Chapter Five

Previously-

"Hi Grimmjow, it's Rukia. How are you? X"

Morning could not come sooner for Grimmjow. He had a great smile plastered on to his face and seemed extremely cheerful, as his father had noted. Grimmjow shrugged it off as having a good night's sleep, packed his bag and headed out to the waiting car.

The drive seemed so much faster without the snow, which had melted overnight. He'd finally figured out how to hook up his (brand new) iPod to the stereo and was quite content, listening to his music, and thinking about-

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The car jolted forward and stopped. The driver climbed out and started berating the figure in front of the car.

Grimmjow unwound the window, stuck his head out of the and his jaw dropped. Quickly, he unbuckled his seat belt and climbed out, heading to the driver. He put his hand on his arm and pulled him away.

"Rukia! Hi!"

"Grim-Grimmjow? Oh Gods, I'm sorry! Again!"

He looked her up and down. He shouldn't be eyeing her up like this, but she was damn good looking in her uniform, if a little nervous due to the angry driver.

"Fancy a ride to school?" he asked, jerking his thumb to the open car door.

"Erm..."

"It's the least we can do. Come on". He held out his hand.

She stared blankly at it.

"It's a hand, not a shark!"

Finally, she slipped her small hand into his.

The drive to school made a change from the walk, which usually turned into a run. It was a nice enough car, a little bit like Byakuya's which he had been given by the company (he was, to Rukia's delight, head of the Chappy the rabbit franchise) but more roomy. The music was definitely a good choice. And the company wasn't bad either, she had to admit.

When the car rolled up to the gates, Rukia slid out and turned to the driver.

"Thank you, Mr-"

"Starrk. Coyote Starrk," he stated. "Good day to you, Miss Kuchiki. Good day, Mr Jaegerjaquez".

The car revved once and pulled away up the street.

"Don't worry, he's never been exactly nice," laughed Grimmjow and the pair headed inside.

"So..."

"So what?"

"How long have you and Ichigo been going out?" he asked, shuffling his feet slightly.

Rukia blushed and had no idea why.

"Just over a month. I mean, he was the original jerk around here, always calling me 'Midget' and stuff-"

"Well you are short!" Grimmjow laughed, and rubbed his arm where she playfully punched him.

"No he was a jerk and then these two guys started bullying me. He stuck up for me and we agreed to be friends. Then, just into December, he asked me out," she said simply and headed into the classroom.

"Speak of the Devil," said Grimmjow and there perched on his desk was Ichigo, looking dog tired.

"Shinji over works you!" she admonished as she gave him a chaste kiss.

"It was so busy last night, that's all," Ichigo sighed and he pressed his lips to her forehead.

According to the class' timetable, they would be taking Drama with Mr Urahara now. The class collected their belongings again and headed off. Many of the boys looked thoroughly bored as they waited outside the room, yet the girls were all of a flutter. Drama was a great subject to take here at the school and they were lucky to have Mr Urahara- he was something of a celebrity after having one of his plays broadcast onto the television. But all the fame went to his head, and he settled back into teaching.

The door flung open and a dusty blonde headed man popped his head out, holding out a striped folding fan.

"Welcome students! Please enter and we shall begin!"

The girls started pushing their way in and the boys slouched behind jostling each other, mimicking the tutor's attitude.

Mr Urahara was in fine form. He was in a dark green suit with an open white shirt and as usual the famous clogs were on his feet. A green and white striped hat sat on his desk.

"Well beautiful guys and girls, this term I have most exciting news! The principal has given me permission to be in charge of the annual school play and I hope that some of you decide to participate. And I've chosen a not a play- but a musical! While England talks of Dorothy and those silly red slippers, we shall prove to be bigger and better. We'll show them how it all began with our production of WICKED!"

A great noise surrounded the room. Even the boys looked surprised and pleased at the choice.

"So how many of you will be auditioning?"

A great chorus of voices rang out.

Mr Urahara handed out a few stapled sheets and asked them to rehearse the short segment he had prepared.

Rukia greedily began reading Elphaba's lines. She would love to act on the stage. This year would be here first year at auditioning and she was so excited! This was one of her favourite musicals and she would not let Mr Urahara down. Not one bit.

Rukia organized herself, Grimmjow and Ichigo into roles. Grimmjow said he would eagerly take a role and so she gave him Doctor Dillamond's lines. Ichigo however, settled for Galinda's lines- a female role.

Their turn came. Grimmjow performed his lines with great passion and distaste, Ichigo stumbled here and there but Rukia was perfection.

When the class was over, Mr Urahara said, "You've all worked so hard. I couldn't be more proud. The cast list will be up on Friday. Good luck! Class dismissed!"

Author's Note: I realise I may have skimmed over the audition but I promise it gets better! Review please :)

Much love, ZeeZee the Dreamer xx