◊ (The Knowledge of Liking/Loving) ◊

∆ (Kurosaki Home, Rukia's Room) ∆ Kuchiki Rukia

I hugged him. I didn't want to let go. Whatever I felt, I never wanted it to leave me, if it did, I'd be quite depressed until it returned. I was confused with this feeling. Ichigo liked his dad, Yuzu, Karin, Chad, Orihime, Tatsuki, and Ishida; I was pretty sure he didn't kiss them. Actually I was pretty sure about that; unless you only did that sometimes.

I could hear his heartbeat years ago, but it was no longer there. That was my fault. In order to save me, he had to give up living. I felt horrible at it, at first. Then, he told me he thanked me for it. He said that I had saved him and his family more than enough times to make up for it.

Did he know what he was missing out in his life because he came to get me? I suppose not. Should I tell him? No, I think he knows better than I do. He had each one of those things as still gave them up.

"Rukia, you seem confused; are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just confused." He was confused as to why I was but it was obvious, he confused me.

"I don't understand." It had become something I said a lot.

"Asking questions is the way to get and answer. So ask some?"

"Why do I feel strange?" Ichigo smiled, it seemed he was trying to answer me but was it that must have been a hard question, and I guess it is since he's not me.

"Because you're happy, and you body is reacting with what is happening around you?"

"My Gigai is confused about how it feels too?" I asked confused.

"Pretty much, do enjoy how you feel?" I was but now I feel confused and sick.

"Not really, I feel like I'm tired and need to rest."

"You have a headache, all you need to do is sort out how you feel, and then you'll feel better." I liked being happy better.

"Okay, but you're helping." He was startled by his need to help me.

"Fine, how did you feel a few minutes ago?"

"I felt relaxed, happy like I was safe and nothing could hurt me. It was so amazing, it was like being untouchable, a safe zone all my own. But you were there." I explained happily.

"Did you like that feeling?" I nodded. "Okay, so then you enjoy my presence apparently." I nodded again smiling. "Okay, how did you feel when you saw Ishida?"

"I was worried and scared. I know those feelings, those are common for me. The one I felt with you wasn't common at all. I didn't like being worried and scared. It is something that has hurt me so many times."

"Yeah, I know exactly how you feel with all of these feelings."

"How did you figure them out?"

"My mom and dad, they came naturally for me. I knew that when I was in or someone else was in danger, I was scared, I had fear. When someone else or I was sick or dying or in the hospital, I was worried."

"What about the strange feeling I had, I think that was love, am I wrong?"

"For once, you're right on your guesses; that was definitely loved." He said smiling at me. I love Ichigo? It was something that confused me. "I love you?" I asked him confused.

He rubbed the back of my head. "Apparently, that's just what you said."

"Okay," I said smiling. I got off my knees, bend forward and kissed Ichigo on the cheek and walked off.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm sharing my discovery with Orihime, I'm sure she'll be happy for me." I said happily.

"What discovery?"

"That I love you," I said.

"Wait," I turned around.

"Yes," I answered politely.

"I love you too."

"I know, that was obvious, Ichigo." I answered and he just smiled at me and I walked off.

∆ (Clinic) ∆

I walked into a patient room where Ishida was sleeping and I saw Orihime sitting in the room watching him smiling. I walked in there. "Hey Rukia, how are you doing?" Orihime asked.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?" I answered smiling wide and happily to cheer her up, it always seemed to work.

"Because you looked so lost when you saw his condition," I had almost forgotten about how scared I was.

"Oh, yeah; I'm sorry for worrying you. I couldn't believe it was that bad, I felt so horrible. I was so scared and I felt it was my fault because he was protecting me and he could have died because of me."

"Ichigo's dad said that he'd be fine so I'm sure that we have nothing to worry about but how well is his soul attached?" She asked.

"Fair, it went down his chest and everyone knows that the chain is held there but Ishida's chain is very strong as we've learned over the past few years. He'll live for many years to come." I answered.

"That's good, I was so worried. I know that his body was okay but I wanted to know about his soul. I know that Ichigo doesn't know about that, I didn't want to bother you since you were falling apart but I felt I had to ask know."

"It's really fine Orihime, he'll be fine, don't worry. Don't worry about me so much."

"Yeah, I guess that's one of my bad habits, you seemed anxious to tell me something. What was it?" Orihime asked.

"I almost forgot, sorry. Ichigo explained to me what love was and I realized that's why I felt for him. I'm so happy. I've never felt love before. It's so nice."

"Yeah it is, I had only my brother to love me, I understand. I'm happy for you two."

"Me too, well I have to go make dinner, you should stay for dinner too."

"Okay, I think I will. I want to see if you cook any better than I do."

"I'm sure she does." Ichigo said walking into the room behind me with a book in his hands.

"What's that?" I asked.

"It's a book of our mom's favorite recipes; you said you liked the meals that Yuzu made, well the first few in this book are what she makes, but only the first few in the basic section."

I graciously accepted the book and smiled. "Do you have anything you'd like me to make?" I asked smiling.

"I wouldn't mind having a Malikiyu."

"What?"

"Malikiyu is a traditional meal of rice with chicken, it is filled with vegetables, and sweet candies as well as gravy and cream and vinegar. It also has onion, tomato sauce, and other stuff in it." Orihime explained.

"That sounds amazing. I can't wait to try it." I said happily, as I happily walked out of the room past Yuzu and Karin to the kitchen.

∆ (Kitchen) ∆

I had finished making the Malikiyu; it's the most amazing dish I've ever prepared, it was quite complex but it looks and smells great. No wonder why Ichigo asked me to prepare it for him.

"Hey Rukia, what are you making?" I turned around upon hearing a voice. I was surprised it was Ishida; he was on crutches and now leaning against the wall.

"I'm making a dish called Malikiyu. It smells good doesn't it? Are you going to be eating with us or in your bed?" I asked politely.

"Since I'm up I might as well eat with you guys." I nodded.

"Yes, it will be good for you to eat something. Though I'm not sure that this stuff is the healthiest thing for you in you condition."

"What condition, Mr. Kurosaki said I would be fine."

"Yes, but I'm the one who knows about souls here. He does too but his skills weren't fine tuned by the academy. It seems that it hit your chain link. It seems stable but it can't be healed, you're unstable for a while. I'd stay away from using up your spirit energy for a while at least until it has healed. Got it," I said forcefully.

"Rukia, you don't need to worry about me, I'm not Ichigo. I know what happened and I understand what I need to do to heal again. I'm not reckless like that, I'll be fine." He answered me.

"Okay, I'm glad to know that someone in this house can take care of themselves."

"You know what I'm confused at?"

"No, I don't think I do."

"Orihime, she has the ability to heal all wounds, right?" I nodded. "Why didn't she heal me back there?"

I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms. "Orihime and Chad both have quite a bit of spirit energy but to heal someone it takes giving up your own spiritual energy, if you weren't trained that way then it could kill her. You were damaged very highly and at that point we needed to handle it externally first, then internally. She can't jump to a guess that you needed it, but I see where you stand."

"Glad to know that, but why didn't she?"

"Probably shock, just like me. When you see someone like that, sometimes it's hard to do something, while other times it's not." I said.

"Okay, well you should get the others." He suggested, I nodded and walked off to the Living Room and got everyone to sit down, Mr. Kurosaki put an extra leaf in the table so that Orihime and Ishida could join us. (A Table Leaf is an extra extension to a wooden table to extend it, added in the middle.)

We didn't talk much through dinner though, it seemed everyone was thinking. Except Yuzu, Karin and Mr. Kurosaki who were just happily enjoying the meal I made. "Rukia, this is wonderful; it reminds me of what my wife used to make. It tastes just like hers."

"Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. I'm glad Ichigo gave me that book, it has so many great recipes I could use to make for you." I said smiling happily and grinning widely.

"You're welcome, this is really good. Thanks for making it, Rukia." Ichigo said looking at me and smiling.

"You're very welcome Ichigo; you know I am more than happy to do anything for your family Ichigo." Karin stood up abruptly.

"Will you two ever stop flirting with each other, man? It's enough to have her being thanked at ever meal but Ichigo and her kissing in her bedroom with the door open; it was enough to make you sick." Ichigo was coughing up his food and I was astonished with Karin's behavior. Something was bothering her, I just didn't know what. Ishida gave a smirk and Orihime was utterly surprised.

"Karin that was very inappropriate behavior at the table," Mr. Kurosaki said following her. I got up and put my arm in front of him.

"No, I'll take care of this. It's my mistake; it's only right I take care of it." I said walking into Karin's room.

"Karin, is something bothering you?" I asked leaning against her wall. She was not facing me but facing the wall.

"No, not at all," She answered me.

"You're lying, I can sense that." I answered.

"So, do you want me to lie? I don't want to tell you. Got it," She reminds me of me a bit, giving orders to protect herself and others.

"Please tell me, so I can help you."

"I don't think you can." She answered.

"Give me a chance please, Karin."

"Okay but… I'm just afraid." She said turning around to me.

"Afraid of what," I asked.

"Afraid of you and Ichi-nii being taken away," She said with tears coming down. Ichigo said that she and Yuzu had tried their hardest to not cry, but Yuzu had a few times and so had she, it was only normal because so had I.

"Why would you be worried about that, we're not going anywhere?" I said. I didn't plan on letting anyone take me away from these people because this had become my place and I fit in.

"You seem to disappear a lot and I just don't want to have to handle this anymore." Karin said crying harder, this is how a child's supposed to be. She needed to be a child, she couldn't grow up like this, and even I had to learn to grow up eventually.

"What is it that you're so afraid of?"

"You leaving Ichigo, Dad and Yuzu and I; leaving us to be being unhappy." She definitely reminds me of me. Hide what you're fighting for until it's over, and then share the reason.

"Me leaving, why is that so important to you?" She was crying but smiling which seriously reminded me of me. In all honestly I am beginning to see me in her the more I talk with her.

"Because you did so much for us, that we can't repay you for. You made Ichigo so happy; when you left he was so sad and so miserable. Dad has never had a day off, except the day my mom dies, and he's always tired and never spends time with us. Yuzu never had a chance to be herself, to be her age, to be happy and live; you gave all that to us. If you left us now, I don't know what we'd do?" She ran up to me in tears in hugged me, it really shocked me. She was being a real child now too.

"It's okay, I promise I won't leave. I'm glad I could spend time with your family too. I've never felt this happy before but if I ever needed someone to come along to help me with my life, it would be Ichigo. You want to know something?"

"Yeah," She answered.

"I don't have a family, just a sister who died. I have an adopted brother but he's the one who wanted to take me away from you guys and kill Ichigo and me because we broke the rules. I've never had a family; no one has ever loved me or taken care of me in my life. Living with you guys is the best thing that happened to me, I'm glad I met Ichigo and fell in love with him and got to meet and help you guys out."

"Me too," She answered.

"Come on, we should get back to dinner." I suggested.

"Okay," I wrapped my arm around her and rested it on her shoulder and smiled and she did as well.

∆ (Kitchen) ∆

"Ichigo if you don't say something I'll have to beat it out of you." Ishida warned.

"I swear I didn't do anything to Rukia!" Ichigo yelled.

"I never did see her to be his type." Orihime added.

"I really think brother didn't do anything to Rukia."

"See, my sister knows I wouldn't replace her, not after all she's done for me." Ichigo exclaimed.

"Just tell them what you did with Rukia!" His dad yelled.

"What do you mean, what did they do with me?" I said smiling, looking at them.

"Who are you and what did you do with Rukia?" Ishida asked holding a knife to my neck.

"Ishida, I don't know what you're talking about but whatever it is I don't want to know. Just get away from me." I warned and he backed off.

"See Rukia is fine; I didn't do anything to her." Ichigo explained.

"What in the world is going on? What happened while I was talking with Karin?" I asked to them.

"I thought Ichigo replaced you with something else." Ishida explained.

"Yeah, because the Rukia we knew didn't like Ichigo like you do Rukia. What happened to her?" I sighed and drew a picture of a plus, a mod soul container pill and a mod soul. Then I showed it to Ichigo, Orihime and Ishida.

Ichigo sighed, "That's definitely her."

"How do we know?" Ishida asked.

"Only Rukia would have a drawing explaining soul society with Chappy the bunny icons and cats as mod-souls. She has an act for drawing with these characters."

"I think her drawing is amazing; I love Chappy the Bunny, I see you do too." Orihime said smiling.

"I know aren't my drawings great, It always cheered up the souls I was sending to the soul society to explain what was happening to them."

"It would cheer me up too, if I was going there. Yeah!" Orihime said.

"I'm pretty sure I wouldn't care because it's not like liking the drawing would let me live on here." Ishida replied.

"Man, you really don't want to insult her drawings, trust me."

"What, they are quite girly, I mean she's a soul reaper, and she draws Chappy the bunny for explanations, she's a little mental don't you think."

"That's it!" Ichigo stepped out of the way as I nailed Ishida in the gut with my fist and drawing.

"I will remember to trust you about her from now on, man." Ishida said falling to the ground.

"Are you okay Ishida, we should take a look at that, come on." I said pulling him by the arm happily away.

"I think she's a little mental." Ichigo's dad said. Ichigo ducked as my note book nailed him in the head hard.

"Good aim, Rukia." Ichigo complimented me from the other room, I smiled and tossed Ishida on the bed and returned to the kitchen.

"So, ready for desert?" I asked happily.

"Sure Rukia," Ichigo answered. Yuzu nodded happily as did Orihime. Karin shrugged but Ichigo's dad sat with a fork and knife in his hand ready to eat. I made a Chocolate Cake for them to eat, they seemed to enjoy it.

"Rukia, this was amazing; you have to teach me how to cook." Orihime said smiling.

"I really couldn't, see, I don't know how to cook myself. I just follow recipes well, so that's natural, no way I could teach you, sorry." I said with an apologetic smile.

"It's perfectly okay Rukia; some people are just naturally talented and can't teach others how to improve, like Ichigo and his fighting skills. He's a natural but he couldn't teach anyone for the world."

"I tried to teach him kido but it was useless; he has no talent in it. I was top among my class unlike he would have been." I answered smiling.

After we all had finished eating I went to my room and took Orihime to a guest room in the hospital to stay, I had the only guest room in the actual house but she said she didn't mind because she could check on Ishida to make sure he was alright. She was really kind and caring person.

After I got ready for bed I decided to go out on a walk alone, I don't know why but I felt a sensation that I needed to it was weird but I never expected what would happen next.

∆ (Park) ∆

I felt a high rise in the spiritual energy power in the area, the only time it has been this strong is when I Lieutenant or Captain was around; and sometimes when Ichigo used his ability.

"Hello Rukia, it seems that you are stronger than before. ; seeing as you could sense my power before I actually entered the physical world." I turned around to meet face to face with Lieutenant Hinamori.

"Lieutenant Hinamori, what a surprise." I said bowing as is common courtesy to anyone who you meet.

"I see your living as a Gigai, happily I suppose?" She asked.

I smiled. "Yeah, really happily,"

"So where is he?" She asked looking around.

"He who, Hinamori?"

"The legendary Shinigami, Kurosaki Ichigo." I blinked.

"He's not here unfortunately; did you use a locator kido?" She nodded.

"I tracked him down searching for his key."

"Then you found it," I lifted his key from my blouse for her to see.

"Why do you have his?"

"So we can change gates but not be under the rules. It's for our own safety." I answered.

"Ah, well I wanted to see you as well, to make sure you were holding out well, as I see you are. You seem extremely happy and considerably more powerful, I'm glad this world is having that effect on you." She said.

"I'm surprised they let you." Hinamori said.

"Me too, I'm having a great life. It's been amazing."

"I'm sure it has."

"Hinamori, have you ever felt love before?" Hinamori blushed and nodded.

"Yes I have; there isn't one person who has never felt love before Rukia. And I'm sure you're no exception. Would you like to talk?"

"Yeah," I answered sitting on a bench with you.

"Let's cut to the chase, you like Ichigo right?" I shook my head and looked up.

"I love him, and he loves me; it's a mutual thing we have. It's well known by all." I answered.

"Well the soul society can't surrender that as a horrible crime."

"Why not?" I asked surprised.

"Because, your both dead, both soul reapers, both not in Soul Society. There truly is nothing that they can do to bother your union." Hinamori said smiling.

"I'm glad to know that, that will secure my conscious. So, who did you love?" I asked her.

"Just a certain friend of mine, just as you like your friend, it was nothing much. I never had a chance with him like you do with Ichigo." She said smiling. "I think that we should be allowed to live here for extended period of time, as long as you do your job still. I'd be careful though; there are a lot of people after you."

"Me, why?"

"You're soul energy is extremely high now. I don't know how but it has been since you returned to this would. Many are after you and though your fighting is weaker with your Gigai form you are much stronger than any lieutenant. I think it's because you're sucking some of the power back from Ichigo because you were a top ranking kido user at the academy, you had high ranks, high control, high skill and mastery beyond belief and amazing power. Maybe your power has finally returned to you?" She stated.

"Maybe, but I don't care. I've kept every hollow away along with Ichigo so we're allowed to stay as long as there are hollows, right? According to this new plan,"

"Yes, that's exactly right. They can't lay a hand on you if you continue to fight hollows but be careful, your energy is high. Also, enjoy your life Kurosaki Ichigo. I will tell Renji that you are doing well."

"Thanks, tell him that I finally figured out my love for Ichigo too. He'll understand some day."

"I will and you're welcome."

∆ (Kurosaki Home, Ichigo's Room) ∆ 3rd Person

I sense high spiritual energy in the area. Where could Rukia have gone if this is a hollow then I could be in trouble without Kon? I ran to Orihime's room and knocked on the door.

"Kuchiki-chan is that you or is it Kurosaki-kun?" Inoue asked.

"It's me Orihime; do you have Kon with you?"

"Yeah, here," She handed Kon to him and he ran off. She grabbed his arm. "What is going on?"

"There is a high rise in spiritual energy around, I think it's a hollow but I wouldn't know without Rukia around."

"Where is she?" Orihime asked.

"I don't know she left after dinner to go somewhere."

"Also…"

"What?"

"If you hurt Rukia, I won't hesitate to make sure that your hurt for it, got it? Rukia is a delicate person, and if you hurt her you'll regret it. She's had it hard so think about this with everything you do in relation to her." He answered.

"I will and trust me; I'd never do anything to hurt her." He said running off.

∆ ( Forest) ∆

Rukia's cell phone rang and then she ran to the spot it would show up soon, and then she was captured. "Hey what's going on," She said, she turned on her back.

"What a delicious meal, you're a lucky one. I was told two eat two souls that would meet me here but you're going to be one fulfilling meal, more than I could sense the other one is. I can't wait to eat you, you'll be delicious." The hollow said looking at me.

"That wasn't the plan for her, you were supposed to eat the other and just capture her." Renji said coming out behind the tree.

"Renji, what is going on?" I asked sad.

"Since you won't come back freely; I'm taking you back." He said smiling evilly but smiling that he didn't want to.

"I don't get it Renji. I want to be here. Why can't you leave me be?" She said with a look of regret with her.

"Because you can't love him!" He answered.

"And why not?"

"Because you're of higher class, power, destiny, and a Shinigami of two different ranks."

"I don't care." I said pouting.

He grabbed me by lapel of my seifuku (uniform) and held me close to my face. "Don't give me that Rukia. I'm doing what's best for you. I've always done what's best for you, everything I did was for you, and this is no exception!" Renji yelled. I looked away.

"No, you don't understand. I was tortured by you because you came and got me. You should have left me. I was never happy as a Shinigami." I said quietly. "If you did what was right for me you'd leave me, I don't' care for rules but this is the most alive I've ever felt, I happy, I can do what I have always wanted. I'm not a threat to anyone, and neither will I ever be. I just want to stay with him, can't you understand?" I yelled angrily and now cried.

He dropped me on my knees, and I bowed my head and cried. "You think you could take care of yourself?" He asked me honestly.

"Yeah, leave me here and I'll take care of myself, I promise." I said.

"Fine, bye," Renji disappeared into the Soul Society leaving me shackled at the mercy of a hollow and Ichigo was most likely asleep. I would just be reborn as a normal life if I was killed, I'd get what I wanted and deserved. I let tears gently fall from my eyes.

"I'll bring you to my boss to see what we should do with you, girl." I nodded and sighed crying.

"Do what you want with me, it's not like I have anything left here, to live for. He'll be happier without me." I said crying as the hollow picked me up and returned to the Hollow world.

¤ (Moments Later) ¤

Ichigo arrived at the center of the entry of Hinamori, where the hollow was, and where Renji appeared, and where Rukia disappeared. "I know you're here Rukia, but where?"

"How do you know it's her?" He turned around to meet the views of Byakuya.

"I could sense her special spirit energy anywhere, it's unique and powerful."

"It is quite powerful and that does why we need her back but neither of us can have her now?"

"What did you do to her?"

"It wasn't my doing, it wasn't even Renji's doing. She decided her own fate. Her spirit energy is extremely high and powerful that's why the hollows have her." Byakuya answered.

Ichigo choked him by the lapel of his seifuku. "Where is that world?" Ichigo asked simply.

"Even I don't have access to it." He choked him farther.

"I didn't ask you how to get there, I asked where it was."

"Only the smartest Shinigami would know that, I don't. Only someone who drew a diagram and studied her classes and was the top of them would be able to inform you about it." He answered.

"Rukia's….drawings," Ichigo finished and ran to his house to retrieve the drawings she had constantly drawn to help explain things. 'Thanks Rukia, this is how I will save you. I love you and I promise that because I love and my bond with you I won't let you get hurt because I left your side. I will save you. I promise.'

A/N: This is going to be a longer story then I thought but whatever, I enjoy it.