Author's note: This story is based on the part after the Vaizard introduced himself to Ichigo. Anyway thanks for all those reviews! I really appreciate them very much. Thanks:D
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It's that feeling again. That feeling of emptiness, which eats away slowly and painfully at your soul. Ichigo has always tried to forget and lock away this feeling by giving his biggest frown, but somehow it's always there, nibbling away at his heart's inner recesses.
Rukia jumped at the frown Ichigo just flashed her. She'd forgotten how ugly his face can turn whenever he frowns. Recently Ichigo seems to be feeling down – must be the lack of hollows for him to vent his frustrations on. Was there something wrong with her mobile phone? Perhaps she should pay Urahara a visit after school today…
"Kuchiki san."
Someone was waving a pencil in front of her face.
"Huh? Oh. Sorry, I was daydreaming. Is anything the matter?"
It was that new student again. She didn't really like the look on his face – he reminded her of some slimy snake waiting to pounce on his prey. Moreover, he seems to be the main cause of Ichigo's unhappiness and distress recently.
"Shall we go on a date after school today?"
Rukia thought that there were something wrong with her ears. There was a sudden great buzzing in the classroom and dark shadows fluttered towards her desk with the speed of light.
"Kuchiki san! Are you really going out on a date with that new guy?"
"Wow! Kuchiki san is being asked out on a date!"
"Aw man! I should have asked Kuchiki san out first!"
Rather puzzled by the amount of attention she was receiving, Rukia turned to Ichigo to ask him what was happening and what was a date, but Ichigo seemed not to notice the commotion that was happening in class right now. He was still staring out of the window.
Someone leaned close to Rukia and whispered, " If you want to help Ichigo, then accept the date. See you after school at the park playground." This was followed by a quick peck on Rukia's cheek. Rukia didn't have the time to react – the class had erupted into screaming and catcalls and some overenthusiastic boys had lifted the new student away, cheering him for his daring act, celebrating. The rest of the class crowded around Rukia and started bombarding her with weird questions, which she didn't really know how to answer.
Normally Rukia would have kicked that guy in the face and thrown him out the window, but this time was an exception, therefore the class's huge reaction. However, it wasn't really because Rukia liked that new student, but that Rukia was confused and worried for Ichigo. Can that new student really help Ichigo? Rukia's mind was in a mess, and she couldn't think straight. Something was wrong with her. Probably she didn't get enough sleep the previous few days due to Ichigo's frequent nightmares. She really should go meet that new student right now. Oblivious to her chaotic surroundings, Rukia picked up her bag and elbowed her way out of the crowd, heading for the park playground.
Ichigo turned around, annoyed by the noise being made. The entire class was crowding around someone…Oh. Rukia. Did she do something highly entertaining again? Ichigo wondered idly as he started moving towards Rukia's table. To his surprise, Rukia pushed her way out of the crowd just as he reached the edge of the clamouring students and elbowed him rather painfully in the stomach, pushing him to the ground before rushing to the classroom door.
Ichigo stared at Rukia's retreating back in astonishment. What in the world is happening? Why is Rukia rushing off halfway during school hours without telling him the reason?
As Rukia made a mad dash for the classroom door, nobody noticed the odd snake-like tattoo which had appeared on the back of her hand.
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How's Chapter 2?:D