As the two hesitantly step back from the hug, they realized what had just happened and thus awkwardness ensues.

Rukia rubs her left forearm, careful to not meet Ichigo's gaze. Ichigo fidgets with the back of his hair occasionally glancing to the ground, back at Rukia, and then off somewhere else. It seems as if time hasn't stopped for either of them. Pedestrians zip around the two often staring or whispering to each other.

Ichigo attempted to speak first, but what came out was him gaping like a fish. His mouth threatens to ask a question, but quickly shuts and reopening about a hundred times to ask Rukia what had just happen.

He felt a feeling rising inside of him, a feeling completely different from his mom, Unohana-sensei, and Miyako. A feeling he has yet to know. In all of his blind dates, in all of the women he has ever met, he has yet to feel this burn inside of him. A comfortable and warm burn churns his inside as Rukia ceases to look in his vicinity.

"Let's get you home. Manager is probably mad at me for ditching work so much." She finally broke the uncomfortable silence, walking in front of him, quickly leaving him behind to catch up. She peeks behind to see him slowly making his way towards her.

"Yeah." He follows close behind hesitantly. Rukia senses his awkwardness and assesses what she had just done.

She had embraced the arrogant holier-than-thou Kurosaki Ichigo. Her boss. Her coworker. She mentally slaps herself, though in her defense, the heat of the moment deemed that hug an appropriate response. She peers over to see Ichigo still fidgeting his hair seemingly lost in thought.

"We don't have to talk about it." She states, in the most confidential voice she can muster.

"O-oh, okay." She was probably imagining it, but there was a slight octave change in his tone. His subtle disappointment twanged a bit of pain in her heart, but only a slight bit. She cursed at herself for having no idea why it stung when he sounded like that.

"Rukia," his voice was too soft for her heart to bear. Has his voice ever sounded this soft before?

"Yes?"

"Talk about what?"

Scratch that. She felt no sympathy for this dense man. No sympathy whatsoever.

Kaien grabs the coffee cup holder containing 4 cups of freshly brewed coffee from Queen's Cup and hastily runs to Ichigo's front door.

"Kai-kun!" the cheerful voice of his fiancé cried as she opens the door for him.

"Yako-chan? When did you get here?" he side squeezed in between her to enter the house and walks over to Ichigo's coffee counter, "where's Ichi-chan and his little girlfriend?"

"Oh, that cutie is his girlfriend?" Miyako tilts her head to the side as Kaien sets out the coffee down and sits down.

"I'm guessing so. I mean, he did insist to carry her inside after I knocked her out. He was a bit… overbearing almost." Kaien's memories jogs back to the face Ichigo was throwing at him and he shudders a bit.

"You knocked her out?" Miyako raises an eyebrow as she walks over to take a seat next to Kaien. Kaien awkwardly chuckles as he takes a cup of coffee and sips it.

"Long story."

"Oh, is it too long that you can't tell your fiancé?"

"Spare me Yako-chan!" Kaien threw his hands up as Miyako laughs. She grabbed a cup of coffee and drinks it while eyeing her husband-to-be.

"Do you think he's really over me?"

"That was out of the blue." Kaien scratches the back of his head and takes another sip at his coffee. Miyako drinks her coffee and smiles with melancholy.

"No, we were talking about his girlfriend so I thought I might just ask your opinion on that topic."

"I don't think auntie would be happy with his girlfriend though." Kaien shifts to sit closer to Miyako and holds her hand looking into her eyes.

"Me neither," Miyako lets out a sigh, "but, I think that, his girlfriend loves him a lot."

"Really? I think it's more like the other way around," Kaien lets out a haughty laugh, "he has this look on his eyes, it's quite adorable. He got so angry at me when I was teasing him about her."

"You're so mean." Miyako laughs and she nudges Kaien with her shoulder. Kaien smirked and pecked her cheek in which Miyako responded by pecking his cheek.

"The look in his eyes, they remind me of how you look at me. So protective." he says in a barely audible voice and kisses her forehead. Miyako places her coffee down and cuddles Kaien.

"Reminds me of the look she had," she quickly lifted her head up and pecks on Kaien's lips, "it looks a lot like yours. Whenever I am hurting, you have that kind of look in your eyes."

"They're so cute."

"Isn't young love just adorable?" Miyako exhales deeply. Kaien laughs and pulls her in tighter.

"Yeah, it's cute, but it's still a long ways until it's as cute as you."

"You're so cheesy."

Stupid, stupid, stupid, you Kuchiki Rukia are really stupid! Rukia inwardly scolds herself as she boards the bus. Her hug with Ichigo keeps replaying in her mind and it doesn't help that his scent still lingers on her skin.

She slams her hands on her face and let out a long groan. She remembers glancing up at him and seeing his once pained expression is at ease. His eyes were shut close and his brows were no longer furrowed. He seemed somewhat at ease to which Rukia took note of how handsome Ichigo looked up close. His tall nose, his eyes, his jawline all carved a place into her memory in such a short amount of time..

What kind of feeling is this? She slowly brings her legs closer to her chest. How can a hug like that make me feel like this?

"If only I had met you earlier, I would be the one who approached you and be your friend."

Her lips curved up into a smile as she thought about his words.

I don't understand how someone can be an asshole and a kind-hearted idiot in one go.

"Somebody call an ambulance!" the bus leeched forward throwing Rukia off her seat.

"Why are you not in your office? Ditching work again Kurosaki?" Toshiro's sarcastic voice on the other line made Ichigo's vein pop.

"Shut up Toshiro, I have things to do. Not only am I rich and handsome, but my family is quite big too, so I have to not only deal with my stuff but attend to their troubles as well."

"Quit using your family as an excuse and I told you-"

"Yeah yeah whatever, 'don't call you Toshiro'," he mocked Toshiro's voice. Toshiro let out a disgruntled noise and Ichigo smiled with triumph, "Hey you know that one idea that Ishida made to attract the customers?"

"What are you talking about Kurosaki?"

"The giveaway thing he made."

"The one you approved?"

"Approved?! What are you trying to put words in my mouth?"

"W-what," Toshiro pulled the phone away from his ear and placed the speaker part right under his mouth, "YOU signed it Kurosaki, with a pen, in front of me!"

"Well, what the devil, I wasn't in my right state of mind at that moment. You guys haven't passed out the flyers and used it as ads yet right?"

"No sir."

"Good, change it."

"What is up with you and your sudden change of heart?!" Toshiro freaked out again.

"Well, let's say it's because of a short spunky lady with violet eyes." he says, smirking while thinking about said girl.

"Why are you describing coffee shop girl?"

"W-what?! I don't even like Rukia, how can you in your state of mi-"

"Oh, who said anything about liking coffee shop girl? I just asked why you are talking about her." Toshiro smirked as he hears his boss screech, practically losing it.

"S-shut up, how dare you interrupt me?! Do you have a pen with you? I have this idea, and it shall be executed right away and advertised at the end of today."

"That's impossible!"

"My mall thrives on the impossibilities," Ichigo grinned as he heard Toshiro groan, "so instead of a car giveaway, we will have a romantic getaway with the pop star, Cayenne or otherwise known as Shiba Kaien, my cousin."

"Why are you dragging your family into this?"

"He agreed to it. Anyways listen to this, if your purchased items calculate to $1,500 or above you will be entered into the drawing right away. On that mid autumn festival banquet we hold every year, we will draw the name of the winner and get them tickets to go on that romantic trip with my cousin."

"Where is the trip exactly?"

"I was getting to that part. We will have a 3 day trip to our resort in Osaka, one day to get there, one day spend there, and one day to return. The trip will offer the lucky winner to be able to converse with Kaien, have a meal with him, and be featured in his new music video. Does it sound good enough to make ladies gush in to Getsuga?"

"Wow, I didn't think you had that in you Kurosaki. I'll have Ishida execute the idea right away."

"Of course I am the president, so it's only normal that my ideas are the best. Oh, please be sure to mention if one purchases at least $200 from Queen's Cup, they will get entered into the drawing again. Now I want this all done by the end of today." Toshiro rolled his eyes on the other line.

"We will try."

"Good. I can always rely on you guys."

"Yeah, it's not like you do any work here anyways."

"I can still fire you at anytime you know." Ichigo sneered and Toshiro abruptly hangs up.

"Kuchiki!" Renji shouted to the much belated Kuchiki Rukia. The time was currently 9:20 p.m. and Getsuga Enterprise was getting ready to call it a day and Renji was sweeping the floors to Queen's Cup. Rukia's head hung low in a bowing position as Renji has a spasm of angriness.

"Care to explain why you have left this whole day?"

"It's kind of a long story." Rukia plays with her fingers. Renji crossed his arms at her. "Ok, but you know since you're the manager, I mean we have all night." She nervously chuckles.

"Well," his hand twirls little circles, gesturing her to hurry with her tale.

"Ok, but just to justify, I am telling the truth, one hundred percent of it is true."

"Go on Kuchiki,"

"So the guy, let me tell you beforehand that man is the real Cayenne like my idol but he had accidentally knocked the coffee out of my hand. He did say he'd come here to buy it instead. Then, I went to the bus to get a lift here,"

"What happened to Kurosaki?"

"Ah," Rukia tenses up, her face heating up at the thought of his name, "what happened to Kurosaki is a matter of discussion between him and I only sir, not yours to be meddled with."

"Excuse me?"

"Look so on the bus, a pregnant lady's water broke, so instead of calling an ambulance, our bus driver tried to rush to the hospital, we were close before the bus broke down, so we resulted to calling the ambulance, but since the bus broke down, we had to call transportation to get another bus. The ambulance didn't come fast enough because the lady started to give birth inside of the bus, and this sweet grandma had to help her. " Rukia huffed and Renji raised an eyebrow at his subordinate.

"It's kind of hard to believe, but bear with me. I forgot what happened exactly, but I ended up helping the pregnant lady and grandma and missed the first transportation bus and I had to take the second route. The baby was delivered fine though and he's the cutest thing ever. Anyway, I accidentally fell asleep in the bus and had to get it to come back here in Tomi, and I'm so sorry manager." Rukia bowed down once again. Renji sighs at her apology.

"Fine, get up," he leans on the broom as Rukia snaps up immediately, "you're excused."

"R-really?"

"No!" Renji throws the broom to Rukia who struggles to catch it, "You've got clean up duty. This shop better be spotless when I come in tomorrow."

"It's really, um dirty." Rukia looked around the shop as unpicked trash littered the room and the floors looked grimy with spilled coffee.

"Why Kuchiki? Can't handle a little clean up? You've been too lax lately. I thought you were devoted here?"

"Pfft, who said this is work? I mean this is nothing. Minor sweeping is Kusajishi-chan's status." Rukia forces a chuckle and begins sweeping the floor.

"Good," Renji walks past Rukia and opens the door, "while you're at it, there are dishes in the back and the coffee counters are getting filthy might as well clean that too. A little mopping won't hurt either will it? Nighty night Kuchiki." he waves her goodbye and slams the door.

"Why you freaking old man." she grumbled under her breath, continuing the first task of many chores to be finished. She can't help but to think that Renji had made a mess in the coffee shop on purpose.

"I bet this is a lesson I'm supposed to learn. 'Kuchiki you've been ditching out work a lot,'" she mocked Renji's voice," 'You're a horrible employee. What would Hisana think?' Tch, she'd think I am the best damn sister ever."

Immediately after she had said that, Rukia sighed deeply. The thought of her sister makes Rukia's stomach drop. Of course it didn't help that she had a striking resemblance to her sister. There were slight differences, like her sister was a tad bit taller, had longer hair, and more of a gentle aura to her, but at first glance, Rukia and Hisana were almost identical. The thought of her sister also made her think of her brother-in-law and the thought of both of them gone makes her want to curl in a ball and forget about life, especially since one is still out there avoiding her presence.

I'm sorry if I ever done anything wrong, she thinks to herself as she sweeps the dirtier than usual coffee shop floor, but you know nee-chan would have wanted us to live together after she has passed on. She's just that kind of person.

~3 hours prior~

"Retsu-sensei, are you ready, it's 6:40 right now." Ichigo fixes his tie, grabs his phone and exits his bedroom door. In the living room was Retsu Unohana in an earl grey slip dress with her hair braided to the back, sipping on tea.

"I've been ready Ichigo-chan. I was just waiting for you since you're about as fast as a grandma."

"I'm having second thoughts about taking you to this dinner." Ichigo fakes a groan and Unohana laughs. He chuckles with her and they both leave his house and head for his car. He opens the door for her and Unohana mutters something about him "not being an asshat tonight".

"I heard that Miyako-chan and Kaien-chan are going to announce their engagement tonight."

"Are you gossiping to me again old lady?"

"For you information, Kaien-chan was the one that told me and watch your tone with me Ichigo-chan. I do know a lot about your family. Who knows, maybe the next hot gossip will involve you." she grunted and Ichigo smirks. He starts his car and drives towards Karakura town.

"I was kidding. I know Retsu-sensei wouldn't gossip, right?"

"However, I have heard that your stepmother has planned another blind date for you."

"I take that back about you gossiping."

"Don't lie, I know you enjoy gossiping with your favorite person." Unohana gives Ichigo a smirk that mirrors his own. Ichigo scoffs and rolls his eyes at her.

"I get this cockiness from you." He nudges Unohana's shoulder. Unohana laughs and lets out a big sigh.

"How's business going for you?"

"Fine."

"Oh, I could tell there's more to it than 'fine'. Don't feed me crap Ichigo-chan, come on, tell me what's going on."

"Watch your tone in my car Retsu-sensei." He scolded the older woman. Unohana pulled on his ears.

"Who are you to lecture your elders?"

"Ow, friggin old lady. Fine, work's been better lately because of someone, okay. Are you satisfied with your answer now? Please let go of my ear!" Ichigo rubbed his ears. Unohana looks at him with a fragile expression. She puts her hand on his cheek and looked down at her own hands.

"I've always wanted a child, specifically a boy, you know that?"

"What's with the sudden change of atmosphere grandma?" Unohana pinched Ichigo's cheek as a consequence and he yelped in pain. When she let go of her grip, Ichigo rubbed the red spot on his cheek, pouting as he finally entered Karakura town.

"You're close enough to be a child to me Ichigo-chan. I enjoy spending my time with you."

"I enjoy your company too Retsu-sensei."

"Whenever I talk to you, it makes me miss my Kenpachi a whole lot. Kenpachi loved me so much, it's so sad to see him go like that."

"Retsu-sensei..." Ichigo started. Unohana laid her head on Ichigo's shoulder, staring on straight ahead.

"Kenpachi and I were both married to someone else before he and I were married-"

"You never told me this before," Ichigo interrupted her. Unohana pinched his arm and Ichigo again squealed in agony, "I'm the one driving here! Aren't you scared I might have turned the wheel and hit a tree or something?" he shouted, and Unohana completely ignores him.

"I know I haven't, which is why I'm confessing to you before I step into the Kurosaki household. Kenpachi wasn't a bad man, he's just made mistakes. His first wife has recently died and I've never met the girl he had with her. I need to meet up with her. I just need to."

"Aren't you scared to meet her?"

"Why should I be afraid? I'm her stepmother and Kenpachi completely loves her, so I should learn to love her too."

"I mean, technically you're the woman that was always on his mind no matter what, even when he did marry her mother, don't you think she'd be jealous? Wouldn't she hate you for being the woman Kenpachi loved, instead of her mother?" Ichigo drove to the back of Kurosaki Clinic and pulled up to the driveway.

"I just want to tell her things she never got to experience with her father. What Kenpachi and I did was very selfish, but I want to help her out. She shouldn't be going through this." Unohana felt Ichigo's hand on her shoulder.

"Retsu-sensei, you're surprisingly kind tonight," His eyes were full of sympathy as he looked at her, "It's actually kinda creepy."

Unohana slapped his hand from her shoulder glared at the boy for ruining the moment she was having. Ichigo exited the car first, walking over to the other side to open the door for Unohana.

"Honestly, I'm regretting my decision on attending tonight," Ichigo grips the handle to his car, "I haven't set foot in that house for so many years."

"I understand we both have our own personal vendettas against her, but Ichigo the woman is trying her hardest. You and I both know we have to make amends." he gets a semi reassuring smile from Unohana which puts him somewhat at ease. Unknown to Ichigo, Unohana is also afraid, maybe even more afraid than Ichigo himself.

They both walked up to the door and heard the sounds of laughter and people having a nice time. Sounds like these seemed foreign in the Kurosaki household. Ichigo looked to Unohana as if he's asking for approval to ring the doorbell. Unohana shakes her head and rings it herself. The door flew open and revealed a very happy Kaien.

"Hey you came Ichi-chan. Ah, Unohana-sensei, you're here too!" when Kaien stepped away from the doorway to let them in, all was quiet. The noises heard from the outside were no longer present and it died down quickly leaving the air to be in an awkward aura. Kaien shuts the door and that was the only noise to the silent scene.

Ichigo's breathing quickened. He neck felt drenched as he locked eyes with the woman he dreaded to meet. It has been so long since he has been here.

"Welcome home, my son."

*A/N: WHAT IS THIS? AN UPDATE? AFTER LIKE TWO YEARS?

School's kicking my butt fellow readers. I also lost my old laptop which had my files/ideas for this fic, so i don't know how i wanted to go with it originally. Fret not, I am still filled with determination to finish this fic even without the consultation of my past self. I'm tryna find my mojo again since you know bleach is ending and the lack of ichiruki-ness is not exactly helping, BUT I reread your reviews and it fills me with DETERMINATION. Thank you for supporting me so much, like even with my other fics as well.

Thank you for your patience!