"If you had just stopped me from kissing Kyoko-san in the first place then all these mess wouldn't have happened" Ichigo's patience was already passed the limit so his words were not comprehensible, even to himself. But once his brain has processed the last words he uttered, he was shocked. What did I just say? He said to himself.

"What are you talking about? And why is it about your kiss with Kyoko-san? Aren't we talking about...grrrr...never mind! I do not have time to play games Kurosaki. I do not understand why I have to be in this party in the first place. Understanding that game and whatever happened a few minutes ago is the least of my concerns. I was told that this there is an emergency and that I was needed to go to the human world, only to find a very annoying Yoruichi-san forcing me into a gigai and tricking me to attend this party" she was clearly angry and frustrated at the whole situation.

Ichigo just watched Rukia stomped her feet a few times. She then closed her eyes and started to breathed deeply. Rukia was calming herself down. She lost her composure, a very rare occurrence for a Rukia Kuchiki.

Ichigo sighed. "Let's just leave." He was glad that the tension between them was gone. He hasn't seen Rukia in months. And a reunion with and angry Rukia is not something that Ichigo was really looking forward to.

Since the war was over, Rukia never stayed at the Kurosaki's. The only opportunity they had to talk is during her shifts as Karakura town's Shinigami. Before going back to soul society, she makes it a point to visit the Kurosaki household.

There was a knock on the door and Ishida entered the room. "I'm glad that you're both back to normal"

Rukia looked at him apologetically and Ishida smiled.

"Take these gift packages with you." Ishida handed them each a paper bag. He adjusted his spectacles and took the time to look at the two people that has just finished quarrelling. Rukia have already gone back to her usual stoic self. Ichigo, on the other hand, seems to have been slapped back to reality by Ishida's sudden appearance.

"Don't tell anyone that I left early, I don't want dad to..." Ichigo stopped talking...telling that he's afraid of being blackmailed by his father is not something that he wanted to share with Ishida.

"You mind completing your statement for me Kurosaki?" Ishida teased.

"No. And what are these?" Ichigo changed the subject. He examined the paper bag he was holding which contained a rolled piece of paper, some candies and a CD.

"Don't open that here. I believe Keigo wanted to give something, "surprisingly" memorable to everyone so the gift package for each person is unique" Ishida smirked.

"Whatever..." Ichigo said finally and left. Rukia gave Ishida a kind smile and followed Ichigo out the door.

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Without saying goodbye, Rukia headed to Urahara's to return the gigai and go back to soul society. Ichigo went the opposite direction and was about to go home when he suddenly changed his mind. His father might realize that he left the party early and might proceed with his sinister plan of reprinting Ichigo's baby pictures and handing them out to his classmates like a brochure.

Ichigo turned and stared at Rukia's retreating back. Any conversation with Rukia usually resulted to endless bickering, insulting and cursing. The weird thing is, he found this all too...natural. But there was something different about their argument that night. An unfamiliar emotion stirred within him. His reason for being angry with her does not make sense. But he doesn't want to think right now. He just wants to lie down his bed and get this horrible day over with. So he started to walk away.

Not wanting to go home just yet, his feet carried him to the children's park. As he sat on the swing, he noticed that he was still holding the paper bag from the party. He looked curiously at the rolled piece of paper, pulled out the rubber band on it and opened it. His eyes grew wide, "WHAT THE HELL!"

Too bad for Ichigo, the day is not over yet.

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A/N: Please review! This is just my second story and I really want to improve at writing fanfictions. ^^