A/N: Aww thanks you guys for the awesome reviews. I think I'll have to up my goals. 105... whooooaaa high! ha. This is the chapter where a few stuff will be coming together or coming apart whatev. I made it long so PLEASE leave me a review.

Cardiac dysrrhythmias. Ventricular Tachycardia (V tach), asystole (when someone flatlines), etc. You probably would hear those terms on medical shows you know. Poor Chappy. During Asystole he did NOT look good in my drawings. I should be studying for my 1st big test for this new quarter. I wish I had a summer like everyone else. :( ha it's cool.

I'm sorry I didn't update sooner. I went camping. Then I went to play pool and drink lemonade... Then I went to class. Then I bombed my test. -_- Maybe not BOMB, but I didn't pass it, but considering everyone fails this test b/c it's the first and it's cardiac/fluid and electrolyte balance it's still a kick in the shitter when it happens. I think it just means less time reading/writing fanfiction and studying more.... *shudder*


Chapter 7

Rukia smiled to herself as she made her and Ichigo a light lunch. He would be coming over any second now. She was wearing a white summer dress and her hair was down, as usual. She even went far enough to even put on a little make-up. Surprisingly enough she wasn't one for make-up these days. When she was in Tokyo, she was all about make-up, designer labels and eating at posh restaurants and bistros. Hell, that wedding dress she came into town with was worth the yearly income of most of the people of Karakura Town. But after coming to Karakura Town, she realized there was no need to be so focused on what people would think about what she wore or how she looked. Status wasn't everything. She supposed that's what Ichigo meant when he said that people usually ended up loving the town. Not that she would settle there, but she now understood the charm of the town. Everything was a little more relaxed and friendly.

Knock Knock

Rukia opened up the door and it revealed a smirking Ichigo. He was clad in his uniform and he looked very much the officer. His posture was straight and commanding, but his overall stance was somewhat relaxed. He leaned over, brushing his lips against the smooth skin of Rukia's cheek. The woman blushed and turned around, trying to hide her reddened cheeks. "I made lunch." She stated with pride and lead him to the kitchen.

"Premixed salad and a sandwich." Ichigo grinned. "Gourmet." He teased and Rukia glared at him unamused.

"Hey! You can always eat something else you know!!!!" She practically growled to the smirking officer.

Ichigo chuckled and threw up his hands. "I know that. Can't I spend time with my 'girlfriend'?" He sidled up to the woman and wrapped an arm around her waist. "All the guys were jealous as hell when I said I was coming over for lunch."

"What are you doing?!" She squeaked, but didn't pull out of his embrace. He was leaning into her tiny frame now, inhaling the scent of her strawberry shampoo.

"A little afternoon delight?" His voice low and commanding. Rukia laughed and pushed Ichigo away slightly, but his lips found their way to her cheek, slid down and found their way to her neck.

"Ichigo! You're on lunch, you have to go back eventually." Rukia insisted, her hands went up and pressed him against her. "You can't molest me all day."

"Unfortunately, I know that." Ichigo nipped at her ears, eliciting a faint squeak from the tiny woman in his arms. "I'll go back eventually." Rukia pulled out away, laughing and slipped from Ichigo's grip. Rukia tentatively grabbed Ichigo's hand and lead him to his chair.

"Eat." She ordered with a proud smile on her face.

"Hey Rukia." Ichigo said suddenly, as they were eating. "I was wondering if you wanted to go to the town fair this week. It's a big deal to the town. I think you'd have fun." Rukia smiled softly at the slightly flushed appearance on Ichigo's face.

"Sure." Rukia grinned," It sounds like fun. When does it start?"

"Well, it starts this weekend. Friday actually."

Rukia thought to herself, she'd never been to a small town fair before. She wondered what it'd be like. "Cool. I've never been to a fair before. At least not really." Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise and he grinned.

"I get to pop your fair cherry?" He smirked and Rukia blushed.

"Freak." She muttered with embarassment and socked Ichigo in the shoulder.

"Hey baby, no need to be so skittish. I promise it'll be loads of fun." His amber eyes twinkled and Rukia blushed even deeper.

xXxXxXxXx

The week went up pretty quickly. They'd were now working on replacing the cheap linoleum with a NEW cheap linoleum in the kitchen and updating the bathroom fixtures. After that they were going to repaint the exterior and then move on to the main house. But that was the last thing on Rukia's mind today. It was Friday which meant it was the night of the town fair. She slipped on a pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt. Ichigo had worked today, but she told him just to walk in when he got to her house.

"Yo." She heard from the living room. Brushing her hair quickly, she exited her bedroom. He whistled low and waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Sexy as always."

Rukia swatted him across the arm. "Weirdo." He grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers.

"Let's go." He placed a kiss on her cheek and smirked against her skin. "Before I decide we should just go to bed."

Rukia blushed, but pulled away. "Let me get my camera." Ichigo groaned, but Rukia ran away anyways to grab her camera. "Ok let's go." This time she grabbed his hand and lead him out the door. They arrived at the fair and parked in the dirt lot where everyone had parked. Ichigo watched as Rukia's eyes lit up at the sight. "It's fantastic." Rukia whispered in awe. "I've NEVER been to anything like this before."

"It's no biggie." Ichigo insisted. but smiled at the amazed reaction from Rukia. They walked into the fair and were waved down by Ichigo's group of friends.

"Officer Kurosaki." Keigo joked and bowed down. "Miss Rukia." He grinned to the woman and grabbed her hand. "Lovely as always. When will you ditch the pig and go for a real man?" Keigo dropped Rukia's hand and flexed his puny muscles. Ichigo gently shoved Keigo away and muttered something about Keigo being a loser. Rukia laughed and grasped onto Ichigo's arm. The man looked down at her and grinned at how perfect she looked on his arm.

"You guys ready to go on some rides?" Renji asked with an excited grin. Everyone cheered, but Rukia blanched a bit. Ichigo noticed and leaned down into her ear.

"Don't be scared Rukia. I'll make sure nothing happens."

Rukia smiled and squeezed Ichigo's arm. "Get a room!" Keigo yelled out to the couple lingering in the back of the group. "Then let me peek." Ichigo picked up an empty water bottle and chucked it at Keigo, nailing him in the head.

xXxXxXxXx

After riding a few rides together they all went to play some carnival games. "What do you wanna play Rukia?" Ichigo asked with a smile. Rukia spotted a game where the prize was a Chappy bunny and pointed at it with excitement.

"That one!" Rukia yelled out, gripping Ichigo's hand. "I want that rabbit!" Ichigo chuckled and the group went over to the game. You had to throw a dart and hit some balloons attatched to a wall.

"I'll get you one." Ichigo assured Rukia.

"I'll bet you that I can get one for Rukia before YOU get one for her." Renji smiled to Rukia and winked. Ichigo's face settled into a scowl. Rukia smirked slightly at the irritation on Ichigo's face.

"Boys boys. You can BOTH get me a stuffed rabbit." The tiny woman said to both men, a playful smile teasing her lips.

Half an hour and $30 later Ichigo won Rukia a Chappy. "This is the best I could do." Ichigo said, handing Rukia a 9'' tall Chappy the rabbit. The man running the booth laughed and handed Rukia the largest Chappy, which was nearly as tall as her.

"Here," the man said with a toothy grin. "It's just sad watching those guys try to win you this." Rukia grinned happily and thanked the man for the giant Chappy.

"How about we get some snacks." Rangiku suggested, her eyes locking onto a stand with cotton candy.

"That's exactly what you DON'T need Rangiku. More sugar." Ishida said with a frown, but they all went over to the stands will all the food.

"Oh! A funnel cake!!!" Rangiku yelled out ordering one immediately.

"You want one Rukia?" Ichigo asked, squeezing Rukia's hand firmly in his. Rukia looked at the food curiously. Ichigo could tell by the look on her face that she had no idea what that was. "You've never had one huh Rukia?" Ichigo asked with a little smile.

" Nope, is it any good?" She asked curiously.

"Definitely! It's the most delicious thing ever!" Rangiku inserted. "Hey look! It's Orihime." Rangiku waved over to the equally buxom, but straight haired redhead. Orihime's eyes automatically drifted to Ichigo and Rukia nearly growled at the sight. She was eyeing Ichigo like he was some sort of god.

"Hi everybody! Hi Ichigo." When she said Ichigo's name she blushed lightly. Her eyes drifted slowly to Rukia. "Hi." She said meekly. Rukia frowned slightly and unconsciously her hand tightened around her Chappy stuffed animals.

"Hi Orihime." Ichigo said politely and smiled down to Rukia. He was surprised to see Rukia's eyes so stormy. If he didn't know better he would have thought he was spotting jealousy in those huge amethyst irises. "Are you enjoying yourself?" Ichigo asked Orihime.

"Of course! But I'm much happier now that I'm not alone." Orihime said, "What are you guys up to?"

"We were about to get something to eat. Would you like to join us?" Ishida asked and pushed up his glasses nervously. Orihime took a sideways glance over to Ichigo and Rukia.

"Sure!"

Rukia rolled her eyes and allowed Ichigo to lead her over to the funnel cake stand. "Jealous?" Ichigo breathed into Rukia's ear after getting their food. Rukia reddened and scrunched up her face.

"Of course not!" She huffed, crossing her arms defensively. "Why would I be jealous?"

Ichigo's scowl faded away and he raised his eyebrow at the woman. "I don't wanna point it out here Rukia, but I think you care about me more than you think." Rukia frowned. "Don't worry. I'll keep your secret." Rukia swatted at his arm. "Geez, you're a lot more violent than when you first got to town. I remember you being a LOT more friendly."

Rukia's cheeks reddened and she sputtered with embarrassment. "THAT was a mistake." Rukia insisted, her voice becoming even and serious. "I was vulnerable. It was a lapse in judgment." She began eating her funnel cake and realized that it was one of the most deliciously greasy sweet dessert she'd ever eaten. What amazed her more was that it was made in the most simple way and outdoors no less.

Ichigo frowned, his mood effectively ruined. He laughed awkwardly to disguise his disappointment. "Well then that clears that up huh?" His hand instantly released Rukia's, which she barely noticed because she was wolfing down her food. "Let's go see the others." He walked on ahead of her and Rukia trailed behind him, eating the funnel cake. As he approached his friends he realized that while Rukia had already impacted his life, he hadn't even dented hers.

"Hey," Rukia reached up and poked him in the shoulder. "You want a bite?" Rukia asked, a sideways smile on her face and a smudge of powered sugar smeared on the side of her lips. Fighting the strong urge to wipe it himself, Ichigo signaled that Rukia had some shmutz on her face. "Thanks." The woman said with an embarassed blush.

"You guys wanna ride on the tunnel of looovveeee?" Keigo asked the couple, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. Ichigo glared at his friend menacingly.

"I think we'll pass." Ichigo said with a scowl, Rukia turned to see Ichigo serious. Was he really refusing to be in a dark, romantic little boat ride with her? Rukia's brow furrowed as she curiously eyed the man next to her. She lifted her hand and held it to Ichigo's forehead.

"What the hell are you doing?" He pulled away as if her touch burned him.

"You don't wanna go on the ride?" Rukia asked, her face betraying her excitement. But her face faded when she saw that Ichigo seemed hell bent on avoiding that ride.

"You go ahead Rukia. I'm gonna get something to drink." Rukia opened her mouth to protest, but Ichigo shook his head. "Really. Go on ahead. Ride with Rangiku or something."

"I'll ride with her!" Renji injected somewhere from the side. Rukia turned to Ichigo, expecting some sort of gorilla like expression and response. Maybe a fist thumping on his chest with a series of ape like grunts, but received nothing except a mild "okay." Renji and Rukia got onto the first boat. He handed her into the boat like a gentleman and asked her where she wanted to sit. Then Rangiku and Keigo entered the next boat. Surprisingly enough everyone else decided to stay behind.

"So what's wrong with you?" Chad asked, he'd been quietly observing the interaction between Ichigo and Rukia and was surprised at Ichigo's sudden mood swing. Though Ichigo had always been one to be broody and introspective, but a mood swing? Nah, that wasn't Ichigo's style.

"Nothing." Ichigo snapped. Chad peered silently over at his friend inbetween his disheveled locks. Ichigo sighed and looked over at the ride, but said nothing.

"Fight?"

"Something like that." Ichigo answered flatly. Orihime, who was sitting over with Ishida and the others leaned over to hear what Chad and Ichigo were talking about, but no dice. She could barely hear anything over the sound of Ishida trying to start a conversation. "Let's get a beer." Ichigo suggested, a frown clearly on his face. The pair silently got up and went up to buy themselves a pitcher of beer.

"You know if you need to talk..." Chad trailed off as he watched Ichigo gulp down an entire cup of beer in 2 gulps. "Whoa." Chad muttered in a low voice.

Orihime continued to observe Ichigo from the side and noticed the deep scowl on Ichigo's face. She swallowed thickly as she approached the pair. "Hi Ichigo! Hi Chad" She greeted in a bubbly tone. "So you guys didn't want to ride in the tunnel of love either?" She said with a smile, but received no answer. Ichigo continued to finish off the pitcher quickly while Chad was still finishing his second cup. "You're drinking really fast Ichigo."

Ichigo looked up at Orihime with an empty stare. "I need more beer." Ichigo got up and surprisingly was able to get over to the stand without stumbling. Orihime slid up next to him, offering to help him.

"Here," Orihime took the pitcher from Ichigo. "I'll carry it." She smiled over to Ichigo and he muttered a grumpy "thank you". As Chad and Ichigo, mostly Ichigo finished off the second pitcher Rukia, Rangiku, Renji and Keigo returned from the ride.

"We're back!!!!" Rangiku yelled out excitedly. Ichigo rolled his eyes and looked pointedly at the busty woman. "You guys are drinking without me?!?!?!" Rangiku whined as she spied the two empty pitchers. "The next 2 are on me then!!!" She bounced off to buy more beer.

"Are you drunk?" Rukia asked with a frown as she spied Ichigo. The man looked wordlessly at the woman for a moment then frowned and shook his head.

"Not even close." Ichigo grumbled 'I wish I was.' Rukia tilted her head towards the man, but he averted her eyes. "Will you come with me for a second?" Ichigo asked Rukia with a frown. The woman nodded and followed Ichigo as they walked out of ear shot of his friends. "I'm not feeling good. Do you wanna ride with one of the gang home?" Rukia eyed Ichigo for any signs of sickness, but the only thing she noticed was that he had the deepest scowl she'd ever seen him have before.

"No, it's okay. Do you need someone to stay with you?" Rukia asked, her face flushing for a moment.

"No thanks." 'I would love that, but no... That's the last thing I need.' Ichigo thought to himself. 'It's like dangling a piece of meat in front of a starving man.'

"Well then... how about you just talk me home instead." Rukia suggested. Ichigo agreed and eventually took Rukia home. As she got out of the car she was surprised that she didn't receive her usual goodbye kiss, but didn't want Ichigo to know that she was expecting it. "Good night." Ichigo gave Rukia a slight tense smile and said good night to her too.

xXxxXxxxXxx

For the next several days that the two encountered one another Rukia was beginning to feel something was seriously wrong with Ichigo. He would hardly ever look directly at her and that scowl that seemed to appear suddenly during the fair had lingered ever since. Ichigo had tried to avoid her as best as he could, but he knew that he had to keep up his end of the bargain. The sooner he got this house over and done with, she would return to Tokyo and he'd never have to see her again. But then again, he wasn't sure that's exactly what he wanted. It was the weekend and Rukia had half expected Ichigo to ask her to dinner, considering he'd been extremely busy this past week. "Hey." Rukia asked, a fake frown on her face. "No invites to dinner?" Ichigo stopped as he held the door knob to leave and turned to face Rukia.

"Nah, I actually already got plans."

Rukia's eyes widened in surprise. "Doing what?" She asked curiously, hoping that she didn't sound like an insane girlfriend.

"I'm having dinner with Orihime..."

Rukia thought she was going to fall over in surprise. "As in a date?" Her chest clenched painfully at his words.

Ichigo thought for a moment and shrugged. "I guess you could call it that." He reached up and scratched the back of his head. "It's really just two adults having dinner and a movie."

Rukia crossed her arms against her chest. "You know she likes you." She turned her nose up to the air.

"Eh," 'I need the distraction.' Ichigo grunted in a bored tone then looked back towards the front door. "I really gotta go."

"But what about our deal? What are people going to think? How am I supposed to keep up MY end of the bargain when you don't keep up yours!" Ichigo fought from turning to Rukia because he knew that once he saw those giant violet eyes he'd be a lost man. "Ichigo! Seriously! How is that supposed to work?" After a few more minutes of Rukia yelling in circles Ichigo finally broke.

"Rukia!! Calm down! You don't have to worry about that anymore. Everyone thinks we broke up already."

Rukia began gaping like a fish out of water. "But..."

"Just don't worry about it okay? I'm still gonna keep up my end of the bargain, but this charade wasn't working out for the both of us." Ichigo chuckled nervously and gazed up at the ceiling.

"But I don't understand..."

"Rukia. I'll keep it really simple for you. You don't have to pretend you give a damn about me." Rukia opened her mouth, but Ichigo cut her off. "I know you don't. You made it perfectly clear. But you know what? Don't worry about it. It's cool... now I REALLY gotta go." Leaving a stone still Rukia behind him he exited the house. Rukia stood there for a few minutes longer, trying to dissect everything that had just occurred in the past few minutes. She didn't understand what had gone wrong.

xXxXxXxXx

Rukia had debated whether or not to just show up at his house until he returned from his date. Assuming he came back from his date, but she eventually realized in the past month, she had no idea where he lived. Instead, she stayed up half the night. For a while she thought that it was just too much caffeine and sugar... So she tried reading a book... Drinking some warm milk... Nothing.

It was then she realized that she wanted to talk to Ichigo.

He was going to come over early... She shuddered, that was assuming that his date didn't end late. She would talk to him then. Understand what happened between them.

After 3 hours of sleep Rukia was awoken by the sound of her doorbell. She looked at the wall clock in the living room and groaned at the time. 10:14 AM. Rolling off of the couch she approached the door, grumbling at the world.

Rukia swung open the door and wasn't surprised to see Ichigo standing in front of her. He still had that terrible scowl on his face, but it faded for a moment when his gaze rested on Rukia. "You look like shit." Ichigo said, with the most amount of amusement in his voice in a week. Rukia squinted at him and turned away, walking back into the house. She smoothed out her hair, which looked like she'd stuck a finger in a socket.

"Coffee?" She asked, her voice crackled from lack of use.

"Nah." Ichigo said, Rukia went along with her morning routine, preparing coffee, brushing her teeth... "You okay?" Ichigo asked suspiciously, when he saw her grumbling obscenities into her coffee. Rukia, now nice and clean, looked up at the man, dark rings around her eyes. "Rukia?"

Rukia set down her coffee on the counter carefully, dark rings circled her large eyes. "WHERE THE HELL DO YOU GET OFF GOING ON A DATE WITH ORIHIME?!" She yelled out suddenly, Ichigo jumped backwards in surprise. "I THOUGHT YOU AT LEAST GAVE A SHIT ABOUT ME!!!!"

"WHY ARE YOU YELLING?!?!?!" Ichigo asked, yelling just as loudly as Rukia. "AND WHAT THE FUCK RUKIA!!!!! We're not even an item!!! You even said we were a mistake! Make up your damn MIND woman!!!" Ichigo grabbed Rukia's shoulder and shook her lightly, as if trying to shake some sense into her.

Rukia balled her fists and screamed, "I didn't mean it! OBVIOUSLY!"

"So no regrets?" Ichigo asked, considerably more calm now.

"Of course not." Rukia insisted in a haughty tone. "A woman reserves her right to change her mind."

"Only if they're as crazy as you." Ichigo bent down next to Rukia, his face nearly touching hers.

"Can we define the parameters of our relationship now?" Rukia asked in a tiny voice. "That's assuming this IS a relationship." She shuffled her feet on the ground awkwardly.

"I'd like to think it is." Ichigo reached up and wrapped an arm around her small waist. "I want to be able to say THIS is my girlfriend, show you off and be able to do this..." He leaned down to kiss her, "Whenever I want."

"I want to at least know where you live." Rukia joked, a smirk on her lips.

Ichigo smiled, "That can be arranged. Dinner is at my place tonight."


A/N: I know no Byakuya. He took a break. I think he'll be making an appearance next chapter. MAYBE. Assume that he's pushing around his business schedule or something. I just wanted Ichigo and Rukia to be a couple already. They're always more fun as a couple. Next chapter we'll find out what happened between Rukia and Kaien.. Perhaps in the form of a flashback/story.. We'll see.