Disclaimer: If it's possible I own Bleach even less than I did in the first and second chapter...which to say: 'none at all.' The rights and related whatnots are property of Tite Kubo. Story Cover art belongs to Gnosticgarden (*http (colon slash slash) .com (slash)art(slash)Bleach-IchiRuki-415211208*)

The following school day:

"Good Morning," the teacher called as she walked to her desk.

"Welcome Sensei!" The class chorused the greeting.

Ochi-sensei instructed, "turn in all your homework, then pull your next English assignment from the basket."

Semi-orderly, the students dropped their assignments on the desk and drew another idiom-paper from the now-familiar basket.

Ichigo unfolded the paper and his perpetual scowl deepened.

Rukia leaned over to ask, "what did you pick today?"

"Yesterday, it was 'Death by a thousand cuts.' Today it's 'By the skin of your teeth,'" Ichigo answered grumbling, "it's a good thing I don't believe in that psychic-stuff. Otherwise I might think something horrible is about to happen."

"Oh, now I understand," Rukia's fist hits her opposite palm, "these idiom-things are like fortunes!"

"What?" Ichigo hissed quietly, "that's not how it works."

Reading her slip of paper, Rukia said haughtily, "my idiom-fortune says I should go back to the wall."

"Are you even listening to me?!" The orange haired teen hollered.

"Kurosaki..." an ominous shadow fell over the teen, "is there something you need? Say, for example, detention?"

"Er...uh...no sensei," He shrunk away from the teacher's evil aura, "my apologies."

Ochi-sensei commanded firmly, "no more interruptions, Kurosaki."

Ichigo mumbled, contrite, "Yes, ma'am."

Ochi-sensei smirked and returned to the lesson. Not two minutes later, the Substitute-Shingami Combat Pass screeched: "HOLLOW! HOLLOW! HOLLOW!"

Rukia pretended to yawn (a Chappy-mod-soul in hand), her false body becoming inhabited by a replacement soul while her shinigami spirit stood nearby in robes of shadow, her zanpakto secured in place at her side.

Ichigo stood, preparing to vamoose.

"Kurosaki, there will be no further interruptions today," Ochi-sensei said while writing on the whiteboard, "sit back down."

"But-"

"Kurosaki," Ochi-sensei slowly turned, a dark light in her eyes, an evil smile on her face, "Sit. Back. Down."

"...yes...sensei..." defeated by Ochi-overlord, he scowled at Rukia's smirk.

"I was lucky to get that idiom-fortune! Now I can go back to the wall!" She paused, "Although, I am not sure which wall it is talking about..." she muttered then shrugged, "oh well," the shinigami leapt out the window, running on reishi-air toward the distant battle.

'Idiom-fortune?' Ichigo silently fumed, 'What in the world is she thinking?'

Time dragged on. Chappy read aloud in class, the mod soul had plenty of "pyon's" to share. Time slowed further. The salvation of the lunch bell finally rang.

"Kuchiki-chan, the way you read was so cute!" the other girls gushed.

"Thank you, pyon!" Chappy chirped as the group of females headed off for lunch.

Ichigo trudged out of the class and eventually achieved the freedom of the school roof. He plopped down and unwrapped his bento. A silent presence appeared at his left while a snotty attitude approached his right.

"..." said Chad.

Ichigo growled, "I am not worried!"

Light glinted off square lens, "I believe that's called a 'Freudian slip,' Kurosaki."

"Shut it, Ishida." Ichigo grumped.

Just then Mizuiro's subtle sarcasm and Keigo's loud babbling joined the group. The new arrivals effectively (thankfully) drew the attention away from Ichigo.

Returning to the class room, the group greeted Rukia who sat happily at her desk. "Kuchiki-san," said Keigo (excitedly) and the dark haired quincy (stoically). A wave from Chad and Mizuiro while Ichigo merely grunted. The warning bell rang and the teens dispersed to their respective spots. Other students filtered into the room and the low murmuring drone of chatter filled the far flung corners. Rukia hummed as she drew Chappy related art, waiting for their teacher to reappear.

"What took you so long?" Ichigo muttered.

Her sharp eyes shot to him, "I told you that I had to go back to the wall."

He stared at her incredulous, "Which wall?"

"I choose the one in Seireitei, of course," Rukia answered smugly.

Ichigo groaned in aggravation, "Idioms are not fortunes. Idioms are phrases that have meanings beyond the words themselves."

Her lips twisted into a confused frown.

The substitute shinigami asked, "today you got the idiom, 'Back to the wall,' right?"

Rukia nodded.

"That doesn't mean that you go back to the wall," he attempted to explain, "it's a phrase that means that your back is to the wall..." then trailed off at the look on her face that practically shouted 'disbelief.'

Rukia questioned, hesitantly, "I have to put my back against the wall?"

'She still has no idea what's going on,' Ichigo asked in frustration, "what did I say about taking these things literally?"

"...to not to?"

*A Freudian Slip is an error in speech, memory or physical action that is interpreted as occurring due to the interference of unconscious thoughts or feelings.

AN: Yes, I borrowed the 'no idea' line from the manga. Thank you Kubo-sensei for the awesomeness of Bleach! (throws confetti) *See profile for link to Gnosticgarden's picture at DeviantArt! Thanks for letting me use your picture!* MantaRae

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