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Chapter 2: The Note

"Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood Mooooooooooooooooooorning Ichigooooooooooooooooooo!" Isshin shouted throwing a fierce kick at Ichigo's head.

Ichigo sat up, rubbing the welt on his head. "HEY WHAT WAS THAT FOR?! THAT HURT YOU KNOW! HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING ME SLEEP YOU PERV?!"

"Hey settle down. I was only waking you up to go to school," Isshin said scratching the back of his neck. "Geesh I try to be nice for once and you totally freak out on m..."

Ichigo cut him off, "NICE? That's what you call NICE?! Kicking me in the head out of a dead sleep just for scho..." Ichigo stopped. "Oh no, SCHOOL! I'm late!" Ichigo ran out of the room throwing on a new pair of jeans and ran down the stairs buttoning up his shirt. He ran passed the kitchen just in time to hear, "Oh Ichi-chan! Come get your breakfast!"

"Not now Yuzu, I'm late for school."

"Ichigo Kurosaki, you come in here right now and at least take a piece of toast!" Yuzu demanded stomping her foot and pointing to the ground.

Ichigo obediently returned to the kitchen and swiped up a piece of toast and held it with his mouth as he slipped on his shoes and tied them. He rushed out the door and ran all the way to school. He got there just before the first bell and sat in his seat. He leaned over to Rukia, "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"Oh now it's my responsibility to wake you up?" Rukia snidely replied.

"Well no, I just thought if you saw me sleeping in late, you'd have the courtesy to wake me up so I wouldn't be late," Ichigo quickly snapped back.

"Well, I thought it'd be a shame to wake you up since the only time you're quiet is when you're sleeping. Even then you don't shut up!" She snapped.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh nothing, you just talk in your sleep, that's all."

Ichigo's face went blank. Shit. What do I say in my sleep? Is that why she's pissed? Was it something I said in my sleep? "Well... uh... what kind of things do I say in my sleep?" He was sure to put it smoothly, so he didn't show any worry.

"You just repeat Orihime's name over and over again, then you mention me. What the hell is your problem?"

Ichigo smirked. She's jealous. Why else would she be so upset. If she didn't like me, she would fully support me and Orihime. This is great.I should say something smooth to let her know I care. Ichigo leaned in to whisper to Rukia, but was interrupted by a high pitch voice.

"Hello Kurosaki-kun! Hi Kuchiki-kun! How are you both today?"

Ichigo turned his head just right so Orihime's chest was bouncing right in his face. He backed up a bit then he heard Rukia's voice.

"Why hello Orihime-kun! We're great thanks! How has your day been?"

Great, Just when I was about to say something, she pulls out her goody two-shoes act to the girl she's so jealous of. You're a class act Rukia, you really are.

"Ahem! Everyone take your seats class is starting!" The teacher called out, specifically to Orihime being the only one standing.

Orihime gave a dainty smile and said, "Oh sorry Sensei," and Orihime began to walk back to her seat. She covered the side of her mouth and whispered to Rukia, "I guess I'll talk to you later," and she skipped off.

Ichigo began to whisper, "Well Rukia, you're not so innocent yourself in your sleep."

Rukia whispered back, "What do you mean by that?"

Ichigo replied, " All I hear is Renji this, Renji that. It can make a guy jealous."

Rukia caught his drift and said, "Well mentioning other girls in your sleep can make a girl jealous."

Ichigo's smug grin appeared on his face, "How about we go get something hot to drink and walk back to my house after school?"

Rukia's face grew bright and she smiled and nodded her head.

"Kurosaki-san! Is there something you would like to share with the class?" The teacher shouted over the students to Ichigo.

Ichigo jumped and faced forward, "No Sensei!"

"Alright then, back to the lesson," The teacher continued.

Rukia pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled on itShe folded it up and placed it between her index and middle finger and quietly put her arm down. Ichigo did the same and took the not from her. He unfolded it. It read: You know Orihime likes you don't you? Ichigo looked over at Rukia's big purple eyes and mouthed the words "I know" Then Rukia looked forward again hoping not to get caught talking in class.