A really long, supposedly one-shot written for Valentine's (which was a few days ago). Started it on the 14th, but I couldn't finish it on time. Not that it mattered since I would have posted it on the weekend anyway.

It's not as good as I wanted it to be and I did my best at editing it. Had to divide it up into three parts 'cause it was too long to be in one chapter. But, I'll post all three at once, 'cause it's meant to be read as one whole thing.

And let me tell you, it's so freakin' hard to separate this story into parts! I can't find a bloody break anywhere!

Forgive me if I got my facts wrong in the story. But Japan's Valentine's differ from normal Valentine's, right? 'Cause they have White Day as well. And February is wintertime, I'm quite sure.

Oh, well. On with the show!

First Dance

"Alright, students! Settle down! I've got important news!"

Ochi-sensei was waving her arms about, getting the students' attention.

"You do know what day the day after tomorrow is, right?" she asked. Some girls nodded enthusiastically.

"It's Valentine's Day people! And for the first time in Karakura High history, the school has decided to organize a masquerade ball!"

"HA?" came the chorus of male voices while most of the girls squealed with delight.

"You heard me, people! A masquerade ball! Yes, it's not very traditional of us, but what the heck! We have to try out different customs every once in a while!"

Kurosaki Ichigo sitting near the back of the class had his face set in a bored expression as the chatter in the class increased. Valentine's Day was something he never celebrated, never. To him, it seemed like a ridiculous celebration where the girls gave gifts to the boys they liked. And then on White Day, it would be the opposite. He had no interest of going to the masquerade ball either, none whatsoever.

Next to him, Kuchiki Rukia hissed, "Hey, Ichigo! What's a 'mas-kerr-rade ball?'"

Ichigo didn't turn to her as he explained. "It's a dance where you wear masks."

"Masks? Then how would you know who you were dancing with?"

"That's the point, you don't know who you're dancing with. It keeps an air of mystery around the person."

"So, what does it have to do with this 'Valentine's Day' of you humans?"

"Eh?" Ichigo then turned to her. "You don't know what Valentine's Day is?" Totally expected of the clueless Shinigami.

"No. What is it?"

Right then, Ochi-sensei called for their attention. "The dance will be held in the school hall. It's been off-limits for a while now, right? The seniors have been putting together the hall, beautifying it for Sunday night! Now you know why you couldn't use it for the past week or two!"

Mutters and groans were heard around the class at the revelation.

"So, here are the itineraries! Pass them around!"

When Ichigo got his, he immediately stuffed it into his bag. Meanwhile, Rukia was busily studying it.

"Alright then! I hope all of you make it! Kurosaki! Make sure you have your butt there!"

Ichigo looked at Ochi-sensei in disbelief. "Hey! It's not compulsory! And why was I singled out?"

The teacher ignored him and continued, "I know all you girls will come!" Tatsuki gagged at this. "So, spend the day tomorrow to look for a dress. Sunday is the ball, so be ready then!"

Lessons continued afterwards and during recess, Rukia tagged along with Ichigo. "So, what is 'Valentine's Day', Ichigo?"

"In Japan, it's when girls give gifts to boys they like. Then, next month, there's White Day, which is the opposite of Valentine's. That's when boys give a gift to the girl who gave them a gift on Valentine's."

They reached the rooftop and sat down.

"Eh..." Rukia looked skywards as she tried to digest what he had said. "So, Valentine's Day is a day when girls give something to a boy they like. And White Day is when the boy gives something to the girl they like."

"Yeah."

Rukia looked at him pointedly. "I'm not giving you anything."

"HAH! I'm not expecting anything anyway, midget!"

"What did you say?"

"MID-GET!"

"Why you..."

And so their bantering started.

For the rest of the day, Rukia kept the masquerade dance itinerary close by, often looking at it as if trying to decipher something. Ichigo shook his head as she read it for the hundredth time as they walked back home.

"Oh, Ichigo! Inoue invited me to go 'dress-hunting' tomorrow," she suddenly said.

"You're going to the dance?" Ichigo asked in shock.

"Why not? It makes for experience and good memories. I can tell the other Shinigami about it later." Rukia tucked away the small card into her bag. "What about you?"

"NO FREAKING WAY!"

"Ochi-sensei said you must be there."

"I don't care! It's not compulsory anyway and I'm not into these kind of things."

"Oh, come on, Ichigo! It will be fun! You can wear your Hollow mask and nobody will dance with you!"

"Hey! Then what's the point of going to a 'dance' if you don't 'dance?'"

"You don't dance. If you went, you probably won't dance anyway. So, just go!"

"I won't!"

Rukia frowned at him. "It's good for memories, idiot! It's only this one time."

"I still won't."

They started to bicker all the way home.

The next day, Ichigo escorted Rukia to Inoue's house and left when the pair set off for the mall.

As he walked, he wondered what he wanted to do that day. The day was quite chilly – it was after all about mid-winter. Since he most definitely wasn't going to tomorrow's ball, he was not going out to bother for some suits. He decided to get back home as soon as possible and get warm.

He bumped into Ishida on his walk.

"Kurosaki," Ishida greeted.

"Ishida. What are you doing?"

"Going to Sunflower Seams for materials."

"Sunflower Seams? What – ah, never mind. Wait. Are you going tomorrow?"

Ishida nodded. "Inoue-san insisted us to come."

"Us?"

"Me, Chad, Asano, Kojima and the others. Didn't she talk to you?"

"No. Is Chad going?"

"He said 'Probably.'"

Is everyone going? This is just great.

"And you're probably not going, eh, Kurosaki?"

Ichigo scowled. "Of course not! Even if everyone is going, I wouldn't."

"It makes for memories, you know."

"Oi, oi. You sound just like Rukia."

"Aa! Is Kuchiki-san going?"

"Yeah. She and Inoue went to the mall just now." Ichigo waved a hand vaguely in the direction of the mall.

"Oh. They could have just asked me to make something for them..." Ishida murmured, a bit dejectedly. He cleared his throat before straightening up. "Right. See you, Kurosaki." He raised a hand in farewell before he went off.

Ichigo continued on.

The day passed by uneventfully. His dad kept insisting he should go to the dance so that he could bring home a girl. Ichigo's temple pulsed and Isshin was sent to the wall.

"I think it's a good chance for you to relax, Oni-chan," Yuzu had said.

"Relax? From what?"

"I don't know. But you always looked stressed out. Go and have some fun, Oni-chan!"

Later, Ichigo lay on his bed, thinking about things. He then realized that it was dusk out and Rukia still hadn't returned.

"God, where is that woman?" He glanced out his window, seeing small snowflakes falling down. He knew Rukia could take care of herself, but sometimes (he didn't want to admit it), he just couldn't help but worry.

He sighed in frustration and sat up. Before he could move, the door to his bedroom slammed open and Rukia strode in with a triumphant and happy look on her face. "Ichigo!"

Silently, Ichigo exhaled in relief. "What is it?" he asked irritably. He looked at Rukia, who had slightly melted snow on her black-hair. "Did you buy anything?" She didn't seem to have any shopping bags with her.

"Yup! Left it at Inoue's. She said tomorrow, I could come over to get myself 'made up.'"

"Oh. That's good. I wouldn't want to see freakish girlishness all day." He shuddered.

"I met Chad on the way back home." Rukia moved to sit in his closet, her old bedroom. "He asked me if you were going tomorrow."

"And?"

"Well, he told me to tell you that he was going to be there."

"Chad?" Rukia nodded.

"I can't believe this." Ichigo lay back down in his bed.

"Inoue also asked that you come."

"I told you, I don't want to."

"Oh, come on, Ichigo!" Rukia jumped from the closet and stood before him, hands on her hips. "I know you're not the kind of social person to attend these kind of things, but you've faced Hollows and other things far worse than this! How can one measly dance compare to the horrors of the Unseen? It's nothing but a dance! And it only lasts one night. You've been pretty stressed out the past few days, I see it. Idiot, this is for fun! Have a day to relax and enjoy yourself!"

Ichigo stared wide-eyed at the small girl before him. He finally sighed. "Fine. I'll think about it." Rukia really did know how to change people's minds.

Rukia grinned. "Now, isn't that better? Right, I'm going to change. Yuzu's just finishing dinner." The black-haired girl turned and went out of his room.

At dinner, Rukia told the Kurosaki family about Ichigo's decision to go to the dance.

"I'm proud of you, son!" Isshin cried, clapping Ichigo's shoulder from where he sat next to him.

"Hey! I haven't decided yet!"

"Rukia-san! Did you change his mind?" Yuzu inquired. Rukia nodded, smiling.

"Good job, Rukia-chan!" Isshin said. He looked upwards. "Oh, Masaki! Our third daughter is truly incredible!" Ichigo gave him a look and scoffed.

"What's the theme, Rukia-san?" Karin asked, biting her chopstick.

"Let's see." Rukia took out the masquerade itinerary from the pocket of her pajamas. "It says 'Theme: Semiformal.'"

Ichigo sighed. "I'd still have to get myself a tux or something."

"Never worry, my son! I've got one in my closet!"

"Uuh, no. Dad, you're bigger than I am. It won't fit."

"Of course, it would! You're my son! It would most definitely fit!"

"I said it won't, dammit!"

"Ne, Rukia-san, do you have a dress?" Yuzu asked before the two men could fight.

"Yes, but it's at Inoue's house. I'm afraid you won't be able to see it till after the dance."

"But, why? Aren't you going with Ichigo, Rukia-chan?" Isshin asked, clearly surprised.

Rukia shook her head. "I'm spending the day at Inoue's tomorrow to be made up, and I'll be walking with her to the dance."

As Isshin and Yuzu started to protest, Ichigo said, "Oh, let her be, will you? She can do what she likes."

Rukia turned in surprise to him. He never really backed her up, so it was rare.

Dinner was over soon, and everyone retired to their rooms.