For the Love of Life

Summary- A series of disjointed drabbles about Ichigo and Rukia.

Disclaimer- No, I wouldn't love to own it.

A/N- Let me know if they are in character, kay? I'm worried about that.

Chapter 3

Rukia was napping on his shoulder. Yeah, he'd warned her against drooling, but, could she really be careful with her spit when her gigai was clearly out of it? They were at Inoue's place after an uneventful Hollow bash-up. But, it worried him that her synchronization with her gigai was not improving, but, rather, getting worse. She was being drained of her reiatsu too quickly. It wasn't normal, was it? But, every time he voiced his concern, Rukia brushed it off, too forcefully, for his liking. 'Damn your ego, Rukia.'

He traced patterns on her face, and thought furiously, 'Why is she doing this for me? Is this for her, or for me? Why can't she go back? Is it really her decision?'

'I'm back, Kurosaki-kun. Sorry to keep Rukia-chan and you waiting.' Inoue put down the bags as she slipped out of her sandals. 'Oh, Rukia-chan has already fallen asleep?'

'Yeah, so it's only me who was doing the waiting.' Then he softened his tone and said, 'Not that it was a bother.'

'Well, it was wrong on my part to invite you all to dinner on a school day. It's tiring. Tatsuki-chan had karate lessons, so she couldn't come, and Sado-kun politely refused, so…it only came down to the two of you.'

'Nah, Inoue. It's alright. I'm glad you did.'

'But, Rukia-chan…'

'I'll shove her off when it's time for dinner. She'll nap later.'

'Oh'

Inoue disappeared in the kitchen.

'You'd shove me off?'

'You're awake?'

Rukia didn't reply but got more comfortable on his shoulder, grabbing his arm as leverage. 'Why'd you have so many bones sticking out in so many places? It's so darn uncomfortable.'

'Well,' Ichigo said, in his most condescending tone, 'I didn't work out so that someone could treat my arms as pillows.' He dropped his voice on the last word.

'Careful, Ichigo. You wouldn't want to insinuate something like that.'

'Oh?'

'You wouldn't mind Keigo knowing that I sleep in your room, would you?'

'You would mind, too.'

'Unlike you, I have no reputation to uphold. When I leave, nobody would even know I existed.'

'Then, they wouldn't remember this, hah.'

Rukia looked up at his face. She had wanted him to respond differently.

'What, Rukia? Lost for words?' He taunted.

'I'd be lost to you.' She mumbled so softly that Ichigo could scarcely believe he'd heard that.

'Rukia-chan's awake! Let's have dinner then.'

'Kay, Inoue. Coming right up.'

'Is that drool, Rukia?'