Sorry for the wait! I initially intended for this to be a one shot but I thought of this whole big story so I've decided to make it my first chaptered story in years! Sorry this chapter is really short. I'm still brain storming for my next chapter.

At lunch, I sat by myself against the gate on the roof. I wasn't really too hungry, so I sat solemnly sipping on one of those boxed drinks Ichigo had introduced me to. It was grape flavored, which I didn't really care too much for, but my racing thoughts took my mind off the bad flavor.

I could take my mind off of what had happened earlier with Ichigo. I had just reached the point where I'd convinced myself it wasn't all a dream. He had not only made extended physical contact with me for the first time in the two months since I've been here, but he held me close to him.

No I decided. That had to be some kind of daydream. That was simply too fantastical to actually happen.

I closed my eyes leaned my head against the gate. "Yep", I said out loud. "I must have hit my head when I took that fall. This is probably all a dream."

Usually, I'm always aware of Ichigo and what he's up to, even when he wasn't close to me. It was something I couldn't help. Ichigo had been eating lunch with Chad, Mizuiro, and Keigo across the roof, just like he had been doing since lunch began. If he had been doing anything otherwise, I definitely would have sensed it. I guess this day was special because I never saw him coming.

"Did you say you hit your head, Rukia?" I heard an all too familiar voice ask. I opened my eyes to see Ichigo, his face so close to mine, I could smell his breath. Mint. "Are you okay?"

I jumped to my feet so fast, you would have thought I'd used flash step. "What are you doing sneaking up on me like that!" I exclaimed, trying my best to sound believable and not like a flustered school girl.

"Chill out!" Ichigo said as he came to his feet in a much calmer manner. "I was just checking up on ya."

I crossed my arms and averted my eyes in a cool manner. "Well that won't be necessary since I'm fine."

Ichigo paused for a second and I shifted my eyes back in his direction. He was eyeing the lonely juice box sitting by my feet. He then shifted his attention back towards me. "I see you didn't eat anything for lunch. Are you sure you're alright?" He placed his hand on my head. Not the heavy hand on the top of my head that he usually gives me in that big brotherly way, but it was a gentle hand to the side of my face, his fingers intertwining slightly with my hair. His hand was so warm. It took every ounce of dignity I had not to nuzzle into his touch like some kind of cat.

I batted his hand away. "I said I'm fine! Soul reapers are a lot more durable than humans. It's going to take more than a little tumble to hurt me. Even in this gigai."

"Well excuse me", Ichigo said in a vexed tone. He turned his head to the distance beyond the gate and watched. From what I could tell, he was watching nothing in particular. I had my head turned away, yet my eyes were still focused on him. This way if he turned to face me again, I could quickly shift my eyes away and he wouldn't catch me staring. "Any word on hollows?"

"No", I answered sharply. His touch had made me jumpy. I sighed in an attempt to recompose myself and continued. "I haven't gotten any new orders today. We should be in the clear for now."

"Ah" He was still staring off into the distance. "Rukia"

I turned my head to face him fully. He had said my name in that voice; that velvet voice that could melt me like ice in Hell. "What is it Ichigo?"

"I-", he started. He paused for a second then scowled. He finally turned to look at me. "Nothing." He placed a heavy hand on the top of my head to my dismay. "I'll see you in class Rukia." He then turned and walked away while I stood watching.

I wanted to kick myself for how I was feeling. My cheeks were burning and they had been for the duration of my conversation. I was probably as red as a beet. I hated that Ichigo had the ability to do this to me without even being aware of it. I touched my face where his hand had just been. My skin still burned from his touch.

"Oh Ichigo", I said softly to myself.

Again, sorry its so short. I should have the next chapter out in the next few days. I'm still working out all the rust from not writing in so long so sorry if this chapter isn't up to par. Please be sure to review!