Hey everyone, welcome to my IchiRuki week 2015 collection. I'm going for more of a vignette feel for this one, meaning its going to be a lot of short exchanges between characters in just one scene. Expect them to be short - about 750 to 1000 words or so. Hope you like 'em.

The prompt here for today was public transportation, and rather than actually incorporate buses or trains as the main focus, I wanted to go something that offered a bit more of the traditional IchiRuki dynamic. This is what happened.

Day 1: Public Transportation

It was strange to think that in all the time that Ichigo had known her, Rukia had never been on a train. It wasn't that hard to believe, though. Soul Society didn't really seem like the kind of place that would have a rail system set up. Hell, the closest he'd come to anything resembling it during that entire excursion had been the train-like death machine in the Dangai, with the next closest thing after that being Kuukaku's cannon ball. Neither of those had been awfully pleasant.

So, with a class trip to Okinawa coming their way, it was no surprise that the first thing Rukia had become so enamored by was the idea that they could ride just about anywhere in the bustling little town of Naha in the comfort of a heavily air conditioned car for just a few hundred measly yen.

It was the middle of August, making the students all the happier for the cheap vending machines that seemed to be located every twenty-five feet. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who wasn't carrying around a bottle or a can of some sort, and quite a few of the students had invested in folding fans.

Ichigo's gaze wandered, taking in all the sights that Kokusai Street – the main shopping district of the city – had to offer. There was a line of assorted gift shops, boutiques, jewelers, and restaurants as far as the eye could see. Not that the eye could see that far past the huge crowds of people.

"Ichigo…It's hot…"

The small, weak voice from behind him caused the boy to turn with a raised eyebrow. Rukia Kuchiki, her head downturned and shoulders slumped, was steadily falling behind his pace as her sandals dragged across the ground.

"Geez, you've had like four sodas and a frozen yogurt from that shop a ways back. What's up with you?"

A weak fist bounced off his shoulder.

"Fool…your tolerance for this heat is downright inhuman. When are we going back?"

"You've got to be kidding me. You're the one who dragged me out here so you could buy gifts. We've still gotta find something for Renji and Byakuya."

Rukia would have growled if she had the energy, but instead what came out was more of an annoyed groaning sound. She hated it when Ichigo used Nii-sama against her.

"We'll be here for the rest of the weekend. We can do it tomorrow."

"Not with that trip to Shuri castle and Tatsuki demanding that we go to that karate seminar. The day after that we're all booked up until two hours before curfew, and that's not nearly enough time to ride the train all the way back here, find which store has the best deal, and get back with enough time. Besides, it's supposed to be even hotter tomorrow."

If it was at all possible, Rukia slouched even further than she was before. She had one more last resort to fall back on, but she'd be hard pressed to act on it.

"Fine, you've left me with no choice."

With surprising agility for someone who had been so exhausted earlier, Rukia positioned herself behind Ichigo and leapt onto his back. With arms firmly gripped around his throat, Ichigo's concern shifted away from the fact that Rukia had decided to hitch a ride on his back and more towards the matter of his inability to breathe.

"Get the hell off of me, you crazy midget!"

"No. I'm tired, and your legs are longer than mine. You'll walk faster than I could, so it's your responsibility to help me finish shopping as fast as possible."

"Gross! You're so sweaty! Seriously, get down!"

"How dare you!? Ladies don't sweat, you fool!"

"Well then obviously you aren't a…"

After a much stronger fist impacted his skull, Ichigo caved. He was stubborn, but it was a well-known fact that when Rukia wanted something from him, she would get it. So, the two continued on their way down the path made up of shops. Rukia had managed to haggle a fifth soda and a folding fan out of her escort, eventually finishing the drink and recycling the can.

Now, she'd rested her chin contentedly against Ichigo's shoulder as she gently fanned her face, a small smirk on her face.

"Well, someone certainly seems to be enjoying themselves," Ichigo muttered, a small fragment of his earlier spite still present in his voice.

"It's certainly not as good as the train, but I suppose you'll have to do."

Feel free to point out any mistakes. These are first drafts at best.

Happy IchiRuki Week 2015, everyone!