(AN:) To all my lovely readers, I am sorry if the chapter is a little late! I lost some my chapters that I previously was working on due to a computer crash so I apologize if your requested date takes a little longer! But y'all will still get a chapter a week. Thank you for understanding.

Forewarning a little OCC because I envision them to be at least semi-friendly by the time my story is occurring.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

Chapter 7

After their semi-awkward escape, Rukia and Hitsugaya walked through the busy streets. "Where are we going captain?" Rukia whispered, but she knew he could hear her.

"We are going to get some food, Kuchiki. I wasn't lying when I told Hirako that we were going to get lunch. Heavens knows you haven't had anything considering the murderous glare you were giving your date when I walked in." He sneered.

"Oh…" Rukia looked down at her feet with a frown on her face. He must have saw through her the ice queen façade earlier to come to that conclusion. Suddenly, Rukia's frown deepened. She felt like they were being watched; yet, she felt no spiritual pressure. Maybe my mind is just playing tricks on me.

"What's with the frown, Kuchiki? Did you detest my idea that much?" Hitsugaya looked over at his companion just as her stomach rumbled. He hid a smile behind a blank mask. All he offered her was a raised eyebrow. He mocked her to hide a chill running down his spin. He wondered if she felt it too; yet, she acted normal for someone since she just had a horrible date.

Rukia looked at her companion underneath her eyelashes. She could tell he was annoyed with her not answering him. Hitsugaya always thought that if you asked him a question, then you needed to answer him right then. At least he's concerned about food for the moment than the weird feeling. If he's acting normal, then we should be fine. Well, I better give an the man an answer before he yells at me.

"I don't care, captain. We can always return to the Soul Society to eat, then complete our paperwork." Rukia replied hastily before she stared off into space.

"Kuchiki? What's really troubling you? You seem out of it." He asked as he noted her vacant expression once again.

She refused to tell him about their possible stalker. What if Shinji's bakudo spell caused side effects, and it was all in her head? She couldn't let the captain think she was insane.

"Nothing is wrong, captain." Rukia lied, but she didn't put in much effort to convince him that she was fine. She was too busy figuring out her next move.

His eyes narrowed in suspicion. He wondered if she felt the presence too. Rukia was not acting like the young woman he previously worked with. "I figured you would be happy to have lunch in the World of the Living since you always volunteer to come here." He was quiet for a minute. Maybe he misread her signs earlier. "Is there a reason why you don't want stay here, Kuchiki?"

Rukia listened to him, but his words went in one ear and out the other. Do I tell him? Nah, if he hasn't sensed anything then we don't need to worry. But I do need to give him an answer.

"Captain Hitsugaya, I'm sorry for ignoring you. I've just lost in thought, but I wanted to ask you a question that's been on my mind." She paused as she took a deep breath. It's now or never, Kuchiki! Shock him, deflect his questions, and move on! You need to not let him think you are insane.

"Why did you help me?" Rukia asked. She had hoped her question would through Hitsugaya for a loop, but it didn't.

"Ah, the question of the hour. I honestly expected you to ask that right after we walked out of the coffee shop, Kuchiki. I didn't figured a simple rescuing would put you at a loss for words earlier, but I guess I was wrong." Hitsugaya sighed when her violet orbs widened as she saw a challenge hidden behind his teal ones.

Is he baiting me?

"The answer is simple, Kuchiki. I helped you because you looked uncomfortable." He stated.

"So you have a hero complex then?" She asked semi-jokingly, but she was quite seriously too. She was trying to see the limits of this handsome man in front of her.

As if he read her ever changing mood, he smirked at her. "Besides, how could I not help my fill-in lieutenant?"

Ah, there is the smartass captain I'm familiar with. Oh, look! Both of you were distracted. Congratulations self! Keep up the awesome work! Ignore the presence, and maybe it will go away.

"You were serious about that?" She asking half-heartedly. Rukia felt like she owed Captain Hitsugaya for saving her from her date, but she didn't think that becoming his second lieutenant would help him at all. If she added Captain Hitsugaya's mound of paperwork on top of her never ending mountain, then she doubted that she would even have time for all this matchmaking trouble. Oh this could be a good thing! though Less time for suitors equals less dates which equals even less dealing with the ancient creepy matchmaker.

"Yes. I was serious, Kuchiki." He sneaked a glance over at his companion. He watched her face fall, but for some reason there was a little light of hope in her eyes. Hitsugaya chuckled to himself. His conclusion was simple. The men or the matchmaker has driven Rukia insane, and she was going to use him as an excuse to escape it. "But just for today." He said with a slight laugh.

All the hope went out of Rukia's eyes as she grabbed the captain's arm. "So I just help you today, and we are even, captain? Why not request my help more? It wouldn't be an issue you know." She asked.

"Simple, Kuchiki. You'd enjoy my company too much." Rukia's eyes widened at his confidence.

Where did that come from? Was he joking with me, or did he figure it out? A slight grin could faintly be seen around his mouth. Her eyes narrowed at Hitsugaya. Damn man knew he was going to be an excuse for her to hide from matchmaking. Fine. If he wants it that way, two can play this game. Let's see how he likes a desperate woman then.

"But captain, what if I have separate anxiety from my savior!" Rukia exclaimed as she held in her beaming smile as she attempted to tighten her hold on his arm.

Hitsugaya was completely taken back by Rukia's actions. "I think you have me mixed up with Kurosaki, Kuchiki." Hitsugaya decided to put a few feet in-between him and the delusional lady.

"Ichigo left me to the wolves, but you… You saved me!" Rukia countered loudly as she followed the nervous captain. She wasn't backing down from her challenge. He started it. Oh, look! He was still running way from her.

Rukia continued to slowly approach the captain as he backed up into a tree. She was chest level with him then. And it was a nice muscular chest since he had grown a few inches taller than her. She batted her eyelashes at him while she watched him sweat. The poor man was so uncomfortable, Rukia decided to put him out of his misery.

"It's not fun to get people's hopes up. Is it, captain?" She asked him with a smirk as she stepped back giving the man room to breathe.

"You did not just…" He was still trying to reign his breathing under control as he finally figured out Rukia was not one to play battle of the wits with. She would own your ass in a heartbeat. The woman was brilliant!

"Oh, I did, Captain Hitsugaya. I caught on to your game while ago that turnabout was fair play. But don't worry, you've secret is safe with me!" She said with a wink. Hitsugaya stood starring after her for a minute as he watched her walk away.

"What secret, Kuchiki?" He yelled as he followed after her. This was the soul reaper that everyone talked about – a side of her only her dear friends see.

"Women make you uncomfortable, especially when they are forward. You were severely distressed and started to sweat. Captain, you acted like I was going to pounce on you!" Rukia pointed out.

"Kuchiki! I am not scared of women! I just, huh…" He stuttered. "It's just whip lash from Masumoto almost suffocating me all those times when she tried to hug me..." He lost his words as he watched her approach him yet again.

"See..." Rukia stated as she ran a finger down his arm. "Your secret is safe with me, if you allow my simple proposition."

Hitsugaya gulped. He was semi-scared to hear this raven haired beauty's proposal. "Allow me to escape to the Squad 10 buildings when my third seats and the matchmaker is driving me insane, and I will keep my mouth shut." She proposed.

"I could just order you to keep quiet." He countered.

A evil smile crossed her lips. "Then I would hate to let your fear slip when we are at a SWA meeting when I have too much sake all thanks to Rangiku."

He wanted to laugh. Not many people could out move the child prodigy, but this woman did. Her abilities shouldn't have surprised him though. Rukia runs her division like a captain already, plus all the World of the Living missions under her belt. She was a force to be reckoned with.

"Kuchiki, as bad as I hate to say this, you have a deal. Just don't make me regret it, or I will veto your privilege and deny anything you tell them. Hell, I'll even go on dates to prove you wrong." Hitsugaya concluded with a smirk.

"I think it will be beneficial to us both, captain." She said with a smile.

"Just don't bring the drama to my division, and tell Masumoto no matchmaking while she is at work." Hitsugaya paused for a minute. A sudden chill stopped him before continuing, but he shook off the feeling. "Now, that we have tortured each other, where would you like to go for lunch?"

She noticed Hitsugaya's head shake as if he was clearing his mind. Did he finally sense the being from earlier? Since he's not worried about it, onward to find food! This battle of the wits has made me ravenous!

Who do you think is spying on them? Did you like the wit battle? Rukia did good distracting herself and Toshiro.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the verbal/mental sparring between the two! I'm still open to seeing if any of my wonderful readers has suggestions on dates?