Monday.

No one likes Monday.

Blah, that was Monday.

The classroom was bubbling with joy as Ichigo entered. He neared the bulletin board where a army of his classmates hunched around it. A pink paper was posted everywhere and it read "SPRING DANCE". The redhead rolled his eyes and flopped into his seat beside Chad. Orihime sat behind him and giggled as Ishida stumbled over his invitation.

"W..Would you..l..like to go with...me Inoue?"

"Of course! Kurosaki-kun should ask Kuchiki-san!"

The boy flushed and hid his head in a notebook. How idiotic, he would never ask Rukia to something so silly. Plus, there could be a hallow roaming around and he didn't want to take the chance of slacking of on his duties as a substitute shinigami. Then again, a day off wouldn't be bad, but a party. No.

"Ichigo! How are you this morning!"

Her voice was fresh and crisp.

"Great Rukia."

Did she have to be so light-headed when the burden of the worlds survival lay entirely on her back? Ichigo shook his head and flipped through the manga in his hand. He paused a scene that had intrigued him. A girl stood, her body was shaken, and her dead partner lay at her side. It was a gruesome picture, even though it was drawn. But the girls pale face was blank. In the darkest moment of a battle, she did not cry. And his pupils shot to his roommate. She never cried either.

" Kurosaki-kun!"

He spun around.

"You look sad is something the matter?"

"No, I'm fine. Thank you Inoue."

She tilted her head in a blush and sauntered over to Uryu.

"CARROT-TOP!"

"Yes."

"New Gigai?"

The last bell wrung and th boy swung his pack over his shoulder. He patiently waited in the corner of the Home room. She waved goodbye to the rest of their crew and hugged Orihime, giving Keigo a mini-nose bleed. Her jet black hair was in a ponytail, and her gym uniform was still on. The boy noticed that a portion of her school books were still on her desk.

"Hey, you need a hand?"

He crammed the textbooks into his left arm and she skipped by his side.

"So are we gonna go get the present! We don't want to make me sad!"

He sighed and felt her drag him in the direction of the small boutique.

Hueco Mundo

"Aizen-sama"

"Hm."

"She's not giving in."

"What a naughty child. Lets make her cry then."

"How."

"Were going to bring back her precious Kaien Shiba."

Gin's mouth coiled into a smile.

"How Delightful!"

Human World

Location: Uruhara's Store

The mans mouth hung open. THIS was not the right price. It couldn't be. No way. A shell could never cost this much. He looked to his right and the Kuchiki gave him a peace sign and ran off into the candy section of the shop. Holding his breath, he hastily gave the blond man his entire allowance. For 4 weeks. He had been saving up, but no. He had to keep her happy.

"Thanks Ichi!"

"Well, as long as your joyful, anything goes."

The two walked quietly.

A tear was beginning to swell in her orbs. She was so grateful to be with Ichigo, it was bringing her to break down. She choked it back and strapped her head into her palms. Forcing the tears back. No. Not now. She couldn't let herself.

"Rukia."

Her red eyes widened as Ichigo hugged her close. She tucked into his chest, feeling the sobs subside. The tip of her toes slowly dissolved away.