xX Thirty Seven Hours Earlier Xx

"Is Rukia-chan okay?" Yuzu looked at Ichigo who had just taken a bite of rice.

"Hm?" he asked.

"Ichi-nii! I said, is Rukia-chan okay?" Yuzu repeated. Ichigo gulped down his rice and searched for what to eat next.

"She just said she's not hungry. She's taking a bath right now 'cause she doesn't feel good!"

Karin held out her bowl for more rice. Obediently Yuzu filled her bowl. Ichigo looked at the strips of beef on the long serving plate and grabbed three of them. He then took a slice of bread and got up with his bowl for rice.

"Yuzu, give me the spoon." He said.

Yuzu gave him the spoon and he scooped rice into his bowl. He handed the spoon back to Yuzu and walked upstairs with his food.

"Where are you going Ichi-nii?!" Yuzu called after him.

"Upstairs, I'm tired." He grumbled.

"Don't make a mess for me to clean!"

"I won't" he muttered.

Ichigo walked upstairs into his bedroom and put the food on his desk for Rukia.

Rukia was soaking in the bathtub. Steam filled the air and swirled around Rukia's head, seeming as though it was hugging her. Her hair was tied up in a very messy ponytail, strands of random hair falling down. The amount of steam in the room made Rukia's hair a little frizzy and curly. Luckily, only some of her hair would be affected since the rest was tied.

What has been going on with me lately? I'd like to deny what it is but, I can't. I've just been so confused and distressed; I even ran out of the fancy restaurant and cried before Ichigo. I've never done that in public let alone let someone like Ichigo…

She lifted her hands up and looked at them. She looked at the from above her head, then put them back into the steaming hot water.

I even hugged him. I'm so stupid…

"Stupid…" she whispered. She got out of the tub and pulled the drain plug. She wrapped a towel around her body and walked out of the bathroom. As she opened the door a burst of steam shot out like a bullet from the bathroom.

Rukia walked into Ichigos' bedroom, unaware he was in there. Her eyes were closed, lost in thought, so she wasn't able to see him.

Ichigo looked at the door, wondering who had just walked into his private domain.

Rukia's towel was tied tightly, and she was reaching for her hair to let it down. Her curly locks fell to her shoulders in their usual fashion. Ichigos face sprang a tomato red blush.

Rukia had droplets of water glittering off of her body from the lamp, which made her usually pale skin, glow of a shade of light orange.

"R-Rukia!! Put some clothes on!!" he yelled as he shoved the pillow on his bed into his face so he didn't see anything more. Rukia's eyes burst open.

"I-Ichigo?! You're in here?!" she squeaked as she saw him burying his face in the pillow.

"Whor ef od I bee?!" he muffled voice said through the pillow.

"What did you say?" she asked.

He moved his face from the pillow long enough to repeat what he said, "Where else would I be?!" then he shoved his face back into the pillow once more.

Rukia jumped into the closet and slid the door shut and shrieked, "Pervert!!!"

"How the hell am I a pervert?!" he yelled after moving the pillow slightly from his face. His voice was still muffled, but understandable.

"Just get out while I get dressed!" she yelled.

"Gladly!" he retorted and he dashed out of his bedroom.

Ichigo shut it and leaned against his bedroom door. He sighed a deep heavy sigh.

I swear…what's her deal? Ichigo looked down in thought.

I wonder if that's why she's really upset…leaving. Leaving isn't something you would cry about. Especially in front of me. You would never hug me either…I wonder what is really wrong with you. And I've been getting this weird vibe from you lately. You seem more embarrassed or something to, to even look at me. Did I do something to upset you……Rukia? I hope not...wait, whoa, getting weird thoughts here. I DO NOT like Rukia Kuchiki. Get a hold of yourself Ichigo old boy. But…it's hard not to think…her body…..towel….

Ichigo shook his head vigorously.

Okay, no more thoughts of Rukia that way…EVER.

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Oh my gosh! I had fun with this chapter. I'm a little more in character in here. I had fun doing the scene where they were fighting back and forth. I guess I'll just have to keep going! Please, reviews! They're getting more helpful!