Hello, I'm back! :) And I just happen to have chapter 10 with me! :D

I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to start this chapter. It's not like I've had school work to get in the way, I just...haven't felt like it I guess.

Well, anyways, here it is. Sorry it took so long. Enjoy and please review when you're finished reading! :D Pretty please!

Ryö's POV:

10:52 PM

Renji and I were in place, ready to pull the string if needed. Ikkaku and Yumichika were in place, ready to do the job for us if for some reason Ichigo and Rukia weren't elected King and Queen. (Although I was positive they would be. I can't explain how I knew, I just...did.)

We had been waiting for almost an hour and a half and were growing impatient. We were trying to keep ourselves occupied by playing Thumb Wars, Rock, Paper, Scissors, and even I-Spy. It was lame, but it made the first twenty minutes go by faster than we expected. In the end we just stood quietly, listening to the music with out hearing it.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we're getting ready to vote for the prom's king and queen. Someone will be by to give you all ballets shortly," a voice said from the stage. Renji looked at me, raising his eyebrows slightly, and standing up straight.

He took his place next to me at the edge of our platform, resting his massive hand on my back absently. "You ready for thi-" he started before I shushed him, placing a slim finger to my pursed lips.

"They're telling the nominees! Hush...," I said, leaning over the edge of the railing slightly, trying to hear better. He did so also, thankfully not getting mad about my interruption.

"Hisagi Shuhei and Michiru Ogawa, Toshiro Histuguya and Momo Hinamori, and lastly Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki," she finished, her tone seeming surprised. I didn't' hear the other two couples, but I heard what I needed.

"Yes!" I said, probably a little too loud.

"Shh!!" Renji said, lightly smacking my arm. "Shut up, they'll hear you," he finished, attempting to whisper.

"Sorry, sorry," I whispered back. "This is great!"

He simply nodded, turning to the rope, and lightly pulling me with him. He seemed to be more careful with me now that he had actually hurt me. I don't know if it was because he actually cared or that he just didn't to leave any more bruises. "Get ready, it won't take them long to vote. You need to watch the stage the whole time, got it?" he asked calmly, like he was explaining an assignment to someone.

I nodded, my excitement merging with anticipation. I was really anxious to do it, to see her face, even if just for a second. To see how badly she felt, to see everyone laugh at her. Or just stare at her. That would be better, if they stared. She'd flip out and they'd all just...watch. I thought with a laugh. My hate for Rukia Kuchiki had grown into full fledged resentment, and I wasn't even completely sure why.

I grabbed the rope tightly, but making sure not to tug it at all. Renji's hand was on my shoulder now, his grip firm, I assumed from his own anticipation. I could feel his breathe on the back of my neck, my own coming in shallow rasps. We stood there like that, waiting, for a long while.

Rukia's POV:

11:00 PM

My eyes grew wide as I started up at the girl on the stage that I didn't recognize. My jaw loosened and my mouth fell open. I was in complete shock.

Others around me were cheering for their friends, some maybe even for me, but I still couldn't grasp what was going on. I was totally disbelieving.

Ichigo's hand hit my back, snapping me out of it. "Congrats, Rukia," he said teasingly. I looked up at him, slowly shaking my head, my eyes still wide. "What?" he asked, now concerned. "What's wrong?" Ichigo slipped his hand into mine, scooting closer to me on his chair.

"Th-this...this has to be a joke...I can't do this, if we win-But we can't win. There's no way. We won't...unless...this is a joke, Ichigo. Please, take me home, I want to resign and just go home, please," I pleaded, my brow creasing.

"No!" he said, squeezing my hand gently. "It's not a joke, someone just nominated us, it's no big deal. Don't worry, everything's fine, don't freak out. Okay? Everything's fine," he said. That's when I noticed he was whispering, his face right next to mine. I knew he did it so no one else would hear us. He didn't want me to feel embarrassed.

I swallowed the dry lump in my throat, squeezed his hand back lightly, and nodded. I let out the breathe I had been holding in. "Yeah...okay. We might not even win, right?" I asked, feeling more assured that it'd be fine.

He smiled widely and nodded. "Yep. There's four other couples, we probably won't even win. It's no big deal."

"Congratulations, Rukia!" Michiru said enthusiastically, stopping our private conversation. I smiled at her timidely and nodded.

"You too," I said back to her. Hisagi-san wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, earning a grin from her.

"No offense to you guys, but there's no way in hell we won't win," he said, grinning proudly. I couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Don't be so cocky, Hisagi," Ichigo said, grinning back at him. "I mean, Michiru fits as queen, but you're too scary looking to be king," he said. I assumed he was talking about the three long scars running down Hisagi's face that he had gotten from an unfair fight.

Hisagi's eyebrows formed a fake glare and he continued to smirk at us. "Fuck you," he said playfully.

Ichigo laughed and shrugged. "I'm just saying."

Michiru piped in then. "I don't know, Hisagi," she started, resting her head against his shoulder and looking up at him. "Ichigo's a pretty popular guy, more so than you," she said teasingly, "and Rukia looks so beautiful, I don't think we really have a chance."

"Don't be so pessimistic, Michiru. Besides, Rukia'd be the only reason they won. She cleans up nicely," he said, smiling at me pleasantly.

I smiled and felt my cheeks heat up slightly. "Thank you..."

"What are you saying, Hisagi?" Ichigo asked jokingly.

"I'm saying she looks pretty damn hot tonight and that's the only reason you would ever be the king," Shuhei-san responded, playing along.

"Yeah, well, we'll have to see, won't we?" Ichigo said, his smile widening and pulling me closer by the waist.

It took ten minutes for them to collect the ballets and by the time the girl was back on the stage, I was dizzy and out of breathe. My hands were shaking mildly, but I could feel my stomach churn nervously. I tightened my grip on Ichigo's hand noticeably, making him laugh and pat my hand.

"Okay, so this year's king and queen are...," the girl started, looking around for a good thirty minutes, making my grip tighten again. "Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki!" she shouted into the mic, earning shouts from all the surrounding students. My heart sank, I couldn't believe it.

Ichigo stood, smiling at Hisagi tauntingly. This was still a game to him, but to me, it was a nightmare. I was terrified to get in front of almost all the Juniors and Seniors. Ichigo still had my hand and pulled me from my seat, causing me to shake my head. "No, no, Ichigo, I can't," I said, trying to make him hear me over the loud crowd.

He pulled me closer, leaning his head toward the side of mine, his lips almost touching my ear. "Don't worry, Rukia!" he shouted over all the noise. "You'll be fine! Don't let all these people down, they're obviously happy you won!" he finished. I could feel his mouth curve into a smile before he pulled away enough to kiss my cheek. This only caused the group to get louder.

Ichigo laughed and started pulling me towards the stage. I allowed. All the noise of the crowd faded and everything seemed to go in slow motion. All I could hear was the rhythm of my heart beating loudly in my hears. The room felt like it was spinning as we went up the short steps to the stage, and I was sure I was going to vomit all over myself and possibly Ichigo also. The next thing I knew, Ichigo and I were facing the massive cluster of Karakura students. Someone placed the small plastic crown on my head and I tensed up.

Things still in slow motion, I looked around, unable to see anyone's faces for the bright lights that blinded me. Something seemed wrong. My heart beat seemed to get louder, drowning out every other sound. My palms were sweaty in Ichigo's hand, making it hard to keep a good grip on him, but I managed.

Something's not right! I shouted, although I was the only to hear the words bounce off the walls of my skull, echoing crudely.

Flex.

Something's wrong! Doesn't anyone feel that...that eery presences?! Is it just me!? What is this...feeling?

Flex!

I stared wide eyed at the crowd, my powers doing nothing but tightening my own muscles. Things sped up, and everything seemed okay. But I still couldn't shake that feeling. Though I couldn't shake it, I could ignore it. And I did, for the few seconds I seemed to stay calm.

Ryö's POV:

11:13 PM

There she was, standing in her stupid homemade prom dress, next to one of the most popular kids in the whole school. Her!

Rukia Kuchiki! And I just stared at her, my hands only tightening their grip on the rope.

"Do it!" Renji started, his hot breathe on the back of my neck. I still didn't move. "Come on, Ryö! Don't chicken out! Do it! Do it now!" he screamed, no one hearing over the shout of the mob.

My brow pulled down into a deep scowl and my hands finally pulled the rope down with as much strength as they obtained. And all I heard was the splat of the landing. Right where it was supposed to be. On Rukia Kuchiki.

I laughed like I was insane, feeling so, before Renji could drag me out of the school.

Rukia's POV:

11:14 PM

I stood before the school, something cold and thick all over me. I felt the sticky substance slide down my limbs slowly as the group of people all stopped their conversations and just started quietly. No one said a word, not at first.

Wh-what...is this?! I thought, half aware of anything except my powers churning within me.

Blood.

Well, there it is. I think it's shorter than some of my other chapters, but it was fun to write. I'm sorry for all the info crammed into one little chapter, but as you can tell, it's getting toward the end, and this is just how I decided to organize my thoughts.

Anyhoo, I hope you all like it. Please review and let me know what you think! :D See you soon!