Okay...whew. This chapter is a bit longer than the previous ones. I'm still wondering about the IchiRuki fans. I still haven't read a single flame. Not that I'm complaining but it just seems bizarre. I mean those IchiRuki patrollers seem to have a sixth sense engraved into their brain. Well maybe, they just started to realize fandom is not important enough to start a war. ? Honestly, imagine these hateful (rotten apple bunch of course! There are still several nice IchiRuki fans who probably feel the same way as me) IchiRuki fans becoming involved in global politics or leaders of a faction. Remember 9-1-1? Osama Bin Laden? World War two? Yikes! Fanfiction is about expressing one's love for writing+favourite characters. Please don't abuse this. The important thing is not about whether it's Ichihime or IchiRUki. It's about people caring enough about these character to spend time on writing a novel, story etc. about these characters! That's what keeps fanfiction alive. To IchiHime supporters, let's all spread the love. This world needs it. As for the reviews, you guys are all so generous. I mean I haven't blushed like this since forever!

mosspaw: Hello! You misunderstood me. I meant to say that Orihime has many competition as a joke. Like about how many people can't get enough about Ichigo's buttocks. Heehee. Oh and I also think a guy who knows how to comfort a girl is dead-on sexy. It's just that Ichigo feels this way because he never acted like this with another girl before. Thanks for reviewing.

Marvolo-san: Yes Rukia needs to be taught a lesson in the manga too...but that's up to Kubo. I can't do anything about that. But as far as this story is concerned...(grins evily)

bleachfanichime: That's a really good idea! It surprised me how several things you mentioned in your idea, I was thinking about it too! Yes...I do want Orihime to break out of her shell and Rukia to understand that she does not 'rule' the world. As for Ichigo and RUkia being together in the manga...I don't know. Kubo's not really aiming for a romance manga so there's a chance we might not get anything at all. But we can hope! Thanks for your contribution! I really appreciate it!

lunarstar77:I'll try but updates won't be as quick as the past two days for awhile. I need to finish writing my research essay for English first...hehe. I'm such a procrasticnator! Thanks for your review!

nypsy: Rukia will definitely get an epiphany. She'll gradually learn that she's just as human as everyone else. Thanks for the review!

DarkAngel2098: Aw thanx. i'll try to think up more scenes like the pool scene.

XxLonexLovexX: Lol. I do that too. You should see me in a bus reading these reviews. I look like someone who escaped an asylum. Haha. Thanks for your review! It really does motivate a writer to well...write some more!

Bleachbunny3: will do. ;)

Fosterb: Yes and no. Sadly, you will not see any of the other pairings right away (besides Ichihime). Most will have a gradual transition and several distractions before they get to their final pairings. However the pairings you mentioned are the ones I have in mind for the finale...So doncha worry! Thanx for your review!

Disclaimer: I forgot to mention disclaimers previously. Please don't sue me. All the licensed stuff I mentioned and will mention in this story do not belong to me!

Day Two: Feeling the music

It seemed like the principal knew what he was doing when he wanted to keep everyone at school for two weeks. Their homeroom was designed like a big club house with bunk beds and all their necessary belongings were present as well. Thanks to having traumatizing day, everyone dozed off pretty quickly.

The next day, sunlight creeped inside through the blinds and showered flecks of light.

"RISE AND SHINE, CHILDREN!" a voice said, rather loudly, through the announcement.

"ARGH!" Grimmjow threw a pillow at the intercom. "I was in the middle of a release!" He shouted. Nel threw her pillow at him instead.

"Too much information, kitty." She yelled.

"Look, Urahara. Who do you think you are? Big Ben?" Ichigo grunted while squinting at the intercom.

"I hate to agree with Kurosaki but it seems as though our actions are being monitored constantly." Uryu grabbed his glasses.

"Principal Urahara, I have a question." All eyes turned towards Orihime. "Y…you're not sp…spying o…on us, are you?" She stammered out.

"EWWW…You're not watching us getting changed?" Nemu screeched. Everyone waited for an answer.

"Of course not. I do not enjoy voyeurism."

"Well, get to the point." Rukia barked at the intercom. "What do you want?"

"Tsk tsk. Miss Kuchiki, I'm thinking your beauty sleep didn't go too well? It shows. Your face shows some distinct similarities to that of a bulldog." Urahara answered through the announcement. "Well. I have a task for all of you to complete by today. You will…"

"What makes you think we'll actually do what you say? I have better things to do than completing some mediocre task for incompetent fools." Uryu asked.

"Well…Uryu, why don't you check inside your desk? There should be something pink that might interest you." Sure enough, Uryu found something rather too pink inside his desk. He opened it. After reading whatever was inside, his face blanched completely colourless. He crumpled the note.

"Are you blackmailing us?" Uryu replied coolly.

"Yes…and no but doing the task I assign all of you will definitely prove to be beneficial. It will count towards your grade and also school services. Anyways, your task will be to complete a project. I've assigned you all a partner and you will share with your partner something you cherish very much. And it will be in the form of a book. bookFor example…I like to go fishing, so I would give my partner a book about fishing. After you have finished reading your partners chosen book, the two of you will make a project incorporating the two ideas. Any questions?"

"Who's my partner? As long as I get a partner with boobs, I'll be happy." Grimmjow winked at Neliel.

"Well, Grimmjow, you get Rukia. Renji you will…"

"When I said boobs, I meant it!" Grimmjow interrupted but stopped when Rukia threw her Versace stilettos at him.

"Before I was so rudely interrupted, I was saying Renji you will be with Orihime, Ichigo will be partnered up with Nemu and that leaves Neliel and Uryu. First all of you will go to the library and pick out a book then all pairs will work separately in different designated rooms. Ichigo and Nemu, you two go to the music room, Orihime and Renji, will stay at the library, Uryu and Neliel can work in the textiles room and Rukia and Grimmjow can work in the cafeteria. Good luck." The announcement went dead.

"Forget it. It's not like he's going to know whether we did it or not." Ichigo lied down on his bed again.

"Trust me, Kurosaki. I'll know whether or not you did the project or not. Oh and before I forget, Nemu, you better get some new underwear that doesn't have hello kitty on it. Aren't you a bit too old for that?" The announcement went dead once again. Everyone else plugged their ears when a bloodcurdling scream began.

In the music room

"That guy's a fucking creep." Ichigo sat down by the grand piano while Nemu took a seat by the drum set. Nemu still was traumatized by the ordeal.

"So…you chose…Shakespeare? Taming of the Shrew?"

"And you expect me to read Twilight? Isn't this chick-lit?" They started reading each other's book. However after a few moments, Ichigo broke the silence.

"You know Inoue, right?"

"Yes…I know Inoue. What about her?"

"Nothing."

"Okay then."

"Actually, I'm curious. Do you know why she stutters?"

"No…well…actually I do…but Rukia will kill me if I…what the heck. What's said in this room better stay here."

"Forget it. I don't want to know."

"Okay! You see, Orihime's mentally unstable. I'd be too if I was her. Every lunch time, she hides in the bathroom because she's scared of Rukia."

"Why?"

"That I can't tell you because that will get me a death warrant for sure. " Nemu suspiciously peered at Ichigo. "I actually have a question for you. Are you interested in Orihime?" Ichigo might have scoffed but his heart did a somersault at the question.

"Go mind your own business."

"Fine!" Nemu angrily slammed the door for not being able to squeeze out fresh gossip material from Ichigo. However, Ichigo didn't mind in the slightest. He was too busy thinking about Orihime.

In the cafeteria

"What the hell is this? You brought me pornography to read?" Rukia shrieked.

"Yeah…fairy tales aren't any better." Grimmjow grunted.

"How the hell did you get your hands on this?"

"Uh…Library?"

"You bastard! These sorts of materials are banned from the Library. You must've picked it off out of somewhere."

"How'd you know?"

"This book doesn't have a library tag on it. I'm gonna check who it belongs to." Rukia quickly scanned the book for any signs of a name. Her fingers traced delicate handwriting spelling out…Kisuke Urahara. "I should've figured. What a creeper."

"So…fairy tales and porno. Nice." Grimmjow smirked. This earned him a smack from Rukia. However, Grimmjow smacked her back. Rukia was beyond surprised.

"Look, bitch. It seems like you've got it easy with the other dudes but this ain't gonna work with me, got it? Renji seems like a nice guy and Kurosaki, despite his bad boy demeanour, seems like a big puss…but I don't have a problem with hitting girls. Make sure it doesn't happen again." At that moment, the cafeteria door slammed open. Nemu came running in.

"Rukia! I got something major to tell you!"

"Go away." Rukia still shaken, replied.

"It's about Ichigo. He asked me about Orihime." That definitely caught Rukia's attention.

"Let's go to the ladies."

In the textiles room

"So…uhm. Are you sure this is the right book?" Neliel asked Uryu.

"I could ask you the same." Uryu said while holding up a book about quantum mechanics.

"Well…duh."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"What? You thought just because I'm a cheerleader, I'm a complete airhead? For your information, I do appreciate mathematical formulations very much."

"…"

"…"

"Well…it did seem a bit far-fetched."

"Says the guy who gave me a book about haute couture in fashion."

"…"

"…"

"Okay. Fine. But why do you act like you're an airhead in class when you know so much about physics?"

"Well…you see it's a part of the job description."

"What job description?"

"For an uber nerd, you're not very bright. The job description for a cheerleader. Honestly, how many guys appreciate opinionated and clever girls?"

"I would prefer to have a conversation than stare at overlarge breasts."

"Let me rephrase that. How many GOOD-LOOKING guys appreciate opinionated and clever girls?"

"Ouch...You'd be surprised. Not all guys go for girls with silicone filled breasts and air filled cranium."

"Well, that's definitely not what I learned here at Karakura High." Neliel pouted. "I still can't believe you're a closet fashion junkie."

"Yeah. I can't believe you own a replica version of that Bvlgari ring. Model from 1984?"

"Oh my gosh. Even Rukia couldn't tell it was a fake! You're…you're a genius!" Uryu couldn't help but grin like a fool.

In the library

An awkward silence passed between Renji and Orihime. They just simply read their books and didn't say much to each other than what was necessary.

"Renji, I think I need to go to the bathroom."

"Okay. I'll be here."

After visiting the bathroom, Orihime on her way back however paused when she heard a delicate melody coming from the music room. Orihime was nearly hypnotized when she heard the familiar tune. It was a piece of music her brother had played before he died.

"Liszt…Liszt. Un sospiro." Orihime murmured to herself. She couldn't help but pry on the pianist. When she peered through the door, she found Ichigo playing. Orihime quietly slipped in. She completely enchanted by the music, reminisced the time when she was twelve. Completely lost in her pool of memory, she didn't realize that the piece of music stopped playing.

"It seems like you just can't stay away from me." Orihime heard someone breathing down her ears. She jumped. Ichigo was leaning near her.

"I…I di..didin't mean t..to p..ry! I…" Before Orihime could bolt out of the room, Ichigo placed himself right in front of the door, which blocked Orihime's only escape. She could feel Ichigo scanning her body up and down.

"I think I liked you better when you were wet." Orihime flushed bright red.

"I h…have to go b…back."

"You know how to play the piano?" Ichigo ignored her.

"No…" Orihime hesitated before saying. "…N…not anymore."

"How can you not know how to play…anymore?" Ichigo asked her.

"My b…brother, h…he taught me piano. But he died when I was twelve. I haven't learned it since."

"Go sit down."

"Huh?"

"Go sit down on the piano. I'll teach you."

"I…I re…really have t…to go…"

"My mom was a pianist before she died. I was eleven and I still know how to play the piano." Ichigo nodded towards the piano. "If I can do it, so can you." Orihime felt gratitude at those supportive words. She sat down.

In the meanwhile, Renji started wondering about Orihime. He was worried that Orihime might have gotten lost in the hallway. He decided to go look for her. When he went to the washroom, he instead her familiar voices. It belonged to Rukia. His heart started beating faster. He knocked.

"Uh…Is Orihime in there?" Rukia and Nemu came out.

"Why would she be here?" Rukia rolled her eyes. "Wait a minute." She turned towards Nemu. "Do you think that bitch might be with Ichigo right now?" Rukia made Nemu lead the way to the music room. Renji just stayed there confused. He decided to follow them.

After an hour, Orihime was able to play a simple prelude by Chopin.

"I…I…I can still play!" She said excitedly. Ichigo couldn't elp himself from grinning foolishly. They chatted animatedly until they were interrupted by an angry cough. Rukia was standing in front of the piano.

"What are you two doing?" She glared.

"Uh…I better go back." With that Orihime quickly dashed out of the room. When Orihime ran out the door and she accidentally crashed into Renji. They both sprawled down on the tile floors.

"I'm so sorry!" Orihime helped Renji back up.

"You…you're amazing." Renji stared at Orihime in awe. Orihime stared back in confusion. "A girl like you just managed to knock down the best football player, Karakura saw in the past two decades! Wow." Orihime was flattered.

"Well, I wouldn't be much useful for getting to the end zone." Orihime modestly replied.

"Wait…you know about football?"

"Yes."

"How about tennis?"

"Adore it."

"Wow…I thought all girls were like Rukia. She absolutely hates it when I talk about Sports with her. She thinks it's barbaric."

"You sound like you know here really well."

"Of course I know her well. I knew her since I was six."

"Really? But you guys didn't seem that close."

"Of course we don't seem close. All she ever cares about is that pretty-faced bastard, Kurosaki."

"…"

"…"

"…."

"…"

"You like her don't you?" Orihime broke the silence.

"W…WHAT? NO. NO. Of course not. NO!" Renji wailed. Orihime stared deep into his eyes. Renji diverted his gaze.

"Renji, your face is redder than your hair."

"Orihime, please stop it." When he accidentally looked into her eyes, he couldn't help but spill the beans on her. "Okay! I give up. I like Rukia but she doesn't even know that I exist!"

"So you're just going to let it stay that way?"

"Well…what can I do? Just don't tell her."

"Scout's honour." Orihime beamed. "How about this? Now that I know one of your weakness, I tell you mine. Renji looked at her confused.

"You want to tell me your weakness? Are you serious? That's a real bad strategy to use in sports…"

"Well…it might be a bad strategy but it wouldn't be fair to you, would it? Besides, I think I can trust you." Renji started growing really fond of the girl. The past hours seem like a completely different world. About a hour ago, they barely said a word to each other but now he felt closer to her than even Rukia.

"I…I have a crush on Ichigo." Renji cursed his bad luck. Why was it that every time he began to show some interest in a girl, she seemed to be harbouring feelings for that good-for-nothing punk?

"Not you too." Renji said dejectedly

"I just started to have one. He taught me how to play something my brother didn't finish." Orihime smiled. "Let's get back to work on our project.

At the end of the day, everyone finally gathered in their homeroom.

Renji and Orihime started off the presentations.

'Athletes and endless stomachs' by Orihime Inoue and Renji Abarai. Everyone liked how this presentation was light and scientific at the same time.

Next was Rukia and Grimmjow.

'The lemony and limey version of fairy tales.' By Grimmjow Jeagerjacques and Rukia Kuchiki. Several people were heavily blushing during their presentation.

Uryu and Nel wanted to go next.

'Using Quantum Mechanics to provide better insulation for Haute Couture.' By Uryu Ishida and Neliel Tu Overschvank. Everyone was shocked at how Neliel managed to explain everything without a single blunder.

Finally it was Ichigo and Nemu.

"Shakespeare meets Twilight." By Nemu Kuroutsuchi and Ichigo Kurosaki. Even Uryu was impressed at the fluid morphing of Shakespeare and Twilight. Right after Ichigo and Nemu finished their presentation, Urahara's voice was heard through the intercom.

"You all did very well today. Hope you all learned something important today! Stereotypes should not be finalized and discrimination should not cloud your judgement on other people. Valuable lesson. I'll see you all tomorrow. For now, I want you to just think about which project was the best for a vote tomorrow." The announcement went dead.

End of day two.

Before I forget, there is a poll I started on my profile. Please...I can't stress this enough...for the next chapter to get an update, please vote! It's a poll that will be an incentive to the next chapter!