So, I think it's obvious, but these drabbles aren't chronological. They skip around a lot. Please let me know if you get confused. ;)
.o0o.
Kuchiki, part 1
Always the same two questions: how pretty is she? and what are my chances? Keigo had a nearly mystical compulsion to catalog the female population of Karakura High. He reflexively-and mostly silently-rated every girl he saw, and not just the ones at school. (He also kept mental rankings of Girls Seen on Way To and From School; Corner Market Chicks; his sister Mizuho's Friends; Babes at the Park/Arcade/Tea House...)
But Keigo's fellow students were the focus of his attention as they were the most plausible girlfriend candidates. The first few weeks of his freshman year were harrowing as Keigo was always glimpsing new faces to evaluate (uh, yeah, faces) as he traversed the campus.
When Ochi-sensei announced a new transfer student Keigo stopped spinning his pencil atop the desk and straightened up for a better view. Kuchiki Rukia was definitely stunning with pale flawless skin and wide smoky eyes, if excessively petite around the chest. Those legs were fabulously long for her frame and her rear was likely perfect; further study was warranted.
He watched Kuchiki-san watch others. She discreetly yet continually observed the other schoolgirls and began mimicking them. Her posture melted into her desk a bit, she crossed her legs. Kuchiki-san didn't pay much attention to the lecture or the several boys checking her out; her eyes periodically flicked to Ichigo sitting in the neighboring desk, though.
Ichigo ignored the new girl with an intensity bordering on malice. Keigo was practically across the room but saw the throbbing vein at his temple and noticed his hands contract into fists once or twice when Kuchiki's eyes cut over to him. Curious.
Kuchiki-san was very contained until pulled into conversation; then she deflected personal questions with demure smiles and fluttering gestures. Her sing-song voice had an awkward cadence, almost archaic, but her speech patterns were shifting, normalizing slightly as the day wore on. Their classmates seemed to regard her as odd, but not suspicious.
Keigo could easily spot a performance when he saw one; he was an actor himself, after all.
Whatever else Kuchiki Rukia was, she was sharp, adaptable and very definitely hiding something.
AN: Good, bad, meh? All reviews appreciated.