The closest friendships are those in which no words are needed.
Some nights, Ichigo wakes to the sound of muffled sobs. Whispering, he calls out her name and she emerges from his closet, silently shuffling towards him. He shifts his weight a little, making room for her. Early the next day, they wake with his arms still shielding her. Wordlessly, they begin their morning routine.
On rare occasion, Rukia will lay in her closet, listening as he mumbles in his sleep. She is tired, but she knows that soon his mumbling will turn into screaming. She waits, and at the first whimper she is at his bedside, shaking him awake. They creep downstairs for tea, drinking in comfortable silence, and his terror is slowly calmed.
When the sky is clear and the moon is bright, they find themselves sitting on the front lawn. Though Rukia knows that Ichigo is worried about the heavy responsibilities that have now been placed on his shoulders, and though Ichigo is aware of Rukia's ever-present feelings of guilt, no conversation takes place. Both are looking at the stars, filled with hope and the knowledge that both of them are living in this moment for each other.