Moshi-Moshi I'm Back from Japan and with a new Chapter.
I feel bad keeping everyone waiting :( saying that i hope you guys like this chapter and ill have the next chapter out soon :)
Sitting on the couch with her legs crossed, keeping her bare feet warm, Rukia stretched her fingers out around her warm cup of hot chocolate. She was barely paying any attention to the television as Ichigo channel-surfed the morning news shows. Ichigo, his name had played on her mind all night. Last night when he had told her everything was ok, even though she knew he was telling the truth something about it still worried her. She had seen things that night that would make a harden warrior feel unpleasant, she had put her own sword through a comrades body, but what he had done last night, it was something out of a horror movie.
Shifting her gaze to him for what felt like the hundredth time, his face had returned to his natural scowl. She had grown used to his scowl but this was something deeper, something more troublesome than normal. Letting out a small sigh she lifted her mug to her cold lips and enjoyed the warmth that it offered. How was she going to tell him the latest news, would he accept?
Placing the remote down on the coffee table Ichigo lifted his arms back behind his head stretching out his body, letting out a small yawn he looked over to Rukia. "Hey" he said simply.
Sitting her hot chocolate back down in her lap she looked at him rising an eyebrow "hey to you too".
"You alright" he asked slowly. He hated these sap conversations but he could tell something was troubling her or she wouldn't have been looking in his direction every five seconds.
Tilting her head Rukia stared back at him "What do you mean?" she asked innocently in attempt to hide her previous thoughts.
"Well for instance you keep looking this way every five seconds and you haven't said one word to me since you came downstairs 15 something minutes ago".
"Oh" she replied quietly adverting his gaze, as she finished the last drags of her hot chocolate.
"Rukia why don't you stop delaying, you can ask me anything, you know that." Ichigo stated as he took her empty mug and placed it on the coffee table in front of them.
Unfolding her legs she wiggled over next to him and lent into his side "I'm scared" she answered him softly. She hated being scared, growing up she was always afraid the boys would tease her on the stormy nights and the Kuchiki mansion was always lonely with nobody to turn to.
"Is it about last night?" he asked kindly, as she sat back up.
"Yeah" she replied quietly, picking up the pillow of the end of the couch and sitting it in his lap.
"Rukia they are gone and not coming back, I made sure of it. They can't come back and hurt you ever again." Ichigo whispered tenderly as she laid her head on the pillow, looking away from him at the blank television screen.
Closing her eyes she blinked away the tears that threaten to fall "It's not that, Ichigo but what will happen next time? They won't be always able to hide your changes"
Reaching over he fixed part of her hair that fell into her face, "Look I don't know yet, although when that times comes we will find away, we always do".
Rolling on to her back, so she could face up to him "I know Baka, but can you just promise me you won't do that again".
"No, if your life is in danger I will do whatever it takes to get you back, the Central 46 can go to hell for all i care with there laws" he growled as his eyes flashed gold.
"Ichigo your eyes" screamed Rukia sitting up in horror.
"What, what's wrong with them?"
"They just flashed gold like your hollows" Rukia gasped. "Ichigo your hollow is showing signs as your emotions fluctuate"
"Fuck. That explains why it was so easy to call upon my hollow powers last night. Rukia this isn't good, if my hollow side is showing with my emotions the entire Seireitei will know within hours of me being there. I will need to stay away and avoid going back to the Soul Society".
Shaking her head quickly she stopped and held his gaze with her own fearful eyes "I can't go back alone, I can't go back to them, it was killing me being trapped there under their constant watch and whispered threats. Why does this have to happen now" nearly screaming the last part in panic before freezing up.
"Rukia" called out Ichigo placing his hands on her shoulders. Receiving no response from her, he shook her lightly. "Rukia I need you to talk to me, you need to explain to me what's wrong?" Ichigo asked her calmly, the last thing he needed was to show signs of panic as well. It was a lesson his father had drummed into him when he would help with the patients.
"Ichigo" she whispered barely audible.
"Common Rukia show me how strong you can be, I need you to tell me whats wrong so I can help you."
Softly shaking her head "Ichigo I'm sorry, I know its stupid but after Nii-Sama's call this morning and your eyes changing it just pushed me over the edge."
Nodding his head to show he understood "What did Byakuya say?"
"Yamamoto-Soutaichou is going to be hosting a ball in celebration for our victory in the winter war tomorrow night. All the captains and lieutenants of the Gotei thirteen will be attending, along with the noble houses and those who participated in the war effort".
"I don't understand what does that have to do with going back to the elders?" Ichigo asked confused to her panic besides the fact that he would be require to attend.
"After the ball I will not be returning to the world of the living. Ichigo the elders have forced Byakuya to find me a suitor." she whispered barely audible.
Feeling his heart pain at her words he could tell his eyes had changed to solid gold. His hollow was nothing short of pissed. "Isn't your brother the head of the family, can't he do something?" Questioned Ichigo forcing his voice to remain normal.
"For a long time he has been but since I killed an Espada my value has risen in the noble world. Its fucked Ichigo the way they can value lives as currency." she growled out.
"Isn't Byakuya the head of the clan tho?" Ichigo asked removing his hands from her shoulders. Moving his hands to the side of his face he rubbed his temples, this noble business always gave him a headache.
"Yes but Nii-Sama can be over ruled, only in the case that more then 90% of the elders vote against him."
Reaching over he placed his hand on top of hers "I won't let them force you to marry someone you don't wish too."
"No, we both know that if your hollow side gets out that Central 46 will warrant your execution. I won't let you throw your life away for me, you have future here with friends and family, these people need you here." Feeling her eyes start glass over, she tucked her top lip in, attempting to compose herself and not to think about her future with a faceless noble.
"Rukia, I won't be able to hide what I am forever, and I understand that." He wanted to say more but couldn't break his promise to his Chichi; he would need to speak to him tonight. It was unfair on her, she need to know the truth.
Pulling her hand away and standing up facing away from him, "It's my fault, I dragged you into all of this."
Standing up after her, he pulled her around into his embrace. "Rukia listen to me, if I had to choose between this life and another, I would choose this one every time, do you understand that."
"Thank you." she muttered against his shirt, his embrace warming her.
Looking down towards her he smiled softly thinking to himself. I would choose the path with you in it every time. If the elders wanted a suitor he would give Byakuya a reason to shut them up. "I guess I will need to find a date for this ball then" he smiled.
"Nii-Sama said to tell you that you will be the guest of honor at the ball and as such you will be required to choose a female from one of the noble house."
Hearing voices walking up the front path to the house instead of the clinic, he pulled away from Rukia, as his face change back to his usual scowl. Having to take a noble didn't interfere with his plans but this did.
The look in Ichigo's eyes screamed trouble if it wasn't their friends at the door, his eyes a strong gold. "I'll get it" Rukia said quickly with a hint of irritation to her voice, she was so sure that Ichigo was about to ask her to the ball. Whoever was at the door was about to find out just how sharp her sword was.
"Thanks, I'm going to go get changed" he sighed, indicating to his track suit pants and plan top.
Watching Ichigo walk to the stairs, Rukia picked up her phone as the screen light up, vibrating in her hand. Hearing a knock on the door she looked up from the name on the screen. "Just give me a second" she called out as she flipped open the screen showing a message from her Nii-Sama.
"Fuck" Rukia swore under her breath, reading the message on her phone as she approached the front door. Her brother had warned her that he would likely try something soon, she just hadn't expected him to act so soon. Stopping at the door she wished Ichigo was here with her, What was she going to say if he did find the nerve to ask her to go to the ball with him? Then there was the issue of Orihime.
Swinging open the door Rukia beamed up at her friends, a fake smile on her lips "Renji what are you doing here? This is a surprise" she claimed, playing her part of the deal. He couldn't let him know she knew he was coming, if he found out her brother was keeping tabs on his movement around her he would get unpredictable. When her brother had first told her about Renji and his continuous hounding from her to return, she had simply sighed into the phone causing Byakuya to stumble on his words.
She wasn't thick she knew of Renji's feelings for her, only it was one she didn't replicate. He was a brother to her, and he always would be. As long as he didn't do anything stupid then everything would be alright between them, she hoped.
"I was sent on the behalf of the Soutaichou to inform everyone here of the winter ball tomorrow night, in the rush of organizing the event there was a delay in getting the invitations here" Renji grinned as Orihime smiled sweetly.
"Ah yes Nii-Sama spoke to me about that last night when I called him. It will be an interesting event. Oh where are my manners, come inside and take a seat. Ichigo will be downstairs in a moment, he is still getting dressed and I need to go get my hair brush." She smiled sweetly ignoring the glare from the two red-heads.
"Thank you Kuchiki-Chan, Do you mind if I get a tray out for water and some cups?" smirked Uryu with a wink and slight nod if his head.
Running up the stairs chuckling softly, very little got past Uryu so she wasn't surprise that he had picked up on her play of words. "What's the rush?" Ichigo asked her, standing in his doorway with his door half closed behind him.
"Renji is here" she replied swiftly as he pushed his door back open for her.
"I was wondering when the pineapple would drop by" Ichigo replied as he watched Rukia collect her hairbrush. "What's the hairbrush for?" He asked confused to why it was suddenly so important for her to look neat and tidy.
"Long story and not how I wanted to tell you. You know how Renji has buried feelings for me?" she questioned, as she run her hairbrush through her hair.
Feeling the knot tie itself and pull tight in his stomach, "Fuck" he swore to his hollow, who growled in agreement. "Yeah I know, but you don't feel that way about him do you?" he asked even though he knew the answer. He had to know for sure that she didn't have any feelings there for him.
Shaking her head "No I don't, but your need to watch your eyes Ichigo" she reminded him.
"I know" Ichigo replied with a frown, his eyes were going to be a dead give away on his feelings in the future.
"Something tells me we can't trust him, if he finds a reason to take me back he will use it. Nii-Sama said Renji has tried to talk him into bringing me back to the Soul Society multiple times now. There are so many laws in the Soul Society between humans Soul Reapers, he could use any of them." Rukia sighed turning towards the staircase.
"We need to remain apart so he can't fucking use anything" growled Ichigo in annoyance.
"Well I might have implied something like that this morning already" she chuckled remembering there reactions, as he let out a low groan. Her berry might have a problem with seeing a female naked but that was because his teenage perverted mind giving him an obvious reaction.
"Rukia it't not a laughing matter and that's why you need the hairbrush" he sighed in defeat. At least the thought of us doesn't disgust her, he thought as she turned around.
Reaching out quickly he grabbed her hand "Rukia wait, would you like to go to the ball with me?" Ichigo asked his cheeks turning a deep red colour.
"I don't want you to feel like you need to ask me Ichigo" Rukia stated coldly not looking at him.
"No I mean it Rukia" he growled pulling her around to face him, "Lady Kuchiki it would be an honor to escort you to winter ball?" he asked tenderly, kissing the back of her hand like a noble.
"It would be my pleasure my lord" she giggled adding to their moment of silliness.
"Good, now it's probably best if we head downstairs before they come and try to kill us both."
"Yo" he casually called out ignoring the death glares from two of the members in the room. "Where's Chad?" he asked to the silence, "Try to keep it calm, until i can get a hang of these eyes" whispered Ichigo as they split up taking seats.
Fixing his glasses on his nose Uryu spoke up "He is with Urahara-San, since Chads rapid advancement in Hueco Mundo, Urahara believes that his powers might be hollow related. They also came in contact with Nel; Urahara is trying to return her back to her adult form permanently now."
"That's great Chad will learn heaps under Kisuke" Ichigo commented, wondering how his friends progress was going.
"Tell us more about the ball Renji?" probed Orihime while she watched Ichigo with a large smile.
"Well the Soutaichou decided to host a ball for all those that participated in the winter war and the nobles of the Soul Society will be attending as well."
"Oh how exciting" grumbled Rukia from next to Orihime in a dead pan voice.
"Common Rukia it will be fun, the theme is a tad different as well. I believe it is something from the living world, Kyoraku-Taichou suggested a masked ball and the Soutaichou liked the idea."
"What are you guys going to go as then? questioned Ichigo with a slight smile, as he imaging the looks on the nobles faces if he showed up in his full hollow form."
"I don't know" stated Rukia, grating herself for the brief enjoyment she felt at seeing the horror in Orihime's eyes, that girl would never be able to stand beside him and support him. If Ichigo hadn't felt the panic in her Spiritual pressure when Yammy had a hold of her, she would have hated to think the mood he would have been in afterwards.
"Oh I'm going to go as a big grizzly bear" smiled Orihime while doing a big action chop, choosing to ignore Ichigo's comment.
"A Brown Kimono with gold highlights would like very nice with that Orihime" grinned Uryu.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes, if you don't mind I would like to make it for you if that's ok".
"Thanks Uryu-Kun, do you have any ideas on what you will go as?" question Orihime.
"It's my pleasure and I will be going as a Blue Ray, it's a type of bird".
Renji smirked leaning in towards Rukia "I bet you will go as Chappy the rabbit" he choked though breaths of laughter.
"Renji that's childish and you should know that Nii-Sama would never approve of something like that. I'm sure if I asked him he would command you go dressed as a pineapple."
Immediately ceasing his laughter "Does that mean you want to go with me?" he asked with a high grin. It would be the closest she would hint at it, if not he could always play it off as a joke.
"No, I already have a date for the ball baka and its some Nii-Sama approves of".
"Rukia, if you don't want to go with some stiff as noble I could ask Kuchiki-Taichou if I could escort you to the ball." Renji fumed.
"No" spat Rukia "I got to choose if said yes or no, Nii-Sama didn't force anyone upon me, stop making him trying to always make it look like his is the bad man all the time".
"Sorry I was only trying to help" growled Renji with attitude standing up from his spot on the couch from next to Ichigo.
"Well you're not helping asshole, so just sit your monkey ass back down and shut the fuck up".
"Rukia" Ichigo called out gaining her attention. One more word from Renji and he was going to lose control. How can that asshole think he could talk to her like that with no replications.
"What?" she snapped in a sharp tone.
"You could go as a Hell Butterfly" he replied causally forcing his anger aside, ignoring her tone of voice.
"That's… Acutely a really good idea" she finished softly, seen the stress within him.
"You surprise me at times Kurosaki" smirked Uryu.
"Don't worry I know what you mean" sighed Ichigo bring out a chorus of laughter, lighting the mood in the room again.
"So what about you Ichigo, do you know who you are going to ask?" Renji questioned. If Rukia already had a date and Ichigo had one too then he might have been wrong about the bloke and he was only a close friend to Rukia.
"Yeah, since I'm the guest of honor I must take a noble woman to the ball or some shit". He replied noticing the anger and disappointment flash in Orihime's eyes again.
"Who are you going to ask?" poked Renji a bit deeper. He couldn't have known too many nobles to have been able to get in contact with one already.
"I was requested to keep it a secret until the night of the ball by Byakuya. Sorry guys, but who i have chosen will need to be a surprise for there safety."
"That's bullshit" swore Renji eyeing both Ichigo and Rukia, neither of them were opening up about their dates much. Could it be possible that Rukia was acutely interested in a noble that he didn't know about? Thinking back to what nobles Rukia might be interact with when a memory from the other day caught his attention. He had heard Kyoraku-Taichou mention something that he couldn't hear to Rukia's captain about her; could it be someone from his family? At the time he had dismissed it as a report, since some of the captains had been sent to the world of the living after a strange hollow sighting.
"Don't think so hard Renji or your brain might pop and splatter everywhere" teased Ichigo.
"Like you can talk must have used every bit of your brain power to think of a butterfly" retorted Renji eyeing Ichigo suspiciously, something was wrong about the guy. Th old Ichigo wouldn't have been able to sit so calmly thought the entire conversation so far.
"Shut up both of you" growled Rukia in annoyance at this rate she was sure Ichigo would slip soon, she was surprised he hadn't earlier. "Renji don't think about it, just accept you will be going to the ball as a monkey after all isn't that what part of your Zanpakuto is?"
Standing up Uryu held a hand out to Orihime, helping her up as the other three started behaving like a bunch of wild animals arguing. "Common they will be a while and we can go start getting ready" he smiled to her.
"Thanks Uryu" Orihime replied softly.
Closing the door behind him he smiled "I'm sorry, I know you wanted to go to the ball with Ichigo, but since he is caught up in hero duty would you like to go with me?" he asked kindly.
"Thank you Uryu but you don't need to do that for me I'm sure there is someone else you would want to go with."
"No it would be my pleasure" he smiled.
"Thank you, your always such a gentleman Uryu, any girl would be lucky to have you" she beamed up to him.
Sighing internally as they started to walk down the path towards Orihime's, if that is true why does the one I settle my heart on, have hers set on another man. Talk about a cruel world, he thought to himself silently.
Standing out on the edge of Los Notches Kisuke watched as Chad blocked the lance Nel lunge towards him, so far they had been at it for nearly 50 minutes without either party showing signs of reverting back to their previous state. With a quick flash step to the side he narrowly missed being hit by a flying hoof.
In a burst of Sonido Chad stood beside Kisuke watching the dust clear from the boulder not far away. "Urahara-San how long have we been at it now?" questioned the man beside him, wearing the armor of the devil.
Turning towards the young man beside him, only his face was visible now, his entire body was covered in the same skin and bone like substance. It reminded him of the story's he had read on and old races commonly known as the demon knights. "It is just off 50 minutes why do you ask?" questioned the shop keeper.
"Only now am I starting to feel exhaustion take place" Chad answered before disappearing and a buzz of Sonido, reappearing holding his hand over Nel's face, blocking the charging Cero as the wind started to whistle around them.
Feeling two people flash step towards them Nel whine down the Cero as Chad removed his hand from her mouth. "Sorry to interrupted, but Yoruichi here has just come bearing interesting new, the Seireitei will be holding a masked ball tomorrow night. Would you guys be interested in going? I know I will be taking this fine-looking kitty." Grinned the perverted man as the Yoruichi knocked him face first into the sand.
"Fine-looking, fine-looking if you can't do better than that you will be attending the event alone" she screamed at him as he raised his head from the sand.
"Won't they detect my spiritual pressure?" questioned Nel.
"I have an armband that you can wear, it will hide your spiritual pressure" smiled Kisuke.
"Ichigo will be there as well" Chad stated as well.
"Nel gets to see Itsygo's again" laugh the former Espada like a child.
Stomping up to Ichigo's room her hands shaking, if Ichigo hadn't returned from the bathroom when he had she was sure she would have killed Renji there and then. He couldn't leave the fact alone that she was going with some noble and accepted that he would need to find someone else, if he had been listen properly he would have realized she never said she was going with a noble in the first place.
Feeling a calming hand on her shoulder she turned to face Ichigo, "His gone" he whispered to her as she looked up to him.
Staring into his golden eyes she smiled lightly "It was hard wasn't it".
"Yes" he replied moving over to the window as the gold left it's his eyes. "Kyoraku is pretty smart, this way I'll be able to wear my mask and people won't know." He would need to thank the man when he seen him next.
Lifting her phone to her ear she looked to Ichigo who had turned around and nodded in agreement, ""Hai Nii-Sama he did stop by."
"Did he ask you to the ball?" Byakuya asked as he heard the slamming of the door on the lieutenants quarters.
"Hai, but i told him I had already said yes this morning to someone, and that you approved so he doesn't believe its Ichigo but a noble."
Rising his eyebrows at her last statement, Kurosaki sure moved fast on that one. "I assume you said yes to Kurosaki then" Byakuya asked?
"Hai Nii-Sama I hope that is ok. To avoid any drama's here Ichigo told the others that he had to ask a noble and was asked by you to keep it silent" Rukia informed him meekly into the phone as she twisted her fingers on the bottom of her pyjama top.
"That is easy to deal with, at lest in the eyes of the elders it will be a great honor so I doubt you will have an issue with the family for once. As for the noble part the Soutaichou also asked that Kurosaki be at the opening of the ball so this will work to our advantage."
"Nii-Sama"
"What is it Rukia?"
"Thank you" she smiled into the phone.
"It's alright, I will meet you and Kurosaki at Urahara's at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning, this way we can return by the Kuchiki Senkaimon undetected".
"Ill just let Ichigo know Nii-Sama... Eight o'clock tomorrow morning at Geta-Boshi" she informed Ichigo before going back to her conversation with Byakuya.
Turning back around to the window, Ichigo could hear his family walking up the road as Rukia started talking to Byakuya about the ball. He was glad she was getting along better with her brother, she had always held him at the top of her world.
I would like to say a big thank you to cartoon girl 4 eva and 27kirune12, They have both stuck by me while i was away and gave me the confidence to release this chapter.