At that very moment, Rukia's friends appeared to be walking in their direction, Orihime stumbling forward rather nervously. Orihime had seen Rukia with her arms crossed behind her back as she leaned against the wall and her tall, orange-spiked crush standing right in front of her pretty friend, his signature scowl in place as he surveyed her mischievous smirk.

'Oh, Hey you guys!' Rukia said smiling warmly at her friends as they made their way towards her, looking past Ichigo's eyes, who was still surveying hers with a scowl.

Ichigo backed away from her slowly as he was blocking her way and walked smack into one of her friends. Momo fell onto the floor with a thump.

Ichigo turned at once, golden-brown eyes wide as he inspected the brown haired girl apologetically, who was blinking up at him her brown eyes wide from the sudden fall.

'I'm sorry,' he said at once, holding out his hand to her.

Momo took it and he helped her straighten up. He pulled her to feet with ease. She smirked at Rukia in approval, making Rukia roll her eyes. He was handsome and strong. 'Don't worry about it,' she said grinning, brushing her skirt. 'Momo Hinamori,' she said looking up at him. He smiled. 'Ichigo Kurosaki,' he answered simply. Orihime stood there, twiddling her thumbs as she bit her lip. Her cheeks were the same colour as her bright red skirt.

Rukia noticed this and turned to Ichigo, pulling Orihime's hand lightly.

'This is Orihime Inoue,' she said pulling a shy Orihime, as she smiled at Ichigo pointedly.

Ichigo rubbed the back of his head. Was this girl afraid of him or something? Why wouldn't she look him in the eyes? He caught Rukia's pointed look though and decided to say something.

'Hello,' he said awkwardly to the orange-haired girl, tilting his head slightly. Not knowing that little gesture of his was enough to make her even shyer.

'H-Hi,' she squeaked to Ichigo's sneakers.

O-Okay… thought Ichigo. Maybe she's not feeling well? He turned his gaze back to Rukia who was exchanging a sneaky smile with her other friend Momo. What was going on here? He wondered. Whatever the matter was, he still had to head back to his new apartment and unpack. He shook his head remembering that everything was still in boxes, as he had just arrived here yesterday and was too exhausted to unpack. There was so much work left to do. He blinked as an idea struck him, grinning maliciously. If he could only have some help, well then… it'll be done a lot faster.

'Anyway, I better head home, I'll see you girls around,' he said to Momo and Orihime.

He then turned to Rukia and smirked. 'You owe me one. Big time. And I've already figured out how you can repay me, Rukia.' He said folding his arms as she looked up at him. She raised one of her dark eyebrows warily as she tugged on the sleeve of her blouse that was slipping off in an odd angle.



'What, Kurosaki?' she said blinking up at him as he grinned down at her and jingled his house keys.

'Come home with me and you'll see,' he said his hazel eyes boring into her wide blue eyes.

Orihime's head snapped up so suddenly she got a whiplash, while Momo choked on a wad of gum she was chewing. Rukia's jaw slackened slightly as she curled her fists threateningly.

'Are you trying to be funny, Kurosaki?' she jeered, her pretty eyes narrowed at him. Orihime was helping Momo dislodge the gum from her throat whilst massaging her own neck.

Ichigo's eyes widened as he caught the double meaning of his words.

'Oh God. NO, hell no. That wasn't what I had meant at all!' he said exasperatedly tugging his fingers down his face. Not that it was such a bad idea anyway, he thought shrugging.

'I meant you could help me unpack, you know, since I just moved in and all,' he said levelly, as Rukia contemplated whether to believe him or not.

She then saw the sincerity in his brown eyes and realized that he was indeed telling her the truth. She flushed and dropped her gaze. And his smirk was kinda cute. Kinda.

'Oh,' was all she had to say about it.

'Sheesh, Rukia. What the hell were you thinking? Anyway, are you coming?' he asked again already expecting her to laugh it off or roll her eyes.

To his utmost surprise, she nodded.

'Sure,' she said walking next to him. Ichigo asked her if she was sure a few hundred times and she just nodded firmly.

He walked off awkwardly, Rukia falling into step with him as they both left the other two girls recovering from shock, after Rukia had bade them goodbye. Momo mouthed I'll-call-you and Rukia just laughed.

They walked on in silence out the school gates and down the stony sidewalk, the rhythm of their feet against the pavement, and the hustle and bustle of the busy city around them the sounds that filled their ears. Rukia didn't know where she was going or what she was doing. She barely knew the guy, yet she felt she could trust him completely. Something she had never felt before. If her older brother Byakuya were to see her now, she just shuddered at the thought. She was just acting on impulse. Just following him without doubting him. She snuck a glance up at him and felt her heartbeat quicken just a bit. The afternoon sun was glinting of his vivid spiky hair, and highlighting his chiseled features. His eyes seemed to be a feral shade of gold as the sun shone in them.

Ichigo glanced down at the pretty raven haired next to him and found her averting her eyes away from him quickly. Did she not have any fear? They barely knew each other! He thought as he led them around the bend. They finally reached his apartment in the middle of the city, called The Loft. It was right in the heart of the city. He glanced down at Rukia and noticed she was smirking.



'What?' he asked her.

She shrugged and looked up at him. 'Hey, since we're here. Can I go change first?' she asked as his frown hardened in confusion. 'This blouse is itchy,' she complained, scratching her arm for emphasis.

'H-huh? Change? What do you-

'I live in the Penthouse of this apartment.' She said simply as they walked into the lobby.

Ichigo gulped as he pressed the button. What a coincidence. 'Wow, really? Who would've guessed, huh?' he said rubbing his orange head. Rukia merely dazzled him with another smile as they stepped into the elevator. She walked forward and pushed the penthouse button.

'So how'd you get into Harvey-Bennett?' she said tilting her head as she looked up at Ichigo.

Ichigo looked down at her distractedly. The woman's got legs, I'll give her that, Ichigo muttered in his head. 'Pure self-torture. Town Scholarship,' he said shortly, grimacing as he remembered his endless hours of study. Rukia's eyebrows rose. The man's got brains, I'll give him that, Rukia wondered.

The elevator dinged as it parted to the grandest, most lush part of the building, (or any building for that matter) that Ichigo had ever seen. Above him hung a huge chandelier and whitewash walls. It was a hallway that led to a pair of tall polished wood doors. Rukia unlocked it and stepped into her apartment. Ichigo walked in looking around the roomy apartment. Rukia had definitely customized it. The place was like a showroom for those summer getaway homes. Right in the middle wall had large glass windows with a breathtaking view of the city. Walking out hurriedly from one of the rooms , was an old man dressed smartly in a suit, he looked distinctly ruffled and heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Rukia.

'Good Afternoon, Miss Rukia! Thank heavens you're home. You're sister said that the Little Miss's babysitter isn't available today and is therefore left her in my care for the afternoon,' he said to Rukia before turning to Ichigo and giving him a warm welcome too.

Rukia smirked. 'Hisana left Kitara here?' she asked warily.

Right at that moment, a little girl dashed into the room, giggling madly at the sight of Rukia, running towards her. Rukia smiled as her six year old niece stopped abruptly in front of her. Kitara Kuchiki was the daughter of her sister Hisana and her husband, Byakuya Kuchiki. She was a skinny little mischievous speed demon, a complete handful. Her face portrayed none of it though as she blinked up her huge blue eyes at Rukia, a huge grin across her angelic face. Her dark hair was pulled into two messy ponytails. Ichigo smiled at the little girl, she almost looked like a tiny version of Rukia.

'This is my niece, Kitara,' she explained to Ichigo. 'Kitara, this is Ichigo,' she said to her niece who looked up at him.

'Hello, Kitara,' Ichigo said kindly, crouching down a little towards the little girl.



Kitara smiled shyly up at him to Rukia's surprise. There was a blush across her little cheeks as she blinked up at Ichigo.

'Wow, Rukia. You're boyfriend sure is handsome,' she squeaked in awe so suddenly making Ichigo jerk a little. Kitara giggled and walked up to Ichigo and only stopped when she was few centimeters away from his face before pointing to his hair. 'You're hair reminds me of Mr. Tibbles!' she said excitedly before Rukia could protest or Ichigo could straighten up again. Ichigo glanced at Rukia in confusion. 'Her cat,' she said simply, stifling a laugh.

'Right Rukia? Doesn't your boyfriend look like Mr. Tibbles is on his head?' she demanded.

Rukia folded her arms. 'Kitara, Ichigo is not my boyfriend. He is just my friend,' she said patiently.

'He's pretty handsome… for a cathead!' Kitara sneered at Ichigo's face placing her little hands on her hips.

Ichigo straightened up. 'My hair doesn't look like Mr. Nibbles,' he declared to the little girl, peering down at her.

'TIBBLES!' she screeched, her little fist connecting solidly with his nuts.

Ichigo grit his teeth as he howled in pain, holding his crotch.

'Kitara!' said Rukia unable to hide her grin. Her niece was going to scare of her guest. She better go change so they could leave.

'Now, if you'll excuse me. I'll be back. Oh and Ichigo, please sit.' she said before disappearing into one of the rooms. Ichigo plopped down onto the nearest couch and to his horror, so did Kitara. He pretended to stare at the wall eventhough he could feel her curious eyes on him, watching his every move.

'Does your whole family have Mr. Tibbles coloured hair?'

'No,'

'Do you like Rukia?'

'I just met her,'

'Do you like strawberries?'

'They're Okay… (he knew where this was going)'

'Did you know you're name means strawberry?'

'Yes. (yup, he saw that one coming),'

'Can I call you strawberry?'



'No,'

'But if I call you Ichigo, I'd be calling you strawberry anyway!'

Ichigo ran his fingers through his hair. How long did Rukia take to change? He wondered. Karin and Yuzu, his own little sisters, were never like this.

A door down the hallway creeped open, and to Ichigo's utmost relief Rukia reappeared. She was wearing a sky blue cap-sleeved t-shirt and tiny white shorts. Ichigo swallowed convulsively as her long, delicious milky white legs were clearly exposed to his blazing eyes. Wow. He thought taking in every detail of her slender body in her new clothes. His eyes flashed in amusement as he caught the wordings on her baby t. Just Do It. Wow. Nike sure was teasing Ichigo.

'You can stop drooling now,' squeaked Kitara.

Ichigo realized that he had been openly staring at Rukia for the past 20 seconds without blinking. He flushed and scowled at Kitara. He really didn't like this kid.

The next thing he knew the devious little creature was pulling an unsuspecting Rukia by the wrist toward him. Rukia tried not to fall into Ichigo's lap as Kitara hauled her onto couch with unbelievable brute force for a six year old. So she fell onto him, unceremoniously having the air knocked out of him as her knee slammed into his abdomen, narrowly missing his groin. She blushed furiously, falling on him was becoming a habit she was starting to enjoy. Her chest heaved and it was dangerously close to his face in their weird position, her chin on his head. Ichigo watched the ryhtematic heave of her chest as she took in each breath. How hypnotizing. He smirked.

Maybe Kitara wasn't so bad after all.

She rolled of him quickly and sat next to him awkwardly on the couch. Little did they both know, as they were too engrossed in the current incident, Kitara had another little trick up her sleeve. Click. Click. Came two resounding noises from below. Ichigo glanced down first and swallowed before yelping.

The little devil had handcuffed them. Ichigo's left hand and Rukia's right were now encased in a joining metal trap.

'Kitara! Take this off now!' screeched Rukia lifting her hand up and Ichigo's in the process. Ichigo's eyes flashed a dangerous shade.

Kitara just giggled madly. 'What If I don't wanna,' she grinned.

Rukia's pretty eyes so dangerously, Ichigo found himself shuddering. 'I'll call Byakuya,' she said in a deadly tone.

Kitara shuddered in obvious fear at the sound of her strict father's name.

'Alright! I was just kidding!,' she said at once.



Rukia smiled in victory, attempting to get off the couch, but was yanked back down by the weight of Ichigo's body. She sat down with a thump again and massaged her wrist.

Kitara fumbled around in her dungaree pockets with a sulky smirk. The smirk completely wiped off Kitara's face as her eyes widened. 'The keys are at home!' she wailed suddenly, referring to Byakuya and Hisana's home. Ichigo roared. 'Come on, you have got to be kidding me!' he said pouncing to his feet, Rukia forced to comply as he jerked her off the couch too.

'Sorry,' he muttered as Rukia hissed in pain.

'Oh dear,' said Rukia's old doorman.

'James!' Rukia pleaded, but the old doorman shook his head, who had been watching the scene pitifully.

'I'm sorry Miss Rukia, but there really isn't anything I can do,' he said sadly.

Ichigo glanced at his watch. Shit. He had to go. Now. The men were bringing in his new study table and he had to be there to open the door for them. He cursed inwardly and tried to run his fingers through his hair, but stopped halfway as he realized he was dragging Rukia's dainty wrist up in the process.

He sighed.

'Rukia, we'll figure this one out later, but we really have to go to my place now,' he said to her.

She blinked up at him in disbelief.

'B-but-' she began but he walked to the door, and she was forced to walk along, dragged by her right arm, Rukia stumbling slightly in tow. He stopped abruptly as they reached the elevator, and she crashed into his back.

Ichigo Kurosaki smelt good. So good Rukia wouldn't mind having her nose buried a little while longer in his jacket. She was resisting the urge to put her arms around his waist and pull him closer. It was a mix of masculinity and something so addictive. His scent was undeniably soothing. She wondered what his actual skin must smell like. Rukia blinked rapidly at the severity of her thoughts.

Wait. What? Was she just fantasizing over a guy she had met this morning?

This was wrong. So wrong. She immediately shifted a little away from him as they got in the elevator. As far as she could before the handcuffs stopped her anyway.

Ichigo noticed this and glanced at her sideways.

Was she feeling uncomfortable? After all, they barely knew each other. Was she feeling helpless over the fact that she was chained to him, and wouldn't be able to run if he did try something? Not that he ever would. I mean don't get him wrong, he'd like to get a little more personal with Rukia Kuchiki –or even a lot more given her legs looking like that- (he didn't even want to get started on the rest of her), but never ever against her will, or knowing her a little better.



That was the weird thing. He'd just met her and he felt like they'd known each other for a long time.

Ichigo shifted uncomfortably. This was a bad idea. There was no turning back now all credits to Kitara, they were stuck to each other, for God knows how long.

There was a stiff silence between them until the elevator opened. Ichigo stepped out first and they walked briskly down the hallway. People passing them gave them weird stares as the metal clinked rythymatically. Old people shook their head whilst the younger ones whistled approvingly.

'Hey Skip,' Ichigo said acknowledging a figure standing near his room door.

Ichigo greeted his young neighbour as he neared his door. Rukia paused to take him in. He was tall and lanky, messy brown hair falling into his hazy-green eyes. His clothes were baggy and worn, and he held a skateboard in one arm. He had half-lidded eyes and a permanently stoned look on his face. He looked like a little boy who lacked parental control. A huge smirk overtook his face as his eyes fell on Rukia.

'Dude, you're first day and you've already picked up a pretty lady? You've got talent,' he sleazed his eyes travelling Rukia's petite frame.

Ichigo blushed. 'Nah, this is my friend, Rukia. Rukia this is Skip Grey, and if you know what's best for you, I'd recommend you stay away,' said Ichigo sarcastically lifting a hand to indicate each other.

Skip's eyes fell on the handcuffs and widened.

'Woah, I like this one. She's kinky!' he nodded in approval.

Ichigo tugged a hand down his face irritably.

Author's Note : Hey people! Thanks for reviewing! Glad to know ya'll like it. I'll update as soon as possible, Okay? Please keep them reviews coming

Jaa Ne, IchigoRukiaforever )