Not-so-long-author-note: Hey! This is the sixth chapter of It Takes Two to Make a Heart! I'll say more in the author note below, SO PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR NOTE BELOW.
This is rated T for mild language.
Warning: Possible spoilers
This is dedicated to my patient readers, reviewers, and especially Ashezo, , purplepam, and sparkleflower, who stuck faithfully with this fic, reviewed thoughtfully, and made me and this fic feel loved. Thank you so much.
It Takes Two to Make a Heart – At least Dorm Rooms Should be Normal... Right?
"Well, how is it?"
"Hai. The subject still shows signs of neural struggle, but it is slowly succumbing."
"What is the neural output now?"
"25%, sir."
The first man that had spoken with a confident and deep tone now brooded in silence, contemplating something.
"…Increase it to 40%. Monitor him closely for the next 4 hours after you do this."
"Hai," came the curiously blank tone of another. This voice was deep in its own different way, and didn't provide much information about its owner.
The only noise in the eerily dark and quiet room now was a low hum, and strange muffled groans.
Groans of pain.
"Shall I silence it?"
"No, leave it be. There is no one nearby to help it anyway," calmly answered the first voice.
"…Moreover, you know what you have to do, don't you?"
"Hai," came the quick reply.
"Very well, I'll leave it to you to arrange the paperwork and your own luggage," concluded the man with the confident tone, before a rustling of cloth announced his intention to leave.
"I leave it in your capable hands…
"…Ulquiorra…"
"You've had a rough morning, haven't you?" commented one Ise Nanao with sympathy.
Rukia could only manage an awkward "uh" as the two of them walked down the brightly lit hallway. The hallway's floor was a simple green stone floor and marble walls adorned with previous Captains' portraits and past elite students. She had seen a portrait of her brother not two seconds ago, and she had noted he did not seem to have changed at all today at the ceremony from his painting.
The ceremony… Rukia shuddered, willing the thoughts to stay in a corner of her mind for now, but couldn't help but remember the mind-blowing and life-changing decisions made all in the span of a few seconds…
"This now concludes the ceremony for today."
The 3,000 or so male students murmured in confusion and disbelief, but otherwise did not do much else. After his announcement, the aged Commander stood up, and with a dignified rustling of robes, exited the auditorium through a door to the right, though not before giving the whole stage one last sweeping glance. His gaze rested meaningfully on Byakuya, then on Toshiro and Rukia, before departing.
Several of the audience stood up hesitantly, unsure as to whether they could leave or not, but their doubts were soon put to rest when Hirako Shinji yelled out to them, "Oi! Stay right where yer at! This party ain't over!"
Though Shunsui chuckled amusedly, Sui-Feng and Hiyori gave him baleful glares at his conduct. After the boys had finished seating themselves again, the group of Zippers and the Captains glanced at each other.
"So… who wants to explain?" came the voice of the one named Love.
The powerful figures exchanged looks amongst themselves, before Toshiro stepped up to the microphone again. Rukia stiffened as the slight breeze generated by his flapping white haori brushed the legs of her brown pants, and glued her eyes to his retreating back, as if that alone would prove the spectacle in front of her a dream or nightmare. As Toshiro walked closer, several boys' eyes darted between Rukia and Toshiro. As if they really needed to further determine the connection between them, other than the fact that they were surprisingly engaged by none other than Rukia's older brother Kuchiki Byakuya.
Ichigo, who had by now calmed down, was now assessing the situation critically. The Captains struck him as an impressive group, as varied as they were; the Zippers caused the same feeling as well, though they seemed a little more easygoing. Even Toshiro, despite his young age, seemed to fit well with the group. As for his fiancée…
Huh. Fiancée.
Truth be told, he was almost feeling sorry for the pint-sized girl up on the stage. He was pretty sure he would have flipped out had he had an older brother who subjugated him to do all that. But he was a guy, and no matter how sexist it seemed, it was still quite hard in today's society for a girl to defy a guy's decision, especially an older brother's decision.
A quick, cursory glance over at Rukia revealed that she too had more or less calmed down. She had stopped shaking and her face was more guarded in expression, but her huge violet eyes that were currently locked on her future husband's back gave away her true emotions. She was too easy to read.
He glanced at Byakuya, and found himself disliking the man immediately. Great accomplishments notwithstanding, he was still pretty messed up for what he was putting his younger sister through. It also didn't help that he didn't seem to care about the current proceedings, evidenced by his apathetic expression. As an older brother with two younger sisters, Yuzu and Karin, he couldn't fathom what had possessed the Kuchiki head to arrange a marriage and enroll his sister as a guy in a school that would, until more female students were allowed, forever leave her at a ratio of 1 girl to several thousands of guys.
But he also knew, through his own sense of caution, that there was more to the arranged marriage than a hasty coupling of two young kids. There were sure to be benefits for both parties, good things that could be wrought by their union.
He blinked. He had just been seething. Kurosaki Ichigo did not seethe and fret over for anyone. He wondered why he was fretting over her anyways. Even if it wasn't in a worried manner like a friend or guardian might, he was still concerned, for the same person-who-freaking-kicked-his-shins-which-still-had-slightly-throbbing-bruises.
…Yeah.
"As I have announced," came the soft and deep voice of Toshiro, "Kuchiki Rukia is my fiancée, and I am the new 10th Captain of the Gotei 13."
There was little murmuring at this, for the audience had finally come to realize the truth and weight of his words.
Toshiro continued with, "For this year, and possibly for several more years, the Captains will be your teachers in various subjects."
A frenzy of low, urgent whispers exploded across the theater seats.
Captains were extremely busy individuals in society and their work, so it was highly improbable that they could teach for more than a few months. In fact, it was rare for all of them to been seen grouped together at any one time.
"The Zippers that were introduced earlier were former Captains, and will also be teaching you this year," he added on.
There were less shocked reactions to this announcement. Though their arrival was certainly shocking, many had already known about the Zippers and their former days as Captains. After all, the students of the Karakura Institute of Boys were expected to know the history of their benefactors.
"We are gathered here today to announce my promotion and your new teachers. Like the Commander said, treat the Captains and the Zippers with the proper amount of respect, and they will do their best to teach and respect you." He paused.
"I will be glad to work with you guys, but not as a Captain or teacher yet. I will be a Stitch this year until I learn and understand fully all parts of my job as a Captain."
Some scattered and hesitant applause dotted the silence, but he didn't seem perturbed by it. As the few claps awkwardly faded into silence, he walked back to the line of Captains.
Meanwhile, Ichigo stared at Rukia some more, wondering what was so completely pitiful about her (because that was the only reason he could be this interested in her issues: pity and curiosity), when a set of small, child-like eyes flashed across his mind.
Small, child-like, violet eyes.
Frowning in both surprise and confusion, he stared up at the petite dark-haired girl more intensely.
Did he know her from somewhere? If so, where? He was pretty sure today had been the first time he had met the feisty girl, so how could he have imagined a smaller version of her eyes in such detail?
As if he had seen a smaller, younger version of Kuchiki Rukia before?
At the time, Rukia had felt the weight of Ichigo's scrutiny, but did not look at him, still reeling from the news.
Byakuya had left immediately, informing her and the Captains that after a 3-day business trip, he would come back to teach the students of the institute. He informed Rukia that her main luggage had already been delivered to her room and that all expenses were taken care of. Rukia had tried to reach for him and demand more answers and explanations, but was too late and could only watch on helplessly as he disappeared from her sight again. The rest of the Captains decided to return to their rooms to prepare for classes tomorrow.
Shuuhei, who blushed a shade of embarrassed red when he caught Rukia's eye, had directed the audience back to their respective dorms. Ichigo had left then, not giving her a second glance but seeming to be still deep in thought.
Uryu and Renji stayed behind to bicker about Renji's misconduct and in Uryu's words, "filthy, not removed spittle". Then the secretary, Nanao, had come to Rukia's rescue to show Rukia her new dorms.
The pair now walked in silence down the large hallway, which was the main hallway to all the dorms.
"We're sorry that we don't have any female dorms prepared as of yet," Nanao apologized, "so we will have to put you in a dorm for males."
Rukia nodded her understanding, and hesitantly ventured, "At least I won't have to share a room with a guy, right?" and adding a nervous laugh at the end.
"Unfortunately," the secretary crisply replied, "you are right and wrong."
Rukia frowned. Right and wrong?
They stopped in an outside courtyard at the center of four large marble buildings. Smooth maroon in-laid bricks surrounded the marble fountain at the center of the courtyard and stretched until they stopped at the base of a set of marble steps for each dorm. Clear water sprayed gently from expertly carved statues of former and current Captains. Rukia fancied she could see Byakuya nii-sama within the artwork.
Each of the dorm buildings appeared the same outwardly with only a large bronze plaque noting which class the dorm was affiliated to, or namely, the Pins, Stitches, Buttons, and Zippers. Every building was designed simply with an overall square shape and large rectangular all-glass windows at regular intervals. The sunlight's glare made the whole building shine and the windows gleam with reflected light. The order of the buildings, Rukia noted, were in the same order from the youngest class to the eldest, starting from the left.
"These are the dorm buildings, and each building is for a rank: Pin, Stitches, Buttons and Zippers. The Zippers will stay close to supervise and be of assistance if necessary. The Captains are in a separate wing close by."
Nanao then continued to walk toward the fountain and Rukia hurried to follow, who had been standing awestruck at the magnificent buildings. As she ran, she noticed there were lush gardens and foliage between all the buildings and was pleased to see the variety of them. She then noticed a small patch of forlorn and ragged grass by the Buttons dorm.
"What's that?"
Nanao glanced over at where Rukia was pointing, and scowled.
"That," she muttered, "must be eradicated as soon as possible before the Captains come see this. That is a piece of land infested with rabbits."
"Rabbits?" Rukia queried.
Rabbits…
Rabbits.
RABBITS!
Oh, the only joy of her crazy life today, to be so close to none other than rabbits! She would have to plead and make sure that the precious patch wasn't eradicated. She hummed to herself a tune from the popular television show Chappy before she realized that Nanao had walked ahead again.
She hurried after her, loving the soft breeze that had picked up and ruffled the surrounding trees, grass and her short black hair.
The two females entered the Stitch building, their shoes echoing off the marble floors.
"Wow…" Rukia could only say as she beheld the view in front of her. It looked much like the 5 star hotels she and Byakuya occasionally went to, with soft light emanating from high lamps, what appeared to be a mahogany wood desk in one corner and large marble columns supporting the ceiling decorated with frescoes. It was a spacious chamber, with soft velvet black sofas in one corner, with coffee tables and a whole bookshelf of books. In another corner there were many mailbox cubbies, which were already stuffed with some letters or packages. The last corner simply housed a few potted plants, but from a quick glance, Rukia could tell they were shipped in from rare and exotic places.
The pair walked down the main hallway and she noted the widely spaced doors.
"Are the rooms that big? And are all the buildings like this?" she wondered aloud. Nanao beamed in slight pride.
"Yes," she informed, "we decided on a simple layout and large spacious rooms for comfort. We are one of the world's leading schools of academics and the fine arts."
They reached the end of the hallway, which had 4 simple steel elevators. None were currently in use. Rukia and the secretary boarded the last one on the right and Nanao pushed in the button for the 13th floor.
Just like the number of Captains and Divisions in the Gotei 13, thought Rukia, who had noticed there were only 13 buttons for the 13 floors in the building, aside from standard elevator function buttons.
The elevator smoothly came to a halt, and doors slid open silently. The hallway looked much the same as the one on the first floor.
"The doors and rooms are soundproof," said Nanao offhandedly as they stepped out.
Rukia suddenly remembered the purpose of this trip and what Nanao had said earlier about her dorm room.
"Um, about before," she stated lowly, too exhausted and taxed to use her fake girly-acting voice, "what did you mean when you said I was right and wrong?"
They had by now reached her dorm room, whose white wood door simply had the bronze numbers 1306 to identify it.
Nanao eyed her. "You said that you wished not to share a room with a guy, right?"
Rukia nodded in affirmative, still confused.
"It is true that you won't share a room with a guy…"
Rukia frowned a bit, before her eyes widened.
Wait a minute… If the school still didn't allow female students…
"But you will be…"
If she wouldn't be sharing a room with a guy…
"…Sharing a room with…"
With… a guy…
"Guys."
Just then, Nanao reached out to open the soundproof door only to expose her and Rukia to a barrage of yelling and noise. What noisy roommates indeed. Rukia's left eye twitched. She could feel a headache coming on already.
"Kuchiki Rukia, meet your new roommates for the duration of the school year."
Three heads in the room popped up at the sound Nanao's introduction, heads of deep purple, white, and orange.
Oh heck no.
"Please get along with…"
Oh hell no…
"Hisagi Shuuhei, Hitsugaya Toshiro, and Kurosaki Ichigo."
Super-long-author-note: Hey guys, as usual, thanks so much for all the visitors and hits to my stories! While I'd love to hear from you guys by review or messaging, your interest in my fics has made me quite happy!
PLEASE READ THIS. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Oh goodness, I am so sorry! Long story short: I left my computer in a place that is locked down for half of a week every week by accident, and had to wait to get it back. That meant no updating for a while. I am so sorry. Read happily and please let me know what you thought about it!
Yes, I did introduce Ulquiorra. You'll have to see later what role he plays in the whole story. This was mostly a flashback continuation of the last chapter, but also had a typical introduction to the dorm room and partners, but boy is it awkward. Also, a note of warning: I'm not going to include a lot of characters, and the plot will heavily deviate from canon at some points. This is not a school fic that perfectly or closely follows canon, so a lot of things could be switched up or not mentioned at all.
Also, I think a lot of you are confused about the whole Pins/Stitches/Buttons/Zippers issue. I'll post here an explanation I gave to a reviewer not too long ago:
Basically, there are different ways to hold together things, like pants and jackets. Zippers are convenient and less likely to break, so the superior seniors call themselves that. Buttons are the next efficient, so that would go to the juniors. "Stitch" is actually velcro, since actually having stitches would be troublesome for the sophomores. Freshmen are Pins because those are, no matter how you look at them, an odd and dangerous way to hold together something. Instead of actual pins though, they have one of those blunt tooth/claw on one side of the jacket, and on the other side, a loop to put the tooth/claw through to secure it. If you don't get the Pin description, google "winter jacket with fur" and if your search settings are moderate, it should be the first picture.
As for pairings, if you see my profile, I believe in free love, as long as it doesn't harm anyone greatly. There won't be any boy x boy or girl x girl pairings in this fic, but my policy also applies to boy x girl relationships. When I think of the shipping wars, I think it's sad how people fight over which is better, like in religion. I like Ichiruki better, and I don't like Orihime (not because she's an obstacle for Ichiruki or because she's weak, something about her personality doesn't sit well with me…) but I'm trying my best each year not to bash or denounce Ichihime. It's kind of stupid. Believe with all your faith in your favorite pairings and that is good enough. Belittling the dreams and fantasies of others degrades your favorite pairing. Sorry if this offends some people, I know shipping wars is a controversial subject in the manga and anime world. So basically, I will stick with my favorite pairings and add some pairings I have no big opinion about, but I don't want readers to hate it, or hate each other for their different beliefs.
Plans for this fic… I don't think I'm confident in my strength or commitment to start my other plot bunnies yet until this is done. Sorry for being selfish. I just hope you guys enjoy this and go along with the ride. Thanks so much for the reviewers and readers of this fic. Thank you also for alerts and favorites!
Ack, I also realized I need to respond to the anonymous reviewers. Remember, making an account doesn't take too long, and you're not forced to write stories. It makes it easier for me to express my thanks and thoughts with you if you do! Thank you all so much for helping me to reach the 20-reviews milestone for the first time! It's all thanks to you wonderful guys!
To vic: Hi again! Glad you like it, but I'd also like to know what parts made you react that way. Thanks for reviewing!
To Lizzy: Hi! Glad you like it, but I'll say the same thing I said above. What parts made you want me to update? That'd be of great help, thanks!
To Quill Princess: Haha, hi again! I understand, as sometimes I'm too lazy to sign in myself. Thank you so much! I was worried that my fic would have mistakes, but it's reassuring to hear that from you! Sorry for the late update!
The rest of the reviewers logged in, so I have replied to you all as soon as possible through review reply. Thanks so much all of you, anonymous or not!