Well, this was a fun chapter, I would have to say. It's proving to be a little difficult to keep them in character, but I'm taking notes from notnow. Speaking of her...She's MIA right now, so she didn't check this chapter either. I hope it's not too scary...

Anyway, enjoy!

"First Sight"

Chapter 3

The rest of the week passed fairly uneventfully, except for the occasional "Keigo Brag" to Ichigo. Outwardly, these bragging fits did not affect Ichigo, but inwardly, they crashed a rough path through his consciousness. Rukia would appear in his mind's eye, dark and mysterious as he had grown accustomed to, then seemingly out of no where Keigo would appear. He would whisk Rukia into his arms and kiss her passionately before Ichigo had time to destroy the image. Ichigo was growing more and more frustrated. He couldn't quite understand why he was even concerned in the first place; he was after all taking the most beautiful girl in his school to the dance. He would try to imagine kissing Orihime, but long orange hair would shorten and turn black, and he would find himself facing Rukia once again, lips pressed against his own.

The last bell of the day of the dance rang, reverberating throughout the hallway angrily. On cue, masses of teens fell out of their classroom. Their usual conversations were laced with inquiries about the evening's dance. It seemed to Ichigo that everyone was making last minute preparations except for him. He even noticed Rukia in the corner with Keigo and Orihime, giggling about something or other. A feeling in his gut that he had grown so accustomed to this past week rose again in his belly. He looked away from them quickly, walking out the door to change the picture in his mind.

Maybe I should just cancel and give Orihime a chance at a good time. Ichigo found himself thinking as he leaned on the post outside of his school to wait for Rukia. Ishida seemed to be interested in taking her…

After finally making up his mind, Ichigo kicked himself off the post to go find the red-headed beauty. Before he made it back inside the building to search, Orihime bounced up to find him first.

"Kurosaki-kun!" She chimed happily. "Are you excited about tonight? I am, I can't wait! When do you want to meet up?"

Seeing Orihime's face so filled with excitement, he couldn't bear to let her down. He mustered up his best smile. "Yeah…I can't wait…! Um..How about seven?"

"Sounds great! I'll see you there!" She laughed and walked the opposite direction.

Glancing away, he noticed a tiny shock of dark hair suddenly turn on her heels and run off away from him.

Ichigo shrugged into the final piece of his suit and cast a small look over his shoulder towards the closet. Rukia had entered the tiny space after school three hours ago and still hadn't made her appearance. He glanced at his watch and his eyebrows furrowed tighter together. It was getting close to the time to go. Sighing, Ichigo made his way over to the closet and rapped on the door gently.

"Oi, Rukia…" Ichigo muttered angrily. He listened for a moment and heard rustling around. He tapped again. "Oi…we're gonna be late…!"

A small muffled voice answered him this time. "Don't you dare laugh or I'll rip your face to shreds."

Ichigo's curiosity only perked a bit more. He turned and scratched his head idly. A tiny hand slid out and pushed the door to the side.

Rukia came out, her light blue dress pooling behind her as a leg daintily reached the floor. She absentmindedly pushed the flower in her hair back into position, and Ichigo could see…was that…makeup? The heat rose to his face involuntarily as his vision drew to her smooth legs bearing high heels on her feet.

The moment that she stood on her own out of the closet and made to take a step, her ankles shook and she tumbled forwards into Ichigo's arms. The moment was held for only a moment before she quickly straightened herself up.

"Damn shoes…" She muttered as she straightened out her dress in a huff.

Ichigo wanted to compliment her. Tell her how beautiful she looked. Tell her how she was making his heart beat furiously. Tell her how he loved that light pink lip shine that made her look so kissable. He stopped and mentally shook his head. You're going on a date with Inoue, damn you. He forced out a simple compliment. "You look…nice…"

He felt the blush tinge his cheeks and he looked away again, straightening his tie. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed much the same tinge on Rukia's cheeks, and he almost felt proud of himself.

"Um…Are you planning on climbing out of the window in those dress and shoes?" Ichigo pointed out. A small flash went through Rukia's face as she realized she had missed something. He shook his head and put on his best grimace. "We'll sneak you out the front door."

Ichigo left his room first to check the hallway of his family members. At all clear, he signaled Rukia out and led her down the stairs. He led her to his side, and motioned for her to stop and wait for him.

"When they're distracted, I want you to make a run for the front door." Ichigo whispered hastily. "Wait here until then."

He left Rukia on the stairs and headed towards the kitchen. Right on cue, the boy heard his attack.

"ICHIGO!" Isshin yelled, jumping down from the ceiling and pouncing on his son. A camera that had been swinging around his father's neck caught Ichigo in the nose and he gave a small yelp.

"OW! What do you think you're doing!" Ichigo shouted to his father, pushing him off angrily. A bright light in his eyes stilled him for a moment. When the glare had cleared, the flash from his father's camera lay even with his eyes. He closed his eyes just as his father pressed the shutter again and Ichigo kicked him in the stomach. Isshin flew across the room and landed in a heap just as Yuzu and Karin came in.

"Onii-chan! You look so good!" Yuzu smiled happily. Ichigo got up off the floor just as he noticed a small movement behind him towards the front door. Good, she made it.

"Yeah…Who's your date?" Karin asked dryly. Ichigo scratched his head.

"Inoue…I guess…" He answered coolly.

"You 'guess'?" Karin prodded.

"Yeah, I guess. She's not my girlfriend, if that's what you're looking for."

Karin turned her head and closed her eyes. "Whatever. Have a good time, Ichi-ni."

"Mmm! Don't get into any trouble!" Yuzu added.

"Let me get a picture of my little boy all grown up!" Isshin popped up again. He leaped at his son, but a fist only met his grin. He slid to the floor with a smile pasted on his face.

Ichigo brushed himself off before turning around. "I'm off."

He walked out the front door and headed towards the school. Around the first turn, Rukia stood, her arms crossed over her chest and a foot leaning against the wall. At his approach, she looked up.

"'Bout time." She remarked casually before meeting Ichigo's stride and walking towards the school. Ichigo only shrugged as he looked down at her feet.

"You learn quickly." He motioned towards her shoes. Almost as if on cue, she ankles swayed a little and she stumbled, but quickly caught herself. She only shrugged before a giggled bubbled up to her lips. Ichigo caught on and let a small smile reach his lips.

Maybe this won't be such a bad night after all.