The next morning, Rukia put a reiatsu blocking bracelet on herself and her two companions "Now, I'll go out and portray the innocent soul and hopefully it will draw the hollow's out" Rukia grabbed up her backpack and left through the main door of their two rooms.

Ikkaku slapped his forehead "Did she have to go out wearing that, she's going to kill me" he groaned, what he meant was Rukia wearing a knee length summer dress that was purple and had butterflies on it, Yumichika snorted and Ikkaku sent him a glare.

"Never mind that Ikkaku, we are supposed to be following her you know" Yumichika pointed out and the two soul reapers scrambled out the open door trailing after their female companion, who had already gained a considerable distance.

"She really knows this place" Ikkaku commented as Rukia wondered in a seemingly aimless direction but was really towards the hollow's resting place, not that any of them knew it at that moment in time, it was just a dumb stroke of luck.

Yumichika tensed as Rukia let out a shout of fright and quickly whipped off her reiatsu blocking bracelet, and jumped out of her gigai body after using the pill "First Dance, Tsukishiro" Rukia swung her zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki.

This prompted both he and Ikkaku to do the same just as the second hollow went down courtesy of Rukia, twenty minutes later it was all over and Rukia leaned against the wall mentally counting out how many hollow that had been taken down and comparing it to the number she had been given.

"Well that was easy" Rukia said "Looks like we are all finished way earlier than we thought, that had been a pretty good plan" she hurriedly put her gigai body back on "Let's go back to the hotel, enjoy tonight and then go back" Rukia offered.

Ikkaku averted his eyes, that was a horrible idea "We should probably just get our stuff and then go back, no use in sticking around where Kurosaki can find us" he mumbled out and Yumichika pressed a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter.

"It's probably for the best I suppose" Rukia relented and picked up her pace, once back in her room, she hurriedly packed up, making sure she hadn't missed anything then wrote out a report "Oh before we go you should probably write your reports for Captain Zaraki" Rukai called.

Grumbling under his breath, Ikkaku pulled out a sheet and started writing as Yumichika did the same "Can't believe this being bossed around by a girl" he sulked out loud and his friend sniggered, "Watch it Ayasegawa" Ikkaku gave him the stink eye and a huff.

"Sorry, I can't help it, you are so whipped" Yumichika let out as his amusement overflowed but he quickly stamped it down and turned back to filling out his own report, the two finished at the same time and looked at the door to Rukia's room just as she exited.

Rukia smiled at her two unlikely friends "Ready to go" she asked, Ikkaku and Yumichika nodded and followed her out of the room and all the way across town where the senkaimon gate was, Rukia pulled out her sword and unlocked the gate summoning a hell butterfly as she did so.

It was lunch time in the seireitei and Toshirou was slowly driving himself crazy, he couldn't concentrate on his work or anything and it was pissing him off "So much for being unfazed by anything" Toshirou groaned and his head hit the desk for the fifth time that day.

Rangiku smiled behind her clipboard, there was no reason to make her captain angry with her so early in the day "Well you can't help it Captain, your a hot blooded male as much as the next guy and no guy could resist a pretty girl, it's bound to turn their head" she gave advice.

Toshirou lifted his head from his desk and thought on his vice captains words "Ah I suppose your right Matsumoto, but still that doesn't explain how the feelings developed so quickly" he sighed and lowered his head to rest on his desk again.

Wiping her eyes as mirth filled her, Rangiku set down her paperwork "Captain, besides Momo how many girls have you been in love with, that's right only Momo but now that there's Rukia, your bound to get attached a little quicker than usual" she explained before dismissing herself.

She had almost made it through the door when a familiar presence made itself known in the seireitei and Toshirou leaped from his desk and flew through the door "Matsumoto get lunch for the three of us" being thrown over his shoulder.

Rangiku let out a long suffering sigh, this was mostly due to her own fault if she hadn't of invited Rukia to that one outing then her captain wouldn't be so love struck, but on the other hand the cuteness of the couple just filled her with warmth and happiness.

Doing as she was told, Rangiku headed out and got specially made bento's for herself, Rukia and Toshirou and waited in the office for their return, she knew what her captain was going to do and Rangiku was going to make sure Rukia understood that it wasn't Toshirou's fault.

Across the seireitei, Rukia jumped back in surprise as Toshirou appeared before her "Ah Toshirou is everything ok" she tilted her head to the side to peer into his downcast ice colored eyes, they were so full of guilt that it made Rukia frown in concern.

"Yeah, look there's something I need to tell you, come have lunch with me" Toshirou got out, before taking Rukia by the hand, her cheeks flushed predictably but she threaded her fingers through his as they walked back to the tenth squad barracks.

In a daze, Rukia followed Toshirou all the way back to his own squad barracks "Hello Matsumoto" Rukia greeted with a sappy smile, she couldn't help it, though this also served to remind her that she needed to tell Toshirou about her feelings.

"Hello Rukia, I see the Captain dragged you here to have lunch with us" Rangiku teased, and the girls cheeks turned a darker red, but Rangiku knew that it was in embarrassment instead of anger "Never mind that here's your lunch" she passed the bento over to the girl.

For a bit silence reigned in the office as Toshirou picked at his food trying to come up with the best way to tell Rukia the truth about what happened between himself and Momo and then figure out a way to tell the girl about his feelings.

Rukia frowned and her forehead creased, Toshirou usually talked the entirety of their time together but now he was being so silent that she couldn't help but be concerned "Toshirou, did something happen" Rukia asked and the white haired male gave a jerk in surprise.

"You could say that" Toshirou gulped and tugged at the collar of his shirt, now that Rukia had asked, he had no choice but to get this over with "The other day, Momo came here and she did something that I'm not proud of" Toshirou started clasping his hands together and squeezing them.

Rukia bit her lip as dread filled her stomach, she had this feeling that whatever it was her love interest was about to say wouldn't be so good "Momo kissed me Rukia, please don't be angry" Toshirou blurted out and derailed all of Rukia's thoughts.

"What" Rukia blinked and ran the words through her head again, she tensed, her cheeks flushed angrily but then 'Momo kissed me' Rukia picked out the first part of the explanation and forced herself to calm down so that she didn't snap.

"Okay, did you kiss her back" Rukia forced through her lips, she needed the truth no matter how harsh it was, Toshirou shook his head and Rukia bowed her head to smile "Thank you for telling me the truth Toshirou, I believe you" she smiled brightly.

Toshirou leaned back on the couch next to the raven haired woman and sighed in relief "I'm glad you believe me because there's something else I need to tell you" he began taking Rukia's hands in his own to drive the seriousness of this particular conversation into the girl.

Rangiku took her cue to grab up her remaining lunch and zip through the door sliding it close a moment later and putting up a vice captain level kidou barrier so that the two inside the office wouldn't be bothered by trivial things until the end of lunch.

Rukia swallowed thickly and her cheeks burned, she was surprised she didn't have a sunburn from how hard she was blushing "I also have something I'd like to tell you Toshirou" Rukia stuttered as her stomach filled with the butterflies that accompanied nervousness.

Taking a deep breath Toshirou opened his mouth "From day one when Matsumoto thrust you into my office, you captured my attention, my feelings have grown and I can say confidently that I like you Rukia, and as much more than just a friend" Toshirou got out.

Cheeks darkening as a blush whipped across her cheeks, Rukia's mouth opened and closed in shock "I like you to Toshirou" she admitted shyly, fidgeting next to the white haired male that had gained her own attentions and apparently liked her as well.

It was Toshirou's turn to imitate a fish but he was much more dignified "Well then the only thing that's left is to make it official and become a couple, Would You Be My Girlfriend" Toshirou cleared his throat and asked Rukia the most important question.

Violet eyes wide, and jaw hanging agape, Rukia found herself at a loss for words, but she shook her head inwardly "I would be honored, though Toshirou, we'll have to tell Ni-sama" Rukia accepted Toshirou's request before bluntly stating that it was a good idea to tell Byakuya of their decision.

Growing pale at the thought of telling Rukia's brother Toshirou nodded "Your right how about, tonight at dinner, we'll invite him out as a surprise, do you think you can manage" he suggested and Rukia tapped her lip in thought before nodding.

"Yeah, at least I hope he agrees, lately Ni-sama has been interacting with me more so perhaps it will be easier" Rukia explained before hesitantly scooting over just a bit to lean against Toshirou's side shyly, his arm came up to wrap around her shoulders of it's own accord.

Sitting there in the silence of his office, Toshirou had no idea what to do next, he had acquired his goal of becoming Rukia's guy, but now he was confused, should he kiss her, or just continue to sit there with her leaning against him.

The decision was made for him as Rukia peered at him from the corner of her eye "Say Toshirou" she started shyly "Now that we're together do you think we could.." Rukia trailed off with a nervous smile spread across her lips "You know try couple things" she fidgeted.

Toshirou's cheeks flushed a dark red "Of course" he smiled awkwardly before leaning down til he was a millimeter away from Rukia, her own cheeks were painted with a blush but that didn't deter Toshirou as he gently pressed his lips to Rukia's.

Surprised, Rukia went lax and pressed against Toshirou a little harder as their first kiss continued a moment later they separated "That was wow" she swooned "We'll have to do that again" Rukia murmured softly and Toshirou stared at her.

"You are strange" Toshirou whispered before standing "I have to get back to work, try to get your brother to agree to dinner for tomorrow night" he dismissed Rukia and with a small peck on the lips she left with a happy smile.

"Ohh girl you look like you just had the best time of your life" Rangiku ambushed her the minute the raven haired soul reaper left the tenth squad barracks, Rukia gave a start before a sappy look entered her eyes and Rangiku raised a brow "Spill" she demanded.

Rukia grinned "He asked me to be his woman and I said yes, then we kissed" she pressed her hands to her cheeks as they flared up with that ever present blush, Rukia was so happy that even if her brother rejected her relationship with Toshirou that it wouldn't even bother her.

"Ah you've got it bad, but congrats Rukia, are you doing anything special to celebrate" Rangiku prodded as they walked to the squad thirteen barracks, Rangiku wanted all the details and Rukia knew it because she chattered on.

"Well, we are going to have dinner tomorrow night with Ni-sama, to tell him about our relationship but afterwards I have no idea what we are going to do" Rukia explained the plan "See you around Lieutenant Matsumoto" she waved and headed in to start her own work.

Ukitake looked up from where he was seated having tea with Kyoraku "Your back a lot sooner than I thought" he stated simply as the girl set a five page report on his desk "I'll check it out later, please have some tea" Ukitake pushed a cup into Rukia's hands.

Rukia folded herself neatly on the floor and took a tentative sip of the chamomile tea "Yeah, we stumbled across the hollow's hiding place by accident, funny how things work out sometimes" she admitted before taking another sip of her tea.

Shunsui eyed his friends subordinate with a knowing gaze "Your in love and by the looks of you, something good happened" he accused and grinned when Rukia choked on her tea and it flew across the room in a arc.

"Captain Kyoraku" Rukia exclaimed before calming down "I can't tell you just yet, Ni-sama has to be told first" she mumbled before finishing off her tea to begin sorting through the paperwork, the dual first seats were drunk again so it was up to her to get everything done.

Brows raised to his hairline, Ukitake watched Rukia sort through all seven piles of paperwork and organize them neatly, then he began to wonder who would be enough to capture Rukia's attention, she was such a straight laced girl after all.

Then Ukitake remembered "It's Hitsugaya isn't it" he guessed and Rukia jumped a foot in the air scattering the paperwork she had just finished stacking properly, "I'm right aren't I" Ukitake nodded with a smug smile.

Rukia hurriedly fixed her mistake before turning to face the two captains in the room "Yes, but please don't ask anymore Captain Ukitake" she asked kindly, she wouldn't be rude but the last thing Rukia wanted was for a rumor to start.

Considering her request, Ukitake nods "I promise Rukia, though you should tell Byakuya soon otherwise I'd be tempted to tell him myself" he gave her a look and Rukia instantly understood what he was trying to tell her.

"Of course Captain, and I'm finished so I'll be heading home" Rukia bowed politely after giving her desk a once over, getting a nod from each of the captains, she fled from the office and all the way back to the Kuchiki estate.

Byakuya looked up from the kitchen table, where he was sat drinking a cup of tea "Sit" he ordered at his sister and Rukia did so without complaints "It's come to my attention that you've been seeing someone" Byakuya accused.

Rukia fidgeted under his steely eyed glare, and seeing as there was no other way, Rukia decided to tell her brother the truth "That's right" she nodded honestly and Byakuya blinked in open surprise, he hadn't thought she would be so truthful with him.

"I would like to know who it is and how long you've been with him" Byakuya demanded and Rukia rubbed the back of her head sheepishly "Well" he prodded narrowing his eyes when his sister refused to tell him anymore.

Gulping Rukia took a chance "Ni-sama, while I'd like nothing more than to tell you, we'd like to tell you together so tomorrow night at the restaurant Tanzaku would you come to dinner with us" she requested suddenly.

Seeing no reason as to why he should refuse, Byakuya nodded "Go to sleep" he ordered a moment later after relenting to Rukia's simple request, Rukia jumped up and disappeared down the halls to her room and crawled onto her futon falling asleep the second her head hit the pillow.