Disclaimer- No, I wouldn't love to own it.

A/N- Going by the IchiRuki fanfiction on ffdotnet, it's apparent that people assume their relationship to be a straightforward mutual romantic interest. It probably would've been true, had Ichigo been just an athletic high-school student and Rukia- his girlfriend in the bedroom closet. But, obviously, there's more going on, if Ichigo, goes through hell to return a favour (as he explains to Renji and subsequently, to himself) and it cannot be a coincidence that his quest for Rukia clashes with his quest for power. Which did he desire the most?

Chapter 1

It was night already. Ichigo had kicked off the sheets, and was sprawled ungraciously on the bed. Rukia passed the sleeping figure and paused near the window. An oppressive heat was tingeing the night air. There was a storm coming. Rukia could smell it. With the moonlight flooding the room, it was light as day. Sensing a shadow on his bed, Ichigo woke up to see Rukia on the window sill. Feeling vaguely disoriented, he strained his eyes to look at her. She had her knees to her chest, and hands clasped around them, as she stared meditatively out of the window. It seemed as though she was looking at nothing at all, yet he could feel the focus of her gaze. He climbed to his feet, shuffling noisily towards her.

'Why are you awake, Ichigo?' She said, without looking at him.

'Well, I could ask you the same thing.' He replied, peering at her face, which was turned away.

Rukia didn't answer him. Ichigo answered for her.

'Well, it's hot tonight. Couldn't sleep.'

'Ah' she murmured.

There were so many things Ichigo wanted to ask her then. So many questions reared their heads in his mind. She was slipping away. He was sure of it. Instead, he reached out to touch her hand. She didn't pull away, nor did she smile.

Interrupting the mace-like silence, Rukia said, 'Sit.' When he failed to comprehend her statement, she pulled his arm and said, 'Sit, Ichigo.' Ichigo dutifully sat down on the couch under the window, disconcerted by Rukia's request. Looking up at her, he thought he saw a Shinigami, not his coercive partner Rukia. Sensing his alarm, Rukia lightly touched the top of his head and then, feeling no resistance, wove her fingers through his hair and alternatively pulled and let go. At her feet, Ichigo stared in wonderment and felt an all-encompassing warmth, which he hadn't felt in ages. 'Sleep, Ichigo.'