Disclaimer: No owning Bleach.

A/N: The second chapter! Enjoy! By the way, I changed bunny Ichi's eye colour. From black to brown. I wanted him to have the same colour as his human form :D

Bunny Problems

II

Take… a bath… together?

A bath… together

TOGETHER?!!

Panic and pandemonium broke out in his head. What the hell could he do now?? He tried to get out from her grasp, but Rukia had a firm hold to him. Rukia grinned and hugged him. Get off! Get off!! ACCKKT!!

"Hey, you're fidgety suddenly, Chappy?"

That's because I do not want this to happen! Let go of me, midget!!

Rukia never did understand rabbit-speak.

Oh, how Ichigo wished she does.

She brought him back home and into the bathroom. Ichigo wanted to scurry off as soon as she put him on the floor; too bad though, she closed the door as soon as she came in.

Ichigo hoped around in circles. Rukia looked at him and giggled. "You're funny, Chappy." She ran the water in the tub. She put some strawberry-scented bath foam in the tub then sat on the rim of the tub, watching Chappy, aka Ichigo.

Open the door! NOW, idiot! You do not, I repeat, DO NOT want to do this! This is for yours and my sake! Ichigo glared up at her and squeaked. Rukia giggled and unbuttoned the first button on her blouse.

Ichigo's eyes widened in shock.

He started running even faster around the tiled floor. Dammit! This is getting me nowhere! I have got TO GET OUT OF HERE!

Rukia started on the second button.

"You're going to tire yourself like that, Chappy."

Ichigo stated scratching on the closed door, his face was like a strawberry. Please, Kami-sama! Let me outt…! I promise I'll be good! Pleaseee!! LET ME OUT!

"Hey, hey. Kurosaki-san won't like it of there's scratch marks on the door…! Stop." Rukia lifted him away from the door. Stupid midget! I'm going to bite you if you don't let me out from this place! Ichigo looked up to glare at her.

Wrong move, Ichigo.

Rukia had fully undressed her shirt. He saw Rukia onlycovered with bra with rabbit imprints on it. Her skin was smooth and so beautifully white.

Ichigo felt his face flare so red, he was sure that he looked like a sunburned bunny. He felt dizzy suddenly.

Spurt!

Rukia shrieked, "AH!! Chappy!" Rukia dropped him to the ground. Again, his face was the victim to meet the ground. "Your nose is bleeding!"

Damn… you, Rukia…!

"Ah! Ah! I'll get you something to cure it!"

She wrapped a towel around her and ran off to get an ice cube. Once, during class, Keigo suddenly fell to the floor, nose bleeding. (What made his nose bled, who knows…?) Ochi-sensei pressed an ice cube to help him then.

So, it must work on dear little Chappy too! She thought.

Ichigo's eyes widened when he saw the door still ajar. It was like a miracle shining from the heavens, complete with glitter and shine. He scampered off the room and hopped up to his room. He'd just hide in here until night time where he could take his own bath.

Shit. Nosebleed. Damn you, Rukia…! Ichigo jumped to catch his hanging towel between his teeth.

It had taken him a few minutes to get it, but he got it. He wiped all the excess blood from his pink twitchy nose using both of his paws, then frowned at himself. Rukia's image popped up in his somewhat perverted mind.

Get the hell out from my brain! Gahhh…! Out! Out, I said, you crappy mental image! Ichigo knocked his head with his fluffy paw and groaned (which also came out as an inaudible squeak).

The door creaked slightly. Ichigo looked up to see who it was. "Ah. Chappy! I knew you'd be here! Rukia-nee said you had a nosebleed. C'mon I'll help you to clean up." Yuzu held up a small light yellow cloth in her a hand. "Oh! You cleaned yourself up! You are a smart bunny!"

She patted him on the head. Yuzu winked. "But next time, Chappy, don't use Onii-chan's towel. He won't like it. C'mon, we'll watch some TV while waiting for Rukia-nee."

Ichigo frowned. Don't give me back to her! It's too embarrassing! No, Yuzu!

Yuzu placed him on the sofa beside herself. Ichigo sighed in relief. Rukia was nowhere nearby. Yuzu flipped the channels until she heard the familiar theme song of… The Adventures of Chappy.

Ichigo groaned inwardly.

Don't give me to her! I can never look at her the same way again!

Yuzu handed him to Rukia who was done with her bath. Ichigo shut his eyes tight and covered them with his paws. His ears drooped slightly. In all sense, he looked absolutely adorable! Rukia squealed and took him in her arms.

"You are just so cute, Chappy!"

Ichigo cracked open an eye and removed a paw from his eye. His pink nose twitched slightly. Rukia's hair was flattened; still slightly damp and she smelled sweetly of strawberry shampoo. She was wearing that yellow checkered PJs that was so comfortable to snuggle to.

Not that Ichigo was actually snuggling to her.

Ichigo blinked.

"You ran off, Chappy… if you didn't, we could've taken the bath together…" Rukia cradled him carefully in her arms and stroked his fur. That's the exact reason on why I ran off! "C'mon, I'll give you your bath now. You wanted to have one, right?"

No, no, no, no, NO! Ichigo shook head vigorously.

Rukia noticed the palpable head shaking movements. "E-eh? You can understand me?" Ichigo looked up at her. She grinned and held him up. "What a smart rabbit you are! Oh! Let's try something!" Rukia placed him gently to the floor and sat in front of him.

"Okay, okay…! Letsee, what's one plus one?"

Ichigo decided to humour her. She may forget about the bath if he did. Ichigo tapped his front paw twice. Rukia squealed and clasped her hands together. She giggled.

"Wow! You can do math! You are brilliant! Ah! How about nine times nine?" Ichigo narrowed his eyes at her. He was not going to tap his paw eighty-one times. "Ah? You don't know?"

Ichigo frowned. I do! It's just ridiculous to tap my foot eighty-one times!

Rukia smiled anyway. She scooped him up in her arms and turned on her heels and headed to the bathroom. "C'mon let's go, Chappy."

She's still going to give me a bath! No WAY! Let go of ME! Ask me another question! Anything! Ichigo hopped off her and promptly hid under the sofa.

"Chappyyy…" Rukia crouched down and peered under the sofa. "Come out from there…! C'mon, bunny! C'mon…!"

Hell, no! Go AWAY! Ichigo glared at her from under the sofa. He sneezed once. It was slightly dusty under there.

"Does Chappy have a cold? Poor bunny. Come with me… C'mon Chappy…!"

"I don't think he will come out from there, Rukia-nee."

"Yuzu, help me get something long…"

What?! What are you thinking of doing?? Yuzu came back with a broom in her hands and passed it to Rukia. Rukia poked duster part of the broom towards Ichigo. He hopped over it and glared icily at Rukia. She pouted and tried again.

"Just hop on the duster and we'll pull you out."

That the point! I do NOT want to come out! Leave me alone…! Rukia poked him again and again with the broom.Ichigo sneezed. Damn, it's dusty! The bunny sneezed again. Stop it! You trying to kill me, woman? If I don't die by that stick, I'll die of embarrassment if I get out from here!

Rukia decided that the broom wasn't much of a help; it only made him sneeze. She didn't want her bunny to be sick. She reached out for him with her hand. Ichigo growled and tried to bite her fingers.

"He's not coming out…"

Rukia sighed and left him where he was. Ichigo grinned triumphantly.

That was… close. Too close.

Dinner was toast.

Literally.

They had no ingredients to cook (unless they wanted to make an Inoue-like concoction) since Yuzu and Rukia were too busy with the bunny to remember. Karin didn't even think about dinner right up until just now.

Now she regretted not going to the shop that afternoon.

Yuzu would go now, but the shops were closed since it was night time. Only Ichigo got something different than toast.

He ate carrots. Raw ones.

And he was not happy.

Ichigo grumbled as he bit into the tasteless orange carrot. He ate it anyway, since he was absolutely starved.

Yuzu frowned and looked out the window. Her facial expression illustrated worry. "What's wrong, Yuzu?" Rukia asked as she bit into her third buttered toast.

"Onii-chan isn't back yet. He's been gone since afternoon."

Karin rolled her eyes. It was so like Yuzu to worry about something trivial. Well, it was trivial to her. "Don't worry. He can take care of himself."

Rukia smiled comfortingly at the twins and agreed with Karin. Ichigo looked up at his sister. She looked really worried. He has got to find a way to get into the bathroom soon. Rukia came up to him and cradled him. "C'mon, Chappy… lets go upstairs…"

Upstairs, she entered Ichigo's room and sat on his bed. Rukia placed him beside her and stroked his fur softly. Ichigo scowled.

Oi, oi! What do you think, sitting on my bed! Get off, midget!

Rukia turned around and faced the window. She propped her head up in her arms and she looked up to the darkened sky. He'd been gone since noon. And now it was already sometime after sunset. She can't even sense his usually-leaking reiatsu. She muttered softly, "Where are you, Ichigo? Your sisters are worried. Such a stupid brother…"

Ichigo looked at her, almost intently. Rukia then climbed up the window and went out. H-hey! What the hell are you doing?! You're gonna fall! Ichigo wanted to scream, but again all came out was that annoying squeak —which to him, was even more annoying than Rukia's sweetened voice—.

He was sure he despised rabbits even more, if that was possible.

Rukia looked back to him. She was on the roof, safe. She smiled at him. "You wanna come with?" She opened her arms and grinned. Ichigo hopped out of the room and sat beside her. Rukia took him into her arms tightly. Ichigo blushed and wanted to scurry away but she held on tighter.

That image popped in his mind again. Ichigo frowned and covered his nose with both of his paws. Rukia giggled. He looked so sweet like that. Rukia held him up at arm's length and tilted her head slightly to the side. She smiled.

"You remind me of… Ichigo somehow."

I am Ichigo!

"I think it's your eyes… It's the same intense amber shade I remember…"

He scowled again. Rukia giggled and hugged him close. Ichigo blushed at the close proximity.

"It's strange," she whispered, hugging him close. "I don't know why I care about Ichigo so much, Chappy." Their eyes met and Rukia continued, "I mean he's loud, rough, rude and brash… Very dense too…" Rukia laughed. Ichigo scowled.

I am not dense! Or any of the things you said about me just now! You're a midget!

Rukia continued, "But it's him. And… I guess I like it."

She smiled. Ichigo blinked cutely. Rukia looked up at the twilight sky; she could see the stars shining by now. "Y'know Chappy…" she said. "Once he showed me the North Star once. He said we can see it anywhere in the world…" Rukia frowned for a moment and placed a finger on her chin. "I forgot which it is though… I think it's that one…!" Rukia pointed to a shining star right above and left of them.

It's not that one, stupid. It's that one.

Ichigo tugged on the hem of her sleeve and looked at the North Star; the one right above them. Rukia grinned. "Oh? You think it's that one? Smart rabbit! You could be right there, Chappy."

Damn straight I'm right! I was the one who told you!

Rukia stroked the bunny's fur softly and said, "You are the best rabbit I've ever had."

I'm the only one you have… I would never let you buy one… Rabbits are so problematic.

Rukia grinned.

"Ichigo would've most likely said rabbits are a hassle."

They're problematic. But hassle would work too.

"I love you, Chappy…" She said before squishing him in her arms again. Ichigo blinked and blushed red. He knew it wasn't said to him, more likely to the rabbit; nevertheless, he felt his heart skipped a beat anyway. Rukia released him and stroked his fur again. It felt good.

Ichigo looked up at her. She was smiling slightly. Her ebony hair moved slightly as the night time wind blew softly. Her features were lighted softly against the lights of Karakura. Ichigo had the urge to kiss her suddenly.

Why the heck not?

He was a rabbit.

Her rabbit.

Ichigo got up from her lap and nuzzled his nose against her cheek, smiling to himself. Rukia giggled, ticklish. "What? You want a kiss?" Ichigo blinked. Rukia kissed him on the forehead again before placing him on her lap, caressed his fur, while watching the stars above.

Pure heaven.

Rustle… Rustle.

Ichigo was wide awake. He can't sleep. Rukia was cuddled up beside him with her arm around his small bunny figure. This feels so awkward. Ichigo looked at the sleeping figure of Rukia. Ichigo placed a paw on her cheek. He smiled.

He contemplated to just be a rabbit now. It wasn't so bad. Especially if your owner was Kuchiki Rukia.

Then he heard a rustle coming from the other bed. Yuzu. "Onii-chan…" He heard her mutter. Ichigo frowned. He hopped off to his sister's bed. Her face was scrunched up with worry. Ichigo scowled at himself. He can't be a rabbit! He has his family to protect! If he was a rabbit, he'd have his family protecting him. And he won't have that.

Ichigo hopped off to his room, dragged his clothes to the bathroom, one garment at a time. Then he closed the door with his foot and hopped up to the tub. Ichigo used a lot of time to turn on the tap there; it was so slippery.

But when he did, it was worth it.

What that crazy guy said was true. He changed back instantly when his whole body was covered in water. He washed and dressed himself. Everything was good. Everything was normal.

Guuuraaaeee….

Except the fact that he only had raw carrots for dinner. They were not a good choice for dinner. Especially now that you are human.

He crept over to the kitchen and ate two pieces of toast. He'd eat more, but there were only two left. Next time, always stock up on food, before it finishes completely. He ate the food in silence, contemplating over what Rukia said to himself just now.

"I don't know why I care about Ichigo so much, Chappy"

What did that meant?

Geez.

He took a bite and chewed slowly. When he was done, he made himself a mug of hot chocolate. As much as he hated to admit, he'd miss being a rabbit. He'd miss being touchy-feely with Rukia. He stirred the chocolate slowly when…

THWACK!

"OUCH! OW! OW!" Ichigo turned around, holding the back of his head with both of hands. He let loose a myriad of colourful curses. "Who the hell—?" He saw Rukia, still wearing that checkered yellow PJs. Rukia grinned.

"Oh, it's you, Kurosaki-kun…!" She used that high-pitched tone that she knew annoyed him. Femininely, she covered her mouth with her hands in a mock-surprise. "I thought it was a burglar…!"

"Like hell, the lights were on. You're just finding an excuse to punch me."

"What if I am?" She grinned. "You made your sisters worry, Ichigo."

He shrugged. He knew. But he was not going to tell her how or why. It was too private a matter. "You want some hot chocolate?"

Rukia shrugged then nodded.

They sipped on the hot chocolate in a calm silence that night. Ichigo glanced down (I don't have to look up to look at her anymore, he thought) at her, smiling at himself. She cupped the cup cutely in her hands and blew in her hot chocolate. Her hair was dishevelled somewhat and those PJs were rumpled slightly. Somehow, Ichigo was glad that he changed back to normal. But some small part of him wanted to rub his nose against her cheek, like just now on the roof.

He was so screwed.

"Ichigo! Where's Chappy??"

Rukia spent the whole morning searching for her beloved rabbit. She asked Karin and Yuzu for him, but they didn't knew where he was either. Their search was futile, of course.

He turned back in his chair and looked at her. Ichigo pretended not to know a thing. "Did you check the TV guide today?"

"I meant, a rabbit!" She said, frustrated. "Have you seen a rabbit? A white one, with cute ears, twitchy nose and an adorable tail!"

"Is this a trick to make me buy you a rabbit again? I'm not falling for it!" Ichigo looked back to his homework and silently wished that Rukia would go away already. He's scared that he might let the cat out of the bag.

"He was just here last night! Before you were home—" Rukia shut herself up. She pointed at him. "You! You shooed him off, didn't you!?"

"What?!" He narrowed his eyes at her. Now she was just being difficult. "I didn't touch your freakin' rabbit!"

"Then where did it go?! It's the only explanation! You scared him away! You always disliked rabbits!"

Your Chappy's not here, cause I was your rabbit, idiot!

"I did not!"

"Then where did he go?!"

"The hell should I know!"

Rukia glared at him and hit his head, hard. She stormed out of the room, yelling profanities at the carrot-top.

For a moment there, Ichigo pondered on being a bunny again. At least she won't actually punch him if he was one.

The next morning, Ichigo walked out from the house and headed for the town. There, he wandered around in a few pet shops before buying a rabbit —a real live rabbit— somewhat identical to him in his bunny form, but instead of intense brown eyes, the rabbit had black ones. He exhaled.

Why exactly am I buying this for her? That concoction must've have a side effect… Damn it.

Running a hand through is hair, he glared at the small rabbit in the cage. "You'd better be good to Rukia. And especially, don't cause me problems." For a moment there, he thought the rabbit had glared back at him.

Rukia was in her room, reading her latest 'reference book', Orange Kiss, a shojo manga. "Oi, Rukia…" She ignored him, still slightly irritated by the absence of her bunny. "Oii…" Ichigo shook her gently by the shoulder. "Look. I bought you something."

That caught her attention.

She looked up from the book and frowned. That is, until she saw the white bunny. She gasped.

"Chappy!"

Ichigo rolled his eyes. Every single rabbit was Chappy to her.

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight for a second. "U-um…" Ichigo said, blushing. Rukia smiled at him sweetly. Just like she did when she met his bunny form for the first time yesterday. Inwardly, Ichigo melted yet again. He loved that smile on her.

That was one thing he missed on being a bunny. She'd never smile like that frequently at him. Or kiss him. Ever.

Rukia took the rabbit from his cage and was stroking his fur softly, when Ichigo tilted her chin with one finger and gently kissed her on the nose. Rukia looked up at him quizzically, blushing slightly; he grinned boyishly at her before leaving her, speechless, in her room.

Next time, Ichigo thought to himself. I'll ask that crazy dude for some more of his bunny potion when I see him.

But next time, he'd have a bucket of water hidden in his room to avoid difficulties.

That night, Rukia brought her new rabbit to the bathroom, to give him a bath. There she met with one of the greatest shock of her life.

"AIEEEEEEE!! RENJI!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?!"

Ichigo slapped a palm to his face as Rukia ran up the stairs, face thoroughly red. Only one thought came through his mind.

Bunnies are so problematic…

.End.

Hehe… Konishiwa Sasaki is at it again…

Ah… sorry. I was going to post this a few days ago, but my beta wasn't online much. Sorry:P But, I hope you liked that. :D

Reviews please?