I really was happy for Ichigo, being made a lieutenant. For me it was one of the happiest times I could remember. Although he is still very young. But that is neither here nor there. Byakuya was throwing a party for Ichigo and Rukia. She has deserved to be a seated officer for a long time. So tonight we are going to party at the Kuchiki Manor. I wonder what a party there is like. I mean I have seen the manor. So where will the party be held? Will it be inside, outside or maybe in the dinning room. There was knock on the door.

"Come in."

Nanao and Shunsui came inside

"What's going on Ran?"

"Just getting ready for the party tonight."

"So you're going?"

"Of course I never miss a good party!"

"Or a chance to ogle Byakuya."

"Hey Nana, shut up!" I pouted at her.

"Aren't you guys going?"

"Yea we are. I think Ju and Retsu will be there as well."

Shunsui laughed

"I think most all of the captains and lieutenants will be there."

"Hey do you think your Captain will be there Ran?"

I smiled at them

"Well let me you. Last night when Ichigo and Rukia came through the gate, he showed up at that exact moment. When he saw Karin and she saw him you should have seen the look on his face. They hugged each other for so long we weren't sure there were going to let go. He has been at the manor nearly every since. So yea, he will be there."

The look on Shunsui's face was priceless.

"The ice prince is in love!"

"Shun, be nice!"

Nanao smacked him.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a little shocked that he is in love."

"That's alright. I'm gonna take a shower and get ready. You guys can stay if you want"

Nanao shook her head

"We need to get ready as well. We will see you later Ran. Meet you here right?"
"Yup 6:30"

"Sounds good, see you then."

"See you then. "

I watched my friends leave and went to the bathroom to take my shower. I turn and the water and shed my clothes. I stepped into hot streaming water. It always seemed so relaxing even when I'm already relaxed. As the water ran over my body I started to think about the conversation that had just had with Nanao.

"Or a chance to ogle Byakuya."

"Hey Nana! Shut up!"

Who was I kidding I really do like looking at the him. Maybe d I do like him. But I want to be sure before I say anything to anyone

At the Kuchiki Manor...

Ichigo and Rukia had just arrived back at the manor. They were walking towards the guards when Toshiro arrived.

"Hello Toshiro."

"Hello Rukia, Ichigo. Rukia your brother doesn't mind that I am here right?"

Rukia smiled at him

"No, not at all."

Ichigo looked at the small captain.

"Toshiro. You really love my sister don't you?"

"I do Ichigo. It seems like we have been apart for so long."

"I know what you mean. That how I felt about this midget even before we became an official couple."

Rukia blushed a little

"Come on boys lets go inside."

The three of them went inside and headed towards the bedrooms. They stopped at Karin's doors. Ichigo knocked before they went in. She was still asleep. Toshiro sat down on the bed and gently shook her.

"Karin wake up. We have something to tell you."

She woke up extremely easy. She smiled up at Toshiro. Ichigo looked at his sister.

"Good morning sleepy head."

"What's up Ichi?"

"Well we just came from a meeting with the Head Captain. Since I will be living here in the soul society I will no longer be a substitute soul reaper. So they have decided to make me a Lieutenant. I'm in the thirteenth division with Rukia. Also when you and Tatsuki are settled they would like you to take a test to see where your powers are at. You may or may not need to go through the academy. Have you seen Tatsuki yet?"

"No. not since we got our rooms."

"Okay I will talk to her later. There will be a party tonight to celebrate my being made a lieutenant. Oh yeah! Rukia got a promotion as well. She is now the third seat in my squad."

"That's wonderful, Congratulations Rukia!"

"Thank you Karin."

"Wait I don't have anything to wear to a party like this. Besides I cant even buy anything. I don't have any money."

Just then there was knock on the door. It was Tatsuki.

""Hey guys."

"Hey Tats you look better"

"Thanks Ichi, I feel better. It was a lot to process."

"I know what you mean. Hey there is going to be a party here tonight in honor of Rukia and I getting promoted."

"That's really grate news guys congrats. But I don't know about this party. I don't know anyone other then you guys and I don't have anything to wear."

Rukia looked at the two girls.

"Alright ladies you have two choices. You can go through my closet or we can go shopping."

Karin's face lit up.

"Can we go shopping?"

Rukia chuckled

"Shopping it is then. Tatsuki I will fill you in on everything else Oh yeah there is someone who will be happy to see you too."

"Who?"

"You'll see. Alright when you guys are ready let me know and we will head out."

Rukia Ichigo and Tatsuki were getting ready to leave the room when Byakuya appeared at the door.

"Hello Ni-Sama, whats going on?"

"I just wanted to make sure that everything is going well and everyone has what they need."

"Oh yes Ni-Sama, everything is going grate. I was just about to take the girls shopping for the party tonight."

"I am sure that they will need more than just clothes for tonight. Before you leave come and see me and I will give you money to make sure that they are comfortable."

"Thank you Ni-Sama."

"Think nothing of it. We will be having dinner tonight at seven thirty. After that the festivities will begin. If you need anything else just let me know."

Ichigo looked at the noble and smiled.

"Thank you again for everything Byakuya."

The noble gave a slight grin and exited the room. Rukia and Ichigo followed him out and headed in to their own room.

"Tonight is going to be so much fun!"

Rukia squealed as Ichigo shook his head and smiled at her.

"Hey Berry, can you handle hell butterflies yet?"

"I don't know. We haven't tried since I was promoted."

Rukia summoned a hell butterfly and sent it to him. He held out his finger to receive it. The look on his face was priceless!

"Oi Rukia! Do you have to be such a pervert?"

She was laughing so hard she could barely breath. Once she caught her breath she spoke again.

"So you can get them. Do me a favor. Send one to Renji telling him to be hereby six. That will give him some time to see Tatsuki before everyone else arrives."

Ichigo nodded and there was a knock on the door. The girls had come to let Rukia know that they were ready to go. The three of them said goodbye to the newly appointed lieutenant and left for their shopping trip.

Tenth Division...

I was in my quarters looking for some thing to wear when my captain knocked on my door.

"Come in Captain."

He opened the door and came inside shutting the door again behind him. A few seconds later he was at my bedroom door.

"Are you going to the party tonight Rangiku?"

"Of course Captain! I never miss a good party. Besides I think most all of the Captains and Lieutenants will be there as well."

Toshiro nodded.

"I will be leaving here when Karin comes back from shopping. Are you going by yourself?"

"No, Nanao and Shunsui are going to be here around 6:30."

"Alright then Rangiku, I will see you later."

"Bye Shiro!"

I know he hates it when I call him Shiro. But with his sudden mood change he just smiled at me and left. Just then a hell butterfly came through the window. I held out my hand to receive the message.

"Hello Rangiku. I wanted to see if you will be attending the party tonight. Byakuya"

I couldn't help myself. Was there a chance the he might like me too. What was I thinking. I'm not even sure what my feelings are for him. I sent out a reply

"Yes I will be there. I planned on leaving here around six thirty. See you then."

I laughed at how funny this all was. I was starting to feel like on of those high school girls in the world of the living. I looked at the time, two thirty. I need to get ready but I wanted to take a nice long bath first.

At the Kuchiki Manor...

Ichigo sent out the message to Renji.

"Hey Pineapple, be here around six. Tatsuki will be happy to see you. This way you guys can talk without everyone around"

He left his room to go find Byakuya. He walked into the gardens to see if he was there and luckily he was. As Ichigo walked up Byakuya received a hell butterfly.

"Everything okay?" Ichigo asked as the butterfly disappeared.

Byakuya gave him a small smile.

"Yes, how can I help you Ichigo?"

"I wanted to say thank you again for everything. Letting us stay with you, mine and Rukia's promotions, everything."

"It's not a problem. I also wanted you to know that despite everything that you and I have been through, I do respect you Ichigo."

"Thanks Byakuya."

"Ichigo do you have anything to wear tonight? "

"Well I suppose I should get something."

"I have a kimono that I have never worn. I think that it suits your personality."

"Thanks. I have to go and shower, but I will see you later."

"I will have the kimono sent to your room."

"Thanks"

"No problem."

Ichigo turned to go back inside and Byakuya smiled to himself. No matter what he thought of Ichigo when I first met him, he really was a good kid. He thought back to the message that he had received.

"I think I will meet her at her quarters and walk with her."

Once he made up his mind he continued his walk

About an hour later the girls came home from their shopping trip

"Ichi we're back."

Rukia walked into their room with her bags as Ichigo was coming out of the bathroom.

"Did you get everything you needed?"

"Yup and then some!"

"Good."

He looked over at the kimono that was hung in the corner of the room

"Wow."

"Where did that come form?"

It was black with red swirls running though it

"Your brother gave it to me. He said it would suit my personality."

"We he was right. Not to mention that you are gonna look smokin hot."

He leaned down and gave her a kiss

"You need to get ready."

"Oh really?"

"Yes that's a order Kuchiki."

She stuck her tongue out at him as she made her way to the bathroom. She walked in a poked her head back out.

"Hey Ichi, I am one hundred percent sure that Ran will be here tonight. I want to kind of watch Ni-Sama around her, I think he likes her."

"Alright, but I don't thing that we will be the only ones watching."

She laughed.

"You're right. I'm sure everyone else has noticed too. Anyways I will be out in a while."

She went into the bathroom and shut the door.

"Tonight will be interesting that for sure."

Ichigo laughed to himself and continued to get dressed. The last thought to cross his mind "Never a dull moment around here."

Ichigo and Rukia finished getting themselves dress at about five minuets to six. They were about to check on Karin when they heard Tatsuki screech.

"What was that?"

The sudden noise had startled Rukia. Ichigo looked at the time and smiled

"It's six o'clock, Renji, that's what happened."

They exited their room and knock on Tatsuki's open door. They were greeted by the sight of their two friends hugging. Tatsuki let Renji go

"Ichigo why didn't you tell me he was here?"

"Where else would he be Tatsuki?"

She shrugged her shoulder. Byakuya knocked and entered the room

"Rukia I have something that I need to attend to before the guest arrive. But if anyone comes before I get back, please direct them to the courtyard."

"Or course Ni-Sama"

With the he nodded and left the room.