FAVORITE. CHAPTER. EVER! :) Sorry this is on the late side. I hope you all will forgive me!

This hearts still beating here;
It's always on.
Don't call it destiny;
That's so defeating.

This electricity flows through us all.

Conduit - Cartel

Chapter 16: All Sorts of Surprises!

-Rukia-

The aquarium entrance was decorated brightly with colorful fish and various aquatic mammals and Rukia couldn't suppress a childish grin as she got her hand stamped with the Churaumi aquarium's logo.

Ichigo handed her the map and allowed her to lead the way. Walking through the different exhibits, Rukia realized that much of the aquarium was still the same as when she was a child.

They saw all the displays in the building, making small talk about the different animals and poking fun, casually brushing against each other as they walked. It was surprisingly natural, Rukia thought after a while, walking with Ichigo like this, so close, as if there were an invisible string connecting them.

Finally, at 2:30, they made their way over to the otter exhibit. It was a large structure outside the main building with long rows of plastic folding chairs overlooking the otters' pool and a stage on the far side.

Ichigo found them a pair of seats near the front center. Rukia sat down next to the tall boy and fiddled with the hem of her dress.

Of all the times to get a case of the nerves!

Now, without the displays and movement to hold their attention, Rukia realized that they would have to entertain each other until the show started. She snuck a glance at Ichigo's watch.

"Are you looking forward to the show?"

Ichigo's question pulled Rukia from her thoughts.

"Oh, yes! This show is new so I haven't seen it before but I've always loved otters. They're kind of like rabbits; they're so playful and cute." Rukia forced her mouth closed. She'd probably say something completely embarrassing if she didn't control herself.

-Ichigo-

Ichigo smiled at the petite girl's tirade.

"You like rabbits?" He asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

Rukia nodded. She spoke slowly, as if monitoring each word leaving her mouth, "I always wanted one for a pet but my brother never let me."

"Well, you should get one now. He can't tell you what to do when you move out." Ichigo suggested.

Rukia's bright eyes widened. "I could never do that. He'd be upset and I wouldn't be able to take it to university with me anyway."

Ichigo frowned at her attitude towards her brother but asked instead, "Where are you going for school?"

"University of Tokyo." A small smile formed on her lips and Ichigo could her the pride in her voice.

Ichigo smirked and considered biting his tongue before admitting, "I thought about going there."

Surprise registered on Rukia's face before she politely covered it. "Oh? I didn't realize you were so serious about your studies."

Her tone implied that she meant to end the conversation there but Ichigo continued, "Yeah. I want to be a doctor so I applied to the medical program. I didn't get all the scholarships I had hoped for though."

He shrugged and leaned back in his chair and watched her face as she took in the information.

So I'm smarter than she thought.

Ichigo grinned. "You thought I was just a no-good delinquent."

Rukia shook her head furiously. "Of course not! I just… I thought-"

"Hey, it's fine." Ichigo said lightly. Thinking quickly, he moved his arm so that it rested on the back of her chair.

She paused before speaking again, blushing faintly. After a moment, she relaxed against him and said, "I didn't know you wanted to be a doctor."

"My dad's a doctor. I learned a lot from him and I'm not too bad at it." Ichigo looked down at the girl beside him. "I figure I'll intern somewhere for a year or two until I can afford to get through Tokyo and become a real doctor."

Rukia let her head fall on his shoulder and was quiet.

Ichigo wanted to ask what she was thinking about but before he could the show started. Rukia immediately sat up straight in eagerness, moving away from him, and Ichigo smiled good-naturedly.

Well, it was nice while it lasted.

-Rukia-

The show had been extremely impressive. Rukia had gasped along with most of the audience as the otters jumped through hula-hoops and made noises and swam in formation with each other.

She resisted the urge to wave back as they waved good-bye at the end of the performance.

Ichigo took her hand into his as they left the exhibit and Rukia thought again about what he had said before the show.

I was being stupid. It was silly to even get my hopes. Of course he won't be going to the same school as me. Even if he was, it's not like he'd want to keep going out… And it's not like Byakuya would let me have a boyfriend anyway.

Rukia tightened her grip on Ichigo's hand, suddenly overcome with relief that she had even had this one chance to go on a real date with a guy like Ichigo without her brother's interference.

"Why don't we stop in here?" Ichigo gently pulled her into the aquarium gift store, recapturing her attention.

Rukia looked around at the little trinkets and kids' toys lining the shelves.

What could Ichigo possibly want from here?

"Why?" Rukia watched Ichigo walk down an aisle of stuffed animals, obviously looking for something.

He returned with a Chappy the Rabbit plushie wearing a shirt that had the logo and two jumping otters on it.

Rukia's jaw dropped.

"It's cute, right?" Ichigo asked, trying to read her expression.

Rukia put a hand over her mouth and nodded. "Is it for me?" She asked quietly.

Ichigo smiled, pleased with her reaction. "You bet. Just let me pay for it first."

He handed her the toy as they left the store and Rukia held it tightly in her arms all the way to the car.

"I never would've pegged you for a secret Chappy fan." Ichigo teased.

"Chappy is adorable and wonderful. I wouldn't expect you to understand." Rukia said haughtily.

Then, their eyes met and they laughed.

-Ichigo-

In the car, Ichigo had an idea.

"You want to go to the beach when we get back?"

Rukia looked at him strangely. "You mean like, go swimming?"

"No, just walk around or something. I don't really want to play Twenty Questions with Tatsuki and Orihime when we get back about our date."

An amused smile pulled at her lips. "All right."

.

Rukia parked in the far end of the parking area and they walked quietly around the house. She sat her rabbit on the stairs of the deck, adjusting him so he would appear comfortable, before turning to face him.

"So what now?" She asked.

Ichigo searched his brain. He hadn't actually thought this far.

A house farther along the beach was having a party. They watched the large fire burn and people walked in and out of the house. Rukia was tapping her foot lightly in time with the music faded by distance.

"Why don't you like dancing?"

Ichigo sighed. He figured she would ask eventually.

"I don't dislike dancing. I just… My mother was the one who taught me how to dance and she taught me the waltz and all sorts of ballroom dances because those were her favorite. No one really does that around here but… I think they're kind of nice."

Ichigo ended quietly, realizing how lame he sounded.

Rukia surprised him by looking thoughtful and humming a slow waltz.

"Shall we?" She grinned and held her hand out to him.

Ichigo took her hand and placed his other hand around her waist. They had almost made a full circle when Ichigo asked incredulously, "Where did you learn to waltz?"

Rukia looked up at him, her deep eyes glinting spiritedly. "My brother does business all over Europe and Asia. I had to learn all sorts of foreign customs."

He lead her into a spin and she twirled gracefully before returning to him. Their eyes met and Ichigo pulled her closer, taking her face in one hand and letting his thumb trace along her jaw.

Rukia wrapped her arms around his neck and he could feel her fingers lightly playing with his hair, ticking his neck and sending shivers down his spine.

Ichigo tilted her head up and she pulled him down so that they were centimeters from each other.

They had stopped dancing.

"Ichigo! Rukia!" Orihime called from the door to the house, startling the pair. "Tatsuki just pulled in! Come meet Renji!"

Ichigo reluctantly let go of the petite girl in his arms.

"I guess we should go inside. I didn't realize they even knew we were out here." He said, chuckling quietly, trying to ease the awkwardness of the situation.

Rukia was pale.

She didn't say anything in response but waited for Ichigo so that they could walk back to the house together.

What's up with her?

-Rukia-

No way! No way, no way, no, no, no…

Rukia slowly entered into the living room where the rest of the group was waiting for Tatsuki and her date to come through the front door.

Orihime beamed and gestured for them to sit down on the couch. Ichigo took a seat but Rukia remained standing.

Surely there are a million Renji's in Japan…

"C'mon, Tatsuki, I really should be getting home. I don't want to impose or anything."

A deep voice could be heard just on the other side of the door and Rukia recognized it immediately.

The front door opened and both Tatsuki and her red haired date came through. Tatsuki had both his hands in hers, pulling him into the living room, with a large smile on her face.

"Ichigo! I didn't think you guys would be back so soon!" The athletic girl exclaimed, trying to gesture to the large man that appeared to be hiding behind her.

"I thought you said they'd be gone!" The man hissed in a quiet voice but Rukia still heard it.

She waited silently.

"Oh, hush." Tatsuki spoke sharply to her date. "Guys, this is Renji!"

She finally pulled him in front of her and the group all waved and greeted the newcomer.

Except for Rukia.

"Renji."

The tall, red-haired man locked eyes with the petite girl. He sucked in a deep breath before exhaling loudly.

"Hey, Ru. This… Just let me explain first, ok?"

Darn you, cliffhangers! :)

Anyways, any guesses as to how Rukia and Renji know each other? 1. There have been a few subtle hints throughout the story. One was even in this chapter. 2. They never dated. So don't guess that.

If you get it right you can have a prize or something.

Maybe.