Steps to DeathBerry Field
by: WhiteGloves
Karakura Town was the same as ever. Quiet, peaceful and with little problems from delinquent juveniles, but all the same, everything seemed to be in its right places and that was how Kurosaki Ichigo liked it as he walked around the noisy corridor with his bag swung around his shoulder. Everyone was the same, everyone was perfectly normal, and nobody noticed anything except themselves. Everything was the usual routine like how it was supposed to be- a normal life.
Well- maybe not that normal since someone kept reminding him of her presence.
"Hey, Ichigo, those bunny masks around the station, are you sure somebody has already bought them?" says the Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki as she walked beside him with that familiar fanatic look in her eyes.
"Yeah, they already belong to someone." Ichigo answered tonelessly with level eyes. "Keep away from them."
In reality, he was fed up with Rukia's schemes of buying and attempting to draw plushies and leaving it upon his judgement to decide whether it was good or bad. Naturally they were all bad, so keeping the soul reaper from emptying her Soul Society mission account, he decided upon himself to stop her addiction.
"Ichigo, Kuchiki-san!" called a familiar voice.
Ichigo didn't have to turn to recognize Keigo's voice.
"Good morning!" Rukia's abrupt change of personality made Ichigo roll his eyes.
"Yoh," he managed to greet the extra happy and suspicious Keigo. "Where's Mizuiro?"
"Who cares?" Keigo answered promptly, but then his eyes turned suspiciously to Ichigo who already knew what he was thinking and what he was about to say.
"ICHIGO! You and Kuchiki-san! Where did the two of you sleep!"
"Be quiet, idiot." Ichigo muttered while Rukia follows them with her unfailing sweet smile.
As they crossed the hall, Ichigo noticed three girls from another class waiting for them just outside their classroom. When he looked at them, they started giggling excitedly.
"Wow, what's this?" Keigo blurted out as he swung his arm around Ichigo's shoulder, "Three women waiting for you, Ichigo? You bastard!"
"Shut up." Ichigo frowned as he noticed the three girls giggle once more and then started approaching them. To Ichigo's surprise, Keigo grabbed his collar and shook him roughly while spitting out, "What about Kuchiki-san, eh? You womanizer!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ichigo shook him off, "Let go, asshole!"
To the boys' surprise, however, the girls went pass them and surrounded Rukia who looked a bit surprised but managed to compose herself and be pleasant to the sudden attention.
Keigo and Ichigo both blinked and looked at each other as this occurred.
"Kuchiki-san!" says one girl, "Can we ask you a favour?"
"Of course, anything I can do to help~!" Rukia's sweet-manner-trained-to-come-in-handy- act almost made Ichigo's head fall off the floor.
"Wow," Keigo muttered as he watched the girls, "She's more popular than you are!"
"Get off me!" Ichigo threw Keigo away and continued to walk his way inside the classroom.
"They are not lesbian, are they Ichigo?"
Ichigo found Keigo right behind him as he sat on his chair.
"Beats me." Ichigo muttered as he placed his head on his right hand in a bored manner. They were joined a little bit later by Orihime Inoue who came waving from the other side of the room.
"Ohayo, Kurosaki-kun!"
Inoue's bright smile managed a low answer from Ichigo.
"Yoh."
"Where's Kuchiki-san?" Inoue looked around in wonder. "Kurosaki-kun doesn't normally go to school without Kuchiki-san."
"She's entertaining some girlfriends outside the room." Keigo winked knowingly as Mizuiro joined them with his usual cellphone glued on his hand. "She's really popular!"
Ichigo didn't reply to this as he settled in his desk with his eyes closed.
"Kuchiki-san!" Inoue suddenly called out. Ichigo opened his eyes and looked curiously at the Soul Reaper. Rukia was still by the doorway with the three girls from another class. He saw her bid the girls a goodbye with trained smile before she joined the group.
"What's that about?" he asked as he turned around to face her. Rukia showed him a white card and said in her normal enthusiastic voice, "I have no idea what just happened but I ought to meet someone after class."
Keigo's eyes rounded. "Kuchiki-san! You mean like a date?"
Ichigo blinked in surprise. Did he hear it right? He shot Rukia a long look.
"Da…date?" Inoue's eyes went from Rukia to Ichigo, then back to Rukia again. Ichigo had his eyes on the white card in which the time and meeting place were instructed. Keigo and Mizuiro were both looking at the soul reaper.
"Kuchiki-san! Going out with another boy or girl maybe?" Keigo swore.
"Don't over react, Keigo." Mizuiro told him but he too was looking oddly at Rukia. "Of course we cannot expect you to always hang around Ichigo, Kuchiki-san,"
"What are you talking about?" Ichigo started,
"I'm happy for you! A beautiful young lady like you should not be stuck with Ichigo!" Keigo swore enthusiastically. Ichigo rolled his eyes and allowed the crazy talk.
"Who- who are you going out with?" Inoue suddenly asked in wonder as Ichigo blinked at the Soul Reaper.
Rukia looked at her with her flashing smile, and then answered-
"I don't know."
The bell rang for lunch time and that instant Kurosaki's unusual group is seen assembled on the top floor of their school building. Chad and Tatsuki have also joined in. They were still discussing Rukia's sudden schedule and the fact that it was a blind date when Keigo suddenly choked out loud.
"Wait a sec- you mean to say those girls approached you to give you this card? Didn't you think they were setting you up, Kuchiki-san?"
"I already think it is a set up." Mizuiro muttered quietly in his corner.
"Hmm?" Rukia looked up at them without a clue in her eyes. Ichigo, who was watching her from the corner of his eyes, sighed at this and then continued eating his meal.
"So, those girls knew this guy, and he likes Kuchiki-san," Mizuiro continued thoughtfully and everybody looked at him, "He wants to finally introduce his existence to her so he talked to them to set up this date thing. And you are okay with that- Ichigo?"
Ichigo choked. "Why are you asking me?"
Inoue suddenly looked at him as Mizuiro patiently explained, "Well, think about it- when Kuchiki-san starts dating somebody else she won't be able to accompany you anymore, right? She will be with another guy, while you are still rotting here in the top floor with Keigo."
"Hey, hey!" Keigo frowned comically.
"Screw that!" Ichigo rolled his eyes as he pointed at Rukia who was sipping her juice. "Have you ever asked her if she knows the meaning of going out with someone?"
At this, everybody looked at Rukia pointedly. Feeling their gazes, Rukia looked up and blinked three times. "Hnn?"
"Kuchiki-san?" Keigo slowly started, "How many boyfriends have you had in the past?"
"Boyfriends?" Rukia inclined her head in one side, "I have many I think."
"Whoaaaa….!"
"Kuchiki-san, really?" Tatsuki and Inoue looked at one another while Ichigo, who knows that Rukia was probably counting all her friends in Gotei 13 merely shook his head.
"Who were they?"
""How many were they?"
Rukia smiled sweetly to everyone before pointing at Ichigo, "He's one, and then I also have Renji, if you still remember him, then there's Hanatarou…"
But her words were forgotten as everybody looked at Ichigo.
"It's not like that!" Ichigo helplessly tried again as Keigo attacked him for a headlock.
"Renji?" Tatsuki turned to Orihime who blinked innocently, "Isn't he Ichigo's friendly cousin? The one with the red hair?"
"Y-yeah…" Orihime grinned unconvincingly, "Really, if they were together I won't be surprised; Kuchiki-san is very dear to him…"
Rukia watched the commotion with the straw of the juice in her lips.
Later that afternoon, the two walked home together. Ichigo had his usual frown on his face, but every now and then he would look at Rukia from the corner of his eyes.
"What's your problem?" the soul reaper suddenly asked in her normal cold voice.
"You idiot. You aren't really planning on going to this date, are you?"
"Of course I am. It's a favour I need to do."
"You need to-?" Ichigo raised an eye brow at her, "What the hell…"
"I do not mind any of it." She answered almost calmly, and then she crossed her arms confidently and smirked knowingly, "Besides, I've read some shounen manga about this kind of situation! Boys often confessing their heartfelt feelings for girls! And girls would go 'kya-kya'! That easy! I think I can handle this!"
Ichigo was watching the soul reaper with the ugliest face he could ever do.
"Kya-kya my butt! It sounds very stupid! If you don't know what you are coming at then don't go at all! It will all probably end in trouble anyway!"
"What makes you say that?"
"Well- first off you are a soul reaper!"
"Yes?"
"I'm just saying having active relationship with this kind of secret will only cause trouble in the end, so if I were you don't go."
"…"
"I'm telling you, its a bad idea."
"..."
Ichigo looked at Rukia and saw that she was thinking. He sighed after a moment and walked ahead of her, "Whatever, do what you want."
"I'm not gonna play around."
Ichigo stopped walking and turned to look at her. He found her staring at him with her serious eyes. This made him feel serious as well.
"Rukia…"
"If what you are trying to say is that meeting other normal humans and making relationships with them is gonna be a problem because I am a soul reaper, then you don't have to worry about it. I know my limitations."
Ichigo held her gaze, and then walked near her.
"I didn't mean that," he said, "I was just…"
"I know," she raised an eyebrow at him testily, "The least you could do is trust me and let me do my stuff. I am way older than you after all, brat."
Ichigo's nerve pounded.
"Brat…? You're way smaller than me I can carry you home right now. In fact- maybe i should! Then you can't cause me any trouble coz I'm sure as hell you would come back rushing to me and begging for help."
Am angry vein popped on the side of her head. "Don't push it, you idiot..."
"You are so small- you are like a kid. I can squeeze you like a pipsqueak and I wouldn't even notice!"
"Don't dare use height and strength on your advantage, fool. Anyway, I'm off. See you in a bit."
She waved at him as she turned. Ichigo watched her go. Something about her back going off alone pinched a part in his heart. Rukia was not accustomed to how generations right now have dates and all. He doubted she has ever heard of having dinner before, let alone walk hand by hand.
The idea of Rukia instantly kicking the butt of the unknown man if he ever tried to do anything funny made Ichigo snicker for a bit as he decided to continue walking home. Certainly, there was no need to worry about her when it comes to dealing with humans. She was a highly skilled Soul Reaper after all. On the other hand, seeing her with another man would look really out of place.
Ichigo frowned.
Why out of place? Maybe it's because of the fact that Rukia really is a soul reaper. He really hasn't thought much about it, but Rukia belongs to the other side. Whatever would be the outcome of this date, in the end Rukia will go back to him. She belongs with him.
Ichigo completely stopped walking.
"What the hell…?"
He shook his head and gritted his teeth as he walked slower this time. Ah, of course she belongs with him, to stand beside him because they were friends, more like partners perhaps. He would do anything to protect her, and she would do the same. They have always been protecting each other's back so Rukia does belong with him. He suddenly felt sorry for the guy she would meet now.
"Damn it what's wrong with me…"
Ichigo shut his eyes close and did some more thinking. He was actually thinking what the hell he has been thinking. He looked back to where Rukia disappeared and wondered idly why he was suddenly having crazy thoughts about her. She would be just fine without him.
Strange, Ichigo thought, that sounded… bothersome…
"Rukia…" Ichigo muttered with a very confuse expression. "No way..."
Rukia returned exactly as the clock hit 7 pm. She sneaked on the window and was surprised to see Kon waiting for her.
"Nii-saaan! How could you meet other guys behind my back!" Kon jumped and was about to hug her but she deflected by sending him out the window.
"You fool!" Rukia hissed as she tried to climb down the window, "Keep it down! Are you trying to have someone run up here?"
"There's no problem with that, I am here."
A hand was suddenly offered to her. Rukia looked up and saw Ichigo looking at her quite strangely.
"Hn? Did something happen?" she asked as she took his hand and he helped her down.
"Nothing much, just a little thinking," Ichigo said quietly as they sat on the bed, "How did the date went?"
Rukia's eyes levelled.
"Don't ask, it wasn't very interesting."
"What?" he exclaimed, suddenly in jest, "Why? I've been thinking of many possibilities about how things can go wrong! Tell me which one is it?"
"Hahaha, very funny." Rukia rolled her eyes as she dropped her bag on the floor, "He was a senior at school, never mind he was just some jock who wants to have some attention."
"What did he want?" Ichigo's eyes turned serious again. The intensity of his sincere gaze made Rukia a little uncomfortable.
"Well, he just wanted to get to know each other, like he said he likes me a lot and all that crap, but it makes no difference to me."
"Are you still going to meet him?"
"Well, I tried telling him I have many boyfriends but he shrugged it off. You know what? I think I admire his persistence, its not everyday-
"You have a boyfriend. Me."
Rukia gave Ichigo a quizzical look.
"Excuse me?"
"Well," Ichigo suddenly looked away and scratched his head, "You've been always with me, we stay together, fight together, we even sleep in one room so what's the point not trying it?"
Rukia still has her quizzical look transfix at the substitute soul reaper.
"What are you up to?"
Ichigo scratched his head again. How can he make his point?
"Look," he suddenly grabbed both her hands much to her surprise and looked at her, "I'm serious! What the hell- d'you think I'd kid about this stuff?"
Rukia's eyes widened as she recognize his sincere gaze.
"Ichigo…you idiot!"
She gave him a knock on the head. Quite harder than what she is used to do. She stood up straight and looked at him with angry eyes.
"You can't say these things to me out of nowhere!"
"Why?" Ichigo retorted back as he stood up with his fist clutched, "You went out with whoever that guy was right? Why not accept me too?"
Rukia turned scarlet at this. "H-How dare you! I never thought this idea will cross your mind-!"
"Well, it did!" Ichigo exclaimed loudly, "How else was I able to confess to you tonight? And don't tell me you don't have feelings for me as well?"
"Ichigo!"
"Rukia Kuchiki, I like you a lot!"
Dead silence followed this statement. Rukia's eyes were round in surprise. Ichigo's eyes were round as well, but he was dead sure he was alive. How else can his heart pound so loudly? He didn't think confessing to a girl can be that lively.
"Rukia…" he whispered, "I'm serious…"
Rukia's eyes softened, and then to Ichigo's great dismay, she turned towards the window.
"You idiot…" she murmured, before jumping off.
"No!" Ichigo tried to call but she has already disappeared. "Rukia!"
He looked outside the window. There was no sign of her except with Kon hanging on one of the electrical wires.
"Ichigo- nii-san went that way? What happened?" Kon called out. Ichigo looked at the empty sky.
Now what?
To be continued
IchixRuki~
Thanks for Reading!
Next chapter- up soon!