Standard disclaimer applies.
Author's notes: This is one of the randomest ideas I've had in a while. xD Also, the ficlet lacks all sense of coherency and unity, so I'm pretty sure my English teacher would roll on the ground if he read this. Ah, whatever... it's late and I'm falling asleep... so yeah... See you all soon, I hope! Read and review, please! To old and new readers, thank you!

CPR
23.03.2006

Rukia liked taking walks at the park near the clinic after school. She never admitted that she loved to play on the swings and feed the birds, or watch the sun setting in the afternoon while gripping the railings of the vantage point. Instead she chose to always excuse herself by saying she had to patrol the area, just in case a hollow suddenly showed up. Ichigo had asked her once then, what was the use of having the damned phone, and she had turned to him with surprised eyes and simply stuttered something about him urgently needing to stop being stupid. So today, as Rukia subtly detoured from their way home and towards the park, Ichigo said nothing.

"Hot. Hot. Hot...!" she huffed irritably; fanning herself with her small hands didn't help much. She was wearing her summer uniform with the grey skirt; the white shirt was starting to stick against her skin because she had begun sweating. "How can it be so damn hot!"

"It rained last night," Ichigo muttered as he scrutinized the area, there were still some remaining spots in the concrete sidewalks that spoke of the presence of a light drizzle. The playground wasn't that far from where they were right now and the children's laughter filled the air despite the blaring sun.

"So?" she arched her eyebrow at him contemptuously.

Ichigo sighed dejectedly and turned down to look at her. "Karakura often gets hot after a rainy day, and it is August, the rainy season," he explained her with a bored tone, "What else were you expecting?"

"Hn." She threw him a blank look and looked around, her gaze once lingering on a tree where a mother bird snuggled against her chicks in their nest. She smiled before imperceptibly skipping along the sidewalk, Ichigo distractedly trailing behind her, a grimace plastered upon his face.

Rukia halted suddenly, her body becoming somewhat rigid. Her action caused Ichigo to bump against her and almost knock her to the floor. He looked up, glaring at her and wanting a response. "Bitch, what the hell do you…"

"Ichigo!" she cut him off coolly and blatantly pointed at a couple on a nearby bench with eyes wide in surprise and absolute amusement, "Why are those people giving each other artificial breathing? They look quite healthy to me."

Ichigo's head turned sideways and his eyes locked on the couple for a second that seemed like an eternity to him before quickly looking back at the former shinigami incredulously, coughing and flushing faintly. 'Artificial breathing?' he thought confusedly; then upon finding the answer, he felt the need of strangling her for her lack of common sense. 'Ah, shit. Damn those CPR lessons…'

He crossed his arms and looked down at her smugly, a frown engraved in his features while he scolded her as though she were a little kid."They're kissing, idiot! Don't you know what that means!" he drawled in the best reprimanding tone he could muster; the tinge of pink grew darker as he strained to keep focus. 'Don't look at her lips, it's Rukia; besides, she'll kill you. Don't look… Why am I looking anyway…? Damn.'

"I know that!" she was quickly defending herself and crossing her arms over her chest. Her eyes stayed to the concrete floor, the trees, the clouds, the old lady standing by the corner of the street, and back down at her shoes in attempt to avoid the other's gaze. "I mean, well…" she blurted out, seemingly flustered by now about having approached the subject with him, "But they're not even married!"

Ichigo coughed once again, to clear his throat. "You really are an old geezer, aren't ya?" He looked away and pocketed his hands inside his slacks, cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. In all his teenage years, only she could make him feel this uncomfortable. Man, he should have said something when she turned left instead of going right on their way to the clinic.

"But, in any case, moron," Rukia began more confident and more like her tough self. "What I am asking is, why would they do that in front of everyone! Don't they know about privacy?" she demanded hotly, standing on tiptoes to reach higher and bearing a frown that could rival his.

"Why should I freaking know?" he argued back, leaning down to her level and poking her forehead. "Maybe because they're in love or something! Does it look like I care?" He gazed down crossly at Rukia and her momentarily perplexed state.

"But…" she looked away, rubbing the spot where he had nudged her with an accusing finger. She pouted, trying to sound and look as hurt as possible even if she knew fully well that that wouldn't even intimidate the orange-haired boy. At least it could tick him off a little, for making her blush. "Ichigo, you moron… I was just wondering, why would they… I…"

'Oh, damn her… really, damn her!' Ichigo cursed under his breath and shook his head. "Look, Rukia, just shut up!" he growled in frustration, seizing her by the waist and bringing her closer, his nose almost touching hers as he looked down at her heatedly. He saw her gulp and inch away from him, but he was far from being in his right mind.

"HEY! Just what the hell do you think you are doing?" she snapped, but she soon become quiet at the annoyed look in his eyes. She gulped again, somehow understanding the glint in his amber eyes and becoming slightly afraid of trying to stop him. "Ichi…"

"Shut up, stupid. I will show you why they do it, alright?" he growled, impatience and frustration deeply latched onto his tone, "I'm giving you artificial breathing, Rukia."