The next day while Toshirou was in the meeting that afternoon Rukia was wandering around the Seireitei lost in thought she had figured out something last night when she had layed down to go to sleep 'Do I really like Toshirou or is it something else' she thought stopping in front of the oak tree unaware that Ikkaku had spotted her and was following her.
'What on earth is she doing' Ikkaku furrows his brows in concern as she continues wandering aimlessly after a few moments he was about to continue following her when he felt the massive reiatsu of Captain Zaraki ahead so instead he opens his mouth to call out to her but is too late as she slams into the huge man.
"Ah I'm sorry Captain Zaraki" Rukia apologizes bowing low as he once again sets her on her feet after steadying her "I believe this is the 2nd time in 2 days that you have done this maybe you should start being more aware of your surroundings little Kuchiki" Kenpachi says gruffly patting her head roughly and ushering her on her way as he spots Ikkaku.
Stumbling slightly under the weight of Kenpachi's hand she rushes off the minute she could angry at herself for being such a ditz 'How could Toshirou like someone like me' Rukia slows now trudging along as her thoughts once again consume her 'Maybe he doesn't and is just pitying me' she thinks her shoulder slumping further at the thought.
'I know maybe I'll look for' here her thoughts abruptly stop as Ikkaku appears before her "Ah Ikkaku I need your help" Rukia blurts out suddenly before turning red in the face in embarassment when Ikkaku looks at her and busts out laughing "Alright Kuckiki what is it that you need my help for" he asks curiously.
"How can you tell if you like someone genuinely or if the person you like, likes you back" she again blurts out before falling silent and staring at him eagerly "Is this about Captain Hitsugaya" Ikkaku asks his assumption proves to be correct when she blushes a deeper red than before and nods in confusion.
"Ok Kuchiki how do you feel about the Captain" he asks when she doesn't say anything else "I don't know my heart races whenever I'm near him and I feel warm when he holds my hand also I feel really happy when he says my name or holds open doors and takes me to lunch with him" she ticks off her fingers before looking at Ikkaku once again.
"Well Kuchiki that's all signs that you like him so good for you now as for Captain Hitsugaya liking you I wouldn't worry to much because he does" he sighs out feeling defeated all of a sudden his eyes widen in surprise 'All of that which she just said points out exactly how I feel about her' Ikkaku thinks but wisely keeps his mouth shut about his new found feelings.
"Thank you Ikkaku" Rukia waves happier now and skips off eagerly waiting for it to be dinner time leaving Ikkaku alone with his traitorous thoughts 'Damn when did I start genuinely liking Rukia Kuchiki' he asks himself as he starts walking back to his quarters this time it was him lost in his thoughts and unaware of his surroundings.
Later that day after the Captain's Meeting and the introductions of the new Vice-Captain Toshirou went in search of Rukia and found her staring into a koi pond on the edge of the Seireitei and he silently edged closer hearing her mumble to herself "The question is do I tell him or not" he heard her say.
"Tell him what" Toshirou speaks up and Rukia jumps a foot in the air "Toshirou" she squeaks in embarassment covering her face with her hands and looking at him between her fingers a blush whipping across her cheeks "Oh it's nothing" she waves her hands smiling nervously as she backs up and before he could warn her falls into the koi pond getting soaked.
"Rukia are you alright" he chuckles at the dripping wet female while she scowls at him good-naturedly "I'm fine it just seems I'm rather clutzy today" she sighs out accepting his hand allowing Toshirou to pull her out of the pond "Well if you'd like to go change you can and then we can head off for dinner like I promised" he stares at her heatedly causing her to squeak again and rush off in a hurry.
Preparing to go after her Toshirou is stopped by Ikkaku "Captain Hitsugaya do you genuinely like Kuchiki" Ikkaku asks wanting to know desperately "I'm not sure but I do know that I could grow to love her like she probably deserves" he explains causing Ikkaku to bark out a laugh "Oh yeah well we'll see who she likes more in the end" Ikkaku says before heading off.
"What on earth is up with Madarame" Toshirou scowls his nose scrunching up in irritation 'Why that bastard he just freaking challenged us for Rukia's affections' he rages in his thoughts when Rukia reappears and Toshirou calms down not wanting her to see him so upset and then having to awkwardly explain why.
"Are you ready for dinner I've already made reservations all we have to do is show up" he smiles at her causing her to blush again before holding out his arm for her to take which Rukia does so her violet eyes sparkling in adoration as he leads her to the restaurant he had chosen for them to have dinner.
Upon arriving at the quant but still luxurious they are immediately seated while waiting for their waiter to come and take down their order Toshirou takes the time to subtly look over Rukia who looked rather pretty in the dark blue knee-length dress she had chosen to wear instead of her Soul Reaper robes that hide every little curve her body had.
What he didn't know was that Rukia was also nervously looking him over and she definitely liked what she saw all the way from the long-sleeved mint green shirt to the light blue pants of course she loved the style of his spikey white hair and ice-colored eyes they are broken out of their perusal of each other by their waiter clearing his throat and looking at the two in amusement.
"Rukia is it alright if I order for the both of us" Toshirou asks bravely taking her hand in his own seeing the interest in the other males eyes "Of course Toshirou" she gives a little laugh completely oblivious but none the less happy about getting to hold Toshirou's hand again as long as he kept holding her hand he could do anything he wanted to her.
At thought she turned a bright red drawing Toshirou's gaze curious gaze 'I wonder what she's thinking about' he sighs audibly hoping no wishing that it was him she was thinking about and not Ikkaku Madarame a few minutes later their food is being placed in front of them along with the white wine he had ordered, Toshirou waits for Rukia's reaction and she doesn't disappoint him in that regard.
"Wow this looks delicious and it smells heavenly" she inhales before swallowing the saliva that had gathered in her mouth at the smell of the food wafting into her nose "I'm glad you think so Rukia" Toshirou releases her hand to pour her a glass of the wine before smiling softly "I hope you enjoy the meal I got it with you in mind" he says pointedly causing her to once again blush.
Slowly Rukia lifts her fork and knife and carefully cuts a piece of the steak finding it easy as it was soft before lifting the fork to her mouth and putting the piece in chewing slowly before swallowing her eyes lighting up in delight "Oh my god that's the most delicous piece of meat I've ever eaten before" Rukia gushes cutting another piece and eating it quickly this time.
Chuckling at her eagerness Toshirou digs in to his own meal taking small sips of the wine everyone once in awhile until their plates were cleared and they were headed out of the restaurant bellies full but happy that their dinner had gone well and no accidents had happened like the last time they had eaten at a restaurant together.
"Well thanks for the wonderful meal Toshirou" Rukia laughs holding his arm again and allowing him to escort her home "I'm glad you had fun did I tell you that you look pretty tonight" Toshirou says suddenly causing her to trip over her feet startled "Ah no but thank you for telling me now and you, you look pre...nice to" she stutters out almost calling him pretty as well but changing her word at the last moment.
Pulling Rukia up by the hand and steadying her on her feet Toshirou's own face gains a blush at her stuttered out sentence he was much more elegant with his reply "Thank you Rukia and I'm hoping that we might get to do this again soon" Toshirou asks struggling to keep the eagerness out of his voice in case she said no.
"I'd love to Toshirou but it won't be for awhile I'm going on a 3 week mission starting tomorrow" Rukia pouts looking at Toshirou sadly "It's alright Rukia we can't help it that it's our job to go out and patrol the Human World from time to time" Toshirou points out slightly put out that it would be that long until he got to see her again.
All the while they had been talking after Rukia had been helped back onto her feet they had been walking and they had finally arrived at the Kuchiki Mansion "Ah well thank you for walking me home and I'll see you in a few weeks" Rukia rushes out even more nervous now that she was standing on front of her home.
"No I'll be here to see you in the morning" Toshirou shakes his head before pulling Rukia into a brief hug and ushering her into the house before heading back to his sleeping quarters to get some sleep so that he could rise early to see Rukia off while Rukia went through her nightly routine in a happy daze.
