Chapter 18: The Sleepover

The weekend couldn't come quick enough for Verena. She hadn't had a sleepover like this in a very long time and with Ichigo going along with it like he was, it made things even better. As the final bell rang Verena practically jumped out of her seat with joy. It was the start of her three day weekend with the girls. Looking over at Ichigo she could tell he was both dreading this and was a bit apprehensive about it. She knew from her past sleepovers that she and Tatsuki had basically tormented Ichigo, Tatsuki more so than she had; but this time would be different.

As the she waited by the outside gate Verena noticed a bunch of punks waiting around across the street. Ignoring them she hoped they'd be gone before Ichigo arrive, unfortunately it seemed they were waiting for her brother because as soon as he arrived they began to cross the street towards them. Ichigo placed himself between Verena and the three punks. The leader he recognized from his altercation to help Chad a few years back. "Hey, if it ain't the orange haired rat." The skinny guy began as he looked Ichigo up and down. "Seems you grew an inch or two since I last saw you."

Inside his inner world white Zangetsu cracked his knuckles. He knew his King wouldn't call on his strength to take care of a bunch of pricks, but still, the hollow really wished he could assist his King with people like these. As for Ichigo, he stayed calm on the outside though he really wanted to kick this guy's ass. "Go away." was all he said, it was also the only warning the gangster punk was going to get from the orange haired teen.

The man chuckled as the two others flanked him. Verena wasn't new to fighting idiots like these, but she knew Ichigo wasn't one to fight unless someone he cared about was in danger or if he was the one about to get his ass kick. Fortunately it was at this time that Sado Chad came around the front gate with both Tatsuki and Orihime in tow. All three teens saw the situation, but it was Chad who reacted first. The tall darker skinned youth ran forward and before the lanky skinny gangster could react he was suddenly getting a face full of fist. One of the lackey's, a fat man, went to attack Chad from behind with a pair of brass knuckles in his hands. Ichigo saw this and kicked the fat man in the face sending him sprawling on the concrete. The third guy thought going after Verena would be a good idea; instead he found himself flat on his face grasping his privates as she had kicked him between the legs as hard as she could.

Tatsuki grinned and nodded at the results of the fight as three men were now either unconscious or about to pass out on the pavement. "Nice kick Verena." she praised her friend with a thumbs up.

Rukia then came around the corner after having heard a commotion and came to investigate it. She really shouldn't have been surprised to find the Kurosaki twins in the middle of a fight, but what really surprised her was the reiatsu coming from the tall youth, Sado Yasutora. The young man was always sitting behind Ichigo, but she never paid much attention to him. Now, however, she could sense something powerful coming from the young man. This shouldn't be possible. She looked between him and Ichigo, the smile on the orange haired boy's face was nice to see. It was then something came to her. What if Ichigo is leaking his spiritual powers? Could that in fact lead to Yasutora gaining his own powers, similar to a Quincy, but not? She was curious and this new mystery just added to the strange things that were happening around the two siblings. She had to talk to Urahara about this.

"So what are the plans girls?" Tatsuki inquired as they left the punks behind them. Ichigo trailing behind the three girls with Rukia staying silent next to him.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he kept pace with her steps, which meant they were going slower.

"This world and its customs still confuse me." she told him. "From watching how girls seem to approach the boys at your school to seeing how Verena can take on a full grown man with no problem, they seem to conflict each other. The girls act so fidgety around the boys they like, but your sister goes against the norm and does whatever she wants."

Ichigo nodded. "That's Vere for ya." he said. "She's a lot like me. We both go against the norm. Hell, we're not normal. We've been able to see spirits since we were kids. I could hear my Zanpakuto since I was nine when a hollow attacked my parents and I long ago." He saw Rukia looking at him with wide eyes. "It's how we lost my father. He was a Shinigami, which is why we're part Shinigami."

"Right, you said his name was Isshin Shiba, but you go by Kurosaki to hide from his enemies." She looked up at him once again. "What enemies and where are they?" The only reason she asked was because she wanted to know if she had to be on alert.

"I don't know. Mom never talks about it and Urahara keeps quiet about it." he said this with a shrug. "One day I hope to figure it out, but for now," he pulled his school bag over his shoulder. "I just want to get through high school."

Rukia sighed as she walked next to Ichigo. They hold so much power and have such responsibility, but sometimes even I forget that they're just children. "Urahara thinks I may be here longer than originally planned." she told him. "So it looks like I'm going to be needs lessons on how to act human."

Ichigo smirked at her words. "I can give you a few pointers." he joked.

"I'd appreciate it." she said before they went into a easy silence.

Meanwhile Tatsuki looked behind her as Orihime was telling Verena of the sweet bean whatever that she'd created for tonight. Watching how Ichigo interacted with the Kuchiki girl made her grin. "Yo, Verena," she began, interrupting Orihime in her description of her latest concoction. "I think your brother likes the Kuchiki girl."

Verena looked over her shoulder and watched her brother who was looking down at Rukia as they walked side by side. "I wouldn't doubt it." she replied back as she turned her focus towards her friends. "She's staying with us too."

"Eh?" Orihime inquired. "Why haven't I seen her? I've been there all week!" She began to fret that perhaps she'd overlooked something.

Verena started yo laugh. "I wouldn't doubt that you have seen her." she stated. "You've been too busy watching Ichigo most nights."

Province's face turned bright red at being caught. "Oh?" Tatsuki questioned as she looked at her friend with a lecherous grin on her face. "Do you have a crush on Ichigo?"

Orihime's suddenly felt trapped. Her face was feeling overly hot. "I-I-I..." she stuttered. "I do!" she cried out gaining Ichigo's attention from behind her. She began to feel very nervous. "I like him. A lot." she whispered feeling as if all eyes were on her. "He's alwAys been kind to me and never makes crude comments about me and if he hears somebody doing so he stands up for me, along with Sado. They're both so kind to me and I-" she flushed. "I like him. Ichigo is kind."

"Yeah, my brother is kind." Verena agreed with her friend. "I don't think you have much to worry about with Rikus though."

"Why?" Tatsuki inquired as Verena took a few steps ahead of them before Turning a grinning at them.

"She's a Shinigami, but a cool one." she stated before taking off.

"What?!" Tatsuki cried out before running after Verena with Orihime seeming to freeze up.

As the two caught up to Orihime, Ichigo caught her attention. Can it be true? she wondered as she looked over towards Rukia who seemed to be in deep thought. Is Kuchiki a Shinigami? But if so, how can we see her? she wondered as she walked quietly beside Ichigo who was now wondering what got Tatsuki so excited a few moments ago. He would've asked Orihime, but she seemed to be in deep thought.

You good King? Ichigo heard his hollow speak.

Yeah, why? he asked the albino being.

The sun just vanished. the hollow pointed out. It comes out when you're happy, but leaves when you get sad. It rains when you're depressed though.

Are you complaining? Ichigo asked.

The hollow scoffed. Hell no! he yelled before going silent for a moment. The old man hates the rain. I hate when it floods.

I'll try to stay happy. Ichigo told the white haired doppelganger.

I'd really like that. The hollow grinned. So are you going to cause trouble tonight?

Ichigo grinned evily. Hell yeah. He felt his hollow side suddenly grin at this. Tonight was going to be fun. A little payback for the years of torture by Tatsuki and his sister. He was going to scare them. Besides, his mother was in on his prank. He just hoped she'd be able to keep quiet about this until he did it.

Verena eyed Ichigo carefully. He was being nice, way too nice to everyone. He was getting them snacks, filling their drinks and he even let Yuzu put bows in his hair, which made him look ridiculous. Bright pink did not go with orange hair very well. Both Tatsuki and Orihime were having fun as they watched a comedy on the tv. She enjoyed the curry that Yuzu had made, though she did get some satisfaction when Rukia seemed to get red faced at eating the spicy food. Maybe she was looking too far into things and Ichigo was genuinely being nice to ensure the girls enjoyed their first real sleepover.

"I don't get it." Karin said suddenly as she looked behind her at Verena. "The guy likes the girl, but he's going to let her marry another guy just to let her be happy, but in doing so will make him sad. Shouldn't he fight for her?"

"He may realize that it's a lost cause." Tatsuki told the younger girl as Orihime finished painting Rukia's nails. "She's a ditz anyway for choosing the other guy over him. He's a doctor and helps the poor, but the other guy is a total looser and more than likely he's only after her money, since she makes way more than him as a lawyer."

"But he's a sweet guy and has his own business." Orihime pointed out. "I don't think he's a looser."

"But he is after her money." Tatsuki challenged.

"Or is sleeping with her best friend." Verena added causing everyone to look at her.

"Oh. My." Orhime gasped.

Tatsuki blinked in surprise. "I didn't think of that one!" she yelled.

"He might be gay but over compensating by marrying her." Ichigo put his two cents in. Suddenly he got four pillows thrown at him.

"Ichigo!" Verena chided.

"Is that true?" Rukia whispered having not even thought of that one.

Orihime giggled. "I think so." she answered.

Rukia chuckled. "Nice guess Ichigo." she told him with a thumbs up.

Ichigo chuckled as he pulled one of the pillows off of his head before throwing them back at the girls. "He's seen it." Verena pouted. "Now the movie is ruined."

"Well, he didn't say if the two go through with the marriage or if she finds out and leaves him for the guy she really belongs with." Orihime stated causing everyone to sigh.

Ichigo covered his mouth as he did know the ending, but knew if he spoiled it that he'd really get it. "Who wants ice cream?" All eyes turned towards Masaki as she came into the room with two bowls of ice cream. She looked up at the movie. "Oh! Have you gotten to the part where she finds out her fiancee is gay yet?"

"Mom!" Verena complained as everyone began to groan.

"Oops." Masaki covered her lips as she looked apologeticly towards her daughter. "I'm sorry sweetie."

Tatsuki clicked the movie off. "Okay, that's ruined." she said as she went through the dvd's. "How about the grudge? Has anybody seen that?"

"Is it scary?" Yuzu asked.

"Uh..." Tatsuki began.

"It is and if you think you can't handle it, you can go upstairs." Karin glared at her twin. The younger of the two stuck her tongue out at her.

"Put it in!" Yuzu commanded Tatsuki as she pulled her teddy bear close to her chest.

Karin grinned as she was given her bowl of ice cream. "What's this one about?" Rukia asked Verena.

"A vengeful spirit and a curse it's put on people." Verena told her. "It's spooky." She grinned when she saw Rukia lean forward to prepare herself for the movie. It was just as the movie hit the really scary part that the girls were so into the movie that they hadn't noticed that Ichigo had disappeared nor had they noticed that it was completely dark in the house except for the light coming from the television. Rukia and Orihime were so engrossed into what was happening in the movie, at the same time both Yuzu and Karin were gripping each other waiting to see what was about to happen when from behind the couch Ichigo made his move.

Jumping out with a ghostly mask over his face he roars out at the girls just as the main character is about to be killed by the ghost. Mayhem occurred afterwards with both Tatsuki and Verena kicking out at him hitting Ichigo in the face ans chest as both Orihime and Rukia cry out in fright. Yuzu screamed as Karin threw a nearby soccer ball at Ichigo's head, only to hit Verena. In the end Ichigo's hollow is left cackling as everyone is yelling at Ichigo who is left sprawled out on the floor after being kicked by both his sister and Tatsuki. In his defence, he may not have thought this one through.

A flash of light, along with a clicking sound caught everyone's attention. The lights suddenly turned on revealing Masaki with a camera and a bright smile. Ichigo suddenly grinned up at Verena who was rubbing the back of her head. Another click of the camera occurred before Ichigo raised his hands up and pulled both Tatsuki and Verena down onto the floor by their shirts, causing the both to land on him when he suddenly burst out laughing at the put off look Yuzu and Karin had. Orhime began laughing as Rukia peered around the back of the couch at the Orange haired teen, a soft smile upon her lips. Another click was heard, but nobody paid it any mind as they were now enjoying themselves in getting back at Ichigo and him scaring them.

Outside near the river that ran through Karakura Town a bright light exploded throughout the darkness of night as a Senkaimon opened from Soul Society. A single shinigami soldier walked out. His person was covered in a dark cloak as he raced out of the portal into the town in search of one Rukia Kuchiki to bring her back to where she belonged.

M-Angel: I know, nothing happened in this chapter, but in the next chapter there will be a bit more action in the story. Just a reminder, I have poll up on my profile that pertains to the Espada arc. Please check it out. Thanks!