The closet door opened and light shinned in.

"Good morning!" exclaimed Ichigo cheerfully.

Rukia fell out of bed in surprise but she never met the floor. Instead, she fell into a pair of strong arms.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you like that," said Ichigo, trying not to laugh.

She looked at him. Ichigo was cheerful, well, cheerful for Ichigo, anyway.

"That was you?!" exclaimed Rukia. "I thought it was Kon again!"

Ichigo laughed and squeezed her against him.

"Nope, just me," replied Ichigo.

He walked toward his bed and sat down with Rukia in his lap.

Rukia was confused. Why was Ichigo treating her like this, like a lover? His arms hung around her waist, not letting her go. Rukia thought that maybe it was the fever that made him delusional.

Ichigo took her hand and pressed it against his cheek. Rukia gasped and smiled. The temperature of his face was back to normal. The color was back to normal as well.

"It shows that you're a Soul Reaper. We heal a bit faster than normal humans," said Rukia casually.

"Yeah, well, I have you to thank," replied Ichigo.

"Don't mention it. I couldn't leave you like this with your family gone," said Rukia.

"Actually, I'm kind of glad they're gone."

"What?"

"Yeah, Yuzu would've been all over me, Karin probably wouldn't have cared less and Dad would've tried to fight with me just to boost my strength."

"Wouldn't that have the opposite effect?"

"Try telling him."

"Right…"

They looked at each other for a minute.

"Ichigo, can I go change me clothes?" asked Rukia suddenly.

Ichigo looked at her.
"I'll be right back," she added.

He nodded and let her go. She hurried inside the closet and changed. She came back out wearing a purple sundress.

"Nice," said Ichigo.

Rukia smiled and sat in his lap again, feeling his arms wrapping themselves around her waist.

A thought occurred to her. Rukia summoned all her courage to ask the question that has been bothering her.

"Ichigo, why are you treating me this way?" she asked nervously.

"What way?" he replied, scowling.

"You know, letting me pass my hand through your hair and on your body, letting me sleep on your bed, giving me your allowance to buy clothes of my own and letting me sit in your lap," enumerated Rukia.

Ichigo looked into space for a minute, lost in thought, before answering.

"You really don't know?"

Before Rukia had a chance to react, Ichigo pressed his lips against hers. Her eyes grew wide but closed when her brain processed what was happening. They separated when they could no longer breathe.

"Now can you see why?" panted Ichigo.

"Yes, I'd have to be blind not to," answered Rukia breathlessly.

"I guess I never was really sick, just love sick," replied Ichigo.

"What makes you say that?"

"I started feeling better when I realized my feelings for you."

Rukia laid her head on his shoulder, feeling as if everything was right in the world.

***

Ichigo and Rukia returned to school the next week, much to everyone's relief. Nobody was surprised to learn that they were going out. Orihime's feelings were hurt but she accepted it.

The week after, Ichigo's family returned. Yuzu felt guilty for being away while Ichigo was sick, Karin was indifferent and Ishin attacked him just to test his strength.

Ichigo introduced Rukia as his girlfriend to his family, only to have Ishin and Yuzu question what happened during the days of Ichigo's illness. Both Ichigo and Rukia blushed and Rukia simply giggled at the memories.

She secretly lived in Ichigo's bedroom, just like before. Only this time, she slept in his bed with him instead of his closet, much to Kon's dismay. They continued their lives as Soul Reapers and high school students, their life turning out the way they want it to be.

The end

Author's note: Hope you liked it!

Please read and review.