A/N: Here's another chapter. :3 Thanks for the reviews and the watches, guys! I appreciate them! Enjoy
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters.
Summary: Karakura High School's Prom is coming up. Ichigo's friends pressure him into going this year since he's a senior, because apparenty he shouldn't miss it for the world. After the Winter War. Plz R&R.
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She quickly came up behind him. "Eh, Kurosaki-kun...?"
Ichigo turned around to face her. "What is it, Inoue?"
Her cheeks lightly pink, she braced herself. "Would... would you... would you be my date to Prom, Kurosaki-kun?"
--
A Prom to Remember
Chapter 2
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Ichigo's breath hitched in his throat. He wasn't expecting that. He could feel his face getting hotter. He turned away a bit to try and save his dignity.
"W-well, I..." He stammered. He scratched his cheek lightly, keeping his eyes diverted.
Orihime didn't know whether to be worried or joyful. He was hesitant, which worried her, but... he was also blushing and seemed embarrassed. She decided to keep her hopes up and giggled, realizing how cute he looked at that moment.
His eyes darted over to her and he gulped, locking his eyes with hers. He realized he had never been able to see her grey orbs in such clarity. They were full of hope and life, and... worry? He could see it, under the layers. Had she always looked at him like this? He wondered. That's when he willed his face to soften a little bit, pushing the embarrassment away from his mind. "I'd... That'd be fine, Inoue."
Her face lit up like the sun, if it was possible. "Oh, oh thank you thank you, Kurosaki-kun!!" She hugged him briefly and practically skipped out of the classroom with her things, passed Rukia.
He was stiff in his place and hadn't moved. He blinked a little bit, trying to get his face to cool off before he turned back around. He then let out a big sigh he didn't know he was holding in.
"Well ain't that cute." Rukia teased, right beside him. Ichigo about jumped out of his skin. When did she get there?! Damn, how was she so quiet?
All he could do was turn his head the opposite way. "Whatever." He muttered.
Rukia chuckled, smacking him on the back in congratulations. "As your father would say," she cleared her throat and tried to get her voice real deep, "My son just took another step into manhood!!" She struck a dramatic pose.
Ichigo gaped at her and twitched, "Okay, never do that again. I get enough of that at home as it is." He sighed, turning on his heel and walked out.
Rukia only laughed, jogging a little to catch up with him. Maybe she'd tease him again later.
--
"Seriously?!" Tatsuki beamed, "You asked and he said yes?" She hugged Orihime and picked her up a little. "I'm so happy for you, 'Hime!"
Inoue giggled like crazy. "Thanks, Tatsuki-chan! I'm so happy too!" After being put down, they started their walk home.
"What was his reaction? I bet it was priceless!"
"Oh, it was! He was so cute! He was blushing and fidgeting a lot." She smiled at the memory.
"Wow. I wish I could've seen it, that's certainly a rarity for him." Tatsuki put her arms up behind her head and looked up at the sky, trying to imagine it. It was silent for a bit until she thought of something. "Oh, Orihime! We should go shopping for our prom dresses in celebration!"
Inoue's smile broadened, "That's a great idea! It'll be so fun! We should get a group together, too."
"Yeah, it'd be fun if we all shopped together." She smiled back at her friend. "Who do you want to invite?"
"Oh... I guess any girl from our class who wants to come. Definitely Kuchiki-san though."
Tatsuki was a little surprised. "Yeah? Why's that?"
"Because... I feel kind of bad now."
She blinked, "How come, Orihime?"
"Well.. you know, she's never been to a prom or a school dance before... and I feel almost like I'm being selfish, keeping him all to myself. I could've just not asked and we'd all hang out together, but--"
Her best friend cut in, "Orihime, there you go again! I kinda see your point, but like she said--you gotta look out for yourself, too! It'll be alright. Besides, I don't really think there's anything between them anyway."
"Maybe you're right..." Inoue trailed off, not truly convinced. She knew it was good to care about yourself, but that doesn't mean it's good to disregard anyone's feelings.
--
Back at the Kurosaki household, it was dinner time. The five of them sat at the table and ate eagerly.
"This is simple amazing, Yuzu!" Isshin cried, eating up his dinner.
Yuzu smiled, "Thanks Dad."
Isshin nodded and then spoke again, "So, Ichigo! How was your day at school?!"
"It was fine." Ichigo said shortly. He didn't need to make a scene.
Rukia decided this was the perfect time to tease him again, "Oh, Kurosaki-kun," she began talking in her polite facade, "don't be shameful of Inoue-san asking you out to Prom, I'm sure everyone here would love to know!"
Collective gasps were heard around the table, including Ichigo. "What do you think your doing?! Shut your trap, mi--" much to his dismay, he was cut short.
"Oh, Ichigo, my son!!" the obnoxious father shouted, hugging Ichigo and picking him up, "I never thought I'd see the day when a woman would take interest in you!!"
"WHAT?!" Ichigo quickly landed a punch down on his father's head, trying to make him release his grip. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
Isshin promptly dropped Ichigo, going on another speil. "I had always thought you liked Rukia-chan, but perhaps I was wrong! Orihime-san would make a good addition to our family as well!" And would be an easy replacement of Rukia.
"Yeah, and wow Ichigo, I'm impressed! I never thought you'd get your hands on someone of Orihime's level." Karin said, smirking. Rukia doesn't even compare.
Rukia's heart clenched, cursing her mind for reading in between the lines of what they were saying. This all completely backfired. She knew she wasn't a permanent member of their family or anything, but she never thought she'd be tossed aside like a ragdoll at the mention of another girl. In all the commotion, she got up silently and headed upstairs.
"Shut up! Listen, I don't like her that way!" He received glances that severly doubted him. He fumed. "Why are you guys looking at me like that?!" He yelled. "And I don't appreciate you talking like Rukia's not even here! She's--"
"But she's not here, nii-chan..." Yuzu said urgently.
Everyone fell silent and looked to Rukia's seat, confirming that the little shinigami was indeed absent. Ichigo's eyes filled with alarm. He glared at his father and Karin before rushing up the stairs.
After a few seconds, Isshin sat down in his seat, trying to make sense of what just happened. He played back the conversation they just had in his head, realizing his mistake. He hadn't meant it that way! Propping his elbows on the table, he looked down at the surface. All he could think about was how ashamed of himself he was. He would have to apologize to her soon.
An uncomfortable silence soon filled the room.
The silence was only broken when Karin huffed and crossed her arms, leaving the kitchen. She refused to admit she said anything wrong.
"Rukia!" Ichigo called out, opening his door quickly. He froze in his spot, shocked.
Rukia had just opened the window and was about to jump out. If she wasn't welcome, she wouldn't stay. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she failed to notice the pounding of feet hitting the floor outside the door, coming closer. His voice made her freeze, much like he had frozen. She looked back and his eyes instantly captured hers, causing her to stare into their depths. The air was tense and they were like that for several seconds.
"Rukia..." He breathed out, taking a step forward and breaking the gaze they shared. The softness in his voice left as soon as it came, his eyes hardening with resolve as he straightened himself. He now stood tall and confident, clenching his fists at his sides. "Just what do you think you're doing?!"
She gasped lightly, her eyes never leaving his figure. She turned away abruptly, looking back outside. "I was just going to take a walk, Ichigo." She said sternly.
"Bullshit!" She heard him say from behind. Before she knew it, she was being pulled back from the window.
Ichigo grabbed her wrist, tugging her back and unto his bed. "You were going to leave, weren't you?!" Rukia never made an attempt to acknowledge what he was saying, she stubbornly looked at the wall. The paint sure was interesting right now.
He growled at her, seeing he wasn't getting through. He took her shoulders and turned her to face him. That took her by surprise and she messed up, looking straight at him. She couldn't look away now.
"Listen, midget!" he knew it wasn't the best way to get her attention, but was sure it would work, "You have a home here, whether you like it or not! Whether they like it or not! I don't care what they think, and I certainly don't care to go through you leaving like that again!"
His words struck her. Suddenly his father's and sister's words really didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was what he said--she had a home here. And that most of all, she wasn't allowed to run away again. This time, she was glad he had come in at just the right time. He had a knack for doing that, after all. She smiled gently and looked up at him.
Rukia's stare didn't go unnoticed by Ichigo. He knew he had said the right thing, but that's when the magnitude of his words hit him. Did he really say that last part? That he didn't want her leaving? A blush crept onto his cheeks and he looked down, closing his eyes. He released her shoulders and proceeded to grab a a tshirt and some pajama pants. "I'm taking a shower. I'll slap my dad around a bit afterwards." He said it like a promise as he headed out the door.
"Thanks, Ichigo." She said quietly. Figuring he hadn't heard her, she simply dismissed it and closed the window, making the decision final.
Ichigo stood outside the door of his room, having indeed heard her. He smirked to himself as he started walking to the bathroom. 'I think that's the first time she's thanked me for something I said.'
Isshin made his way up the stairs, hearing the talking stop. He couldn't understand most of it from down there, but he did hear mumbling. As he reached the top step, he heard the shower turn on. That was good. Even if Rukia was the one in the shower, at least he could talk to Ichigo about it. He knocked on the door.
"Come in." He heard Rukia's voice. He grinned just a little and was relieved, noticing she didn't sound gloomy. He opened the door and walked in, closing it behind him.
Her lips tightened together, seeing who it was. She wasn't really worried, but she couldn't help but look down.
He sat on the bed silently. "Listen, Rukia, I'm sorry for earlier. I never meant to make you feel unwanted. Don't mind Karin either, I'm sure she didn't mean it." He said honestly. His serious demeanor surprised her a little and she looked up at him. She smiled a bit.
"I... I know. I just overreacted. Besides, it's great they're going to prom together."
Isshin was silent for a moment. "...You sure? It'll probably look like they're going out." He kept his gaze ahead of him. He was sure that his son and third daughter had feelings for eachother, regardless if they were oblivious of it. But maybe he was wrong?
"Of course it's alright!" she raised her voice a little, wondering why he'd say that, and what he was trying to imply. "I mean... if Inoue likes him, and he likes her back, why should anyone stop them?" She asked sincerely.
"I wasn't saying anyone should if they indeed felt that way for each other." He set a hand on her shoulder briefly before getting up and heading out of the room. "But in order to be sure of that, everyone involved needs to realize their own feelings." And then he was gone, out of the room.
Now Rukia was confused. Was there some hidden meaning behind what he was saying? She didn't understand. Or was it that she didn't want to? She sighed and decided to let it go. Grabbing one of her manga, she layed down on Ichigo's bed and began to read, willing herself to become engrossed in it.
--
The next morning came quickly and the students piled into the classroom. Orihime looked especially happy, albet a bit embarrassed as Tatsuki was practically announcing that her best friend and Ichigo were going to prom together. Chizuiro and Keigo both gasped in dismay.
"Seriously?! Kurosaki and Orihime-san?!" Keigo shouted, flailing his arms in the air.
"How could that brute capture her heart!!" Chizuiro clutched the fabric over her own chest, "Why?! Oh, Orihime-chan, I was hoping to whisk you away from prom and--" her face met Tatsuki's foot as she was shoved down onto the ground.
"Shut it! You two should be happy for them!" Tatsuki yelled.
"But but... what about Kuchiki-san? How insensitive to just leave her like that!"
"They were never together, Keigo!" Tatsuki fumed. She didn't need this idiot fueling anymore lingering doubts in Orihime.
"I know! But no one even asked her how she felt about it!!" He retorted in his usual yelling.
"Keigo, shut up now or I'll imprint my foot in your cheek too!" He hastily shut his mouth and scurried away.
"He has a point, Tatsuki-chan..." Orihime said quietly. Tatsuki blinked and turned to her.
She sighed, "Listen... why don't we just bring it up when we go shopping for dresses? It can be just you, me, and her. That'll prove once and for all that you did nothing wrong, Orihime."
Inoue just nodded, smiling at her friend. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that flash of neon orange she had grown to love. Her smile brightened once again as she turned to see him. Her smile soon turned to a curious and questioning look, however.
"I still can't believe they said something like that..." Ichigo said, huffing as he walked to his seat.
"It's alright though, Ichigo... he apologized." Rukia replied, setting her bag on her own desk.
"Yeah but, it's Karin I'm more worried about. She needs to watch her tongue. I'm sure she knew perfectly well what she was saying." His eyebrows knitted together more than they were before.
Rukia sighed. "Even if that's true... she has a right to hold an opinion."
"That doesn't mean she has to voice it when you're right there!" He threw up his arms. He knew he was acting out of character, and probably a little too protective, but it just made him mad thinking about it.
"Um... Kurosaki-kun, Kuchiki-san... did something happen last night?" Orihime voiced the question that just about everyone else in the class had in their minds. Ichigo and Rukia hadn't noticed, but, everyone had slowly stopped talking as their conversation progressed in favor of listening to it.
Rukia turned to Ichigo. He would decide what to say. He paused, trying to figure out what should be said and what shouldn't. "You could say that. But it was just some family drama..." Ichigo said decisively, sitting down as the bell rang. No more questions were asked and it was dropped.
--
Lunch rolled around and the group migrated to the roof. Orihime wanted to do something daring and sit by Ichigo today. Not take Rukia's spot, just sit on the other side of him. She saw him go up the steps alone and jogged a bit after him.
"Kurosaki-kun!"
Ichigo stopped midstep and looked back at her. "Hey there, Inoue. What's up?"
"Oh, uh... not much." She wracked her brain for something to talk about. "So um... what do you have for lunch?" They started to ascend the stairs together.
"I have no idea. Yuzu usually packs my lunches. She doesn't have to, but she insists she does it."
"Wow, that's nice." She smiled, "Kinda cute, too!"
He looked away a bit, "Not cute at all!" he defended.
She only giggled in return. It was silent for the rest of the way up, or most of it, until they were almost there and ready to go through the door. "Hey, um... Kurosaki-kun?"
"Yeah, Inoue?"
"Do you think we could hang out sometime...?"
He blinked. "I don't see anything wrong with that. Just call me up. We're friends, after all." He smiled very slightly at her, grabbing a piece of paper and writing down his phone number. He handed it to her.
She smiled broadly back at him, taking it and knowing any kind of smile of his was rare. "Alright!" 'Thank you so much, Kurosaki-kun!'
He nodded at her and they went through the doors. They were lucky that no one else had bumped into them in the duration they were going up.
Luckily for Inoue, only a couple people were already there--Ishida, Rukia, and Tatsuki, already in their spots. Ichigo sat next to Rukia by habit and Orihime sat next to him. They got some confused glances as the others of the group came in, but no one said anything.
Well, almost no one.
"AUUGGGHH!!" Keigo spotted them, screaming. "Why, Ichigo?! why are you now surrounded by girls?!"
"What are you going on about now?" Ichigo said in monotone, not really paying much attention to him. He poked Rukia's straw in her juicebox like usual and went on to his own lunch.
"Hmph! Fine, ignore me then!" He looked over to Rukia, "So, Kuchiki-san, since Ichigo and Orihime-chan are going to prom together, wanna go with me?!"
Ichigo looked up from his lunch, now interested in what the idiot was saying. Then he quickly came to a conclusion. 'Heh, not like Rukia would ever say yes to him anyway...' He looked back down to his lunch and proceeded to eat.
Rukia blinked, "Ohh, I'm sorry Keigo-kun, but aren't we all going as a group anyway?" She said politely. Ichigo smirked.
"Well yes, but I mean--"
"Wait, Keigo-kun!" Orihime quickly said. She had gotten a brilliant idea. "Since I'm going with Kurosaki-kun, how about Ishida-kun and Kuchiki-san go together? Then it'd be two redheads and two black hairs!" She clapped her hands together like her logic was infallable. Truth was, she was convinced Uryuu liked Rukia, and she figured that this would be the perfect time to set them up!
Everyone was silent, half of them gawking. Rukia and Uryuu looked at each other, just as confused as everyone else.
"Well, Inoue-san... I don't think--" Ishida started, but Rukia cut him off.
"I wouldn't mind, Ishida-kun." She looked at him, turning away from Keigo. She had an expression that said she'd explain later.
Inoue beamed and Ichigo... didn't know what to think. He had never thought of Rukia and Ishida as a couple, it felt strange and downright weird for him to even think about it.
"But, Kuchiki-san!!" Keigo came into Rukia's view again, "Don't go with Ishida, he has no experience with girls! How could he know how to treat them right??" Rukia couldn't help but lose her facade and frown deeply at what he was saying. Ishida was far from a love interest for her, but he was still her friend! She was about to yell at him when the man in question beat her to it.
"Excuse me?" Ishida stood up abruptly in front of Keigo. "I'd do better than an uncultured pig like you any day!" He glared heavily to Keigo. Keigo soon realized that his eyes could be even more piercing than Kurosaki's. He cowered back and sat down in his place. Uryuu huffed and sat back down, an uneasy tension filling the space.
"Keigo, you're an idiot." Ichigo spoke up after a few minutes. "I'd trust Ishida with a girl a hell of a lot more than I'd trust one with you."
Everyone gave some form of agreement, whether it be a nod or a grunt.
"EEHHHH?! How unfair!! Just when did everyone get on his side anyway?!" He went on with his minirant, but no one paid much attention to him after that.
Once lunch was over and everyone was heading downstairs, Rukia quickly went to Ishida's side and walked down with him. "Sorry about that, but I really didn't want to be bugged by Keigo about it anymore."
"I understand, that's what I figured." He pushed up his glasses. "But I wonder why Inoue-san suggested us two...? It's gotta be more than the hair color."
"Eeee!" Orihime squeed in delight as she saw Rukia and Uryuu head down the steps together.
Ichigo raised a brow, "Inoue? What was that about?"
"Kuchiki-san and Ishida-kun, silly! Didn't you know that Ishida-kun likes Kuchiki-san?"
"EH?!"
"Yeah! When we were in Soul Society all that time ago to save Kuchiki-san, he made such a pretty dress for her! It was cuter than any of our own clothes! So I came to the conclusion that he must like her!"
He just blinked. He didn't quite understand that logic, but decided not to ruin her little theory. "I see, Inoue... I guess that does make sense... but wouldn't he have made a move by now if that was the case?" He was mainly curious to what she'd say to it.
"But Kurosaki-kun, he's shy! I'm sure that's why!" Her happy smiled faded into a sad one as she added something onto her sentence, quietly. "And maybe because he's a little like me... worried she likes you instead, Kurosaki-kun..."
"What was that, Inoue? I didn't hear you." She had faced away and headed towards the stairs when she said the last part.
"Oh, It's nothing! Let's get back to class!" She said happily, looking at him over her shoulder. She let her instincts take over and she grabbed his hand, leading him down the stairs.
--
This time, after school, Orihime needed to catch up with Rukia. The bell rang and she immediately went over to her.
"Kuchiki-san!"
"Hi there, Inoue." Rukia smiled at her, turning to the woman.
"I was wondering... would you like to come shopping with Tatsuki-chan and I for prom dresses?" Her face lit up as she said it.
Though Rukia didn't quite know what the big deal with prom was, judging by Orihime's expression, it must be important. Besides, it could be fun. "Sure, I'd love to! When are you planning on going?"
"Ohhh... hmmm..." She hadn't quite thought it out yet. "How about Friday after school? Tatsuki got a car, so she can drive it here that day and we can go to some shops around town without having to walk everywhere!"
Rukia smiled, "Sounds good, Inoue! I look forward to it then."
"Great!" Orihime smiled brightly back at Rukia as she watched her sling her bag over her shoulder and head out the door to Ichigo, where he was waiting patiently.
"Going out to buy prom dresses, huh?" Ichigo said as he walked beside her out of school.
"Yeah. Something wrong with that?" Rukia questioned.
"No. But I am wondering why you agreed to go with Ishida."
She looked to him and raised a brow. "Because I didn't need Keigo to keep asking me. What did you think?"
"Ah, I was just hoping Inoue wasn't right."
This peeked her curiousity. "What'd she say?"
"Oh, she said that because he made you a cute dress back in Soul Society that he liked you." He seemed slightly amused by it.
"Is that all?" Rukia pondered this. "But he made clothes for everybody. And I think that Inoue's shirt was cuter anyway..." she chuckled a little, "So that's why she said I had to wear it."
Ichigo shrugged. "Probably. Either way, if it keeps Keigo off your back, that's fine."
"Ohh? What if I actually wanted to go with him...?"
Ichigo looked surprised, "Sorry but, you two just don't look god together." He crossed his arms.
She smirked at him, "Whatever you say, Strawberry."
--
A/N: And guys, if you haven't figured it out yet, this story is supposed to keep you guessing on which pairing I'm supporting. :3 I'm keeping this as real as possible, and trying my best not to show any bias. So guys, whether you're IchiRuki or IchiHime, I hope you still appreciate it by the end. I love both girls, really I do, but one pairing just makes more sense to me personally.
The italics are how Rukia's mind is translating what their saying. It's not the thoughts of Isshin or Karin or anything like that.
In my school, we kind of have 'assigned seats' after we've been sitting in them long enough. It's like an unspoken rule that nobody takes another person's seat. When school comes around again this month, we'll probably mix it up at our lunch table and then sit that way the rest of the year. shrugs It's just how our school is, and what I'm used to, so that's what I meant by being "daring". XD