Disclaimer: Why do we have to write that we don't own bleach on every single stupid chapter?

In Japan, Valentine's Day is the day girls give boys chocolate. There are two types- obligatory chocolate, giri choco, given to friends, and love chocolate, lobu choco, given, obviously, to someone you love. Yeah, well that's the story. Go watch Hayate no Gotoku/Hayate the Combat Butler or something.

Chapter 20: Valentine's Day Is A Scam

February 14th:

Rukia looked at the normally deserted sweet shop street in slight shock.

Although sweets were an important part of life in the Seireitei, the only person that regularly went to the sweet shops was Vice-Captain Yachiru. In fact, that was probably the reason why they hadn't gone bankrupt already. The only time a typical shinigami took the time to buy sweets was on birthdays, for gifts, and... on holidays. In particular, one certain holiday.

Valentine's Day.

Rukia looked at the bustling throng of shinigami of every shape and size- but all woman. Seriously. thought Rukia in exasperation. You fool. I should have guessed that the sweet shops would be full on Valentine's Day.

But then again, I thought most people would be smart and buy chocolates before Valentine's Day. Rukia looked at the bustling throng of shinigami again. I guess not.

Then again, I suppose that this ridiculous amount of shinigami works to my advantage. Rukia looked around suspciously before jumping into the crowd. If anyone saw me buying chocolate for Ichigo- obligatory chocolate for Ichigo because he's my friend.

Not love chocolate! Rukia denied.

Anyhow, let's see. Which shop looks good? Rukia tried her hardest to peer through the mass of people. She spotted a cute looking shop painted in pink with blue trimming. That shop doesn't look that crowded. Well, at least compared to everywhere else.

Rukia walked towards the shop. The salesgirl in front of the shop smiled at Rukia. "Do you want to buy some love chocolate for your special someone?" she asked.

Rukia turned bright red. "No! I don't like him! I'm getting obligatory chocolate!" Rukia snapped.

"If you say so. Our line is short currently- there's the end of the line." the salesgirl said, pointing at the line.

"Hmph." Rukia muttered. "You fool."

Rukia walked towards the end of the line. I don't like him.

I don't! she objected in her mind.

"Rukia-chan!" Matsumoto came up to Rukia.

Rukia paled. "Cap-captain Matsumoto."

"What are you doing here, Rukia-chan?" she asked. "No, wait, I know! You came to buy chocolate for Ichigo-kun!"

"No!" Rukia denied. "I'm, er-" Rukia looked around. Come on! An excuse, an excuse... Rukia's eyes fell onto a Chappy advertisement.

"I came to get that Chappy chocolate!" Rukia smiled. Thank you, Chappy! You saved me!

"Oh. That's not interesting." Matsumoto complained.

"But why are you standing in this line?" Matsumoto asked with a frown.

Uh oh. Rukia quickly ran away.

"Why does everyone do that?" Matsumoto wondered.

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Rukia's feet ran on the cold gray stone of the streets.

It's not a good idea to go back to that street. Rukia thought. But then, how can I get chocolate- obligatory chocolate- for Ichigo?

Rukia frowned in determination. I'll have to make them for Ichigo!

Just you wait- I'll finish the chocolate by the end of the day, Ichigo!

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Ichigo sneezed.

"Do you have a cold, Ichigo?" Shuu asked.

"I don't think so. I think it's the dust from all these chocolate boxes." Ichigo said.

Katsura shook his head. "But Ichigo- you're really popular. How many are there?"

"70, give or take a few." Ichigo scowled. "Seriously, what's with all the chocolate? This is stupid."

"It's because everyone thinks that you're Kurosaki Ichigo!" Shuu grinned.

"Actually, the rumor has changed a bit." Katsura stated.

"Really?" Ichigo asked.

"If I remember correctly there's a few different variations. Um, some people think that you're Kurosaki Ichigo's son, others think it's just a coincidence that you look like him, and of course most people think you're Kurosaki Ichigo." Katsura said.

"Kurosaki Ichigo's son?" Ichigo asked, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously."

"Yes." Katsura said.

"You can have this chocolate, if you want." Ichigo said, looking at the pile of variously coloured chocolate boxes.

"Really?" Shuu grinned. "Thanks!"

"After all, the chocolate you actually want to get isn't in this pile." Katsura smiled.

"I don't want Rukia's chocolate." Ichigo scowled.

"Who said anything about Rukia-sama?" Katsura asked with a wide grin.

"Hmph." Ichigo scowled. "I'm out of here. You can take what you want with the chocolate."

Katsura and Shuu laughed.

Ichigo scowled, slamming shut the wooden door.

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Meanwhile, in the Kuchiki Manor:

"You guys." Rukia said, looking at the cooks in the Kuchiki Manor kitchen.

"Yes, Rukia-sama?" the cooks asked in unision.

"Leave the kitchen." she ordered. "I need to use it."

"Yes, Rukia-sama!" the cooks agreed.

The cooks left the nearly brand-new kitchen by the sliding door.

Rukia grabbed a cooking book.

50 Easy Chocolate Recipes! declared the book.

"Okay." Rukia said. "Let's see..."

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The cooks peeked through a hole in the sliding door.

"What's Rukia-sama doing?" asked Cook 1.

"Isn't it obvious?" Cook 2 said. "Rukia-sama is making chocolate for someone!"

"Probably Kurosaki-san." Cook 3 speculated.

"What are you doing?" Byakuya stepped up to the cooks. "Gossiping? It is shameful to the Kuchiki Manor if you are gossiping when you should be cooking."

"Byakuya-sama!" cried Cook 1. "This is- er..."

"Rukia-sama asked to use the kitchen." Cook 2 said.

"I see." Byakuya mumured. "Then you can go help the gardeners with the yard."

"Yes, Byakuya-sama!" the three cooks cried, then ran off to the yard.

Byakuya glanced at Rukia through the hole.

She was making chocolate.

Byakuya walked fowards. I suppose she's making it for Kurosaki Ichigo.

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Rukia looked at the recipe.

"Let's see- I have to cook it for 10 minutes, then it's ready!" Rukia smiled.

Rukia looked at the sky that was streaked with red and orange.

"I better hurry once it's ready!" Rukia cried. "I didn't realize it was this late!"

1010101010

Ichigo sat on a branch of the tallest tree in the Academy, looking down at the courtyard.

Seriously. Who cares about Valentine's Day? Ichigo scowled.

I didn't want chocolate from Rukia. Ichigo thought, leaves from the tree brushing his face.

That's not why I'm unhappy. Ichigo denied.

"Ichigo!" Rukia called from thr bottom of the tree.

"Rukia?" Ichigo stared at her in shock.

Rukia jumped up the tree to the branch Ichigo was sitting on. "Hey! What are you doing here?"

"Being bored. And in case you forgot, this the Academy. I'm currently enrolled in the academy." Ichigo retorted. "What are you doing here, Rukia?"

"H-here" Rukia pushed her chocolate into Ichigo's hands.

Ichigo's face tinged red. "This is..."

"OBLIGATORY chocolate." Rukia said, turning her face away from Ichigo in embarrassment.

Ichigo untied the azure ribbon keeping the light blue box closed, and opened the box.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Chappy?" he asked.

"What?" Rukia said in annoyance.

Ichigo laughed and popped the chocolate in his mouth. "It's good!" he said in surprise.

"Hmph." Rukia said. "You fool." Inside, however, she was happy.

"Anyhow, I better get back to my dorm, Rukia." Ichigo scowled for a moment, then smiled. "Thanks for the chocolate, Rukia."

Rukia tilted her head to the side, then smiled. "You're welcome."

"See you!" Ichigo waved good-bye.

101010101010

Rukia smiled as she walked back to the Kuchiki Manor.

I gave it! Rukia thought with a smile.

10101010101

Ichigo leaned back on his bed with happiness.

"You seem happy, Ichigo." Katsura commented.

"Do I?" Ichigo asked cheerfully.

"Did Rukia-sama give you chocolate?" Katsura asked.

Ichigo looked at the light blue box on his dresser.

"Maybe." he said.

"She did? Come on, tell me about it!" Katsura asked in annoyance.

Ichigo pretended to go to sleep.

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