Chie: Please note, that every chapter of this story is a standalone drabble between 100 and 1,000 words I have written as a response to my friend's prompt. These do not all add up to one cohesive story, but are wholly independent of one another.

1. Like A Game Of Chess

Prompt: Like a Game of Chess

Setting: Bakumatsu-esque AU

Genre: Drama, Romance

948 Words

"Here's to the new alliance! Kanpai!"

Ichigo smiled and raised his sake dish, bowing his head to Ishida before he downed the drink.

The servants of the tea house had laid quite the feast on the table.

"You know, the only things this celebration is lacking are music and girls," Mizuiro smirked from across the table. Ichigo rolled his eyes, but Ishida simply hummed.

"Worry not, Kojima-san," the Ishida heir spoke, "the entertainment is well taken care of."

Ichigo quirked his brow, but before he could ask, a servant announced the person's arrival and slid the door open.

Her small, delicate hands formed a perfect triangle as they graced the tatami. She bowed down gracefully and then slowly straightened, well aware of the way all eyes in the room were drawn to her.

A small, teasing smile played on her red lips.

"Please come in, Rukia-san," Ishida beckoned.

The woman rose with fluid elegance, and Ichigo stared as she crossed the room. Her steps small and delicate, he beautiful kimono whispering as she seated herself down, right between Ishida and him.

"Thank you for your patronage, Ishida-sama," she spoke, her voice deep and melodic. "Your invite surprised me, I believed you were partial to Orihime-san."

"Yes, well," Ishida averted his gaze and a faint blush suddenly coloured his cheeks. "Since we're celebrating our alliance with the Kurosaki clan, and I hear you and Kurosaki-san are familiar with one another…"

"Ah, of course," the geisha murmured. She tilted her head, turning towards Ichigo. Her violet eyes were alive with mischievous glimmer. "I am delighted to see you again, Kurosaki-san. It has been too long."

"I've been busy," Ichigo stammered, fumbling toward the sake bottle. His throat was suddenly very dry.

"Please, allow me," Rukia said and picked up the bottle.

Ichigo scowled as he held his sake dish to her. Rukia smiled and with her left hand, held her long kimono sleeve out of the way as she poured the drink.

Ichigo noticed the way Mizuiro's eyes lingered on the geisha's exposed wrist, and had to wrestle down his irritation.

"I'm sure you have been very busy indeed, since you have managed to wrought this allegiance with a clan that once were your rivals," she spoke as she set down the bottle.

Ichigo's scowl deepened.

"The rivalry between our clans was actually established quite recently," Ishida spoke dryly. "Largely because the Kurosaki heiress was originally meant to marry my father."

"Oh, my," Rukia gasped, leaning toward him in her curiosity. "Yes, I suppose that would put a crease in your clans' relationship."

"Indeed."

"So, does this alliance mean that the Kurosaki clan is finally taking a side? The Ishida clan is quite vocal about their support to the Quincy-faction. "

"Must we talk politics? It's such a dry subject," Ichigo cut in, grumbling.

"Oh," Rukia breathed, her eyes twinkling. "I actually find it intriguing. Much like a good game of Shōgi."

"You're an interesting woman, Rukia-san," Ishida spoke, his lips twitching.

"Why thank you, Ishida sama." Rukia glanced at Ichigo. "Well, if Kurosaki-san is weary of talk, perhaps I may strive to entertain you fine gentlemen in other ways."

She called the servants to bring her shamisen.

The party was over. Ishida had already left with his retainers, and Ichigo was making his leave. He glanced at Mizuiro and Sado, before instructing them that he would follow shortly.

Mizuiro grinned at him in a knowing way, but followed the quiet Sado out of the room, sliding the door shut behind him.

"You didn't seem pleased to see me, Ichigo. I'm hurt." the geisha still appeared playful, but her violet eyes were no longer smiling.

"I wasn't expecting to see you," Ichigo said.

"So, it's official now, the alliance. Is the mission going well?" she asked.

"They do not appear to be suspicious of me, I suppose so far, so good."

"I need you to be careful." Her hand darted out and fleetingly rested on his cheek.

"I'm always careful," Ichigo murmured.

Rukia smiled, but her eyes carried a trace of sadness.

"No you're not. You're a rash idiot, and it'll only get more dangerous from now on."

"I know, but this is something only I can do."

She sighed.

"I know."
"I need you to tell Kuchiki-san to have someone keep an eye on Ichimaru Gin. I suspect he might be an informant. And the Quincy-faction is preparing for an attack, but it appears they are going to bide their time. Rally more supporters for their cause before they take up arms. There will be a strategy meeting at a tea house in Karakura next Tuesday. I'm sure I'll have more intel on them after that."

Rukia nodded.

"I'll let him know."

For a moment, Ichigo seemed to be fighting an internal battle. In the end, he reached out, pulling the woman into his arms.

"I need you to be careful, too. Don't get caught."

"I know what I'm doing, Ichigo," she said, sounding annoyed. She looked up, locking her gaze with his.

"You're very good at what you do," he admitted, "but that doesn't stop me from worrying."

"Well aren't you sweet," she teased. "But I need you to worry about yourself. You're more at risk than I am."

Rukia's hand snaked up, it brushed the nape of his neck.

"You need to go, before your retainers grow suspicious."

Ichigo nodded. His eyes bore into her and then he leaned down, claiming her lips in a harsh, hasty kiss.

It was a welcome surprise; he rarely chose to initiate intimacy.

And then he was gone, and she was left cursing him for ruining her make-up.