Chapter 11

"Urahara-san, could you run that by me again? What is my condition that makes me weak?" questioned a bewildered Ichigo.

"The condition that affects how powerful you, Kurosaki-san, are is love," replied Urahara calmly as if he was just telling someone the weather.

"H-how, w-w-what do you mean? What are you talking about? What does l-lo-love have anything to do with this?" stammered a shocked Ichigo.

Urahara stopped waving his fan and placed it so it covered everything below his eyes to hide the smile on his face. If Ichigo ever saw the smirk he would clobber him with Zangetsu.

"Kurosaki-san, love has everything to do with your predicament. You see when you are fighting to save and protect the person you love, your power is much greater," answered Urahara.

"Then shouldn't I always be at the same strength. I always fight to protect the ones I love and cherish," reasoned Ichigo.

"Ah, but that is where you are not understanding my explanation," spoke Urahara, who began waving his fan again.

"What do you mean?" questioned Ichigo.

"The love that I'm talking about is not the love you have for a close friend or even the love you have for your family. The love that I'm talking about is the kind of love someone has for their soulmate," explained Urahara. "Do you get it now, Kurosaki-san?" asked Urahara.

"I-I-I don't know what your talking about Urahara. You don't really think my ability is influenced by love do you?"

"Ah, but I do Kurosaki-san. You realize it too, don't you? Your just hiding it so others won't know. Why though? Could it be that you want to tell the person you love first before anyone else knows, Kurosaki-san? I think that is a bit too late anyway. Anyone with eyes can tell the way you feel about Kuchiki-san...." said Urahara before getting interrupted.

"Wh-what? How did......?" stammered Ichigo, eyes in shock.

"How did I know? How did I find out? It's obvious Kurosaki-san. In fact it is also obvious that Kuchiki-san feels the same way about you. Both of you are just too stubborn to admit it to each other. Actually you and Kuchiki-san did admit it to yourselves a lot quicker than I expected. Now all you have to do is tell her how you feel and she will tell you how she feels," said Urahara, a twinkle in his right eye.

"Urahara-san, lets just say that I believe your theory." began Ichigo.

"It's no theory, Kurosaki-san. It's fact," stated Urahara.

"Care to tell me how your theory explains my fighting capability?" asked Ichigo.

"Ah, of course, Kurosaki-san. When I graciously helped you regain your Shinigami powers free of charge and opened a portal to Soul Society so you could save Kuchiki-san, what exactly happened? Your will to save Kuchiki-san helped you turn back into a Shinigami and not a Hollow. Your, dare I say it again, love for Kuchiki-san helped you defeat all who stood in the way of saving her. In your battles you defeated Madarame-san and the whole 11th Squad, Abarai-fukutaicho, Zaraki-taicho, 4 fukutaicho at the same time, and Kuchiki-taicho. You obtained bankai in record time and stopped the Sōkyoku from executing Kuchiki-san. In other words you, Kurosaki-san were completely successful in your effort to save Kuchiki-san," explained Urahara.

"But I failed to stop Aizen from hurting Rukia. I couldn't save her when Ichimaru was about to kill her. I-" responded Ichigo.

"Stop right there, Kurosaki-san. Those failures happened when you were in no position to do anything. You were completely exhausted after your battle with Kuchiki-taicho," answered Urahara.

"When Grimmjow hurt Rukia, I couldn't do anything. What about that?" wondered Ichigo.

"You were not yourself at that time, Kurosaki-san. You had lost your resolve," replied Urahara. "Think about it, Kurosaki-san. When you went to save Inoue-san you lost almost every battle you were in. That former Espada you fought would've defeated if he didn't force you to use bankai. You barely defeated Grimmjow and lost badly to Ulquiorra when you found out he was the one who abducted Inoue-san. That shows you the difference between love for a friend and love for your soulmate."

Ichigo seemed lost in thought. He was absorbing and going over everything Urahara had said the past 20 minutes. Urahara stood up to leave.

"That's all I have to say, Kurosaki-san. Since this discussion is done I must go. I have some important things to attend to," said Urahara as he left.

Ichigo was left sitting in one spot in the training room while Urahara made his way up to the store. Unknown to both of them a certain raven haired Shinigami had heard the whole conversation.

Kuchiki Rukia had been training under Yoruichi to achieve her bankai. They were taking a break as Rukia and Yoruichi opted not to use the dummy method of attaining bankai since it posed a huge risk; that risk was one of the reasons Rukia loves Ichigo so much because he risked his life to achieve bankai to save her. The sole reason Ichigo attained his bankai was for her. Rukia wants to achieve bankai herself so she can fight alongside Ichigo without him having to worry about her as much.

However, all thoughts of getting bankai left Rukia's mind at the moment. The only thought going through the petite, violet-eyed Shinigami's mind is that Ichigo loves her. "Urahara said Ichigo loves me, that he's my soulmate and I'm his...Ichigo didn't deny what Urahara said....Ic-Ichigo loves me!!"

Many different emotions were rushing through Rukia. Her heart was beating rapidly and her chest was swelling with happiness, astonishment, joy, disbelief, and amazement, but mostly love; love for the man just a few meters from her. The emotions were overwhelming Rukia and she got caught up in them. The raven-haired Shinigami ran at Ichigo.

Ichigo heard someone coming in his direction. He turned and only caught sight of black before he was sent sprawling to the ground. Ichigo blinked and looked down at who had tackled him to the ground. He found violet eyes staring up at his own amber eyes. Kuchiki Rukia had her arms around Ichigo's body and she was looking at him with tears, warmth, and something Ichigo couldn't identify in her eyes.

"Ru-Rukia! What going on? Did something happen?" stammered Ichigo.

"Ichi-Ichigo! Ichigo!" was the only word Rukia could say.

"Rukia, what's wrong?! Tell me," grunted Ichigo as Rukia's hold on him tightened.

"Bakamono, there's nothing wrong. I'm just really happy right now," whispered Rukia as she buried her face into Ichigo's chest. She sighed in bliss when Ichigo wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Ah," said Ichigo who stayed quiet for a bit because he sensed Rukia wanted a moment. "Rukia, is there a reason to why you're hugging me like this and happy?" asked Ichigo after a while.

Ichigo's question broke the peace that Rukia was enjoying. She didn't get mad or annoyed though. Instead, Rukia just moved her head back a bit until she could stare straight into Ichigo's eyes and smiled. Rukia has decided to finally tell Ichigo how she feels and isn't scared of rejection because she knows Ichigo loves her too; eventually he'd tell her he lovers her, but Rukia doesn't want to wait that long for the carrot top to work up the courage for it.

"Ichigo, aishiteru," spoke Rukia softly with a gentle smile.

Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise. He couldn't believe what he just heard. "Did Rukia just say what I think she said?!?! I think she did! Rukia loves me!! She does love me!! I need to tell her how I feel too. I've gotta. Come on Ichigo, you can do this."

Ichigo tightened his hold on Rukia, which had loosened after what just Rukia said. He stared straight into her amethyst orbs and tenderly spoke the words Rukia has been longing to hear. "Rukia, aishiteru."

Rukia thought that it wasn't possible, but somehow she became even happier and more emotional after hearing Ichigo say it. Knowing someone loves you and hearing that person actually say it are two totally different things.

Ichigo and Rukia stayed in each others arms for awhile. They were content being within each others embrace. At the top of the ladder leading upstairs to the shoten, Urahara and Yoruichi smiled knowingly. They looked at each other, nodded, and closed the trap door.

"Rukia, does this mean that we're together now?" questioned Ichigo after a long while.

"Ah, Ichigo, we're together," replied his new girlfriend with no hesitation. Rukia then thought of something that she has always been wondering about. She tried asking Ichigo once about it near the beginning of their partnership, but he had vehemently refused. The raven haired beauty never brought it up again because more important matters kept on popping up. However, in this moment of contentment and peace Rukia wants to know now.

"Ichigo, remember when I asked you what the characters in that manga were doing? Could you tell me now?"

"Eh? What manga? When did you ask me th-" began Ichigo before it hit him.

"When we were chasing after the parakeet that Chad saved," said Rukia.

Ichigo's face began turning red from what Rukia was asking about. This made Rukia worried.

"Ichigo, what's wrong? Why are you turning red?" questioned Rukia as she moved one of her hands to Ichigo's forehead.

"Ah, no, no, nothing's wrong. I'm perfectly fine."

"Oh, then tell me what they were doing. Why were they both na-"

"Why me?!?" Ichigo's shout was heard all over Karakura Town and drowned out the last part of his girlfriend's question while she looked at him with expectant eyes.

Hokage Tower

"Thank you for coming on such short notice. Something has happened and none of our investigation squads can figure out how. I'm guessing it has something to do with your problems," spoke Tsunade.

"Ah, it's no problem at all Hokage-sama. Although I'm a bit surprised to be back here so soon. I'm glad to be of service. I'll be sure to give you a special discount for my help," said a blonde haired man.

"Kisuke! You will do this free of charge, understand?" threatened Yoruichi.

"Hai, hai," chuckled Urahara nervously. "Please tell us what happened," a suddenly serious Urahara requested.