So, I can't believe I finished a new chapter in such a short amount of time. This chapter, like a lot of other ones in this story will be, is a little oneshot-esque. Its not so much about story advancement, as it is about showing the little moments of their relationship and how it evolves. Enjoy!

I could hear Ichigo fighting with his father as I hid in the closet. He was teasing him, and I found watching them fight to be extremely entertaining, but I couldn't seem to get my brain to focus on anything but my daydreams. Well it hadn't just been that day, but every day since that day a month ago when Ichigo and I… got together.

I didn't know what to think of it. I mean I was thrilled, of course. I'd never been happier. But it was something so foreign to me. I'd never been with a boy before. I mean, I'd been around boys. I was best friends with them growing up in the Rukon District. But I'd never been involved with one like I am with Ichigo. In fact, I wasn't the least bit interested in them. I always tried to devote my efforts towards more productive things like my studies at the Soul Academy.

I had no clue how to interact with men. It all seemed to come naturally to Ichigo, though. He was always touching me. He would hold my hands and play with my fingers, fitting his through mine like a glove. He would bring those same hands to my face and softly stroke my face with their tips. He would kiss me. He loved to kiss me. On my cheek, my nose my lips, my neck.

It was the kind of thing that I would only imagine in my wildest dreams. If I was to envision Ichigo doing the things with me that he does now, I would envisage myself melting between his fingertips at his touch, and falling in his kisses. But I sat paralyzed and frozen at his touch.

I heard Ichigo's room door close, and I was filled with equal parts excitement and dread. I loved being able to lay in Ichigo's bed with him and enjoy his warmth as his arms enveloped me as he smothered me with soft kisses, but I hated how clueless I felt while it was happening.

I knew, however, that he would get suspicious if I just stayed in the closet, so I slid the closet door open.

He was sitting on his bed, rubbing an arm the his dad probably had bent behind his back. His hair was a little more ruffled than usual, indicating that he had probably been in a headlock.

I made my way across the room to him and started to smooth his hair down. It was pretty much the only affectionate thing I could think to do.

Ichigo laughed and looked up at me. "You really think you can tame this, Rukia?" He reached up to my hands and took them in his in that way he does. That way that makes it seem like my hands were meant for his. I could feel the apprehension washing over me like a cold shower. I knew he was going to try to kiss me or hold me and I just wanted to get away from him, but my love for Ichigo stopped me.

He bought my hand up to his lips and I twitched in an attempt to jerk away from him. I immediately felt ashamed. I mean, it was a completely involuntary reflex… sort of. I immediately saw the damage I had caused, however, when I watched the smile drain from Ichigo's face. That was probably my least favorite sight to see, and on the inside I was beating myself up.

He let my hands drop, but still held onto them loosely, as he studied me. His gaze didn't serve to make me feel anymore comfortable. "I've been sensing how tense you've been for a while now, Rukia. Ever since we've started dating. Am I making you uncomfortable? You can tell me."

"No!" I started defensively. "It's not that! It's just that…" I paused. Should I really lie to him about this? I paused for a second and looked away before continuing. "Well it's just that I've never been in a relationship before, and even though I love you so much, Ichigo, this stuff like this- this touching" I pulled my hands from his. "It just feels so… strange to me." I started fidgeting with my hands as I examined the intricate . "I'm sorry."

I kept my head lowered and let the screaming silence fill my ears for what seemed like hours.

"You know" Ichigo said, finally speaking up. "My favorite part of you is your hands." He took my hands back into his and held them as if he was examining them. I looked back up at him. "They're calloused from fighting, but smooth." He laced his fingers through mine. "And your fingers are so little and skinny. It makes me feel like Chad whenever I hold them." He looked up at my face, he was smiling that charming smile at me, and speaking in the smooth, relaxed voice. "And my second favorite part of you would have to be your mouth. Whether you're smiling that beautiful smile of yours, or pouting, or laughing, they always remain so cute" He leaned up and bought his face so close to mine, I could feel his breath. "And kissable." He kissed me. This time it was different from the other ones. It felt natural and comfortable and right. When he pulled away, I was smiling.

"Well my favorite part of you" I started, "would probably be your hair." I took my hands from his and ran my fingers through his spiky, orange hair. "I've never seen anything like its color. And its so soft and… fluffy."

We both laughed. "Fluffy?" Ichigo chuckled. "That's a first."

I bought my hands down to his face. "And my second favorite part would have to be…" I traced his stubbled cheeks and his lips with my fingers. I never noticed how nice he felt until now. I bought my finger up to his eyebrows. "That angry face you're always making."

"What?" he laughed as he grabbed my hips and threw himself backwards onto the bed, dragging me down with him.

I giggled when I hit the bed and he rolled over, so half of him lay on top of me, pinning me to the bed. "Did I mention that I love these cheeks, too?" He put his hand on my chin, and, despite the fight I put up, squeezed my cheeks together, making my lips pucker out. He leaned down and kissed them longer and more passionate than last time. I eagerly accepted it, wrapping my arms around his neck.

When he finished, he pulled his lips away from mine and rested his forehead against mine. "You know, Rukia. You were acting so weird about me touching you, that I was starting to think that you didn't like me."

I smiled and put a hand of Ichigo's face. He leaned into my touch. "Oh, Ichigo", I started in a mock sweet voice. "If I didn't like you, you'd be the first to know."

Remember to REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! Even if you already have. I really want feedback about this story, since I'm a little unsure about it sometimes.