Hey guys. Here is the second chapter of This Is Us. Here we see a little interaction between the couple and find out what's going on with Ichigo since we last saw him. The chapter will be shared between Ichigo's POV and Rukia's

Seeing as how I've got the whole story down pat in my head I'm going to upload until chapter three before stopping. I would love any review positive or negative. Even just a heads up that you want to see more before I post chapter four.

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Fb

Disclaimer. Not Tite Kubo. Just love his characters and the plots.

Rukia's POV

"Are you sure you're ok with this nii-sama?" I asked as we were heading to the new Soul Society Senkaimon. "I don't want you to feel like you have to."

"You are still my responsibility Rukia, and as such when you are on leave, your division becomes my responsibility. It is important for you to take leave every now and then. I have not yet seen you do so." Byakuya told me with concern lacing his voice.

"Ok then, I'll only be gone for a week. If anything comes up, please be sure to let me know." I told him. The tone of my voice leaving him no chance to refuse.

Ever since the war ended Byakuya and I have become closer and dare I say our relationship is almost sibling like in nature, and I feel more confident in standing my ground against him.

"Alright. Give my best to the boy." He said with parting words. "Take care."

"I will nii-sama." I said bowing as he walked back the way we came.

"So, will you be alright?" Renji asked as he came to stand beside me.

"Yes. You're right I think this is what I need. And I'm sorry for how I reacted that morning." I told him feeling slightly guilty even though he is as much to blame for the argument.

"No, I was acting selfishly I'm sorry." He said turning me around so that I was facing him.

"I love you Rukia." He said with a kiss to my forehead.

"I know you do. I love you too; we just have to learn to communicate better that's all." I said smiling.

After our parting conversation, a hell butterfly showed up to signal that the gate was ready.

"Be safe and say hello to everyone for me. Tell them I'll stop by soon." He said waving goodbye. And that was that.

Once I landed in the world of the living, I went straight to Urahara's shop to pick up my gigai and try to locate Ichigo.

"Well, well look who we've got here if it isn't lieutenant Kuchiki paying us humble people a visit." Welcomed the former squad, twelve captain, Kisuke Urahara. "It's been a while Rukia how is everything back home?" He asked with a wave of his fan.

"Fine and hello to you too." I greeted back as I took off my shoes and walked in.

"Your usual I presume?" He asked

"Yes, although I am not here on business, I'm-"

"Here on leave am I right?" He interrupted.

"Well yes, how did you know?" I asked him slightly surprised.

"I got word from a mutual acquaintance of ours." He stated with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Here is a brand new gigai for you equipped with everything you need." He told me as he handed me the life-sized doll.

"Thank you, I appreciate it." I said thanking him with a bow.

"I was wondering if it would be alright if I rent one of your rooms here for the duration of my stay?" I ask. Knowing that they are the ones who housed Renji whenever he is here on missions or leave.

"Why, absolutely." He said with a grin. "I can see why you wouldn't feel comfortable living in Kurosaki's closet considering that he is courting the young Inoue." He said as he got up from his seat and showed me to my room.

"Wait, What? Ichigo and Inoue are dating?" I asked surprised.

"Well, surely you've heard about that right?" He asked as he stopped to look at me as if I had grown a second head.

"Um. Well no actually. I haven't had time to visit, so everything is news to me." I told him looking down slightly ashamed that I didn't know two of my closest friends we together. 'How much did I miss while my head was stuck in piles of paperwork?' I thought to myself with a lingering sigh.

"I see. Well maintaining a squad by yourself doesn't leave much time for socializing." He said patting my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me.

"Yeah, I guess." I replied.

"Well here you are, dinner is at seven o'clock sharp, and there are bath linens and a futon in the closet. Hope you can relax while you're here, and it's great to see you Kuchiki-san." He said with a bow as he left me alone to my thoughts.

'Well, then what do I do now?' I asked myself.

Ding dong.

After much consideration, I decided that the sooner I talk to Ichigo the sooner I can leave and go back home. For some reason, I wish I hadn't come here. I feel more of an outsider than ever before.

'What if he doesn't want to see me' I thought to myself.

"Who is it?" Came Ichigo's familiar groggy voice that for some reason always seemed comforting to me.

As soon as the door opened, you could tell how surprised he was to see me standing at his doorstep.

"Hey strawberry, long-time no see eh? I asked with a small smile. Suddenly missing calling him by that name or any name for that matter.

"Rukia?..." He asked looking like he saw a ghost.

Ichigo's POV

'What the hell is she doing here?'

To say that I was surprised to see 'her' here above all else was an understatement. It's been a year since I've seen her and since then you could tell she's changed. Her hair is back to the length that it was when we first met, and it filled me with a sense of nostalgia, but apart from that, she looks tired. Tired and desperate. But for what I had no clue.

This past year has been hell. Sure, I've gotten my powers back and all but after everything I realized that there was something missing, actually not something, someone.

I realized too late that I was in love with the woman in front of me. The war was over, and I had no reason to go back to visit, but that didn't stop me from missing her. Everyone knew how I felt about her, well everyone except her. A few months ago, after Rangiku came for a visit and told everyone that Rukia and Renji were finally together. I hit my rock bottom, and in a desperate attempt to forget the raven-haired beauty I decided to drink till I couldn't give a damn.

Everyone here was worried about me, and they sent the group to find me. The one who found me was Inoue. She tried to talk some sense into me but I couldn't hear what she was saying all I could think about was her. But somehow, she was able to drag my lifeless body back to her place and make sure that I didn't choke on my own vomit.

After that night, we talked for hours, and she told me that she was going through the same thing. Although the person she missed was never going to come back. She admitted to me that she fell in love with the Espada that kidnapped her a couple years back.

So, we shared in our misery and leaned on each other to make it through the tough times. Eventually, we decided to try and make it work. And so far, it has. At least up until 'she' came back.

"Rukia?" I asked in pure shock. Not knowing for sure if what was happening was for real.

"Yeah, It's been a while hasn't it?" She asked as casually as if we see each other every day.

"How-"

I stopped her before she could finish her sentence. I grabbed onto her like a life line I didn't know I needed. I couldn't believe that she was here. It was like a trick. And if it weren't for the familiar scent of cherry blossoms on her body, I'd have thought it was.

"I've missed you midget." I said still holding her in a vice-like grip.

"Hmph, I've missed you too fool." She said returning the hug.

Being this close to her I realized just how much weight she's lost. I feel as if she'll fade into nothing again right before my very eyes.

"Are you going to let me in or just let me freeze to death?" She asked shivering slightly.

It was in the middle of November, and the weather was starting to cool down, especially at night.

"Oh, right." I said letting her go and moving aside so that she could come into the warmth. "Come on in." I said.

"Thanks." She smiled.

As I led her into the empty living room, I gestured for her to take a seat while I fetched us some tea.

After brewing the hot beverage in complete silence, I brought two cups into the seating area.

"So how is everything going in the Soul Society?" I asked not knowing where to start.

"Everything is going well. Things are still hectic, and we haven't been able to fill all the positions the wars left empty, but we're getting there." She smiled.

"Good I'm glad to hear that." I said smiling glad to know that things are going somewhat okay.

"Yeah." She said quietly.

"So, what brings you here Rukia?" I asked, wanting to know why she's here just when I was trying to forget these feelings that came with the woman in front of me.

"I was sent here on leave by Byakuya and Renji." She said as she stared into her tea.

As soon as I heard his name mentioned I accidentally slammed my cup down a little too hard and it broke on impact.

"Shit- Sorry." I apologized after seeing her flinch from the sudden noise. "I'll be right back."

'C'mon idiot. Now's not the time to be foolish. Besides, it's not like she's ever wanted anything besides a friendship with you. Renji has been with her through more stuff than you'll ever know. Be happy for them.' I told myself as I grabbed a damp cloth to wipe down the coffee table with.

"Sorry again." I said to her when I came back. "I didn't realize the tea was so hot." I smiled at her.

"Oh no don't apologize. I'm sorry for coming unannounced. I should've called." She said looking a little dejected.

"Nah nonsense. I'm really glad you're here. You're always welcomed here." I told her smiling.

"So, what's up Rukia. What did you want to talk about?" I asked her trying to move on from the subject.

"Well, I actually came here for advice." She said looking up at me and placing her coffee cup down on the table.

"Advice?" I asked. Why did she want to come to me for advice of all people?

Rukia POV

"Yeah, advice." I repeated to him.

It's been so long since we've talked and I can see how the time apart has changed him. He looks almost taller to me, and his hair is shorter than I've ever seen it. It was a good look for him. Made him look more mature.

When I first showed up half an hour ago, he seemed to be lost in his own little world. I wonder what he was thinking.

Oh well, it's not my place to ask.

"I need advice on how to deal with everything that has been sent my way." I told him finally looking up at him.

"Oh, what stuff is that?" he asked with curiosity.

"Well ever since the war things have been difficult. We have lost many soul reapers, and the morale is lost on many of those still with us. And I'm finding it difficult to try and get a handle on the new responsibility that comes with being a lieutenant without a captain right now. And I thought that you would be the one to ask." I told him.

"Me? Why me. Wouldn't someone like Byakuya or Renji be better suited.?" He asked.

"No. Right now I am feeling lost with the weight of all the responsibility and power that has been put upon me. And I thought considering how you, who used to be nothing more than an ordinary human teenager who was thrust into a world you weren't ready for and responsible for a whole town I thought you'd be best to help me." I said trying my best to put my thoughts into words.

"You make it seem as though I did that all on my own." He said looking at me with the kindest smile I've ever seen.

"Well, you did do it all by yourself. You learned how to figure it all out on your own." I told him.

"Of course, I wasn't alone you idiot. I had, hat'n'clogs, Yoruichi, Chad, hell even Ishida to help me. But most importantly you. You helped me get through it the most." He said a little disgruntled that he even had to say it.

"Me? What did I do except force this on you? I did nothing but add burden onto you. I couldn't teach you anything that you probably didn't already know. I didn't have any spirit energy so I couldn't show you the ropes. I wasn't of any use." I told him going back in my memories to the time when I was so helpless I had to have a child save me. How pathetic. Even after all these years, and all that I've accomplished that period still makes me feel useless.

"Idiot-" Ichigo said under his breath.

"What did you say?" I asked not understanding why he called me an idiot.

"I said, Idiot!" He yelled slamming his fist down on the table in front of us.

"Is that really what you think Rukia? Do you think that lowly of yourself?" He yelled.

"Damn it, woman, you need to start seeing yourself for how everyone else sees you." He added exasperatedly.

"You- if it weren't for you I never would've made it through those first few months. Let alone everything else." He said.

"If you came looking for my advice here it is. Think about yourself for once. Put more faith in you and your ability and for the love of god lean on the people beside you!" He told me.

It wasn't until then that I realized just how much I was trying to carry the burden by myself. Even to this day, I blamed myself for involving Ichigo and the others into the fight. But as much as I hate to admit it, he's right. I need to stop doing everything on my own. A squad has a captain and a lieutenant in place for a reason, and that's so that the responsibility is shared.

"You're right Ichigo…" I said in defeat.

"I-wait what? Did you just say I'm right?" He asked with a knowing smirk. "Bout damn time. I thought I would need to smack some sense into you." He said.

"I need to learn to ask for help from those who are willing to give it to me." I told him.

"Yeah exactly." He said sitting back down. "Glad you realized it."

"Yeah." I smiled.

"Thanks again Ichigo." I said standing up and placing the cup of now cold tea into the sink.

"Wait you're leaving already?" He asked.

"Yeah. There are some things I need to take care of back home." I told him. A little disappointed that I couldn't stay longer.

"Kay. Let me at least walk back to the shop with you." He said as he walked to the front closet and grabbed a jacket to wear.

"Thanks, Ichigo." I said genuinely grateful to him for everything. I knew it was a good idea to come here.

"Anytime Rukia. And mean it." he said as he opened the door and closed it after we went through it. After he locked it, we started down the street that leads to the shop.

We walked side by side for a few minutes in blissful silence. I forgot how good it felt just to walk side by side and not having to necessarily say anything. Besides I'm pretty sure we both said everything we needed to.

"Well, here we are." I said as we reached our destination. Knowing that this would be the last time we saw each other for a while. For some reason, I couldn't find it in myself to look up at him even though everything in my heart and soul told me to. I just couldn't.

"Yeah, I guess it is." He said. His tone, unlike anything I've heard before.

And right at that moment my resolve to not face him crumbled away. I swear I wished I was strong enough to resist because what I saw when I looked up at him broke not only my heart in two but my soul as well.

Never had I ever seen a man look so lost as the one who stood before me. And it was Ichigo, the strongest man I know. He looked so broken that I wondered if he always looked like this and I just didn't see it.

"Ichigo-" I started to say.

"Bye Rukia. Take care and give everyone my best." He said. His voice cracking as he turned away,

"Bye." I replied.

And with that, he was gone.

Urgh, ugly tears are streaming down my face right now.

I hope you enjoyed the second chapter of this is us.

Please review if you can.

Thanks.

Chao.