Okay guys after revising twice here it is the moment you have been waiting for the reunion!

I wanted to make it in true ichi/ruki fashion I hope you guys like it!

thank you so much for the comments! Please review as always!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH IF I DID WE WOULD KNOW WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO GRIMJOW

_Chapter 5_

Reunion

Once every century or so there is a moment that is so charged with emotion that time actually stops in order to prolong it. This was one of these moments. In his mind there was nothing else but the woman in front of him. He took in everything. Her hair was slightly shorter now showing off the delicate curves of her neck. Her face was calm, belaying the emotions that played in her eyes. He noticed the red tinge around her eyes as if she had been recently crying. A sudden unexpected surge of rage welled up in him at this. He would go to the ends of the Earth to punish whoever had made her feel this way. If he only knew that he was the culprit. On her arm the emblem of the 13th division's lieutenant badge was proudly displayed. He knew that she was strong and was truly happy that she was finally getting recognized for it. He searched his mind for the right words, any words, he came up with nothing as if his mind was telling him that if he spoke he would ruin the moment.

" Hey, good to-"

CRACK! The uppercut was expertly timed and unavoidable. Ichigo found himself being flung backwards and crashing into the wall rather hard. All of the eyes watching this exchange widened at this sudden unexpected turn of events.

"HOW DARE YOU! YOU LOOK AT ME WITH THOSE DAMN EYES AND ALL YOU CAN SAY IS "RUKIA.." DID YOU NOT THINK THAT I WOULD WATCH OVER YOU! I SAW YOUR WITHDRAWAL. I SAW YOU REVERT TO A SNIVILLING HUSK OF YOUR FORMER SELF!"

At this Ichigo felt the impact of the shinigami landing on his chest. Standing on him and looking down. He noticed the tears were flowing freely now. He realized instantly that he was the cause of her red brimmed eyes. Feeling shameful he averted his eyes.

She looked down at him. True, this was not the heartfelt reunion she had expected. She had just wanted him to be near no matter his choice. She had wanted to say everything she had felt over the last year. Instead when he had looked into her eyes the barriers she had built broke. A year of worry, depression and the fear that she would never see him again had taken a toll on her. She did not want to hurt him of course. Quite the opposite actually. She began again quieter this time.

" I was there Ichigo. I saw everything. Of course the way we parted was not what I wanted, but I wanted you to live. I wanted you to be yourself. I watched you for almost four months seeing you spiral downward was just to much to take. I had to leave I wanted to come back and check in on you. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. When I left, I thought that over time that you would forget about everything. I had to accept that the next time I would see you was when you passed from the living world. I wanted you to... forget about the constant battles...forget about the despair that you had lived through...f-forget about me and live."

"Rukia...I.."

"No, let me finish."

She lowered her head to where even with him looking up at her he couldn't see her eyes.

" I was hurting too Ichigo. I was lost in a whirlwind of pain and depression as well. Time seemed to creep by and the overwhelming feeling of being completely hollow beat me down as well. Every time I thought about you I saw the look in you face that day. I couldn't help but think that I was responsible or your pain. I had brought you into this world. I gave you my powers that started all this so long ago. I caused your pain. Promise me...Promise me if something ever happens to me. That you will live on, that you will be the man that I know you are, that you will not let despair win...my soul could not rest knowing that yours was hurting." By this point her face was stained with the streaks of tears that were flowing freely. Ichigo slowly rose to his full height and looked down at her. She looked completely broken. He knew how hard it was for her to express the way she felt freely. He could not describe the emotions that were completely taking at over.. His overwhelming urge to protect was taking over. He wanted to take her far away to where she would never have such pain showing in her face again. He reached out a gently pulled her into an embrace.

"You are crazy."

She was expecting anything but those words. She looked up at him panic in her eyes. Did she just ruin everything? Had she said to much? Did he not feel the same? She could feel her heart stop. She was calmed when she saw him smiling down at her.

"Do you think I would ever allow something like that to happen? Rukia, you made the rain stop. I would fight the very demons of hell to ensure your safety. Silly midget, stop worrying everything is going to be fine now."

His smile and words calmed her.

"Well now its good to see the two of you feeling a little better! Do you need some time alone?" Urahara smiled followed by some suggestive remarks from Isshin.

Suddenly back in reality Ichigo and Rukia noticed their close proximity and the fact that were five smiling people around them. Quickly breaking their embrace and both turning very red they both stood straight again.

"I am proud of you Ichigo. Although I figured that you would follow your heart and desire to protect, seeing you standing there as a fully realized shinigami is something that I thought I wouldn't get a chance to see again." smiling at his son her turned to a still red-faced Rukia. "Rukia I have always thought of you as my third daughter. Promise me you will keep this idiot out of trouble. He is going to have to get used to a very different way of life in the Soul Society." Isshin beamed. Judging by the spiritual pressure flowing from his son he had a good idea of what Ichigo was in for.

"I promise." Rukia smiled thinking to herself " I promise never to let him out of my sight again"

CRACK! Everyone's eyes widened as Ichigo again found himself again on the floor.

"Shit! Renji what the hell was that for!?"

"That is for having to put up with Rukia moping around like their was nothing to live for for a entire year. I swear to you, you bastard if I ever see her like that again I'm coming for you."

Ichigo smiled he knew exactly what Renji was saying between the lines. He knew that Renji still harbored some feeling for Rukia. In those two lines Renji had told him that he approves, but he expects Ichigo to live up to his approval.

"Don't worry that won't happen."

The next few hours happened like you would expect. There was much reminiscing, good conversations, and laughter was heard in the house again for the first time in a long while. After some time Ichigo noticed that his body was still lying on the ground.

"Kisuke, Do you think you could turn that into a geigai for me?"

"Of course, I guess now you will need one when you come to the living world."

"Ichigo when are you going to tell your friends of your decision?" Rukia asked still not believing that he had given up his life. Wondering why exactly the decision didn't seem hard to him at all.

"Yeah I guess I should. Renji can you find everyone real quick have them meet at us the park?"

"Why the hell should I? Can't you just call them?" Renji asked obviously irritated

"I will I just want to make sure everybody is there. There is not that many man can't you help out for once." Ichigo retorted with a look to Renji.

Renji understood now. Ichigo was really asking him if he could have a few minutes alone with Rukia. Nodding his understanding he saw the relief in his friend's eyes. He wondered to himself if Ichigo was finally going to tell her. Knowing the both of his friends very well he shook his head. Even if they both knew it would take a miracle for those two to actually say the words. He had a feeling eventually he would have to beat it out of Ichigo so that everyone would finally be able to breath a sigh of relief.

"Dad, Yuzu, Karin can you meet us there too? I would really like to have everybody together. I have a feeling that I will not be able to see you guys for a while." Ichigo didn't know exactly what would be waiting for him in the Soul Society, but he knew that there would have to be a period of adjustment when he got there.

"OOOO Masaki, Our son loves me! He wants to spend time with me before he leaves! You would be so proud!" Isshin back to himself earned a groan from Karin

"We will be there Ichi-ni, and I'll make sure that this one doesn't cause any problems." emphasizing her point she aimed a solid hit to her father's mid-section.

"Okay, then how bout we all meet there in around two hours?"

-One and a half hours later-

Rukia and Ichigo had opted to walk to the park together. Both of them wanting to have a little alone time with the other. They had been walking now for about ten minutes and neither had said a word. Not that there was awkwardness in the air. The exact opposite was true actually. This was the most comfortable silence that either one of them had ever had. They both had the outline of a smile on their lips as they walked. They walked close almost touching taking in the comfort that the other was there by their side once again. Ichigo had been trying the entire time to form the words that he wanted to say. Rukia on the other hand knew what she wanted to say she just didn't know where to start. Stopping in his tracks he decided that it was now or never. He reached out and grabbed her hand pulling her to where she was looking at him.

"Ichigo what are you do-" her words caught in her throat when she saw the look in his eyes.

" I have went over in my head a thousand times what I would say when I saw you again. There was never a doubt in my mind that I would see you the only question was when. Right now I cannot find the words. I don't know how to say what I am feeling..." he had a strained look in his eyes.

"The hell with it..." he whispered to himself.

Rukia was shocked when he pulled her closer to him and his lips found hers. Elation and a relief that she didn't think was possible washed of her as she returned the kiss eagerly. At that moment the world could cease to exist and she would have been happy. Very hesitantly and causing a little irritation in her he pulled away slowly and looked at her his eyes peering into her very soul.

"Sorry, I just couldn't think of the right words." he smiled sheepishly

"Fool, you said everything I wanted you too." she smiled back

"So what now?"

"Right now we go and talk with our friends. Later we will discuss everything else."

Having had very little experience with the opposite sex Ichigo had to ask.

"Rukia do you really feel the same way?" he almost held his breath for the answer.

Instead of words she pulled his down for another more passionate kiss. When they finally separated she smiled at him and asked.

"Does that answer your question?"

"Yes it does."

Both of them wearing almost comical smiles turned back towards the park and started walking again. Ichigo's hand found hers and she took it approvingly. They walked the rest of the distance to the park both of the more happy than they have been a long time.

Well There it is! It was never my intention for them to beat around the bush forever. This story is about their journey and I saw no reason to drag it on throughout several chapters!

Please Review!

The next chapter will end the arc in the real world and life in Soul Society will begin.

Still have not figured out exactly how to bring in the antagonist(s) i have picked into the fray but now is not the time for that just yet

see you guys soon