Ice Cream Sunday by !BleedingSaro

She was cute when she was mad, and cute when she was sad. But he believed she was beautiful when she smiled. But that was rare. He wished that he could make her smile more often. And on one summer day, he found a way to do just that.

Ichigo yawned and sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The sunlight poured in through the open window, casting an orange glow upon the floor and walls. He stretched and stood up, walking over to his dresser. He quickly gathered his clothes and headed down the hall to the bathroom.

As soon as he was dressed, he retreated to the kitchen and prepared a breakfast for himself.

‘Hm… I should make something for Rukia, while I’m at it’ he thought to himself, and cracked open another egg.

Ten minutes later, he carried the two plates up to his room, and knocked on his closet door.

No answer came, as usual.

“OI, Rukia! Open up, I brought you some breakfast.”

She opened up the door, her hair all frizzy, and her eyes barely staying open. Obviously, he had woken her up. Realizing his mistake, and knowing that she would be angry, he quickly backed up.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you up!” he said. “I’ll just… go now…”

She shook her head and stared at the floor for a minute. He was taken by surprise at the words she spoke next. She looked up, smiling slightly and said:

“No, it’s OK. I’ve been awake for a while anyway.”

He knew that she was lying. After all, he’d heard her soft breathing before he had retreated to the bathroom to get ready an hour ago. Shrugging, he held out a plate to her. She hesitated for a moment before taking it.

“Thank you” she said, smiling again.

Oh, how he wished she would smile like that more often. He continued staring at her until she looked up, fork in her mouth. He looked away, a slight pink tinge coming to his cheeks.

“You’re welcome” he said, and walked over to his bed. Sitting down, he started eating his own breakfast, staring silently out the window. He looked up when she came and stood before him.

“What?” he asked, trying to avoid looking into those big, beautiful eyes. He slapped himself mentally for thinking of those eyes like that. She cocked her head slightly.

“You ok? You look like something’s bothering you.”

He shook his head and stared down at the half-empty plate on his lap.

“No. I’m fine.”

She shrugged and walked towards the door. (The girls still have a week of school, and the dad is at work). Empty plate in one hand, she opened the door and turned back to him. Noticing him staring at her still, she smiled, before disappearing, the door pulled close behind her.

‘I wish… that she would smile more… That I could make her smile more often…’

That thought in mind, he laid down and folded his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. He lay there, thinking hard about a way to surprise her. A way to make her smile.

The clock ticked the seconds away, loudly. Finally, something came to his mind, and he stood up. Grabbing his own empty plate, he went down to the kitchen, grinning brightly.

Rukia was in the kitchen, sitting at the kitchen table and leaning over some magazine that Karin must have had in her room. She looked up when he entered and stared at him questioningly.
He was never that cheery.




“What’s with you?” she asked, confused. He only then realized that he was still grinning.

Coughing a little, he cleared his throat and looked down at her.

“Say, Rukia, have you ever had ice cream?”

“Ice… cream?” she asked, blinking slightly. After a long pause, she shook her head. “No, what is this… ice cream?”

Grinning, he walked over and grabbed her by the hand, pulling her up. She hesitated, but followed. Luckily, she had already had time to change into her clothes. Ichigo continued pulling her along after him, through the front door and into the crowded street. People stared at them, and jumped out of the way as Ichigo ran along the sidewalk, Rukia stumbling along behind her.

“Ichigo, where are you taking me?” she screeched, tripping over the sidewalk. Her hand slipped from his as she stumbled. He stopped and turned around, and caught her as she came falling forward. Her head came to rest upon her chest, and they both blushed furiously. He reached up and put his hands on her shoulders, gently pushing her away.

“You ok?” he asked, expecting her to glare and scream at him. But she looked away.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks. Now, where are we going?”

He grinned again, and for some reason, she felt a weird tingling sensation crawl through her stomach.

“Just follow me.”

She did as he said, following as he walked along the sidewalk. They crossed a busy intersection, and he stopped outside of a glass door. On it, there was a sign that said ‘open’, and words that read ‘Sukoyomi’s Ice Cream Café’. She cocked an eyebrow, but followed him as he entered.

They emerged into a freezing cold room. The tables along the wall were all empty, and no one was in line. So, he dragged her to the nearest display counter, where they looked down at multiple buckets of a variously colored substances.

“Is this that ‘ice cream’ you were talking about?” she asked. The woman behind the counter looked up, shocked, and blinked. Ichigo chuckled and nodded.

“Yeah, you see” he pointed to the buckets. “Ice cream comes in a lot of different flavors. There’s chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, cookies n’ cream…” He continued along with his list, but she only pretended to listen. She stared at the buckets, each in turn, and finally pointed at one, tugging on his sleeve with her other hand.

“What’s this one called?” she asked. The bucket she was pointing at contained a light green colored ice-cream. He looked down at it.

“Oh, that one?” He asked, and she nodded. “That’s mint chocolate chip. Would you like to try it?”

She nodded again, and he spoke up, addressing the woman behind the counter.

“Two sugar cones with the mint chocolate chip double-scoop” he said, and the woman quickly filled the order. She handed them each their cones, and Ichigo paid, leading Rukia over to one of the tables. They sat down on opposite sides, and he started eating his ice cream. Rukia just stared down at the cone in her hand, examining it from every angle.

Ichigo eventually cracked one eye open, and she looked up at him.

“How does one eat this?” she asked, and he slapped his forehead.

“You lick the ice cream, and you bite off the cone bit by bite.” He explained, and she
nodded. Slowly, and very hesitantly, she brought the cone to her mouth and licked the mound of ice cream. Her eyes went wide and she put a hand to her mouth.

“It’s cold!” she squealed, and he nodded.

“ICE cream” he said. She giggled and continued licking the ice cream, until the mound atop
the cone was almost gone. Suddenly, she stopped, and put her head down on the table. Her hand
shot up to her temple.

“OW, OW OW!” she said. “What’s this pain I feel?”
Ichigo completely cracked up, almost falling out of his chair from laughing so hard. She glared at him, wincing slightly from the pain. Finally, he stopped laughing, bringing his own hand to his head.

“AGH, BRAINFREEZE!!!”

She looked up, the wave of pain going away.

“Brain freeze?” she asked. He looked up, one eye closed from the cold pain, and nodded.

“That’s what it’s called. The ice cream is so cold it sometimes hurts your head. Especially if you eat it too quickly. Hey, you wanna go outside and eat this?”

She considered it for a minute and grinned, nodding. They got up and left, walking side by side through the crowded streets. Rukia tried to avoid being trampled by kids, screaming and running through like maniacs, and Ichigo tried to avoid getting run into by the adults.

“Slightly crowded, isn’t it?” He asked.

“Yeah” she agreed.

“Want to go someplace less crowded?”

To any other girl, it would sound like Ichigo was just trying to make a pass, but Rukia was a few magazines short from being able to assume that. So, they weaved their way through the crowds, and finally emerged on a quiet, tree-lined path on the outskirts of town.

Pink petals fell from all of the cherry blossom trees, and at one point, one fell and came to a rest on Rukia’s dark hair. Ichigo chuckled when she didn’t notice, and reached up, brushing the flower away.

Her blue eyes looked up when she felt his hand atop her head, and she turned to face him. He blushed, having no absolute idea what she could be thinking. But she only shrugged and turned around again.

The sun was setting by the time they emerged in an abandoned, peaceful park. A pond in the distance sparkled brilliantly in the sunset light. By now, most of the ice cream was gone, and Rukia was busy biting off from the cone. Her face glowed in the orange light of the sunset.

They sat down under an old oak tree, both quietly finishing their ice cream. When hers was all gone, Rukia stared longingly at her empty hands. Ichigo, who had long since been done, was lying out on the grass, eyes closed and hands folded behind his head.

“It’s gone” she said, sadly. He chuckled.

“I take it that means you liked it?”

She nodded and laid back herself, staring up at the clouds through the branched of the oak tree. They sat there silently for a long time, until she yawned, breaking the silence. He sat up slightly and looked over at her.

“Tired? Should we go home?”

She shook her head in reply and rolled over onto her side to face him. Their faces were barely inches away. He blushed slightly, and mentally panicked, but he didn’t move away. She stared into his brown eyes, and he stared back, getting lost in the vast, endless, sparkling blue sea that was her eyes.

“Thank you… for today. For the ice cream and all” she said. He grinned, and she felt that tingling sensation in her stomach. She was thankful that the night sky was growing dark. Hopefully, it was hiding the blush that she knew was creeping to her face.

“You’re welcome” he said. “If you ever want, we can go back.”

She nodded and smiled gratefully. He hadn’t seen her smile so much since… actually, he couldn’t remember her smiling so much at all. The night air grew slightly colder, and the only sound was that of their breathing and the crickets chirping all around.

“I’d like that” she said to him. By the time she spoke, he had almost forgotten what his previous comment had been. But he remembered and grinned back, more than he ever grinned himself.

But he frowned when he noticed her smile fade away.

“Hey, Rukia, what’s wrong?” he asked. She looked up at him, and smiled, though this time, the smile seemed sad and far away.

“Are you OK?” he asked her, and she nodded.

“It’s just that I was…. Well, never mind, I don’t suppose it’s anything important.”

“Oh.”

He looked away, slightly disappointed. He had no idea what it was, but he had almost expected her to say something else.

Meanwhile, she was lost in her own little world. Really, there wasn’t anything in particular upsetting her. Rather, it was just like a sudden wave of depression had washed over her. She tried to push it away, for she could see that it was bothering him. Finally, she faked another smile. But this time, it was real. He stared back at her, but didn’t grin. Instead, he only scooted a little closer to her, hoping she didn’t notice.

She did, but she remained calm. Or at least, she made it appear like she was calm. On the inside, her heart was racing in her throat. Ichigo being so close to her brought butterflies to her stomach. They continued fluttering around in her stomach.

When she snapped back to realization, his face was barely an inch from hers. She could feel his warm breath against her skin. They sat there for a while, both of them blushing slightly, and both of their hearts were beating loudly.

Finally, he prepared himself mentally and leaned in closer. Her eyes went wide as his lips brushed against hers, and she turned an even darker shade of red (if that was even possible). But finally, she slowly closed her eyes and kissed back. It wasn’t extremely passionate or anything. It was more so like a sign of affection.

But it was enough to send her heart soaring. And his, too. When they finally drew back, neither one was blushing anymore. Both of them were grinning, and their hearts still continued to beat loudly. In perfect unison. The two hearts were beating in perfect rhythm as one.

He sat up and leaned against the base of the tree, and she did the same. They both stared up at the sky, her head on his shoulder, and his arm wrapped around her shoulders. They both fell asleep that way, Ichigo’s cheek pressed against her head.

And they both slept with a smile plastered on their faces.

This or that? by ~kumoxsuki

I sat at my desk trying hard to concentrate on the math problem in front of me. I tapped the end of the pencil on the desk because the answer didn't seem to come right away. I scribbled something down, but as I checked over it, I realized that it made no damn sense. I threw the pencil down and leaned back in my chair in frustration. I began to wonder where Rukia was. She hadn't come to bother me yet. I turned around as I heard the door open and Rukia walked in with long strides.

Stupid midget can't even knock.

She walked up to my bed and sat down. She threw her shoes off and began to stretch her toes as if they were cramped. I scrunched up my face as she laid down onto my bed. I watched as her toes wiggled back and forth as Rukia stared up at the ceiling lost in thought. When I realized I was staring at her I turned back to my homework with a slightly red face.

“Ichigo?” She asked and I didn't make any movement to show that I had acknowledged her, but she kept on talking anyway. “Will you play a game with me?”

“No.” I retorted. My face lit up as I figured out the answer to the problem. “I'm doing homework right now. Go ask Yuzu,” I said as I worked on the next problem. I didn't even realize Rukia got up until she swung her shoe at the back of my head.

“Ow! Dammit Rukia! What the hell was that for?” I asked angrily as I rubbed the back of my head.

“You're playing.” She said her voice rang with finality.

“Fine.” I grumbled. Rukia beamed and sat back down on my bed with her legs swinging off of the edge.

“I'm going to give you two options and you pick the one that you like better.” She explained and I nodded. I really didn't want to play, but the fear of Rukia hitting me again made me play her stupid idiotic game.

“Chocolate or ice cream?” She asked. The hell? What kind of freakin' question is that?

“Chocolate.” I answered as I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Orange or green?”

“Orange.”

“Figures you'd like that one carrot top.” She said and my ears turned red with anger.

“Then why the hell did you ask?” I yelled and she shrugged. I turned away from her and resumed my homework.

“Idiot! What are you doing? The game isn't over yet!” She yelled and I ignored her. I heard her pick up her shoe and walk over to me.

“If you freakin' hit me with that shoe, I swear I won't talk to you for two weeks.” I threatened and I heard her drop the shoe back onto the floor. She muttered something under the breath, but I couldn't understand what she was saying.

“By the way, where were you?” I asked and I looked over at my shoulder. Rukia stood there with her arms over her chest and her eyes glaring daggers at me. I tore my eyes away from hers and looked back to my homework.

“Were you worried about me Kurosaki-kun?” She asked using her fake school girl voice.

“Hell no. Dad was.” I lied and she laughed a little.

“I told your father where I was going before I left.” She said and she looked at me with victory written all over her face. I didn't say anything and Rukia laughed once more before she answered my question. She knew that I was lying. She always knows.

“I was at Inoue's.” Rukia said and sat down on the wooden floor.

She looked at me for second and then she looked away. Rukia's gaze was fixed on her closet and she looked lost in thought for the second time that day. I stared at her for a minute, thinking of something to say, but nothing came to mind, so I went back to my homework. Five minutes later, Rukia spoke, but she spoke so softly that I couldn't hear her.

“What did you say?” I asked without turning around.

“Inoue or me?” She asked her voice still soft and hesitant. I turned around sharply and looked at her. She looked back and I saw something in her eyes that I had never seen before. Fear.

“R-rukia...I-I...” I stammered. I didn't know the answer. What did she want to hear? I didn't know.

<3<3<3<3<3<3

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I never got to answer that question because a Hollow showed up right then. When we got back, we didn't even talk about it. She went downstairs and I didn't see her until the next day. We haven't talked to each about that since. I think she thinks that I have forgotten about it, but sometimes it's the only thing I think about.

Now I watch Inoue heal Rukia. As much I freakin' hate to admit it, I'm scared. I am afraid of loosing this midget. I can tell that Inoue is looking at me concerned. I don't want to talk to her, hell I don't want to talk to anyone right now. I just want someone to say that Rukia's going to be okay. My mind is wandering back to her question and I can hear her voice in my head.

“Inoue or me?”

Would I save Inoue if she got kidnapped? The answer comes to me right away. Of course. If she died, I would hunt that bastard down and kill him. But if she did die, would I move on? Could I get through my life without any pain or guilt? I would be guilty, but I think I could get through my life. Rukia tells me that I always blame myself for things that aren't even my fault. That midget is probably right.

I've already saved Rukia. I can't think of her as dead, it's too painful. She's the one that stopped the rain. She helped me through everything. She made my pain and guilt vanish. If anything did happen to her, I would kill that bastard, then when he went to Soul Society, I'd make sure he died again. I couldn't move on. No, I don't think I could. I would die without her. I need Rukia. I really need her.

Suddenly, the answer to her question comes to me.

“Kurosaki-kun?” Inoue softly calls and I look over at her. She points to Rukia who is still unconscious. She has a couple of busies that are still evident on her body. “I'm so sorry Kurosaki-kun, but it's the best I can do.” I gently put a hand on Inoue's shoulder.

“Thank you Inoue. Thank you for saving her.” I reply softly and then I scoop Rukia up into my arms. I cradle her against my chest and I begin to flash step away until I reach my house. I jump through my bedroom window and put Rukia on the bed. I sit next to her and move a few stray strands of hair away from her face.

“Rukia, you idiot.” I say slowly. “I almost lost you again. You wanna know what kind of hell I could've been through if you left me?” I ask her and she doesn't say anything. I feel kind of stupid talking to an unconscious person, but I know that I would never be able to say any of this if she was awake. “Please Rukia. Please don't leave me, not now, not ever. You stupid midget, I need you.” I whisper.

“I know the answer to your question now Rukia. I would pick you over Inoue any day.”

Before you were mine by LemGem

Kurosaki Ichigo stood there and watched her run away, running away and never looking back at him. The one thing he thought he could hold in his arms and tell them how much he loved them, had just gone, ran away, vanished and faded into a far off memory. That is how Kurosaki felt at that moment in time, seeing her run from him. She ran away so that he wouldnt be put in any danger. They hadnt known each other long, but they could trust each other with their very lives.

It was that close bond of friendship, which had bound them closer together. Kuchiki Rukia and Kurosaki Ichigo. The Midget and The Carrot Top. Only actions could express how much they felt for one another, just as it had done that very evening, just before she ran away and never looked back on it.

----

'Hey Ichigo!' Rukia shouted at the oranged haired substitute.

He sat there and didnt hear her shouting his name. He was to busy laying around in his room and listening to music, he liked the kind of punk rock music he was that kinda guy. She shouted his name a few more times and he still didnt hear.

Kurosaki Ichigo was humming to some music he was listening to on his music player. It was all nice and silent until... CRASH! His eyes shot open and he saw a raven haired girl right in his face, he let out a massive yell of horror and almost fainted.

'Rukia! What the hell are you doing!?' Ichigo yelled as he looked up at her.

She had a rather serious look on her face, you could clearly tell that she wasnt really happy about something.

'Take out your ear phones!' She snapped at him.

She was such a short tempered little midget, which was her most annoying feature about her. But Ichigo, he felt something deeper for her. He wouldnt let any girl sit on him like that, he wouldnt ever let Tatsuki do it thats for sure. But he let her sit ontop of him, did he find it arousing? Ichigo's face went bright red, he really did live up to his name meaning Strawberry. He took them out and he looked up at her.

'What is it then, midget?' Ichigo asked, his face still bright red.

His face was so red, he looked like he was about to explode. She found herself been drawn in by his face, closer and closer they got until she just climbed off of him and sat to one side of his bed. On the other end, leaning against the wall, with her legs crossed and arms folded. A rather stern look then appeared across her face, something was clearly on her mind. Ichigo almost instantly noticied this and he sat up and not to far from her.

'Hey, is there something wrong?' Ichigo asked, looking at her sincerly.

'I... I am fine! Why, what is supposed to be wrong with me!' The small raven haired girl snapped at carrot top.

'Geez, i was just being concerned...' Ichigo muttered.

There was another awqward silence and then he sighed lightly and she seemed to be getting more annoyed by something. It also seems Ichigo's bright, red strawberry face was gone. The awqward wave of silence continued as Rukia seemed to be becoming more nervous. She was biting her finger nails as if she was putting something off in her mind.

'Ichigo... I have... something to tell you...' Rukia muttered lightly, as the words slowly left her parted lips.

'I am listening...' He muttered, as he had began reading from a chemistry book from school.

They had an exam tomorrow, about chemical reactions within a certain amount of elements and so he wanted to prepare for it. Because he clearly, has nothing else better to do with his time than study for an exam.

'ifeellikeicantrustyouwith

mylifeandithinkimayhavewellfalleninlovewithyou!' Rukia yelled, as she spat it all out.

He put his book down for a moment and looked at her, with a raised eyebrow. He clearly hadnt caught a word of what she had said.

'Say what?' Ichigo asked.

She then punched him across the face and because of the force she put into the punch, he fell off of the bed and onto the hard, wooden flooring.

'Hey what was that for!' Ichigo yelled at the midget.

'You, telling me to say it again!' She replied back.

She lent over the edge of the bed and looked down at the substitute, as he was laying on the floor with a bruise taking shape around his right eye. He stood up and looked down at her, he really didnt seem to look to happy. But when a girl expresses her feelings for a guy and they ask them to repeat it, you cannot say that carrot top didnt deserve it then.

They both glared at each other, as if it were a glaring match to the death. She then closed her arms and looked away, as she sat on the edge of his bed and a small pout appeared across her face. With that kind of pout, it made her look really cute and from where Ichigo was standing, in his eyes aswell.




There was then another wave of silence and then suddenly, Rukia felt something moist press against her neck. She opened her eyes and it was Ichigo, with his head buried into her neck and kissing it. Her eyes widened as he continued what he was doing, then slowly pushing her down on his bed and gazing into her eyes as he climbed ontop of her.

'Ichi-go... What... What are you doing?' Rukia stuttered.

Their fingers became intertwined, just like they had felt in their hearts, they were meant to be. That is what kept telling herself in her heart, as he slowly released his lips from her neck. He then made his way up her chin and she just lay there, enjoying every moment she could have with the human.

'S-Stop...' She let the words, slowly pass by her lips.

Then making her way to her cheek and then her mouth, where it seemed a kiss of passion would change everything between the both of them. It was a kiss, in which she will surely never forget... A moment of firey passion was going to take place, until she pushed him away. She managed to get up from underneath him, she turnt to the window and jumped out.

----

She was running away from Ichigo, she couldnt have a moment like that with him. Confessing her feelings for him was one thing, but actually wanting to do something like that just made her panic. This is how Rukia left, before she could of been made... Ichigo's...

~The End

Nightmares by ~KR07

“Ru-!” Ichigo’s eyes widened as he walked into his room and saw Rukia flipping around on his bed, holding his pillow tightly; if this pillow was a person, she would certainly kill him. He leaned closer and saw tears on her eyes. He was kind of shocked and he hated when the only thing was to just sit here and watch her suffer. But he couldn’t do anything.

Rukia gritted her teeth and breathed heavily. She was dreaming about her and Ichigo. They have been surrounded by Hollows and both of them were quite seriously injured. Ichigo had some power left and he used it to protect her. She was caught by two huge Hollows and was screaming in pain when they stabbed her whole body. Ichigo was fighting the leader of the Hollows. But, the Hollow was much stringer and soon Ichigo fell down in defeat. “ICHIGO!!” a crying Rukia screamed to him. His eyes opened slowly to see her bloody face and the tears in her eyes, screaming for him. He made a last try to stand up, but he was kicked by the Hollow. He was now face to face with Rukia and she was desperately trying to reach him by pulling herself, but the Hollows pulled her back. The huge Hollow laughed madly on top of Ichigo. “Ru…ki…ah…” “Ichigo…ICHIGO!!” Her eyes widened when she saw the Hollow throw him in the air and suddenly stabbing him right through the chest. He screamed in pain and stared at Rukia for the last time. She was crying and screaming, but he couldn’t hear her anymore. His eyes were staring her until the moment they couldn’t see anything. The Hollow laughed once again and threw his lifeless body in front of Rukia. She disgusted seeing Ichigo’s body covered in blood. But the most disgusting thing was that the Hollow pulled his head when he finally ripped it off.

Rukia screamed so loud, that her eyes flew open and she immediately got up. Ichigo shocked and sat In front of her. “Rukia! Rukia! What happened?! Rukia!” her eyes were widened and she was breathing heavily; it looked like she was gasping for air. She was sweating and her whole body trembled. Suddenly, she looked up and saw Ichigo staring at her with a shocked face. “I-Ichi…go…?” “Rukia, say something, Rukia!” Her eyes were full of tears and she suddenly hugged him and cried loudly. He buried her into his chest and she was almost screaming from the pain she suffered. This nightmare freaked her out and images of Ichigo dead and the scene where the Hollow ripped his head off just made her panic.

He flipped over and lied on the bed, Rukia’s head pushing against his chest. After some minutes, she raised her head and looked at him “You…are…really…Ichigo…?” She moved herself from him and he got up. Their eyes locked. “Yes Rukia, it’s me” “B-But, you w-weren’t d-dead?!” His eyes widened for a moment, but he immediately calmed down. “You were probably having a nightmare; don’t worry, it’s over now…” he hugged her and she hugged him back, still crying. “I-I’m glad…you’re alive…Ichigo…!” he hugged her tighter “yes Rukia, I’m alive and I won’t die” he took her face in both of his hands, her face all soaked of the tears and her eyes were red. ‘Rukia, calm down, please’ he thought and he immediately wrapped his hands around her tiny waist, bringing her closer to him. She immediately wrapped her hands around his neck and she was held of him, like she was going to fall. “It’s okay…there’s nothing to be afraid of now…” he coed in her ear and she slowly let him. He slowly placed her down and she stared at him. “You were dreaming that I was dead?” she nodded sadly, tears appearing again on her eyes “Don’t worry; it was just a nightmare and nothing more. Whatever you were dreaming of won’t happen. It won’t ever happen! And I’ll make sure of it…” he lied on top of her and their eyes locked once more. “I don’t want you to die…I love you so much; I don’t know what I’ll do if you die!” she cried out. “I love you, too and I won’t let anything like this happen…” “is it a promise?” she asked him a bit scared, he smiled at her and leaned in, but he stopped right before he could touch her lips and went to her ear, “Yea, it’s a promise…” he whispered and looked back at her. He got closer and her eyes slowly closed, while her head was raised up, her lips searching for his. Finally, this moment came. Time stopped for both of them and they were sure this moment would last forever. Their tongues danced wildly in each others mouths. Rukia’s hands were wrapped on his neck, but his hands weren’t even touching her. Instead they were on his bed, and he kind of pushed her down. After some time, they needed air and they parted. Ichigo stared at her for a moment. She started to melt when his lips made contact with her neck. Her little moans were a melody for him, but he couldn’t continue. He may lose his control if he continued. He parted from her and lied beside her. She buried herself in his embrace and he pulled the sheets, covering both of them.
“I don’t think you’ll have any more nightmares anymore…!” “Why do you think that?” “Because when I’m with you, I will wipe them away like the wind wipes away the drift” “Thank you, Ichigo…” He kissed her for the last time and both of them fell asleep in each other’s embrace…

Breaking by LemGemapple

After fighting for so long, his body had finally given up. After fighting so hard and for so long, his body had become week and caused himself to give in. The substitute Shinigami had been fighting for so long, after all the scars and bruises... It seems that his body had, had enough. He had thought for the last time, fighting for the one who he held so close to his heart...

Kurosaki Ichigo, was the main who's body was at breaking point, it seemed it was on its last few moments. After all the fights he had, and all the things he had done was for one person... A certain Shinigami who appeared and changed his destiny. He used to be a regular high school student, but then he became something different. This woman appeared out of no where and changed everything... Kuchiki Rukia. The small Raven-haired Shinigami seemed to be the one to.

They had both met out of destiny and were brought together by fate. The two things in the world that human does not understand, but the one thing that cannot be changed... That is how it was with this planet and it seemed, they were alot alike...

So much so that he was willing to do anything, to protect this one person who changed his whole being. It seemed his body had broken now, him thinking about his final last memories in his life. Just before his departure, he had protected the one person he cared about most and that is all he cared for... He could infact scream in his mind that he... he... 'Had fallen in love with the annoying little midget' as it were, for him to say something like that.

----

Kurosaki sat there, with the same bored yet frowny look on his boring old face. In his room he sat, with his legs crossed, on his bed, reading a chemistry book. He was doing some studying, for a chemistry exam which he would have in school tomorrow. He wanted to try and get some kind of half decent grade. His head was buried in his book, as he was carefully scanning along the lines, hopefully getting the words to sink into his mind so that he will remember it for tomorrow, maybe?

But he seemed to have been studying alot lately, it really wasnt like him to do so much of it. Was he trying to avoid something, or keep his mind off of a certain thing? Maybe? That was his way of forgetting about things and relaxing. Nothing is more relaxing than reading a book, or revising for a chemistry exam you have tomorrow... He was putting something off in his mind, pushing it to one side and just studying instead. So that the words, will just take up most of the space in his mind.

Suddenly his window flew open, he didnt pay no mind to it and kept his head buried in the school book. A cold draft came flying in and because it came in so much, this caused his book to go flying out of his hands and hit the other end of the room. After the sudden rush, someone came bounding in through the window and landed on his bed. Ichigo sat there and sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he closed his eyes.

He opened his eyes again to find someone sitting there and looking at him. It was Kuchiki Rukia, his friend and what seemed to be the one person who changed him completely. She appeared out of no where and changed his fate, which was pinned down by destiny. This was ment to happen and she had helped him protect his family, by giving him, her Shinigami powers...

The small Raven-haired girl looked at him, with a confused look on her face. She looked so cute when she was confused, especially when her violet orbs would go all big. Even Carrot top admired her, for the cuteness on that. Well... in his head anyway... She was rather small, very small for a girl of the age she was ment to be. She was a midget and 150 years old, what was that all about? Did they stunt growth, when reborn in the Soul Society?

Kurosaki found himself just sitting there and staring at her, their eyes locked for a few moments and his cheeks went a faint red colour. He found it hard to believe, he was going like this around her.

'You could of knocked you know!' Ichigo snapped, shaking his head to snap out of his trance.

'Well i shouldnt have to!' Rukia snapped back at the orange haired substitute.

'It is called common courtesy!' He replied down to her.

They spent most of their time arguing anyway, that was just how they showed their strong friendship to one another. Their eyes locked and you could see how they felt for one another, by the way they would stop and stare at each other, when their eyes would just lock together, even if it were for a split second... Ichigo ruffled his hair and stood up, heading over to the other end of his room. To where his book had flew off to, upon Rukia's massive/over the top entrance into his room.

'Well maybe i have no idea about that kind of thing!' She replied back at him.

Ichigo picked up his book and sighed lightly, as he lent against the wall and flicked through the text book, until he could find the page number, of the page that he was on...

'Well your an annoying little midget, so i totally understand...' Ichigo muttered and smirked lightly, as he continued flicking through the book.

That was what Ichigo always called Kuchiki, and she really didnt like it. He knew now that he was going to get it... But this happened every single day, it is just today... he had other things on his mind.

He went and sat back down on his bed and turnt his attention back to the chemistry book, he was 'studying' from. He sat there and dug his head into the book, seeming somewhat engrossed in it. A silence swept the room and Rukia sat opposite him and folded her arms, she was growing more impatient by the minute.

Kurosaki peered over the top of his book, to see a rather impatient Rukia. He then put the book down to cover his face and he bit his lip, whilst hiding behind the book. He then slammed the book down and looked at Rukia, it seemed that he had something on his mind. Also by the looks of things, he really had to tell that annoying little midget here and now...

'Rukia!' Ichigo yelled.

'What do you want, idiot!?' She yelled back at him.

'I have something to tell you...' He folded his arms and looked to one side.

'Oh yeah, it had better be good!' The small Shinigami snapped at the substitute. 'Because you lately have been avoiding something i can see it on your fa-'

Rukia wasnt aloud to finish her sentence, it seemed she had been cut off. By the substitute. It seemed he had done something so unexpected, that he was even surprised by what he was doing. He had cut her off her sentence, by pulling her into a rather deep yet fragile kiss. It was nice and tender but then it seemed to get more intense. Ichigo slowly pressed his hands onto either one of her cheeks, trying to make it as amazing as possible.

But as it was becoming more... you know... 'wild?' it seemed something hit against Ichigo's hand. It was something moist and somewhat wet, he slowly pulled himself away from her and saw it was coming from her. Water was leaking from her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. Kurosaki looked at her for a moment, as he looked somewhat confused. Why was she crying?

'Rukia...' Carrot top muttered lightly.

'Ichigo, this isnt right...' She muttered, through her tear stricken face. 'Your a human, i am a Shinigami... We can't Ichigo, please...'

Ichigo kept his hands on both of her cheeks and looked at her for a moment. For once in his life an actual sincere smile appeared across his face. He understood her words and he stopped there, it seemed... That was the thing that was bugging him. He had his head buried in the book, as an excuse to push that thing to the back of his mind.

'It is so wrong... Yet is feels so right..' The words left the fragile girls lips, softly.

Rukia ended up looking at him with a tear stricken face and closing her eyes and letting the tears flow. It seemed she was hurting on the inside, she obviously wanted it to happen so bad. But she knew it could not, because it was against the law. The law of the Soul Society. But it was the taste which changed it, she wanted more of it. Even if it would cause death, she hadnt had enough of the taste of his lips. She then found herself, kissing him back instead.

It was then it seemed all their feelings had come out, their love had blossomed that fine summers day. It seemed she didnt care, she had felt this way for so long and finally she got a shot at it. For as long as she could remember, she had felt something toward the substitute, ever since first meeting him. Now he felt the same back, it was the right time... for her anyway.

----

He had his last memories of that moment, he spent with her. That moment to him, ment the world to him. The locking of the lips, locked both of their hearts together. But now it seemed that was going to be taken away, his body had broken down and it was time for him to go. He was ending here and where he had, was all put toward a good cause.

He got to protect the one thing in his life, which he promised to protect and love. He had died protecting Kuchiki Rukia, from the one thing she feared of happened.

Kurosaki Ichigo had died, from protecting Rukia from Byakuya Kuchiki.




Byakuya had fallen under the control of the enemy and his orders were to kill Rukia, is own sister-in-law. It seemed that the power of SenbonZakura in the hands of the enemy was deadly, Ichigo managed to get there in time and stop him from killing her. After a long and hard battle he had fallen to him, but Byakuya was saved from the control of the enemy.

Carrot tops body has slowly broken down, that was his last ever fight. Now he was going to be gone, leaving behind everything he loved, which he held to close to his heart... His dying memories and thoughts, were all just about that same moment. Where they locked lips, releasing those prolonged feelings for one another...

His Body...

Breaking...

Had Just...

Broken...

~ The End

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUKIA-1day late by *comixqueen

“Today’s my birthday, y’know.” I prompted, glancing sideways at Ichigo as we made our way down the empty sidewalk.
“Is it?” he asked distractedly, adjusting the schoolbag slung on his shoulder. I frowned. Had the idiot actually forgotten? A sly thought occurred to me that made me smirk.
“M-hm. In the Soul Society I’d be getting tons of fancy gifts from people.” I said snidely, waiting to see Ichigo’s reaction. To my growing frustration, he merely checked his watch while saying: “Oh yeah? That sounds fun.”
Ichigo was pissing me off, and trying to be polite and subtle was pissing me off.
“And what are you going to give me?” I demanded.
“Congrats, I guess” he said before turning away from me and rummaging through his bag.
“That’s it?” I said incredulously, crossing my arms and scowling, but Ichigo soon distracted me.
“No” he said cheerfully (by Ichigo standards, I mean), then he carefully yet firmly shoved a white box into my hands.
I was so taken aback that I forgot I was supposed to be mad at the guy. I found myself examining the box inquisitively from various angles.
“What is it?” I thought aloud, bringing the box to my ear and preparing to give it a good rattling. Ichigo tensed and hurriedly stopped me.
“Don’t shake the stupid thing!” he said with panic-filled eyes. Quickly, Ichigo put his hands around the box (I pretended not to notice how his fingers brushed against mine) and pushed it down and away from my face. “Just open it, already!”
I looked curiously at the box once more and noticed that several tiny holes had been punched into the lid. I dismissed them as yet another human oddity and casually lifted the lid off. I froze.
Nestled inside the lower portion of the box was a quivering mass of snowy fluff. The strange thing seemed to flinch for a second, then it shifted and I found that a pair of bright black eyes were peering up at me. The eyes were followed by the appearance of a twitchy pink nose. Two long white ears emerged from the puffball, sticking straight up behind the eyes. The thing sat up, revealing tiny paws, and stretched its head towards me. A large paper label hung loosely from its little neck. I glimpsed “Chappy” scrawled on it and then my heart skipped a beat. It was a small, white rabbit!
“Happy birthday, Rukia.” I heard Ichigo say. Somehow, I knew he must be smiling.
I stared at the rabbit, then up at Ichigo (who was indeed smiling), then back to the rabbit, then at Ichigo again. Suddenly, realization clicked:
He knows I love rabbits, so he gave me one. On my birthday.
I felt overwhelmed with glee, and, for a second, my body seemed to move on its own….
Before I knew it, I had kissed him.
Apparently I had pounced on Ichigo and hugged him, pulling his face towards mine in the process (while holding the box upright in one hand) and kissed him squarely on the lips.
The moment I realized what I had done, I felt my face flush in embarrassment and I hurriedly looked away.
Somehow I dared to glance at Ichigo, and I saw him staring at me with surprise (and a blush that mirrored my own).
“‘Thanks’ would’ve been fine….” He muttered awkwardly.

Memories by ~EtrnlPeace

Rukia Kuchiki remembered the first time they saw each other. It wasn’t her clearest memory, but she remembered. Behind all of the smudges made from time, she could still see the shock on his face when he saw her jump from the sky. The amazement in his eyes when she took down that Hollow. The excitement when she glanced at him. The fear when she gripped her Zanpakto.

She remembered how he kicked her when she entered his room for the first time. How she binded him. How he broke the spell. How she lived in his closet. How they got closer.

She remembered it all vividly. She remembered how they would run to school, and how she would steal him away from class for Soul Reaper business.

Yet, the memory she cherishes most, the memory she kept closest to her heart...

-------

“Rukia, are you OK?”

She glared at him, blowing a lock of hair from her eyes. “I’m fine, Ichigo,” She said, sarcasm dripping from each word. “My arm’s broken, and I have a sprained ankle, but everything’s fine.”

Ichigo sighed, sitting on the edge of her bed. “I know sarcasm, Rukia,” He said, unrolling his pack of bandages. “You don’t need to use it against me.”

Rukia pouted, her black eyes shooting daggers. Pushing her foot from under the blanket, she muttered, “I don’t owe you anything.”

Ichigo laughed. “Did I ever want you to?”

“Ichigo, this is all your fault.”

“Ouch, that hurts. Why?”

“You’re a Soul Reaper, Ichigo. You have to take better care of everyone around you!”

“So, one person got hurt. No big deal...” Ichigo shrugged, taping the edges of the bandage together.

Rukia slapped her pillow. “What if it wasn’t just me? What if you had also injured some innocent by-standers?” She fumed. “I don’t think you see the importance in this!”

Ichigo sighed, pushing Rukia’s foot back underneath the blanket. “Look, Rukia, it’s bad enough that I had to carry you into my house at 2 in the morning,” He rubbed his temples with his forefinger and thumb. “Not only will my dad tease me about this for forever, if word gets out, my image will be ruined!”

Rukia crossed her arms, blowing the lock of hair from her eyes. “Yours and mine, Ichigo,” She muttered. “Your peers are vicious. They’ll start spreading untrue rumors, and soon we wouldn’t be able to leave class to take care of a Hollow without a trail of students behind us.”

Ichigo’s lips twitched upwards as he stood. “True,” He said, smoothing a wrinkle from his jeans. “But, why untrue?”

Rukia stared on plainly.

He stepped closer, laying the roll next to Rukia on her nightstand. His hand flicked from the nightstand to her face. Pulling the lock of hair behind her ear, Ichigo muttered, “If it’s true, we won’t have to worry as much, ne?”

Rukia blushed, his hands lightly brushing her cheek. “N-no...”

Ichigo smiled softly—an ability Rukia had never known Ichigo had. Dropping to his knees, he kissed her.

The power of fire and lighting ran through Rukia, a feeling of needing churning in her stomach. Her hand subconsciously grabbing Ichigo’s, pulling him closer, as her other greedily ran across his face.

With the feeling of parting lips, Rukia slowly opened her eyes, her hand tightening her grip on his.

Ichigo smirked slightly before he leaned in again.

-------

Of course, Rukia constantly reminded herself of that incident. At school they let on no signs of them being together, yet sometimes the “Hollow alerts” didn’t even involve Hollows.

Breaking her promise to the Soul Society—to herself, even—Rukia had finally became human. Even though she was in a gigai, Rukia had learned and gained human traits.

Rukia Kuchiki had fallen in love.

Feelings were now spiraling through her—misery at a failing grade, excitement at the class trips, pleasure with her friends, and love with Ichigo. Everything was now vivid; clear; alive.

Especially pain.

-------

“Why?” Rukia sobbed, her hands gripping the bloody cloth. “Why me?”

Ichigo smiled weakly; softly. “Rukia, don’t be sad. It’s not a good look on you,” He whispered.

“No!” Rukia shouted, startling Ichigo. “Why can’t I be stronger?”

Ichigo closed his eyes, his breathing ragged. His orange hair was sickeningly stained with blood, the same with his clothes. “That’s not the right...word...” He trailed off.

Rukia opened her eyes, vision blurred by tears. “What?”

Ichigo’s lips twitched upwards. “The right word...Why can’t I be stronger? Me, Ichigo. Not you, Rukia.”

Rukia squeezed her eyes together, biting down on her teeth. Tears streamed down her cheeks, mixing with the blood on Ichigo’s face. “But...I let you—“

“You warned me, remember?” Ichigo muttered, lifting his finger from Rukia’s lips. “That night...To be careful...”

Rukia gripped tighter, her nails digging deeper into her palm. “But...”

Opening his eyes, Ichigo frowned slightly. His black eyes were distant; cold; unclear; blurry by blood loss and the tears building up at the corner of his eyes. “I wasn’t...Rukia...”

Rukia bit her lip, wishing for the situation to be reversed. “Ichigo...”

He slowly raised a hand, stroking her cheek lightly. Rukia lifted her hands, bleeding from self inflicted wounds, to his hand, and cupped it in hers.

“So one person got hurt...No...big...deal...”

He muttered, taking ragged breaths in-between words.

Rukia leaned in for one last rush of love.

For one last memory.