Yay! I am so happy with the warm reception you guys gave this story. I am sorry that I couldn't reply to any of you. It's just that I'm busy right now and I have to either reply to your reviews or post a chapter up, and I eventually chose the latter. I hope this works.

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Rukia's heart dropped to her stomach.

She was staring at what could be a picture-perfect scene—if only it didn't hurt her like hell. There was Ichigo and Orihime, lying on the bed together. Orihime's head was resting on the crook of Ichigo's neck. Her left hand was intertwined with Ichigo's right, and his left arm was wrapped around Orihime's shoulders.

Rukia bit her lower lip. It hurt. But why? Did this mean she liked this orange-haired idiot? Rukia willed herself not to cry. She couldn't. It would have been a pathetic sight if anyone caught her crying while staring at the two figures. She knew Orihime loved Ichigo, but never did she think that the carrot-top felt the same way…and apparently, he did.

Rukia took a deep breath. They were her friends, and if being together makes them happy, then she'll gladly accept that fact and be happy for them herself. She silently retreated and walked out of the room. Somehow, a lone tear managed to escape her eyes, so she wiped it dry before heading back down to the dining area.

Unknown to the petite woman, the moment she went out of Ichigo's room was the same moment Karin walked out of theirs. The young girl saw what Rukia did, and became curious of what happened in her Ichi-nii's room.

Upon seeing that the door to Ichigo's room was slightly ajar, Karin peeked in and saw the sight. She honestly didn't know how to react. Of course, she somehow hated the raven-haired shinigami, but she thought—no, she knew—that her Ichi-nii liked the woman. So how come her Ichi-nii was in such a compromising position with another woman? Could it be that she assumed wrong? That maybe, her Ichi-nii really liked this buxom woman instead? Remembering Rukia's reaction, Karin instantly realized that she didn't need to act coldly towards the petite woman anymore. Orihime staying in their house—in her Ichi-nii's room at that—was enough torture for the Rukia.

Rukia came back to the dining area, her cheerful façade in place.

"Oh, Yuzu-chan, Ichigo and Orihime are still sleeping. I didn't want to wake them up because they might still be tired from all the…adjusting they did yesterday."

"It's alright, Rukia-nee. They'll probably wake up soon. You all have school, after all." Yuzu replied as she prepared the table.

Ichigo woke up but didn't open his eyes. He felt the sun's bright rays would assault his vision the moment he opened his amber orbs. Plus, he didn't really sleep well. Several times earlier that morning, he felt his arms being dragged, and a weight dropping on his shoulder then later on the crook of his neck. His sleep-filled mind didn't register any possible reason for those disturbances. He just wanted to sleep because he felt really tired, so he didn't mind whatever or whoever it was that was coaxing him into waking up (or so he thought). About an hour earlier (in his estimate), he felt something lift his arm up and wrap it around something, and another something hold his hand. All he wanted then was to utilize whatever remaining time he had before he needed to wake up for school, so again, he dismissed the idea of confronting the culprit.

Right now, however, he felt something wiggle beside him. He frowned. Finally wiping away whatever sleep was left on his mind, he realized that the 'something' holding his hand was in fact another hand, and the 'something' his arm was wrapped around on was actually a 'someone'. He slowly opened his eyes and found himself staring at gray orbs.

"Ohayou, Kurosaki-kun…"

Ichigo blinked. What could Inoue be doing in their house that early? Why was she even in his room? Hold up. Why was she in his bed?!

"AAAAAH!"

The dining table was quiet. Rukia was looking intently at her food; Ichigo was scowling more than usual, but his face was visibly red; Orihime was blushing; Karin was smirking; Yuzu was confused. And where was Isshin?

"Oh, thanks for the wonderful breakfast, Yuzu-chan. I think I'll go ahead, though. I always enjoy early morning walks and the weather today is just perfect for one. Ichigo, Orihime, see you at school. Bye Yuzu-chan, Karin-chan!"

Rukia stood up and got ready to leave.

"Oi, Rukia, wait up." Ichigo stood up as well. "I'm coming with you."

Rukia blinked. "Huh?" She glanced at Orihime's face and saw that the auburn-head saddened a bit. 'Ichigo, you dense, inexperienced idiot! You really don't know how to be sweet to a girl!' Rukia thought, sympathizing with Orihime.

"I said I'm coming with you, idiot." Ichigo said, grabbing his bag.

"Oh…uhm, Orihime, why don't you come with us as well?" Rukia offered.

Orihime's face lit up. "Sure, Kuchiki-san!"

The three walked quietly towards school, with Rukia two steps ahead of Ichigo and Orihime. She was cheerfully, a little too cheerfully for Ichigo's liking, observing her surroundings

"Oi, midget."

Rukia continued skipping to school.

"Oi, Rukia!"

Rukia stopped and turned around. "Did you call me?"

"What's your problem?" Ichigo frowned. Orihime silently watched the exchange.

"What do you mean?" Rukia innocently asked.

"Heh, I know you, midget. Drop the act; you suck big time. What's the matter?"

Shit! Rukia never thought that Ichigo knew her that well and could read her easily. Now think! What could she say? That she caught them hugging while they were asleep? No freakin' way!

From the corner of her eye, Rukia saw a sakura tree in full blossom. "I…I miss…home…" It was a half-truth, although Rukia was a little hesitant in using the word 'home' since she felt that she also had a home in the living world.

Ichigo scowled. Wasn't his home her home now, too? Why did she have to think of some place else? "Then go back to that damned Soul Society! No one's stopping you!" Ichigo replied rather harshly.

Rukia froze on her spot. That hurt…even more than the scene she witnessed that morning. "A-aa…"

No one moved for a second. Rukia was so close to tears now. Her head hung low and her bangs covered her eyes.

Still irritated, Ichigo grabbed Orihime's arm and started walking away. "C'mon, we'll be late."

As soon as the two were out of sight, Rukia tilted her head up to the sky and let her tears finally fall…

It was already lunch time, but there was still no trace of the raven-haired shinigami in school. Ichigo was at the school rooftop staring off in the distance. She didn't go back to Soul Society, that was for sure. It was faint, but he could feel her reiatsu. Now where could that midget be? And why didn't she come to school?

"Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime called softly from behind him.

"What is it, Inoue?" Ichigo answered nonchalantly.

"You're…worried, aren't you?"

Ichigo scoffed. "Why would I be worried? That midget can take care of herself."

If only Ichigo believed his own words…

'He's right…why am I here in the first place? I am not the resident shinigami of this town…and yet I chose to stay here. Who am I kidding? I don't belong here. But…but that idiot didn't have to shove it in my face! That insensitive jerk…' Rukia took off to the opposite of the direction where Ichigo and Orihime went. She had been walking aimlessly since then until she found herself standing in front of the Urahara Shoten.

"Ah, what does this handsome, perverted businessman owe the pleasure of having you here, Kuchiki-san?" Urahara Kisuke asked as he flipped open his infamous fan.

Rukia hesitated for a moment. "I…I need you to open the gates to Soul Society for me. You know how no one under the lieutenant class can open it.."

"Ah, there will be no problem with that, Kuchiki-san, but may I ask why you want to return all of a sudden?"

"Do I need a reason for coming home?"

"Ara, ara. I do hope that's the truth, Kuchiki-san. I do not suppose Kurosaki-san has anything to do with this, correct?"

Rukia frowned. "No, he doesn't have anything to do with this decision." Liar.

Urahara closed his fan, his lips in a thin line. "Come in, then."

The two reached the underground basement, and Urahara wasted no time performing the ritual for the opening of the gate. Rukia waited silently beside him, thinking about the suddenness of her actions. Was it the right thing to do? Go back? Will her Byakuya-nii-sama allow her to return to the living world again? Will Ichigo even want her to return...?

Urahara frowned. No matter how hard he focused his reiatsu into opening the gate, nothing seemed to happen. He had been doing this same thing for hundreds of years, and it was next to impossible for him to fail in such a simple act. After trying for the thousandth time, he sighed heavily. Rukia noticed this.

"What is it, Urahara?"

"I can't open the gate. Something's wrong. Have you been receiving orders lately?"

Rukia thought for a moment. "Not for the past weeks or so. But the hollows don't show up as they used to anymore."

"Maybe. But it seems like…there's more to it than that. It's like our communication with Soul Society has been cut."

"W-what?"

"Since the gate couldn't be opened, no one from the living world could enter Soul Society, and no shinigami from Soul Society can be sent here as well." Urahara took his hat off and looked at the petite woman in all seriousness.

"And you think something's wrong?" Rukia worriedly asked. What could be happening in Soul Society at that moment? How was her nii-sama? Renji? Ukitake-taichou? How are her friends?

"I know for a fact that this isn't normal. Let's just hope nothing happens. Soul Society can handle itself. However…" he paused, looking towards the false sky of the underground training area. "…we can't. We're practically on our own. If something happens, there wouldn't be reinforcements to rely upon."

Rukia's eyes widened. Something was seriously wrong. Who could have blocked the Senkaimon and cut all of the living world's ties to Soul Society?

"We better keep our eyes open, Kuchiki-san. And kindly inform the others. I will keep on trying to establish communication with Soul Society."

It was after dinner when Rukia came back to the Kurosaki house. Yuzu looked at the front door when she heard it opening. "Rukia-nee!" The young girl ran and embraced the petite woman. "I was so worried, Rukia-nee! Onii-chan said you didn't come to school, and it's late and you weren't home yet. Where were you, Rukia-nee?"

Rukia's eyes softened at the young girl. "I'm sorry for making you worry, Yuzu-chan. I just…had to do something."

"It's okay, Rukia-nee. Have you eaten dinner? Do you want me to prepare you something?"

"No, I'm okay, Yuzu. Thanks. Is Ichigo home?"

"Yeah, he's in his room." Yuzu said, wiping her tears.

"Thanks. I'll go talk to him." Rukia smiled at the young girl. She seemed almost like a real little sister to her.

Rukia reached Ichigo's room and was about to barge in (out of habit) when she remembered that there was now another occupant. She knocked on the door, and after receiving a "come in" in response, she entered.

Ichigo was sitting in front of his desk working on his assignments, while Orihime was leaning on the window, watching the night sky.

"Uhm, I'm sorry to bother you, but—"

"Where were you midget? I sure am surprised you managed to come back. I thought for sure you were going back to that damned place." Ichigo was still irritated at her preference for Soul Society over her home in Karakura. After staying with him for almost half a year already (including her stay in his closet), he at least thought she considered the Kurosaki house her home.

Rukia scowled. Forgetting everything else she was supposed to say and getting into the heat of the argument, she said, "Why do you seem almost excited at the prospect of me leaving, huh, Ichigo?"

Ichigo scowled as well. He didn't know why he was getting worked up over such a little thing. "Damn right, midget."

Rukia's heart, which was shattered to pieces twice earlier that day, felt being crushed even more and ground to dust. She thought she was welcome to stay with them…she thought they accepted her as a part of the family…she thought he liked to be with her. She was wrong.

Before any more tears could be spilled, she answered, "Tell you what, Ichigo. If you want me out of here that badly, you don't have to worry. I'll be leaving soon, and you'll never see any sign of me ever again." With that, she stomped out of the room, banging the door close.

"Make sure, damn midget!" Ichigo yelled. He knew he shouldn't be saying such things. He knew it was a bad thing for Rukia to be provoked. He could already see himself bruised and battered after Rukia finishes pouring her righteous anger at him.

Orihime, who had been silently observing the argument, saw it as an opportunity. And like what Tatsuki once told her, she should grab every chance she gets.

Before they were about to sleep, Orihime, mustering up all the courage she has, asked, "Do you…do you like Kuchiki-san, Kurosaki-kun?"

Ichigo, still annoyed about the previous fight, scoffed. "Are you kidding? Not even Keigo, who treats her like a goddess, would want to be with her when he finds out the real her."

"Then…then do you think…" Orihime gulped. "Do you think you could give me a chance, Kurosaki-kun?"

Ichigo froze. So his friends were right…Orihime did like him…And…he couldn't say no. How could he? He knew it would break her heart. And Orihime was his friend…He couldn't break her heart, could he?

"Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime looked straight at his amber orbs.

"Y-Yeah?"

"Could you give me a chance?" She looked hopeful.

"Uh…I…I…Y-yes…" Ichigo reluctantly agreed.

Orihime smiled. He might not like her now, but she will do anything to make this work. "A-arigatou, Kurosaki-kun…" She lunged herself at him and embraced him...

Rukia lay awake in her bed. It was almost midnight, but she couldn't sleep. She was still thinking about what the orange-haired bastard said. He didn't want her here…He wanted her to leave…He— Her thoughts were broken when she felt someone's reiatsu spike up. She sat up and looked at the twins. They were already in dreamland. She tiptoed out of the room and went to get Ichigo, only to stop her hand when she reached for his door knob.

'If I'm leaving soon, I should stop depending on him…' Rukia swallowed a soul candy and instructed Chappy to go back soundlessly to the twins' room. Rukia shunpoed towards the reiatsu's direction.

She tried to identify who owned the reiatsu. It felt familiar, yet foreign at the same time. She arrived at the Karakura Park and found nothing. She closed her eyes to focus on locating the reiatsu, but a split-second after she closed her lids, she felt a presence behind her. She turned around and saw a familiar figure.

The man was wearing a white jacket and a matching white hakama. His face was white as well, and cyan lines ran beneath his green eyes with slit pupils. Remnants of his hollow mask remained on his head, forming something like a broken helmet.

Rukia's eyes widened. "U-Ulquiorra!"

Kyaaaah! I hope you like this chapter! Please, please review!