Rukia winced, and just stood there. Blank. Her face had a sooth expression. Her eyes, as violet as ever, her hair… normal Rukia. But, there she stood, looking at nothing.

"Rukia?" Ichigo asked in a panicked tone. Hs face locked on in complete concentration.

"Ichigo…. I REMEMBER!" Rukia yelled and pumped her fists in triumph. Ichigo just let out a sigh to show his relievement. "Thank you Ichigo." Rukia said, her eyes gleaming, with a smile on her face.

"No problem, midget. How about we go get a… cake?" Ichigo questioned. Rukia, ignoring the 'midget' comment couldn't back down and nodded. Then remarked,

"Yea, what exactly does cake taste like? They don't have any in the soul society. Is it a candy? When do you eat it?" silenced by Ichigo putting his hand over her mouth.

"Usually for birthdays… which if I'm correct…" casually thinking, or pretending to, "yours is today."

"yea, so what… January 14th isn't that special. So what if it's my birthday?" Rukia questioned.

Then Ichigo stated, "It is a very special day on your birthday, you don't celebrate it?" she nodded in a no. "well, we do. So lets go."

With that they headed off. Over the river and through the woods, to the cake shop there they go…

The sun was setting, after a long line of waits they got to the front of the line. Rukia, examining the cakes, looked for the right one. While Ichigo just stood there and waited. Then, she pointed to a cake with, what looked like, some kind of bunny. It also had a bright blue background with what looked like trees… or green poo, the sun in the background was very good. It looked like yellow fondant with orange gel on it. It was the most descriptive, and only thing Ichigo liked. Of course. Ichigo just sighed and stood up from his slump and ordered it. Nearly 30 minutes of getting a cake. Well, at least she recovered from her memory loss. Could do without remembering that stupid Chappy thing.

By the time they got to the Kurosaki residence, it was nearly 7:00 at night. Plus, the walk home was freezing. Yuzu, Karin, and isshin had all gone to Yuzu's dumb choir concert Ichigo had gotten out of. Ichigo set around 16 candles on the cake, even though she wasn't changing at all. Why even bother. He felt like he was doing this for a 6 year old. But, her excitement in her eyes was the only thing that kept him going.

"All right Rukia, you blow out the candles, make a wish, then we eat." He explained. The candle lights flickered brilliantly, illuminating her face. Then she blew. The smoke twirled up and disappeared out of thin air, and her face once again became a dull brown, and only her eyes twinkled.

She closed her eyes and made her wish. Then, Ichigo slowly picked up the plates and cut the cake.

Rukia's first bite was hilarious. She made the weirdest face, all scrunched up, trying to understand the flavor. Then it settled back down and she got used to it.

Just in a matter of 1 minute, she was done. He was only half way done. She just closed her eyes and smiled, acting like she accomplished some kind of "mission". He leaned up to her face giving her one of those, "I can beat you." Looks. With the scrunched up face and everything. But… then… she leaned in and…

Kissed him...?

Rukia leaned back and blushed…

Wait… what? Rukia? What now? DID she? Ichigo's thoughts kept inching through his head. All Rukia just did was sit there and blush, same as he. Rukia moved her head slowly tosee Ichigo, but right away her hair flew as she shot her head back. Ichigo casually put his hand on his head and stared blankly to the ground. Wait… That's nothing like the real Rukia I know… What the…? He didn't necessarily say he didn't like it, he was just… well… shocked. Everything was very confusing, but he gathered up his courage and said,

"It's ok, you don't have to be all shy… I most likely feel the same way you do. So how about we clean up and get ready for bed. It is 9:00. Yuzu's concert just ended." Looking at the clock at first freaked him out. How long were we staring in silence… oh well… he thought Getting up ready to clean. Rukia got up and gave him a nervous smile and helped him out.

What felt like forever, they were done. Just in time for Yuzu, Isshin, and Karin, who looked like she was going to die, entered the house. Isshin, being the idiot he was, yelled,

"HOW IS IT GOING, ICHIGO MY BOY?" and attacked, or tried to, Ichigo. Ichigo easily dodged it and punched him in the chest. Rukia just gave them the normal smile, ignoring everything. The way she smiles, she makes me feel…. Whole… I don't know. But mainly, she makes me feel right. Ichigo thought.

A little while later, they both were laying in bed, thinking about what happened around an hour ago.

"Rukia," Ichigo spoke up, "Why did you? I mean what made you."

"What?" Rukia lied, already knowing the answer.

"The… you know, kiss." He mumbled in reply.

"I guess… you made me happy. It was nice. Letting me get a rabbit cake, even letting me get a cake." She simply answered. "I'm sorry."

"No, don't be sorry." He casually said, "I dint have a problem with it… at all." The two blushed.

"Does that mean…" Rukia started, "that we are… what do you call it… Boy friend and girl friend?"

He thought… I guess I LIKE her… but isn't she way older then me…. It will ruin her mission. I want to say yes… but…

"Rukia… I'll have to say….