Well, I had a deep yearning to write an IchiTatsu fic, so I did. I thought it came out pretty well for being written in less than hour. Well, here we go with the story.

Everything

Tatsuki's fist flies into Ichigo's face, sending him flying into the window. The glass shatters. Keigo and Mizuiro hold her back. Ichigo just stares at her as she yells.

"Well? What am I to you?" Tatsuki yells.

Ichigo continues to stare at her blankly. Tatsuki breaks away from her friends' restraints and runs down the hallway, hoping she can hold in the tears until she reaches her apartment.

Ichigo closes his eyes and sighs. That question hurt more than she could possibly know. He had been replaying the scene in his mind all day, not even listening to the lesson the teacher was giving. He just kept glancing at the empty seat that she had left behind. That made two.

He knew that he had hurt her. But it was for her own good right? If she got involved in all this, it would only put her in danger. Pushing her away was all he could do. Ichigo snapped out of his thoughts when a firm hand was placed on his shoulder: Chad.

"Hey, Chad, what is it?" Ichigo asked.

Chad stared at him for a moment, in the meaningful stare only Chad could give. Ichigo knew exactly what Chad meant to say, but he didn't want to listen.

"Tell her," Chad said, more like commanded, and then walked away.

Ichigo sighed, and put his head in his hands. If it could get Chad to talk, then it was important. Ichigo had to tell her, tonight.

XXX

"Tatsuki! Tatsuki!" Ichigo yelled, practically beating down his friend's apartment door.

"Go away, Ichigo," Tatsuki said through the door. Her voice was as cold as ice, and sounded hoarse.

"No."

"…" The door slowly cracked open, revealing one of Tatsuki's onyx eyes.

"What do you want, Ichigo?"

"To talk… please, Tatsuki, I-" the door opened, and Tatsuki beckoned him into the room.

"If you're saying 'please' it must be urgent," Tatsuki dryly chuckled. Ichigo could tell that she had been crying.

"Tatsuki, first I want to say that I'm sorry for what I said today."

"…"

"You're my oldest friend, and I want you to know that, but…"

"But what? Well?"

"It's not that I don't respect you. I just don't want you to get involved in all this."

"Oh gee, thanks," Tatsuki shot back, sarcastically.

"Listen, let me explain myself."

"Why should I?"

"Because I can't lose you too!" Ichigo yelled, grabbing Tatsuki by the shoulders.

"I-Ichigo –"

"You're all that I have left that I can protect, Tats. And I – I just can't let anything happen to you."

Ichigo was holding Tatsuki tightly now. Tears fells from his face onto her shoulder. Tatsuki felt the warmth of his embrace; it was serenely comforting. Tatsuki put her hand on the side of his face, and looked into his amber eyes.

"Why am I so important to you?"

"Earlier today, you asked what you are to me."

"Y-yea?"

"I couldn't tell you then, but the answer is… everything."

"Ichigo," Tatsuki had tears brimming in her eyes, "I –"

Tatsuki was cut off by the warm feeling of Ichigo's lips against hers. Tatsuki melted into his arms, as she wrapped hers around his neck. It felt like they stood there for hours, and when they broke apart, Ichigo spoke again.

"Please, Tatsuki, understand that I need to protect you."

"All right, I've protected you long enough. I guess it's your turn."

"Thanks, Tats. I –"

"But only on one condition."

"What's that?"

"You have to protect me from the inside of this apartment."

Tatsuki and Ichigo smirked at one another.