The next morning Ichigo woke up a little later than usual because he couldn't sleep at all and that was fairly evident with the look on his face. He expected Rukia to be the same but was surprised to see that she was doing absolutely fine. Rather, she was happier than usual chatting away with Isshin and playing with yuzu and Karin, Ichigo's sisters.

Though he seemed not bothered, Ichigo was annoyed at the whole scene. This is the first time Ichigo's ever seen Rukia this happy in many years and for some reason, he just couldn't see her face like that. As he watched all of them play with a glare in his yes, a kick landed on his face courtesy of Isshin.

''Oi, you idiot of a son! Come play with us" invited Isshin kicking a ball onto Ichigo's face. Isshin met with a power packed kick from Ichigo and just when Ichigo decided to end it with a huge punch, a slender hand stopped him and even though he tried to get it back, his hand was held firm.

''Why don't you play with us, Kurosaki-kun?'' Rukia said with a bright smile on her face.

''Kuro... Kurosa... KUROSAKI-KUN?!'' Ichigo was obvioulsy flabbergasted by the way Rukia addressed him. Sure, some may call him that but he wasn't particularly fond of being addressed like that. Not especially by Rukia because she always called him Ichigo. It somehow made him feel very uneasy and weird. It was as if Rukia was more distant to him than ever but he dared not say that. He hesitantly declined Rukia's invitation and watched her silently as she let go of his hand and resumed playing with Karin and Yuzu.

''Hmm, it may seem like everything's fine but you actually do realize that Rukia actually acted a bit cold towards you. Didn't you Ichigo?'' asked Masano.

''Whatever! I couldn't care less. I'm off!'' Saying that, Ichigo quickly stormed out of the scene but Masano could see that Ichigo looked sad.

If Rukia could bear to do all the work like a slave, what the hell did he do that brought out the worst in Rukia now? Whatever it was, he will make sure that it's known to him and for that, he will do anything. Thinking that, Ichigo went off on his own somewhere not bothering to tell anyone like always.

Soon, Ichigo found himself at a shopping mall and he started searching for something and as soon as he found it, he headed for home.

After he got home, he stormed towards Rukia's room and knocked on the door.

''Who is it?'' asked Rukia.

''Just open the damn door!''

''Oh, it's you Kurosa...'' Rukia's words were cut short as Ichigo barged into the room.

''What is it?''

''I came to give you something so just take it and stop calling me in that weird way and yeah, that's it.'' Ihigo said as he threw something rashly on Rukia.

Suprised, Rukia opened it to see a chappy necklace and normally, she couldn't have resisted it but now, she just had to. It was one of the most amazing things she had ever seen but she had to give it away and she did so reluctantly.

''I... I don't want it''

''Then why don't you give it back?'' Ichigo asked as he took it away from her forcibly.

''Now, get out. I don't want to see you...'' just as Rukia was about to finish that sentence, her words were cut short by a rather surprising event.

She couldn't quite understand how she felt about that. It was forced but she somehow couldn't deny it.

It was a kiss after all and that too... from KUROSAKI ICHIGO.