Leaving Town Chapter 3: All the Same, a bleach fanfic

A/N: Another long chapter. I don't know how I'm able to do this. It's just flowing out of me like soup going down my throat. I don't know if that really makes any sense but I'm hungry, that's for sure. So, guess what happens in this long chapter. Go ahead, guess. I'm not telling, I'm just saying guess. You're probably all right considering this story can't really continue without it happening, so yeah. Thanks to all who reviewed and please keep it up. I didn't really proofread it that well so please don't be harsh if there are some mistakes. I really just wanted to get this out there for you guys to read. The song is "All the Same," by the Sick Puppies. And it's also the name of the title of this chapter. That's a pattern if you couldn't tell – the fact that the chap titles are song names. So yea, I'm gonna stop rambling now. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: People wouldn't say they owned Bleach. This is so ridiculous.

Also, I just want to say that any songs I may use or parts of songs I may use are not mine. Call me lazy cus I am, I just don't want to do a disclaimer every time for that as well.

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Chapter 3: All the Same

Today was going to be a good day. Ichigo knew this. It was summer and his classes for college were over. He's been studying medicine ever since he was in his last year of high school. His plan, or maybe his father's plan, was for him to stay in the family business, but he had a true passion for music. He started writing his own songs in the middle of classes when the professor was having trouble grabbing everyone's attention with molecular division. From those songs, grew a band consisting of Chad on bass, Ishida on keyboard and Tatsuki on drums, with him on guitar and vocals.

They would often play at the local restaurant/bar where they all managed to have a part time job, due to the fact that Orihime was head chef of the establishment. Apparently her culinary skills improved, but she still had her absurd concoctions that surprisingly were seen as works of art. It was a pretty fancy place. People would wear suits and dresses, but yet the way everything was presented made everyone feel right at home and comfortable so that it didn't give off that 'You're not supposed to laugh or make any loud noises that will interrupt any other customers' mood. It was loud, and welcomed a good time.

He's been living in his own apartment since his first year of college. He grew tired of the old man waking him up early in the morning with a drop kick. Not surprisingly, Yuzu and Karin moved out last year for their first year of college too. They all loved their dear father, but they needed to escape.

Today was Ichigo's birthday. He never liked his birthday because he never felt it was a big deal; something that just comes around and should be passed by without acknowledgement. He had all the reason to not like his birthday, especially since last year on this day, his three-year long girlfriend, Senna, was caught cheating on him with her next door neighbor. It's not like he fell apart over it. He loved her, but he never really was in love with her. At least that's what he figured. But this year felt different.

It was his twenty-second birthday. He had to work tonight, but since Orihime was never good with keeping secrets, she accidentally leaked out a little party they were throwing for him there. It wasn't going to be anything big, which he was perfectly fine with. Just people he cared about being around him was good enough for him. His friends really were something though. They knew how he felt about his birthday, but planned on doing it anyway. They always looked out for him, like for instance, they would push for him to go out with a girl that was ogling him all night when he was bartending, but he would never do it. He really was a pretty happy guy. Ever since one day five years ago came, he felt like there was no reason for him to go around scowling all the time. He changed his attitude around and was now rarely seen angry, sad or depressed. He was happy, he just always felt like there has been something missing in his life.

He was now walking along one of his favorite routes to take. He wasn't planning on going anywhere, just felt like walking. He loved walking along this certain sidewalk where it overlooked a lake that kids were often seen swimming in, or boats floating around towards the center. But if you came across it at a certain time, it was vacant. And when the sun reflected off of it, it gave him a surreal, peaceful feeling.

It was about two-thirty in the afternoon and his khaki shorts and light blue muscle shirt moved only the slightest bit in the breeze. He would pass only a few people walking, which was basically only one every three minutes. But there were benches placed along the sidewalk where people could be found sitting, listening to music, reading or eating. Cars barely passed by as well. It was the slowest time of the day. In about forty five minutes to an hour, everything will pick up and it will turn into a mob.

It's been planned for awhile now to go into the living world. It's weird. The higher ups agreed five years ago that no one would be venturing into the living world again, due to the fact that hollow attacks have stopped. There hasn't been very much to do in Soul Society because of this development. It became a custom to live in a gigai by everyone, just to give them something to do. This would allow them to eat, exercise, and do all the other things they didn't have to do as souls. It took up time. Thus, because of this, they would each age, resulting in them to look older.

But they were now allowed to go back to where they were forbidden to ever return to. Rukia had only remembered going to the living world only a few times before, but knew many things about it from the help of some of her closer friends who apparently spent a great amount of time there. Some sort of business has to be done, but Rukia wasn't told what exactly. She didn't mind really, she just really wanted to see everything there. Urahara and Yoruichi already went ahead and they were going to meet up when the rest got there. Her brother, Byakuya, Unohana who has been in a relationship with Byakuya surprisingly, Renji, Shuuhei, Rangiku, Momo, Toushirou, and her, were all going. Ikkaku, and Yumichika planned on meeting up later on. Apparently they were going to rent a town house, and from what she heard it was a fairly large one, allowing everyone to fit easily in it, including the two who would come later.

She had just gotten there, but was immediately captivated by the beauty of the summer flowers, the green grass, the clear blue sky, and the warmth of the sun that fell on her skin. Of course Soul Society had this, but everything about this was different in its own way. It gave her a different feeling. A feeling that she felt she lost somehow, but suddenly found again.

She quickly settled into her large room that she was sharing with Rangiku and Momo, finishing by putting her favorite Chappy doll on her bed. They questioned her in why she was in such a rush, but all she could say was she needed to be outside and soak in every bit of its surroundings. So, she grabbed what Renji had described to her as 'manga' and had bought before coming to their house, stuffed it in her bag and flew out the door.

She walked, now knowing exactly where she was going, but keeping track of things on the way in order to remember how to get back. She walked on a sidewalk and found that it overlooked a large park with a lake in the middle. After looking down on it for quite some time, she found an unoccupied bench nearby. After taking a seat and getting comfortable, she began to read what she quickly learned she loved.

His hands were in his pockets, as he looked at the scenery around him. He closed his eyes and breathed in the crisp air, not stopping, but continuing to walk. When his eyes slowly began to open again, they immediately were distracted by a figure sitting on a bench he was coming up to. It seemed like all the air he had just breathed in was now stuck in his lungs. He was captivated by everything he could see about her. Her short, raven-colored hair was dancing on her practically bare shoulders from the light breeze, along with her lavender mini-skirt and white tank top. She seemed to be fully fascinated in what looked surprisingly like a manga.

He couldn't take his eyes off her face, and by the time he was about five feet from being directly in front of her, she looked up from her entertainment, sensing an audience. Her eyes met his, leaving him in shock. Then suddenly, he tripped on the sidewalk, where there were no cracks or rocks to tumble on, but only the clumsiness of your own two feet to allow you to trip. He flew to the ground, just catching himself with his hands to stop the impact on his chest or head, but mainly stopping the fall with his knee. But, instead of immediately jumping up, he lowered himself to the ground, not wanting to get up and face the embarrassment of his actions. He was now lying on his stomach, with his hands still pushing against the ground in the same position that they caught him, and his forehead was now leaning against the ground as well.

Rukia's mouth flew open and she quickly got up, throwing her manga on the bench. She knelt down to the ground beside him, where he still did not dare to move.

"Oh my god! Are you all right?" she said with concern, but she couldn't help the slight curve of the corners of her lips from what just happened.

"Ahh, well, I'm fine. My pride isn't, but I think that means I'll live," he said without moving.

She chuckled, "Do you want some help getting up then?"

"Umm, nah. I think I'll just stay here for awhile. Might as well, seeing as I'm so well acquainted with the concrete now," she could just make out what looked like a smirk on his face, but still couldn't see from the way he was lying.

She smiled, "Well, let me at least help you turn over. Meeting concrete is one thing, but eating it is another."

He sighed with a chuckle, "Yeah, your right." He groaned as he began to flip over, with her grabbing a hold to one of his arms to help him. He was now leaning off the ground with his elbows.

"Thanks," he was able to utter as his amber eyes once again met her violet. After five seconds of eye contact, Rukia broke it smiling and looking to the ground, as Ichigo displayed a smirk on his face.

She looked down, noticing his knee. "Your knee is all scratched up!"

He looked down, "Well, that's where the pain is coming from, huh?"

She stood up, walked over to the bench and grabbed her bag. She pulled out a bandage and sat down beside him again.

"Here, lift up your leg and put it on my lap," she said as she sat Indian style.

"What are you planning on doing?" he said hesitantly.

She raised an eyebrow, "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm going to tie you up with this bandage and roll you down the hill so you'll go flying into that lake," she said then looking at him sarcastically.

He then raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Then you know if you try to do that, I'm taking you with me."

She smiled, "Just keep your leg still so I can stop the bleeding."

"Yes, doctor," he said with a salute.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help a smirk as she wrapped his leg in the white bandage.

"Well, it's all done. You should be fine, but it's probably gonna sting and bite you in the ass later. You're lucky I was here to stop the bleeding. Who knows what could have happened if you were stuck here all by yourself." she said even thought knowing she was the reason for his 'accident'.

"Oh it has nothing to do with luck. It was fate that brought me to you today," he said acting suave.

"Oh yeah?" Rukia replied with a smile and raised eyebrow as she put everything back in her bag.

"Oh yes. I do believe so. But, seriously thanks. You're one of the kindest strangers I've ever met. You can't be from around here," Ichigo said in a complimentary tone.

"No, actually, I'm not. I'm here with some friends on business. It's really beautiful here. I couldn't help but admire the scenery," she said looking around as she was talking.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I've lived here all my life and it still surprises me how nice it can get," he said looking down the hill, just being able to see the lake from his sitting position. He was still leaning on his forearms.

"You know we should really move before people start to come and end up stepping on us," Rukia said with a smile.

Ichigo lifted his arm to look at his watch, "Nah, we have about fifteen to twenty minutes left before that happens. I much rather stay here and talk to you, if you don't mind," he said smiling from ear to ear.

Rukia's eyes widened and she looked to the ground quickly to recover and looked back up. "No, I don't mind," she said gladly.

He held his hand out to her, "Ichigo Kurosaki."

She grabbed his large rough, yet soft hand, "Rukia Kuchiki."

Minutes flew by as they talked about small details of their lives. Ichigo told her about how he had a part time job as a bartender, while she told him she had a job in advertising. She really couldn't think of anything and thought that it wasn't too interesting, yet wasn't too original. They joked, he flirted, and she just tried to brush it off.

She stood up and held her hand down to him, "Here, from the groans I heard earlier from just turning over, I think you might need a hand for this one," she said chuckling.

He grabbed her small soft hand, "Wow, such a lady."

She shook her head, as he groaned getting up and steadied himself. She smiled after a few seconds went by where he just stared at her, "You can let go of my hand now."

"Oh sorry," he said letting go and rubbing the back of his neck in discomfort. "So, how long are you staying around here?" he said trying to sound nonchalant.

"Well, I'm not exactly sure. I think it's pretty long considering we settled into a town house we're renting," she stated easily.

He smiled, gaining back his self-esteem, "So, what are the chances I'll run into you again?"

She smirked, "Well, you didn't run into me. You ran into the ground."

"Haha. Very funny. What are the chances I'll see you again?" he questioned again, tilting his head to the side.

She laughed as people started to fill the sidewalk and cars started to fill the streets. She started to walk backwards as she said, "Well, if it was truly fate that brought us here together on this fine day then I'd say the chances are good."

He smiled back at her smiling face, "Then I'll be looking forward for that day to come, Rukia Kuchiki," he shouted in order for her to here from her distance and the people that were now crowded around them trying to get by.

"Me too, Ichigo Kurosaki. Me too," she then turned around to walk a foot or two, until she turned her head slightly to give him a finally glance, as he was still standing there smiling at her.

Ichigo stood there watching her walk away. 'If I have to make one wish for my birthday, I'd want it to be that I see her again,' he thought still in a trance. 'This is a good day after all.'

"Rukia! Where in the hell did you go?!" Renji yelled as he saw her come through the front door. Everyone turned to see her walk into the living room. Byakuya looked at her, expecting an explanation.

"Sorry. I told Momo and Rangiku I was just going out to enjoy the outdoors. Damn. Can't I just enjoy an hour or two of peace?" she said putting her bag down on a coffee table.

Renji and Toushirou shook there heads. Byakuya spoke. "Urahara and Yoruichi plan on meeting us tonight for dinner. We need to discuss some things. We're going to a nice place supposedly so we need to get ready. We're meeting at six."

They arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early, but were met at the door by Urahara and Yoruichi. They apparently just arrived as well. The restaurant was full, but since their table had just left and been cleaned already, they were able to be seated right away.

"Hi, my name's Kiego. Please follow me and I'll seat you," said the man wearing black pants, and a black shirt with a white tie. It seemed to be the uniform, for every male and female that seemed to work there, wore the same thing. Some people of the group gave each other looks from the familiarity of the man, but rubbed it off.

They were seated at a table near the bar, and a female came over to their table. "Hey! My name's Tatsuki. I'll be your waiter for this evening. Here are your menus and I'll give you some time to look it over, and I'll be back." Everyone's face was shocked to see such a familiar face, especially Renji. Rukia didn't notice a thing and just looked at the menu.

Then as soon as everyone got over the shock and started looking at the menus, Tatsuki ran out into the center of the room. "Okay I need everyone's attention! The regulars here should know that today is our fabulous bartender's birthday," she started pointing towards some who she was probably referring to as the said 'regulars'.

"He's going to come through that door in about thirty seconds and I need you all to help us sing happy birthday when he comes in. Do you think you guys can do that?" she asked knowing the answer. Everyone loved the happy bartender.

"Yeah!" was shouted throughout the restaurant.

"Okay! Now make sure you make it nice and loud! Now get ready!" she said as all the staff came out into the center of the room awaiting the bartender to come in. To everyone's surprise, except Rukia of course. Familiar faces were seen: Ishida, Orihime, Chad, Isshin, Yuzu, and Karin. They were stunned. They didn't know how to deal with this. They figured they might run into someone sooner or later considering they were in the same town, but to run into practically all of them in one night was too much to handle.

Then, in came a man, wearing black pants, a black shirt, with a silk black vest over that, and a diagonally striped tie colored black and white. The main attention grabber about him was his bright orange hair. Everyone's mouth dropped. They did not want to run into him out of everyone. Rukia's eyes widened surprised to run into him again in the same day, but most of all, glad she did.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ICHIGO! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!" they roared throughout the restaurant, ending with a cheer. He smiled from ear to ear.

He laughed a little, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand, "Thanks everyone, but I doubt you want to have us stand here all night. So, let's get back to work for a little bit so you guys can get what you came for." Everyone "aw'd" at his statement.

Orihime stepped up, "Ichigo, we'll go back to work but we'll be expecting you to play tonight. Deal?" she said smiling.

He smiled and looked around at everyone, "I'd be happy to." People who have heard him and the band play before cheered at this. Everyone then went back to work and Ichigo made his way to the bar to start.

Rukia didn't take her eyes off him and everyone besides Renji, Shuuhei, Byakuya, Urahara and Toushirou saw this. So, basically all the females saw this. Rangiku and Momo who were sitting closest to her wanted to comment on this. Rangiku nudged her with her elbow and Momo kicked her under the table.

"Hey. Whatcha staring at?" Rangiku said with that all-knowing tone.

Rukia quickly looked away from the man behind the bar, "Huh? Oh nothing."

"Yeah right! You were so going all dreamy eyed over that guy!" Momo said.

"God! Keep it down, will ya?" Rukia said getting irritated.

"Please girl, no one can hear us. Plus the men are too into whatever boring thing they're talking about. Unohana and Yoruichi can probably hear but they aren't going to say a thing," Rangiku said to settle Rukia down.

They four women knew it was wrong to push this, but how could they just let it go, knowing how much they truly felt about each other? They were women after all. They were suckers for romance.

"I met him today when I left the house to take a walk," Rukia said seeing Momo's and Rangiku's eyes widen with both surprise and excitement. "I was reading on a bench when I felt someone watching me. I looked up and saw him walking by staring at me. He was surprised by my sudden looking up, I guess, and he tripped on nothing and fell straight to the ground. It was pretty funny, but cute. So I helped him with a pretty bad gash on his knee and we talked for awhile on the ground. I really didn't expect to see him again," she said the last statement looking back at him with those dreamy eyes again.

The two women listening turned into moosh. "That's so cute!" they said simultaneously.

"Shh! Now you're being loud!" Rukia replied.

"Sorry," they said simultaneously again.

"Why don't you go say hello?" Momo suggested.

"Haha. Funny. I don't think so," Rukia laughed, looking back down at her menu.

"What? We all know you want to," Momo replied.

Rukia only replied with silence as she stared back towards the bar.

"Well, if you don't want to say "hi," why don't you go get a drink?" Rangiku replied with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. "No harm in getting a drink, is there?"

Rukia smiled, "I'll be back."

"Yo Ichigo! Don't look now, but there's some sexy little chica coming towards the bar. Oh man what I wouldn't give to spend a night with that ho-," Kiego said leaning towards Ichigo who had his back to the room mixing some drinks.

"Hey! Keep it in your pants! Geez! And you're surprised why you've been banned from the lake?" Ichigo stopped him.

"I can't help it that the women tend to wear those little bikinis!" Kiego said defensively.

"No, but you can help not stalking them… Hey! What have I told you about being behind my bar! Get out of here!" Ichigo yelled throwing Kiego through the part of the counter that pulled up to get behind the bar. Kiego ended up knocking a corkscrew on the floor right under the door.

As Ichigo watched Kiego hastily go back to work, he noticed the said 'sexy little chica' coming towards the bar. Too him it reminded him of a movie because the way she was walking and the way she looked made it look like it was all in slow-motion. She was wearing a little black dress ending right above her knee and accented all of her curves. He just stood there watching her approach with his mouth ajar and eyes wide. When he started to gain some sense in that head of his he thanked god that she was looking around the restaurant and not straight ahead. As soon as he started to see her head move, Ichigo dove to the ground.

"What in the hell am I doing?" Ichigo said to himself. "I've never acted like this over a girl before. Why am I being such a pansy? Now, pick up that corkscrew while you're down here and stand up now. How about now? Come on, n-"

"Hey there," came the familiar feminine voice. Ichigo apparently forgot why he was on the floor in the reason and was just having trouble getting back up from his nerves breaking down or something. Just from hearing her voice his body flew up instinctively. But due to the position he was in, his head slammed into the door causing a loud 'whack' to be heard.

Rukia's hand flew to her mouth and eyes went wide. She leaned up to see over the counter. "Oh my god! Are you okay?!"

Ichigo slowly rose from below the counter with his hand holding the top of his head and his face scrunched up slightly from the throbbing pain. "Uh, yeah. I'm just noticing a pattern. Every time we meet I end up getting hurt. Maybe I should start wearing pads and a helmet or start carrying around band-aids," he replied with a smile.

She gave him a smile back with concern still on her face. "Would it make you feel better if I said 'Happy Birthday' to you?" she asked in a pleading voice.

He smirked, "I don't know. Why don't you try it out? See what happens."

"Happy Birthday, Ichigo Kurosaki," she said as cheerful as she could.

"Wow. Worked like a charm. You've got some sort of special power or something," he said trying to charm her.

She laughed, realizing that he was more right than he really knew.

"So, what can I do for you?" he said filling up a cup of beer for a man sitting a couple seats away.

"Well, I was wondering what you would recommend?" she said getting comfortable on the bar stool and leaning her elbows on the counter, which she then held her head with her hands.

He raised an eyebrow with a smirk, "For a drink?"

"No for my tuna casserole," she said smirking back with her eyebrow rose this time.

He chuckled, "Well, it depends. I'm gonna need you to answer a few questions before I can decide something like that for ya."

"Oh really? Well then mister professional, go right on ahead," she said very interested.

"So, if you were going to the movies right now and there was a horror movie, a comedy movie, or an action movie playing, which one would you see?"

She raised an eyebrow, "How will this help you decide what drink I should have?"

"Oh believe me, it has to do with everything," he smiled big. She couldn't help but smile back.

"I didn't hear you say romance in there."

"That's because from what I've learned, most females would go see that, so it doesn't count."

She pouted jokingly, "Okay fine, action."

"An action girl, huh? Interesting. So, if you were going to choose between chocolate cake or potato chips, which one right now?"

"Chocolate cake, without question."

"Okay final question. Are you in the mood to be lazy or jump around doing somersaults?"

"Lazy."

"Okay, then hold on." He walked to the back counter and poured a drink. He turned around sliding her the drink with a cherry in it. "Take a sip," he said waiting patiently.

She took the glass to her lips and drank. She laughed, "Coke?"

He smiled, "Go ahead and lie, telling me it didn't hit the spot for ya," he said with complete confidence.

"Actually, it did," she laughed. "The cherry was a nice touch though."

"Oh that's my own creativity there," he laughed with her.

"Look at them up there. They're loving every minute of it," Momo said to Rangiku.

"I don't know if I've ever seen Rukia so flirtatious before! I really don't think we should be doing this, but I can't help it. Ichigo really turned into a stud! Plus, seeing them part those few years ago broke my heart," Rangiku replied.

"I know. Me too. That night before she 'forgot' made me cry for her because she wouldn't cry herself," Momo said making air quotes with her fingers for the word 'forgot'.

"Just make sure that Byakuya doesn't find out and we should be in good shape. It's not that hard considering they're talking about business and Unohana will help by using her charm on him," Rangiku said receiving a nod from Momo.

"So, not like I'm complaining or anything but are you here for business or something? Shouldn't that group of yours be expecting you to go back to them soon?" he said trying to sound smooth and not show the hint of sadness at the thought of her leaving him.

"Trying to get rid of me so soon, huh?" she said teasingly. "No, they're talking it over now. They don't need me right now. Plus, it doesn't always have to be about business. A girl needs to have her own time, does she not?" she asked staring him straight in the eye, not even realizing how flirtatious she was being.

Ichigo gulped at the look she gave him, but then regained his suave attitude. "Of course she does. I'm flattered she's spending her own time with me," he said.

"Well you should be. She doesn't get to do this often," she said reluctantly.

Ichigo looked at her sadly as she looked down at her drink, pulling the cherry around in her soda. He hesitated but got the nerve anyway. "So, do you think this certain girl will be able to spend some of her own time aga-"

Orihime came out of the kitchen in her white gown. "Ichigo! Come on! It's time for you guys to play!" she yelled cupping her hands around her mouth to make it easier for him to hear her.

"Yeah, alright. Just a sec!" Ichigo yelled back. He turned back to Rukia. "Alright. I'm gonna go play some songs, so can you just stay hear, listen and I'll be back."

"You're in a band?" Rukia said surprised.

"Uh, yeah," he said not looking at her as he untied his apron on his waist. He looked back up with a smirk and his head tilted slightly to the side, "Draws you into me more doesn't it?"

Rukia's mouth went open to make a remark but couldn't find one in that head of hers. I guess it was true then. It was one more thing that made her intrigued by him.

"Alright. Stay here. I swear it's one of the best seats," he said, walking through the door he slammed his head on earlier and up to the stage where Chad, Tatsuki and Ishida were already set up to go.

"What's going on?" Byakuya said confused.

"Looks like they're going to play us some music. Wow. Never took Kurosaki as the musician type," Urahara replied.

"Me either. Well anyway. They really need t come up with better techniques to repairing our zanpaktou. I took Zabimaru out the other day and I can't seem to recoil it back," Renji said, starting an in-depth conversation.

"I know. I've been researching on that actually," Urahara said in reply.

"Good because I shattered Senbonzakura last week and it hasn't been put back together since," Byakuya said emotionless.

"Wow! Good going Kuchiki! That takes pure talent to totally disassemble a zanpaktou!" Urahara said in an impressed tone, as Shuuhei nodded in agreement and Toushirou just sat there shaking his head.

"This is ridiculous," Yoruichi whispered to the three other women. "Can't they think of anything else to talk about other than their zanpaktou?!"

Unohana replied unsurprised, "Apparently not."

"Hey, Rukia's alone at the bar. Mind if I go over there and keep her company?" Rangiku said to the other three.

"Yeah, me too. This is really killing me," Momo responded.

"Yeah, I guess we'll stay here and make sure they don't know where you guys went to. Not like they'll notice you even left…" Yoruichi said with no excitement present in her voice.

"Rukia!" The two women called as they took a bar stool on both sides of her. "We thought we'd keep you some company up here," Momo said getting comfortable.

"Won't they notice we aren't there anymore?" Rukia questioned.

"I'll doubt they'll notice. They're too distracted by their conversation about their zanpaktou," Rangiku said, resulting in all three rolling their eyes.

Ichigo stood on stage and for the first time since he began to play at the restaurant he felt nervous. 'Probably because of her,' he thought. Pushing the nervousness out of his mind, he took a deep breath.

He strapped on his deep red yet slowly fading into a bright orange, Gibson SG Firebird, and walked up to the microphone. "So, we're gonna start off with a song I wrote only about a week ago. I don't really know where it came from but, we're gonna play it. So I hope you like it."

He gave a nod to the rest of his band mates and the music started. Then, he sang.

I don't mind where you come from
As long as you come to me
But I don't like illusions I can't see
Them clearly
I don't care, no I wouldn't dare
To fix the twist in you
You've shown me eventually what you'll do
I don't mind
I don't care
As long as you're here

Go ahead and tell me you'll leave again
You'll just come back running
Holding your scarred heart in hand
It's all the same
And I'll take you for who you are
If you take me for everything
And do it all over again
It's all the same

Hours slide and days go by
Till you decide to come
But in-between it always seems too long

But I have the skill, yeah
I have the will, to breath you in while I can
However long you stay is all that I am

I don't mind, I don't care
As long as you're here

Ichigo looked back at the girl he left at the bar and formed a huge smile on his face. Rukia, seeing this, couldn't help but smile back. She easily admitted that he was playing amazingly. And for him, he could easily admit that she was amazing.

Wrong or Right
Black or White
If I close my eyes
It's all the same

In my life
The compromise
I'll close my eyes
It's all the same

Go ahead say it
You're leaving
You'll just come back running
Holding your scarred heart in hand
It's all the same
And I'll take you for who you are now
If you take me for everything
Do it all over again
It's all the same

He backed up from the microphone as he let the strings on his guitar vibrate. Chad did the same with his bass, Ishida stepped a foot away his keyboard and Tatsuki put her hands on the drums to stop the vibration and noise.

The whole restaurant broke out in a roar. It was really something. Rangiku's and Momo's mouths were open as they slowly turned to Rukia to see her reaction.

She continued to stare at the orange-haired attention grabber. Then slowly her mouth curved into a smile and all she could say was, "Wow," with dreamy eyes.

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So, tell me what you think about the whole meeting and such. Next chapter is still going to be his birthday. I just thought this was a good spot to stop, plus it's long enough. Well, for me it's long enough. So I hope you liked, and if you did I hope you review. Later