A/N: There seems to be some confusion as to when this takes place in the story line of the series. Just to clear it all up, this happens after the Soul Society arc, after the Arrancar Response Team (Renji, Toshiro, Ikkaku, Yumichika, etc.) have been deployed in Karakura. Thus, why Rukia is in Ichigo's home and has her powers back.

Anyway, now that it's cleared up, please enjoy the conclusion!

A Fluffy Truce

Chapter 3

The Resolution?

Minutes later, Ichigo was rushing back to his home. Well, as best as he could, while carrying a rabbit in a box. He went through his plan as he went, over and over. Get to my room, give her the rabbit, apologize for what ever, and go on with my life. The plan was simple and effective. But would it work?

The moment of truth had arrived. Ichigo approached his door at a steady pace, moving inside as quietly as possible. His family was still out, so that meant he could be alone with her for now, find out what was going on.

Climbing the stairs, Ichigo shifted the box so it was propped against his hip. He raised his free hand, preparing to knock on his bedroom door when a sound on the other side gave him pause. It was muffled and very quiet, but it wasn't hard to hear the tears in Rukia's voice as she spoke to herself.

"Lieutenant….Kaien…. I'm s-sorry…", was all that Ichigo could hear through the door, but it was enough. Taking a deep breath and setting his mouth in a firm line, he knocked on the door gently three times.

A stifled gasp came through the door, and some shuffling before a reply was given. "Ichigo, I told you to go away.", Rukia yelled through the door, a slight strain in her voice.

Ichigo shifted uncomfortably, bringing the box forward. "Look, I'm not here about earlier. I'm here because there's something I need to give you. A surprise, you could say."

Silence was his only response, and it seemed to drag on forever. Then Rukia's voice once more, closer, more reserved. "Give me something? Like what?" She was right behind the door now.

Ichigo placed his hand on the door, trying to reach out to beyond the barrier between them, to comfort her. "I found a Soul I don't know how to deal with, and I think you'll be the only one to deal with this one."

More silence. Ichigo let an exasperated sigh go, and turned, ready to leave. His plan was a failure again. He placed one foot on the top step of the stairs, when a soft click stopped him. He looked back over his shoulder, hope rekindled.

Rukia had only opened the door a crack, just enough to peek one large, curious eye into the hall. There wasn't much to see, but Ichigo could tell she had been crying for sometime, her eye blood shot and tearing just a little now.

Rukia sniffed once before speaking. "A Soul you need help with? What do you mean?"

Ichigo shifted so he was completely turned around, the box in front of him. "Yeah, I ran to the Soul of this young boy. I performed konso, but he left me with a little friend. I'm not much for pets, but I figured this little guy would be up your alley." He then tilted the box enough that Mr. Bunny was now visible to the smaller Soul Reaper behind the door.

Rukia's one eye widened in surprise, the tears clearing away. In the next moment, she had opened the door the rest of the way, strode out into the hall, picked up the rabbit and held it in her arms. She cuddled the creature for a second, before turning back into the room, the boy completely forgotten.

Ichigo stood in the hall for a minute, unsure what to do. She had left the door open, and he could hear the springs on his bed squeak as she sat down on it. With nothing else left, he stepped into the room, proceeding with his plan. He made sure to close the door behind him.

Once in the room, his eyes immediately landed on her. Rukia perched in the back corner of his bed, nestled onto top of the pillow. The late afternoon light shone through the window, playing with shadows and reflections off her raven hair. The rabbit was curled up in her lap, her hand moving gently over it's snow-white coat as she murmured to the creature quietly.

Ichigo stood there for a full minute, just observing before speaking. "Look, Rukia." She then looked up at him. She seemed surprised to see him there, but she then quickly look down again, this time her face a mask of despair.

"You don't have to say it, but I do. I'm sorry." Rukia never lifted her head, not once, while talking. Something seemed to be weighing down on her. "I'm sorry for snapping at you, for throwing you out. It's not your fault. It's mine."

Ichigo exhaled a breath he wasn't even aware he was holding. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to move the nerves out of his system.

"Look, if me changing my hair bothers you that much, I won't. Besides, you know me. My orange hair is a sense of pride. I'll never change it. It was an idea, but I was never going to act on it.", Ichigo said, his regret leaking into his voice.

Rukia stopped petting the rabbit and looked up at Ichigo, her eyes meeting his. She shook her head, her hair bobbing back and forth. "No, Ichigo, it's not that. Your hair is not the problem. I just thought," She paused and took a deep breath before continuing. "I thought you were pulling a bad joke on me. Thinking on it now, it seems pretty stupid, seeing as you never knew him." A small chuckle escaped her lips.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow in question. "Heard about who?"

Rukia looked him the eyes once more, sadness visible in their depths. "About my mentor, Kaien."

Ichigo furrowed his brow in confusion, but strode in, sitting down next to the girl. Rukia took another breath, this one a lot more shaky, and began to talk. She told him everything there was to know about Lieutenant Kaien Shiba: about his accepting her into Thirteenth Company, when everyone else shunned her because of her family. How he taught her everything, and became her best friend, in a sense. Rukia didn't leave out one detail, especially his death: how his wife had died, how Kaien had fought to avenge her against the Hollow, Metastacia. How he fought and was eventually defeated, succumbing to the Hollow's possession. How the only way to save him was for Rukia to draw her sword and strike him down.

Ichigo just sat there, his eyes open in shock. Why had she never told him? Why would Rukia keep this from him? But wasn't this exactly what he had done, when Rukia asked about his mother? As he looked at her, Rukia's whole body was shaking with quiet sobs, her arms clasped tightly around herself.

Ichigo shifted a little closer, worry starting to take over. "What does this have to do with me? What does Lieutenant Kaien have to do with earlier?", Ichigo asked, trying to keep his voice even.

Rukia looked up, her eyes already starting to brim with tears once more. "Because, except for your hair, you look just like him." Her eyes squeezed shut, a tear rolling down her pale cheek.

Ichigo's mouth dropped open, rendering him speechless. Rukia opened her eyes again before she continued. "I thought, when you told me you were thinking of dying your hair, you were doing it as a joke. A joke against me and Kaien."

The surprises just kept on coming. Ichigo was feeling a little numb. "Rukia, why would you think that? What made you think I would ever do that to you?" He leaned over and placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm the tears.

A shuddering sob wracked her body before she continued. " The anniversary of Kaien's death is tomorrow. I over-reacted. I thought maybe Renji had told you that as a practical joke. Make you seem like a fool."

Ichigo sat for a minute, processing his thoughts. He looked over at Rukia, her face red with grief, her hand passing over the rabbit in her lap. Without a word, Ichigo slid over, placing himself right next to the small girl. Reaching up, he wrapped his arm around her slender shoulders, pulling her to him. A small gasp came from Rukia as her head landed on his chest.

"Rukia, you know me better than this. What reason would I have to do something so cruel and heartless to you? I would never do anything to insult you or the people you care about." He paused and gave her a gentle squeeze. "I understand, though. How do you think I would feel if someone made a joke at the expense of Mr. Hat-and-Clogs? Or you? I would never forgive them."

Rukia looked up, her eyes searching for his. Ichigo looked back, his face inches from her. The sun was setting outside, and the sun set the girl's eyes ablaze, light refracting in the strangest ways. He had known her for sometime, but Ichigo would never fully understand her. Maybe, sometime soon, he will earn her trust, and then he will fully understand, solve the puzzle that is Rukia Kuchiki.

Ichigo's mouth turned slightly up at one corner, a sideways smile. "Rukia, what you just did, telling me about Kaien, was very brave. For that, I swear to you, that no matter what happens, I will make sure no one hurts you like that again. No one should ever have to be tortured over something like this for this long. I will help you from now on."

It was Rukia's turn for her mouth to drop. She looked up at him for a second, then dropped her head against his chest. Her hand came up and rested on his chest, her small fingers laid over his heart, keeping time. As she spoke once more, her voice trembled, this time, caused by tears of joy. "Thank you, Ichigo."

For a long time, they just sat there, one holding the other, protecting her, shutting out the rest of the world. Watching the sun set over the small town. Only when their small companion moved to the edge of the bed did they remember the world around them.

Rukia was the first to stir, reaching over and picking up the animal. "Come here, Yuki.", she said, preening the rabbit once more.

Ichigo started, looking down at the fluffy thing. "Yuki? Kind of an odd name for a guy, isn't it?"

Rukia turned once more, the rabbit now nestled in her arms. "A guy? What are you talking about?"

The boy shifted over and scratched the fuzzy mammal between the ears. "The Soul who gave me this little guy called him Mr. Bunny."

Rukia stared for a minute before she broke out into hysterical laughter, her eyes watering a bit. "Mr. Bunny? Really? I feel sorry for that kid. Guess he didn't know to check."

"Check? For what?", Ichigo asked.

"Ichigo, 'Mr. Bunny' is a girl. Female."

Ichigo gaped. More and more surprises. Life certainly was getting interesting.