DISCLAIMER and AUTHOR'S STARTING NOTES:
I don't own bleach apparently. This fic was actually created and posted loong-long before. I just encountered this again and I've realized how immature my writing style then. I made a fool out of myself and so I'm going to redo this. The story's former title was: Caught in the Rain.

Summary: Ichigo and the gang were just planning to have a vacation away from the boring Karakura but they didn't plan on reuniting with an old friend... Can the kept feelings then be unleashed this time?

Warning: Possible OOC

Chapter 2 of "The Reunion": Hi

Rukia's fists were clenched tight and a vein twitched on her forehead.

This fool, he's making fun out of me again! she thought darkly. She crossed her arms on her bosom and eyed at the sleeping figure with distaste. Seeing his hair-color, she was reminded of his prank on her.

She pressed her lips into a thin line. She was trying to hold back but she failed.

"Cut the fucking crap, Hadouteme!" she jumped at him and decided to pull out his fake hair that should supposed to tell him to stop but—

"OUCH! What the hell are you doing?" the one whose hair was being pulled out yelled and instinctively pushed Rukia out of the bed's parameter.

Rukia's eyes widened in shock and covered her mouth with a gasp. What was before her was something incomprehensible.

H... His hair didn't detach...? It's real... hair?—More importantly... i... it's...

"Ichigo!" she let out a gasp louder than the first.

He raised a brow of suspicion. Probably thinking he was all dreaming. "Rukia?"

3—

2—

1—

"What the hell are you doing in here?" they chorused.

What's this? Rukia said to herself. I... is this a joke...? Ye... yeah... Hadou... that bastard... he's making fun out of me again. He's just wearing a mask... isn't he? Ju... just like on a festival called movies which I've watched from the strange box. I... I've got to take that mask off!

Ichigo shook his head. Having confusion as great as Rukia's. I'm dreaming... I must be dreaming. I mean... this is a nightmare. I'm still asleep. But if this is a nightmare... why did I felt pain when she pulled my—AA... OUCH!

"STOP THIS FOOLISH IDEA, HODOU!" she buried her nails on his face and tried to pull it ooo—

Ichigo had enough, he snatched her hand and clutched it tightly, "Yarou! What do you think you're doing? That hurts a lot!"

He blinked.

Hurt? If that hurts then...

Rukia seemed determined that it was still Hadou. She snatched her hand back and looked at him. "You're getting smarter, aren't you? You even placed a... umm... a rotating metal on your face for effect."

Ichigo's face was once again puzzled. His brows met. "Rotating metal?"

Just as Rukia was about to open her mouth, a voice interfered.

"I think she meant screw Kurosaki-san."

It was Hadou.

Rukia jumped to her surprise. She pointed a finger on Hadou and then stared at Ichigo. She shook her head and what was right before her would be the real one.

"N... No... way..."

"Yes way, Rukia-chan." Hadou smiled good-naturedly and turned to Ichigo. "Forgive her Kurosaki-san, she's new to these kind of things. I don't think you know her already?"

Ichigo gave Rukia an eye first before responding.

"You thought wrong."

"Oh. That's surprising." Hadou said but his tone told otherwise for it held no shock or whatever. "Why don't we come down for breakfast?"

Rukia made a frown and muttered "Great." sarcastically and walked past Ichigo.

---

All in the table was oh-so-pleasant.

Pleasant. Except the air between Ichigo and Rukia who kept snubbing each other.

The table was rectangular in shape. It was made of marble. Mr. and Mrs. Shiba were on the both ends of the table. Rukia was seated at the right hand of Nanako. Beside Rukia was Hadokou and beside him was Ichigo, who was looking away from her, crossing his arms at his chest. On the other side were Uryuu, Orihime and Chad respectably.

Initially, they all can't believe her eyes when they saw Rukia. But after stuffs were explicated they have finally believed that it was she, really.

It turned out to be a very emotional reunion as Orihime quickly put her arms around her because of happiness as she cried. Rukia returned the warm greeting Orihime had given her by smiling and placing a hand over her shoulder.

---

Rukia was Hadokou's friend. Since there were no current orders to Rukia, he invited her to take a vacation on earth—on the living world.

Questions so far?

What?

Was she permitted?

Well, yes she was. She was given a special privilege to go back and forth soul society... provided that she would still do her work as a shinigami. After all, this was how they show to her that they were sorry about her execution—which was partially her fault.

Questions again?

Did Renji come with her?

Umm... no.

And ff you would go to ask me if she was in her gigai. Yes she was.

---

"Ah, yes." Nanako started by the time they were all again back to their seats. "That one was cooked by your dear friend, Rukia-chan. When she heard that there are visitors, she volunteered to cook one of the dishes."

"Arigatou." Uryuu said courteously, "but I think we're gonna save the best for last."

'Best for last' my ass! Ichigo thought darkly and started to imagine what kind of taste the poison Rukia made.He began to lean on the table and groaned inwardly.

"I don't think that's a good idea." He said, his voice was quivering.

"I agree Kurosaki-kun." Nanako grinned evilly, "It's not good to—" she immediately stop herself, to have some thrill, "Why don't you all taste it yourselves and you'll know what I mean."

They all nodded, except Ichigo who was beginning to think all kinds of excuses. Unfortunately, Nanako already foresaw it and stopped him.

"You too, Kurosaki-kun. I think you'll hurt Rukia's feelings if you won't taste it."

A vein popped out of Ichigo's forehead.

"Okay, at the count of three, well dig our chopsticks in to the dish and eat it."

Yeah and get ready for the race of your life.

---

"One... two... three... dig!"

---

"God, was she—barf—trying to—barf—kill us?" Uryuu said as he continued to wash his tongue, hoping that the formidable taste would be washed out by water.

"I... Inoue-san seems to like it—barf—the food that is."

"Ahou! Of course she—bvarff—does! She's immune to those things!" Ichigo said irritably, desperately catching his breath. "I'm suffocating, damn it!"

"Right, I now remember all her weird victuals."

Wonder what happened?

Duh. It was darn obvious.

They let their tongue taste the world's deadliest poison—which was Rukia's cooking.

"Didn't I tell you?" Nanako butted in, "That's better than throwing out your food. Nothing has been wasted. C'mon. Real food coming up!"

This Nanako is evil

"I... I think I've lost my appetite." Ichigo excused.

Nanako shook her head and tapped her foot.

"No excuses. Whether you like it or not, you'll gonna eat. Got a big day today."

---

The reason why they didn't met Rukia the night when they came is that because she was out, admiring at the people and the decorations they've been doing.

That day was the village's festival. So there will be carnivals, amusement parks, booths and etc.

It was also some kind of "good timing" for they wanted to celebrate the reunion of Rukia with them.

"Let's go." Ichigo said as he hurriedly walked towards the door.

"Wait Kurosaki-kun, Rukia-chan hasn't—" Orihime was cut off.

Ichigo froze from his tracks for seconds then started to walk again. "Maybe I'll go alone." he declared weakly and walked as fast as he could.

Orihime watched the retreating figure of Ichigo. She grimaced.

Kurosaki-kun... you're avoiding Rukia-san, aren't you?

---

The village's square was full of happy and energetic people. It amazed the eyes of Rukia that her sparkles in her eyes were visible even in the middle of the day.

"Say, Rukia-chan," Orihime started a conversation when others left to see buy some food. "I can call you that, right?"

Rukia nodded in approval and smiled.

Orihime couldn't help to return a smile.

"How are you? We didn't say much hellos back at the Nanako-san's."

"I'm good." Rukia said coolly, "How about you and others?"

"Me? Umm... I'm fine, thank you. Ishida-kun and Sado-kun are also okay... as for Kurosaki-kun... umm..."

"Inoue-san, Kuchiki-san!" a sudden voice interrupted, it turned out to belong to Uryuu. He was jogging with Chad and Hadou towards their direction, "Here's our food, let us eat there at the shade of the tree over there."

"Hai!" Rukia said cheerfully, thankful for the interruption. She imagined that Orihime would say that "I noticed that he seems not to happy to see you again." That'll be painful, wouldn't it? I mean, they had been partners—friends.

---

Hadou didn't know much about Chad, Orihime and Uryuu so he was only talking to Rukia and Rukia to him only.

They secluded themselves above the tree due to Hadou's personal request.

They kept being in that atmosphere until something entered Rukia's ears that made her perk up and sulk down.

"Ah, Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime waved, when he got closer she asked, "Where have you been? Now there's not enough food for you."

Ichigo remained silent. He seemed to be pre-occupied.

Orihime had noticed this so she got up from where she was sitting and placed a hand over Ichigo's shoulder.

"Eh? Kurosaki-kun? Daijobou?"

Uryuu narrowed his eyes at the sight of Orihime kind of like comforting Ichigo. He then interrupted and added with tease, "Looking for Kuchiki?"

He snorted and shoved his hands inside his pocket. "Keh. Not really."

Uryuu raised a brow of suspicion, "Kuchiki-san's right there," he offered, his index finger was pointing up. He thought that Ichigo might be too stubborn to voice out his feelings.

Uryuu noticed Ichigo's tentative and secretive glance towards direction and that it immediately turned away.

He sighed.

What a difficult guy.

---

Orihime was worried about Ichigo. He was acting a little... awkward when it comes to Rukia and this Hadokou was barging in even before Ichigo and Rukia starts to have a one-to-one conversation. Getting a little pissed, and decided to become cupid, she gathered Chad and Uryuu to come up with a good plan to get rid of Hadokou and have Ichigo and Rukia talk peacefully.

"The Ferris Wheel!" Orihime exclaimed. "Since we're going there, we should use that ride to close their gap."

Uryuu nodded, "We'll go in pairs." He said then an evil glint came to his eyes, "Inuoe-san shall go with me. Sado-san... take good care of Yamamoto-san,"

---

"Yamamoto-san." Chad said as he walked to him. He sucked a great amount of air and took a few seconds to convince himself that this would be for Ichigo. "Let's ride together."

Hadokou raised his brow. Who wouldn't? A guy asked you to be your partner in a Ferris Wheel? Plus you weren't evil close.

"Hunh? Are you sure? I'm sorry but I'm riding with Ru—"

Before he could finish, he saw Rukia already inside the cab, waving at him while Ichigo was forced to get in by Uryuu.

Chad almost smirked, "You were saying?"

--to be continued..--

AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTES: Whoa. Long chapter. It took me long to update because I don't have 'nuff inspiration. The pairing with be IchigoRukiaKaien. Next chapter will be focused on restoring the "friendship" of Ichigo and Rukia. Please look forward to it.

Reviews/Constructive Feedbacks are welcomed. Flames are not!

Basic Japanese Words Included Here: (in case you don't know... which I doubt.)

Ahou – Idiot.

Daijobou – Are you alright?

If I've missed some words tell me.