Hey everyone! I finally managed to pinch some time to write another chapter! All your reviews and PMs made me soooooo happy! I loved them all! They all encouraged me to push this chapter out as soon as I could. So here's thanks to: LuciL06, lassa, Fpix, tokiko76, L, SunRises, DRUON, Nathalie Shiffer, silverqueen, vicky73, ai-haibara777, seras3791, Yuniee, YuzurihaNoRyuu, Kiss of Imortality, Allen-holic, DeeathgodIceheart, Nikki-4 and isara-love. And special thanks to evenstar lady for sticking up for us authors that got flamed by pfffft
LuciL06: Apologies for the long wait. I hope you like this update too x
lassa: I've having a lot of fun with this story so I'm really glad you find it funny too =)
DRUON: Yes, it should be a bit awkward but hiopefully in a good way =p I hope you'll enjoy this one too x
L: Oh, but I wouldn't find it too difficult to kiss Byakuya again and again lol Rukia is such a lucky girl!
silverqueen: I think there's more romantic fluff here which I hope you'll enjoy too x
vicky73: I looove your PMs! Sorry I couldn't write 9,990 words as you requested. But there's a bit more progress here. Hopefully, that will it make up to you x
seras3791: I don't tend to portray Hisana as a bad person. However, I should be using her to add a little drama for ByaRuki x
DeathgodIceheart: Thank you for your lovely compliment! I'll be sure to feature Toshiro in future chapters for you! X
isara-love: Thank you again for your lovely message. Don't worry about your English. I understand it perfectly x
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach just this plot
Perfect Timing
'Rukia?' No one replied Retsu. She looked up. 'Ashido, is Rukia still ill?'
'Er...' he hesitated. 'H-Hai, sensei,' he eventually replied.
'I see,' she said as she marked a cross next to the angels' name on the register.
Byakuya sneaked a glance to the empty seat on his right. It was the third day of the week and still Rukia was absent. She had not attended any of her classes this week. She claimed it to be because she was ill but Byakuya knew there was more to it. The real reason was because-
'You do know it's your fault Rukia's not in class, right, Byakuya?'
'How is that so?' he retorted at Ulquiorra. The pair darted cold glares at each other between Rukia's empty seat.
'Byakuya, have you apologized to Rukia?' Ashido turned round to ask.
'What do I have to apologize for?' he asked bluntly.
'For taking Rukia's first kiss of course!' Ashido whispered loudly. A little blush crept over him.
'How could you forget!' he exclaimed.
'Aren't you over-reacting a little, Ashido?' his brother asked.
'Huh?' His twin looked puzzled and raised an eyebrow.
'Could you be jealous that it was Byakuya who gave Rukia his first kiss?'
'WHAT! ME? JEALOUS! OF COURSE NOT!' But there was no hiding how red Ashido's face was. It was fuming. Could he really have been jealous?
I'M NOT A HOMO!
'Ashido, please remain silent. It makes it rather difficult for me to continue with the register,' Retsu complained in her classic soft tone.
'Gomen,' he offered with a bow.
The kiss...
Byakuya took a while to remember how their mouths locked onto one another's; how her lips were so soft; how a spark went through him the moment they kissed. Although it was just an accidental kiss he still couldn't stop thinking about it. He didn't pull away. He waited for Rukia to step away. He thought that was the polite way to deal with it or was it because he wanted the kiss to last as long as possible...? Deep down, did he secretly enjoy the kiss? Did he want the kiss?
Why would I want the kiss?
That would mean...
'My, my, Byakuya,' Ulquiorra interrupted his thoughts, 'is that a blush you're wearing?'
'Perhaps you're paying too much attention to me lately, Prefect-san,' Byakuya retorted.
'Don't worry, Byakuya. I only have eyes for Rukia.' Byakuya was getting annoyed with the devilish grin the prefect had.
'Prefect-san-'
'Alright,' Retsu began, 'can everyone turn to page 499.' Ulquiorra flicked through the heavy text book with his elegant hands.
'I wonder if there's a spell in here that would allow Rukia to fall madly in love with me...?'
That fire in the pit of Byakuya's stomach was stirring again. That ball of jealousy wriggled inside him more and more.
Jealousy...
'Why won't you eat?'
Rukia pushed a small cabbage leaf towards Chappy. The rabbit sniffed it a few times but then wandered off to a quiet corner in her cage. Rukia sighed.
'Maybe you're ill like me?'
Rukia slumped back into her chair and dropped the vegetable back onto the desk. Rukia sighed again. Something was wrong with her. She couldn't sleep. She couldn't eat. She couldn't focus on her homework. Her heart felt incredibly heavy. All she kept thinking about was...
My first kiss...
Her petite fingers rubbed against her soft pink lips. Carefully, she casted her mind back to when the handsome prince kissed her. The warm sensation from his lips still lingered on her skin. A deep blush appeared on the tips of her cheeks just by thinking about the situation. That was the real reason why she couldn't attend her classes. How could she look Byakuya in the eye after that? He never really said anything about it.
What did he feel...?
Does he think about the kiss?
'BAKA!' she cursed herself. 'He thinks you're a boy! What is he supposed to feel!' She buried her face into her hands.
'Why does he affect me so much! Stupid Cheeky-san! Stupid, stupid Chee-'
'There you are!' Ashido's sudden outburst shocked her quite a bit.
'Wh-What are you guys doing here?' Rukia asked as both twins climbed up to her room.
'We could ask you the same question,' Ichigo asked back.
'Aren't you supposed to be at the second round of auditions?' Rukia lost interest and swirled around with her back facing the twins.
'I'm not going,' she stated plainly.
'Why not?' they both asked.
'Because... Because...'
Of course, part of her couldn't face Byakuya but she didn't see the point in auditioning anymore. It was fun before but now that she's not acting the scene with Byakuya... And for some reason she didn't feeling like watching Byakuya acting out a romantic scene with Hisana. She wasn't sure why but she felt a little sad every time she thought of it.
Ashido gave a twinkle in his eye to his brother who then nodded in return. The boys helped to lift Rukia up by the arms.
'KIDNAP OPERATION BEGINS!' Her eyes filled with shock.
'WHAT! NOT AGAIN! OI!'
They began to drag her off down the stairs but she continued to struggle and kick her feet in the air. This scene was all too familiar. She didn't think she could stomach another night like at their Halloween party!
'OI! WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME!'
'To the audition of course.'
'I don't want to. Let go of me now!'
'Sorry, Rukia, you belong to us now...' Ashido claimed as they pulled her to the assembly hall and completely ignored that she was in her Chappy pyjamas!
'Here, Matsu-sensei, have another glass,' Szayel suggested.
He sat with her in the assembly hall just before the auditions began and poured more sake into her blue china cup. He filled it to the top; almost spilling out of the cup. He kept doing that for the past 20 minutes and knew she couldn't refuse sake let alone free sake! At this rate she would soon pass out like he planned. Rangiku picked up her drink and threw it into her mouth. She tapped the table a few times roughly.
'More! Give me more!' she demanded. Her blue eyes were already clouded with dizziness. What a drunk.
'Sensei, would you prefer to drink from the bottle instead?' he suggested.
'Good idea!'
Her eyes dazzled with excitement. Swiftly, her hands went to whisk the porcelain bottle out of Szayel's grasp and devoured the contents. He grinned wildly as he watched Rangiku fall easily into his trap. After a few sways from side to side she collapsed onto her table. Dribbles of saliva began to leak out and cover her paperwork. As she fell unconscious she let go the porcelain bottle which rolled along the table and eventually cracked onto the wooden flooring.
'Well that was easy.'
She began to snore in a deep sleep. Szayel took this perfect opportunity to fiddle with audition list. Quickly, he rushed through the scattered papers and then found the list. There it was. His beloved prefect was paired with Rukia for the second auditions. That mild anger began to burn inside him again.
'There's no way I'm letting that bloody midget anywhere near my Prefect-san!' he spat and took a pen to scratch out Rukia's name.
Rukia managed to wriggle free from Ichigo but Ashido soon picked her by the waist and perched her over his shoulder. Her legs kept waving about in protest.
'OI! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!'
'Well, would you prefer if I carried you in my arms bridal style!' Ashido offered.
'Eh...' she blushed furiously and even stopped struggling from the embarrassment. Ichigo shook his head.
'Only in your dreams, Ashido,' he muttered.
'Ha? Why would Rukia be in my dreams?'
'Why do you think?' Ashido blushed and refused to answer his brother. Ichigo shook his head again in disbelief.
Does he really not know?
Does he not realise he's been slowly changing for...
They eventually reached the assembly hall that was already filled with students from both schools. The students had their scripts in their hands and were busy doing some last minute revising. It was heaved with noise. Many of the fangirls decided to audition since Byakuya and Ulquiorra were also there. And many of the other male were there; hoping to talk to the girls and possibly star with them in the play eventually. Others were there purely because it was going to be quite a big production. It was rumoured that the play will be held at the Royal Anvil Theatre. It could sit an audience of 1,000 people. The SS group were in the middle of discussing with the theatre about cheaper production costs and that all the proceeds of the ticket sales would be donated to the schools. Nothing had been agreed yet but all the students were already very excited. The girls started to whisper loudly at the sight of Rukia entering the hall.
'Look, look, it's the bishōnen!'
'He's even getting a piggy-back ride on Ashido-kun! How adorable!'
'He's actually really cute like a girl!' Rukia frowned.
I am a freaking girl! God, with all this gender confusion even I'm starting to think I am a boy!
'Can-Can you put me down now?' she blushed; finding it uncomfortable that the entire room was looking at them.
'Ah, gomen.' He hurried to place her dainty feet back onto the ground.
'Rukia, you finally turned up,' Ulquiorra asked.
'Prefect-san?'
'I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever see you again. We can't have you disappearing again.' He flashed a soft smile.
'I...'
'If I remembered correctly, this was just an audition,' Byakuya interrupted from behind. His fangirls gasped excitement.
'It's Byakuya-sama!' the girls all screamed.
Rukia's violet eyes lifted immediately towards the deep voice. Her face blushed pink. Their last meeting flashed before her eyes once more.
BAKA! Why are you thinking about that stupid kiss again!
'It puzzles me that you have turned up dressed in a white suit,' Byakuya continued. Ulquiorra smiled and placed a gentle arm around Rukia.
'Well I am auditioning with dear Rukia so naturally I have to dress nicely to match Rukia's beauty.' Rukia thought she was going to die of embarrassment.
'However, I am slightly disappointed.' He gazed directly into Rukia's eyes.
'I was half hoping you would turn up in that lovely white dress.' Her eyes bulged wide.
What did he say! He wants me in a dress! I'm supposed to be a boy! Do you like boys or do you like girls! Make your mind up!
'Rukia looks perfectly fine with or without the dress...'
Byakuya's words trailed off when he noticed what he just said. He wasn't supposed to say that; not out loud anyway. Why couldn't he stop himself from blurting out that compliment? She blinked her eyes rapidly at him.
Did he just say...
... I'm perfect
Her lips pressed together as she shied away from his glances. Her lips almost curved into a smile but she did her best to hide it. For some unexplained reason, his words made Rukia secretly happy; delighted. She even tasted a little sweetness.
Cheeky-san said I looked perfect...
'Byakuya, don't you have something to say to Rukia?' Ashido suggested.
'Do I?' the prince coldly replied.
'Tell him you're sorry you stole his first kiss.'
'You do realise that Rukia fell on top of me?'
'So?'
'So, to be accurate, Rukia stole my first kiss...' Byakuya froze up. He wasn't supposed to admit to that.
'I stole Cheeky-san's first kiss?' Rukia asked in surprise. Byakuya cleared his throat.
'Maybe...' Rukia bit her lip trying not to reveal her smile.
I gave Cheeky-san his first kiss...
That seems to make me very... happy...
'Oi! Oi! Everyone should line up with their pairs now! The auditions are about to begin!'
Rangiku's voice echoed all over. The sake only managed to keep her asleep for about 20 minutes. It was like her body was getting more and more immune to it. No alcohol was strong enough to knock her out for long. The students rushed around to get into some sort of order.
'Let's see,' Rangiku pondered as she did her best to focus on the audition list in her shaking hand.
'Mmm... Byakuya and Rukia you're both up first.' Rukia was definitely surprised. She was so certain that she had paired him with Hisana.
'Matsu-sensei, I am sure you are mistaken. Rukia is auditioning with me today,' Ulquiorra corrected.
'Are you trying to say that you know better than me?' The English teacher gave her threatening tone. Even Ulquiorra was scared of her.
'Not exactly...'
''Good, then that's settled.' Her smile was back on her face. How her emotions could change in such an extreme way in such a short time was already scary. She looked over at Byakuya and Rukia.
'You two should get ready now.'
'But-'
'But what, Rukia? Would you rather have detention?' Rangiku cocked an eyebrow. Rukia dared not go against her wishes.
'Nothing...' she whispered.
God, you must be laughing at me...!
Despite all Rukia's effort with her match-making, she still ended up being with Byakuya. She still ended up in a romantic scene with him. Here, in a Victorian pale green dress, she sat on a chair pretending to be reading at a study table when Byakuya entered the room in a rushed manner as Mr Darcy.
'Miss Elizabeth,' he referred to Rukia, 'I heard that you were taken ill. Are you in good health?'
'Mr Darcy,' Rukia stood up and bowed to him, 'yes, I am making a speedy recovery.'
'Thank goodness,' he said with a smile and sat down on the sofa and stared blankly at her for a few moments.
'Miss Elizabeth...' He hesitated.
'Mr Darcy?'
Byakuya stared at her for a long time before he eventually got up to walk around the room. After a minute of silence, he came towards Rukia and appeared nervous.
'I...' Byakuya paused. 'In vain I have struggled with my feelings. They will not be denied any more. I ask of you to end my agony; my pain.'
One of his hands went to caress Rukia's cheek and gazed right into her beautiful eyes. That lovely violet ocean was so hypnotic; like you could admire them all day. Both their hearts were beating rapidly at the intimate touch. They were standing so close; so dangerously close to each other.
'I don't understand...' Rukia continued.
'Please allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you...'
Love...
Rukia almost gasped out loud. She clearly had a huge blush on her face. She knew this was just part of the play but why did it seem so real? Why did it affect her so much? Could it be that she wanted it to be real? Could it be that she actually wanted Byakuya to feel that way for her?
But that would mean I...
Byakuya could hear his own heart pounding like it wanted to push its way out of his body. He was always cold to others and used icy words towards them. He never really spoke such intimate language but why did those words just roll off his tongue so easily? It was as if he was speaking his mind. It was as if he was simply speaking of his true inner feelings.
Am I truly in love with you...?
All these weird but wonderful emotions fluttered within him. For some unexplained reason, his eyes fell onto her mouth. He quickly looked into her eyes and she was also looking up towards his lips. His body moved on its own and inched slowly closer to her. They were so close now they could both feel each other's hot breath. And in that last moment they closed their eyes to ki-
'CUT!'
The pair flicked open their eyes immediately. Rukia jerked out from Byakuya's hold as soon as she noticed what they were doing; or what they were about to do. Her heart thumped hard and she felt incredibly dizzy. Was she about to faint? Of course she was panicking. She almost kissed Byakuya! AGAIN!
What the Hell am I doing!
Byakuya couldn't keep his eyes off her. In that dreadful moment he was actually about to kiss her! Somebody shouted at them in time before he did the unthinkable and forced himself on her. And yet...
Why? Why do I feel... disappointed?
Why did I even try to...
The first kiss was an accident but this kiss...
'CUT!'
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to Ulquiorra. Of course he couldn't just stand there and watch Byakuya steal another kiss from Rukia! Not if he could help it!
What was also surprising was that Ulquiorra wasn't the only one who yelled out. Ashido even surprised himself at how he raised his voice all of a sudden. His face blushed with embarrassment for his behaviour. He and Ulquiorra looked at each other in disbelief and mild shock. Obviously, Ulquiorra was jealous but what about Ashido? Why did he stop the kiss too? Did it mean he was jealous too?
But that would mean I'm attracted to... to Rukia?
How could that be? Rukia is a boy!
I'm NOT a homo!
But...
The idea of Rukia kissing someone else...
'WHAT THE HELL!' Rangiku yelled and threw a book at the boys. Ashido held his hands up to apologize for his outburst.
'Gomen, gomen, Matsu-sensei, I-'
'WHY ON EARTH DID YOU CUT THE SCENE! WHO DO YOU THINK THE TEACHER IS HERE!' Ashido shut his eyes tightly. She was in her scary violent mode again. It was unsightly.
'Matsu-sensei, shouldn't you be telling Byakuya off? There was no kiss scene in this act. He deliberately changed the contents of your work, sensei,' the prefect commented.
'Eh?' She checked the script once over. 'Mmm... so there really is no kiss...'
'Does that not deserve a detention, sensei?' Ulquiorra suggested. Clearly, Byakuya had annoyed the prefect. Rangiku looked up and pouted while she thought for a while.
'Well...'
'My apologies, sensei,' Byakuya interrupted. 'I changed the content without your permission. Please forgive me. I don't know what overcame me.' He bowed to her and the audience.
'Oh, what the hell. I liked it so no apology or detention is required,' Rangiku commented. 'And welldone, Rukia. You played Elizabeth very well.'
'A-Arigatou.' Rukia bowed and tried her hardest not to look at Byakuya. She tried to ignore how badly her body was shaking. It was a wonder how she would have reacted if they really did kiss!
'I think you and Byakuya are a perfect match. So, consider the lead roles yours. Maybe I should add a few more kisses in the script...'
All the fangirls ran onto the stage to congratulate the pair on their success. The crowd was so huge it managed to pull Byakuya and Rukia away from each other.
'Rukia-kun, you were so cute! Can I have your autograph?'
'Yes, Rukia-kun, please sign my uniform!' A girl pushed her chest into her face.
'Hai?' Rukia didn't understand.
'Rukia-kun, do you have a girlfriend?'
'Eh...' Now that was embarrassing for her.
'What kind of girls do you like?'
'I... I... er...'
God, save me! Is everyone gay here!
The group of girls at the other end were just as crazy. They were all screaming and fainting but the prince had his eyes solely on Rukia.
'Congratulations, Byakuya-sama. You gave a wonderful performance,' Hisana complimented in her trademark sweet voice but Byakuya paid no heed to it.
'Byakuya-sama?' Her eyes followed his over to Rukia; the one who accidently kissed Byakuya at the Halloween party. Hisana spotted something mysterious in the prince's eyes.
If only you could look at me like that. If only for one moment...
Something inside Byakuya wriggled around and he was beginning to recognise what it was.
Am I'm falling for you...?
'Oh, God! Why did I yell out like that!' Ashido asked out loud and flopped onto his bed. His face buried deep into the fluffy pillow.
'O, beware, my lord, of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on,' Ichigo quoted from William Shakespeare's Othello.
'For the 100th time, Ichigo, I am NOT jealous!'
If you say so, brother.' His twin was obviously not convinced. Ashido sat up straight.
'I like girls, okay? I looooove girls. I'm a normal boy. I'll even prove it.' Ichigo lifted a puzzled eyebrow as if to challenge the proof of evidence.
'How does this exactly prove anything!' Ichigo asked.
'Mmm... yes!'
'You like that, baby?' Yes, Ashido decided to watch an online porn movie to prove his sexuality!
'I like heterosexual porn not homo porn. That proves I like girls not boys!' he protested. Ichigo shook his head not knowing where to look. Both actors were moaning in pleasure.
'What is the meaning of this?' a deep voice asked.
'Ah, Byakuya, you're just in time for this new movie. It's called 'Pleasure Island'. You fancy joining us? I have popcorn ready.'
Ashido waved a box full of the toffee flavoured snack towards him. Despite the fact that the screen was clearly showing a couple having sex on a beach Byakuya still remained emotionless.
'What you choose to do in your own leisure time is not my concern but why must you use my laptop to watch this filth?' Byakuya demanded.
'You have a bigger screen than mine,' Ashido stated plainly like it was a normal thing to do!
'Is something wrong?' The petite girl appeared from nowhere. Byakuya turned round in a shocked manner.
'Uh! Harder! Harder!' Rukia went to peer around Byakuya whose body was in the way of the screen.
'What are you watching?' she asked innocently. She managed she walk in on them on at the worst possible time. Ashido hastily closed the laptop shut.
'If you don't feel anything then why did you turn off the porn as soon as Rukia turns up?' Ichigo mocked.
'Shut up!'
In a flash, Byakuya walked up close to her and shielded the screen from her with his body. He quickly placed his hands over her little ears preventing her from hearing the dirty content. He couldn't let Rukia take a single glimpse of the porn. What if she thought he was watching it! What would she think of him!
'It's nothing,' Byakuya insisted.
Their bodies were so close again. Her head was close to his heart and she could hear the smooth beating rhythm. The warmth of his body and accidental embrace was making her blush again.
'Chee...Cheeky-san?'
Slowly, he looked at her directly. That fluttering feeling returned to him again with this petite cute looking darling in his arms. How could he deny it any longer?
Please allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you...
Awww I nearly had them kissing again! I'm mean, aren't I! Well, at least Byakuya is realising his feelings for our little angel =) Most of the lines in the audition scene was from the actual book which I thought was great to use for more ByaRuki-ness. I held back telling you about Ashido's attraction to Rukia but some of you noticed it anyway =p
Just to let you know that 'bishōnen' roughly means 'pretty boy'. Anyway, hopefully you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review and let me know what you think of this update. Ja x