8th Chapter. I wanted to get more connections with Ichigo and Rukia's personal side, and emphasize how well they can understand each other, and help each other out in tough situations.

Thanks for everyone reviewing the last chapter (all 2 or 3 of you) lol. Anyway, here we go.

[Dream: Rukia

Blood spattered upon Rukia's cheek, as her eyes were horrified by the sight. The weight on her soul slayer went unnoticed. The only thing to be felt, the only thing to be seen, was blood. Time was frozen solid as Rukia could do nothing. Not even breathe. She knew what happened, but it did not fully register with her. Not immediately. She could feel blood running down her hands, and the guard of the blade as she stood there. Soon, tears accompanied the blood splatters on her cheek.

"Captain…Thank you, for letting me fight for my honor. For Miyako." The dying man said, as Rukia's blade quivered, struggling to hold his body up.

"K-Kaien-dono…" She frightfully said.

Captain Ukitake watched with despair, as he continued to cough blood himself from his sickness. The body moved, embracing Rukia.

"Kaien…you didn't…do it on purpose, did you?" Rukia asked, with a frightened voice.

"Kuchiki…You were in great danger because of me, because of my selfishness." Kaien said, summoning the strength and breath for a few more words. "I'm sorry, Kuchiki. It's been rough for you." Kaien murmured. "Thanks to you, my heart can rest in peace, here…"

Rukia embraced him back, but she could not move otherwise. She gasped for air, and began to cry in agony. Kaien's grip gave way, and it was apparent he had passed on. Rukia could no longer feel the faint heartbeat.

Don't give me thanks. That's not what I deserve from you.

Rukia collapsed; her arm could no longer hold the weight of the body. She still sat under the corpse of Kaien, crying out. It began to rain, but that day, it seemed to rain especially hard in one spot. Or so it felt to Rukia.

[Kurakara City – On top of the High School, Rukia

The only person I saved that day was…

"Myself." Rukia whispered to herself, staring onto the city. The roof of the school was a good place to let things go. On top, there was a safety fence, and the rods of this fence got in the way of her view, but it was not the view that kept her mind captive. Rukia was caught in her deep thoughts, only to be awakened by a familiar voice.

"Rukia." The man questioned, making his appearance over the corner. Rukia greeted him with closed eyes, and a voice that was unsurprised to see him.

"Renji." Rukia replied. There was sadness in her voice, as she spoke.

Renji walked in front of her, attempting to grab her attention. Her eyes remained closed. He stared with his usual face, and the detailed tattoo's that connected with his eyebrows. His red hair was tied back like he always had it.

"What's wrong with you?" Renji asked, but Rukia remained silent, with her eyes shut calmly.

"I'm talkin' to you, Rukia!" Renji yelled, frustrated. Rukia opened her eyes, only to release a shine less stare. Emptiness and loneliness, they destroyed what once was a beautiful cobalt glow.

"W-Wait, Rukia, you don't need to-"Renji began.

"Leave." Rukia blatantly stated, with a quiver in her voice. "Leave now." She had grown cold since the incident with Kaien, but still was very sensitive on the deep wounds of her heart. Renji revolted and stood erect, angrily.

"Why should I have to? I came here to talk to you, and this is how you react?" He argued. Sweat drops trickled from his forehead, as his frustration flared.

"I'm not going back, if that's what you're here for." Rukia replied. Renji gritted his teeth in response. He took a breath and shook his head. His eyes crept to Rukia's, dead on hers.

"You don't look like you're doing that good here." Renji replied. Rukia gripped the side of her skirt, as her rage built.

"That's not it." Rukia said, facing away from him. She faced herself towards the town, beholding east Kurakara.

Renji stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder, demanding her to turn around. Rukia's body was jerked around lightly as he shook her, trying to break her from the haze.

"Rukia. This place isn't doing you any good. Why not come back home?" Renji abruptly asked, concerned. Rukia threw his hand away from her and turned around, facing him.

"I am home." Rukia stated. Renji scoffed in reply, cocking his head to the right. The smug attitude he had every time he heard something he found stupid.

"You're here on a mission, to destroy opposing hollows for the allotted time. You're not here forever, what makes you think this is home?" Renji reasoned. Rukia retained her normal solemn expression, and it was growing to an angry one. "You belong in Soul Society. Don't you remember how hard we worked together to get there?" Renji continued.

"I don't belong there." Rukia replied, straightforward. Her eyes were as sharp as her words.

"You were installed into the Kuchiki Clan." Renji shouted. "That is not only an honor, but an incredibly rare privilege! Have you no grat-"

"I don't belong there." Rukia responded. "I am not a Kuchiki. I only inherited such a noble name."

Renji grimaced, and leaned against the nearby building, shutting his eyes.

"And what are you then? A Kuro-whatever now?" Renji mocked, with a taunting voice.

Rukia belted him swiftly, catching him off guard. Renji gasped for his first breath, and crossly glared back at Rukia. He tried to speak, but couldn't immediately.

"Don't be so reckless with your words, Renji!" She yelled back. "I didn't have a home in Rukongai. I didn't belong in the home in inner Seireiti." She lowered her voice, as her heart grew gloomy. "This is the only place that's home to me. You want to take that away?"

Renji watched with astonishment. He let out a deep sigh, and silently kept to himself for a moment. Renji quickly noticed that this was much more serious than the usual squabble they had accustomed to engage in.

"Rukia." Renji replied. "Is it because Ichigo looks like him?" Renji asked.

"Never accuse me to stay here because of what happened in the past!" Rukia blazed back, infuriated.

Renji snarled in reply and began walking away.

"Rukia." He asked, looking up to the sky. Rukia watched him steadily from the side of her eye.

"You miss a friendship you lost." Renji murmured. "But that's no reason to lose ones that you have." Renji said quietly before leaping off, over the fence and buildings. Rukia turned back to his direction, as he leaped away. Rukia held a tightly closed fist, as the red haired Soul Reaper left with such a comment.

"Ichigo…" She said to herself. "…is not a replacement."

[Kurakara City – Ichigo's Room, Rukia

Rukia tied the bag with a knot, sealing everything within. The sunlight struck the closet dead on, and Rukia could see her shadow on the wall of the closet. Rukia let her hands loosen freely, and lifeless.

Brings back memories…I hadn't felt so sad since I left here last time.

Rukia thought to herself, and positioned her right hand on the closet door. Before she could grasp the bag and close the door, the door knob to Ichigo's door rattled. Her eyes widened, as it opened swiftly. She nervously waited for a split second, as the door closed shortly after. Ichigo stepped out from the short hallway leading to his door.

"Oh, Rukia?" He noticed, throwing his bag to the other side of the room. "I didn't see you this morning or today at school…"

Rukia closed the door to the closet slowly, keeping her head down.

Damn it.

"Sorry, Ichigo. I had to…report to Soul Society for Hollow stats." Rukia lied, summoning up what she could. Ichigo suspiciously looked to Rukia, bewildered.

"Never mind. Are you feeling alright? There's the festival tonight…"Ichigo stated. He leaned against the nearby wall and closed his eyes. "You going?"

Rukia held a closed fist to her chest, and quickly thought of an excuse.

"I'm not…really dressed for that sort of thing." She replied, struggling. Rukia wore just a casual dress as she had been accustomed. The dress was a simple, light blue and pale yellow color, with a faded stripe design. Ichigo looked to Rukia, baffled by her statement.

"What're you talking about? You look fine. It's nothing dressy." He stated. "They usually put out some flashy fireworks."

Ichigo suspiciously caught a sight of despair in her eyes as she tried to dodge the invitation. Her eyes had not glistened with their normal luster. Something heavy was weighing her down. He smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder. Rukia looked up to Ichigo, and her eyes greeted his.

"Rukia. Whatever's holding you down, let's forget about it tonight." He said to Rukia. "It won't rain tonight." With only that, her load felt a little lighter.

[Kurakara City Park, Rukia

Music blared from nearby band that played. There were stands, and vendors, selling anything from frozen lemonade to gargantuan stuffed toys. The air was like any festival or carnival, sweet, MSG packed foods, with a hint of cotton candy. People flooded, talking, buying, and laughing. It was close to nightfall, and was traditional for Kurakara to shoot fireworks at this time of autumn.

"Ichigo-kun! Kuchiki-san!" Orihime cheered. Orihime happily greeted the two, wearing a faint pink Kimono. Uryuu wore his usual white shirt and slacks. Chad inaudibly sat, wearing the usual Hawaiian style shirt, with jeans.

Ichigo and Rukia greeted the group. The group lively talked, just like the rest of the crowd around. The whole park shined with an orange aura. The lights from the booths, colors of the cups, shades on the plates, all were a bright orange. The designs on the streamers were also orange, using the theme of the autumn leaves on the nearby trees.

"Citizens of Kurakara City!" The speakers echoed, from the voice of the announcer. "The 51st annual Kurakara Fireworks Festival is here!" The people all around cheered and clapped. The announcer continued to excite the crowd. The cheers made it hard to hear.

"Rukia!" Ichigo yelled, grabbing her hand. "Come with me!" He said, smiling back to her. Pulling Rukia from the crowd, he lead her astray the horde. Orihime could see the two running off, but only as they were leaving. They blended with the crowd, and weren't visible.

"Ichigo-kun? Kuchiki-san?" She said to herself, worried.

Ichigo rushed Rukia to a nearby area. There was a ledge, over looking launch pad for the firework. The platform had 4 large tubes, and they were being loaded with the night's fireworks. Men around the area did checks of the remaining fireworks, stockpiling them onto a box.

"We'll get a good view from here." Ichigo said, sitting down on the nearby ledge. Rukia could hear him easier now, since they broke from the crowd. Rukia sat to the left of him, and could only barely see the lights from the launch pad.

"Fireworks?" She curiously asked.

"Yeah. You've never seen them before?" Ichigo laughed.

"Not really…the only fireworks were from the Shiba family. I knew someone…" Rukia started, and looked down to the dark.

Kaien told me once, he would take me to his sister's…they own a fireworks station. But…that was about a week before it happened.

"His name was Kaien. He was the lieutenant of Ukitake's squad. Though he passed on…" Rukia said, with a disheartened voice.

"Shiba Kaien? Ganju was saying something about that once, that his brother was killed…someone from Soul Society turned on them though." Ichigo solemnly stated. Ichigo could clearly see Rukia had known Kaien well, so he dropped the subject. "Hey, let's not worry about it. You'll see fireworks tonight."

Rukia still stared down at the ground below. Ichigo reached for his pocket, pulling out a small box. The small container was of a thin black plastic, and on the front the label read "Choco-Wonder".

"I bought these earlier." Ichigo stated, showing her the box. "You like strawberries, right?"

Rukia glow a light shade of red, as Ichigo handed her the container. Surprised and nervous, she tore the sticker that closed the container, and opened it up. Since it was so small, there had only been 3 strawberries inside.

"Chocolate on strawberries?" Rukia said, lifting one up. Ichigo laughed and picked one from the container.

"Yeah. They're good." Ichigo said, biting into the cherry. Rukia looked to him while she bit into hers. The large, plump strawberries were juicy and flavorful, and were extinguished by the rich chocolate covering.

"Sweet, then sour." Rukia said, swallowing hers. "The real world's food surprises me every time I have it."

Ichigo is unusually happy today…

Drums in the distance beat with a powerful rhythm. Muffled words of the announcer sang, followed by a roar of the crowd. Ichigo and Rukia still watched from a medium distance, as the moon began to gleam. Ichigo pointed to the sky, as the drums grew to a quiet halt.

"Watch! They're gonna shoot it!" Ichigo exclaimed. Rukia looked up to the sky, watching the darkness be pierced by the light of the fireworks.

The first one shot out, red, with a trail of white. It hissed all the way to the sky, bursting with a powerful explosion. The next one shot forth, this time with a green glow. The flash was a super bright green, spreading into a hundred small pieces. A very light tremor could be felt as each one was shot. The noise of the explosion alone exploded so loudly the two could feel it in their chests.

"Amazing." Rukia said to Ichigo, smiling. He nodded back, smiling. The next one shot out, bursting with a blue glow this time. The flashes lit the whole area. And for that moment Ichigo and Rukia could see each other through the night. The grass below them, the trees behind them, all was revealed by the brilliant bursts of light from the fireworks.

It's beautiful. I feel it in the ground, see it in the sky. I never had seen anything like this before.

As the bursts continued, in every shade of the rainbow, Rukia looked to Ichigo.

The rain isn't as heavy as before. Ichigo…

"Thank you, Ichigo." Rukia said, smiling from the display. Ichigo hadn't heard what she was saying, and before he could respond the smaller, rapid fireworks began to fire. These ones shot 8 at a time, with a yellow tint. Each soared through the air, bursting in two directions, and crackling out. With a starburst like finish, the remaining 8 led with the brilliant display of a phoenix, and sizzled out.

No…a person like Ichigo couldn't replace anyone. He's too different…every time I'm around him, I feel so much more at ease, so much more alive. I hadn't felt that way since Kaien was alive…but he's reminded me that I don't need to grieve anymore…

Ichigo and Rukia both watched as the sky grew dark. The two lay back, awaiting the next round to begin. The announcer could be heard from the distance, and the only decipherable phrase was 'round 2' at the end of his sentence. Rukia's eyes drifted open and closed, as she lay next to Ichigo.

Despite the loud noise, and the poundings in the sky…I haven't felt so at ease in a long time.

The next round began, similar to the last. But shooting 2 of the large ones at a time, mixing colors like red and blue, green and purple, and so on. The combined blasts made the ground tremor, and the crowd below cheered loudly. Shots continued to explode in the navy sky, lightning it up each time. Ichigo looked to Rukia, as she lay half asleep next to him. He gazed, because he could only see her when a bright flash lit the area.

"Ichigo…" Rukia whispered as she drifted into unconsciousness.

A short time later…

"Hey, Rukia." Ichigo nudged. "It's over now; we should hurry and get home."

Rukia lifted her eyes, and was in a lethargic daze. Ichigo was already standing, and grabbed her hand, helping her up. She walked with a minor stagger, falling onto Ichigo. She grabbed Ichigo's hand again, and partly leaned her weight onto Ichigo's shoulder. Ichigo laughed as he guided her back to the entrance. As they approached the crowd once again, most of it had dissipated, flocking to the exits. The people owning the stands for food and games began packing and closing things up, as the couple walked through the orange-lit street. Rukia, still in a daze, was partly unconscious as she leaned on Ichigo for remainder of the walk home.

"Ichigo-kun!" Orihime yelled, stopping short when she seen that Rukia held Ichigo's hand. Ichigo didn't hear her as he navigated him and Rukia through the crowd. Orihime turned around abruptly and continued walking her own way.

[Kurakara City – Ichigo's Room, Ichigo

Ichigo crept into his room, with Rukia close behind. He didn't bother turning on the light, and opened the closet door. Rukia walked around, drained but conscious, and collapsed on his bed. Ichigo surprisingly looked to see she had made herself comfortable already. He shrugged, and pulled the blanket from mattress in the closet. He casted it over her, and covered her completely.

Ichigo then pulled the mattress from the inside of the closet and laid it on the floor.

" 'Night, Rukia." Ichigo whispered, brushing his hand against her cheek.

Rukia...it's good to see you smile again.

That's it for chapter 8. Poor Ichigo had to sleep on the floor tonight.

It was actually kind of rough for awhile there, I had originally had most of this chapter done around Sunday, but then I had to change a few things. So I only had time tonight to revise the chapter and change the flow of things.

Hope everyone liked it, I look forward to reviews.