AN: Hey guys, thanks for the reviews… Please continue to read XD! Since this is almost like a prelude to…ICHIRUKINESS! Hehehe… And to you regular reviewers – keep being them – I never get tired (even though you may think so) of reading reviews from my regular reviewers! And people who arent regular reviewers...better start XD...WAHHHHH I HOPE I GET past 100 this chapter :P SOB...Last chapter only got 6 reviews T.T... If this continues I'm gonna quit! REALLY! YEAH! -sees a baseball bat...- ok, ok, I'll keep going.. jeez...but review peoples!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach…

A Summer Job – Responsibilities

Kuchiki Rukia looked up at her friend. Needless to say, he was seething angrily. But, knowing her orange-haired companion…he was bottling it all up inside. He had done that before, she thought. Like the time when nii-sama and Renji had come to retrieve her from the real world. He fought like anything, and when he lost, he had mostly kept quiet, keeping all those feelings inside of him. She was worried. What would happen to Ichigo if something did happen to his family?

"You need a break."

"Huh?" Ichigo looked down at his shinigami friend. Her hair was so soft and glossy that the light from the sunset shone from her head.

"I said, you need a break," Rukia stated plainly.

"What? Why would I need a break?"

"Look at you. You're having a big cry just because you didn't go."

Ichigo looked down at her in surprise. How did she know he was feeling a bit sore because he didn't get caught? He thought he was masking it pretty well…

Rukia sighed. If he thought that he was masking the fact that he really wanted to go to the real world to fight the arrancars he was seriously wrong. Ok, maybe to a normal person he would just seem like he was like that normally, but Rukia was far from normal. She had lived most of her life next to the Kuchiki Byakuya a.k.a Brick Wall.

She was good at reading people's emotions, as you would when the person you lived with conveyed his emotions once every 100 years.

When Ichigo didn't say anything she sighed inwardly. "Come on, how bout you come with me to have tea with nii-sama. That'll surely calm you-…" she didn't finish her sentence, or rather couldn't. She was interrupted by a spluttering, red-faced Ichigo.

"W-w-WHAT? How the hell would that calm me down? Are you crazy?" Ichigo had perfected the art of stuttering while shouting.

"I'm JOKING," she answered him with a blank face. "Jeez."

"Hmmph." Ichigo turned his head away from her. Damn woman. First, she tells him that he needs a break. Why the hell would he need a break when it was only his 2nd day on the job? And now, she tells him that a good 'break' would be to hang out with Byakuya, that fricken emotionless brother of hers. (Who, he had a bad feeling, didn't like him very much…nothing to do with Ichigo beating him in battle though…)

Rukia looked at Ichigo in disbelief. Ok, he definitely needed a break. Soul Society and its duties must have been too stressful for him. She stifled a giggle as she saw Ichigo's face. Orihime was right. He really did have a funny face.

"Ok, seriously…Do you want to go to one of the lakes in Soul Society?"

Ichigo blinked. "A lake?"

Rukia smiled, her most innocent smile. "Yep!"

"No." With that Ichigo started walking again.

"Awwww, come on Ichigo, it's really cool!"

Ichigo looked at her again. "Rukia. It's a lake."

"I know! It's great isn't it?"

Something clicked. "Rukia, how many lakes does Soul Society have?"

"Only 3. But there's one near the Court of Pure Souls…"

"…"

"And I really want to go…" She was pleading him now. She actually did want to visit the lake sometime, but since it was so far away, she could hardly get the time off to do it. However, she could bring Ichigo, since whenever she was with Ichigo she felt like she could just break all the rules…

"So…You're telling me that in the whole of Soul Society there is only 3 lakes?"

"Yep!"

Ichigo sweat dropped. "Have you ever seen one before?"

"Nope!"

Ichigo sighed. "So what you're saying is, you want me to come with you."

"Yep!"

Jeez. This girl could be so annoying. But for some reason, Ichigo didn't refuse.

"Ok, ok, I'll come…"

"Yay!"

Ichigo gave her a blank look. "If you speak like that again, I won't come."

"Fine, fine," Rukia glared at him, but inside she was secretly happy that Ichigo had decided to go with her.

"What about Mr. Big guy?"

"Who?"

"You know, that old guy with a beard, and he's a captain…"

"Oh. We won't tell him," she replied with a mischievous grin.

Ichigo looked away. "And what about your brother?"

"We won't tell him either."

Ichigo sweat dropped. This girl was crazy. And he was crazier for going along with her stupid plan. In his whirlwind of thoughts he forgot to ask her how long it took to get to the stupid lake.

"So, um, when do we leave?"

"Now."

"What? Its like…nearly dark!" Ichigo looked at Rukia carefully. She was feeling all right, wasn't she?

"So?" she looked back at him, her eyes sparkling.

Ichigo just let out an invisible air bubble.

Byakuya sat at his desk, mentally recounting the events that had just occurred. What were those two arrancar for? Ugh. He couldn't think properly in the confines of his room. With that stray thought, he put on his captain coat and walked outside for a stroll.

He came across the garden area of his estate when he heard voices that seemed strangely familiar.

Kurosaki Ichigo, with Rukia.

"We have to WALK?" Ichigo asked her in disbelief. "Don't you guys have any other form of transport here?"

"Get over it, you lazy bum."

"Not lazy. Just that it would FRICKEN help if we had a FRICKEN car."

"A car? Ichigo, you're under age anyway!"

"Sh…shutup! Those rules don't apply here!"

Byakuya frowned. Arguing as usual. But somehow, those two…they seemed to care greatly for one another. It was the weirdest relationship ever. They bickered, and bickered, but somehow there was a twinge of affection, that people never failed to notice.

Hence the reason why they were the second most popular "item" in the Court of Pure Souls. Byakuya made a mental note to talk to Kurosaki Ichigo sometime about his (Ichigo's) relationship with his sister. He also wanted to talk about Ichigo's use of profanities. He didn't want his sister going around with a guy like that. Maybe now would be a good time.

As he was about to reveal himself to the pair, a presence behind him made him turn around, and grip his sword. It couldn't be…

"Shhhh…We're in nii-sama's grounds."

"Bah," Ichigo looked away. "Just 'cause you couldn't think of a good comeback." He received a good punch in the jaw after that. Even so, he kept quiet until they were out of the estate.

"Kuchiki-taichou."

Why on earth would someone like him be here? "Yamamoto-taichou," Byakuya replied without breaking pace.

"We need to talk."

"Of course. Please come inside."

When they were inside, and seated, Byakuya asked, "What is it that you want to speak to me about?"

"Several things." The old man looked at him. "But mainly about the upcoming captaincy contest."

"Excuse me for asking, but why are you asking me?"

"I wanted to take a look at the garden."

If Byakuya was a normal person he would have fallen off his seat. If they were sitting on seats, that is. However, he was not a normal person and his expression did not change.

"I see."

"Actually, I'm talking to you because you are the captain of the person that is surely the favourite of the competition. Abarai Renji."

After lingering in a few moments of silence, Byakuya said, "I am aware of that."

The first division captain looked at Byakuya carefully. "What I want to ask you is this: Do you think he is ready?" The words hung in the air.

Lucky that Renji wasn't about that particular moment because he would have died from what his captain had said.

"Yes, he is more than ready," Byakuya paused. "he has achieved his ban kai, and fights to a level that is above most other vice-captains. I would, however, question his manners and attitude more than anything, but that is all."

The old man smiled. That was probably the closest to praising someone that Byakuya could get.

"I see." The old man closed his eyes. "There is one other person that is trying out, that I believe may catch your interest."

"Hisagi?"

The old man nodded.

"He is strong enough."

"Is that all?" the old man asked. Surely, there must be something more.

"That is all. However, I think you should be more concerned about her."

"Hinamori Momo?"

"Yes. She has enough power to become captain. And there are certain rumours that she is training to achieve her ban kai."

"Hmm…" If Hinamori actually did try out, and she got hurt, it might bring winter to Soul Society. "I'm hoping that she doesn't…since Hitsugaya-taichou seems extremely protective of her."

Byakuya looked up. There was something in the old man's voice when he said the words, "extremely protective".

"Like another captain I know."

"Yamamoto-taichou?"

"You know what I'm talking about, Kuchiki Byakuya."

"…"

"Kuchiki Rukia. I know you arranged for her to not become a seated member of her division. However, her skills and power are greatly needed." The old man paused, noting the glint in Byakuya's eyes. "I'm not forcing anything. I'm just saying that it's about time you gave her the position she deserves."

The old man straightened. "Thank-you for your time." With that, Yamamoto walked to the open door, but before he left he whispered softly, but Byakuya heard it. His fists clenched as the old man left, but he knew that he was right.

"What if she tries out for captaincy? Then what would you do?"

Damn that old man. Damn him for being right.

Flashback

"Are you sure you want this Byakuya?"

"Yes."

"Ok. I know it's none of my business, but may I just ask, why? Aside from the fact that a seated position is a lot more dangerous. Surely there is something more."

Kuchiki Byakuya turned from the other captain.

"Because, Ukitake-taichou, I don't want her to feel that big responsibility that comes with a seated position."

End Flashback


The other captains knew of it, but none spoke of it openly. They knew that Kuchiki Rukia was strong enough to gain a seated position. The also knew that somehow Byakuya had stopped her from gaining any position.

His thoughts turned to the orange haired shinigami named Kurosaki Ichigo. However, with him in the picture maybe it was time she learnt a little responsibility.

Flashback


"Why are you late?"

"I was…I was with Ichi- I mean, Kurosaki-taichou, nii-sama."

"Is that so."

"Why do you spend so much time with him, Rukia?"

"Nii-sama, he is…my friend."

"Are you sure?"

"What?" Rukia stopped speaking for a moment. "O-of course I'm sure he's my friend."

"Rukia. Think carefully. Is he more than just a friend?"

"Nii-sama," she replied softly, "It's…just a close friendship." She turned to go upstairs.

"Rukia…that is not the truth."

He watched her stop at the first step of the staircase.

"…"

"Rukia. Do not let me hold you back from your true feelings."

He watched her ascend slowly up the stairs, and then he slowly got up and opened a cabinet near him. "Am I doing the right thing?" He lingered a moment before closing the cabinet. "Hisana…"

End Flashback


Byakuya sat there, the minutes ticking away with his mind. If Rukia achieved some sort of position, she would feel the responsibility weighing down on her shoulders.

But, maybe that would be good for her, Byakuya decided. With the weight of responsibility she would definitely figure out whether her feelings for the temporary 5th division captain was real or not.

Because…if her feelings were real, the responsibility and problems that came with a position in the Gotei-13 would be nothing compared to the responsibility and problems that just being together with him brought. But it would prepare her, even if only a little bit.

She was, after all, a shinigami, and he, a human.

AN: How'd you like it? I'm pretty happy with this chapter, and I think it really shows Byakuya's big-brotherness. XD Being a big brother myself I kinda relate to him and Ichigo :P Well, since you've been reading along..until now..don't you think its time to give me a bit of feed back...Come on guys... the review button...its calling you...its dancing seductively...ahem..yes..anyway..please review.. Oh, and Byakuya wanted to say this -

Byakuya: Why am I having so much flashbacks? It ruins my 'cool' image. 'Cool' people don't have flashbacks...They have...scarves...and haircurlers...

Erm..forgive me, it is, after all, quite early in the morning...