One who protects

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own bleach. All right to Tite Kubo.

Rukia had finished up with the last of the hollows that were lurking around Karakura Town. She was suprised at the vast amount of hollows that were attracted to this town. She had also found out that there were a lot of souls inhabiting the town. Obviously the soul reaper assigned to the town does not do his job properly.

The moonlight was shining down onto the peaceful town. Rukia was walking in her gigai back to the house that she had rented when she reached the world of the living. Her brother had helped in the expenses of the house. Rukia had a smile on her face as she walked. She was thinking about the dinner she had with Ichigo and his family before she went to kill the hollows. They were a very nice group of people and she enjoyed their company. Her face immediately flushed when she thought about what she did after the meal.

Flashback

Rukia stepped outside the house with Ichigo. Dinner had gone well except the parts that Isshin was annoying but Ichigo had taken care of him by beating him to a pulp.

"Okay bye Ichigo, I will see you at school tomorrow." Rukia said while turning around to leave

Before she could even walk two steps, a hand grasped her wrist and she found out that Ichigo had grabbed her hand. She had a perplexed look on her face as she wondered why he grabbed her hand.

"Ichigo, let go off my hand." Rukia said still a bit confused.

"No way I could just let you go alone! It is late at night and there could be thugs out there. I am going to walk you back." Ichigo stated

Rukia looked at the boy and she was suprised a boy could be that kind and sweet. He was so loving and caring.

"Well if you want to. I really do not have a problem. Im fine by myself actually." Rukia said.

"Keep quiet and lets go midget." Ichigo said and started walking ahead.

Rukia smirked and then kicked Ichigo for calling her short.

They walked for about thirty minutes without saying anything. They were blushes on both of their face and they had different types of thoughts on their
mind. They reached Rukia's house and Rukia turned towards Ichigo.

"T-thank you I-Ichigo for today." Rukia said nervously

"Oh its nothing really. This is what friends do." Ichigo said with a smirk.

Rukia gazed at Ichigo's face with her violet orbs and smiled sweetly at him. She tiptoed up to his height and gave him a kiss on his cheek. She then walked towards her house with a wide grin.

For Ichigo, it was unbelievable! Rukia had kissed him on his cheek. He was flabbergasted and could not make words to say to her when she walked away. He stood frozen at that moment for two minutes. He smacked his head and walked back to the Kurosaki house.

Rukia finally reached her temporary living space thinking about the orange headed boy. She walked up to her bedroom and changed into her pajamas when she went shopping the day before. She sat on her desk and took out the assignments she had to finish for tomorrow. It was going to be a long night for her.

….

It was a new morning in Karakura Town. Ichigo finished his breakfast and headed towards his school, of course destroying his dad before doing that. He could not sleep very well last night because he was thinking of a raven haired girl. When Rukia had kissed him on his cheek last night, he was flustered and his face was flushed immediately when her lips touched his skin.

My reputation is at stake here! How can I let her kiss me! Even if it is on the cheek! Ichigo thought as he walked slowly. I should have pushed her when she tried but I couldn't for some reason. Ichigo wondered what that reason was but he could have swear whatever it was, he was not going to like it. Ichigo saw Rukia leave her house on the way too his school but he dared not to go up and walk with her to schools. If someone saw them, they would spread rumors in the school and he would be ruined. He hastily walked to school when he saw her looking and tried to get away from her. He reached school and he was taking in air deeply. He gave a sigh. He got away from her. He looked behind him.

"Good morning, Ichigo." A voice said below him.

Ichigo looked down stiffly at the voice beyond him. He freaked out when he saw the person that he had been trying to get away from.

"GAHH, RUKIA HOW DID YOU KEEP UPTO ME?!" Ichigo said freaked out pointing his finger at her. Rukia gave him a confused glaze.

"Oh I just did. I forget to tell you that I have always been the fastest in my previous school." Rukia replied cheerfully.

Ichigo looked at her up and down and wondered how a girl that small run that fast. He wondered what was she and what secret she has been hiding. Rukia saw him looking at her intensely. Rukia immediatedly flushed and what he could be thinking.

"Yeah, whatever. Let's go, class is starting soon." Ichigo said after a while closing her eyes.

Rukia gave a sigh and walked behind Ichigo to class.

…

Rukia was called by Ichigo to break near the school grounds. She wondered what why she had called him. Her was beating fast when she found him, leaning against a tree and his orange bangs covering his eyes. He looked up and saw Rukia. Her heart almost leaped out when she saw him scowling hard at her.

"Hey Rukia, I have important things to talk to you about." Ichigo said keeping his scowl. Rukia gulped.

"We cannot hangout at school or anywhere outside."

Rukia looked at him in awe. She could not believe he had said that to her. Why did he said that to her. She could feel a thousand shards pierce her heart and she was feeling weak.

"W-why?" Rukia said, clearly disheartened. Ichigo could feel the change in tone in her voice.

"Because people can think wrong ideas about us and I do not want us to be rumored about. I am doing this for the best of both of us. Our reputation is at stake." Ichigo said without a crack in his voice.

Rukia looked at up at Ichigo with disbelief. She thought that he was a nice guy but he only cared about himself and only him. She looked at up at Ichigo with sad eyes.

"If you wanted the best for me, you would not do this to me." Rukia said, tearing up and ran away so she could not see Ichigo's eyes.

Ichigo tried to grab her hand but she was too quick and she sped away. Ichigo did not think that Rukia could be that hurt after what he said to the her. Ichigo thought he had made a grave mistake but then he shook the thought away.

This was for your own good Rukia. And with that thought, Ichigo walked slowly back to his class.