Title: Struck

Rukia looked out the window. "Ichigo, what is that?"

Ichigo sat up, pulling his blanket tightly around him. He rolled his eyes. "Do you need me to lift you up to get a better view midget? That is snow."

"Snow?" Rukia asked, trying to get a better look.

Ichigo sighed. "Come with me."

He threw his blanket side and picked up his winter coat from the end of his bed. Rukia followed him, grabbing hers as well.

"Tell me Ichigo! What is it?" Rukia demanded as they flew down the stairs. "It looks like ashes, Ichigo. Did something explode over your house?"

Ichigo rolled his eyes. and grabbed her gloved hands. "Come on, it's going to be cold."

"I know that!" Rukia stated. "It's been cold for weeks now."

He smirked. "It's definitely colder now."

Rukia looked at him oddly as he wrapped his scarf tightly around his narrow neck. He tossed her a scarf as well.

She sighed and wrapped it around her neck.

Ichigo threw open the door to the house and brought her out to get a better look.

"ICHIGO!! IT'S REALLY COLD!" She shouted, her voice shaky.

"I told you it would be." He muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets.

She looked at the fluffy white stuff coating the ground. "Is this how powdered sugar is made, Ichigo?"

Ichigo held back a laugh. "no Rukia, this is snow."

"WHAT THE HELL IS IT? It's cold as ice, looks like powdered sugar, what is it?" Rukia demanded, stomping her foot,

A flurry of snow went flying up and she looked at it in wonder.

"It's frozen rain." Ichigo stated, sounding rather bored.

Rukia looked at him like he was crazy.

He rolled his eyes. Suddenly a thought struck him as he watched the girl wander aimlessly in the snow. He took his hands from his pockets and bent down to gather some snow.

Rukia gasped at how beautiful everything looked in a blanket of snow. Suddenly it hit her. She turned around and scowled.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR!" She yelled.

Ichigo Smirked. "Rukia, it's time you've learn about war." He knelt to the ground and gathered another snow bomb. He stood up and glared about her. "This.. is what us humans, call a snow ball fight."

"A snow ball wha-" She was cut off as another flew towards her.

He twitched slightly and did what Ichigo did. She gathered some snow in her hand and threw it at Ichigo. It was blown away in the wind as if it were sand.

Ichigo smirked.

"HOW DID YOU MAKE THAT SNOW BALL!" She yelled.

He rolled his eyes and knelt into the snow, slowly rolling the ball in his hands.

She did the same and they both threw at the same time. Each person was hit square in the face.

Rukia laughed lightly. "You humans have the weirdest fun."

Ichigo smiled and threw another ball at Rukia.

She scowled.

The war continued for hours, both having a blast. Ichigo was having fun playing this game of war with Rukia and thought he would never admit it, he felt warm each time she smiled after a hit. Even though his face was cold.

Bye the time the two had gotten worn out their gloves had been cast aside, too wet to be useful, their jackets had been taken off, the running making them over heat, and their faces and hands were bright red.

She breathed heavily as they met in the middle of the street for a truce. She reached out her hand and he did his. The grasped for a moment before parting.

"Truce?" Ichigo asked.

Rukia smiled. "Truce, for now."

She began to shiver from the breeze. Ichigo noted this and wrapped a warm around around her.

"You should have kept your jacket on." He stated, as they walked towards their pile of discarded winter wear.

"It slowed my down and made me hot." She stated, enjoying the warmth of his arm around her.

"That is it's purpose." Ichigo stated.

They reached the pile of clothes and Ichigo grabbed both of their coats. He offered Rukia his help and she accepted. Ichigo gently helped her into her coat after he pulled his on. She nodded in thanks as soon as he had finished pulling it over her arms. Her cold fingers fumbled with the buttons and she cursed under her breath.

Ichigo looked at the girl in pity. He got to his knees and grasped her hands. "Let me help."

She nodded dumbly as he slowly did up the buttons of her jacket. He began to stand as th buttons became higher and soon her stood, towering above her, his hand on the last button, doing it up gently. She looked up at him and he looked down at her. Their gazes locked in soft contact. Ichigo leant in slightly, something over coming him. Rukia took a deep breath and closed her eyes as Ichigo came closer to her face.

"IIIIIIIIIICHIIIIIIIIIIIGOOOOOOOO." His father shouted, snapping the two from their almost kiss.

Ichigo glared at his father.

"Ichigo, my boy!" Isshin cried, tears freezing on his cheeks. "You are growing up so fast! Rukia, I approve of you!"

Rukia turned red and Ichigo scowled.

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT YOU CRAZY PSYCHOPATH!" Ichigo shouted.

"Masaki, look at our boy, all grown up and with a lovely girlfriend." His father sang, pulling out a pocket sized picture of Masaki. Isshin danced around Ichigo's well aimed kicks and made his way to Rukia. He shoved the picture in her face. "Rukia, my daughter, say hello to your future mother!"

Rukia looked at Ichigo for help. She smirked when she saw what he was doing.

Isshin froze.

"Dad." Ichigo stated, smirking as his father turned around. In Ichigo's arms rested a good ten snowballs. Isshin's eyes went wide. He turned to Rukia only a moment later to see her arms loaded as well.

"Better start running old man."

A/N: so yeah in honour of Utah's first snow (at least in the valley) we got like two inches and it got me in the mood.