Guys, I know it's been a while since I last updated, sorry, I was kind of busy with my other fanfic, Memories of Him, if you haven't, you can check it out! It's also IchiRuki. Also, I made a poll on new ideas for a new fanfiction, the ideas are on my profile in bold, go and have a look! Oh, I almost forgot, thanks Tatiana-Azuma, zero09q and Sailor IchiRuki for reviewing, I love you guys!

Also, a review response to zero09q:
Yeah, I know she was pretty OOC then, but I was just trying to emphasise the fact that Kaien is her ultimate weakness, lol, she will be back to her stoic self in future chapters so don't worry! And the thing between Rukia and Kaien will be revealed in a few more chapters!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

"Ichigo…I-"

*Ding Dang Dong* the door rang right at that moment. Had it saved Rukia from embarrassment or had it saved Ichigo from disappointment?

"I'll get it!" Rukia threw herself away from Ichigo and ran to the door, her heart still rushing, her chest constricting. Surprisingly enough, Ichigo didn't grab onto her and just stood there, in a daze.

"Rangiku-san?" Rukia jumped back in shock to see her colleague at her door. Not because it was her, but because Ichigo was there. Rangiku knew Ichigo and for him to be with her in the early morning made it look so wrong. She expected it to be maybe a delivery or a salesman, just anything normal to save her from the awkward situation, but no, it was Rangiku.

"Rukia-chan! I just thought I'd come and pick you up so we can go to work together! Your shift starts early with mine on a Monday!"

"I-

"Ruki-aaaaaa" Ichigo suddenly cooed at the shocked girl, walking towards her nonchalantly, as if nothing happened before.

"Eh? Ichigo-kun? Why are you here? No way! You guys aren't-", Rangiku leant back, her hand covering her mouth lightly, showing a surprised, but sly expression.

Rukia just stood there, silenced by Ichigo's way of calling her and the fact that he was coming nearer and nearer.

"That, Rangiku-san, is something for me to know and something for you to find out." Ichigo poked his tiny tongue out and winked, then turned to the petite girl, now standing next to him.

Ichigo leant down and whispered in the same tone as before, "Ruki-aaaaaa, I'll leave first then!" He pressed against her shoulders gently and lightly kissed her forehead, while a mischievous wink followed. Ichigo casually walked out the door, a cheeky smirk adorning his face. "See ya, Rangiku-san, Ruki-aaaaaa"

"What. The. Fuck." Rukia's jaw dropped hard to the ground, through all thirteen floors beneath and still smacking through underground.

"Rukia-chan! Are you...By any chance...dating Ichigo-kun? Did you do it with him?"

Rukia turned to her colleague, and replied with a death glare and a "FUCK NO". Rangiku, of course noticed the deathly aura being emitted from her friend and decided to shut her fat gob which she knew was not needed at the time, although she still doubted the dating thing in her now shivering mind.

Ichigo walked out the building, slightly smiling. He knew Rukia was going to turn him down and that the best thing to do was to walk away and pretend nothing happened. He wasn't exactly sure why and how he blurted it out in the first place. He just hoped that things wouldn't be awkward between them the next time they met. Miserably, he trudged through the lonely morning streets and slowed his pace when he reached his father's house. He only went there occasionally, normally, he would just stay in his apartment, but he hadn't seen them since the holiday, so he decided to visit. He opened the door and was suddenly met by a giant fist coming to the face. Sighing, he dodged it nonchalantly and returned with a kick right in his father's stomach.

"OWWW! Ichigo! You stupid son, that's not nice!"

"Yeah, well I don't think what you attempted at me was nice either" Ichigo stepped through the hallway and into the lounge, not expecting anything. But as his eyes dawned on what, no, who was seated on a chair, opposite his own younger sister, Yuzu. A girl, his age, with eggplant coloured hair, bright golden eyes and a strawberry red ribbon in her hair. Ichigo jumped back in shock as his fiery amber eyes widened in awe.

"I-Ichigo-kun!" The girl stood up suddenly, her hands pressing against the table, her pale face full of happiness and anxiety.

"S-Senna…What are you…doing here?"

Ichigo and Senna stepped through the idle streets, making awkward conversations and barely any eye contact. A summer breeze blew through their soft hair and Ichigo cleared his throat.

"So…What brings you back…here?"

"I…Well, I…finished my studies in England a week ago, so I decided to…visit. Actually, I came the day I came back, but your father told me you were on vacation with your…friends"

"Oh! Yeah, I was…" Ichigo's mind flashed an image of Rukia. Rukia…wasn't exactly a friend, she was something more, not a lover, she was something less. What was she to him exactly?

"I got you a present! For your birthday…" Senna scrambled into her hand bag and pulled out a small, black box.

"Oh, this is…" Ichigo slowly lifted up the lid and stared at the gleaming, silver watch.

"Thanks, Senna…" A small pink patch blossomed on Senna's cheeks.

"D-Do you like it?" Senna looked up at the tall man and smiled.

"Y-Yeah…"

Right then, Senna grabbed hold of Ichigo's hand and looked up toward him and swallowed hard. Her heart was pounding and she was glowing red in embarrassment.

"Then…do you still like me?"

I'm really, really sorry for not updating quickly, I promise it won't happen again, and also please check out my poll and also review! Oh and I also have another fanfic called Memories of Him, that's what I've been busy with while I wasn't updating this, lol, go and have a read of that!