A/N: Happy 2006! Hope everyone reads and writes more good fics in the upcoming year .

Chapter Four:

The two were in Ichigo's room, Ichigo was doing his homework while Rukia was reading manga. As Ichigo looked over his shoulder to see Rukia concentrating very hard on the manga, he felt like nothing can be better than this. Because at this moment, he knows she's safe, he's there to protect her if anything happens and she's happy. He does admit to himself that is care for her is a little more than what someone would do for a simple friend. He can tell anyone, or even everyone that he cares for her so much is only because she had saved his life not only once, but he knows that's not the truth, friendship isn't the only feeling that revolves around them, he's sure Rukia knows, but like him, she rather keep everything locked up.

Everything was fine, until…..

knock knock The sound was coming from the window, and as Rukia and Ichigo looked, they saw a certain red headed shinigami outside the window with a impatient look on his face.

"Renji!" Rukia jumped up enthusiastically and went to open the window, and as for Ichigo, he's too shocked to say anything…yet.

"Bastard! Why the hell are you in my room?" He yelled as he got up.

"Psh- Why can't I, I just kicked some hollows ass nearby and thought I'd pay Rukia a visit, as if I came to see you" Renji retorted.

The two bright haired men glared at each other, until Rukia landed a fist on both of their jaws.

"Both of you! Stop acting like two year olds, why can't you guys have a decent conversation without pissing each other off? Or are both of you just too retarded to know how the hell to talk decently!" Seeing two of her closest friends fight wasn't something Rukia enjoyed, even thought she sometimes find it funny, she does get tired of their fighting very quickly.

"Psh- it's his fault"

"What the hell, you started it!"

"SHUT THE HELL UP!" demanded Rukia, it's time she lets them deal with things themselves, it's not like she can always be around these two hot heads and help them to act like civilized people. So she thought maybe leaving the two alone for a while might be better. "I'm going to take a shower since Ichigo's family is still at the clinic, Renji, you stay here and don't start a fight with Ichigo, and Ichigo, be nice to a guest and don't start a fight, if I come back and you two still aren't acting like civilized people, she narrowed her eyes you two are dead." She finished off by emphasizing on the word "dead" as she walked out Ichigo's room with her towel in her hand.

"When the hell are you the boss" the two said at the same time, then looked at each other, and then looked away holding their chins up high in pride (thought there is nothing to be proud about.)

Renji sat down at Ichigo's bed, and began talking. "Kurosaki…after Rukia came back with you, how was she feeling? Is she happy to be back? Does she miss Soul Society?"

Ichigo turned to look at him, "She's like her old self, and everything is fine, she seems happy enough."

"Enough?" Renji never really had bad temper. "What the hell do you mean by enough? There's never enough of happiness, Bayakuya taichou she will be happier than ever to stay here with you, that is why he let go, you can't limit her happiness like that!"

Ichigo's brows twisted into a knot, really, Renji was getting on his last nerves. 'she's way better off with me than you and that freak ass brother of hers! Since I'm stronger than both of you, I have the better ability of protecting her—psh' Ichigo thought to himself while thinking of a comeback to say to Renji.

"She chouse to stay here because she thinks it's more peaceful here, she has friends like Inoue that cares for her a lot here, she's more care-free here, she's with me here, I know she's happy, even when it rains…I'm here." Ichigo calmly said to Renji with confidence in every single one of his words.

"Well, I guess, but Ichigo…" Renji looked down at his feet as if he's unable to look at the orange haired mortal while saying this. "I know, and you know too, that the main reason she choused this place is because of you, even if she won't admit it, I can tell she has feelings for you, and don't like to me you bastard, I know you feel the same for her, or else why the hell would you risk your life coming for far just to take her back with you?"

The words stung Ichigo like needles. It was true, no matter how much he doesn't want to admit, he does have feelings for that little annoying shinigami girl, he doesn't know when those feelings came to be, but they grew as time past, and he could tell it was the same for Rukia, he can see through her hard shell and know that she cares for him, a lot..deep deep inside. It was because the two of them were so alike in so many ways, both wanting to keep a cold emotionless shell outside to protect themselves from unneeded feelings, yet inside, they care for each other so much, that their infatuation for the other can put their own lives on the line.

"Yeah…I know." Ichigo simply said, not knowing what else he could say, really…this was Renji, what else can he tell him?

"Then why don't you tell her?"

Ichigo looked at the fuku-taichou as if he was an idiot.

"Really Kurosaki, even thought Rukia doesn't act like one, she's a girl after all, it's not good for a girl to wait for an answer. Since now you have chosen to have her by your side here in the human world, why not tell her the reason why you want her to be here with you. Don't lie Ichigo, I know it's not simply because so you can protect he from harm as a repayment for saving your life." Said Renji with a serious look on his face.

"Anyhow, it's about time I go back to report to Bayakuya taichou, when Rukia comes out tell her I'll come visit her later." And with that, Renji leaped out the window leaving Ichigo standing alone in his room with the moonlight shinning on him.

Then Ichigo thought…'maybe I should tell her and make things clear, I'm pretty sure she's she same, I guess Renji is right, she's a girl after all, it'd be better if I say it to her first. Ok then, that's settled, I'm going to tell her how I feel when she gets back and make things clear between us'

-----

Then, Ichigo heard some light foot steps coming from outside his door, right at that moment; he knew it was Rukia coming back from her shower.

Rukia casually walked in Ichigo's room wearing Yuzu's yellow pajamas, and her hair is still kind of wet from her shower, and with her towel still in her hands, as she turned to Ichigo, she asked, "Where's Renji? Did he leave already?" she gave her an evil glare, "or did you start a fight with him and pissed him off?"

Wearing a very innocent face Ichigo simply said, "Renji said he had to go report back to your brother, so he left."

Rukia nodded understandingly, then sat down on Ichigo's bed and continued drying her hair with her towel, she never trusted human technology, and especially that thing called a blow dryer that might all the sudden suck your hair in it.

Looking at the small shinigami, Ichigo thought about what she was thinking of doing, and what Renji had said. So, he took in a big breath, and walked towards Rukia confidently.

Rukia looked up from drying her hair to lock eyes with Ichigo, she could tell the seriousness that was held in his eyes.

"Is something wrong Ichigo?" she asked innocently.

"Rukia, Renji told me some stuff and, I guess it made me realize that, there are some stuff between us that I would like to, or erm..make that need to, make clear about."

Rukia raised an eyebrow, and thought. 'Renji huh? This is getting interesting, I thought the last thing Ichigo would ever do is listen to Renji' Curious about what Ichigo was so…anxious about, she patted on the bed beside where she sat and looked up at Ichigo, telling to sit down beside her.

Without saying anything, he sat down, and then started talking. " Rukia, ugh…" he looked down at his feet unable to look at Rukia when he's doing something like this, after all, it's not like him to say or do anything like this, usually he would simply tell himself these 'emotional things' were useless and would ruin his reputation. But this time, it's different, because he knows Rukia thinks the same about these things.

On the other hand, Rukia knew what he was going to say, she could tell from the nervous look on his face, but she's not about to ruin this for herself, seeing Ichigo stuttering while looking for the right words to say, this was priceless and very very entertaining.

So Ichigo gave it another try, trying not to stutter this time. "Rukia, you know that I can do anything for you right?... Like I mean, ugh, like..saving you and protecting you and all- I just want you to know that I…I…really like you!" He was still looking at the floor, his orange bangs hiding his eyes from her, though he can't hide his slight blush on his face. Really, this was Ichigo, trying to keep his cold reputation no matter whatsoever the situation. But he knew Rukia could see right through him, at all times.

The room was in silence for a moment or so, and then it was broken by Rukia's light giggles. Yes, Rukia…giggling, up until now, Ichigo actually thought she had no idea how the hell to giggle or laugh or any of that stuff, then again, he can never see past Rukia's outer shell.

After giggling for a few seconds, she quiet down, and placed a hand on Ichigo's chin to lift his head up so he was no long staring at the floor, and instead he's look right at her face now. She held a tiny little smile, and started "Ichigo, you have no idea how amusing it was to see you stutter like that." Without giving him any chance to reply, she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his broad shoulder.

At first Ichigo was still wonder what she meant by that statement, but soon he realized that he didn't need to wonder anymore, he wrapped his arms around her small body and laid his head on top of hers and closed his eyes.

'Stupid Rukia, always having to make fun of me no matter what kind of situation we're in"

Rukia gave herself a little smile, and thought 'Ichigo, you are one of a kind, even when it comes to telling someone how you think about them"

The room was in silence, the two didn't need to say anymore, because they know just by the position they're in, there's already a promise of love.

To be continued……

A/N: How was it? I wanted to make it more Ichigo-like so I didn't make him say anything fluffy or sappy, so anyhow, leave a comment on how you think ""

Next chapter: Ichigo still has to get through Bayakuya first before even thinking about going any further with his relationship with Rukia. xP