A huge bang sounded outside and Rukia's eyes widened in fear. They'd been going on all night yet she sensed no unusual spiritual pressure and her Hollow pager wasn't picking up on anything. But what was bothering her most was that Ichigo and his family were completely undisturbed! Couldn't they hear it?
She opened her cupboard door slightly, peeking out to see what was happening. Ichigo was sleeping soundly and the rain was pouring heavily outside.
Then suddenly there was another monstrous bang and a flash of white light tore through the sky!
Rukia let out a very uncharacteristic squeak and slammed the cupboard shut! She clutched her blanket as her heart beat ferociously inside her chest.
"Hey what's wrong Rukia?" Ichigo yawned as he slid the door back open. Oh no. She'd woken Ichigo up.
"Nothing's wrong!" Another boom exploded from the sky and Rukia's whole body jolted upright as she shrieked again.
"Yeah… right…" Ichigo looked at the cowering ball of Rukia in front of him. "Hey, are you afraid of thunder?"
"W-what's thunder?"
"They don't have thunder in the soul society?" his voice softened, as he saw fear dance across her eyes as she shook her head, "It won't hurt you, it'sjust a type of weathe-!" Rukia had grabbed onto his arm as more lightning flashed outside. He couldn't help but smirk; the great Rukia Kuchhiki of the Soul Society, afraid of a thunder and lightning!
"Come here." Ichigo picked her up and carried he tiny body over to his own bed.
"What do you think you're doing!?" She cried, pulling away from, very confused!
"Well, I can't have you screaming all night! Can I?" he argued back. Who did she think she was? Here he was trying to comfort her and all she could do was complain! "How would I get up for school? So I need some way to shut you up!"
"I'll be fine on my own!" that was a lie, she felt safe in his arms… then a massive clap of thunder rumbled, shaking the whole house. She jumped right back onto him, burying her head into his chest. Ichigo shook his head, smiling, as he pulled the covers over them both.
She was facing him and her head nuzzled comfortably into his shoulder. She snuggled up further to his warm body as he wrapped his two protecting arms around her trembling body.
After a few minutes, he noticed her breathing had become heavy and her eyes were closed.
"Ichigo…?" mumbled a sleepy Rukia.
"Hnn?"
"Please… don't leave me…"
"Don't worry, I won't… Rukia…" He bent his head down slightly and gently kissed her forehead.
"Ichigo…" she smiled.
