A/N: I'm so sorry for the late update! I've been very busy these few months so I didn't update for a very looong time. Will try and update soon after this chapter.

I've started on another fanfic, fate,(also ichiruki, check my profile) if you're free, please read and review:D

Please read and review!

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The teacher was droning on and because it is English class, which is a subject Rukia was not really fond of, she could not help but be bored and her mind started to wander away.

Rukia thought about what happened in the first week in school, her crying for the first time for herself and right in front of Kurosaki Ichigo whom she had only just met. It left her feeling unsettled and embarrassed. She could not even believe herself for breaking down in front of him and him of all the people! That fact made her pissed with herself, for not holding back her emotions. She decided to keep some distance from him afraid of letting him know more but it seems that fate has pulled strings and their fates have been intertwined.

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Ichigo was next to her, he made side glances at her and saw her serious look on her face but her eyes tell him she was thinking about something else and not listening to the teacher. No one dared to not listen in Soi Fong class, because she will send anyone who is not listening for detention. This made Ichigo somewhat worried but he thought, he shouldn't be worried about her, she should be able to take care of her and just imagine what bad rumours would go around. With that, he left Rukia to let her thoughts wonder and secretly hoping she won't get caught.

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School quickly ended and he quickly told Rukia to meet him at the school gate before Keigo starts jumping around like an idiot saying he's a traitor and all that. He didn't want to be bugged by Keigo now.

"Ichigooooooo!" Keigo jumped trying to latch himself onto Ichigo.

"What Keigo?" Ichigo said as he punched Keigo in the face.

"Ichigo is so mean!!" Keigo said as he ran to Mizuiro bawling.

Oh whatever, Ichigo thought as he packed his things and went to meet Rukia at the school gate.

He got there and saw that Rukia was already waiting there patiently for him. There only left a few people still in the school and his classmates had already left.

"Yo." Ichigo said.

"Ichigo," She replied. "What did you want?"

"I wanted to ask you when you want to do the literature project? We're given two weeks but there's no rush." Ichigo said scratching his head.

"Maybe next week, I'm still trying to get used to things." Rukia said.

"Okay then." He replied.

"Well.." Rukia began, when someone called out to her.

"Kuchiki Rukia." A red haired man said, walking towards them.

Rukia eyes grew bigger when she saw who it was. She gasped in shock and Ichigo felt alarm by this man that is appearing before them. His instincts made him move infront of Rukia, protecting her from this stranger.

"Abarai Renji! Is that you?!" Rukia said in shock of this boy, who she hadn't seen in years, this boy who protected her in the orphanage. Ichigo realised that she knew this guy and relaxed a little but did not back down as he thought he looked suspicious.

"Well, Rukia, I never expected to see you here!" Renji grinning. "I've been looking for you all over!"

Ichigo looked Renji and back at Rukia confusedly, he thought they must be childhood friends. Ichigo couldn't help feeling left out. He thought, was this guy important to Rukia? What past did they share? She looks so happy. Many questions popped out of his head but he remained silent, listening to the conversation between Renji and Rukia.

"I'm so glad to see you Renji! It had been a long time. How did you find me?" Rukia said happily.

"After persuaded Momiji (the orphanage owner) to tell me where you lived and I started finding you from there but you moved so I gathered more information on it." He said smiling, proud of himself.

"I'm so glad Renji! Are you still in the orphanage?" Rukia asked.

"No, I'm living on my own in a small apartment and started working to pay my bills. The orphanage still pays for my school fees. Oh, anyway, I got to go; I'm going to start on my night shift at work." He said.

"Where do you work?" Rukia asked.

"Ajisen Ramen, drop by when ya can. See you after school tomorrow or something. Got to go, bye!" As he said that, he ran off.

"Bye Renji!" Rukia waved after him. He replied by waving back.

"Who's that guy?" Ichigo asked, trying not to sound so curious or interested.

"Abarai Renji, my old childhood friend. Why? Jealous?"

"What?! Of course I'm not jealous!" Ichigo retorted, "Whatever, are you going back home now? Need me to bring you to the bus-stop? I bet you'll be taken advantage of without me there to protect you."

"Don't look down on me Strawberry, if you don't know, I learn kendo." She said and started to walk off leaving the gaping Ichigo.

"Are you serious?" Ichigo said, catching up with rukia. Even if she learns kendo, he was still worried for her. "Unbelievable!"

They talked, laughed and bicker all the way to the bus stop..

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Special thanks to: Ishasuki Mitochi, Erica, TruthSeekerRukia, Rukiachan9, Kagome5177, BlackBrightField2007, ruukii, AznAnimeChick, Mama, Sleeve of White Snow, andraq, CB, Naaaaaani :D