I don't own Bleach.

Wrongly Reasoned Feelings

There was only one thing Keigo could possibly say to Ichigo as they met up that night on their way to school -

"Ogawa-san!"

It was only due to the fact he had went and downright hired a tuxedo that Ichigo hadn't punched him already.

"Why does every single person have to ask me that!"

"Well, it is a highly unlikely choice for you." Mizuiro stated with a smile as they made their way to school along with Chado and Rukia (they had to spend about 10 minutes to explain why Rukia was already at Ichigo's house when the rest of the group got there).

"But still, this new look suits you so well, Kuchiki-san!" Keigo chirped as he swooned over the girl. She smiled with a giggle, making her replacement Shinigami humph.

"Thank you, Asano-kun. I was worried about this style, so I'm happy you like it so much!"

"Quite a change of style, stealing Karin's clothes instead of Yuzu's…" Ichigo uttered as he glanced at the jeans which purposefully reached mid leg and the almost classical black and white shirt with the yellow bear design his dark haired sister seemed so fond of. It seemed almost too much like his own get up for the evening, a tight pair of jeans and a black vest over a tight sleeveless red T.

Rukia snoke him a nasty look but otherwise paid him no attention.

"Then? Why Ogawa-san?" Mizuiro pressed again, geniunally curious.

"True, a good question." Keigo agreed.

"While cute in her girly way, it's obvious she lacks both Kuchiki-san's feminine charm and Inoue-san's…" He coughed and punched his chest lightly to get the message across; Ichigo punched him for real. Rukia remained clueless as she missed the notion.

"Get over it, we're all going to just sit together, right? Officially coming with someone won't change a thing."

"If you really mean that, I feel bad for Ogawa-san." Mizuiro commented snidely as they neared the school, and the girl in question was standing next to the gate in a plain purple dress.

"Nice… but you could've done better." Mizuiro concluded as the girl noticed them and waved at Ichigo. He on his part threw his shorter friend a dirty look before excusing himself and approaching her. Rukia looked at him as he left, trying to judge the way in which his frown seemed to settle down and the shade of a smile rose to his lips as he talked to their classmate. Michiru, on her part, did all she could to keep from glomping him and appearing too happy. Rukia knew her watching the two was known. Michiru had looked at her almost as often as she did at them, and their eyes met almost each and every time.

"Kuchiki-san?" She was startled when Keigo's voice finally reached her, and hurriedly turned to look at the boy.

"What, what is it, Asano-kun?"

He beamed at her as he extracted a rose from a hidden pocket in his coat.

"Shall we go inside?"

"Asano-kun, you…"

"Yes?" He edged closer, hope shining in his eyes.

"Are you feeling alright? You're acting kind of weird!" Rukia stated in her usual cheeky voice, making the flower wilt and the boy turn to cry on Mizuiro's shoulder.

"REJECTION!" he wailed rather pathetically while Mizuiro patted his shoulder, yet the woman whom made him cry paid the poor boy no attention as she looked at Ichigo and Michiru enter the crowded gym, talking silently.

–

"… so then Chado came and we both knocked their lights out." Ichigo concluded his story as he leant back in his chair, watching the majority of his grade embarrass themselves on the dance floor. Michiru was sitting next to him, watching as though mesmerized.

"Eeeh, Kurosaki-kun is really strong, isn't he?" She chirped in amazement. He shrugged it off.

"It's only natural, when having this kind of hair color. It's either that or being beaten up on a daily basis." He said casually.

"Eh, then Kurosaki-kun's still harassed by people like that so often?" Her worry tinted voice caught him by surprise.

"Hardly. Most of the idiot who have bones to pick with me already know better than to mess with me, and the rest know better than to rest with Chado. Anyone who knows either of us also knows messing with one is the same as messing with the other, so we're mostly left alone now."

"Heee… I always knew Kurosaki-kun got into trouble, but not like this." He let the comment slide.

"How about you?"

"Eh?" Michiru blinked, a slight blush rising to her cheeks as for the first time that evening, he looked at her, expecting a reply. So far it was small talk, and mostly her asking about him. While he hadn't dwelled to much into details, he also answered each and every question… and she, in return, ignored Tatsuki's comments… and pretended that mothers weren't an allowed conversation topic.

"You have quite a bright hair color, too. Weren't you ever picked on?"

She lowered her gaze, unable to look as he watched her.

"A… bit, when I was younger, and had longer hair… but now I got used to it being so short it's the most comfortable… so people don't really have a reason to pick on me anymore."

"Ah, annoying, why don't you just stand up to them?"

She pouted as she turned to glare at him.

"Tatsuki's an exception, girls don't usually get as strong as boys do."

He chuckled.

"Tatsuki's stronger than most boys."

She lightly punched his arm.

"All the more that not every girl can get that strong! It's ok, really, it's much more comfortable when it's this length…" She trailed off and he sighed, looking away guiltily.

"I didn't mean anything, just… that I really think… longer hair would suit you… a ponytail or something…"

She turned to look at him with a blush, completely unprepared for his next statement –

"I just think… you have a really pretty hair color."

That Guy… has one heck of a mother complex. Tatsuki's voice rang accusingly in her ears, and the question left her lips faster than she even realized she wanted to ask it –

"Like your mother's?"

He turned to look at her with shock in his eyes. She covered her mouth with her hands and seemed terrified.

"I… I didn't…"

"Do you… want something to drink?" He asked suddenly as he stood up, eyes hidden behind his longer bangs.

"Kurosaki-kun…" She whispered, looking at him with tears welling in her eyes. "Um. I'd… like a drink… very much."

Nodding once, he shoved his hands into his pockets, but he managed only one step before stopping again. Curious, she looked at the table where the drinks were sat and found Rukia standing there, alone. Before she could say a word, however, Ichigo walked on, once again oblivious to the girl's existence.

"Kurosaki… kun…"

"Is this…" She turned around, startled at the sound of the voice. "…really ok?" Chizuru asked as she stood next to her, Ryou not far behind her.

"Chizuru… Ryou… what –"

"We're asking – " Chizuru stopped her rather loudly. "- if it's ok for you to be just a comfortable pass-time." She looked at Michiru sternly through her glasses, and the short haired girl only looked away, the first signs of frustration on her face as Ichigo began talking to Rukia.