Hiding behind your mask...

Ichigo fixed his cuffs as he walked down the stairs. Surprisingly he was rather excited to be going to this Ball of sort. He wasnt really a party person..but the chance Lady rukia would be there made his heart beat like a drum. So here he was, in his best black suit sneaking out of his house.

He got to the bottom of the stairs and slowly looked around. No one was in the living room... or the dining room.

Perfect.

He sighed in relief.

"Ichigo."

"Holy Fuck!" He jumped back. Where was that voice coming from?

Ishida was standing by the door. He wasnt hiden..so how ichigo missed him? Its just plain stupidity.

"What are you doing!" Ichigo snapped. He slowly walked closer to him being careful not to make the floor boards creek.

Ishida shook his head. "Where are you going?"

"No where."

Ishida pushed up his glasses and crossed his arms. "I see."

There was awkward silence. Ishida wasnt stupid..and obviously ichigo thought he was. He just continued to stare at ichigo. Eventually..he would crack.

"Alright dammit." Ichigo mumbled defeated. "Im going out."

"You fool! Your going to see Lady Rukia!"

"I am not!" Ichigo aruged.

Ishida swiftly reached over and pulled his bow from off the table. "Your not going anywhere."

Ichigo bit down as he watched Ishida raise the bow to his chest. "You wouldnt."

"I would." He slowly pulled back a loaded arrow. "You shouldnt be doing this."

Ichigo swallowed. "I havent done anything."

"Princess is a charming girl. If you gave her a chance! You'd see she really is a lovely person."

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "I dont give a fuck. Im not going to marry her."

"And your not going to cheat on her."

Ichigo looked at the arrow that ishida had pulled back so far his hand was at eye level. "Ichigo. Im going to ask you again. Where are you going."

Ichigo tried to step around him, but was taken by surprise when he raised the bow directly to his face and stepped forward.

"Your fucking insane!"

Ishida just stared at him. Challenge excepted face.

"Fuck you Ishida."

"Fuck you Kurosaki."

How long would this go on. Ichigo had places to be! So finally,

"Alright! Im going to a masquerade ball!" He reached into his jacket and pulled out the white mask.

Ishida eyed the mask. Something was fishy about this. "Where's the ball at."

Damn hes good! Ichigo glared at him. "Hueco Mundo."

Ishidas eyes nearly shot out of his eyes. "The forbbinden Land!" Ishida lowered his bow. "Are you out of your mind! That Land is forbbinden!"

"Im well aware."

Ishida looked around. "Your digging your own grave. Your father is going to disown you!"

Ichigo chuckled. "He never owned me in the first place." Then he pushed past Ishida and opened up the door.

Ishida rolled his eyes. "I dont know about this. We didnt have this talk and i never saw you leave."

"Sounds good."

Ishida shook his head. "If you get into trouble, dont ask me for help."

Ichigo was already walking out of the door. "Wouldnt ask even if i was dying."

Ishida slammed the door shut.

"Ishida-kun?"

Ishida turned around to see Princess Orihime.

"Hello..Inoue."

"Was Kurosaki-kun just here?"

Ishida looked around. "Not that i know of."

Orihime looked down at the floor. "Oh..I..um..I thought i heard him."

Ishida placed his bow on the table and shook his head. "It was probably your imagination."

Orihime sighed. "I guess..." She looked up at Ishida and walked closer to him. "Ishida-kun."

"Yes Inoue." Ishida looked down at her hazel eyes.

She stared into his blue eyes. "Has.." Her voice cracked and she bit her lip. "Where has.." She paused and her eyes welled up. "Is..Kurosaki-kun.. cheating.." A small trail of tears slid down her cheeks.

Ishida swallowed. What would he say? He wasnnt 100% positive Ichigo was having an affair...but he had a strong gut feeling he was. "I dont..I dont know Inoue."

Orihime nodded. "If..he was." she whispered. "Would you tell me?"

Ishida blinked. He honestly didnt have an answer for her. "I..-"

"If he cheated on me... wouldnt that give me permission?"

Ishida eyed her. "Permission for what?"

Orihime looked at his lips. "For this." She leaned forward and caught his mouth in hers.

Ishida looked down unable to move. He felt her soft lips against his. He couldnt do this! Ichigo was his best friend! He wouldnt do this. Just as he began pulling away Orihime ran her tongue along his bottom lip causing ishida's instincts to kick into gear. He grabbed the sides of her face and pulled her closer. Ishida wrestled with Orihimes tongue for dominance only to be over powered.

Then reality took hold and Ishida pushed orihime off. He was literally a statue... He didnt know if ichigo would kill him or praise him.

...Shit...

xxx

Rukia sat in her chariage with Renji. She kept thinking about Prince Ichigo. How would she recognize him if he were wearing a mask?

"Rukia."

She looked over at Renji. "Yes."

He was wearing a bone Baboon mask. Oddlt enough Byakuya had bought it for him as an insult..never knowing one day it would come in handy.

"Why isnt Kaien Shiba with us?"

Rukia adjusted her white mask. "I dont need him to keep watch over me."

Renji nodded. "I hope that bastard Prince isnt there."

Rukia folded her hands in her lap and stayed silente.

xxx

Ichigo walked into the Garden of Los Noches. He was feeling odd and unsocial..but he was thankful he had on a mask..atleast it was some kind of safe hiding place.

He walked over to the bar. "I need a drink."

The man behind the bar looked bored.. he had brown hair and his mask..if you would even call it a mask.. looked more like a neclace around his neck. But it had..teeth? Ah, who cares.

"What kind."

"Something strong..but.. not to strong."

The man looked at him. "How about..something strong..but you dont consume so much."

Ichigo rolled his eyes behind the mask. "Fine."

The man placed a small shot glass on the table and pour clear liquid into the cup.

Ichigo picked it up...with his other hand he lifted his mask enough to touch the cup to his lips..in one swift move his head shot back and the hot liquior slid down his throat. It burned a bit.. but it warmed his stomach giving him chills.

Ichigo stood by the bar for what felt like forever. Just as he was ready to call it a night and go back home, he caught sight of a lovely lady from across the garden.

"Rukia.." He whispered. He began walking in her direction..but then he saw she was with that dumbass of a monkey Renji. Damn...

"Renji... I want to dance." Rukia smiled egarly.

"Go ahead." Renji stood stiff as a tree scanning the area.

Rukia crossed her arms and frowned...

Meanwhile Ichigo was slowly and cautiously working his way through the crowd of dancing people towards Rukia. He had to create a diversion...

Rukia was leaning back against the wall hiding behind her white mask..it almost reminded him of snow. She pushed off of the wall.

"Rukia where are you going?" Renji asked.

"Im going to get a drink." She said sternly.

"No..um..stay here..ill get it for you." Renji walked off.

But not even a second later Ichigo had his hand wrapped around Rukias wrist and he was pulling her through the people. Finally they stopped and ichigo turned her around.

"Lady Rukia."

"Ichigo."

Ichigo gently touched her cheek. "You look..so beautiful."

Rukia blushed and ran her finger along his mask. "Your mask is so scary."

Ichigo smirked.

Rukia grabbed the side of Ichigos mask and slowly began pulling it up. Her eyes followed his as he silently gave her permission. She pulled it up just enough to expose his lips.

Slowly she stood up on the tips of her heels kissing in passionately.

Ichigo didnt hesitate to return the kiss. He pulled her closer by the waist. Their kiss was so heated ichigo could swear he was trying to ravish her mouth for oxygen. He could hear the sound of their tongues fighting. He held her tightly. The fire between them slowly went out as their kiss slowed.. now it was just a soft gentle lip kiss that ended with rukia biting on Ichigos bottom lip as he pulled away. They were both panting..

"RUKIA!"

Ichigo pulled rukia into his chest at the sound of his voice. "damnit." He turned around to see a flaring renji.

"Is this why you wanted to come to this ball!" He yelled. "You didnt want to come to spend a 'evening out' or to have a good time with a 'friend' you came to see this prick!"

Ichigo looked down at Rukia. She came to see him..

"Did you really come to see me?" Ichigo asked.

Rukia bit her lip and looked up at him. "Yes" she whispered faintly.

Renji turned red. "Your just Hiding behind your mask!" Ichigo watched Renji's hand cross down to his body and grab the handle to his sword.

Ichigo realized he didnt have a weapon on him..."Fuck."