Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Rosario + Vampire. They belong to their respective owners.

a=Narration and descriptions

"a"=Dialogues

a=Inner voices or thoughts/ Titles

a=Intense speech

Well, it took me a while, but I'm finally back (though the gap between my updates is bound to be wide due to some crucial reasons). If some are wondering why I was absent for so long, I'm giving the reason in the starting notes of a lemon-themed story I posted lately just to get back the 'feeling' of writing and also to experiment on a new genre I'm new to.

Two things before we cut to the chase:

To the guest who blamed Tsukune haters= My friend, you picked a crossover between Bleach and Rosario, with a clear summary that focused on Ichigo and a future dilemma, and Tsukune's name not included in the main cast. What did you expect? A story where Ichigo acts as a secondary character and Tsukune has his harem fawning over him till the very end like in canon? Your review is like a vegetarian who deliberately waltzes into a BBQ festival to yell ''MEAT-EATERS ARE MONSTERS!'' I'm not judging or criticizing your tastes, respect is everything, but if you definitely wanted a story with Tsukune as the absolute MC, I think it would have been wiser to pick one of the Single Rosario fics. Crossovers indicate that sometimes the standard MC might get sidetracked.

To the other guest who flamed about repetitive clichés= I don't really know what to say to you, dude. Actually, I'm wondering why you even read fanfics. If you want 100% originality, download or buy a book. Some similarities are bound to appear when many stories revolve around the same core. Of course, I hold serious doubts that you read (or watch) stuff for the story. My experience through the net tells me that you're one of those trolls who go around just to flame and bitch about things, mainly because you have too much free time in your hands(reading 15 whole chaps when you clearly DIDN'T like the story from the very beginning, simply to bash it, means quite many free hours of boredom). In any case, I have some pretty innovative ideas for this story, but you would probably call them ''bullshit'' anyway, this time because they are different from the usual cliches (that's how hypocrites work).

*My apology to the rest of my readers for this long rant. As you know, there's a limit to every person's tolerance, and I'm neither a robot nor a holy man to patiently endure every insult forever. I'm here to write for decent and well-mannered people, not angsty kids with accumulated hatred. Also, my thanks to the guest who defended my story. Supportive people like you give me the courage and determination to continue writing, despite the hardships of real life.

*Editting got somewhat delayed for this chap, so I uploaded it as it was originally due to the gap between its release date and my previous one's.I will re-uploaded it when my beta finally contacts me. Hope there aren't many mistakes in the text.

Have a pleasant reading and enjoy!

16: Forever A Big Brother!

It was a nice and quiet day, the time nearing noon. Relieved of their usual, daily responsibilities, as they had just entered the weekend, the students of Youkai Academy had left behind their stress and were relaxing each according to their personal preferences — others inside their rooms, while others taking part in outdoor activities. Some had also left the campus by employing the school bus so as to get them to the train station, to visit the best place for young people seeking entertainment, the Youkai Mall.

''Ahh~, why did Onee-sama have to accept to join in that group study session…?'' Kokoa whined as she exited the spacious bath of the girls' dormitory, treading out toward the mail hall. She was dressed in a simple, short-sleeved white T-shirt, pink shorts and blue flip floppers. ''It's Saturday, geez! Everyone's out to have fun!'' Younger as she was she couldn't fully get into the concept of 'study first, play later and only if the circumstances allowed it.'

''Oh, Shuzen-san!'' called out to her the receptionist of the dorm's hall desk, which was set up some meters on the other side of the corridor near the entrance. She was a young woman a little over her twenties. ''Could you please come here for a minute? We've got a letter addressed to your name.''

Kokoa shifted to the hall desk's direction, curious. ''Um?!''

''You've got to be kidding me! Why me?'' Ichigo asked in obvious exasperation.

He was standing in front of the boys' dorm's entrance, dressed in casual clothes — a red sleeveless T-shirt, blue sport pants and white sneakers — and staring full of perplexity at the red-haired vampire showing to him a letter written with black pen. At the bottom of it was drawn the image of a spiky-haired man's face winking daringly.

''It can't be helped! Onee-sama is busy and Akua-neesan has absolutely no idea about this kind stuff. Her head is filled only with fights and training.''

''But again, why me of all people?! Why don't you consult Ruby-san if there's no one else? I'm sure she's way more suited to see to this matter than me.''

An annoyed frown formed above Kokoa's eyes. ''That masochist is too weird, to ask her for advice. Have you even seen what she's wearing under her clothes?!''

''Whatever the case, it's still better than asking a guy for advice about what to wear on your first date.''

From how it looked, the letter Kokoa received was an invitation on a date, most likely by her hopelessly lolicon boyfriend, the karate club's previous captain, Haiji. The problem was that she had no prior experience on the section, thus she had been driven in a stalemate.

''Why are you so against it? You don't have anything better to do, right?!'' she asked pressingly. ''You could have joined Onee-sama and others, but refused because inside you don't like watching her trying to draw that indecisive man's attention, when it's crystal clear that his mind is elsewhere.''

Ichigo couldn't but blanch at the statement. What did she just blurt out, and especially with such ease as it was something so trivial?

''H-Huh?!'' he jolted, perturbed. ''What are you talking about, Kokoa?''

Kokoa crossed her arms over her chest, adopting a blunt look. ''No reason to pretend, I'm not any fool to not notice that you've got a huge crush on Moka-oneesama.''

The situation was becoming more and more complicated by the second.

''How — no, I mean, where did this come from?!''

''Don't play dumb! Everyone would come to this conclusion after seeing you sneakily ogling her whenever we're in the clubroom.''

''What makes you think I'm doing that?'' Not controlling it, a drop of nervous sweat ran down the Soul Reaper's face. His feelings for Moka ought to be a well-hidden secret. Kokoa being aware of them foreshadowed serious trouble.

''Because I'm doing the same!'' she declared with passion. ''Onee-sama is my life idol, the greatest person I know — staring at her from my place and admiring her is a given.''

''You mean…''

''While staring at Onee-sama, I'm also staring at you staring at her.''

It was quite the mind-breaker of a reply, yet it wasn't any hard for Ichigo to get the point behind the lines. What was actually happening was a stalking game; Mizore was steadily losing her privileges on the 'job.'

''Are you going to keep denying it, or will you give me a hand in the end? Just for the record, if you don't, my tongue might slip out to the wrong people.''

Was that really Kokoa? Was she truly the sweet girl who followed her big sister everywhere, acting all meek and obedient? It wasn't like Ichigo had the chance to observe more sides of her character — but blackmail?! That was something he never imagined he would receive from such a seemingly docile girl, much less one who was also younger than him.

''So?!''

Under these circumstances, there could only be one answer to her other than reserved request.

''Fine…'' Ichigo huffed with a bothered voice. He hadn't done anything like that even for his own sisters.

''Perfect!'' Kokoa sprung up all excitement. Her impatient overflowing, she jerked her hand to grab his forearm, pulling him to her place. ''Let's not waste time!''

''Hold on a sec! A guy waltzing into the girl's dorm just like that — that's sure to stir up a major ruckus?''

''What do you propose then?''

Ichigo's gaze rose to the respective building's upper floors. ''Go on first, and I'll use my powers to come in through your window.''

''That might be for the best,'' Kokoa agreed. Continuing, she released him, and using the same hand pointed at her room's window.

''Got it!'' Ichigo confirmed to her gesture with a nod.

In conclusion, the young vampire dashed back to her dorm, with him waiting still for a few minutes at the same spot. When enough time passed, he vanished on the throwing of a single step forward.

Inside her room, at last, Ichigo was currently sitting on her bed, his attention fixed on her bathroom's door. With the rooms there of moderate space, that was the only place she could use as to change and avoid being seen in her underwear.

''Wish she could hurry up a little… It's too bizarre being here, and someone could barge in when we least expect it,'' he thought to himself, looking around, unsettled.

''I'm coming out!'' was heard Kokoa's voice that moment behind the bathroom's walls.

Succeeding her announcement the door opened, revealing her in a cute outfit. It was an elegant, short-sleeved, lemon dress, its ends covered in white frills. The fabric was that of expensive silk and had sewed around the décolleté's line some artistic, tribal designs resembling bats. Her standard ribbons had been replaced with two longer and thinner, their color one matching her dress. Below, on her legs, she was wearing a pair of cute, white Mary Janes having attached to their front a fake daisy. Her appearance altogether was that of a human-size, living doll.

''How's that?'' she asked, full of insecurity.

Ichigo's expression became conflicted. ''Mm… Not bad as a whole, actually very cute, but… a bit exaggerative for an ordinary date.'' They would be going to some plain place to enjoy themselves, so dressing up for an aristocratic ball was too much.

''Eh?! For real?!''

''Yeah.''

Disappointment crept into Kokoa's face. ''Dammit! This was something Father sent me last year for my birthday, so I took it that it would be all right!'' Not losing her motivation, she headed back to her 'changing room.'

A few more minutes went by, and then she exited it again, this time in a completely different outfit. It was a more casual getup, consisting of a notably tight, sleeveless, white top with the design of a red heart of rhinestone embed between her breasts, which also left her navel bare; dark blue hot pants that barely covered enough of her thighs; and a pair of brown, strapped hills. For this option she had removed her ribbons, wearing instead two gleaming earrings made of fake diamond. Around each of her wrists were clipped two golden bracelets, wide enough to move back and forth across her forearm. While her previous choice could be described as especially refined, that one was one Ichigo had much difficulties to comment on. There were some characterizations swirling in his mind, but he would be damned if he were to utter them.

''How about that?'' she asked, all eagerness.

''Err… How did you end up buying these clothes?'' he asked in return, his eyes narrowed skeptically.

''No one. When I left you to come here, I passed by a friend's room, and since she's already in a relationship for two years now, I asked her if I could borrow anything that would be liked by my boyfriend. What she gave me was this set of clothes.'' Failing to realize where the problem was, Kokoa titled her head in puzzlement. ''Why? Isn't this good enough as to charm a guy?''

Ichigo refrained from giving any reply at that. He just got up, dead silent, approached her, grabbed her shoulders, and ultimately turned her around toward the bathroom's door.

''Hey! What are you d—''

''Next!'' he exclaimed, or more precisely demanded, in a strict monotone. He would better prefer to also take part in the next insane experiment of Mayuri than ever allow a pure teenager go out in such provocative clothes. Not as long as he was appointed as her wardrobe's coordinator.

''Tch! You're so picky!'' Kokoa grunted in displease and proceeded into the bathroom for yet another to try on a different set.

For his part, Ichigo sat again on the bed, hoping strongly the third choice would be better, and most of all, safer.

A variety of clothes continued coming up from that point on, every time falling flat on Ichigo's disapproval. Kokoa's picks were each on the edge — either too fancy or too skimpy. Moka and Akua had their own business to consider themselves with; still, investing some time on correcting some mistaken beliefs of their youngest sibling wouldn't hurt any. He noted to himself to mention that during their next encounter.

''Gosh! This is the last one! If you don't like that, too, I may as well go in my uniform!'' Kokoa grumbled as she exited the bathroom.

Laying his eyes on her, for the first time since the moment he took on the task of contributing to her date, Ichigo twitched his eyelids, not from some negative shock but rather awe. Kokoa's last resort was an open, thin, short-sleeved red vest that matched her hair's color, worn over a white shirt and accompanied by a medium length, marine-colored skirt and vanilla converse shoes. Her hair was tied back to pigtails using her regular ribbons — they were one of her main traits, thus completed her image perfectly — and around her right wrist she had worn a modern wristwatch with a brown leather strap. It was simple, deprived of anything excessive or too distinguishable, yet it bestowed upon her a captivating aura.

''Should I change into my school uniform or what?!'' Kokoa asked in a grumpy tone. All those constant rejections and changes in clothes had been proven a major headache.

Ichigo smiled. ''No need.'' His face was illuminated with a gentle light of satisfaction. ''This is great. I can't see any man not fawning all over you after meeting you in that getup.''

His comment's purpose was mainly to boost her confidence and empathize with how pretty she looked in those clothes; nevertheless, Kokoa didn't neglect to grant him a bashful and exceptionally cute blush. No one till that day, at least of the opposite genre, had made her such a bold compliment. To what had to do with Haiji, he was praising her beauty, yes, but in most cases it was directed to her loli-related aspects.

''G… Good!'' Kokoa said, averting her face sideways in an attempt to hide her flushed cheeks. ''Thanks.''

''Don't mention it!'' His obligation reaching its end, Ichigo stood up, preparing to leave the room. ''When is your date?'' he asked Kokoa with a tilt of his head backwards as he moved toward the window.

''Tomorrow morning,'' Kokoa answered a bit squeakily, still somewhat flustered because of his comment. ''Haiji is going to pick me up with his car at the entrance of the cliff that separates the forest with the barrier's gate.''

''Car?'' Ichigo inquired, raising an eyebrow. ''Is he old enough to drive a car? Isn't he a student in this school?''

''He's a graduate.''

The Soul Reaper's eyes narrowed suspiciously. ''How old is he exactly, if it's all right?''

''Twenty.''

That really did it. His 'older brother' instincts resurfacing with that small piece of information, Ichigo quit the idea of leaving, and instead turned around to face Kokoa directly.

''Is something the matter?'' she asked, wondering about his sudden reversal.

''What you're saying is that he's a young adult who dates a sixteen years old girl?''

''Well, yes.''

''How did this happen?''

''He started like me after we first met, and following the end of the battle with Fairy Tale, we decided to date seriously.''

''Wasn't he any… hesitant… because of your ages?'' From casual, Ichigo's tone was gradually switching into an interrogating type.

''Not in the least. Haiji is a hardcore lolicon. It's very embarrassing to admit that, but one of the basic reasons my boyfriend fell for me is because of my physique...'' Kokoa's gaze switched momentarily diagonally to the floor. ''The dumbass…''

Taking in all the details, Ichigo felt his blood rising to his head and boiling his rationality to a stew of impulsiveness. Kokoa was in a legit age to have a boyfriend of such an age gap, according their country their barrier was set up, yet it didn't mean that it was absolutely fine. For him, at the very least, it wasn't. She was still a student, and that man already at a stage where should be either in college — if there was one for youkai — or be job hunting. And even if that wasn't so important, did she actually state that he was a hardcore lolicon?

''Kokoa…'' he started.

''What?''

''It's true that I don't have any right to interfere in your private matters since I'm only an outsider, but… have you thought of it well before you went along with this idea of dating someone who's already an adult, even one so close to our age?''

''Not so much really, but what's so bad about it? Onee-sama being the amazing and excellent person she is, she's still willing to chase after a guy who made her and her friends wait till the last second to clear out his feelings and is clearly stuck to the memory of her lost other half. Dating a lolicon doesn't sound so right, but on the bright side, I can be reassured that Haiji won't go after other, more voluptuous wom—''

''THIS ISN'T THE POINT!'' Ichigo burst out, upset. Kokoa's reasoning drove him crazy.

''Why are you getting mad?!'' she snapped at him. ''You said it yourself: you have no right to affect what I do or not!''

''Even so, you might need to reevaluate some of your choices!''

''Because you don't agree with them?!''

''Because some of them could be wrong!''

''And who are you to judge them?! Not even my sisters did that!''

''Maybe they have to! Everyone needs an older one's opinion once in a while!''

''Are you implying that being young means I'm stupid?!''

''I never said that!''

The atmosphere was heating up with each retort, and everything indicated that it wouldn't be long before the final explosion of anger.

Her temper beyond its peak of tolerance, Kokoa lashed her right index finger toward her room's window. ''I asked you to help me since I considered you a cool guy, but you are just a hardheaded idiot! So get out! You did what you were supposed to, so make me a favor and get out of my room or I'm going to scream and gather here every girl on the floor.''

Not so fazed, more like reluctant as to face the meddlesome consequences of being discovered in a girl's room, Ichigo once again shifted toward the window. He walked closer, and opening it climbed on its base.

''The funny thing is that I had deduced Akua-san was the most stubborn in the family.'' He turned his head to her place one last time. ''Anyway, good luck with your date. You've spent too much time and effort for its sake, so you deserve it.'' With a strong push of his foot on the window's metal, he launched himself out, where he disappeared into thin air.

Back in the room, Kokoa was persistently peering at the open window. She couldn't cope with Ichigo's behavior. He acted so calmly and friendly when he first came there. What she had requested of him was certainly a major inconvenience, and she was well aware of that; she wasn't any inconsiderate brat. Despite that, he didn't present the slightest sign of complaining after accepting. He only did as told and assisted her with her problem as though he was her true sibling. In all honestly, she had begun thinking of him as one somewhere along the road. His supporting presence reminded her of the times back to their old castle, where she was living together with all her sisters. Why did he have to ruin it all by sticking to small details? Why couldn't he show her some trust like her sisters? Moka and Akua loved her genuinely, thus it would be absurd to say that they let her do whatever she pleased only because they had more crucial stuff to concern themselves with. So why that man couldn't see it from their open-minded perspective and give her his stamp of approval? He was the academy's savior, her sisters' savior, and a rather pleasant guy to hang out with. Why did he seriously have to own such a narrow train of thought?

With the rise of the next day, waking up early as to make sure her appearance was flawless Kokoa found herself standing a little later at one end of the cliff expanding toward the entrance to the Grate Barrier's dozens of tunnels. As a small addition to what she had settled on yesterday, she was carrying with her a stylish, purple purse, hanged on her left shoulder. She was impatiently tapping one of her feet on the ground, checking out every so often on the other side the long, steep path, in case she spotted Haiji's car crossing the cliff.

Meanwhile, unbeknown to her, hidden inside the thick foliage of a tall tree some yards behind her Ichigo was carefully spying on her, reflected on his face deep concern and guilt. After he returned to his room, he spent enough time going through his entire visit in Kokoa's room from start to finish, deeming that he had gone overboard with how he handled the situation. He was the older one there; he ought to have more patience with her. He was truly inexcusable. Karin would most likely have kicked him in the groin if she knew her that big brother had stressed out a young girl to such an extent — and a kick from a soccer team's captain wasn't child's play.

''It'll be too awkward to suddenly pop up and apologize from nowhere. Better wait until she returns, and hopefully has something good to narrate about her experience,'' he concluded to himself thoughtfully. There was the right time and place for everything, and that wasn't now.

That moment, to his surprise his ears caught up on some voices travelling through the woods from a location nearby. From what he could tell, they belonged to males. Curious, he decided to give it a small check, as there weren't many things to do before Kokoa returned from her date with that questionable man.

Leaping from branch to branch, he eventually positioned himself above them. They were six men, their age apparently the same as him, dressed in karate uniforms.

''Seems she's taken the bait,'' said one of them owning a skinny body and a ball cut hairstyle. Below each of his eye sockets extended for a few millimeters a vertical scar. His face alone indicated an awfully sly individual.

''Your plan was brilliant, Aniki!'' another complimented him. He was relatively taller, with a noticeably more muscular physique and a face of shark-like features.

''Hehe! That cocky vampire ridiculed us last year, but the time has come for our revenge!''

''Yes, yes, indeed! Your idea to copy Captain's Haiji's handwriting and sent her a fake letter was awesome! Now she's stupidly expecting him, all anxious and defenseless. She won't even know what hit her when we pounce onto her!''

''Couldn't have said it better! Gihihi! The expression on her face while she would be lying helpless below us, begging to spare her… the thought alone is so exhilarating that I can hardly hold myself back!''

''You're so smart, Aniki! Sometimes I wonder what we would have done without you.''

''Be less garbage?!'' resounded a male voice from over their heads.

Alerted, they attempted to confirm who it was; still, before doing so, Ichigo fell on their heads, flattening two of them onto the ground unconscious using his feet.

''Woah! Y-You are… Kurosaki Ichigo!'' the skinny man jolted up, shaking like a leaf.

Ichigo focused on him with exemplary fury burning on his face. ''Aren't you a little too old to be teasing a girl by using her love life?''

''Why is he here, Aniki? This was supposed to be a secret operation!'' the muscular one remarked, sweating bullets from intense fear.

''H-How the hell should I know?!'' The skinny man directed his hands at Ichigo in a manner that implied preparation for a battle. ''A-Anyway, we can't back down so late in the game! We must beat him and then continue as scheduled!'' Gulping down his every hesitation, he released his true monster form, a ground-dwelling mole.

His team followed right after, transforming into three vicious beasts: the muscular man into a shark man; one of the other two into an eagle man; and the last into a salamander.

''If that's how you want it,'' Ichigo declared upon their sights, and as a response banged his right fist onto his chest, drawing out his sword, instantly also cladding himself in his Soul Reaper's attire.

First to attack was the salamander, breathing at him a beam of dense flames. Ichigo countered by calmly enveloping his sword in azure reiryoku and bisecting the straight row of flames as if it was of physical substance. Continuing, he lurched at the fire lizard monster, and using his free hand thrust the scaly skull into the ground. Another opponent was down for the count.

Watching his friend's downfall, the eagle man let out a furious cry and flew straight upwards to gain enough altitude for a lethal dive at their target. In the process, though, he was forced to halt by having his beak entrapped inside an overly powerful clutch — Ichigo's hand. Having him perfectly stretched and helpless before him, the Soul Reaper wasted no second and hammered the bottom of his sword's hilt into the flying warrior's gut. A muffled cough slipped out the monster's constrained beak, and following his comrades in their unfortunate sleep, he collapsed into Ichigo's arms. Disappearing and reappearing down on the ground instantly, the latter released him beside the salamander.

Then his senses notified him of a presence full of bloodlust approaching from behind. His expression solid and determined, he performed a rapid turn and casually crashed his right leg into the shark man's open jaw, firing him right into a large tree like a bullet. Senseless, the water creature slid down from the tree's trunk onto the dirt, his mouth filled with blood and shards of crushed teeth.

''That might actually teach them some respect,'' Ichigo remarked, inspecting his work visually. Seconds later, his gaze lowered down to the earth beneath his feet. ''What do you say?'' Lifting one of his feet slightly up, he stomped it viciously into the earth.

The impact was strong enough it spread several wide cracks around the spot he stepped on, creating a relatively small crater filled with broken rocks and thick dirt. Between the rubble of mangled nature, close to Ichigo's foot, was dug up the group's leader, shaking beneath the dirt as if he was about to explode.

''P-P-Please! Don't hurt me!'' the cowardly monster pleaded for mercy, his sharp teeth clattering uncontrollably. ''I won't try anything like that again! I swear!''

Ichigo didn't display any signs of being so convinced. He peered down at the monster in an intimidating fashion. He brought his sword forward, his arm stretched, and span it upside-down. In a forceful motion he thrust it mere inches from the half-buried creature's crotch. His terror hitting the limit upon that, the devious schemer lost every control over his body and ended up peeing himself.

''You better do so!'' Ichigo groaned threateningly, leaning above the shamed man. ''Because next time I won't be so kind…'' Readjusting his stance, he looked at the school's direction, pulled out his sword, and made a step toward it, vanishing in a flash of speed.

Behind, under the rubble, the mole monster kept quivering madly, thanking internally God or whoever helped him to avoid his friends' fate. That whole thing was an experience he was bound to remember for many years to come.

A few minutes later, Kokoa was still stationed in the exact same spot, waiting with commendable patience the supposed arrival of her boyfriend. He had already been an hour late.

''Haa… This is stupid!'' she sighed, exasperated.

''That's quite a gloomy attitude for a girl going on date,'' was heard Ichigo's voice from her left.

Turning there, she saw him approaching to her place, his face decorated with a playful grin. He was wearing a set of casual clothes such as a short-sleeved, white T-shirt with green outline around the sleeves' ends; beneath it a long-sleeved blue blouse; light brown pants tied together with a dark brown leather belt; and gray converse shoes.

''What are you doing here?!'' she asked, half-surprised and half-annoyed.

''Your boyfriend called back at your dorm and said that he won't be able to come for your date due to something urgent,'' he replied.

Kokoa narrowed her eyes critically. ''And how do you know that?''

''Your dorm's manager started searching for you right after the call, and at some point she visited our own to speak with Moka in case she was informed of where you were… I was going to Tsukune's room during that time, to ask if I could be part of their study session in the end, as there's nothing else I can occupy myself with today, and I heard her talking outside his door.''

''Really now…?''

''Yeah. Why?''

Tucking her hand inside one of her vest's pocket, Kokoa pulled out her cellphone and displayed it to him as cockily as possible. ''The phone number of every student living in the dorms is registered in the database of their computer. If she wanted to find me, she could have just called me.''

It was a worthy try, yet too rash of an idea for Ichigo to go through all its flaws and devise an efficient 'plug' for every 'hole.'

Caught red-handed lying to her, he averted his eyes diagonally sideways, toward the sky. ''You've got a point…''

''I don't know what business you have here or what makes you so sure that Haiji won't appear, but if you don't mind, leave me alone. I've got a lot to think about, and that idiot is too late for his own good.''

''He's gonna be even more, trust me… Way more than you believe.''

''Because everything ultimately was a plan of those punks from the karate club?''

Ichigo's eyelids jolted in severe astonishment at that specific reply. Lost, he returned his attention back to Kokoa; she had switched her irritated look with a despondent one.

''How do you—''

Without saying anything, she beat him to his question by pointing her index finger up. Looking there, Ichigo noticed her bat familiar flying in circles above them.

''Kou-chan spotted the havoc you were causing while kicking their asses — you've never heard of being subtle, apparently — and hovered over the area to investigate what was happening. When he reported back to me I was wondering what on the earth was going on in that head of yours, but it's all starting to slowly make sense now… You faking an excuse for Haiji and their involvement don't leave to much space for doubts.'' She tightened her eyelids, expressing openly inner suffering. ''I'm such fool! Akua-neesan would probably give me true Hell if she were to learn that a vampire of our family has fallen victim to some nameless scums.''

''It wasn't your fault. You couldn't have guessed that someone had copied your boyfriend's handwriting.''

''I should have suspected the whole 'letter' thing, though. Sending letters isn't to that lolicon maniac's character.'' She casted her sight downwards, tears welling up in her eyes. ''It could be that he has forgotten about me after he left the academy and at the moment is chasing after another loli. I'm going past my expiration day, nonetheless.''

There it was: teenage depression. Starting to develop doubts about your lover was a harsh phase, and it became even worse if the relationship between the couple was a long-distance one.

Ichigo didn't have any experience with stuff like that, but, at the very least, he was familiar with the pain of imagining your loved one in the arms of another person. To his good luck, he hadn't witnessed anything assertive-like between Moka and Tsukune yet, and in all honesty, he wished her never do. It was something he could never muster up the necessary composure to handle.

''Don't lose hope so quickly,'' he told Kokoa, resting his dominant hand on top of her head tenderly. ''Rather than going after someone else, he could be in a real bind and simply can't contact you from where he currently is.''

Feeling his touch, she raised her sight up to him. ''That's just speculations. What assures me that he isn't.''

''Nothing, but, to what has to do with me, I'm willing to bet on the best possibility.'' His mouth curved into a reassuring smile. ''Who would be crazy enough to abandon an amazing girl like you for another woman, anyway?!''

Ichigo's belief was plain baseless, with absolutely no guarantee that his words stated the truth, yet, distrustful as she might have been, Kokoa felt a deep need to believe in them. Haiji was indeed weak before young girls, it was the undeniable and shameful truth; regardless, he wasn't a two-faced playboy. The little time they had spent together worked as a definitive factor on supporting that fact. There was still hope he hadn't forsaken about her and he would message to her sometime in the near future.

A rather heavy burden being lifted from her shoulders, the red-haired maiden gave Ichigo a grateful smile. ''You're saying whatever you like, but I'm willing to go along with your those speculations of yours for this time only!''

''I'm honored!'' Ichigo replied animatedly. Fulfillment reflecting on his face, he all of sudden employed his arms as to pick her up, princess style.

''Hey! What— Put me down!'' Kokoa ordered, yet she was blatantly ignored. ''Have you gone mad?!''

''No, I'm just thinking that it would be a waste to let all that effort you put for this date be for naught. It'll sure be tiring to sprint till the train station, but since we're both dressed up, how about we go entertain ourselves at the Mall for some time?''

Dumbstruck by the suggestion, Kokoa wide eyed. ''Aren't you in love with Onee-sama? Why do you want to go on a date with me?'' She made a suspicious grimace. ''If you are trying to take advantage of the circumstances to go for me, know that I'm not such a fickle girl to switch boyfriends on a whim.''

''As if!'' Ichigo chuckled. ''Consider it a harmless outing with a friend or one of your sisters.'' His logic kicking in, Ichigo sweat-dropped. ''No, wait, that sounded wrong. Someone like an older brother, yeah, that works better,'' he said, leading Kokoa to momentary giggle.

He could try to hide it, and he would fail no matter his struggle; it was awfully obvious that he missed his little sisters. Kokoa might have had no real blood relation with him, yet that wasn't anything to shake his resolve to treat her as a relative and strive to ensure her cheerfulness. That was who he was, anyway — a big brother at both title and soul.

''If you put it that way,'' Kokoa started, flashing another blush like the one yesterday, ''it's okay, I guess…'' She wouldn't admit openly, but the idea didn't seem so bad altogether.

''It's settled then!'' Ichigo exclaimed in a motivated tone. Clasping his hands tighter on to her for better stability, he raised his sight and dashed forward.

After two steps to provide him with greater momentum, both disappeared on the sound of shoe's sole hitting on the ground.

When finally at their desired destination, letting not a second to be lost, the pair quickly engrossed themselves into a vast variety of enjoyable activities.

Their first stop was an arcade. Ichigo wasn't such a regular to such places, yet he showed promising skills at handling its couple of games. He even managed to win an adorable bat strap for Kokoa's cellphone in a 'hit the target' machine.

For the next step, they wandered a bit around the different shops, for Kokoa to check out some clothes and accessories. In the end, she couldn't help it and succumbed to her urges, buying a few stuff, indirectly turning Ichigo into her bags carrier. Thankfully, they weren't many so he didn't actually mind.

Continuing, they proceeded to a karaoke shop for some rest and to replenish their fluids with some beverages. Being faithful to her genes as Moka's sister, Kokoa demonstrated an excellent performance with the mic, whereas Ichigo was as terrible as the last time he made the reckless attempt to sing. Kokoa had difficulties to withhold her laughs at that.

When the time hit 'noon', they went on a long search for a store with vacant seats, to sit down grab a bite. Their long quest eventually ended with them settling down on eating a portion of yakisoba from a stall while sitting on a bench. As it was a given, the one who paid for everything was Ichigo, despite Kokoa's constant arguments from consideration. She had heard that he didn't have much money and that his latest funds were from their temporary headmaster. He and her sisters might have refused their payment for the job they took the other day, but Nurari wouldn't feel right if he hadn't given them a small something as a reward, at the very least. For Akua was a bonus to her salary for that specific month; for Moka a free access to some old archives of the academy, mainly to read about her mother's feats when she was young; and for Ichigo a generous allowance, as it was what he required most during that time.

Upon finishing up, they resumed their tour within the spacious all-purpose center, entering and exiting shops one after another, every time with their faces graced with a pair of gleeful smiles. Kokoa experienced the kind of nonchalant fun she had long to indulge into, with Ichigo watching her letting herself go, more satisfied than ever. If some crook were to ever steal that happiness from her, he would learn firsthand the consequences of incurring him the full wrath of Death itself.

As night closed by, the two of them decided to call it a day and boarded the train of return. They had a sufficient amount of fun, able to evaluate their date as a complete success. For Ichigo it was his first, which strangely came to be not with the woman he loved, but rather her little sister. Kokoa's usual liveliness had been restored though, so he didn't have any reason to complain.

''Man… I'm beat!'' he breathed as they entered Youkai Academy's grounds. ''I can't wait to eat dinner, take a quick shower and go straight to bed.''

''You sound like an old man,'' Kokoa commented at his behavior. ''Are you really a high school senior?''

''Covering all that distance between the station and the school by foot isn't any joke. Not to mention that we literally went through the entire Youkai Mall!''

''Do you regret suggesting this date?''

Ichigo turned to her, grinning roguishly. '''Date'? What I proposed was an outing!'' He crossed his arms over his chest. ''I thought you weren't a woman who switched boyfriends on a whim!''

Realizing her blunder, Kokoa's face dyed in the color of roses. What he had said was indeed 'outing,' not 'date.'

''My… My tongue slipped! It… It happens to everyone!'' she protested in an adorably stubborn fashion.

Ichigo couldn't but chuckle at that. ''Hehe! No need to be taking it so seriously!'' Teasing Kokoa was as funny as teasing Karin for her relationship with Toshiro — though, teasing him was even funnier.

''IDIOT!''she shrilled at him with a type of childish frustration.

Treading steadily near and past the school building, they shorty found themselves standing in front of the fountain between the two dorms.

''Here we are!'' Ichigo claimed, halting his steps to turn to Kokoa. ''These are yours.'' He lifted her bags up, handing them over to her. Reaching her hands out, she received them, wearing a grateful expression. ''This is 'goodnight' so. Only, don't stay up too late to arrange all that. Losing sleep is bad for your health.''

Rather than reciprocating his words, Kokoa reacted by going silent, lowering her sight to the ground and fidgeting.

''Um?! Is something the matter?''

On the call, she raised her face to him, her motion emitting great shyness. ''Thanks!'' she muttered with a soft, barely detectable, squeaky voice.

Ichigo cocked an eyebrow in puzzlement. ''Eh?!''

''You spent your entire day with me when you had no reason to, and even gave those insensitive blockheads a lesson for my sake… So thank you.''

''You're welcome,'' Ichigo smiled. ''But I had a blast, too, so I say we're even. And those jackasses would need some punishment sooner or later, to correct their ways.'' He rested his hand on her shoulder. ''If you ever need someone to accompany you on another outing and your sisters aren't available, count me in.''

''I will!'' Kokoa nodded, friskily. Then her face adopted a tentative look. ''Err…''

''Is there something else?''

''Well…'' her eyes were averted sideways, her mouth half-opened in hesitation, ''about that thing you mentioned in the morning — that about considering you an older brother…''

''What of it?''

Tightening her eyelids as if she was struggling to keep herself from blowing up due to extreme embarrassment, her eyes glancing here and there restlessly, Kokoa took a deep breath and confessed, ''Would you have a problem if I called you 'Ichigo-niisan' from now on?''

More unprepared than ever for what he had just been stricken with, Ichigo shook his head to make sure that his mind was operating properly.

''What?!'' he questioned, at a loss. Suddenly, Moka's group insisting on using honorifics whenever they addressed to him seemed less uncomfortable. ''Why?!''

''The only other people who have made me feel so at ease with them are Moka-oneesama, Kalhua-neesan and Akua-neesan. Taking that into account and that you said yourself that I should treat you as a big brother, I thought to also start referring to you as one.'' Glimmering emerald orbs looked straight into his firm brown ones. ''Is it so bad?'' she asked, all eagerness and innocence.

Confronted in such a pure manner, Ichigo wasn't left with many courses of action to follow. As awkward as it would be, Akua's reaction being the one worrying him most, he had to comply. How could he not, anyhow, before those earnest eyes that were appealing to his very soul?

''Haa… All right,'' he agreed, still relatively uncertain. ''But let's minimize it to whenever we're by ourselves, to not kick up any fuss.''

''Okay! It's a promise!'' Kokoa obligated, her look glowing with satisfaction. Finally over with what she had to say, she turned around toward her dorm. ''Time to go!'' She rushed to the entrance with a series of energetic steps. ''Goodnight, Ichigo-niichan!'' she bid to him with a wave a little before climbing up the stairs to get inside.

''Yeah! Goodnight! See you tomorrow!'' Ichigo half-shouted to her. Succeeding that, a sudden realization hit him head on and he blinked. ''Huh?!'' he frowned, perplexed. ''Did she just— But she said— '' He could try to understand her way of thinking, but somewhere inside him he was aware that he most likely wouldn't.

''Are you enjoying yourself, playing 'house,' Kurosaki Ichigo,'' echoed a voice in his head that moment. It was a voice he had some time to hear, and he definitely was glad for that.

''Have you run out of people to pester, Kurotsuchi-san?'' he grunted, especially annoyed. A grave mistake, nevertheless. ''AHH!'' he gasped as he felt his brain zapped.

''Excuse me, but I don't have time to concern myself with your unnecessary whining,'' Mayuri snorted bluntly. ''There has been an unfortunate miscalculation, and thus I require for you to transfer to the location you first fell when you entered that dimension.''

''Ngh… What kind of miscalculation?'' asked Ichigo, only to bring upon his brain a second zap. ''GAH!''

''Stop dawdling around and do as told, foolish boy! This is no laughing matter!''

As it stood and considering also the tension in Mayuri's voice, the reason he had made contact was indeed of serious concern.

''Haa… Haa… Fine…'' Ichigo panted, slightly dazed, clenching on his head tightly.

Facing toward the forest near the school, he used his shunpo and vanished into the night.

A few minutes later, he reappeared somewhere around the spot he had landed half a month ago.

''Okay, I'm here!'' he exclaimed grumpily. No reply was heard from Mayuri's side. ''Hey, Kurotsuchi-san, I got here as you asked; what now?!'' His tone was becoming more and more upset with each word, yet Mayuri remained quiet. ''Hey! I'm asking you what to do, can't you give me a simple answer?!'' Still nothing. ''Khh… I can't believe that! Did he call to mess up with me?!''

Mayuri was famous for his eccentric character and absurd antics therefore pulling a nasty prank like that to kill his boredom wasn't totally out of question. Ichigo honestly cursed himself for falling for that, and even more for not getting caught in the mad scientist's insane plot altogether. Well, he could forgive him to a certain extent for the latter, as that led him to meet the first woman to love with his whole heart, but certainly not for playing with him when he was so tired.

Exasperation creeping into his facial features, he face-palmed, hard enough for it to resound around him. ''Damn, when I get back home… I swear, HE'S TOASTED!''

''I share the same opinion, myself,'' claimed another male voice behind him.

Once again, it was a voice Ichigo was familiar with, quite much actually.

Shaken, he performed a slow turn around, and then his eyes jolted wide open to the point bursting out of their sockets. ''Byakuya?!''

A/N:

For starters, as you read, Kokoa promised to be careful, and I think we all know what happens whenever someone does that. Expect giggles.

In this chap, I tried to depict the closer I could one of the types of relationship between an overprotective big brother and his rebelious little sister. I don't have one myself, so tell me if I actually achieved my goal. In addition, Ichigo getting another girl looking at him as a big brother will work for some good comedy when his other new ''imouto'' will make her second appearance.

Another thing; after everything said and done, take some time and imagine what will happen when ''Ichigo-niichan'' meets at some point Kokoa's especially assertive and clingy boyfriend. :P

For the end, remember to check another time the parenthesis at the end of my summary. I'm saying it for a reason.

See you next time!