EDIT:28-November-2011. Talk about rush editing. Well, might as well get it out now before I forget again. :)

All The Right Moves

Chapter 10

Finally

IT was the second day of the school week, and Tōshirō's mind still thought of his previous conversation with a certain raven-haired woman. He was so happy to know that the woman was like him when it came to prioritizing family matters. Although, he wouldn't deny that he was a bit disappointed that she couldn't come to the victory party with him. It can wait, he thought.

However, what seemed to be a good morning for him was destroyed by the news he heard from the students passing by.

"Did you hear? Abarai Renji's going to the school ball with Kuchiki Rukia!"

Tōshirō paused mid-step as listened intently on the students' conversations.

"Yeah. I heard that from a friend who's in their class. She said Abarai-san has been gearing up to ask her ever since school started," a freshman said.

"Really now? He likes her that much?" another asked.

"Maybe. I mean, my friend said he enlisted the whole class' cooperation and support before he actually asked her. And my friend said she agreed…I think."

"Hmm, really? From what I heard, all she said was—"

Tōshirō didn't hear the end of the statement. He was confused, frustrated and…pissed. Yes, the calm, logical guy was pissed. Of what exactly, he couldn't pin point. All he knew was that everything seemed…out of place. In all honesty, he liked the woman, and he thought maybe he had a good chance with her. And all of a sudden, she was going to the school ball with his teammate? And what was that he heard? His teammate actually liked the woman as well? How come he didn't even notice?

Abarai was a good friend to him. The red-head was the one of the few people he was most comfortable with despite Abarai's odd sense of humor. If this friend of his liked the raven-haired woman, Tōshirō couldn't possibly get in their way, could he?

He made his way to the field and sat down on one of the benches to think. He didn't have abundance in choices. It was either he'd go for it and hurt his friend, or he'd give way to him and lose the woman. Tough luck for him though, he felt as if the answer was chosen for him beforehand. Rukia was going to the school ball with Renji, right?

He walked through the hallways, still pondering over the unexpected turn of events. He didn't even realize he reached the library already when he heard her voice call out to him.

"Hey! Tōshirō!"

Tōshirō instantly recognized the owner of the voice and gave her a sideways glance. His mind was still void of anything but confusion, but his face gave none of it away.

"Yeah?" Tōshirō inwardly winced. He surprised even himself at how cold his voice sounded.

He saw the brief look of shock in her eyes…and there was something else. Something along the lines of disappointment and…hurt?

The white-haired lad sighed. He shouldn't act like this towards her just because of what he heard. He was still frustrated with himself though about how it took him this long to figure out his teammate's feelings for the raven-haired beauty.

"What is it?" He asked gently, somehow hoping to appease the woman. In truth, he really—badly—wanted to talk to her, to be with her…His feelings just kept getting stronger to the point that he wanted to just go out there and expose them to everyone who asked…but he couldn't do that, of course. He needed to do the right moves if he really wanted to be with this woman. Now that this thought crossed his mind, he started to recall all the moves he had taken in the past, and desperately tried to find the wrong one he took—the one that made this raven-haired woman choose the red-head as her partner to the school dance.

From behind the raven-haired woman, Tōshirō caught a glimpse of the red-head walking towards their direction. All his confused mind thought was that he needed to get away—and fast! No man would like to see their girl talking to other men in private! Well, at least certainly not him. And since he knew this, he had to think of an escape before his teammate comes any closer and suspects something funny between them.

"Hey, I'm sorry, but I have to go." He quickly turned on his heels and left in a hurry, all the while silently berating himself.

During Wednesday night, he contemplated on what he needed to do as he sat on the edge of his bed, throwing a soccer ball against the wall.

a. Should I just give up on her?

or

b. Should I compete with a friend?

The first one was definitely out of the question. There was no way in hell that he wouldn't do anything about his feelings. The only question was…when? Should he act now and possibly start a race to win the raven-haired woman's heart (may the better man win!) or should he just wait until the coast was clear? He honestly liked the latter better, not because he was a coward and didn't trust himself in getting the woman's heart. It was just that he really didn't want anyone to get hurt (not that he was assuming he'd win). The problem with the latter option was…what if the coast would never be clear? What if…what if they work things out?

Tōshirō growled as he threw the ball towards the wall with more force than before. So now was his only chance, and he sure as hell would take it…

The soccer team was gathered by their team captain for a short briefing about the victory party to be held the day after. Tōshirō's mind was drifting somewhere else, thinking of the plans he had for tomorrow which actually didn't include anything that had to do with the victory party. A few people were strangely absent, one of which was Renji. The team captain didn't seem to mind though, as he started the meeting without waiting for the others. Before the meeting was officially over, a grinning Hisagi Shūhei, a senior teammate, walked towards the huddle.

"You're late, Hisagi." The team captain scolded the tattooed man.

"Yeah, yeah. Got held up by Tatsuki, sorry."

"So, mind sharing with us what you learned besides the geography of your girlfriend's mouth?" The captain mocked.

Hisagi smirked and looked around. He shrugged and said, "I just happen to know where Abarai is."

The team captain raised a brow. "And that will be…?"

"At that sophomore, Hinamori Momo's house. Heard something about driving her home. The girl and Abarai are the new stars of the Drama Club's presentation for this year."

"What happened to Shiba and the other girl, Kuchiki is it?" Another member piped in.

Tōshirō's ears stood at attention at hearing the very familiar names.

"Ah, yeah. Tatsuki said that Kuchiki girl was so kind. She knew that her friend, Hinamori, had the hots for our little Renji, so she talked to Urahara-sensei and Shiba to let Abarai and Hinamori get the lead roles. Something about matchmaking, I guess." Hisagi said as-a-matter-of-factly.

"Oh…But I thought Renji liked the Kuchiki girl? I heard of the rumors about them going to the school ball together."

Hisagi chuckled. Who knew that the high and mighty boys of the soccer team would talk about these types of stuff like gossipers? "Apparently, Kuchiki never agreed to come with him. Renji just assumed. But I think everything's cleared up now." He eyed the white-haired lad silently listening to their conversation. "Right, Tōshirō?"

Tōshirō blinked. Man, this guy is perceptive. "Uh…"

Everyone snickered.

"C'mon kid. We all know you like that girl." Hisagi smirked teasingly.

Tōshirō scratched the back of his neck and looked away. "Hn."

"Renji's out of your way now. Not that he actually was a hindrance anyway. Time to go get your girl, Tōshirō." Hisagi gave him a thumbs up while the rest gave nods of approval.

Tōshirō just smiled sheepishly.

Their relatives started arriving when Byakuya received an urgent call from his secretary. He soon left for an impromptu meeting with their company's board of directors. Now, the task of entertaining their visitors was left in Rukia and Hisana's hands, as Nel added more as a problem than as help.

Rukia stood by the door way, staring off into space as her mind tuned out the conversations going on inside the house, drifting off to someplace else. It was the incessant vibrating and beeping of her phone inside her pocket that shook her out of her thoughts. And to her surprise, it was a message—from Tōshirō! It read: Is it okay if I drop by your house to visit?

Rukia gasped, blinking wildly as she re-read the message just to make sure she got it right. To where now? What exactly happens when a guy comes to visit? The only guy visitor she ever had was Kaien, which was almost like family to her parents (since they lived next to each other). Rukia panicked. Her relatives were having a small reunion inside the house. She couldn't possibly endure any of the teasing that would surely abound—if they didn't turn him away first!

a. Should I ask permission if a guy could come over to…to…install a new software in my computer?

or

b. Should I say no to Tōshirō even if the act rips my heat out, not to mention Rangiku and Momo would scold me when they find out I passed up on this chance?

Rukia took a deep breath. She warily approached her mom who was currently entertaining their visitors. "Uh…Mom?"

"Yes, sweetie?" Hisana asked.

"Can…can a friend…a guy friend come over to install a new software in my computer?"

Hisana blinked. Why did it seem to make her daughter all worked up? Then, she smiled. "Sure, no problem. What software is he installing?"

Rukia shrugged and replied, "Dunno. Some kind of game, maybe. The guy is a major tech geek." Rukia gulped, looking away. Thank goodness Byakuya wasn't home!

Rukia couldn't bring herself to eat and knots multiplied on her stomach faster than flies over raw fish. Rangiku and Momo, whom she had informed right after gaining permission, kept texting and calling for updates while the petite woman tried her very best to maintain a poker face. In truth, she was very near tears from nervousness…When Tōshirō arrived, he was polished and polite, dressed in a white button-up shirt with sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, black dress pants and shoes.

Hisana immediately led him into the dining area and said, "Come, join us for dinner. You know, you look very athletic." Then, she winked at her daughter who gaped at her like a fish.

Rukia felt her soul leave her body. She didn't understand what the wink was all about, but she knew that her mom was very sharp, and she could tell that Hisana knew Tōshirō wasn't visiting to install any kind of software. Again, Rukia thanked the heavens for a very understanding mother…

Dinner was pleasant, with Tōshirō laughing at her relatives' every joke. Throughout the evening, Rukia's grandfather had asked him for his full name for about the sixth time, and Tōshirō didn't seem exasperated as he kept on repeating himself with a smile. Some of Rukia's uncles wanted to know where he was from, who his parents were, what his favorite subjects were, or if he had any college preference yet. It was a grill fest, and everyone knew it.

What made Rukia's heart swell with inexplicable warmth and, dare she say, love for this guy was that he appeared genuinely interested with her family, and at some point, he even offered a few pointers to Nel who suddenly declared an interest in soccer.

After dinner, as he prepared to leave, Tōshirō turned and said, "I just really wanted to ask you something that's why I asked you the party. You know, so you won't get shocked." Rukia wasn't sure if it was the yellow lighting by the front door or if he really was flushed.

Her heart took a nosedive. Now what could it be?

Tōshirō scratched the back of his head, gulped then looked at the petite woman straight in the eyes. "Uhm…Do you mind going with me to the ball?"

Okay, unless your mom is Hisana, don't lie to your parents about people coming over, kiddies! :) Have a great day!