Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone!

And please read the ending A/N!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach... or LMH sadly...

Chapter 6: Life As We Know It

After the fair a few weeks back, Rukia couldn't find any more opportunities to play out her plan. Either everyone was busy working at their part time jobs, or she, being fairly lazy, just didn't feel "in the mood" for anything, even if it was helping a friend out.

According to her, matchmaking wasn't exactly top priority on her list anymore, especially when it came to oblivious buffoons who didn't know a thing about flirting!

So life went on regularly, with everyone going to school, then to work, and Rukia occasionally attempting to find out what she would do for her next plan. Taking it slow was probably the best choice. She never got the chance to talk to Ichigo about Orihime anyways, so it was better that everyone was busy.

"I don't see what's so special about it," said Ichigo, blankly staring at the phone screen currently being shoved in his face. "It looks like a waste of money," he brushed away her hand and readjusted the pillow under his head.

Rukia stared at him with her mouth hanging open as he went back to his book, "What do you mean there's nothing special about this? This is the one and only special edition gold and crystal embroidered Chappy paperweight that I've been waiting so long for! I've commissioned three replicates to be made… but they're not as genuine as the original!"

He rolled his eyed, not sparing her a glance, "Obviously, it can't be genuine unless it were the original. And while I knew you were crazy, this about justifies it; you, Kuchiki Rukia, are one crazy bitch."

This time it was her turn to roll her eyes, "As if I haven't heard that one before. And I may be crazy, but I at least know how to enjoy life rather than rereading unabridged versions of Shakespeare's plays all day." She looked over at him, and jumped off the couch, "You're boring, I'm going to grab a snack."

"It's not like I live to entertain you, your majesty," he replied sarcastically. "And when you say, 'to live,' do you mean that I have to waste countless amounts of my money on a paperweight to really live?"

"Not exactly, but if you choose to waste money on a Chappy paperweight, I don't see the problem at all," she said, rummaging through the fridge. "And while I'm here, I might as well teach you a thing or two! Kind of like those cheesy old movies where there's a lesson learned at the end!"

"Eh, I'd rather not, thank you very much." Ichigo yawned and flipped to the next page of his book.

She frowned, "Too bad, I'm teaching you anyway." She spooned some green tea ice cream, and sat down next to him on the couch. "Lesson one, stop being such a kill joy all the time," she poked the bottom of his foot with her finger, and when he didn't budge, she grinned evilly. Standing up, she slowly moved her hand down to his knee, where she squeezed both sides of his knee with her fingers, instantly causing him to jump up from the sensation that was shot up his leg.

She laughed playfully before running away with her spoon of green tea ice cream sticking out of her mouth.

And Ichigo, having lost his page, glared daggers her way. "I'm going to choke you!"

Lying on with her stomach against the bed, she stared at the manga in her hands with much concentration, her eyebrows practically touching, deep in thought.

The manga she was currently reading was very relatable. The main heroine was in the same situation she was in. They were both playing matchmaker to help their friends get together, so maybe it was fate that she found this manga… that it was a message!

"Oi, Ichigo, I heard somewhere that it's good to take advice from manga. Is that true?" she asked, out of the blue. She waited for his answer, swinging her legs back and forth in the air as she leaned her head in her hand.

Ichigo shrugged, "I don't know, I guess…" he said, not taking his eyes off his book.

Taking that as a yes, she nodded to herself, "Hmm… I see."

Maybe she should take into account whatever the main heroine does and follow along if the situation fits. It seemed like a good idea since Rukia herself didn't plan that far ahead. And according to the manga, she was doing certain things wrong.

Nodding, she skipped a few pages in the manga book, I suppose that makes sense! Getting them to know each other more and putting them in uncomfortable situations should work the charm, she thought, smirking to herself. I'm so clever…

"What are you smiling at?" asked her orange haired friend, looking at the book she held in her hands. He recognized that kind of smile; a suspiciously crafty kind of smile. "Do you have some evil scheme plotted in that nutshell of yours?"

She stuck her tongue at him and sat up, "Not quite," she stood up and grinned evilly before leaving the room.

Ichigo raised a single brow, confused. This wasn't the first time Rukia's smiled like that and then left the room. It was pretty creepy not knowing what she was thinking in that messed up head of hers.

Later that week…

Rukia readjusted her sleep mask before turning onto her side on the bed. She had been tossing and turning since two hours ago trying to sleep, but to no avail. Tonight just happened to be a night where she had no homework, which meant she didn't have to stay up her usual hours to get her work done. And being used to getting only two hours of sleep, or none at all, sleeping this early was anything but easy, especially when she drank her daily dose of coffee which was meant to help her stay up all night to do homework on other days.

She yawned, sticking one of her legs out from under the blanket. She was pretty tired of trying to sleep, which was kind of funny. She was tired, but not "sleepy" tired.

"Ugh! I can't take this, I'm going to go bug the idiot," she got up and scratched her head in frustration. She stomped –quietly- to Ichigo's room and opened the door, not even bothering to knock.

"Ichigo, I can't sleep…," whined Rukia, walking into his room uninvited.

He was still awake and at his desk, probably studying or doing homework. "What do you want me to do about it?"

"Play with me!"

He snorted, "Play? How old are you? Seven?" he said, not facing towards her.

"I was seven the last time you saw me, so that's why you should hang out with me right now!" she demanded, latching herself onto his arm, and forcefully pulling him out of the chair.

Ichigo frowned and lightly smacked at her arm to get off, "If you haven't noticed, it's eleven already!"

"Let's play video games," she said, awfully loudly, ignoring him. She managed to completely pull him out of the chair, despite her small size, and jump on top of him. She held his arms back, and used her legs to keep his legs from struggling.

After some friendly out banter and tussling, he finally gave in, "Fine, whatever! Just don't make so much noise!"

Rukia grinned in victory and rolled off of him.

"I love it when I win, heh," she smirked and jumped onto his bed. "Let's play street fighter!"

And that was how they ended staying up practically all night playing games.

"Damn you! That high kick kills me every time," growled Rukia, staring at the TV with much concentration. "I hate you."

"Love you too," Ichigo smirked and "killed" her again without a bit of effort. "You suck at this game, Chun Lee is not amused."

Rukia glared at him, "Shut up! I'm better at racing games. Let's play one of those," she rummaged through his collection of games before finding a game that appealed to her.

As they waited for the game to load, she popped up a question out of curiosity. "So… do you have anyone you like?" she smirked at him, nudging him in the side, "You don't need to lie. Rukia-nee won't tell."

He frowned, rolling his eyes, "No, I don't need to waste my time with girls."

"But you waste time with me!"

"You're different, I don't consider you a girl," he said, smirking. He then yawned, stretching out his neck and clicking a button on his controller to start the race.

"Should I be offended?" she said, glaring at him. "And you're not interested in dating either?"

Ichigo shook his head, "Nope. And why should I be interested? Girls are nothing but trouble, including you. Except you're not just trouble, you're also a pain in the ass."

"Glad to know," Rukia purposely slammed her car into Ichigo's in the game, even though they were on the "same team."

She mentally shook her head, I might even have to perform miracles to get this guy to like any girl! No wonder why Isshin questions his sexual orientation sometimes… although, I'm sure he's one hundred percent straight, unless he and Renji have something going on… no, just, no, thought Rukia, grimacing at her last thought.

Ichigo yawned, losing control of his car, "Can we go to sleep? It's four already."

"No!"

oOo

Finally finishing her English homework, Rukia got out of her chair and stretched her arms out. She almost squealed when she lost her balance, but let out a breath of relief when she caught herself on the chair.

"Damn, that was close," she whispered, fanning herself. She glanced over at her Chappy alarm clock and widened her eyes, "It's already time to get ready for school... fuck."

That was three now; three days that has survived with no sleep, or coffee.

Rukia groaned and walked into the hall, mentally slamming her head into the wall for not doing her English until the last second. Despite the warnings people gave her about procrastinating and being lazy, she honestly could help it! It was primetime and there were so many dramas and so little time!

Entering the bathroom, she made sure to turn on the light before entering, afraid that if she saw herself in the mirror with only the nightlight as her source of light, she would scream at seeing a short haired Sadako.

After attaining to her sanitary needs, she headed to Ichigo's room where she kicked at his mattress, which was her way of waking him up and giving him a sign that his father will barge in, in five minutes. She considered it a "random act of kindness," while he thought of it as "five minutes too early."

"Come on, it's time to get up... I need to copy your math," she whispered, nudging him on the side with her toe. Ichigo groaned and continued to lie still, most likely not even acknowledging her presence. "Get up, pretty please! I spent all night doing my English! I need that math."

He blinked open an eye, and looked up at her, "Well, that's too bad. Renji already stole it when I wasn't looking." He turned onto his other side, and closed his eyes, planning on cherishing the next four minutes.

Usually it was Ichigo who got up before Rukia, but ever since the start of the week, she's been the first one to rise before anyone else due to cramming for tests and starting large homework assignments very late at night.

"I knew there was a reason why I got the urge to punch him!" she said, climbing onto his bed and opening the window. Her knees dug into his bed while her legs rested on top of him as she leaned her elbows on the window sill.

"You're starting to act more like Tatsuki. I know everyone wants to punch him in the face, but you two seem to want to do it more often," said Ichigo, chuckling as he changed his position.

"It's not like you don't want to deck him either!" She turned to him, watching as he chuckled and sat up.

"I can't deny that, but you know what I mean," he said, poking her in the arm. "Now get out, I need to change."

She laughed, poking him back, "It's not like I haven't seen you in boxers before."

He raised a single brow, post taking off his shirt, "You want to see me in boxers?" he said jokingly.

"Nah, I'm good," she said, getting up and leaving, not before elbowing him playfully in the back. "And just so you know, I'm leaving first. I need to hunt down Renji for that math homework."

Ichigo rolled his eyes, buttoning up his shirt, "And just so you know, maybe you should try multitasking instead of starting your homework at ungodly hours. There is such a thing as doing homework and watching dramas."

"If I did that, then I'll miss the cute expressions of the adorable actors! Especially baby faced guys like Lee Min Ho."

At school…

"Hime! Hime! Come here!" whispered Rukia loudly from the classroom door. She had her head poked in, and was gesturing for the auburn haired girl to come to her. The lunch bell had just wrung, and the bubbly girl was currently talking to someone, so it would have been ruder if Rukia had just grabbed her and run away.

Orihime obviously noticed her since her attention was directed back and forth between Rukia and the person she was talking to. The conversation lasted for three more minutes with Rukia rolling her eyes in between.

"Sorry! We were talking about the newest episode of this one drama-" The auburn haired girl was cut off when the shorter girl grabbed her wrist and quickly dragged her away.

"We have some top secret stuff we need to talk about," said Rukia, finally stopping at the bottom of the stairwell. "Okay, I'm changing up the plan a little."

"Wait, what plan?" Orihime tilted her head and blinked in confusion. "I don't remember making a plan? Is this for a project- Oh! That plan! I almost forgot!" She rubbed the back of her head and laughed, embarrassed.

"Whatever are we to do with you, my child?" Rukia pet the other girl's head like an owner would their puppy, despite her being the shorter one of the two. "Anyways, I was reading this one manga volume! And it has totally changed my mind about how we should play out this plan.

"We're going a bit fast, so I think instead of straight out confessing, you should get to know that idiot more. And I'll make sure I put you guys into awkward situations that will allow you to get closer," she said, smiling. "I got everything set up." That was a lie of course, but if it kept Orihime relieved, then it was worth the lie.

Orihime nodded her head, "Sounds fine to me… but when you say awkward, you don't mean those moments where it's pouring rain and we're forced to stay locked up in a storage room and it's just me… and Kurosaki-kun… alone in a room with no heat and one blanket?" she was blushing madly as her overactive imagination came into play.

"What the hell are you imagining? Not like that! Situations like that don't happen in real life, only in manga and dramas," replied Rukia, a bit scared at what her friend might have been imagining. "You know just little situations like a partner project in class. That kind of shit you're thinking of is a bit too… it's just too early to be thinking about that, okay?

"Well, I got to go now. I need to give Ichigo's math homework to Tatsuki." Rukia smiled at Orihime before heading up the stairs. "See ya' in English!"

As Rukia went up the stairs, she started to feel a bit light headed, most likely from the lack of sleep. And also the fact that she was a bit sick and there were so many stairs she had to climb. "Ugh…"

Almost arriving at the top, she yawned and tucked some hair behind her ear. Apparently, this bit of movement distracted her from where she was stepping, causing her "Orihime-influenced klutz genes" to kick in.

Without realizing that her foot didn't yet make it to the top of the next step, she stepped forward and inevitably began to trip. She braced herself for the painful meeting between her un-bruised arms and the hard cold floor, but unexpectedly, it never came.

Someone, most likely a male, had caught her before she fell.

"Woah there!" The person, definitely a guy, helped her stand back up, patting her on the shoulder. "Be more careful next time, a handsome guy like me might not be here next time!"

Rukia quirked her brows before looking up at the person, "Oh, Kaien-san!" she said in surprise, not expecting it to be him.

"It's you again! We really need to stop meeting like this," Kaien laughed and patted her on the head. "Oh, and I partially heard your conversation with Inoue-san. I swear I wasn't eavesdropping!"

She lifted one of her brows, "Yeah, and?"

"I think I can help with this 'matchmaking' game of yours," he said, grinning.

She blinked, tilting her head to the side like Orihime always did when she was confused.

"What?!"

A/N: I've been really half-assed about updating or even working on my fanfics at all, sorry [that's why the chappie's short and the ending is weird]! I tried rereading through everything, but of course, I'm sure I left more than a few errors! My writing skills have gotten quite shitty... and it's also really late. Sorry! If there's anything awkward sounding, blame my time zone -and fanfiction editor since it's being a piece of shit!

Please review! And Thank you to those who have favorited, alerted and reviewed