Rukia was born into a family that taught her to not fear anything. Kuchiki's were to always be the feared not the one showing it. Her father would always scold her when she was scared of the false ghost in her closet or the monster hidden beneath her bed. She had finally come to turns that there was nothing to fear. Since she was twelve she hadn't been scared of anything. Not even the time she was almost killed in a car accident when she was sixteen.

Right now, as she sat on the couch, while nervously biting the tip of her thumb nail and her other arm was wrapped tightly across her torso, Rukia Kuchiki has never been more afraid in her life. Ichigo was out there. In an unknown area by himself, she could only imagine the possibilities of what could happen to him.

And everything that the petite woman conjured in her head put her to near tears. If Ichigo were to get hurt she'd blame herself entirely. He went out there to get her medicine, so the guilt that was twisting in her stomach was rightfully there; especially if he were to be hurt or worse.

The dark haired woman rose from the couch and paced the small room before she went to the darkened front room that held a heavily draped window that showed a scene of the front yard and a little ways to both her right and left visual. She couldn't stand the anxiety that pulsed through her veins. She knew she was being overly childish with the mountain of worry that was piling higher and higher each passing second but she couldn't stop it.

What will she do? What will she do if Ichigo comes back hurt? What will she do if he doesn't come back at all? She could feel one lone tear start trailing down her cheek but quickly swiped the unwanted substance away from her face. She grabbed her hair in frustration before shaking it and staring at the drape that hung over the hidden window. She let out a heavy breathe. She had to be careful. Zombie may be undead but that didn't mean completely stupid. They sensed and saw things just like the living could if she opened the drape to wide or too suddenly they'd notice. None other than Ichigo had taught her that.

Ichigo's rough hands caught Rukia's quickly before her hands could even feel the soft curtains that cascade down to the floor. She looked at amber eyes with complete shock and curiosity. "What is wr-"

"Do you realize how stupidly dangerous doing that is?" He deadpanned as his gaze stayed firmly focused on her hand, "Zombies are no stupid beings. They have eyesight and they have hearing."

"What if it's a blind one whose eyes were poked out? Or a deaf one that's ears were cut off?" The younger of the two tried to joke.

The orange headed man growled, "Rukia. I'm serious. They can see small things and had you opened that one would have noticed."

Rukia couldn't say that they probably wouldn't because the fact of the matter was: He was most likely right. They had only barely been able to escape into the small house that they now resided in and dodging the mob of dead wasn't any simple task. She frowned for not actually thinking about the slight risk she might be taking when she was about to pull the curtain back. "Sorry, Ichigo, I'll be more careful."

He shrugged indifferently.

She was already forgiven.

Her small hands fisted the thick fabric lightly. The material like metal in her hands, she found it more difficult than she thought it'd be to just take a small peek outside. She wanted to see if, possibly, Ichigo was just outside in the yard, uninjured. She just wanted to see him to wash away this sickening feeling of fear.

It's weird that not once in the past three years had she ever felt an ounce of fear. Her mind questioned that possibility.

Not even once?

But slowly as she replayed quickly in her mind the entirety of those years not once had she ever left Ichigo's side and vice versa. The evident shock showed on her face. Her grip tightened as she slowly pulled at the drapes. She definitely had to check now. What if he was sprawled across the yard, near death? She stepped closer to the slight opening in between the think fabrics.

Her eye was slightly blinded for half a second before adjusting to the morning sunshine. Her eye automatically squinted against the invading light and scanned the front side of the house.

Not a soul, dead or alive, was in sight.

Rukia's lips tugged downward. She couldn't decide whether it was good or bad news at what her eyes had seen. The empty scene showed her the safety of the area, giving her slight hope that Ichigo was more than safe out there as well as fear to the man that has yet to return. She placed her hands on her lower stomach gripped the soft fabric of her sweater. She released her hold on the shield that hid the sunlight from the front room. Amethyst eyes downcast as her thoughts strayed again.

Until, a pillow hit her in the back of her head.

Her big eyes blinked as it registered the attack she slowly turned. Her fingers now running throw her frizzed hair. She saw the small figure of her green haired 'daughter'.

"Nel?" She questioned the child.

The hazel eyed girl glared at the older woman, "Uh, yeah. I've been shouting you name for about ten minutes. Have you been ignoring me?" At the last sentence the younger narrowed her eyes even more.

Rukia stared at the girl for another second before she responded, "No." She whispered but still loud enough for her to hear, "No, I haven't I'm sorry I was just out of it for a while. What do you need?"

Nel nodded, clearly satisfied with the brief explanation. She wouldn't push any further then need be. She could sense the fear the Kuchiki was exempting. She decided to snap her out after she had seen her glance out the window with worry.

The younger began with her small plan to help her relax, "Do you think you could cut my hair?"

"What?"

Rukia's eyes snapped to the questioning girl. "Well, I figured that since you're here.. We could have a short little girl time. Plus, I need to cut my hair." Nel stated as she tugged at her hair and glanced over the split ends that resided on the tips of her hair that was just past her shoulders.

Rukia examined the girl. Seeing if she was up to anything other than a haircut; Finally concluding it was safe. "A-Alright." She stuttered.

Nel smiled as she took the short walk to the older with glee. She grabbed her hand tightly and began to pull her out of the front room.

Rukia's eyes glanced back at the front room before she turned the small corner in the house that cut her vision off from the room. She released a heavy sigh.

'Please… Be safe, Ichigo.'


Ichigo honestly was not afraid to be by himself. When he and Rukia scoped the place out it was relevantly silent. To be honest he was more scared for the girls he had left at home, then his own well being. He just wanted to get the medicine and get back as quickly as he could. Even as he said that he didn't have the will power to run. It was still slightly early but not so much that the sun wasn't already beating down his neck. The heat was extremely uncomfortable, he hated morning heat.

He let his feet drag as his eyes slowly traveled around his surroundings. He had yet to encounter anything that could possibly harm him.

He finally reached the corner that the small drug store sat. He stopped out just outside the broken automatic doors. He shifted his 300 Win Mag onto his other shoulder, his eyes narrowed to try and see past the fogged and blood stained windows.

He knew if he broke a window that an alarm would most likely be set of and one of two things could happen. He could break the window, set the alarm off, and draw the attention of any nearby lingering undead to him; Ultimately leading to his death because to face the facts he knew that if there were more than the number of bullets that we're loaded in his gun he was most definitely a goner. Plus, he didn't have Rukia which means no one to back him up so he could reload.

The second being grabbing the few lingers near and getting a massive head ache in the process; which didn't seem as bad when compared to option one.

The orange hair man stared once more at the door before taking the risk. He shifted the shot gun off of his shoulder and raised the butt of the gun over his head before he slammed it down on to the glass door. He repeated the process numerous times before finally the glass shattered and the alarm blared.

He rushed in to the store and to the back to where he knew the alarms disable would be placed. He found the dust covered box placed on the wall four feet from the ground. He flipped the unlocked cover open and flipped every switch until the screeching came to a sudden stop. He let out a breath of relief at the annoying noises silence.

"Now," He thought, narrowing his eyes as he stepped out from the back room. "The real challenge."

Ichigo slowed his steps so his footfalls were unheard. He let his ears take over to their fullest ability. His eyes could deceive so he needed to be extremely careful.

He searched for the pills he knew Rukia need for her small illness. Name brand after name brand pasted his eyes before he they fell upon the one Rukia had named and claimed was her favorite. He reached to grab the rectangular box when a small movement caught his eye.

"What the hell?"


"WOW.!" The small green haired girl exclaimed as her hazel eyes examined her new shoulder length hair. "You did an amazing job." She ran her fingers through the shortened hair.

Rukia smiled, "I'm glad you approve."

"Can I cut your hair?"

Rukia froze, she didn't think she trusted the teen with scissors and her hair. She needed to come up with a lie that'd both satisfy and get her of the case quickly. If the lie wasn't well thought out the younger girl would push and push and push until Rukia caved in. The raven haired girl was happy with her hair and didn't find any need to change it. "You know… Nel…" She began, "I recently trimmed my hair." She nodded happy with how it was going so far. No stuttering, no unnecessary um's. "And decided to let it grow a little, um.." Shit.

Her hazel eyes narrowed as they caught hold of amethyst ones. At first she seemed to call her out on her lie but then with a small sigh let it go. "Oh, okay, that's fine."

The Kuchiki smiled nervously at her.

Both cleaned up the fallen hair and decided to start another Disney movie marathon just when a noise out front was heard.

The sound shouldn't have been all to alarming had Ichigo not been out. Rukia's heart kicked into over drive as she heard what sounded like a fence being kicked open harshly. Her feet rushed her to the front door without a thought of approval first. Her small hand clutched the cold metal handle and swung the door open to reveal…

…The man that had her worrying oh so much then necessary this morning.

Rukia's shocked eyes scanned his body. He was bent down a bit and his right hand was clutching his left arm where, had she not looked close enough, she noticed the slow trickles of blood that seeped through his tightly clutched hands and down his arm. There was smeared blood on his face as well. It slid down the entire right side. His heavy panting and the soft call of her name from his lips snapped her back to reality and her worry slammed back tenfold.

"ICHIGO!" She ran to his side as he began to limp forward. "What happened?" She placed her arms atop his shoulders and looked him in his dark amber eyes.

His heavy breath stop for a second as he tried to catch his breath and reply to her. "Nothing." He grunted.

"That's bul-"

Ichigo softly head butted her on her forehead, she blinked and shut her mouth immediately. "Shut up and stop worrying let's get inside. I'll explain."

Her lips fell into a heavy frown as she helped him into the house. Rukia asked the youngest of them all to get the first aid kit, for she was just standing at the houses entrance gaping in shock at the injured strawberry. Rukia had to ask a second time, much firmer, which made the girl blink and swallow before nodding and running deeper inside to get what was asked for.

Rukia helped the man relax onto the couch, placing his head on the armrest and his legs up on the other cushions so he occupied the entire couch by himself.

Though the dark haired girl was desperate to know what had happened to him. His injuries came first.

Story time would have to be put off until later.


A/N: Hey everybody.! (If there is anybody left.?)
So.. Who hates me now.?

I know I said I was going to be updating over the winter break... but I was actually like... busy D: And then school started again and my inspiration
was like gone. :\\

So, yes. I really can't apologize for my failness. But here is some good news.
I will be updating more frequently my inspiration has like SHOT UP.! I spent a week with my old friends
in my old neighborhood and everything just FLOWED into me.! So thanks to them :D

Anyway, tomorrow[02.25.11] is my birthday.! I was going to update then but then I was like
'Hm, I'll probably be to busy hanging with my awesome family to actually post it. So a day early should be good.'
So, I hope to wake up tomorrow morning with TONS OF REVIEWS.! -stares hard at every reader.

Lmfao,
So expect chapter six this upcoming Sunday/Monday.! I STILL LOVE YOU ;^; even if you hate me.

This chapter is dedicated to to my very amazing bestest sister ever... IchiRuki77.(:
I heart her.! I'm glad she is all safe and what not.! Love you, Re Re-chan.!

And thank you to..
xoxokiss210
: YAY.! I'm glad you loved it. Even a simple two worded review like that makes me happy.
EaglefootMoonflightVipertail: You review made me so happy, and I truly hope you are still reading this.! I'm sorry for not updating very fast but life... so beachy.(: Thank you so much. As to Nel surviving with all that she has and never being noticed... Yeah, even I don't know how she did it. She has to be like a fairy or something o.o I'll try and make some back story for how she lived. Aha, thank you again.! I'm glad you think my story is different.(:
lilica: DUDE.! Your reviews always make me so happy.! Aha, I love them. Yeah, thank you for pointing my mistakes out because I never go back and check and I remember being tired and just wanting to post it. As soon as I read your review I like jumped out of bed and fixed it.! Rofl, I know they excepted it fast, huh.? I think they'd rather just deal with it than argue with a stubborn Nel. I know I would. xD Hope your still reading. Ahah, and gah.! Didn't 438 just make you go AHA :D because he HEARD Rukia.! Yay.
the-long-lost-strawberry: Woot.(: So glad my story pleases you.! Keep reading and reviewing.! Make a few suggestions even.
Edwin Oak: Man, your review though short just had me SO FREAKING HAPPY.! You make me feel like a fantastic author. Thank you.!
falconrukichi: Uh oh.! Unwanted thing happened D: Ahah, what happened.? o: OH, dear.! Rofl, thanks for reviewing.
Aizawa Ayumu Oz Vessalius: Man, he got in trouble.! Ahah, yes. That is how I see Ichigo and Rukia.(: I love that Disney movie.
Red6: I love you.! xD I'm so happy you love my story.
Azraelean: Lmfao, he won't find out for a LONG while. I'm sorry. I know you know. I know you know I know. Ichigo is blind and sadly will stay that way for quite the while. It torchers me but this is how it played out in my head that fateful night when this story hit me in the FACE. Rofl, you'll just have to keep reading.
HopefulMemories: Thank you so much.! I'm glad you like it.! :D Aha, and after constant bugging at school. You finally got the update you wanted.! Lmfao.

See you all(hopefully), and more(again.. hopefully ';^;), next chapter.!

Xoxo,

Personal Riot.