(August 26, 5:28 pm)

I've had this idea for Idunnohowlong, and it's finally out in the open! Yay!

Bring On The Thunder

A low rumble echoed through Karakura Town as rain began to fall.

Rukia looked up from her drawing pad cautiously. "Wh-what was that?" she asked, keeping her voice as even as possible.

Ichigo was silent before replying, "I don't hear anything."

She was uncertain of his answer, but accepted it and went back to her drawing. Moments later, she heard the noise again. A small gasp almost escaped her throat, but she gulped it back down and said, "Did you hear it that time?"

As the sound rung out once again, Ichigo rose an eyebrow curiously. "Yeah, I heard it. So what? It's just a little thunder."

"...Y-yeah, you're right." She chuckled nervously. Then the noise grew louder, and brought with it a flash of lightning. Rukia jumped slightly, which caused Ichigo to look at her as if something wasn't quite right with her (and he might not have been wrong...). "I... I-I'm just gonna... go..." She then brought her legs onto her bed and closed herself in her closet-room.

Ichigo blinked. "What the hell...?"

Rukia hugged her legs tightly to her chest as the thunder grew louder still. Every boom brought back the memory of her former lieutenant and how she always regretted that one day... She shut her eyes and tried to force away the tears that were fighting to fall as she heard a soft knocking on her door.

"Rukia?" Ichigo slowly slid open the door. "What are you--" Then he got a good look at her and fell silent for a moment. Then, to her surprise... he let out a small laugh. "Are you scared of thunder?" he said in an almost mocking tone.

"No!" she snapped. "I just. . . don't get along with it."

Ichigo was silent again.

"...Fine," she mumbled. "...A little. It-- it's just that it kinda--"

Slam.

"...Oh, yeah, that's real nice. Way to kick me while I'm down! Y'know what, go ahead and laugh for all I care, see what happens!... Hey! Ichigo! Can you even hear me?! I'm trying to be mad at you, the least you can do is--" The door flew open again, and Ichigo returned with something in his hand. Rukia lowered her tone as she went on, "W-what are you...?" She trailed off as he placed a pair of headphones over her ears. Immediately, the music flowing out of them drowned out the sound of the thunder. She looked at him in awe. "Ichigo..."

He lifted the headphones slightly from one ear and asked, "Better?"

She nodded wordlessly. Then she said softly, "Thank you."

He gave a small smile. "No problem."

Before Rukia even realized what she was doing, she called as he turned to leave, "Ichigo?" He looked back at her. "Would... would you..."

He smirked. She didn't have to finish for him to understand what she was asking. He sat down next to her, closed the door, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Sure."

She breathed a quiet sigh of relief as she closed her eyes and leaned against him. At that moment, Rukia didn't care if that storm lasted forever. Because she knew he'd be there.

XXXX

Awww... I'm so cheesy :p