Story: Perfect Imperfection

Summary: "Ichigo and I are just friends." 'Friends...' Is that really all there was to their relationship, or was it something more? She couldn't help but wonder. Could she...like him? Did he feel the same? Could love between human and Shinigami exist? Was it possible to cross those boundaries?

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach...

Quote - "You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not."

Quote - "You should not hate imperfection, for that is what brings people together. Our flaws, and shortcomings in life, is what allows us to have hopes and dreams."

~ Flashback ~

"Hey, Kuchiki-san,"

Rukia looked up from her book, placing it on the desk. She greeted her classmate, Izumi. "Why, hello, Hikari-san."

"I was kind of wondering," Izumi said, standing in front of her desk. Ichigo had momentarily left the classroom. The girl rose a questioning brow. "you and Kurosaki-san seem to be quite close. Do you like him or somethin'?"

"Yeah, I was wondering that, myself." added Kantaru, another female classmate, as she suddenly popped out of no where. "I think you two would be cute together. So, what's your relationship?"

"Kurosaki-san and I are..." Rukia placed a finger on her chin, ruminating for a moment. Finally, she looked back up, smiling. "We're just friends."

"Are you sure?" Izumi questioned disappointingly.

"I can't see us as anything else," the raven shrugged. "We're just close friends. That's the only way I can put it."

~ End of Flashback ~

"Is that really all there is to it...?" Rukia mused silently. "Are we really just friends...? Or do I like Ichigo...? Would normal friends go out of there way to stop an execution, just for the sake of another? He did go after Inoue-san in Hueco Mundo...but..."

She looked up with uncertainty to study Ichigo as he slept. 'Ichigo might deny it, but I want to think there's something more to our relationship than just friendship. Why is it that I get so worked up at the thought of losing him...? That time I felt his reiatsu disappear, It suddenly felt like a part of me was gone as well. All hope, and sense of judgement was lost. It was even worse than the feeling of losing Renji, or any of the others, yet It was similar to how I felt when I thought Nii-sama had died, but still slightly different... It was something I can't easily explain..."

"Oi, Midget...How am I suppose to rest, with you staring at me like that?" his voice seemingly startled her, causing her to jump. He cocked an eyebrow at her tenseness. "What's with you? "

"Ichigo, I..." Rukia averted her gaze, her heart skipping a beat. "I think I like you..."

Ichigo bit his tongue, his breath catching in his throat. His eyes widened, as he shot up in the futon. "You think you what?! Did you hit your head while I was asleep or something?"

"No! I'm serious," she insisted, looking him in the eyes to show him she meant it. Ichigo's face softened when he realized she wasn't kidding.

"What's with this all of a sudden?" he asked, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. Rukia fidgeted uneasily, her heart rapidly pounding within her chest. Heat kept running through her body as the wierd feeling in her stomach only grew.

"I don't know... It's just... How do I put it...?" she stumbled over her words, unable to find the right way to say it. "The first time I met you, there was something about you, that I couldn't explain... I immediately felt an attraction to you, which is why I didn't hesitate to lend you my powers; because, somehow, I knew, right away, that you were a person who stood for what's right; that you would do anything to protect your family. Up until just now, I didn't even think twice about it, but a conversation I once had with one of your classmates got me to wondering. Even though I consider Inoue-san, Renji and all the others to be my friends, the though of losing you was worse than any of them. Back, a while ago, when I felt your spiritual pressure just suddenly disappear, I was so afraid. It was almost as if a part of me was gone, instead. It was similar to how I felt after Nii-sama's spiritual pressure had faded, but it was still slightly different...I..."

"I don't know what you see in me, Rukia," Ichigo gazed down at his hand, a flash of guilt in his eyes. "but I'm not as great as you think I am."

"That may be," agreed Rukia. "but I can guarantee that your not as bad as you think... It's not the perfect side of you that I was attracted to, rather, the imperfect side... Your imperfect side is what a person is suppose to look at, isn't it? I mean, our imperfection, and mistakes in life, are what makes us who we are. It gives us a reason to improve, and keep going. If we were all perfect, who would we be, but a puppet, blind to our own will? Our flaws and shortcomings are what declares us 'unique'. If none of us did wrong, or faced any consequences, we would all we the same; without hopes and dreams. If we never made mistakes, what would we learn? It's because of your mistakes, that I've been able to get past some of my own mistakes. If you mess up, you always make up for it by doing something right. That's what I like about you."

She scooted forward, and reached over, placing her small hand in his. "Besides, I don't think any of us have a perfect side. If we did, you and I would've never met. So, in all honesty, I'm glad I'm not perfect."

"You deserve better." Ichigo told her. "Rukia, you deserve much more than I could ever give you."

"Even if that was true, I don't want better..." Rukia replied. "'cause, I'm not as great as you think, either."

A moment of silence passed by, before Ichigo looked up, their eyes meeting. In that long eerie silence, they searched each other's hearts, and found all they needed.

"Well, if that's what you feel, " he gave a small, but very sincere, smile. "I... I like you too, Rukia, just how you are, and I'd gladly give you my life..."

Rukia pursed her lips, sure her heart was on the edge of exploding in her chest. Ichigo's fingers twitched, as he gently clasped her hand. Closing her eyes, she slowly leaned forward, her warm lips meeting his. Though it was a rather soft, it was passionate none the less, and hard with many emotions. Most importantly, it showed her devotion. It let him know that she truly loved him, just as he did her.

The raven smiled, as she wrapped her arms around him, resting her chin on his shoulder. Tears of joy freely strolled down her cheeks. She finally knew the answer – She finally knew that she loved Ichigo, and he loved her. He was where she belonged. He was her home.

...

One Week Later

At the Park

"Inoue-san." Rukia spoke up, immediately averting her gaze. "Ichigo and I are-"

"Kuchiki-san," Orihime cut her off, still looking up at the clouds, her hair gently blowing in the breeze. "I know."

"Um, I..." Rukia clutched her chest, awkwardly, worried that she was upset with her. It was a known fact that Orihime had loved Ichigo. "I know you had feelings for Ichigo...I'm..."

"Don't worry, I'm not mad at you. There's no need to say sorry." Inoue smiled reassuringly, taking her by surprise. "I can tell that Kurosaki-kun really cares about you. Ever since you became friends, he slowly began opening up to those around him. All I want is for him to be happy, and if there's anyone out there who can give him that happiness, it's you, Kuchiki-san. Thanks to you, I'm a lot more confident than I used to be. Ishida-kun too. He was cold and distant at first, but now, he's really easy to get along with. I'm happy for you two. I know you'll find happiness in him, because I know what type of person Kurosaki-kun is. Kuchiki-san, I wish you the best of luck. Both of you."

Rukia stared at her for a moment, then smiled, as she looked up to see the birds flying overhead.

"Thanks, Inoue-san..."

It was true; Ichigo had changed her life, and she'd changed his. Sometimes, people are brought together in the most unfortunate situations, and they become inseparable. Just like Hisana and Byakuya. Just like them, Ichigo and her had seemingly crossed boundaries, and went against common sense. If it'd been anyone else, perhaps, they would've stayed in there own world, but Ichigo and her were just different. No how much she tried to avoid it, before she knew it, she once again found herself in his closet. It was rather imperfect in the eyes of some, but, to her, it was a perfect imperfection.

Quote - "To accomplish the perfect perfection, a little imperfection helps."

Quote - "No human face is exactly the same in its lines on each side, no leaf perfect in its lobes, no branch in its symmetry. All admit irregularity as they imply change; and to banish imperfection is to destroy expression, to check exertion, to paralyse vitality. All things are literally better, lovelier, and more beloved for the imperfections which have been divinely appointed, that the law of human life may be Effort, and the law of human judgement, Mercy."

~ End of Story ~

A/N: What do you think? Good? Bad? Terrible? Okay? Review.