I hope you all enjoy this!

For everyone at Bleach Asylum on the IchiRuki FC! I hope you enjoy!

Inoue Orihime was safe; brought back from Hueco Mundo to the World of the Living. Aizen's army of arrancar had been decimated and Aizen had retreated with the hyogyoku.

Isshin and his two daughters were informed about the whole shinigami-Soul Society-Aizen ordeal when Kurosaki Ichigo, along with Kuchiki Rukia, had returned. Karin knew about the two being shinigamis but that's about it. Isshin had a secret of his own; he was a former captain. This came as a shock to all of them. Isshin knew everything that was going on since Rukia had stepped into Ichigo's life. The only one out of the loop was Yuzu, the only one who was blissfully ignorant of the whole thing. Poor girl. But at least she was seeing spirits and shinigami much clearer now.

Tomorrow they were going back to school for the first time since they had came back. It was going to be hell. Well at least for Ichigo. He had left Tatsuki, Keigo, and Mizurio with unkind words...

Don't associate with me anymore...

Ichigo knew that Keigo and Mizurio would most likely forgive him, but Tatsuki would still be sore. He wished he hadn't said that to her. She was his friend and she deserved to know the truth.

Ichigo didn't want to think about this now. He was still tired from fighting, even though Rukia and he had stayed home for three days. He sat down on the couch, leaned his head back against it, and closed his eyes. Not long after he sensed a presence approaching him. Rukia. He didn't bother to open his eyes but did when he felt something rest on his thigh. He looked down. There was Rukia, laying beside him, eyes closed and head resting on his thigh. Ichigo didn't push her off or yell at her, for he knew very well she was just as tired as he was. He leaned back, all of his muscles relaxing, and closed his eyes once more.

Karin looked on from the table. It was odd seeing her brother so close to a girl, and so comfortable too. She couldn't even believe it was possible. Karin ate her words.

I won't be impressed until he brings someone of Inoue's level home.

After seeing Rukia defeat a hollow yesterday, with such beauty and grace, and seeing how strong the petite girl really was, and hearing her commanding and feminine voice instead of the sweet, high-pitched one she used when she was acting, and seeing how truely beautiful she really was, she ate her words. Rukia was a perfect ten in her book.

Karin remembered last night she had awoken to see Rukia wasn't in her bed.

Karin woke up to get a glass of water. She couldn't really sleep properly lately, for reasons unexplained. When she headed towards the door, she saw that Rukia wasn't in her bed. Quietly, she crept down the hall to the only place she could Rukia would be, her brother's room.

The door made a slight creaking noise and she silently cursed it. Once she was inside, she tiptoed over to Ichigo's bed. Karin's eyes widened at the sight she was seeing. There, on the wall side, was Rukia. Her back was turned to Ichigo, and he faced her back. His arm was draped over the petite girl's body, hand over top one of her's. Ichigo was obviously having a good night's rest. A peaceful one. Like Rukia too.

Karin smiled softly and crept out of the room, closing the door softly. She could've taken a picture for blackmail, but decided against it. They deserve to sleep well. She went down the stairs to get a drink of water.

She could only wonder what conversation they had that night. She wondered how Rukia convinced him to let her sleep there. But she had a sneaking suspision that Ichigo had been more than willing to have her sleep there.

"Karin-chan, can you help me with the dishes?" Yuzu asked from the sink, looking over her shoulder.

Karin jerked slightly, not realizing she was in a daze and staring off into space. "Uh, yeah." She got up and went over to her sister, grabbing a towel so she could dry the dishes. "Yuzu... what do you think of Rukia-chan?" Karin wondered what her sweeter sister thought about her.

Yuzu was wondering the same thing about Karin. "Huh? Rukia-chan..." She turned to see her brother and Rukia asleep on the couch, Rukia comfortably resting her head in Ichigo's lap. Yuzu turned back to the dishes and smiled. "Rukia-chan is amazing! Ichi-nii seems to have had a change in his personality. He seems more... lively... and it's all thanks to Rukia-chan!" She giggled a little bit and handed Karin a dish to dry off.

Karin looked at her sister while drying the dish. She smiled. "Ah, that's right. She did. Rukia-chan is amazing..."

Ichigo had barely slept at all, what with the nap he took. He was putting on his uniform for school. It was the yellow sweater and striped tie he wore over the white shirt, like most others in the winter, that he wore the last day he was at school... He didn't want to think about it again. Ichigo allowed his mind to wander.

His mind fell back to the other night when Rukia showed up in his bedroom. He asked what she wanted and she had shyly asked if she could sleep with him. For a split second he thought she meant something else, but quickly dismissed all perverted thoughts. Ichigo let her stay. He scooted over to the edge, telling her to sleep on the inside so he wouldn't roll over her while he was asleep. Ichigo remember the feelings he got when she climbed over him, of her being so close.

Rukia turned her back and had told him goodnight and as soon as her head hit his pillow, Ichigo swore, she fell to sleep. He remembered that her had an easy time falling asleep, but not before he cuddled closer to her body and layed an arm over her.

Ichigo blushed. He hoped no one saw that. Especially his dad. But seeing how his dad hadn't mentioned anything, he highly doubted that. He forced the blush down in time just before Rukia had opened the door and went into his room. She had the yellow winter sweater, the girl's version, over the white top, and the red ribbon tied neatly.

"Ready to go, Ichigo?" She asked, adjusting her school bag in her hands.

Ichigo grabbed his bag and swung it over his shoulder, the way he normally did. "Ah, yeah." He followed her downstairs and to the door. "We're going!" He called.

"Bye Ichi-nii! Bye Rukia-chan!" Yuzu called from the kitchen.

Karin walked by through the living room. "See ya later, Ichi-nii, Rukia-chan. Good luck." She smiled.

Ichigo and Rukia waved. Ichigo was silently grateful his dad was already at the clinic. He really didn't want to deal with flying attacks this morning. They left, shutting the door behind them.

The walk to school was quiet. Neither really had anything to talk about at the moment, so they just enjoyed the silence. It wasn't an akward silence; the air between them was always comfortable. They were always comfortable with each other, it seemed.

Ichigo was walking beside, rather than behind, her today. They had a close proximity; their shoulders touching. Rukia kept her eyes ahead, on the sidewalk in front of them. Ichigo looked at her from the corner of his eyes. She seemed... troubled by something. He wanted to ask what it was but decided against it. She might not feel comfortable telling him.

He wanted to provide her some comfort though. Ichigo's right hand, the left one holding his bag over his shoulder, twitched slightly. He moved it closer to her hand but stopped, clenched into a fist. He unclenched it and started back again, but stopped clenching it again. He repeated this process again and again. It's just Rukia. She wouldn't mind, would she? This is nothing but a gesture of comfort, right?

Just when he finally got the nerves to hold her hand, they both stopped. They were in front of the school. Students were walking and running around outside and going inside. They looked at each other, Rukia's eyes understanding but firm. Ichigo nodded, he knew what she was saying. 'Don't be scared, Ichigo, I'm here. You have to do this.'

With that silent agreement, they walked through the doors.

It seemed like the students were watching them walk down the hall, it didn't get any quieter but still... several pairs of eyes watched them. Both of them ignored it, but it seemed the farther down the hall they walked, the harder it became to ignore the stares.

Once they had reached their classroom, they saw two familiar faces approach them. Well, one approached, the other ran. "Ichigooo!" cried Keigo. He threw his arms around his orange haired friend. "Where have you beeeeeeen!" And for once, Ichigo didn't throw him off. He let his brunette buddy hug him, even though he didn't hug him back.

"Yeah..." Ichigo started, "I'll tell you at lunch..." He agreed with Rukia that today they would tell Keigo, Mizurio, and Tatsuki about everything. They were their friends and they deserved to know everything.

Keigo let go of him and smiled brightly before turning his attention to Rukia. "Rukia-chan! It's great to see you! How are you!" He, again, threw his arms around her.

Rukia looked shocked and glanced at Ichigo, who was still beside of her talking to Mizurio. "I...I'm fine, Asano-san. I'm fine." She, like Ichigo, didn't hug back, but let him hug her.

Keigo let Rukia go and the four of them left the doorway, to let the other students in, and went back to their seats. As soon as Rukia sat her bag down of top of her desk, someone suddenly grabbed her by the yellow sweater's collar and slammed her against the wall, still holding her sweater.

Everyone in the classroom turned to see what had just happened. There was Rukia, up against a wall, being held there by...

Arisawa Tatsuki.

Rukia, however, wasn't fazed by this. Her expression was like Ichigo's when this happened to him, calm. Tatsuki, on the other hand, looked angry, confused, and upset all at once. Rukia heard her classmates yelling out different things.

"Arisawa!" That was Keigo, she guessed.

"What're you doing to Kuchiki-san!" Chizuru this time.

"What did she do to you!"

"Arisawa-san, please let her go..."

"Tatsuki-chan! What are you doing!" That was Orihime.

"Tatsuki! Let go of Rukia!" It was Ichigo this time. He called me by my first name in front of everyone this time. She mused.

Tatsuki met her eyes. "It's because of you isn't it?" She started, "Ever since you transferred here, Ichigo's been acting strange. He's been skipping classes, not showing up for months at a time, not being at his house... It's because of you..." Rukia stayed silent. "Now look at him! He's been running around in a black kimono carrying a sword and fighting these strange people..." She made a mental note to erase the whole class's memories later. "Maybe if you never came here, he would be normal." Rukia's eyes looked down, saddened and hurt by her words.

"Really, Arisawa." Rukia spoke, not even bothering to use her innocent act. "Really." She lifted her eyes and rose her voice. "Do you really think that I wanted this for him!" Her voice lowered. "Do really believe that I wanted Ichigo to face these hardships?"

A hand landed on Tatsuki's shoulder. Both girls looked to see who it was Ichigo, who had a serious look on his face. "That's enough, Tatsuki. Let her go." Slowly, Tatsuki let go of Rukia. She walked back to her seat, head lowered by pent up feelings or being ashamed, Rukia couldn't tell which.

"Alright you punks! Take your seats! Attendence time! Oh! It seems you five decided to show today! Good to see you again Inoue, Ishida, Yasutora, Kuchiki, and Kurosaki! How nice of you to join us." Ochi-sensei proclaimed.

Class flew by without any important event, if you don't count the whispers among the students. As soon as the lunch bell rang, Rukia erased the memories of the students that needed it, besides the primary group. Lunch was the usual, eating on the roof of the school with the usual people. Although Orihime and Uryuu were sitting really close today...

Today was the day when Keigo, Mizurio, and Tatsuki were being let in the loop. They deserved as much. Ichigo and Rukia took turns telling the story and told them the whole thing. They were... shocked to say the least. Mizurio and Tatsuki sat there shocked, lost in thought while Keigo pounded them with random questions. Eventually Mizurio spoke up asking more sensible, down to earth questions. Tatsuki remained the same.

"That's so cool!" Keigo exclaimed. "Not only is Rukia-chan a beautiful and talented woman, she's also a killer shinigami!" He attached himself to her waist. "And she's a noble! That's so cool!"

"A noble with a brother that'll kill you if you he saw right now." Ichigo muttered.

Rukia pushed him a bit. "Could you let go of me. Ichigo's right, he would."

Keigo didn't budge. "And her voice too! I like her voice much better than the other one she uses. It's commanding and sexy!"

Ichigo glared at his brunette friend. "Keigo, just because I'm tired today doesn't mean I won't kick your ass." Keigo immediantly let go of Rukia.

"Say, how old are you, Kuchiki-san?" Mizurio started.

"Don't even start, Mizurio!" Ichigo exclaimed.

Mizurio pouted. "Whaaaat? You don't think a smart, classy, sexy woman like Kuchiki-san will be interested in little innocent me?"

Ichigo was about to remark about that when Orihime spoke up. "It's cold out today, we should go inside! My food is getting cold and clammy and I want it to still be hot when Ishida-kun tries it!" Everyone turned to Uryuu.

"What? I can't try Inoue-san's food without looking suspicious?" Uryuu pushed up his glasses nervously. Everyone shuddered at the though of Orihime's food.

"Noooo! I lost Orihime-chan and Rukia-chan in one day!" Keigo wailed.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ichigo asked frustrated from his actions earlier.

Keigo pointed an accusing finger at him. "You! You stole Rukia-chan from me! And Orihime-chan already has Ishida! I'm all alone!"

Ichigo jumped. "What the hell! I didn't steal anything from you!"

"Well, you do have to admit that your whole story sounds kind of like a love story." Mizurio shrugged. "It does." He looked at Keigo who was in tears. "He just couldn't take the truth."

Both Ichigo and Rukia were blushing madly. "N-no! It's not like that!" Ichigo shook his head vigorously. Rukia did the same.

Amongst the madness, if you want to call it that, Tatsuki, who had been silent this whole time spoke up. "Kuchiki..." This made everyone stop doing whatever they wer doing. "I'm sorry... I didn't know it was like that. It's just... it's just that I was worried... about Ichigo, you know. He'd one of my oldest friends, kind of like a brother. I'm sorry."

Rukia got up and walked over to Tatsuki. She knelt down in front of her and gave her a hug. "It's okay. I understand what you were feeling." Tatsuki hugged her back, she wasn't into hugging and stuff like that but it felt like a mother or sister was hugging her.

"I hate to disturb this hug-fest, but it's getting rather cold." Ishida spoke up, interrupting the hug. He pushed up his glasses. Chad, who was sitting on the other side of him nodded and gave a grunt of agreement.

And with that, they all went back into the warmth of the school.

At the end of the day, Tatsuki was walking back down the hall. She had wanted to apologize to Rukia again, so she waited outside the school. After awhile, she got too cold to wait and went back inside. She was heading back to their classroom but stopped outside of the door. It wasn't just Rukia, it was Ichigo too. She peeked inside the open door and watched them. Ichigo was sitting at his seat, head lowered. He looked tired and slightly depressed.

"Ichigo... cheer up. So what if Aizen wasn't defeated?" Ah, they were talking about this. "Inoue's safe and sound and nobody was serverly injured." Rukia was currently standing in front of her seat, putting books in her bag. She stopped and looked at him.

"You were. Rukia, you almost died." Ichigo turned his body towards her, looking into her violet eyes. Tatsuki continued to watch. "Do you know how I felt when I felt your reiatsu drop? I turned and started to head back to find you, but I was stopped by Ulquiorra."

Rukia's eyes softened. "Ichigo... it probably was the same way I felt when I sensed your other fight with him. I was worried when I saw that explosion." She walked towards him and gently hugged him. His head was rested against her chest, her hands at the back of his head, eyes closed. "I'm alive, aren't I?"

Ichigo spoke again. "The whole I've known you, you've nearly died five times. I can't stand the thought of losing you."

Rukia kept her eyes closed. "I had no idea that I had such an impact on you." She squeezed her eyes shut tighter, tears started to leak out and fall onto Ichigo's head. "Maybe you would be better off if we hadn't met. You would be normal and wouldn't have had to seen battle and hardships."

His arms wrapped around her waist. "No." Ichigo said sternly. "Don't you ever say anything like that again. I'm glad I met you. I like what you did with my life." His voice softened. "I would be dead if it wasn't for you. I can't imagine life without us never meeting." Rukia's eyes opened wide, tears shimmering at the brim. A few tears slide down her face.

Ichigo stood up in front of her, hands firmly on her shoulders. "Ichigo..." she said quietly.

"Rukia... I think I love you." he said softly. "I really do."

Rukia's eyes widened and then softened. "I think... I love you too..." Tatsuki's eyes widened when she heard them. She silently continued to watch.

Ichigo leaned towards Rukia, his lips softly covering hers, hazel eyes closed. Rukia's violet eyes shut, arms around his back. Ichigo moved his arms around her shoulders, bringing her closer, up against him.

They parted slowly after the soft, warm kiss. Eyes slightly open. They stood up straight. Ichigo smiled at her warmly, taking his bag in one hand, and holding her hand in the other. "Come on, we need to get home." Rukia smiled warmly back and nodded. She was barely able to grab her bag before Ichigo tugged on her hand and started to lead her to the door.

Tatsuki who was watching with a smile, quickly darted down the hall, down the stairs, and to the door, her smile turning to a grin, which was getting bigger by the minute.

I have to thank Kuchiki tomorrow. She's had such a huge impact on Ichigo's life. she thought silently, and then added. This is good blackmail against Ichigo too, he wouldn't want anyone to know he's said such mushy stuff to a girl.

It's finished! Yay! I'm proud of this piece! This idea came from chapter 239, which I was reading last night. I got to thinking how Tatsuki, Keigo, and Mizurio would react to them coming after such a harsh goodbye. No Tatsuki bashing my readers! I know it was harsh with what she did to Rukia, but she was just upset. I love the girl, not as much as Rukia, but still! Oh, and the part when Rukia was talking about Ichigo and Ulquiorra fighting again and the explosion comes from chapter 340. If you haven't read it yet, you should! It has a great part when Rukia was worrying over Ichigo. Thanks for reading! Review please, no flames please!