xX Twenty One Hours Earlier Xx

Ichigo looked at his watch. "Noon. They should be here by now dammit. Rukia too! She's taking WAY too long to get ready!" Ichigo sat on the curb and waited impatiently for everyone so they could go to the carnival.

Orihime, energetic as always, started to run up to Ichigo. She was waving gladly, wearing a pink shirt with a star on it, big and white, and a long red skirt.

Ichigo looked up and saw Orihime running toward him with Chad and Ishida following behind trying to catch up to the ball of energy named Inoue.

"Inoue! Hey!" he called out. Inoue stop in front of him, gasping for air.

"Hi!" she said energetically. Ishida and Chad caught up to her and stood next to her.

"Where's Kuchiki-san? Isn't she coming?" she asked.

Ichigo looked up at his bedroom window and looked back at Inoue. "She's in there getting ready. She's taking forever though." He said flatly. Inoue smiled.

"I'll go see if she's ready then." She walked into the clinic before Ichigo could stop her. She walked up the stairs and entered Ichigos room.

The smell of Ichigo filled her nose and she took a deep breath. She had never been inside Ichigos' room and was curious. She looked around only to find Rukia not being able to decide what to wear.

"Kuchiki-san! Everyone's waiting! You're not ready?" Inoue asked surprised. Rukia turned around, her eyes sparkling in confusion.

Rukia looked at the various outfits lying on Ichigos' bed. She then looked at the outfit in her hand. It was a white shirt with a light pink spaghetti strap shirt on over it and a light pink skirt going down to the middle of her thighs, where her school skirt normally fell. The skirt was striped diagonally with darker pinks, and whites. "Inoue, hello." She said quietly.

Inoue smiled. "Hello! Can't decide what to wear?" she asked. Rukia shook her head.

"I think I should wear this outfit. What do you think Inoue? You always wear cute things." She asked pleadingly.

Inoue's eyes widened. "You think so? Well, I'd wear the outfit you have in your hand! That would look very adorable at the carnival and I'm sure Kurosaki-kun will notice!" she said happily.

Rukia looked at her confused. "Notice me? What do you mean by that?" she asked confused.

Inoue laughed, "I mean he'll notice how cute you look!" she held her stomach with laughter.

"W-what?" she mumbled. She never thought that by her wearing something different than usual would make Ichigo notice her more. Maybe she should take Inoue's advice and wear the outfit. She wondered what Ichigo would think if she wore it…

Inoue walked toward the door. "Wear it! I'm sure Kurosaki-kun will enjoy seeing you in an outfit like that!" she said smiling. "I'll be downstairs if you need me." She said and walked out the door closing it.

Rukia looked at the outfit once more. "He'll enjoy seeing me in this outfit?" she asked wearily. She decided she would wear it and hopefully Ichigo would notice.

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Rukia walked out with a strawberry clip holding her hair on the same side Yuzu had her berets too. She was wearing the outfit Inoue said to wear along with long white stockings and white shoes. She was fiddling with her hair.

Inoue hugged her abruptly. "You look so cute Kuchiki-san!" and she smiled greatly.

Rukia: looked to the side. "Thank you Inoue…" she said quietly. Inoue let go and walked over toward Chad and Ishida.

Ichigo looked over from his watch toward Rukia. Seeing her in an outfit like that…made him want to smile. But her fought back and didn't. Ichigo was just staring at her as he noticed his face and neck felt hot. He looked over and saw Inoue giggling and Rukia turning away, pink in the face. Ishida was only smiling and Chad had no expression as usual. Ichigo finally realized he was blushing, and he turned away and stormed off toward the carnival.

Inoue ran up to him along with Chad, Ishida, and Rukia. "Wait Kurosaki-kun!" Inoue called out after Ichigo.

Rukia looked at Ichigo and how his shoulders were hunched over and he looked as though he were sulking, upset or angry.

Maybe he didn't like it after all…he looks as though he's upset at the fact. Maybe it was a bad idea to follow Inoue's advice.

Ichigo was determined to get in and out of the carnival as fast as possible. He couldn't survive seeing Rukia in that outfit. She looked…very…cute…

God damn why have I been such a softie for Rukia lately?! I see her once in a skirt and I'm blushing without even realizing it!! Get a hold of yourself Ichigo!! She's not THAT cute!

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OMG did that take FOREVER. I'm sorry I didn't update Yesterday. But I did it today, FINALLY. Next chapter something BAD happens. Its fluff sorta, but I'll tell you, someone is a complete BASTARD in the next chapter. Not saying who. Try and figure it out if you wish, but you will NEVER guess who it is… wait for that next chapter to find out:D

Reviews! I'm not getting a lot! And from the same person (credit to SoDanielle, thanks!) Look forward to the next chapter!