Okay first off, I'm gonna rant.. And I'm gonna rant real good. This fic was supposed to have been updated on the 4th of January. However, lo and behold! I cannot access ffnet.. I don't know why, but I decided to brush it off and try again an hour after but still the same old thing. So I decided to try again the next day, and the next and the next, and I was like: WTF?! What is going on?! I told Kazukagi about this, and he gladly helped me in solving my problem, but still, it didn't go away. I was able to access (finally) ffnet but it won't enter nor load.. And I was like again: WTF?!

And then I had to finish my thesis… And now, I'M DONE!!! YES!! I'M BACK, ALIVE AND KICKING!!!! I SHALL SPOIL YOU WITH UPDATES!! NEVER ENDING UPDATES!!!

I have reached 528 reviews… and thanks to all of you guys for that!!

Let's go back to the story. I'll basically give you a recap.. since I've been gone for soo long. And oh, any inconsistencies around here is a sign of my long absence.. if you see one, please forgive me. I tried recapping the whole thing without splitting my brain.

I won't be able to leave shout outs for this chapter cause… I kinda lost track of the past reviews… But I swear, I shall make a shout out on the next one. SORRY!!

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As promised, Chapter 28 of Fall

Previously on Chapter 27 :

Rukia turned to Ichigo. She still wanted to ask what Byakuya is doing here and in a perfect timing too but figured it could wait. "I guess we should get our stuff too…"

Byakuya's ear twitched. Yes, it twitched, and can only be seen move if you place a magnifying glass over it. After all, he is Kuchiki Byakuya, and Kuchiki Byakuya never, ever shows emotion, be it twitching of an ear or not.

"Where are you staying Rukia?" He inquired. Rukia innocently pointed towards the hotel that she and Ichigo were staying in. "There Nii-sama."

"I see, then I shall accompany you there and back." He calmly said and glared at Ichigo. 'What the hell have you been putting inside my sister's mind you uncouth bastard?' is what he wanted to say.

The carrot top scowled. What the hell, why is he directing all this annoyance on him? He's not the one who broke her heart or anything. If he's going to give cold glares, he should give it to her ex.

Her ex. He kinda liked the sound of that.

He shook his head and followed the siblings while mumbling something about girl looking-like brothers who doesn't even act like human because he doesn't show any emotions.

But then again, if he's staying here for awhile with Rukia, he'd get to know some stuff about her—even if that prick of a brother of hers is always on the lookout. This time, their roles are reversed. He's the one being toured around and he kinda liked the idea.

And maybe, just maybe he can offer her something to forget about her problems so he wouldn't act so useless and helpless in front of her.

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Disclaimer: Bleach, not mine. The story/plot is mine though. If you only knew is by maroon 5.. holy, they are like the gods of these love songs. I like it soo much. Expect a lot of maroon 5 songs going on here.

Type: AU, may exceed to more than one chapter… Oh heck, I just exceeded more than one chapter already anyway.

Rating: M. Not because there's lemony stuff here. But there will be some adult talk and stuff so I figured; I'd make this M in rating just to be safe.

Pairing: IchigoxRukia

Summary: Rukia Kuchiki goes on fulfilling her dreams as a manga artist, and stumbles upon band vocalist and lead, Ichigo Kurosaki who makes her coordinated life become a bit more spontaneous.

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Title: Fall

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Chapter 28: If you only knew

Nice long velvet curtains,

Very beautiful and huge spiral staircase,

Greek style posts from every corner,

Nice marble and polished floor.

It was the home for the Gods or a really, really rich bastard is what Ichigo thought as he looked around Kuchiki Byakuya's extravagant house. He scowled as he caught said Kuchiki again glancing scary looks at him every time he tried to walk beside Rukia closely.

Really? What's his fuckin' damage?

Ichigo went back to adoring—not obviously though—the house. And this time, he went back to this comment on either a God's or a rich bastard's home. He looked at the elder Kuchiki and smirked, he'd definitely fit in with the latter, such bastard he is anyway.

"Pretty huge right?" Rukia whispered with a hint of pride in her voice, while Ichigo raised an eyebrow at her.

"Oh, I don't know, I've seen better looking and huge ones in my life." He sniffed with a hint of arrogance, not really wanting to agree with what she said or she'd know he was marveling at it awhile ago. Rukia frowned at him and turned to look at the hallway, defeated in her chance to smother Ichigo with the glories of her brother's house.

"Your living room seems to be missing… we've been walking for hours! What's up with this fucked up house?" Ichigo snarled, as he finally noticed they had been walking for quite some time now.

After leaving the airport in Byakuya's 'private jet'—as so emphasized by that arrogant jerk—the others decided to go on their way and into their respective homes while he was stuck with Rukia in this foreign land.

Now, he wouldn't argue—the same with him not admitting—with the thought of him and Rukia stuck together in this 'foreign land' as he called it, if only the big brother wasn't in the picture.

He had called for his 'private limousine'—again emphasized—and they headed towards his house.

And as soon as they came in the house, he wanted his jaw to drop, but since he's Ichigo, he'd pretend he didn't really care even if the thing in front of him is quite astonishing.

"This is our house." Byakuya so proudly announced.

"I thought he was going to say 'private' again…" Ichigo gritted his teeth and said in a very low voice, only Rukia who is beside him heard what he was saying. "Because if he utters that shit for the third time, I'm gonna ram that cupid's arrow up his ass." He finished pointing to the cherubim statue at the side of the stair.

He was expecting a small chortle, but he should have expected nothing coming from that midget beside him, the girl was practically so pro-brother even if he is such an ass! Instead, he felt a small pang on his abdomen.

The little devil just gave him a good punch in the gut for his remark. "Don't insult him, he's been kind enough to pick us up at the island and let us… well you stay!" Rukia gritted.

"Rukia." Byakuya called out and obedient little Rukia followed. "Coming!" She turned to a cringing Ichigo. "Stop waddling there and let's move it!"

"So, you do admit the house is huge." Rukia smirked.

Ichigo cringed. "No… I didn't say anything that sounded like I said it was big.. I was saying that your living room is missing and we've been walking around for hours."

Rukia smiled slyly. "But it still suggested it. How else would we be walking around for ho—we're not walking that long! It's only been 5 minutes."

"5 minutes?! This is really a fucked up house! What kind of sicko makes a house where you walk for five minutes just to get to the living room from the doorway? What? Now you're going tell me you have to swim 10 minutes to the bathroom?!" Ichigo slapped his face.

"No you don't swim over there you idiot, actually it's just a 1 and a half minute walk to the bathroom." Rukia corrected, as if it was normal.

"What?! I just take 15 seconds to get to my bathroom! 10 in yours!" He practically yelled.

"What do you mean about a 10 second walk in my sister's bathroom?" Byakuya turned to look at him and Rukia.

"Urg…" Ichigo slapped his face in frustration. "Could we... could we just move it to your mysterious living room?" He pointed to the now visible door.

The elder Kuchiki decided to again brush this away—for now. If he finds out that this brash orange head kid is sleeping at his sister's place, he would so have him castrated, then let him stay at his sister's place—ha, let's see him do anything perverted that way.

Finally, Ichigo thought, he could rest his tired butt again in a soft couch. The plane seat wasn't all too appealing nor was it comfortable, the Byakuya-brat probably had that made in such a way it could fit his stiff behind.

"I'll have the maids prepare your rooms… now if you'll excuse me for awhile." Byakuya coughed. "I have some business to attend to. I'll be back just before dinner."

Rukia protested. "But, you…we… just came… can't you at least rest for awhile?"

Byakuya almost-ALMOST-smiled at the loving gesture his sister had made, but he had work, and it's important, so he had to decline no matter how much he seemed to look like an ungrateful brother.

"It won't take long, I'll be back… Smith will be here to assist you in anything."

As soon as Byakuya left, Rukia pouted and slouched down the couch. "He always does that." She murmured and took a bite out of the butter cake a maid served just awhile ago when they were talking.

"Hey, I'm still here…. You won't mind entertaining me would you?" Ichigo grumbled, totally insulted that he was forgotten for awhile. Rukia perked up a bit. "Oh right, let me show you my room!" She said excitedly as she ran and took Ichigo's hand to drag him all the way up the elegant spiral stairs.

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"Oh hey, wait a second…." Ichigo panted as he held on to his chest. "Damn that stairs, it's like a thousand steps!" He wheezed as he made a stop in front of Rukia's room.

"Get in you slowpoke! You wouldn't be like that if you were exercising." Rukia bellowed and made her way inside her room.

Ichigo growled back at her. " I am exercising you midget! For your information, I've been voted number one in the sexiest men in Japan!" He proclaimed with an air of pride forming around him.

Rukia took a glance at him, his fine built and that nice jaw line, not to mention those fine abs. Right, he deserved the title. "I can see that." Rukia murmured to herself as she hid a blush now forming in her cheeks.

"What's that? Were you saying something midget?" Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "No I didn't say anything, you're just hallucinating you moron can't you just shut up for awhi—"

"What's up? Why'd you stop bitching at me—." Ichigo frowned as soon as he saw what made her suddenly stop like that.

On top of her display shelf in her room were chock full of pictures of her and Renji.

He made his way in front of Rukia, totally shielding it from her sight. "OI, don't be rude, I'm your guest here… you could at least show me around."

The Raven haired young woman snapped back to reality and looked straight at Ichigo. "Uh… Oh right! I… um…"

He grabbed her hand and dragged her towards the other room. "Let's start over here." Rukia let herself be pulled into the room seeing that she didn't have the strength to argue. A minute ago, she thought she would cry again, but thanks to ichigo, it was all filtered. She'd get through this, she thought, as long as this moron in front of her is around.

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After a few minutes, Rukia had finally dragged Ichigo towards her 'art room' to look around her 'collection'.

And boy, it didn't disappoint at all.

"You have this intense collection and yet you gushed on some markers." Ichigo almost chuckled. "It's not just some markers you idiot! They are limited editions! Plus, they are like God's pen! Oooh, the texture and the fine pigment inks!" Rukia said dreamily.

"Oookay, you're scaring me…stop acting so weird"

"Don't be such a dumb goat Ichigo... if it was so weird, why did you buy it for me on my birthday?"

He gulped, yep, he gulped. Why did he buy it for her anyway? So she would stop gushing? Because he thought it was cute to see her gush like that? He's Ichigo, and Ichigo would always settle for something not embarrassing… and that would be the former.

"So you would stop gushing about it, you're freakin' me out when you do that." He scowled, only he wished she wouldn't really stop gushing, he found it quite adorable…so cute he wanted to scoop her up in his arms and hug her to no end.

"Oh… Sorry…" Rukia grunted and moved on to a small cabinet to get something. "So, what do you want to do right now?" She turned around and gave him an honest smile while she held on to a box of water colors.

'I would like to kiss you senseless; that's what.' Was what popped inside the citrus head. "What the hell?!" He almost choked, quite surprised and embarrassed at the sudden idea that his not so innocent conscience had given him. "oh I don't know.. What do you suggest?" He coughed, trying to hide the blush now forming on his cheeks.

"Honestly, I also don't know… Orihime and the others told me they'll come see us later then we would go out… have fun… and.." Rukia sat down on a vacant chair in front of her easel.

"Then let's wait… you do have TV here right? I mean, we could just kill time by watching." Ichigo grinned. Rukia nodded and sighed. "I don't know, I just thought I'd go rest and do some thinking.."

"You lying midget! You said you'd entertain me!" He scowled, not really liking the idea of her thinking, which of course may lead her to another waterworks episode. Ichigo admitted it's not really easy for her to forget all that, but at least, even for a little while, a little while that he is here, she would forget about it, because it's not worth thinking about.

"I didn't lie you ingrate! I just said I want to think! Geez, alright, alright, you're my guest, I should at least show a little hospitality or brother would ring my neck. He did always say to live the Kuchiki name." Rukia pouted and jabbed Ichigo lightly as she passed by him.

Ichigo cringed and muttered a: 'Hah, as if your brother was any different. I bet he would adore it if I was ignored.'

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"So, where do you think we should take Rukia and Ichigo tonight?" Orihime chirped and clapped her hands together.

They just came from the airport and Uryuu decided to take a little break before their 'plans' tonight, so he would have enough energy to catch up with his always and already 'energetic' fiancée.

"I don't know, around bars I suppose…. Or maybe the local tourist spots… Kurosaki is after all new around here." He stretched on top of the bed, giving out a good grunt in the process.

Orihime joined him and cuddled up next to the bespectacled guy. "That would be very nice… I want not only Kurosaki to enjoy but also Rukia… I know she's been trying to let go of everything that happened, I can see it in her eyes, even if she is very good at masking it."

"Rukia has always been like that. To be honest, back there on the island, that's the first time I have ever seen her breakdown. She was really, really hurt." Uryuu glanced up on the ceiling as he snaked his arms around his fiancée.

Orihime looked up at him and pouted. "Who wouldn't? I would be devastated and more if that ever happened to me." Her eyes suddenly became sad. "How could something like that happen to Rukia? I mean, she is a very loyal and nice girl."

Uryuu turned to caress Orihime's gentle face. "Maybe, there is something and someone out there who is really for Rukia… and no matter how painful the event had been, it is bound to happen because Rukia is destined to be with someone else."

The well endowed woman giggled and pecked Uryuu's lips. "Oh Uryuu, you're such a romantic…" "She purred and rolled on top of him. "I love you.."

Uryuu returned the kiss and deepened it. The couple decided that they'll rest a little later.

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"I was watching that!!" Rukia growled and whacked Ichigo on the head.

"Ow Fuck midget that hurt!" He scowled back and raised the remote control above his head so she won't be able to reach it.

"I said I was watching that! Now give me the remote or I'll…" She grunted as she desperately reached for the cursed thing. Ichigo smirked at the cute antic she is showing him. "You'll what? You can't even reach the remote… sucks to be short eh?"

As soon as the word 'short' came out of his mouth, it was then followed by a large blow on his stomach. The little witch just kicked him in the gut!

Ichigo dropped the remote and Rukia quickly grabbed it, turning it back on to the 'chappy' channel. "Who's 'short' now huh? You are so owned by that kick!"

"The hell woman, are you trying to kill me?!" Ichigo growled. "Put a lid on it, I wasn't trying to kill you.. If I did, I would have just stabbed you." She chuckled, and Ichigo twitched.

"Patience man, you are the guest here, even if she doesn't treat you that way. She's a bit bitchy but look at it this way, she's happy and she's not thinking about that turnip ex of hers." He sighed and sat back down beside her.

"So rukia…. What the heck is it that you find so adorable with that deranged rabbit?"

"Chappy is not deranged."

"The freakin' thing is always smiling… how deranged is that?"

"It's because he's happy, now shut it."

"What? Nothing bad happens to him? Geez, that's so unrealistic."

"You're just freakin' jealous cause he's got all the happiness in the world."

"Yeah, that and you worship him."

Rukia snapped and looked at him. "Why are you so negative about Chappy?"

Ichigo looked back at her. "Why are you defending that deranged bunny anyway? It's not even real."

GASP!

Rukia covered her mouth in surprise. "How dare you say he isn't even real!!!" She shrieked and hit Ichigo again with a pillow.

"Ow hey! Quit it! Hey!!" Ichigo tried to defend himself with his arms.

In the middle of the fight, the phone rang.

Rukia sprang out of the couch—using Ichigo as a projectile—and prancing over to the phone. "Hello?" She said in a sing song voice that Ichigo swore was almost the same as Urahara's.

"Oh hey, Tatsuki.. yeah, about tonight… Oh really? You have thought of the place already? That's great, yeah, I was having problems on where to go too.. that saved a lot.. yeah, meet you around 8 then? Okay. Bye."

She dropped the phone and pointed a finger straight at Ichigo. "We'll be meeting Tatsuki and the others very soon so you better go get ready vegetable head."

"Ve-Vegetable head?! Wtf?! And why only me?" He snorted at her. "I thought you're coming too!"

"I am! I'm just telling you to tidy up because you don't look so pleasant at all." She grinned and made a mock grimaced look as she looked at his clothes—his wrinkled clothes and brunched up hair.

"Che, you like me this way anyway…" He teased, and Rukia flushed, ramming him with a pillow and out of her room.

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"So, what do you think happened to ichigo?" Chad placed down a set of cards on the round table in front of them and Hisagi cheerfully took it. "Thanks Chad… oh I don't know, that bastard's probably crying himself to sleep alone in a hotel room… It's really a freakin' bad idea for him to come along knowing Rukia will meet up with her boyfriend."

"Sucks to be him…" Hitsugaya coughed as Hisagi gave him his fair share of the playing cards.

Urahara entered with a smile upon his face alongside Yoruichi who was still frowning at her fiancée. "I have told you so many times that…what's going on in here?" The dark skinned woman inquired.

"Oh, hey, Yoruichi, Urahara… we're just playing a card game over here.. wanna join?" The tattoo faced young man waved the cards over his head. "It's to kill time… we aren't doing much anyway, since most of our schedules involve Ichigo, and since carrot top's not here…"

Yoruichi closed her eyes in irritation. "I know that, and I'm kinda regretting the fact that we said yes to him and let him go…" She grumbled. "It's a pain facing up with all those sponsors and stuff… We'd be in the poorhouse if only you guys weren't so in demand."

"That and Kiyone's backing us up!" Urahara cheered, and his fiancée pinched him in the ear. "This is supposed to be your freakin' job!" She smacked the papers on his face.

"Simmer down Yoruichi.. look, we'll settle all those things when we finish playing.. now come on, join us for awhile and relax will ya?" Hisagi pointed to the game table and the booze on top of it.

The tanned young woman sighed. "Alright, I guess it's only fair to give myself a chance at relaxation." She sat down and caught sight of a big wad of money in front of Ichigo's picture.

"What's that?"

Hitsugaya looked at the direction she was pointing at. "Oh that, we were betting on whether or not Ichigo's having a hell time back with Rukia….I bet on him crying his ass out."

"Me too." Hisagi raised his hand and chomped off to some choco pretzels.

"I didn't… I actually voted that it would be okay with him back there." Chad raised his hand a little too proudly.

"OOOHHH!! Let me in, let me in, I bet on him doing well over there!" Urahara placed his wallet in front of the picture. "No way, you're giving up your whole wallet?"

"So, Ichigo went with her eh?" Another voice came from the back ground and everybody turned around to see who it was.

"KAIEN!"

"Yo.." The spiky dark haired young man mock saluted and joined the rest of the gang. "So, what's up? Heard Ichigo's gone with Rukia back home."

"Yeah, and we're betting that he's whimpering over about it right now" Hisagi chuckled.

"Guys, you shouldn't think that way about Ichigo." Chad sighed.

"I agree…" Kaien smirked. "What would Ichigo think?"

"I don't really care, he brought this upon himself anyway." HItsugaya scoffed.

"But you know what? Maybe he's doing fine… Why don't you just check it out and call him?" Kaien suggested as he signaled for Hisagi to give him a couple of cards also.

"And what, ruin the excitement of the betting? No way." HIsagi laughed and handed the cards to the newcomer.

"Then I guess I'll join too." Kaien took out a wad of money from his pocket and placed it on the table. "I'll say, he's doing fine back at Rukia's… for now."

Urahara smirked. Everyone except him didn't notice the hidden meaning behind Kaien's 'for now' declaration. He acts like a child alright, but he's more than that, and he figured, he'd like to watch how things unfold for his lead singer and substitute drummer.

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"HEEEEYATCHHH!" Ichigo almost stumbled at that large amount of sneeze he burst out just now. He frowned; his nose wasn't itching, what the hell happened? He isn't the type to believe in such shit like: somebody's talking about him or something like that, but who knows, with that huge amount of fumbling, perhaps the whole gang was involved.

And they better not be betting anything about him.

Ichigo sat down bored on Rukia's bed, he had just finished cleaning up from the guest room and entered Rukia's room (while knocking of course) to tell her he's done. He found it empty and heard the shower inside the bathroom.

He blushed, and figured she's in there taking a shower. Blocking off any perverted images that involved the petite girl, he grunted and announced that he was inside the room just to make sure she doesn't barge in from the bathroom in less clothing or none.

Rukia confirmed it and gave him a helping of yells and profanities for startling her.

Ichigo decided to play with a rubix cube he found laying on top of Rukia's desk. Surprisingly, even if Rukia isn't staying there anymore, the whole place was dust-free. That's what you get for having a millionaire of a brother, he supposed. The maids are there round the clock.

Inside the bathroom, Rukia frowned; having Ichigo waiting outside didn't help a lot. It's not like she was going out clothes-free, but his presence made her tingle in what she cannot comprehend. She quickly made her way towards her shirt and pants after she finally put on her undergarments and placed her towel back around her when she slipped—stupid marble tiles are damn slippery!.

Now, this wasn't your usual, bump-slip-ouch kind of slip. This was the: slip-ARRRGGH!!-bump-crash kind of slip.

Yep, it was a loud one.

Rukia burst out her talent for yelling profanities in 2.5 seconds flat as she felt herself leave the floor and fly into the air followed by the stuff she bumped on the way there and back on the ground with a loud thump.

Ichigo, hearing the loud clatter and Rukia's yell stood up, full alert and marched his way towards the bathroom door.

"RUKIA! RUKIA, is everything okay in there!?" He banged his fist on the door.

No answer.

"RUKIA!" He came again.

Still no answer.

Rukia was having a slight kaleidoscopic day in her head. She's seeing stars and hearing firecrackers.

Ichigo was now worried. "Rukia, I'm coming in!" He declared and stepped back for a little space before running right on the door and completely smashing it open.

"RUKIA!" He called out and tripped.

He tripped on Rukia and on top of her, what a genius.

If only Rukia wasn't all dazed and stuff, she would probably have killed Ichigo. And Ichigo, if only he wasn't so surprised about the whole thing, would have ran away for his life.

Falling on top of the girl of his dreams was a nice thing, but in a situation like this, Ichigo didn't know what to think. It's good and at the same time bad. He tried to get up and turned to look at Rukia, but ended up looking straight at her modest (but covered) bosom. He wanted to spurt out blood, oh he really did as well as linger some more there, if only Rukia didn't slap him.

"What the hell are you looking at?!" She growled and covered her chest. "What the hell are you trying to do breaking in like that?"

"I..uh…" He stammered. Good god, he stammered… of all things to do, he had to do the one thing that made him sound so guilty. "I wasn't looking at anything!!!" He growled, thankful that he was able to retort something.

"You ruined my freakin; door!" Rukia blushed and looked away, resisting the urge to shut the daylights out of him. "G-get off me now!"

"Uh..Oh right… s-sorry…" Ichigo flushed and placed his hands on both sides to push himself up but miscalculated it and instead, slipped back down right at Rukia and at the crook of her neck.

And something hit.

Like it was just right, like it was perfectly fine, and heat engulfed their bodies.

Rukia bit her lower lip at the contact and shut her eyes tight, quite enjoying the feeling, although not openly admitting it. Ichigo lingered a little while there. He took in her scent, her warmth, her everything, and the softness of her skin as his lips accidentally touched it was wonderful. He could feel her tense under him and time seemed to pass slowly.

He wondered, what would happen if he let his tongue pass on her skin? If he let himself give her a small bite on that sensitive neck?

He was so curious.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE?" Byakuya's voice boomed inside the small bathroom and the two snapped back from reality.

The two were back to reality and Rukia pushed him away from him with a whack on his forehead to match it. Ichigo resisted the urge to strangle her for that.

Ichigo fumbled and went beet red as he straightened himself up. He knew and Rukia knew it was an accident, but then again… brother dear doesn't seem to think of it that way as he looked at them—particularly him—straight in the eye, looking calm and all but quite intimidating.

"What the hell are you doing Kurosaki?"

Yup, he was really just looking at him.

"Nii-sa--." Rukia tried to open her mouth to explain but Ichigo stopped her.

"It was an accident." He looked at him straight in the eyes also.

The elder Kuchiki just stared at him and then walked away.

"W-Wait!!! Aren't you going to hear me out?" Ichigo stumbled and stood up, helping Rukia in the process.

"You just said it was an accident right Kurosaki? Or were you lying?" Byakuya narrowed his eyes. "Uh.. no.. I was just…"

The two were cut off by Rukia's annoyed voice. "Look, would you two please be kind enough to at least let me dress up?" She almost growled. "Please get out of my room.. seeing that my bathroom door is shattered to pieces."

Byakuya made his way outside without looking at his sister and Ichigo did the same, while mumbling a 'sorry' at her.

She grumbled and slammed her door close.

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Rukia looked at herself in the mirror and twirled a lock of her hair from her face, she sighed and looked at the mess—her door—below her. She would have Ichigo fix that, she mentally checked. Bending down to pick up the bottles that were scattered on the tiled floor, she closed her eyes and calmed herself down. To be honest, her heart hadn't stopped beating like crazy after that incident with Ichigo.

He was near her, near her almost naked body, his warmth radiating above her and his lips, almost touched her neck.

She growled and slapped her forehead. She should stop thinking about those stuff, it's just normal for her to be shy with that… but how come she felt that it was so right?

So freakin' RIGHT

Whatever, she should get ready…. The bump on her head must have something to do with this. She should get a cold pack for it later.

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That didn't help at all, was what spun inside Ichigo's mind. It was right and then wrong.

How could that midget steal his heart so much? And her state awhile ago didn't do much to make everything easier. He's just about halfway ready to smash his head on the marble table in front of him to stop his mind from thinking about her ample bosso--.

"Kurosaki."

Shit.

And to add to this horrid thing, is brother dear. He just HAD to come in at a somewhat pleasant time he had with Rukia. The stiff ass was probably thinking of a way to murder him without making it look like he's the culprit.

"Uh.. yes?" He almost—ALMOST nervously replied.

"May I have a word with you?" The elder Kuchiki stood there with grace and pride, making sure that his posture shouted something like: I am a noble, and you can do nothing about it.

Ichigo nodded and stood up, following Byakuya towards his den. "Yeah right, as if I have any choice." Ichigo mumbled. "You we're saying something?" Byakuya turned to look at him.

"Uh no… so uhm, what were you trying to talk to me about?"

Byakuya sat down on his large leather chair and tapped on the table. "Sit down Kurosaki."

Ichigo did what he was told, although he kinda didn't like the tone on such an order.

"What do you intend of my sister?"

"What?!"

"Answer the question Kurosaki. I don't care if you are a popular man in your place, I have made it clear that I am powerful haven't I?"

"I don't intend anything of her."

"Then you don't care about her?"

"Of-of course I care about he—."

"You just said you don't intend anything of her."

"—I was saying I don't intend of her anything in a pervert kind of way…Isn't that what you're asking?"

"I didn't specify it as that." Byakuya glared at him. "Perhaps that's what you are thinking."

"WHAT?!" Ichigo wanted to choke him. "NO!"

"Kurosaki Ichigo…. Know your place. You are in my domain."

"Is this about earlier?" Ichigo grumbled.

"You have made it clear that it was an accident… or wasn't it?" Byakuya glared.

The carrot top in front of him frowned and grumbled. "Even if I did say it was, I don't think you would still believe me." Ichigo scratched his head. "Look, Rukia... Rukia's my friend okay? And I won't let anything bad happen to her…"

"How do you expect me to believe that?" Byakuya leaned on his chair and examined the young man, who is now on his feet and was glaring at him with such determination in his eyes.

"I don't expect you to believe me… As long as I'm doing my best for Rukia and she's okay with it, that's about enough for me." Getting ready to step out of the room, Ichigo scoffed. "You know and I know that she going through a rough time… But I'm not an idiot to take advantage of such to do stupid things. I'll be there for her whether you like it or not… That's what I came here for…That's what I chose to do"

He opened the door and stepped out.

Byakuya remained sitting down. This Kurosaki meant business. He seemed to have made a point on his intentions… and Byakuya would respect that very much although not openly. He of course, would still like to test how far this orange haired brat could go, Rukia is after all, his precious little sister—and he had yet to do something about that Renji guy for hurting her.

And thinking about that made him smile a bit… yes, sinister indeed.

--------------------------------------------

"Hey." Ichigo peeked inside the kitchen door.

"Oh hey…" Rukia jolted a bit as she reached up for an ice pack in the fridge.

Ichigo sat down on the wooden chair, the house had two dining places, and one was inside the kitchen and the other on the 'elegant' dining hall. Rukia mostly preferred the kitchen dining so she mostly stayed there to eat with the house help.

"You okay now?" He inquired as he poked on to some orange on top of the table.

"Yeah… still hurts but nothing to be worried about." She sat across Ichigo and placed the cold pack on her head. "You should be a little more careful midget. Serves you right for that." Ichigo snickered and resisted the urge to blush. Looking at her after that incident seemed to be quite a fete from now on.

Rukia was also in the same dilemma. Although she wasn't able to see him er in less clothing, but the thought of him on top of her send shivers down her spine. But she knows nothing would come out of it, so being the great actress that she is, she hid it and decided to just smack Ichigo on the head for that 'midget' insult.

"Freak, let's see you try handling a bump on the head!" She growled.

"Oh hey, freakin' midget stop that!" He bit back.

Thanks to that, the 'awkward feeling' between the two diminished.

-------------------------------------

"So, where are we off to?" Rukia inquired as she sat at the back of Uryuu's car, shifting herself against the black leathered chair. Orihime looked back at her and winked. "It'll be a secret right Tatsuki?"

Tatsuki, unaware of what just transpired between her and Orihime, just nodded. "Huh? Oh.. yeah… right… secret." She nervously grinned and tapped Ichigo lightly on the sides. The carrot top jumped slightly at the contact and turned to look at the spiky dark haired friend of Rukia. "Uh yeah?"

"SHHH!!" Tatsuki whispered to gritted teeth. "Listen…" She motioned for him to lean closer to hear what she has to say and glanced a bit at Rukia to see if she's looking and sighed in relief that she wasn't

"Look, this place were going to.. is Rukia's favorite. Unfortunately…" Tatsuki glanced back at Rukia, who seemed to have been caught in a trance at the outside of the car window. "Right.. like I was saying.. Unfortunately, she has some memories of Renji there…"

Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "And your point is?"

Tatsuki sighed. "You do your thing… I don't know how you do it, but she kinda forgets about Renji when she's with you.."

Ichigo then closed his eyes. "Probably because I piss her off…" Tatsuki just patted his shoulder and grinned. "Doubt that."

"Hey." Rukia's voice came and everyone looked at her direction. "Where are we going exactly?" Ichigo scowled at her. "Oi, midget… shouldn't you be shutting up and waiting? I thought they told you already that it's a secret?"

"Aren't you too old for secrets?" Rukia frowned, she was getting impatient that's for sure and now Ichigo had to be the childish idiot he is.

"Well aren't you too small to be so argumentative?" Ichigo bit back and Rukia gaped at him. "That doesn't even make sense!!" Carrot top just grinned and poked her on the forehead. "I know… But at least I won."

Before anything else happens—like them decapitating each other's head,--Uryuu coughed as he finally parked his car. "Alright guys… we're here. So kindly restrain yourself from killing each other."

Rukia 'hmphed' and turned to towards the door to open it. "This…." Rukia glanced up at the medium sized bar, it was owned by one of Mizuiro's girlfriends. It was always Rukia's favorite place, where she would hang around her friends, while they listen to whoever indie band was playing at the moment, and then there where she would think of ideas as she doodles in her notebook and Renji… where she hang around with him… where he told him he loves he—

"What are you gawking there for shrimp? Move it so we can get on with the night." Ichigo snapped her away from her thoughts and grumbled about not being able to get out of the car. Rukia turned around to snap at him. "Why don't you just get out on the other door fool!"

"I happen to like right side doors, now move your slow butt out of the way."

"Geez you rude vegetable!!"

Tatsuki shook her head and grinned. "See? Nothing to be worried about Uryuu… That Kurosaki's guy such a pain, Rukia won't even notice that he's actually diverting her attention." Uryuu Ishida was stunned, he should trust more of this woman intuitions or whatever… They seem to work rather well.

"Alright you two, let's get it on inside and enjoy the night!" Tatsuki raised her fist in the air together with Orihime. Rukia smiled at her friend's energy and did the same.

---------------------------------------

"Here's your tea sir…" Smith came in with a a silver tray with silver cups and pot. Byakuya just nodded and gestured for the old butler to just put it down on the small table beside him. Smith did as he was told to or rather gesture to and decided to pour his master some tea while at it.

"tell me…" Byakuya began, and Smith looked back at him, placing the cup in front of the elder Kuchiki. "Yes master?"

"I'm… I'm not over protective am I?" Byakuya asked, still the stoic expression in his face, but it was evident in his voice that he had a lot of thinking done before asking that question. Smith wanted to smirk, he really did, and he had known the master long enough than any house help around, that he knew how embarrassing it is for Byakuya to ask such a personal thing… but what the heck.

"I don't think so master… why must you ask?" Smith inquired quite innocently, but he had a faint idea on where this conversation is going.

Byakuya knew that the words Kurosaki Ichigo had spoken to him were direct and true, he had seen it in the boy's eyes, the way he had said it without hesitations.. like he was so sure that this is what he came to do and what he had chosen for himself despite everything. But, being Byakuya, he refused to be taken by only words and sheer determination.

The boy must prove it in all aspects.

"I see…" Byakuya placed down the pile of paper he was arranging for already 20 minutes and sighed. "Thought so… We're going out, ready my coat."

Smith just bowed his head and made his way towards the hallway closet. He grinned for a bit. "Yes, you are definitely over protective." The old man mentally whispered.

-------------------------------------------------

Ichigo looked around him, the whole place was cozy and the amount of booze was just in medium level, most of the people around drank coffee and are just enjoying the ambiance and the band playing up front.

He lifted his head to look at the tiki design lanterns above them and then shifted his gaze towards the round mahogany table in front of him. All in all, it's perfect, and he liked it. No wonder Rukia favors the place.

Speaking of the petite raven haired woman, he then turned to look at her; she was quiet sipping some of the lemonade she ordered. Uryuu and Orihime decided to dance a bit together with the song playing, despite Uryuu's embarrassment; and Tatsuki made her way towards Mizuiro's girlfriend to talk to her and stuff.

"Nice place you like here midget." Ichigo grinned as he spread his arms all over the couch he sat on, while Rukia just looked up at him and nodded. "Yeah…."

Ichigo, quite annoyed, ruffled her hair and grumbled. "No, not 'yeah' You should be smiling while saying that!" Rukia slammed the lemonade back on the table and tried to pry Ichigo's hand away from her hair. "Stop that you moron!! You're ruining my hair!!" Ichigo didn't budge and continued ruffling her raven locks, but was cut short when he felt a pain come in his hand.

The freakin; midget just bit him.

"Damn it!!!" He jerked away and caressed his hand. "Why the hell did you do that?"

"You were being an idiot that's why!"

"I wasn't being an idiot. I was just cheering you up! What the heck are you doing anyway spaced out and brooding?"

"I wasn't brooding!!"

"OI! You two, you're making quite a racket!" Tatsuki glared at them as she towered the two who were still sitting down and bickering on the couch. The two stopped and looked around them to see a dozen or more pair of eyes staring at them.

"Uh.. sorry…" Rukia sat up straight and flushed. "Sorry Tatsuki… just this fool here—."

"Oi, oi, how am I a fool? I was doing you a favor dwa—ACK!" Ichigo turned to look behind him to see who gave him a slap at the back of his head. "What the heck?!"

Uryuu stood behind him innocently as Tatsuki glared down at him. Orihime on the other hand, decided to divert Rukia's attention by fixing her hair.

"I thought we made this clear? You're just pissing her off!" Tatsuki frowned and Ichigo's scowl deepened. What the heck is wrong with Rukia's friends? Are they all raised this way? They just hit on people they barely even know?

"I..I was doing my 'thing' like you called it… I told you she just gets pissed with everything okay? Not my fault."

Tatsuki sighed and Uryuu straightened his glasses. "Here." The raven haired guy took something from his pocket and handed it over to the carrot top.

"What's this?"

"Look, sorry for hitting you earlier… but you were really pissing off Rukia.. so this should calm you two down. Now take her to that room over there." Uryuu pointed to a small 'karaoke' room beside the counter. "What? What the heck is this?" Ichigo fumbled and flushed.

"Stop asking questions and just go… You'll enjoy that too I promise. Rukia knows how to use that stuff in case you don't know." Tatsuki winked.

WHAT?! Ichigo's mind swirled, what the hell are they talking about?

"Come on, Rukia-chan, he's your guest right? You two should enjoy hanging around and tour him and stuff." Orihime smiled and held on to Rukia's small hands. "Oh right.. I kinda forgot about that again… thanks Ori-chan…" Rukia stood up and grabbed Ichigo's shirt.

"Okay, let's go slow poke… we haven't got all night."

Ichigo let himself be dragged as he tried to utter out words but failing to do so. 'Haven't got all night? Make us calm? Enjoy?!?'

----------------------------

As soon as the door clicked shut, Ichigo sat down on the red couch nervously and looked like he was having an attack or palpitating or both. Rukia turned to look at him, a little too weird out by his actions. "What's wrong with you? You okay?"

"Huh? Me? I'm okay… It's me who should be asking that!"

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Rukia scowled and noticed the tiny box Ichigo held in his hand. "Oh... what's that? Let me see that."

"NO!" Ichigo screamed. "What's your damage? Just let me see the box!" Rukia pounced on him.

"No Rukia, get away!!"

"It's just a box ichigo!"

Fighting for dominance was supposed to be Ichigo's forte, but this time around, Rukia owned him. "Hah! Got it! What's up with you? It's just a box."

'A box of condo—' Ichigo shut his eyes. It was all there, 'enjoy, in a room, calm them down…' What else would be inside that box? Well, in his opinion, it wasn't so bad to get it on with Rukia… he likes her… but he wasn't really sure if she likes him back, but he wouldn't want to be just a rebound but then again, making love to her was just….

"Oi. Earth to Ichigo. What the heck happened to you?" Rukia narrowed her eyes and held on to the box. "And why are you looking at me like that?"

Ichigo fumbled back on the couch and turned away from her, so she won't see his ultimately sanguine face. "I…I wasn't looking at you like anything! Don't be so full of yourself!"

"Yeah right…anyway… come on, let's do this!" She beamed excitedly and grabbed Ichigo's arm taking him with her to the couch. Too exciting for Ichigo's taste, he thought. Was Rukia like this when she's in her hometown?

"Uh, Rukia.. look I know you're.. uhm… aren't we going a bit too fast for this?"

"What's too fast? It's just Henna."

"He—What?" Ichigo blinked.

"Henna… you haven't heard of it?" Rukia raised the small box given by Uryuu for him to see. "It's really fun…I had one on me before... You wanna try?"

Ichigo deadpanned and then flushed. What the hell? He thought that he.. that it.. that… argh!! He was thinking freakin' perverted stuff and blaming Rukia for it when there's actually nothing to be perverted about!! It was freakin' HENNA!!! HENNA damn it!! Rukia sat beside him and tapped his shoulder happily. "So, are you up for it?"

Ichigo scowled for a second and grinned. "Alright, let's get it on midget."

Well at least the guys were right; it did calm Rukia down, and they did enjoy that thing. It kinda excites him, having a 'fake' tattoo on and Rukia putting it for him. He had asked for a mask design on his shoulder, the shinigami band logo looking so badass because of him.

Now it was Rukia's turn. She had requested a flame and skul design at her lower back but then questioned Ichigo's copying accuracy. The carrot top argued with her for awhile before they continued on and Ichigo telling her that he would want to try doing the tattooing himself.

"I-Ichigo… a little gentle please… I'm.. I'm sensitive in that spot."

"So-Sorry…. I haven't really done this before…"

"Don't worry… so do I."

"Really? But you…"

"Just because I had one… doesn't mean I have done it already."

"Oh… so uhm.. guess this will be both our first?"

"What kind of a question is that?"

"Nothing, nothing just a random thing…. So quit moving around if you don't want this to look like a worm gone wrong instead of that skull." Ichigo chuckled a bit and then concentrated on what he is doing. "I don't think there's a difference anyway." Rukia snickered.

"What? You're not being funny at all!" Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Look, just shut up and let me do my thing in this okay?"

"Yes dear old Baron." Rukia said in a high pitched mocking voice.

----------------------------------------

"They seem to be doing well in there." Uryuu commented. "Too well perhaps… What do you think they are doing in there besides Henna?" Tatsuki grinned which caused Orihime to flush and gasp.

"I don't think they are doing stuff besides Henna Ori.." Uryuu sighed and held on to calm his fiancée. Orihime sighed and held on to her chest. "I see…"

Just then, Mizuiro's girlfriend came towards the trio sitting on their usual place, looking a bit worried. "Yo, Miki, what's wrong?" Miki, stomped forwards and faster towards Tatsuki and the group. "Guys.. hey…"

"What's up Miki?" Orihime clasped her hand. "I know it's not that big but the band that was supposed to play won't be able to come. I have asked the previous band to stay but they don't have any available vocalist."

Tatsuki and Orihime grinned. "I think that can be arranged. "

------------------------------------------

"Is it dry already?" Ichigo asked for the fourth time.

"Why don't you poke it and find out?" Rukia grumbled at him.

"And what? What if I ruin this thing?"

"Well that's not my problem now isn't it?"

"Argh… alright…" Ichigo poked his henna design and grinned. "It's dry... sucks for you."

"Rukia poked hers too, with a little effort since hers was on the back. "Ha, sucks for you too... mine's dry also."

"Che, show of…" The carrot top grumbled then a knock was heard from the outside.

Rukia stood up and opened the door. "Uryuu.. yeah?"

"Uhm about that…. you see, Miki.. she…" Uryuu was cut off when Tatsuki barged inside the room and quickly grabbed Ichigo. "KUROSAKI!"

"What the… hey!! Careful, the henna!" Ichigo scowled and took his arm back. "What is it?"

"You're in a band right?"

"Uh.. yeah?"

"great! You see, Miki… she's short on vocals... can you do this?"

"What?"

Orihime begged. "Please Kurosaki; just sing… even if it's only one song…"

"Wha…." Ichigo looked over to Rukia who just shrugged. "Why don't you try it out? It's not as if you have any stage fright anyway…" She smirked and he smirked back.

"Alright, I'll do it."

--------------------------------------

Ichigo tapped the microphone as he glanced around the bar. A lot of people, but not as many as what he had encountered before. But still, these people are not from his place, so maybe, just maybe he had that bit of stage fright.

"You can do it veggie, not like you haven't… but anyway, I came to say good luck." Rukia smiled at him and raised her thumbs. "Don't screw up."

Ichigo sneered. "Che… Watch me midget…" He said with pride and perhaps a little flirting but not something that Rukia would notice right away but felt it anyway. "Like I have a choice." She scoffed.

"Hi… I'm Danny, Nice to meet you uh…" A brown haired young man approached him, holding a pair of drumsticks.

"Ichigo… my name's Ichigo." He shook the man's hand as a greeting.

"Oh, Japanese?" The young man inquired and Ichigo nodded. "But you speak English fluently.. and with an accent too… I thought you were British." Ichigo chuckled. "Yeah, I get that a lot… it's a long story though… so.."

"Oh, right.. So, what do you plan on singing?" Danny asked.

He glanced over to Rukia and back at Danny. "I have just the right song… by any chance, do you know this?" He then started whispering the song title and Danny nodded. "That's a great pick.. yep, we know that one.. By the looks of it, you can follow us anyway.. so, shall we?"

"Yep. Ready when you guys are."

The piano then started playing then the drums followed. Ichigo closed his eyes and sighed, leaning forward on the microphone as he did so. The minute he started opening his mouth to sing, he looked straight at Rukia, amber met amethyst.

"There he goes again… he does that every time he sings… It's kinda awkward and a bit of a piss off." Rukia frowned. Orihime giggled. "Why is that? I think it's kinda cute."

Rukia almost gagged. "Cute? The guy's full of himself when he sings… Before he goes on the stage, he always says: ;watch me midget.'" She frowned mimicking his look and voice. "Then he looks at me... straight at me, like his ego can't take it if I don't watch him like he said."

Uryuu, Tatsuki and Orihime almost laughed at their friend's naivety, Rukia was blind to whatever Ichigo is doing. Like everything Ichigo does is to boost his ego, but it was actually the opposite. Perhaps the carrot top was doing it the wrong way or perhaps maybe both of them are doing it the wrong way. But who are they to argue? It's not as if everything is bad between them.

But maybe, Rukia wasn't ready to see Ichigo in that new light.

All thoughts were cut off as soon as Ichigo started singing.

I wake up

Thoughts of you

Tattooed to my mind

As I wonder

What to wear

What to eat

Who to be

Will I see you again

The whole bar was taken aback; they had never heard someone like him before, his cold but smooth voice sending chills down their spine.

And as my car breaks down

I shake my head and say

What a day

If you only knew

What I went through just to get to you

I'm hanging from you

And I'll hold on if you want me to

Tatsuki, Orihime and Uryuu were surprised. They knew Ichigo sings and is in a very popular band back in his home, but who would have thought he could sing so damn well? Rukia stared right at him as he stared back. Ichigo was singing all right, but Rukia felt that he was singing only for her.

Every bus, every train,

Ever cab, every lane is JAMMED

So I looked to the sky

And I reached for the planes with my hands

Ichigo continued singing; as if this was the only way he could send his message to her. Every move of his lips with his languid voice made him look hot, so sexy, so enticing—as if he wasn't that way already.

If all my days go wrong

I'll think about last night

It went right

True enough, the girls in the bar were already taken in by his trance, and Rukia didn't like the way they acted with their 'slutty' moves. She frowned and sulked on the bean bag beside her. Ichigo noticed this right away and moved away from the stage and down. The girls then screamed, trying to get to him.

If you only knew

What I went through just to get to you

I'm hanging from you

And I'll hold on if you want me to

He moved forward and the three—Uryuu, Orihime and Tatsuki—smirked at Ichigo's idea. They moved aside to give space for him and approach the sulking girl. As soon as he got there, he kneeled and then tapped Rukia. The girl's eyes widened at his sight and she frowned, about to give him a piece of her mind when she realized all eyes was on them again.

"What the heck are you doing Ichigo?" She said through gritted teeth, embarrassed at the flow of things.

The carrot top didn't answer but instead winked and smirked. He leaned forward and gave Rukia a kiss on the cheek. The raven haired girl froze not really sure if she should punch him in the gut or blush away for doing that.

Orihime almost squealed at the sight and Tatsuki grinned seeing the other girl's expression go frustrated and disappointed at the same time. Uryuu, holding on to his fiancée just shook his head.

Ichigo's ego flew up in the air, how he was able to do that forward and uncharacteristic thing, he didn't know, he just felt doing it. He then moved away as he placed the microphone in front of his mouth and sung the last lines of the song.

If you only knew

What I went through just to get to you

I'm swinging from you

And there's nothing I would rather do

He went back to the stage and bowed down as he was greeted with familiar applause. But this was different, no one knew him here and it was special. He took a glance at the still dumbfounded girl and chuckled. However, his moment of glory was cut off when he caught sight of a tall long dark-long haired man glaring at him.

Holy shit…

It's Byakuya, and looks like he had seen the stunt he pulled on his little sister….

…and he doesn't look too happy about it.

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Gahahahaha! You go Ichigo, sucks to be you! Anyway, I truly apologize for being super late…. But I hope this lengthy chapter compensates for it. Anyway, the tattoo thing was a symbolic thing for the two.. It's like a pact they have only they aren't aware of it. Plus, it's kinda sweet since they themselves made it for each other. I wanted to emphasize deeply how Rukia recovers slowly with the help of her friends and Ichigo. That she doesn't need to drag herself down with such event. Because, I never pictured Rukia to be some: 'woe is me' character… She may cry but she's helluva stronger than that. Guess that explains it. Rukia likes Ichigo but is still not ready to accept it. Ichigo likes Rukia but is not ready to admit it to her.. It's a complicated world out there. Byakuya is still on the lookout.. because he can sometimes be a prick. Plus, I think he's being reasonable, he wants more proof form Kurosaki anyway.. After all, he did witness how his sister got hurt so he's not going to let another episode like that happen. Personally, I like the bathroom thing… cause it kinda raised the level of their attraction to a somewhat 'perverted' side.. but not hardcore stuff… just a little teasing. That's about it. I'll be updating faster from now on… Cause I'm free for the whole month of march.. YAY!! Thank you for being patient about this whole thing. Luv u guys!! Also check out my deviant site guys.. lotsa ichiruki goodness there.: bunedbacon(dot)deviantart(dot)com muah! Lastly, any errors… sorry, no time to double check.. I have been fighting for the computer time and my sisters kinda made a timer for me.. so you get the drill…