Alright Everyone. This is my first attempt at multi-chapter story in a long time and I have to admit... it's very intimidating. I haven't really written much Ichi-Ruki before, mainly because I always assumed I'd butcher their amazingness… However, I finally got up the courage to at least try, and thus, this story was created.

Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this! I really appreciate it!

Disclaimer: I, obviously and tragically, do not own Bleach. The amazing Tite Kubo does

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The liberation of Inoue Orihime and the Battle of Karakura Town was over. Aizen's treacherous plan to create the King's Key had been thwarted, and though much blood was spilled amongst his enemies, not a single life was lost. By all means, this should have been an incredible success for those who opposed the Great Betrayer. They had, after all, denied him his ultimate desire to "stand on top of the world" which was an immense victory. And yet, not a lone voice was raised in a triumphant cry nor was a single toast ever proposed to the sound defeat of Soul Society's most notorious ex-Shinigami.

Aizen may have been overpowered, but he had not been vanquished. He, along with the treacherous former captains, Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname, were the only ones on their side that managed to escape as the entire Espada had been annulated. Yet instead of showing unease or alarm over this great lost, Aizen simply lifted his chin up high and smiled; a bright, radiant smile that would have once warmed the hearts of his subordinates but now sent icy chills down the spines of his enemies.

Clearly, Aizen Sōsuke had other plans. The Winter War was far from over. And with that knowing smile, Aizen and his commanders disappeared, leaving behind a deep sense of dissatisfaction in both Shinigami and Vizard alike.

But perhaps no one felt this frustration more than the young man who was both yet neither of these entities: Kurosaki Ichigo. Though he was thankful he had been able to rescue Inoue and that his nakama would all live to fight another day, he could not shake the feeling of self loathing that had gripped him since they had managed to escape the Hollow's land of eternal sand and gloom.

His mistakes were simply too fresh in his mind as were his many failures. Not so long ago he had stormed into Soul Society as a determined hero, but in his mind… he had just emerged from Hueco Mundo a feeble monster; too weak and too twisted to properly defend everything and everyone he had sworn to protect.

And as he laid in his room now, over a week since they had all returned from the Hollow Realm, he could not help but to stare vacantly at the ceiling above him as he, once again, began to obsess over his many errors and speculate how could have been different if he had only been stronger …

"Ichigo." A deep, yet feminine voice suddenly broke through the young man's thoughts, causing him to open his eyes and roll over in his bed so he could face his disruptor.

"What?"

"You have that expression on your face again." The petite, dark haired girl informed him as her wide, violet eyes scrutinized him before she continued fiddling with the cell phone in her hand. She was sitting perched on the floor of his bedroom, her knees drawn up to her chest, making her petite form look even smaller than usual.

"Which expression?"

"The stupid one." She didn't even bother looking up at him this time. "Though most of your expressions are foolish, this one is the stupidest one of all."

Ichigo scowled. "You're making a dumb face yourself, Baka. And you've been staring at that cell phone for over an hour!"

The girl before him smirked but she didn't spare him a glance. "Are you feeling neglected?"

His frown deepened. "Shut up, Midget! Of course not. But hearing you constantly press those buttons is getting annoying. Do you really have to keep checking your phone every two minutes?!"

Rukia's mischievous sneer disappeared. "You know I do, Baka. Don't ask questions when you already know the answer."

With a huff, Ichigo rolled away onto his back again and crossed his arms, not realizing that he looked more like a child who had been denied his favorite snack than indifferent badass look he usually went for. Of course he knew why Rukia was fiddling with her cell phone non-stop. She was still awaiting word from Soul Society.

After the two of them, along with the rest of their nakama, had escaped Hueco Mundo, she and Renji had been called forth by Commander Yamamoto. Ichigo, of course, insisted on coming and had listened in on the stern lecture the two maverick Shinigamis had received along with the promise there would be retribution for their blatant, intolerable disregard for Soul Society authority. Neither Rukia nor Renji who had, in fact, willfully disregarded the rules, tried to explain themselves (though Ichigo, unsurprisingly, had butted in several times to defend them). They simply did not regret their actions even though they were now awaiting punishment for them.

Three days had gone by and still no word. And though Rukia had never voiced it, Ichigo suspected she was nervous as to what her penalty would be. He knew he, himself, was becoming increasingly anxious. Rukia's presence these last few days had been the only thing keeping him sane and he worried the Gotei 13 would confine her or, at least, try to keep her away.

And if they did, well… he figured he had some experience now breaking in and raiding Soul Society. It shouldn't be too hard to do a second time.

"Oi. Ichigo." Rukia's voice broke through his thoughts once more.

"What do you what now?" He grunted as he sat up again. "It better not be to tell me I look stupid again."

"I told you before you always look stupid." She responded coldly, but Ichigo saw that familiar gleam of mischief in her eyes as she slapped her phone shut and pocketed it away. "But that's not what I was going to say."

"What do you want then?"

"Food."

Ichigo blinked. "We just ate lunch less than two hour ago."

"And your point is…?"

"You couldn't possibly be hungry!"

"I never said I was hungry, Baka." She responded as she rose up gracefully, standing proudly at her rather unimpressive height as though it would intimidate him. "I only said I wanted food. And you…" She smirked. "..have no choice but to pay."

"Rukia!" He tried to protest, but she had already walked away leaving Ichigo (and his self loathing thoughts) behind her.

"Oi Midget! Wait up! Don't I have a say in this?" He shouted as he scurried to catch up, though he already knew the answer. When it came to Rukia, when did he ever have a choice?

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"So what kind of food do you even want?" Ichigo asked, scowling as usual as he stuffed his hands in his pocket while Rukia marched down the sidewalk by his side.

"Hmm… I want something sweet. How about that stick stuff?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You know, the stick stuff!" Ichigo stared blankly at her.

"It looks like a twig with chocolate on the end. Or sometimes it has strawberry instead…. Pucky? Perky?" Rukia rolled the sounds of her tongue, seeking something that sounded familiar.

Ichigo, of course, knew she was talking about Pocky. He had known it from the start since he could still clearly remember the way those violet eyes of her had lit up in delight the first time she tried the treat. But he was not going to pass up on the chance of seeing the mighty Kuchiki Rukia, the biggest know-it-all he had ever met, struggling to find a word, even though it was getting harder to hide his grin.

"Pukey? Pocky? Pocky! That's it!" Rukia's eyes lit up once again. "Let's get some pocky."

"No, Rukia. We can't get that."

It took Ichigo all his years experience of constant scowling to hold back a laugh at the childish look of disappointment that captured his companion's usually stoic face.

"Why not?"

"Cause Midget, I'm sorry to say… It will make you fat."

Ichigo didn't even bother trying to stop her elbow as it came flying towards his stomach. He knew he deserved it… but, no doubt in his mind, the expression on her face had been worth it.

"Shut up, you idiot! You're one to talk with the way you always lounge around like a lazy ass!"

Once the breath had returned to him, Ichigo looked up at her with a grin so wide and so full of amusement, she apparently couldn't stay mad at him for very long as her murderous glare slowly gave way to an annoyed eye roll.

"Come on, Fool. Now you owe me some juice, too."

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After nearly an hour of Rukia dragging Ichigo down each and every isle of the grocery store, half out of her usual curiosity and half out of a clear desire to annoy him, they were finally able to leave--though not before Rukia secured a promise from Ichigo that he'd one day make her one of those weird dishes she found in the back called a "hotdog" … the likes of which, of course, had never been seen before in Soul Society.

The two of them then found a tree nearby and made themselves comfortable. Ichigo sprawled out on the roots while Rukia took to a lower branch, happily situating herself higher than her companion (as though to tease him that's where she belonged), but, nevertheless, stayed close enough for them to talk without having to raise their voices.

Naturally, they did so anyway.

"Rukia! I've never going to admit that!"

"Why not?" She questioned in between bites of her pocky.

"Because I'm a man!"

"A real man would admit his true feelings!"

"Those are my true feelings! No! I don't think little pictures of Woodland creatures should be slapped onto every soul badge! And No! I don't care if that's what the Shinigami Women's Association wants."

"Not every badge." Rukia argued. "Matsumoto just thinks it would be nice to have some other options! And I don't think that's such a bad idea."

"You're hopeless."

"And you're useless!" Rukia retaliated before she took a particularly long swing from her juice box while Ichigo poured into his mouth the rest of the crumbs from his bag of potato chips.

There was a long moment of silence that fell between them, but Ichigo had been in enough arguments with Rukia to know it wasn't because of any hard feelings. They always bantered like this and then would ignore each other until one finally gave in. Ichigo didn't particularly like it when Rukia won these little battles (and she usually did), but he could not help but to concede victory today. He had had a question on his mind since she had first started annoying him earlier but now it was becoming more and more difficult to ignore.

"Hey, Rukia…."

"Mmmm?" She responded, her mouth clearly crammed full of pocky.

"Was there any specific reason why you wanted to get food earlier?"

"…."

"I mean…" Ichigo continued, "..did you have any other motive besides just wanting pocky?"

Rukia remained silent. Annoyed, Ichigo lifted his head up to scowl at her but before he could, there was a sudden flash, and suddenly, she landed down on the ground beside him.

"Yes, there was." She said simply as she made herself comfortable beside him. "I wasn't lying when I said there was a stupid expression on your face, Ichigo."

Miffed, Ichigo opened his mouth to interrupt her, but she calmly raised her hand, silencing him.

"I know you…and I know that look. It's an expression of self loathing, the same one you've had all week since we returned from Hueco Mundo."

She sighed softly. "I know you've been angry at yourself. I know you think you failed, that you're weak."

Ichigo could feel Rukia's knowing, violet eyes burn into him, and turned away, silent, fearing what he'd see inside them. Did she pity him? Did she think he was pathetic? The idea made his stomach churn painfully.

"If I thought that simply telling you that you are wrong…that you are not only strong, but you're the strongest man I know would fix everything…..I would. But that sort of assurance can't just come from me, Ichigo."

Ichigo looked up in surprise when he felt Rukia's tiny hand reach up and with a single, slender finger she poked him directly over his heart. "This is where you have to believe it. This is where your strength is and I'm confident you will one day realize that. But until you do…"

She trailed off, before she plucked herself back down next to him and shoved a stick of pocky in her mouth. "I'mmm gonwa mawk you buwy me loz of stuff." She then turned to him and smiled- her cheeks slightly bulging from the treat inside.

Ichigo ignored the sudden warmth and gratefulness he felt for his tiny companion as he could not help but to snort at her antics, instead. "Baka. What sort of uptight, spoiled member of the Kuchiki clan talks with their mouth full?" He teased as he nudged her.

Rukia's eyes narrowed. "I awm nowt!" She attempted, before she realized she still had food in her mouth. Once she had finished swallowing, she rounded on him again. "I'm not spoiled, you Idiot!"

"So… you admit your uptight then?" Ichigo taunted, as there were few things he enjoyed more than annoying his tiny, dark haired companion… especially when he was so good at it too.

Rukia was still glaring at him, her tiny hand now balled into a little fist, ready to strike when a sudden beeping noise could be heard. The mood was suddenly very quiet and still as Ichigo and her suddenly rose to their feet while Rukia pulled out her phone and began to press buttons.

"Well?" He asked, unable to keep his nervousness out of his voice. He didn't receive a response.

"Oi! What does it say?" He said, growing more and more impatient and anxious with every passing second.

"Rukia!"

"I've been called back to Soul Society, Ichigo." She told him, her voice cold and emotionless… giving away nothing.

Ichigo's eyes widen before he willed himself to appear a little more composed. "I see…You finally got word from the Old Man then, Commander Yamamoto?

She was silent.

"When do you have to go back?" Ichigo asked, trying to keep his own voice steady.

"Now."

"Now?!" He repeated in surprise and anger, not at all prepared for her sudden departure. He had thought they'd at least give them more time… that they'd give him more time.

"I was told to cross over as soon as possible."

"But now? You have to go now?!"

She went quiet once more, guilt shining in her eyes.

Ichigo glared at her, resenting how composed she looked when he was ready to kick down the tree they had been sitting under.

"Fine! Whatever." He snapped before he took a deep breath, willing himself to have a little control. She shouldn't see him like this. He didn't want her to see him like this…

"Ichigo…I…" She began, taking a step towards him, her voice finally betraying a hint of at least some emotion but he held his hands up and shook his head.

"Don't say anything… You don't have to say anything." He couldn't look at her, and so he settled instead for staring at the ground, his cheeks slightly pink, before he muttered quietly. "I just thought that we…that we'd…"

"I know. I thought we would have more time too." She finished for him, her usual understanding evident on her face.

Ichigo sighed, instantly regretting his outburst since this clearly wasn't her fault. In a lot of ways, it was actually his, since she wouldn't be in trouble in the first place if she and Renji hadn't followed him to Hueco Munco.

"I'm sorry, Ichigo."

He shook his head at her apology. "Baka. Don't worry about me. You're always fussing and nagging and you should just stop."

He forced a cocky smirk. "It's them that should be worried. If they don't go easy on you and that Pineapple Head they're going to have to deal with me… again."

Rukia offered him a small smile in return before she rolled her eyes. "Idiot. Always with the threats."

She shook her head. "When will you ever stop being so reckless?"

"Never." Ichigo replied arrogantly, with a confidence he simply wasn't feeling as she began to walk away from his for God knows long. Seeing her leaving him like this was all too familiar but it never got any easier. If he was going to be honest with himself… the more time they spent together the harder it became.

With an elegant grace that seemed to define Rukia's every movement, she bursted forth from her gigai, and smoothly pulled out Sode no Shirayuki's unreleased form.

"I'll see you, Ichigo." She said softly as she stabbed into the air, and turned her sword unlocking the gates that lead to Soul Society, a place that always seemed to call her away from him, over and over again.

"Later, Rukia." He said quietly as she stepped forward and disappeared. Never once had he ever actually spoken the word "Goodbye" to her, even though they seemed to part ways all the time. He hated the way that word felt in his mouth too much to ever voice it.

He hated it almost as much as he loathed this feeling, the one he had whenever she left. He didn't quite know what to call it, but it made his chest ache while the rest of him simply felt hollow. Empty.

"Stupid Midget." He muttered under his breath as he began his walk home, kicking around a few bits of rock that dusted the walkway, as though blaming her would make him feel better. It didn't.

"I wonder what you'd think of my face if you saw my expression now." He mused silently to himself without humor, suspecting she wouldn't just say it was stupid.

She'd probably think it was pathetic, too.

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Thanks again so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and you didn't cringed in loathing at any point throughout it. I really, really appreciate feedback which is really encouraging for writing... so if you have any comments, please review!

The next chapter should be up not too long from now if you have any interest in continued reading