A/N: It's been like three months that I last updated, and I'm sorry that I kept you guys waiting!

I want a give a big thanks to those who reviewed and read! Thank you! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

P.S: I rushed when I proof-read this chapter so there might be some errors!


Rukia closed the door behind her and started walking to her school.

Hmm, I wonder if they have soccer practice right now. I should check since I need to ask Ukitake-san.

Rukia made up her mind and quickly continued walking. When she got to her school, she did see the soccer team practicing but where was the coach, Ukitake-san? Rukia eyebrows furrowed, and she put a finger on her chin and thought.

Where could he be?

She was too busy thinking that she didn't notice the soccer ball heading directly towards her or the shouts of the soccer players trying to warn her.

Huh? Who's shouting?

The shouting managed to bring Rukia out of her thoughts. Rukia blinked and noticed the ball coming towards her. Her eyes widened, and she felt someone pull her by her arm. She let out a little squeak and heard a 'thud' where the ball hit someone.

The ball rolled off to the side, and Rukia looked up to see who pulled her out of the way. It was Ulquiorra. Rukia was about to thank him when Kaien called out to her and was running towards them.

"Kuchiki!" Kaien stopped in front of them and looked at Ulquiorra weirdly before looking at Rukia. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine." She reassured him. She turned towards Ulquiorra. "Thank you." She bowed slightly towards him.

"Hn, just be careful." He said. He put his hands in his pockets and walked away.

"Weird." Kaien muttered as he watched Ulquiorra walk away. "Anyways what are you even doing here during soccer practice?" Kaien asked her. "Couldn't get enough of me yesterday, huh?" He joked with a grin.

"Wha?" Rukia turned beet red. "N-no! That's not it! I was- am- looking for Ukitake-san!" She quickly defended herself.

Kaien threw his head back and laughed. "I'm just teasing you. Anyways the coach isn't here." Kaien's voice turned serious. "He's in the hospital." He informed her.

"What?" Rukia gasped.

"I don't know much, but he said something about his illness. He said not to worry though." Kaien noticed Rukia's worried face. "You know him! He's strong! He'll be back being his usual happy self!" He reassured her.

Rukia nodded. "Yeah. Okay, well thank you and sorry for bothering you." She turned away and walked inside the school.

"Kaien, come on!" Toshiro called to him. Kaien kicked the soccer ball and practice resumed.

Rukia sighed as she walked in. I need to tell nii-sama when I get home. She looked around for a spot to sit until it was time or close to time to go to their first class. She found an empty table near the restrooms. She sat down and took out another book that she had in her bag.

When the bell finally rang, she quickly got her stuff together and made her way through the halls quickly not wanting to be caught in the halls when they get crowded. When she got to her class, she noticed that she was one of the first ones again. After the students filed in and class started, Rukia was too worried about Ukitake that she didn't pay much attention to the lesson.

RING RING!

The bell signaling the end of the first class rang. "That was fast." Rukia muttered to herself and grabbed her stuff. Hmm, today's been an odd day. Not only did Schiffer-kun and Shiba-kun talk to me, but Ukitake-san is in the hospital. I-

BAM!

Rukia crashed into the open locker of Orihime Inoue. "Oh my gosh! Are you alright?" Inoue asked concerned and quite panicked. She crouched down next to Rukia who was on her knees holding her face. Her (Inoue) friends all looked towards them.

"What happened?" Kurosaki asked walking towards them with the others behind.

Kaien looked closely. "Kuchiki?" The others looked at him surprised that he would know her.

Rukia looked up. She was holding her nose trying to stop from the blood from gushing out. "Huh?"

"Woah, you need to go to the nurse. Here I'll take you." Kaien helped Rukia up on her feet and started taking her towards the nurses office. "You guys on ahead! I'll catch up!" He called out over his shoulder to the others.

"Um okay." Inoue stood up. "Do you know who she is?" She asked the others.

Kurosaki shrugged. "Don't know, but looks like Kaien knows her."


"Sheesh, Kuchiki. You need to be more careful." Kaien said as Rukia put a wet towel on her nose.

"Sorry."

Kaien smiled. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Anyways you're in good hands with Unohana-san, so I'll be going now." He stood up and walked out. "Don't crash into anymore lockers!" He teased her right before closing the door.

Not a minute later the door opened and a young lady with black hair tied into a ponytail walked in with a short, clumsy looking boy. "Hm, I'm the nurse, Unohana. I have another patient I must attend to so I'll let Hanataro," She gestured towards the boy. "take a look at your nose." She smiled kindly at Rukia before leaving.

"Uh, hi." Hanataro said nervously. "I'm Hanataro. May I take a look at your nose, Miss?"

Rukia lowered her hand from her nose and nodded. "Hi, Hanataro-kun. You don't have to be so formal. Call me Rukia." She said with a kind smile.

"Yes." He barely touched her nose, but she winced. "Sorry!" He jumped back.

Rukia smiled wearily. "No, it's fine."

He comes closer. "I don't think it's broken, just bruised up." He went to a table that was in the corner and searched the drawers. "Ah ha!" He grabbed a white strip. "Here, wear this. It should help your nose." He handed it to Rukia.

"Thanks." Rukia put it on her nose. "So aren't you a student?" She asked him.

"Yes, but I know for sure that I want to be a nurse. I asked Unohana-san if I can be an apprentice of sorts, and she said yes." Hanataro explained to Rukia.

"Oh, that's nice. I should get going." Rukia headed out. "Bye Hanataro!" She waved.

Lunch

"Hmm, where should I sit?" Rukia scanned the lunch room. It was pouring rain outside so the students were forced to eat indoors. She scanned once more and saw Hanataro sitting with a dark skined man who looked like a giant and had dark brown hair that covered one eye. "It's worth the shot." Rukia said to herself before walking towards them.

"What happened to your nose?" asked a voice behind Rukia.

Rukia whipped around and it was Ulquiorra. "Oh, this." Rukia's hand instinctly went to her nose. "I... crashed into a locker." Her cheeks turned red.

Not far from where they were talking, the popular group was watching them. "Hey Kaien, isn't that the girl from earlier?" Kurosaki pointed towards Rukia and Ulquiorra.

"Huh?" Kaien was about to bite into his sandwhich. He looked over to were Kurosaki was pointing at. "Kuchiki... and Schiffer."

"Doesn't she know you two are enemies?" Inoue asked quietly.

"Who does she think she is?" Matsumoto exclaimed. "Hanging out with your enemy! What kind of friend is she?"

"She doesn't know, so don't say anything bad about her." Kaien snapped.

"Oh, okay!" Matsumoto said. She turned to Inoue who started showing her weird food inventions.

"Hey, where's Toshiro?" Kurosaki asked as he looked around; and changing the subject.

"It's Hitsugaya." Hitsugaya came with his lunch and sat down across Kaien who was already done with his food. "You eat like a pig." He commented and Kaien just grinned at him.

"We're all friends here." Ichigo said with a shrug and smirk.

"Are you going to eat that?" Kaien pointed to Kurosaki's chocolate cake.

"Hell yeah!" Kurosaki grabbed his chocolate cake and bit into eat.

"I want some!"

"Get your own, Kaien!"

Hitsugaya rolled his eyes at them.


Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow at her. Rukia laughed nervously when he didn't say anything. Ulquiorra looked at Rukia face for a while before speaking. "Does it hurt?" He asked and gently touched her nose.

"Oh, no. No, it doesn't hurt." Rukia answered taken back at his actions and gentle-ness.

"Hn." Ulquiorra put his hands in his pockets and turned to walk away. "Bye." He started walking towards Grimmjow who was picking on a freshmen.

"Bye." Rukia whispered. She shook her head and started once again towards Hanataro. "Hi Hanataro!" She greeted cheerfully.

Hanataro looked up. "Oh! Hi Rukia!" He scooted over. "Sit with us!"

"That's what I was going to ask you." She put her lunch on the table and sat down across from the other guy. "Hi, I'm Rukia Kuchiki."

"I'm Sado Yatsutorda, but call me Chad." He said in a deep Hispanice accent laced voice. For the rest of lunch, they enjoyed it in peace and quiet... well, in their table but around them it was loud.

The rest of the day went by fast, and Rukia didn't see Ulquiorra or Kaien. She quickly went home to tell her brother the news about Ukitake. When she opened the door, her brother was already waiting for her. "Nii-sama! Did you hear about Ukitake-san?" She asked.

He nodded at her. "Yes, and I'm assuming you want to visit?"

"Yes, of course." She said. "But first, let me take this to my room." She held up her bag to him and ran to her room. Two minutes later, she comes running out. "Okay, let's go."

"Room for Juushiro Ukitake." Byakuya told a nurse when they got to the hospital.

"Right this way, please." The nurse led them to his room.

"Thank you." Rukia and Byakuya said at the same time before entering his room.

"Ukitake-san! Are you alright?" Rukia immediately asked when she walked in. She hurried to be by his side.

Ukitake let out a laugh. "Yeah, don't worry about me." He looked at Byakuya then back at Rukia. "But could you do me a favor?"

"Of course." Rukia chirped.

"The nurses wont let me out of the room and there's a vending machine down the hall. Sneak me a snack?" He asked with a grin.

Rukia grinned back. "Okay." Once she left the room, Ukitake sighed and Byakuya sat at the chair near the bed.

"I have some bad news." Ukitake told Byakuya with a sad look in his eyes.


A/N: I have a pairing for Rukia set on my mind, but I wont say who. Hopefully I'll be able to keep it as a surprise. There will be some minor pairings or hints of romance, but nothing else is set.

Review please!