Well, this only took forever. It's a tad fluffy so I hope that'll make up for the long wait :) Thank you for bearing with me!

I would give all I have
Just to be what you need
Until the end.
I'd give myself to be and to hold you close again.

I'm all tied up
And I'm trying my best to get down.
Come on, girl,
Come around, come around.

Come Around – Sing It Loud

Chapter 19: Happy Endings

-Ichigo-

"And you're sure you want to do this? I've heard Byakuya Kuchiki isn't a very friendly person." Tatsuki looked at Ichigo from the driver's seat. They were currently parked across the street from the Kuchiki household.

He stared at the huge mansion, taking it all in. Then, he took a deep breath and determination flashed in his eyes. "I have to at least try."

Tatsuki grinned. "Well, all right, then."

They both got out of the car and walked up to the door. Ichigo found himself hesitating instead of ringing the doorbell but Tatsuki, being the impatient, no-nonsense type of person she was, rang it for him.

A tall man dressed in black suit pants and a white shirt with a loose tie hanging around the neck answered the door. He looked very surprised to see them.

"I want to talk to Byakuya Kuchiki." Ichigo tried to sound authoritative but the other man was too distracted by the girl standing next to him.

"Renji!" Tatsuki laughed as the redhead quickly pulled her into a hug.

"What're you doing here?" Renji asked, still holding Tatsuki firmly.

"We need you to help Ichigo convince Byakuya to let Rukia be with him," Tatsuki explained.

Renji glanced over Ichigo wearily before looking back at Tatsuki. He sighed. "I can get you in to talk to him but that's it. And if you do anything stupid and I lose my job, I will hunt you down."

Ichigo nodded to show that he understood. He had no intentions of screwing this incredibly important meeting up.

"Wait here a sec," Renji spoke softly to Tatsuki, kissing her on top of her head. Then, he gestured for Ichigo to enter the house. "Let's go."

Ichigo glanced at Tatsuki one last time to see her giving him a thumbs-up before the heavy door closed behind them.

What did I just get myself into...?

-Rukia-

"And the water was beautiful, Brother. I think you would have enjoyed it." Rukia paused politely to wait for Byakuya's response. They were having tea that morning to catch up on each other's travels.

Rukia tried to sip her tea quietly. This was a very important meeting; her brother rarely took time out of his busy schedule to spend time with her. She knew the conversation would end with a discussion of what he expected from her when she left for university but until then she was simply enjoying seeing her brother again after the long time apart.

"Excuse me, sir, you have a visitor." Renji opened the door to the tearoom and poked his head in.

Rukia frowned. Can't those stupid businessmen leave my brother alone for one morning?

"As you can see, Renji, I'm not in the mood to be disturbed. Please schedule an appointment with them for another time."

Rukia smiled at her brother's decision.

"I really think you should see them, sir." Renji insisted, making eye contact with Byakuya.

Byakuya set his cup down and rose gracefully. "Very well. I will return shortly, Rukia, and we will continue our discussion."

She sighed as her brother exited, disappointed until Renji coughed to get her attention. He smiled at her and winked before closing the door behind himself.

Rukia frowned. This visitor must be of importance to her as well but she couldn't think of anyone who would be stopping by now, before she had even entered university.

Unless… Ichigo?

-Ichigo-

"Can I help you?" A deep voice echoed through the room and Ichigo watched the elegant man walk to his desk and sit down. He had a commanding presence but Ichigo forced himself to appear calm and confident.

"My name is Ichigo Kurosaki. I went to Emerald Beach with Rukia and my friends last week." Ichigo was relieved that his voice didn't waver.

Byakuya's expression didn't change so Ichigo continued. "I'd like to ask Rukia to be my girlfriend when she moves to Tokyo."

"I'm afraid I can't allow my sister to get involved in a long-distance relationship. I'm sure you understand the difficulties involved with maintaining that status." His tone of voice sounded final but Ichigo spoke before he had a chance to stand.

"It wouldn't be long-distance. I'm moving to Tokyo as well."

Byakuya looked skeptical. Ichigo almost wanted to laugh; he had seen the exact same expression on Rukia's face multiple times during the past few days.

"I've decided to enroll in night classes at the University of Tokyo and intern at a medical practice during the day."

"Then you will be much too busy to also have any sort of relationship with my sister. She is preparing to take over a branch of the family company and will have no extra time to spend waiting on you."

They took a moment to stare at each other, neither one wanting to back down.

"I'm prepared to spend every second I'm not working with Rukia if that's what will make her happy."

"I don't believe you're the type of person that could ever make my sister happy. Now, please be on your way before I ask Renji to escort you out."

"She was happy when she was away from you!" Ichigo retorted, giving in to his anger.

Byakuya stood up. "You will never be welcome in this household again, nor will you seek out my sister in Tokyo. Leave. I'm done speaking with you."

"I'm not leaving until you realize that I care about Rukia and she cares about me. She's just too scared of you to admit it!"

"That is enough! I-"

"Brother, please!" Rukia suddenly appeared at the door. Apparently, she had heard their increasingly loud voices.

She walked to the center of the room so that she stood between Ichigo and her brother.

"I apologize for this boy's insolence. I was not aware he would be stopping by." Rukia looked over her shoulder at Ichigo, as if asking what on earth he was doing.

Byakuya sat back down and regained his composure. "You mean to tell me that you were not at all aware of his intentions?"

Rukia nodded. "Of course not."

"Tell him about this week, Rukia. I know you actually had fun with us and-"

"That's enough," Byakuya interrupted. "Rukia, did you have any plans to have a relationship with this boy?"

Rukia blushed and Ichigo watched her carefully.

Her gaze turned to the floor but she spoke clearly. "Our relationship was always temporary. I knew that I would have no contact with him or any of his friends after our trip. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, brother."

So that's how she really feels…

Ichigo clenched his fists but didn't say anything. The conversation was over. He had been wrong.

"Ichigo!"

He heard Rukia call after him but he didn't stop. He walked through the door and back down the long white hallway that Renji had lead him through earlier.

Ichigo came upon Renji and Tatsuki whispering just inside the front door. Apparently, Byakuya didn't allow anyone close to him have real relationships.

"I'm going to walk home. I'll see you later." He muttered to Tatsuki as he passed them and pushed through the door.

He knew Tatsuki understood and was grateful that she didn't try to stop him or follow him.

Ichigo kept his head down but refused to cry as he headed back to his own house without Rukia.

-Rukia-

She was stunned. What just happened?

Ichigo had practically run out of the room when she answered and she still had no idea what he was doing in the first place.

Renji entered the office sheepishly. "Yes, sir?"

"You're late."

"I… had something to attend to. My apologies."

Byakuya nodded slowly. "What is your opinion of this boy?"

Renji looked surprised and Rukia frowned.

"Well, he is… quite brave. And an upstanding youth from what I understand," Renji spoke cautiously.

"And this opinion isn't biased by your affection for his female associate?"

Renji blushed. "I'm not sure I understand what you're referring to."

"Very well. Why don't you have the rest of the day off? I'd like to have a conversation with Rukia." Byakuya gave his assistant a knowing look before waving him away.

"Yes, sir. Thank you." Renji grinned, understanding his boss completely, before exiting the room to return to Tatsuki.

"I'm disappointed in you, Rukia." Byakuya spoke quietly, returning his attention to her.

Rukia tried to avoid his gaze. "Nothing happened, really. It wasn't serious."

"Were you planning to deceive me while you were in university?"

Confusion crossed Rukia's face. "What do you mean?"

Byakuya frowned. "Don't lie to me. That boy informed me he was attending the University of Tokyo as well and planned to continue seeing you."

"Really?" Rukia gasped. "I… I didn't know." She felt so guilty. Ichigo's actions made complete sense now.

"Do you truly care for this boy?" Byakuya's voice was gentle and Rukia bit her lip.

"I don't want to upset you," she said quietly.

He stood up and gestured for Rukia to stand in front of him. She moved hesitantly.

"I expect you to continue to perform well in your academics but I suppose there are worse men to associate yourself with." Byakuya rested a large hand on the top of her head and pulled her into a tentative hug.

"I want you to be happy. You have my approval and I think mother and father would find him to be admirable as well. Go after him if that is what you wish."

Rukia wrapped her arms around Byakuya's waist tightly before awkwardly letting go and smiling up at him. "Thank you."

Filled with happiness at her brother's warm sentiments, Rukia quickly followed out on the same path that Ichigo had taken earlier.

After a few moments of running down the sidewalk, she saw him: tall and lanky with bright orange hair but with hunched shoulders and a heaviness in his gait.

"Ichigo!"

He stopped. Rukia watched the smile break out on his face as he turned to face her. Deciding to follow a giddy impulse, she jumped and he caught her around the waist.

Ichigo held her tightly and swung her around, nuzzling his face into her hair.

"What're you doing?" He asked when he finally put her down.

"Why didn't you tell me you decided to come to Tokyo?" Rukia asked, ignoring his question.

He chuckled and kissed her on the forehead. "It was going to be a surprise. I thought you'd be happy."

"I am happy, you fool! But you should've told me before this whole mess started!" Rukia punched him lightly in the chest to express her annoyance.

"I wanted to have Byakuya's permission so you would feel better about it." Ichigo looked so caring and earnest that Rukia felt her heart swell. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his.

He returned the kiss, pulling her against his chest and running a hand through her dark hair.

Finally, when they broke apart to catch their breath, Ichigo smiled. "Does this mean you've changed your mind?"

"Of course, idiot." Rukia said, laughing. She relished the feeling of Ichigo's strong arms around her and let her head rest against him, savoring the comfort.

-Ichigo-

It felt so perfect. She was in his arms, snuggling against him, talking to him with those perfect lips.

"You want to come to my place for dinner? My father's dying to meet you."

Rukia giggled and nodded and Ichigo didn't let on how literal his statement actually was.

Instead, he took her hand in his and they walked along the road together, laughing and teasing.

Her fingers tightened around his and he squeezed back, completely content knowing that he would no longer ever have to let go.

Aww! :) Just imagine them walking hand in hand off into the dreamy sunset...

Anyway, you guys are amazing! I got 20 reviews for the last chapter! Just 10 more and all my dreams will come true! haha Maybe not ALL of them but I will be super duper happy :) Thanks for all the amazing encouragement and support!