A/N: I just got my first manga today! I got Bleach volume 2! Aww! I'm so happy!

Shinji: Getting manga makes you happy?

My very first one, yes! But, I just ended my Hetalia story today… sad day, but still happy!

Kaien: Um… Red doesn't own Bleach. So review and enjoy and what not.

Chapter 10

Meet My Brother!

"Woah! Don't go to fast, Rukia!" I yelled. Letting Rukia take the wheel is the worst decision of my life. She went to fast and almost hit somebody. We are just ten to fifteen minutes away from her house.

The houses we passed were all big. I guess this what the noble life was like. Rukia was finally driving calmly and I can relax a little. For a short girl, she is really crazy.

"Ichigo?"

"Yeah?"

"Um, my brother is kind of… overprotective. So, don't take it personally if he insults you or anything. I'm even surprised he lets me out of the house." Rukia said. I never heard her open up about her family life before.

"He's protective because he loves you. Is it not obvious?" I replied.

Rukia shook her head. "My brother is a great person. We just don't have much in common. He wants me to do well in school and we talk about that a lot. Then there's my grandfather. He acts like I don't exist. No matter what I do, I can never please him. I guess that's what my life is. Trying to please everyone."

I never thought she would open up to me like this. She was always telling me about my past. I never thought to ask about hers. Did that make me selfish?

"Wow, I would've never expected you to go through that. If you feel like you can't be at home anymore, you can always stay with us. My family loves you." I said.

"Ichigo, The Espada will attack you and your family if you are seen with me."

"The Espada can go to hell then. You are my friend. I don't want you to be sad or scared." I said. Realization hit me. I just admitted we were friends. Ok, not that it was embarrassing. I just didn't expect to say it so soon.

Rukia, surprisingly, laughed. "Ichigo, you are a great person. I guess no matter what you won't give up on me, will you?"

"No, I won't." I answered. Rukia chuckled. The car stopped and we were in front of a big mansion. The lawn was nicely cut and there was a cherry blossom tree in the front. There was a bench underneath it. There were two cars outside the mansion though.

"My brother loves the cherry blossoms. He can't wait for them to bloom again in the spring." Rukia said.

We both got out of the car and walked up to the mansion. I was actually nervous. Was Rukia's brother that bad? Rukia rang the doorbell. To my surprise, Renji opened the door. His eyes widened when he saw both of us. Renji hugged Rukia.

"Idiot! We thought you were kidnapped again!" Renji yelled. I guess he didn't take notice of me. Rukia pried Renji off of her and said that she was fine.

"What's the strawberry doing here?" Renji sneered.

Before I could say anything, Toshiro grabbed Renji's arm and dragged him back into the house. Rukia cast me a nervous glance. I guess she knew that she may be in trouble. I grabbed her hand for reassurance. She smiled up at me and we walked into the house.

Rukia's POV

I was so glad Ichigo was here with me. He held my hand. I knew my brother would be mad, but with Ichigo here with me I felt at ease. We entered the living room. My brother and Kaien were sitting on the couch drinking tea. Byakyua noticed me and said, "I guess my suspicions were true. You ran away."

That was all he had to say to me? I wanted to tell him that he was wrong, but it seemed like I lost my voice.

"No, she didn't. Rukia was hurt so my dad treated her at our clinic." Ichigo said.

"Ichigo…" I said warningly. I didn't want him to get on my brother's bad side. I hoped he chose his words carefully.

Byakyua raised his eyebrow. "Really? So, how did you get hurt?"

"I don't remember." I answered. Last night was a blur. I remember talking to Orihime then trying to get back to Toshiro's car. That's all I remember.

"I was looking for you! I drove around the city and tried to call your cellphone, but you left it in my car. " Toshiro said. I felt guilty. I would be worried if my friend disappeared and I couldn't get it contact with them.

"It also didn't help that Byakyua got a note on his door from The Espada. We all thought they took you again, Rukia! I was really worried." Renji said as he avoided looking at me.

A note? Toshiro showed me a note that he got from The Espada. It was starting all over again. My hands started shaking and Ichigo squeezed my hand. I calmed down a bit.

Byakyua didn't say anything except look at Ichigo and I. Finally, he spoke, "Rukia, I don't think you should go back to Karakura Town anymore until this is all resolved. I don't want a repeat of what happened last time. The Visored did what they did because they found it fun. The Espada, however, are not kidding around. They mean business."

"But brother! That's not fair at all! I-" Byakyua cut me off with a glare. It was his don't back talk me because my decision is final glare.

"What if she stays with me? She's obviously not safe here if The Espada knows where she lives. She can go to school with me and I'll be sure to watch her." Ichigo said.

Renji rolled his eyes. "Oh, like she'll be safe with you. She was living with you when she got kidnapped! What makes you think she'll be safe with you?"

"The Espada won't know. Plus, I'm always back at home before it gets dark. Plus, she lived with us before. It can't be that bad."

"That may actually work. I don't think The Espada would expect it either. But, we should talk to Shinji and see what he says. He knows the most about The Espada anyway." Kaien said.

If I went to go live with Ichigo again that means I would have to face everyone again. I'm sure they viewed me as a coward. How could I face them all?

"Until we get things sorted out, Rukia you are not to go out alone. Now, go to your room. I'll talk to you later." Byakyua said. I nodded my head.

"Thank you, Ichigo." I said as I gave his hand a final squeeze.

A/N: Ok, I'll end it there! I'll be posting again in two weeks. I like where this is going.

Shinji: I still can't believe you convinced your mom to get you manga…

I can't believe it either haha. So, review and everything! I'll miss you all

Kaien: Bring me back a Daisy Duck hat :D

Um… ok?

Updated: July 5, 2012