Author's note: I'm a huge IchiRuki shipper and wanted to write something for this pairing, so this was born. I wrote this a while ago as a creative outlet while I was busy back to back with tests and assignments. Because I'm so busy I think it will be a two or three shot? Or maybe I'll go crazy and end up with an actual ongoing fic. I don't know. Although this chapter isn't humorous as such, the next parts are- thus the genre. I'm sans a Beta so I apologize for any errors.

This follows the Anime up until 310, only Ichigo is losing his powers much slower. I hope you enjoy it and reviews are welcome of course.

Summary: There's this rule, it's not codified or anything, but it's a rule that exists in all heterosexual friendships:

"thou shalt not fall for thou's best friend, if thou shalt fall then thou shalt carry these feelings to the grave"

But Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia were all about breaking rules

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Of Epilogues and New Beginnings

To be honest she had seen it coming, the fourth book was a dead giveaway, yet that small flicker of hope had remained. She'd unknowingly held on to it as she'd poured time into reading the series, almost rushing to see the end. Had she been a weaker person, she might have simply paged to the epilogue first, but she felt bound to read it from start to finish.

And now that she'd finally finished the 7th book, Rukia felt oddly despondent. It was an odd feeling, a twisting in the gut that filled her with dread. At first she tried to shake the feeling off, even laughing at how ridiculous she was being. It was just a book, a brilliant and enthralling read, but still just a book, a work of fiction. Nothing to feel glum about.

Renji would probably poke fun at her, tell her living in the world of the living was making her soft. Usually thoughts of the silly antics of her oldest friend would bring a smile to her face, but today it wasn't enough. Releasing an exasperated sigh, Rukia turned away from the book. Thankfully Kon was out on one of his excursions. As much as she secretly adored the stuffed animal, she doubted she could tolerate his persistent presence.

She laid back, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling and refused to acknowledge that she was feeling pensive. So lost in her thoughts she didn't even hear Ichigo barge in, until his face was thrust before hers, scowl in place, "What the hell are you doing on my bed?!" he demanded gruffly.

An indignant reply was already making its way up her throat, when she realised she was indeed laying on his bed rather than the one in Yuzu's room. She couldn't think up a good reason as to why she was there and admitting that she was in the wrong was just unacceptable, so she huffed and ignored him.

Ichigo continued to glare at her for a good few seconds, before his look lost some of its intensity. To an outsider he probably still looked annoyed, but she'd known him long enough to know he was now concerned. She considered kicking him in the face and avoiding the awkward conversation that might ensue, but her heart wasn't really in it.

Besides Ichigo had the luxury to go into a sulk periodically, maybe today was her sulk day.

"Oi Rukia...," Ichigo began then paused, scratching absently at the back of his head, " Er... are you okay?"

Rukia folded her arms over her chest, the effect would probably work better if she was standing, but Ichigo's bed was surprisingly soft and warm. It was like getting a cuddle after a long day... okay maybe not a cuddle. This was Ichigo's bed after all and she shouldn't associate it with cuddles of any sort.

"Fool, I'm perfectly fine," she said after the silence had stretched too long.

Ichigo's scowl deepened, "Ha?" he didn't believe her. "You don't look fine, tell me what's going on?"

From her slightly lowered lashes she could see how tense he was, bent over her, amber eyes searching hers for any clues. It hit her then, that perhaps his worry wasn't all unwarranted. After all wasn't their entire history built on battles and rescue missions? He probably thought something was wrong and she'd be disappearing, leaving only a note behind. Her own face softened and she sat up, Ichigo stepping back to allow her room.

She mentioned to the thick volume perched on his desk, "I finally finished it," she said, her tone resigned.

He glanced in the direction she was referring to. His worry turned to confusion, "So... what's the big deal?" he asked her, "He saves the day doesn't he?"

Rukia wasn't surprised he missed it. Of course he missed it, Ichigo may be a lot of things but he was still a guy. Bringing her knees to her chest, she rested her head on them, refusing to meet Ichigo's searching eyes, "He ends up with...," she couldn't even bring herself to say it, but knew she had to push on. "He ends up with Ginny."

There she'd said it, it was out of her system... but why then wasn't she any less glum?

Ichigo looked confused, "Ginny?"

"Yeah, you know Ron's sister?"

Ichigo picked up the book, turning it over, "Well I don't know Rukia, I mean what's wrong with that?" he asked her, "I mean it's not like the romance books you read after all."

"Fool!" Rukia exclaimed as she jumped up, gaining a burst of energy momentarily, "I know that... I just... I just thought he'd end up with Hermione," she admitted, once more feeling deflated.

"But isn't she like his friend?" Ichigo offered with a shrug before dropping the book.

Rukia blinked at him, her mouth slightly agape. It bothered her, for some unknown reason. His offhanded remark bothered her. She kicked him them, a swift kick to the face that sent him sprawling backwards clutching his face.

"What the FUCK, RUKIA?!" Ichigo demanded as he rubbed at his eye, yet still able to send her a seething look, "What the hell was that for?!"

Rukia didn't know also. Normally, excluding a few exceptions, she only hit Ichigo for a good reason. Often times to knock some sense into him, literally. But never as a spur of the moment thing. She didn't even know why she was so angry at him. He didn't write the book after all. And the book was fictional!

"Are you possessed, again?" Ichigo was demanding, "Because I didn't want to say anything but you've been stretching weird even for you lately."

That took her aback, she'd been acting strange? Rukia wasn't aware of this. Everything had seemed normal enough. They'd been going to school, killing Hollows and even doing homework for once. They'd even taken walks around town.

But whatever else Ichigo was about to add didn't come as a loud alarm went off in his pocket. The substitute Shinigami cursed under his breath as he took out his badge and burst out his body. He was already on the window ledge when he realised she hadn't moved.

"Rukia, are you coming?!" he demanded, his eyes though they'd reverted back to their intense stare still held some confusion in them, maybe even worry.

"Aye, of course," she hurriedly replied as she grabbed Chappy.

/

Ichigo was leaning against the wall, hands shoved deeply in his pockets and a scowl on his face. From his vantage point, he could see the sun peeking behind the high school buildings. A glance to his wristwatch confirmed it was getting late and still no sign of Rukia.

He heaved a sign, turning his head in the direction of his friend, "Oi Chad," he called to get the other's attention.

Chad looked up, one eye peeking underneath his thick bangs.

"Have you noticed anything strange about Rukia?" he asked, not liking the worry that crept into his voice. He didn't want to alarm Chad, but he couldn't shake the feeling he was missing something. What if she was in trouble? And he couldn't see it?

"No, she seemed her usual self," Chad replied in his monotone voice that so cleverly concealed any emotion.

Ichigo turned back to the tall building before him, "Yeah, but she's just..." he paused struggling for the right words, "She seems a bit different..."

"You should ask her," Chad supplied.

Ichigo snorted, as if things with Rukia could be so easy. The midget probably got some sick kick from withholding stuff from him, only to reveal it at the last moment. He sighed, berating himself. Deep down he knew Rukia didn't keep stuff from him out of spite, she did it to protect him. Failing to understand that, He was the one who was supposed to do the protecting.

"Ichigo?"

He blinked, brought back from his thoughts as he glanced back at Chad, "Yeah?"

His friend though gifted with an imposing body was a soft spoken and down to earth guy. A walking contradiction really. And usually he didn't say much unless something was bothering him. Then he got this serious look on his face, like right now. So ichigo knew to take whatever he said next seriously.

"Are you okay?" Chad asked him.

The question was so unexpected his first impulse was to laugh, but he somehow managed to squelch it, yet a grin still graced his face, "yeah, never been better." He replied.

And it was true. Now that the whole Aizen thing was behind them, Inoue safely back, his life seemed to be back on track again. It felt good not to be living on adrenalin alone... he welcomed it. Everything was as it was supposed to be... except perhaps for Rukia. She was acting strange and it made him uneasy.

"Hey Sado?" he began, reverting to the nickname he often called his friend.

Chad looked up, "Hmm?"

"You read Harry Potter right?"

"Yeah...why?"

Ichigo shrugged, he hadn't wanted to tell Rukia this, but he'd never actually read the epilogue. It had seemed pointless, Voldemort was dead, everyone was safe. What was the point of reading about the future? But Rukia had been acting oddly, so he was afraid that it was somehow important to her and he hadn't wanted to crush her feelings or something.

Her feelings? He chuckled at the thought. It wasn't that Rukia didn't have any of course, she just showed them differently. He actually liked that about her, felt they were closer because of it. Their friendship wasn't burden with unnecessary affections and declarations. It simply was. Just Rukia and Ichigo...simple.

"Ichigo?" Chad prodded, a worried look on his face.

Ichigo shook his head, he had to stop over thinking things. It was nothing, maybe Rukia was going through girl problems. He wasn't exactly stupid and though he'd never admit it to a single soul, had listened intently in Biology classes. And girl problems made girls moody right? Well except maybe Inoue he'd never seen that girl in a sulk, yeah he's seen her cry but she'd brightened up quickly enough.

There he was thinking too much again. Ichigo thought as he tried to remember what he and Chad had been talking about. Oh yeah... Harry Potter.

"In the end, Harry ends up with Ginny right?" he asked, though it was really a rhetorical question. He was glad it was only Chad around, he didn't want to explain why exactly he was discussing this particular element of the plot to someone as dramatic as Keigo, for instance.

Not only because the idiot would jump to all kinds of conclusions, but also because he didn't know why it even mattered to him. He'd read the books sure, but he hadn't been smitten over them or anything. They were just fiction after all. Yet it mattered to Rukia... so maybe it mattered somehow?

"Yeah..." Chad replied trailing off momentarily, before adding, "Though I thought he'd end up with his friend... you know the bushy haired girl?"

Ichigo gave a wry grin, "Yeah me too."