DISCLAIMER: I do not own bleach! Duh!

"Lost in Love"

Chapter 4: friends

It was dark already when A boy with bright orange hair got home. Ichigo was about to ring the bell when he remembered how crazy his father was. His father must be the most insane father in the world. He also knew that he must be worried at him but his father won't show him that. He thought of any reasons he can come up with but couldn't think of one. He decided it's better to just tell the truth since he didn't really do anything wrong. He only wished that his father won't make any assumptions about what happened.

He was standing at the door. Carefully, he took out his keys and put them in the knob to unlock it. Ichigo was waiting for something to come to him but none came. He stepped his one foot in the house and waited for some outburst. Ichigo closed his eyes. he waited and waited but no sound came.

Finally he decided to open up his eyes and look.

"Ahhhhhh! What ARE YOU DOING!"

Ichigo shouted. When he opened his eyes he saw his father's face an inch away from him. He didn't even feel or rather hear his lunatic of a father approaching him.

He pushed his father away from him but instead he was the one pulled to the ground facing the floor.

"Is this the right time for a boy of your age to come home? My son, tsk! What's happening to you? YOU'RE A DISGRACE TO THIS FAMILY! YOU BRING SHAME AND-" Isshin, Ichigo's father stepped on his back while Ichigo was lying face down. He was crying and making a fuss about something silly when Ichigo pushed him away again from him and cut him off. This time Ichigo succeeded he stood up and raised his head to his father.

"SHUT UP! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING! IT'S JUST 8'o clock! JEEZ! DONT COMPLICATE SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE!"

"Ichigo, we came from respectable family! And not complying to the rules is unacceptable! We must be a good follower and be a good citizen. Going back home an hour late is inexcusable! We shoulmmmp-"

"AHHHHHH! don't ever talk to me again!"

Isshin was on the floor because his son just punched him on the jaw.

Ichigo went to the living room. He saw Karin and Yuzu, his twin sisters, doing their homeworks on the coffee table. They were sitting on the carpeted floor and was very busy. They heard their father and brother arguing but it was just a normal thing for them that they didn't even bother to look at the two men. When they heard Ichigo approaching them Yuzu looked up.

"Welcome home Ichigo. Are you okay? Why didn't you call to tell us that you were going to be late?"

"I'm sorry Yuzu I was caught up with something that I lost track of the time. Don't worry it won't happen again." ichigo smiled at his youngest sister.

"Well that was a first." Karin answered sarcastically. "Let me guess, YOUR GIRLFRIEND asked you to stay with her didn't she?"

"Ha..." Ichigo sighed. Karin never liked Inoue. When he told them about her being his girlfriend Karin has been very vocal of her opinion. He couldn't understand why Karin acted that way. Sometimes it was annoying for him but he can't change his sister's mind. She said it was because Inoue acted like she's a princess and how she clings onto him like, if Ichigo and Inoue were together the latter always do her best to keep him to herself. He didn't notice it at first but Karin was right. Inoue was a possessive girlfriend but she was also nice and she understands him. He really couldn't say anything bad about her. Aside from that, she has always shown how much she loves him and respects him.

"No. She didn't and will you please cut it out? She's not doing anything." Ichigo answered Karin. Looking straight at her with a scowl on his face. His father's idiocy started irritating him and now it's his sister's turn.

"Just ignore Karin. You know her, she's always looking for trouble" Yuzu interrupted.

"No wonder you and dad are the same!" snapped Ichigo at Karin.

"What! I DON'T look like him and I certainly DON'T act like him!"

"No, you DON'T act like him but you are as IRRITATING AS HIM!"

"My children! How can you be so cruel to your own father? Can't you be nice to me and tell me that you love me? Hey! Ichigo where are you going? Ichigo come back!" isshin was about to make a scene again. but once Ichigo saw his father he turned around and headed to his room.

The twins were just looking at them both. Yuzu remembered Ichigo hasn't eaten anything yet so she called him back.

"Ichigo! Are you not going to eat yet? We put some leftovers in the fridge. If you want I can heat them up for you."

"Nah. I'm not hungry. Just leave it in the fridge. I'm going to sleep now so don't disturb me. Do you three get it?" he shouted back.

"Yes!" All three of them answered. One with an enthusiastic voice. The second with a bored one and the last one with a dramatic rough voice.

Ichigo was lying on the bed. His hands were on the back of his head and had used them as pillows. He had changed into fresh clothes and has washed up. He was tired but couldn't sleep yet. He kept on thinking about what had happened at the river, about rukia.

Rukia admitted what she did. It actually surprised him because he didn't have a clue that he had hurt her. But like what Rukia had said it was her fault for assuming that he didn't like her.

(Flashback)

Ichigo and Rukia were sitting at the river bank. She had stopped crying already but was still sobbing a little. She explained everything to him and he understood her reason. Although Ichigo was a bit stunned he realized that Rukia had a personality of not trusting people which was the main reason why she thought he forced his self to be with her. He was still waiting for Rukia to stop and calm down when she spoke all of a sudden.

"Kurosaki, I'm really sorry. I know I've said this a couple of times now but I can't help it. I'm also very grateful of you for helping me with those boys. Thank you." Rukia looked up at Ichigo who was sitting beside her. When she said 'thank you' she smiled at him warmingly.

"Hey, like what I've said that's fine. I'm not mad."

"I know, why don't we go to my place to have dinner? Please accept my invitation. It's the least I can do." rukia offered.

"Uhm... I don't really know. I mean you live with your brother. Don't you think he will be mad if I'll go to your house?" he looked at rukia and was scratching his head while asking her.

Rukia turned her gaze to the river when Ichigo mentioned her brother. "No, don't worry he's not home yet. My brother is still on a business trip. I'm not sure until when though." she replied with a sad eyes. But she looked back at Ichigo and said with a bright smile, "Please let me make dinner for you. I promise it won't take long. I'll let you go before 7 o'clock. How's that sound? I'm really good at cooking."

(Back at Ichigo's room)

He didn't know why he said yes. All he knew was that Rukia looked cute while pleading. She smiled to him beautifully and it made Ichigo say yes. 'If you would look at her you can see that Rukia is pretty but when you stare at her I can tell that she's not just pretty but amazingly beautiful. She has lovely eyes that will make you comply to whatever she wants and follow her. Hhhhmmm... Maybe I'm exaggerating but still she's pretty.'

He remembered what happened to Rukia's house.

(Flashback at Rukia's house)

It was just a normal house. According to Rukia it had three rooms with two bathrooms. One bathroom was located in the master's bedroom and it was her brother's room and her room was beside it. The other one was a guest room since Byakuya often had a visitor. The other bathroom was in the first floor. The kitchen was not too big nor too small. All the cabinets were filled with food and also the fridge. Rukia was busy preparing meals. She was wearing an apron and hairnet.

"Do I look weird?"

"Huh?" Ichigo's cheeks reddened when Rukia caught him staring at her.

"You were looking at me like you can't believe that I can cook." Rukia continued putting ingredients in a bowl.

"Actually I KNOW you CAN'T cook." teased Ichigo. He looked at Rukia from head to toe and even rolled his eyes to show how much she looked silly.

"Excuse me? I can cook! You just wait it will be the best dish you've ever tasted!" she answered proudly.

In the kitchen there is a bar counter with seats. Ichigo was sitting on one. Rukia was on the other side of the counter and was cooking. She was mixing everything in front of Ichigo. "Oh really? We'll see later if it's true." Ichigo leaned over the counter to be closer to Rukia. "By the way the water's boiling." He mocked.

"Oh no!" Rukia turned around and looked at the pot. The water wasn't boiling yet.

Ichigo was grinning at her for panicking when a dish rag was thrown at his face. He saw Rukia sticking out her tongue.

"Geez! Aren't you a little old to stick your tongue out to someone?"

"No, and I don't care!"

"Well considering your height I guess it's okay. I mean you obviously look like a thirteen year old kid." Ichigo arched his left eyebrow and was having fun teasing Rukia because he could sense that she gets mad easily.

"WHAT! I don't look like a thirteen year old kid! You have the guts to tell me that when it's actually you who looks silly having very bright orange hair! Come on! You're seventeen and yet you dyed your hair like a carrot! But don't worry it suits your name. STRAWBERRY! haha!" Rukia was cutting some vegetables while talking to Ichigo or rather teasing him.

"My name doesn't mean strawberry it means "the one who protects". Don't ever call me by that word! And I didn't dye my hair! This is a natural color!" Ichigo retorted back.

"Fine! But don't make fun of my height again or you'll be dead! D'you get that?" snapped Rukia.

"See! You do know that you're a MIDGET! Ow! What the hell was that for? Stop throwing things at me " Ichigo was touching the spot on his forehead where Rukia just threw a spoon at him.

"Stop calling me midget! Or I'll brea- Ouch! What the-Urg!" rukia didn't look at what she was cutting with the knife so she accidentally hurt herself. She was about to suck out the blood with her mouth when two strong hands touched hers.

"Are you okay? You were supposed to be looking at what you're doing not goofing around! Do you have any band aid?" Ichigo wasn't teasing Rukia anymore. When she shouted he immediately pulled Rukia's hand over the counter to him. He looked closely at her wound. Fortunately it was a shallow one.

"Wait here and dont do anything!" he left Rukia and went to the living room. Rukia was staring at the spot he disappeared. It was just a minute when Ichigo came back. He went to Rukia and took her hand again. He washed the cut finger in the running water and then dried it with a cloth from his pocket.

"Don't ever suck out the blood. That's not a good idea. This," Ichigo was wrapping the wound with the band aid. "is much better so it wont get infections."

"There! It's finished!" he looked at Rukia and saw that she was blushing. He soon realized that he was still holding her hand.

"I'm sorry. Uhm... The water's really boiling this time." he awkwardly said.

Rukia was staring at him the whole time and couldn't speak. He was just treating her wound but when he touched her hand there was that funny feeling again that she had the first time he held her. She was blushing and wanted to take away her hand but Ichigo was totally wrapped up with it and wasn't even uncomfortable.

Rukia turned around and saw that the water was really boiling so she continued cooking without a word. A moment later Ichigo spoke again.

"You know I actually thought you live in a whole lot bigger house than this. I mean, your brother is a business man who travels a lot to other countries so doesn't that mean you have the money to live in luxury? I was also thinking about maids." Ichigo was back sitting at his original place by the counter. His gaze swept through the entire kitchen and then settled to Rukia.

"Well, my brother was going to buy the kind of house I'm sure you're imagining but I know he will be gone most of the time and I definitely didn't want to live alone in that kind of place so I told him to buy just a simple one. As for the maids, there is one. She does every cleaning and laundry but Byakuya let me do the cooking when I asked him if I can cook for us."

"Wow! Sounds like your brother gives you everything you want, doesn't he?"

Rukia looked down and hid her sad face away from Ichigo.

"Yeah, you can say that."

"Now, do you believe me that I can cook?" Rukia and Ichigo had just finished their dinner. It was superb although Ichigo won't admit it. they were just having coffee to pass some time. Rukia was really having a great time. She didn't want to think about what was going to happen when Ichigo will leave. Later on she will be left alone again. All Alone in an empty house.

"Fine, I admit it! You are a great cook. Better than Inoue I must say." ichigo was praising her for a job well done.

"Really? Wow! Thanks, I mean she's your girlfriend but maybe you did like my cook for you to say that I'm better." Rukia was smiling at Ichigo.

"Kuchiki! You should taste Inoue's dishes and see for yourself if it's good or not."

Ichigo called Rukia By her last name. It made Rukia feel uncomfortable because she really felt that they were friends already and she thought that it was enough. So she looked at Ichigo with a sincere look on her face and talked to him.

"Uhm... Can I ask you a something?"

"Yeah! Sure what is it?"

"I know that we've just known each other for a few days and it might not be enough for you but will it be okay if I'll call you by your name? I mean if from now on I can call you "Ichigo"?" She looked at Ichigo with hopeful eyes.

Ichigo looked at her. He can see that it's really important for her. She was showing all of her emotions today. She smiled often and not as an obligation. She talked to him without being embarrassed. She even got mad at him for teasing her and wasn't even afraid to show him. 'I guess she's right. We are friends now and I did have fun being with her.' Ichigo was about to answer her when he remembered her doubts about being friends. Rukia was sitting on the sofa in front of him. He stared at her and held her gaze with his eyes. He did everything he could to show her how true his next words are.

"Rukia, trust me if I'll say that I did have a wonderful time today. I enjoy every bit of it that passed. I guess all I'm trying to say was, please trust me and be my friend. I would really be happy if you'll accept it. You can call me "Ichigo"."

A smile was visible on Rukia's face. She was truly grateful of Ichigo. She can see how sincere his words were and and she was touched by them. She looked down at him and said, "Thank you. You don't know how much it means to me. I know I did something stupid and i've regretted it. I also thank you for helping me. You're a nice guy, Ichigo." Rukia pronounced his name with clarity and looked at Ichigo in the eyes.

"Alright! I told you that I will be your tour guide here in Karakura so on Saturday we will start our plan. There are five most important places for me and we will start this coming Saturday." enthusiastically he replied.

"Ok! I will talk to Inoue to tell her about that and ask for her permission. If she won't say yes, then I will respect her decision. She might be the jealous type of girlfriend."

"Sure!" Ichigo said. "Give me your phone Rukia."

"Why?"

"I'm not going to take it. Geez... Just give it to me."

Rukia stood up and went to get her phone from her bag. She gave it to Ichigo who took it without any word and pressed some numbers on it. Rukia looked at what he was doing when another phone rang.

"That's mine. Now I have your number. I will call you if I'll need to." he smiled at her.

This made Rukia smile even more. She couldn't say anything so instead of speaking she just nodded her head with a huge grin plastered on her face.

"Thank you Ichigo."

Ichigo answered her with a smile.

the day passed by. Ichigo was so tired. He could still hear his father making a fuss about something and he's sure that whatever it was it wasn't worth knowing. He turned sideways and looked at his phone. It was on silent but it glowed all of a sudden signaling him that a message has been sent. He took it and read the message.

"Thank you so much STRAWBERRY! ^_^ I appreciate everything you did. Goodnight, Ichigo..."

A smile crept along his face and he quickly pressed the buttons of the phone. In his message it read,

"No problem, MIDGET... Goodnight Rukia..."