I just wanted to give a big shout out of thank you to may readers and reviewers! Y'all are wonderful!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Shuuhei nervously escorted Rukia to his car. Byakuya's whisper had him on edge, but Rukia's smile was a killer. He wanted what her brother said to cause her to illuminate with happiness.
"So where would you like to go?" He asked once they were both in the car.
"You're asking me? I thought you had this date planned." She replied slyly. Rukia was trying to hold in her laughter when Shuuhei's face fell. The man looked like someone stole his puppy.
Leaning over the console, Rukia placed a hand on his cheek. "Hey! I'm joking, Shuuhei! I would love some ramen for supper since Byakuya doesn't like the simple things in life anymore."
A sigh of relief escaped Shuuhei's lips. "Would House of Ramen be okay then? I hear that it has the best noodles around."
"That sounds lovely! It's one of my favorite places to eat, and one of my best friends works there! If Rangiku is working, then I can introduce you to her! She'll LOVE you!"
"Oh, joy!" Shuuhei muttered under his breath. Why couldn't they just have their first date in peace. Sure, it would be great to meet Rukia's friends, but he had enough shock with seeing Byakuya tonight.
"What was that, honey?" Rukia's asked sweetly in her little innocent voice. A sweat drop appeared on Shuuhei's face.
"I said whatever you want, dear!" Shuuhei said higher pitched than normal. He didn't want to piss her off twice in one night.
"That's what I thought." She had a twinkle in her eye. Inwardly, Rukia was trying not to laugh at Shuuhei's scared expression. "So, lover boy, I think it's time you spill the beans about knowing my brother."
"Do you really think grilling me while driving is the best option?" He asked skeptically.
"Yes." She replied with a smile that he could set the world on fire. "Logically speaking, you'd focus more on the road rather than worrying about if you are answering correctly."
"Damn! I didn't realize you were so much like your brother." He cursed under his breath, which caused Rukia to laugh hysterically.
"You haven't seen anything yet." She promised him.
"I'm kicking myself for never putting two and two together! I knew a few Kuchikis that weren't noble, so I thought you were apart of their branch since you work at the café. Never in a million years did I expect you to be the KUCHIKI princess! But you also never acted like Byakuya until right now." His head was spinning still from that revelation.
"I work at the café because I hate always relying on my brother, even if I have to take over Kuchiki Industries one day." She replied proudly.
"You're his heir?" Shuuhei asked with a gulp as he swerved to miss a bunny. This was Shuuhei's second mark in his favor for the night - not fainting or fighting her brother was the first.
"Eyes on the road, Doctor!" Rukia commanded; although, her voice held a hint of humor.
"Yes, ma'am." Shuuhei stated loudly.
"Now where was I?" Rukia thought about it for a moment before picking up her train of thought. "Ah, yes! I am his heir because he is stuck on an old fiancée who died."
"Can't the elders make him marry?" Shuuhei asked curiously.
"They could, but he has no desire to." Shuuhei's face fell. Rukia could see the storm of emotion clouding his face at her answer. She knew that she had to clear it up. "Don't worry. They won't pressure me either! Grandfather Genrie has a clause written in the will that as long as I am married by 30 or in a serious relationship at that time, the elders do not have a say in our love life."
"Any other curious questions?" She asked with a smile. Shuuhei was silent for a minute. "Since your curiosity is sated, are you going to tell me stories about you and Byakuya?" Rukia asked.
"Can we save this for dinner? I'm still processing you being basically a princess!" Shuuhei asked as he prayed she'd give him a break.
"I'll grant you a reprieve since you're nervous! You've handled everything thrown at you very well so far! Probably better than any of my other friends, except for the Shibas and Kurosakis." Rukia concluded with pride. Maybe she finally found a worthy man.
Once they arrived at the House of Ramen, Shuuhei went around the car to open Rukia's door for her. She nodded her head in thank you as she hid her face. Most men weren't as considerate as he was nor were they as well mannered. High marks!
A waitress greeted them as soon as they walked in the door, then she led them to a secluded table. "Enjoy your meal. You're waiter will be here shortly."
"Wait, ma'am..." Rukia got the attention of the hostess as she sent Shuuhei a wink. "Is Rangiku working tonight?"
"No, I am sorry. She's off for the next five days due to having a family member ill." Rukia swore after she thanked the hostess. She knew just who was "ill". Rangiku was playing opossum because Ichigo was still free from his studies.
Less than 5 minutes later, a male with bright blue hair greeted the couple. He eyed Rukia up and down causing Shuuhei to clinch his fist.
The man leaned down to whisper. She froze as he breath warmed tickled her ear. "Beautiful, why don't you ditch this loser? I'll make it worth your while." The blue-haired male said with a smirk.
Rukia took a deep breath. She squinted to read his name tag. "Does your sorry excuse for pick up lines really work, Grimmjow?" Her tone surprised both men. This was the tone of a haughty princess.
Large, blue eyes greeted her as she turned the tables on the rude waiter. "Excuse me, short stuff?" That was the wrong thing to say to the Kuchiki Princess.
Before she could punch him in the nose, Shuuhei grabbed him by the collar. "Please leave my girlfriend and I alone. If not, you'll regret it." Shuuhei warned the rude man.
Grimmjow didn't look impressed. Rukia could tell that he was about to retaliate. "One, my boyfriend there will kick your ass. He's a black belt. Very modest about the whole stuff, but I'm not." She told him with a triumphant grin at seeing the man lose his confidence. "Secondly, my brother is Byakuya Kuchiki. I'm sure you heard of him?" Now, the color was completely drained from Grimmjow's skin.
"Yes..." Grimmjow stuttered. This was a hell of a night for him. First woman who peaked his interest in a while was the sister to one of Japan's most powerful men.
"I'll make sure your life is a living hell. Now, you have the opportunity to be a good waiter and receive a decent tip, or you can go get someone to replace you. I don't care which one, but I do want my food." Both men stared at the little woman in amazement. Neither knew that Rukia was bluffing. She hated to draw attention to herself, but this was the best way to resolve this unwanted problem without blood shed.
"Yes, ma'am! Anything you need, and I will make sure it gets done!" Grimmjow replied. If the brother was anything like his sister, Grimmjow decided it was best to keep the Kuchikis happy. He happily tool took the couple's ordered and left them to themselves after he brought a complementary bottle of sake to the two. Shuuhei raised an eyebrow at the blue-haired man's miraculous attitude change.
"For someone so small, you can be scary as hell." Shuuhei told her.
"Thank you!" Rukia replied with a bright smile. "I learned everything from my brother!"
Shuuhei shook his head. Now, he understood why Byakuya never introduced Rukia to kendo. Speaking off Byakuya... "Since our food will be hear shortly, do you want to hear the story?"
"Yes! Please!" Rukia excitedly jumped in her set. Shuuhei laughed at her eagerness; although, it could be the sake.
"Byakuya and I have been friends for seven years. We were the greatest rivals, but then something changed. We were always stuck with each other fighting because the others couldn't keep up with us." He said laughing. "Byakuya hated having anyone near as good as him even if he won more. I was right on his tail. After a few months of not backing down and giving as good as I got in the fights, we became friends. Then we made our one rule - ever speak of the outside world - a.k.a. our families or work - while we were fighting. "
"That defiantly sounds like my brother. Always Mr. In Control."
"He's not always. Come to think about it, you both tend to favor each other." He told her. Rukia brown furrowed. Shuuhei could tell that he confused her. "Your eyes tell me everything, sweetheart. But your brother, his tell is in the way he fights. The worst day he has, the harder he fights pushing both of us to the max. Those were the days that I wanted to break out promise, but didn't."
"I didn't realize we gave away so much." A hint of shock still evident in her voice.
"You only do to the people who know you." Rukia arched a delicate eyebrow. "Sweetheart, we may not have been friends long, but I can read you like a book."
"Then, what am I thinking now?" She asked curiously. Rukia wanted to see how accurate his powers were.
"You think I'm nuts." Shuuhei said laughing. "Probably regretting agreeing to my date because I'm weird. Your eye are crinkling right now so you find me amusing even! You're curious about my other hidden talents now, and you are starving for food."
Her look of astonishment said it all. He was right on all - or at least - most accounts. "Nice. You just may get a second date just for trick!" Shuuhei smiled like he just won the lottery. Rukia wanted a second date? He could jump for joy!
Suddenly, they were interrupted by their meal, but neither one of them cared. The talked about their childhood, family, and import events in their life. These were the things that were missing from their brief chats at the café. The couple laughed and talked the night away in their little corner until the restaurant closed.
"Where do I need to drop you off?" Shuuhei asked as he got in the car.
"My apartment would be great!" Rukia replied with a big lopsided smile.
Shuuhei took off following the directions that his petite gave him. Shortly arriving outside a lovely apartment complex near the cafe, Shuuhei ran around to open Rukia's car door and help her out. "Well here we are..." He trailed off as they arrived at Rukia's door.
"Yeah... Uhm, would you like a night cap?" Rukia asked.
Ever the gentleman, he declined. Determination set in. Rukia wasn't going to let the handsomest man she's been on a date with in ages escape that easily. Before he could leave, she maneuvered him to where his back was against her door.
"So Shuuhei, I never did thank you properly for my flowers." Rukia said as she leaned in closer pushing him up against the door. "I loved what each tulip meant. If you keep this up, you're going to go a long way with me." She promised as she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned up on her tip toes to kiss him. Their lips met, and it was like lightning struck both of them. Their veins heated with excitement. A shocked Shuuhei allow Rukia to deepen this kiss. She parted her mouth allowing him to slip his tongue in there. The battle of dominance commenced until Rukia gave away to Shuuhei's lead and taking his place.
Shuuhei swore he died and went to heaven. This whole night and the little angel in his arms was all a dream. In the next moment, he'd wake up on his bed frustrated because he failed his date with Rukia. But none of that happened as he pinched his arm.
Out of breath, they finally came up for air. "You're going to be the death of me." He whispered as he leaned his forehead on hers for a moment.
"Nah, you'll be fine. If you can keep up with my brother, you certainly can keep up with me." She replied with a wink.
Talking a step back, Rukia leaned up to place a sweet kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for the wonderful night, Mr. Hisagi. You were a wonderful date."
"Ms. Kuchiki, would you go out with me again?" He asked full of confidence. After that kiss, the world could end, and he wouldn't have cared. Shuuhei Hisagi got to kiss the girl of his dreams.
"You bet your ass on it!" She replied with a smile as she opened her door. Shuuhei waited for her to lock up before he left.
Rukia watched Shuuhei walk back to his car from her window. Ms. Little-Perfect had a secret. She really liked the man who just left. Their kiss wasn't partly to blame on the sake like he thought. No, the sake provided a damn fine excuse to kiss the man she'd been dreaming about for the past two weeks. Needless to say, it was damn well worth the risk!
Yeah, a little OCC but I thought it was cute!
A little note if you're wondering... Overall, tulips represent fame and perfect love. White tulips mean newness and heaven. Pink tulips mean affection and caring. Orange tulips mean desire and passion. ** Different sources may tell you something else.