An Unforgettable School Festival

Summary: After the war against Aizen and his Espada. Ichigo is once again a normal high school student well he’s still a substitute shinigami and Rukia was allowed to stay as per his request. His high school life would soon end and it may also be the end for him and Rukia unless the carrot top finally makes a move. Warning: this fic contains a singing Rukia beware.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Bleach because it’s Kubo Tito’s manga nor the song Spell because it’s Marié Digby’s song. Note there maybe some spoilers for those who aren’t updated with the manga or the series.

It was their last year in high school or so Rukia thought to herself. She had been staying in the human world for almost three years now and somehow she had gotten accustomed to it already. After the great battle with Aizen and the Gotei 13 and well the legendary substitute shinigami which Ichigo was dubbed, almost everything was back to normal.

Why she was still in the human world was thanks to the request of the said legendary carrot top. It was a favor he asked Yamamoto so-taicho without blinking an eye. Of course this outraged her nii-sama but since soul society owed the said teenager a lot they could not refuse the request. It wasn’t absolute though since Rukia was part of a noble house. She was ordered by her brother to visit occasionally and on one of her visits she was asked a very personal and uncomfortable question to answer.

“What is your relationship with the boy,” her nii-sama asked after he sipped on his tea.

Rukia fought the urge to spat out the tea she just consumed. She felt heat rising up her face. Why would her brother think of such things she asked herself over and over?

“I only ask you this because I noticed a change in you when you met that boy. You’ve grown affectionate of him that I fear that one day you will just hurt yourself,” her nii-sama voiced out.

“It’s nothing like that. We’re comrades in battle. We cover each other’s backs. I don’t know if you can call that affection,” she reasoned. She did not meet her brother eyes.

“I’ll only let you stay there for a bit. In your third year in the human world if the boy still would not make his intentions clear with you I would have to ask Yamamoto so-taicho to revoke your permission to stay in the human world. Believe me when I say that what I’m doing is for your best interest. Think it over Rukia. Is a life spent with that boy what you really want? If you still don’t know the answer after three years you would have to come back home”

Her nii-sama’s last words to her echoed in her head. She avoided coming home to seireitei since then. She wasn’t sure why her nii-sama insinuated such things. She was certain that she liked staying with Ichigo and his family but what of it. There was nothing wrong with their arrangement, she spent her youth with Renji, when she spent her days in Seireitei she met Kaein-dono, all seemed well with her nii-sama. What made him not approve of her staying with the boy? And what the hell was that affection talk. She didn’t realize it till later.

She needed to be around him. Just the bit of arguments and bickers were enough to put her in a good mood. Mental as it may seem to some but hitting for them can really be fun. Not that they have intentions of hurting each other physically. The infliction of pain was more on her part. She can’t help but notice that Ichigo was ridiculously gentle towards her like she would break. She found this whole thing initially funny even annoying sometimes but then she eventually found her self finding the act adorable.

The days and years passed. They seemed to have grown closer. She loved his family like her own but she still wasn’t sure what he felt about her because for some reason she finally understood what her nii-sama meant back then. Three years were relatively short compared to her deathly existence but why does it seem like she have known him forever. It was ridiculously sappy even for her taste but that was exactly what she was feeling.

She initially thought that she was only worried about him because she felt guilty. She thought that the reason she cared so much about him was because she finally found a friend just like Renji or Kaein but maybe she knew the truth about her feelings even before her brother asked her that seemingly silly question. She just didn’t want to acknowledge the truth because she was scared.

She didn’t even know if it was allowed. Ichigo was of course still alive and she, well, she’s technically dead. Would her brother approve? Would soul society allow something like a relationship between a shinigami and her substitute? Above all these questions there of course was the carrot top teen. She wasn’t sure if he felt the same. He had never initiated anything. Maybe he just thought of her like a friend or worst just like one of his sisters.

It was true that he was protective of her. But then that’s were she came up with the big brother complex theory. He always let her win but then it could just be because of the fact that she likes to beat him up if he won’t. Then there’s the problem of the swarm of women who fancy the boy. Well, you can consider him a man since he was already 18 but barely. He would probably pass as a 20 year old. Thanks to the ever present scowl on his face.

She may look like a couple of years younger than him but she was actually a century and a half older than him, not that anyone would know.

With a heavy heart she sighed. The time that her nii-sama gave her was running out. She couldn’t tell him her feelings that would just be unacceptable. Blame it on the Kuchiki pride but there was no way a girl like her would confess her feelings without being certain that it would be returned. If only Ichigo could confess to her like what Keigo does everytime he had the opportunity. The citrus head would in fact resort to calling her names and refusing to do her bidding not that he wouldn’t do it in the long run.

“Oi midget, the class is almost done. Pay attention,” she heard the carrot top from her right. She was probably in a daze for quite some time. She just rolled her eyes at him and he just smirked at her.

“The school will be holding our annual school festival next week and as you all know. It’s your last year in high school,” their sensai said. This caused the students to applaud. “I would like to ask for volunteers for the talent show. I hope that you kids would be more adventurous after all this would be your last year. Let’s make happy memories together,” their teacher added cheerfully.

Rukia was still deep in thought. She would probably miss all of them. It was a sad thought going back to soul society because she couldn’t do anything. She was a coward when it came to that department.

“Who wants to volunteer as the closing act? I specifically asked for the last slot in the school talent show to be from this class. Who hasn’t volunteered for anything yet,” the teacher asked.

Rukia absentmindedly raised her hand after hearing the last part of the question.

“Very good Kuchiki-san, we finally have a volunteer for the talent show,” their sensei exclaimed and the whole class applauded.

Ichigo’s mouth gaped open. Tatsuki and Inoue cheerfully joined the crowd. Ishida sensing that Rukia didn’t know what she got herself into just pushed his glasses up his nose. Chad just nodded in agreement. Keigo was in the brink of tears.

“Eh, what did I do?” Rukia asked.

“You just volunteered yourself as the class representative for the school talent show,” Ichigo teased but stopped as soon as he noticed the pained expression on her face.

Rukia didn’t know what to do, as if she didn’t have a lot in her hands already.

“Don’t sweat it you’ll do fine. Whatever it is you would be doing as a closing special,” Ichigo said. For some reason it sounded comforting rather than sarcastic.

Before Rukia knew it the class had ended and she was stuck with the dilemma of coming up with a talent presentation.

The rest of the week was for preparations. The boys in the class were assigned to help in the set decorations for the talent show while the girls took care of the class show case which was a French maid café. The idea came from none other than Inoue Orihime. They got Ishida to design and create their uniforms.

Rukia was excused from the class showcase because she would be representing the whole class in the talent show. She initially tried to talk her way out of it. She even almost used the memory modifier on Ochi Sensei but she opted not to and she finally gave in.

She thought of what she was going to do. Inoue advised her to dance but the only thing she knew was traditional Japanese dancing and the type that her busty friend wanted her to do was far different not to mention the fact that it was the type of dancing that should be left in the confines of a married couple’s bedroom. How her friend knew about those things she really didn’t want to know.

Tatsuki advised her to do martial arts but it was too boyish even for her taste.

“So what do you plan on doing for the talent show?” Ichigo asked as he passed by. He was part of the people who were in charge of building the outdoor stage.

“I still haven’t figured out yet. You never mentioned that you have events like talent shows in school. We didn’t have one the last two years,” Rukia blurted.

“I think the Talent show is only part of the festival every three years. Lucky for you you’re going to be part of it,” Ichigo teased.

“Well, I guess it isn’t so bad. It won’t be long before I go back to seireitei,” she muttered softly.

“You said what?” Ichigo asked curiously. He was certain he heard something about her leaving.

“I’m just trying to talk to myself. Go on and start working. Make sure that the stage you’re making is sturdy enough for me,” Rukia retorted.

“You’re not exactly heavy, more like light as a feather,” Ichigo hissed back.

“I have to go,” Rukia said. She stood up and walked away. If only she could tell him. She heard him calling her but she went on walking and finally she made it to the music room. She seldom went there but when she did she would always play the piano. It was one of the few things she appreciated about being a Kuchiki. She wasn’t just taught about being a proper lady she was also taught how to play the Piano and the violin. She was also taught how to sing. Although it had been a while since she last did all that but she was still confident in her skills.

She finally figured out what she would be doing. She would play the piano and sing. Even Ichigo would be surprised she congratulated herself for being too darn smart. She would need to find a piece to sing and play in the piano.

She left the music room to try and ask around for a possible song to play. She spotted Mizuiro and Keigo who were listening to what she found out not too long ago as the iPOD. Ichigo had one too it was something she hadn’t tinkered with yet though.

“Ohayo Asano-san, Kojima-san,” she said with her fake girly voice. “What are you two listening to,” she asked. She noticed that they weren’t not just listening but watching a video as well. Kojima’s iPOD was bigger than Ichigo’s little fat one.

“I downloaded a new song the other day and it’s really nice would you like to hear it,” Kojima said. He pulled the ear phone from Keigo’s ear and handed it to Rukia.

The petite shinigami listened carefully to the song; it was really beautiful with a piano accompaniment. It was perfect.

“Ano, Kojima-san, where can I get the lyrics and the piano piece for this?” Rukia asked. “Maybe I can play this song in the talent show?”

“That would be wonderful,” Keigo exclaimed. “I’ll get those lyrics and composition for you,” the boy added and with that he dashed away returning after a few minutes with what he promised. The boy handed the papers to her slightly short of breath.

“Thanks Asano-san,” she said. She walked towards the school gate. She had to use Urahara’s for practice.

Rukia spent most of her time practicing her piece in Urahara’s store. She had no intentions of revealing her talent to anyone until it was the day of the show. This of course aggravated Ichigo. She would often go home late and lock herself in the twin’s bedroom. She seldom goes to his room and if she did it was only to call him for breakfast, lunch and dinner that is if ever she came home early.

The night before the talent show Rukia was finally confronted by Ichigo.

“You’ve been skipping school. You go home late at night. I have been recently hollow slaying alone can you tell me where you’ve been lately?” he asked abrurptly.

“I was practicing. And I have no intentions what so ever of telling you what I would be doing,” she replied.

“But Keigo and Mizuiro seem to know,” he argued.

“Maybe they do. Can you please get a grip it’s not like you won’t see me do it like the rest of the school tomorrow,” she reasoned.

“Is it bad that I want to see it before they do,” he muttered to himself.

“Well, if it makes you feel any better my performance tomorrow would be dedicated to you,” she said nonchalantly. She looked away quickly so he wouldn’t notice the slight blush that crept on her face. “Good night,” she said before making her way to the twin’s bedroom.

The school festival started with the class show case. Some classes made a horror house out of their classrooms. Some made a dating booth, a police booth, a candy store and the well received Maid Café. It was clamored by a lot of people specifically boys because they all wanted to see Orihime in a maid costume. Ishida Uryuu and Sado volunteered to be the café guards.

There was some drizzle during noon till early afternoon so the talent show was moved at night.

Ichigo and Rukia didn’t see each other for the whole day. Not that Ichigo wanted it to be that way. It was just the petite shinigami was no where in sight. He just kept reminding himself about what she told him last night to cheer himself up.

It was the most anticipated event of the day. Each class had their presentations. Some had dance numbers, skits, and song numbers. Everyone was excited about Kuchiki’s number. She after all did not just have fans in her own class but she has a fanbase on each class in the school much to her and definitely Ichigo’s dismay.

The piano was rolled in by a few boys from their class. Ichigo was surprised that Rukia actually knew how to play the piano, she didn’t seem like the type but then he realized she was of nobility so it could have been part of the things she had to learn.

The student host introduced the last number for the night. Ichigo’s family was already in the audience seated nicely in the front row. Ichigo stood in the right front side of the audience where most of their classmates stood.

The lights dimmed and a spot light focused on Rukia who started playing the piano.

It was as if it was the first time he had actually seen her. She wore a simple black dress and she had her hair slightly pulled up with a few strands loose. She was truly a sight to see. Even the girls in the crowd admired how she looked. And then she started to sing and the whole world stopped. It seemed like the world stood still and it was only the tow of them.

Spotlight shining brightly
on my face
I can't see a thing
and yet I feel you looking my way

She really couldn’t see him from the crowd until she adjusted her eyes to the light. She finally spotted the carrot head in the crowd.

Empty stage
With nothing but this girl
Who's singing this simple melody
And wearing her heart on her sleeve

She was singing with all of her heart. She realized that it was the only way. She only hoped he understood what she meant about dedicating the song for him.

And right now
I have you
For a moment I can tell I've got you
Cause your lips don't move
And something is happening
Cause your eyes tell me the truth
I've put a spell over you

She hoped with all her heart that she could get her message across. If any she was worried about his true feelings for her. She searched his face for answers. For some reason he looked at her as if he was seeing right through her. She hoped he would look past her flaws and see her true beauty.

Beauty emanates from every
word that you say
And captured the deepest thoughts
in the purest and simplest of ways
But you see
I'm not that graceful
Like you
Nor am I as eloquent
But just a simple melody
Can change the way that you see me

She hoped that even for that very moment he only saw her. She hoped that those piercing amber eyes were directed only to her. She knew that she would give anything to drown in those amber eyes forever.

And right now
I have you
For a moment I can tell I've got you
Cause your lips don't move
And something is happening
Cause your eyes tell me the truth
I've put a spell over you

She wished that even for that moment he loved her. She hoped that for that single moment Ichigo felt the same way.

And all my life I've stumbled
But up here I am just perfect
Perfect as I'll ever be

She knew that it was something that she had to do. She wanted to know more so feel that she’s really important to him. That even if she failed many times in the past she could show him that she was worth all the pain she had gone through to save her. That she was someone she could be proud of.

I have you
For a moment I can tell I've got you
Cause your lips don't move
And something is happening
Cause your eyes tell me the truth
I've put a spell over you

The crowd went wild after she hit the last note in the piano. She stood up and bowed and the crowd roared with applause even more.

Rukia smiled a genuine smile and she bowed again.

Ochi sensei shoved a bouquet of flowers to Ichigo. “Go and make her happy,” the sensei cheered. The carrot top was literally pushed up the stage. He slowly walked towards Rukia and handed her the flowers.

For a few seconds Amber bore into amethyst and soon lips touched and everything was buried in the resounding applause.

Later that night above the Kurosaki roof, Ichigo and Rukia were watching the night sky.

Rukia had Ichigo’s arms wrapped around her waist as she sat on his lap.

“How come you never told me you could play the piano?” he asked.

“You never asked,” she replied.

“Why didn’t you tell me you could sing,” he pushed,

“If I figured earlier on that hearing me sing could finally make you confess I could have done that a long time a go,” she said and she planted a kiss on his lips.

“I had to admit though you beat me in telling you my feelings first,” he admitted. “You mentioned something about going back to soul society last week. I’m certain I heard you say it. I was starting to get worried. Are they summoning you back?” he asked with a worried look on his face.

“If you hadn’t kissed me tonight I might have,” she replied. “But since I got you under my spell I don’t think I can leave in a very long time.”

“Then I would have to kiss you all the time to make sure that you would never leave and for the record I was under that spell ever since the day I saw you,” and with that they ended up sharing a passionate kiss.

It was definitely an unforgettable school festival but was just the beginning of a better life together for Ichigo and Rukia.

THE END.

A/N: This was something I cooked up in an hour. I just had to write it before I start going back to work. Please please review… aheheheh I’d like to hear your opinion… it’s been a while since I wrote a song fic…