Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

A/N: Hey, thanks for the reviews! Unfortunately my internet connection's been all weird lately, but I'll live. XD – Kuchiki-chan

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"HEY! RUKIA!" Ichigo ran over, panting. "I've been looking all over for you, damn it!" He bent over with his hands on his knees. "What're you doing here, anyway? And why are you here?"

Renji scowled. "I had to see Rukia about something. Now get lost."

"Watch it, idiot."

"So Ichigo, why were you looking for me?"

"Oh…uh," said Ichigo. Wow, Kurosaki. Real smooth. "Well, I was just wondering if…uh…wouldyouliketogotothedancewithme?" His cheeks were slightly red.

Did he just say…? "Er, could you say that again?"

Aw, heck. Just say it, Kurosaki. Pretend Renji's not there… He mustered up all his courage.

"Would you go to the dance with me?"

Whose jaw fell first, it was hard to say, Renji's or Rukia's. Renji could hardly believe his ears. "WHAT?!?"

Rukia, on the other hand, was smiling. "I didn't think you'd ask!"

Ichigo let out a sigh of relief. "Um, okay, great. Yeah, so, I guess I'll see you after lunch. Catch you later, Renji." He gave a quick wave before jogging off.

Rukia was blushing furiously as she felt Renji's eyes on her. "Rukia…did he just ask you out?"

"Um…yeah…I think so."

THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ME! AAAAARGHHH!!!!

"Well, I guess I'll see you later, then Rukia," he said weakly, raising his arm and starting to leave.

"Huh? But didn't you need to tell me something?"

"Maybe later." He turned back and kept walking. Damn it, Kurosaki! Why'd you do that?

Suddenly he felt a pair of hands on his back as he was shoved forward. "AHAHAHAHA! THAT WAS HILARIOUS!!!"

"What the – ?" Matsumoto and Kira stood there, laughing their heads off. "We saw the whole thing! It was frickin' brilliant!!"

"What're you doing here?! Don't you have work or something?"

Matsumoto grinned. "And what exactly were you doing here, eh, Renji? Asking Rukia out?"

Renji turned red. "Shut up. This is all your fault."

"Aw, did she turn you down?"

"NO!!"

"Heheh, he's getting defensive now," Matsumoto snickered to Kira. "Poor Renji."

"Sh-shut up! I could totally get her to go out with me!"

"Oh really?" Matsumoto smirked. "Didn't seem like it just now."

"Fine!" Renji roared. "I'll get her to go on a date with me! See if I don't!" That said, he stomped away.

Damn that Kurosaki.

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I…did it.

…

I DID IT!!!

Ichigo couldn't believe how well the conversation had gone. Somehow this had seemed harder than fighting a Hollow.

"Hey, Keigo. Looks like you'll be doing my homework for a week." Ichigo smirked.

Keigo's jaw dropped. "What?! You asked her already? And she said YES?!?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, she agreed to go to the dance with YOU?"

"Keigo, shut up. This was your dare, okay?"

"But – but – "

Ichigo wasn't listening. "Let's see, actually, never mind. Maybe not homework, since you'll probably just screw it up and then I'll fail. Huh, maybe I'll give you some dares, though…heheh, that might be fun…"

"Ichigo, how could you be so cruel?! I'm your friend, aren't I?"

"Some friend."

"No-o-o-o!!!"

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Rukia walked back to Orihime, feeling breathless and slightly excited.

I can't believe it.

"Rukia, what was that all about?"

Orihime's voice snapped her out of it. "Huh? Oh, Renji was going to ask me something but, he changed his mind…" Rukia wasn't sure if she should tell Orihime about Ichigo. Orihime wouldn't be mad at her for going to the dance with him, but she didn't want to hurt her feelings…

"I saw Ichigo go over to you guys. What did he want?" Orihime was genuinely interested.

"He…uh…wanted to know how I did on my test," she said weakly.

"Oh, really? I think I failed that." Orihime smiled sheepishly. "What about you?"

"Um, me too."

"Yeah right! You're really smart, and a really good student too."

"Um, Orihime? I have to go, but I'll see you in class." Rukia grabbed her lunch and stood up before walking away.

"Eh?! But why?"

"I just…I'll tell you later, okay?" She broke into a full sprint, her eyes scanning the area for Ichigo.

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She said yes.

She said yes.

She said yes…

"Ichigo!" A small figure ran into him. "Ichigo, I-I'm really sorry. I don't think I can go to the dance with you."

Ichigo's heart sank. "What?! How come?"

"Well…" She still wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing. "Could you…could you please do me a really big favor?"

"Uh, sure."

Rukia swallowed. "Could you ask Orihime to the dance?"

Ichigo raised his eyebrows. "Why…?"

"Because she really really likes you. And…I think her feelings would be hurt if I went to the dance with you."

Rukia looked at her feet, afraid to see how Ichigo might react. But instead she suddenly felt herself being lifted into the air as he hugged her to his chest. "Hey, it's no problem. We'll figure something out."

Rukia could feel her eyes start brimming with tears. "Oh Ichigo…you're so nice…"

"Hey, what the hell?! I'm trying to be nice and you start crying on my shirt?!?" he joked.

Rukia laughed. "Yeah."

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Slightly OOC. But then again, if it wasn't, this story wouldn't even exist, since there's no way Ichigo would ever have the guts to ask Rukia out. But as my friend said, if he can get Rukia to go out with him, it's a double win for him – a servant AND a date. Well, please read and review! – Kuchiki-chan