Okay, so I've had this idea for a while now, and I'm super excited about it! I'm still going to work on finishing 10 Days with Rukia, so no one panic. I just have to do this! I think it'll help with my other fic, actually. So, please, no one freak out! :D Anyway, let's start! (You guys have no idea how excited I am!)

-:-

Rukia

I pulled into my parking space in front of my apartment building, after work. The sky was strangely purple with fading orange splashes; it was strange for two-twenty in the afternoon, but beautiful. I usually wouldn't notice something like that, but it was very vibrant and even caught my eye.

I got out of my car, my bag draped over my shoulder, and headed toward the door. As I reached the sideway I noticed my upstairs neighbor heading in as well. I held the door for him and stopped to check my mail.

"Hello, Abarai, how are you?" I asked before he had a chance to get halfway up the steps.

He turned and looked at me and that's when I noticed how dark the usual circles under his eyes had gotten. He looked like he had been up all night. After staring at me blankly for a few moments he laughed dryly. "Me? I'm…great."

I stared back at him, hoping my concern was evident on my face. "That's good to hear," I said, trying to smile. "How are the kids?"

He smiled slightly and it seemed sincere. "They're good." His voice had lowered and he looked away momentarily. When he looked back at me his earlier, depressed expression was on his face again.

"Great," I answered, now able to smile a little. "And Mina?"

He only nodded this time and I didn't press it. I took a step closer to him and laid my hand on his arm. "If you guys ever need anything, a babysitter or whatever, just let me know." I hoped my offer didn't weird him out; we hadn't talked much before, but I hoped they knew how much I appreciated them as neighbors.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," he said flatly, glancing away again.

"I'll let you go, then," I said, smiling at him before stepping back to my mailbox. "It was great talking with you, have a good afternoon."

He nodded and said, "You too," before turning around and heading up the steps.

I watched him for a moment longer, a deep frown on my face. I sighed and tried to get him out of my head, knowing he was just having a hard time since he lost his job the year before. I remembered his wife Mina coming to me crying at ten-thirty the night he was let go. He had left angrily after she tried to talk to him about it and the kids were already in bed, so she came to me.

I quickly grabbed my mail, not giving it a second look, before approaching my door and unlocking it. I stepped into my apartment and dropped the mail on the coffee table, willing myself to stop worrying about the Abarais.

-:-

Ichigo

I got off of work at three-thirty and by the time I got home and had turned my cell phone on I realized I had twenty text messages and thirteen missed calls. After getting into my apartment and dropping my stuff, I searched my phone to see who had been calling me so much and noticed Mina's number immediately.

I dialed her number and held the phone to my ear, already panicking. She had been calling me a lot lately, crying over Renji's strange behavior. She always asked me to come over, which I didn't mind. He usually calmed down when I came over; he seemed less stressed. Or so Mina said.

It only rang once before Mina's frantic voice said, "Hello?"

"Hey, Mina, what's going on?" I asked, trying to sound relaxed. "Sorry I didn't call earlier, I was at work and my phone was off."

"It's okay, it's okay," she said, seeming distracted. After a moment of silence she spoke up again. "I'm sorry, can you come over? Renji's…" She sighed. "He's really scaring me. He won't talk to me, or the kids, he's just standing on the balcony smoking. He's been out there for…I don't know, half an hour. He won't let me go out there…please, Ichigo, can you just come over?"

"Yeah, sure, I'll be there soon. Don't worry, okay? He'll be fine." I heard myself assure her, although I'm panicking by now.

"Okay, thank you…Ichigo, thank you so much, I-," she cut herself off and just hung up.

I sighed and flipped my phone shut, leaving my apartment again.

-:-

Rukia

About an hour after my encounter with Renji, I was sitting on my couch, reading a book. I rarely got time to relax and do something I enjoyed, so I decided to change into some sweats and get as comfortable as possible. The shades were pushed open, which was very rare as well; I usually hated the sun shining in on my already bright apartment, but I remembered the sky's colors and decided I wanted to enjoy that as well.

Grabbing my iPod off the coffee table, I turn the shuffle on and turn the volume up, letting the music flow from the small speaker on the device. After sitting the iPod back on the table in front of me, I continue reading, my eyes skimming the words quickly.

A few minutes passed and suddenly there was a loud stomp from above. I slowly sat my book in my lap and looked up, as if I would be able to see through the floor. I waited and after a short moment of silence I heard Mina scream. The words were muffle from the distance, but I could hear her when she said, "Just tell me what's wrong!"

I was surprised and a little worried for their children, but I knew it wasn't my business. I didn't really know if Renji had ever gotten violent with his family, but I highly doubt it. And if there was any form of abuse, I would be able to see it on Mina when we passed in the hall every day. Not only is she not bruised, but she's always grinning and willing to stop and talk.

I listened for a good five minutes before I decide that nothing's happening. Picking my book up, I continued reading and thankfully got lost in the plot again, allowing myself to forget about my concern for my neighbors.

My cell phone, placed next to my iPod, went off momentarily, signaling me of a new message. I sighed, a little frustrated with all the distractions when I finally get some time to relax. I see Kon's name on the screen and can't help but smile. Opening the message, my smile widens.

Hey, Ruk, you free tonight?

As I begin replying I hear the sliding glass door slam upstairs. I flinch slightly, pulling away from the sound and waiting to see if something else will happen. When I feel like things have calmed I turn back to my phone and continue spelling out my response. Yeah, I'm just lazing around. What did you have in mind?

I read over the message a few times before pushing the send button. I had thought about making an excuse, honestly wanting to stay home and just laze around. But I had blown Kon off the last three times he asked me to hang out, and I couldn't do it to him again.

I glanced at the clock and noticed that it was already three-forty-five. Sighing, I looked back down at my book. Before I can even begin reading again there's another thump from upstairs as Mina screams something else; this time I can't understand it. I realized I'm not going to get any reading done and close my book, placing it on the coffee table next to my iPod.

My phone went off again. Kon's message reads, I thought we could go see a movie or something. You want to?

I quickly answered, Yeah, that sounds fun. Is Kisa coming?

As I waited for his response I stared out the glass doors across the room. The purple in the sky was deepening as the minutes passed, although the fading orange was still clinging to horizon. I didn't understand it; it was only going on four o'clock. Why is it getting so dark? I asked myself. I didn't dwell on it too long; it was too beautiful to really care.

My phone beeped and I opened the message. No, she has to work late tonight. Do you care if she doesn't go?

Sitting up on the edge of the couch, I answered. No, I don't mind, although I miss her. We'll all have to get together sometime soon. Anyway, when do you want to go?

I sat my phone down on the arm of the couch and stared out the glass again. Absently I noticed the main door to the building slam shut before loud footsteps stomped up the stairs. And that's when it happened, when everything started slowing down.

Simultaneously I heard Mina scream and the loud shot. Before I even had time to jump from the noises, his large, still body lands on my patio. Other than the blood pouring from his head, you'd think he was just sleeping or something.

My eyes had grown wide and all I remembered was screaming as Mina continued to do the same. We drown each other out; I didn't know which was mine and which was hers.

-:-

Ichigo

As I drove to Mina and Renji's I started to get a bad feeling in my gut. I've done this a dozen times in the last month alone, but this time it seemed different. I'm not sure how, but it felt more urgent.

I pushed the speed limit when the feeling seemed to get worse and I get to the familiar apartment complex, taking the memorized route to building 612. After parking my truck and pulling the keys from the ignition, I jumped out and headed towards the door. After two steps I'm running. Pulling the door open, I let it slam shut and sprint up the stairs.

But it's too late, and I knew this before I even grab the door knob. As I shoved Mina and Renji's door open I heard the shot, but I'm too late to see him fall. Mina was screaming and the kids were standing in the hallway, huddled close; they had seen the whole thing.

With tears running down her face, Mina turned and ran to the door, pushing past me. "Stay here," I told the kids quickly, following her. I was right behind her, but she reached the neighbor's door before I can stop her from barging in. Without thinking I followed her.

The woman inside was screaming while holding her face in her hands. I barely noticed her at all; I'm focused on stopping Mina. She headed toward the glass door and when she grabbed the handle, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her away.

"Let me go!" she screamed, kicking me as I lifted her and stepped away from the window. "Please, I have to help him!"

"You can't," I said quietly, holding her as she continued to fight me. I turned to the woman who just seemed to notice us. "Call the police," I ordered, only causing her to stare at me. "Hurry!"

She frowned but grabbed her cell phone off the coffee table and dialed, pressing the device to her ear.

"Please, Ichigo," Mina said softly as she gave up on trying to fight me. Instead of saying anymore she just started crying.

I let her go, but she just turned around and hugged me. I returned the gesture and laid my head on her shoulder so I wouldn't have to look out the window.

After a few minutes, I get her to go upstairs and wait with the kids. The woman who had been screaming is now crying as well. She had finished her call a while ago and now she just stared out at Renji's body as more and more tears ran down her face. I quickly stepped closer to the window and closed the blinds, getting her attention.

"Are you alright?" I asked, although I figured she wasn't.

Instead of answering me, she approached the window and pushed the blinds back, looking at him again. I carefully pulled her hand away. "Don't," I said, causing her to glare up at me slightly.

Pulling her hand away roughly, she said, "Don't tell me what to do in my apartment!" She sounded like a child, but I figured regression was an appropriate reaction to something like this.

"I'm sorry," I answered.

"Who are you? What the hell are you doing here?" Her questions were harsh; she seemed confused.

"Mina called me. I'm sorry we barged in, she just…she wanted to…help him." I thought about Mina's reaction and hated it. I was just starting to process what had happened and it hit me hard.

"I know, I heard her," the woman spat back.

I was silent, suddenly wanting to peek out at Renji myself, but I figured if I did, I'd throw up in this woman's apartment.

"I'm sorry," she suddenly said, tears building up in her eyes again. "I'm really sorry, I just-," she cut herself off and hid her face in her hands as she began sobbing again.

"I know," I answered, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat. I placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort the stranger.

She seemed to understand. She stepped closer to me and hugged me tightly around the waist. She was short; her head barely reached my elbows. Her hands tightened around the fabric of my T-shirt as her cries became louder.

After a moment I returned the gesture, the reaction delayed. It wasn't the same as hugging Mina, she was a stranger. But I felt the empathy in her sobs.

Suddenly the door opened and a police officer came in along with paramedics. They approached us and the woman pulled away from me slightly, wiping her eyes with a small hand while the other grabbed my arm. "I told the dispatcher," she began, confused, "he's already dead."

"I know, Ma'am," the officer said flatly. "We're taking him in the ambulance to the hospital's morgue."

"Oh," she said quietly, still wiping her face.

The paramedics opened the blinds and pushed the glass door open. I glanced out and the first thing I saw was the growing pool of blood surrounding his head. I looked away quickly and held a hand to my mouth, getting the woman and the cop's attention.

"You okay, Sir?" he asked, a frown on his face.

I only nodded.

The men out on the patio stood, looking down at Renji for a few moments before preparing to put him on the stretcher.

"Who saw it happen?" the police officer asked slowly, his voice hushed.

After clearing my throat I answered. "His wife, Mina Abarai. And their kids, Rina and Kenji. They're all upstairs." When I mentioned the kids, the woman's grip on my arm tightened slightly.

"Okay, thank you. I'll be back to get your statements when I'm finished, alright?" he asked and we both nodded in agreement.

He left and I looked down at the small woman. I took in her appearance for the first time, but it was very quick. She had short, black hair that rested on her shoulders and curled out. One strand lay between her eyes, which I noticed were large and deep violet. She was extremely pale and very thin; I could tell even though she was wearing sweatpants and a loose T-shirt.

"I'm…very sorry about your friend," she said.

I nodded and glanced over at the paramedics again. Their backs blocked my view of Renji and I was glad. "Thank you," I answered, looking back down at her. From my peripheral vision I saw the men beginning to pull the stretcher through the open glass doors and grabbed her arm, pulling her away to give them room. They had covered him.

"Do…do you want to come upstairs and help me with the kids?" I asked, hoping she wouldn't mind. I knew Mina wouldn't be able to talk to them, but I could and I needed to.

She nodded swiftly, seeming eager. "Yes. I want to do whatever I can for the Abarais." She seemed completely sincere and I appreciated it.

"Alright, thank you. Let's go."

-:-

Rukia

I followed the stranger up the stairs. I tried looking around him, but it was impossible; he was so tall. I took a moment to take in his other features. He seemed to be pretty built, although Renji was more so. Was, I thought. He had tall, spiked hair that was bright orange and he was pretty tan.

We reached the door to find it standing wide open. More police had shown up and I noticed a woman cop was talking to the kids as the one that had been in my apartment was questioning Mina.

The woman had been sitting on the floor in front of them and when we approached she stood, thanking the kids for complying. When she saw us she nodded and walked away, leaving the man and myself standing in front of the children. They looked up at the man and suddenly burst into tears.

He knelt immediately and hugged them both; each laid their head on one of his shoulders. Standing, he carefully held the little girl out to me and I took her; she didn't seem to mind. She hugged onto my neck and cried louder as she laid her head on my own shoulder. I patted her back and ran my hand through her curly, red hair carefully.

Glancing over at the man holding the Abarais' son, I noticed just how much the boy looked like his father. His hair was long, red, and pulled back in a ponytail, a smaller version of Renji's. He had a long chin, adding length to his thin face, and his eyes were exactly like his fathers. The girl had a very similar facial structure, just more feminine.

"What's going on?" I heard the boy, Kenji, ask the man holding him through his sobs.

The man's frown deepened and he looked like he would start crying any second. He pulled the boy away slightly so he could look him in the face. "Your dad was…he's been really upset lately…since…" He stopped and Kenji finished his sentence.

"Since he lost his job."

"Yes. Since he lost his job and…," the man tried to continue but had to look away from the boy's stare.

"He killed himself," Rina muttered, surprising me.

"Yeah," the man answered, his voice cracking slightly. "He's been depressed and…I'm not really sure why he did it."

"He wasn't happy," Rina continued, lifting her head from my shoulder and glaring up at the man. Her face was streaked with tears.

"That's not true," he tried to say, although she wouldn't change her mind, it seemed.

"Yes it is, why else would he do that?"

He shook his head but didn't say anything. Both the kids started crying again and laid their heads back on our shoulders.

Suddenly an officer approached us and looked at the man. "Sir, can I get your statement?"

"Sure," he said, absently rubbing the boy's back comfortingly.

"What's your name?"

"Ichigo Kurosaki," he answered before the officer wrote it down on a small notebook.

"Okay, tell me what you saw."

The man, Ichigo, began his story, explaining how Mina had called him frantically and how he had rushed over here. Apparently he had just gotten in the apartment when Renji…did it. The kids winced at the mention of their father's awful deed. After he finished the officer turned to me and asked me my name.

"Rukia Kuchiki," I said before I quickly told my side of the story. Ichigo listened intently, only looking away from me when Kenji's sobs grew louder.

"Okay, thank you both. If we have any more questions we'll get in contact with you." After he saw us nod, he walked away and left us alone with the kids.

Ichigo stayed silent, glancing around the room as more and more people arrived. After a while he looked to where Mina and the police officer were sitting, seeming to wait for their discussion to finish. When the cop nodded and patted Mina's shoulder, she stepped away from him and approached us.

"Hey, Mina," Ichigo said, a sympathetic expression on his face.

She nodded and held her arms out, wanting him to hand over Kenji. He did so and the boy clung to his mother. She turned to me and did the same, surprising me, but I handed Rina over. She easily balanced both children in her grip.

"I thought, if you want, I could watch the kids tonight," Ichigo offered, getting her attention. "They could stay a few nights, if you wa-"

"No," she interrupted, a slight glare on her face.

He blinked and asked, "But…why not?"

"I don't want them away from home, not now."

"Mina," he began, only making her glare deepen. "You've got a lot on your plate. Let me watch them."

She shook her head sternly. "I don't want them gone."

"Then…" He seemed to get an idea. "Let Rukia watch them," he said, laying a hand on my shoulder like he had to show her who I was. "She's just downstairs, so they won't be 'gone'. And you won't have to worry about cooking and all that shit."

She glanced at me before looking back at Ichigo. "I barely know Rukia; I couldn't ask her to do that."

"Then I will," Ichigo persisted, giving Mina an equally stern look.

"I don't mind, really," I said, getting her attention again.

After a moment of silence she turned her attention to her kids. "Would you want to stay downstairs with Ms. Rukia? Just for a few nights?"

They nodded, not lifting their heads from her shoulders.

"Okay, then," Mina said and sighed tiredly. "Thank you."

"No problem," I responded, glad to be able to help.

Suddenly a man started shouting in the hallway, seeming to be arguing with an officer. Mina looked hopeful, which surprised me, before she sat the kids down and headed toward the door, opening it. "Let them in, now!" she demanded the officer, who didn't seem to appreciate her tone, but he did so anyway.

Stepping back, Mina smiled weakly, tears already falling down her face again. An extremely tall man stepped in quickly and hugged Mina tightly, having to lean over to do so. She returned the gesture and began crying loudly again. A small woman with long, straight, red hair stepped in and stood at the man's side, crying quietly.

When the man let her go I saw that he was obviously Renji's father. He looked exactly like his son had, excluding the long hair and the tattoos. His hair was short and brown, but his eyes were shaped exactly like Renji's. When I saw this I noticed that they were very red; he had obviously been crying.

The woman with him, who I assumed was his wife, hugged Mina next. She was very short, probably only a little taller than me. She let Mina go and they all approached us.

"Hey, Ichigo," the man said, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Shenji, Ren," he responded absently.

Suddenly the woman, Ren, saw Kenji standing in the circle we had formed and she started bawling while hugging onto him. Mina had picked Rina up again and was still crying, laying her own head on her daughter's shoulder.

"I'm sure Ichigo already asked you this, but do you want us to keep the kids for a while?" Shenji asked.

"No, actually," Mina began, wiping her face and seeming to regain some composure, "Rukia's going to keep them for me."

"Who?" he asked.

"Rukia," she said again and pointed to me.

He looked down at me and I nodded a hello. Shenji looked back to Mina and asked, "How do you know her?"

"She's a neighbor; she lives downstairs," Ichigo answered, causing him to nod slightly.

"It's nice to meet you," he said absently, obviously distracted.

"You too," I responded, even though he wasn't looking at me anymore.

"So,…what…," Ren suddenly began, tripping over her words. "What… happened, exactly?" Her question was directed at Mina.

Mina looked at her for a few moments before answering. "I don't know, Ren. He was…," she broke off her sentence and shrugged, blinking back tears. "I don't know…" Her voice dropped into a whisper.

Ren nodded, but more tears slid down her face before her husband put his arm around her. I felt so out of place; this was a family issue. And even if Ichigo wasn't considered family, he was much closer to the Abarais than I was. I wanted to help, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to handle all of this much longer.

Suddenly Shenji pulled away from his wife and took Rina from her mother carefully. "It's getting late and they must be tired. How about I help Ruk get them ready for bed?"

Mina looked like she was about to object, but she closed her mouth and nodded. "Thank you, both of you."

"No problem," he answered, smiling down at his daughter-in-law before handing Rina to me. Surprised by his offer, I just took her silently. "Come on, Kenj," he said, picking the boy up and turning toward the door.

Before I did the same, I turned back to the other three. "I'm…very sorry for your loss. Mina, if you need anything, or if you don't want to…be by yourself tonight, you're always welcome downstairs."

"Thank you, Rukia. Very much; I appreciate it." She smiled at me as much as she could.

Ichigo laid a hand on my shoulder and gave me a thankful look. "Goodnight," I said, nodding a goodbye and following Shenji downstairs.

The police that had been getting information from my patio had left. They had taped off my entire patio and told me not to mess with the door until they told me otherwise. Other than the taunting yellow tape, it looked like nothing had happened at all.

"Where will they sleep?" he asked suddenly, startling me slightly.

"Um, the guest bedroom," I answered. "But, it's only a little after seven, do you really think they'll sleep this early?" The fact that it was already seven surprised me to no end; I had stayed at Mina's apartment for four hours.

He smiled slightly. "They already are," he answered, gesturing toward Rina, who had really fallen asleep in my grip. "It's been a long day for them."

I nodded and frowned, brushing some hair out of Rina's face.

I led him down the hall and pulled the comforter back before laying Rina on the bed. She curled up immediately. Shenji placed his grandson next to her before pulling the comforter over them and kissing their heads quickly.

"Come on," he said quietly, placing a hand on my back and leading me to the living room again.

"Thank you for your help," I said, not sure what to do. "Um, would you …like something to drink? Coffee?"

"Sure," he said and smiled slightly before following me into the kitchen. I wasn't sure what he was doing, but I went about my business preparing the coffee. He took his place in front of one of the counters, leaning his weight against it, and crossed his arms across his chest while watching me. He was silent, but I waited for him to say something.

Eventually, after many awkward moments of silence, he spoke up. "Did you see it?" he asked, a somber expression now on his face.

I stopped what I was doing and frowned deeply. "Yes, I did."

"What…did he do?" This question surprised me immensely.

"They…didn't tell you?"

He only shook his head. I could not believe that the police hadn't explained it to Renji's parents.

"He…," I began, looking at my hands momentarily before turning my gaze back to him, "shot himself. Apparently he and Mina were arguing and he locked himself on the patio. After he…it happened, he…landed in my patio area." As I explained Shenji looked like he would throw up. "I'm so sorry."

He nodded and looked away from me. "I just…," as he began, his gaze turned to the sliding glass doors. "I can't believe my Renji did this…I never would have thought…" He didn't finished, only shook his head and blinked back tears.

Not sure how to respond, I merely took a step closer to him, laid my hand on his arm and repeated, "I'm sorry."

Turning back to me, he smiled. "I know, thanks." His attention now turned to the hallway. "I just hope the kids can…get through this okay."

"Yeah, those poor kids," I said, shaking my head. I couldn't imagine how they must have felt.

It was quiet for another moment before Shenji turned back to me. "Were you close with Renji?"

I frowned slightly and shook my head. "No, not really. I mean, we've been neighbors for years and it was really easy to talk to him before he lost his job. I've noticed him just…getting worse and worse. But, especially lately, I haven't talked much to him." As I finished that sentence I remembered my conversation with him in the hallway that same day, noticing how it felt like years prior. "But I did talk to him today."

"You did?" he asked.

I nodded, but he didn't persist anymore.

The coffee pot beeped suddenly and I stepped closer to the counter. Grabbing the carafe's handle, I poured two cups of black coffee, and before I could offer him cream or sugar, he grabbed one and drank. I did the same and said, "Let's sit on the couch." I went into the living room before taking a seat on the couch; Shenji did the same.

"Will you be alright with the kids tonight?" he asked, leaning back against the couch.

"Yes, they won't be any trouble," I responded.

"Have you watched them before?" he joked, causing me to laugh quietly.

"Honestly, no. But they won't be causing trouble, they're too worn out. Besides, I think I can handle it. I just hope Mina will be alright tonight, by herself."

"Ren and I are going to stay with her; it's not good for her to be alone."

"Good, I'm glad," I answered, smiling at him. I was surprised by how easy it was to talk to this man, who I had just met. I assumed, if I had made more of an effort to talk to his son a year before, it would be just as easy.

There was a knock on the door and I stood swiftly, approaching before opening it. Ichigo was standing in front of me with his hands in his pockets. "Ren wanted me to get Shenji," he said, shrugging slightly.

I nodded, stepping aside and allowed him to step inside. "Alright, well, I guess you have to go," I said, frowning down at Shenji, who smiled up at me.

"What, you're going to miss me?" he teased, finishing his coffee before standing and placing a hand on my head.

"Yes, I never have company," I answered, smiling back up at him.

"Well, if you need anything, we'll be upstairs," he said.

"Alright," I answered, waving while he headed up the stairs, leaving Ichigo standing in my doorway.

"Oh, and, I hope you don't mind," he began, holding my phone out to me, "but your phone went off and Mina answered. The guy said his name was…uh, I think Kan or something."

"Kon," I corrected, feeling bad that I had forgotten all about him. "Thank you." I took the phone from him and began reading the unread, panicked messages from Kon.

"Is he like…your brother or something?" Ichigo asked, confusing me.

"Uh…no, he's a friend, why?"

"He just seemed really freaked out, I figured he was your older brother or something."

"Nope," I answered, wondering what he was still doing here.

After looking through my phone I turned my gaze to the man in my doorway as he stood in silence. "Is there…anything else you need?" I asked, trying not to sound rude.

"No, sorry, I just…I wanted to thank you for everything you're doing. We all appreciate it. And the kids need someone to stay with; they don't need to see their mother like that." He seemed nervous as he spoke, but his tone was completely casual.

"It's not a problem, I'm just glad I could help in some way," I answered, smiling up at him.

He nodded and smiled slightly. After another moment of silence, he said, "Well, I better get going."

"Alright then," I answered, still smiling at his awkward behavior. "I guess I'll see you later."

"Alright," he answered, waving slightly before backing out into the hallway. "See ya."

I nodded, waved, and closed the door. Pushing Ichigo out of my thoughts, I dialed Kon's number and pressed my phone to my ear, hoping he would come over. After the strange day I had, I didn't want to be alone either.

-:-

Okay, chapter one, fini! :D Hope you all liked it! I'll get started on my new chapter of 10 Days with Rukia tomorrow, I promise! ;) Thanks for reading, I hope you all enjoyed! Please review and tell me what you think!