The first story I submitted ("My name is Hideyo") was hit a number of times but still no one's reviewed it and I take it that it sucked. Ouch. So I'll stick to my regular style of writing. And I hope this time, I'll do better. This takes place after the Arrancar Arc, assuming Aizen was defeated, everything returned to normal and there are still a few arrancar running loose. Enjoy yourself. Oh, and the last time I forgot my disclaimer. So...

Disclaimer: I do not, have not and will probably never own Bleach.

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Chapter One

The unexpected dark clouds rumbled obscenities, occasionally lighting up with forks of lightning. The clouds threatened to soak all the unfortunate strollers who'd forgotten their umbrellas with icy rain unless they were in some way appeased. And as no one could really interpret the rumbling, soon there was squealing in the streets as the heavens released torrents of cold but refreshing rain. The previous days had been unbearably warm and the townsfolk of Karakura appreciated the change in weather, soaked as most of them were now.

The boy with spiky orange hair ran head-bent through the rain, a few times almost losing his footing. He turned a corner only to be met with a spray of water, blinding him and sending him sliding into the street. Luckily, the streets were virtually empty with only the car that had sped through a puddle a moment ago in a distance, down the street. Kurosaki Ichigo allowed the string of curses to come out in a burst of fury.

"Damned driver." he muttered, forcing himself up to continue home. It was in times like this that he wished he walked home from school with his mates more often. A guy like Ishida probably carried a handy umbrella everywhere he went.

Ichigo pushed open his front door and squinted at the bright light that met his eyes, "I'm home." He grunted as a kick straight to his gut sent him tumbling back into the rain with a voice yelling after him, "Ichigo! Late again and worse, you let your guard down!" Ichigo got up with a fist drawn back. He connected it with his father's jaw with all his strength, screaming, "You useless excuse for a father! Do you think I enjoy it when you do that!?" His father stumbled backwards but deciding not to give up, tried another kick aimed at Ichigo's face this time. Ichigo caught the kick and with a swing, threw his father out of the house, "See how you like it in the rain, you sadist!" Then he locked the door and began his ascension up the stairs, ignoring the banging on the door.

Ichigo met Karin on his way upstairs and mumbled to her, "Don't let dad in till dinner time."

He got a "Whatever." for a reply. Satisfied, he entered his room and flopped unto his bed. He had barely began to relax before his cell phone's ringing jolted him up. He reluctantly answered it.

"Hello."

"Kurosaki-kun?"

Inoue?

"Inoue, is that you?"

"Yes. Did you get home before the rain started?"

"Uh..." Ichigo turned over, "Not really. I got pretty soaked."

"That's too bad. Next time you should walk with me, I carry an umbrella."

"I'll remember that."

"...Kurosaki-kun?"

"Yeah?"

The voice hesitated before speaking, "Are you free this Saturday?"

Oh?

"This Saturday?" Ichigo repeated, not sure what she was after.

"You know that prize I said I won from Sweet Treats Recipes?"

"Yeah." She'd recently won a radio competition for the best sweet recipe. Sweet Salmon Surprise: Grilled Salmon in sweet red bean paste with a honey dipping. An absurd combination but the judges had apparently enjoyed it. They had promised her a surprise prize in the mail the next week.

"Turned out to be tickets to the Cold Bacon concert this Saturday. You've heard of them, haven't you?"

He had. Cold Bacon was a new rock band, and they were surprisingly good. Ichigo'd heard a few of their tracks on the radio.

"Could you...I mean...Do you...Will you come with me?"

Ichigo was struck dumb. He'd honestly not expected to be asked out. What had he thought she was going to ask then? Especially after all those hints. He wasn't sure, maybe advice on if Tatsuki'd like to go to a rock concert, or maybe...oh, he didn't know! And now he'd been caught off guard.

"Kurosaki-kun? Are you there?"

Ichigo didn't answer, he was still trying desperately to think up an answer.

"Oh dear, the line cut?" he heard her sigh. Then he heard another voice in the background, "So redial."

Tatsuki! Why that little...did she put Inoue up to this!?

Ichigo spoke up, he'd thought up an excuse. "Uh...Inoue? I'm having a family dinner thing. Can we do this another time?"

It was Inoue's turn to be silent. Ichigo almost thought she'd hung up.

"Inoue? I'm really sorry..."

"Oh, that's alright Kurosaki-kun. Family's important, after all. I wish I had a family to have dinner with on Saturdays."

Smooth move, Kurosaki Ichigo!, he thought kicking himself mentally.

"See you in school tomorrow."

"Yeah, will do." he mumbled back.

She hung up.

Ichigo closed his eyes, cursing. He should have thought of a more sensitive excuse. He sighed and turned over again. Huh? Someone had entered his room.

"Rukia?" He sat up. The petite girl stood at the door, silhouetted by the light coming in from the corridor. Her entire body was dripping water and her wet clothes clung to her, as did her hair to her forehead.

"You liar." was the first thing she hissed at him.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough." she said, entering the room. She had her trademark emotionless face on, "Why did you lie to her?"

"Where've you been. You're late. And you're wetting my floor!"

"Shut up." she answered coldly, "Answer me."

"I don't have to answer to..."

Her hand shot out, grabbing as much orange hair as possible and yanked his head back.

He screamed, "What the hell! What're you doing, what does all of this have to do with you anyway!?" He tried to get free. Dammit! She was stronger than her smallish frame led you to believe.

"Call her back and apologize!" she yelled at him.

"No way. I've made up my mind." he finally pulled free, "Dates aren't my thing. Group dates, maybe. But one on one? No way."

Rukia glared at him, drops of water slowly trailing down her face. Ichigo tried to avoid her stare, "Quit looking at me that way, damn it!"

She shook her head, "Remember Ichigo. You don't know what you've got till it's gone."

Ichigo scowled. "How does a Shinigami know that saying anyway?", he muttered.

"It's a general fact of life, idiot." she retorted, and started to take of her blouse.

Ichigo did a double take, "Hey, what are you doing?!"

"Changing. I want to be dry." she said in a matter-of-fact manner., her skirt going down next.

Ichigo nearly blew a fuse, "Don't change here! Go to Karin's room or something! Sheesh!" He buried his head under a pillow.

"Yuzu's asleep there."

"Then go to the bathroom!"

"Oh, come of it. You think I haven't seen you peeking when I'm in the bathroom?"

Ichigo yelled obscenities before defending himself, "I DO NOT!! And stop sounding so calm like it's the truth!"

"Then just close your eyes." she suggested and slipped off her bra.

Outside a cat on a fence lost it's footing and let out a caterwaul as Ichigo's scream resounded in the neighbourhood.

"Family dinner? Bullshit!" was Tatsuki's response to Ichigo's excuse, "That stupid good-for-nothing!"

Inoue's eyes were glistening but she forced a smile, "Don't worry Tatsuki-chan. Family's important, isn't it?"

Tatsuki was about to say something but she decided against it. She didn't have the heart to tell Inoue that Ichigo had lied to her. How did she know he was lying? Did anyone even have to ask? Ichigo was always trying to find excuses to ditch family stuff. He'd never give a damn about something as unimportant as a family dinner if he had other plans. Didn't Ichigo want to go out with the hottest girl in their class? Was he that anti-social? Was he that inconsiderate? Was he crazy? Blind? Gay?

Tatsuki let out a long sigh, "Now what do we do?"

"Well..." Inoue said, "Ishida-kun's still a possibility. Or even Chizuru-chan."

A mental image of an ecstatic Chizuru flashed in her head. She was yelling, Hime, you're so sweet and trying to shove her hand up Inoue's skirt at the concert. "Chizuru?" Tatsuki spat, "Over my dead body!" Normally she'd go with Inoue to things like this but she was leaving to her grandma's on Friday and wouldn't be back till Sunday.

"I'll get you someone, Inoue. I don't want you at that concert all alone, with all those punks and devil wannabes." Tatsuki mumbled thoughtfully. Then she exploded again, "But Ichigo! I can't believe that jerk! Told you he was no good for you. No sense of consideration, that's his problem!"

Inoue just kept smiling, "It doesn't matter anymore. I'm fine."

"But you look like you're about to cry." Tatsuki argued, "That Ichigo. He's going to have a chat with my fist tomorrow at school."

"I'm fine." Inoue repeated, "I really am."

Tatsuki didn't believe her but she dropped it. Inoue was too nice. She didn't want to worry Tatsuki but Tatsuki knew she was hurting. And that possibly, Inoue had guessed Ichigo had been lying.

And she was right.

That night, Inoue slipped under her covers extremely disappointed. It was still raining and she stared as the drops beat against her window then slided down the glass lazily. That was the way she felt inside. In her heart, everything was a dismal gray with obscure shadows where they didn't belong. The shocking cold of the rain that splashed against the windows of her heart drowned out the cheerful song of her own contentment that had always kept a smile on her face. Now, she was far from content. Maybe she'd read Ichigo wrongly, maybe he wasn't in love with her after all. That thought depressed her.

It was well past midnight before Inoue finally fell asleep.

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End of Chapter one. REVIEWS PLEASE! Come'on, help a girl out. Anything you want to say, I'm eager for advice. I'll upload chapter 2 as soon as I can. Thanks. Peace. I'm out.