Day

"What are you talking about?" She asked Ichigo.

"You have been leaving every night this week when you think I've fallen asleep." He looked at her facing, searching for something. "Where have you been going, Rukia?" Concern colored his voice.

"I been taking care of a few hollows." She lied. "You have been training so hard for the winter war..I just thought you should get more rest while I take care of those hollows."

"Rukia, You should of told me. I could of helped you."

"You're always helping me, Ichigo. Its time for you to learn that I'm not some weak girl." Rukia's eyes went to the clock. "Its late. Lets talk about this in the morning, Okay?" She climbed in the closet and shut the door before she got an answer.

Through the door she heard his muffled voice. "Night, Rukia." He said softly. He waited for her answer but she kept quiet. Ichigo closed his eyes, thinking she fell asleep.

Rukia laid awake and stared into the darkness. She couldn't tell Ichigo about the nights she been spending at the tree, he would be furious. She didn't like lying to him but she had to tell him something. Rukia sighed and closed her eyes, trying to sleep.

Today the had no school. Rukia woke up and rubbed her eyes sleepily before climbing out of the closet. "Oi Ichigo." She looked at his empty bed. She glanced at the clock, 9:07. She slept in a little. She usually woke up before Ichigo.

Rukia quickly changed into a pair of pants and a turtleneck then went down stairs. Breakfast wrapped up waited for her on the table next to a note explaining the Karin, Yuzu, and Isshin were out shopping.

Rukia put on her shoes and left the house, It was too empty. It felt different when everyone else was there, it was warm and inviting. Without everyone there it felt like an empty shell. Rukia quickly opened the door and locked it behind her. She raised her head and looked at the sky before walking off to an unknown destination. Today she would see where her feet take her.

Stark sat with his back against the wall. Lilynette sat next to him in silence. She would watch him, waiting for him to say anything. She sat there for hours. It use to feel normal for the two of them to do that and just waste the day that way ,but now it was strange. The silence felt heavy and uncomfortable.

"Stark..." Lilynette broke the silence.

Stark looked at her. "What?"

"Stark, please talk to me. You've been acting so strange, like your not you anymore." She waited for him to say something but instead only silence answered her. "Stark, remember we are one. I'm part of you so you don't need to hide anything."

He sat there, thinking about what she said before he replied. "We may be one but we are different." Lilynette looked at him sorrowfully and clutched at where her heart should be then left. Stark watched her go.

Rukia looked up to the familiar sight of the tree. It looked different during the day. Children played on it and the sounds of laughter could be heard. Rukia kept walking. When she stopped it was at Urahara's shop.

At the door was Urahara himself lazily fanning himself as he propped himself against the door. He opened the door and motioned her in. It was as if he was expecting her. Silently she followed him.

Past the shelves and other merchandise. The two children who worked for Urahara looked at her intently before going back to work. Urahara ignored them and continued to lead her somewhere. He brought her down to the training grounds.

The sound of rocks be smashed echoed in the large room. A yell was heard then more smashing. Rukia looked to where the sound originated. Ichigo in his soul reaper form held his sword out and smashed another pair of rocks.

"Hes been here since sunrise." Urahara said. "He seems to have found new determination to prepare for war." He looked at her from beneath the rim of his hat.

Rukia continued to watch only muttering "That idiot."

Stark walked into the sunless room of the 9th espada, Aaroniero Arrurer. He surveyed the room that was mostly empty. The 9th stood in the middle of the room. "You were sent to talk to us?" it said to him.

"Aizen sent me to check on you to see if you are adjusting to your new body." Stark said to the newest member of the espada.

"We," It started out in a low voice, "are fine." It ended in a high pitch voice. "Please thank Aizen-sama for worrying about us."

Rukia decided she would stay away from the tree for a while and spend the next few nights sleeping like she should. She also decided she would leave behind her gigai.

She left Urahara's shop as quickly as she entered it. She had a majority of a day to spend now. Rukia guessed she would just waste it by hanging around the park since she had nothing better to do and she didn't want to return to the house.

Rukia sat down on a empty bench. She might as well been the only person there. It was quiet and she couldn't even hear the birds. Did they migrate already? It wasn't winter yet but it was starting to have winter-like weather.

Rukia ponder on random thoughts until she noticed the sun was in a different spot in the sky. A near by clock told her it was now evening. She got up and looked once more around the quiet park before she departed, heading back to the house.

It was pouring rain as she entered the house. Rukia slowly took of her shoes and looked at the small puddle of water forming beneath her. She went and got a towel to dry it up. Once dry, she walked up up the stairs and to Ichigo's room. As she passed by she heard running water coming from the bathroom. Someone besides her was home.

Rukia grabbed a book from inside Ichigo's closet and walked back downstairs. She plopped on the coach and began to read. She soon heard the creaking of floor boards coming from upstairs signaling they were out. A few minutes later she heard someone climbing down the stairs.

"Hey." Ichigo greeted Rukia.

"Hey." She didn't look up.

Ichigo stood there awkwardly for a moment before sitting down next to her. He sat in silence trying to think of something to say to her. Rukia glanced over at him before returning to her book.

"Rukia, I.." He started then stopped. "I'm sorry about last night." He apologized, " I know you're not weak and you don't need my protection but sometimes things can happen...Rukia, let me protect you."

Rukia put down her book. "Ichigo I do-" He cut her off.

"I know, you don't need my protection but it would make me feel better if you stop treating me like a weakling."

"If I ever get in trouble, you'll be the first I call." She said after a while.

Ichigo smiled and ruffled her hair.

I haven't updated any of my stories in a long time but I finally got on a computer. I'm not sure when I can get on again so we'll see what happens. I hope this chapter isn't a disappointment.