The school day ended with Rukia, nor Ichigo returning to class. This was worrying Uryu and Chad. They haven't seen the two all day, and when they waited at their lockers, they never returned, which meant they left the school. Immediately, they went to his house after school to check up on him and Rukia. They stood silently as they knocked on his door. It was Karin who answered.

"Hey Karin, did Ichigo stop home?" said Uryu.

"No, sorry. Is there a problem?"

"No, we just wanted to talk with him. Thanks."

Uryu nodded as he and Chad walked off his steps, not knowing where else to go or who to turn to for help.

"Hey, what about at Urahara's shop?" said Chad.

Without another word, they both headed for the shop. He had to be there because where else would he go? It was so confusing not knowing what was wrong with Ichigo, but they knew it was between him and Rukia. Ichigo was no were in sight, but Rukia surely was, for that was her only recourse. The only person she told her problem to was Kisuke Urahara. Each nod of his head with each hurtful word coming from the raven-haired girl put the both in despair.

"I would've never thought that Ichigo would do such thing. Why do you think so Rukia?"

She didn't realize he was talking to her. Rukia was too preoccupied with those words. They resonated in her head continuously until it gave her a headache.

'"…NOW SHE'LL NEV-" What did he want to say? I'll never love him?"'

"Rukia? Heeeelloooo?"

Even in the most serious situations, Urahara always had time to smile and joke around, which annoyed her.

Suddenly, she snapped back to reality, shaking her head of those haunting thoughts.

"Huh? Yes, Kisuke?"

"Why do you think he did that?"

She had already thought of it—her answer. It was a possibility, but she wasn't sure. She didn't want to embarrass herself by speaking of something that was so absurd. She was reluctant in saying it, but it eventually came out; but first, she gulped in a big sigh.

"He said '…NOW SHE'LL NEV-'. I know he was about to say never, but what was the rest?"

"Did he do anything to you when he left?"

She took another big gulp and hesitated a bit too long. Silence took over for a moment.

"Well?"

"You're not going to tell anyone, right?"

"Well, it depends."

"He apologized to me, saying it's okay if I don't want to see him again. Also, he…um, he…"

"Do you like Ichigo, Rukia? Because he resembles your old lieutenant?"

Her heart stopped the moment he said "old lieutenant" while staring him directly in his eyes. By this, Kisuke already knew what happened.

'How did he find out?'

"Don't change the subject! This is serious matter!"

He sat there said nothing and waited until she told the truth.

"He came over and h-hugged me, then he kissed me…"

Rukia was blushing really hard, her mind replaying that scene. She just wanted to find him and apologize, also confessing her love.

"You love Ichigo, am I wrong?"

"Fine! I admit it, just like you want to hear it."

"Would you forgive him for what he did to you?"

It took her awhile to ponder this question. What he did were horrible things that she thought she could never forgive. She loved him, but that doesn't mean he won't accept her because she wouldn't forgive him. It was taking Rukia a long time to decide. She gave him her most reasonable answer.

"Y-yes, I would."

Before Kisuke could say anything, she interrupted him.

"I want to find him, but he's ran off!"

"Look Rukia. I'd love to help you, but I think that you'd have to solve this by yourself with him. Especially a situation like this."

She looked away for a moment; then, stood up.

"Okay, I'll be back ASAP."

"Wait, where are you going?"

"What do you mean? To find Ichigo!"

Kisuke couldn't stop her because she rushed out the door without listening to another word. Then, she ran into Uryu and Chad.

"Hey Rukia," said Uryu, "Where is Ichigo?"

"I don't know, but I'm going look for him."

She rushed off without another word, but didn't even realize that they were chasing after her.

"Wait, up, we're coming with you!" said Chad.

Rukia stopped dead in her tracks, then slowly looked back at them.

"What do you mean? I-I mean I'll be fine."

The running halted as the two caught up with her.

"We need to talk to him; it's important," said Uryu.

"Me too. This is private matter though."

"Same here."

"Um...why don't we split up then?"

They nodded without saying anything and headed off.

'Whew! They almost caught on!'

There was one major problem: where to start looking?

'Damn, but where could he have gone?'