"Ichigo! Wake up Ichigo!" Kon yelled as he jumped up into Ichigo's bed. During the past few months, Kon has become the new alarm clock for the squad 5 captain. Ichigo's moaned in disapproval and looked up at the small stuffed animal.

"Why do you have to use such a high tone this early in the morning? What is it?"

"It's Rukia! Rukia's finally awake! She's finally out of her coma!" The plush doll cried of happiness. Ichigo's attention was finally captured and he looked at Kon in shock. After the winter war, the soul society had suffered extreme tragedies; especially the world of the living. The battle started in the living world, but went to soul society. Both worlds suffering extreme loses and damage. But while fighting, Rukia was hit by Aizen's zanpacto, right in front of Ichigo. She hit the concrete and quickly entered unconsciousness.

Flashback (Ichigo POV)

I watched Rukia hit the ground. I froze from shock and horror. I couldn't believe that she was protecting me again. This time, and the first time we met, her life was on the line. I thought I saved her from Gin's attack, but it was a trap and we were caught in the middle of it.

"It's too bad. Her so called protection only caused her to lose her life. It doesn't matter. She was a waste of space anyway."

I gripped Zangetsu's hilt harder and flash stepped in front of Aizen. As we were face to face, I saw his devilish smile on his face. "Aizen!!" I shouted at him as our zanpactos finally touched. "What's wrong Ichigo? You seem so stressed. Why do you care so much about that girl? Her death couldn't be helped. She would have died anyway. By the way, I prefer you not focus too much on me." I looked beside me, as I saw a yellow cero coming right for me. I flash stepped away and dodged the attack. Aizen didn't move. For the cero went directly in front of him, making him not the least bit affected.

I looked over to Rukia, who was still on her stomach. Her beautiful face which was usually full of life was now lifeless because she was trying to protect me. I felt the guild running through my body as I looked at her, but then I looked back at Aizen and realized he was gone, leaving me looking at the Espada that captain Hitsugaya and the others were battling. Even though she was fighting now, I knew she's the one who fired the cero since the spiritual pressure exploding from her was the same color as the cero.

I ran over to Rukia, slowly turned her over and gently picked up her head. "Rukia." I whispered, too hurt and worried for words. "Ichigo," she barely got out. "You have to keep going Ichigo. Stop worrying about me and keep fighting." "I can't keep going. I can fight, but I can't win if," "Ichigo." Rukia interrupted me. Her breathing heaved. She grabbed the top of my bankai coat and used all the energy she could to say, "I know you're the type of man who doesn't give up. I know it in my heart."

With that, Rukia's hand fell and she laid her head into my arm. "Rukia. Rukia! Stay with me Rukia!" "Ichigo!" I heard someone yell from behind me. I turned and saw Orihime running up to me with Uryu and Chad. "I'll heal Rukia now. Please stay back." Orihime told me as she finally reach up to us. I stepped back and watched as Orihime's healing powers went into effect. I looked to the sky and saw the Gotei 13 battling with the Espada and any other enemies coming from Hueco Mundo, which wasn't many now.

"Get going Ichigo." Uryu said. I looked over at him. "We can handle things here. You take care of them." Chad said. I gave a small smile at my now stronger friends. I knew that they're strength would help me continue, but out of all things, I knew that Rukia's words would keep me going. "I know you're the type of man who doesn't give up. I know it in my heart." 'Yes Rukia. I will fight...for you." With that, I used Zangetsu's speed to go into the skies until I reached another enemy. No matter how many I fought, Rukia's words would keep me going.

End of Flashback

Ichigo jumped out of bed and grabbed the small animal while standing up. "How do you know Rukia's awake?"

"Because, while I saw walking outside, I saw Renji about to enter the house. I asked him what he wanted and he told me Rukia was awake and he wanted to tell you." Ichigo took a few deep breaths and went to the bathroom. He brushed his teeth, took care of his business and entered his main room again. He went over to his closed, picked out his shihocsho, and put it on while Kon covered his eyes.

When Ichigo was done, he picked put his captain's haori, grabbed Zangetsu and put it on his back. "Come on Kon. We're leaving." Kon followed the captain out of his house and climbed onto Ichigo's shoulder.

At the Squad 4 Barracks

"Rukia, are you feeling better?" Captain Unohana asked as she sat next to the squad 13 member. "Yes, I fell alright, but I have a slight headache."

"Don't worry, that will fade in a few hours. You may also feel weak and not be able to move so I suggest you stay still and rest for a while until you recovered."

"I understand." Rukia sighed then look into the Squad 4 captain's eyes. "May I ask you something?"

"Yes what is it?" Unohana smiled. "Have I missed anything while I was absent? Did anything major happen?"

Then right on cue, the door was slid open and there he stood. Ichigo was in the doorway with the ever so worried Kon on his shoulder. "Nee-san!!!!!!!!" he cried as he jumped off Ichigo's shoulder and onto Rukia's lap, which was a pretty far distance, but he made it perfectly. He continued crying on her lap.

"I see you haven't changed worth I bit Kon." She said. Then she looked at Ichigo who was still in the doorway. "Ichigo," she said simply. Ichigo entered the room with his worried face. "Maybe Ichigo can answer your question for you Rukia." Unohana said as she stood up from the bed. "I will give you some time to talk." With that, she walked to the door and gently closed it behind her.

Ichigo now stood next to Rukia's bed, looking at her now paler skin and her tired eyes. They stayed there for God knows how long in silence. All you heard as Kon's sobs until you head light snoring coming from the small animal. After the long time of saying nothing, Rukia finally broke the silence.

"How have you been?" "Fine, but I'm the one who should be asking you that."

Rukia made a slight smile and lightly moved Kon so he now lay beside her on the opposite side where Ichigo was standing. "Captain Unohana told me I was out for a while." She started again. "For how long?" Ichigo paused. "Four months." He answered. Rukia didn't respond. She looked out of her room window and saw the cherry blossoms start blooming. "Things have changed since you were gone." She looked back at Ichigo, who now had his hands on the bed, leaning closer to her."

"I became captain of squad 5."

"That explains the haori" she smiled. He slightly blushed.

"Renji became captain of squad 3."

"That was kind of expecting, but I'm glad to hear that."

"Captain Ukitake requested that you become lieutenant of Squad 13. He thinks your skills are well suited to be a lieutenant."

She smirked, "As expected of him. Even though he always thought I should be an officer, I guess he's doing something about it now that he has the time to.

"There's another thing." He paused.

"What is it?" Ichigo looked down. His hair now casting a shadow to cover his eyes. Rukia took his chin and tilted it up. Now they were face to face. Eye to eye. "What else did you want to tell me?"

Ichigo's face was now red. As he stared into her sparking purple irises, he could see her true beauty. He thought her zanpacto was beautiful, her eyes, her petite form, and even her smile, but then he saw her eyes, he saw her soul. And for him, that was the most breath taking thing Ichigo had ever experienced. "Ichigo," Rukia said while whacking Ichigo's head; taking him out of his trance. "What did you want to tell me?"

Ichigo stood up tall while rubbing his now sore spot with a light blush on his face. "The things that's mostly changed for me is that," he paused. "I've grown feelings for you Rukia. Strong feelings." Rukia paused and looked into his eyes to see if he was speaking the truth. She could see that he wasn't holding back. He was telling her how he felt. Something he never did. That alone told her that he was telling the truth. Now that she knew his feeling, she could finally tell him hers. "That's good." She said with a smile on her face.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "How do you mean?" Rukia looked away, breaking the eyes contract they had for so long. "I mean that I've had feelings for you, too. For a long time now. Longer than the winter war or even before rescuing Orihime. I've loved you ever since I left to the Soul Society. I wanted to tell you, but I didn't how you felt. I thought you thought of me as a friend, a companion, a partner or even a sister. I didn't what to do. But now that you told me, I can finally tell you." No response.

"Ichi," she said while looked back at him, but was stopped as a pair or lips met hers. Out of all the things to expect, Rukia most certainly didn't expect this. Ichigo was kissing her, but not just simply. He wasn't light or holding back. He had one hand on her back while the other was holding him on the bed. He was so strong, yet passionate. He wanted her; she knew it, because she wanted him.

Rukia accepted the kiss and was drowned into Ichigo's kissing spell. She lay on side until Ichigo was fully on the bed. Now her legs were on either side of Ichigo's waist and were now hovering over her. They broke apart for air after a few more kissed and they made eyes contact again.

"I kept going Rukia." He said while heavily breathing. "I kept fighting for you. I kept missing you while you were in your coma. I wanted to see you and hear your voice, see your smile. I wanted you by my side." He cupped her cheek and got closer to her ear. "I love you, Rukia."

She knew, he was telling the truth. She knew that he meant every word. She could feel his emotions, his power flowing into her. She loved him and he loved her. It was obvious.

The new couple continued kissing passionately until they happened to have woken up a certain plush toy they forgot all about. They finally realized his existence after he yelled, "DON'T TOUCH MY NEE-SAN!!!)