Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 3

Shuuhei was full of surprises tonight. Not only did he give her flowers, but he took her to Starry Night. This was supposed to be the food in District 1 of the Rukon as well as one of the most entertaining due internal art gallery. She silently thanked Rangiku for making sure she wore her new maroon kimono with white sakura petals detailing.

As the walked toward the restaurant, Rukia made up her mind to be a proper lady tonight in case the restaurant housed Kuchiki spies. Speaking of spies, before they even entered the restaurant Rukia eyed a seemingly familiar man near the window with a lady in a green kimono. Damn them! That better not be Aiko Kuchiki with his snotty wife. What till I tell brother about those slimy... grrrr... She shook her head slightly out of agitation and kept her glaze on the floor. If it is them, do not give them any ammunition to throw at Byakuya.

Rukia silently followed Shuuhei until an arm snatched her out of the way into a wall of solid muscle. She looked up with a startling expression. Shuuhei was trying not to laugh as he gesture to the waiter who nearly spilled hot soup all over her. And I am officially an idiot! Thank you, you stupid strawberry for rubbing off on me! "Thank you, Shuuhei." An embarrassed Rukia mumbled quietly.

What the hell is wrong with her tonight? She was fine at the manor and the walk over here, but now she seems so… meek? Why did she change all of the sudden? Is she scared or am I just that bad at dating?

Ignoring their almost social faux, the waiter placed the couple into a nice, secluded corner. He semi-feared for the lovely paintings on the wall so placing the two love birds back here would hopefully keep them and the customers safe.

Rukia was thankful that they were basically hidden from everyone's view. If word reached Byakuya or –heaven forbid- the Kuchiki Elders for misrepresenting the clan again, she would be in big trouble. She almost caused herself complete embarrassment earlier because she was so focused on being the perfect date.

Finally, Shuuhei had enough of her meek bullshit. He knew what a firecracker the woman in front of really was. "Are you going to tell me why you're quiet this evening?" Rukia was silent as she stared at him. Her features remained schooled, but she was shocked at his question. She looked like she was about to lie just as Shuuhei stopped her. "When you're with Ichigo or Renji, you are normally yell at them or assault them in some way. But here, you're too quiet."

Her mouth slightly twitched at his words. "Would you rather I yell at you?" she replied calmly. Shuuhei raised an eyebrow at at her. "Am I being that abnormal?" Rukia asked finally asked a smirking Shuuhei. She knew he realized he won the battle.

He could see the fire starting to emerge in her violet eyes again. Good. It's about damn time. The ice princess isn't as fun as the real one.

"Yes. You are. How many drinks have we had together?" Now it was Rukia's turn to raise a questioning eyebrow. "Okay. How many times have you observed us drinking and sat along with us as we retold stories? You're full of life and passion when you loosen up. Now, in there..." Shuuhei gestured toward the dining area. "That was the freaking ice princess. I want the real Rukia for this date. Hell, I volunteered for the first date because you are always interesting to be around."

Rukia's mouth gaped a little bit at the man who sat across from her. He volunteered? "I...I'm really sorry, Shuuhei. I'm nervous about this whole mess. Hell, when we first walked in here, I thought I saw members of the Kuchiki Clan checking up on our date! Everyone is just waiting for me to fail. It's hard to function when there are spies following you, and none of them are from my brother. At least he has a little bit more faith in me - most of the time."

"Why do you care what they think, Rukia? You hardly have before."

"Why? Because I was the screw up. I was one of two reasons the Great Byakuya Kuchiki went against clan rules, and I am always whispered about in the shadows like a plague to the clan." Rukia paused for a moment looking down at her clenched hands. "I want to make my brother proud, Shuuhei. Such a simple thing has almost been out of my grasp."

Shuuhei was not going to let Rukia have a pity party. She was better than that so he reached over and took one of her hands. Her eyes rose to meet his. "Captain Kuchiki is proud of you. How can he not be? You're a lieutenant of the 13 Court Guard Squad. You helped save the Soul Society on multiple occasions. Honestly, you were the key to bringing down Aizen and exposing his treachery. You are the perfect example of a lady when you want to be." He said with a wink. "Remember, I've fought with you before. You can be badass in battle, especially if you go bankai on them. And if I recall correctly, Captain Kuchiki said you had a splendid bankai."

Rukia took in Shuuhei's words for a minute. Her bankai! A smirk graced her lips as she was trying so hard to contain her laughter. All she could see was a row of frozen Kuchiki Elders – minus Byakuya of course – with their expressions of shock and horror. Freezing them wouldn't be such a bad idea… It may even help brother out too.

"I guess I'm not such a screw up after all huh?"She replied brightly. Shuuhei could see the woman underneath all the ice thaw.

"No, you're amazing. Now, are you going to enjoy the date or am I going to have kick their asses out of the restaurant for us to have a pleasant date?"

"I think we can go back to enjoying this date." She replied with a brilliant smile.

With their issues resolved, Rukia and Shuuhei continue their lovely date without interruptions or inconveniences from nosy clan members. The two friends talked and joked like normal. Rangiku was right. The food was amazing. The date was perfect once Shuuhei had the balls to call her out on her attitude change, and he was surprisingly romantic, yet badass himself.

When they returned to the manor, a smile graced Rukia's lips as her brother greeted them from the doorway. Shuuhei returned her to Byakuya at approximately 10:50 PM. Byakuya's spiritual pressure was even normal when Rukia leaned up and gave Shuuhei a kiss on the cheek for being such a gentleman tonight. Overall, everyone was pleased with the success of the date. But none more than Byakuya himself. He had to hide his smile and school his features as Rukia slightly bounced through the doorway up to her room. The young lieutenant succeed at having a successful date, and Byakuya couldn't have been more proud or thankful with how this night turned out.

So the date chapter will be a little bit longer than the others! Sorry Rukia may be a little OCC, but I was trying to convey her nerves with all this matchmaking and marriage business. I hope you enjoyed Rukia's first match. I hope some of y'all are a little in love with Shuuhei by the end of this! I think he's all reserved badass with a hidden romantic/sweet side. Yes, the first date was nice and sweet. How else do you ease someone something they really don't want to do? Down the road, her dates won't be so simple (muhahaha!) Thank you for reading!