...Heh heh. I know it's been a while, hasn't it? ...I have no real excuse but I have a chapter and it's pretty good and long. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

"Come on! I want you to meet a friend of mine!"

Ryuuken reluctantly let Isshin drag him to some unknown place. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew it couldn't be good. Isshin stopped dragging Ryuuken when they arrived at what appeared to be a shack.

"Your friend's poor?"

"No…at least I don't think so. Urahara!"

The front door slid open and out came a lone figure.

"What are you doing here, Isshin?"

Ryuuken's jaw dropped as Isshin huffed.

"I wasn't calling for you…Neko-sama," Isshin sneered.

Ryuuken looked at the dark-haired shinigami before he took another look at the figure. Standing in the doorway was a…cat…a black cat…that spoke. The cat turned its nose up to Isshin when it noticed the man standing beside him.

"…Meow?"

"I heard you speak," Ryuuken said, grabbing his head. "I just wish I wouldn't have."

"This is my new friend, Ishida Ryuuken. He's a Quincy!"

"A Quincy?!" This shocked the cat to no end. There were still Quincy alive?

"I'm not a Quincy. I'm just the son of one. I will be a doctor. Now, why is the cat speaking?"

"You've never met a talking cat before?" Isshin asked.

"They don't really live on the street, like normal cats," Ryuuken responded.

"I come from Soul Society. My name is Shihouin Yoruichi. Nice to meet you, Ryuuken," Yoruichi greeted him.

"So…are you a shinigami?"

"I was."

"…So…cats can be shinigami?"

"It's a lot easier when I transform back to my true form," Yoruichi chuckled.

"Oh, so the cat isn't really a cat. That's just perfect." Why did shinigami have to be so aggravating?

"Is he always this annoying?" Yoruichi directed the question to Isshin.

"No, actually, you caught him on a good day," Isshin laughed.

"What's all the commotion?" said a voice from inside.

"Yo, Urahara!"

A blonde man wearing sandals and a bucket hat came out of the shack and fanned himself.

"Isshin, how are ya? Who's your friend?" the man asked.

"This is Ishida Ryuuken. He's a Quincy."

"Not a Quincy."

"A Quincy in denial, then," Isshin joked.

"I didn't know there were Quincy left," the man said.

"His ancestor survived the slaughter, but he doesn't hate us for it."

"I don't care about it." Ryuuken then pulled Isshin's cheek. "Introductions?"

"Ow. Oh, yeah, Ishida, meet Urahara Kisuke, former captain of 12th division."

"Pleasure to meet ya," Urahara laughed.

"Okay. Why are you and the cat here? Why are you shinigami so annoying?"

"You're one to talk," Yoruichi hissed.

"A little…mishap back home. So, we escaped here with a bunch of other shinigami."

Ryuuken's blood ran cold at the solemnity his tone held. What truly went on in that…Soul Society?

"So…you two are criminals?" Urahara and Yoruichi nodded. "You found them here?" Isshin nodded. "Why didn't you turn them in?"

"Because they're not evil."

"Explanation?"

"Remember what we were talking about at McDonald's?"

"About that guy you hate?"

"Yeah, he betrayed his captain and hurt a bunch of others and Urahara took the blame. He proved what I already knew: Aizen is evil."

"So why—"

Isshin finished for him. "—didn't I tell anyone? Because Aizen is a really smart son-of-a-bitch and Yama-jii is a stuck-up son-of-a-bitch. Aizen would find a way to prove me wrong while Yama-jii would just never listen to me."

"So…Soul Society sucks."

"Basically," all three former shinigami said.

"Where are the others?"

"Don't know, but they'll show themselves…sooner or later," Urahara chuckled.

Ryuuken grabbed his head in exasperation. "I pray I'm not around when they do."

"They're not that bad, I assure you," Urahara told him, but that did nothing to help Ryuuken.

"So…how did you all meet each other?"

"Well, it was two long weeks ago," Isshin sighed as the memory came back.

-

Isshin was on a mission in Karakura. He had to chase after a string of Hollows that had been causing a ruckus. Truth? He took care of that days ago. Now, he was just goofing off. So, what was there to do?

Isshin stopped when he came across a small store. Tilting his head, Isshin decided to enter. When he did, there was no one there, but there was plenty of shinigami equipment.

"Mod souls. Memory erasers. What on Earth?" How did all this get here?

"May I help you?"

Isshin swiftly turned around to see a blond man with a bucket hat coming up from a hole in the floor. The man looked at Isshin and grinned.

"Urahara Kisuke, shop proprietor. Nice to meet you."

"Wait a minute…as in the former 12th division captain?!"

Urahara gulped. Oh, crap. "You're a shinigami?"

"Wait a minute. You've been gone for decades. How come no one has found you?"

"Uh…you seem like a reasonable shinigami, which is very rare. Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Got any sake?" Isshin asked as though he wasn't talking to a criminal from Soul Society.

"Sorry. Fresh out," Urahara sighed.

"Okay, tea will do."

Urahara made the tea, and when the two were settled, Urahara explained the whole Aizen betrayal situation. When he was finished, he waited for Isshin to say something like, 'You honestly expect me to believe that Aizen-taichou would do such a thing? I'm taking you in, criminal, and all the rest.'

"I knew that bastard was evil." Urahara blinked in shock. He looked at Isshin, who had finished his tea. "I just saw it. Thank you for proving me right."

Urahara let out a relieved laugh. "So, you're not going to turn me in?"

"On one condition."

Urahara raised his eyebrow before Isshin smiled.

"Got any more of those untraceable gigai?"

-

"Wow." That was all Ryuuken could say. After all, it wasn't every day that he found a person who found a criminal who had been on the run for decades and just asked him for a favor.

"So, you two want to come in? Grab a cup of tea?" Urahara offered.

"Sure, we got nothing better to do," Isshin said.

"Eh."

"Great." Urahara looked at Yoruichi. "Yourichi-san, please turn human so Isshin-kun's friend won't complain about you drinking tea like a cat."

"Fine. I'll go get my clothes," Yoruichi growled, slinking into the shop.

"I hate shinigami," Ryuuken muttered.

"Oh, Quincy Archer hates us," Urahara cried.

Ryuuken looked at him in shock then looked at Isshin, who shook his head.

"He didn't even know about you," Isshin chuckled.

"So…it's just a shinigami thing to make stupid nicknames?"

"It's not stupid. You're a Quincy and an arch—"

"No. Stop."

Urahara looked at Isshin for an explanation. "Did I do something?"

"I called him that a while back. He doesn't like it. I don't know why."

Urahara shrugged his shoulders as he walked into the store. Following, Isshin grabbed Ryuuken and dragged him in. While Urahara made the tea, Yoruichi came in the kitchen as a clothed human.

"Happy?" she mumbled.

"Very," Urahara laughed.

"Oh, so it was a girl," Ryuuken sighed.

Yoruichi hissed at him before she took a seat at the table. Urahara finished the tea, then took a seat as well.

"So…how's school?" he asked.

"It's okay. Could be better, right, Ishida?"

Ryuuken said nothing. He merely drank his tea. Yoruichi looked at him for a while until she had had enough.

"I can't take it. What is with you?" Ryuuken pointed to himself and Yoruichi nodded. "You're the type of guy that really ticks me off. You know that?"

"Don't care."

Yoruichi's hair began to stand on end when Urahara placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Now, now, Yoruichi-san, give him a while. If he's stuck with Isshin, you know he can't stay like that forever."

Isshin raised his right hand. "I promise to change him from the total asshole that he is now."

"I promise not to change because I see no reason why I should change for you guys."

"Change him quickly," Yoruichi demanded.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Where's the bathroom?" Ryuuken asked, standing up.

"Down the hall," Urahara said.

Ryuuken left the room and went to the bathroom to do his business. When he was done, he walked back to the kitchen but stopped before he got to the doorway. The shinigami were talking.

"You better watch your back, Isshin," Urahara warned. "How do you know he has no vendetta against the shinigami race?"

"It's okay. He may be a jerk but he's my friend and I trust him."

Ryuuken took that in. He hated to admit it, but even though Isshin was a pain and an idiot and a brat…he was a good person, dead or not.

'I guess it wouldn't hurt…to be a little nicer to that idiot,' Ryuuken thought.

Finally, he walked into the kitchen.

"Thank you."

All of the shinigami looked at Ryuuken in shock.

"Did he just say 'thank you'?" Yoruichi questioned, not believing her ears.

"I do believe he did," Urahara chuckled.

"We've made a breakthrough! Let's party!" Isshin cheered.

Ryuuken shook his head. 'Stupid spirits.'

After the partying, it was time for the college students to return to their dorm rooms. Isshin looked at Ryuuken as they continued walking.

"Try and tell me you didn't have fun and mean it."

Ryuuken didn't respond.

"Ha! I knew it!"

Ryuuken still didn't respond and Isshin began to worry.

"Ishida, you okay?"

"No," Ryuuken responded truthfully.

"What's wrong? You sick? You hurt?" A large grin came onto Isshin's face. "You…constipated?"

Isshin laughed and covered his head, anticipating the Quincy's strike. But it never came. Lowering his hands, Isshin looked at Ryuuken strangely.

"Ishida, what's wrong?"

"…How did you die?"

Isshin's eyes widened in shock before he chuckled. "Why would you want to know that? Last I checked, there was no profit in it."

"I'm just curious," Ryuuken said.

"Well, I can't satisfy your curiosity. Shinigami can't remember when they died. We don't remember anything from when we were alive," Isshin explained.

"Why?"

"I guess because it'd interfere with who we are now. You don't want past pain to interfere with future pain, I guess."

"Hmm." Ryuuken walked ahead of Isshin. "That's sad."

Isshin stopped walking and watched Ryuuken's retreating back. A tear worked its way to his eye, but Isshin laughed it off. Ryuuken turned back to Isshin just in time to be tackled in a hug.

"What are you doing, you moron? Do you want another yaoi girl incident?" Ryuuken growled.

Letting go, Isshin smiled at his…friend. "Thanks for caring. I knew I would get you to."

Ryuuken just looked at him for a few seconds before he smacked Isshin upside his head.

"You're a fool," Ryuuken sighed.

"Then you're a fool's friend," Isshin retorted.

Ryuuken shook his head and the two continued walking. During the entire walk, Isshin couldn't shake the smile off of his face. Ryuuken was right. It was sad not knowing anything about his life before he died, but it was okay. He knew something.

'I probably never had a friend as great as Ishida, and I know he can say the same for me.'

Unknown to Isshin, Ryuuken was thinking the same thing, though…he'd never admit it, not even to himself.

"Can we ride the subway to get back?" Isshin asked, breaking the mood.

"…Okay."

Isshin cheered loudly.

"But don't blame me when you get lost."

"I won't get lost!"

That was a lie. As the two entered the subway station, Isshin was so entranced by everything that was glowing and making loud noises that he hadn't noticed Ryuuken getting on the train that would take them back to Karakura Medical University. When he finally realized this, he began to panic.

"Ishida abandoned me! That bastard! Now what am I gonna do?! I have no idea how to get back!"

He then began to cry in a corner. No one dared to go near him. People who cried in the corner of subway stations were always psychotic murderers. However, one girl didn't realize this, or if she did, she didn't care. She walked up to Isshin and placed a hand on his shoulder. Isshin raised his head when he heard the most beautiful sound.

"Are you okay?"

He was praying that this wasn't a siren, that the owner of this beautiful voice wasn't a monster that wanted to kill him. He took a chance and turned his head. His palms got all sweaty. His heartbeat increased dramatically. He felt like he was going to pass out.

"Do you need any help?"

"Yes, please."

The woman smiled the most beautiful smile Isshin had ever seen. "Where are you going?"

"Karakura Medical University."

"That train will be here in another two minutes," the woman said. She sat down and flipped her shoulder-length light brown hair over her shoulder. "I'll wait with you."

"Um…thank you." Who was this woman? Who was this woman with the beautiful voice, kind-hearted nature and flawless face? "I'm Kurosaki Isshin. What's your name?"

The woman turned to him and her light brown eyes shined brightly.

"Masaki. Nice to meet you."

Isshin felt a great warmth surge through his body. His cheeks reddened and he smiled softly. "Likewise."

"Lucky for you, I'm heading in the same direction," Masaki giggled.

"Yeah…lucky…"

"It sure is nice today, isn't it?"

"Yeah…nice…" He wasn't even listening to her words anymore. He was just staring at her and repeating anything he heard. He couldn't help it; she was so pretty.

When he saw a beautiful—though not as beautiful as her face—hand waving in front of his eyes, he snapped out of his staring.

Masaki lowered her hand. "Are you alright? You seemed spaced out."

"I'm fine. Sorry. You're just really pretty." Isshin smacked a hand over his mouth. 'Why the fuck did I say that? Ishida's right, I do have a big mouth!'

Masaki's cheeks flushed pink and she placed her hands over them. Isshin was ready to take it back.

"Thank you."

He stopped.

"You're really nice."

His face went totally red.

'Nice? She thinks I'm nice? She thinks I'm nice!' Inside, he was doing the victory dance.

"Oh, Isshin-kun, the train is here!"

Masaki stood up, grabbed Isshin's hand, and ran for the train. Isshin was walking on air until they got in the train and were crammed together with a bunch of other people.

"What the hell?! Why's it so crowded?!" he screamed, trying to find at least a little bit of space.

"Is this your first time on a train, Isshin-kun?"

"Yeah."

"Then you'll want to get used to this. It's almost always this crowded."

"What?! Why?!"

"Trains are convenient."

Before Isshin could argue against that, the train started moving. Isshin wasn't expecting the sudden rush so he lost his footing and fell onto Masaki. She was able to hold him up long enough for him to grab one of the handles. The two, with their faces three centimeters apart, stared at each other and blushed.

They then began to feel heated stares. Looking around, they saw practically every older adult glaring at them, disgust and disapproval on their faces.

"Uh, what's with them?" Isshin whispered.

"You must not get out much. It looks as though we're a couple and public affection is frowned upon here," Masaki replied.

Isshin heard nothing after 'we're a couple.' The train stopped and they got off. When they arrived at his university, Isshin hugged Masaki.

"Thank you so much, Masaki-chan!" he cried joyously. He liked any opportunity to touch her.

Masaki blushed. He clearly didn't understand the whole 'public affection is frowned upon' thing, not that she was complaining. She liked his touch. Isshin let go, then began to avoid her eyes.

"So…um…thanks, again."

"No problem." Masaki turned to leave but stopped. "Um, maybe I could give you my number. In case you have trouble again?"

Isshin's face lit up. "I'd like that!"

Masaki took out a pen and wrote her number on his hand. Isshin stared at it like it was the most sacred thing in the world. He would never wash this hand again.

"I attend Karakura University and will be at Aozora Café at 1:00…if you care."

"I care. You have no idea how much I care."

She winked, turned around and waved. "Bye, Isshin-kun."

Isshin waved slowly as he watched her walk away.

"Bye, Masaki-chan." Isshin looked back at his hand before he screamed. "Ishida!" He ran past and pushed down many bystanders as he headed for his dorm room. His running slowed down until he was skipping happily. He opened his door. "Ishida~!"

Ryuuken looked up from his reading. 'So he did make it home on his own.' Now, he didn't have to feel guilty…not that he ever would. Isshin danced into their dorm like an idiot.

"Did you take your medication today?"

Isshin danced over to Ryuuken, singing a song that had no real lyrics. Ryuuken nodded. "Definitely forgot your medication."

"It's not that, silly," Isshin laughed. "I'm in love!"

Ryuuken dropped his book.

The next day…

"That's her," Isshin whispered, his entire face bright red.

Ryuuken just looked over at the woman with light brown hair that Isshin had suddenly become obsessed with.

All Ryuuken knew was that her name was Masaki and she and Isshin had met each other after Ryuuken had abandoned Isshin in the subway.

"I didn't abandon you," Ryuuken reminded Isshin.

"Well, you left me and I got lost and I got worried and then…" Isshin became all goofy-smiling. "…she found me and helped me find my way back to the university."

"Interesting."

Ryuuken reached into his pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one.

"That's gonna kill you, you know, and I don't wanna be the one to harvest your soul," Isshin laughed.

Looking at him in annoyance, Ryuuken took in a large drag and blew the cigarette smoke in Isshin's face. Isshin didn't move at all.

"You're an asshole."

"So I've been told."

Isshin grabbed the pack and lighter from Ryuuken's hands. He lit one cigarette and started waving it around.

"Oh, look at me. I look so cool because I'm poisoning my lungs with several different chemicals, especially when I know that there are cooler ways to die."

Ryuuken silently glared at Isshin and was going to say many insults before…

"Oh, my, Isshin-kun. You smoke?"

Isshin went completely pale and Ryuuken could feel himself smirking slightly. The two turned to see the lovely Masaki standing by their table.

"M-M-Masaki-chan. This isn't—"

Masaki cut him off. "You look really cool with that cigarette," she giggled.

"I…I do?"

Masaki nodded, which made Isshin grin widely. He took in a large drag, like Ryuuken had, but instantly regretted it. His lungs filled with who-knows-what before he started to cough uncontrollably.

"I probably should have warned you not to do that," Ryuuken said, blowing some smoke out of his mouth.

"Shut it!" Isshin growled.

"I still say he looks really cool," Masaki piped.

A goofy smile came onto Isshin's face. He was so taking up smoking now. Masaki looked at the silent silver-head.

"And who might you be?"

"That's my roommate. He's a jerk. You don't know want to know him."

"Your jerk roommate has a name." Ryuuken sent his gaze over to Masaki. "Ishida Ryuuken."

"Masaki. Nice to meet you." Masaki bowed while Ryuuken just looked at her. Rising up, Masaki sent a smile to Isshin. "Well, I'll see you later, Isshin-kun. Ja."

"Ja."

Isshin sighed happily as he watched Masaki skip off.

"She is so cute."

Ryuuken looked at Isshin. "The plant beside you is on fire."

"What?"

Ryuuken pointed as Isshin looked over and gasped when he saw that the Quincy was right. The plant was on fire. He quickly took the cup of water on the table and put the fire out.

"Nice," Ryuuken said.

Taking another look at the cigarette in his hand, Isshin moaned. He took in a small drag, then let it out.

"Can you help me learn how to smoke?"

"You're doing a pretty good job of it by yourself. Can you die from smoking?"

"I don't know," Isshin answered truthfully.

Ryuuken shrugged his shoulders before returning to his cigarette. He stopped when he noticed that Isshin was staring at him…again.

"What?"

"We've gotta find you a woman."

Ash fell off of the tip of Ryuuken's cigarette. What?

"I shouldn't be the only one happy with a wonderful girl. You're my best friend, so I'm finding you a good girl. Maybe we should check the personals."

Ryuuken shook his head. "I'm good."

"But I don't want you to be lonely and stuff. Don't you wanna have kids when you're older? I know I want a girl and two boys!" Isshin had his children planned out perfectly. A big sister who would look after her little brothers and the little brothers would always look up to their big sister. The girl would look exactly like Masaki while the sons would take after him.

"…I want a son."

"Oh, what would you name him? I know I want to name my first son Ichigo," Isshin said.

"You want to name your son 'Strawberry'? You're meaner than I am," Ryuuken questioned.

"Ichigo as in 'one who protects', asshole!" Isshin shouted.

"His name would be Uryuu."

"Sounds girly."

"Better than being called 'Strawberry'."

"I told you that it means 'one who protects'! My son will be very proud to have that name!"

"A thousand yen says that he hates you for it and you two fight every day."

"You are so on!"

"Ishida, don't hate me for what I've done."

Ryuuken looked up from his homework and glared at Isshin. "Something tells me I'm going to anyway."

"Well, I really think you need a girlfriend," Isshin told him.

"I don't," Ryuuken responded.

"So, I kinda told every girl in school that you'd go out on speed dates with them to find your perfect match," Isshin laughed.

SNAP!

Isshin's jaw slacked when he saw Ryuuken's pen break in half, the black liquid dripping over his fingers. Ryuuken looked up at him and Isshin tremble as he looked into the rage-filled eyes of his friend.

"You did what now?" Ryuuken hissed.

"Oh, come on, Ishida! You need it!"

"I do not," Ryuuken argued, getting another pen.

"Ishida, I understand what it is," Isshin said. Ryuuken looked at him for a few seconds. "You want a son, which means you want a relationship. However, since we're college students, you assume that the relationship you start now will not lead to a marriage and if it does, the marriage will be quick and short. Am I right?"

"Miraculously, you are."

"You never know, Ishida. Give them a shot?"

Ryuuken stopped writing and thought about it for a moment before he sighed.

"I'm taking that as a 'fine'," Isshin chuckled.

"Yes, but if no one interests me, you give up on your search to find me someone and let me work at my own pace." Ryuuken glared at him. "Understood?"

Isshin gave a salute. "Yeah, yeah, but if you find someone tonight, you do my homework for a month."

"…Deal, and if I don't, you don't ask me for help with homework for a month."

"Deal."

"Uh, Kurosaki…how many women did you say I would be speed dating?"

"Fifty. Why?"

Ryuuken held out his hand, exasperation all over his face. "Because this is a much greater number than fifty."

Isshin looked at the women and nodded.

"You're right. Oh well, more options."

'Note to self: Pincushion.'

"Ladies, please get into a straight line based on the numbers you picked and we will begin the speed dating," Isshin announced.

All of the girls squealed and began to bum rush each other for their place in line. Isshin and Ryuuken watched the scene in horror. Women were a lot scarier than they thought.

"Well, good luck. Number one: Himawari Atsuko!"

"That's me! That's me!" a redhead with gray eyes shrieked.

Ryuuken sighed loudly before he took his seat. 'Let's get this over with,' he thought.

Atsuko took the seat in front of him and began to giggle uncontrollably. Ryuuken's eyebrow rose, but he decided to ignore it.

"So…what do you like to do?"

"Oh! I…he he he…I love to…ha ha ha…tell jokes…ha! Wanna hear one?!"

A glare from Ryuuken told Isshin that this date was dead.

"Maybe another time, Atsuko. We'll let you know what Ishida thinks," Isshin said, picking her up and scooting her off. Atusko was still laughing the entire time. "Moving on!"

-

Thirty minutes later…

-

"Number 78: Karasugami Kara!"

A girl with green hair and eyes silently sat in front of Ryuuken. The two stared at each other for a while until Ryuuken spoke.

"Do you have any hobbies?"

No response.

"…Do you have any pets?"

No response.

"…Do you have anything you want to say to me?"

She opened her mouth and a large cloud of brown smoke escaped her mouth. It went towards Ryuuken's face; his nose twitched; his eye dilated; he fell over. Isshin screamed and Kara stood up, bowed, then walked off.

-

Fifty minutes later…(including the twenty minutes to wake Ryuuken up)

-

"Uh…number 194: Hoshino Tori."

"That's me," a blond girl with red eyes said, taking her seat.

"What hobbies do you have?" Ryuuken asked.

"I like to read and write," Tori answered, smiling.

Ryuuken watched her for a few seconds. "Any pets?"

"I do have a three-month old kitten named Kumo."

"I see. How are you in school?"

"Number three in my class in high school."

Isshin watched the scene, joy evident in his eyes. It looked like Ryuuken had finally found someone. Was their search over?

"What do you want to do after you finish studying at Karakura?"

"Oh, I want to use my medical knowledge to help the dead."

Ryuuken's eyes widened and Isshin smacked his forehead. So close.

"…Excuse me?"

"Well, the dead are all around us, and who knows what kind of medical treatment they may need? I want to find out. That's why I'm also studying under a monk to connect with the next world," Tori responded.

Ryuuken looked at Isshin, who nodded. "Next," Isshin groaned. 'Damn Ishida and his 'I-don't-care-about-the-dead' attitude.'

Isshin looked at his clipboard. "…Last one. Number 195: Enko Rin."

A girl with blue and green hair and sunglasses sat down. She stared in Ryuuken's general direction for a few moments. Before Ryuuken could start talking, she did.

"Do you like video games?"

Ryuuken stopped. "Why?"

"I refuse to go out with any man that doesn't have knowledge of at least half of the games I play. You are not worth the time."

Ryuuken's eye twitched. She did not just say he was not worth the time because he did not play stupid video games.

"Video games are not stupid!" Rin screamed, slamming her hands on the table. The two Hollow slayers stared at her in shock. "Video games are genius. They are where science and art comingle and become one! How dare you insinuate such a thing!"

Ryuuken didn't know what was worse: this girl getting so emotional over video games, or the way she read his mind like that. She must be used to it.

"Kurosaki," Ryuuken growled.

"Thank you for coming," Isshin groaned.

Rin stomped out of the café and just before she closed the door, she tossed something at Isshin and Ryuuken, then ran off. The two watched the small ball she had thrown as it fell towards them before landing on the table. It began to beep and blink rapidly.

"Oh, shit!"

"Run."

They bolted out of the café just before the ball exploded. The two looked at the café that was now painted in yellow.

"Kurosaki!"

Isshin visibly grimaced as he heard his name called by the café owner. He dragged himself inside while Ryuuken stood and waited. He should have known. Dozens of girls and none of them were right. He knew that trying to have a girlfriend in college was stupid and would just lead to a fleeting romance.

"Oh!"

Turning around, Ryuuken saw someone struggling with a large amount of boxes. He sighed and walked over to the person.

"Let me help."

The person looked at him and Ryuuken's mind went blank. There was no usual thinking, no usual complaining, no usual anything. All there was in his mind was the image of the girl before him. All he could think of was this girl with her flowing black hair, large brown eyes, and angelic face. She smiled at him and a laugh escaped her.

"Thank you so much. I could really use it."

Ryuuken didn't know what was happening to him. Why did his face feel so warm? He wasn't sick, was he? Why did he have a strange feeling in his stomach? Was he hungry? No. What…what was happening to him?

"Excuse me?"

Ryuuken was brought out of his confusion by a sweet-sounding voice. He looked down at the girl, who was staring at him in worry.

"Is something wrong? You don't look well."

Ryuuken brought his fingers to his glasses and began to adjust them for no real reason.

"I'm fine." He then grabbed several of the boxes. "Here. I've got them."

"Thank you so much…um…"

"My name is Ishida Ryuuken."

The girl smiled once more. "Pleased to meet you, Ishida-kun. I'm Kagami Kirei."

'Yes, you are,' Ryuuken thought before mentally slapping himself. 'Wait. What did I just think?' (A/N: Please note that the 'yes, you are' has to deal with the fact that Kirei means 'beautiful'.)

"I don't have to take these boxes far, so if you wouldn't mind helping me until then…" Kirei said.

He wanted to say 'no'. He wanted to just leave the girl that was making him feel and think very weird things alone…but he couldn't. "…Sure."

Kirei smiled and began to walk off, and Ryuuken, controlled by some unknown force, followed. Isshin sighed as he walked out of the café. Luckily, he had convinced the owner not to hang him since the yellow goop was removable, but that didn't change the fact that he hadn't found a soulmate for Ishida.

"I don't want to give up hope on him, but we tried 195 girls and not one of them stirred his heart. Maybe it is hopeless," Isshin mumbled.

That was when he opened his eyes. What he saw shocked him to no end. Across the street was Ryuuken…and a girl, and they were…they were talking…and…and…

"Is he smiling? He is not smiling!" Isshin squinted his eyes then frowned. "He really isn't smiling. Dammit! B-b-but he's not pushing her away!"

Isshin ran across the street, just before a truck would have hit him so he could die…again, then hid behind a plant and listened in.

"Thank you once again, Ishida-kun," Kirei laughed.

"It was nothing, Kagami-san," Ryuuken replied.

Isshin's ears couldn't believe what they were hearing. 'Did he just address her by her name?'

"Is there any way I could repay you, though?"

"…Actually, there is one way."

'Is he about to ask her what I think he's about to ask her?'

"What would that be? I'd be willing to do anything."

Ryuuken felt his face start to burn once more, and a weird flapping feeling worked its way into his throat. Why was this so difficult? It shouldn't be this difficult, but it was.

"W-w-would…y-y-y-you…" Ryuuken was screaming at himself. 'Come out! Say it! You can insult anyone without hesitation, but you can't ask a simple question?!'

Even with all of the screaming of his inner mind, Ryuuken's mouth wouldn't form words. Isshin's eye began to twitch uncontrollably before Isshin roared.

"Just ask the shinigami-damned question!" Isshin ordered, coming from behind the plant.

"Kagami-san,wouldyougooutwithme?" The question all came out at once and sounded like nothing more than gibberish.

Ryuuken turned around and sent the mother of all death glares at Isshin, who wanted very badly to go back behind the plant and hide.

"I'd like that, Ishida-kun."

Ryuuken swirled his head back around when he heard that. "You…you would?"

"Sure, you seem like a nice person and—"

"HA!"

Ryuuken glared at Isshin while Kirei looked at him in confusion. Isshin couldn't help it. Clearly, this girl had not known Ryuuken long enough.

"Is…is he a friend of yours, Ishida-kun?"

"…If I say 'unfortunately', will that change your mind about going out with me?"

"No."

"Then, unfortunately, he is. His name is—"

Isshin shot past him, stood in front of Kirei, and bowed.

"Kurosaki Isshin. Nice to meet you. Thank you so much for going out with Ishida. I am glad he found someone that seems like such a good person that makes him a…ha ha…nice person." Isshin did his best to contain his laughter at the end.

Kirei bowed in return. "My pleasure. I am Kagami Kirei. I am glad Ishida-kun has such a nice friend."

"Nice, stupid and leaving." Ryuuken grabbed Isshin by his collar and threw him into the plant he had been hiding out in. "So…uh…when would you…"

"How about tomorrow? Seven? Movies?" Kirei suggested.

"It's a…a…" Ryuuken was having trouble saying the word.

"A date?"

"Yes."

Kirei bowed to him before she skipped off. Ryuuken felt his face return to normal temperature and his regular senses return to normal. What things that woman did to him.

"Well…" Isshin walked up to Ryuuken, brushing the leaves out of his hair. "…You better get started. I have a paper due tomorrow and it's only half finished."

Ryuuken's eyes widened before he looked around. When he was sure that no one was around, he pulled out his Quincy Cross. Isshin looked at it, screamed, and ran off. Ryuuken pulled out his bow, chasing Isshin down.

"Just because I don't have my zanpakutou doesn't mean I can't kick your ass!" Isshin yelled, still running.

Ryuuken didn't reply. He wasn't angry; he was actually grateful, but it was fun to watch Isshin run away in terror.

"Then try it," Ryuuken said, firing an arrow.

The Next Day…

Ryuuken looked at himself in the mirror. Nothing fancy, yet nothing too casual. As usual, he looked perfect.

"Oooh, look who's getting all dolled up for his date with the beautiful Kirei-chan."

Turning around, Ryuuken looked at Isshin who was dancing around like an idiot. "I'm so happy! Little Ishida is growing up!"

So many reasons to kill him; so many things stopping him. He looked back in the mirror once more and images of the beautiful brown-eyed brunette came flooding in. This was going to be one of the best nights of his life as long as…

"You better not try and follow us," Ryuuken growled.

"How could you say such a thing? Just because I know you're gonna do something stupid doesn't mean I'd follow you," Isshin sighed.

"I will do nothing stupid."

"You mean like yesterday when you couldn't form a single sentence when trying to ask her out?"

A vein bulged on Ryuuken's forehead but Isshin paid it no mind.

"You aren't gonna try to devour her, are you?" Isshin laughed.

The vein bulged larger.

"Nah, you'd sooner pass out like a pansy."

Bright blue arrow in face. That was enough to shut Isshin up.

Sighing, Isshin looked at Ryuuken's jet-black hair. "You even went to the trouble to put your hair back to normal? Why do you dye it anyway?"

"…Even I had my rebellious teen phase. After a while, I just got used to it. I think I may stop though," Ryuuken said, pulling at a lock of hair.

"All because you want Kirei-chan to see you in all your glory. It's a beautiful thing."

Ryuuken shoved his Quincy Cross back into his pocket, then checked his watch. 5:45. If things went according to plan, he'd be outside the movie theater by 6:00. Sure, he'd be an hour early, but for some reason…some strange unknown reason…she was worth it.

Grabbing his coat, Ryuuken headed to the door, but not before glaring at Isshin.

"Do…not…come."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Ryuuken left. Isshin chuckled as he pulled out his cell phone and pushed a button. Putting it to his face, Isshin smiled when he heard someone pick up.

"Masaki-chan, it's Isshin. I was wondering if you wanted to go to the movies. When? How about right now?"

-

Ryuuken walked up to the movie theater and stood outside. He didn't know why he was going to wait an hour for a girl in the cold. He didn't know a lot of things right now.

"Ishida-kun!"

Ryuuken's head whipped around and Ryuuken felt all the wind get knocked out of him. Kirei came skipping up to him in a plain light blue dress. She stopped and looked at him, making sure he wasn't a stranger.

"Is that really you, Ishida-kun?"

Ryuuken covered part of his hair in embarrassment. She barely recognized him. He should have just—

"You have such pretty hair. Is that your original color?" Ryuuken lowered his hand and Kirei sighed in relief. "I knew I saw your face, but I had to make sure. I actually like this better than your silver hair."

'She likes my hair. She recognized me even without it being dyed. She's…' Ryuuken's cheeks turned pink. '…amazing.'

"I'm just so glad we had the same idea to come early. Now neither of us have to wait," Kirei giggled.

Ryuuken nodded silently, then followed her into the theater. They walked up to the ticket guy and looked at the movie selection.

"Do you have any particular movie you'd like to see?" Kirei asked.

"Something with plot and intelligence," Ryuuken said.

"So, how about Tether?" Kirei suggested.

"I suppose."

"Two for Tether, please."

Kirei got out her wallet and Ryuuken put a hand over hers. "That is alright, Kagami-san. I will pay."

"Oh, it's okay, Ishida-kun. I really want to pay," Kirei said.

Ryuuken wanted to object until he realized that his hand was over hers. He quickly pulled away then shoved his hands into his pockets. Kirei began to giggle uncontrollably and Ryuuken couldn't help but feel like a complete and utter idiot.

'I can't believe I'm being so stupid. This is why crushes are for fools,' Ryuuken told himself.

Kirei looked at Ryuuken, noticing his confused and annoyed face. Thinking for a moment, she smiled when she thought of something.

"Ishida-kun."

Ryuuken looked at her and was shocked to find some small furry creature in front of his face. It was pink with long ears like a rabbit, a tail like a cat, and a face like a chibi.

"This is Ko-chan," she said, waiting for him to take the stuffed animal. "He's been my best friend for years. So, I wanted him to meet you."

Ryuuken exchanged glances between Kirei and Ko-chan. The girl of his dreams had a freakish stuffed animal as a best friend. Was her social life worse than his? He couldn't see how someone as sweet and friendly and cute and…

He was getting off track.

"Ko-chan likes you," Kirei told him. Ryuuken blinked and she grinned broadly. "He would like a hug."

'Please tell me she's not serious,' Ryuuken pleaded inwardly to anyone who was willing to listen. When he saw that she was indeed serious, Ryuuken shook his head. "I do not think so, Kagami-san."

He immediately regretted it when he saw her eyes fill to the brim with tears. She began to sob and people decided to stop and stare. Ryuuken heard the negative things they were obviously saying about him.

"Kagami-san, please don't cry. It's just…are you sure…Ko-chan…likes me?"

Kirei stopped crying. So he was just worried that Ko-chan didn't like him? She shook her head at Ryuuken's foolishness.

"Of course he likes you. So…you'll hug him?"

He didn't want to. He valued his pride…almost as much as he hated the idea of her crying again. He grabbed Ko-chan and looked at the people who were still looking at them, probably waiting for him to make her cry again.

Ryuuken abandoned his pride—he hugged Ko-chan. Kirei gasped happily and Ryuuken handed it to her like it was pure evil.

'Was it really worth it?'

"No other boy who's asked me out would hug Ko-chan." Ryuuken's breath caught in his throat when she embraced him. "You're wonderful, Ishida-kun!"

It was so worth it. Kirei pried herself off Ryuuken and dragged him along. The two got a few snacks and headed to their screening room. Luckily, the movie was already starting or, at least, its previews were.

"Ishida. Kirei-chan. What a coincidence."

Ryuuken began to choke on his snack while Kirei gasped with joy. Isshin and Masaki were taking the seats right beside them.

"Oh, Kurosaki-kun, how nice to see you again!" Kirei cheered.

"Yeah, good to see you to, Kirei-chan. Oh, let me introduce you. This is Masaki-chan."

Masaki waved. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to see you as well," Kirei said. "How interesting that we all are here."

"I know. Isshin-kun just invited me to go to the movies a few moments ago. It's so convenient we saw you," Masaki explained.

'I will kill you in your sleep,' Ryuuken's eyes glared.

'If you haven't done it yet, you won't anytime soon,' Isshin's eyes sparkled.

The movie started and everyone began to watch it intently…aside from Isshin, who thought that Masaki was far more intriguing.

Masaki saw Isshin staring at her from the corner of her eye and smiled. She placed her head on Isshin's shoulder and relaxed. Isshin grinned and placed his head over hers.

Kirei looked over at the couple and sighed. 'I wish Ishida-kun would do that with me.' She took a peek at Ryuuken, who was paying full attention to the movie. 'But I don't want to bother him when he's so into the movie.'

Ryuuken didn't care at all about the movie. It was a good movie, but he was too nervous to think about it. All he could do was stare straight ahead.

Isshin watched the two in annoyance. 'I don't believe this. He's a dating noob.'

Isshin, since he was sitting right beside Ryuuken, flicked the side of Ryuuken's head. Ryuuken glared at him while Isshin began to communicate with body language. He pointed to Ryuuken, placed his arm around Masaki, then put his head on hers.

Ryuuken shook his head and Isshin gave him the evil eye.

'I won't do it.'

'Then Kirei-chan is gonna be really sad.'

He took that in for a moment before sighing. He willed his arm up and behind Kirei. He grabbed her shoulder, closing his eyes tightly. Kirei looked at the hand on her shoulder then at Ryuuken before she snuggled up to him. Ryuuken went stiff.

'Eh, he's getting there,' Isshin thought with a smile.

The movie came to an end. It was the longest two hours of Ryuuken's life.

"Wasn't that wonderful?" Masaki giggled.

Kirei nodded enthusiastically. "I know. I had no idea that it was the youngest daughter."

While the girls talked about the movie, the guys were talking about how Ryuuken did.

"So, to recap: you can barely talk to her without stuttering, you almost always stiffen up when she touches you, and you won't show her any sign of affection out of fear. Your final grade?" Isshin held out a piece of paper with a huge F on it. "You fail at dating."

Ryuuken wanted to hurt him so badly, but he couldn't because…he knew Isshin was right. He truly did fail at dating.

"However, we can compliment you on one thing." Ryuuken raised his eyebrow until Isshin brought out a picture. "You hugged Ko-chan." Ryuuken's jaw dropped as he stared at the picture. "In case you're wondering: yes, I have made copies. Yes, I have hidden the negatives. Yes, I am going to blackmail you."

Ryuuken began to twitch uncontrollably. He couldn't even shoot him in public. How could he…?

Isshin gulped when he saw Ryuuken smirk. What was going on? Ryuuken walked past Isshin and over to the girls.

"Masaki-san, I'm so glad that you are keeping Kurosaki company while his girlfriend is out of town," Ryuuken chuckled.

Masaki felt her heart plummet. "His…girlfriend?"

"No! He's lying!" Isshin screamed before tackling Ryuuken to the ground. "It's a lie. I swear on my mother's mother's mother's grave!"

"Don't be so modest, Kurosaki. Your girlfriend is so pretty," Ryuuken said, wrestling with Isshin.

"I'm gonna kill you and pray you turn into a Hollow!"

The two girls watched until Kirei smiled at Masaki.

"I think Ishida-kun just wanted to make Kurosaki-kun mad," Kirei said.

"It worked well," Masaki giggled. She didn't really believe that Isshin was low enough to two-time a girl. She stopped giggling and looked at the two boys who were still wrestling with each other. "I have to get back to my dorm."

"Me too."

The boys stopped, turning toward the girls who were waving at them.

"Ja, Isshin-kun."

"Bye-bye, Ishida-kun."

The two walked off while Isshin and Ryuuken sat on the ground. Isshin turned to Ryuuken.

"You did get her number, right?" Isshin asked. Ryuuken paled and Isshin brought his face into his hands. "F-minus!"

Ryuuken reached for his Quincy Cross, then stopped. Pulling his hand out of his pocket, he was shocked to see a piece of paper in his hand. Opening it up, his face went red. On the paper was a phone number and a message in neat writing:

I really would like to see you again. Call me.

Kirei.

Isshin took a look at the note. "She's good."

Ryuuken nodded with a blush on his face. "Very."

So, yeah, sorry it took forever but I'm glad I finally updated and I hope you are too. I promise that the next chapter won't take nearly as long.