The next morning, Chrome woke up to the sound of her alarm clock. She rolled over in her bed and hit the button. "Ugh…" She got up and headed for the bathroom starting to brush her teeth and hopping in the shower for school. She scrubbed herself clean and got out to towel herself dry. Then, wrapped in a towel, she walked back to her room to change into her school uniform. She then grabbed her bag and stuffed the homework on her desk into it. She was about to leave when there was a knock on the door. Chrome walked past a sleeping Rukia over to the door and poked her head out.

"Yes?" She blinked to find Kyoko Sasagawa and Tsunayoshi Sawada.

"Hi, Chrome-chan!" Kyoko happily greeted her. "Ready for school?" Chrome nodded.

"I'm almost ready. You want to come in?" Kyoko shook her head.
"You need to hurry. Hibari-san is doing inspections." Chromes eye widened and she slammed the door.

"I'm coming!" They could hear behind it. Chrome quickly put her navy stockings and school shoes on. She went back into her room and rummaged through a drawer until she found her usual black eyepatch with the skull on it. Just before she left, she left a note for Rukia and left it in the kitchen counter. She grabbed her keys and met up with Kyoko and Tsuna outside. "I'm ready." Kyoko nodded and followed her down the steps with Tsuna following. Together the hurried down the sidewalk. Tsuna jumped and whimpered at every bump and noise, eventually causing Chrome to look back at him with concern. "Bossu?-" Kyoko held her hand in front of her face to quiet her.

"Just ignore Tsuna-kun, he's been acting weird all morning."
Tsuna stopped and grabbed Chromes shoulders.

"Ok, maybe you'll listen. Last night, I saw a…" He leaned in closer and whispered, "monster." Chrome looked into Tunas' brown eyes. He was telling the truth. Or at least he thinks he saw something. Either way, Chrome wanted to help. She moved out of his grasp and they continued onward.

"So Bossu… This monster you saw… What did it look like?" Kyoko rolled her eyes, but Tsuna started talking, his voice filled with fear.

"Ok, well, first of all it was like, 8 feet tall! It was big and black and scary! With a white mask and claws for hands! It also had a big hole in its chest." Chrome nodded, not really believing him.

"And how did you see it?" Well, I was at Yamamoto's house doing homework and on the way back, this… Thing came out of nowhere! I don't think it was attacking me though. I tripped and… I was going to fight it but…" That was a lie. "This girl came out of nowhere! She was dressed in a black shihaksho, like Yamamoto wears, but with white gloves as well as something on her shoulder. She drew her sword and killed the monster!" Tsuna was moving his arms in a slash. "She just cut its head off and it died! Then she turned to me. I thought she was going to kill me, but she just helped me up." Now even Kyoko was listening. "She had short black hair and purple eyes. Like yours, Chrome just darker. When I stood up, she was actually a bit shorter than me, but I could tell she wasn't younger. Anyway, she just sent me on my way. She seemed a bit surprised I could see her. And that's it. I ran home." Tsuna finished. Kyoko was in thought staring at nothing. When Tsuna described the person who helped him, Chrome immideately thought of Rukia.

'There's no way that could have been her. She was at my house the whole time! It must be a coincidence.' She thought to herself. Out loud she added, "Well Bossu, you must have seen something." Kyoko nodded in agreement.

"Maybe you hit your head Tsuna-kun."
Tsuna sighed dramatically.

"I'm telling you it was real!" He threw up his arms. "Maybe Gokudera-kun will believe me…" Apparently their conversation had taken them to Namimori Middle. They turned the corner only to come face to face with Hibari Kyoya. He had an evil look in his slate gray eyes.

"You have 2 minutes, herbivores. "Get in or-" He moved his black jacket to reveal a tonfa. "I'll bite you to death." The trio bowed and ran off. "Sorry Hibari-san!" Tsuna and Kyoko yelled back. "I'm sorry Cloud-man!" Chrome said.

"It's Hibari… Herbivore." Hibari muttered. He turned around and in a single leap jumped up to the roof of the school.

Rukia woke up around noon. She felt groggy and tired from last night. She looked around and rubbed her violet eyes. "Hello?" She sighed and sat up. Looking around, Rukia noticed the apartment was empty. She got off the couch, folding the blanket and putting it and the pillow neatly on it. She got up poked her head into Chromes empty room. "Oh… That's right, school." Rukia freshened up in the bathroom and reheated a burger from last night. She searched the fridge for water and finished her small meal. She looked around until she found a piece of paper on the counter. She initially ignored it, thinking it was something private, but when she looked at it again she saw her name. Rukia picked up the paper and read.

'Dear Rukia-san. You weren't awake, so I left this note. You are free to do what you want, just don't go into my room please. There is a spare key under the mat if you decide to leave. I will be back by 4:30. Eat what's in the fridge, just not too much. Oh, and no company. That's all. Best regards, Chrome Dokuro.'

Rukia smiled. Ichigo never left letters. "4:30 eh?" Rukia snapped her fingers, deciding to cook Chrome a nice dinner to repay her for her kindness. Maybe the girl would open up a little as well. She looked at the letter. Rukia noticed how neat and loopy her handwriting was. "Hmm…" Rukia walked over to the fridge and looked in it, wondering what to make. She wasn't the best, but Yuzu did teach her a couple of things when she was bored, and she knew the basics. She searched until an idea came to mind. She smiled and took out an armful of ingredients and started to set up.

It was the end of last period, as usual it had been boring, and half of the class had fallen asleep. Even the usual attentive Chrome had dozed off, her head eventually lying on the desk like Yamamoto. Kyoko leaned over. "Chrome-chan, wake up." Kyoko nudged her slightly to wake her up. "Class is over." Chrome slowly opened her eye, her hair sticking out in a funny way.

"What?" She looked around and shot up. "Oh!" Everyone in the class looked at her in surprise, including the teacher.

"Is there something you want to say, Dokuro-san?" He looked at her.

"N-no…. I'm sorry…" She put her chin back on the desk, her face red. "Sorry…" She muttered to Kyoko. She smiled in response.
"Okay, anyway, class is dismissed." He sat down on the desk and waved them off. The kids gathered their things and Chrome could hear Tsuna talking to Emna.

"I'm telling you, it's true! I'm not lying!" Emna looked at him with a blank expression.

"I'm sure you're not. Maybe you imagined it, or an illusionist was messing with you." He responded with a sigh. Gokudera pulled Tsuna away from him.

"Don't listen to him Judaime, I believe you! And I'll protect you, I promise!" Tsuna groaned and continued to complain as they walked out together, with Enma shaking his head. He got his bag and left with Shitt P. Chrome rolled her eyes and left, grabbing her bag as well. She waved goodbye to anyone she passed, with a quick bow to Hibari, who was glaring at her. Chrome walked home at her usual pace, she wondered if that girl Rukia was doing anything. Or how long she was staying. Hopefully not too long. She stopped at a gas station and purchased mango lemonade, putting it in her bag. She also got Rukia strawberry milk. She was walking down the sidewalk when she noticed a figure jumping on the air. "Oh?" Chrome looked again. The figure was leaping on the air, as if it were solid ground. It was wearing all black, but was too far away to see their face, but judging on its form, it was human. She stared at it for a couple of minutes before it disappeared behind a building.

"Huh… Maybe Bossu was right…" She muttered, running his story through her head again. He described her as a small woman with black hair and purple eyes. That sounded just like Rukia. Chrome ran the rest of the way home. She quickly unlocked the door and stepped in, only to find Rukia standing there with a big smile on her face. She took Chromes bag, and pulled her over to sit her down. "Good evening Pyon! You must be tired! How are you?! Pyon!" Chrome looked at her, bewildered.

"Is that you Rukia-san?" She sniffed the air, it smelled really good. "What's that smell?" Rukia clapped her hands together.

"Dinner! It's not ready, so why don't you freshen up and do your homework? Go go, Pyon!" She pushed a protesting Chrome into her room, then closed the door behind her.

"….." Chrome was a bit stunned, this was totally unlike the Rukia yesterday. Its almost like she was a different person. She shrugged and stripped out of her school clothes, then after getting a t-shirt, snuck into the bathroom to wash up.

Chappy waited until Chrome left the bathroom and went back into her room before knocking lightly on the window. Rukia's head popped up and she cautiously climbed through.

"Phew…" She wiped her brow and smiled at her double."Thank you Chappy." She entered her gigai again and walked in the kitchen. Looking around, she finished the necessary preparations for dinner and after about an hour, huffed contently at her creation, her violet eyes shining with pride. Spread in front of her was a beautifully placed hayashi rice stew with Japanese sirloin cooked and cut into cubes. They were arranged in a circle on small plates next to the main dish. Rukia brought out two glasses and set them next to the chopsticks. (Although she forgot to get something to drink.) She turned and finished cleaning up the kitchen, before going to the bathroom to wash up.

Chrome was sitting at her desk, finishing up her homework. It was easy and not much of a challenge for her. Finishing the last math problem, she put her pencil down and muttered, 'Done…' When there was suddenly a tap at the window. She turned to find her owl, Mukurowl.

"Hello…" She muttered opened the window and he flew in, dropping a letter and tiny package, sitting on his perch. Chrome reached and turned it over. It simply said 'Nagi,' but Chrome immediately knew who it was from due to the handwriting. Mukuro, her teacher and master. She blushed slightly at the thought of him sending her a letter. She was about to open it when a voice called from the door.

"Chrome! I made dinner!" Mukurowls head shot up in alarm and he started screeching.

"No! no.. Shh…" Chrome tried to calm the owl, but it was flapping at the door. "Be quiet!" Chrome hoped the other person didn't hear, but it was too late. Rukia had already burst in, her violet eyes burning with worry. They turned to confusion when she saw Chrome with no pants struggling to calm a white owl down.

"W-what?" A light blush appeared, and she looked away, stifling a laugh. "I… I see… My apologies." She ducked out of the room, leaving Chrome, who was red, alone with the owl. She turned her head and glared at Mukurowl, who took the message and flapped to his perch and put his head in his wing, ashamed.

"Ugh…" She quickly put on her pants and walked out to scold Rukia for not knocking, but her jaw dropped in amazement at the beautifully made, large dinner Rukia had made. She looked around to find Rukia herself sitting at the table, with a warm smile on her face. "E-eh?"

"I just wanted to thank you for taking me in like this." She explained. Chrome turned red at the kind gesture and looked down, unable to say anything. She ran back into her room and took out the lemonade and milk and came back out handing the milk to Rukia, whose face brightened. Rukia chuckled and accepted it. Chrome sat next to her.

"What?" Chrome blinked, confused at her laughter. Rukia just waved her off.

"No, I just have a friend named Ichigo, and you got me strawberry milk! I just find it funny that's all. But truly, thank you." Rukia bowed her head to Chrome before saying grace. Chrome did the same, and they started to eat. Chromes face immediately brightened and she ate much faster. Rukia took note and giggled. "You like it, huh?" Chrome blushed and slowed down.

"Sorry…" she muttered, taking a sip of her lemonade. The raven-haired girl shook her head.

"No, I'm glad you like it. I honestly thought you wouldn't." She took a bite and chewed thoroughly, staring at Chrome. Chrome blushed slightly and glanced back.

"Y-yes?" She stuttered out, gulping.

"Well, you seem like a nice person and all; my friend tells me that I should meet more people. So, I would like to get to know you more." Chrome gulped and looked at her, dazed.

"R-really?" Rukia nodded. Chrome turned around and thought to herself while drinking her lemonade. 'I guess it would be ok… She does seem kind. Even if she isn't, I just have to deal with it… Kyoko-chan says I should meet more people too. Even Bossu said so. Speaking of him, I wonder if he saw anything… Ah don't get distracted. Ok. I'll get to know her.' She turned back to Rukia who was still looking at her, smiling sweetly. "O-okay, I would like to be friends with you too, Rukia-san. Y-you seem like a nice person too…" Chrome held her hand out and Rukia shook it, smiling. Chrome blinked, just remembering something. "Hey, why didn't you go to a school?" Rukia looked taken aback slightly.

"W-well, no, I… I already finished." She stuttered. Chrome was confused.

"Really? It doesn't look like it." Rukias eyes narrowed.

"What?" Suddenly she looked at Chrome like she was an enemy.

"I-I just meant I assumed you were my age because…" Chrome trailed off, unable to find an excuse. "I'm sorry if I offended you… I dind't mean to, really…" She looked down bashfully. Rukias eyes lightened, but did not smile.

"Don't mention it… By the way, I'm 18. You're only 14? You don't look that young." The girl studied Chrome closely, making her blush. "Hmm… Oh well." Chrome nodded.

"So, do you have any siblings?" Chrome asked, taking another bite.

"Yes! I have a big brother." Rukia seemed proud to say that. "How about you?" Chrome shook her head.

"No. It's just me." Rukia smiled.

"That must have its own benefits." She finished her plate and drank some more milk, then leaned back slightly. She looked at Chrome.

"I don't mean to sound odd, but your hair is very pretty especially the color. I like it." Chrome looked back and blushed.

"T-thank you…" Rukia reached out, seemingly to touch it. Chrome nodded in response, and Rukia twirled a finger around her bangs.

"You take care of it well…." Chrome stared at Rukia in awe. Chrome stared even after Rukia stood up and picked up their plates, putting them in the sink. "I'll clean up. You can go to bed." Chrome jolted back to reality and looked at the clock, it had gotten late. Chrome nodded and looked away, her face red.

"O-okay…" She picked up her lemonade and put it in the fridge. "Goodnight Rukia-san. Thank you very much for dinner." Rukia smiled at her.

"Thank you for letting me stay here, Dokuro-san. Sleep well." Chrome blushed deeper and was about to go into her room, but she stopped, turning back to Rukia.

"U-um… Y-you don't have to call me that… You can just call me Chrome…" She muttered, smiling a little. Rukia looked surprised, but smiled and nodded.

"Alright. Chrome it is. Goodnight Chrome." Chrome nodded and went into her room, cracking the window so Mukurowl could get out, and after about an hour of reading, went to sleep, out cold in minutes.