Disclaimer: I don't own bleach or IchiRuki would be cannon already.

IchiRuki Chapter :D

Please forgive me for any mistakes since I pushed this chapter out early as a Valentines gift to all.

Smiling as he stood on the other side of the door holding it closed. "Open it up, you Reiatsu leaking Baboon" she yelled from the other side of the door.

Scowling he opened the door and stepped back, "One, Renji is the Baboon, and two, I don't leak Reiatsu" he smirked yet his eyes told her he was being serious.

Kicking him hard in the shin, she walked in to the room over his crippled form on the ground. Closing her eyes in front of the wardrobe she investigated into the small changes she had felt earlier with his Reiatsu. Gasping she turned around to him, eyes wide open "Your Reiatsu you're actually controlling it" the tone of surprise standing out obvious.

"Really?" he answered sarcasm obvious in his voice as he pushed himself off the ground with a groan.

Nodding her head "It's hard to describe, it's still thick but it's controlled not wild and untamed like before, although it feels… different" she finished quietly not wanting to comment how much darker his Reiatsu seemed.

"Ichigo?" she asked quietly as his face went blank at her comment

It was like the atmosphere in the room changed suddenly; one second they were playing around and next the room was silent and cold, like as if death his self was present.

Rubbing his temples for a second, he knew he needed to tell her but would she be able to accept him with the changes that he had gone through. "Rukia a lot has changed, such as my inner world has always been unstable until today, today was the first time that it was in a stable state".

"That's good isn't it", she knew that it couldn't be a good sign but she wanted him to stay positive. Pushing aside her personal space bubble she placed a hand tenderly on his chest, she had promised herself that she would be here for him. Waiting for his reply she received no response from him. "It your hollow isn't it? You know you can talk to me about it, he doesn't scare me Ichigo".

Taking a steady breath he looked down to her tiny form, it was too late now she would only worry if he didn't explain something's to her. Would she still be able to touch him? Stand close to him? Would she still talk to him? He couldn't stand the thought of not having her by his side fighting hollows, or would the Soul Society be fighting him now.

"Tell her King or I will" growled his hollow.

Closing his eyes to avoid seeing her reaction, he hardened his resolve "To reach the same level as Aizen I had to merge the three parts of my soul, the Human, Shinigami and Hollow. As I said before due to my Hollow's regeneration I was able to keep my Reiatsu, except it meant we remained merged to an extent. Rukia that's why my Reiatsu is darker now as it's permanently that of my hollows as well. Well the truth is, I'm just as much Hollow as I am Shinigami and human."

"Ichigo" she whispered softly, as she removed her hand from his chest only to watch him flinch and start turning away at the loss of contact. Thinking quickly grabbed his hand and pulled it towards her, all he ever done was protect those around him. For him losing his friends and family would be one sole thing that could break him and unleash the monster inside for good.

"Look at me baka" she almost shouted out of worry as he still hadn't turned around to look towards her.

He could feel her grip tighten as she held his hand within hers, looking down out of the corner of his eye, "How can you not be afraid of me? The side of me that has been my instincts to kill and survive has become more dominant, I don't know if I will be able to control it completely, I may not even know when that instinct is there."

"Because I trust you, I know will always be there to protect me… Because you are still you Ichigo. Every time you raise your sword to protect someone, each swing you take, every step you take is instinct. If your hollow is your instinct then he has always been there every time you fought to protect your friends and family; its how you use that instinct that says who you are."

Sliding his hand out of hers he wrapped his arms around her, he should have never had doubted her. She was always there for him every time giving him the support he needed, she could always read him like and open book and knew what he needed to hear to stop the rain. "Thank you Rukia" he whispered quietly into her ear as he tightened the hug trying to convey just how much what she had said meant to him.

Wrapping her arms around him she rested her head against his chest, "you know you're in my personal space" she reminded him, although she was enjoying the warmth coming off him. Truly she didn't mind his touch; it always made her feel safe and warm.

Laughing silently to himself he knew getting in Rukia's personal bubble usually meant you were issued with a death warrant, but now it seem like he had a free pass. "Well it's not like I haven't already been in it a few times today, what's one more" he reminded her of her actions earlier.

"Shut up baka".

Standing alone in the middle of Ichigo's room as she watched the bedroom door close as he went for a shower, she slowly lifted a hand to her ear where his hot breath had touched, feeling her cheeks start to burn up a rosy red she dropped fell back on top of his bed as her mind started to spin. So many thoughts and feelings flashed through her head.

Shutting her eyes and sinking into her inner world, she needed someone she could talk too, someone who had been with her the last few weeks, lending her support and quickly becoming her closest friend beside Ichigo.

Standing on the tip of the ancient pine tree next to her Zanpakuto spirit as the wind gently shifted around them. It had been silent for a while as Rukia gathered her thoughts, waiting patiently her Zanpakuto looked out over the forest until she heard her companion finally speak up.

"Shirayuki today when Ichigo woke up I felt so relieved, although I can't believe I slapped him, I was just so angry that he would risk himself like that for me. But that's not the worse part I hugged him in front of the others like that, I don't know what made me do it but I know I needed to know he was going to be alight". Stopping to catch her breath, her Zanpakuto nodded for her to continue and get it all out on the table. "Just now he hugged me, it felt amazing being held in his arms like that Shirayuki. I know his held me before but that was in combat not like this, nobody has ever held me like that."

Not giving her Zanpakuto time to respond she stopped her feet on the tree branch, in a childish manner. "Gah" she screamed "I don't know what to do, I think my feelings for him are becoming more than that of a friend" she blurted the last part out as she finished her own little rant.

Looking down at to her confused wielder next to her, Shirayuki let out a soft giggle "Oh sweetie you are too cute but you know your feelings are more than that of a friend for him so don't try and deny them. Now about that hug this just before, Rukia the only person with a personal bubble bigger then you is your brother and saying that, if you want your friendship with Ichigo to become something more you will need to let him in".

Taking into considering what her Zanpakuto had told her as she looked away off in to the distance thinking about Ichigo. "I'm scared Shirayuki, I don't know if he feels the same and what if it doesn't work I don't want to ruin our friendship because of it, I'd be lost without out him, he means so much to me. I mean look at me I don't have what Rangiku and Orihime have and I'm not beautiful like you" indicating to her own Zanpakuto".

Lifting her hand to display the snow-covered tree tops "Your inner world its beautiful isn't it?" asked her Zanpakuto.

Looking up at her Zanpakuto a little confused, "You are the most beautiful Zanpakuto so it fits that my inner would be a match to your's" she said quietly as Shirayuki smiled down at her.

"See that's where you are wrong, the inner world reflects your soul not mine, since I'm a part of you. It's when you're unhappy that the birds don't sing and the snow doesn't fall". Reaching up she let some snow fall into her hand, "the snow started again when he woke Rukia and it would be nice to hear the forest animals come out once more"

"It's different, I'm short, bossy and flat chested." she argued back not believing her Zanpakuto's words.

Grabbing both of the younger girls hands, she held them between her own "You are also, thoughtful, understanding and respectful along with much more Rukia, You are the only one who can pull him from his moods, remember on top of Sokyoku hill he gained the strength to save you."

"But" Rukia started only to have her Zanpakuto silence her.

"You are able to read his heart in his eyes and he can read yours no matter how much you wear that mask you can never hide from him. What I'm trying to get through to you is looks aren't important; it's what's inside that counts. Although saying that I wouldn't worry too much about your looks, if his gaze and blush indicated anything when he was lying in your lap this afternoon, it's that he likes what you have."

Going bright red in embarrassment "Shirayuki" Rukia squeaked at her swords spirit "Do you really think he sees that in me" she asked timidly.

"Oh honey he sees that and more he doesn't want a stereotypical girl, you're perfect for him. Both of you are so thick; you could have been together ages ago if one of you guys open your eyes to see who perfect you are."

"I don't know what to do though?"

"Just let things play out as they do, I'm positive you will enjoy the results but a word from the wise if his anything like Zangetsu then he will need a good kick in the ass every so often".

Quickly hugging her Zanpakuto "Thanks" she smiled, when her spirits last words sunk in, "Wait, what do you mean about Zangetsu? Shirayuki!" she glared.

Tapping the side of her nose her she smiled "Secret" as the wold dissolved into blackness around her.

Walking back into his room he noticed Rukia laying spread out on the bed, evidently in her inner world at the temperature in the room. It was amazing how she couldn't feel the cold from her Zanpakuto but if the weather was cold outside she would shake like an old truck and her skin would be like ice. Quietly shutting the door he walked back downstairs, he might as well get his talk to his Imouto and Chichi about what happened before he retired for the night.

Slowly opening her eyes she looked around the room, with no sign of Ichigo she felt out for the source of his spiritual pressure. Tracking his Reiatsu to the lounge room, she could feel Reiatsu of the members of his family around him. Reaching over she pulled out a manga Yuzu had lent her last week, she would give him a bit of time with his family while she thought about her conversation with her Zanpakuto.

Flicking her eyes to him from the manga when his bedroom door slowly opened, "You ok?" she asked noticing the bothered look on his face when as he walked in.

A little unsure how to responded he moved over to the bed and sank into it next to her, "Karin and Yuzu told me how you explained everything to them about me being a soul reaper."

Looking down at the cover of the book in her hand "Sorry… I know i shouldn't have told them and it was your position to tell them but they were so worried for you, I had to explain it to them. I would have wanted the same so it seemed fair; they needed to know why you were in a coma".

"Rukia" he sighed resting his hand on her head and giving it a light ruffle, "I'm not angry with you, you did the right thing. It's just they mentioned how worried you were as well, you alright now?"

Rolling over with her back facing him, she was nervous about this conversation. "Of course I 'am, and we were all worried baka… Seeing you like that was difficult for all of us, you have always been invincible, watching you go down after a battle had us all worried."

"Rukia" Ichigo gently called out as his place a hand on her arm. "I didn't mean to make everyone worry I just couldn't let that son of a bitch hurt those I care about. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I just stood by and let him take over the world".

Feeling his hand on her arm she relaxed a bit, yet she couldn't shake these stupid tears that were threatening to fall. She had locked them away when she first seen him in his coma state. What good would she be if she was a crying mess?

Leaning over a bit he could see the tears welling up behind her eyes, as she fought to hold them back. He had never seen her cry once, what had happened that had made her this upset "Rukia is everything ok…"

"Ichigo we… I don't know what I would do without you. I can't go back to the Kuchiki Manor under the elders. I know Byakuya tries to protect me from them as much as possible but it doesn't stop there stares that make me feel less than trash." She croaked out as a tear slowly slipped down her cheek, soon followed by another. Feeling the tears start to run freely down her cheek, she let out a small sob.

Hearing the small sob Ichigo reached over a cupped his hand around her face and gently wiped over her cheek with his thumb as he lay down next to her. He didn't care about intimacy of his position as long as she was alright. Wrapping his arms around her small form, he pulled her small shaking body into him, hugging her softly. "Rukia I promises you will never have to go back to them ok" he softly stated to her.

Slightly stunned as she laid there crying in Ichigo's arms as he gently rubbed her tears away. Nobody had ever held her when she cried before; his embrace was something new. Was this what I was like being held by a loved one, to have some who truly cares about you that way? Could Ichigo possibly feel that way for her? In the Kuchiki mansion her only companion was a large Chappy the rabbit that she a brought one year as a Christmas present to herself. The Kuchiki's had always been so cold so she had never had anyone to support her when she was sick or sad.

Closing her eyes as the tears come to a stop she let out a small yawn. "Thank you, nobody has ever done this for me before, it's… nice". Unable to find a word to describe how she felt.

Feeling a sad smile breech his features "It's alright get some sleep; I can tell you haven't had much lately baggy eyes".

Not having the energy to ague back and his warmth luring her into sleep, she ignored his comment.

Laying his head down on his arms, he shut his eyes and rested until he heard the tiny snores escape her.

She had been snoring lightly for a while before he gently slipped his arm out from under her head, and extracted himself from the bed without waking her. Walking over to the wardrobe he retrieved her Duvet from inside and laid it out over her, before tucking it in to keep her warm, since she was lying on top of his. Softly closing the door behind as he exit the room he turned to face his father coming up the stairs.

"Everything alright" Isshin asked with a knowing smile.

"Rukia she fell asleep on my bed so I'm just going to sleep in the lounge" he said quietly hoping his father wouldn't make a parade of it.

Nodding his head "I thought that might happen the poor girl has had barely any sleep while she has looked after you, I hope you thanked her".

"Don't worry I did Oyaji"

"And Ichigo" his father called out softly walking to the end of the hall to his room, "I left the heater on and the blankets are on the end of the sofa. You did the right thing son, bringing him down." As he finished his sentence he walked into his room, leaving Ichigo alone in the hallway.

Stirring as he heard movement around him and soft giggles, he twitched his nose as he felt something tickled it? Snapping his eyes open he looked up at Karin and Rukia floating over him with a Texta in their hands. "Are you kidding me!" he screamed kicking off the blanket and running for mirror in the laundry.

Looking at each other the girls shared a smile "I think you guys should run before Oni-Chan gets back" Yuzu sighed before walking back into the kitchen. She knew what the girls were planning and could have woken Ichigo easily, but her small sly part was content with sitting back and watching the chaos evolve.

"RUKIA!" shouted Ichigo looking into the mirror at the small pictures of Chappy the Rabbit kicking little soccer balls around his face, yet it was the large Kenji for Strawberry written on his forehead that made his knuckles whiten on the laundry troth.

Nodding to Karin as Ichigo came stomping down the hall from the laundry; they waited until he was only feet in front of him. Smiling a sweet smile and putting on her best school girl voice that Ichigo hated. "Berry-Kun is there anything I can help out with since you called me?"

Watching Rukia's little performance as the older girl laced her fingers behind her back and danced one foot on its toes around on the floor while softly biting the corner of her lip. Unable to control herself she fell to the ground laughing as her brothers expression change from angry to something else that she didn't really want to think about.

Rukia-Nee could twist her brother's fingers behind his back with just a look. She had never met someone who could have her brother bark like a dog.

Turning his glare on to his sister Ichigo scoop Rukia up and throw her over his shoulder and stomped over to his sister with an evil look in his eye.

"Shit" swore Karin; maybe her brother could resist anything. "How?" She questioned him.

"What do you mean how?" growled Ichigo dumping Rukia next to his sister on the floor.

"What do you mean how? That girl is irresistible and you, you just throw her over your shoulder like she is a sack of potatoes. Shouldn't you be like a melted puddle on the floor drooling and doing whatever she wants?" question Karin.

Scowling his signature scowl he looked at his sister "if she didn't put on that annoying voice then yes I might have been. Now this shit better come off without a mark or both you better be afraid to sleep tonight" he growled before turning and going upstairs to wash his face.

Turning to the younger girl Rukia gulped "Did the baka really just say that?" she asked half distracted as she thought about the night before.

"Yep he sure did, now what are you going to do?" Karin asked as Yuzu walked over eager to hear the answer herself.

"I don't know" admitted Rukia softly to the girls.

"Common Rukia-Nee let's make the Chappy Cookies, Oni-Chan will be cranky for a bit anyway".

Peeking around the corner of the door frame, Isshin watched the girls walk towards the kitchen before pulling out his phone. "Byakuya we need to schedule a meeting, since you might not to worry about telling her about a suitor when she has to return."

If you guys like the idea of an IchiRuki Chapter that doesn't majorly build on the plot line, let me know and I can add one every so often.

P.S If anyone would like to create an image for my story please let me know.

Moonbite