Thank you to the Guest, Diah77 and the other Guest who left comments on my last chapter! I hope you enjoy this one ;.;

Chapter 6 – Ghosts of the Past

Rukia Pov

Rukia's head was reeling after Toshiro filled her in the next day. There was so much to unpack that trying to talk about it all during their one free period together was almost impossible. The fact that Rangiku and Toshiro had spent more bathroom time alone together was hard enough to believe. Rukia knew that they occasionally bumped into each other, but it sounded like last night they were together for a couple of hours. Then there was everything that happened with the map and with Gin.

Eventually the three friends had to part ways and Yukio and Rukia went off to their Muggle Studies class together.

'I don't think there's a whole lot we can do, if it's some kind of sick prank or not, we're just kids,' Yukio shrugged as he and Rukia spoke in whispers at the back of the class. 'I told him to tell a teacher.'

'That's a good point, but what teachers would take it seriously and what ones can we trust? If the Dark Lord or one of his followers is stalking about the school, it's likely he has already infiltrated the faculty,' Rukia replied.

'Good point,' Yukio frowned.

'I imagine the two of you would want to tell your head of house Professor Urahara, but I don't know…' Rukia trailed off.

'Yeah,' Yukio grimaced, 'our house doesn't have a good track record for producing trustworthy folk.'

'What about Professor Shihouin?' Rukia said, 'she's head of my house and I bet Toshiro trusts her, with all the time they've spent together.'

'Could do…' Yukio trailed off and sighed.

'What?'

'I just worry that… well her and Professor Urahara seem like they're really close…'

'Good point,' Rukia sat back in her seat.

'What about Professor Aizen?' Yukio asked, 'Toshiro's cousin Momo is really close to him and trusts him, right? He's head of Ravenclaw house and doesn't seem to be too involved with Urahara?'

'That's…' Rukia trailed off thinking of the time Professor Aizen patched Ichigo up after the Bludger incident and didn't tell the Matron on them, '…not a terrible idea.'

'We could scope it out with Momo and Toshiro first? And then see if he could help? I reckon that Toshiro was right, whoever this was likely made Gin Head Boy for this exact reason,' Yukio sighed, 'so I hate to say it but… I don't think we can trust Professor Urahara or Head Master Yamamoto.'

'I never thought about that, but you're right,' Rukia sighed and slumped over the desk. There were very few people they could trust, but there was one undeniable stand out. 'My brother!'

'Hmm?' Yukio asked.

'We can definitely trust my brother,' Rukia said with a nod. Yukio's eyes went wide.

'Why didn't I think of that!'

'I should feel ashamed it took me so long,' Rukia laughed.

'Maybe we don't put all our eggs in one basket, you investigate with Professor Kuchiki and I'll speak to Toshiro about Professor Aizen?'

'Alright,' Rukia tried to relax.

There was one more person Rukia wanted to talk to, beyond her brother. She desperately wanted Ichigo to know. She felt it was only fair. He'd missed out the position of Head Boy because of all this. The fact that he was a prefect meant that he could also keep a closer eye on Gin in the evenings alongside Toshiro.

With the decision made that she'd speak with both her brother and Ichigo, Rukia felt a bit better. Yukio was right; they couldn't handle all this alone.

After class Rukia made her way toward the staircases that would take her down to the dungeons and to her brother's classroom. She made her way down one flight of stairs and was just about to continue when she looked down the hall of the floor she was on. The large glass windows that lined the right side of the hall let streams of bright vivid sunshine into the hall. It illuminated the cold dark stone, bouncing off the glass panels of the unused classroom doors and bounced back, making the entire space seem heavenly. Standing in the middle of all the light, his hair a vivid glow of Autumn colours, was Ichigo.

Rukia walked toward him and as she drew closer she realised that he wasn't alone.

She almost missed the ghost as it floated in the air, smiling down at Ichigo. The young female ghost was almost lost in the bright light and as Rukia walked toward them she picked up the tail end of their conversation.

'-helping Yuzu with her homework,' the ghost said.

The two of them turned at the sound of approaching feet.

'Rukia,' Ichigo said and the young ghost beamed at her.

'So this is the girl you've told me so much about, yes I recognise you now,' she smiled.

'Oh?' Rukia was a little confused for a second.

Then it clicked.

Ichigo had said that his mother had died in the war, but that she had given him advice about Orihime. Looking at the two of them side by side, Rukia couldn't believe why she'd never worked this out before.

The ghost of Hufflepuff house, Masaki Kurosaki, was Ichigo's mother.

Her mouth fell open in shock, 'I'm so sorry I didn't mean to interrupt, I didn't- I didn't know!'

'You're fine dear,' Masaki waved a transparent hand at her, 'my husband didn't want everyone to know so the kids could keep their privacy with me in the school, so we agreed I'd take up my maiden name.'

'I'll leave you two, I'm really sorry,' Rukia was about to turn to leave but Ichigo reached out and grabbed her robe from behind.

'You'll have to meet my parents one day,' Ichigo said, grinning at her and Rukia felt visibly flustered.

'Yes I must say it's nice to meet you while you don't have your tongue down my son's throat,' Masaki was laughing to herself at the absolute look of shock and horror that crossed both their faces at the same time.

'He started it!' Rukia defended instantly.

'I did not!'

'You liar!'

Masaki was giggling to herself and Rukia knew her entire face was on fire as she glared up at Ichigo who smiled sheepishly back at her.

'I must say he's very taken with you,' Masaki said.

'You're right, Rukia, let's go,' Ichigo's hold on her robes changed as he attempted to drag the small Chaser away from his mother.

'No! Wait! I want to hear this,' Rukia's horror morphed to amusement as she smiled up into the young face of Masaki. The slightly older woman was beaming down at her. Rukia could see her eyes sparkling with mirth.

'Nope, you're right, we've gotta go, did you need me for something? Let's go talk about it,' Ichigo was struggling to drown his mother out who was floating along behind them.

'I shall speak to you again soon, Rukia,' Masaki said.

'I look forward to it,' Rukia waved a hand, 'feel free to stop by the girls' dormitories anytime in the Gryffindor tower!'

Ichigo attempted to cover Rukia's mouth to stop her giving his mother ideas. He was much larger than she was so he carried her off with ease as she attempted to kick him. Ichigo wasn't having any of it, face burning a deep shade of pink he led her down a different corridor than where she'd been planning to go. With no other option she licked his hand and he ripped it away from her mouth with a look of disgust.

'Stop that!'

'You don't care when it's in your mouth,' Rukia teased. Ichigo manhandled her around to face him, letting her go but boxing her in against the wall. There was a reason why Rukia was weak for taller men and it was so she could be treated like this, but to hell if she would ever admit that to Ichigo out loud.

'Why are you the bane of my existence right now?' he asked. His face was so close to hers that Rukia could count his eyelashes.

Rukia refused to kiss him, even though she wanted to. Instead she just let her breath ghost over his lips as she replied, 'Because you're very easy to tease.'

Ichigo made a noise of agreement and leaned forward to capture her lips. No matter how many times they'd done this, it still sent electric shocks down her body. She was just about to part her lips and let him in when they heard footsteps coming down the corridor. Breaking apart, Rukia glanced down to see her brother walking toward them. Thankfully he hadn't spotted them yet, his face was bent low as he tried to decipher a book in his hand.

Without a word Rukia felt herself being pulled into a room and the door slamming shut. It was a tiny broom cupboard and there wasn't much space, so Ichigo kept his arms around her to stop her tripping up in the dark. Their bodies were so close she could feel the heat of his through his uniform, feel the ghost of his breath against the shell of her ear.

They listened to the steps as they made their way down the corridor and then Rukia relaxed.

'I do need to speak to my brother too, you know,' she said.

'Yes but, please, not when we've just been kissing, I don't want to meet him like that,' Ichigo groaned.

'Are you going to let us out?' Rukia tried to glare up at him but she could barely see him. She heard him chuckle and he leaned over her to open the door. As he moved, he pressed closer to her and Rukia had to move with him. Ichigo opened the door and they almost toppled together.

'We're much more graceful on the pitch,' Ichigo said with a laugh as he steadied himself with the door frame.

'Speak for yourself,' Rukia had used him to stop herself from falling, 'if you want to fall for me, Shiba go right ahead.'

Ichigo barked a laugh but said nothing as he closed the door behind him.

'Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about something,' Rukia turned and fixed him with a really serious look. Ichigo's smile faltered and slid from his face.

'Oh?'

'It's something important but I want to do it where we won't be disturbed,' she said. Ichigo's beautiful brown eyes took on a hard edge and he nodded.

'This is the door to the Room of Requirement, it only presents itself when a user has urgent need of it. I've seen it turn into a bathroom before and a broom cupboard several times, but if we want it for something else we have to walk past it three times and think very clearly that we want a safe space,' he thrust his thumb behind him in the direction of the door they'd just come out of.

'Wait, what are you serious? How do you know about that?' Rukia asked, her mouth falling open in surprise. She knew the school had loads of magical rooms and secret passageways but she'd never found any herself.

'It pays to have a mother who's a ghost at the school,' he shrugged and Rukia's shoulders slumped as she gazed sadly at him. Ichigo turned away from her and began to pace in front of the door. Rukia watched with fascination as the door melted into the wall and a new one appeared. This door was made of darker wood; it was also larger with a handsome brass knocker on it. Ichigo opened the door and held it open for her to walk through.

Rukia stepped into the room to find a cosy private space that was much more like one of the dormitory bedrooms. There was a large bed with blue drapes in the right corner, a small bathroom off to the side and two comfortable-looking squishy armchairs beside a fire. Rukia made her way over to one and sunk down into it as Ichigo sat down opposite her.

'Okay, where do I start,' Rukia sighed. When she looked back at Ichigo he looked sadly back at her.

'Are you breaking up with me?'

'Wh- what? No!' she choked and watched as his face visibly brightened.

'Oh good, okay glad that's out of the way-'

'What on earth made you think that!?'

'Well when a girl says they need to talk to you alone it usually never ends well,' Ichigo laughed and ran a hand through his hair sheepishly. Rukia remembered what his mother said about him being quite taken with her. Though she found it hard to believe that he could be, the evidence to support it was now being presented.

'So what did you need to talk about?' he asked.

Rukia, who was caught staring at him, snapped back to reality.

'Okay so you remember the Dementors? In the forest?' she asked.

Ichigo frowned and nodded, this conversation clearly wasn't going where he'd expected.

'Well listen to this,' and she filled him in.

Ichigo was quiet as she explained everything, recapping the sorting hat's warning song, the way Hyorinmaru had been acting, what she'd seen in the courtyard and what Toshiro had seen last night. She told Ichigo about the map and how it worked with the names and what their theories were. When she was done, his face looked darker, thoughtful. He looked older, much more like a man than a late teenager.

He'd barely interrupted her, except to ask the occasional question or two.

'Okay,' he said, running his hand back through his hair, 'thank you for trusting me enough to tell me all this.'

Rukia smiled at him and he grinned back at her, making her heart skip about three beats.

'I agree with Yukio, it's best we let the teachers know about it, but I also agree that we need to be careful which teachers we trust,' he glanced across the space and chewed his bottom lip as he contemplated.

'That's why I want to speak to my brother,' Rukia said.

'I think that's a good idea, do you mind if I tell my dad too?' Ichigo asked, 'and my mum?'

'I think that's a good idea, both of them can help us keep an eye open, I can't imagine two people further from The Dark Lord,' her voice forced the last couple of words out and Ichigo's jaw locked.

He'd lost his mother in that battle, if anyone had reason to despise The Dark Lord, it was Ichigo and his family.

'We probably shouldn't tell any other students, just keep it in our circle,' Ichigo pointed out, 'we might create panic over something that eventually becomes nothing.'

'Agreed,' Rukia nodded.

They were silent for a little while longer as Ichigo looked into the fire to his right. Rukia took the time to study him. He looked sad, pained, likely the death of his mother still stung. She wasn't sure what was worse for him, losing his mother in the first place or never really being able to move on and let her go because her ghost was always around.

Rukia wasn't sure she'd have liked the ghosts of her parents to remain trapped here. What would happen to them once their family grew up and passed away naturally? It was a heavy topic and one she decided she might breach with him one day, but not today. Instead she watched the way the fire bounced off his face, highlighting the sharpness of his cheekbones and the defined point to his jaw. It lit up his dark brown eyes and made his hair look even more radiant.

She looked away from him as he sighed and her eyes ghosted around the room.

'So the Room of Requirement?' she asked.

'Mmm?' he was clearly lost in thought.

'Why does it have a bed in it?'

'The room takes the shape of whatever the person desires,' Ichigo wasn't thinking much on his answer and it wasn't until Rukia turned back to him and quirked a brow did he realise how this must have sounded.

'No, wait!' he tried to back pedal, his cheeks darkening, 'I didn't mean-'

'What on earth did you think we were going to be doing in here?'

'I just meant I wanted somewhere private so it clearly gave us a bedroom-'

'And why did it turn into a dinky little cupboard before where we were pressed up against each other, hm?'

Ichigo was spluttering now, his cheeks getting darker and darker. Rukia was enjoying this far too much, a triumphant grin splitting across her face.

'You bloody pervert!'

'I'm not!' Ichigo was waving his hands now.

'Are you saying that if I don't go over there and look in those drawers beside the bed I won't find condoms and lube?' she was teasing him, loving the way she could make him so flustered and uncomfortable.

'Oh God,' Ichigo's head fell into his hands. Ever the curious soul, Rukia slipped from the comfortable chair and made her way over to the bed where a side table bracketed the wooden frame of it. She opened the first drawer and then gasped.

'I fucking knew it! And there's a Kama Sutra book in here too!' she turned to glare at him.

'No there isn't!' Ichigo defended, jumping over the side of the chair and striding over to see for himself, his face hotter than the fireplace he'd just left behind. Rukia giggled and closed the drawer behind her, leaning against it.

'There is something in the drawer,' she smirked, 'want to guess what it is?'

He narrowed his eyes at her, his face still hot, but he was competitive by nature. He boxed her in against the side table, but Rukia would not be swayed from it as he tilted his chin down so that his lips were close to hers.

'It's not a Kama Sutra book,' he said.

'No,' she smirked, 'it's not.'

'Nice to know where your mind went,' he narrowed his eyes but it was still his face that was hot.

'I'm not the one who put the bed in here, Ichigo,' she smirked.

'Is it condoms?' he guessed and Rukia shook her head.

'Is it something else we shouldn't have access to?' he asked.

'No,' Rukia pursed her lips, her body starting to shake with laughter.

'What is it, Rukia? Just tell me,' Ichigo sighed, now losing his patience.

Giggling to herself as she stepped closer to him to open the drawer, Ichigo moved to the side to see and when his eyes fell on it his mouth fell open.

There, nestled inside the drawer like a badly placed joke, was the Bible.

Rukia was glad no one outside the room could hear them, because the two of them burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. Ichigo ended up on the bed massaging his stomach and his face muscles as Rukia ended up on the floor, wiping tears from her eyes.

'Do you think the room was trying to tell us something?' Ichigo said once he'd finally calmed down.

'You mean was the room trying to tell you something?' Rukia corrected, slapping his leg where it was hooked over the side of the bed.

'Same difference,' she heard his eye roll and watched him sit up.

'I reckon the room has probably encountered this situation a lot. Frisky students wanting to slip away together without the teachers seeing them, not wanting to be caught, it's the perfect place for it,' Rukia smirked up at him and Ichigo grimaced and got up off the bed.

'I can assure you my intentions were pure,' he said.

'Sure,' Rukia didn't believe him for a second, but she took his hand as he offered it to her and helped pull her to her feet. Perhaps he was showing off with his strength, or she was lighter than he expected her to be, because she practically ended up in his arms when he yanked her from the floor.

Any girl who said, in that moment, they didn't find that strength attractive, was lying.

Ichigo let her go once she was steady on her feet and ran a hand back through his hair again. He seemed to do that when he was feeling nervous or shy. Rukia smiled to herself, she liked learning these little things about him.

'Should we go and tell your brother now?' Ichigo asked. Just like that, the magic that had been surrounding them shattered. The reminder of more pressing matters made Rukia stand a little straighter and with a sigh she nodded her head. There was a huge part of her that wanted to stay in that room with him, their own interrupted private time away from prying eyes just like Toshiro and Rangiku had in the prefect's bathroom.

They made their way down to the dungeons where Byakuya's classroom door was already ajar. They agreed that Rukia would go and tell her brother and Ichigo would go and find his father to fill him in. Rukia was sure that Ichigo had planned to come with her to meet Byakuya but chickened out at the last minute. Lips pursed with amusement she let him go and slipped inside to tell her brother everything.

When she finished, his young face looked older, the lines around his face showing as he frowned and placed the tips of his long fingers together thoughtfully.

'Who else were you planning on informing?' Byakuya asked her.

'Well Ichigo is talking to his father, Professor Shiba about it just now and I think he wants to tell his mother,' Rukia said, 'did you know that his mother is Masaki Kurosaki, the ghost of Hufflepuff house?'

Byakuya surveyed her from across the table, 'Yes, I knew.'

'Why didn't you tell me?' Rukia pouted and Byakuya raised an eyebrow at her.

'It wasn't my place,' he said.

Rukia sighed but she respected that. It had probably been for the best that she'd met Masaki through Ichigo rather than finding out from a third party.

'I think we should limit how many other people hear about this information, if word gets back to them that people know it might make their movements harder to track,' Byakuya's steely eyes were thoughtful as he looked across the room, 'I shall ask Sen to keep an eye out as well.'

'Oh,' Rukia's eyes lit up, 'that's a good idea!'

Byakuya's lips pulled back in a soft half smile, then he leaned back in his chair and surveyed Rukia.

'About Ichigo…'

'Oh no,' Rukia let her face drop into her hands.

Here it came, another of those lectures. She'd already had to endure one for Renji and Kaien too.

'I know you really like him…'

'Please don't, I can't do this again-'

'And you're getting older-'

'I am begging you!'

'I just want to make sure you're being sensible!'

'I will give up Quidditch for you to stop talking right now-'

That shut him up. Rukia peaked through her fingers at him and he raised a challenging eyebrow at her.

She thought for a second that she'd need to take back her own words but Byakuya continued as though she hadn't spoken.

'If he gets you pregnant, Rukia, Dark Lord or not there will be murder, in this castle,' Byakuya narrowed his eyes at her.

Rukia reached down and picked up her bag, 'I'm still a virgin!' she said, a bit louder than she'd meant as she swung her bag onto her shoulder and marched toward the door.

'Rukia!' her brother called and she faltered, her face was on fire as she turned to glance back at him. He looked a lot happier after this revelation.

'Let's keep it that way for another couple of years-'

She walked out the room, hearing his laughter following her out in the corridor. Rukia was scowling at the injustice of it all. She highly doubted any of the male students had to endure those kinds of chats and she was pretty sure that Ichigo was having the polar opposite discussion with his father. She grumbled as she trudged up the stairs to the Great Hall for dinner.

'Rukia!'

She turned at the sound of her name and saw Professor Aizen sweeping toward her. He was beaming, his glasses flashing in the diminishing light of the sun outside. Perplexed at what the professor wanted from her and knowing that she wasn't taking his subject, Rukia walked back down the hall to meet him halfway.

'Are you alright?' his brown eyes swept her face, likely taking in her flushed appearance and a frown of concern wrinkled his brow.

'Fine, just… my brother,' Rukia mumbled feeling the heat rising in her cheeks once more. Professor Aizen watched her for a second then a look that was a little too understanding dawned on his face.

'I see,' he smiled, 'well maybe this will cheer you up.'

Rukia took the piece of parchment he had extended out to her in a bid to escape his amused gaze. It was a party invitation, adorned on beautiful white card with slanted golden writing. It invited her and a plus one to a Christmas party.

'I am inviting a few Sixth and Seventh year students to attend, ones who show exceptional promise, it will be a good networking opportunity for you all prior to some of you leaving school at the end of the year,' Aizen smiled.

Rukia had heard about this, he'd had one the year before too for the same reason. Rukia remembered seeing Ichigo and Orihime dressed and going together and being insanely jealous.

'Thank you, Sir,' Rukia smiled up at him and he waved a hand as if it were nothing.

'It will be good to see you there, and of course, any Muggle attire is also welcome,' he beamed at her and Rukia felt her affection for him rise. She hadn't had a chance to wear some of her new dresses yet, this could be her chance to really show off and impress Ichigo.

Rukia thanked him again and watched him turn and walk away.

She made it to the Great Hall without any more of a fuss to find Ichigo already seated at the Slytherin table waiting for her. He was beside Yukio and Toshiro and much to Rukia's surprise, Hyorinmaru was perched on his head.

Rukia made her way through the throngs of students and over to the table.

'I thought I'd catch up with them while we waited for you,' Ichigo said with a smile, moving aside to let her slip in beside him. Rukia slid into the seat and Hyorinmaru hopped from Ichigo's head down onto Rukia's shoulder, giving a cute little whistle as he did so.

'He really loves you,' Ichigo laughed.

'I think he just likes all the treats I slip him when Toshiro isn't looking,' Rukia said with a smirk as Toshiro rolled his eyes.

'Ichigo was just telling us he spoke to his dad,' Toshiro said as he piled vegetables onto his plate. He was clearly keeping the conversation vague for anyone who might overhear them.

'Yeah and I just spoke with my brother, he said we should be mindful of how many people we speak to,' Rukia replied.

Toshiro nodded his head, 'Yukio suggested Professor Aizen?'

'I still think it's a good idea,' Yukio said with a shrug and Rukia nodded.

'I agree, do you think you could speak to Momo about it, Toshiro?' Rukia asked.

'I'd rather leave Momo out of it,' Toshiro sighed, 'she was never great with secrets and I worry that if we tell her she might then tell Izuru and Renji as well.'

They lapsed into silence.

'I will speak to Professor Aizen myself, he's invited me to a party, so that might be the best chance I get while people are looking the other way,' Toshiro said.

'Oh you got invited too?' Rukia asked, pulling her invitation out from inside her robes.

'So did I,' Ichigo pulled his out, 'I went last year and it was good fun, lots of very interesting international food.'

'I didn't get an invite,' Yukio frowned.

'You can be my plus one,' Rukia said with a smile, 'Ichigo will be coming with his own invite anyway.'

'And show up dateless?' Yukio asked with a look of mock horror.

'You can be my plus one?' Toshiro said with a soft smile. Yukio rounded on him and narrowed his eyes.

'No, because you're going to be inviting Rangiku,' he said sternly. Toshiro's face began to heat up a little as they grinned at him.

'Do you not want to invite her?' Ichigo asked.

He shrugged.

Which meant yes.

Rukia smiled into her goblet of pumpkin juice as she watched Toshiro. He was a good-looking guy and he'd certainly grown and matured over the last year. She was sure that Rangiku wasn't blind and if Toshiro only had the courage to ask her, she'd say yes.

'I could bring you a plus one using mine?' Ichigo offered to Yukio with a smile.

'Thanks,' Yuko sighed dramatically, 'but I think I'll use the time to catch up on homework, my foster dad will be pissed if my grades get any lower.'

'Is he still giving you grief?' Toshiro scowled.

'Every day,' Yukio rolled his eyes, 'but it's fine, I'll maybe get some work done with no distractions around.'

'That's a good idea,' Toshiro smiled at him.

Pleased that he had a plan for the night, the friends tucked into their dinner, their earlier conversation forgotten.

That evening Rukia went back to the Gryffindor common room. Ichigo didn't have prefect duties but had decided to go and bury himself in all his homework so he could attend the Christmas party without fear of wasting time. Rukia had just over a week to decide what she wanted to wear and what she wanted to do with her hair. Her mind was full of ideas as she climbed into the common room.

It was no secret that the Gryffindor common room was the smallest of them all, with most students preferring to hang out in Slytherin or Ravenclaw which were the two largest. Tatsuki was seated on one of the red squishy armchairs and was sitting chatting with Ninny and Noel. Intrigued, Rukia made her way over.

Noel was sitting beside Tatsuki, while Ninny sat on the floor in between her girlfriend's legs as Noel pulled her long blonde hair into a braid. The fire crackled beside them, filling the small space with an even darker red glow as it bounced off the red furniture and dark wood flooring.

'Hey Rukia,' Tatsuki yawned, stretching across the armchair she was on then letting her arms hang limp off the sides of it as she relaxed.

'Tired?' Rukia asked, picking one of the red pillows up off a seat and putting it down on the floor to sit beside Ninny.

'Someone keeps getting me up at six in the morning, so yeah, I am,' she glared and Rukia grinned.

'Tomorrow too,' Rukia chuckled.

'The torture will never end,' she sighed.

'That's why only you guys stand a chance against Hufflepuff this year,' Noel said, her voice muffled slightly by the hairband captured between her lips. Her hands moved expertly through her girlfriend's blonde hair and Ninny looked like she was falling asleep.

'Does that mean you're going to be cheering us on?' Rukia grinned.

'You know I don't like picking sides,' Noel said, taking the hairband from her lips and using it to secure the braid.

'Rukia,' Karin's voice made Rukia jump from her position on the floor. She leaned back and glanced up to find the young twin standing over her, looking a little intimidating with her arms folded.

'Yeah?' she asked.

'I heard you and my brother are going to Aizen's Christmas party together,' she said.

'Well we hadn't officially said we were going,' Rukia blinked up at her, 'but yeah.'

Karin narrowed her eyes down at her.

'Oh no, are you going to give me the protective sibling talk?' Rukia pouted up at her and Karin rolled her eyes.

'No, I'm worried about our Quidditch team if the Captain of Gryffindor is dating the Captain of Hufflepuff, I want to win.'

Rukia laughed and Karin picked up a cushion and joined Rukia on the floor, smiling over at Ninny who was now asleep against her girlfriend's leg.

'I promise that my relationship with your brother will not hinder my ability to kick his ass,' Rukia rolled her eyes.

'Just think,' Tatsuki said, 'if we need a distraction you could just flash him and we could-'

'TATSUKI!' Karin and Rukia shouted together, startling Ninny awake.

'What? I'm just saying!'

'Who's Rukia flashing?' Ninny asked, looking around groggily with interest.

'I'm not flashing anyone,' Rukia scowled, 'I will win because we have the best team and the best players, not because we are resorting to dirty tactics.'

'I bet Ichigo wouldn't mind them being a little dirtier,' Tatsuki smirked.

Rukia remembered the bed in the Room of Requirements and pursed her lips instead of replying.

'I know I wanted my brother to get with someone less boring,' Karin scowled, 'but that's maybe a bit too much.'

'She'd probably distract Renji too if she did that,' Ninny smirked, 'I can just hear Yukio's excited commentary now-'

'I will not be flashing anyone on the Quidditch pitch, please drop it,' Rukia scowled.

'That will be a fun rumour when it reaches my brother's ears,' Karin smirked.

'You're too young for this discussion,' Rukia picked a cushion up off the chair and attempted to smother Karin's face with it. The young twin laughed as Rukia then proceeded to tickle her.

'Aww look at you two,' Ninny cooed, 'it's like you're sisters already.'

'Moment ruined,' Karin scowled and flipped the bird at Ninny who cackled back. She stopped the moment Noel's fingers were in her hair again.

'Speaking of Professor Aizen's party, we'll be there,' Noel said, 'not as guests.'

'He's hired our band to come and play some songs,' Ninny grinned.

'Oh cool!' Rukia perked at that sitting up, she'd heard them play a couple of times. They were a rock-pop band that specialised in bringing muggle instruments and infusing them with wizarding world music.

'We've been working on our new album, so we're going to play it at the party,' Ninny winked at Rukia, 'there's a slow song there too.'

'Is Toshiro taking Rangiku?' Noel asked Rukia.

'I don't know,' Rukia shrugged.

'He should, what a score,' Karin sighed and Rukia hit her with the pillow again.

'He's really shy when it comes to asking girls out, I don't think he considers himself good-looking or good enough,' Rukia rolled her eyes.

'Well speaking as a gold-star I can say that I find him to be one of the least disgusting men at this school,' Ninny said.

'You should tell him that,' Rukia laughed along with the others, 'I bet he'll be brimming with confidence.'

'I'd rather eat horse shit,' Ninny scowled.

'Does she say nice things to your face or only behind your back?' Rukia asked Noel.

'Only behind my back, but I find it pleasant when they finally reach me and I get to tease her about them,' Noel smirked and Ninny glared up at her. Noel leaned forward and pecked her girlfriend's forehead, 'we should go.'

Rukia glanced up at the clock, surprised to see that it was well after nine in the evening.

'Should we leave her there or wake her?' Karin asked, standing up and nodding to Tatsuki who had fallen asleep in the chair.

'Leave her,' Rukia shrugged, but collected one of the large covers from the back of the sofa and tossed it over the sleeping girl.

They parted ways after that, Ninny and Noel leaving through the portrait hole and Karin heading to her dormitory for bed. Rukia slipped into her own dormitory and started when she saw the ghost of Masaki Kurosaki floating there, waiting for her. The young woman gave Rukia a soft smile.

'I won't take up too much of your time Rukia, I promise,' she said, patting the bed in a gesture for Rukia to join her. Thankfully the chamber was empty and there was no one around to overhear them. Rukia made her way over and sat down on the bed crossing her legs and looking up into the concerned face of the ghost.

'Ichigo has just spoken to me about everything,' she said, 'and I am worried for you both.'

Rukia felt her stomach clench with unease.

'I want you to promise me that you will both be careful and not do anything reckless?' She shot Rukia a stern glance.

'I promise,' Rukia nodded her head.

'That if there's even the slightest bit of danger that you will call on Isshin and your brother for support and not face it alone?' she asked.

'I promise,' Rukia repeated.

'Life is so precious Rukia,' the ghostly woman quickly looked away and Rukia could see small transparent tears gathering at the sides of her eyes. 'You won't believe how quickly it can be taken from you. That's why I want Ichigo to enjoy himself, I want him to be happy, always. I want you both to have fun, but I am scared. I am scared because this time… this time I won't be here to protect them.'

Rukia found it difficult to swallow, she watched the tears trickling down the face of the woman.

'I promise, we will be careful and I promise to do my best not to drag Ichigo into something dangerous,' Rukia was already feeling guilty. She hadn't even thought about it. Startled, the woman looked up and looked over at her.

'I worry for you too! I don't wish for any of you to be involved, but I promise I will do my best to keep an eye open and try and help figure out what is going on,' Masaki nodded her head, determined. 'I shall let you sleep now, Rukia, just remember that you gave me your word you'd be careful.'

'I will,' Rukia nodded her head, then smiled softly, 'I'm kind of crazy about him.'

Masaki's face broke into such a breath-taking smile – Ichigo's smile.

'I'm glad he found you,' she said, floating up from the bed, 'sleep well, Rukia.'

'Goodnight, Masaki,' Rukia waved to the witch who moved through the wall down in the direction of Karin's dormitory.

It felt like she was on the precipice of something and was struggling to find footholds to keep her balance. She just hoped that when everything came tumbling down, she could leave this battle with less loss than the first.

Thanks soooo much once again, I love getting comments so please leave me some :D if you wanna join the discord server the link is at the bottom of my profile. I have a lot of stuff on so next chapter will be in 3 weeks, keep an eye on my Trello in case that changes, link also at the bottom of my profile :D