This chapter was more difficult that I thought it would be. Trying to sort through all of these emotions is not easy.

To all of my reviewers. Thank you so much. I hope that I continue to live up to these expectations. I'm trying really hard to things right by everyone.


Wake Up Time

It feels so nice right now. I'm so warm and comfortable. I really don't feel like getting up right now, never mind opening my eyes. Ichigo thought to himself. He had only just woken so he was not very aware of his surroundings. Then Ichigo remembered falling onto his bed and Rukia coming after him. Oh great. I feel asleep with her in the room. She probably did something to me, like another mustache in permanent marker. Oh gods! I had better get up and assess the damage. After finally making that decision he opened his eyes which he promptly shut again to shield them from the sun that was coming into his room from through window. Wow its already the middle of the day. I had better wake up. And sothis time he opened his eyes slower.

His heart felt like it was going to jump right out of his chest! Rukia was there lying next to him. Her face was looking right at him but she was fast asleep. He was frozen in shock. No wonder I was so warm. She was lying next to me and my arm is around her waist. How the hell did this happen! Wait a second. When Ichigo began to study her more closely he noticed that she was drooling. Ha! This is just too funny! The perfect Kuchiki is lying in bed with me drooling. Ichigo began laughing so hard that he was shaking the bed. Of course that resulted in Rukia beginning to wake.

When Rukia opened her eyes she saw Ichigo's face staring right at her. And he was laughing. He was laughing so hard that the bed was shaking. Why the hell did I wake up to this moron's face laughing? Then she remembered what happened the night before. Shit! I must have fallen asleep when I was lying with him. But why is he laughing now?

Ichigo finally realised that she was awake and sat up still laughing a little. Rukia also sat up next to him.

"Why are you laughing?"She asked him sleepily.

"How can I not laugh? Have you ever slept with anyone before?"Of course that question received a rather bright blush from her.

"When I lived in the Rukongai we all slept together in a one room building why?" She asked completely taken off guard by the question.

"And no one ever mentioned anything about how you sleep?"Ichigo asked her. She shook her head in response to the question. She still looked confused and flustered by all of these questions. In fact she is looking pretty cute with that face. Wait no! I can't say that. She is a refined Noble, and her brother would kill us if he found us like this!

"Earth to Ichigo. You were about to say something regarding how I sleep?"Rukia said.

"Oh...uh sorry. Got a little distracted." Ichigo blushed. He wondered about whether or not she realised he was watching her so closely. "Um well you see when I woke up and saw you...well you were drooling." Ichigo finally managed to say the blush still on his cheeks.

"So what? It's perfectly normal thing to be doing." She said. Even though she sounded confident she blushed a little and wiped at her cheeks as if thought trying to erase the evidence.

"Well I just...well. It's just weird. You give off the idea that you are so noble but when sleeping your doing something so normal. I couldn't help myself but to laugh at the fact."Ichigo said becoming a little flustered at having to explain his reaction.

"At least I don't talk in my sleep." She said obviously proud of herself for knowing about that.

"Wait...I was talking in my sleep? What did you hear!" Ichigo grabbed both of her arms and she blushed even more at the contact. "Tell me what you heard!"He practically yelled at her.

"Oh just this and that." She said as evasively as possible. She twisted herself free of Ichigo's grasp laughing as she did. Then she continued by leaping off of the bed.

"Rukia." He said her name in his deepest voice. He then leaped off of the bed heading straight at her. But she was prepared for the move and she easily side-stepped him. Of course Ichigo expected as much and even though his momentum wouldn't let him stop till he hit the floor he swung out an arm and grabbed her waist. And they both fell to the floor.

Thunk! Rukia landed on top of Ichigo with his arm still wrapped firmly around her waist. She put a little effort into trying to escape him but he stubbornly refused to let her go. So she just waited for him to say something or do something. What he did though took her by surprise. He kissed her! And not just a little peck on the check but a full on kiss! She tore her face away from his.

"What the hell was that!"Rukia yelled. "You just kissed me."She said touching her fingers to her lips. The sensation of Ichigo's lips that still lingered brightened her blush. He too was blushing but at the same time he acted much more calmly than her.

"I know I did."Ichigo said matter-of-factly. He was about to say more when the two of them were interrupted.

"Good morning Ichigo!"Isshin crashed through his door and almost tripped right over the two on the floor. "Uh...did I interrupt something?" Ichigo's dad asked looking a little confused.

"No ." Rukia said as she got up. "I was just getting ready to leave. Ichigo I will talk to you later about this." With that said as she walked out leaving a stunned Ichigo on the floor with his dad staring down at him.

"Do you think you could leave me alone for a little while dad?" Ichigo asked as he stood up.

"Sure son. Just make sure you come down for breakfast. Yuzu is making it right now." Isshin said as he walked out of Ichigo's room shutting the door behind him.

Ichigo's mind was going crazy. He could not stop thinking about the kiss. Why did I do that? He touched his fingers to his lips. The sensation of her lips had not quite left him yet and he blushed. Wait. I couldn't be. Could I? He thought to himself.

And why not king. In fact you should have noticed this long ago. Zangetsu and I have known for a long time. So why has it taken you this long to figure it out. You are a love struck dog. His hollow said interrupting his thoughts.

Shut up. This is none of your business. Ichigo said to his hollow.

But it is Ichigo. Your feelings and moods affect all of us in your inner world. If you can't understand your heart you will never be complete. Zangetsu said. And that means your heart will always be in turmoil and we can't afford that. There are many battles still to come in your life and if you are not focused because you can't accept your feelings then you will lose. His zanpaktou tried reasoning with him.

But Rukia and I are friends. I can't go and ruin that. Ichigo said.

You aren't ruining it. You are improving upon it. You are trying to complete your soul. With her in your life you are happy. Over these past 17 months you have been in despair but with her back things will change. Zangetsu explained to him. You need to move forward Ichigo. It's time you grew up and accepted what's inside your heart.

What's inside my heart? With that very statement Ichigo began having flashbacks to all of the times he had been with Rukia. When she walked into his life and gave him the power to protect those he loved. Then him using that power to save her. And all of the struggles they faced together. And when she finally disappeared with the loss of his powers. When he finally came to he realized what he once pretended not to know. I love her.


Sorry for that bad ending, but its worth it. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter because it was a pain to write.

My schedule is gonna get pretty tight tommorow (actually it looks like I should be saying tonight.) so I doubt i will be posting so hopefully this chapter will tide every one over.

Remember everyone that reviews inspire!