Standard disclaimer applies.
Author's Note: It's PG-13, set in the future. And because theBleach future is very uncertain, you'll basically have to pretend that Rukia is a shinigami and that she goes in and out of both worlds, that Ichigo is a shinigami too, that Rukia visits Ichigo every once in a while, and that Byakuya hasn't killed her for it. And lastly, please pretend too many things that aren't likely to happen. It is a fanfiction, right? Many thanks to all who have taken their time to read these tiny shots; especially to those who continue reading despite the crappiness every now and then.

Visitors
28.06.2005

"Thank you, Rukia," he says every morning on the days she stays over. On the days she 'drops by' to pay a visit. "Good morn'."

She smiles at him, rolling over the bed and standing up. Sometimes, he likes to reach over for her, pulling her body closer to his for a little longer as his arms circles her waist, but not today. She has to leave early to report the status of the latest mission and she knows how strict they've been lately up there.

She stands on her tiptoes to avoid causing un-needed noise, picking up her garments and trying to unwrinkle her black robes as she puts them on. She ties the white, belt-like strap tightly around her waist and smoothes down her shoulder-length hair before sitting down again on the corner of his bed.

"You're welcome," she whispers; and her fingers twirl his orange locks of hair. "And good morning to you too," she says as she caresses his cheek, feeling it flushed and hot against her small palm. He breaths in deeply, taking in that sweet and spicy scent that is so hers. He grins softly, eyes still closed, when she leans down and drops a kiss or two on his face or his hair or his neck.

"You should get some more sleep," she tells him firmly, in that motherly tone that she recently discovered makes him unable to say no, a gentle smile lingering upon her own face.

"Yeah," he opens his amber eyes to gaze at her sleepily, "You rest too, okay?"

Rukia grimaces slightly. "I hope I can," she sighs, then her brows furrow together in annoyance. "Renji's gonna freak out when he finds out I sneaked out again."

Long, warm fingers reach for her forehead and massage her temples, his sudden touch softening the worry lines stressed over her features. "Tell that idiot to stop bothering because I can kick his ass whenever I want to." His words don't seem to fit with such a gentle caress; and Rukia smiles to herself because she knows it is so like him.

Her grimace turns into a devilish smirk, however. "Oh, I'll make sure to give him your message, he'll be glad to know." She hits his head softly, faking an angry glare at him and earning a loud protest. "Of course I can't tell him that, stupid."

"But I can kick his ass!"

"It doesn't matter, Ichigo!" she retorts, changing the subjects to avoid having to start a fight so early in the morning. "Ah, yes, Ukitake-taichou wanted to speak to you about your last mission. He says you need to verify…" but forgets the rest of her lecture as he lays his head on her lap and looks up at her seriously. "Ichigo?"

"Come back soon okay, Rukia?" he tells her, his jaws set tightly as he refuses to blurt out all the rushes of emotions that he is feeling. He's never been good with words. "Or I'll have to drag you down here. And just so you know, I'm not letting you go so easily next time." His eyes narrow as he proclaims his threat and he smirks again, which amuses her and causes her to smirk back.

"Or you could stay over at my place the next time," she taunts, her fingers tracing the curve of his neck and down his shoulders.

"Or maybe I could…" he begins after her and stops suddenly, arching an eyebrow at her, "Wait, no…" he grunts, "Last time that damned brother of yours nearly killed me. Thank you, but, no thank you."

She snickers, "Alright, alright." She plays with his fingers, intertwining them with hers. "I promise," and she pauses to lean down, her lips finding his in a long kiss before they finally part to breath. She smiles, that smile that only he knows, "I'll come soon."

Ichigo grunts seemingly satisfied with her answer and he shifts his head back to his pillow, thus letting her stand up again. Her fingers leave his slowly and she moves to the window before disappearing at the break of dawn with no further word or parting gestures.

But Ichigo knows Rukia keeps her promises.