Disclaimer: Bleach is Kubo Tite's. Crack is mine.

Summary: When teenage Ichigo gets insecure, issues regarding insecurity are bound to rise.

Author's notes: Mostly doing Ichigo's POV again. Don't expect anything too concrete, because emotions are abstract. Please point out any errors if found. :D

Warning: None. Incredibly suitable for all ages.

I lay in bed, still wide awake. It was already late, but I still couldn't sleep. My mind seemed to wander, and my thoughts were all jumbled up. I sighed heavily before casting a wondering look at my closet which contained a small body of a certain Shinigami.

Rukia had just returned after two months of being stationed in Soul Society. And no, there have been absolutely no visits from her at all during the said period.

The closet door was sealed shut, and I wonder if she was already asleep. I imagined her curled up underneath her blanket, well, my blanket actually; clad in Yuzu's bright yellow pajamas, eyes closed, her breathing even, fast asleep.

We had slayed Hollows just a few hours ago, only the two of us, and God there was a full battalion of them tonight. It was one of those rare times that I hoped the annoying Quincy, Ishida would show up; but the four-eyes didn't - and so the dirty job was up to us. I took a deep breath. I knew she was probably beat, having to clean up half of the bastards, but still my mouth rebelled and her name rolled off my tongue way too easily.

"Rukia."

I listened intently then, trying to make out any possible shuffling noises from the closet. There were none. I decided to try again.

"Rukia. Hey." I added the last part just so I'd at least get a respond.

I waited. There was a little shuffling. The far corners of my lips twitched upwards, and a flare of satisfaction crawled along my veins.

"Rukia." I tried again, this time, slightly louder.

The closet door flew open, and a pair of very violet orbs glared at me. Her brows were drawn closely together. She was obviously not pleased.

"What the Hell do you want?" Her voice was a sharp whisper, and a little raspy. Her teeth was clenched, as if trying to control her rage. I only looked at her.

"Oh...you were asleep?" I mustered finally, knowing that that must have sound unbelievably stupid. It was already past midnight! Her beautiful eyes flashed, and she rose to a sitting position. Her short legs dangled inches away from the floor.

"Well, I was asleep," she answered curtly, her voice humorless. "But it seemed like you're not too happy that I was."

Hearing this accusation, I involuntarily rose to a sitting position. My blanket slid off my torso easily. "I'm sorry, it's not like that." Her stern expression softened a bit at my apology. I contemplated what to say next. It's weird, I have never contemplated while talking to Rukia before. But perhaps, tonight was different.

She'd just come back, after all.

"Is something wrong, Ichigo?" Rukia asked, her voice enveloped with concern. She looked ready to jump out the closet and run to my side if I only tell her to. I shook my head.

"Nothing's wrong, Rukia," I began. "I just...can't sleep, that's all," I finished lamely. She blinked her purple orbs at what information I gave her, probably processing it. I sighed and leaned so that my back would touch the cold wall behind me. I shivered as a gust of wind swept in from the open window. She frowned.

"Close the window, or you'll catch a cold, Ichigo," Rukia stated matter-of-factly as she stared at me with her purple irises.

"What? I've always left it open," I retorted, scowling. "But it's cold outside, idiot," responded Rukia evenly. She didn't even have to fight to prove her point. The night air was indeed chilly. I was just being stubborn.

"Idiots don't catch cold, remember?" I knew I was grinning then, because Rukia smiled at me and sighed. She jumped down and landed noiselessly on the floor with both her feet.

"Where are you going?" I asked as I saw her took a step forward. She ignored my question but climbed onto my bed without even asking for permission. I stared at her as if she had gone out of her mind.

"To do this, idiot," she began as she reached for the window, pulling it shut quietly with her dainty fingers. "Since you won't do it on your own."

"I'm not used to breaking the routine, I guess." She eyed me for a moment before sitting down diagonally facing me.

"But I'm already here." She knew the window was my way of telling her that she would always be welcomed home here.

"I know, but I can't help it."

She shook her head. "You worry too much," a pause. "Since when have you turned into such a worrytart?" I grinned at her attempt to annoy me.

"Because it's you." I looked into her bright eyes, they were piercing even in the dark. A magnificent purple. Just when I was about to get lost in the beauty of her orbs, she planted a firm and accurate kick to my exposed side. I whined in pain.

"What was that for?" I hissed, clutching at my injured side. She crossed her arms and huffed.

"You are becoming a sap."

I stared at her in bewilderment. "I am not! I'm just-" but the midget cut me short.

"No matter what, I will always come back." I stared at her.

"You, of all people, Ichigo, should know better." I inhaled slowly, feeling the sudden urge to just hug her. 'Maybe I am becoming a sap,' I thought.

She shifted in her seat. "So you don't have to worry unnecessarily, Ichigo," her voice was gentle and reassuring, removing my doubts all at once. Silently, I cursed at my self. How could I ever think of her not wanting to come back here?

This is her home. I opened my mouth to speak.

"Thanks, Rukia." She nodded her head, a genuine smile gracing her lips.

"So, problem solved?" she prodded when she saw me return her smile with a grin. I nodded. "Yeah, problem solved, midget."

"Good, because I'm getting sleepy," and with that, she unexpectedly dove into the warmth of my bed covers, burying herself underneath them. "H-hey midget! Get off my bed!" I shouted, trying to pry the covers free from her eagle-like clutches. "Rukia, hey!"

It was futile.

She ignored me again, on purpose, and closed her eyes. "Good night, Ichigo," she murmured. I glanced at her, and sighed.

I plopped myself down next to her on the bed, covering my own body with half of the bed covers, making sure that she was properly tucked-in in the process. I propped one elbow up and rested my chin on my palm. I watched her contentedly as she fell into a deep slumber, her chest going up and down timely with her even breathing. I noticed how peaceful she looked while sleeping, her brows no longer in a crease. Her eyelashes were long too.

I grinned. Perhaps sharing a bed with this midget might not be so bad.

Yawning, I glanced at the closed window one last time before I too, fall prey to the mighty wave of exhaustion. I guess only for tonight, it is okay to skip the routine.

Nothing too elaborate since I'm breaking away from heavily-detailed descriptions in this one. Haha. Please leave a review. :)