Author's Note: Okay, I've missed you guys so so much! Thank you so much for your reviews and being so paitent with me! Anyways, I havent witten another chapter up here for several reasons: firstly, my internet was fucked-up - that wasted a good few weeks trying to fix and chnage my server or whatever it is. Secondly, I wrote loads of different chapters for this that I ended up hating - so I deleted them! ARRRGH!!!
Okay, This chapter isn't very good nor very long. But, I needed to put something up here before you all lose total faith in me! lol. Please be gentle with me and I apologize once more for my absense! ENJOY!!!
"A-are you alright?" Ichigo was still holding tightly on to her hand where he'd prevented her fall. Rukia looked up at him in surpise. "Er-um-I mean, um, you should watch where ya goin'! Idiot!"
He dropped her hand and marched off in front. Rukia smiled slightly before running to catch up the orange-haired Death god. She noticed that his face had turned maroon.
She chuckled.
"Whadda ya laffin' for?!" Ichigo stopped and yelled.
"Oh, nothing." She put her fingers to her lips in an attempt to disguise her giggles. "Kurosaki-kun!"
"Hmph! Shut up, will ya?! I'm sick o' hearin' that!"
"What? Kurosaki-kun? But it's your name!" Rukia teased, her laughter growing. "Kuro-sakiiii, Kuro-sakiiii, Kurosaki-kun, Kurosaki-kun, Ichigo Kurosaki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Kurosaki-kun, Kurosaki-kun!" She began to chant, in a Frere Jacques-style.
"...Are you finished?" He inquired, his arms folded and the vein across his temple throbbing with annoyance. "I could always leave ya here an' go on to school alone!"
"No, no, I'm good!" Rukia breathed in deep, recovering from her fit of laughter. "I'm sorry, sometimes your so funny! I love you!" She squealed.
Rukia cupped her mouth with her hands after she spotted Ichigo's reponse. An awkward silence fell upon them, and an uneasy feeling washed over the male Death god like a tidle wave.
"Um...why don't we get to school, already? Do ya wanna be late, you moron?! Can't jus' chitty-chat here all day!" Rukia quickly walked on, trying desperatly to disguise her embarrassment. "I mean, I don't fancy an hours detention! God, sometimes you're such a dumbass!" Her voice grew louder and louder. It was obvious she was getting carried away.
Although it was strange hearing those words, it was...nice to hear them coming from Rukia. But, it also pissed him off. For he didn't understand why he felt so cheery when she said it. Surely he wasn't turning soft! No way! Definately not! That was Ichigo Kurosaki at all.
He smiled, before moving on. It's good to see her happy again, though...
"Hang on, Rukia! Didn't know you could walk that fast!"
"What are you trying to say?!" She stopped and turned to him.
"That you have small legs!" He laughed. "And I'm wonderin' where you've got all this energy from! Seeing as your legs are pretty short."
Rukia stamped her feet on the concrete path. "Ha! Well I could out-run YOU in a race!"
"Is that a challange, Kuchiki Rukia?" He closed his eyes and grinned.
"Damn right!" Rukia shouted and as zoomed off towards the school.
"Huh?" He looked up at the fading figure. "A-a-that's not fair! Ya started runnin' before tellin' me it had begun! You cheater!" He started racing after her, his massive strides surprisingly no match for her small quick steps.
"Damn you, Rukia!" He yelled after her.
"Oh, damn yourself!" She smiled. "You're such an idiot! If you were paying ATTENTION, then you'd probably be at least a foot behind me!"
"Shut up! Jus' 'coz ya decided to cheat! I'd be WAY ahead of you if ya had been fair!"
"Believe what you want! I'd still beat you if I was blind-folded and my legs happened to be binded together!" She chuckled, still quite a large gap between herself and Ichigo. "Let's face it, you're a loser compared to me!"
"Whatever!" He was beginning to lose his breath, but was refraiming from letting the female Death god figure it out. "I jus'...twisted my ankle this morning! If it werent for that, you'd be miles behind me! Even if you cheated!"
"Twisted your ankle? That's strange. Do humans often twist their own limbs to ensure they lose in competitions?" Her smile broadened.
"Oh, shut up, smartass!" He scolded, slowly catching up to her due to the fact that she was too busy talking to keep up her momentum.
"Tee hee, you're one strange character, Ichigo, you really are!"
"You obviously haven't seen yourself then!"
They stopped just outside the school gates; both panting - desperatly trying to retrieve their breath.
"Ha!...I still...beat...you!" Rukia said between her giant gasps for oxygen. "...idiot..."
"I'm not...the...idiot...you are!" He protested. "If...ya hadn't...cheated...then I...I woulda one..."
"Yeah...whatever..." She smirked.
"Kuorsaki-kun!"
"Eh...?" He glanced up.
"Hello, Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime waved.
"Oh...hi, Inoue." He replied calmly.
Rukia grinned mischieviously to herself. It's interesting how Ichigo acts around girls...
"Kuchiki-san! Good morning, Kuchiki-san!" Ishida called, suddenly appearing behind the orange-headed girl.
"Heh-eh-m-morning, Ishida-kun!" She put on her schoolgirl voice, making Ichigo twitch.
"What have you two lovebirds been doin' to get yourselves so out of breath, eh?" Keigo teased, suddenly appearing also.
"How do you guys all manage to fit behind Inoue so well?" Ichigo raised his eyebrows.
"We hid behind her boobs!" Keigo laughed. Orihime blushed and Ishida frowned. "They're so massive, you could hide an elephant behind 'em!"
"Shall we go inside?" Rukia smiled, ignoring Keigo.
Ichigo glanced at the female Death god; who seemed to be struggling with how to operate a clicky pen. He smiled gently. It was uncontrollable, but although he was aware of his smiling - he welcomed it, he didn't try to hide it. It felt good to smile. Especially after all that had gone on. Funny how lately, Rukia managed to make him feel...happy.
"Kurosaki-kun is smiling! Ishida-kun, look!" Orihime clapped her hands with glee.
The Quincy ajusted his glasses. "Hmmm. I wonder what he's so happy about..."
I feel bad for her. Ichigo thought. I shouldn't have been so stubborn with her. She dosen't deserve it, I know. It's not her fault that she...feels that way, is it? I'm sure if she could control it, she would.
"What are you guys starin' at?" Keigo observed, slowly walking past. "It's only Ichi-oh my! He's smiling!! Oh my God!! Is the world gonna end? Jesus Christ! Help us Lord!"
"Asano-kun, shhh." The orange-haired girl put a finger to her lips. "We don't want to interrupt Kurosaki-kun while he's smiling. He's obviously enjoying himself for some good reason - let's see if we can figure out what he finds so fascinating..."
"Mmm. Hmm." Ishida nodded.
I should apologize to her. She is a good friend, and I wouldn't like to ruin this...this friendship that we've formed over the months or how ever long it has been. It feels like forever. It feels like I've known her all my life...
"Maybe it's a eight-armed robot. Dressed up as a beautiful woman..." Orihime began, ignored by her peers - who were intrigued by the orange-haired Death god.
"W-why are you all staring at Ichigo?" Mizuiro asked, accompanied by a confused Chad.
It's funny how today she seems to be her old self again. She's been 'off' ever since...since that day I left her with Keigo and the others. I can't really blame her for reacting the way she did over that, either. If she left me in a place like that, I'd freakin' kill her! It was kinda selfish of me, I suppose. I guess I should be a little more...tender when it comes to her feelings.
"...Or perhaps it's a flying elephant...Yes, it would have to be a pink flying elephant otherwise I can't see the fascination..." Orihime carried on.
"Kurosaki is smiling at something. We're all trying to work out what is making him so happy." Ishida pointed out.
"Oh. Mind if I join you?" Mizuiro said.
"I hardly ever see Ichigo smile..." Chad pondered quietly to himself.
She's always giving me second chances, always forgiving me - when I don't deserve to be forgiven.
"It couldn't be...Kuchiki-san...c-could it?" Ishida pushed back his glasses. "I mean...he is staring in her direction..."
"...Could be I suppose..."
"Hah! I always knew Ichigo liked her!" Keigo shouted triumphantly.
"Aliens? With lazor guns! Maybe only he can see them, though. Ohh, I wish I could see them!"
"Inoue-san. We've worked out what he's looking at..." Ishida said plainly.
"So have I! Aliens with lazor guns! But...only Kurosaki-kun can see them."
"Inoue-san, we think he's smiling at Kuchiki-san...Look." He pointed.
"Oh...Well I was sure it could've been aliens!"
Rukia rubbed her neck. She'd been stuck in the same boring position for a whole hour! That history teacher did drone on a bit! She sighed, gathered up her things and turned to face Ichigo, seated two seats away from her chair. She couldn't help but stare, seeing the dazed look on his face, the smile spread across his lips. Was he smiling at her? For real? No way...or maybe...
She felt like jumping for joy, but instead of giving in to her strong urges, smiled back at him - in hope of a flicker of something in his amber eyes.
She's everything that I could ever want in a friend. Her kindness is endless - even though most of the time she hides her worry and sympathy behind her stubborn, shitty attitude. But, I can look past that. I just want us to be good friends again...
"Ichiggggooooo!!!!" She suddenly shouted, growing impaitent.
He blushed deeply. "Er-ahh-R-Rukia!! He ha, um, I I-I w-was j-uh-just, um, p-packing up! Ha!" He rambled nervously, feeling his cheeks burn up with embarrassment.
"Ichigo...where you smiling?" She inquired, feeling her heart skip.
"N-no! Of course not! What the hell have I got to smile for?" He slung his bag over his shoulder, and marched off - still moaning. "Of course I wasn't starin' at you! Don't be so silly! God, as if I'd smile at seein' you!"
Ohh, Ichigo! I don't care what you say...I know you smiled - and it was at me!! Ohhh! Rukia thought excitedly. I could just squeeze you!
Rukia looked up at the sky. She could tell the days were growing shorter as Winter was setting in. They were only walking home from school, and the sun was already setting over the silhouetted roofs of the houses. The numerous colors stretched across the sky in a beautiful painted style. It reminded her of a canvas.
"I love the skies in the human world..." She whispered to herself, although not going unnoticed by Ichigo - who stopped and looked at her dumbfounded.
"What'ya mean? The sky's the sky. What's so special 'bout it?"
"It's just so...I dunno...jus' so...wonderous." She said contently, her eyes still attached on the various swirls and splodges on the sky. "The skies in Rukongai were so...lifeless, so bland. Yet the skies here are so colorful and pretty."
"Rukia..."
"Maybe it's my imagination. You know, maybe it's because when I lived in Rukongai, I felt as though I had no life. Life in Rukongai wasn't about fun, love, friends...Life in Rukongai was about survival, it was about when you were gonna get the next meal and how you were gonna get it..."
Ichigo stared at her mezmorized. Rukia wasn't usually this...open about stuff like that...
"But, here, in the human world...I know that life is so much more. I have friends who care about me. Who'll protect me even if I protest against it. Here I have so much fun, I feel free..."
He smiled softly.
"Thank you, Ichigo. You've made my life worth while. In all seriousness and honesty, it's not only you I should be thanking. But you are one of my closest friends, and I don't quite know where I'd be without you. Thank you."
"Rukia..." He began, not quite knowing how to follow on from her speech. "...You shouldn't be thankin' me..."
"What do you mean? I think I haven't nearly thanked you enough." She slowly approached him, a sympathetic look in her eye.
"Well, I mean, I have been so so so selfish lately, I don't deserve your thanks-"
"That's enough, Ichigo!" She cut him off. "Stop beating yourself up over it. It's understandable how confused you feel."
"But, you can't exactly control how you feel, can you? I mean, I shoulda been more understandin'."
"Well, Ichigo, you've realized now, right? How much you've hurt me? So, that's all that matters. The past is the past. Let's forgive and forget, 'kay?" She put a hand on his shoulder and smiled comfortingly.
"Okay..." He agreed.
"Now. I'll race you home!"
She gazed down at her previous diary entry:
I saw Ichigo today. When I went out and met Ishida - or rather he met me! (God, that boy never quits! Arrgh!) Anyways, he was hiding behind a building, probably spying on me. Probably hating me for being with Ishida. I can only imagine his frustration - he must be so confused. For, I tell him and tell him that he is the only person I love - and yet I spent all this time with Ishida. I mean, it's a big misunderstandingon my part - but poor Ichigo dosen't know that. Although I feel depressed about the whole matter, I cannot blame him for feeling the way he does. After all, if I was in the same situation with him - I'd be pissed if he confessed his love for me then spent loads of time with Orihime Inoue. Of course, I can't imagine that myself, but then again, I never imagined to be the love-interest of a Quincy!
Then, she scrolled her violet eyes further down the page:
I'm going to have to return to my old self again - even if it kills me on the inside. It's no more a wanting, but a needing. I need to be friends with Ichigo again. I hate all these misunderstandings and arguments we keep having. I'm losing my piece of mind, and I think Ichigo's losing his...
I can't act happy all the time, but I'm sure I can be a good 'Rukia'...
"Rukia..."
"Erm, yes?" She quickly closed the book on her lap.
"Are you alright?"
"O-of course, w-why wouldn't I be?" Tucking the diary behind her, a fake grin on her face.
"N-no, I jus' wondered that's all." He shrugged, seating himself on the bed, removing his socks. "Ya know, I'm sorry."
"For what?" She accompanied him on the bed.
"Ju's for everythin', ya know."
"Hey...It's alright. You worry too much." She wrapped her arms around him, expecting him to shake her off at any moment.
"Ha! What about you? You worry all the freakin' time!"
"I know." She said gently, her arms surprisingly still around him. "But it's ok. It dosen't matter. At least we worry over each other more than we worry about ourselves."
Ichigo closed his eyes. He'd liked this close contact. Her warm arms around him, her soft voice lingering in her ear. He never thought that they'd be doing this sort of stuff. Hugging each other, talking about intimate feelings. He never suspected Rukia to be so upfront with him.
Ichigo embraced her back. Rukia blushed.
"Ya know, if you ever feel lonely...if you ever need help...Don't hesitate to tell me. I'll be right by your side, you know that, Rukia. When life gets you down, you can share your pain with me. Make your grief or anger even on both our shoulders, ok?"
"Wow..."
"What?"
"Where's Ichigo gone? I mean, have you got two personalites or something?" Rukia pulled away.
"Huh?"
"Well, c'mon, the real Ichi wouldn't say shit like that. What's gotten into you all of a sudden? I think I shouldn't hug you anymore, if this is the reaction!" She walked off to her closet, a small smile on her face.
She closed the closet door.
The male Death god's frown lifted slightly, and his scowl formed a grin.
You are truly a strange character, Rukia...
Wasn't that just total crap? I dunno! Tell me!