A/N: Okay... I'm really sorry. I'll be honest with you. I had a lot of time to write this but I was busy with my love life. lol xD So I wrote this just now and decided to upload it right away since I know you've been waiting. I promise it won't happen again! I'll be quicker with updates next time since I know how it feels to wait.

and i forgot to do this...

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 3

-Ichigo-

I sighed… there's nothing else I could do. I'd have to find out what was going on first.

"It seems as if Kuchiki-san's memory was somehow cut short to when your relationship was still in the denial stage." Urahara stated.

It doesn't help that Urahara still calls her Kuchiki either. And I'll have you know I was the one who confessed first, not her.

Flashback

It had been about a year since Ginjo died. Rukia's visits became shorter and less frequent since she became lieutenant. This month though, since it was Christmas, she was allowed to stay for two weeks. I was really happy that I didn't even mind Byakuya tagging along, no matter how annoying that was. I had known I was in love with Rukia since she showed up stabbing me with a sword again. It's really no use denying it. For 18 months, I told myself I missed my shinigami powers, my power to protect. But the more I moped about it, the more I ended up thinking of her. Her petite figure, her gorgeous face, her cute nose, her beautiful amethyst eyes… Heck, call me crazy, but I even miss her kicks and punches. And when I saw her that night…

My thoughts were cut off by a petite fist hitting my jaw. Speak of the devil…

"Ow! What the hell was that for you stupid midget!?" I yelled, though I was trying not to smile.

She hit me again. Damn! She sure packs a punch. "Listen to me when I talk! And don't call me midget you idiotic strawberry!"

"Hey! Stop the hitting will ya? What were you talking about anyway?" I asked

"I was asking you what I should give to nii-sama on Christmas." She stated.

I raised an eyebrow, "Why the hell would you want my opinion? Why would I care about some stuck-up ass' gift anyway?" Sure, I respected Byakuya, a lot. But damn he's annoying as hell.

Great... I forgot who I was talking to. In 3, 2, 1.. "Agggh! The hell!" I shouted

"Don't talk about nii-sama that way!"

I groaned, "Fine. I'll take you out for your 'dear nii-sama's gift' later."

"Of course you will." she smirked

And I just can't help but smile at this. God, I missed her.

Christmas Eve

We had just finished dinner and was passing time waiting for the clock to strike twelve when we could finally open our presents.

"Ichigo, join us! I mean, what better way to win my cute little Rukia's heart than to bond with your future brother in law." This of course caused him a bruised cheek.

"Shut up old man!" Geez, can't he stop embarrassing me in front of Byakuya? Great... I see his eyebrow twitching already.

"uhh.. nii-sama, would you like to have some more cake?" Rukia offered, obviously trying to change topic. Who wanted to talk to Byakuya about his sister's future marital plans? Yup, lucky me. N-not that I'm planning to marry Rukia or anything. We're not even dating yet!

"No, thank you." Byakuya replied monotonously.

After that... everything else went normally. Well, as normal as we Kurosaki's could be. Until it was finally time for presents. We all opened our presents and thanked who had given it. I received two tickets of Chappy Land from Yuzu. "It's for your first date with Rukia nee-chan."I blushed at this but decided to ignore it. Karin had given me the album of my favourite singer. Dad gave me con- err… protection, which earned him a punch. Byakuya gave me something too. Surprising right? It was fancy and branded watch which caused a fortune, I could tell. But hey, what do you expect from Byakuya? And last, but certainly not the least, Rukia. She gave me the Shakespeare collection I had wanted my whole life. I thanked all of them of course.

"Onee-chan, what did you get for Rukia nee-chan?" Yuzu asked.

All eyes turned to me.

"Pffft. He probably forgot." Karin smirked while shaking her head disapprovingly.

"MY IDIOT SON! How could you forget to buy a gift for my lovely third daughter!?" my dad shouted, trying, and failing to deliver a kick to my head.

Byakuya didn't say anything but his glare said everything. I was so dead if I don't do anything. But you didn't actually believe that I was empty handed right?

"Shut up, old man!" I said, kicking my idiot father. "Of course I did!"

And before anyone could say something back, I carried Rukia and shunpoed to the roof. We had started the gift giving a little early so it wasn't really Christmas yet.

"Put me down you baka!"

"Alright, alright. Calm down."

I put her down and stared at her. After dusting the non-existent dust on her outfit, which was a santa dress that she looked so breath taking in, she stared back at me. It's now or never.

I leaned in, "Who would've thought that I'd fall in love with a midget…" and when I was centimeters from her face, "like you." I kissed her, just as the clock struck twelve. I know… cliché. There were even fireworks in the background… talk about timing.

She froze then relaxed after a while. I felt her arms around my neck and I wrapped mine around her waist, pulling her closer. I felt so happy. I don't know how I would've handled rejection. After a few moments, we finally broke it off and caught our breaths.

And suddenly, she punched me. I was panicking now. Maybe she was just caught up with the moment. Maybe she didn't really reciprocate my feelings. Maybe it was all—

"I'm in love with you too, baka. But didn't I already tell you not to call me midget!?"

Her punch hurt; really, really hurt. But I couldn't wipe the stupid grin that had made its way to my face.

I grabbed her hand, "Come on. Let's go back before Byakuya kills me."

She stomped on my foot and laughed, "Race ya!"

"Oy! You midget!"

MY midget… my midget girlfriend.

I followed her then stopped in my tracks. I face palmed. I totally forgot to give her my gift.

But that would be in another flashback.

-End of Flashback-

I remembered Urahara was still in the room. I looked at his amused face.

"I didn't want to interrupt you. So I had stopped talking and waited for you to listen."

"Sorry." I said.

"Now, about Kuchiki-san," Kurosaki… I corrected in my head for the millionth time. "Memory loss is the most logical answer. We're not sure yet but do whatever you could to try to let her remember. Meanwhile I'll try to find out what's really going on."

I sighed, "Alright. Thanks."

A/N: So... How was it? Sorry for the errors. Kinda wrote it in a rush again. Please leave your reviews. :)

And again sorry, I'll upload the next chapter tomorrow to make up for the days you've waited. :))