A/N: And it's been more than a month- or two...I'm gonna stop apologizing now and just start hiding behind a wall in shame...*hangs head* I'm sorry.

Zitag- Thank you for your PM. This is extremely late, but I hope you're still reading, and that it meets your expectations :)

Cisusui- Your reviews absolutely made my day- my week, in fact! I can't begin to tell you how much you made me smile, thank you so much! And don't you dare apologize, it's alright :P I'm thrilled you're still reading this despite my late updates. So thanks a ton ^^

Naomi Tachi- I think you're extremely funny :P Thank you, your review was hilarious and helpful and funny and you're all sorts of awesomest :P

Shirayuki- Thanks for that! All those points you asked about and mentioned...*salutes* Thy request shall be fulfilled. Eventually, over some chapters ;)

Thanks to Shirayuki0607, ilovebks, halobeat-117, animemusic54, Camille loves chocolate, Naomi Tachi, 27kirune12, AnimeLover4lifeXD, bookwurm247, xandrick723, Cisusi, OptionalPrincess for reviewing :)

Disclaimer- It's four a.m. here. Give me a break, I don't own Bleach :'(

Heaven knows you're a dreamer

Don't hide it from anyone

Anything For You

"So what exactly is going on between you two?"

Rukia winced. It was two in the afternoon, and she had not had anything to eat. Their little group was sat in the corner table of the cafeteria, and ever since she'd appeared in front of her friends, they hadn't stopped bombarding her with questions. It was a little amusing, though- considering that none of their questions had anything to do with Kuro- all of them seemed to be more interested about her kiss with Ichigo.

She hesitated "Well...I'm not exactly sure."

Rangiku stared at her "Not sure?!" she exclaimed hysterically "What do you mean you're not sure?! That guy laid a huge, passionate kiss on you in front of everybody, and then you two disappeared inside your room for the whole night! How can you not be sure?!"

"Er..." Rukia was beginning to feel extremely stupid now- how exactly had she managed to spend so much time with Ichigo without talking about what was going on between them? And where the hell had her mind been when she could've asked him all this? "…We didn't really talk about it…?"

Realization dawned on the Rangiku's face and her face split into a wide smirk as she nudged Rukia suggestively "'Didn't talk about it'- you naughty little... you were busy doing other things, weren't you?!"

"What- no! No, I didn't mean-"

"Id that cobbee?"- not for the first time that hour, Renji's head shot up, nose sniffing the air. A thick cast covered the bridge of his nose where Ichigo had punched him earlier.

"To be honest, I'm surprised you can smell anything with that smashed nose, Abarai." Hitsugaya drawled from the side, earning him a glare from the redhead.

"I cad sbell judth fibe, dak you! Dat wab cobbee! See?!" he pointed as Momo and Hisagi set down everybody's trays, along with a pot of coffee. Ever since Renji had gotten into that fight with Ichigo and landed himself in the infirmary with a dozen painkillers into his system, he'd been acting slightly funny. Not to mention the fact that the bandaging on his nose made him sound like a petulant two-year old with a terrible cold. Rukia had no idea how one could get so hyper-active on painkillers- but oh well, stranger things had happened.

Hitsugaya just shook his head at Renji while Rukia dived heartily into her breakfast, partly to avoid Rangiku's constant questioning, because she could still feel the strawberry-blonde eyeing her, but mostly because she was fucking starving.

"Anyway, back to your thing." Rangiku pointed a fork at Rukia, who groaned "I cannot believe you guys have spent more than 24 hours in each others' company, kissed each other, and still not talked about it! What's wrong with you two?!"

"We have talked about it...! Just not...just not what all of it means."

"I think it's sweet." Momo smiled, popping a grape into her mouth "They're slowly discovering their feelings for each other- it's like a movie!"

"It's not like a movie." Rukia replied, rolling her eyes "It's just...he's Ichigo- he's weird when it comes to talking about feelings."

"Oh, I don't know" Rangiku waved her arm "The popular guys falls for the new girl. There's drama, family issues, jealousy- sounds like a movie to me."

Rukia shook her head, "Really? Drama and jealousy? I wouldn't have pegged his fans to go that far. Who's being dramatic now?"

But when the entire table gave Rukia a dumbfounded look, it was her turn to blink in surprise. Was she missing something?

"What?"

Rangiku was staring at her in disbelief.

"We're not talking about Ichigo's fans being jealous, Rukia." she said slowly, as if talking to a dumb person.

"Alright…" Rukia looked over at everybody. Even Hitsugaya was looking at her as if she'd grown two heads. It was only Renji who was blissfully unaware of what was going on, and had happily disappeared behind a coffee cup.

"You're telling me you don't know?" Hisagi asked her, shocked "Haven't you wondered why someone as sweet as Orihime hasn't come over to comfort you yet?"

Rukia hesitated, pausing and looking at her forkful of scrambled eggs. She'd been so focused on herself the past twenty-four hours, she hadn't paid attention to much of anything. She had noticed Orihime's absence, but her brain had been in such a constant state of information overload that she'd just…not bothered. Shame and guilt flooded through her.

"...Yeah. But…I don't see Orihime getting jealous over something like this."

Rangiku's laughed "That's true, she's too nice for that, but she always has been pretty bad at hiding her feelings. She might not be jealous, but she's definitely upset."

Rukia blinked. What were they all talking about-? Her insides lurched as realised.

Of course.

"Inoue...Inoue likes-?"

Inoue liked Ichigo.

"Where'd by cobbee?"

Hisagi sighed and handed Renji the coffeepot once again, eyeing Rukia "You really haven't noticed at all?"

Rukia didn't know what to say. Sudden guilt flooded through her in nauseous bubbles. She'd helped Orihime in her project- she'd spent almost six hours in close proximity with the auburn-haired girl, and yet she hadn't noticed...What kind of self-absorbed friend was she?

"No...I never…I- I had no idea."

"To be fair, neither does Ichigo." Rangiku said, rolling her eyes "He's an idiot. I'm surprised he kissed you so quickly. I wasn't expecting him to come in terms with his feelings so easily." she sighed "-I was actually hoping he would be freaked out a little when he found out he'd actually started liking a girl."

"I think we've both had our fair share of freak outs." Rukia muttered, grabbing the coffeepot out of Renji's hands before he could overflow his cup. He protested, but she paid no heed. "Enough with that, Renji."

"Where do you think they are though? Uryuu and Orihime?" Momo wondered, placing her head on Hitsugaya's shoulders, whose eyebrow twitched.

"Ichigo's gone to look for them."

"It's not usually like Uryuu to go somewhere without informing us."

"Maybe they decided to pull a Rukia and Ichigo." Rangiku grinned."

"Oh, shut up. No- get your own, Renji!" Rukia turned sideways, swatting at Renji's hand as he tried to reach out for her sugar packet "Besides, I'm sure they both are fine. Uryuu's a smart guy."

"Not to mention head-over-heels for Orihime."

"Now that I noticed."

Rangiku laughed "Oh, honey, everybody except Orihime have."

"Everybody likes everybody-" Hisagi sighed in a dramatic manner, resting rested his chin over folded arms on the cafeteria table "-except for me."

"You're a man-whore, Hisagi. You're lucky girls haven't started a riot against you yet."

"Hey! I prefer 'deviously charming'!"

"By sugar!"

Feeling a rush of affection for this strange group sitting all around her, Rukia smiled and took a mouthful of her eggs, catching Momo's eyes, who giggled back.

She hoped that Orihime was okay.

"...And it's called Sirius. It's the brightest star in the nightsky...and when twilight falls..." his tall arm raised, Uryuu slowly pointed towards the sky, a little above the horizon, breath fanning over Orihime's hair "...it can be seen right there."

Orihime was listening, enraptured. Uryuu smiled down at her. None of his friends had ever been able to sit still long enough to listen to his ramblings about random pieces of astronomy. Most of them knew about his obsessions, but Renji just laughed at him whenever he started talking about stars.

But Orihime- with her wide gray eyes, and her cute, button nose, and her childish interest, felt so perfectly like home that Uryuu never wanted to let go. They had been sitting there on the bench since the previous night, talking. After around eleven o' clock, Uryuu seemed to have realised that it was probably time to leave, but the soft pressure of Orihime's head on his shoulder had forced him to sit still, and so he had, without much objections. A little over midnight, and he'd fallen asleep himself. He'd been surprised no security guard, or no teacher had shook them awake.

And then the next morning, he'd woken up to Orihime beside him. Hurt as much it did...it was addicting. He couldn't let go, and he knew that no matter how much he tried, he would always hold on to every tiny feeling he had for her, and every chance of spending every day with her. He would do it in a heart beat.

"I never knew you liked looking at stars."

"It's not really about looking at stars- it's the entire concept in itself." Ishida looked up at the sky from where he sat, his arm thrown casually around her shoulders "How there's a giant ball of gas and fire thousands of miles away from us, and how it's light collides with our atmosphere to scatter and... shine. It's fascinating."

Orihime smiled "I think it's beautiful. Everybody needs to pause once in a while and sit under the sky and look at stars." her arms around his tightened, and Ishida's heart thumped "And they deserve to not be alone."

He cleared his throat "Technically it's daytime, Orihime."

"That makes no difference! We spent the night doing the same, didn't we?"

He went a little pink "True. Don't you think it's time we got back though? It's almost past noon."

She nodded but didn't make any move to get away. Instead she wriggled to get comfortable next to him. From up so close, Ishida could drink in her tingling, flowery scent- and it was making him giddy.

"Ten more minutes." she whispered next to him, making him shiver.

God, she's going to be the death of me.

"Okay."

It was unbelievably calming. Ishida just sat there, too afraid to move, wondering where exactly this was going, or what he was doing. It was probably the first time he'd not assessed the situation, and just gone for it in a fit of impulsiveness.

But then, when it came to Orihime, he was never his usual self anyway.

"Oi!"- came a loud shout that made him freeze. "What the- don't tell me you're star-gazing!"

Ishida turned, and undoubtedly- there was Ichigo Kurosaki, sporting a magnificent black eye, stamping his way towards them. Orihime turned too, and Ishida felt her grip his shirt.

"Well, stars don't usually appear at this time of day, but I wouldn't expect you to know that, Kurosaki."

"Oh ha ha! You're a freakin' riot!" Ichigo was red in the face as he finally reached them, and glared at Ishida in exasperation "You've been missing since last night! You could've told someone about where you were going!"

Ishida arched a brow "You mean, like a particular orangehead and raven-haired girl, who roughly did the same yesterday?"

"That's different! You guys knew I was in her room last night!"-

Ishida's eyes widened, and he felt Orihime freeze beside him. Ichigo- apparently oblivious to his statement- was glaring in indignance.

In her room? In Rukia's room...?

Ishida's eyes narrowed as he got up, gripping Orihime around the waist tightly "...As a matter of fact, I did not know that. I left shortly after you stormed out of your room to look for her. But thank you for the information. We'll see you later."

Ishida had turned around to walk away, along with Orihime, who was looking at the ground, too distracted in her own thoughts. Ishida wasn't sure he would be able to face Ichigo for too long without punching him in the face too. The guy was entirely too much trouble.

"Hey, wait a second!" The orangehead glowered "What were you guys doing over here?"

Ishida gritted his teeth as he turned "That's none of your business."

"It is, when nobody's seen you for hours! Inoue- " and Ichigo's voice softened down to such a gentle tone that it made Ishida's blood boil "-you doin' okay?"

Orihime didn't turn, and Ishida knew why. She let out a choked laugh from where she had her back to him "I'm fine! It's really okay, Kurosaki-kun, we were just sitting here and talking, that's all!"

Ichigo seemed to look hurt "...You sure? Hey, just look at me and-"

"She said she's fine, Kurosaki."

Ichigo glared at him "I wasn't talking to you."

"It's funny how you seem to turn up when no one wants to talk to you." Ishida glared as he took a step forward. Anger pulsed through his veins- jealousy and the sense of unfairness and hurt that had been coursing through him for months every time he'd seen Orihime look at Ichigo the way Ishida wished she'd look at him "You have your own girlfriend to take care of, and from what it seems, you both have issues you wish to keep secret between yourselves. What Orihime and I were doing here is none of your business, and considering we've respected your privacy, I suggest you respect ours."

Ichigo blinked, stunned "Wha-? Did I do something to piss you off?"

"What was your first clue?"

"Well then stop messing around and just spit it out!"

Ishida's fists clenched, and he slid his arm out from around Inoue's waist, turning to fully face Ichigo. He wanted to fight- he really wanted to give the arrogant orange-headed bastard a piece of his mind- but he was also aware that Orihime was right behind him, and that she hated fights.

"Everything is so easy for you, isn't it?" he snapped, glasses flashing "Get angry- shout- punch someone? Easy, to just 'spit it out' and let it go?" he neared Ichigo, footsteps clicking against the gravel pavement "Well, let me tell you something, Kurosaki. Not everybody is as cannibalistic and tactless as you are. You don't need to know everything. Not everything can be fixed by you, and not everybody needs your protection. I'm sure you feel entitled to look after Orihime, but I assure you, I can do it better than you ever could. You've done enough." he was now nose-to-nose with Ichigo, and the anger that burned through him lit into his eyes "So stop hurting her."

For a minute, Ichigo looked like he was going to seriously injure Ishida as he glared back, opening his mouth to say something, but Ishida held up a hand, stopping him. He wondered where all the anger went, but now, all he could really feel was a desperate urge to make Ichigo understand, without really telling him. He wasn't a bad guy, he was just...foolish beyond measure. "Just let me take care of her."

Ichigo's eyes shifted from Ishida to behind him, where Orihime was standing. The orange-headed teenager looked surprised and confused- and a little hurt "You sure you're okay, Inoue?"

There was a quiet smile in her voice "I'm fine, Kurosaki-kun."- and Ishida felt such a rush of pride for knowing that she would lie about her feelings to Ichigo so effortlessly, that it wasn't Ichigo, but him- Ishida- who she bared all her true feelings to.

"You'll come to me when you feel like talking, right? You know I'm here to help with whatever you're going through?" Ichigo asked.

Orihime laughed "You already help all of us so much. Go. You should take care of Rukia more often, she deserves it."

"Yeah, but I'm still here for all of you." Ichigo shifted his gave to Ishida "Even for you. Bastard."

Ishida smirked and nodded, feeling Orihime's hand slide to his arm and hold his hand. "My compliments to the person who gave you that." he gestured to the bruised black eye on Ichigo's face.

Ichigo glared at him before shaking his head and sighing "Well then, you guys have fun." he eyed them sceptically "Let me know if you need anything."

Ishida rolled his eyes "Stop being a charity case and go away already."

Ichigo grinned, looking from Orihime to him "You know, you should confess already, Ishida."

Ishida froze, going bright red "Sh-shut up! Go away, Kurosaki!"

Giving them a two-fingered salute, Ichigo turned, jogging away.

Orihime looked confusedly at his retreating figure, and then at Ishida "Confess what? Oh! Do you have a girl that you like?!"

Ishida gritted his teeth in embarrassment "I'll tell you about it some other time."

Night had fallen and everything was silent. Rukia didn't stop to catch her breath as she jogged along the basketball court, dribbling the ball towards the end of the court and diving in to throw it in the basket.

It'd been a while since she felt this at peace. Despite everything that had happened, she felt it was important she maintained this calm, otherwise she might just go insane. There wasn't time to stop and think- because if she did, she might just end up being stuck at one point. Might just go back into wondering what she did wrong; back to thinking and thinking about things that would not change the present.

She hadn't seen Ichigo the whole day, and if she was to be honest, she was a little eager to see him again. She wasn't sure if he would turn up here on the basketball court though, but then again- he had always turned up just when she'd needed him the most. Her lips twitched and she ran faster, dribbling the ball alternatively.

At the sound of footsteps behind her, Rukia whipped around, heart leaping in her chest "Ichigo?"

It wasn't Ichigo.

Rukia blinked in surprise when the floodlights caught the shining face of Orihime Inoue making her way to her "Inoue."

Rukia didn't know what to say, partly because she was breathless, but mostly because of the conversation she had with the others earlier that day.

"Hello, Kuchik-san." Orihime smiled tentatively, hands clasped. "I..um..am I disturbing?"

"No, of course not." Rukia turned to hold the ball against her hip, and stood up straight "What's up?"

"Oh, nothing- I just...I came to talk to you." Orihime rubbed her arms consciously, looking uncomfortable.

Rukia shifted against the court, the sole of her shoes worn out and slippery "Are you okay? Ichigo was really worried."

Orihime went pink "I was with Ishida. Sorry, I didn't- we didn't mean to scare you guys..."

"Oh. Oh. No, no, definitely not." it was a second later that Rukia realised she was grinning from ear-to-ear. Ishida and Orihime. Riiight. "So- did you two have have fun?"

"Yes. He knows a lot about stars."

"Er..."

"But I came here for something else." Orihime shifted on the tips of her feet again and Rukia tensed. What was she going to say? Something about Ichigo? "I wanted to ask if you're okay?"

Rukia blinked, then laughed softly at the ridiculous question, shaking her head "You know, entirely too many people have been asking me that lately. You've always considered other people's feelings first, Inoue. You should really start caring more for yourself." she wanted to tell her that Inoue was so much braver- so much more entitled to have someone care for her, and look out for her. From what little Rukia knew about the girl, Orihime apparently lived with her elder brother, without her parents. Rukia couldn't imagine how hard it would be to battle so many problems at home with that ever-present smile Orihime seemed to have all the time.

"What did you want to talk to me about?"

Orihime hesitated again, and for a minute Rukia thought she was going to tell her about Ichigo- and Rukia really didn't know how to react. So when Orihime said something entirely different, Rukia was completely taken aback.

"I...saw what your father did- was doing- to you."

Rukia froze.

"I wanted to... I wanted to tell you that it gets better." It looked like it was taking Orihime a lot to say it out loud. Her fingers were clenched, and her eyes were shining, and Rukia just stood there, bewildered as Orihime smiled at her "...I understand that you wouldn't want to talk about it- and it's not my place to pry...but I'm here. If you ever do want to talk. We all care about you...Kurosaki-kun cares about you. Please don't push him away."

Rukia thought there was a rather knowing desperation in Orihime's eyes, and it sent chills down her spine. She wondered if parental abuse was something that Orihime had had first hand experience in, and then sincerely hoped that she hadn't.

"Inoue...I-"

"Even though right now it may seem like you have no one, or that everything feels dull and dead- you'll build your own family." Orihime was still smiling, and Rukia wondered how the heck she did it- how did she smile?! Like it was the easiest thing to say? "And all of that hard work- it would be worth it. So- please don't give up. It gets better. Even without the- the parents- it..." her lips trembled as she rubbed her eye, choking out an embarrassed laugh "...You move on."

White, hot flames of guilt licked Rukia's insides and she squirmed. She wanted to tell Orihime that she didn't find it this way- that she'd already built her own family, even though it was still confusing as hell, that she thought that she was already moving on, but something about Orihime's words made her stop.

It made her wonder if there had been a time when Orihime had felt the same. Hopeless and dead. Unable to get up from the bed because of the bruises and the heavy hurt that pressed against your chest- pulling you down, pushing you whenever you tried to get up. The thought that Orihime might have gone through something similar- and had worked up the courage to come talk to her just because she didn't want Rukia to feel the same touched her, and Rukia looked into Orihime's eyes. For a minute, she wanted to pull Orihime into a fierce hug and apologize- for what, she wasn't sure. Just...something.

Rukia cleared her throat and nodded, voice threatening to choke up "I'm...here too, alright? For you. Anytime you want."

Orihime looked surprised, and then her eyes softened and she nodded "I really-"

"Oi, Rukia, were the hell have you- Inoue?"

Orihime jumped a feet into the air, hair whipping as she turned around, frantically waving both her arms at Ichigo, who was jogging towards them. His orange hair were tousled, and Rukia's heart panged.

"Kurosaki-kun- hi! I was just- I didn't expect you- I just came to talk to Kuchiki-san, that's all!"

"Whoa- calm down." Ichigo studied the auburn-haired girl, who was shaking her head vigorously "You okay now? Did Ishida do something stupid?"

"Aah, n-no!"

"Right." Ichigo nodded absent-mindedly, and Rukia felt like punching him in the face. How could he be so oblivious?! "I was just looking for this midget, but if you guys aren't finished, I can- ow! What the hell- quit doing that, Rukia!"

Rukia glowered "Then quit calling me midget!"

"It's not my fault you're short! You're a goddamn hobbit!"

"That doesn't mean you go around making a-" Rukia stopped at the sound of muffled laughter. Sharing an odd look with Ichigo, they looked to find Orihime stifling her giggles, shoulders shaking.

"Er...Inoue?"

"Oh...don't m-mind me!" Orihime said, shaking her head. Her eyes were still shining- and tears threatened to stream down her cheeks, but when she looked up and smiled at Rukia, she looked so heart-breakingly at peace that it filled the raven-haired girl's heart with agony, because Orihime looked like she was going to be okay, but at that moment, she didn't deserve it. She didn't deserve to to let go, she deserved to have her crush like her back.

"I think-" Orihime choked on a laugh and wiped a tear, sniffing and looking so damn happy "I think you're perfect for each other. I really do. I just...I just realised."

Ichigo went pink and threw Rukia a bewildered look, but Rukia was too busy staring wondrously at Orihime. The auburn-haired girl was truly something.

"I'll be okay." Orihime gave Rukia a nod, a knowing look in her eyes "I'll see you, Kuchiki-san." -and with that she bade them goodnight.

Rukia continued to stand there for a little more time though, feeling something akin to content for the way things had turned out to be.

Ichigo's voice came from behind her "What the hell was all that about?"

She shook her head "Nothing."

"What d'you mean nothing?" Ichigo called from behind her as she turned, basketball in hand. She'd never admit it, but it never failed to delight her when Ichigo raced after her to try and grab the ball. There was something about playing with him- breathless and running laps around the court- that felt achingly comfortable. "She looked like she was crying. Shit, Rukia, was she crying?"

Trust the thickheaded Strawberry to notice now.

"A little bit." she mumbled. Ichigo feinted to the right, dodging and swerving to try to snatch the ball, but Rukia was quick to side step him and turn.

"What happened?"

Rukia hesitated- wondered if she should tell anything. It wasn't like Ichigo didn't know- he probably knew more about Orihime than Rukia, considering they'd been friends longer. But then, it wasn't Rukia's story to tell.

Rukia didn't answer, aiming for the basket instead. She spun, jumped and shot, but Ichigo had already grabbed the ball with lightening-fast reflexes, and was making his way to the other half of the court, throwing her a long look.

"Rukia, seriously, what happened? Is she okay?"

"She's fine."

"You sure? She's been really out of it lately."

Of course she has. She likes you, you dolt.

"Trust me. She doesn't need you butting in things that she's not ready to talk about. You don't have to know everything we girls talk about, you know"

Ichigo scoffed "Of course I don't. Who knows what goes on in your heads."

"Good. Then stop asking questions."

Scowling as he realised that his retort had ended up backfiring on him, Ichigo blocked Rukia and scored. Rukia frowned, but leapt for the ball before he could.

"So- what did Urahara wanna talk to you about?" he asked, trying and failing to sound casual.

"Just wanted to know about my Emergency Contact, since he can't use my..." Rukia gritted her teeth "...the current one."

"Oh."

There was a brief silence, where all that Rukia could hear was his ragged breathing and the soft thump of the soles of their shoes as they slid and bounced off the smooth court. She could almost hear the tentativeness in his voice when he finally asked- "Whose name d'you put?"

She arched a brow at him "Whose name could I put?"

"What d'you mean?"

She stopped, placing hands on hips and glaring at him "Really, Ichigo? How dense are you going to pretend to be?"

Ichigo stopped short in his tracks, a look of disbelief on his face. Orange hair were sticking to his forehead in small beads of perspiration and he was breathing heavily. He gazed at Rukia without a word.

"I gave your Dad's number." Her eyes softened "I hope it's okay with you."

His eyes went wide. All of a sudden, he was standing much straighter, dark gaze intense even as the breeze ruffled his hair. His amber eyes sparkled, and skin flushed pink due to the light exercise. Rukia could feel her heart constrict. Breathless and windswept was a terrific look on him.

"Really?" his voice was rough, and it sent tingles down her spine.

"Yes." She took a deep breath and slowly took a step closer, suddenly reminded of Rangiku's words and feeling slightly nervous "Ichigo...I've been meaning to ask- what are we doing?"

He looked at her, frowning, confusion clear in his face.

Huh. He frowned a lot. Almost at everything.

"I mean this- us. Last night. This morning." she didn't really think she was doing a very good job at being clear, but hoped he understood anyway. She waggled a finger between the two of them "What are we doing?"

Ichigo looked at her, and there was something...feral in his gaze. He didn't look hesitant, or fidgety- but so sure of what he wanted, and she felt herself tingle all over again. Maybe he was sure. Maybe he had always been.

He offered her a hand, eyes never wavering. She took it, letting his calloused one wrap around her tiny palm as he pulled her to his chest, pressing his mouth to hers. His arms came down to wrap around her waist, fingers spread, sliding up her back and into her hair as he pulled her in against him tightly, and God, she forgot to breathe, wrapping her arms around his neck and deciding that kissing him back was more important. His lips drew back from hers, softly biting her earlobe before he pressed his nose against her neck. He breathed deeply, still holding her tightly against him.

"I thought it'd be pretty obvious what we were doing, midget." His breath was hot against her neck, voice much harsher than usual, and she weaved her fingers into his hair, pulling his head closer, eyes closed.

"Don't call me midget."

He snorted "Trust you to hear that part."

Shaking her head, she pulled back, looking into his dark eyes "What part did you want me to hear?"

He groaned, burying his face into her hair "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Nope."

"Fine." He sighed in exasperation and pulled back from her so that she could see his face, illuminated by the bright floodlights that circled the basketball court. He was scowling, but his lips threatened to twitch upwards as he regarded her "I like you." he said, then sighed, his grip on her tightening "A lot. I like you a lot."

"A lot, huh?" she smirked, fingers combing through the orange locks at the base of his neck.

He didn't respond, and softly kissed her neck again. Rukia shivered, closing her eyes.

"I've been thinking about what Professor Ukitake said."

Ichigo drew his head back to look at her "You're thinking about Ukitake right now?"

She grinned cheekily at him. It was surprising- how they stood there, in the middle of the basketball court, tightly encased together, and didn't feel the need to blush, or tease each other, or lean anywhere. Well, she was leaning into him- it was a marvel he hadn't said anything about the extra weight yet.

Rukia let her fingers run through his hair. She'd thought his hair would be rough- it was surprisingly soft "It's just...something he said."

Ichigo sighed and looked at her properly "When did he talk to you?"

"That time in the Studio." Rukia looked at the faintly visible stars above. The nightsky wasn't clear tonight. "He told me he could recommend me to some really good art schools if I wanted."

Ichigo's arms around her slackened a little, and he pulled back "You mean like a transfer...?"

"I don't know. Is that possible?"

He shrugged, scratching his hair and frowning "I guess...? If the referral is good enough, you have a shot at an interview. And you're art's pretty great, you'd have no problem getting in."

She tilted her head at him, "Was that a compliment?"

He glared "No. Not when you fill my room with stupid bunnies."

"Stupid, but cute bunnies."

"I'm a grown man, Rukia- I don't need bunnies on my walls!"

Her eyebrows cocked "You live with your dad, Ichigo."

"That's because he won't let me go." Ichigo rubbed his forehead "The old man thinks I'm gonna go ahead and forget about him if I get my own place. As if- he's burned into my memory after the way he scarred my teenage years."

"Oh, I don't know. He seems like the type who'd urge his teenage son to go to parties and meet girls." Rukia grinned at the flat look Ichigo gave her "Fine, fine, let's get back to the topic at hand."

Ichigo's eyebrows drew together "So...you gonna do it then?"

Rukia looked down at her hands, smudged with dirt. It felt like an incredibly long time since she'd painted something. Ichigo's bunny walls notwithstanding, she couldn't remember a time in the past month or two where she'd calmly sat down and looked at a blank canvas and felt that intolerable urge to fill it with a swirl of colors. "I don't know if I can."

"What?"

It felt like something had shifted. Rukia continued to stare down at her nimble fingers, lit up by the white floodlights. She could feel Ichigo near her again, but didn't look up. All these years, she'd painted out of grief- a way to express something nobody cared to listen. But now, it seemed so trivial. She had Ichigo's arms to go to when she was upset- a place more comforting and, dare she admit it, infinitely more tempting.

Not that she'd tell him that. Ever.

"Rukia- are you aware of all the paintings you've made in the past?"

She looked up, blinking at Ichigo, who was staring at her in disbelief "Hm?"

"They're fucking good! Of course you can do it! What the hell is wrong with you? I don't remember you self-doubting and sitting in one place, thinking and breaking over your head about it." he scowled "It's because of that bastard, isn't it?"

It was funny- that Ichigo believed in her when she herself didn't. Funny, but comforting.

She scoffed at him "Of course not. I just haven't painted in a long time."

"Well then save the self-pitying crap and paint." he folded his arms, looking at her fiercely "And then get yourself in that art school and kick Kuro in the ass."

She raised a brow "Really? That's your definition of revenge?"

"I was going for something a little bit stronger, but someone stopped me."

She rolled her eyes. He was right- she had to stop being soft. All around her, while she appreciated her friends, they had been treating her like a broken doll- carefully not talking about last night (barring the kiss of course), diverting the topic whenever it got too close to Kuro or anybody's family- and she was getting tired of it. It wasn't their fault, because she'd been acting like it- they'd just been trying to help.

"Punching someone to a pulp is not exactly what I'd call revenge. I'll put you on a leash if I have to if you go around doing that to everyone who irritates you."

Ichigo gave her a dark look "He did more than just 'irritate', Rukia. And screw your leash, I'm not a dog!"

"No, but you're too overprotective."

"Damn right I am! And with good reason!" he glared "You manage to get into some or the other problem somehow. I have to be overprotective."

She threw him an irate look "I don't need protecting."

For a moment, she thought he was going to roll his eyes and say "Suuuuuree, of course you don't." It was true- whether she liked it or not- she did end up getting into more trouble than she bargained for- but that didn't mean she would allow herself to accept his help without trying herself.

"No, but that's not gonna stop me from protecting you anyway." he said stubbornly "Especially from that asshole."

She shook her head, "You're lucky I like you too."

He stiffened for a moment- a fraction of a second that if she hadn't been looking his way, she wouldn't have noticed- but then relaxed, looking away, flustered "Of course you do. Everybody likes me."

She rolled her eyes, "Oh, shut up." and pulled him in for a kiss. He remembered to scowl mulishly at her, but nevertheless slid his arms around her, pulling her close and sighing.

It was soothing- locked in Ichigo's arms, the chilling breeze washing over as their mouths hovered over each others'. The taste of vanilla, warmth and fire surrounded his embrace- and he was intoxicating.

She didn't think he'd say anything then, and was quite content with staying there for a bit more time, when his voice sounded, hoarse.

"So...boyfriend-girlfriend, then?'" he asked, breath fanning over a lock of her hair.

She laughed. She couldn't help it.

"Yeah. Boyfriend-girlfriend."

Ishida Uryuu's silhouette cut a sharp figure as he leaned against a tree, smiling up at Orihime, who was making his way towards him.

"How did it go?"

She clutched the hem of her skirt. It was only a minute later that she realized her tears had dried a long time ago. She smiled back.

"It was good. I think- I think Rukia and Kurosaki-kun are really good for each other."

Ishida, who had fallen in step with her as they walked back to her hostels, looked down tentatively at her "You don't have to be okay with it, you know."

She shook her head, taking in a deep breath. The air felt so light. "I know. But I think I will be."

"...You sure?"

Orihime laughed, turning slightly to look up at Ishida. He looked alarmed to see her so cheerful, and for some reason, that just made her want to laugh more. She felt a rush of affection for this naive, smart young man- a sort of warmth that was heart-melting, something she'd never felt for Ichigo. "You're so cute when you're worried, Ishida-kun!"

The sudden tint of pink on his cheeks was welcoming "H-huh?"

"It's true," she said slowly putting an arm around her and sighing. The world felt so clear now. "Kuchiki-san told me it's high time I thought about myself."

Ishida chuckled "Kuchiki-san is extremely wise."

"You should do it too, you know." she sent him a side-long glance "Think about yourself. You're always worrying about me."

"Ah..that's not- it's not a big deal." Flustered, Ishida bowed his head down, glasses flashing "It's the least I can do as a friend."

Friend. The word felt so odd, for some reason. Maybe it was because they had spent the entire night huddled up on a park bench, staring at stars, and then most of the morning, doing mostly the same, even though there had been no stars visible. Atronomy had seemed like a good excuse then.

Orihime blinked a little, and then looked away, confused.

Friend.

Huh.

Ishida seemed to sense her sudden silence, and glanced down "Is something wrong?"

"No..." his arm was warm against her side. Orihime had a sudden urge to sigh and bury herself in his embrace. Ishida smelled of comfort and paper and soap, "No...it's nothing."

The lobby down the front of the girls' hostels was empty and quiet- a chance for Orihime to probably inch a little closer to him. Ishida was looking straight ahead, eyes darting around, but he glanced down and his midnight blue eyes softened when he saw the way she was walking, head slightly leaning against his shoulder. It was a weight he thoroughly welcomed. Maybe there was still hope, after all.

"What do you think you're doing in the girls' hostels after eight, young man?!"

Out of nowhere came the thunderous steps of Kukkaku Shiba, one of the night matrons, her eyes ablaze and arms folded against her huge chest. She glared as Ishida whipped around, eyes wide.

"Er...I'm-"

"And in the company of sweet, young Orihime Inoue!" Kukkaku's eyes narrowed as she advanced towards them in two strides. Before Ishida could think of moving anywhere, or pulling himself and Orihime away, the elder lady had closed the distance between herself and Uryuu and grabbed him by the collar "I've seen guys like you with her before- trying to take advantage, are you?!"

"No, of course no-"

"Sh-shiba-san, it's fine- he's my friend!" Orihime's sweet, sweet voice intervened, as Kukkaku shook Ishida with such a powerful grip that for a minute he felt like his insides had been completely rattled, his glasses falling off his nose lopsidedly "It's okay- he's a very nice person! He's Ishida Uryuu- you must've heard of him!"

Kukkaku halted, looking at Orihime, and then closely at Ishida, her eyes narrowing. She held him in mid-air by the collar, and he was slowly beginning to turn purple in the face "Ishida Uryuu, eh? The Captain of the Archery Club, aren't ya?"

Ishida wished maybe he could muster up some strength to choke out a "Yes"- just to appear a little tough in front of Orihime, but he really couldn't breathe, and oh God this woman was a brute...

"You sure he's a friend, Orihime? You're too nice all the time. I can blast him in one of those crazy-ass explosives Ganju's always making."

Ishida went pale.

Well, paler.

"No, no, there will be no need for that...!" Orihime said, putting on a tense smile, clutching Kukkaku's outstretched arm "He's honestly nice."

Kukkaku threw Ishida a calculating, sharp look and then released him. Orihime watched in relief as the guy slid to the floor, coughing and gasping for breath, gripping spectacles with shaking fingers.

"You kids behave yourselves now."

Orihime was by his side in no time, gentle hand rubbing up and down his back. Maybe being choked to death wasn't half bad if it meant she would come and do this every time it happened. Her other hand came up to clasp his, and he held on.

"You can drop her off, boy." Kukkaku said, hands on hips "But I swear to God, if I don't see you coming down in the next ten minutes, I will take you and stuff you down one of my brother's cannon balls myself."

Orihime gave him a weak smile as she helped him to his feet as the matron waved them off.

Ishida blinked, voice wheezy as they climbed up a flight of stairs "Well...that was thorough."

"Sorry...she always does that when I have a male friend. She just cares a lot." Orihime huffed, trying (and failing) to look indignant. She looked incredibly cute, though, he'd give her that "Although I can take care of myself!"

Ishida laughed, shaking his head, wanting to say that she was entirely too nice. But then, everybody said that to her. "You're incredibly lucky to have so many people care about you."

She laughed nervously, tucking a loose strand behind her ear "Sometimes I wish I could be strong enough to protect them and care for them too."

The brush of Ishida's fingers against her own as she let them hang by her side made her heart leap out of her chest. She didn't know what to say or what to do as she felt him wrap warm hands around hers. He smiled down at her.

"You already care far too much, Orihime."

Her cheeks felt hot all of a sudden under his gaze and she looked at her feet "R-right...uhm...you- you were saying- you said you wanted to tell me something earlier...?"

She risked looking up at him, and saw his eyes go wide "Oh." Her hand were still in his, but he looked away suddenly, red in the face and coughed discreetly, muttering something like "Kurosaki, you fool" under his breath.

"What?" and there was that swooping sensation in the pit of her stomach. Ishida felt so comforting and warm.

"Nothing. I'll...tell you some other time."

Orihime blinked. Ishida had never kept anything from her- they'd always shared everything. He looked slightly flushed.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." his lips quirked delicately into a smile- and...and something about all this felt different. to Inoue- it was fresher, more new...as if they both were doing all this for the first time, as if they'd never met before. "I'll tell you soon."

"The train from Karakura to Tokyo will be arriving on Platform no. 3 at 2200 hours. Please do not leave your luggage unattended and remain behind the yellow lines."

And here he was, again, seated on the buzzing train station, surrounded by a crowd of complete strangers, carrying coffees and suitcases.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you much more about her than this- definitely not let you talk to her just like that. But I'll let her know that you dropped by, and she can decide on her own if she wants anything to do with you."- Isshin had said.

Byakuya had quite agreed with Isshin's decision, but that didn't mean he would have to like it. And he didn't have time to waste- especially now that he knew where she was and that she was safe and taken care of and alive. Something had definitely happened, considering the absence of Kuro Michita.

"The guy's disappeared in thin air."- Isshin had leaned back, eyes narrowing when Byauya had inquired about Kuro "And if he wants to live, he'd better remain like that. Out of sight."

Byakuya had to admire Isshin's loyalty to the girl. Rukia had never seemed like the kind of person who had a lot of people like that.

Except Hisana. Byakuya's fists clenched around his mobile as he pressed Ami's caller ID and brought it to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Ami?"

"Byakuya! What happened? Did you find her? Where are you?"

"Karakura Station. I am taking the next train to Tokyo." He took a deep breath. All the constricted knots created by the days of searching and coming up with nothing and holding Ami as she cried were slowly loosening, and Byakuya felt like he could breathe a little "I have found Rukia."

Byakuya's eyes were open ever so slightly. Next to him sat Hisana, swinging her legs. She smiled when his eyes turned to fall on her "She is in Seretei, and is safe and being looked after."

Ami laughed bitterly "Guess that bastard really turned out to be not such a bad father after all, huh?"

"As a matter of fact-" Byakuya sat up a little, jolting as Hisana's fingers brushed against his. He looked up at her, then down to stare at their hands. Hard. He could feel her. Wondered- for probably a minute- if this meant that he'd gone completely insane, before taking her hand in his "-Kuro is gone. Nobody seems to be aware of his whereabouts."

"What?!"

"I met the family who has been taking care of Rukia. Apparently Kuro left Rukia in debt and didn't return. I do believe there is more to the story, but this is all I know for now."

There was silence for a minute, before-

"This- this family…Who are they?"

"A family of one of her friends, apparently." Byakuya said, remembering the exact words Isshin had used-

"Oh, my boy's head over heels in love with her, but too chicken to admit it. Guess we're gonna be in-laws in the future, eh?!"

-No need to tell Ami that just yet…

No amount of explaining that he wasn't related to Rukia by blood would get Isshin to understand, so Byakuya had just given the eldest Kurosaki a flat look and let the man babble away, while he wondered how to get to Seretei.

"So she's okay?"

"Yes."

"Oh…Oh thank G-God…. I j-just…"- Ami's voice trailed away as she sniffed, furiously trying to control the tears that must've been streaming down her cheeks. Byakuya listened patiently, even though the train had already arrived, and the people from Tokyo were exiting out. "…Ever s-since she left, I've realized I'd been so…mean. So hard, so carefree, and now Hisana's g-gone…and I'm m-miserable and I want my b-baby b-back…"

Byakuya's gaze softened, and he turned to look at Hisana, sitting next to him and silently peering into his coffee cup. She looked up at him, eyes wide, the picture of innocence, and a rush of affection seared through his heart, more painful than ever. She looked like she was glowing.

"Don't worry. Hisana's not gone."

"Oh, Byakuya, I…I don't know h-how to thank-"

SMASH!

Byakuya hardly had anytime to react as he got up and was promptly smashed into. The rickety smell of alcohol and rust surrounded him as his phone fell from his hands, crashing on the floor.

But it was the sight of Hisana- or who exactly was she? An image produced by his grieving mind?- falling back and hitting the bench that made Byakuya's blood curdle as he stopped his fall and turned to look at who had crashed into him.

Several of the surrounding people stopped, glancing at his direction.

"Well, damn, can't even walk five minutes without crashing into some'ne…"

A pale-skinned, unshaved man was stumbling onto his feet, muttering under his breath. He scratched tattered, filthy clothing with crude, bitter fingernails, looking up at Byakuya with hazy, red-rimmed eyes- and then gave him a lopsided grin "You're a good-lookin' one."

Byakuya's eyes narrowed "I suggest you look carefully where you are walking."

Hisana is just a projection of your mind. She is imaginary- she didn't really get hurt. Keep calm.

"Ah, sassy..."- the man swayed, coming closer to Byakuya's face. His breath let out a foul stench- he was definitely drunk. "Everybody's bein' so sassy to me late- ow!"

With one smart stride, the man was down, clutching his arm as Byakuya loomed over him, eyebrow arched, the finger that he had discreetly pressed over a pressure point in the drunk man's arm still poised. People stared, whispering, and the signal for the train departure sounded in the background.

"I have a train to catch." Byakuya nodded, glancing towards the bench. Hisana was gone. "Please do look where you're walking next time, or you might bump into someone."

And as he walked away, Kuro Michita continued to stay coiled on the floor, clutching his arm painfully, panting and drunken in a haze of heightened, head-splitting aches.

Nothing was working out for him. He'd already wasted the little money he had left on the train fare to get to Rukia and now back. He needed to do something- needed to find someone who could help him- and he needed to do it fast.

Professor's Ukitake's words failed to leave Rukia's mind. She hadn't been able to divert her mind elsewhere, even as she'd lain on her bed, looking up at the bland, horribly white ceiling of her dorm room (and the only reason the ceiling was still white was because she had been too short to reach it, and Ichigo had refused point-blank to help lift her up so she could paint it. "A fucking suicide mission."- he'd said).

"...You've got talent. I could recommend you to some great art schools in Tokyo."

And so here she was, having sneaked out of her hostels and tip-toed up to the art studio, clutching her favorite paintbrush in her hand as if she were brandishing a weapon. Although- she'd reminded herself- if any janitor did show up, she wouldn't hesitate poking them with it and then dashing for an escape.

Closing the door behind her, she paused before switching on the lights. Even at night, the studio felt soothingly calm, moonlight falling in through the glass windows to form a patch of light on the table in front of her, smack dab in the middle of the studio.

A fruit bowl stood there in the center of the table, and it had never looked so intimidating before. Why was she thinking of painting a fruit bowl anyway? Fruits were stupid.

Realizing that it was easily two-thirty in the morning, Rukia sighed. It was too late to be having an argument inside her head. Plus, if the fruit bowl looked scary, then she definitely needed to practice painting it.

She turned around. Sculptures and paintings done by students stood all around her, propped by easels or walls, the smell of fresh paint in the air...this was calm. This was what she loved. Even in the night, the chill of the weather failed to numb her to the plethora of sensations that these colors brought her.

"...You're one of the best I've ever seen."

She really wanted to do this- but it'd been so long since she'd last painted it felt so entirely...new. Terrifying.

How could she go back to painting when she couldn't even remember how she did it? For her, the hours spent painting were a blur of colors and feelings and tears. How could she do it when she had no idea if she was even capable or not?

"Well then save the self-pitying crap and paint."

Oh great. So now, Ichigo was in her head as well.

Shaking her head and stretching, she brought her brows together. Glared at the fruit bowl, determined.

Okay, fruit bowl.

Time to get started.

A/N: Okay...so this was a long one. I hope you liked it. Let me know of the mistakes I made, I'd correct them, and definitely improve the next time around :)

Thanks a ton for reading!

~SS~