Author's Note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU.


The Envy of All I See

With a deep sigh, Rukia buried her head in her hands. Her meeting with the university board had been canceled. That meant when she did finally see them it would be to hear their final decision about her expulsion. This was not encouraging at all. She just wished she knew why everything seemed to be against her in this. It didn't make any sense at all. There was no reason for this to be such a big deal. Rukia didn't think she had ever heard of anything like this happening before either. The closest thing she could come up with was when a bunch of professors and doctoral students had been dismissed.

Ichigo's hands settled on her shoulders and began dealing with her protesting muscles. They hadn't really talked about that kiss of theirs. Things had really been too crazy to, and they both were avoiding the subject. Rukia just had to get through the next few weeks. Unfortunately, it was looking like there was not going to be a happy conclusion to this, but at least she would know what was going to happen, and she could make plans from there. And deal with whatever was going on between her and Ichigo.

"We do have a plan b you know." Ichigo's voice was soothing. "I think that the university may be surprised at the audience they get at the announcement."

Rukia peered at his face suspiciously, but Ichigo's expression gave nothing away.

"What are you up to?"

"You'll have to wait and see," came his answer.

"Ichigo!" She jabbed him in the stomach.

He retaliated by tickling her. Rukia fought back, and soon the two of them were laughing too hard to see. When they finally calmed down some, Rukia found herself in a rather awkward position sprawled across Ichigo's lap. Ichigo slid a hand into her hair.

"I'm going to kiss you now," he informed her softly. "You should hit more or something if you don't want me to."

Oh, she wasn't about to do that. The kiss was softer than the first one and rather tentative. Rukia kissed back. One kiss became two which become four. This probably wasn't the most productive thing she could be doing, but it was definitely keeping her from thinking about her problems.