Disclaimer: Bleach ain't mine. If it was it wouldn't be shounen anymore...

"The troublesome one's in the family are either the wits or the idiots" - George Eliot

September 27

Dear Diary,

This is actually the first time I wrote in a diary. Yuzu-chan gave this to me a couple of days before and said that I should write my innermost thoughts and whatever I wanted here. Well then how should I start?

How about we start from the beginning...

My name is Rukia, Kuchiki Rukia. I am fifteen years old. I am a first year high school student. I hail from Mitaka. And right now I live under the Kurosaki house in Karakura town.

I ran away from home.

Yes, I ran away. It's been a little over a week now. I haven't heard from anyone back home. But then again how could I? After all I was the one who left. I didn't leave behind any clue to tell them as to where I am staying. And as much as I miss my friends I just don't want to go back there, at least not yet.

September 28

Dear Diary,

It's my first day of school here in Karakura. I now attend Karakura high, and in the same section as Ichigo, lucky. Then again I've got the feeling that Isshin-san had something to do with it. Well whether it has something to do with good fortune or not I'm grateful.

I've also befriended a couple of fun people there. They're mostly from Ichigo's group though. They compose of Ichigo the grouch, Ishida-san (who looks like he'd rather be back at the classroom studying) the smart one, Inoue-san the bubbly one (also Ishida-san's girlfriend from the looks of it), Tatsuki-san the athletic one, Sado-san or Chad (who looks a lot older than he really is) the silent one, Mizuiro-san the pretty boy, and Asano-san the pervert (as Ichigo had tactlessly put it). A bunch of very different people gathered together, unusual but they're very friendly and fun to be with.

Ichigo and I also had a little talk on the way home, I'm not going to divulge into details so I'll just leave it like that. I also called back home today, if you could call that empty townhouse I lived in a home, and left a message. I don't know when anyone will hear it but at least I called. I don't know about nii-san but Renji drops-by from time to time he's bound to find it sooner or later.

September 29

Dear Diary,

I've really come to like it here. I've been feeling more like I'm at home rather than back home, if that made any sense. Isshin-san, Karin-san and Yuzu-chan had all been very kind to me. Well maybe except Karin, I feel that she mostly just following the other two. Now that I think about it I haven't really talked to her much except maybe saying hello and good bye.

Isshin-san and Yuzu-chan, on the other hand, treat me not just as an ordinary house guest but like I'm part of their family. It's like I'm their long lost cousin that finally decided to visit the family. Isshin-san actually went as far as calling me his third daughter.

It's been a while since I felt like I'm part of a family. I was never really in the best terms with Byakuya nii-sama, even before Hisana nee-san passed. Renji maybe, but he's been busy lately that I feel like I'm just dragging him down.

And now there's Ichigo. He may have that scowl permanently glued to his face but I can tell he's just as kind and caring as his family. I don't know why but it seems that since the first day I kind of had the feeling that he's a really nice guy beneath that scowl and I-don't-give-a-shit attitude. He's still a jerk at times but he can be nice when he needs to be. Sometimes I wonder if it's because he lived in a clinic that this unusual trait came to be.

Anyway I really like it here. I know I can't stay here forever but I just want to be really selfish just this once. I think I've come to love the Kurosaki's.

September 30

Dear Diary,

Nothing much happened at school today. The school festival's coming in fast but everyone seems relaxed so I guess there's no need to worry.

Ichigo and I had another one of those petty arguments today, I don't exactly remember how it started but I think it was over some stupid thing again. We've been like this for a while, fighting about the most insignificant thing then making up later.

It doesn't really bother me much. I actually like bickering with him a couple of times. It makes me feel like, well how should I put it. It makes me feel good, I could vent out my frustration just like that and I don't have to mull over the consequences cause I know Ichigo isn't a guy to hold grudges. Besides he actually looks cute while he's pissed off.

A blush crept up at Rukia's face as she re-read the words she wrote in her diary. She still couldn't believe that she in all actuality wrote that embarrassing sentence. If anyone were to get their hands on the diary... If Ichigo were to get it...

She groaned. Well it was a diary after all; it's supposed to be filled with her thoughts and whatnot. She just has to be careful on where she keeps it and everything will be dandy.

"What are you groanin' about?" Rukia jumped at the voice, her head automatically snapped at the direction of the door. She could have sworn she heard a cracking sound.

Ichigo was leaning on the wall beside the door, arms crossed over his chest, looking grouchy as always. He had on his nice vibes t-shirt and brown sweat pants along with a white damp towel around his neck.

"Don't you know it's rude to barge in someone else's room?" Rukia seethed, glaring icily at Ichigo as her hands quickly pushed away the diary from prying eyes.

"Says you." He shot back referring to the times she invaded his room to her leisure and much to his chagrin.

Rukia suddenly reddened as she remembered her daily excursion to Ichigo's book case to which she found to be a habitual thing. Even now that Isshin has so gladly brought her books to her liking she would find herself walking the path to Ichigo's room now and again.

Shaking her head she regained her composure as she glared at the teen while mentally forging an adequate argument which under the pressure she was in wasn't an easy task.

"Well..." she weakly started "I'm a girl and you guys really don't need that much privacy anyway, and besides the good books are always in your room." She reasoned.

Ichigo blankly stared back. Then with a smirk he raised both his hands in a gesture of mock surrender. "Alright, alright... I'm sorry for barging in like this. It's just that I just wanted to tell you that the bathroom is free. Or would you rather if I filled the tub with water and bubbles first?"

"Get out!" Rukia yelled grabbing the nearest pillow and hurling it at Ichigo's head. With deft hands Ichigo easily caught the pillow and chucked it to the side. A large smirk was plastered at his face as mocked a bow and made his exit.

Rukia continued to glare at the retreating back of Ichigo, not turning away until he disappeared from her view. Puffing up her cheeks she semi-glared at her new diary before grabbing it and stuffing it under her mattress.

{[[[[[]]]]]}

Sept. 30

Wednesday evening

Renji groaned loudly as he unlocked the mahogany door of the Kuchiki's townhouse. He decided to drop by just in case Rukia ever decided to come back. It's not like he stayed there much, he'd usually just drop by after two days or so. Though it started off with him visiting every hour he could get, always with renewed faith that Rukia had decided to return to the town, to him. But hours turned to days and days to a week.

He had gone around town, asked every bus station, railway station, the docks and the airport even though Rukia didn't even have a student visa to begin with. After all his hard work he still came up with nothing. He was beginning to get desperate.

It's only thanks to Matsumoto, rather Rangiku, that his mind is sort of put at ease, just enough for him to actually sleep peacefully at night. He can really rely on her at times like these. With her expertise on the missing people department they're bound to find Rukia sooner or later, at least that's what he's trying to make himself believe.

Matsumoto was one of the best in her field, despite looking so ditsy and happy-go-lucky she's very serious when it comes to her work. She can find anyone, if they're within the town; if not she calls some of her numerous out of town friends to look for them. Usually they find them within a week or two; but those people were already young adults, they were capable of looking out for themselves. Children and teens on the other hand...

He shook his head. He didn't want to think about it, besides Rukia isn't like other teens, she more than capable of looking out for herself. He had to believe in her.

Dragging his tired sock-clad feet through the wooden floor he discarded his jacket somewhere on his way to the living room, he'll take care of it later, and slumped dead onto the couch. A low satisfied groan escaped his lips as he let his tired eyes close fully.

His fingers unconsciously traced the soft fabric of the old couch. Ever so slowly Renji's brows softened as he breathed in the familiar scent of the house.

"Rukia... come back."

[{{{{{}}}}}]

Oct. 1

Thursday afternoon

"Ichigo" Rukia called from her comfortable position on the floor. Her school books and notes were scattered in front of her as she made her ridiculously confusing assignment. She was still wearing her school uniform, which was now thoroughly wrinkled with her short hair tied in a small messy ponytail.

Ichigo looked down at his companion from his chair. His brows furrowed as always, with a faraway look in his eyes. He too was still in his school uniform.

"Yeah? What is it?" he mumbled.

"What's the answer to number 4?" she asked, tilting her head to the side trying to look as cute as she can. Rukia knew he wouldn't give her answers just like that, she tried. It was only after she asked about the tenth time would he finally give in and provide the answer. Sometimes though when she would look cute it would provoke a funny reaction out of him and she usually gets the answers much faster.

This time though Ichigo doesn't seem to have taken notice as he merely mumbled back a reply before turning back to the table.

That's different Rukia thought as she repositioned herself to a sitting position. Rukia watched him for a while looking for any telltale signs of weariness, stress, something...

"And what's the answer to number 5?" she asked again, this time adding in her honey-coated girly voice she knows Ichigo hated so much.

Again Ichigo mumbled back a reply.

"Ichigo is something bothering you?" Ichigo suddenly tensed. Slowly he turned to his companion which he now just noticed was sitting just two feet away from him. Her face was set in a frown and her violet eyes unwavering from his form.

"What made you say that?" Ichigo asked uneasily.

"Well normally whenever I ask a question you'd usually say something like 'what do you think' or 'answer it yourself'." She said as she fiddled with the bunny chain on her ball pen.

Ichigo continued to stare at her for few more seconds as if he was studying some rare creature that came only once in a blue moon.

Rukia shifted her gaze away from him. Never had anyone ever stare at her like how Ichigo was currently doing. It made her want to squirm away from his gaze but her pride kept her in place.

"I'm fine, it's nothing..." he answered in a gruff voice as he turned back to do his homework.

Rukia rolled her eyes. It's always nothing with him.

Shaking her head she pushed herself up and walked up to Ichigo, careful not to make any noise. With a sly grin Rukia suddenly slammed both hands on the top of the table effectively making Ichigo jump out of his chair.

"What the hell!" He yelled as he held one hand over his chest. He could practically feel his erratic heartbeat through his clothes. He glared dangerously at the grinning Rukia standing by his table.

"You're so tense Ichigo, relax will you." Rukia said before walking up to him and grabbing his arm.

"Come on!" she said enthusiastically as she dragged him out of his room and down the stairs. Ichigo could have easily wrenched his arm away from her but curiosity got the best of him.

"Where are we going exactly?" Ichigo asked. His gaze fell to their entwined hands and immediately looked away to hide his blush. When did that happen anyway?

"We are going to the park and eat some ice cream. My treat." She replied smiling back at him as she finally let go to get her shoes. Ichigo raised his brow but followed suit anyway. Who wouldn't want a free ice cream?

[{{{{{}}}}}]

It was just starting to get dark outside so nearly everyone had retreated back to their respective house. The few people that still lingered at the park were mostly joggers and students taking a break from their studying or just plain goofing around.

Ichigo took to one of the wooden benches, the one under a huge oak tree, scarcely scattered around the park. Rukia had run off the moment she saw the ice cream stand and asked him to find a place for them to sit on and relax. What better place than under a tree right? Besides it was the nearest bench Ichigo could find and he didn't feel like walking around the park to look for another vacant place.

It didn't take her long to find him, as soon as Ichigo parked himself on the bench he saw the undeniably short stature of his companion running up to him with a cone of chocolate ice cream on each hand.

He mumbled his thanks as he took the cone she offered him, looking up at her face just in time to see her flash him a smile. Blushing he looked down, eyeing the chocolate ice cream in his hands then turned to watch Rukia as she leaned on the tree and started to consume hers.

"What? Is there something on my face?" she asked noticing him staring at her, her fingers reached up trying to find the smudge that wasn't even there.

Ichigo shook his head then went back to staring at his ice cream.

"What? Don't tell me you don't want to eat the ice cream."

"No... I was just wondering whether it's poisoned or not." Ichigo grinned at the face Rukia made, that is before she kicked his shin.

Cursing loudly Ichigo gripped his left leg with one hand while the other held the ice cream. Rukia on the other hand proceeded to sit beside him acting as if nothing was wrong and continued to consume her ice cream, a satisfied smirk on her face.

"So..." she began, giving his arm a small nudge. Ichigo grumbled as he shifted away, taking a big bite out of his ice cream.

"Are you gonna tell me or should I start guessing?"

His snort was as good as an answer she could get. Pursing her lips she leaned back on the bench, getting comfortable, as she stared her little guessing game.

"Is it... a school problem?" He made a sort of scoffing sound before taking another bite catching the corner of the cone.

"Girl problem?" Rukia grinned as she watched Ichigo sputter, bits of wafers flew out his mouth and a brown liquid dribbled down his chin. He immediately wiped the creamy substance off with the back of his hand as he sent Rukia a glare.

She smiled smugly at her cone unfazed by the death glare directed at her and continued.

"Does it have something to do with your dad?" a low growl emitted from the teen as his face contorted in a sneer. Rukia had to bite her bottom lip to prevent the laughter she could feel threatening to come out. Figures it had something to do with the crazy doctor.

Whatever he did this time surely left an impression on his son. Rukia had never seen Ichigo this off before. Granted she only knew him for a couple weeks but still he has never acted like he was out of sorts.

Rukia was pulled out of her thoughts when a loud yelp emitted from her side making her jump up from her seat. Swiftly turning to her companion she did a double-take at the scene unfolding before her.

Ichigo stood his full height with his right arm trying to subdue a massive yellow golden retriever as it tried to give him a big sloppy greeting. Well that was what it was trying to do until it saw the cone in Ichigo's outstretched arm.

In pure euphoria the dog backed up then charge at Ichigo trying and failing to get the cone that was just a bit out of its reach. Ichigo, determined to keep the ice cream away from the dog, stood strong and vigilant of the dog's actions, moving his arm away just before the dog nipped at it.

Unable to contain her laugher any longer Rukia collapse in a fit of giggles, what was left of her ice cream cone fell to the ground in a mass of brown coloured mess. Ichigo shifted his glare to Rukia, momentarily ignoring the dog in front of him.

That momentary distraction was just what the dog needed. It quickly dashed behind Ichigo and jumped him from behind. The unsuspecting Ichigo lost his footing and tumbled in a heap on the hard ground, his ice cream cone quickly followed landing on top of his head. Barking its head off the dog happily lapped the sweet substance off Ichigo's head unmindful of the teen's protests and attempts to push it away.

This time Rukia's giggles turned into downright laugher. Her right arm clutched her now aching stomach while the other steadied her as it gripped the bench they occupied only a few seconds prior. It was getting increasingly hard to stand upright, especially when she saw the glare Ichigo was sending the dog as it licked his head clean.

All of a sudden the retriever stopped it's ministration as its ears perked up at a sound that seems only it can hear. Its tail started to wag as it turned in circles, stopping to bark twice then started to turn in circles again.

As soon as the dog straightened up Ichigo immediately jumped back to his feet and back up towards a pink-faced Rukia, who now stood with an inquisitive look.

It was a few seconds of silence later did the two teens understand why the dog was acting the way it was. A distinct voice of a girl, hoarse as it may be, was heard over the sound of nature combined with the sounds of car engines as it passed by the park.

"Benji!" The dog let out another happy bark as the owner of the voice appeared from around the corner.

"There you are! Oh damn, I'm so sorry. He just suddenly ran off when I wasn't looking and..." The girl stopped and squinted her eyes taking a good look at the glaring carrot top, and as if realization suddenly hit her she made an 'oh' face.

"Oh... it's just you. Sorry I thought it was some poor soul that was so unfortunate as to encounter Benji during his 'high time'." She explained, cockily brushing her long brown hair back.

"And what the hell am I huh?" Ichigo snarled.

"Just a poor old sap." She replied with a grin.

"Suzuka." Ichigo growl dangerously.

Izumi rolled her eyes as she crouched down to latch the leash properly before cooing at the dog at how good it was. Rukia watched in amusement as Ichigo fumed in his spot, muttering incoherently to himself like some deranged person.

This time it was Rukia's turn to yelp and jumped back as Izumi, literally, came face to face with her. She had a wide smile on her flush face. Her eyes were practically glittering with delight.

"Rukia-chan! How are you?" she sing-sang. Grabbing hold of one of Rukia's arms, she then stated to talk inanimately whilst dragging her away from the still fuming Ichigo. Benji obediently followed them as not to further trouble his master.

"Um... Suzuka-sa-"

"I told you Rukia-chan call me Izumi!" Izumi scolded lightly.

"I-Izumi-san, how is your arm?" Rukia timidly asked as she took sideway glances at the scowling teen following not far behind.

"It's fine." She said frowning, staring irritatingly at the bandage on her left arm. "Really. I don't even need this itchy, annoying bandage."

"You twisted your wrist. Stop complaining, at least it was your left arm." Ichigo said from behind. Izumi sent him a glare that he blatantly ignored. She let out a huff in defeat frowning at him. She looked up at the darkening sky and sighed.

"Well you both best go home, it's getting late. And Ichigo, I know you like chocolate ice cream but do have a sense of restraint." She said eying Ichigo's hair with a mixture of distaste and smugness. Ichigo snapped his head forward glaring with all his might at the tall brunet. He was just about to come up with an argument when she held up a finger motioning that she still had something to say.

"Now you two lovebirds go home. Wouldn't want to worry the family now would you?" Izumi said giving Rukia a little shove towards Ichigo. Both teens turned an amusing shade of red, both of them looking the other way refusing to look the other in the eye.

It wasn't until Izumi shouted from the distance did Ichigo recovered himself and grumble under his breath. Rukia on the other had snapped her head up, realizing just exactly why Ichigo was acting weird.

"Was that it?" she asked in a bemused tone. "Because Izumi-san asked you to help her clean up tomorrow?"

"It's not that!" he snapped harshly. The moment he said it he regretted doing so. Rukia had jumped away from him, a sort of frightened look in her eyes. She was just asking, she even tried to cheer him up and how does he thank her? By snapping at her.

He straightened up, shutting his eyes close and shook his head ruefully. His hand went up to his head, running his fingers through the soft, albeit sticky, locks of his hair.

"It's because dad told her I'd do it even before I knew about it." He said in a softer tone. "It's not that I'd turn her down but still... I really don't like other people making my decisions for me." he exhaled tiredly, burying his hands in the warm confines of his pocket.

"I'm sorry Rukia, I shouldn't have snapped at you." he finished softly.

Rukia lightly placed a hand over his arm. "It's okay." she smiled up at him. "And I guess I'm sorry for being too nosy about it." she added humorously. Pulling out a white handkerchief she held it out to Ichigo.

"The both of you are really good friends."

"Is that supposed to be a question?" He asked cocking an eyebrow. Rukia rolled her eyes, smirking as she did.

"Well you could say that." he said shrugging as he started to wipe the cream off his hair.

"The first few months Izumi and her sister moved here they were frequent visitors at the clinic. She's really clumsy." he explained when Rukia's brow arched.

"oh... so what did she need help cleaning up?"

To be continued...

So... how was that?

I don't really have much of an excuse except that I'm lazy (got lazy). That and school sucks the fun out of everything.

So yeah updates are slow due to disintegrating imagination and laziness.