I don't own Bleach.

Chapter 1: Promise

The sunlight peeked through the slightly closed curtains and gently touched the face of a green-haired girl. She was peacefully sleeping in a spare room in the Kurosaki household. It was already past 12:00nn, so she was obviously sleeping in. Well of course, anyone who had to fight against a mad scientist and his army of Reigai would want to sleep for a week. This girl's name is Kujou Nozomi.

"Yo, Nozomi! How long are you going to keep sleeping?" Kon said in her face, instantly waking up the sleeping beauty.

"Wha… What are you doing in my room, Pervert!?" She kicked him in the face, sending him flying to the wall and subsequently fall to the ground.

"Ow…! I was only checking up on you!" Kon complained but was completely ignored by Nozomi.

Nozomi went downstairs after changing into her usual attire, and was instantly greeted by Yuzu.

"Good… umm… Afternoon…? Nozomi-san!"

"…where's Ichigo?" Nozomi instantly asked after looking around for a bit.

"Oh? Ichi-Nii said he'd go out for a while to take care of something. Do you know what it might be, Nozomi-san?" Yuzu asked her.

"Today's the day Ichigo said he'd lose his Reiatsu…" Nozomi suddenly remembered what Ichigo said yesterday. " I'll go look for him."

Nozomi instantly exited the house before Yuzu was able to give an answer.

"Nozomi-saaan! What about… breakfast… Geez, you're just like Ichi-Nii."

…

"… So, this is… goodbye, then…" Kuchiki Rukia said with a sad tone.

"Don't worry, Rukia! It's not like you'll never see me again!"

"Idiot… but I guess that's true." Rukia said with a slight smile.

"Now isn't that better?"

"Ichigo!"

"Hm?" Ichigo turned around to see Nozomi running towards them and crouched down, obviously exhausted after running so much.

"Nozomi? You're up… early."

"What's going on?" Nozomi asked Rukia.

"I just came to say goodbye to Ichigo. This might be the last time he'll be able to see spirits."

"Oh right…"

"Take care of Ichigo, alright?"

"…sure." Nozomi glanced at Ichigo for a while, and then suddenly turned away, leaving him confused.

A slight giggle escaped from Rukia. "You'll do just fine."

"Yeah, without my Reiatsu, I guess its Nozomi's turn to protect me."

Nozomi blushed a little upon hearing that and stomped on Ichigo's foot.

"OW! Why'd you do that!?" Ichigo yelled at Nozomi, who was still turned away and blushing.

"Hehe… you idiot" Rukia snickered.

"What was that!?" Ichigo's eyebrow twitched.

"Farewell, Ichigo, Nozomi." Rukia waved at them.

"…yeah." Ichigo answered.

Rukia got ready to enter the World Penetration Gate, and took one last glance at the pair before finally returning to Soul Society.

"So Nozomi… want to eat? I haven't eaten breakfast yet."

"…me too."

"What do you say?"

Nozomi blushed and turned away again for a few seconds, before turning back to face Ichigo.

"Sure." Nozomi said with a smile.

***Soul Society***

"So, how did it go?" Abarai Renji asked with a serious tone.

"Ichigo no longer has his Reiatsu, he couldn't even see me clearly anymore." Rukia answered, her voice with a slight tone of disappointment.

"That's a let-down. It's gonna be a little quieter here without him. But will he really be alright without his Reiatsu? What if a Hollow attacks?"

"He'll be alright" Rukia said, her voice slightly happier. "Besides, He's got Nozomi with him. Not to mention Inoue and the others."

"Well if you say so. Come on, we've got work to do."

***Human World***

Ichigo and Nozomi wandered around Karakura town after eating pancakes for breakfast. It was mostly a quiet walk, not a single word was uttered. Except for the occasional "What's that?" from Nozomi.

"Hey, Nozomi… I've been thinking…" Ichigo said, breaking the aura of silence that have been enveloping them ever since they ate breakfast.

"What is it?"

"You should get more clothes, you can't live in the Human World with just one type of clothing you know." Ichigo suddenly blurted out.

"Crap. What did I just say?" Ichigo thought.

"You pervert." Nozomi instantly replied.

A nerve snapped in Ichigo, but before he could reply, Nozomi's expression changed from disgust to a shy smile.

"Fine… but you're paying. I have no money."

Ichigo was dumbstruck by the sudden change in Nozomi's behavior, but he felt relieved that she opened up more.

"Alright."

It took around 5 minutes for them to get to the local women's clothing shop. Nozomi at first was embarrassed, and so was Ichigo. Both of them have never been to a women's clothes store before, let alone actually shop.

"Well? Aren't you going to check out some clothes?" Ichigo tried to cancel out the awkwardness around them.

"I don't know how."

But it seems he only made it worse.

"Ugh, I can't believe I'm sayin' this… Come on, I'll… ugh… show you." Ichigo said, the hint of embarrassment was obvious in his voice.

Ichigo led Nozomi to the casuals aisle and pointed at the clothes.

"Basically, you pick some clothes here and you can try them on over there." Ichigo pointed at the fitting room. "And then you pay for them over there." Ichigo pointed to the counter this time.

"I see!" Nozomi's eyes lit up and she immediately picked a few clothes. "I'll try these on." She then rushed to the fitting room in record time.

"Woah, I didn't think she'd be this into it. Well, she IS a girl after all…" Ichigo thought while in a detective like pose.

He went in front of the fitting room and sat down on a chair. It took a while before Nozomi came out, but Ichigo was already asleep.

"Ehem."

No response.

"EHEM!"

"Aw, Yuzu… I don't feel like going to school today…"

Nozomi's eyebrow twitched and she stomped on Ichigo's foot furiously.

"Hey Ouch! What was that!? Ichigo sprang awake from the sudden pain but instantly calmed down after seeing Nozomi in different clothes, although she doesn't seem very happy because he decided to take a nap.

"Oh, Nozomi… You look… great."

Nozomi was wearing a loose t shirt with alternating black and green horizontal stripes, baring her collarbones, and black skinny jeans.

"Stop staring, pervert." Nozomi instantly turned away with a blush, and so did Ichigo.

"I'm serious, you do look great!" Ichigo involuntarily spoke up again, making Nozomi blush even harder.

"…idiot."

"Whatever, come on, we'll have to pay for them first."

"…um… Ichigo… thank you." Nozomi became even redder upon realizing what she just said.

"Huh? Said something?"

Nozomi was at first surprised, but a smile formed on her lips not too long after. "No."

…

Ichigo and Nozomi headed back after that, it was already 2:00pm so they were in a hurry.

"Hey, Ichigo." Nozomi broke the silence this time.

"Yeah?"

"Are you really okay with your Reiatsu disappearing just like that?" She had asked a serious question. But Ichigo was unfazed. In fact, he even seemed glad she asked.

"Well, I don't know. Without my Shinigami powers, I can't fight Hollows anymore, so I can't protect everyone like I used to anymore." Ichigo admitted, he was smiling while looking up at the sky. Nozomi was perplexed by this strange behavior, but before she could reply, Ichigo spoke again.

"But I don't regret it one bit. As long as I know that the sacrifice of my powers saved countless lives. And besides, Ishida, Chad, and Inoue are still here. And so is Soul Society." Ichigo smiled at Nozomi, causing her to turn away for the nth time.

"But… you said YOU'D protect me…" Nozomi said, surprising Ichigo with the sudden change in her attitude.

"Nozomi." She looked at him, and they stared at each other's eyes for a few moments.

"Even without my powers, if you ever get yourself in a pinch, I'll find a way to protect you. That's a promise!" Ichigo reassured her, giving a thumbs up and a smile.

"How lame." Nozomi chuckled.

"Hey…" Ichigo tried to complain but Nozomi stopped him by putting her finger on his mouth.

"Don't break your promises… you idiot."

"Alright." Ichigo replied.

The two smiled at each other before continuing their way back home.

First Chapter. R&R if you like. Ja ne.