A/N: Thank you to those for are reviewing, favoring, and setting this story on alert. This makes me very happy. : ) and thank you to those are lurking and just reading. You guys are great too. : )
So the absolute most coolest thing happened to me on gaia, jigsaw. I met "lokijuu105," who is a big fan of mine. He was so uber cool! Quite possibly the coolest person I've met on gaia. He tried to help me with chapter, but what he suggested didn't really fit with what I had plan for the story at the moment. I appreciated his effort though! : ) So if want, stop by my gaia profile and find out who the crazy lady behind the text really is, and don't be afraid to say hi. I won't bite! :D (I don't sign on all too much anymore though.)
--This chapter is way over due. Reason I have been super busy.. Winter dance show, 4th week- final, art projects, school, spring dance show, etc. Also, . . . . I'm not all too interested in Bleach anymore. I've moved on.. Don't worry, I'll still continue. And boy have my previous chapters been corny. xD!
"No.. Get that flute away from me.. No!" Ichigo screamed in terror while still asleep. "Get it away!" He was then waken by his cell phone.
"What?!" he answered the phone with an annoyed tone. "It's me!! Keigo! I'm having a New Year's Party again and I want you to invite Rukia-chan!"
"Why don't you invite her yourself? And don't address her in such a formal way!" that idiot Keigo never could do anything on his own.
"Protective much? and I don't have her number," he whined, "and you're always with her. So I'm sure you wouldn't mind!"
"I'm not protective.." Ichigo said while scratching his head, "You better not be planning to do anything with her."
"Oh, but of course not." Anyone would find that hard to believe, but nonetheless the orange haired boy agreed. If he tried anything, he could just beat the living crap out of him. After hanging up, Ichigo realized that he didn't have her number either! Oh well, she always seemed to pop out of nowhere, so he decided to wait and go back to sleep.
"Ichigo! I-CHI-GO!" a voice cried out from the window. Wait, the window.?Who in their right mind would be at the window?!
It was Rukia clinging on the window screaming for help. The teen got up slowly and help her into the room.
"Why the hell were you trying to climb into my window?!" he asked angrily, pointing to the window.
"Practicing!" she smiled.
"For what?!" He asked her. Seriously, what was she plotting?
"You'll see." she answered.
"Well, since your here. Wanna go to Keigo's New Year's Party?" he asked very apathetically.
"Ew! Are you asking me on a date?! I refuse!"
"What?! No don't flatter yourself! It's not like that!" the orange strawberry screamed, "That idiot called me this morning and told me to invite you. Since he's too dumb to do anything for himself. That's all. I swear."
"Well, in that case, sure. I haven't been to one9 before. And you should consider yourself lucky to go on a date with me."
"Yeah, on April Fool's, maybe." She quickly kicked him in the face for his witty reason. He really should have seen that coming though.
"Stupid." she added after she returned her foot.
"So what exactly do people do during New Year parties?"
"Well, what we do is meet at a shrine to draw fortunes, go back to Keigo, hang out, count down the new year, and watch fireworks." he explained.
"That's sound cool." Rukia smiled.
"Kuchiki-san! Ichigo! You two finally came! You came together.. Just like Christmas."
"Because we live right next to each other?" Ichigo hissed at Keigo.
"Riiiiiight."
"Keigo, you're an idiot."
"Kuchiki-san, let's go get our fortunes!" Keigo says happily while grabbing her hand and running to the prayer bell.
Afterwards, they all went to the bell, rang it, and gave their prayers. Then, they drew a fortune from the stall, tied it to a tree, and went back to Keigo's house.
As they all walked into the door, Keigo pulled Ichigo to the side.
"What?" he groaned.
"Okay Ichigo. We're going to play one round of spin the bottle. I made it so that when you spin it lands on Kuchiki-san."
"What?! Why?! and how?"
"Does it matter? Point is, okay there's no point! Mizuiro and Chad are in on the plan. So yeah." he pointed to the two who were giving a thumbs up.
"I don't want to kiss her though!" Ichigo whined, "and don't you like her."
"I do, but it's IchiRuki season."
"What kind corny named season is that?"
"Do I have to explain the schedule to everyone?!"
"No. That's okay Keigo. Seeing that it's from your mind.. I'd rather not.."
Keigo walked away from Ichigo and faced the crowd. "Hey everyone it's time for our once a year, spin the bottle event."
"We've never had such an event before." Tatsuki pointed out.
"Shut up! Yes we have! Mizuiro, draw the name of the victim."
"Victim..?" Ichigo pondered in his mind.
"Ichigo!" Mizuiro annouced.
"All right, Ichigo!" Keigo exclaimed.
"But I don't want--" was all he could say before Keigo dragged him to the circle.
"You just want to kiss him again, don't you?" Ishida teased.
"No I don't! Shut your mouth sewing man! Spin Ichigo!"
He groaned in defeat, got up hesitantly, and spun the bottle. He closed his eyes, nervous, he knew who it was going to land on. As predicted, it landed on Rukia. She was shocked, obviously oblivious to Keigo's plot. Ichigo was so nervous that he let out a shock expression also, amazed that it worked. He had to put on an act. His image was too important to him.
"No way!" he said making an "x" with his arms.
"Are you scared?" Rukia taunted.
"No, I'm not scared! W-why would I be scared?" he stuttered.
"I'm pretty sure you have had a lot of experience. Unless.." she paused, "this is your first time..?"
"What?! Of course it isn't! I'm 'the Great Ichigo'! I make 'nerd' look hot!" he point to himself with a big smile, but who was he kidding? This was going to be his first kiss and he really didn't know what to do at all. What made it worst is that there may be a possibility that this is not Rukia's first kiss. If he were a bad kisser, she'd never let him hear the end of it. Just how is he going to get himself out of this embarrassment?
"Then what are you waiting for Ichigo?!" Keigo whined impatiently breaking him away from his thoughts.
"I'm building.. dramatic tension. But just to let you know, I'm an amazing kisser!"
"Stop bragging and kiss her, dumb ass." Ishida complained.
Ichigo turned bright red. "Uh. Yes, well, let's get to it then. Shall we?" he said before he got up, giving Keigo a dirty look. He murmured curses as he dragged himself to Rukia and sat himself in front of her with a very embarrassed glare. He slowly leans and kisses her on the cheek. Causing both of them to blush lightly.
"There, all done! Who wants to do some karaoke?" he said rapidly.
"Ichigo! That doesn't count!"
"What the hell do you want from me Keigo?!"
"It has to be on the lips."
'Damn you Keigo...' he cursed in his mind and leaned in slowly again.
"Wait! It has to be romantic."
"Go to hell.."
He didn't know what to do know. He didn't know anything about being romantic.
He put his hand on her cheek and slid it down to her chin. Then rose her head, made slight eye contact, and kissed her softly, just like the trailers for movies. After a few seconds, he decided that he should stop. She was probably really pissed. He backed up a little bit trying to part their lips. She stopped him by pulling his shirt in. Ichigo was shocked, but he decided to go with the flow.
Soon after, without knowing it, he roamed his tongue around her teeth. Shocked, she let out a gasp opening her mouth. She didn't know why, but she wanted more of the orange-haired boy. And so, they were sucked into a passionate, yet innocent kiss.
"Are you about done?!" Tatsuki hissed knowing that her best friend was feeling uncomfortable.
Regaining conscious of what they were doing, they parted their lips and blushed. Rukia then noticed that she still had a handful of his shirt in her hand and let go, turning a darker shade of red.
Keigo and Mizuiro were giggling in the back; Chad still emotionless. Rukia then started to chuckle lightly.
"You were on to the plan too?!" Ichigo asked.
"I'm sorry..?"
"Uh, nothing." He quickly looked away, still blushing, and went back to his seat.
Afterwards, they ate, sang karaoke, played a few games, and counted down to midnight.
After, the count down, they watched the fireworks a little bit and then everyone left. Ichigo and Rukia left together.
"Good bye lovebirds!" Keigo said as they left were leaving, "Don't do something you're going to regret now, okay?!"
"We're not lovebird! And like hell I'd do with her!"
"Riiiiight. Then why are you walking home together?"
"I already why told you when we got here! We lived near to each other. You really are oblivious aren't you?"
"Kuchiki-san, if he tries to do anything to you. Tell me and I'll kick his ass for you." Keigo told Rukia while ignoring what Ichigo had to say.
"Ha ha, all right." she agreed and Keigo closed the door.
"Don't laugh. You'll just encourage him." he said as they walked down the stairs.
"Enlighten up Ichigo, geez." she grin giving him a friendly punch on the shoulder. He smiled in return.
"Hey.. Sorry about what happened during the...erm, 'game'."
"Oh.. It's okay. I should be sorry."
"Let's just pretend that it never happened."
"Yeah.. That'd be a good idea." she agreed, "by the way."
"What?"
"You stole my first kiss! You owe me BIG TIME!"
"What?! You stole mine too. So I guess we are even!"
"Oh, but I thought you were 'Ichigo the Great' who was an amazing kisser." she giggled.
"Hey, it's 'the Great Ichigo' and.." he paused, looking away and blushed, "I lied.."
"You're so lame!" she laughed.
"Shut up.." he grumbled.
...and they continued to walk.
"So why are we here.. at this river."
"It's so calm today..." he said looking at the river.
"Hm?"
"Oh nothing..."
"All right.. So why are we here?"
"I just decided to visit here.. every New Year's."
"Why did something happen here?"
"Yeah..."
"Oh." They both grew silent.
"Aren't you going to ask what happened?"
"Why would I do that?"
"Because you're always so nosey.." he said poking her forehead.
"Well, you probably wouldn't tell me anyways." she sighed, "It's probably really personal. I'll wait until you're ready to tell me because, as you know, I too have a secret that I'd probably not tell you. So when you're ready. I'll listen."
"Thanks.." he grinned, "Hey, what's that?" he pointed to the sky.
"What?" she asked curiously. He then pushed her into the river.
"Ichigo! You dumb ass! Just because it's snowing lightly doesn't mean that the water isn't cold!"
He laughed and reach his arm out to help her get out.
She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the river.
"That's for pushing me into the river!"
"Yeah, real smart! I was going to let you wear my dry jacket when you came out, but wait, It's not dry anymore! What. A. Shame!"
"Well you know what?!"
"What!?" She leaned in really close to him and splashed him with water.
"Oh real mature.." He sarcastically commented. She just stuck her tongue out to his response.
He splashed her back. She laughed and did the same and they continued their little fight.
"My house is closer." he said to break the silence, "I can get you a dry jacket and walk you home. Your brother will probably be mad if you came home wet without something dry to keep you warm."
"Heh, yeah most likely. He'd probably have you killed for pushing me into the water." she laughed. He laughed with her.
"No really." she said with a serious expression.
"What?!"
"I'm kidding.."
"Oh." Ichigo laughed in relief.
"Or am I?" she asking and continued to walk innocently. Ichigo couldn't tell if she was seriously or not. Which totally freaked him out.
All the lights were off in his house. He sighed silently in relief, afraid of what if father would say or do if he brought a girl like her home. Not the mention that she and him were both soaking wet. He opened the door to his house and turned the light on.
"Sit on the couch. I'll be back with a jacket for you to wear." he said as he walk towards the stair.
"ICHIGO!" his father screamed running downstairs, "You're home my boy! and you brought home a friend.. WHO'S A GIRL! A GIRLFRIEND?! Finally at last. She's very pretty. Though, kind of short. No offense. Good for you!"
"She's not my--"
"Why are you two wet..?" he interrupted.
"We.. 'fell' into the river and she's not my--"
"You fell into the river! You were really that into the kiss?!" his father blurred making Rukia blush.
"We were not k-kissing! It's not my fault that the grass is slippery! and she's not my girlfriend!"
"Awe, how mean. You're embarrassed about your love for her?"
"I'm not in love!"
"Ah.. Hush my boy. Your sisters are sleeping and hurry let her borrow one of your jackets. She's going to catch a cold." he said.
"You're the loud one!" he said walking to the stairs, "Beside I was about to get her a jacket before you waltzed in." He hurried to his room. Worried about what his father would do.
"So how did you meet Ichigo?" Isshin eagerly asked the petite girl.
"I'm in the same class as him." she answered.
"Oh I see. Do you sit by him?"
"Yes."
"OH!!" his father shinned, "Do you call him by 'Ichigo' or 'Kurosaki-kun'?"
"Uh.. both. At.. times..?" she told him. 'Why is he asking me all these questions so eagerly?'
"Oh really...?"
"What did you tell him?" Ichigo sighed and handed her a dry jacket. She noticed that he had a dry one on too.
"Thanks and I told him--"
"She told me that she calls you by your first name! That's so sweet. You two must be very close..."
"I only let her do so because she wouldn't stop bugging me." he said scratching his head.
His father observed her, thinking that she looked so familiar and finally thought of why. "Hey Mrs. Kurosaki." he sang.
"She's not my girlfriend!"
"What's your name?"
Ichigo's eye widen. There is no way that he'd let his father know that she is possibly little girl from past. He had to get her out of his house and fast. "Her name is no importance to you." Ichigo snapped while dragging Rukia outside the door with him.
"Why?" his father managed to ask before Ichigo closed the door.
"Why didn't you tell him my name?"
"Trust me, you're better off not letting him know your name." She just shrugged to his answer and they continued to walk to her house.
"Bye. Ichigo." she said when they reached her house.
"See ya, Kuchiki-san."
"I'll give you your jacket back tomorrow, kay? and please.. Call me 'Rukia.' I hate that formal crap and hearing you calling 'Kuchiki-san' over and over and over again is getting really tiresome.."
"Heh whatever, Lu-gi-a." he said and he walked off with a flick of his wrist.
"It's Ru-ki-a. You need to stop playing pokemon.." She said and gave a small smile.
Rukia walked upstairs and went to her room.
"Welcome home, Rukia."
"Oh brother. You're still up?"
"Yes, I'm finishing up a few things for the business. I will be done soon."
"That's good to hear."
"Did you have fun?"
"Yes..." she grinned, "I did. Thank you for letting me go."
"Why are you wet? Do I need to take care of someone for you?"
"Oh, while I was walking home with my friend, I slipped into the river. Grass can be pretty slippery if you're not careful.."
"Rukia, you're silly... Is that your friend's jacket that you are wearing?"
"Oh yes. It is. He let me borrow it so that I would not catch a cold."
"That was very kind of him. What is his name?"
"Kurosaki, Ichigo."
"Kurosaki, Ichigo..?"
"Yes brother. Is there a problem?"
"No. Not at all. Hurry and change into dry clothes."
"Yes brother." she said and went to her room.