A/N: Inspired by my attempt to justify Rukia's decision to stay in Soul Society. No spoliers that I can see, just a little fluff :D.

Disclaimer: For those who didn't know - Bleach is not mine, it belongs to Kubo Tite.

Confession

"Where did your family go?"

"Shopping or bowling or something," said Ichigo absentmindedly from his seat on the lounge.

Rukia walked into the room, a rice ball in one hand and a glass of water in the other, rolling her eyes when she saw that he was reading. Smiling mischievously she sat as close to him as was humanly possible and stared at him while she nibbled on her snack.

"What ya reading?" she asked.

Ichigo's eyebrow gave an involuntary twitch, but otherwise he ignored her.

"Ichigooooooo-"

"I'm not reading," he snapped, closing the book and placing on the table.

"Oh good. So you don't mind if I watch the television."

Ichigo sighed in defeat and passed her the remote.

"You know," she said happily, "being able to roam freely around the house really helps ease the pain of not being able to sleep in my closet anymore."

He snorted then stiffened when he realised how close they were.

"Er, Rukia could you-?"

"You know I really do miss my closet. I don't think I've ever had a good night's sleep anywhere else."

She was staring at the television as she flicked through the channels, but her face was sweetly serious. Ichigo felt a blush rising to his cheeks, worsened by the fact that he could feel the bare skin of her arm against his.

"I-I liked it when you slept there too," he muttered self-consciously, trying to make himself as small as possible to avoid touching her.

Rukia fluttered her eyelashes at him adopting the school-girl persona he hated so much.

"Did Kurosaki-kun miss me?" she said, her voice saccharine.

Annoyed, Ichigo ceased his attempts to shrink and shoved her off the sofa, smirking as she hit the ground.

"Who the hell would miss you?"

Pouting Rukia got up, rubbing her behind gingerly, before flashing him another pretentious smile.

"You can't fool me Ku-ro-sa-ki-kun, you've been sulking ever since you got back. Inoue told me," she said, hands on hips as she stood in front of him.

"Rukia," said Ichigo, "you have to be the most irritating person in existence."

"I doubt that very much," said Rukia pragmatically, "besides the truth is I missed you too."

Ichigo looked at her in surprise, wondering if her cheeks were a little pinker than usual.

"What's this," he said, raising an eyebrow and adopting a look of incredulity, "the great Kuchiki ad-"

Rukia leaned forward and placed a hand over his mouth.

"Just shut up. I'm trying to be nice, moron."

He blinked and a moment later she whipped her hand away, rubbing it ruefully an unmistakable blush rising to match his. An awkward silence settled between them as she sat beside him once again, careful to leave more of a distance between them this time.

"Then why didn't you come back with me?" Ichigo said quietly.

"I wanted to."

"Then why-"

"Because I was weak," she said, "I don't want to be protected by you, I want to help you fight, as an equal. I couldn't do that without the restoration of my power." She turned towards him, her violet gaze sincere, "I stayed behind so I could get stronger. So I wouldn't be a burden."

Ichigo stared back at her, silent as he dealt with the various emotions her words had provoked, habitual frown in place.

"You weren't ever a burden," he said finally, crossing his arms over his chest as leant back against the lounge.

Rukia looked at him eyebrows raised.

"I killed you, slept in your closet, borrowed your sister's clothes and interfered with every part of your life. You had to get up in the middle of the night and stand in front of the bathroom just so I could have a shower."

He shrugged scowl deepening.

"I didn't really mind."

Rukia's look of incredulity softened into a genuine smile.

"Then maybe next time we shouldn't tell your family I'm staying?" She said, returning her attention once again to the images which flashed across the television screen. "That way I can sleep in your closet again."

Ichigo lips twitched slightly as he leaned forward to pick up the discarded remote.

"Sounds good to me."