Warning IchiRuki fans be warned! There is IchiHime and RenjRuki fluff in this chapter!! Its part of the plot, so go with it!! Also a little limey… no lemon though!

Chapter 4: Oh yeah, I do have a girlfriend

"Ichigo, Rukia, what's going on?" Inoue asked innocently.

Rukia and Ichigo stood flabbergasted for a moment. Their eyes were very sensitive to the light Inoue had turned on, so their expressions went unnoticed. Had Inoue looked past those squinting eyes, she would have seen how shocked they were (more than they should have been under normal circumstances) by her appearance.

Rubbing his eyes, Ichigo was the first to speak up.

"I went after a hollow and Rukia was there. She got a little banged up so I asked her to come here to rest." He said plainly.

Inoue stared at Ichigo, then back at Rukia. The story sounded good enough; both shinigami's were bleeding and had bandages on, but why was Rukia avoiding eye contact with her?

"Well, since I'm here, I can fix you guys up if you want." She said deciding to believe what Ichigo had told her, rather than inquiry any further.

"No that's ok, Inoue, I'm not hurt badly. I should really get going." Rukia said, heading for the window.

Ichigo touched Rukia's shoulder, causing her to turn around to face him. She ended up standing a little closer to Ichigo than she would have liked in Inoue's presence. If she took another step their bodies would have been touching. But, so not to cause attention, she didn't back up, she stayed calm.

"I thought you were staying?" Ichigo asked, with slightly too much concern in his voice.

Ichigo was out of his mind. Rukia couldn't believe he actually wanted her to stay when he and Inoue would be in the same bed while she slept in Ishida's room. The thought alone gave her chills.

"No, Tatsuki is here, and I am sure she would like a bed. It won't take me long to get back. And I can get started on that report…" Rukia began.

Ichigo was about to insist she stay and get some rest before she left, but he noticed the uncomfortable looks on Rukia and Orihime.

"Oh yeah, I do have a girlfriend…"Ichigo sighed to himself as he scratched his head.

"Well, if you have to leave in such a hurry, please let me heal you Rukia, it's been so long since we've seen each other! It's the least I can do." Inoue said, sounding a bit more cheerful.

Rukia was happy the mood in the room had changed to friendly vibe. She didn't want to ruin the atmosphere so she accepted Inoue's help.

"Sure, thank you Inoue." Rukia answered.

No sooner than Rukia spoke, Inoue happily called out her fairies and healed Ichigo and Rukia in no time flat. Wounds like these were nothing to Inoue now. Her powers had greatly grown during the war and because of her close contact with Ichigo.

"See, all better!" Orihime said smiling.

Ichigo smiled back at her and she blushed. Orihime loved being able to help out where ever possible. She had always felt so useless during the war, even though she saved everyone's lives, almost at the cost of her own. She surprised everyone with her strength, but still, she feels as if she doesn't help out enough. But Ichigo's smile always reminded her of what happened long ago, his smile lets her know she's helping.

Flashback: The End of the War with Azien

"Oh my god…." Inoue said in horror with tears in her eyes as she looked at all of her dying friends.

Ichigo had to use all his power to defeat Azien. The blast backfired and not only killed Azien and all of his army…but the majority of the shinigami squads as well.

Inoue was covered in blood, but it was not hers. Her shield had protected her from the blast, but not the blood that surround the entire area. The blood had spurted in every direction; from behind, on top, every side. Her shield didn't cover every thing, just the blast that did this mess.

"I can heal them…I can heal them all…" she said out loud trying to hold back her tears.

Every one was dying or dead. Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, Ishida, Sado, Urahada, Yoruichi, were all covered in blood, body parts severed, hearts barely beating.

"Inoue…..don't….you'll die….." a very weak voice said to her.

It was Ichigo. Nothing could kill him. The sight of him gave her hope. She could heal them all.

"Don't worry Ichigo…. Inoue Orihime is stronger than you think. I'll save you and everyone…" she said smiling.

Ichigo stared at her with saddened eyes. Everyone was dying because of him; he didn't want anyone else to die.

Inoue breathed heavily and raised her arms. Suddenly her fairies came out brighter than ever. Inoue lifted into the sky, her eyes as well as her aura were glowing bright yellow.

"I REJECT!!" she yelled with all her might.

Energy bursts came from her body and created thousands of domes around every injured shinigami.

One by one, people started waking up. As soon as one was healed Inoue transferred the power she had on them to another injured person… she saved nothing for herself. All she could think about was saving everyone that had protected her, Inoue Orihime, a person who hardly did anything at all.

Ichigo looked up to see a goddess like image of Inoue. He glanced below her for a brief moment and his eyes widened at what he saw.

"INOUE!!!" he yelled as he was still being healed.

Beneath the yellow glowing goddess was a puddle of blood. He looked back at Inoue horrified, as he stared more he saw a woman that didn't look alive. Her clothing was ripped to shreds; her eyes, her arms, her fingers, her legs, everything, had gashes in them with blood pouring from the limbs dripping onto the ground.

Within the hour, everyone was healed. The glowing stopped.

All shinigami eyes were now looking toward the sky at the woman who had healed them all.

Inoue was floating motionless in the sky still covered in blood, only now, the blood was all hers.

"See, Kurosaki-kun… all better….." she said as she began falling to the ground.

"INOUE!!" Ichigo, Tatsuki, Rukia, Ishida, Sado, and Renji yelled in unison.

Ichigo caught her just before they she hit the ground. Her body was in shreds. He just stared at her with horrified eyes. There was nothing he could do.

"Inoue…." He whispered.

Tatsuki and Ichigo's eyes began to get hazy. Their friend was dying.

"Put her down, Ichigo," Rukia began, "I will not let our comrade die…"

"Nor will I." Renji said.

Ichigo set her down and they began chanting demon magic to heal Inoue. Using all their energy, blue magic began to surround Inoue, but it wasn't enough, she was slipping away. They needed more power.

"This woman… saved my life…" Byakuya said appearing from no where, "I also will not let her die…" And at that he joined Rukia and Renji as he began chanting top level healing arts.

"Neither will any of us!" said the crowd around them.

Every shinigami in the area said the top healing chant they knew and soon Inoue was covered with all types of light healing her.

Inoue opened her eyes to the faces of many tired shinigami members. She couldn't believe it, she was alive.

"You guys, you didn't have to, I am never any help, it was the least I could do," she said with dismayed eyes.

"No, Inoue, you were a great help," Ichigo said and he smiled. The war was over, Inoue saved everyone.

"He's right Inoue," Ishida started, "and look, your hard work got Kurosaki Ichigo to smile." He joked.

Everyone laughed, even Ichigo.

End Flashback.

Ever since the end of the war, whenever Orihime helped, Ichigo smiles at her so she knows she isn't useless.

Rukia smiled at Inoue as well, she couldn't help it. Inoue didn't know how much she did for their group; on so many occasions Ichigo, herself and the others could have died. There were more times than she could count in which her life was saved by this woman.

Rukia's thoughts changed as she slowly turned her head to Ichigo and saw his smile. Her stomach started to turn. Though it wasn't the smile he always gave her, it was close enough to the point it made her face drop. She turned quickly to head out the window before anyone noticed her change in emotion.

"Well, I'll catch up with you guys later!" She said as she leaped out the window with her gigai.

Ichigo watched as she left. Despite the fact that Rukia was fast in her attempts to leave, he noticed her discomfort. He watched as she opened the gates to Soul Society on the opposite roof and disappeared into the doors.

"Well, that was like old times," Ichigo chuckled and stepped back into his body.

"Yeah, it was…"Orihime chuckled nervously.

Though it was quick, Ichigo gave Rukia that look before she stepped into Soul Society. Orihime had almost forgotten how his face changed when he stared at Rukia. Inoue thought she had received it from him by now, but after seeing them together again, she realized, much to her dismay, she hadn't.

"I haven't seen those eyes in a while, the eyes you only give to her, Ichigo." She thought.

She slowly came and sat down on the other side of the bed. She sighed a bit and gazed at the ceiling.

"Is something wrong?" Ichigo said nonchalantly.

"No, nothing," she replied.

"Oh, so why are you and Tatsuki here?" he asked. He was mildly upset about the whole ordeal; he really wanted to talk to Rukia.

After the long travel, the short shinigami finally reached her destination.

"I'm such a fool…" the raven head thought to her self as she arrived through the gates.

It was night in Soul Society as Kuchiki Rukia walked back to her home. She had a lot of paper work to look forward to, especially with the new hollow development.

"How could I be so stupid?" she said to herself out loud as she approached her home.

"That's your normal state of mind, so what else is new?" a grinning red haired man replied.

Alarmed by receiving an answer to her rhetorical question, Rukia spun around and nearly took Renji's head off.

"WHOA! You almost got me. What were you thinking about that got you so off guard?" he asked angrily.

Rukia calmed down and regained her cool. She couldn't let on that something was wrong. Besides, this would devastate him.

"Nothing, it was just the hollows I fought tonight. They were much too strong to be normal…" she began slowly.

Renji gave Rukia a sideways look. There was no way in the world that a hollow bothered her to this extent. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes.

"Are you sure that's all?" he said with worry.

Rukia flinched when he touched her, and she couldn't look him in the eye. She hoped he didn't notice.

"Yeah, that's all." She said with a weak smile.

Renji backed away from her, sensing her discomfort and continued walking with her to the Kuchiki estate.

The walk was especially long due to the akward silence between the two. Renji took occasional glances at Rukia to try and read her face, but to his dismay she caught him every time and she turned her head from his view.

After a long walk in silence, Rukia was the first to speak up once they reached the hall way of the estate.

"Its so late, are-"

"Yes, everyone's asleep. It is very late like you said… are you sure nothing's-"

"I'm sure." She said coldly as she walked off towards her room.

Renji stared at her and decided it was best not to follow. She had a lot on her mind and he was not going to get in her way, whatever it was she was worried about.

"That look on her face… it's been a while since I've seen it…" Renji thought to himself.

Renji thought more to himself about the last time he saw that look. And as Rukia was shutting the door he remembered.

"Ichigo…" he said out loud.

As Rukia quickly shut the door, anger grew on Renji's face. She had seen Ichigo. It's the only reason she would act this way toward him.

He slowly walked over to Rukia's door. He paused in front for a moment so he could gather himself together and not look crazed before her.

Renji slowly turned the knob and stepped into Rukia's room.

It was late. Ichigo and Inoue had gone to bed, while Tatsuki still slept on the couch. Tatsuki was so sound asleep they didn't want to move her so Ichigo put a blanket on her and put a pillow under her head.

Inoue lay in the bed, still wide awake, thinking about the man lying beside, as well as the other person that laid in this spot tonight.

"Ichigo, you awake?" Inoue started.

"Yeah, what's up?" he replied with his eyes still closed.

"Are you…..Are you happy with me?" she said sadly.

Ichigo opened his eyes widely for a moment and turned to look at the woman next to him. Why would she ask that? Did she know something?

"Of course I am, what would make you ask that?" he answered. It wasn't a lie either. He was happy with Inoue. She had kept him strong over the years, and he loved her dearly for it. It just wasn't as strong as the love he had for Rukia, it could never be.

Inoue sighed. Something was telling her he wasn't telling the whole truth; she could hear it in his voice.

"Ahhh, I don't know, I was just thinking silly, you know me!" She giggled nervously, trying to make herself believe Ichigo's words.

Ichigo sat up and put a hand to Inoue's face and caressed it gently. She blushed heavily.

"Orihime… you of all people should know how important you are to me, don't ever doubt that…" he said as he smiled.

She believed him, though she was not a fool as some may believe her to be. She knew Ichigo loved her, she knew he cared, but she was not the one he was in love with.

Ichigo started to slide his hand away from her face, only to be stopped by another hand.

Inoue stared up at Ichigo as she held his hand to her face.

"I love you Ichigo…" she said as she lifted herself and kissed him softly.

Ichigo didn't want to hurt her, not now, not after she said that. It had been two years, and this was the first time she ever said it. He could feel her warm tears sliding down his checks. He hated when she cried.

"God damn it," he thought as he kissed her back, trying to ease her tears.

Inoue felt his kiss and deepened it by sliding her tongue into his mouth as she wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him closer. Even if he didn't love her back the same, she wanted him, she wanted something he could never take back.

She moved to kissing his neck and began lifting his t-shirt up with her hands rubbing on his toned chest. She kissed his ear and then back to his lips.

She talked between each kiss she gave, "Ichigo, I love you more than you know…." then she whispered her thoughts out loud by mistake "…even if you don't love me…"

Ichigo shook at her last statement. Inoue deepened the kiss after she said it, but Ichigo grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back.

"What was that?" he demanded

"Nothing…." She replied as she removed her shirt and her bra.

Before Ichigo had a chance to react, Inoue pressed her bare chest against his and resumed kissing him and rubbing his back.

Ichigo was getting tense. This isn't what he wanted. But he didn't want to hurt Inoue feelings, not to mention it felt good as hell.

Inoue slid down Ichigo's body kissing his neck, and rubbing his chest as she made her way down. Her large breast rubbed past Ichigo's chest, making it a little harder to ask her to stop.

She began kissing his chest, around his nipple, and squeezed his back with one hand as the other started to head south.

She unbuckled his pants and began massaging him automatically. She squeezed and stroked his member softly, making sure he was erect before she continued.

Ichigo shivered as Inoue continued fondling him. Inoue took this as a hint to take things to the next step as she climbed on top of him with her PJ bottom removed. Her warm soaked underwear where sitting directly on top of Ichigo's fully hardened member, her kisses all over his neck and her breasts with harden nipples were massaging his chest.

"Shit…Orihime wait…." He choked, almost moaning.

She felt good; very fucking good. With her body it didn't take long to get him horny as all hell, he is a guy after all, but something was missing. He didn't love her like this, he couldn't do this. He may be a horny guy, but that doesn't mean he was an ass hole too. He wasn't about to sleep with a girl just to get off.

Inoue looked at him and sighed.

"Ichigo…its been two years, we sleep in the same bed often, and you know I love you, yet you won't make love to me…" she said sadly.

Ichigo sat silent. He didn't know what to say. But he knew he couldn't do this to her. Especially not when he could still feel Rukia's embraces from earlier, even with Inoue being all over him.

"Orihime-"

She put a hand to his lips to stop him from talking as she slid her PJs back on. She sighed as she stood.

"Its ok Ichigo…but I think I will sleep in Ishida's room tonight, if you don't mind," She said sadly as she walked out of the room closing the door behind her before Ichigo had a chance to retort.

"Orihime….I'm sorry, I really did think I was over her…." He whispered while he stared at the closed door.

The red headed woman silently sighed from outside the door. She let go of the doorknob and retreated to Ishida's empty room.

Her quarters were a bit chilly. Rukia rubbed her shoulders then turned to light her fire place. She paused for a moment as she her door knob turning.

Rukia continued lighting the fire as Renji slowly entered her room and shut the door behind him.

"Rukia…." He began.

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did, idiot, care to ask another?" she tried to keep a sense of humor.

"You know what I mean damn it!!" Renji yelled. It was hard enough for him to keep his cool already; he didn't need her taunting him.

Rukia quieted down, and her face returned to that look again. She knew where Renji was taking the conversation, but she didn't want to answer him. How could she? She had betrayed the man who had saved her in more ways than one. She looked towards the fire, away from Renji's glare.

"You saw… him…." Renji had to muster enough strength to say his name in her presence, "You saw Ichigo tonight didn't you?"

Rukia stirred the fire as she responded, "Yes, I did."

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Stop it Rukia. Don't play games with me. You know what I'm asking…" he said a little upset.

The fire crackled as Rukia turned to Renji to respond. Shadows from the fire danced across her face.

"We ran into each other when I was fighting the hollow. He killed it rather effortlessly. He's stronger than ever…" Rukia smiled at her last words.

Rukia wasn't paying attention to her change in mood as she talked about Ichigo, but Renji did. As she turned to look at him and finish explaining, she noticed his discomfort.

She quickly removed her smile and continued, "Ahem… and umm, after that we called each other a few names and he offered me a place to rest… I declined and came home."

She looked back toward her warm fire after that; just in case her facial expression decided to betray her again. She didn't want Renji to get the wrong idea. It wasn't because she was lying, Kuchiki Rukia does not lie. She just didn't tell the whole truth; a truth Renji didn't need to know about.

"Rukia… I know you try to hide what happened between you and he in the past, but coming back from the real world, it won't take any one long to guess. Every one had a million suspicions already after the war, now with you like this-"

"Stop it Renji. I was there, I remember what happened." She said angrily.

"Rukia… I was there for you then, and I am here for you now, you can tell me if something is wrong…"

Renji had been the only person she could talk to back then. He didn't judge her either. Even after all the rumors he stood by her through every thing, he was her savior. He kept her strong over the years and she loved him dearly for it. It just wasn't as strong as the love she felt for Ichigo, it could never be.

"Nothing is wrong damn it! Renji please…. Stop with the questions I have had a long day…"

Renji looked at her violent eyes as he approached her. He gently touched her shoulders as he turned her around to face him.

Rukia looked at him as though she didn't want him there. Renji had an unsettling feeling in his stomach. Something in her eyes was telling him things were changing.

He kissed her; long and hard.

Rukia closed her eyes and tried to picture something else going on, she didn't want to pull away, Renji didn't deserve to feel the pain she feels.

She soon began to think of Ichigo, how his lips would feel, how he would kiss her. She needed to get her mind off of him… so she kissed Renji back with passion, which was a bigger mistake. The more she kissed Renji the more she thought of Ichigo, the more she imagined he was there in spite of of how much she wanted to get him out of her mind.

Renji was taken aback by the kiss. They never kissed this way. She was so intense, so zealous, and forceful. He opened his eyes to take a look at her. His eyes darted back and forth as she continued to kiss him and hold him. He wanted to touch her, and kiss her back, but he knew this wasn't right, he could see it. Her eyes were closed so tight with pain and love written all over her face.

He grabbed Rukia's shoulders hard and pulled her off of him. Rukia's eyes darted opened, she didn't even realize how long she had been imagining he was Ichigo.

She stared at Renji, so much hurt was in his face. She wanted to apologize, but Renji turned to walk out the door.

"Renji, wait…"

Renji paused as he held the door.

"Rukia, I don't know what's with you, but that wasn't me you were kissing," he said loud and animatedly as he slammed the door shut.

Rukia shook at the harshness in Renji's voice and how violently he shut the door. She was losing it.

She plopped down on her bed, stared at the ceiling and exhaled.

"Ichigo, how can we hurt the two people that love us most in the world?" she thought.

She rolled over and let sleep overcome her thoughts.

"Well, that was interesting…" said a woman with long black braided hair.

"Yes, it was," A tall man with clips in his hair responded.

Rukia's room was just outside one of the many gardens located around the mansion. But this garden in particular had been one of her late sister Hisana's favorite, and Byakuya spent late strolls there often.

"It seams Rukia and Renji are having trouble?" she asked.

Rukia and Renji had been very loud. Not only did they disturb the two captains evening, but they had managed to be loud enough for them to hear the entire conversation.

"Yes, it appears so. And due to Kurosaki Ichigo of all people. I shall have to handle this matter." He replied mildly irritated.

The wind blew the two captains white robes as cherry blossoms surround the two. The garden was lovely, so many flowers and gorgeous trees. Though it was a bit cold, it was a beautiful night.

The 4th squad captain looked at her dear friend. She had guessed, as did many others, that Rukia had a relationship with Kurosaki, but it was not her place to pry.

She turned to bid her fellow captain goodnight.

"Well, on that note, thank you for showing me the garden, but I think its time for me to depart. I have to see to my new subordinates in the morning," the woman sweetly stated.

"Since when does the 4th squad need their captain to give new subordinates tours?" Byakuya asked.

"I like to meet everyone on their first day. I try to give a nice impression so not to scare them, as some captains do," she said with a small smile, "Good night Captain Kuchiki."

She bowed and turned to leave.

Byakuya frowned as she walked toward the exit, then he looked back up to his sister's room.

"Another mess to fix because of Kurosaki…." He said angrily as he stormed out of the garden.

A/N: Cries Oh the pain! The drama! Poor Orihime and Renji!!! And what is Byakuya gonna do??? Oh yeah, if ya haven't noticed...I use Inoue and Orihime interchangeably so just in case someone doesn't know ('specialy for you dubbed peps) Orihime's name is Inoue (last) Orihime (First).

And sorry it took so long to update!! Midterms and such…..they were awful! But don't worry the hard ones are out of the way and I have started the next chapter so it shouldn't be long before it's up. I am going to put it up ASAP, but still, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!! I MUST know how I'm doing!!

Next chapter: What's not being said