Chapter 27: Telephone

You're all very kind and sweet, thank you for your continued support, and reviews, and messages for her health.

Unfortunately, she has developed an ear infection, sore throat, and possibly her first sinus infection; but she's still smiling, making me find her stories and read them to her, watching "Elfen Lied" while I type, or having her read me her writing. Ah yes, shie0917 - your posters are on their way! Thanks again.

I'll be sneaky and let you know something. Every chapter is literally made on the spot (I would know, all the scratch outs and scribbles can add up to four pages haha), and I've only known of one definite event she has playing in her head, slowly making a path towards it. It is the ending event, and it's coming really, fuckin' soon. I get to hear her muse out loud as she goes. To those worrying it'll drag out... witness a jump today =]

And finally- this chapter is 4,797 words, 12 pages in Word, 24 by hand- the average of her posts before things got complicated. I hope you find a way to appreciate her efforts, Lisa, as she appreciates you reading her work. And I'm glad she keeps the natural douche within us all with Ichigo every once in a while. I'm sure others agree. -Kyle.

Disclaimer: I do not own any brand/copyrighted names used in this story. They will always be italicized. I do not own any songs mentioned, or any characters/concepts from Bleach.

The living room was loud with shooting and explosions, the television screen darkening as the characters moved into a trench, Karin biting back a snicker as Yuzu's character maneuvered under a tank and shot at Ryuu's ankles, the senior glaring at the screen before turning it onto his sophomore.

Smirking much like Ichigo, Yuzu let the control drop from her hand, leaning back into the couch with arms crossed behind and sighing victoriously, slyly looking at him through her bangs; "Around round, Nakamura-kun?"

Ryuu couldn't fight the smirk mirroring hers, shaking his head as he laughed with Karin, looking over to the raven as she sat on the other couch, her grin devious and proud of her twin.

"Did she really just kick my sorry ass?"

Winking prettily at him, Karin nodded, leaning an elbow on the armrest and resting her head in her hand, her long, thick braid swept to the side and teasing her collar, her dark hues bright as she talked to him; "You forget we're in the household belonging to two men. They rub off on us, sometimes."

Yuzu nearly beamed as she turned on the couch to face him, her posture much like Karin's as she looked to her male, legs curled beneath her slender, growing body, her long, loose hair reaching below her chest.

"Ichi-nii was never one to play online with the 'internet brats,' as he calls them, so he started letting us play with him. At first we were terrible, easy competition, of course- but we slowly started getting pretty damn good at it like him."

Ryuu only smiled as he listened to her go on about their Ichi-nii, listening to her talk so fondly about him.

He remembered the hate his teammates would sometimes express for the former orange-haired captain, the male always scowling and glaring, yelling and pushing them beyond limits.

They would talk in the locker room about how he probably had less of a soul than a zombie. Sitting there now, though, listening as even Karin had this glow about her as she told him stories about the infamous, heartless Kurosaki Ichigo… Ichi-nii… Ryuu laughed to himself, running a hand through his hair quickly growing beyond taming.

"I'm still getting used to hearing about him from you, seeing all these pictures all over, hearing you call him by a pet name…."

The twins smiled, Karin 'sick of the sap' and standing up from the couch, walking over to them and dropping down between them, swiping the controller from Ryuu's hands; the twin beauties started up a new game and went at it with playful banter, Ryuu quietly watching them play together, smiling at their bright eyes.

…only a real brother can make his sisters look like this….

Mika, you with Rukia? Got your message, can come to you if you want.

Mika's loose waves of brown were gathered up in a sloppy bun, her green eyes still reading her open text as she twisted the hair band around, grinning as she found the same topic from her notes.

Uncapping her pen with her teeth, bringing a leg up onto the chair to tuck under her body, Mika cross-referenced her notes with the text, adding what she needed, ignoring her cell phone humming another notification.

She turned her gaze onto Rukia at the head of the table, her petite classmate sitting cross-legged on the chair and annotating her text, biting her lip as she tapped her pen on her thigh, Mika's attention caught by the orange-haired male standing up from his place at the coffee table.

Ichigo stretched his arms over his head, yawning as he walked over to them, coming up behind Rukia's chair.

Violet eyes looked up at him; "Done studying?"

"Not even." Rubbing at his neck, Ichigo leaned over her, picking up the White Mocha sitting beside the hot chocolate, gently shaking it and frowning as he felt it nearly full, surely cold and bitter by now.

"I thought you liked it?"

"I'm faithful to my hot chocolate. Besides, my date brought me what I wanted."

Mika laughed as Ichigo pulled off a dramatic pout, Rukia winking at her friend before turning her gaze back onto Ichigo, smirking as he scoffed, rolling his amber eyes; "You know, she pretty much stole it from me. It's not my fault."

Mika feigned immense disbelief, pointing her pen accusingly at the male smirking handsomely.

"I'm not the one calling her my 'midget girlfriend,' saying she'd yell and pull my hair! You tricked me-."

Ichigo stood tall, ready to snap back a witty reply to the pretty brunette; caught off guard as Rukia turned around in her chair and punched his abdomen, knocking him breathless for a moment as he hunched over with minor pain, Rukia's violet eyes glaring him as he now stood leveled with her gaze-

"Midget girlfriend? You refer to me as a midget to strangers!"

Chad and Inoue fought back their laughter, struggling to finish up what little they had left, looking over to see Mika's shocked look as she watched the pair, trying to stutter in an apology for any trouble she may have caused the male.

She was ignored as Ichigo nearly gaped at his reaper, unfazed by her glare as he straightened out the slightest; "Of everything I told her, you attack on me calling you a midget-?"

Rukia reached up and grabbed a fistful of his orange mane, pulling him down until their bangs could tangle within themselves, noses bumping as she glared into his amber gaze, fuming.

"I am not short-!"

Mika and Inoue held back a gasp as Ichigo closed the distance, catching Rukia's lips with his own, their lips molded together. Just as quickly as he had moved, Ichigo pulled away, his skin red as he tugged his hair from her fist, Rukia looking at Mika and the others with wide, violet eyes; the tinge to her cheeks easy to see.

Rubbing his neck, Ichigo met Mika's gaze, lightly scowling; "Don't get used to that."

Mika hid a smile with her hand, looking over to Chad as the gentle giant nodded in confirmation, her green-eyes moving back onto Ichigo. Shrugging, Mika tipped her head coyly, raising an open palm to the air-

"Used to what?"

Ichigo smirked as he gave a single nod, leaving the table for the kitchen without another word, Mika and Chad laughing with Rukia as she dropped her head into her hands, Inoue smiling softly amongst them.

Standing up from his place against the smaller of the couches, Chad walked past the two petite women at the table, coming up to the breakfast counter and leaning an arm against it, finding Ichigo looking inside the fridge.

"How about pizza, Ichigo?"

Letting the door close, Ichigo looked over at Chad, grinning with agreement; "Sounds good."

"I want pineapple!"

Two months later.

"So, Chad," Mika tore open a packet of sugar, pouring it into her open cup, looking up at him as they sat together in the booth, the café busy in the early morning; "Want to catch a movie with me tonight? I heard the new Resident wasn't too bad. There's also that Twilight movie if that's more your thang, of course."

Her smile was playful as Chad laughed softly, shaking his head at her small snips. Handing her another two packets of sugar, he took hold of his own drink, lifting it in agreement as she gladly tore open the packets and dumped them into her drink.

"Resident is fine, Mika-san."

Capping her drink, swiveling it gently, Mika looked up at the feel of gorgeous, violet eyes on her, smiling brightly as Rukia made her way over to them, Ichigo following behind her with his usual scowl, aviators hiding his eyes; "Hey, you two."

"Hey, Mika, Sado-kun." Rukia smirked as she looked at the brunette pair, tossing her bag into the booth before sliding in across from them, moving over enough for Ichigo to drop in beside her; "Yo, Chad… Shrimpette."

Ichigo laughed as both petite women kicked at his shins, throwing his arm around Rukia and tugging at her hair, Mika leaned back into the booth's cushions with a small smile.

Rubbing at his neck, Ichigo looked around, moving his gaze onto his tall friend.

"Where's Inoue?"

"On her way. Walked Tatsuki to the dojo."

Rukia smiled as she looked around their booth, the morning rush loud and hurried, students and friends gathered about the café, Teru's blonde hair now a cherry-blossom pink as she cleaned empty tables, chatting lightly with customers around her.

She turned back as Ichigo lifted his arm off her, leaning an arm on the table as he dug his wallet out from his back pocket, looking over at Rukia.

"Season of hot chocolate is over. Pick you poison, midget."

"Just get me your girly drink." Rukia smirked as she could just imagine his amber eyes weakly glare at her from behind those dark lenses, pushing him out from the booth before turning to Chad and Mika, brushing back her hair as she looked at them, met by green-eyes; "You ready for five hours of mid-terms?"

Mika pretended to pull at a noose around her neck, Chad giving her a small smile as he nodded, taking a drink of his coffee growing warm. Twirling her loose wave of hair teasing her collar, her cotton tee simple and fitting as that of Rukia's in the warm spring, Mika drummed her neat nails along the table top, puffing out her cheeks.

"I cannot wait to get this day over with. Mid-terms crammed into Mondays always guarantee three days of lazy professors afterwards."

Chad nodded as Rukia furrowed her brows curiously, resting her chin in hand as she focused her violet gaze on him; "Many even cancel classes, to have time to grade our exams."

Hm. Their attention turned to the door as Mika spotted Inoue's burnt orange hair catching the bright sun outside, the door held open for her by an enthusiastic male smiling brightly at her, Inoue simply thanking him with a bright 'arigato' and continuing on without another glance.

Snickering at the disappointed look the young male gave, Mika waved with the others as Inoue walked over to them with a small bounce to her steps, coming up to the booth and taking the seat Rukia patted beside her, brushing her long hair behind an ear as she grinned.

"Oha-yo! I'm so nervous about all our exams-!"

She jumped as Ichigo dropped carelessly into the only space left for him at the booth's edge, handing over two drinks as he looked at Inoue and tapped one of the lids, smirking; "You shouldn't be. You always kick our asses in them. Pass this one to the she-demon, yeah-?"

"Kurosaki!"

From: Kurosaki Karin, Kurosaki Yuzu

Good luck on your mid-terms, Ichi-nii!

Ichigo smiled as he replied to his sisters, stepping past the ornate gates onto campus, his arm wrapped loosely about Rukia's waist as she slipped her iPhone out from its spot between her jeans' hem and her hip, grinning prettily.

He looked over at her, gently squeezing his palm to her slender waist; "The girls send you a text, too?"

"Yeah, so did your father-."

"Why the hell does his son not get one?"

Rukia shook her head, looking up at him as his taller figure blocked the bright sun from her eyes, raising a brow at his exaggerated pout; "Says the one always complaining about him!"

"Yeah, but I still deserve his annoyance more than you do. It's not fair, damnit."

A smile pulled at his lips as Rukia laughed, her eyes closing as she hid her features from him, her hair moving with her steps beside him and the slight, cool breeze the spring air had, her eyes looking back up him as she whispered 'fool' at him.

"Kurosaki-kun!"

Looking over their shoulders, Mika and Chad steps behind them with Inoue, their curvaceous friend held her book closer to her chest, looking to their first building beyond the trees to their side.

"I want to have my usual seat for the exam." She looked at Chad and Ichigo, gesturing at the immense hall; "Want me to save your seats?"

Ichigo made to answer 'yes' when Mika moved from Chad's side, coming up to Rukia's as she hooked her arm around hers, looking at the students older by school years, but younger by a year in age.

"You guys go on ahead- we can take on any monsters from here."

Hesitating, but letting go of his reaper nonetheless, Ichigo tugged at Rukia's hair before wishing her luck, hands in his pocket as he moved towards Chad and Inoue, watching Rukia and Mika head on to their own class without them. Nudging Chad's arm, Ichigo started walking, the tall males either side of Inoue, the three Karakura alumni talking amongst themselves of the exams to come, Chad and Ichigo laughing at Inoue's enthusiastic cheer to defeat them like Hollows.

"Do you think people would notice if we use our powers in the middle of it?"

Usui moved his bag as Rukia and Mika walked between the narrow rows of seats, letting them walk past his desk to take the two beside him.

Dropping his bag back at his feet, leaning back in his seat, Usui moved his gaze onto Rukia sitting down beside him, her violet eyes framed, as always, by her raven tresses, jeans and tee fitted to her subtle curves; "How do you think we'll do, Kuchiki?"

Settling into her chair, Mika talking to others at her side, Rukia smirked as she met the handsome blonde's gaze, brushing back her bangs, her stray strand of hair falling faithfully back into place-

"I think I'll do just fine; how you'll handle this is beyond my vast, incredible knowledge, sadly."

He grinned as she turned her attention to her bag, taking out a couple of pens and pencils, the hall quickly filling about them as he watched her; "Well, let's hope our studying pays off on this hopeless brain of mine."

Usui frowned as Mika reached over Rukia and ruffled his hair, sitting back with her usual bright smile, kicking lightly at Rukia's heel-boots much like her own.

"Let's murder this exam, my gorgeous friends. The sooner we end, the sooner we can take unnecessary naps."

They laughed as the professor stepped in, his shouts loud and clear to the large lecture hall, students settling down and waiting for him to pass out the exams.

Good luck.

Karin-onee-chan~!

No.

Yuzu cursed her failed approach, turning her iPhone on its length to widen the touch-keyboard.

Ryuu invited us over to his house afterschool.

Bathroom.

Slipping her sleek phone between the stocking's elastic and her thigh, Yuzu cleared her throat as she gingerly raised her hand up, her instructor looking up from his droning recitation of the book in hand; "Yes, Kurosaki?"

"May I step out to the restroom, sensei?"

Grumbling irritably at her soft voice, he nodded before continuing, the sophomore quickly moving out of her only class without her sibling.

To: Kuchiki Rukia

Oi, we need to head to our next exam.

From: Kuchiki Rukia

And what, you need my permission?

To: Kuchiki Rukia

Bite me.

From: Kuchiki Rukia

Blow yourself.

Ichigo breathed out an incredulous laugh, raking a hand through his mane as they hurried across campus to their next exam, shaking his head as he read over her text.

"When did you even learn that?"

Replying a lame 'ouch,' Ichigo turned off his Torch as they made up the steps, stepping into line with their classmates waiting in the hallway to exchange their devices for the exam. Ichigo slapped a friendly hand onto Chad's shoulder, the gentle giant looking back at him; "One down, two to go."

Mika sighed as the sun kissed their skin, closing her eyes to the clear, blue sky above.

Scrunching her nose as butterfly tickled across her face, Mika hummed contently as she rolled onto her stomach, the crisp grass folding under her weight, leaning up on her elbows as she stared down into violet eyes.

"Had I known we'd finish that last one in just twenty minutes, I would have brought a feast of a picnic."

Rukia grinned as Mika rolled back over onto her back, the petite women sprawled out comfortably on the grass, few clusters of students about them doing the same. Her black hair splayed out about her, Mika's brown tresses playing with hers as they laid head-to-head, feet reaching to opposite sides of the open garden; Rukia turned her head to look at her friend, reaching up and plucking a blade of grass out from Mika's hair, blowing it off to the side.

"We can make food later tonight while we finally get to relax."

Mika pursed her lips, green eyes glancing at her best she could as her chin kept to the sky; "Chad and I are catching a movie already, thought I'd harass him into some sushi afterwards."

It was Rukia who now rolled onto her stomach, grinning wickedly as she leaned over her friend-

"Are you trying to seduce my dear Sado-kun, Sato-san?"

Mika laughed as she reached up and tugged at Rukia's hair falling loosely either side of her gentle features, humming suspiciously before she smiled, nodding.

"Do I have your permission, Kuchiki-san?"

The death god rolled her violet eyes, falling back down onto her side with her head resting on her arms, Mika turning her body to face her; "If anything, it'd be Ichigo you'd need to impress, but I'm sure he'd be happy it's you who'd take Chad…."

"Just how he's glad I'm the one trying to steal you away, I'm sure."

Rukia couldn't hide her smile at Mika's bright eyes and grin, violet eyes glazed the slightest as she looked into green hues, her earliest memories of Renji and the boys flashing in her mind, her chest tightening… somehow soothingly. Mika moved onto her back again, Rukia blinking her eyes rapidly as she followed suit, looking over at her as Mika sighed; "Anyways, I think you and Ichigo should spend some time without us all. Hell, go to his place so we're less likely to follow you!"

She giggled as she turned to Rukia, but found violet eyes conflicted, frowning as she moved up onto her elbows to look at the raven.

"What's wrong, Rukia?"

Pushing off the ground to sit up, mindlessly brushing at her thighs and lower back, Rukia looked to her newest, dear friend, a hue of red spreading across her cheeks.

"The apartment… Ichigo and I, we live together, Mika."

Karin sighed as they sat on top of the sinks, their legs dangling beside each other with identical stockings, a drip echoing from the furthest faucet. Running a hand through her dark, long hair full and thick like her sister's, Karin looked at Yuzu sitting beside her, her softer hues of brown looking back.

"You can't bring me along on this one."

It was obvious Yuzu was not expecting that- sure she expected to hear more along 'we shouldn't be alone at his house' or even 'we're not going at all.'

Instead, Karin needed to send her off on her own this time.

"Karin-."

"I'm not dating Naka-face, and I'm certainly not dating you, either. You go hang out with him at his house."

Karin jumped off the sink, crossing her arms as she stood in front of her sibling, Yuzu reddening as she gripped her phone; "But Karin, I… I… we're going to be alone in his house, if you don't come!"

Karin sighed, her eyes softening as Yuzu looked ten again, her beauty and growing confidence over-whelmed by her innocence she still held within. Yet, she simply shrugged.

"So?"

"So I've never done any of this!" Yuzu bristled at her sister's near laughter, snapping her a warning against it, Karin coughing into her fist instead; "Karin, you have to come."

Running a hand through her hair again, Karin groaned, looking to the sink's soap dispenser as she reddened the slightest, pushing through nearly muttering.

"Look, whether you decide to give him your virginity or not-."

"We haven't even kissed!"

Rolling her eyes, Karin quickly caught the bathroom door opening, yelling out a definitive 'stay out!' and gaining their privacy back, scoffing as she crossed her arms again; "Then what are you so nervous about!"

Yuzu sighed exasperatedly, dropping her head into her hands with a groan. Karin rubbed at her neck before she moved back to the sink, pushing up onto it and sitting beside her again, reaching over and brushing her hand through Yuzu's hair.

"Look… it's Ryuu, Yuzu. I really think he's a great guy, and you don't have to be afraid. If you kiss, you kiss. If you break up, you break up- if you get horny, then be horny."

Yuzu couldn't fight back the laughter, shaking her head before straightening up, her brown gaze meeting Karin's.

"You're so damn mature, Yuzu, you always have been one way or another. Trust yourself not to do anything stupid, the old goat has taught us plenty about all that stuff. Just… go with it."

"Oh, Karin." Yuzu leaned against her twin as they sat in the empty restroom, taking in a deep breath as she went over Karin's words, nodding with a nervous bite of her lip.

Swinging her arm around her, Karin drummed her fingers along Yuzu's arm, leaning her head down against hers, legs slowly swinging.

She closed her eyes, smiling; "Ichi-nii is going to murder Naka-face."

"Karin!"

From: Kuchiki Rukia

I'm done. We'll be lying around like idiots in the sakuras

Rukia closed her eyes for a moment with Mika lying beside her, the faintest of snores leaving the napping woman.

Slipping her phone back between her jeans' hem and her hip, Rukia stretched out with arms reaching out and arching her back, toes spread before curling as she sighed, her reiatsu humming contently. Arm under her head, the other resting across her stomach, Rukia's violet eyes softened at the vast, open sky above, the clear blue framed by the pink petals of the sakuras.

"Does- w-was he even aware that we're living together now!"

Her bangs brushed back only to fall back in place, Rukia swiped her toothbrush off the counter, covering the bristles with paste and wetting it, turning off the flow and glancing into the mirror as he moved to the door.

"As much as you irritate me, I wouldn't want Nii-sama to get rid of you just yet."

She shot him a smile before she started brushing her teeth, Ichigo's gaze fixated on her, silent. Rubbing his neck, Ichigo stepped onto the cold tile and moved behind her, leaning over her smaller frame to rest his hands on the counter, boxing her in between his warm body and the sink; bumping his jaw against her crown, Ichigo sighed as their eyes met in the mirror's reflection, his amber eyes soft as he looked at her.

"Seriously, though… does he know? Does anyone know?"

Rukia hummed softly, reaching up and grazing her fingers along his jaw, pulling her toothbrush out of her mouth and covering it, careful not to spit out; "I don't really know, to be honest… I also don't want to ask in case, for whatever reason, they don't know."

She took a sharp breath, petals floating about them in the weak, spring breeze, her hand grasping at her hip where her she'd find her blade.

Nii-sama….

The night was first of Spring, the city lights somehow not enough to wash out the stars above.

Sitting on the balcony's elegant, iron railing, her light sun dress sloppy at the shoulder straps from her haste to finally wear it, Rukia watched the cars drive below, spotting couples walking together, businessmen and women waving taxis down to go home.

Ichigo had gone with Chad to a study session with other students, Tatsuki and Inoue enjoying a dinner at home- Rukia sat there, waiting, hands curled around the railing.

It was when an airplane passed overhead that she felt the slither of reiatsu he allowed her to feel, her breath held as she looked over her shoulder, violet eyes wide; "…Nii-sama…."

He stood within just beyond the open balcony door, the sheer curtain drawn aside and hardly blocking his tall, elegant presence, his hand resting upon the hilt of his zanpaktou, hair now adorned differently with his noble standing. Byakuya took a step, his dark eyes catching the city lights as he walked in silence to the balcony door, his hand barely needing to touch the curtain for it to billow aside, letting him out onto the clean cement outside.

Rukia looked to her other shoulder, her violet eyes looking up at him as he stood beside her, his white captain's haori hardly moving with the breeze teasing the heights of the buildings.

Lips drawn tight, her shock ripped from her, Rukia made to climb off and take proper posture in the captain's presence, his raised hand and gaze turned onto her stopping her.

Silence held for some moments, the noble captain lowering his hand to his side.

"How do you find yourself, Rukia?"

The petite heiress was able to control her reiatsu from revealing too much surprise, clasping her hands on her lap and bowing her head the ever slightest, eyes on her hands.

"I… I am fine, Nii-sama. I hope I have not…."

Byakuya raised his hand again, his adopted sister fading in her words. Byakuya lowered his hand again, moving his gaze out towards the city; "I have daily reports of your healthy reiatsu. How are those Kurosaki daughters with their unfortunate presence of Kurosaki Ichigo and his father?"

Rukia nearly laughed at how she had to fight back a smile, his almost amusing dislike towards the substitute shinigami apparent as always, finding herself relaxing her shoulders as she still held her erect posture sitting upon the railing.

"I grew very fond of them during my time in their home, Nii-sama. I keep contact best I can from here. They are growing up very nicely, a pride to their name differently from their elder men…."

She watched for any sign of a smirk or frown or anything, but she knew she'd find none; she was perfectly happy knowing that. Rukia did, however, watch as he turned enough to look behind them, his grey eyes looking into the apartment nearly dark with just the stove-vent's light on, the television on low volume casting lights and shadows on the walls.

Rukia cleared her throat lightly, her violet eyes on his haori's high collar.

"I now attend an academy regarded of high education here, Nii-sama. I am doing well, and I… I am living well, as well."

Byakuya swept his gaze out from the apartment to the buildings beyond Rukia's crown, her hair reflecting the light outside; "This is the residence Soul Society provides to Kurosaki Ichigo."

"…yes, Nii-sama."

Hands trembled as she struggled to keep her reiatsu calm, her breath silently catching in her throat, her chest tight. Keeping her gaze on his collar as Byakuya turned to how he had first stood beside her, Rukia dared to look up at her noble Nii-sama, her entire being freezing as she met grey hues looking back at her.

Rukia kept silent as Byakuya's eyes bore into hers, those eyes keeping any expression to himself-

The heiress held her stance as he somehow stood even taller; "Only you, can hold respect and honor as you carry on in the living world with that boy, even as time to take your place in Soul Society grows further away."

Rukia closed her eyes as she felt the petals softly touch her body, a whole blossom coming to rest on her cheek.

Opening her eyes, she reached for the delicate flower, holding it ever so gently within her open hand, remembering as her Nii-sama had reached up to barely touch the back of his hand to her crown.

"If you find appropriate, allow Kurosaki Ichigo to know you are still, under my care. Wish him careful steps."

He was gone with a single step after he bid her well, the petite reaper left sitting on the elegant railing alone, violet eyes glazed as she held her hands against her chest, a steady beat touching her skin.

Rukia closed her hand around the blossom, its touch against her palm and fingers soft as her whisper, violet eyes on her hand.

"What would it mean to you, Ichigo… knowing he has blessed my choice to be with you… be with you as a human."

Fresh blades of grass betrayed steps at her side, Rukia's gaze moving onto the tall figure, a shadow as the sun shined strong and brightly behind him as she looked up, raising her arm as she tried to shelter her eyes from the light.

"Rukia."

She's not sure how she did with Byakuya. With Byakuya and Rukia. And we tried fixing the fast undertow this had, but we think it's the mid-terms throughout that kinda forced a hurried, angsty pace almost. Let us know =]

"Much love- KurosakiLove"