Author's Note: Here's chapter fifteen for ya'll. It's long but not that good. I'm still busy and you're very lucky to have this chapter so be grateful, damnit LOL. Anywho, apologies to Kaoru240 for sending you that annoying message telling you in so many words to review! Gomenasai! I was insanely pushy and you have every right to be angry with me - but please forgive me, you know you can't resist my charm...

Okay...I realised that in my excitement to write a IchixRuki fic, I missed out some key elements. Like, for instance, the time zone. I have absolutely no idea of when this is set!! I can't believe I forgot that factor amoungst all things. I suppose that this fic is set after everything. After every arc. Basically, at the end of Bleach period. I know there are some events that arise that make it impossible for it to be set then, but it's the only thing I could think of, and I don't wanna get into all those reasons due to spoilers and whatever. Let's just say that there are reasons. Another thing, I've never mentioned Hollows nor characters' spirit engeries before. See? I totally ruined this fic...Alright, I'm definately gonna bring some Hollow stuff in soon and have a stab at action. And also, I'm gonna start talking about spirit energy etc. Sorry about my forgetfulness. Sorry about the delay, aswell. Although you can't really blame me for my moutains upon mountains of school work!

This is most likely the last chapter until I'm back, so don't expect any update soon. Also, people that didn't review the previous chapter, if you read this one, I'd really appreciate it if you would review number 14 also. Thank you very much.

(By the way, this chapter doesn't really go anywhere, and is a little depressing but hey, what can ya do...?)

Enjoy!

Orihime sat up and rubbed her eyes. It was still pretty dark.

Who on earth could be knocking at this hour?

She pulled back the covers and tentatively placed her feet on the floor. Once she'd finished stretching and yawning and was awake enough to move, she stood up. The orange-haired girl stumbled towards the bedroom door and exited the room, padding across the landing before walking slowly down the stairs. Her hand gripped tightly onto the rail, preventing herself from falling. The rapping at the front door occurred again once she'd reached the base of the staircase. Making one final yawn, Orihime unlocked and opened the door. Then reached for the light switch.

"Ishida-kun?"

Just having the door ajar for a moment, she could feel the brunt of the bitter chill roaming around on the street outside. She shivered. Orihime noticed that Ishida's cheeks were reddened from the cold, and his hands were crimson as a result of absent gloves. She suspected that he must have been out in that weather for some time. Sure, you could feel the cold straight away just by opening the front door, but he looked really cold. His body quivered constantly. It was only a slight shake, but none-the-less noticeable. His clothes consisted of his school uniform. But nothing covered up his arms nor really shielded him from the cold.

"Inoue-san."

"It's so early. And so cold. What are you doing up at this hour?" The sleep-depraved girl inquired, continuing to rub her eyes. "School doesn't start for a while yet."

He pushed back his glasses. "I-I'm sorry, Inoue-san, for waking you. I just wanted to t-talk."

Hmmm. Something must be really bothering him for Ishida-kun to arrive at my doorstep.

"...Come on in, Ishida-kun."

She moved aside, giving the Quincy room to enter her warm, clean home, before firmly closing the door. Ishida waited patiently while Orihime woke herself up a little more before leading him into the living room. She seated herself on the carpet then patted the floor beside her, beckoning a reluctant Ishida to sit down.

"Now, Ishida-kun, what seems to be the matter?"

He glanced down, as if it was shameful to say. "I feel...oh, it doesn't matter. Why don't we talk about something else?"

"Ishida-kun," She looked at him seriously. "We both know that what you came here to say matters to you. Otherwise you wouldn't have come here at all."

He frowned, realizing his mistake. Although he had been caught out, Ishida was still too uncomfortable to say what was on his mind. Rukia was on his mind. She had been the only thing that had pestered his troubled brain over the passing hours. He hadn't visited her at all in those three whole days – to which he had been more than capable of doing so. It angered and disappointed him that he hadn't even made an effort to see her. Ishida had probably never felt so low in his life. The guilt of making her sick, then the added shame of not confronting the problem and seeing her had made him feel like the worst person in the world. He hadn't even the guts to apologize to her.

Ishida could only imagine the hatred that Rukia must've felt towards him.

Then, thinking on it more and more, Ishida would just grow incredibly pissed off with himself for he had never been that weak before. Just how hard was it to say 'sorry'? After all, it wasn't that he simply hadn't been bothered, it was truly because he didn't know how to say his apologies. But, oh, how he longed to make things well and good again.

"What's wrong, Ishida-kun?" Orihime asked softly.

"..."

"You can tell me anything, you know that."

She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Ishida's eyes moved from their current place on the floor to her own blue orbs. Orihime could see something in his eyes that she'd never seen before. She returned his silent stare; truly fascinated with the new emotion she'd found sparkling behind those saddened eyes. Orihime felt a strange urge to embrace the Quincy.

A few hours later...

Ichigo slowly opened his amber eyes. Sunlight streamed in through the thin curtains, making various sized lines on the bed covers. But despite the bright sun, and the absence of any breeze, it wasn't too hot. His vision wandered around the room for a few moments; taking in his surroundings before catching Rukia in his view. He noticed that he had encircled her waist. Her arms were still around his neck but rather loosely and it was clear she had fallen asleep. The male Death God felt a twinge of guilt as he realized that he, too, had fallen asleep after what he'd heard earlier that morning. Sure, Rukia had also drifted off but that wasn't the point. She'd probably cried herself to sleep. And the worst part was that he'd caused her that pain.

He closed his eyes as he realized how close her face was to his. Ichigo felt her warm breath against his cheek. He could hear the faint sound of her inhaling and exhaling oxygen. The Death God blushed at the new sensation that formed in his stomach and choked his throat. He was somehow...enjoying this.

God, her body's so near to mine...I-AAHH! What am I doin'!? Stop thinking these things! Stop it! Dude, that's just fuckin' creepy! What am I!? A freakin' PERV!!?

He was blushing even deeper now. Ichigo quickly opened his eyes in horror; ashamed by his own mind. Rukia murmured as she tightened her grip and closed the gap between their bodies. The two were so close to each other that their lips almost touched. Though disgruntled by his teenage thoughts, the male Death God welcomed the lovely heat that she possessed. Ichigo felt the gentle thudding of her heart beat play beautifully through her chest. It was like music of the heart. He didn't want to admit it. He tried to push the thoughts to the back of his head. But no matter how much he struggled, he couldn't deny that he was enjoying this moment.

She looked so peaceful, so innocent. So perfect.

I am a horrible person. How could I do this to her? How could I behave like this to someone like Rukia? She's done nothing bad to me at all. She's been so brave to tell me her feelings and I'm just treating her as if her telling me was the worst thing in the world! I go over this time and time again in my head, yet everytime I seem to get over it and forget that this serious...I'm such a bastard!

Ichigo turned his head to see the clock.

Christ! Almost time for school. Better get up quickly if I want time for a shower before I leave.

The Death God sighed, gently and slowly unfolding his arms. He lifted her hands up and pulled them away from his neck. She stirred once again as Ichigo rolled her over onto her back and placed her hands on her stomach.

"There you go, Rukia." He smiled, his hand still on her's. "I'll make this right again. I promise."

The little stuffed animal, casually hidden inside the orange-haired boy's closet, observed quietly to himself.

Ichigo is such an ass! How can he do all this then get all huffy when Nee-san tries to get closer to him. Geez, Kurosaki, get your act together soon!

"The weather cleared up nice, huh, Ishida-kun?"

Her angelic voice was distant to him. Though he could hear her, the words were muffled and each indistinctive from the next. It's not that he was deliberately shutting her out; in fact, at some points during her speech about sewing he'd suddenly come back to reality and tried to take an interest in what she was babbling on about. But his attention was soon lost again.

There were too many important things clouding over his mind with confusion and frustration. He longed to see Rukia, to spill all the thoughts that ran restlessly through his mind. But at the same time, feared her reaction to him not visiting her. Ishida was convinced he wasn't good enough for her, yet still hoped deep down that she'd return his honest and true feelings. He was desperate to feel her touch, to hear her voice, to hold her tight, to kiss her. Ishida was ashamed to think that she was the one and only thing he thought about each second of every minute. Everything had become slightly too dramatic for his liking. Maybe he had plunged himself in too deep. Love was definitely not the thing he had ever pictured it to be...

"Ishida-kun?"

I am the worst person in the whole universe. How could I do that to Kuchiki-san? I wish, I wish I could see her right now...I'd kill to be Kurosaki! To have Kuchiki-san feel that way about me unconditionally. He just treats her like crap and she is still so forgiving! Why can't she see that I'd take care of her. Properly. I'm sure I could be ten times the boyfriend Kurosaki would ever hope to be.

"I-Ishi..."

But, maybe I'm worse than Kurosaki. He doesn't even pretend to care. Whereas I do care, and yet I go and get her sick. Instead of taking care of her, protecting her and doing what I am supposed to do, I damage her health. Surely she won't want too see me after I did that. Yes, she was the one that persuaded me to let her go, but I still could've held her back. I should have prevented her from going.

He came back to reality when he felt a gentle shake to his shoulder. It was like being born again. Like he had absolutely no clue of where he was, nor where he'd been. Ishida glanced around, taking in his wondrous surroundings. The Quincy hadn't noticed that his fists were clenched, that he is eyebrows were furrowed and that he had stopped walking some moments ago. Slowly his vision was drawn to Orihime's kind eyes. She looked at him seriously, enclosing his hands with her own.

"Ishida-kun...you're worried about something, aren't you?" The orange-haired girl asked calmly.

"...N-n-no. Of course not." He smiled weakly, turning to continue on his journey to school.

Orihime gripped his hands and pulled him back. "No, Ishida-kun!"

"I-Inoue-san, what are you doing?!" He stumbled, blushing madly.

"No, Ishida-kun! You won't...you can't shut me out. You can't cut yourself off from others all the time...Ishida-kun..." Desperation grew in her eyes. "Ishida-kun, you're my...my friend and I care about you..."

He looked defeated. "I-I know that, Inoue-san."

"I just want to know when something's bothering you..." Orihime sniffed. "It's no good if you...if you keep it all inside..."

"Inoue-san," He smiled comfortingly, tipping up her chin with his index finger. "Don't waste your concern on me."

What is wrong with Ishida-kun? I mean, I know he was never open about things on his mind - he doesn't tell anyone what's bothering him. But I don't think I've ever seen him this low before. Why does he think that he's so useless? Every one feels like that sometimes but not as bad as he does. Why can't he see that he's so important to the people around him? Even Kurosaki-kun cares about him, I'm sure. In his own little way. Although they quarrel a lot. But it's the same with Kurosaki-kun and Kuchiki-san. They argue almost all the time, but they are so close...I wish...I wish I could be that close to Ishida-kun. I wish I could make him feel better about himself. I want to show him how special he is and how much I enjoy having him as a friend...I wish...

"Ishida-kun."

"Yes, Inoue-san?" He pushed back his glasses.

"You're special."

"Wha-?"

"Listen, please, Ishida-kun. You're special." She repeated, holding his hands near her heart. "You're kind. You're sweet. You're thoughtful. You're all these great things and more, Ishida-kun. And I love you very much. Everyone loves you. Don't feel like you're worthless because that is far from the truth."

He looked at her, gobsmacked and dumbfounded.

"...W-well, you're special, too, Inoue-san."

Rukia sighed heavily, reaching for her school shoes.

The morning chill had vanished, and the sun had perched itself in the center of the sky; ensuring that everyone and everything was burnt mercilessly by it's heavy raze. Over the passing hours and minutes, all Rukia's anger and frustration had completely transformed into depression. She'd started asking herself stupid questions, like: why didn't he love her? What was it about her that he disliked? Was she too stupid to earn his love? Was she too ugly...

"Rukia, you idiot!" She scolded herself firmly.

The female Death god had managed to get some shut-eye at least. But that hadn't been very much. She was so tired. However, she wasn't prepared to last another day staying in bed; bored out of her skull and lonely as hell. Ichigo had no idea that she was up. He was in the shower, and he'd enabled her to get dressed and ready for the school day. She was hoping to escape out of the window and be gone before he'd finished freshening-up. Although, she deemed her plans to go wrong - thanks to Kon's evil watch from the open closet.

"Nee-san, are you well enough to attend school again?" He cocked his fury head.

"Mmm."

What is wrong with me? I should be old enough and wise enough to know that even though someone might love someone else to pieces, that other person doesn't necessarily think of them in the same way. Ichigo doesn't love me. I'm sure that the reason for him not sharing the feelings I do are important and proper. Not something stupid like looks and intellect. Just because I like him in that way, doesn't mean he is obliged to feel the same! I can't believe that I've just been blaming him all this time and he has done nothing wrong! I'm such a bitch...

"Nee-san?" Kon looked at her with interest; and not with his usual comic, perverse interest.

Rukia could feel the tears fighting to be released again, despite having only just been suppressed.

"Nee-san? Nee-san, are you alright?"

She forced a smile, though her vision became fuzzy from the liquid that stung her irises. He wasn't fooled, however. Kon was not blinded by her comforting giggle, either. Something had definitely affected her - a lot. And that 'thing', he knew, was the big idiot that happened to be Kurosaki Ichigo. Them two argued like a married couple, but neither of them had taken their squabbles to heart before. Kon was surprised at how upset she'd become over Ichigo's actions.

"Uhhh," Rukia hastily wiped away stray tears with her arm. "T-tell Ichigo that I'll meet him at school, 'kay?"

"Tatsuki-chan!" Orihime shouted and waved with glee.

The raven-haired girl standing at the edge of the road turned her head to see her big-breasted buddy running up to her excitedly. Tatsuki reached into the small paper bag, pulling out another strawberry bonbon and chucking it into her mouth. Ishida didn't have to be standing next to her to see that Tatsuki was annoyed over something. He felt like he didn't belong there. Orihime was close to Tatsuki, and they had been friends since God-knows-when. Ishida imagined them two linking arms and walking off in front, chatting away about idle gossip. While he would be limping along behind like a forgotten and lost puppy.

The Quincy couldn't help but feel a slight burst of jealousy as he watched Orihime and Tatsuki say their 'good mornings'.

"What's wrong, Tatsuki?" Orihime looked concerned. "AH! What happened to your leg!?"

"Oh, that?" Tatsuki grumbled. "I got freakin' grounded 'coz of a stupid fight."

The black-haired karate chick rolled down her long sock, revealing the full length of the bruise. Orihime cupped her mouth with her hands. Ishida stood a little distance behind his air-head friend. He didn't want to stand close as he thought it rude. He didn't want to push himself on the girls' friendship. Although, despite his uneasiness, Ishida couldn't help but take an interest in what happened to Tatsuki's leg.

"W-who did that to you?" The Quincy blurted out, soon turning red when Tatsuki looked up at him with surprise. He adjusted his glasses.

"Hisao Furugawa." Replied Tatsuki with hatred in her voice.

"Who's he?"

"Some freakin' pervert that lives down the road from me." She sighed. "He tried to grab my fuckin' boobs..."

Ishida could feel the anger swell up inside him. How could a boy treat a girl like that? Well, if he was the same age as Tatsuki, he was meant to be a man. Men were supposed to take of woman. Not that woman were unable to look out for themselves but men were meant to be stronger and everything. What kind of man treats females like that and thinks it's perfectly alright? Ishida clenched his fists as the whole scenario reminded him of Rukia and Ichigo. Sure, Ichigo could be behaving a whole lot worse, like at least he wasn't taking advantage of Rukia or anything. But how he was acting was still unacceptable.

"...So I punched him."

Orihime smiled. "You so brave, Tatsuki-chan. Wouldn't you agree, Ishida-kun?"

The Quincy, still deep in thought, glared at the floor.

"Ishida-kun?"

"Uh-huh? Um, yeah, Inoue-san."

"Gee, what's up with you?" Tatsuki grunted, chewing the last bonbon and chucking the wrapper along with the bag on the street. Ishida watched it aimlessly dance across the road, then flee as the wind picked up force.

Orihime cleared her throat uncomfortably.

I wish Tatsuki-chan would be a little more sensitive sometimes.

Ichigo sighed, turning off the tap and stepping out of the shower. He wrapped a towel around himself before placing another towel over his drenched orange hair. Ichigo opened the bathroom door and headed into his bedroom, his wet feet leaving slippery footprints on the clean floor. Without even glancing at the empty covers, the Death God seated himself on the bed; roughly drying his head with the towel. He felt brand new. His outlook on the situation had also seemed to alter thanks to the miracle of a nice peaceful shower.

I have today. I have today to try and make it up to her. Well, to at least say that I know that I've done wrong. Even though it's gonna be awkward telling her that I listened to her earlier, I have to say it. Otherwise things are jus' gonna get more and more messed up. I don't want us to argue any more. I'm sure she doesn't either. My ignorance and damn right stupidness must be killing her. I've gone over this several times inside my head, but it's still a shock to see how my actions and words affect those around me so much...I'll ask her where she'd like to go. Then when she's all patched up and better, I'll take her to that place and we'll do whatever she wants to do for the whole day. I think that's quite a nice idea. Sure, I've gotta be nicer and more sensitive all round but this idea will be good as well, right? I think she needs a little treat some time.

He turned to her. "Don't worry, Rukia, I'll make it all..."

Where is Rukia!?

The orange-haired boy quickly stood up and flung off the sheets.

She wasn't there.

Suddenly, the closet door slid open to reveal a cheery-looking Kon.

"Kon, where the hell is Rukia!?" Ichigo bellowed, throwing the towel that had been wrapped around his hair on the floor. "KON!!?"

The stuffed animal shrugged. "Beats me."

The Death god picked up the nearest pillow and hurled it at the modified soul at full force, knocking the annoying lion off his perch inside the open closet. Kon fell the ground, making a satisfying squeak as his body collided with the floor. Ichigo took a moment to smirk before continuing with the task at hand. He grasped another pillow from the bed, readying himself to chuck it at Kon once more.

"Tell me where she is, damnit! I know she must'a told ya somethin' 'cuz otherwise you'd be goin' into a spas right now!"

Kon lifted his head off the floor. "Damn you, Kurosaki! After you treat me and Nee-san this way, you expect me to tell you anythin'!?"

The stuffed animal leapt out of the way, screaming as another pillow cam flying at his direction.

"Tell me!" Ichigo yelled.

This is serious, ya lil' shit! Screw around any other time you like by all means, but not now! Not while Rukia's still sick!

Kon folded his arms, chuckling triumphantly. "You're worried now, huh?"

"Kon!! This is NOT the time to mess about! If ya know where she is, tell me!"

"Why should I?"

Ichigo looked over at the window. A few drops of water began hitting the glass, gently at first then gradually gaining speed and so making an unnerving sharp tap.

Damnit!

"Kon, look at the weather!"

"...What about it?" The modified soul looked at him, puzzled.

"It's raining! It's probably cold, too. Rukia's still sick! You freakin' idiot, don't you see?"

"See...?"

"That if Rukia is caught up in that weather, while she's still ill, she's gonna get worse!"

Kon placed a finger to his chin and frowned, deep in thought. "I see."

"SO!!?"

He looked at him innocently. "So what?"

"Arrrgh! Where the hell is Rukia!?"

Rukia trudged solemnly down the desolate alleyway. The thoughts she had desperately attempted to place at the back of her mind, now completely occupied her brain. She could think of nothing else, despite her efforts - and the whole ordeal was bringing her mood further downwards. She couldn't believe how upset she was. She remembered writing in her diary that even it hurts her deep down, she'd try her hardest to act happy and stay close to Ichigo. With the least amount of arguments possible. Well, she'd definitely gone back on that now, hadn't she!?

The female Death God hadn't imagined her to react quite like this. Over something so stupid. So simple. It was clear to her that she wasin way over her head. Rukia was astonished at how she was behaving. This wasn't the Rukia Kuchiki she knew. She was no longer the strong, stubborn, independent Death God that took her work more seriously than her own needs. This was a foolish schoolgirl who couldn't survive unless she was receiving love. Rukia hated herself for this. Why? Why had he changed her life so much? Why had he made more of an impression on her than anyone else? Why was he so special?

Ichigo hadn't just stolen her heart, but her old self as well, it seemed. Her personality had been ripped from her soul and she was nothing compared to what she was. She could hardly take it. Even though she blindly blamed the orange-haired fool, she knew deep down that she was the one at fault.

Ichigo has a lot of patience to put up with me. And my constant mood swings. One moment I'm fine with him, then I'm almost screaming at him for not returning my feelings! Which is pathetic because he has no more control over his emotions than I do over mine. And I should be old enough and wise enough to keep them at least a little suppressed, damnit! Think about how much confusion I'm putting him through. I can't believe I act like this...Putting him on a guilt trip when I don't get my own way, making him worry about me...Being a whiny, sniveling wreck! Get a grip, Rukia!

Suddenly, Rukia felt a cold splash against her cheek. She looked up at the sky, reaching out her palms to feel the cool droplets on rain against her skin.

What is wrong with this weather? Isn't it meant to be Summer...?

She glanced down at the floor, her body still stationary.

For some reason...whenever it rains, I can't help but think of him...Of Kaien...Then...then I think of Ichigo, and how each time it rains...he must think of his mom...

In her deep thoughts, the tears that had been momentarily halted, began to flow once more. It was pointless trying to hold them off, despite her anger at not even trying. For they just rebelled and came even stronger. Her eyes were all puffy and her cheeks were red and sore. She sniffed, slowly continuing her walk.

Rain, rain go away...

The rain fell from the sky mercilessly as the carrot-top ran through the empty streets of Karakura town. His once clean hair now flattened and sticking uncomfortably to his face. His clothes soaked through to the skin, leaving his flesh frozen with the cold. Armed with a pair of his pants and a coat, the orange strawberry dashed to school, using the quickest route he knew. The alleyways. Sure, the woods in the park were fast enough - but if you really wanted to get to school just in time before you were officially labeled 'late' then the alleys were the way that Ichigo recommended. After all, he was dubious of taking the short cut through the woods after Rukia's incident. It was a little too dangerous in that weather, and he didn't want to slip and break his neck before he found Rukia and kicked her ass for making him worry so much.

"I'm coming, Rukia..." He said softly, in an attempt to make himself feel better. For he knew that if she was in a bad state, he'd kill himself. "Don't worry..."

A relieved smile crept across his lips as he felt her spiritual pressure. It was faint, but close. (I know I haven't mentioned their spirit forces before in this fic, sorry!!) His smile grew as he plotted the things he was going to do when he finally caught up with her. Like, put his pants and coat on her, lift her up and carry her back home like before. And he was going to watch over her like a hawk; making damn sure that she was unable to run off again. Ichigo was sick of being such a shit. He wanted to change. He needed to change, if he wanted to keep one of his closest friends.

"Rukia, don't worry. You don't have to worry about anythin' anymore. I'll look after you from now on, I promise."

I've screwed you over so many times. I'm so sorry. But this is it. I don't deserve your forgiveness and second chances. I'm not gonna be that person. I don't wanna be that person. The guy that treats you like a piece of crap. The guy that doesn't act like a friend most of the time. I hate that guy, Rukia. And I refuse to continue being that guy...Just a little further, I'm nearly there...I'm a selfish bastard, but please just give me one more chance. A final chance to prove myself...I'll make things right, Rukia...

Rukia doubted why she'd even taken this route to the high school. Out of every possible route to take, she took the lonliest, most depressing and, what seemed to be, the longest route of all. She sighed deeply, stopping in her tracks.

The female Death God coughed. Something she had gone the whole day without doing until now.

Yipee!!!R&R please!!!