Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 5

Rukia sat nervously at table as she waited for Shinji. She was late for their date, and the damn man enough nerve to be later than she was! Rukia felt a slight twinge of dread flow through her. It's not that she hated Shinji. How could she hate someone who helped Ichigo so much? The man had more faith in him than any of the other vizards, but Shinji just made her uneasy with his smile and his carefree persona.

Maybe I can leave without getting caught? Rangiku wouldn't make me stay if I didn't like him. Right? On the other hand, brother may be disappointed, but the tongue lashing will be worth it!

"Penny for your thoughts?" A semi-familiar voice asked shaking her from her thoughts.

Damn! So much for escaping unnoticed. "It's none of your concern." Rukia replied coldly as Shinji sat right across from her.

"Oh, I get the ice queen today! Now Rukia, don't look at me like that! I thought you had to give every date a chance. Byakuya would be so disappointed if you didn't give it your all." He raised an eyebrow at her.

For some reason, Rukia sensed the man was issuing a challenge to her. She smoothed her skirt as she outwardly ignored his comment. Shinji was not going to get the best of her.

"I hope you don't mind, but I ordered for us. So why don't you enjoy the coffee, and tell me what's bothering you. Maybe I could help." He stated as the waitress came to place two steaming cups of brown liquid in front of them.

"I don't like burdening others with my troubles. It's unbecoming." Rukia stated with a icy smile on her face.

No wonder Ichigo likes being around her! All that fire in one little body... Shinji marveled at the lady in front of him - ice on top and a raging fire underneath. I wonder how she'll handle things if I tuned up the heat?

When a dangerous sparkle entered Shinji's eyes, Rukia knew that she wasn't going to like his next comment. "This place rather dull. How we about we go somewhere more private. Then maybe you can loosen up? I'm sure some sake would help tremendously. Someone so beautiful shouldn't look so icy." He wagged his eyebrows at her just to see a small twitch around her right eye.

Rukia was shocked at Shinji's suggestion. She restrained herself from clobbering the perverted captain since Byakuya would ground her for the next few centuries if she was seen in public killing this man. Although, if I tell him what Shinji was hinting at, then I could possibly get out of the eternal grounding…

"Hello! Ice Queen! I'm waiting for the answer! Gesh, you spaced out on me. If I didn't know any better, I would say you're trying to make this date fail. You know, it's not fun dealing with a mini Captain Kuchiki." He teased.

Before Rukia could even threaten Shinji, Ichigo came storming through the coffee shop door. He looked furious. "Oi! What the hell are you doing with him, midget! I thought you were on a mission." The jealousy in his voiced caused Shinji to glance at Ichigo with amusement while Rukia looked at him in relief.

Shinji eyed the kid. He was impressed Ichigo had the restraint not to throw Rukia over his shoulder and leave right when he walked through the door. Although he probably wants to know why I have his precious "friend" with me. Let's see how far I can push him...

"What does it look like we are doing, Kurosaki? We are on a nice, little date." Shinji said as he smiled evilly at Ichigo.

Rukia stepped on Shinji's foot, but he didn't flinch. He was too busy having a staring contest with Ichigo. Suddenly, Shinji tried to grab her hand and she snatched it away. Rukia was not going to make this easy on the captain. She would not let him bait Ichigo anymore.

She had to tell him this was not her choice. Hell, she needed to warn him about the matchmaking scheme in general. "Ichigo…"

Shinji quietly casted a bakudo spell on Rukia before he answered Ichigo."You are not wanted here, Ichigo. Rukia agrees with me. Now, leave." Shinji blew her a kiss as Rukia tried to fight the spell. But her fight was useless, she never even heard of the bakudo that Shinju used so escaping wasn't an option.

Ichigo wanted to kill the vizard for apparently keeping Rukia hostage, but she made no effort to escape. His mind was troubled. What happened to the mission, Rukia? Why are you on a date with this asshole? How could you date him? Do you not want to leave with me?

He watched Rukia paled as he silently contemplated his options. Inwardly, Ichigo knew that Rukia would not be with Shinji unless there was something important occurring. But the hell hasn't she asked for his help? Why did she talk to Shinji here in the World of the Living unless they were on an actual date?

"Rukia, would you like me to leave? Or would you rather come with me?" Ichigo anxiously asked Rukia.

Yes, please! I want to come with you! Don't leave me here! Rukia screamed in her head, but nothing was coming out of her mouth. Rukia was acting so just sat in contempt as the battle waged higher within Ichigo. He was fighting his natural instinct to take her with him, and he sure as hell didn't like seeing her with any male of other than himself.

"Didn't you hear me before? I said leave, Ichigo. This is my date. You hog Rukia enough as it is!" Finally, Shinji's insults hit their mark. He could see Ichigo's spiritual pressure flare higher than normal. Shinji's smile widened. Their plan was working. Now, if the idiot would just put up a fight.

Ichigo tore his eyes away from Rukia to look at the blonde man, "When the hell did you start liking Rukia? Last I remembered, you hated most soul reapers."

"I make an exception for the beautiful ones…" Shinji turned to smile and wink at his date.

She tried to glare at him, but it was no use. A giggle came out of her mouth as her eyes widened in shock. What the hell did he do to me?

Rukia's throat closed up as she could see defeat creeping into Ichigo features - his doubts won. Don't leave me here, fool! You should know this isn't me! This is a spell or potion, or something! But it's not me!

Ichigo could see the determination in Shinji's eyes. He was going to have to fight Shinji for him to release Rukia. The fight would put everyone here at risk. So Ichigo did the only thing he could do. He left before he did anything stupid like killing the captain and destroying half of the town. Ichigo threw Shinji an evil glare. Then he glanced back at a happy Rukia with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"Treat her well, Shinji, or so help me I will kill you." He promised before he left. The whole coffee shop was frozen as they watched the orange haired boy storm out of the door.

Rukia stared horrified as her best friend left her with the vizard captain. Why didn't he fight for me? Was the only question she kept repeating to herself.

Thank you to everyone who is reading, following, and reviewing! I hope you enjoyed the first part of the date! The bakudo spell does not exist. I made it up for the purpose of the story, and Shinji is a bakodo master in here to allow him to create a new kido spell. Again don't kill me if you like Shinji. I put a little twist on his character, but you'll find out the full story shortly since this is part 1 of 2! Also even though it is a little OCC for Ichigo give up that easily, he had to because it's part of the story right line.

Ulquiorra9000 thank you for the reviews, and you're suggestion! Thanks for your suggest on Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba! I'm going to have to look more into him, and see what I can line up there!

BlackTreeLeaf, thank you again! I'm glad you are liking the story!

Lightdesired, thank you for the review! And yes, Shinji makes everything interesting!