Bleach is owned by Tito Kubo, however my OC's are my own.

Apricot Parfait

Ch.5 Strawberry, Meet Apricot

"Good work today, Anju", Kisuke praised as he walked towards Anju who was sitting on a flat stone chugging a water bottle. "Either you're getting stronger, or I'm getting out of shape… or maybe both". Kisuke chuckled as he gingerly tucked Benihime in her sealed form under his left arm. He picked up his bucket hat, dusting it off and fluffing it before putting it back on his head. Anju had been particularly feisty today and decided that she would knock it off to see if her flash step improved.

During one of her training sessions with Kensei, he had Anju tie a tire around her waist and run around the underground training field as a form of resistance training. Mashiro who was standing next to Kensei decided she would sit in it thinking it'd be like an amusement park ride that she saw on tv. Kensei face palmed as the neon green haired woman jumped on the tire and began woohooing and screaming like she was on a roller coaster. Anju sweat dropped but smiled without turning around. She continued running, used to Mashiro's antics and Kensei's irritation with the easily excitable woman by now.

"Thanks, Kisuke", Anju said before going back to chugging more water. Catching her breath Anju continued. "Ah. I feel like I did a triathlon". Dark purple reiatsu gently fizzled around the few scratches that Anju got during training.

Kisuke stared before continuing. "I've noticed that you've gotten more efficient with using kido in conjunction with zanjutsu".

"That's because you're such a good teacher, Kisuke".

(Flashback)

"And that's how you perform Jugeki Byakurai". Kisuke finished as Anju stared in amazement at the hole in the large boulder that he shot the kido spell through.

"We'll start slow. Since this is a kaizo kido it may be tricky in the beginning due to it not being as straight forward as a normal kido, but since you've already mastered Byakurai, you've got the basics down enough that I'm confident you'll be able to master this form as well".

"Anju gathered her reiatsu to her right index finger visualizing a solid beam of light shooting forward. She focused on the boulder in front of her and fired the spell. While her kido did not make as large of a hole as Kisuke's, nor was it as clean as his, Kisuke thought it was a good first attempt.

Looking at the aftermath of her attempt, the cogs in Anju's head were spinning. "I'm going to try this again, I think the trick will be to find the balance where my reiatsu is dense enough that it gives the beam shape yet allows it to travel without being weighed down before reaching its target. I can tell Byakurai is lighter and due to it firing a bigger beam It's good for targets that are farther away, but Jugeki Byakurai is more potent. It'll be a useful technique to have in my arsenal for close combat".

From his position next to Anju, Kisuke's eyes widened before they softened then went back to the neutral face he had previously as he watched Anju fire a slightly improved second attempt. "Her analytical skills are improving as well. At the rate she's going, she could even be on par with Reo's skill in a hundred years or so" thought Kisuke.

(Flashback end)

By her fourth try, Kisuke deemed Anju proficient but reminded her that with practice, she would eventually master this new technique.

Making there way up the ladder to the store front, Anju put the lid to the floor back before heading inside to take a much needed shower. Afterwards she would take care of the delivery runs for the day.

Kisuke decided he would manage the store front, lightly fanning himself as he waited for customers to come into the shop.

It was early afternoon this Saturday as Anju finished her last delivery. "Well that was easy". Just then Anju's stomach growled to which she deadpanned knowing she was about to be teased.

"Gah ha ha! What was that"?

"I guess I didn't eat enough during lunch", Anju sweat dropped.

Putting on her helmet, Anju made her way to a nearby diner she'd sometimes go to with Shinji to.

"So, this is a human restaurant. Huh.", Rukia looked around like she was at an attraction.

Sliding into a booth, Ichigo sat down, as Rukia sat opposite from him picking up the salt and pepper shakers to get a closer look at them. Even touching the fake flower in the vase like it was something to study.

Ichigo's eyes were closed, and his elbows were on the table with his chin resting on top of his folded hands. As Rukia continued her inspection, she grabbed the small container with various colored sugar packets, a bulge formed on Ichigo's forehead. "Would you stop that", he hissed. "You're acting like you've never been to a restaurant before".

"I have", said Rukia as she stopped inspecting the objects on the table before looking at Ichigo with what he dubbed her "out of place, awkward look". "It was in Soul Society, but all restaurants should be the same right?".

"How should I know? I've never been to Soul Society". Ichigo sputtered as he moved from his original position to stretch out and put his hands in his pant pockets.

Before Rukia could continue, a waitress brought two menus and tableware giving a rundown on the day's special. Excusing herself to give the two teens a moment to look at the menu, she disappeared behind a door with an "employees only" sign.

"This place has some unusual items". Rukia was fascinated by the laminated yellow menu with pink trim. Turning it back and forth as she silently read the menu items. "What's a bur-ger?", she asked Ichigo.

"It's a sandwich".

"Oh" Rukia said in wonderment. "Is it good"?

"It's not bad. It comes with fries and a drink", Ichigo explained as he figured out what he wanted to order.

"I've never heard of such a thing. I'll try it!" beamed Rukia, excited to try something so unusual sounding.

She'd been living with Ichigo for almost two weeks now, and had developed a sort of fondness for what the human world could offer.

"I guess Anju was right. This world is more interesting than I originally thought".

The bell on the door jingled as a woman wearing a white tank top and the pants portion of her motorcycle riding outfit walked in.

Making her way to the booth the two teens were at, Anju waved at Rukia pretending to have only noticed her when she got into the restaurant. In reality, when Anju was a couple of stop lights away, she sensed Rukia and the orange haired boy's reiatsu thinking it would be a perfect opportunity to satiate her curiosity about him and check on Rukia. Afterall, it was only natural given that everyone at the Urahara shoten but her has met him. The night Kisuke, Tessai, Jinta, and Ururuc ame home from the live filming of a Don Kanoji episode, Jinta recollected to Anju how whimpy he thought the teenager was as they played a second round of street fighter on the family's PS2. Anju just chuckled not bothering to tell Jinta that based on the boy's reiatsu levels he likely wasn't whimpy just untrained.

"Hello , Rukia", Anju said as she stopped in front of the booth. Her right arm holding her left arm behind her back.

"Anju, what brings you here"?

Ichigo quirked a brow noting how quick Rukia went from looking like an awkward tourist to someone who stumbled upon a good friend of theirs.

Ichigo smirked lightly thinking maybe it was worth it to get Rukia out of his room. After all, if it cheered Rukia up to be in this diner, then maybe she'd feel better. The last couple of days, he noticed that she'd been unusually down from her normal quirky self, but every time he asked about it, she refused to tell him, and it bugged him. He had long admitted to himself that, while he wasn't sure about Rukia in the beginning. At some point between accepting his new life as a soul reaper and getting used to Rukia's antics. He came to terms with the fact that she was likely going to be a permanent resident in his closet, and sure enough, he realized that he did see her as a friend and not just as some annoyance he was stuck with. His thoughts on Kon, on the other hand, were less palatable.

"This Anju must be a good friend of hers", thought Ichigo watching the interaction between the two girls.

Ichigo took note of the woman trying to be discreet about observing her while wondering how Rukia could know such a person. She appeared to be between 18-22, had long shiny hair that rested on her low back and looked like spun strands of silver, clear skin, bright cornflower blue eyes, a shapely well-endowed figure, tall… Ichigo's eyes glanced back to Rukia, who was still conversing with the unknown woman, before stealing another glance having one thought in mind. "She's the opposite of Rukia".

"Oh, where are my manners. Hello, my name is Anju Mitsukoji. I'm a friend of Rukia's and when I saw she was here, I just had to say high. It's nice to meet you…" Anju waited for the orange haired boy to introduce himself.

"I'm Ichigo, Ichigo Kurosaki".

"So, tell me Rukia". Anju started blushing giving off the appearance of someone who was going to ask a question that they weren't sure how to. "Are you on a date?", Anju brought a hand to her mouth as she giggled like she had caught two classmates who previously denied being involved with one another on an intimate outing.

Ichigo choked on his own spit as Rukia laughed clutching her stomach. Tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

Anju knew good and well that Ichigo was not Rukia's boyfriend but the one who she transferred her soul reaper powers to. However, Anju just couldn't resist teasing Ichigo. Teenage boys were so easy to fluster.

Wiping the corner of her eyes and collecting herself, Rukia was the first to respond as Ichigo was still thumping his chest.

"Ha ha ha. Oh my, no. He's in the same class as me at Karakura high school".

Acting like she truly had no idea Anju apologized trying to come off like she truly had no idea. That she was overjoyed at the possibility of her friend blooming and spreading her wings.

"It's alright. It happens", a recovered Ichigo said.

Gasping, an idea entered Rukia's head, "Why don't you eat with us". Rukia turned to Ichigo, "You don't mind right, Ichigo?" Rukia gave him what appeared to be an encouraging smile, but upon seeing it turn tight, Ichigo knew all too well that if he refused, she would kick his knee under the table until he complied.

Looking at Anju who now turned to him and was still smiling, Ichigo decided it wouldn't be bad to get to know one of Rukia's friends. Plus, he was curious. He couldn't sense any spiritual pressure from this woman and wanted to see what kind of relationship they had. Did she know about Soul Society and hollows? Did she know that Rukia was a soul reaper? Or as she a regular human who knew nothing? Ichigo decided that it was best to not bring any of this up unless Rukia did. "Yeah, sure why not". He rested one of his hands on the table and used the other one to prop his chin. Looking out the window Ichigo half listened as the two girls chatted away.

The waitress came back and asked if Anju needed to see a menu. "I'm ok, I've been here before, so I'm familiar with the menu. Is everyone ready to order?", Anju asked the table.

A burger plate with fries and soda for Rukia, a club sandwich and water for Anju, and another burger plate with fries and soda but with bacon for Ichigo.

The waitress collected the menus before leaving to input the orders.

Ichigo and Rukia began speaking, but the energy in Anju shifted.

"There's that feeling again. It somehow feels giddy this time".

(On a skyscraper in the distance)

A cloaked figure stood watching the three beings.

"My, it looks like they all made contact earlier than expected". With a sinister grin, the cloaked figure disappeared having seen all that they needed to.

(Back at the diner)

Anju felt the figure leave

"Well that was quick"

"Anju? um, Anju…"

Coming out of her inner world, Anju came up with a quick excuse as she realized Ichigo had been calling her name. "Sorry, I tend to space out when I'm hungry. What were you saying"?

Ichigo blinked. "Oh, I was asking if you're a student".

"Ha ha, no. I graduated college earlier this month".

"You already graduated college?", Ichigo said with surprise, "but you look so young".

"That's because I am". I'm 20 years old and was the youngest graduate in my class at Karakura university".

"You must be smart to graduate so early. What did you major in"?

"I majored in tech science and chemistry".

"Whoa, a double major? You must be loaded to be able to afford that", said Ichigo as he tried to calculate how Anju could have graduated so fast when the average college grad age for a single major is 22.

Giggling at Ichigo's assumptions, Anju decided telling him more details wouldn't hurt. "I graduated early because I was able to take college courses in high school. I could have skipped a grade or two earlier, but I think part of the school experience is staying with peers your own age. I've heard it can be rather awkward when a younger person is in a class with older people. Makes them feel inferior, ya'know, so I decided to take a different route". Anju paused to take a sip of her water.

"Which is"?

"I took college level courses at night when I was in high school".

Ichigo couldn't believe that someone would want to go to school after school. "This girl must not have friends or a life". Thought Ichigo. "Then how were you able to afford your education"?

Sadly, I'm not rich, but due to my academic achievements, I was able to get a full ride. I'm taking a gap year right now, but I plan to apply for grad school by the end of this year so that I can attend next year".

Despite his previous thought, he still found it was admirable that someone could be so dedicated even if he couldn't relate to being enthusiastic about the subject matter.

"It sounds like a lot of work", Ichigo concluded.

"It can be, but once you get into the groove of things it's not that bad".

"Do you have any grad photos?", Ichigo inquired. Although not studious, he once saw a poster for Karakura University when he went to the arcade with Keigo and Mizuiro and thought it looked fancy, so he was curious what a graduation for such a nice looking school would look like.

"I don't right now. The photos along with my diploma should be coming sometime next month, so I should have something to show you by then". That was a lie. Kisuke took a bunch of photos of Anju in her cap and gown with her, Ururu, and Jinta, her and Tessai, her and himself, then all of them, and made sure to send the photos to everyone in the group chat the night they came home from Hiroki's. The chat had random intervals of everyone gushing about how pretty she looked and how proud they were. It wasn't until her phone dinged non-stop due to a pissing contest regarding what each recipient did to help Anju on her university journey that she silenced her notifications. Don't get Anju wrong. She liked her ragtag family, but she was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

The waitress brought their food, and the trio ate.

"This is actually pretty good", Rukia lamented taking another bite of her burger

"I'm glad you like it". Ichigo put some fries in his mouth and took a sip of soda.

Anju took a bite of her sandwich and smiled as she remembered Rukia rejecting the idea that anything from the human world could be cool including its inhabitants.

After the check was paid for, the group said their goodbyes.

"It was nice seeing you again, Rukia, and it was nice to meet you, Ichigo. I hope we can do this again sometime soon". The trio were currently in front of Anju's motorcycle as she started putting on her gear.

"Whoa, you ride?", Ichigo looked at the Columbian blue colored motorcycle. He had ridden a bicycle before, but as he grew up he found that he preferred to walk wherever he went. "Are you sure you aren't loaded, cuz this looks expensive". The bike had to be thousands of dollars worth thought Ichigo.

Giving a small smile, Anju finished putting on her jacket and grabbed her gloves. "No, this was my father's bike. I just inherited it".

Ichigo momentarily froze.

"So her too, huh".

(Flashback)

Vroom vroom

Running out the shoten a girl of about 4 years old ran to the just parked motorcycle. The rider took off his helmet revealing dark slate colored hair as he shook out his helmet head.

"Daddy!", the girl outstretched her hands as the man swung his leg over the bike. Picking her up, he gave several pecks to her cheek and tickled her belly".

"And how is my little Ju Ju"?

"Tee hee hee, A ha ha. That tickles daddy. I'm fine. I helped Tessai make breakfast". The child beamed. Her cornflower blue eyes sparkling as she began recounting how Tessai showed her how to wash rice and let her push the buttons on the rice cooker.

"Honey, you're home." A woman came outside the shoten as her husband made his way in front of her. Still holding his child, the man shifted her to one arm and with the other hugged the woman. The child laughed as she felt happy to be embraced by her parents.

(Flashback end)

"Thaks for taking me to that restaurant, Ichigo. I feel better".

Rukia and Ichigo rounded a corner as they made their way back to his house.

"I'm glad I could help".

"Rukia…". Ichigo paused, contemplating if he should ask his question or not.

"Yes, Ichigo"?

"How do you know Anju"?

Smiling as she closed her eyes at past memories that were making their way to the surface. Rukia let out a content breath before opening her eyes.

"That's a long story, and I'm not sure Anju would like me to tell it without her being present".

Ichigo's eyes flinched as he wondered what circumstances could have brought the two girls together.

"Alright then."

The two continued towards the Kurosaki residence in silence.

"Are you sure that's what you saw"? questioned a voice. The figure was looking at several computer monitors with his back turned as the voice behind him continued.

"Oh, absolutely, sir. All three of them were eating and appeared to be chatting away".

"Sir, what's our next move? You've already given the order to Captain Kuchiki, and Lieutenant Abarai to retrieve Rukia Kuchiki from the world of the living.", stated a third voice who was taking notes on their latest experiment.

"For right now, Rukia Kuchiki is our priority. We'll deal with the boy and girl at a later time", said the voice with a dark smile on his face. Everything was falling into place.

Next chapter we kick up the drama.