A Hollow was attacking the city. Ichigo and Rukia immediately jumped in as soon as Rukia's soul pager went off. Rukia jumped behind it and was about to attack it but the Hollow saw her and it sent her flying to a wall. She slid down to the ground, unconscious. Ichigo took out his zanpakto and while doing so, the Hollow attacked and scratched his left arm. Blood gushed out of the gash but Ichigo didn't care. He jumped in front of the Hollow and sliced it in half. It disintegrated into thin air. Ichigo ran toward Rukia and he grabbed her shoulders.

"Rukia! Wake up, Rukia!" exclaimed Ichigo, shaking her gently.

Rukia's eyes fluttered open.

"Rukia! Are you okay?" asked Ichigo worriedly.

"I-Ichigo? Yes, I'm okay. A bit sore, but okay," answered Rukia weakly.

She noticed Ichigo's arm.

"You're bleeding!" exclaimed Rukia.

"It's just a scratch," replied Ichigo, shrugging but winced when pain shot through his arm.

"It's more than that. C'mon, let's go home. We'll patch you up there," said Rukia, slowly getting up.

They arrived at Ichigo's house a few minutes later and they snuck up to his room. They were immediately greeted by Kon.

"Rukia! Oh, how I've missed you!" cried Kon, jumping toward her.

Rukia kicked him, sending the stuffed animal across the room as Ichigo re-entered his body that was lying in his bed, seemingly asleep when it was really soulless. Once inside, a gash appeared on the left arm of the body.

"Ouch!" exclaimed Ichigo, wincing.

"I keep telling you to wait for me to heal you before you re-enter your body!" exclaimed Rukia, stepping out of his closet in Yuzu's pajamas.

Blood was starting to seep through his clothing. Rukia took out the first-aid kit and took care of Ichigo. Once she was done, Rukia peered at his face. Ichigo's face was flushed and he looked exhausted.

"Ichigo? Are you okay?" she asked cautiously.

"Of course I am!" answered Ichigo, irritated.

He lied down in his bed and fell asleep. Rukia shrugged and climbed into Ichigo's closet, still feeling that something's wrong with him.

***

Morning came and Rukia stepped out of the closet in her school uniform. Another day of pretending to be a high school student. It's to do when you're over four hundred years old and you look like you're fifteen. Kon appeared once again.

"I've decided to forgive you, Rukia!" he exclaimed, jumping toward her.

Rukia threw him out the window.

That will keep him busy for a while, thought Rukia, satisfied.

She looked at Ichigo, who was still sleeping.

"Wake up already! We have school!" exclaimed Rukia, prodding him in the back with her finger.

Ichigo groaned and didn't move. With tremendous effort, Rukia rolled him onto his back and gasped. The red flush on his cheeks had increased to an alarming level and the dark circles under his eyes showed that he has been tossing and turning all night without sleep. Rukia was about to put her hand on his forehead when Ichigo slowly sat up."All right, all right. I'm up," he complained.

His voice was weak. Rukia didn't like the looks of this. He got up too quickly and swayed. Rukia quickly steadied him. Despite her petite figure, she was strong.

"Thanks," mumbled Ichigo, not looking at her.

"Maybe you should stay home today," said Rukia worriedly.

"I'm fine," replied Ichigo.

He grabbed his uniform and stomped off to the bathroom, annoyed by Rukia's fussing over him. Rukia sighed and climbed out of the window.

She stood out in the front yard as Ichigo stepped out of the house.

"That was fast. Did you even eat breakfast?" asked Rukia, munching on a protein bar.

"No," answered Ichigo.

"Why?"

"Wasn't hungry."

"Ichigo…"

"Aw, geez! Will you stop worrying about me?!" exclaimed Ichigo, frustrated.

He stomped off, leaving Rukia behind. Rukia ran after him, feeling uneasy.

They reached the school just in time. Everyone in the classroom was chatting away. Rukia and Ichigo made their way to their desks, with Ichigo stumbling every now and then. Rukia caught him every time, only to have him wiggle out of her grasp. Orihime and Tastuki were nearby, watching.

"Something's wrong with Ichigo," whispered Orihime worriedly.

"Yeah, he's not being himself," replied Tastuki.

Ichigo collapsed onto his chair, the energy drained from him. Rukia sat at her desk without taking her eyes off him. Orihime and Tastuki approached him.

"Hey, Ichigo," greeted Orihime.

Ichigo didn't respond.

"You okay, Ichigo?" asked Tastuki.

No response. Orihime put a hand on his forehead and Ichigo didn't shrug it off. Rukia felt a surge of jealousy. Oh, he wouldn't let her touch him but Orihime's okay?

"Oh! Ichigo, you're burning up!" exclaimed Orihime, pulling her hand back.

That brought Rukia back down to earth and she half-raised out of her seat. Tastuki touched Ichigo's forehead.

"Yeow! She's right, Ichigo! Maybe you should go to the nurse's office," said Tastuki.

"I'm fine," mumbled Ichigo.

The bell rang and everyone went back to their seats.

The morning droned on, never ending. Rukia kept glancing at Ichigo. As every minute passed by, he looked more and more worn out, as if just being a presence was a challenge. Rukia couldn't figure out what was wrong with the picture. Sure, she guessed that maybe he simply has a high fever but she feared that it might be something more. Suddenly, as if responding to that statement, Ichigo fell out of his seat.

"Ichigo!" cried out Rukia, jumping out of her seat and rushing toward him.

The whole class turned around and gasped.

"Ichigo!"

"Ichigo!"

"Kurosaki!"

Rukia took him in her arms. He was unconscious. Orihime, Tastuki, Chad and Uryu hovered over them.

"What's wrong with him?" asked Uryu.

"I think he's sick," answered Chad.

"Someone should take him home," said the teacher.

"I'll do it," replied Rukia.

She packed their things and lifted Ichigo onto her back. Everyone gasped at her strength but Orihime, Chad and Uryu felt Rukia's spiritual pressure, knowing that she was using her powers to lift him. They left the classroom.

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