A/N: Sorry for updating late- school's starting 14th June for me, only 10 damn days left and I have h.w. to do ):

NOTE- I said Rukia turned 17 in the previous chapter- actually, she turns 16. I've changed that, but just wanted to make sure. Thanks for pointing that out, (:

Well, Thankyou everyone else for reading and reviewing ^^

Here's the apology XD~

Apology

18th January, 2011 (Wednesday) 9.00 p.m

Ichigo didn't answer my knock, and well, I wasn't expecting him to. I rang the bell a million times, knocked forever, but still no answer. I guess he'd seen me through the peephole sort-of-thing that's stuck on everyone's doors and didn't want to open it for a bitch like me. It won't be very surprising.

"Ichigo-" I called through the door, loud enough so he could hear me….and so could half the building "-I know you don't want to see me, and I can understand that. No one in the right minds would after what I said. I just- I guess I knew I didn't deserve someone taking care of me all the time- it was a…new feeling- and I snapped out at you and I..I forgot myself. I didn't want to, I really…" my voice trailed away. The speech I had spent hours making was a wreck- I didn't know what I was saying anymore. It sounded just so damn stupid.
And I just stood there, thinking of what to say. My brilliant speech was out of my brain, I didn't remember one word of it and I knew he was listening because he hadn't bothered to muffle out his footsteps. I felt pathetic, to be honest- how was I going to apologize now? I didn't know how to use heavy words at random- it's not my thing.

I took a deep breath. Did I really want to apologize?

Of course! I mean, one month spent with a guy you don't know, and suddenly it turns out that that one month was the most beautiful one month of your life? Despite everything- Tatsuki, Nii-sama, Urahara..despite everything I wouldn't mind playing it over and over again.

"I'm sorry!" I yelled out as loud as I could, fists clenching. My voice echoed all through the corridor and I felt the color rushing up my face.. It was hard to say sorry- believe me- and to mean it at the same time. I wouldn't be doing this for anyone else, I tell you except for him, that idiot strawberry "I'm sorry, Ichigo! It is my fault- I seem to be running away from everyone who're trying to help me. I was stupid and still you put up with me and all I gave you in return were damn harsh words about your family! I don't know why I did that- I think I started trusting you too much and believing that I could throw out my anger on you and you'd- you'd understand-"

Damn this was hard.

It was surprising how words were forming in itself- and how I still remember every word of it, somehow-

"-You suddenly seemed the only person who was there- who didn't care how or who I was as long as I was myself. I guess I went ahead of myself to irritate you when I saw that my normal self wasn't annoying you at all." I sent a meek laugh. It's shameful how he can make me feel so vulnerable. "I was selfish. I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry for saying all of that about your mom and everyone- I was jealous. I was jealous even when I had you." I looked down. I didn't want to believe it- he'd still not opened the door, I was still standing there talking to a closed door like a mad person. The people going up the stairs or waiting for the elevator were staring at me. I felt so humiliated- but it was my one chance at trying to get Ichigo back, and I would take it any time- any minute of the day-

"I'm sorry for everything…"tears were forming fast "But most of all, I'm sorry for letting you down, Ichigo- I don't- I can't even dream of ever doing that again!" Why wasn't he answering? My fists clenched and my voice was rising "I know you- and I want to know you again! I'm sorry, and if you don't answer now then I will kill you, you thickheaded idiot!" I cried as loudly as I could, squeezing my eyes shut tightly.

Well, that was it. I'd said it, and now I was supposed to go back to my place and feel good about how I had not given up and at least tried. I figured that out since he didn't open the door and there was complete silence around the corridor, while I stood there in front of his house like a stupid. Still.

Oh, I hated him so much.

What was I thinking anyway-? He wouldn't forgive me so easily, he just wasn't that type of a guy.

And then suddenly, the door opened and he walked out, orange hair clouding his eyes.

I was holding my breath, for some reason, as I looked up at him, eyes wide.

I don't know what I was expecting him to do as he finally looked at me.

His eyes were serious, and his face had that same scowl he wore all the time. He looked…stiff, and then moving forward towards me, he engulfed me in a hug.

I was shocked.

His expression hadn't changed, he still looked serious and blank- carefully hiding what he was feeling, but I hugged him back, a small smile forming on my lips. He smelt amazing- and he was so warm, just so perfect- I had missed him hugging me, even if it's been only around 3 days. I really missed that touch.

He then backed way, narrowed his eyes at me and then gave me the biggest smile he had ever had on his face and laughed "You idiot midget!"

"What? You made me stand here shouting damn words at you while everyone stared at me! YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THIS!" I yelled back, a tick mark on my head.

He smiled, and I made him take me out for dinner for everything he forced me to do.

Stupid Strawberry.

But I couldn't have been happier to have him back.

A/N: It seemed kind of short at first, but then stretching it out would be exaggerating it too much, and well, I wanted it to have a little IchiRuki effect- hence the ending ;)

So they're back to normal, but there's still some stuff left to do, and there's gonna be a little fluff next couple of chapters before I start with the last few updates. There's still kinda far away, so I'm happy ^_^

Thankyou for reading, and please review if you liked it (:

~SS~