A/N: An early update! My final lesson today was cancelled, so I finished college today at 10.30, which gives me a LOT of free time. You might find this chapter boring, because it's an 'in-between' chapter - my word for those chapters that HAVE to be done to progress the story smoothly. Please, please be patient with me guys...I promise the best bit is still yet to come, and hopefully you will enjoy it! Please understand that these 'in-betweens' are necessary for the fluidity and the pace of the story to remain constant...otherwise I'd have to put in more time-skips, and I really don't wanna do that. Really.

First of all, I'd like to thank the following people: Tensai-Teki Kuroneko, PikaDigi, Glon Morski, Crystalline Arch, Noitca, Otta, sloaniebear, Alpha male, DeviantHollow23, and Dark Hollow Fox for reviewing and/or subscribing to my story! Your support is really what keeps me going, and without it, I wouldn't have the heart to write this fanfic. I've been getting some really great suggestions too lately, so I'm really pleased with that- thankyou! Remember, if you want constant updates like these, please continue to review/subscribe to my story, and don't forget to tell your friends! The more/reviews/subscriptions I have, the faster I'll get these updates out. In fact, I might get a second update out by tomorrow, hell, even TODAY, if people want it! So make your voice heard ;D

All you gotta do is press that heavenly little button at the bottom of the chapter that says 'Review this Chapter'. Not only will you get faster updates if you do, you also get FREE COOKIES AND LEMONADE! And if you don't like either of those...I have other stuff. Like marshmallows. And bonbons. And smores. (I've never had smores, because I'm BRITISH and we eat SCONES and CRUMPETS.) It's true. I love tea, scones, and crumpets. And muffins. But no, I don't have wooden teeth or wear a flat cap. That is so passé.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach. If I did, I would be dead right now, at the hands of an IchiHime fan who got pissed because I made IchiRuki canon and killed Orihime. MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

...she's okay, really. Lol.

I hope you enjoy the chapter! :D


"Well, that was strange…" Rukia murmured, as she walked down the narrow alleyway to her house. She was thinking about the whole incident at the palace with Ichigo, and how he'd behaved so…. strangely. That was the only way she could describe it, really. Did he hate her too? No, not possible. He had no reason to hate her, whatsoever. He didn't even know her.

Something else was really bugging her, though. As someone who liked to analyse everything in the tiniest detail until she was satisfied, the earlier events posed itself as somewhat of an enigma to her, which unsettled her.

"I think you're the first to even bother showing up…" Ichigo had said. Did that mean nobody else had bothered applying for the job at the manor? That, in itself, was strange. Rukia remembered that when one of the kitchen jobs had been available a few years back, countless girls had fought with each other in order to get the job. In the end, they had hired a male in order to avoid conflict, much to extreme disappointment. Then why had no one but her applied this time?

Something was definitely going on, and Rukia was determined to get to the bottom of it.

Deep in thought, she hadn't realised where she was. She looked up to see a small, dingy shop with small, dusty windows and a faded blue door in front of her. Above the shop were the letters 'AZANAKI TWENTY FOUR HOUR SWEET SHOPPE' emblazoned and embossed in a bright, shiny gold, which glowed radiantly in the shimmering light of the full moon. The tattered sign on the door still read 'OPEN' despite it being 11pm. Curious, Rukia stepped inside.

Mihito, the owner of the shop, was stood behind the counter, dusting the various jars of traditional sweets, humming a classic tune under her breath. She noticed Rukia, and smiling, walked up the counter.

"How can I help you at this time, Rukia-san?" she asked. Mihito Azanaki was an elderly woman in her seventies, renowned across the empire for selling the tastiest sweets. It was common from people from distant lands to come and taste her sweets, they were that good. The Azanaki's were traditionally a family of confectioners, dating back over 300 years. Nobody made sweets like they did.

"Hmm…." Rukia contemplated, a smile on her face as she spotted a jar of strawberry bonbons, which were down to its last few.

"I suppose I don't need to ask, do I?" Mihito enquired, her tone friendly. Rukia was extremely fond of strawberry bonbons, and was always the first thing she bought every time she visited the sweet shop. "I'm afraid we're down to the last few, sweetie," she continued, a hint of regret in her voice.

"Do I still get the Chappy toy with it?" Rukia asked eagerly.

"I saved the last one, especially for you, Rukia-san," the elderly woman smiled. Clearly she was fond of Rukia, as she had been a regular customer to the shop ever since she was old enough to walk and talk.

"I'll wrap the rest for you, shall I? And don't worry, I'll give you a special Chappy bag with it."

"Yay!" Rukia exclaimed loudly. This surprised Mihito a little, especially as Rukia didn't often express her emotions this way. Chappy was an exception, though. Rukia adored Chappy.

Feeling content, Rukia strolled out of the shop, and headed home, munching on her beloved strawberry bonbons.


Ichigo sighed. He was so bored. He glanced at the clock, which currently read 12am. Jeez, shouldn't he be asleep by now?

He got up and opened the luxurious mahogany cupboard, taking out a small, yet thick, blue notebook. It had a soft leather cover, and was bound by a elegant red ribbon, which was twisted around a small gold clasp complete with a lock. This lock could only be opened by one key- which hung around Ichigo's neck.

He opened the lock, and slowly flicked through the pages, reading random entries here and there, colouring slightly. He felt slightly embarrassed at what he had written, feeling childish. But at least, this way, he was honouring his mother's wishes.

'Dear Diary…' he began. 'No, scratch that. I sound like a freaking gay. What moron writes 'Dear Diary' anyway? Except for Ishida, maybe…'

'Hi there,' he began. 'Erm…what to say?' He really had no idea, since he hadn't written in his diary for almost 2 years. The entry before that had been a blow-by-blow description of his first proper victory of Ishida in hand-to-hand combat. Feeling slightly guilty, he continued.

'It's been a while, I know. I've had a lot to do…sorry. Are you mad at me? I know…there's a lot you could blame me for. But I really hope you aren't mad. I went to the bakery to buy my favourite chocolate donuts. I met an idiot there, who tried to be funny with me, so I mocked his stupid pink hair. The punk had it coming, though. Then that stupid Ishida started yelling at me, and of course I had to go with him, otherwise his ass of a father would start yelling at me again. Can you believe that guy? Speaking of Ryuuken Ishida…well, he started on me again. Why the hell does he always have to pick on me for? I bloody well didn't do anything to him…or I don't think I did, anyway. Unless he found out that I spiked Ishida's drink that night. Nobody's actually supposed to know that...

Mom, I'm sick of this. No, I really am. Ishida's dad always treats me like I'm some sort of big asshole, and he's always having a go at me. Like it's my fault I have orange hair, or something. I still don't get that, by the way. If you had brown hair, and dad had black hair, then how come I have orange hair? I mean even Karin and Yuzu got their hair off you guys. This is seriously fucked up. Ehm…excuse my language, Mom. I suppose you'd tell me off for that.

So yeah, just as I thought my day couldn't get any worse, that midget shows up. You know, the Kuchiki girl? And then she starts having a go at me, like she's some sort of high and mighty. But…and this is the weird thing, she's the only one who turned up for the cleaning job. I mean last time, there were about a hundred girls trying to murder each other for the job. Weird, huh?

Now I can't sleep. I'm freaking tired, though. So…I guess I'll go now. Hope you're okay up there.

Ichigo.'

He finished the diary entry there, and stopped for a moment to inspect what he had written. That would be satisfactory. Somehow, he felt as though a weight had been lifted off his chest. He knew that writing in a diary, especially to his Mom would be considered really dorky. But as long as nobody knew…

Ichigo sighed once more, sadly. It was nearly 10 years to the day since his Mom had died, and his father had been taken away, leaving him and his two sisters as orphans. Life hadn't been good since then, but his sisters, and his mother's promise kept him going, and he was determined to never let them down. If he lost all hope, what would happen to Karin and Yuzu?

"Oi, Kurosaki, what the hell do you think you're doing?" came an angry voice. Turning around, he saw Ishida standing in the doorway, looking downright furious.

"What do you want, you idiot?" Ichigo replied too tired to care. It was getting late.

"Where did you put it?" Ishida demanded, grabbing the collar of Ichigo's robes.

"What?" Ichigo questioned, perplexed. He really had no idea what Ishida was talking about…

"I said, where did you put it!" he repeated, his voice rising to a yell.

"What the hell, Ishida? Stop nagging me would you?" Ichigo retorted, feeling slightly fed up. What the hell was with this guy?

"Where's my Quincy armband?" Ishida asked once more, his voice brisk.

"I wouldn't know where your hair band is, so stop nagging," Ichigo said, glaring at Ishida.

"Armband," Ishida corrected, irritated.

"What do I care? I said stop nagging me and fuck off, you pussy. I'm tired, okay?"

"Give it back," Ishida snarled.

"I said I don't have it!" Ichigo yelled, exasperated. "Just get lost, would ya?"

"Ugh, whatever…" Ishida grumbled, as he strode out of the room.

"Dickhead…" Ichigo muttered, pacing the room for a few moments.

Ichigo flopped down onto the bed, closing his eyes, breathing deeply. He was out within seconds.


Rukia could hear voices. She stepped into the cool house, the bakery silent now that it was shut for the night. One of the voices was unmistakably that of her sister…but who was the other?

The voices seemed calm, she was sure of that. So therefore, nothing was wrong…was it? They were coming from upstairs, though. Hisana never invited anyone upstairs, if she could avoid it. What on earth was going on…?

Stealthily, Rukia crept up the stairs, confused and a little curious. Hisana and a stranger were sat on her bed, conversing in low, soothing voices.

"I'm staying for good," the stranger was saying. "I have duties towards the two of you. I can assure you I won't be leaving in a hurry this time,"

"That's a relief to hear, Byakuya-sama," Hisana was saying, a smile on her face.

Wait…Nii-sama?

Byakuya turned around, his cold grey eyes boring into hers.

"Hello, Rukia," he spoke in that solemn way of his.

"Hello….Nii-sama," Rukia replied, meekly. Was she afraid?

'Don't be silly…' she muttered to herself.

"What was that, Rukia?" Hisana asked, a tone of happiness to her voice that Rukia hadn't noticed previously.

"Oh nothing, talking to myself…well, er, I won't disturb you…" she made to go downstairs, but was cut off by Hisana.

"No that's okay, me and Byakuya-sama were just about to go downstairs. You go to sleep, we have to get up early, remember?"

"Of course…" As if she'd forget. 'Uh, Hisana? I erm…" she hesitated a second, before continuing. "I got the job…"

"Oh, that's great to hear!" Hisana replied enthusiastically. "Did you hear that, Byakuya-sama?"

"Yes." He replied, a man of few words.

"I start at 8, finish at…actually, I'm not sure…" Rukia said, thinking hard.

"Oh, okay," Hisana replied, a sad tone in her voice. She was so accustomed to Rukia being around her all the time that it was hard to let go like that. Little did she know that it was just the beginning.


"Clean the room, dust it, tidy the bed, make sure it's absolutely spotless," the Chief Servant barked, showing a ruthless side of him that Rukia had yet not seen- but which was common to everyone else.

He could at least be a little nicer.

She stalked upstairs, climbing the ornate staircase, panting with every breath she took. Man, there were so many damn steps. Why did his room have to be all the way on the fucking top floor?

Still concentrating on following the Chief Servant's hasty directions to Ichigo's room, she didn't notice him hurtling towards her at full speed, clearly having other things to do. This, unfortunately for both of them, resulting in an almighty crash.

"Holy shit-"

"What the fuck…"

They both stood up at the same time, rubbing their heads. Rukia glanced upwards to see a very irritated Ichigo glaring at her.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, you fucking midget?" he demanded, a menacing expression on his face.

"I could ask you the same!" Rukia retorted, now angry. What right did he have to insult her like that? Who the fuck did he think he was?

"At least watch where you're going? Oh right, I can't say that, since you're too tiny to spot anything higher than a table, or something," he responded sarcastically.

"You stupid ass, you're so full of yourself, you know that?" Rukia shouted, pissed. He was really getting on her nerves now. If he wasn't careful, she'd end up punching him. Not that he would care…. he'd probably just laugh at the sight of her trying to reach his face, so she decided against it. Besides, she'd probably be arrested or something.

"So?" Ichigo shrugged. What did he care?

"Just because you're wealthy, it doesn't give you the right to insult others just like that!"

Ichigo stepped back a little, taken aback. Nobody ever spoke to him like that. Except…yeah, Ishida. But morons didn't count.

"You're seriously retarded, you know that?" Ichigo spoke, his voice deadly quiet.

Then he walked away.

Rukia could only stop and stare at him in anger, her fists clenched, seeting silently.

She would make him pay.


So what did you think of Ichigo's REAL side? Yes, he's a huge softie when it comes to his mother, and maybe his sisters...and no, he really doesn't give a shit about much else. That is obvious, I think...

What about Rukia? Yep, I made a Chappy reference xD most of the IchiRuki fanfics I've read have Chappy in them. It's a MUST. I only used strawberry bonbons because they're PINK. XD

I know it's a bit short-ish, but I find that my mind works that way. I find it easier to do loads of chapters instead of a few long ones, because for me, the pacing is better, the story is fluid and smooth, and I can add more detail to it.

I also know that you might have found it a little boring in terms of progression- there's not much going on, I agree. However, as I said before...it's necessary! D: it's for the sake of the pacing. Just wait till later, I have several surprises for you all. No, you'll never guess ;) or at least I hope you don't. Hehe ;D

I'll try my best to get another update out today, if I can. If not, most likely tomorrow...or even Friday. Actually, it's sorta a conflict...I want to release a chapter on my birthday too! D:

Till next time~

~Tazski