Vertigo

AN: Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter! Enjoy chapter 18!:]

Tatsuki had gotten a small infection since her surgery, and was sleeping after her latest dose of antibiotics. The nurses were surprised that she was already starting to kick the infection and marveled at the girl's tenacious spirit. Ichigo wondered what they would think if they ever found out that Tatsuki was recovering fast because of Orihime, and her tendency to purify the toxins out of Tatsuki's body every time she was sleeping and the nurses were out of the room. The ways of spiritual healing would very likely both offend and captivate the human doctors.

Chad had gone home to get some rest and food, seeing as he had spent so much time with Tatsuki. Ichigo and Rukia visited Tatsuki often but Chad and Orihime were almost always with her, Orihime chatting with her, Chad silently by her side. Ichigo had opened the door once to find them all playing cards. He had grinned and turned back, seeing as his hospitalized friend had enough company. Ishida had dragged Orihime and Chad home, determined that they both take a break. That left Rukia and Ichigo as her visitors.

"Hey." Tatsuki murmured, having woken up.

"Hey. How you feeling?" Ichigo asked kindly.

"Alright. Hey Rukia." Tatsuki grinned, "Is this blockhead treating you alright?"

"Nice Tatsuki." Ichigo scoffed.

"Well, men are men. Even if I used to make 'em cry in the dojo."

"I'm wounded." Ichigo laughed, "Get some more rest. That way Orihime and Chad can stop freaking out."

"Fine, I will." Tatsuki snorted and snuggled back into her bed.

Rukia and Ichigo went home so that Tastsuki could rest some more.

Rukia sprawled on the carpet and started to read the fashion magazine that she had picked up a few days ago. Ichigo sat on his bed and plugged his earphones in. He really did love that damn contraption didn't he?

"Hey Rukia?" Said girl blinked and looked up from the page.

"Yeah?"

"You never didn't answer Tatsuki." Ichigo mumbled. She glanced up at him and saw that he was browsing through all the songs, trying to look aloof while he waited for her answer.

"Hey!" Ichigo shouted, since she had strolled right over to him and ripped the earphones out of his ear.

"Rukia! I was asking a simple question! You didn't need to…Mph!"

Rukia kissed him square on the mouth, enjoying her new found way of shutting him up. He resisted a bit before he relaxed and let her do what she wanted. Rukia still had his earphones clutched in her right hand, and her left was wound into his hair, pulling the soft tufts just hard enough to sting. Rukia angled her mouth against his soft lips, and brushed once. Twice. Three times. She released him with a pop and smirked at his dumbfounded expression.

"Tatsuki asked me if you treated me right, and I didn't answer her. The only person who gets that answer is you. Do you have your answer now?" She lightly thumbed his slightly abused lips.

He nodded. Satisfied to have convinced him that he indeed made her happy, Rukia went right back to her magazine. It was so cool to have a nice boy wrapped around her finger.

Later that night Yuzu served a new dish, which she had found in the cookbook and already perfected.

"This is wonderful Yuzu!" cried Isshin triumphantly.

"Thanks Dad!" Yuzu sat down, "Oh and that reminds me! What do you want for your birthday dinner Ichigo?"

"You're birthday is coming up?" Rukia asked in surprise. He nodded a bit and kept eating.

"Yes! It's on the 15th!" answered Yuzu happily. "Since Tatsuki's is two days later on the 17th, I thought a double party might be fun!"

"Alright." Ichigo nodded and went back to his food.

He didn't seem all that excited, but Rukia knew that guys didn't get all that worked up for parties that were still just being planned. The Y chromosome came with a short attention span.

Still, she was kinda excited. Yuzu would likely have a bunch of food and plenty of people. And she could find something nice to give Tatsuki and Ichigo. Maybe Isshin would loan her a few bucks. She could hardly beg Ichigo for money for his present!

But the girlish excitement that came from the upcoming party didn't have everything to do with presents and food. She had seen how Ichigo had been unafraid to hug her that day in the hospital, despite the whole gang being there. She liked the thought of letting all his classmates {and all his fan girls} see that he was off the market. Maybe that was selfish, but if that bothered him, she'd just remind him of the constant standard of possessiveness that he had maintained around her since they had met.

Later that night Rukia returned to her magazine. She lifted her head at the footsteps that approached.

"Why didn't you mention that you're birthday was coming up?" She asked out of curiosity.

"I just didn't think it was a big deal. I'm kinda past big birthday parties anyways, to be honest." He replied evenly. Rukia frowned.

"Why wouldn't it be a big deal though?" She couldn't believe he was blowing it off so completely!

"Why are you making a big deal out of this, Rukia? I'm a year older. Big deal." He scowled at her as though she was being crazy and she saw red.

"Because! It is a big deal!" She stood up and pointed a finger in his face. He swatted it away and sat up on his bed.

"Why the hell is it a big deal then?"

"BECAUSE!" Rukia stomped her feet, willing him to get it.

"BECAUSE WHY?" Ichigo shouted, "WHY ARE YOU FREAKING OUT OVER SOMETHING SO LITTLE?"

"BECAUSE! YOU'RE TURNING 17 AND YOU ALMOST DIED A MILLION TIMES BEFORE YOU WERE EVEN 16! DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW MANY TIMES IN THE YEARS YOU'VE KNOWN ME THAT YOU'VE ALMOST BEEN KILLED?"

"Rukia…"

"Just forget it. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry I'm so crazy about it. Just leave me alone." She tried in vain to concentrate on the dresses in the magzine, but they couldn't hold her attention at the moment.

"No." Ichigo said, getting off his bed and walking to her.

"Ichigo…"

"No! You listen here, dammit because I'm not saying this again! I'm happy I met you! Got it?" He yelled before he sighed and the anger drained from his face.

"I love you, you idiot. Why don't you just get used to it?" He sat down next to her with a defeated plop.

What else could she do in response but throw her arms around his neck? His thick arms wound snugly around her back, and she permitted herself to tuck her head in the hollow of his strong neck. He smelled as warm as he felt. How could he smell that good when he used plain soap and plain shampoo? It was a mystery to her.

"Hey Rukia."

"Ichigo."

"I'm taking you out tomorrow. No goat chin setting it up."

She squeezed her arms around him a little more and nodded.

"Okay."

AN: I got the dates for both birthdays in the Bleach Character book, so they're accurate. They are going out on a date! Sorry they fought, but it would be IC if they weren't hotheaded. Read and review my lovelies!