Rukia stepped outside in wonder, a moving van sat in front of her house and of anyone she would have thought would be here, she didn't think that it would be Kisuke Urahara. He turned around and smirked "ah we have the right house after all! Good, how's it going Rukia?"

Rukia watched as Ururu, Tessai and Jinta unloaded furniture from the back of the truck, carrying them into Rukia's new house. Rukia stood there and blinked until she heard Urahara's voice, "I got a call from your brother in soul society, he went and bought you the necessary items for your house, you should be glad."

Rukia smirked a little, wow, Nii-sama definitely changed after all this time, he actually cares a little for me. But that thought was cut short as a thunderous noise came from just down the road. Rukia's smirk was instantly replaced by a frantic look. "Shit that's Ichigo."

Urahara looked and saw the orange haired boy driving towards the house in a shiny blue muscle car, then looked over towards Ururu, Tessai and Jinta, motioning something to them as they all pressed a button on their sleeve and disappeared from sight, including Urahara, "Invisibility clothes, nifty huh?"

Rukia pressed up against the truck watching the kurisaki clinic's driveway as the loud blue car pulled in and shut off, as soon as it turned off Yuzu came running out of the car along with Karin and Ichigo. They all proceeded inside, so she assumed the coast was clear, until Ichigo came back out and looked in her direction and proceeded back inside. She was relieved that she wasn't seen as Urahara unveiled and looked the same way Rukia did and said, "well don't worry about Ichigo Rukia, Karin should be the one you are worried about sensing you."

Rukia looked at him in confusion, "Karin? Why would I be worried of her sensing us?"

"while you have been gone, and Ichigo's powers gone, Karin's spirit energy has been getting stronger by the day. I'd say she is at least as powerful as Ichigo was when he met you. Thing is, she knows about everything, about Ichigo, what I do, and about soul society for that matter. She comes by my shop regularly for some supplies, I even created her a Soccer ball that can deal….. Considerable damage to spirits, she is just as willing to protect her family as Ichigo was, not surprised, it must run in the family." Urahara explained.

Rukia looked back and noticed Ichigo leaving his house, she was able to hear exactly what he said, " Dad ill be back before dinner, im going to the park!"

As he left he put his earphones in and walked down the road, Rukia watched him and then looked at Urahara and said with a serious tone "hey Kisuke hold onto my body for a while."

"Wait what?" Urahara said surprised. She exited her body and in her Soul reaper form she dashed off to chase Ichigo. "hmmmm, the crazy things these young people do now a days." Urahara picked up her body into his arms and looked towards their direction.

Rukia ran atop the telephone poles until She realized he wasn't going to the park, He's going to visit his mothers grave? Rukia jumped down from the telephone poles and followed him on foot. Well one way to find out. Ichigo stopped and looked around, then walked up to the tombstone for Misaki's grave. Ichigo fell to his knees and ripped his earphones off and cried. Rukia watched him from behind a tree, a look and feeling of concern for Ichigo, watching his tears hit the ground, Rukia felt a tear begin to well up in her eye, as she stood there and watched Ichigo in his vulnerable, emotional state. Rukia sat and listened to him, hearing him pour everything out. "I, I cant help it mom, I wish you were here, you would understand. Ever since she came into my life and helped me protect dad, Karin and Yuzu, I just cant let go of that, I miss her."

Ichigo stood up and wiped away his tears and sat down on a bench, Rukia watched him from behind, He truly… cares for me! "Unbelievable isn't it Rukia."She stiffened and turned around to find Urahara holding her gigai in his arms. He set the gigai down and looked at Ichigo. "He has been this way for months, although he wouldn't show it, he declined into a staggering depression, because he couldn't fight, because he couldn't protect his friends, his family, or any soul for that matter. Mostly because of you."

Rukia's eyes widened, "M-Me?"

Urahara nodded, "To him, you made his world. After you left its as if his soul fell away from him. Even in his lowest moments you were there to pick him back up. Every adventure, every fight. He was willing to go to the soul society to save you from execution, which I thought was a suicide mission. You owe him that Rukia. So I think its time, to save his life."

Rukia couldn't believe her ears. Its unbelievable he does care! Ichigo Kurosaki you care! She then slipped into her gigai, got up from the ground and brushed herself off, she looked at Urahara and said, " thank you."

Rukia looked at Ichigo and began to walk towards him, she heard everything he said, "Why? Why cant I seem to get the thought of her out of my head, everywhere I go, the thoughts of her, the memories we shared, they flood my head. I know I haven't seen her in 17 months, but ill be damned if this keeps up I'm gonna loose it, it never stops! I miss her, I miss the midget, even having to put up with her crappy drawings and getting kicked in the shins, at least life wasn't so dull." Rukia stood still for a moment. So this is the true face of his pain. The nightmares, the depression, everything since that fated day, is because of his loss of power, and the disappearance of me. Rukia walked right up to Ichigo, her heart beating furiously in her rib cage, and wrapped her arms around his neck, and leaned her head against his shoulder and softly said in his ear. "Ichigo… you miss me that much? Don't worry anymore, I've come back, and im staying for a while."

Ichigo was in complete shock, and absolutely speechless, He shifted his head to the left and looked behind him, there he saw a ivory white face with a soothing smile, raven colored hair, and deep violet eyes that were looking into his own fiery brown eyes. He couldn't believe it, "R-Rukia, is that you?" He got up, walked around the bench and stood in front of Rukia. He looked at her, still in absolute shock, a warmth came over his body, a soothing warmth coupled with the intense beating coming from his chest. He looked at her and yelled, "RUKIA!"

Rukia went bug eyed as Ichigo wrapped his arms around her small body, not exactly the response she was going to get. She couldn't complain though, 17 months was way to long, she missed this, Rukia wrapped her arms around Ichigo as Ichigo looked down at her and stated, "It's been too damn long! Wow, Shortie, you got taller, guess I cant call you a midget anymore, look at ya."

"yeah." Rukia giggled. "Ichigo, look at you, You've grown up, you look more mature, seventeen months has been long, I barely recognize you, if it wasn't for the fact you still have orange hair."

" well seventeen months ago I would have tried to kick your ass for that." Ichigo blurted. "But I guess times have changed. With everything the way it is now, you know. Hey its getting late, my dad will try to kick my ass if im home late, you wanna come with?"

Rukia looked up at his face and smiled, "I'd love to, that would make me happy."

Urahara looked at them and smiled. "heheh teen love, what a sight."

He disappeared into the woods as Rukia and Ichigo Started to leave for home.

Chapter 8: a Wrench in the plan

Ichigo and Rukia were almost to the Kurosaki clinic, when Rukia looked back at her new home, Ichigo looked at her and asked, "Rukia, something wrong?"

He looked at the house she looked at and said, "yeah someone moved in there recently, I don't know who but hopefully they aren't annoying."

Rukia laughed, "Oh she isn't annoying, trust me."

Ichigo cocked an eyebrow, "uh she?"

Rukia smirked, " I live there strawberry."

Ichigo stood still his jaw dropped, "what the, how the, where did you get the money to buy a god damned house!"

Rukia looked back at Ichigo and stated, " Have you forgot that im part of the Kuchiki family, we are quite wealthy, Byakuya gave me a " credit card" and I bought everything I needed, everything but dishes. So if you have any other questions strawberry ill be happy to oblige."

Ichigo dropped his head and his head and sighed, damn shes still a bit obnoxious but what can I say, some things will never change. Ichigo ran back up with Rukia as the approached the door to Ichigo's home. "hey let me go inside quick and let them know we have a guest, alright wait here."

Ichigo stepped inside and Rukia listened to Ichigo speak with his family, until she heard footsteps approach the door and open the door, Ichigo smiled and said "come on in."

Ichigo moved out of the way as Rukia stepped inside, she noticed the house didn't change much, but she stepped into view of the others. Rukia stood still as Karin and Yuzu stood up and yelled in happiness, "It's Rukia!"

Isshin got up too and lunged himself at her, "my precious third daughter how we missed you!"

Before Isshin made it to Rukia, Ichigo's foot was planted in Isshin's face. Causing him to fall on his back, squinting in pain, a large foot shaped mark on his face. Rukia giggled a bit, "I guess some things don't change."

Rukia walked over and sat between Karin and Yuzu, whom both threw themselves at Rukia, telling each other how they are in 8th grade, how Karin is the team MVP, Yuzu getting straight A's in all her classes, Rukia sat and laughed with both of them, sharing her fair share of stories of what she has done since leaving Karakura town, even though it was actually all a lie, she didn't mention any of the shinigami stuff. Karin stood up and locked her elbows with her hands on the table in excitement, "Rukia, you should tell us about your recent Soul Reaper adventures!"

Rukia nearly choked, "I beg your pardon?"

Yuzu did the same as Karin yelling, "yeah yeah, tell us please!"

Rukia looked confused, "but who told you?"

Ichigo interrupted, "Rukia, they've known about it since the Aizen incident. You can tell them everything."

Rukia nodded as she proceeded to tell the girls to forget what she told them before, stating its not what she really did, she told them of her new training in Soul society, and the hollows she encountered. Yuzu, Karin and Rukia it all in, Ichigo stood against the wall by his mothers poster smiling, watching Rukia and the twins talk about all of their adventures since, Karin said, while day dreaming for a moment, "I wish I was as good as you at doing that stuff, maybe even as good as my brother Ichigo was."

Ichigo interrupted, "Easy Karin, trust me some day you will get there. Besides,"

Ichigo patted her on the head and sat next to Rukia, " It runs in the family."

The food was finally finished. Everyone dug in and ate their share, while they ate their meal Isshin spoke up, "Rukia, do you have anywhere to stay? We can fix up the guest bed for you up in Yuzu's room."

Rukia swallowed her food and replied, "well actually I do, I now live in that small house right down the road."

Isshin smiled, "really now, congrats on the house, but in all seriousness, if you need a place to stay, you've always got a place here."

Rukia was flattered, "why thank you."

Everyone finished up and Ichigo went into his room, grabbed his I pod, plugged it into a speaker base, clicked on his play list and relaxed on his bed, Ichigo shut his eyes and let the music carry him away. He was in his own little world till he cracked one eye open hearing someone knocking on his door. He got up and opened the door seeing Rukia standing there, "oh hey Rukia, whats up?" Ichigo asked.

Rukia looked at him and replied playfully, " weve been separated for more than a year and you retire to your room, whats that all about?"

Ichigo was dumbstruck, "I uh, oh sorry."

Rukia smirked, "don't worry, mind if I come in?"

Ichigo thought for a split second then, "yeah sure."

Ichigo moved out of the way as Rukia stepped inside, "yeah I don't know if you noticed but we repainted my room, dark blue with a grey ceiling, what do you think."

Rukia blurted out, "Yeah I know I was here last nigh-"

Rukia caught herself and put a hand over her mouth. Ichigo cocked an eyebrow and said, "come again? I could've swore you said you were here last night."

Rukia turned around blushing, she said to herself, Shit! I really let that one go didn't I. "oh sorry that wasn't what I said, I mean I heard it from someone who was here yesterday."

Ichigo looked at her in a way that spoke to her saying I don't believe it. Rukia blushed again as Ichigo stated, "your lying aren't you? Its written right across your face."

Rukia couldn't help but sigh, cats out of the bag now. Rukia couldn't look Ichigo in the eye when she said, "yeah, I was here, I didn't get here till late at night and you were sleeping, so I didn't want to bother you. But I couldn't help myself coming back up here, and I sat next to you, while you slept, but before I knew it I fell asleep on your bed…."

Ichigo looked confused, trying to gather what she said, but when it hit him, his cheeks turned a flush red, "Oh, so, were you there when I had that nightmare?"

Rukia sighed again, "yes."

Ichigo's cheeks became more flush as a nervous look came over his face, " oh."

Ichigo sat back down on his bed, "ah what the hell, its not like you haven't seen me shirtless before. But the thing is, those nightmares,"

Rukia stared intently, "what about them."

Ichigo continued, " I've been getting them since last week, I don't know what to think, it's the same nightmare over and over, Orihime, Chad, and you were in it too, but you weren't ok, you were all unconscious, and I was the only one still standing, looking at a shadowy monster, what ever the hell it means."

Rukia looked at him with concern, " Try not to dwell so much on them Ichigo, it will only make yourself feel worse."

Ichigo stood up, "And what if they become a reality Rukia! I cant ignore that! You know me better than that, I will go any length to prevent that from happening."

Rukia stood up and looked Ichigo in the eyes, " And just how will you help huh! Last I checked you lost all of your Shinigami powers remember!" Rukia sat on his bed, and Ichigo became secluded within himself as Rukia continued, " I know you better than anyone, Ichigo, you know it with your entirety, but the fact of the matter is how can you fight back, if you do, it would be suicide you fool!"

Ichigo became enraged, "I will find a way dammit! I will not sit on the sidelines and watch my friends get hurt or killed! I cannot and will not allow it!"

At that moment, Rukia began to shiver, what the hell, that spiritual pressure, Its i, She looked at Ichigo, his eyes were intense, anger etched into his face, Rukia noticed something odd, then an arc of electricity jumped from ichigo's shoulder down into his chest, Rukia's eyes widened, that was a rashi spark! That's impossible, that possibly cannot mean… Ichigo.

The pressure subsided and Ichigo calmed down, "Rukia, im sor-"

Before Ichigo could finnish his sentence, he fell to the floor unconscious. Rukia gasped and hurried to him, "Ichigo!" As she sat next to him trying to wake him up, Karin and Yuzu ran up stairs to see what the ruckuss was when they opened the door and saw Rukia sitting next to an Unconscious Ichigo they went into worry mode, "Ichigo! Rukia what happened to Ichigo?"

Rukia looked up at them, "I don't know, he got mad for an instant and he just collapsed." She shifted her attention back to Ichigo, shaking him, "wake up Ichigo! Cmon snap out of it!"

Rukia continued to shake him every now and then, until Ichigo squinted his face, "uuuuuuhhhhhggghhh, what the hell."

"Ichigo!" Rukia snapped.

Ichigo blinked, "uh Rukia, what the hell happened?"

"You fell unconscious right after you got mad during our argument." Rukia said, she hid her curiosity well, " Ive never seen you that way before."

Rukia gave Ichigo a hand up, Ichigo looked around and scratched his head and sat on the bed, "How long was I out exactly?"

Rukia sat next to him, "about ten minutes, why?"

Ichigo snickered, "good, last time that happened I was out for hours."

Rukia whipped around facing him, "wait what! This happened before, exactly like this."

"uhhh, yeah, but last time I threw up and then passed out." Ichigo replied.

Rukia thought for a moment, ryu was able to get his powers back, but that wasn't on his own…