Chapter 21

"Ichigo…" Rukia pushed him a little while he was busy exploring her neck. For the past few days he seemed to be deeply interested in that exact part of her body. "I really think it's time to go. We're gonna be late." She glanced at the watch on her wrist behind his head, while he kept working to disentangle the red ribbon from her uniform.

"How about… we stayed here today? Finally nobody will interrupt." He said when he managed to get rid of the red material and attacked her collarbone with so much infatuation she couldn't hold back a quiet moan and tightened the grip on his scalp.

"I… I… don't think it's a good idea…" She stuttered but made no move to free herself from his strong grasp. Her back was pressed to the wall of the attic and she really hoped it was clean enough not to leave any stains on her white shirt.

"They will notice that both of us is absent, we need… to go." She raised his head to the level of her lips and kissed him, fighting with his fingers at the same time to get back her ribbon.

He was restive, but finally she managed to have it back and broke away from him, breathing unsteadily.

Ichigo moved back a bit, not taking his eyes off of hers. When he tried to come closer once again, she put a palm on his chest.

"We really have to go. I don't want trouble." With a few perfectly coordinated moves she placed her ribbon back in the place, shook off the dust from her shirt and skirt and moved forward, taking his hand into hers.

When she heard a grunt of disappointment, she reversed her head a little and whispered with a slight smile "We can go back to that in the evening."

"Right." He followed her as she opened slowly the hatch from the attic and checked if there was nobody around.

"Let's go." She jumped out without even opening the small stairs and disappeared immediately in the bathroom, while Ichigo made sure to lock it properly.

She could hear him behind the door saying he'll wait for her outside.

God, the whole conspiracy thing was even harder when they started those heavy make out sessions.

Rukia combed her hair a few times, checked in the mirror if everything is alright with the uniform and ran down the stairs to join Ichigo around the corner.

"Bye, Yuzu! See you in the afternoon!"

"Hurry up, Rukia, you're gonna be late! It's only fifteen minutes to classes!"

"I know!" She screamed back while putting on her jacket quickly and shooting out of the house like a bullet.

Since the day she visited Renji, they have become closer with Ichigo.

A lot closer.

He was attacking her every time he had a chance.

When she was going to go downstairs, he would catch her at the top and pull into the niche near the stairs; when she was about to take a shower he would pull her into his room for a five minutes and so on. He just wouldn't miss even a tiniest opportunity.

Not that she had anything against it, she yearned for him as much as he did for her, if not stronger.

However there were a few times Yuzu or Karin almost caught them red handed, but every time they were able to cover it somehow. Fortunately, Isshin hasn't been around that often lately, since there was still a lot of work after that accident during weekend. Although it was more paperwork than medical at the moment.

For that purpose, Ichigo came up with the idea to use the attic, which was the most forgotten part of the house and now they were meeting there regularly in the morning and in the evening where the rest was still sleeping or when they were coming back from the trainings.

"What took you so long? Hurry up!" She heard Ichigo hustling her from afar.

"I know, I'm sorry! Just go without me!" Rukia said back fighting with the scarf, bag and clothes for PE all at once.

"Give me that and come on." He took away from her the clothes and stuffed the bag with them, while she was suddenly free to put on the scarf.

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me, just hurry up!"

"Stop repeating that, I'm already in hurry!"

"Then you should hurry up more."

"Shut up, you jerk, it was you who procrastinated the most." Rukia hissed as she tried to catch up to his fast pace.

"Not that you objected." He retorted back, giving her the bag back as she finally managed to zip the jacket.

"I don't have time for this, just go and I'll stay here this time until I pack everything properly." She sighed with resignation seeing how much he creased her perfectly ironed shirt and shorts for PE inside of her bag.

"Fine, just don't wait too long it's really late."

"I know! Go!" She pushed him and tried to bring back the clothes to proper state while observing secretly his back.

She grew used to that; to observe him when he was not watching. Every time she did that, she noticed something new, some detail, she had no idea about before. Like now, that he carried his rucksack only on his left arm. When she thought about it, she hasn't seen him carrying it on both or on his right; it was always the left arm.

When she started to think about why it was his left arm, when he was right handed, the sound of the bell reached her ears.

"Shit!" She realized she stayed there for too long, and should have been in the class a couple of minutes ago.

Rukia ran as fast as she could, this time unzipping her jacket and taking off the clothes as she ran through the corridors.

Christ, even at her birthday things couldn't go smoothly.

%%%

"Karin! Can you put those in the corner? We need more balloons!" Yuzu ran excitedly around the house in her blue apron, trying to decorate it as beautifully as she could. The cake was already in the oven and the sweet scent of chocolate was floating in the air.

"I'm not sure if I can reach there but I'll try. I think you should already stop with those balloons. There are so many of them… are you sure Rukia is gonna like it?" She winced at the sight of so many colorful things in one room. It looked too childish for her taste, but Yuzu seemed to be so excited and convinced it was exactly what Rukia needed so she decided to give it up.

"Of course! I'm sure she's gonna love it! Can you please help me with the salad? I'm so happy dad allowed us to stay at home today! We wouldn't be able to do it if we were supposed to go to school."

"Yeah. Old man can be decent at times." Karin agreed while she did her best to reach the edge of the lamp to fix balloons there.

"Oh leave it, we'll ask Ichi, he surely will help." Yuzu put her hands on the hips frowning.

"Good idea… but about Ichigo… does he even know it's Rukia's birthday?"

"Now that you speak about it… I don't think so. But we have a gift for her, we'll simply say it's from all of us, I'm sure neither he or she will care, they are just like cat and dog… I wish they got along finally…" Yuzu spoke as she begun to check if there is clean enough under the sofa and the wall unit.

"Right…" Karin broke the eye connection with her sister thinking about last night, when she saw them leaving on his bike, looking quite familiar with each other.

She could feel trouble all the way.

%%%

"Which one was it? Which one for God's sake?" Renji paced impatiently around a huge clothes store, trying to remind himself that particular day, when they were at the beach so many years ago.

When Rukia looked in the highest admiration at the woman with an unusual hat. He could remember clearly how she told him that after she grows up she wants to have exactly the same one, to look as amazingly genteel as that woman. He could remember how wide her eyes became and how her mouth opened, how Kaien hit her head for silly look on her face and how they were rolling up in the wild fight in the sand a few seconds later.

He could remember all of it.

So why the hell couldn't he remember how the hat looked like?

He stood in front of a large exhibition, where dozens of different kinds of hats were displayed. There were small ones, some really huge, one colored, with straps, dots, artificial flowers at the top or any other figure he could imagine but none of it gave him a clue how did that particular one looked like.

"Can I help you, sir?" A middle aged saleswoman came towards him, probably perceiving his confusion.

"I don't think so." He mumbled angrily, but then reminded himself it was not the woman's fault he couldn't remember that one necessary detail. "I'm sorry."

"No problem at all. Are you looking for a gift?" she answered kindly, probably used to coarse behavior of the customers.

"Yes." He answered shortly, having no idea what more he could say and stared blankly at the hats once again.

"Any clue what kind of hat you are looking for? Where would that person put it on?"

Last question gave him some hope.

"Ummm… on the beach?"

"Ah, so you're looking for the wrong department, here are only hats for special occasions, like weddings and formal parties. Come with me, please." She led him through the shop to another exhibition where another bunch of hats was hanging loosely making him even more terrified.

The more of them, the more options he had; the more options he had, the more he was screwed up, because it now looked like any of them could be the one he needed.

"Please take a look at those here, the material is lighter making it more comfortable to wear when it's hot." She pointed at the right region of the display. "Any particular color you're interested in?"

"I… I don't think so. But is there…" he felt stupid asking that kind of question, but what other choice did he have? "Is there something elegant?"

"Elegant? Well, speaking about elegant hats, I would suggest you straw hats- perfect for sunny and cold weather, depending on the color you choose and the simplicity can be definitely called elegance." The woman dug her hand between tons of headgears and showed him huge straw hat with enormous brim.

Renji's eyes widened. That was it!

He glanced once again at the yellow hat, but something wasn't working with it.

"You said there are different colors. Could I see something in different color?" Could it really be it?

"Yes of course, here are other options, take a look." Renji made a few steps forward and when he caught a glimpse of black hat exactly the same as the previous one, he knew he was looking for exactly something like this.

He still couldn't remember that damned woman, but this hat looked just like it belonged to Rukia.

"I'll take this one."

"I'm glad you made your choice." The saleswoman smiled and took him to the counter.

Renji left the woman a huge tip, even though he was aware he didn't have to do it; he simply felt the woman deserved it for doing her job effectively and saving him a lot of trouble. With his wallet lighter for a bunch of bills and great feeling of satisfaction he went outside of the store and simply couldn't wait to see Rukia's face when she sees the hat.

%%%

"Dad, come on! Please! How much work do you have left?" Yuzu stood in front of Isshin's desk in his treatment room, begging him to hurry up and join the birthday party as soon as he could.

"I have already told you Yuzu, I will come as soon as I can. There are still some patient's left and I have some paper work to do, but you surely don't think daddy would pass up such an event as our dearest Rukia's birthday party!" He jumped up a little on his seat, suddenly taking out of nowhere birthday hat and tiny buzzer, making a lot of noise. People in the waiting room started to fidget anxiously at the sound and Yuzu immediately took away the birthday equipment from him, giggling.

"Shh, dad…There are people there!" She said still laughing. "I'm glad you remember, we'll be waiting for you then!" She secretly left him two sandwiches on the desk.

He was working so hard recently. The only way she could help him was to make sure he eats properly.

Yuzu climbed the stairs to the house and started to put all the plates on the table.

There was not much time left and still so many things to do!

%%%

Finally break.

Ichigo left his school, wondering what will Urahara prepare for them tonight. Last time he informed, they were going to start martial arts training and he couldn't help but to wonder how it will look like and, more importantly, who will be the one to teach them. As far as he knew, each of the member had some basics in fighting, even Hanataro, but when it comes to choose the best one…

Kenpachi's face popped in his mind without a moment of hesitation.

He even looked like a machine designed for killing; huge, muscled body, scars all over his face and that freaky hairstyle of his. If he didn't know him so long he would stay away from a guy like that.

Ichigo wondered about Urahara and Yoruichi. These two were always together, kicking Espada's butts only if it was necessary; they never provoked brawls… as… as I do he thought with shame.

Right, he always caused trouble, but he got used to it since early childhood when other children or even adults despised him for his unusual hair color. There was always somebody who was ready to punch him senseless just because he looked different so he needed to learn how to protect himself properly.

Even if he didn't want to admit it, a huge part of his training was done by his dad. His occasional kicks and punches taught him to be ready for attack anytime, even at home.

Old man… he was working so hard recently Ichigo almost felt sorry for him. He even wasn't goofing around lately. Not that he actually missed that behavior, especially since he and Rukia…

He simply couldn't believe everything was going so fine recently and some irritating inner voice told him that it's not going to be like that forever; that the bomb is ticking, only waiting to explode, but no matter how hard Ichigo racked his brain, he couldn't come up what form that bomb does take.

So he gave up on those gloomy thoughts and decided to take everything as it is and don't worry about anything.

Because there simply isn't anything to worry about.

He hoped that if he will repeat that to himself thousands of times he will finally believe it.

"I'm home!" He screamed as he entered the house and smelled wonderful scent of chocolate cake. Suddenly he became really hungry.

"Ichigo! Finally! Where have you been that long?" Karin ran to him within one second, holding a handful of balloons.

"Um… at school?" He asked disoriented and took a look at colorful things which Karin held in her hand. "Did I forget about something?"

"I knew it! You have no idea it's Rukia's birthday, don't you?" She put her free hand on her forehead.

"Rukia's… birthday?" He felt cold. Really cold. A lot colder than when he was outside.

"Yes, you dumbass!" She punched him into his shoulder. "How the hell you missed that kind of information?"

"I…I…" He stammered, thinking frantically what to do. There was not many options.

First, was to stay and smile widely while his sisters and dad will give her present from all Kurosaki family.

Non acceptable.

Second was to go for last minute shopping and buy first thing that comes to his mind.

Non acceptable as well.

Third was to go on the attic and hang himself.

Sounds pretty good.

"Christ, we needed you here, but at this rate… just go." Karin started to put on his coat again and wrap the scarf again on his neck.

"What? Where?" He had no idea what was going on, but soon he was standing outside staring at Karin's narrowed eyes.

"To buy her a present, idiot! I can't believe you're my brother! Don't just stand here wasting your time, just go!"

"But where? I have no idea what to give her…"

"Well, I can't do that for you, you're the closest to her, you should know what she likes the most, what was she looking forward to… I don't know! Just something that makes her happy!" She gesticulated wildly with her hand full of balloons and a few dropped on the snow.

"Karin, how the hell did you know…?"

"Oh, there's no time for that! If I'm not wrong she is finishing her classes in 10 minutes. That means you have 15 minutes to get something and then about 10 to come back."

"See you then." Ichigo quickly opened the gate to the garage and Karin rolled her eyes.

Men.

%%%

"She's coming, she's coming!" Yuzu squealed as she communicated to all the people gathered in the darkness of the living room.

"SILENCE!" Keigo yelled and soon was treated with Tatsuki's fist.

"You idiot, do you really think she's not gonna hear you?" She hissed into his ear.

"Tatsuki…" he whined piteously as he rubbed his jaw. "You are the strongest teenager in Japan and I'm simple, poorly-build Keigo Asano, please mind that next time you punch me." He whispered as a few tears of pain appeared in his eyes.

"Alright, I'm sorry. That one was too hard for you." She tapped his head carelessly.

"OK, Ok, apology accepted. You can stop now Tatsuki." He said as she didn't stop to tap his head, stronger and stronger. "I said you can stop!" he hissed louder.

"Don't tell me that was too hard either? I am loosing the remnants of respect I had for you." She said with a frown.

"Stop bullying me." He said as he crossed his arms on his chest and walked away to stand next to Mahana and Michiru.

"Hey Karin, where is Ichigo?" Tatsuki whispered quietly as they all heard the sound of the keys in the locker.

"He had to do something. He'll come any minute."

"At that exact time he had to do something? I thought they are not mad at each other anymore." Tatsuki wondered.

"I don't think they are. He really had to do something important. But he'll come soon." Karin said almost inaudibly as they all were waiting for Rukia to enter the living room.

They all stopped breathing for a second and then…

"SURPRISE!" They yelled altogether the second Rukia turned on the light.

The shock written all over her face was almost terrifying. They sure as hell scared her.

"Happy birthday, Rukia!" Yuzu blew to the buzz she borrowed from Isshin. Somebody threw confetti at her and she only stood there with her mouth opened, not believing what she was seeing in front of her eyes.

So many people.

There was half of her class, the part she actually liked: Michiru, Keigo, Mahana, Tatsuki, Ishida, Sado, a few other girls who talked to her a few times, there was also part of Death Gods: Urahara, Yoruichi, Yumichika, Ikkaku, Kenpachi, Hisagi, Hanataro, Toshiro, Matsumoto…and there was Renji.

But she couldn't see Ichigo anywhere.

That's ok, he probably will show up any moment…

"T-Th-Thank you." That was all she managed to say looking at the decorations, tons of food at the table and all the people who came here only to wish her happy birthday.

"Your presents! Your presents!" Isshin danced around the pile of boxes and gift bags.

"Open them!"

"Yeah, open them!" Someone shouted and soon people reached the table filled with Yuzu's goodies and a cozy atmosphere fell around.

Still, even during opening the gifts, between bursts of laughs and exchanging courtesy, her eyes searched for the orange head in the small crowd, which was nowhere to be found.

%%%

"Shit, shit, shit!" Ichigo cursed as he drove slowly, on the icy road, trying to match his movement to the machine. It was hopeless, he knew he was damn late, he knew it very well, so all he could do was to hold tightly that small package in his hand, concentrating on the road and the goddamn bike.

He rode forward with agonizingly slow speed and cursed harder with every second.

There was nothing more he could do.

%%%,

"Oh my God, I can't believe you remembered, Renji!" Rukia exclaimed and smiled at Renji after she opened the box with the hat. "It's perfect! How did you find it?"

"I have my ways." He spoke nonchalantly and Rukia gladly noticed he was standing next to Tatsuki.

"You always had." She replied and sent him another smile, putting on the hat as well as other gifts which were destined to be worn. She already had a scarf, gloves, a pair of incredibly thick socks, a hairclip and the perfect black hat on.

There was another applause, as always when she opened the box and somebody offered her another glass of champagne, which she refused; she wanted to remember every second of her eighteenth birthday, which was so special, which was everything her heart even stopped dreaming about: family, friends- new ones and old ones, in peaceful and joyful mood. There was only one thing she dreamed to happen tonight.

She sent another glance towards the front door, but they were still.

Nobody was coming in.

"Ok… what do we have here…" She put a smile again on her face and started to choose another bag to open.

%%%

When Ichigo finally turned into his street he noticed a group of people on the sidewalk.

Could he be that late?

"Hey Ichigo? Is that you? Where have you been? You missed a really good party!" Tatsuki waved to him as she walked with Keigo, Ishida, Sado, Michiru, Mahana and Renji to Ichigo's surprise.

The last one sent him a murderous glare and Ichigo didn't even pull down the helmet.

"I had some things to do."

"That's what your sister told me, but hey, I thought you and Rukia finally made it up… Sometimes I really don't get you." Tatsuki shook her head and started to walk forward.
"Let's go, it's cold. See you tomorrow!" She shouted behind as the rest also mumbled a few words about him being unkind to attend Rukia's birthday party.

He said bye to them and parked carefully in the garage.

He cursed himself for the stupid idea… but a tiny, foolish ray of hope was still inside of his mind.

Maybe, just maybe.

He climbed on the floor, noticed Yuzu sleeping peacefully on the sofa between the cushions. Without even thinking he took her up and carried to her room. On the staircase he met Karin. She didn't say a word, but followed him to their room and helped him to put Yuzu into the bed.

After they closed the door to the bedroom she tormented him.

"I wouldn't like to be in your shoes right now. I think she's down, even though she didn't show a sign of it all night. I just hope the thing you have is worth it."

"Karin… tell me. When did you find out? I need to know." He said combing his hair with his fingers. He was tired. Dead tired and there was still many things to do.

"I saw you a few days ago while you were riding on your bike. Well… not only riding to be precise." Karin spoke avoiding his look.

"Oh." That must have been the night he and Rukia decided to put the helmets outside the garage since they were in hurry. The hurry however didn't prevent them to exchange a few hot and quick kisses before setting off.

"Go, Ichigo, you are late enough already." She said opening the door and disappearing in her room.

Ichigo took a deep breath and curled his hand around the small sack in his pocket, hoping Rukia's not sleeping yet.

He knocked quietly to her door and entered after hearing her "Come in."

"Hey." He stood with hands in his pockets, feeling like the worst fool in the world.

"Hey." There wasn't anger in that tone or bitterness or any other emotion. Just simple "hey". Ichigo wondered what that means. He couldn't decide if she was angry or hurt… She just sat on the chair next to the desk, observing him expectantly.

"I just wanted to… to wish you happy birthday." He finally said, still couldn't decide how to behave.

"Thank you very much. However… well. My birthday was yesterday." She pointed at the clock, which showed 00:15.

Fuck.

"Ok, I know I messed up, but come with me." He walked to her, took her arm and pulled up.

"Where?" She asked trying to free her arm from his grasp. "Ichigo where are we going? I am in pajamas!" He stopped, took a glance at her clothing- loose pants and even more loose T-shirt, which seemed much too big for her and he had to admit she couldn't go like that.

"OK." He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. It was kinda hilarious view, because it seemed like she was drowning in the leather, but that was not the point at the moment. "Now you can go. Come on."

She didn't object as he led her downstairs right to the garage, what was a bit comforting.

"Are we going to the garage? It's freezing there." She shuddered a little when they were walking down to the lowest part of the house.

"Yeah." He opened the door and pushed her first, closing all her form from behind in a bear hug. "Better?" he asked to her ear.

"A… a bit better, yes." She smiled lightly, what completely surprised him. Wasn't she angry? "Why did we come here?" She leaned completely into his back.

"Can't you see? Look around." Rukia's confused eyes met his as she started to examine every part of the small space.

"I can't see anything... special here. Everything as always: a car, shelves, tools, your bike…"

"Take a closer look at my bike." Well, it was dark, he couldn't blame her for not recognizing…

"My Ninja! What is it doing here?" She escaped from his embrace and rushed to check if it was her bike indeed.

"I brought it here today… that's why I haven't made it in time… I kinda got lost while looking for your place…" He rubbed his head with embarrassment.

"But what for? I can't ride it anyway." She shook his head looking sadly at the machine.

"Well, you can from now on." Her eyes shone sharply in the darkness and he jumped up inwardly. That was the kind of reaction he expected.

"What do you mean?" She was still reserved, as if waiting for some conditions.

"I mean you can fully take part in the trainings and ride as much as you want." He grinned.

"But last time I spoke to Urahara he said…"

"Well, don't worry about it. I got it."

"But how…?" She slided her hand on the shining saddle and the handlebar.

"Let's just say… I made a deal with Urahara." He winced at the memory of the conversation and the cost of getting permission for Rukia's riding… This is going to be one very hard month for him, but that didn't matter. He'll go through that stupid hatman's deal.

"What kind of deal? Did you offer your blood or something? I can't imagine Urahara agreeing to that kind of thing for some small favor…" Rukia sent him suspicious glance.

"Just the deal, nothing big."

"Are you serious, orangehead?" She took a look at her bike once again, still incredulity written all over her face.

"Yeah, midget." He raised his hand again into his hair.

"If you are, then this is the most epic birthday gift I ever received." She came back to him and suddenly threw her arms around his neck.

Wow.

"Thank you." She looked directly into his eyes and pressed her lips on his.

"Wait, I'm not done yet." He mumbled into her mouth and she moved away a little.

"Huh?"

"I kinda felt stupid to give you your own bike for birthday… so I bought this. I know it's not much, but as I said I got lost and couldn't find anything better in that short amount of time. It's ok if you don't like it…"

"Just give me that damn thing, whatever it is and stop stuttering." She stretched her hand, demanding her gift with determined look.

"Ok, ok, I'm giving it right away!" He chuckled as he started to look for the small bundle in his pocket. "Here you are." He placed a tiny soft sac on her palm and watched as she observed it with interest.

Then she loosened the thin tape that closed the content inside and turned the sac upside down to finally get to know what was hidden inside.

She felt a cold feeling of metal on her skin and when she looked closer she saw delicate, watery neck-chain. It was so fragile she was afraid she would break it with just holding it a bit tighter than she was supposed to. She smoothed it gently with her thumb and then she felt something a little bit more solid between the beads.

"This is…" She strained her eyes to see clearly the sharp shape of silver crescent, which glistened even in the weak light of the lamppost from outside. "This is beautiful."

"You don't have to pretend you like it. I talked to the shopkeeper, you can go there and choose whatever you like and…"

"Shut up, I'm keeping it." She silenced him before he could even finish the sentence.

"Really?" He didn't hope she would like that thing. Personally he felt it matched somehow, but he didn't know her taste at all.

"Really. Can you please put it on?" She turned around and removed her hair from her neck, as she gave him the chain.

"Su-sure." Didn't she notice so far how did her neck work on him or did she do that on purpose? That white skin was driving him crazy, especially now when he could see her creeps from the cold air in the garage.

He joined two pieces of the silver on her back and bent to place a kiss where he wanted, perceiving how cold her skin was.

"We should go, you're cold." He whispered, still not taking his mouth away from her neck, noticing with content how her hand massaged the back of his nape.

"I don't feel it." She whispered back and turned around embracing his waist. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He looked at her eyes full of peace and asked before he could bite his tongue.

"Aren't you angry at me for missing your birthday party?"

"No. I don't actually care about birthdays, I haven't celebrated any since my childhood. It simply doesn't matter to me." She said taking away a few strands from his eyes.

"You need a cut, you know that?" her eyebrows joined at the top of her nose. He laughed at that sudden change of topic.

"No I don't. So you're saying you don't like your birthday gifts?" He smirked as he remembered the pile of the opened boxes and birthday bags in the corner of her room.

"I've never said that! I love my birthday gifts, but I'm saying I wouldn't be sad if I didn't get any." She still tried to organize his hair. "Christ, I'm going to cut your fringe tomorrow if you're not going to the hairdresser!"

"Hey, leave my fringe alone… it's good how it is."

"No it isn't! I can't see your eyes when you have it like that. You really have to do something with it." She responded now lifting his hair up. "Now, you should try that. I think I've got some hairclips, it would be perfect." He caught her hand before she could rip off his scalp.

"I can cut it, if you like, but no hairstyling." Ichigo sighed. "It wouldn't work anyway."

"Why not? Have you ever tried?"

"It just won't work, I'm telling you. It's like with this one." He lifted the strand which was constantly between her eyes. "You simply can't do anything else with it can you?" She followed his movement with her huge eyes and now was staring deeply into the strand of midnight hair lifted above her face.

"I have never thought about it. It was good how it was."

"See?" He smiled, seeing how she repeated involuntarily the same phrase he used a minute ago.

When the meaning reached her mind as well, she grinned to him.

"Ok, you don't have to style it. Just cut it."

"Whatever, but let's go, I'm already an ice cube." He pointed at his short sleeved T-Shirt he only had underneath the jacket.

"Ok, but tomorrow I am so taking my bike for a ride. You can join us if you want." She grinned as they climbed the stairs and she returned the jacket.

"Well, I'd love to, but actually I left my motorbike in your garage. I had to bring it here somehow. So first, we need a walk, then a ride."

"I could take us on my Ninja to the garage and…"

"Oh, no I've had enough of your bike today. This is the worst motorbike I have ever rode and I'm never going to sit on this again."

"Do not insult my bike!" She hissed as she dug her finger into his chest painfully. " I was never complaining about awful roaring and disproportionality of your B-King!"

"Awful roaring? Have you ever heard your own bike?" He couldn't believe that of all defects of his machine she mentioned two the least important. Especially compared to her own…

"Shut up." He saw her crossing her arms on her chest as she always did when she knew he was right and lacked of arguments.

"Ok. But now we're going to sleep. I'm dead tired and I suppose that so are you." His fingers placed a stray lock of her hair behind her ear.

"Yeah. See you tomorrow on the same spot as always."

"See you." They kissed and parted each one to their rooms.

Before Ichigo fell asleep a thought about a completely new and undefined feeling that he felt. It was located deeply in his chest, somewhere around his heart. He had no idea what it was and why he felt it exactly in this moment, but he grew to like this feeling. It was so warm and brought Rukia to his mind.

A really nice feeling.

~I know it's been a while since I updated, I just have really rough time now. Exams and tons of other stuff popping out every day.. And I am not proud of this chapter, it was written in parts, has a lot of mistakes for that I'm sorry. I am just really tired and cannot write anything better at the moment and I really wanted to give you anything. I probably won't update for a long time again, but when I do I promise to make more action.

I still love all my readers, so if anyone has any request I'll gladly do it :)

For those who has not voted yet, I remind about the poll on my main page. I hope you are still willing to help with this one :)

Feedback would be a honey for my bruised and tired mind and heart 3