Authors note: So I've been listening to too much dance music, and this fic was born out of that. I think it'd be really cute if Ichigo took Rukia dancing

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Kubo.

…

"Yo, Ichigo!"

Ichigo looked back from his desk to see the raven haired shinigami crouched on his windowsill.

"Rukiaaa!" His face broke into a smile. "You're here a day early."

He'd long stopped asking her why she never bothered using the door instead of his window, now that his entire family knew about her.

Rukia stepped on his bed and sat down, grinning from ear to ear. "Ha ha, surprised fool? I did double time, and finished all my paper work ahead of schedule, just for you. You'd better be gratefu- wait, why are you dressed so fancy?"

"There's a graduation party tonight at Keigo's house since his parents are away," Ichigo explained, blushing a little. "Inoue and Tatsuki basically wouldn't take no for an answer."

Rukia cringed internally. What a fool she was! Of course, Ichigo had plans. What 18 year old wouldn't on their graduation night?

Trying hard not to let her disappointment show, Rukia pulled out the latest manga volume she had from her uniform and said, "Good thing I'm always prepared! I'll have a nice evening catching up to this while you party, hehe." She grinned for extra emphasis on her happiness.

"Whatchu talking about, baka?" Ichigo exclaimed. "Now that you're here, you're obviously coming with me. Chad and Ishida will be there too." Peeking his head out of his room, Ichigo yelled, "Yuzuuu, can you give me a hand here, please?"

"Ichigo, I don't have any clothes for the party! Besides, you know I don't like crowds - I'd much rather read this manga." Rukia spluttered.

Yuzu came in at that moment asking, "What's up Ichi-nii?"

"Perfect timing, Yuzu - I want to take Rukia to the part -"

"EEEEH! Karin! Rukia-ne is here!" Yuzu jumped on the shinigami. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming earlier, Rukia ne? I'd have made your favourite snacks!"

Turning her head to her brother, she asked, "Ichi-ni, are you taking her to the party? I can dress her up!"

"Thanks Yuzu." Ichigo flashed his sister a grin.

Ah, she makes him so happy, Yuzu thought with a sigh. "Come with me, Rukia-ne, I'll make you the star of the party."

"Ichiiiigo, don't make me do this," Rukia pleaded. The last thing she wanted was to keep Ichigo from having a normal high school night with his friends. She made one last attempt. "What about my manga?" Rukia asked.

"What about it?" Ichigo smirked. "Rukia, that volume came out a week ago. Do you mean to tell me that you haven't read it yet? Excuses!" He took the manga out of her hand just as Yuzu dragged her out of Ichigo's room into her own, yelling for Karin to come help her.

...

The music blared in Rukia's ears as she stepped out of the dance floor, feeling awkward. She clearly didn't fit here - a hundred and fifty year old shinigami in the midst of all these teenagers, shining with their youth and life in front of them. Even Yuzu's fashion magic couldn't change that fact. Tugging at her sequined dress and wishing it covered more of her, she sighed and sipped on her drink. The coolness of it soothed her. Why were drinks in the human world so delicious? What was it that Ichigo called this drink again - it was named after a fighting move. Fruit tackle? Fruit kick? No, that wasn't it. It'd come to her - if it wasn't for her pounding headache. She definitely needed some air.

She looked out to the dance floor, she saw Ichigo dancing with Inoue, Tatsuki and Ishida. She blushed at how attractive he looked in his party wear. Inoue too looked gorgeous, her hair swaying with the music, and her blue dress perfectly matching the flower pins in her hair. "This is how it should be," she said softly, willing for her aching heart to accept reality.

Rukia had died so young that she never really pondered on what it meant to be alive. She loved the sense of purpose her shinigami duties gave her and had worked hard to go up the ranks. She knew Soul Society was where she belonged. But at moments like this, when she saw Ichigo's youth and vitality up close, she couldn't help but wonder what it meant to be alive. What would have happened if she was just an ordinary girl who met Ichigo at school? Would they still be as close? Would they have fallen in love perhaps – and dated like an ordinary couple? Gone to the movies, gone to parties like this one and danced together?

"Rukia, there's no point in thinking like that," she chided herself softly. "I'm a Kuchiki, and Kuchikis don't act like a shoujo manga heroines. What I need is some air." Looking over at Ichigo and satisfying herself that he was too busy to notice her slipping away, she made her way out to get some air.

...

Stepping out into Keigo's garden, she breathed in the cold air into her lungs. Ahhh! Much better, she thought. Being an ice elemental type definitely had its advantages – the cold was never a bother.

"Yo. Mind if I join?"

Rukia whirled around, "Ichigo! How'd you know I came out?"

"Hm? Felt your reiatsu go farther away from me." Ichigo replied as if it should have been obvious.

Rukia laughed. "Who are you fooling, baka? You suck at detecting reiatsu."

"Not yours, Rukia." Ichigo said smiling.

Rukia felt herself melting in his smile. Shaking her head out of the trance, she switched topics - "You're in a good mood, today!"

"Course I am. Finally graduating high school, my friends are all here, you're here. Why wouldn't I be in a good mood?" Ichigo shrugged.

"The real question here is - why are you unhappy? You've been sighing non-stop. Something up in Soul Society?" He looked at her questioningly, worry etched in his eyes.

Rukia looked up at Ichigo and considered lying. Tonight of all nights, she didn't want to take away from his happiness. There were always things happening in Soul Society that were downright worrying, so she was sure she could make something up. But she also wondered if she'd be able to get away with it. Part of her knew she couldn't lie convincingly to Ichigo. She'd be caught - just like with the manga. He simply knew her. Inside and out.

Sighing, Rukia said softly, "I don't belong in your world, Ichigo."

She saw Ichigo looking at her incredulously, about to counter, so she held up her hand in defence and continued. "I don't know any of the songs that are playing, I can't dance, I don't even know what this stupid fruit-kick drink is called!"

"You mean - fruit punch?"

Rukia stilled. Somehow that hurt. Even after he had taught her a funny way to remember something from his world, she still couldn't fit in. "Yeah. I meant fruit punch." She looked down, feeling tears stinging her eyes.

"Rukia, listen." In what she thought was an uncharacteristically affectionate move from him, he took her hands in his, and asked, "What's your favourite move with Shirayaku?"

"With Shirayaki? What's that got to do with anything?" Rukia protested.

"Just answer the question, baka."

Rukia thought for a moment. "Probably the first dance: Tsukishiro."

"Why?" Ichigo pressed.

"Why?" Rukia had never thought of that before. "It just feels right. Like breathing. As if I was born to do it."

"Ah - so the person who was born to dance is upset that she can't dance?" Ichigo teased.

Realizing she'd been played, Rukia hit him on the chest. "You know that's not I mean."

"Of course I know that's not you mean! My point is you can dance. Beautifully too. Isn't your zanpaktou called the most beautiful in Soul Society?" He took her hands and wrapped it around his neck, and then took his own and put it on her waist. "And this sort of dancing that you say you can't do? This is easy to learn."

Ichigo laughed. His carefree laugh that she loved so much.

"Here, Rukia - move your feet a little. There you go. One, two, three -" he swirled around with her with an easy grace. "See that's not so hard, right?"

Rukia had to smile. "Fine, fine… I'll let you win this time. This dance is not so hard."

Ichigo laughed again. "You know all this high school dancing is really just an excuse to be close to the person you fancy." He pulled her closer, still swaying to the distant sound of the music from the party inside.

"Ichiiigo, what are you doing?! You're too close. Too close!" muttered a red face Rukia.

Grinning, Ichigo replied, "Thought you wanted to learn how to be a part of this world, chibi. I'm just showing you what high school kids do." He swirled her out, and pulled her close again, feeling like he had the world in his hand.

"Ne Rukia, you want to know a secret?"

"Hm," Rukia said distractedly, concentrating more on her footwork than on Ichigo, trying not to trip.

"You know how you said you don't belong in this world?"

Rukia stopped and looked at Ichigo, her heart thundering in her ears. Please don't say it, she begged silently. She knew she didn't fit. But today of all days, she didn't think her heart could take it if Ichigo confirmed it.

"What's with that look, baka?" Ichigo pulled her even closer. "You're so dense sometimes, you know! You don't have to belong in this world, chibi."

Lifting her face, he looked straight into those beautiful violet eyes and whispered, "You are my world, Rukia."

...

Ishida watched his two friends dancing in the moonlight.

"Think he's ready to tell her how he feels?" Chad stepped in beside his friend.

Ishida smiled. "Chad, I think he's been ready since the day he stormed across two worlds to save her. Scratch that, I think he's loved Rukia from the very first day she came into his life."

Chad grinned. "Sounds like Ichigo, alright."

A loud gasp made them both turn around.

"That Ichigo - when did he become so comfortable flirting with Rukia chan?" Keigo wailed.

Ishida and Chad both laughed. Chad patted Keigo's back and said, "Let's get you a drink, buddy. I think the Rukia ship sailed away from you a long time ago. But you know there are always other girls out there."

...

Hope you liked it! I'm just getting back into writing, so would love to hear back feedback!