I'm sorry this one is so late. I was in a minor car accident earlier this weekend. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the damage to both cars was slight.

Anyway, on with the story:

Alright, this one's a little shorter but I wanted to slow things down a little bit and focus on the emotions behind all the action. Also, So Contagious is one of my favorite songs for this story - go listen to it!

Oh, no, this couldn't be more unexpected
And I can tell I've been moving in so slow.
Don't let it throw you off too far

'Cause I'll be running right behind you.

So Contagious - Acceptance

Chapter 9: Of Ramblings, Running, and Rhythm

-Ichigo-

Ichigo sat on the deck, facing the ocean, and laced up his running shoes. He spent a few minutes stretching, letting the morning sun warm his muscles.

The door opened behind him and he glanced up to meet wide violet eyes.

"Oh, I-I'm sorry." Rukia turned away quickly but Ichigo could still see the bright blush on her face. He was surprised anyone was awake this early; especially the girl standing in front of him who he expected had a nasty hangover.

Ichigo looked down at his athletic form, currently clad in only running shoes and a pair of black shorts.

A shirt might've been a good idea…

"It's fine. I was just going to go for a run." He noticed the girl's fitted t-shirt, purple shorts, and running shoes similar to his own. "Is that what you were doing?"

Rukia nodded, still not looking directly at him. "I run a lot in Karakura. You can go ahead; I'll go the other way."

Her eyes seemed redder than usual and her formal tone was more cold than polite. Stuck between genuine concern and not wanting to intrude, Ichigo suggested gently, "We could run together… if you want."

"All right." The girl sighed tiredly as if the offer repulsed her but she didn't have the energy to protest. She briefly stretched her legs and stepped from the deck on to the sand beside him.

"You know, running on sand is a lot different than running on your fancy little treadmill. I'll try not to go to fast for you." Ichigo teased lightly.

A glint shone in her eyes and, for a moment, she looked normal again, but her jaded expression quickly returned. "Just try to keep up. 5 miles sound good?"

Ichigo grinned. "Sure. If you're not dead before then."

She made a noise that sounded like a scoff and took off in the same direction they had gone with Orihime and Uryuu the previous day.

Oh, it's on.

-Rukia-

So sand's a little bit different. 5 miles should still be no problem.

Rukia focused on her breathing and keeping her stride even. The sand was putting a strain on her calves and her head still ached from the alcohol and lack of sleep but those weren't the only distractions.

They were almost 10 minutes in and the jerk hadn't even broken a sweat. She didn't allow herself to look at him but every few minutes his longer stride would pull him ahead and she could see the muscles ripple in his back and legs as he ran.

Stupid show-off.

Rukia pushed herself forward, ignoring the heat curling through her legs.

-Ichigo-

Ichigo figured they were close to 2 miles. The sand didn't bother him much; he had done this many times before and simply adjusted his pace and stride to accommodate the unstable surface but Rukia seemed to have more trouble.

Ichigo thought about slowing down but she didn't seem to have any intentions of easing up. Ichigo kept one ear open for the rhythm of her breathing and tried to pay attention to his own form instead of the slender one running beside him.

-Rukia-

They had to be at 4 miles, at least. Rukia struggled to keep her breathing from sounding haggard but her feet were slipping more and more.

It's all this damn sand. I might as well be running on the fucking ocean.

Her calves had cramped up a few times already and she eased up her pace to placate her throbbing head but she still refused to let the carrot head have the satisfaction of winning.

She was a Kuchiki, damn it.

-Ichigo-

When she slowed for the third time, Ichigo decided that was enough.

"I think that's 5." Ichigo eased his pace into a slow jog. Realistically, he figured they were a little over 4 miles, but Rukia had either lost track of time or was too tired to care because she slowed beside him without protest.

They had turned around after reaching a public section of the beach and only had about a mile between them and the cabin.

"Do you mind if we stop for a minute? I want to stretch again." Ichigo watched the raven-haired girl nod and plop down in the sand a few steps away. She reached forward, grabbing her toes and pulling to stretch the backs of her legs.

She's certainly stubborn, I'll give her that.

Her face was still flushed from the run when she looked back up at him and Ichigo realized he had been staring. He grabbed an ankle and pulled it back, stretching his quad in an attempt to appear busy.

Rukia seemed to buy it because she looked away and continued working on her calves.

Ichigo forced himself to continue going through the motions, watching her out of the corner of his eye, and only allowing himself to sit down next to her when she seemed finished.

-Rukia-

Ohhhh…

Exhaling slowly, Rukia bent forward and felt the tension release in her muscles. Yes, Ichigo Kurosaki was the better runner but right now, Rukia found she was having a hard time caring.

She had already completely humiliated herself in front of him last night, she figured it didn't really matter if she did it again now by sitting down, totally exhausted.

She was surprised when he sat down next to her. He had caught her staring earlier but he had yet to make some smart comment.

If Rukia hated anything in this world, it was pity. She'd prefer even his crudest remark to this sympathy.

"I'm fine, you know." She met his gaze evenly to let him know she was serious.

"I know." He didn't look away.

After a pause, Rukia broke the eye contact and spoke again.

"I… " She inhaled deeply to calm her racing heart and force the words from her throat, "About last night, I wanted to say-"

"You're welcome." His tone was uncharacteristically sincere and it made Rukia uncomfortable.

"Thank you."

She felt his eyes rest on her a moment longer before he turned to face forward.

-Ichigo-

Ichigo watched the waves crash on the shore, fighting the urge to blurt out a statement he had been holding in since they left the cabin.

"When I run, sometimes I forget about my mother."

…Well, damn.

Ichigo Kurosaki never had been one to filter his speech.

If Rukia was fazed by the abruptness of his confession, she certainly didn't show it. He almost wondered if she hadn't heard him but then she answered slowly, "Sometimes I forget all my brother's expectations."

Unsure how to respond, Ichigo stayed quiet. This was probably for the best, he figured, as his mouth had only gotten him into trouble so far.

Was this the part where she started tearing up and pouring out her heart to him? He knew from experience that this was a common female activity but he had never told those girls anything in return. He had certainly never been the one to start the sappy confessions.

Fortunately, Rukia didn't look like she wanted to cry. She seemed thoughtful, but not about to tell him her life story.

Deciding they should probably get moving before Ichigo shouted out some other embarrassing fact, he stood up awkwardly, offering her his hand.

-Rukia-

I wonder if he knows about my parents…

The man beside her got up suddenly and startled Rukia from her thoughts. She decided against continuing the conversation.

Ichigo held out his hand to help her up and she accepted. His hand was warm and large around hers; his grip was firm but he let go as soon as she was on her feet. Rukia found herself wishing he had held on longer but she caught herself.

His hands are all sandy and calloused. Don't be ridiculous, Rukia.

Ichigo had already started walking without her. He looked over his shoulder, a tenderness barely lingering in his amber eyes.

"Coming, Kuchiki?"

Feeling their usual dynamic return, Rukia rolled her eyes and kicked him in the leg as she caught up. The run must have relieved her hangover because she found that she felt much better as they started jogging back to the cabin. Her body felt lighter and her heart beat in an unusual fluttery pattern.

"Just try to keep up, Kurosaki."

Reviews would be lovely if you have the time.