Decoy

I don't own Bleach, Tite Kubo does.

OOC and cursing are involved.

Chapter 1

"Dreams are funny that way I think, because they reflect a person's unconscious desire." Rukia smiled (a half-smile) as she said this, "What do you dream of Ichigo?"

"Eh for starters—what my life would be like if I had a normal hair color." He stated jokingly, while relaxing against the young girl's lap.

From the horizon the sun was steadily setting and as Rukia's purple eyes blended within the mix of oranges and yellows, Ichigo could only stare deeper within their depths.

"I think…" Rukia tilted her head down and placed her hand on top of Ichigo's head, "…your life would be much too boring if it was black."

Black was too easily blended into the background, like shadows.

Ichigo closed his eyes.

Black was the color of the sky when his mother died.

TAP! TAP!

"What old man? !"

"Kurosaki, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't sleep during my lectures." Ukitake, Head of Psychology Department, explained calmly. "Moreover, although I realize that you are one of a few students who's able to pass my class without trying—please, just humor me."

Ichigo responded by lazily holding his head against the palm of his hand. He was getting irritated, to put it simply, and damn annoyed if he had to watch another minute of this psychoanalysis crap.

To make matters worse, Ukitake didn't move from his spot (which had been right behind where Ichigo sat) until it was time to turn on the lights. Which by that time, there was only five minutes left until the bell rang.

Ichigo stretched his arms wide, awakening some of the muscles that ached during his obvious rigid position a few minutes ago. He quickly grabbed his bag and made his way towards the door where Renji and Chad waited for him.

"Oi, I told you not to take that class." Renji, who stood the same height as Ichigo but with crimson hair and tattoos, said.

Chad, who towered in height in comparison to both of the boys, nodded his head. His tan complexion, loose brown hair that hung over his eyes, and quiet demeanor made him quiet a popular choice among the girls.

Oh, and his muscular built didn't hurt either.

"And I told you already that the class is easy as shit." Ichigo stated bluntly, "Too bad you were too dumb to pass with high marks but I'm pretty sure I'll be just fine."

Renji's eye twitched, "Who the fuck are you calling dumb?" Ichigo smirked at his friend's obvious response and easily dodged a punch that headed for his stomach.

Chad held Renji back as he shook his head, but remained quiet. He had been all too used to their rambunctious attitude and up until now complied with the position of playing as the 'referee'.

"Gah! Besides I only took that class as an elective. I had no idea that Ukitake-sensei was such an ass when it came to grading papers." The red-head complained.

"Hmm…I don't remember." Chad spoke quietly, "Ukitake-sensei ever grading my papers that way."

"What? You mean to tell me that you passed?"

"Are you surprised?"

Renji shrugged his shoulders, "Eh, I guess not. You did place in the top fifty for academics when we were in high school."

This time Chad faced his orange-haired friend, "Orihime requested me to say: she was looking for you."

Ichigo's body stiffened at the thought but quickly brushed it off with a smirk. He placed a hand behind his neck and steadied it there while Renji and Chad waited for a response.

"Tell her that I'll have to take a rain check." Ichigo closed his eyes as he said this, because why? He had to wonder. "My next class is starting soon and unfortunately I can't be late for Urahara's Medical Terminology."

Without even waiting for a response he booked it towards the direction of the science wing, at the same time waving goodbye up until his friends eventually evaded his sight.

"I thought his next lecture didn't start for another half an hour?"

"It didn't." Chad answered without averting his eyes where Ichigo previously stood.

. . .

Ichigo finally slowed his pace only to be knocked back by someone, who oddly enough, was running the same speed and direction he was. The girl, or should he say 'child', fell to the ground (luckily into a patch of grass) but remained face down.

His pulse quickened.

Out of courtesy Ichigo would've normally reached out his hand. But something inside provoked him to continue to stand there with a scowl on his face—something he couldn't shake off even as passing students stared. Ichigo felt his anger surface behind the walls he so easily built.

Why? He wondered for the second time today.

"Watch where you're going bitch!" Ichigo demanded with clenched fists.

The girl stood, though not tall enough to where she could directly stare into the jerk's face. She matched his body language but her eyes remained blank and dark under the afternoon's sunlight.

"My name is Rukia." Her tone clipped, "Don't act so high-and-mighty. Even a dumbass like you can remember that."

"What the hell did you just…?"

"Ru-ki-a." The girl repeated though this time in a childlike manner.

Before Ichigo could even think of a witty response, she had already relaxed her stance and with her fists unclenched began to walk away.

"Hey midget!" He commanded as he grabbed the ears of her Chappy backpack, "Don't ignore me!"

The raven-haired girl twitched visibly against Ichigo's hazel eyes, but before he could relish in sweet, sweet victory—in 'getting the last laugh' per say—Rukia turned around herself. A sweet smile adorning her pink lips.

"Idiot!" –Kick- "Pompous jackass!" –Punch- "Strawberry Head!" –Another kick- "I told you my name is Rukia!"

Ichigo didn't react quickly enough to dodge the first few kicks, leaving a sore spot on both shins, but when she started throwing punches he was able to get at least some leverage and block with his arms. It surprised him, for someone so small this damn chick could sure throw a punch.

"Kurosaki?" A timid, yet, familiar voice questioned. Almost immediately Ichigo released his hold on Rukia and stiffened.

"Oi, Inoue." Just by saying her name Ichigo could already feel his heart becoming heavier. As usual he played it off by showing a fake smile on his face.

Rukia stood still, already acknowledging the fact she was invisible between the two, though it didn't make it easier to avoid the sudden change in the mood. She focused first on strawberry head, who (it seemed to her) was putting too much effort in keeping a calm expression.

A second ago he was smirking, close to laughing, and now? He was standing there uncomfortably.

"Did Chad mention, that um, well…" Orihime spoke softly, her eyes facing the ground. "That I wanted to talk to you?"

"Yeah, but..." He had to come up with an excuse and fast! From his peripheral he instantly saw Rukia standing and as their eyes collided an idea popped in his head. "…See I already promised Rukia that I'd take her to lunch."

"What?" Both girls asked simultaneously. Although it was certain that Rukia's tone had been louder, way louder.

"Oh, well, sorry to intrude." Orihime bowed her head apologetically, "I didn't know you associated with the Kuchiki's."

Ichigo remained quiet until Orihime's figure disappeared in the background. By that time he'd hoped that Rukia had done the same but instead his hopes fell when their gaze met once more. This time she stood closer with her arms across her chest and a sheen of indifference beneath her eyes.

"That was horrible." Rukia said candidly, "If you were trying to lie, at least make it believable."

"She left. That's all I wanted."

Ichigo felt the weight from his shoulders lighten and as it did a thought came to mind. He knew Orihime wouldn't stop pursuing until she'd say the words that he gravely didn't want to hear. Moreover, now that they attended the same college he would see her much often.

So he needed—his eyes brightened—a decoy, at least when Orihime was around. Someone he could divert his attention to, someone who his circle of friends didn't associate with, someone like the raven haired midget who stood before him.

He needed, Rukia Kuchiki.

But just how do you ask somebody a favor? Especially when he'd just met that somebody minutes ago?

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ichigo closed that gap between them and took her by the arm towards a vacant spot near the science wing. Rukia was all too ready to punch him but held her breath at the seriousness of Ichigo's expression. Her hands landed inside of his at the same time he'd lower his head to get a closer view of her pale face.

"I need, a favor." But before Rukia could decline Ichigo raised a finger near her lips, "But before you say no, hear me out."

She nodded and he continued.

"That girl you saw earlier, I uh…" Ichigo tried to think of the words that would make sense. "She and I don't have a great history and I would rather not talk to her alone cause…"

"Is it too hard?"

"Explaining this? Well, yeah sort of."

Rukia shook her head, "No I meant being around that girl."

"Yeah, it really is." Ichigo answered in a low tone, "I don't know why it is exactly—it just is, I guess."

"So your favor would be?"

"Be my girlfriend?"

Ichigo wasn't sure if it had been his imagination, but the calm air a moment ago seemed to have vanished. This time only to be replaced with something much thicker and heavier, like smoke during a great fire. As he stared at Rukia, though he could only imagine it, he saw anger emanating throughout her whole body and with her hands clenched to fists was ready to, to—do something.

For now he couldn't tell. So he prepared himself for the worse and backed up a couple of steps.

"Are you truly that much of an idiot? !" Rukia screamed this as she kicked him in the shin again, "What makes you think I'd agree to something like that? !"

"Fuck bitch! Why do you always have to hit the same spot?" Ichigo rubbed the sore spot before continuing his sentence, "And you wouldn't officially be my girl. Fuck, I can't truly be with someone who'd abuse me on a daily basis."

"Fine."

"Besides, the only time you'd have to pretend would be in front of my friends and Orihime. So in a sense it—wait what did you just say?"

If he didn't know any better he was sure he was hearing things, because if he heard what he thought Rukia had just said then that'd just been too easy.

Way, too easy.

"I said fine. What's wrong, cat got your tongue?" Rukia questioned with a smirk, a sly and sexy smirk at that.

Ichigo gulped and shook his head, "Nah. I just, well, didn't think you'd comply—is all."

"I've been bored lately" Rukia commented truthfully with her dark eyes cast against the cloudless sky, "College life isn't what I expected it to be, so this little plan of yours might just be the entertainment I've been craving."

Bored? Ichigo thought, she's bored?

But before he could even probe her with a question Rukia was already walking away, her hands lazily tucked inside her lavender cardigan. Ichigo stared unable to chase after her, due to the fact that his class started ten minutes ago and something else as well.

He didn't know if it was the uncertainty that shrouded Rukia's personality that he was drawn towards, because frankly he had never met anyone like her before. Maybe, just maybe, this could turn out better than he originally planned.

Maybe he'd be entertained as well.

Ichigo grinned before heading to Urahara's class.

. . .

If anyone is actually reading this story, then please review if you want me to continue.

Thanks guys!