A/N: Yes, it's been a while… so umm… I'll drop this by and… ehehehe… don't kill me? *bolts away*

This was supposed to be the Valentines' fic, but yeah… obviously I'm wayyyy behind. /fail

Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure I don't own Bleach. I suspect the day I do, hell will freeze over. xD

Enjoy!

HATING YOU

Chapter 6

Valentine Panic

Oh, Valentine's day was a beautiful thing. A day of love, a day of giving and receiving affectionate feelings. AKA: Hell day for Hitsugaya Toushiro.

But more about him later. Let us examine the little Kuchiki.

"A what?" asked a certain girl as she ran laps with practised ease.

"A lottery, Kuchiki-san," An orange-haired girl explained to a slightly dumbfounded and yet disinterested raven head.

Rukia snorted. "Whatever for?"

"Kuchiki-san, I already repeated it twice. For the Test of Love Event we do every year for Valentine's." Orihime patiently said, struggling to keep up with the agile Kuchiki.

"Oh." Rukia said, her tone slightly apologetic. She hadn't meant to hear her new friend's words through one ear and out the other. It was just that...

The unfortunate other voiced the moody raven-head's thoughts. "Is something the matter, neh, Kuchiki-san? You seem a bit distracted-"

"DAMN THAT DRAGON BASTARD TO BLOODY FREEZING HELL!!!" Burst out the shorter girl at the top of her tiny(yet awfully capable) lungs. It was quite amazing such a loud noise could be emitted from such a delicate body.

Orihime winced and pulled back, as did every other person on the field. This also happened to include the fearsomely muscle-bound Komamura-sensei, their gym teacher, who dropped his clipboard, the whistle falling from his gaping mouth. A hush fell over the entire field as everyone froze during their routine lap. Everybody stared at Rukia, who suddenly was blushing as red as a sunset.

"Err, I...." she turned to Komamura. "May I go see the nurse? I'm not feeling so well..."

The stunned coach, with his never-seen-without football helmet slightly cocked at a strange angle due to jumping at her shout, merely nodded, speechless.

Silence.

"Are you alright, Kuchiki-san?" whispered Orihime timidly. She'd never seen Rukia, calm, collected Rukia, like this. Said girl turned to Orihime and gave her a wobbly and awkward apologetic smile.

"Yeah, I'll be okay. Sorry, see you later." She said quietly. She turned and walked briskly away before her orange-haired friend could say goodbye. After a couple strides, she broke into a run, disappearing into the main building in a flash of black, white, and red—her raven locks splaying behind her in the wind, the white of her shirt and the short red gym shorts.

When she dashed into the building, she passed the track team coach, Yoruichi Shihoin. The golden eyed lady was surprised as she flashed by. She walked out onto the field, and noticed everyone staring at the doorframe from which she emerged. "What?" asked the purple haired woman. "Am I that gorgeous?" she joked, and walked up to Komamura. "Hey, remind me to draft that little Kuchiki Butterfly onto the Track team. She has a great running form." She said cheerfully. She was only greeted by a heavy silence and stares from the students; still stunned silly by Rukia's little outburst. "What?" she shrugged carelessly. "What am I missing?"

She received no reply.

Rukia sat in the nurse's office, staring blankly at the wall. It definitely wasn't like her to freak out at something Hitsugaya had said. After all, they'd been arguing since they'd met. So she didn't have a good reason for getting upset at the things he said. All he kept on saying was that she was annoying as hell and that she would never find a boyfriend with her personality. It really wouldn't have bothered her if someone else had said it—honestly. It was just that the way he said it made her feel—angry, even hurt. She shook her head violently as his face flashed by in her mind. Nonononono, ohhhh no, no, NO. Don't think about him. Why the hell is he in my head?!

In fact, Rukia herself was being placed as the most popular girl at school. She already had a large fan club, which had showered her locker with frilly valentines and chocolates. She didn't mind too much—aside the fact that there had been no space for any of her things. It wasn't a problem, she liked sweet things, and chocolate was a personal favourite. Although it was a bit of a bother to evade every card thrust at her, she was managing.

She glanced at the nurse's desk. She'd forgotten that the nurse, Unohana-sensei, was both an Arts Teacher and doubled as an Infirmary Nurse. Fifth and sixth period was an Arts class and therefore she wasn't in the nurse's office. Oh well. I'll sign myself in. Rukia walked to the sign-in clipboard and wrote her name in it, along with the time. I guess I'll just lie down for a little while before I go back. The darkened room had two curtained beds, and she walked to the one on the left, drawing the curtain back.

What was inside shocked her.

Her vividly violet eyes widened as she stared down at the sleeping form of Hitsugaya Toushiro. Her mind blanked out on her, half in shock and half in...well, at the sheer beauty of the sight.

He lay on his side, facing her, his face calm and peaceful. No lines of hatred, contempt, annoyance, arrogance, or even anger were shown on it. Watching him like that, it just made Rukia see another side of the self-confident bastard that he had never shown anyone.

No frowns, no smirks.

Just a lax, peaceful smile hovered on his lips, one arm pillowing his head, the other resting on his stomach. As if she was in a dream, Rukia leaned forward, one hand reaching out to gently cup his face in her palm. She stared and just stared, mesmerized. A little voice inside her mourned that it couldn't see those bright azure eyes, but she didn't even hear it.

Hitsugaya suddenly shifted in her touch, causing her to flinch back and tear her hand away. Then it happened.

His eyes snapped open and focused on the petite girl standing in front of him.

She felt it. The current of electricity run through her as his intense blue-green met her violet. His own eyes widened with shock.

His mouth opened and closed, unable to say anything and the girl seemed to have frozen in sheer mortification of what had occurred. When he spoke, it was; "What the hell, Kuchiki?"

Time slowed. Then the gears in her head went click click click!

"Nothing," she said airily. "I just happened to think that no one was here, but obviously, it's just you." She inspected her nails, intent on purposely ignoring him.

Toushiro almost got angry, but he kept his temper down. "So you were watching me sleep? I thought you hated me, demon woman." He smirked.

"Oh yes, I was~" she said in a dreamy tone.

Hitsugaya froze and gawked.

Her maiden-in-love demeanour abruptly changed. "I was watching you drool like some idiotic dog." She snickered, and Hitsugaya's vein throbbed out of his head.

"Shut the hell up! Demon woman." He shot back, flustered, but he was sorely tempted to swipe a sleeve across his mouth. He was only answered with her laughter. "Whatever. Just don't bother me."

Rukia sniggered and walked to the only other bed across from his and sat. "Ooh, poor dwagon....is it because the wittle dwagon can't come wup with something smart to say?" she said in a babying tone. Hitsugaya's eyebrows crashed down into a fearsome scowl.

"What was that, you old baggy crow?" he growled.

Rukia didn't back off. "Are you sure you should be the one calling me old? You must be growing a bit deaf in your old age, Dragon-kun." She retaliated, lying back onto the thin mattress. "Whatever, what are you doing in here anyways? Didn't think you cut class."

There was a grumble of mangled words from the young man, who turned his back to her.

"Huuuh? What was thaaaat?" she teased, purple eyes glinting mischievously.

"I'm hiding." he finally mumbled.

"I never knew the great Hitsugaya was scared of anything." she laughed.

He hissed but only shuddered, eyes narrowing. Of course, it was only just like Rukia to leap up and shout out the door, "HEY! Everyone! Hitsugaya Toushiro is right here!"

There was suddenly a loud squeal and the sound of thudding footsteps. Rukia looked back at the boy, her face frozen.

"KUCHIKI!" he roared, a frantic and enraged look flashing in his eyes as the sounds came closer. He leapt up from the bed.

"What the hell is—" the girl started, but was cut off as there was another ruckus added to it as shouting of boys and the running played in.

"Some fine shit you've gotten us into, Kuchiki," Hitsugaya growled. "We have to deal with oh I don't know—two hundred boys and girls stampeding into one room?"

"Huh--? What?" the dumbfounded girl questioned, trying to grasp the concept. "What's going on?"

Frustrated, the white haired boy explained it to her; "Fangirls. Fanboys. Valentine's day. Do you understand?"

Her eyes widened fearfully to match his as the thudding got closer, and they could hear the crazed screaming. "Oh shi---" she swore, looking to Toushiro.

"Hitsugaya-sama! Be my valentine!"

"No, be mine! I'm better!"

Hitsugaya cringed and began to look around the office for somewhere to hide. "Quick, close the door!" he shouted to Rukia.

"Rukia-chan~! Accept my feelings!"

"No, no! I have those Chappy-shaped chocolates!"

The mentioned girl, who had paled and was just about to shut the door, came to a screeching halt when she heard 'Chappy.' "Whooa---wait a sec…" she said, leaning her head out with sparkles in her eyes. "Chappy??" She was yanked away roughly by Toushiro and was reprimanded.

"No no no you fool!" he growled, slamming the door a second before it was hit by a swarm of people. Faces pressed to the small window on the door, trying to open the door.

"Ah, w-what do we do?" Rukia stammered.

"Haven't you ever been to a normal high school? This is what it's like!" Hitsugaya replied, aghast.

"No, I've only been tutored since I was five," she said sheepishly. "But we have no time for that! We have to do something!" she looked back at the students who were battering the door. "They're crazy!"

"Welcome to my world," he deadpanned. "That is the only exit and entrance. We're stuck here."

Rukia scowled and looked around frantically, eyes setting on a window. "Hold on a second," she said, cranking it open and looking down. It was the school pool, clear and obvious cold. She glanced back at the teenage boy. "You up for a high dive?" she grinned.

He frowned incredulously. "Wait, what?!"

Rukia did not answer as she took him by the wrist and dragged him to the windowsill, shoving the window as far as it would go.

"Come on, dragon bastard," she said, and with one last teasing smile she jumped, dragging him along with her down the fall.

"Kuchiki, I'm going to kill you—"

There was only a laugh from the raven head as they hit the water.

Oh god, Rukia thought. It's freeeeezing. Well, of course it was; it was still February. In fact, there would not be any surprise if they had hit solid ice instead. Or if they both died from heart attacks because of the cold temperatures. Her teeth chattered madly as she popped up, floating in the chilling water. Hitsugaya was not far from her, shaking water from his eyes(she nearly had a heart attack then, and she was pretty sure it wasn't because of the cold). She soon managed to chatter out, "It's c-c-c-c-cold-d!!"

"K-Kuchiki, I s-swear, if I don't die from hypothermia, I'm going to d-dunk you underwater and hold your head down until you stop struggling,"

"I'd like to see you t-try," she laughed, even though she felt like she was an ice cube. "Meanwhile, I'll be getting the hell outta here. You're welcome to stay in the pool, Dragon-kun."

"Oh no no no. I insist on escorting you out, Demon Woman." he growled as Rukia began to tread water smoothly. He followed suit, unable to take his eyes off of the lithe body was revealed by the sopping wet uniform. It made him blush furiously even though he was in a large tub of cold water. Damn horomones, he thought to himself as they climbed out of the pool and began to sneak back into the school, hoping to go unnoticed by any students.

They only ran into Unohana-Sensei.

They froze, droplets of water dripping of them. The woman glanced at the both of curiously, a slow smile creeping onto her face that just scared the crap out of everyone. "Why, Hitsugaya-san! Kuchiki-san! What in the world is going on?"

"U-Unohana-sensei…" Rukia said, laughing nervously, trying to think up one of her dramatic shows to help them escape. "Umm…" But she was saved when she sneezed.

"Oh! You're soaking wet! That won't do. Both of you, come along to my office," the tension immediately broke.

"Uh, Unohana-sensei, the thing was.." Hitsugaya started, also trying to come up with an excuse before she questioned them.

"-That's alright, Hitsugaya-san. Let's just say I blinked. Ah, young love~" the older woman sang as she walked into the now empty office. She was oblivious to the loud protests and heavy blushes that settled on the two teenagers' faces at the accusation of being 'lovers.' "You see, a kid in my 5th period Art class wanted some cotton for her project, and so I was making my way to my office when…." she trailed off. "That's strange…why is there a dent in my door?" she murmured, touching the crater in the center on the metal door.

"Uhh…w-we have no idea!" the two chorused.

Dang, those fanboys and fangirls are violent. Rukia inwardly shuddered.

"Oh well…hmm.. I'll get you two towels and spare uniforms. You'll catch a cold!" The woman hurried to a drawer and pulled out identical uniforms to their wet ones. "There you go," she smiled, also handing them a towel each. They both thanked her and several minutes, they were in dry clothes and the nurse had left for her class. Now they were lying on their according bed, just staring at the ceiling. They both paid no attention when the bell rang for 6th period, not even twitching at the sound.

"Didn't think you cut classes, Kuchiki." he quipped, his eyes closed.

Large violet eyes opened, turning to him. "Hey! Go find your own punch lines. That was mine." she retorted, admiring the curve of his cheekbones.

There was silence, but neither an uncomfortable one nor uncomfortable one. For once, they weren't arguing every single moment. Rukia laid her head on her arms, reclosing her eyes lazily. Sea green eyes popped open as soon as they closed, examining her slender body as if it was a painting by a famous artist. How they both managed to continued doing this was a mystery itself; watching each other when the other wasn't looking.

Soon they both fell asleep, sunlight patching on their peaceful faces.

It was only at the beginning of 7th period that Unohana returned and spotted them both fast asleep, and she smiled. "How adorable. Just to be young again…" she smiled to herself almost nostalgically before sitting at her desk to start paperwork.

Our favourite couple—err, enemies were woken up when Orihime burst into the room, looking for 'Kuchiki-san.'

"Inoue?" Rukia yawned, sitting up drowsily.

"Oh! Kuchiki-san, are you feeling okay?" the girl asked worriedly.

Rukia smiled. "Yeah, thanks. Sorry if I made you worry."

"I'm glad to hear that! But Kuchiki-san, you missed the lottery when everybody got their partners for the Test of Love!"

"Good riddance," she snorted.

"But you know, there was another name folded that was left, and so you do have a partner!" Orihime beamed. "Isn't that wonderful?"

"Yes, Lovely." Rukia groaned. There was a snigger from the white haired boy who still had his eyes closed. "Ah, shut up, dragon bastard," she said moodily.

"How convenient! Hitsugaya-san is here already! That makes it easier~"

Rukia's eyes widened. "What? What do you mean?" The cheerful girl pulled two folded pieces of paper out of her pocket. She unfolded them, which displayed KUCHIKI RUKIA on one and HITSUGAYA TOUSHIRO on the other.

"You two were the last slips! You're partners for the Event!' Orihime sang, smiling.

"WHAT?!" Hitsugaya and Rukia shouted at the same time, looking at each other with shock and some horror. They both groaned, managing to chorus one more phrase. "OH HELL NO!"

A/N: Cliffhanger! What do you think should happen for their 'trials'?

Phew, I FINALLY updated. I'm so so so so so so so SO sorry for the long time I haven't been writing. I think this one is probably my longest chapter; correct me if I'm worng—and so I'm very happy with myself about that. But my head hurts from homework and I'm feeling a bit lonely, so make Berry happy and drop a review on your way out~ Tell me what you thought, what you liked, what you didn't like, some ideas for future chapters, etc.

I love you all~ Thank you for all your reviews, and I think I will be personally replying to reviews I get from now, so ask away or just talk to me!~

Until next time, which I hope will be in just a week.

Love,

Berry~