Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and RWBY. Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo. RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth and the late Monty Oum. Rest in peace you saint of a choreography genius. We all still miss you :(

A question one would ask why type this up? Simple – why not?

Edited as of 7/19/2019

Chapter 19: Strawberries with a Side of Roses

About a month and a half later...

Over the past month living in Karakura Town, Ruby felt she was back in Patch living happily with her dad, sister, and Uncle Qrow. Everyone, except for some thugs that Ichigo beat around, was really nice. With some help from Mr. Urahara, and strangely Isshin, Ruby got herself her own apartment with Tatsuki and Orihime. She couldn't ask for better neighbors. Orihime and Ruby immediately clicked like there were long-lost sisters, and Tatsuki was very supportive and friendly. Everyday Orihime invited Ruby and occasionally Tatsuki to either lunch, dinner, or all three meals per day of Orihime's cooking. And Ruby's judge of her food...

It was so delicious that the first time she tried, Ruby's eyes were sparkling the whole day. If only she could've seen the look on Tatsuki's face.

'Oh Kami, there's two of them.' thought Tatsuki.

Tatsuki and Ichigo also helped Ruby getting a feel with the local language of Japanese since not everyone was fluent with English as a second language they practically drilled them in Karakura. She made some slow progress, but was able to get a good grasp on proper suffixes and greetings. Ruby groaned inwardly reminded of the days Weiss pushed studying onto Ruby whenever they were falling behind on classes, especially history with Professor Oobleck.

Isshin would randomly invite Ruby over for dinner, which she graciously accepted. The weird thing was whenever she got to the house and to the kitchen she was the first to the table. Then, it got even weirder when Ichigo was the one to enter the kitchen and no one else. It always made this strange tension in the room between them, and Ichigo always ended these dinner invitations with an angry scowl on his face that confused Ruby. Unknown to her, Yuzu and Isshin were spying on them waiting for sparks to fly.

"Dammit, she's as dense as Ichigo." cursed Isshin under his breath.

"THERE YOU ARE, YOU OLD FART!" bellowed Ichigo when he discovered Isshin's spying spot, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?"

It was moments like that Ruby made herself absent with a burst of her Semblance. After a few times being invited again, Ruby realized the implicit nature in them. So now she declined every invitation afterwards with a huge blush on her cheeks.

'At least they're trying something while I'm stuck in here.' said Mazazoru, 'Really, Ruby. People are practically putting on a show so you can click with such a great man as Ichigo. You can't avoid this for-'

'STOP IT, PLEASE!' Ruby pleaded in her mindscape, her face as red as her cloak.

'Yang knew how to have fun.'

'Bite me.'

'Impossible yet tempting.'

Ruby spent most of her time at Kisuke's underground training basement to achieve Bankai. According to the former shinigami, Ruby was making amazing progress and would definitely achieve Bankai in the coming fall or sooner. It also helped steel Ruby's composure from Summer's constant cooing to get a rise out of Ruby, and which the Zanpakuto mother hid a look of pride in her daughter for that. She found herself wielding Mazazoru in her sealed form more comforting the more she practiced, her hakuda and Shunko got some decent improvement thanks to Yoruichi, and her Kido gained a jump in progression thanks to Ren.

Speaking of the Remnantie, Ren decided to stay at Kisuke's shop as his home. Ever since they came back from Soul Society, Ren was putting himself through hell mastering every branch of combat from hakuda to kido, which he went milestones through shocking Kisuke. To him, Ren's potential was scary and he would make a low captain-class like Toshiro (sorry, not sorry) piss his pants with his spiritual pressure alone. It was almost like looking at another Aizen with this much raw, yet calm power.

The reason for Ren's training was not only to achieve his Bankai. That was a side goal to him. The real reason was Aizen himself. Ruby didn't quite understand that drive or rather Ren's hate of the man. Yes, Aizen is a very dangerous man, but it was like Ren had some sort of vendetta. She didn't pry on it too much and Ren wasn't anywhere close to losing himself. He was still Ren.

It was morning of the 22nd of August, and Ruby awoke without so much as a stretch or a yawn. While her body was nice and relazed, Ruby had spent the whole night in her mindscape. First, she and Summer had to put some restraints on the Grimm Ruby for that outburst a month ago, but she proved to be getting too powerful as she just screamed them away. Most of the night was Summer trying to get Ruby to admit certain... feelings. That night Summer was dead serious, no teasing or pestering, and basically interrogated Ruby's admittance out the whole night. After a few hours, which was days in Ruby's mindscape, she finally conceded to Summer.

Ruby has a crush on Ichigo.

Of course, Summer knew it since she could read Ruby's thoughts. She just needed Ruby to admit with words. With a smirk, Summer went on to Phase 2 of her plan to set in motion. What plan one would ask? Like mother, like daughter, Summer had her plans in a binder and poster with doodles titled: "Awesome and Ingenious Plan to Get Grandchildren." Luckily, Ruby didn't see it.

'I don't know about this.' thought Ruby.

'Just like we planned, petal.' Summer replied, having a very hard time holding in her giggles and excitement, 'I'll be with you to guide the way, but you've got to make the gears turn.'

'But-'

'No buts.' Summer said, 'Just go with the flow. Trust me.'

Ruby sighed deeply before she lifted herself out of her bed, revealing her in a red tank-top with white, sleeping pants with red polka-dots. She paused before the body length mirror to look at her reflection. The first word that came to Ruby's mind was beautiful.

The intense training in the shinigami arts removed every last bit of body fat on her face, making her face more lean. She almost mistook herself for an older women in her bare 20s at the mature complexion, further enhanced by her glimmering silver eyes. Her hair, no longer choppy, reached below her neck and highlighted the red tips of her hair from the usual dark coloration, especially a ruby lock of hair just above her left eye. Her curves were more defined due to her now toned body that was built for more than endurance. Ruby could swear she had grown a couple of inches over the month.

'You're growing up into a very beautiful woman.' Summer said soothingly.

"...Yeah." Ruby said outloud, "Hmph, wonder what Yang or Dad would think right now?"

'Knowing him, your father would probably try to punch Ichigo through a tree.' Summer said, 'That is if he could get passed you.'

'Ichigo's a tough guy, so he would stand his ground and fight him instead.' replied Ruby, 'It'd be cool to watch too.'

Ruby changed into an all-out black outfit with thin pants, long-sleeved shirt similar to her top in Remnant but without a skirt, and very light bands of black leather on her arms. Even in public, Ruby couldn't help but have some hint of a fighter to her.

Ruby didn't bother to eat breakfast and walked to the Kurosaki home with a reluctance in her step. Outwardly, she looked contempt, maybe solemn as she dragged her feet forward. Inwardly, Ruby was panicking at a growing frequency with her rising heartbeat.

'I can't do this.' thought Ruby frantically when Ichigo's home came into view, 'I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this.'

'Yes you can, yes you can.' cheered Summer with gusto.

'If I could kill myself, I would've done it right now to escape this stupid mess you are.' Grimm Ruby grumbled.

BONK!

Ruby ignored the bickering in her mindscape as she approached the door. Time seemed to slow down as Ruby's hand reached to the doorbell.

'I can't do this, I can't do this, I can't do this.' thought Ruby, 'I CAN'T DO THIS, I CAN'T DO THIS, I CAN'T DO THIS, I CAN'T DO THIS!'

Fortunately, the door opened for Ruby and she stood before Isshin.

"Hey, Ruby, how may I help you?" asked Isshin, disclosing the honorific since Ruby wasn't used to Japanese yet (a.k.a me).

"Well I, uh," stuttered Ruby, lowering her head, "was wondering if, uh, I-Ichigo was home. I wanted to a-ask him on a - I mean I, uh, wanted to ask him something.'

Isshin gave Ruby a friendly smile as he allowed Ruby inside. Inwardly, he was a giggling mess.

'I know that look!' thought Isshin with a squeal, 'Finally, my dear Masaki-chan, a girl who has the guts to ask our son out! I swear, my love, I will get them together if it's the last thing I do in this life of mine!'

As Ruby walked into the house, the air started to feel thin to her. Her breathing was ragged and her heart was racing like never before.

'Maybe he isn't here.' thought Ruby. Unfortunately, Kami had other plans.

"Yo, Ruby." greeted the strong voice of Ruby's crush.

Ruby's head swiveled in the direction like it was rusted. Upon first sight of Ichigo, Ruby began shaking uncontrollably and a deep blush flooded her entire head. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at Ruby's strange behavior.

'Ha, she's gonna chicken out.' laughed Grimm Ruby.

BONK!

'Quit it, Mom.'

It was now or never, maybe at least to prove her evil self wrong.

"I-I-I was w-wondering," stuttered Ruby, poking her fingers but keeping eye contact with Ichigo, "if you would like t-to go out l-later t-t-today?"

From another room, Isshin was gesturing to Yuzu and Karin to record the scene.

Not seeing the nature in it, Ichigo replied. "Sure, who else is coming along?"

"That dense idiot." hissed Karin.

'REALLY!?' cried Hollow Ichigo.

Ruby felt her heart sink, but shook her head. "No! I don't mean that. I w-want it to be - just the two of us. Because I want you to go on a - a - a..."

Finally, Ichigo was getting the message if evidenced by the slight blush in his cheeks. "Ruby, do you mean... a date?"

Ruby gulped down whatever hesitation or fear she had to harden her gaze at Ichigo to show her absolute truth.

"...Yes." Ruby confirmed in a soft but firm tone.

There was no way to describe Ichigo's face except pure shock. In his mindscape, the clouds moved away from the sky and the sun shined down with brighter light and warmth that put a smile on Zangetsu. There wouldn't be anymore rain anytime soon.

"W-Woah... Ruby." said Ichigo, trying to get the words out, "I didn't know or... You know what? Yeah, I guess we can go out on a date."

Ruby's eyes widened and swelled with tears of joy. "Really?"

Ichigo nodded. "Really."

At that moment, Isshin ran out the backdoor and praised to the heavens in victory, cheer, and celebration. Yuzu and Karin sweatdropped at their father, but who could blame him? The curse of ignorance upon Ichigo was finally broken.

The next Ichigo knew, Ruby trapped him in a spine shattering hug and her face snuggling in his neck. She mumbled a thousand "Thank you"s before she realized what she was doing. How close they were, and how warm and comforting Ichigo felt. Ruby backed off with a massive blush and her eyes glued to the floor.

"Th-Thank you." said Ruby, "Uh, wh-where and when would we meet?"

"I-I was thinking the mall." said Ichigo, struggling with his own blush, "I know a nice place there. Want to - meet up at four in the afternoon?"

Summer, in Ruby's mindscape, did nothing but holler. 'YES, YES, YES, YES, YES. YEESSS!'

"Yes!" Ruby did nothing but shout, "Well, I, uh, I will...I lik- I lo...um... Bye!"

Ruby ran faster than she had ran in her life with her Semblance. Ichigo couldn't help but stare at the spot she was, entranced by the rose petals she left in from her Semblance. He didn't realize until now how perfect a shade of red they were.

'... Does she really like me?' thought Ichigo in question.

'Finally, Kingy gets it.' Hollow Ichigo hollered, 'Maybe you won't be a vi-'

BONK!

'OWWW!'

'Don't ruin the moment.' Zangetsu spat, 'Ichigo, I would suggest to prepare yourself for your... special rose later today.'

'Yeah.' Ichigo responded.

Ichigo couldn't believe it. He was going on a date. A date! And with someone who most likely showed such strong affections back that he never thought any girl would give him.

Maybe... Just maybe this could work out.

(Time-Skip)

"You nervous?" asked Tatsuki, fitting a knot from behind. Ever since Ruby asked Ichigo out, she turned to Tatsuki the moment she saw her. She was more than happy to help Ruby with her special day. Tatsuki picked a simple, but beautiful red dress with a rose engraving in on the stomach, the back open, black strips on the shoulders, and black sleeves with red designs of red vines and petals. Her legs were bare, showing their toned elegance and she wore red and white high heels.

"Terrified." Ruby answered.

"I can't blame you." said Tatsuki, finishing with the knot and twirling Ruby around to face her, "A lot of girls before you have tried to get close to Ichigo. Of course, he was too dense to notice the signals coming after them, but then again none of them were brave enough like you to ask him out on a date."

"Thanks, Tatsuki-san." said Ruby.

Tatsuki smiled as she fitted something on Ruby's head. "You're getting better with your suffixes... Ruby-san. Though it is okay just to call me Tatsuki. And done. Take a look."

Tatsuki directed Ruby to a mirror and her silver eyes slightly widened. The makeup Tatsuki borrowed from Orihime made Ruby's cheeks dusted with pink, and the pale skin seemed to shine. Her hair was combed to the sides, with the bangs above the left side of her forehead in a brilliant red compared to her dark hair and kept in place by a simple hairpin of a white and red rose. It wasn't over the top, but it definitely get Yang cooing over her if she was here.

"Ready?" asked Tatsuki, getting a nod from Ruby, "Go fight for him."

'Finally, my little Ruby is growing up.' Summer squealed to herself, 'And soon, I'll finally have grandkids.'

'She's a sadist because of you, you know that?' said Grimm Ruby.

'I have no idea what you're talking about.'

'You both gawk over weapons, make some of world's most deadly killing machines like it's your favorite toy, and yet people call me crazy.'

(Time-Skip)

The only difference taking the path to Ichigo's house was that Ruby had no fear or hesitation in her body language or step. She was determined to see this day through how she wanted it.

As Ruby approached the door, she could hear a scuffle from behind the walls followed by a familiar scoff that brought a smile to Ruby's face. Only one person could make that kind of scoff. Ruby learned he had a scoff and a scowl and everything, even ones that showed he was in a good mood. This one showed his flustered state.

The door opened and Ruby was greeted with the visage of Ichigo in a black vest, black pants with a black belt, and a white shirt with a black tie. His hair was less spiky and more neat, but it was very stubborn to keep it that way.

While Ruby smiled warmly at her crush, Ichigo was silently marveling sight of Ruby. He realized how much she changed from the once perceived child-like teenager he met a month ago into this woman who was no less beautiful. Her cheeks were thinned elegantly to show the smoothness of her porcelain skin and silver eyes that just radiated something akin to warmth. Like her gaze was washing the darkness away and filling it with light.

"So, uh, do you want to walk or..." Ichigo asked only to get too flustered to think of the next words.

"Walking hasn't stopped me yet." said Ruby, motioning her body to the side for Ichigo to stand by.

"Oh, my dear Masaki-chan," Isshin praised to the poster of Ichigo's mother, "how can I convey this wonderful moment of our son's life to you?"

"COULD YOU STOP BEING WEIRD FOR ONCE, GOAT-CHIN!?" Ichigo shouted before he slammed the door and walked with Ruby to the mall.

No matter the distance or event, neither of the pair couldn't help but smile in the company of the other. On occasion, they would fidget in physical contact with each other, especially when Ruby moved her hand to grab Ichigo's. They stayed like that the whole way to the mall.

They arrived at a chinese-themed restaurant with red paper lanterns hanging above them. They sat outdoors and got a seat lucky enough to the view of a gorgeous lake garden with lily-pads,koi fish, a waterfall, and a Chinese gate standing on a miniature island with the calligraphy of "water" written in both Chinese and Japanese.

Before they could order, a waiter brought them a bowl of soup for two decorated with kanjis. Dumbfounded, they told the waiter they didn't order yet but only got a wink back. When they noticed what the kanjis on the bowl meant, they both blushed red, and a scowl and tick mark formed on Ichigo's face.

'This has Goat-chin written all over it.' thought Ichigo, 'He better not be taking pictures or I am going to...'

Ruby had similar thoughts as well. 'I can't help but feel Yoruichi has a play in this.'

Their suspicions were right. From a far off corner were the two culprits with crap-eating grins on their faces. Isshin had a camera recording the whole thing and Yoruichi was trying her hardest not too laugh.

"We're so cruel, aren't we?" said Isshin.

"Of course we are, Isshin." said Yoruichi, failing to hold in a snicker, "This is just as much fun as it was with my little bee."

Ichigo and Ruby gave in and ate in their admittedly delicious meal. The noodles and broth were oddly sweet and the meat was so tender it made Ruby's mouth water even more. As they ate, the pair felt the world was giving them their own time just so they could enjoy the moment alone with the beauty of the lake garden and the meal they were sharing. Despite the serenity, Ruby immediately noticed the moment Ichigo stopped eating and had a nervous look on his face with his hand behind his back.

"Ichigo, is something wrong?" asked Ruby with a hint of worry in her voice.

Ichigo sighed and muttered. "Here goes nothing."

In a blur of motion that caught Ruby off guard, Ichigo held out a bouque of white and red roses tied in a black ribbon etched in gold. Ichigo tried to avoid eye contact with a huge blush on his cheeks. Ruby's eyes widened, her cheeks heated, and her heart increased a few beats higher. The seconds felt like hours as none of them moved. Slowly, Ruby reached out a shaky hand and accepted the roses.

"Wow." Ruby gasped, "T-Thank you, Ichigo. This is... really sweet."

Ichigo finally had the guts to face Ruby but the blush was still there. "Well, I thought the roses seemed to fit you, you know."

"How did you have on person the entire time?" asked Ruby curiously.

"Goat-chin shared a family secret." Ichigo grumbled with an annoyed scowl.

Ruby chuckled. "You mean forced?"

Ichigo allowed a smile to creep up. "At least you understand, Ruby."

Ruby smiled warmly. "You know, I can practically tell what your feeling with your scowling. You have one for every expression that it is almost funny and impressive that you've made them."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Really? What does this scowl show you?"

"My honest answer." said Ruby, studying the scowl that Ichigo put on, "You are... slightly annoyed, but I also want to say very pleased and generally happy. Like really happy."

Ichigo gaped at Ruby's spot on analysis. He thought he was hiding his expressions and emotions really well. No one had been able to read him, much less approach him because of how frightening his overall attitude could be.

"Well damn." said Ichigo, getting a laugh from Ruby that he had to admit in his mind was cute.

'Took the words right out of my mouth, Kingy.' commented Hollow Ichigo.

'Why are you still here?!'

'Like I'd miss out on this.'

BONK!

'Thank you, Zangetsu.'

'No need to thank me.'

"Hey," said Ichigo, "want to walk around town a bit before it gets dark? Maybe around the park if you would like?"

Ruby nodded. "Sure, Ichigo."

When the walked together, there was this undeniable sense of closure between them that just couldn't waver the smiles on their face. With each step, Ruby inched closer to Ichigo till she suddenly rested her head on his shoulder. Ichigo fidgeted a little but didn't push Ruby away.

"Is it okay if I stay like this?" asked Ruby softly.

"No." answered Ichigo, "I don't mind."

And stay Ruby did, wrapping an arm around Ichigo's. She never wanted to leave his side. Ichigo felt so warm, and she had this feeling that she was protected and safe from everything the world offered in punishment and harm.

'Ruby, you have definitely found love.' Summer said with tears of pride on her face.

Meanwhile, Grimm Ruby was banging her head against the side of a tree at Summer's antics.

The wonderful mood turned sour when they heard the sniffle of a child and glass shattering. Ruby and Ichigo snapped their heads to see a trio of thugs walking casually with smug looks. There was a plus on the sidewalk right by them, a boy of seven by the looks of it, shedding tears. At his feet was a knocked over bottle, a crunched up flower, and a shattered family photo of the kid with a woman.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what happened. And it made Ruby and Ichigo more than pissed off at the sight. Zangetsu and Mazazoru were silently seething.

Their fists clenched in rage, and their teeth could almost shatter at how much they were clenched. Then, Ruby's face took on a smile, but one that gave off a cold aura and promised nothing but pain. She looked back at Ichigo, who had such a similar expression.

"Ichigo," said Ruby sweetly, but in comparison to the violent mood around them, "I have my right hand occupied. Would you lend me your left?"

"I'd be happy to." said Ichigo, "Should we give them a little warning?"

"Hey pinheads!" Ruby called.

"Wha-" Before the thug in the middle could respond, his face was cratered by the fists of Ichigo and Ruby. The other two reacted immediately to retaliate while Ruby and Ichigo stood back to back. Ichigo grabbed his opponent's head and tossed it back, which met Ruby's left elbow. The remaining thug threw a fist that Ruby easily ducked. Ichigo grabbed the guy's arm and broke it with a satisfying snap while Ruby drove her left fist into the thug's jaw sending him careening down the sidewalk with blood flowing out of his mouth.

Ruby finally realized why Yang found it sooo good beating low-lives with fists alone.

The first one the duo knocked was gaining his bearing but Ichigo and Ruby pinned him down with the former's foot on his back and Ruby forcing the thug to look at the plus' memorial, who was looking at the scene with wide eyes.

"What do you see here?" Ruby asked sweetly, but did nothing to mask her killing intent.

"A-A bottle and some glass."

Ruby bashed his face into the ground, just hard enough to break the thug's nose.

"You see," Ruby corrected, "this 'bottle and some glass' you refer to is a monument to a boy. A sweet boy probably no older than seven who died not too long ago! They were gifts given to him by his family who still mourn his passing! Because he died young and deserved a full and happy life before cruel fate had to step in! And it is scum like you that are imbeciles who ignore all this!"

Ruby tossed the thug into a wall with impressive strength and loomed over him like the death goddess she is. "If I ever see you do any kind of vandalism again, I'll make sure you can't even crawl out of the hospital, that is if you are lucky they treat scum like you. Un-der-stand!?"

The thugs quickly nodded and dashed down the sidewalk leaving a dust cloud in their wake. Ruby stood on the spot, her arms and shoulders shaking with boiling rage. Her vision was going red. Actually, her pupils were turning red, and the white of her eyes were turning black. The subtle Hollowfication was stopped when a familiar warm hand pressed on Ruby's shoulder.

"Hey, thugs will be thugs and idiots will be idiots." Ichigo said, "If they do it again, we'll just beat them senseless."

"You're right." Ruby perked up, "That did feel good."

"Thank you."

Ichigo and Ruby turned to the voice and found the plus looking up at them with awe. Ruby crouched down to the boy's level and rested a hand on the boy's head. Being spiritually aware and a shinigami allowed Ruby to have physical contact with the plus.

"It's okay." said Ruby, "Everything's fine."

"My sister always came here to bring flowers and tell about her life." said the plus, "She moved not too long ago and those were her last gifts."

Ruby's smile turned into a sad frown. She picked up the bottle and set it on straight. The original flower was too crunched up, so Ruby pulled a rose from her bouque and set it in the bottle.

"There you deserve a nice flower-"

Ruby was interrupted when the plus jumped on her into a sweet hug. She returned the sweet gesture back, taking note of every thank you the plus said. Ichigo watched the scene unfold with a smile he never thought he would make in years.

'Ruby is definitely a rare soul.' Zangetsu noted.

'Yeah, she is.'

"It makes me happy," the plus said as it started to glow blue, "that other people like you are still so nice. Maybe now I can go on knowing that you are out there helping others as much as you can."

Ruby couldn't help shed a single tear as the plus glowed blue till he disappeared, finally moving on from the Living World into the Soul Society. Ruby turned back to Ichigo with another tear falling down her cheek but a smile on her face. Unexpectedly, Ichigo reached a finger out and swiped the tear from Ruby's face.

"I don't think tears belong on that face of yours." said Ichigo.

Ruby laughed. "Didn't take you for a charmer."

"I'm not; just being honest." said Ichigo.

It was his turn to be surprised as he barely registered Ruby jumping up to his face and planting a kiss on his cheek. He stared at Ruby, who had a blush, and touched the cheek with a hand. It was oddly warm.

"I had a really great time, Ichigo." said Ruby, her face now a shade of red from her bold action.

"I-I did too." Ichigo admitted, "And I wouldn't mind doing this again. I really mean it."

Ruby could only smile warmly at Ichigo. The more she stared, the more she felt safe with Ichigo. She didn't want to ever leave him for the world. To Ichigo, Ruby was like a beacon of light so bright he didn't want it to dim its shine. He couldn't imagine a world without her bubbly attitude.

Suddenly, Ruby's smile turned into a confused yet concerned expression as she leaned to the side to look behind him, and Ichigo following his gaze and his eyes widened slightly.

Ruby said. "What the-"

"-heck are those?" Ichigo finished as they looked at a horde of what looked like the literal descriptions of ghosts in nothing but white like they were a white fluffy blanket and had red pointy heads. But they couldn't ignore this strange feeling they got from these supposed spirits.

Ruby and Ichigo sighed in unison. "Well, guess that ends our date."

This was my first time writing this kind of chapter and I hope it turned out well. I want Senna, Ichigo, and Ruby to click as good friends rather than what happened in canon.

Next is Chapter 20.

Stay in touch. Please, please leave a review.