Author's Note: Chapter seven, where the mysterious intruder is revealed to be none other than… wait, I can't give that away yet… Anyway, things come to a nice close here. I hope you all have enjoyed reading Passion as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I have a very short epilogue which I will put up now as well, and that is the end. Thank you all for reading, and special thanks to my reviewers.

Disclaimer: Bleach, and all related characters, plot ideas, locations, abilities, (ect.) are the property Tite Kubo and affiliates. I claim no rights to any copyrighted works. I certify that my ideas are all original. Any similarity to actual people, locations, events, books, anime, manga, movies, other works of fanfiction (ect.) are entirely coincidental.

o.O.o.O.o

Chapter VII – Love/Hate Relationship

The sound of light footfalls, approaching slowly, echoed loudly in the small hospital room.

"Rukia… I still owe you an apology for yesterday. I was being a stupid, arrogant jerk, and I am so sorry for treating you that way. I know I probably deserve for you to be mad at me still, but—"

Ichigo cut his apology short. Something didn't feel right. His instincts were suddenly screaming at him, and when he opened his eyes, he quickly realized why.

The person listening to his apology was not Rukia Kuchiki.

o.O.o.O.o

Ichigo subconsciously curled his fingers around the medallion hanging from his neck. It was his license to act as a substitute Shinigami and it gave him comfort to know that, if he had to, he could use it to release his soul form and fight. He was confident enough in his ability to win if it came down to a fight, despite his injury. After all, he had attained Bankai, and on top of that, his powers as a Vizard made him more than a match for virtually any enemy.

But he refrained from acting rashly. There might not be a need to fight anyway, and Ichigo wanted to avoid one if at all possible… if only for Rukia's sake.

"Kurosaki Ichigo." Byakuya's voice, as usual, held suppressed disdain for Ichigo. Only his status as nobility, the image he had to uphold, kept him even remotely civil.

"Byakuya." Ichigo almost smirked at the pained expression on the Captain of the Sixth Division's face at his use of an informal address, but ultimately he decided that discretion was the better part of valor. "What are you doing here?"

Byakuya closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, as if bracing himself for an unpleasant conversation. When he finally opened his eyes, Ichigo was unable to identify the emotion they held.

"Renji is here, distracting Rukia for the time being, but I do not know for how long he can detain her, so I must be quick. Kurosaki Ichigo, what are your intentions with my sister?" Ichigo had not anticipated such a question, and for a moment he was silent, processing Byakuya's query. "I haven't much time, Ichigo. Please."

Ichigo nodded, looking up from his bed at the man who was as often adversary as ally. "Honestly, this is kind of new for me, and I'm still figuring a few things out, but I truly care about Rukia and, if she would have me…" At this Byakuya winced. "Well, assuming she forgives me, I'm hoping that she'll agree to be my girlfriend."

Byakuya nodded and narrowed his eyes. "And beyond that?"

"What do you mean?"

"I need to know how serious you are about this. Is Rukia someone you merely wish to see for recreational reasons, or do you intend to make a more serious commitment?"

Ichigo slowly sat up to better see the Shinigami Captain. He couldn't help a slight glare from creasing his brow. "Are you asking me whether I intend to marry Rukia?"

Byakuya winced for the second time that morning. "That is what I am asking, yes."

"Well, I can't tell you for certain. I don't even know if she'll forgive me, let alone consider dating me. I can't really predict what will happen in the distant future, and if I were to marry Rukia, I doubt it would be anytime soon. But, for what it's worth, I'm not at all opposed to the idea. Rukia is someone that I think I could be happy with. I don't know if it will work out and go that far, but… I think that I would like it to."

Byakuya was like a statue, and Ichigo tightened his grip on his Substitute Shinigami license, just in case the Captain lost his temper. When he finally spoke, his words surprised Ichigo.

"That is good. You are not merely toying with Rukia, nor do you have irrational, quixotic expectations for your relationship. Very well. If there comes a time when your relationship with Rukia permits such a commitment, you have my blessing."

Ichigo was silent for a moment, processing Byakuya's announcement. "Wait. You just gave me your blessing? To someday marry Rukia?"

Byakuya turned away from Ichigo to glance at the door. "You are aware that I made a promise to protect her. Part of that includes being certain that her future husband is someone who can look after her properly. You have great strength, and you can protect her. You have proven that by coming to rescue her from execution and by accepting injury to keep her safe. And in answering my question as you did, you have convinced me that, in time, your intellect and maturity will make you a fair match for Rukia."

The sound of voices outside the door caught Byakuya's attention. "I must leave. Treat my sister well Ichigo, protect her and care for her, and my blessing will hold. Farewell." And with that, Byakuya swept out of the room, leaving a surprised and slightly confused Ichigo to fall back onto his bed.

o.O.o.O.o

Ichigo sat up when Rukia entered the room carrying his breakfast on a tray. She set the tray on the table next to his bed and turned, perhaps intending to leave, but Ichigo's hand reached out to touch her arm and she stopped.

"I'm sorry, Rukia." She turned back to face him fully, narrowing her eyes slightly and searching his face for the truth behind his words. "I was being arrogant and foolish and I know that you deserve to be treated better than that. I truly am sorry for—"

"Idiot." Ichigo glared at Rukia as she interrupted his apology. Couldn't she just accept that he was trying to be mature and responsible? Why did she have to make this so difficult? "How could I still be mad at you? If you hadn't caught me, I would have died. And even if you were being an arrogant fool… I was jealous. I was afraid that if Orihime asked you out, you would choose her over me. I was afraid of losing you."

"Who's the idiot?" Ichigo smiled. "Haven't I given you enough reason to believe that you are the one I want? Or have I been too subtle?" Rukia crossed her arms over her chest, glaring down at Ichigo. "I guess I'll just have to be a little more obvious for you, then." Ichigo's grin became devious, and Rukia made an effort to back away, but she was too late. Ichigo stretched out with what strength he could manage, wrapped his arms around Rukia's waist, and pulled her onto the bed on top of him. Without wasting a moment, Ichigo pressed his lips firmly against hers, intent on proving that he would choose her over any other girl.

It didn't take long before Rukia was kissing him back, straddling his waist while her tiny hands lifted his shirt over his head to give her complete access to his well defined, albeit battle scarred, chest. Her fingers were lightning dancing across his skin. Ichigo felt himself shudder in pleasure at the sensations that a simple touch from Rukia could bring. His hands played with her hair for a moment, holding her close, before trailing down her back, along her sides, to the part of her thighs that her school uniform skirt didn't cover. Rukia made a purring noise of contentment, kissing Ichigo back with renewed fervor.

"Ichigo, are you done with your breakfast yet or… Oh! I'll come back later!" Rukia pulled away from Ichigo just in time for him to see Yuzu scampering out the door, hands over her eyes.

"Well, cat's out of the bag, at least as far as my sisters are concerned. I suppose we'll have to tell them sooner or later." Ichigo looked at Rukia, still sitting on his stomach, her face somewhat red. Whether this was from embarrassment or from their heated kissing moments before was anyone's guess.

"So… what do we tell them, exactly?"

Ichigo reached a hand up and gently touched Rukia's face. "I would like to tell them that you and I are dating. I would like to tell everyone that. If you'll have me, that is." Rukia took Ichigo's hand and kissed his palm.

"Of course I will. Idiot."

Ichigo glared at Rukia. "Midget."

Rukia looked ready to retort, but she merely rolled her eyes before leaning back down to finish what they had started.

o.O.o.O.o

Author's Note: I like seeing Ichigo and Rukia happy. I'm glad things worked out for them. Thank you all for your support. Without readers and reviewers, what good is a fanfiction?