New chapter is here! Funny how I take a few days to write a chapter so I don't actually know when this will be updated at the end XD So I looked at my poll results (Which btw, is still open!) to see that only 3 people voted, which one of was me. And the other 2 voted 2-3 days. *pouts* that's reaaalllyyy hard to get out a chapter every 2-3 days! I like to take breaks for like, one or two days and then take 2 or 3 days to write the actual thing! So the least time I can get it out in would be 3 days, but trust me, I'm not exactly prepared to write so consistently like that, I can imagine myself stuffed up in a corner, typing really fast on the computer, half asleep and having writer's block. I come up with the best chapters when my mind is relaxed and free and hardly anyone reviewing is not really helping…*hint hint* Oh and also, I write little updates at the bottom of my profile so look there to see which chapter/fanfic I'm currently working on! Also thank you to kona-chan and zero09q for reviewing!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach!

-X-

Ichigo stared out of the small window, his hand on his chin, feeling dull and his fiery eyes slowly dying out due to the extreme boredom he was experiencing. He fiddled with his hair and rubbed his eyes. There was nothing to do. Opposite him, Rukia was chatting to a sleepy Rangiku while Renji snored beside him. His eyes watched the birds swiftly flying through the light, shaped clouds and yawned.

Rukia couldn't help but have small glimpses at the man yawning opposite her on the coach and smiling slightly. Every time, she bit her lip in attempt to stop the little grins coming out but it was so hard. Now that Rangiku had fallen asleep, she too, stared out the window.

Both of them stared mindlessly at the clouds and watched as they floated through the sky. Ichigo pulled back when he noticed how Rukia was now enjoying the same, mundane activity as him and stared at the girl.

"R-Rukia…" Ichigo murmured slightly and bit his lip while looking at the petite girl in front of him.

"Yeah, what?" Rukia turned to face him only to find that there was only perhaps, a 2 inch gap between them. Both blushed bright red as an electrical fizz ran down Ichigo's spine while Rukia felt her heart surge.

"So…uh, where do you live?" Ichigo scratched his head, wondering if that question was just a little bit too…stalker-ish.

"…K-Karakura Apartment…in, well, Karakura town of course…" Rukia paused a little before answering. Wasn't that question just a little bit too…stalker-ish?

"N-No way…" Ichigo's eyes expanded and then narrowed again. He felt a slight chill. This is no mere coincidence. But what was it? Could it be called destiny? Or…fate?

"What?" Rukia furrowed her eyebrows and stared at Ichigo suspiciously.

"I…I live there…too…" He muttered, turning away with a flush of embarrassment.

-X-

After arriving back to Tokyo, the ten went their separate ways. Nel, Orihime and Rangiku took a taxi, Grimmjow and Ulquiorra took the train, Ishida, Renji and Tatsuki took a ride in Renji's car. This left Ichigo and Rukia together driving back to Karakura town for Karakura apartment.

Rukia sat in the front passenger seat, fiddling her fingers and trying hard to avoid eye contact. It was extremely awkward sitting next to a person you had just spent a whole week with, celebrated their birthday, kissed them and then sit next to them in their car but not say a single thing during the entire journey.

While Rukia was sitting there, feeling extremely awkward, Ichigo was driving slowly, fretting that Rukia didn't want to talk to him. Maybe he should make conversation first…Or not?

What…What should I say? Should I ask him about his family? Would that be too private? Does he live with his family? Wait…Does he have a girlfriend? We're not even at a stage where that sort of question should be asked yet…I…I…Maybe I should just not say anything…It's gonna be quite a long journey so I'll just try sleep now…

Ichigo's fiery eyes flickered over to Rukia and flinched slightly when he saw that she was asleep. He smiled as his heart gradually relaxed.

-X-

Kuchiki Rukia gingerly opened her purple sapphire eyes and immediately felt a slightly smooth touch at her skin. She looked down to see Ichigo's black leather jacket round her petite body and smiled. Her eyes met a sleeping Ichigo who lay in the seat next to her.

If Ichigo is asleep then…we're back? Rukia looked outside the window and set her eyes on the familiar building that was Karakura apartment. She lifted her wrist and peeled back her sleeve to look at her dark purple, digital watch which now said 19:50. She had been asleep for so long…Four hours? We've been in this car for four hours? Because…Ichigo, he…didn't want to wake me…Rukia stared at his goose bumps and blinked. He's cold…But he gave his jacket…to me? Rukia winced as Ichigo slumped his head towards her side and fell onto mid-air causing him to wake up.

"Gah! Rukia! How long have I been asleep…?" Ichigo looked at his watch. "Oh! Not long, ok, let's go in."

Not…Not long? So…he must have waited, just sitting in the car here…for so long…

Ichigo dragged his and some of Rukia's luggage through the automatic doors with Rukia trailing behind him holding some bags and a zinc white luggage case. They stepped into the elevator and immediately dropped the luggage with a loud thud on the metal base.

"Which floor?" Ichigo turned to Rukia, his finger above the '12' button which was now illuminated with a bright blue glow.

"Thirteen…"

"Okay! We'll drop my things off at floor twelve and then we'll head up to your floor." Ichigo spoke casually, which slightly confused Rukia. Before, he would be a little awkward when facing her, but now he spoke like they were two people who had known each other for a long time and had a close relationship. Like they were…friends

After dropping things off at Ichigo's floor, they headed up to Rukia's.

"Hey, Rukia…" Ichigo stood at the front of her door, while she fumbled in her pockets for the key.

"Yeah, what?"

"You're number 1315?"

"…" Rukia silenced herself, knowing what Ichigo was about to point out.

"That means…you're directly above me…Since I'm…1215"

"Yeah…" Rukia stuck her key into the small hole and gently turned it.

They stepped inside unaware of what they would encounter. But once they were, something gripped at their hearts and tugged hard. Rukia dropped to the ground. Ichigo stood there, suddenly worried. There, in front of them, stood a tall man. One with midnight black hair and aqua green eyes. Kaien Shiba.

-X-

Okay, underneath this paragraph of text, you will see a dark blue button. Click it. Type what you think of this story, click submit and something magical will happen! Refresh the page and now the number of reviews have gone up by one! Isn't that magical? :D Also, I'm starting a new poll which will ask about the length of my chapters and the frequency update! It'll be on my page, vote it or review your answer here! Thanks to all who read this chapter, supports me lots! No, trust me it does, I have traffic stats!