(AN:) Ulquiorra9000 here is the rest of your requested date! I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for being so awesome and reviewing everytime, my friend!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Chapter 12
The couple finally reached their destination, which turned out to be a seedy bar area. Rukia was so confused as to why Iba would give her those adorable clothes then take her to this awful place. The area set her nerves on edge. Rukia braced herself to be she prepared for anything as she wearily watched everyone near them. She might not have her zanpakuto at the moment, but her kido was awesome.
Although, all of Rukia's fears were squashed when they walked into a rundown, old building. Her whole opinion changed as she absorbed the glamorous wonders inside. The room was covered in red velvet and dark mahogany panels. The floors were flat bamboo planks like homes in the World of the Living. Oil lamps covered a sea of white table clothes. Even the chairs for the tables were unique with Japanese inspired silk. At the center of the build, a wooden stage was prepared for some type of performance, and off to the right was an area designated for dancing.
As the made their way through the sea of tables, Rukia noticed women walking around in scantily clad outfits offering cigars to the men while handsome men in old style tuxedos were offering drinks to the ladies. Rukia had never seen anything like it. Yes, she seen normal servants, but these people worked here. How could they even stand to be seen like that? What type of place did Iba take her too?
"Iba, where are we?" She asked curiously even though she still felt a tremor of uneasiness. This place was so unusual from anywhere she's ever been in the Social Society or the World of the Living. Iba grabbed her hand to keep up with him when he noticed she slowed down.
"You're here to learn about my past and love of history, Rukia." He avoided her question as they made their way to a back corner.
Rukia stopped dead in her tracks. Iba turned around to receive the iciest glare of his life. He was pretty such she could beat Captain Kuchiki at a stare off now. "You will tell me what we are doing her, Lieutenant." She commanded. Her voice left no trace of the cheerful woman who was his companion earlier. This was the famed Lieutenant Kuchiki and her icy demeanor.
Not being one to displease a lady, he replied. "Well, milady, I am taking you towards the front of the room near the stage." He pointed toward a little booth that was hidden in the shadows, but it was perfect for watching whatever occurred on the stage. "You will be able to see the performance, and I can keep my eye on you. So be a good girl and stay there. Do not talk to anyone who I have not introduced yet… For your safety of course."
"Where the hell are you going then?" Rukia almost yelled, but she was able to control her temper. Tension laced her question.
"You'll see." Iba replied with a wink as he deposited Rukia into said booth. Then she watched him vanish behind a curtain.
Shortly after Iba's departure, a waiter brought Rukia a class of clear liquid in a mason jar. She took a swallow and she made the most god-awful face. Whatever that foul liquid was, she refused to ever drink it again. Suddenly the room hushed and darkened. A spot light went to the center of stage waiting of the performer to emerge.
Then from behind the curtain pops none other than Iba. What the hell is he doing up there? She watched as he grabbed an instrument from a man near the side of the stage. Rukia thought the instrument in his hand was called a saxophone. She had briefly seen a few at school. Within minutes, Iba began to play a mournful melody that sped up like the wind in a storm. The music flowed over her, and she was in awe of her friend. Then he switched to an upbeat song causing many of the audience members to get up and dance. Her attention was torn between watching the soulful saxophone players and the horde of people on the dance floor.
Suddenly, the waiter came back around with a tray of food and drink. He set the interesting looking tray in front of her. "What is all this?" Rukia asked the waiter.
"A mint julep with a fresh try of salmon mousse with crackers and crudites*, ma'am." Rukia nodded her head skeptically at the food in front of her. "If it makes you feel better, ma'am, Mr. Iba up there requested this be sent to you. He wanted you to get a feel for the period and culture of this room."
Polite as ever, Rukia gave him a quiet thank you as she watched Iba play for another fifteen minutes before he left the stage. Her eyes searched for him as she waited for him to come from behind the curtains.
Movement to center stage caught Rukia's attention. She watched as a quartet of men set up their instruments. A tall man in suit similar to Iba's had a trumpet in his hand. The short man next to him had saxophone while the man with the purple hair and suspenders had a cello. In the middle of the trio was a small drum set for a rather large fellow dressed like an old school gangster. Rukia was so focused on the movement on stage that she did not notice her companion until he almost sitting across from her at the table.
Iba noticed that Rukia finally seemed to be enjoying herself once she got over the fear of the unknown. He really hated to disturb her entertainment, but he was curious about her impression of his performance. "So what did you think?" Her date asked has he watched her jump a little.
"Iba, you have a very interesting talent." She said with slight smirk. "Some of the playing was hauntingly beautiful."
He returned her look with a grin of his own. "So what did you think of the food?"
"I think you are trying to get me drunk with the mint julep and whatever that awful clear stuff in the mason jar was."
"First, the clear stuff as you call it is called moonshine. But I have it on good authority that you just took a sip so I sent the mint julep for you to enjoy. Besides Rukia, I know Renji makes you go drinking with him at times! So you are not as innocent as everyone believes."
Rukia reprimanded Iba a little more animatedly due to the alcohol flowing threw her veins. "Really Iba? I am not that stupid! Renji just needs someone to keep tabs on him while he drinks. Do you know how many times I fake drinking the sake? Or that I switch bowls with Renji when no one is paying attention!"
"Beautiful and brilliant!" Iba exclaimed.
"Thank you… I think, unless you're just teasing me. Then I can freeze you!" She said with an evil smile.
"No, ma'am! I was being servious! Now what do you say we go dance? My favorite band is about to start up."
"Dance?" Rukia blanched a little. If the elders ever found out she was seen here and dancing at that, she would be dead. "Don't worry, I will lead you!"
She muttered, "That's not what I am worried about."
"Besides this place is confidential. Only friends of mine and three others can pass. I can also guarantee you that none of the elders or friends of the elders are no the list or here tonight but you. We also came on the busiest night so we can blend right into the crowds."
"Now, who's the one being smart?" She countered as her fears died down a little bit. Rukia let Iba lead her to the dance floor right off to the side of the stage. Twenty other couples were spinning around the dance floor by the time they got there.
"On the dance floor, you follow my lead, Rukia. Got it?" He asked with an arc brow daring her to defy him.
Rukia didn't want to look stupid in front of everyone on the dance floor so she just gave a small nod. Iba smiled at her. Rukia would give her right arm to figure out what was running through that man's mind. His body language was so relaxed and he damn sunglasses hide everything from her view.
"Relax, Rukia. You're learning about the dance styles of the Roaring 20's tonight!" Iba said as swung her up in a Lindy Hop. He whispered the name of the move into her ear each time changed styles. Once her feet hit the floor, Iba pulled her into a Castle Walk.
Rukia followed Iba to get in an awkward position. Even with the alcohol in her, Rukia moved her body to the song of "Five Foot-Two Eyes of Blue". Once she finally became semi-comfortable her knees were knocking, she was crossing her hands, and the fringe on her dress was flying everywhere. Iba even threw in a few more Lindy Hops with the Charleston. The continued to dance the night away going through all the top dances in the 1920s – at least according to Iba. He taught her the Fox Trot, Kangaroo Hop, Turkey Trot, Chicken Scratch, and her favorite one called the Tango.
After two hours of dancing, Rukia made her way to bar to get a fresh glass of water. She smiled at the bartender and thanked him. On her way back to where Iba was standing, she saw a shadowy figure flee into the curtains. Strange.
Rukia glanced around for the time, and saw that she still had about an hour before she had to return to the manor.
Rukia walked up to Iba and looped her arm through his ask she pulled him away from a friend. "We need to head back." She told him.
"Sure, my little flapper." Iba allowed Rukia to attempt to guide him out of the building, but she was confused as to where the exit was.
"Let me." Iba said as he guided Rukia to the area behind the curtains. Strange. This was the same place the shadow ran off too.
"Who were you talking to while I was getting water? Rukia asked curiously.
"What do you mean?"
"I saw a man standing by you while ago. I thought he was a friend of yours or a fan waiting for his turn to speak."
Rukia's comment unnerved him a little. No one snuck up on Lieutenant Iba Tetsuzaemon. "I'm sure it was just a customer leaving, Rukia. Now, let's get you home before Captain Kuchiki uses me as a scratching post for Senbonzakura."
They walked out of the building to a nice, quiet trail leading back to the city. "So since we will be walking a little while, will you tell me your history with the place we just went to? I'm curious how a macho man like you ended up involved in something so glamourous."
"Sure, I can, but it may be a long story." He warned.
"We have all the time in the world right now." She replied with her very best doe eyes and a smile sweet enough to make sugar jealous.
"I'll tell you my history with Rag Time, but you need to know about my history. Before my lieutenant positon, I was briefly assigned to patrol an area high in hollow activity. This place was full of unusual people who spoke with a weird accent and even more unusual they played musical and danced at some funeral processions. But the music was the greatest that stuck with me throughout my visit. Even the dancing was the most energetic I have ever seen in my life. New Orleans became my new obsession. I took pictures and brought back instruments back to the Soul Society. Within just two short weeks, I fell in love with the place and the decade I was in." Iba sighed as he starred off into space reliving his glory moments.
"Isn't that place in the United States?" Rukia asked jarring him out of his memories.
"Yes, the French built the town near the Mississippi River." Rukia nodded at his explanation as curiosity crossed her face.
"What items did you bring back from your time there?" She asked.
"Everything in the club was one part of the great city. Every time a soul reaper travels there my friends and I make contracts for them to bring back antiques from the great jazz era of the city. Even my saxophone, Marie, is my most beloved treasure that only a few friends know about so I am leaving this information you with you, Rukia."
"So I know who to expect if I see a blurred vision of a flaming cat on fire coming at me."
"You know about my tattoo?" He asked curiously.
"Every woman in the SWA knows because one of our ladies gave it to you. She also told us about the I heart mom tattoo on your ass." Rukia said jokingly, but Iba paled. Well what do you know? Mr. Macho has a soft spot for mom!
Iba gulped slightly as the mood between them tensed. "Relax, Iba, I was only joking about the mom tattoo!" Rukia flashed him an innocent smile, but she was laughing very unlady like in her head.
"Yeah, you're hilarious, Kuchiki!" He stated.
"Come on you can't be mad at me for joking with you!"
"I'm not." He said a little coldly, but then he grabbed her hand. "But if I make it back the Kuchiki man before you, then you have to apologize, and be my slave for the week by telling everyone how awesome and macho I am."
"What if I win?" She countered?.
"It's not going to happen, Rukia." He said. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he felt a brief wave of Rukia's spiritual pressure.
"We'll see about that!" Rukia yelled after she flash stepped back to the manor leaving a hearty laughing Iba in her wake. "No wonder everyone loves that girl!" He said to himself as he shook his head.
When Iba arrived at the manor, he saw Rukia sitting in the doorway. She smiled brilliantly at him. He made his way over to her and bowed mockingly. "All Hail the Flash Step Queen!" he cried.
Rukia was doubling over with laughter as Iba kept a straight smile on his face. Once she gained her composer, she asked him "What did I win for beating you?"
Iba scratched his head for a minute. "How about a date to use as an excuse for any date that the matchmaker or Rangiku sets for you that you absolutely hate. Say like the Shinji incident?"
Rukia didn't even have to think twice. "Deal!" She exclaimed as she stuck her hand out to shake his as was the custom in the World of the Living.
* Crudites are sliced or whole raw veggies with a dipping sauce housed in a hollowed out baguette.
So who guessed Iba was a closet Roaring 20's jazz fan, dancer, and saxophone player? Were you happy with the date? Did you enjoy the little back story that I created for him? I figure hollows have to be all over the world so why not send some of our favorite soul reapers there in their past!
Thanks for reading everyone! If you enjoyed the story, please review! This chapter was fun to write!