Chapter 5 shopping and past memories

Ichigo and Rukia walk into the Karakura mall. The two of them step over to the directory to locate the IKEA store. Once they finish finding the store's direction, they stride off, trudging through the large crowd. At one point, Rukia loses sight of Ichigo, but Ichigo rapidly realizes this and turns back.

As he moves toward her, he grabs her arm. "You need to stay with me, Midget!" Ichigo teases but then realizes that he just mocked Rukia. He begins to feel nervous as amber eyes widen.

Rukia laughs lightly at his facial expression. "My, it's been a long time since you've teased me… Strawberry" Ichigo glares at Rukia for a moment before they both burst out laughing.

People stare at them as they walk past. "Come on, Ichigo!" Rukia exclaims as she pulls Ichigo's sleeve pulling him along.

They quickly find themselves at IKEA as Rukia rushes inside. "First, we need a sofa!" Rukia exclaims as she races off.

Ichigo watches as Rukia runs over to the sofa section as he quickly follows her as she reaches a stop at a dark grey, five-seat sectional. Rukia's eyes light up as she gazes at the Sofa "it's perfect! We're getting it!"

Ichigo looks at the price and nearly passes out because of shock. "Rukia! That's way too much! 213,681.74 yen!! Rukia, do you know how much that Is in US currency?!?" He says as his eyes widen.

"Yes, ichigo, I do. It's $2,060! That's pretty cheap! My family has tons of money, and Nii-Sama told me to buy whatever I want, and I want this Sofa! Also, don't look at the prices. It's okay, I promise." Rukia exclaims as she picks an employee. "Hi, I would like this, please! We also have more stuff to get as well, so if you could write everything down, we will take the light stuff with us, and the furniture we'll buy will be sent to us?"

"Yes! We will ship the furniture to your place!"

"Great, then let go look at coffee tables now." Rukia says as she smiles.

Wow, she looks happier. I guess she is enjoying herself… I'm glad... A soft smile forms on ichigo's lips as he chases after the petite woman.

"Ohh, looks at this nice white one!" He hears Rukia say she races towards a beautiful white coffee table with a perfect spot to place tea.

Rukia sure has good taste.

"We'll take this as well!" Rukia says to the employee. "Sure! What's next?!" The employee replies cheerfully.

"What about...a Tv and a TV stand?" Ichigo questions.

"Yes! That's perfect" Rukia skips towards the tv stands.

"I love this black one! What do you think?" Rukia asks me as she gazes up.

"Sure, Ruki, whatever you want." he says with honesty as she beams up at him.

"This too, please!" Rukia says to the employee as she walks over to the tv area. "What size should we get?"

"Hmm, how about a 55 inch?" Ichigo says as he glances at all the displays.

"Okay! This one then!" Rukia exclaims, pointing to a 55-inch smart tv.

"Great!" The employee says with a huge smile, "Anything else?"

"Ichigo, let's get a dining table set!" Rukia once again races towards the dining room area. "Hmm, 2 or 4 seats?"

"Four in case my sisters come to dinner.."

"Oh, yes, your sisters! We should get them something!"

"Rukia..you don't need to.." Ichigo exclaims, surprised.

"I want to ichi! You've helped me so much already. Let me do this for you and your family." Rukia whines as she gives him big puppy eyes.

"O-Okay! Rukia… Stop with the eyes!" Rukia laughs as she grabs ichigo's hand. "Come on! we should get bookcases for our bedrooms!" A light blush covers his face as he stares down at their linked hands.

Ichigo's about to tell Rukia when she suddenly looks at their hands. "Ichigo. I'm sorry" Rukia apologizes as she lets go."I used to hold my sister's hand when we shopped.." Rukia admits quietly as tears begin forming in her eyes.

Shit, this is bad! He thinks. "It's... it's okay, Rukia.." Ichigo tells her as his amber eyes soften. "Here." he says, taking her hand himself, "Let's go."

Rukia stares at him for a moment before smiling. "Thanks, Ichigo." she whispers.

They make our way to the bedroom area. "I like this white one.." Rukia tells him as she drags him to a large tall bookcase. "Me too." We'll take two of these, please!" Rukia exclaims as she jumps up and down. Ichigo softy laughs at her silliness.

"What else do we need?"

"Bedding," Rukia replies as they walk over to the blankets. "You go pick your own okay?" Rukia says she lets go of ichigo's hand and walks over to the shelf picking up a white and purple comforter.

"Yeah, sure." he says walking down the aisle, looking over his choices he finally sees a black and red one that he likes and grabs it. The employee arrives back with a large cart to put their things in.

"Thanks so much!" Rukia exclaims. As she throws her blanket and sheet set into the basket, Ichigo does the same.

"Now all we need is..bathroom things!" Ichigo groans mentally as he follows Rukia. She grabs a grey shower curtain with grey bath mats and two robes. "White or black?" She asks.

"I'll take the black one."

"Okay! I think that's it for IKEA!" Rukia says as she pushes the basket.

"Okay, where to next?"

"Bath and bodywork. You can take the stuff we have now while I go there."

"Okay, we'll walk there together, then I'll take the stuff to my car."

"Okay." Rukia agrees as they walk to the check out after ringing up the total, which was ¥335,034.58 (3,229 USD) Rukia pulls out her wallet, sliding out a black card. "Here you go!"

After paying, the employee gives them a copy of what they'd purchased.

"Your furniture will be delivered in a couple of hours. Please sign here." Rukia writes their dorm building and room number down and signs, handing the paperwork back.

"Great! See you guys next time!" Rukia and Ichigo grab their bags and head out of IKEA. They walk towards Bath and body works.

After they arrive, Rukia turns to Ichigo. "I'll be right back. Please don't go anywhere else, okay?"

"Okay." Rukia replies as she runs inside. He turns on his heels and walks towards the entrance to put their bags in the car.

Rukia enters the store,she smiles again. This is mine and my sister's favorite store!... I mean, was… she thinks as her smile slowly fades as she stares at all the merchandise. No! Sister wouldn't want me to be upset! Besides, I'm no longer alone. I have Ichigo.. whatever the hell we are, I'm not sure...are we friends?.. If so, why do I feel nervous around him when he's close to me, and why did I get butterflies when he held my hand?.. Ugh! This is pointless.

Rukia quickly makes her way to the shower gel area, grabbing a Snowy peach berry shower gel. She then moves her way to the body cream grabbing a Lavender and snowflakes body cream.

Then finally, she walks over to the perfume and body mist area holding a body mist that matches her body cream.

Rukia quickly takes her things to the checkout and pays. After getting her bag, she turns to the front door and sees Ichigo waiting for her. She smiles at him as she walks over.

"Hey, ichigo, I'm ready to go home now."

Home..with ichigo... Kami, I've missed him so much...

Ichigo's amber gaze locks on to her violet one, and she notices his soften. "Yeah, let's go home, Rukia." he agrees, offering her a soft smile.

They walk out of the store and Rukia notices not as many people around as earlier. "It's sure calmed down." she says as they walk towards the exit leading to the parking lot.

"Yeah, it has." ichigo finally replies as they walk out of the parking lot. "Cars this way."

"I know, Ichigo!" I'm not stupid, you know!" Rukia teases as she punches Ichigo's stomach.

"What the hell Midget?!?" She goes to kick him this time as he covers his legs. "Wait! Rukia, I'm sorry!! Please don't kick me."

"Okay." she says, agreeing as she smirks up at him. "Whatever you say, Strawberry." She notices ichigo is becoming Irritated, so Rukia quickly changes the subject. "Let's get to the car so we can get home." she says as she jogs toward Ichigo's car.

"Dammit, Rukia!" Ichigo shouts after her as he begins to jog with her.

They reach his car a moment later, putting their bags in the trunk and jumping in. Ichigo quickly starts the car and begins driving as they get on the freeway.

Rukia closes her eyes to rest because she still feels drained from earlier… A few moments later, she falls asleep, but Ichigo's quickly waking her up. "Rukia, we're back at the dorms. Let's get out and head up."

"Okay."She agrees as she steps out of his car and begins grabbing their bags. After they have them all, Ichigo closes the trunk and they walk into their dorm building.

The two arrive inside the common room and begin walking over to the stairs to start their journey up to the 5th floor.

After they make it to their floor. Ichigo pulls out the key and opens the door.

They step inside and close the door. "Phew! That was a lot of work!" Rukia exclaims as she makes her way down the hallway to her bedroom. "I'm going to take a nap, okay, Ichi?"

"Sure, Ruki, and I'll wake you up when our furniture gets here." Ichigo says as he walks over to his room.

"Okay." Rukia says, giving him one last look before going into her room and closing the door.

She walks over to her dresser and places her beauty bag on it. Then she sits on her bed and begins taking her shoes off. She then stretches out and falls asleep thinking of Ichigo.

Ichigo watches Rukia go into her bedroom before he goes into his own. He pulls out his phone to dial Uryu number before placing the phone onto his ear.

"Kurosaki, I was wondering why you had your stuff moved out, and I got myself a new roommate." Uryu says with an attitude as soon as he answers.

"I'm sorry, Uryu, it's been a crazy day…" Ichigo sighs as he runs his fingers through his hair. "Listen, Rukia's brother got us a dorm apartment. I'm still in the same building. Hey, come up here! Room 515 5th floor! I'll explain everything." He exclaims as he begins to pace his bedroom.

"Okay, I'll be up there in 5." "Okay, text me when you are at the door. Rukia's sleeping."

"Okay." he says before hanging up.

After 5 mins Uryu texts ichigo, 'I'm here' he quickly makes his way out to the front door and unlocks it.

"Come in." Ichigo tells him as he steps inside.

"Okay, now explain!" Uryu exclaims in irritation.

"Well, Rukia... She witnessed her sister murder a month ago, so Byauka thought it would be best for her here in Karakura… It turns out they have a tip that's she here, so they sent someone looking for her…"

"Okay, but why you?" Uryu asks, confused.

"Because I've always protected her." Ichigo explains, dead serious, "I promised her! I won't let them hurt her like they did her sister!" Ichigo's voice rises as his temper heats up.

"Okay, Ichigo. I understand...You're still my friend and cousin even if Kuchiki is back. She was, after all, your first love...stay safe, okay?"

Oh, kami, he just had to bring up the fact that I had once loved Rukia Kuchiki with my soul. I never really got over The pain of that night… Ichigo feels his face flush in embarrassment as he stares at the ground. "I will, Uryu."

"I should be going now. I have a test tomorrow bye, ichigo. Oh, by the way, Take good care of Rukia-Chan." He says while smirking.

"Bye, Uryu." Ichigo says as he closes the door behind Uryu, locking it in place. What the hell was that about?!? '"Take good care of Rukia-Chan"'

Did he instruct me to try to get with Rukia?!? I couldn't do that! She's emotionally unstable right now. That would be wrong… or Maybe I'm overacting...

Maybe Uryu meant it to take care of her as a best friend again?! Dammit!! I don't know what to think right now!... Guess I just let things be as they are if Rukia needs me; I'll be there for her through everything.

Ichigo sighs deeply as he walks himself over to his room and goes inside, collapsing into the bed, lost in his thoughts.

Errus gazed down as sadness ran through them. "Dammit! It looks like I forgot about one problem! Damn you, Aizen! I'll have to give everyone their memories back in over to save the worlds! How could I have been so careless to forget about the man that had caused the war in the first place!." They yelled at themselves. "I hope the sun and moon can bring peace once again.

The God started letting go of the memories of the Shinigami and everyone involved with the war… "Everyone good that was involved in this war will each gain a new memories each time they sleep.. " The God said to themselves as they faded into blackness.

Rukia's dream.

Her POV

I slowly open my eyes and notice I'm in black robes with a katana strapped to my side. I'm also in Ichigo's childhood bedroom. What am I doing here?.. I'm a Shinigami…. Wait, How the hell did I know that?!? I then note that there is another Hollow wandering around... Wait, a Hollow?!

I notice ichigo bond to the floor with something invisible.

Shit, that's Kido; I realize confused about how I know any of this…

"Hurry up and get rid of it!" Ichigo yells as I try to speak. I realize I can't. It's like I'm me, but I don't have control of my actions. I'm only a viewer. "I haven't been able to sense it recently, and I theorize that there is a powerful force obstructing my senses." I admit. However, Ichigo interrupts, "You can't hear that terrible cry!? isn't that the Hollow you're after!?"

I feel myself becoming confused. "I don't know what you are talking about!" I shout before I stop in shock as I suddenly hear the hollow's roar. Then we hear a crash below and Yuzu screaming.

Ichigo's sisters are here too?!?

I run to the door and open it, only to stop in shock as I suddenly feel the Hollow's powerful Reiatsu... I wonder how I could not have sensed this Reiatsu before…

An injured Yuzu stumbles through the hall "Ichigo!!" She cries out as she struggles through the entrance before falling in front of Ichigo's door and begins Reaching out to Ichigo, "Something happened to Karin! you have to save her, Ichigo!" Yuzu begs as she falls unconscious. While kneeling down to check on Yuzu, I hear Ichigo's other sister Karin cry in pain, and I running downstairs while a distraught Ichigo gets to his knees.

I reach the ground floor, where I see the Hollow holding Karin. This is fucking crazy!! What is happening right now!?

"Stop!" Karin screams as the Hollow clutches her. I draw my Zanpakuto before I hear Ichigo fall down the stairs behind me. "Stay back!" I shout to Ichigo, who, instead of listening, stands up.

Ichigo no! I scream mentally.

"Karin!!" He yells, prompting me to feel surprised at him being able to move despite the binding spell placed on him. Seeing the Hollow holding his sister Karin,

Ichigo begins screaming in anger and straining against his invisible binds, "No human strength can break them!" I warn as he struggles for a moment before glowing with a golden light shattering his bonds.

Ichigo then grabs a folding chair and runs forward to attack the Hollow, who punches him away with his free hand. Ichigo's sent flying back.

The Hollow approaches him. "I've found you!" The Hollow cries as it reaches for him, only for Ichigo to roll away. I feel myself move as I slice deep into the Hollow's right arm, causing the Hollow to roar in pain as it drops Karin, who is caught by Ichigo, who then disappears from view.

"Karin!" Ichigo calls to his sister as he grips her close.

"Compose yourself! The Hollow has not yet devoured your sister's soul." I say as I crouch down next to them.

"Are you sure?!" Ichigo asks, clearly frightened for his sister's life.

"Yes, this Hollow is seeking a soul with a higher amount of Reiryoku. It seems your power has been almost completely suppressed until recently, which explains why I didn't sense anything from you and why no Hollow attacked you before... I believe your powers began pouring out due to the contact with the dead girl and that the Hollows sensed your power through that same girl! Which makes you their real target." I explain to a stunned Ichigo. As he processes this, the Hollow reappears in front of me. "Stay back," I warn as I take my stance.

"Shut up! Is it my fault that the dead girl was attacked? and is it my fault that my sister's lives are in danger?!" Ichigo yells as he runs in front of the Hollow, "You're after my power?! fight me one-on-one then!" The Hollow extends his neck to devour ichigo; only I jump in front of him with my body with my Zanpakto out, damaging myself and the Hollow's mouth in the process. As the Hollow rears back in pain, I fall to my knees while blood trails behind me.

"You're an idiot!" I yell at a shocked Ichigo. "Didn't you realize you would be no match for that Hollow?! Did you think everything would be over if you gave the Hollow your soul!?!?! We would all become food for him at this point!" I scream, angry, and hurt.

The Hollow recovers and narrows its eyes; I pull myself to a nearby pole and gaze at Ichigo. "Do you want to save your family?" I ask as blood pools out of my wounds.

"Yes, if there is a way, I'll do it!" Ichigo says with determination.

"Okay." I say as I lean against the pole and point my Zanpakuto at Ichigo. "You must become a Shinigami! To do this, you must run my Zanpakuto through your body to pour my power into you."

The Hollow roars as it draws closer. "I don't know if this will work, but there is nothing else we can do."

"Give me that blade, Shinigami!" Ichigo tells me.

"My name's not shinigami. It's Kuchiki Rukia," I say as I gaze at Ichigo's amber eyes. The Hollow charges toward us as Ichigo grabs my Zanpakuto by the blade.

"I'm Kurosaki Ichigo." He tells me before pulling the blade into himself as I push, which results in a powerful surge of energy that releases waves of force in all directions.

That when I wake up in a cold sweat, and Ichigo's leaning over me, concern written on his face. "What the hell happened, Rukia?!?" Ichigo demands.

A/N hope you enjoyed it!! Please Review.