Rukia Kuchiki was beyond excited.

She hadn't visited the human world since before the war with the Quincies, which ended seven years ago. There was just so much to do after that; she managed her squad as the assistant captain with the support of Kiyone and Sentaro, which meant that a million responsibilities that she was unprepared for fell on shoulders. She powered through it, not willing to allow her company to crumble. Since then, she hadn't been able to catch even a wink's amount of sleep.

Recently, however, life seemed to allow her more room to breathe. She had gotten used to the copious amounts of paperwork, but she realized she needed a break. She missed the human world, or rather the people she had become so attached to that resided there. The shinigami smiled. They didn't know she would be coming today. It would be nice to see everyone. Hopefully they would be pleasantly surprised.

As she exited the senkaimon, the nostalgic sunshine of the human world warmed her skin. Breathing in the freshly sweet scent of the floral air, she shut her eyes in a feeling akin to homesickness. She had so many wonderful memories of Karakura Town. She was grateful for all the refreshingly normal experience of life as a high school student. It was surreal to have those memories go hand in hand with her true form as a shinigami. Not every soul could have the privilege of fully understanding life and death in one lifetime.

The walk to the Kurosaki clinic was pleasant. Just a few steps in and she realized that she was walking the same route that she and Ichigo used to take from school. She smiled to herself, in joyful anticipation of reuniting with him. He was always so relieved to see her whenever they saw each other after a long period of separation. She was confident that this time would be no different.

She rang the doorbell to the Kurosaki household, and Yuzu spotted her from behind the sliding glass doors. Rukia waved, and the now fully-grown woman returned the gesture eagerly.

'Rukia!' Yuzu hugged the shinigami tightly. 'I haven't seen you in so long!'

'Yeah! You've gotten so big.' she responded, and the younger girl released her from her hold. 'How have you been?'

'Good! I'm at university now, and so is Karin!'

'That's wonderful.' Rukia responded with measured interest. It wasn't that she didn't care to know how she was doing. She was actually thrilled to see the girl she used to steal clothes from, but she was growing increasingly impatient. She wanted to see the man Ichigo had become; what he looked like, how he had changed if at all. The aristocrat had been left wondering all these years how he would turn out. 'Is Ichigo around?'

Yuzu frowned. 'He should be, but I haven't seen him all morning besides breakfast. He might just be busy. I'll go get him! You wait here! Do you want some water or tea?'

'I'm good.' she reassured the human girl, watching as she darted out of the room calling for her brother. Rukia let her eyes explore the humble abode. Absolutely nothing had changed. It was actually astonishing. Everything was exactly as she had remembered it, not a piece of furniture out of place. It was comforting to know that there were aspects of the universe that remained unmoving against the turning wheels of time.

Her chest tightened in fearfully excited anticipation. Bonds, if strong enough, were the same in nature. Each and every time she and Ichigo would meet once more, it was like the time they spent apart never existed. It felt so right to be around, as if they were two pieces in a puzzle that only they could finish. She thought he might be annoyed with her this time around because it had been so long, but she didn't doubt for a second that their bond had changed.

They were soulmates, after all. Well, at least she thought so. For some reason though, she didn't think that he thought any differently.

'Kuchiki-san!' Orihime Inoue cried, startling the dark-haired guest. 'Whoa, it really is you! I didn't recognize you at first with the long hair!'

'Hey, Inoue!' she returned, grinning from ear-to-ear. Orihime had always been such a charming companion with her gentle nature and willingness go the extra mile to protect her friends, particularly Ichigo. She remembered that the redhead used to have a crush on that guy. A huge one, actually. Was she still pining over him? They could catch up latter and ask.

Rukia tilted her head quizzically. The woman had certainly changed. Her figure was still enviable, but one could make out the tiniest semblance of an expanding belly. It didn't look like she was getting fat, but rather that she was carrying a child. Rukia confirmed her suspicions when she sensed a secondary reiatsu within the human. They would have to talk about that later. It seemed that a lot had happened in the near decade she had been gone.

'It's so great that you showed up.' the expecting mother giggled. 'We missed you so much, Kuchiki-san. I can't wait to tell you everything!'

Rukia arched a brow. With that pregnancy, for sure there was a lot that she needed to be filled in on.

'I can't wait.' the shorter of the two mumbled almost inaudibly, still eyeing the slightly swollen stomach. Had she really been gone that long? Was it really the point in these humans' lives to start families? Weren't they a bit... young? Well, she supposed that bearing your own offspring paved way for "normal" future. "Normal" was the dream, wasn't it? "Normal" was good.

But the idea still bothered the noble. These people, herself included, were anything but "normal." It felt awkwardly wrong to think that they could all settle down, their lives fizzing into a picturesque routine that was boringly stable.

'Onii-chan, hurry!' Yuzu's voice could be heard throughout the home. Rukia's heart fluttered when she could hear signs of a struggle; Ichigo's husky groaning for his sister to stop tugging at his arm, that he would be down in a short while. But his sibling would have none of it, insisting that he come to the living room immediately. His shoes squeaked noisily against the wooden floor as he stumbled down the stairs, until finally he waltzed into the congregation of longtime comrades.

His amber eyes widened as they met the familiar sapphire glow of her gaze. Her breath caught in her throat, a mix of shock and exhilaration contorting her features accordingly when she took in the reality of his image. He cut his perpetually orange hair shorter, revealing more of his forehead than he had ever before. His features matured somewhat, although there was still that childish fire beneath his cool surface. He had lost a little bit of weight. He was definitely not as muscular as he had once been when he boasted the body of a warrior, but he was still toned and lean. After all, he liked tight clothes.

She wanted to say something, but she never gave him the satisfaction of having been acknowledged first. He would always call her name, every syllable rolling off his tongue painfully slowly. As if the very sound of it was salvation from whatever despair he was drowning in.

She always relished moments like that, when the two halves that they were returned to the whole they were meant to be. It was a unique, miraculous kind of relationship where they could reunite and suddenly all the confusion or insecurities they experienced apart would disappear and their lives would just make sense. Their existence was imperative to each other, as much as they wanted to deny it. They needed each other like any living being needed air or water; they simply could not carry on without the other person by their side.

That was their relationship. It was great. It was miraculous that two souls could become so close.

They would reconnect again, just like old times.

But this time was different, she could feel it.

'Rukia...' he mumbled, looking at her with the same understanding look in his eyes. He was happy to see her, she could sense that. She savored every time he looked at her like that, like he had been waiting for her, like he would always wait for her. Each time they would return to each other's side after spending a tortuous amount of time away from each other, they would revert back to their normal, special chemistry.

She couldn't wait to experience that again. The explosive, dynamic energy of their relationship.

'Ichigo.' she returned, but his mood changed in a split second. He averted his eyes, and his whole body tensed up. He swallowed, his hands balling into fists at his sides. She scowled at that. Was he pissed at her for not coming sooner? Had she done something wrong? Did she miss something important? 'Ichigo?'

'Welcome back.' he laughed awkwardly, although only Rukia seemed to notice out of the bunch. 'It's been a while. Want something to drink?'

Blue eyes narrowed. The fuck?

'No.' she pulled back as if struck by an invisible force. 'I'm fine.'

'Ok.' he nodded, stuffing his trembling hands into his pocket. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. Her timing couldn't be worse.

'Aren't you glad Kuchiki-san finally showed up, Ichigo?'

Ichigo? Since when had those two become so familiar with each other?

'Yeah, it's great!' he allowed, and Rukia was growing increasingly nervous. His behavior was so out of character. He was practically walking on eggshells around her. He was impeccably polite, which he never was - at least not to her. Plus, he had never been on a first-name basis with Orihime. How much closer had they gotten? Come to think of it, where was Chad or Uryu? Was Orihime here all by herself? 'It's been so long.'

'It really has been!' Orihime beamed. 'Kuchiki-san, please tell me you'll stay for lunch!'

'If you'll have me.'

'Yay! I'm going to cook something interesting!'

The petite woman smiled tensely, throwing up a little in her mouth. Perhaps she wouldn't stay then.

'Orihime, you really shouldn't! Leave it up to Yuzu.' Karin yawned as she walked into the room, scratching her head sleepily. When she saw Rukia, her stare hardened. H'er posture straightened, and her chin lifted so that she could peer at the smaller woman in what seemed like a challenge. 'You should really rest. Think of the baby.'

Blue met brown tensely.

'It isn't such a big deal, but I'll rest if you insist!' the apparently pregnant woman laughed heartily. 'Maybe your visit is a good omen, Kuchiki-san! Ichigo and I have some wonderful news.'

All the color drained from the man's face.

'Oh, really?'

Shit.

'We're expecting!'

Shit, shit.

'What?'

Shit, shit, shit!

'I said that we're expecting!'

'I know. But expecting what?'

Fuck!'

'We're expecting a baby!'

Rukia flashed a murderous grin. No one could really tell how forced it was except for the man who used to fight alongside her on the battlefield. Her azure eyes lit up in what the other woman assumed was delight, although it was in fact seering rage. She nodded her heart-shaped face slowly, as if allowing the words to soak in. Like she was hoping this was all just a lame joke and that someone would pipe up and reveal that it was a lie. 'Well, that's fantastic! How wonderful.'

Lunch was an out of body experience. Rukia felt like she was floating ten feet above the ground, watching the entire façade like it were a play. The two bubbly personalities were extremely talkative - a bit too much for the shinigami's liking. Karin was quiet, although listening intently, occasionally glancing over at her brother, then at the lady who used to live in his closet. Ichigo seemed to pay no mind to the conversation, although he was a bit too interested in playing with his food.

Eventually, Rukia declared that she had to take her leave, much to the dismay of the woman of the household. She insisted that they go out for dessert, that they wait until Uryu got off work. She explained that Chad would be unable to see her today, as he was overseas training for an upcoming boxing match. Rukia declined, saying that she had a lot of work to do and no there was nobody else in her squad who could do it.

The four girls exchanged their goodbyes, not knowing when they would see each other again. Rukia was about to bid Ichigo farewell, but he offered to take a quick walk with her. To... catch up, he said.

I'm going to fucking skin you, she thought, but agreed with faux joy.

'Damn it, are you fucking insane?!' Ichigo shouted, dodging another swing at his head. 'Calm down!'

'How can I be calm when you're a disgusting pig?!' she spat, furious when he grabbed her by the wrists to stop her assault. 'What the hell, Ichigo! How fucking could you?!'

'Look.' he backed her up to a wall to prevent her squirming. She was tough to handle. 'How could I have known how you felt? You never said anything.'

'I thought it was pretty fucking obvious!' she roared the last two words, her eyes watering with angry tears. He failed to notice. His vision was red with disbelief.

'Don't give me that crap, you fucking psycho! If either of us was obvious, it was me! You know how much I wanted-'

'How can you say you want me when you crawled into bed with her, fucked her, married...!' she trailed off, turning her head to the side so that she didn't have to look at his outrageously defiant face. The tears were threatening to fall, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing any weakness within her.

'You left, OK?!' a hand left a wrist to cup her jaw with two fingers, forcing her to look at him. When his eyes locked with her sapphire orbs that were glossy with fury, his own wrath shone in his amber eyes. He was determined not to let her pin this on him. 'You were the one who left, and I didn't know if you were coming back.'

'You should have had more faith in me, you weak, fickle-hearted womanizer!'

'Oh, please!' he threw his arms up in exasperation, letting her go. 'Please, Rukia! Spare me the fucking speech, OK? You never gave any hints that you liked me. I was always the one longing for you, waiting for you to show up. You're angry.' he accused, pointing a finger at her. 'You're angry that I moved on and had a life without you. What did you expect me to do? Sit around and wait for you like an abandoned puppy? You should have known better!'

'What can I say?' she shot back. 'You were always the type to throw yourself a pity party.'

'Fuck you!'

'Fuck you too!'

'For fuck's sake, just leave! Please! So that I can finally enjoy a peaceful life without being dragged own by all the bullshit that comes along with you.'

Her palm met his cheek painfully. He groaned at the sharp force, and she massaged her sore hand. Her whole body was trembling with vexation. Rukia felt absolutely godless; she loved this man, more than anything and anyone. She was sure he felt the same way, there was just no need to say it when they could feel it, when people could see it - an supposedly unbreakable bond that transcended fate.

'Don't give me the excuse that nothing was said.' she hissed. 'You know fully well just how much I love-'

He pulled her into a tight embrace, pushing her again against the hard concrete. His chest tightened as he felt the familiarity of her soft skin, her supple body warm against his. He heard her gasp, and he knew that she liked it too - the feeling of physical closeness. Intimacy.

But she liked it more than just liking something. She really, really, liked it. Actually, she loved it. The touch of his arms around her, the close proximity of their bodies - it was enough to make her heartbeat thunder in her ears. Yet, the pleasure was as great as the suffering. The image of Orihime, pregnant, combined with the knowledge that she was carrying Ichigo's child - it was too much to handle.

She looked up to face him, to scold him. What she saw instead stunned her.

His amber eyes were burning with such an intense longing that she nearly melted beneath his smoldering gaze. His eyebrows were furrowed slightly, his lips parted like he wanted to say all the things he never got to tell her. Her heart returned his feelings, the urge to be with him sparking. She thought that she had tamed that desire, but he had a way of proving her wrong. She wanted to tell him she loved him, finally. Then they could be in each other's arms again, though this time they would have a finality that they both knew they wanted. She knew he wanted it, with him looking at her like that. Like he was completely and utterly in love with her.

So... why...?

'Don't touch me!' she struggled, pushing him away with so much force that she hurt herself. 'Don't fucking touch me, and don't look at me like that! Not now, not ever.'

'Rukia...' he groaned, clearly exhausted by their heated banter. He reached out a hand to her, but she swatted it away. Her cheeks were a furious pink, and her jaw was so tight he thought she was getting ready to take a bite out of him.

'You're going to be a father.' her voice cracked, and she brushed past him quickly to open a senkaimon. 'I suggest you focus on that instead.'

Damn her for being so difficult!

'This is destiny, Rukia.' he called after her. 'It's nothing personal. We didn't happen, it's not a big deal. Everyone's happy. We can all have peaceful lives, life and death don't have to mix all the time, you know.'

'Bye, Ichigo.' she ignored him and entered the portal, a hell butterfly accompanying her side.

She thought destiny was theirs.

A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read the first chapter of this story! I was very displeased with Bleach's ending, for many reasons. As an IchiRuki shipper, one of them was how it thrusted IchiHime in my face, when I genuinely couldn't figure out how their relationship had evolved past the promising strength of IchiRuki.

Kubo said that Ichigo and Rukia were more than friends and less than lovers. I thought this implied that he felt that lovers were the ultimate bond. If Ichigo and Orihime are lovers, then that means they have surpassed the bond that Ichigo and Rukia shared. And yet, I had not read the IchiHime development being fleshed out in the manga. Additionally, it was confusing to emphasize the chemistry between IchiRuki in that final chapter while also being shown their children with their respective partners. I was so conflicted as to how to feel!

Having said that, it's his prerogative. All I can do is channel my wishes onto fanfiction!

Rather than completely rewrite the conclusion, I thought to add onto what has already been established. This is a prologue to chapter 686.

I hope that you support me in this new literary journey! I have always been so thankful for the support in this community. I am forever inspired by all of you. I hope to be deserving of your attention once more with this story.

Thank you, everyone!

Working hard on the next chapter for you guys!