Okay, everyone! :) I'm back and super excited because, I got a laptop yesterday! :D It's mainly for school, but of course I can use it for whatever, soooo, I might have more updates than usual! Maybe, ha ha. Anyway, thanks everyone for your reviews and I hope you all enjoyed last chapter.

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By the time Mina started calming down, everyone seemed to be drained of all their energy. Hisagi had laid down in the grass, kicking his shoes off as he covered his eyes with his arm. Michiru took her place next to him, getting his attention immediately.

With much needed help, Mina sat in Rukia's car with the air conditioning on full blast with Renji at her side. They both fell asleep in practically no time at all, Mina sprawled out over Renji's lap.

That left me, Rukia, and Saki, who was practically asleep in my grip anyway. I had gotten more comfortable with Rukia, but the earlier events of the day still worried me. I was sure she would be angry with me or Saki for dragging her into such an awkward situation with Maiko, but she never seemed to be. In fact, now that it was just us, she seemed even more comfortable.

"I am so glad Hisagi was here to control everything today," she said absently, sitting in the bed of my truck next to me.

"Yeah, me too. That whole situation was crazy," I answered, pushing some hair off of Saki's back.

"He was the last person I ever expected to be so calm and put together with something like that. I mean, he passes out anytime he sees someone who's throwing up or bleeding," Rukia stated, glancing at Hisagi and Michiru absently.

I laughed quietly, leaning back on my hand and dismissing the conversation. Saki pulled closer to me in her sleep and mummbling quietly.

Rukia glanced back at me before smiling and asking, "Are you okay? I mean, with everything that happened with Maiko earlier today."

Surprised by her question, it took me a moment to answer. "Yeah, I'm alright. I expected her to act like that."

"You mean unpredictable?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow slightly.

"Exactly. When she's not clean, you never know what to expect from her. But I guess that's true of any addict."

"Well, I meant, are you okay? Did it hurt to see her again?"

This question surprised me even more. I hadn't thought about that, honestly; the fact that seeing her might bother me never came to mind. "Uh, no, not really. It was really awkward and sort of ironic, but I was more angry with her than anything. I'm just worried about how Saki's going to act with her now. I don't want her to start asking if she can see her regularly, because I wont allow it. So, I'm just concerned about how Saki's going to react to it in the long run."

"Are you sure that's all?" she continued, confusing me.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Why?" I questioned, causing her to smile slightly.

"I was just curious. I mean, you seemed abnormally angry, even when she didn't seem to be doing anything," Rukia answered, causing me to understand.

"Yeah, I know. I just...have no patience for her anymore. She's always been a little...crazy and impulsive and I never really liked that about her, but when she's using, it's even worse. It just frustrates me. And, it seems like she hasn't changed at all; I just don't want Saki to get attached to her and then get mad at me for not letting them see each other," I answered as she watched me intently.

"That must be such a complicated situatioin," she said in a quiet tone, earning another nod. We were silent for a moment while she continued to stare up at me. Suddenly, she continued. "You know, I never even asked you, what do you do?"

"I'm a factory worker," I answered, a little less comfortable now that she was asking more personal questions.

"Really?" she questioned, her smile growing slightly.

"Yeah, really," I answered, unable to help the smile that followed her question.

"I was not expecting that," she answered, shrugging slightly.

"Why?"

"Well, you told me you met Maiko at college, so I figured you'd have a...career or something."

"I never finished, actually," I told her, causing her to cock her eyebrow again. "I was a junior when I knocked her up, and we had to drop out just to afford Saki. Of course it was much harder with Maiko taking money from my wallet or our bank account for drugs, but I didn't find out about that for awhile."

Shaking her head, Rukia gave me a sympathetic smile. "What about you?" I asked, getting her attention again as her gaze began to drift.

"Oh, I'm a lawyer," she answered, surprising me again. "I hate it, though. I had no idea what I wanted to do, so Kaien suggested I study law. He said it would secure our finances even more, and I was only a freshman in college, so I did it," she explained, rolling her eyes at the memory.

"Well, did your degree at least help you when two divorced?" I asked.

"Yeah. It was pretty simple to find a job; I didn't have one before our seperation. It made the divorce a thousand times easier, so I was thankful for that."

"Well, that's good," I answered, not sure what else to say about the topic.

"Have you ever considered finishing that last year of college?" she asked me, pulling her legs underneath herself and turning toward me.

"Yeah. But I don't have the money or the time," I answered, absently pulling Saki closer as she began sliding out of my lap.

"What about loans? Would that be possible if you only had to take one more year of classes?" she continued.

I laughed before shaking my head. "I have horrible credit and I'm still paying off my first student loans; there's no way I could get a loan."

"Are you sure?" she persisted.

"Yeah, I've tried," I answered, earning a frown. Laughing again, I asked, "What?"

"That sucks," she stated, seeming sincere.

Shrugging, I said, "I guess."

We sat silently for a few more moments before she continued, changing the topic of the conversation once again. "So, where do you and Saki live, anyway? Are you guys far from home?"

"Nope, not at all. About five or ten minues down the road, turn into that big neighborhood entrance and we're the second house on the left. The only reason we're here is because I can't even keep up with what day it is anymore," I said, causing Rukia to laugh loudly.

"What? What do you mean?" she asked, stifling her laughter.

"Friday night I forgot to turn my alarm clock off, so when it went off Saturday morning, I thought it was Friday. So I got Saki ready and headed toward her school. When we were to that stop sign," I said, pointing toward the sign, "Saki finally said something. The plan was to turn around at the gas station up the road, but I got stuck before we could get there."

"That's so...hilarious," she said, laughing again, covering her mouth this time as she leaned closer to me. As she calmed down and sat up, she wiped her watering eyes absently. "I'm sorry, but that really is too funny."

"Yeah, yeah," I responded, nudging her carefully with my elbow. Her smile widened at my gesture and she seemed to lean even closer, causing me to be more aware of our close proximity. "What about you?" I asked, trying to divert my thoughts. "Do you live near here?"

"Well, in town, yeah. But my apartment is about twenty minutes from here, across the street from Urahara's Shop," she answered, causing me to nod.

"Oh, okay, I know where that is," I said, glancing away and being distracted by the pair on the grass. "Hey, look," I said to Rukia, gesturing to them as she turned her attention to them as well.

Hisagi was still laying down, but he was turned toward Michiru now. She had scooted closer to him and he seemed pretty pleased about that. As they continued to talk, Hisagi reached up and grabbed her by the shoulder, carefully pulling her down closer to him as he kissed her quickly and waited for her reaction. She seemed surprised into silence for a moment before she laughed and looked away from him.

"Oh my God, Ichigo, she likes him!" Rukia exclaimed, turning back to me with a wide smile on her face.

"Thank God," I said, relieved by her reaction.

Laughing quietly, Rukia asked, "Why do you say that? You didn't like all the attention?"

"Pfft, not at all," I answered, causing her to laugh again.

"I think Sagi's plan to get her to stop liking you worked," she stated, nodding as she glanced back at them.

"What, his plan to make me look like a jerk? Yeah, pretty much."

"Well, it didn't take him much," she said, looking up at me expectantly.

"Thanks," I said, smiling down at her as she laughed loudly again.

"I'm not saying it's true, I didn't mean it like that," she answered, still laughing.

"Yeah, yeah," I said, noticing Rukia's small car door open suddenly. Both Rukia and I watched as Renji stepped out of her car, rubbing his eyes as he yawned. After shutting the door, he leaned against it and pulled out his pack of cigarettes, lighting one and taking a long drag.

Noticing him, Rukia nudged me and stood, heading toward him. After carefully placing Saki on the blanket still spread across the bed of my truck, I followed her, taking my place next to her in front of Renji.

"Hey, Renji, you alright?" she asked, obviously concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he answered, exhaling and releasing a large cloud of smoke as he did so.

"Are you sure? You seemed pretty freaked out earlier," she pointed out, causing him to laugh before taking another drag of his cigarette and exhaling again.

"Well, yeah. I was, but now I'm fine," he answered.

"You looked like you were going to pass out," she stated, amusment clear in her tone now.

"I thought I was going to," he said, causing Rukia to laugh quietly.

"Yeah, well, I'm glad you didn't. If you had and Mina had had the kid, she probably would have killed you," Rukia responded, earning a nod from Renji.

"Trust me, I know," he began. "If she-," as he continued, he cut himself off, hearing a knock before looking over his shoulder to see Mina trying to open the door. Noticing the cigarette still in his hand, he threw the pack and the lighter to me before handing me the lit cigarette and stepping away from the door, all before I had time to protest. While helping Mina out, Renji said, "Hey, Mina," as if everything were fine.

As soon as she stepped out of the car and closer to her husband, she wrinkled her nose and pulled away from him. "Ew, Renji, have you been smoking?" she questioned, her anger and exhaustion clear in her voice.

"No, it's Ichigo," he answered calmly, gesturing toward me as I still tried to register what was going on.

Turning toward me, Mina cocked an eyebrow before turning to Renji and then back to me. "You smoke?" she asked, not seeming to believe her husband.

"Uh...yeah," I said after noticing Renji nod behind his wife's back.

"Really?" she continued, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Yup, I do," I continued, hoping I sounded remotely convincing, but I knew I didn't.

"Okay, well, go ahead," she said, holding an encouraging hand out to me.

"Well,...I, uh...I was only doing it when you weren't around. You know, secondhand smoke. It's not good for the baby," I said, about to drop the lit cigarette. Unfortunately, Mina was too quick and grabbed my wrist before I had the chance.

"It's only one time, I think it should be fine," she said, looking at me sternly.

"No, no, I couldn't-"

"Do it, Ichigo," she ordered, her stern expression shifting into a deep glare.

Glancing at Renji for a second, I sighed and nodded, putting the cigarette to my lips and inhaling, coughing immediately, unable to fight the urge. Mina placed her hands on her hips and asked me again, "Ichigo, do you smoke?"

Shaking my head, I answered, "Not at all," before dropping the but to the ground and stepping on it.

"Dammit, Ichigo!" Renji exclaimed before Mina turned around and smacked his arm roughly.

"Sorry," I said, Mina jumping on Renji's case as her anger seemed to grow.

"Don't blame him! I can't believe you, Renji! We're about to have a baby, a very expensive baby, and the last thing we need is for you to pick up such a costly habit again!" she shouted.

"I'm not going to start again, calm down. I've just been stressed since you got pregnant-" he began before she cut him off.

"And you're going to continue to be stressed when the baby gets here! Therefore, you will turn back to it, you idiot!" Mina answered, hitting him again.

"Okay, good point," he said, causing her glare to deepen.

"This isn't a joke, Renji," she stated.

"I know it's not, just calm down, okay? I'll stop. I promise," he said, grabbing her hand to see if he had eased her worries at all.

She pulled her hand away and nodded. "You better mean that."

"I do. I'm sorry," he said, grabbing her hand again and keeping it this time.

Rukia turned to me and laid a hand on my arm. "Are you okay?" she asked, gesturing toward the half-empty pack of cigarettes still in my hand.

"Yeah, but that was horrible," I said, causing them to laugh quietly.

"Poor Ichigo," Mina said, frowning up at me. "Why did you do that for him? He's an idiot."

"Thanks," Renji said sarcastically, only earning a slight glare from his wife.

"I don't know, but you must be right. Anyone who enjoys that shit must be stupid," I answered, causing both Rukia and Mina to laugh again.

"Ha ha," Renji said, taking the pack and the lighter from me suddenly.

Mina cocked an eyebrow at him and held out her hand expectantly. When Renji noticed he held the pack of cigarettes out to her, only to pull them away when she reached out to take them. Smiling, Renji held them out again, only to pull the same stunt, causing Mina to laugh and smack him. "Knock it off, Renji! Give them here!"

"Take them," he said, holding the pack slightly above her head while she placed her hands on her hips again.

"Stop. It. Give me the cigarettes, Renji. Now," she responded, a fake glare crossing her features.

"Take them, they're right there," he stated, his smile growing.

After sighing quietly, Mina kicked Renji's shin roughly, effectively causing him to drop the cigarettes. Quickly, she stepped on the pack and scooted them closer to me and Rukia. "Pick those up for me, will you?" she asked, grinning at Renji while talking to us.

Nodding, I knelt and picked them up, placing them in Mina's small, outstretched hand. "Thanks," she said, absently placing them in her pocket while sticking her tongue out at Renji.

"God, you two act like children," Rukia stated, smiling at them, obviously amused. Both just shrugged, still maintaining their smiles.

Suddenly, Hisagi and Michiru approached us, focusing on Rukia. "Hey, can we sit in your car? It's so fucking hot out here," Hisagi asked, already holding his hands out for the keys.

Rukia smiled and nodded, stepping aside so they could get in. "The keys are already in there," she said, causing Hisagi to nod and open the door, allowing Michiru to get in first before taking a seat in the driver's side and shutting the door.

"I forgot to tell you guys," Rukia began, her smile growing as she faced the couple in front of us. "Me and Ichigo saw those two kissing earlier."

"Really? Are you serious?" Mina asked, her smile growing also as she glanced in the window of Rukia's small car.

"Yup. I was so surprised, I honestly didn't think she'd ever give him a chance," Rukia continued, causing Mina to laugh.

"That's so great, I was so disappointed when she said she wasn't interested in him; he seems to really like her," she said, taking a longer glance at the couple through the window.

"Yeah, I know. Although, that was pretty funny," Rukia added, smiling up at me for a second before continuing. "The best part is that it only took him, what? Two days to get to her? He's so persistant, I don't know how she actually fell for it."

"Yeah, she seemed pretty set against it, didn't she?" Mina said, followed by a moment of silence. The wind picked up, causing Mina's long hair to shift over her shoulders as she pushed it behind her ear. "It looks like Saki's awake," she said, pointing toward my truck as we all turned to look at her, sitting up and rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"I'll be right back," I said, beginning to head to her.

"We're going to go find something for dinner for everyone, we'll be back too," I heard Mina tell Rukia as they retreated from her small vehicle also. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Rukia standing alone and staring off, her expression blank.

"Daddy," I heard Saki whine as I approached her, my attention to my daughter again.

"I'm right here, calm down," I said, picking her up after she held her arms up to me. She wrapped her small arms around my neck and laid her head on my shoulder tiredly. "How can you still be tired?" I asked absently while heading back toward Rukia.

"I don't know...," she mumbled as her hair fell into her face and she seemed to be drifting back to sleep.

A little concerned, I laid a hand on her back and said, "Don't fall back asleep. Mina and Renji just went to find us something to eat."

She nodded but still seemed to be falling asleep. I left her alone and just figured the heat was getting to her. When I reached Rukia, I opened her car's door and sat Saki in the back seat, where she stretched out and sighed contently. Closing the door, I glanced down at Rukia, noticing her smile at Saki warmly.

"Is she alright?" she asked, absently crossing her arms over her chest.

"Yeah, I think the heat's just making her tired," I said, glancing at my daughter's still form one more time before turning around and leaning against the car. Rukia stood in front of me, her arms now folded behind her back.

"Let's go sit down," she said, gesturing toward the grassy area a few feet from her car. Without waiting for an answer, she started walking away and found a spot in the grass before sitting and smiling up at me. Returning the gesture slightly, I pushed myself from her car and approached her, taking my place next to her, surprsing myself with how little distance I put between us.

She seemed to notice, but only smiled and laid her head on my shoulder, closing her eyes as she sighed tiredly. I thought she was going to try to go to sleep herself, but she suddenly spoke up. "You know, when this traffic clears up and we all go our seperate ways...I'm really going to miss your daughter." Her statement surprised me; I really wasn't expecting it.

It took me a moment to react, but eventually I laughed quietly. "She'll miss you too," I said, glancing down at her.

She nodded before continuing. "I'm sorry she got so attached to me, I really didn't mean to make things complicated for her."

"Don't worry about it, it's not your fault," I answered, not wanting to think about how hard it was going to be when Saki couldn't see Rukia anymore.

Rukia only nodded and looked away for a second before smiling up at me again. "Of course, I might miss you too. Maybe, just a little," she said, laughing quietly.

"Are you kidding me? I can't wait to get away from you," I said, smiling back at her, obviously joking.

She elbowed me roughly in the ribs, causing me to laugh also. "Jerk," she said simply while maintaining her smile.

"I'm just joking," I said nudging her carefully. "I guess I'll miss you a little, too."

"I know," she said, laughing when she noticed me roll my eyes at her remark. Lifting her head from my shoulder, she leaned closer to me again. "Well, you know it's true," she continued with a nod.

I felt myself leaning down closer to her, not really knowing what I was doing. "Yeah," I answered honestly, getting closer and closer to Rukia, eventually closing the gap between us by pressing my lips to hers. It was so sudden, I didn't even know that I was doing it until I pulled away and stared down at her, in disbelief of what I had done.

What the hell...?

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Okay, so, sorry for taking so long to update! :) I was so close, you guys have no idea. I had all of this done except the last four paragraphs until a few minutes ago, ha ha! Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed, please review!

Also! My sister Naomitheclone has started a new story called In what do you believe? and it's also an IchiRuki fic, and it's really awesome, so you should all go check it out and review for her! She's been sort of bummed that not many people have been reviewing, so go read it! You'll love it!

Thanks again! See you next chapter!

Oh and apparently my new laptop doesn't believe in spell check, so if I suddenly don't seem to be doing as well with my grammar and such, just know that it's my new computer, ha ha! :D Bye bye!