Why, hello there, my rambunctious readers! It is I, Sigma15, formerly (and unofficially) known as Deepfathom, who has returned to the wondrous land of FFN to write and put my ideas out there for you to see! HAHAHAHA…MUTHA FUCKIN' HA!

To everyone who has read my earlier stories or favorite/subscribed to me or my stories (even though there are only two, and they aren't BLEACH fanfics, but I digress), I'm glad you are still here and I apologize for my incredibly long hiatus although I'm not sorry for it…If that makes any sense to you. In the time I have been gone I've grown considerably larger thanks to football. I've had a very long and hard, but fun and interesting sophomore year. And finally, I have become the lucky boyfriend of the prettiest, funniest, smartest girl at my school, which is an understatement. So as you can see I've had my hands full and now my brain is, too. Full of ideas for stories and fanfics that have prodded at me to get out, and finally I have sat down to do it.

Another thing that has changed in my absence is that I have become an avid anime fan. I have seen a shit load of shows and my love for the Japanese and their work has grown considerably along with the amount of source material and inspiration for stories to draw from (On a side note, my gf likes anime too. SCORE! Amirite?).

This fanfic is a BLEACH fanfic, but I guess you probably already knew that. It is an IchiRuki Fanfic, as well, although you probably already knew that too. I love Rukia a lot as a character because she is so tough in such a small package, but she's the most beautiful loli character I have ever seen. Among other reasons.

Well, here it is. And forgive me if it's not any good because I'm a little rusty.

Finally, PLEASE REVIEW. Especially along the lines of characters, the presence of verbs turned into adjectives (i.e. "surprisED" or "damagED"), and anything else you deem necessary for comment. Thanks for reading and PLEASE REVIEW.

Disclaimer: I don't own BLEACH or that really cute bump of hair that Rukia has (do you know what I'm talking about? That adorable little thing at the top-front of her hair? I love it!)

Springtime in Karakura

Chapter 1: Mutual Spying between Two Clueless Lovers

It was mid-April in the lively Japanese town of Karakura and spring was in the air. The birds were singing, the trees were blossoming, and it had been almost two weeks since anyone had been attacked by either a Hollow or an Arrancar, which made the town's unusually high number of Soul Reapers, Quincies, and other assorted Hollow hunters very much at ease.

Students smile and laugh together as they make their way to school on this clear and sunny Thursday. We meet our favorite orange-haired Soul Reaper as he too walks to school with his friends.

"I love the springtime!" chirped the busty and lively Orihime as she spread her arms wide and inhaled a large breath of the early morning air. Most of the males in the group cast a sidelong glance at their chipper friend and watched as her large chest rose and fell with each deep breath.

However, one man in the group only looked at her out of admiration of her ability to be so cheerful, before they zeroed in once again on the petite beauty next to him.

Of course, this one man was none other than the orange haired boy, Ichigo Kurosaki. And of course, the petite beauty who has entranced him is none other than the small and beautiful Rukia Kuchiki.

"Me too!" responded an overly cheerful voice. Ichigo was shaken from his trance as his lecherous friend Keigo Asano laughed and shamelessly ogled Orihime's assets. "And may I say, my voluptuous Hime, you look very-" Keigo didn't finish before an angry Tatsuki punched him into the bushes.

"Ow, Tatsuki!" cried Keigo as he nursed his now swollen and bleeding face, "Those were thorn bushes!"

Tatsuki only glared at him. "Then it suits you well, Keigo," she replied hotly. "Since you're such a prick!"

"She got you there, Mister Asano," laughed Mizuido, who kicked Keigo's foot out of his way as he passed.

"Aw, stop being so formal with me!" Keigo whined, earning more laughter at his expense.

With Ichigo & Keigo

The group laughed at the banter between the two and began to move on. However, Ichigo went back and helped his pervert pal out of his thorny prison. "Why do you get yourself into these situations, Keigo?" he asked with a chuckle in his voice.

"I can't help it!" Keigo protested. "She's just so…sexy!"

Ichigo gave his friend an odd look. "You find a girl whose completely oblivious to how hot she is to be sexy?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Keigo grinned at him as Ichigo picked him up out of the bushes. "What and you don't?" Keigo asked incredulously.

Ichigo didn't respond. He was staring off ahead at the group, or to be more specific, Rukia. Today she looked more radiant than ever. Springtime complemented her. He watched, mesmerized, as her small yet shapely hips and her round behind swayed and bounced girlishly as she stroll happily down the road. Her hair looks especially pretty today, Ichigo thought to herself as he let out a deep breath and curved his lips into a small smile, his eyes never leaving the small woman who had stolen his heart.

Keigo quirked his eyebrows as he watched his normally aloof friend act almost happy, and he didn't keep it to himself. "Hey, Ichigo, you're normally really grumpy and badass. But right now you're…calm and…level-headed. It's kinda starting to freak me out," he commented. "What's up with you lately, man?" Ichigo merely grunted in response, and he didn't move his eyes away from what was in front of him. Keigo really was confused. He couldn't see why Ichigo was acting this way.

However, Keigo's question was soon answered when Rukia turned around and flashed Ichigo a bright, cheerful smile and waved at him, her eyes never leaving Ichigo's. Almost immediately Ichigo seemed to become his old self to a degree and merely lifted his hand in response while offering a small smile that she couldn't see from her distance. Rukia smiled again and turned around, leaving a confused and baffled Keigo standing next to the now calm and silent Ichigo with his mouth agape and his eyes wide, staring back and forth between his two friends.

What the hell? He thought incredulously. No way. This is epic!

With Rukia

Rukia was very happy today; more so than usual when she's in the Real World. The simple reason was that she loved springtime. She loved the weather that was pn the perfect line between hot and brisk. She loved the cool breezes and windy days that made you feel like you were in front of a giant fan. She loved the animals and the plants awakening and rising from their winter haunts and dens to rejoice and frolic and thrive in the newly greened fields and woods. But most of all, Rukia loved how it affected her beloved Ichigo. Although no one else noticed it, during the springtime, Ichigo had a certain spring in his step, a certain swagger; an air of happiness that he exuded throughout the day, even though it wasn't shown very much in his demeanor.

Rukia watched him walk behind her as he spoke with Keigo about something. He really looked great today. His face and body were so relaxed and calm, he looked happy. To Rukia, it was very becoming of him; looking happy. His unusually orange hair swayed in the breeze and seemed to brighten along with its owner's mood. He never looked more handsome in Rukia's eyes.

She was trying to be discreet in her observations, because she didn't want Ichigo to notice her watching him and she certainly didn't want him to know about her feelings. That knowledge along with the fact that she lived in his closet would ruin their friendship and their partner dynamic while Hollow hunting and battling. It was sad and frustrating, but for now she felt that it was necessary until he showed some interest in her.

Not being able to help herself, she turned a little farther and noticed that Ichigo was watching her as well! She saw a small smile grace his beautiful face, and his swagger becoming more loose and cheerful. Her hear swelled and pounded in her chest. Did this mean what she hoped it meant? Did Ichigo like her? This happy, hopeful thought was quickly followed by a worrying idea. Did he see me watching him?

Rukia's mind scrambled to think of a way to cover herself up, and came up with her plan. She turned her head farther, as though just noticing that Ichigo and now Keigo, too were looking at her, smiled as wide as she could and waved cheerfully at her orange-haired friend. To her relief, the two smiled and waved back, and she turned around and continued the journey to school.

Phew! She thought to herself as she sighed, relaxing. That was too close. But Ichigo looked so happy when I waved at him. I wonder…

Her heart began even faster and she got an even bigger jump in her step from the thought of Ichigo and her being together. Little did she know that Ichigo was thinking the same thing…

Well, how was it for a back-from-crazy-long-hiatus fic? Good? Bad? Okay? PLEASE REVIEW! No flames, please. Only comments and constructive criticism. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2 will be up ASAP.