Author's Note: Hi everyone! This is my first fanfic ever so please don't be too hard on me, but at the same time send me your reviews and comments, regardless of whether they're positive or negative, so that I know what you liked and what can be improved. I will definitely take into account everything that you say, and any suggestion on how the story should progress is welcome. However, this does not guarantee that your suggestions will be found in future chapters. They might, but I can't say for sure that they will, OK?

In this story I'll try to stay true – as much as possible – to the way things are in the anime and manga, and that includes not only events, but the characters' personalities also. Therefore, don't expect to see romance blooming out of nowhere, where there was none before :P However, I am taking the liberty of evolving the relationships as they are in the anime/manga to what I think they could become, so there will eventually be romance, fear not!

There will also be adventure based on a plot I came up with, but it will take a while before things are set in motion because I really want to be thorough, and I ask of you to be patient and bear with me. After all, I hope you agree that action scenes are not the only interesting ones. Insights into the characters' thoughts are also very enjoyable if not better! ;)

I have placed a lot of footnotes at the end of each chapter, and while I am sure most of you are all too familiar with the meaning of the occasional Japanese words used, I want those who don't know the meaning to understand what it's all about, so don't hold it against me, OK?

I would also like to add that English is not my first language, so please forgive any misspelling or grammar mistakes. I really hope you will like this story! Without further ado…Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, Kubo Tite does.


Chapter 1 Ephemeral Tranquility

Kuchiki Rukia was looking out the window in Kurosaki Ichigo's room, but she wasn't taking in the view in front of her. She woke up early that morning due to a nightmare and she wasn't able to go back to sleep, so she decided to stealthily get out of the closet and open the window, hoping the cool morning air would calm her down. It was 5 a.m. but even so, everything outside seemed too eerily quiet. Rukia was still waiting for all hell to break loose again, as the few months that had passed since the Winter War were not nearly enough time for her to feel safe again.

Her nightmare had been about the terrible war against Aizen and the toll it had taken on both the real world and Soul Society: so many died, so many were hurt or mutilated, so much destruction…Power could be so corrupting that all common sense could be erased even in a captain of the Gotei 13.

But then again, the war had had some positive effects also: after fighting together, the relations between shinigami and Vizards were much closer now. Of course, the past would always be remembered and serve as an obstacle to future collaborations, but still, the foundations of a new alliance had been established back then.

Ever since the war, Rukia's "new" assignment was to watch over Karakura town for any sign of hollows or other similar disturbances and threats. With Aizen gone, no one was expecting further problems, but one can never be too sure. The war had taught everyone a hard lesson, so no chances were to be taken. In the real world, Karakura town was a "hot spot" for hollows due to the high density of spiritual power. Ichigo and his friends accounted for most of that reiatsu, and since Rukia had befriended them and was acquainted with the town, it was only natural that she would be sent to make sure everything was all right.

Rukia's brother-in-law and adoptive brother, Kuchiki Byakuya was not very pleased with the decision. Rukia knew her brother didn't like Ichigo and that he preferred to know her closer by, where he would know she is safe, but he hadn't contested the decision. She didn't dare to hope that it was proof that her brother was starting to trust her more. He probably just considered it less troublesome to let things be, and she wasn't going to complain. She enjoyed being in the real world.

Having once again assumed her role as a student in Ichigo's class, she could meet with her friends Inoue Orihime, Yasutora Sado ("Chado"), Ishida Uryuu, Arisawa Tatsuki, and even Asano Keigo and Kojima Mizuiro, and she really liked spending time with them. They were so full of energy and funny, and so unlike her cold, haughty brother…The Kuchiki mansion resembled a real world church, were silence was kept at all times, and people had a reverent attitude, though that attitude was directed to the Kuchiki clan head, Byakuya, rather than a god. Rukia felt very alone and depressed in there.

"Oi, midget, what're you doing up so freakin' early?!?" an annoyed and sleepy voice snapped Rukia out of her contemplation. "It's bad enough we have classes so early in the morning without your waking me up ahead of schedule and freezing me to death!" Ichigo grumbled. "Close that darn window and get back in your closet".

"Oh, I didn't realize that you were cold, I was actually enjoying the fresh morning air" Rukia replied quietly, closing the window. BANG!!! Her foot suddenly hit Ichigo's head out of nowhere: "And don't call me midget, carrot top!" With that said, she slowly and gracefully made her way towards the closet, though her perfect composure was broken by her eyebrow twitching with annoyance at Ichigo's choice of words towards her.

"What the…?!?!" Ichigo shouted, furiously rubbing his head. "Did you expect better treatment after waking me up at 5 a.m. by freezing me!?!? You may enjoy the cold but you have an ice-type zanpakutou for crying out loud! I prefer warmer temperature" He got back under the covers and added "And stop hitting me for anything I say!"

"I'm sorry", Rukia said using her "sweet voice" that she practiced at school, "I actually thought that hitting you might help you go to sleep faster". She climbed in the closet and closed the door but not before hearing Ichigo mutter something about an "annoying midget". She smirked but then her smile vanished and an anxious expression crossed her face as she closed her eyes, hoping against hope that no terrifying image will come back to haunt her.

*****

"Ohayo, Kurosaki-kun, Kuchiki-san!" Orihime greeted the two as they all reached the school gate at the same time.

"Hey there, Ichigo, Rukia", Tatsuki added with a grimace. "Did you study for the English test today? Well, Rukia, maybe you didn't need to study seeing as you're very good at about all the subjects, but Ichigo here sure could use some extra learning hours".

"Hi!" they both responded at the same time.

"Great, thanks to being woken up in the middle of the night I forgot everything I studied last evening" Ichigo muttered under his breath afterwards, throwing an aggravated look towards Rukia.

"Really, now? Well, since you only studied for about half an hour I can hardly see what there was to forget" Rukia whispered back quickly. To Tatsuki she said: "But of course I studied nonetheless, and I'm sure Ichigo put some effort into it too", and her violet-blue eyes twinkled with merriment.

"I studied too though I'm still pretty nervous about this test" Orihime said with a small frown. "However, I had an energizing breakfast of chocolate and garlic sandwiches, so I should be able to perform at my best today" she added, winking towards a yawning Ichigo. "I would be more than happy to share my recipe!" As usual, she did not notice the suddenly nauseated expressions on her friends' faces.

"Are you sure your choice of breakfast was the best, Inoue-san?" a voice suddenly asked. They all turned to notice Ishida, who had just come beside them. "You should be more careful with what you eat or it may be detrimental to your health", he added, adjusting his glassed on the bridge of his nose. A low grumble of approval was heard, and the group noticed that Chado had also joined them.

"Ishida-san, of course my choice was the best!" Orihime added somewhat outraged by the boy's comment. "Chocolate is good for the brain and garlic is a very beneficial aliment also". Ichigo wondered why Ishida was even trying to put some sense into Inoue, she was always too air-headed to take notice of any such efforts.

"What about you, Ishida?" he asked. "Did you study for the test or are you too smart to need studying?"

"I don't see how that is any of your business, Kurosaki" Ishida replied.

"You're right, I don't actually care, I just thought you wanted to hear yourself speak this morning so I decided to offer you an opportunity. It's your call whether to take me up on it or not" Ichigo said with an impish grin on his face.

"Guys, it's way too early for this and we have a test ahead, so try to behave, OK?" Tatsuki said before Ichigo and Ishida had a chance to continue their verbal duel.

Together they entered the classroom and sat down, as the class was about to begin.

*****

After school, Rukia and Ichigo were headed towards the Kurosaki residence, when Rukia slowed down and asked: "So, Ichigo, how did you really do on your test? You sort of blew off both Keigo and Mizuiro when they tried to question you about it". Her brow was creased with worry but Ichigo didn't notice, nor did he notice she was falling behind him, and he continued to walk at the same pace as he answered.

"I did OK, doesn't really matter I suppose, it's just a stupid test" he shrugged it off nonchalantly.

Rukia sped up and grabbed his hand "Do you mind if we make a detour and go through the park before heading back?" and without waiting for his answered she hurried ahead.

"What's up with this all of a sudden?" Ichigo asked, catching up with her.

"I'm really sorry I interrupted your sleep this morning" Rukia said, and Ichigo was startled to see she was looking rather vulnerable at that moment, something extremely rare where Kuchiki Rukia was concerned. After all, the impenetrable "I'm holier than thou" expression her brother had on all the time must have rubbed off on her somewhat; being a Kuchiki sort of required that, he had understood so much.

"It's OK…" he began but she didn't let him finish his reassuring line.

"I don't want to disrupt your life more than I already have", Rukia continued, "but I guess I am still doing so despite the fact that the war is finally over. I had a nightmare that woke me up so early this morning and I just couldn't go back to sleep. I guess I can't believe that it's all over and that the peace is going to last".

They had reached the park and Rukia sat down on a bench, Ichigo following her and listening quietly for a change. He figured this rare moment of confession must be respected.

"Ichigo, I regret all that I've put you through since we met and I can only pray that from now on everything will be peaceful and that I won't have to watch for trouble anymore. I'll probably return to Soul Society after another month or so, just to make sure that there's no more trouble". Her eyes were starting down and her voice was somewhat sad and melancholic.

"Ano, you don't have to apologize for anything, Rukia" he said quietly. "You made a great personal sacrifice for me and my family the night we met and you opened my eyes to a different world. Because of you I was able to take part in battles, and while I will admit that it hasn't been easy, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I could use my powers to help others, and be true to my name, 'the one who protects'".

"Oh? I thought your name meant 'strawberry'" Rukia said with a weak smile. "I'm glad you feel that way, but you have the right to live a normal life without horrid battles."

"And what, you don't have that right?" Ichigo asked on a slightly threatening note. He could see where this was going. Rukia was going to blame herself, once more, for everything that she considered went wrong in his life. He wasn't about to let her do that.

He had known her for quite some time now, and despite their frequent arguments and fights, they had a very strong friendship. Actually, the arguments and fights were a proof of how well they got along, and he enjoyed them very much. The war against Aizen had brought him and Rukia even closer, and if he were honest with himself, he was happy that she was assigned to watch over his hometown as her presence by his side was important to him.

"It's not that I don't have the right, but after all, I've lived much more than you did, Ichigo" Rukia said in a serious tone.

"You don't look it, midget!" Ichigo said on purpose, knowing that if anything could get her out of her melancholic state, it would be provoking her rather fiery temper boiling underneath the cold, smooth surface.

"What did you call me, idiot?!?" Rukia shouted, jumping off the bench, her fists raised, and her troubled thoughts flown from her mind.

"Who are you calling an idiot?" Ichigo replied, getting on his feet and starting walking towards his house. "If we keep on wasting time around here, I'm not going to be home by 7 and I don't need my dad to attempt to kick the living lights out of me again". Not that he won't do that anyway, crazy old man, Ichigo thought.

"Oh, and Rukia? Thanks for worrying about me" he threw over his shoulder. "I really appreciate it, but…don't worry about it! Got it?" His permanent scowl disappeared for a second, to be replaced with a genuine smile.

Rukia smiled in return. "Got it! Let's go home" and to her, these words had never sounded truer. More and more, she was beginning to think of Ichigo's home as her home, and for the moment, she didn't want to question why that was so.