Author's Note: Hey, i sincerely apologize in advance for this chapter LOL. I don't think it's that good - but hey. Sorry also for this being so late. Anywho, I wrongly told someone that this is to be set before chapter 6 - this is WRONG! We're carring on as normal jus so ya know! Plez don't be too rude wit ur reviews! Okay, remember the rulers, ok?

Gazing out of the bedroom window, Rukia realized it was a bitter Saturday morning. Although it looked like a terrible day was unfolding outside, Rukia reassured herself that it could be worse. She could be at school. She could be with Ishida. Oh yes, it could be a lot worse. At least she'd have the oppotunity to talk things over with Ichigo. Things hadn't been sorted out, despite the fact that they were friends again. They hadn't spoken about their thoughts or feelings. He'd acted pretty strangely. But, the passing weeks had all been strange. With all the crossed paths, confused feelings, misinterpreted intentions. Sometimes she wondered whether it was all worth it in the end.

Stepping away from the window, Rukia glanced at the orange-haired figure sprawled out on his bed. Peacefully dreaming. He was her closest friend, the person she understood so well - yet the person she hardly knew anything about. He was the only person who could brighten up her darkest days, yet the same person who made her cry a river. The person who'd opened her heart, someone who'd made her life just a little more sweeter.

Rukia couldn't help the small smile creeping across her lips.

We'll get past this, I'm sure. She thought confidently, drifting back into her closet - because returning to his bed just seemed wrong to her. Might as well get a few more hours of sleep in if he's not woken up yet.

She wasn't in his bed...So, she must be inside his closet. It was the only place she spent most of her time.

"Rukia!" Ichigo banged on the closet door, Rukia's breakfast at the ready. "Breakfast."

No answer.

Well, been here before...

"Oi! Rukia!" He pulled back the door. She was sleeping. Curled up in a tight little ball.

Ichigo didn't notice the tiny smile on his face.

He didn't really want to wake her.

"Ooooh, is that breakfast for me, Ichi?" Kon yawned, half-asleep yet still fully annoying.

"No." Ichigo replied soflty, his smile now spread right across his face. He slowly slided the door back to it's original place.

"But I'm hungry." Kon clutched his stomach in false agony.

"Well, I'm sure there's a nice trash can about somewhere." Ichigo sat down on his bed next to Kon.

"Hang on a moment! Why're you smilin'?" Kon leapt up, pointing towards Ichigo's mouth in horror.

Ichigo's smile quickly faded. "I wasn't smilin',"

A short pause of silence. (Well, it would have to be short with Kon).

"So, Nee-san told ya how she feels finally, eh?"

"H-how'd you know that?!" Ichigo was suddenly filled with horror. "Were you listening the other night?"

"Duh."

"Damnit, Kon! Can't ya mind yer own buisness once in a while?!"

"Why don't ya tell her how you really feel?" Kon asked, ignoring Ichigo's outrage.

"Wha-"

"She came out and said it. Opened herself up right before your eyes and ears. All you did was say that you didn't feel the same. We both know it's not true. So, why the hold up? There's nothin' stoppin' you two gettin' it together is there?"

"I don't li-like her like...that."

"Yes, ya do!"

"I don't, damnit! Maybe 'coz you like her or Ishida likes her like that dosen't mean that the rest of the world have to, alright?! God sake, we're just friends. That's all I think of her as. I don't love her."

"Ichigo," Kon said gently. "It's things like this that hurt her feelings, can't ya see?"

"What? I don't get what ya talkin' about." Ichigo stood up and folded his arms in protest. "You talk utter rubbish."

"That's it. Blame me. Everybody else is wrong, right? That's all you ever think. You're so busy thinking that people are wrong; about you, about her, about the both of you. You're so blind. Ever stopped to think that for just once in your life that you're actually wrong about something?"

"Hey, guys, what's up?" A small voice broke the argument. "Is something wrong?"

Ichigo forced a comforting smile. "No, no. Everything's fine."

"No it isn't, Ichi-" Kon was silenced by a pillow.

"Are you sure?" Rukia frowned at Ichigo.

"Yes. Everything's just...peachy."

Rukia shrugged and headed out into the bathroom.

"Kon, you idiot!" Ichigo whispered sternly, slowly removing the pillow.

"Ichigo! You're the idiot! How are you meant to solve anything if you're constantly running away from every problem that arises?"

"Shut up!"

"Where's Kon?" Ichigo inquired, entering the room.

"Oh, he said he's just going out somewhere."

Well, actually, his words were more like this:

"Right, I'm sick of all this stuff with you and Ichi! I'm goin' out, and when I get back you two betta be romancin'!"

Rukia smiled as thought back on his words. It was the most serious that she'd ever seem the furry animal. It was kind of cute. How he was so convinced that she and Ichigo should be together.

I hope we'll be romancing, too, Kon. I really do...

"Ok."

Ichigo joined Rukia at the window ledge.

The sun was setting over the crimson sky, the fluffy white clouds rolling past as if in a playful race. It was a truly beautiful scene. Rukia admired the human skies. Such a variety of colors and shapes seemed to dwell there. The sky could be described as many things, but it could never be described as dull. It fascinated her. It was as fascinating as Ichigo, she supposed. Both so intricate, so complex, so amazingly beautiful.

"You know, I think that we need to talk. About things, about Ishida, about us, me and you." Rukia marvelled at her own bravery for bringing up the subject.

"We have talked." Ichigo said bitterly. He didn't want to talk about this. About her and Ishida. About his feelings, her feelings, their feelings.

"Well, not really. I mean, I only said that I loved you and that's about it." Rukia looked into his worn eyes. They looked old, so tired. The last weeks had been hard on both of them, she supposed. "We haven't really talked about how you feel."

"Do my feelings really matter at all?"

Rukia was slightly taken aback. How was she meant to take that? She was sick of all this. His stupid remarks. She wasn't going to take that lying down!

"What the hell do you mean?"

"Well, you're so tied up in your own feelings and thoughts that you don't even care about mine. We all know that you...love...me, but hey - who cares?"

"What IS wrong with you, Ichigo?! I just don't understand. All I ever do is love you, and you just hurt my feelings. What have I done to piss you off so bad that you can hardly stand to be nice to me?"

"I dunno, just..."

Ishida, Ishida, you and Ishida! That's what's pissed me off! You and Ishida! Ishida, Ishida, Ishida! His head screamed. But he couldn't get the words out even if he wanted to. If he told her, she'd just think that he was jealous of ol' four-eyes. He wasn't! Or so he was convinced. What was there to be jealous of?

"Well...?"

"...Ishida..." Ichigo whispered.

Shit! Why did I say that? Damnit! She's gonna think that I am jealous of him now! Fuck it!

"So, this is what it's all about! I should've known! Ichigo, you're so blind."

"Eh?"

Ichigo wasn't a stupid kid, but that last sentence had completely lost him.

"You're blind."

Nope. Still don't get it...

"To my feelings, my thoughts. You think you know how I feel, but you don't really. It's like...You refuse to accept that I like you the way I do."

"Ok." Ichigo reluctantly nodded in understanding. He stared at the floor like a small child in defeat.

"And it dosen't matter how much I tell you, you just don't seem to get it." Rukia sighed. "So, I guess I'll just have to show you instead."

What does she-

He glanced up. Ichigo swallowed hard as he saw Rukia coming closer and closer towards him, standing on tip toes and leaning in. Their lips met and Ichigo lost his breath for a second or two. He felt his heart throb through his chest. This was a strange feeling, indeed.

Yay! Thank Christ that's over LOL please R&R!