Disclaimer : I don't own Bleach. Or any of the products mentioned.

Week Five

"GUYS! Everyone I have awesome news! Get your butts downstairs NOW!" Renji's voice echoed through the house. Alerting everyone in it he was home from Karate Practice. He threw his bag at the table by the door and stood nailed to the floor at the bottom of the steps. As he waited for all his roommates he couldn't help but feel ... giddy. They are going to love it.

First down was Toshiro with Ichigo and Rukia at his heels. He felt suspicions when he saw the blood red face of Ichigo, then the flustered face of Rukia. What was he doing up there? His own head asked him. Uryu came down only a few seconds later. "Where is Shuhei and Chad?" Renji leaned to the stairs, trying to see what was going on upstairs. Right on cue Chad came down. "Now we are only missing Shuhei."

"I don't think he is here." Uryu stated as he looked over the rims of his glasses and then nonchalantly pushing them up.

"Then where the hell is he?" The red head leaned on the railing.

"Probably out with… uhm I forgot her name." Ichigo scratched the back of his head. He was still as red as a tomato.

"A new one? Isn't that like the 3rd this week?" Rukia sat on the opposite end of the couch, as far away from Ichigo as she could get, without everybody noticing.

"No, I think it is the forth." Chad said as he sat down beside Rukia.

"Whatever… Pineapple! Why did you call us down here?" Ichigo crossed his leg over his other one and looked like a father asking his son if he had dirty magazines.

"Oh!" he regained his pose and stood in front of the TV and started his speech. "So you guys know… I'm a pretty good fighter and all that. Being a World Champ in Karate I have to be, right? So today after practice my coach called me to his office and told me a very interesting story and asked my opinion on it. Giving him a pretty opinion, I might add. He then sort of gave me a job, but the thing is a once of thing. And-"

"Why are we here then?" Ichigo asked starting to get a little bit angrier. You stopped my kiss, for THIS?

"Oh I was told I could take four of my friends with me…"

"Not me!" Uryu answered to the unasked question first.

"Can't go." Toshiro fiddled with his camera as he denied the opportunity.

"That settles it… Rukia, Ichigo, Chad and Shuhei are going with me. In two weeks we are going to-"

"Hey… hang on a minute." Ichigo tried to object, but he needed the break from everything here in Karakura. "In two weeks? Where is this job?"

"The job is in Rukongai and… Rukia?" All five boys turned to said girl as she stood up, abruptly.

"Uhm… That's my home town."

~Monday~ *14/02*

Oh Shit! Oh shit oh shit OH SHIT! He was cursing himself, his mind went numb. It was Valentine's Day and Ichigo totally forgot. With all the things that had happened over the last couple of weeks it totally slipped his mind. And going out with the most popular girl at school… he had to do something. It was almost time to go and Ichigo was on a rampage through his room… searching for anything he could give to Orihime. He knew he was making a racket, but not one of the guys came in, asking what the hell he was doing.

He dug though his drawers and found nothing, it's not like he kept jewellery in his room. When he reached the closet, he thought for a moment. It was a small shoebox that rested on the top shelf. He hadn't looked in it for years. With care and gentleness he lifted the box and took it over to his bed. The lid was full of dust and soon his whole room was. Inside were photos and belongings of the person he loved the most, the person that left him and his family when he was nine.

His mom was beautiful and when he was younger he always wanted a girlfriend just like her. Always smiling. Always there, no matter what. The content of the box was now place on his bed and all he could see that might work, was something he saw his mother wear every single day of her life.

It was a silver chain with a small sun dangling at the end. The sun held two stones; a pure black one and a snow white one. He never asked her what it meant, she just once told him, that someday it would mean something to him.

He held the necklace in the light and regretted even considering giving it to Orihime. Is scowl was replace with a sad emotion as he held onto the chain. He didn't hear the door open and a female enter his room.

"Something tells me you don't want to give that to Orihime for Valentine 's Day?" Rukia leaned against the doorframe.

"It was my mother's…" he didn't say anything else, but he didn't have to.

"Don't give it to her… you should keep it, until you are free from her. Give it to the person you love… someday." Rukia's voice held a deep emotion, not anger of jealousy. A pure emotion that only Ichigo could understand.

"Rukia… I-"

"I might have something for you… I'll go get it." With that she left his presence and went to her own room. The person I love… So much conflict was deep inside Ichigo. But he knew a way existed to get out of this.

A few minutes later Rukia strolled in, something in her hand. "Rukia, I can't take something of yours."

"Don't be silly… I don't even wear my own jewellery. Take it." She placed the object in his firm hand and closed it. Feeling his hand in hers sent shivers up her spine. She turned on her heels and headed out. But just before leaving the room, she turned again. "Don't just give something -that is close to your heart- away that easily Ichigo. And we are going to be late, hurry up!" Her tone changed and she was the same old Rukia. As she disappeared into the living room, Ichigo opened his hand to look at a small golden chain with a heart. It was plain and simple.

"Thank you Rukia."

She really hated Valentine's Day. Everywhere couples were snogging or jumping with glee at their presents. She looked at her phone again. Nothing, not even a message saying he is sorry. Kaien had disappeared off the face of the earth. A feeling of unrest brewed inside of her. It was either he was in some sort of danger or … or it happened again. The thought suck inside her head. Not choosing to believe it, she strolled forward entering the love nest she called school.

Break was filled with more gift-giving and receiving. More kissing and hugs.

Suddenly Ichigo felt nauseas. It wasn't his nerves. It wasn't that he ate something bad. No, it was because Rukia was staring at him as he gave Orihime her necklace. The necklace for him was more an apology for ditching Friday night's plans than a Valentine's Day gift. Seeing that his face was more or less healed he came to school. The red haired girl was over ecstatic at the present and quickly jumped to kiss Ichigo. Her lips crushed to his and her arms, that were encircling his neck, pulled him closer. The kiss continued and he felt the stare of people on him. When Orihime, finally, pulled away he saw that Rukia was gone.

As the day dragged on, Rukia didn't hear anything from Kaien. Not showing weakness Rukia acted like nothing was wrong. A true Kuchiki. When time came for dinner, the house was in a state of melancholy. The guys looked more than depressed. Well, most of them. Shuhei walked around like a smiling bastard. Toshiro hid his smile between his homework and Renji made sure everyone knew how depressed he was.

"Oh, the suffering. Why? Oh why?" He was lying on the couch, just like when you go to a shrink's office.

"Why should I listen to you moan and bitch?" Ichigo clasped his hands over his ears and continued to read Hamlet.

"Oh don't start… you have a girlfriend!" Dramatically he began to sob, the rest of the house just ignored him.

Dinner was finished and the dishes were done. It was barely 20:00 when Rukia decided to go to bed. Her nerves were shot and she wasn't in the best of moods. The silence of her room was music to her ears. The comfort of her bed and pillow brought ease to her soul. But something caught Rukia's attention. Something lying on her pillow. It was a white envelope with Rukia written on it. Inside was something she didn't expect. A one-word phrase and a silver necklace with a sun dangling on it.

Someday…

She ran down to Ichigo's room to find him sitting on his bed, still reading Hamlet. The sight of him, made her giggle and made Ichigo aware of her presence.

"Rukia?" He questioned as he glared over the book. The necklace was suspended in her hand and he saw it. "Uhm… guess you found it a bit too early." She didn't say anything only walked closer to sit at the foot of the bed. Hamlet was place upside down on the bedside table so Ichigo could talk to Rukia with a bother. "You know what it means… and I hope someday will come soon."

She was confused by the words. His words. Her words. As she opened her mouth, her phone started to ring. She ignored it and started again. "I…" but the ringing got louder and louder. The screen displayed the picture of the missing man.

Kaien calling…

Conflict. Confusion. She looked at Ichigo. He only nodded agreeing that she should answer the phone. And so she did as she exited Ichigo's room and he continued reading.

"Rukia… I'm so sorry!" the predictable first words of apology.

~Tuesday~ *15/02*

"Rukia that is such a pretty necklace! Did Kaien give it to you?" Momo eyed the silver chain and sun around Rukia's neck.

"Oh no… I haven't seen him since Friday. He called me last night. He urgently had to go to his boss, but couldn't reach me until last night."

"That's so sad!" Momo was still looking at the necklace and Rukia hoped she wasn't going to ask about it again. But fate hates Rukia. "So the necklace, where did you get it?"

She didn't want to lie to her best friend, but a white lie was what was needed. "Oh it belonged to someone close to me, I have had it for a while." With that she ended the conversation, hopefully.

The school day came to an end, but not before it was Physics with Ichigo. She didn't know what he would do if he saw her wearing the necklace. She debated if she should take it off or not. Just for the period. But the same pull she felt in the morning, the same pull that made her put it on in the first place, was there now.

As she sat down at her table, the necklace was around her neck.

Ichigo came in after the bell rang and went to his seat. When he saw the necklace around her neck, his eyes only widened a bit, but his smile grew. For the first time Rukia saw his real smile. What does this mean to him? She wanted to ask him why he gave it to her. Although she knew, she wanted to hear it out of his mouth. She wasn't going to set her heart on something that originated from a gut feeling.

Professor Mayuri asked the class how their projects were coming along and both Ichigo and Rukia had to lie. In all honesty both of them forgot about it, due to the conflict that has come and gone. They had less than a week to finish it.

"Can we do it this afternoon?" Ichigo whispered and pretended to write down the notes from the board.

"Yeah… but don't you have track practice?" she whispered back.

"I'll skip." With that it was settled and they both continued with their work.

After the period Ichigo quickly made his way to his locker and found Renji there waiting and ogling some poor girl. Renji was baffled when Ichigo told him to get a ride with Toshiro, because Rukia was going with him.

"Yeah and you tell me there is nothing between you two."

"There isn't… we just need to go shopping for the stuff we need for our Physics project. That's all." Ichigo hid his face behind his door, just in case Renji realises he is lying, but only to a certain extent.

"Keep telling yourself that." With that Renji disappeared. In pure desperation Ichigo slammed his head into his, now closed, locker door.

"What did the poor door do to you?" He jumped at her voice behind him.

"Nah, just a tiresome day. You ready?" Rukia nodded and both set out to the car. After a few stops and a lot of searching they had what they needed for their project.

"Tell me again why we are building a Van de Graaff Generator*?" Ichigo moaned as placed the shopping bags on the table.

"Because no one else will do something like this, this is the best way to get full marks." Ichigo sighed and emptied the bags on the table.

"So what is first?" Together they started to build on the project, putting their feelings aside for only a few hours.

~Wednesday~ *16/02*

Rukia was sipping her Coke as she was doing homework late at night. After a really tiring day at the Café she first had a nap and then decided to do her homework. After another 15 minutes of maths her attention wondered back to her phone. Kaien told her that he would call her, but he hasn't yet. Losing the battle to herself she decided to call him. Only to say Hi.

She dialled the number he called her with. It rang and rang and rang. After a minute or so she ended the call. Like a patient person she called again five minutes later. On the forth ring someone picked up.

"Hello, Shiba residents." The voice was female. Rukia knew Kaien had a sister, Kukaku. She had only met her once and this voice over the phone was too sweet to be her.

"Uhm" Rukia didn't know how to respond "I'm looking for Kaien, is he there?"

"No… Sorry you just missed my husband he went on a business trip, he'll be back in a few days. Can I take a message for you?"

Rukia's voice caught in her throat. She pulled all her might together and whispered "No." After that Rukia phased out. The call ended, with Rukia throwing her phone against the wall. He did it again. He made her believe he loved her, he made her fall for him again. Anger and rage boiled in her veins. With the weather starting to change to spring Rukia didn't bother with a jacket or even shoes. She ran out of the house, passed someone, but she was so in a daze she didn't even identify the male.

Her bare feet didn't even register the coldness of the pavement as she ran down the street, she put all her energy into her legs and forced herself forward. The burning sensation kept her mind away from the memories. Last time she found out and almost broke her hand; taking revenge out on him. This time he wasn't near for her to hit him. The few motorists on the road honked at her as she ran over the street, almost getting run over. She didn't care what was going on around her, she just needed it out of her system.

After a few more minutes of running she started to slow and came to a full stop near the park. It was a few blocks away from the house. On route to their school. Rukia had seen it a couple of times before, but never visited it. Out of breath she grabbed the nearest tree to keep her upright. She clung to it and finally gave in to sit down. The damp grass chilled her feet, making her shudder and feeling the coldness of the hour. For minutes she sat there, looking into the distance and pulling the grass out of the ground. She was too tired to do anything else. She regretted running away, but she couldn't face one of the guys now.

"Rukia!" The voice came from a distance and it sounded tired. "Rukia!" It became louder and louder. "Rukia!" She didn't answer only changed her position to hide her body from the person who was searching for her. "Rukia?" The voice was behind her now and she knew who it belonged to.

His arms quickly held onto her, embracing her with his warmth. "Stupid Midget, you don't even have a jacket on." He pulled away from her and pulled his jacket off himself. Now with his jacket caressing her cold skin, Rukia felt much better.

"I-Ichi-igo" her voice broke and it sounded like she was on the brink of crying.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." He sat beside her and again took her into his embrace. He pulled her head closer and placed his chin on her head. Her face was cradled in the crook of his neck. Tears fell from her eyes and Ichigo could feel them as the fell onto him. Silence was the only thing that helped Rukia stopped her tears from falling. It was probably after midnight when Ichigo realised that Rukia was asleep. So as gently as he could; he got up and carried her home.

His jacket was still wrapped around Rukia, but he could still feel how cold she was. So he quickened his pace. As he walked down their street Rukia started to shift, but did not wake.

Opening the door was a challenge, but when it finally opened; he was greeted by blackness. The other probably didn't notice that they were even gone. With a small Thud the door closed behind him. With Rukia still lying in his arms, he made his way to her room.

Gently he placed her on her bed and slipped her body under the covers. As he tucked her in, he placed a small kiss on her forehead and then one softly on her lips. He didn't want to leave her and neither did she. Her hand shot out from under the covers and grabbed his arm, just as he was leaving.

"Don't go, please?" In her daze she pulled him closer and made way so he could lie down beside her. All reality flew out the window when Ichigo kicked off his shoes and climbed into the bed with her. Automatically she moved closer to him, grabbing his T-shirt and pulling him nearer.

On instinct Ichigo put his arm around her, holding her close to his own heart. The last though that floated through his mind as he fell asleep, was how perfectly Rukia fit into his arms.

~Thursday~ *17/02*

The sweet scent of strawberries assaulted his nose when he woke. Immediately he remembered what happened last night. Rukia still lied in his arms, still his T-shirt was in her grasp. He wiggled his phone out of his pocket and saw that it was just about time for them to leave for school.

Knock-knock.

"Rukia are you awake? It is time to go." It was Toshiro asking; luckily the only person Ichigo could trust right now.

"Toshiro, come in." Ichigo whisper-shouted. Meanwhile Toshiro was surprised when he heard a male voice originate from Rukia's room. He was afraid what he might find, but slowly he turned the door knob and entered the room. Upon seeing the two figures in the bed, Toshiro knew why Ichigo called him in. Rukia was holding onto him for dear life.

"I'll explain it all to you later, could you cover from me and Rukia today?" He whispered.

"And what should I tell them?"

"We stayed home to work on our project?" Toshiro only nodded and left. Next to him he felt Rukia move, but not wake.

For an hour he only looked at her as she slept, now and then he would play with her hair, but mostly he could only stare. When her eyes finally opened, he smiled.

"Morning Sleeping Beauty…" for a moment it looked like she didn't remember Ichigo was with her, she tensed, but as soon as he wiped the strand of hair out of her face; she relaxed. She buried her face in his chest and stayed that way. Not saying anything. "Are you hungry? I could go make some-"

"Don't."

He didn't.

They only stayed in bed for about another hour or two, but Ichigo convinced Rukia that they should finish their project. Making their reason for staying legitimate. They didn't talk much, but the distraction helped Rukia smile again.

"Okay? So how do we know this thing works?" Ichigo stood back and looked at the lollipop shaped machine.

"You plug it in and put your hand on the silver bulb."

Ichigo pulled a face of puzzlement, which made Rukia snicker. "What?"

"It won't shock you, I think?" She giggled as she plugged the machine in. A soft hum started inside the metal tube. "Okay… time for testing." She reached her hand out to touch the orb, but was stopped by Ichigo.

"I'll do it, don't want you to shock, now do we?" She retracted her hand and he placed his on the metal ball. Good news… he didn't die. His saggy hair** started to point in all 360 degrees of his head, signalling that the machine worked. Rukia laughed and so did Ichigo. Together they spent the day watching bad movies and eating popcorn. Not saying the word 'Kaien'.

~Friday~ *18/02*

The day ended with a big bang. It was just after the new Burn Notice episode and Rukia was about to go to bed, when the doorbell rang. Ichigo was the first to get up and go open the door. "You are all lazy asses you know that." The knob turned and revealed the person behind the door.

Kaien leaned against the doorframe. He looked deep into Ichigo's eyes and said : "Is Rukia home?" As an answer, Ichigo placed a well oiled fist in the middle of his face. The older man stumbled back, out of the entry way of the house.

"And you show your face here?" Ichigo stepped outside and readied his fist for another shot. But he was stopped.

"Ichigo don't." Rukia stood by the door, clothed in her Chappy's PJs.

"Rukia, is this douchebag one of your friends?" Kaien asked.

"No." Even Ichigo's head turned to her direction. "He is the person who is replacing you."

"Replacing me?" Kaien was as confused as ever. He didn't know she knew. But he also didn't know what she knew. "I'm sorry about the other night, I was drunk and-" he stopped talking a little too late.

"What night?"

"Uhm…" he turned to Ichigo who gulped. He didn't tell her for a reason and now… everything has gone to hell. "He didn't tell you?"

"He didn't tell me what? What is going on!"

"Thursday night he came into the shop…" Ichigo started.

"You are the drunken customer, that's why Ichigo… ICHIGO you IDIOT!" She slapped the back of his head.

"What was that for Midget?"

"For not telling me!" she slapped him again. Meanwhile Kaien stood aside looking at the two with curiosity. Why was she mad at him? He had no clue. "Don't think I forgot about you Kaien Shiba!" He flinched at her tone.

"Rukia?"

"You think you can break my heart twice… it ain't gonna happen!" She walked closer and balled her fists. "You better go home to your wife and explain how you got a broken nose." With that her fist collided with his nose and with a snapping sound it ended.

"Rukia?" Ichigo's voice tried to break her trans, but nothing.

"That was for me, cheating on me… twice." She kicked his shin, making him double over in pain. "That is for the poor girl, you call your wife." Finally she punched him in the gut… "and that… that was for hurting my Strawberry." She whispered softly into his ear, that only he could hear. Rukia left Kaien grovelling on the floor as she entered the house with applause.

Before Ichigo also went inside he told Kaien one last thing. "Stay away from Rukia."

Only Chad and Toshiro was home, and the only two who congratulated Rukia on her major win. She was bouncing around, still full of energy.

"Woh, Duracell Bunny *** calm down." Ichigo resumed his seat and started to gulp down his Coke.

"I can't, I have so much energy, I just want to fiddle with something…" She barely sat down, when she jumped up again. "Ichigo what is in your room that I can waste my energy with."

"Nothing"

She didn't trust him. Walking around the couch, she went over to the double door leading to his sanctuary.

"Midget don't even…" To late she was inside. "Shit." He ran after her trying to insure the safety of his belongings. Once inside the door slammed shut behind him. "Rukia?" She locked the door and walked over to him. "What…" he could have finished his sentence, but Rukia place her finger on his lips.

"Thank you…" She leaned up and kiss him full throttle on the lips. Hooking her arm around his neck she pulled him down, so she won't have to stand on her toes. They weren't standing for long. Ichigo picked her up and place her on his bed. Before Ichigo could think, he was turned onto his back and Rukia sat on his stomach. Still kissing him. Their mouths moved together until Rukia broke the kiss and started to kiss his jaw, his neck, his Adam's apple. She moved back to his lips.

Passionately their kisses continued. Without think Ichigo placed his hands on her hips and slid it forward under her shirt. Her skin was soft and smooth under his touch. The feeling of her tongue in his mouth send him over the edge, literally. Rukia was lying on the floor with Ichigo toppled over, laughing herself sick.

"That didn't fail at all." Ichigo said sarcastically and started to laugh with Rukia.

Chad and Toshiro didn't care too much when Rukia didn't come out of the room. Because they both knew to things for certain. One : Those two are meant to be. And Two : They didn't want to see what was happing in there.

~Saturday~ *19/02*

It didn't bother Ichigo much that he woke up on the floor, because he woke up next to Rukia. Again holding onto his T-shirt for dear life. She moved under his arm and opened her eyes.

"Morning Strawberry." She smiled.

"Morning Midget." He scowled. She reached up and positioned his face so she could kiss him. And kiss him she did. "I like that." He leaned down and kissed her.

"I like it more, much much more." Ichigo sat up and was soon followed by Rukia. "I can't believe we fell asleep laughing like that." Bringing up the memory made her giggle again.

Soon they were on the subject, Orihime. And Rukia wasn't too happy about it.

"I can't break up with Orihime, yet."

"What? Why?" Ichigo couldn't explain it, but he knew that Orihime would have her revenge and Rukia would be the target of all the negativity. "I get it…" Rukia looked at Ichigo and kissed him on mouth. "I get it…the stories already going around would just increase. Rukia left her boyfriend and then seduced Orihime's… What a whore." She copied one of the cheerleader's sayings.

"Yeah… I don't what you to get hurt because of me."

"Well you kinda already threw me off a bed, how much more hurt can I take?" Laughing while saying it.

"Not much, Midget." She kissed him then kicked him.

"What was that for?"

"For calling me a Midget."

So it was decided, that Ichigo would go out with Orihime for another week and two days. Then he will dramatically dump her and be single for another week or two. Meanwhile he would be secretly dating Rukia, well more like just making out every chance they get. Then suddenly… Everyone would be surprised when Rukia and Ichigo started going out and Orihime can't do shit about it. The plan would work, they hoped.

~Sunday~ *20/02*

Rukia couldn't help, but be sad when she woke up alone. The two mornings she woke up with Ichigo next to her, made all the difference. As the day dragged on Ichigo and Rukia created a new way of flirting with each other, a secret way only they knew. She would kick him and he would pull the strand of hair that hung between her eyes. Everyone in the house noticed the change in them, but they didn't ask of commented.

It was just about sun down when Rukia's phone rang. Not bother to look at the ID she answered.

"Hello."

"Hello is this Rukia Kuchiki?"

"Yes, may I ask who is speaking?"

"Miyako Shiba."

*I don't really know how to explain this thing, but if you Google it, you'll find pictures and links that might help. But all you should know for the story, it is some sort of machine that raises you hair like static electricity.

**His hair is the same length as when he came out of the Dangai, before the Final Getsuga Tenso.

*** It is a battery. The company that makes it is Duracell and their mascot is a Bunny.

It is good to be back! *Flexes fingers*

As you guys noticed I'll be updating once every two weeks... or I'll try at least, things are kind of hectic at school now. I was appointed Editor of our newspaper, also I was annouced a prefect. So I am really busy, plus I'm so behind on my work, I have to go back to pre-school. Also I'm as sick as ... well I'm really sick. I currently lying in my bed with my sisters laptop typing this so, yeah. I just felt like I should update...!

I feel like you guys should know, but last week I almost gave up on writing... But I didn't so YAY!

Replies on Reviews :

1. Michie-Chan : FINALLY! A name I can use! Thank you so much for your reviewS... I always like it when I see I have review and it is from you. Thanks so much.

2. Ichirukilover1 : Something tells me you don't like cliffhangers all that much. Hiehie. Thanks so much for the review and tell me that can write meant the world...

3. Leonardo Mezzaniotte : Thank the heavens Mel Gibson did not come kill me! Do I get my bunny now? Or am I too slow in my updating?

4. NuraCat : I so glad you loved it... I didn't. Too much Rukia X Kaien scenes!

5. XXXichirukiXXX : Thank you so much! I hope I didn't take too long?

6. Ashezo : When I got your review I was like... Are they reading my mind or what? And then I got thinking, this surprise of Renji might not now be that WOW and all but I have so much planned for it.

7. StrawBerryFlutterBy : (Best for last?) HIehie My friendy! Thanks so much... I know I told you I won't be writing anymore, but knowing I have all these reviewers behind me (you included) I knew I could do it. Love you!

To all my reviewers please enjoy these virtual cookies!

Reviews are drugs
(the good kind, the kind that will help me get better!)