Sunsets were….nice.

Kuchiki Rukia couldn't help thinking, for some weird reason, that it was sunsets like these in which strange things happen.

In which strange feelings are experienced, and strange emotions are felt.

Something made her call out to the tall, orange-haired boy as she saw him strolling out of school with a bag casually slung over one shoulder.

Said boy stopped and turned to face her, an inquiring expression in his eyes. "Hmm? ….What's wrong? ….a Hollow?"

She had to admit, he had become more and more well-adjusted to his role as a shinigami.

No….it's not that.

There were so many things she wanted to say. Where could she start?

"….are you….feeling alright?" She knew she sounded extremely lame, but she did want to know. Although she was sure she knew the answer; Kurosaki Ichigo was one tough shinigami.

"Uh…." He punched the air in front of him, "yeah, everything feels fine."

"I see. ….that's good." She knew that there was still much more that she wanted to say, but…how?

"..is another one like yesterday coming again?"

Surprised, but a little amused by his question, she could not help but smile a little smile. "Menos Grandes could hardly appear that often."

He was beginning to catch on; she had called him out and asked him about his health, of all things, and had not yet once brought up the subject of Hollows – the one thing that had brought them together.

"You're….acting kind weird today. ….did something happen?"

How was she going to answer that?

"….well…"

A strange noise that sounded vaguely like Kon running and yelling for his life saved her from having to, once again, wonder how to begin.

"I'm sorry for running away! With you is the place I really belong! I'll go back to your room!"

She had to smile at that. "Go back, huh…"

"What's wrong?" He was unusually perceptive today, wasn't he, Rukia thought with a wry smile.

"No…I was just thinking that Kon's become really attached to you."

And he isn't the only one.

Ichigo wrinkled his brow. "Just one more hassle."

She couldn't do anything else but smile.

Disclaimer: I don't own everything, including the translations of the dialogue. Can't remember who did the fansubs...very very sorry.