Okay, I had a sleepless night and my mp3 player was playing 'T-Shirt' by Shontelle on repeat.

This is the result.
I know it's not great, but my friend said she liked it. So I decided to dedicate this to you Kanya!

Nothin' Feels Right Without you

Towel wrapped tightly around her wet figure the raven-haired girl rushed downstairs towards the phone. It had been ringing since she had stepped out of the shower, and she was praying she would get it before the caller gave up.

Her dripping hand took grasp of the device and she jerked the phone up to her ear, "Kurosaki Clinic, how may I help you?"

"Hey, Rukia." Her eyes widened slightly at the callers voice. She hadn't expected he'd call, "I'm just checking up on you guys. Everything okay at home?"

It took her almost a full minute to properly register that he had asked a question, and then she needed to ask him to repeat it.

"Oh, everything's fine." She replied hastily after he asked again, "What about you?" her hand subconsciously tightened a little around the phone, "How are the university tours going?"

Ichigo had left five days previous, with his father, to tour colleges around the country that he may go into next year. Unsurprisingly, when Ichigo sent off his application forms about four months ago, most colleges were more than delighted to accept him.

This is why it would take Ichigo about seven days to visit them all.

"Oh, it's… nice. Yeah, Dad's really loving the college atmosphere. I think he might try to live in one of these campuses himself."

She laughed. That sounded like typical Isshin, "Sounds like you two are having a good time."

"Yeah, like I said; it's nice."

She took the cordless phone to the sofa, dropping herself down onto it, "Have you found anywhere you'd like to go?"

Ichigo responded with an unsure humming noise, "There's a few good looking ones… but it's a little early yet, Rukia."

She nodded, despite the fact he couldn't see her.

"Rukia?"

"Oh, yeah. Sorry."

"So how have you been?" he began then, "Everything okay at home?"

Rukia smiled, "No need to worry, Ichigo. Your house will still be in one piece when you and your father come home."

There was a little hint of uncertainty as Ichigo replied, "That's not what I meant."

Oh, she really wanted to rise him. However, their lengthily absence from one another made the conversation a little too real for jokes.

"Have you been fighting?"

His voice was somewhat hushed now, but Rukia could only roll her eyes in response, "Yes, Ichigo. I have been fighting. It's my job remember… as a Shinigami."

She could tell he was scowling now, "Oh really? Well excuse me, midget if I wanted to make sure you weren't bleeding in a ditch somewhere!"

"I'm on the phone now, aren't I?"

This was followed by a growl coming from the other end and Rukia decided she shouldn't push him any closer to the edge. He could be in public for all she knew.

"I'm fine, Ichigo." Her voice had turned softer on its own accord, and Ichigo noticed this easily.

There was a faint mumble at the other end of the line that Rukia couldn't quite make out, "Sorry? What was that, Ichigo? I can't really hear you."

His voice returned in an abrupt sound, "N-nothing! I gotta go now, Rukia. Say hi to Yuzu and Karin for me and dad… and take care of yourself."

She was a little taken aback by the end of his good bye, but managed to keep any surprise from her voice, "Have fun, Ichigo."

Neither would know that once the other had hung up the phone; both stood there saying the same thing.

I miss you.

Later on Rukia was rummaging through her clothes, looking for an outfit for that night. Tatsuki had won another national competition for her fighting skills, and Inoue decided to throw her a party to celebrate.

About an hour after Ichigo had called that morning, she came to the house and invited Rukia to attend the congratulatory party at her house. Rukia was far from cheerful after hearing Ichigo's call. His voice held none of the wistfulness she was feeling since he had left.

She had been counting on that.

But as Inoue stood there, hopeful as ever, Rukia couldn't find it in her heart to turn her friend down. So she used the term, 'You bet!'

How she loathed that phrase right now. It had left her with no way out, not loophole to be found.

She looked in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time that evening, and still wasn't pleased with what she had on.

This is ridiculous, her mind bellowed as she gazed back at her reflection. She was wearing a black silk dress with a silver flower design that came to a halt just above her knees, a pair of silver heels adorned her feet and her hair was up in a messy but stylish bun. She would have looked – to any man – stunningly beautiful.

But Kuchiki Rukia didn't see that in the reflection.

She saw instead; the black dress that she had worn to her dear friend's eighteenth birthday; she could see the silver heels he had bought for her 'eighteenth' birthday. She could also see the bun his sister had taught her how to style on one of the many nights he and she were asked to babysit the twins.

Kurosaki Ichigo was all over her.

But he was nowhere to be found.

Whenever she attended these student parties, Ichigo always came with her – whether he wanted to or not. When she would ask him why he bothered, his answer usually ended up insulting her about her height, so she had stopped asking long ago.

Not that she minded having her orange-haired friend escort her to and from these parties. It usually kept the idiot males in his class from hitting on her or asking her to dance.

And he always gave her his jacket on the walk home.

Rukia shook her head of these thoughts, refusing to see anything more to them. After all… if Ichigo really did care, wouldn't he be here?

The sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach answered her question for her.

Over the past few months, Rukia had finally come to understand why Shinigami were forbidden to become attached to humans.

She had fallen for the idiot that was Kurosaki Ichigo.

She had fallen hard.

She would never be alright with Ichigo leaving Karakura town. She would never be okay about only seeing him on weekends. She would never be fine when he would mention the new girl he met. Things wouldn't be good when he took that girl home to meet his family.

Things would be far from perfect when he would come to marry that girl.

Ichigo was now an adult, and moving on in his life. And she…

She was holding him back.

He was perfectly alright being as far away from her as he was now, but the distance was tearing her apart.

She didn't bother to wipe away the tear that was slowly making its way down her cheek. He would never feel for her as she had come to feel for him.

That was final.

Loophole or not, Rukia was most definitely not attending some stupid party in her current state. She still looked stunning, but inside she felt like she was being stabbed with blunt, rusted daggers. Her heart pained excruciatingly, and she hurt so bad it frightened her.

Rushing into the hallway Rukia ran from her room to the only place she had ever felt safe. Slamming the door behind her she looked around at her safe haven, her sanctuary.

His room.

The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over everything, only reminding her even more of the room's usual inhabitant. Her eyes still glassy with tears, Rukia drifted over to the near wall, and pulled open the closet.

It was empty – of course – but something about its small confines seemed welcoming to Rukia, and she quickly slipped inside before sliding the door shut behind her.

It was dark, and it was warm, but it wasn't what she wanted. She wanted relief… but she felt even more isolated now, lying on the sheets inside the wardrobe. It usually had his scent, but Yuzu had been cleaning in Ichigo's room while he was gone, and now all she could smell was lavender.

Not even strawberry.

Grudgingly Rukia hopped from the wardrobe and took another look around Ichigo's room. She wasn't always going to be the only girl to sleep there. She wasn't always going to be Ichigo's partner.

They would drift apart over time.

And she was far from ready.

A shrill ringing sounded through out the room, and Rukia thanked God for it. A Hollow would help put her thoughts at ease. Without a second thought, she left her sanctuary.

The fight had been long and tiring, but Rukia came back pretty much unharmed. A couple of scratches here and there didn't really count as injuries anymore.

Oh, but she was exhausted, and the fighting had only prolonged her thoughts of him… until now.

It had passed midnight – Karin and Yuzu were no doubt asleep by now, and Rukia really didn't want to disturb them. She quietly slipped through Ichigo's window, careful not to make a sound as she dropped to the floor.

It was a clear night, and a full moon provided the room with plenty of light for Rukia to navigate the bedroom successfully.

She opened the closet door, willing to sleep in there tonight, but found that the covers that had been inside earlier were now gone. Yuzu must have been cold.

She muttered a few curse words as she ripped the heels she had been wearing off her feet, realising she didn't even have a pair of pyjamas.

This is just wonderful… she scowled walking away from the closet. Sitting on the edge of Ichigo's bed Rukia felt something at her leg. Reaching for it she realised it was Ichigo's Nice Vibes t-shirt.

He must've been pissed when he figured out he forgot this.

She smirked at the thought, before clearing her mind and focusing on the matters at hand.

His shirt still carried his scent. Rukia was suddenly overwhelmed by the spicy but sweet smell that she would always get from Ichigo.

She knew she was becoming desperate. If he brother saw her now… he'd most likely disown her, but right now she didn't care – she just wanted to be close to him.

Without another thought for or against the idea, Rukia slipped out of her black dress and tights and threw Ichigo's shirt over herself. Before exhaustion could fully take hold she found herself pulling back the covers of Ichigo's bed and slipping inside.

She truly missed him, and though she'd never admit it, she hated being away from him for so long.

He would never understand.

Just tonight, she thought sleepily as she cuddled into the shirt and closed her eyes, he won't even know I was here.

"Wow… that was a long trip back. I'm surprised we managed to fit it into a single day." Isshin yawned as he fell back onto the couch – his suitcase dropped on the floor beside him, "But we're home, just like you asked, son."

Ichigo nodded, gazing around the house a little apprehensively. He wouldn't admit it, but he had been both expectant and afraid to find a long trail of blood inside leading to Rukia's mangled body and a sneering Hollow.

But his home was quiet, and there were no Hollow nearby.

The orange-haired boy jerked when he felt a hand on his shoulder, "You missed her then, I take it?"

Ichigo met his father's gaze with a scowl, but after a moment he heaved a sigh and reluctantly nodded, "Yeah… I missed her a lot."

"I'm just surprised it took you this long to figure it out."

Ichigo shook his head, and was surprised by just how much easier he felt to see his father understood why he had to come back, "When did you 'figure it out'?" he found himself asking.

Isshin's smirk widened, "Which part?" he asked amusedly, "Because I know you've loved our Rukia-chan since –"

"What?!"

Ichigo was now a bright crimson as he stared wide-eyed at his father.

Isshin just waved him off, "Oh, please! I may seem like a foolish old man, but I know my son!" he watched as Ichigo bowed his head, in both embarrassment and understanding, "And I figured out your reason for going home when you gave me that lame excuse about your t-shirt."

He heard his son mutter something along the lines of 'my favourite t-shirt', but paid no heed really as he told Ichigo he should head upstairs and go to sleep.

"You have all the time to speak to my third-daughter in the morning. Please just let her sleep tonight. It's a little late for emotional reunions and romantic confessions." He paused thoughtfully for a minute, "But I would love grandchildren…"

Ichigo marched upstairs with a face as red as a tomato, while Isshin nursed a suspected broken nose.

"That's my boy."

The door creaked a little while Ichigo pushed it open.

He had wanted so badly to have went straight to Rukia. He didn't know where his sudden will had come from, but right now all he cared about was letting her now that he needed her. While he had been searching through the colleges, he didn't feel like he could live anywhere. No where felt like home. It took his far too long to figure out what was missing.

Her.

He desperately wanted to tell her this. This new understanding that he needed her. He had always known that… but now it felt so much more real. Rukia was, after all, the one who had made the rain stop all those years ago.

He had been so blind.

But no more.

He closed the door softly behind him before turning to notice something truly shocking.

"Rukia?"

She didn't respond, but let out a quiet snore as she turned on her side in his bed. Ichigo stood there, still with surprise as he watched her through the moonlit room. He noticed something more, Kuchiki Rukia was in his bed, wearing his t-shirt…

"Ichigo…"

And dreaming about him?

Her voice sent an electric current through his body. He had missed her terribly, and seeing her like this helped him believe that she may have missed him too.

Impulse took over, and Ichigo quickly found himself at the other side of his bed, and shirtless. He gently pulled back the covers from Rukia and slid underneath them himself.

His heart was throbbing in his chest as he slowly edged closer to the small girl in his bed. Almost the second he made contact with her back, Rukia moved so that she could face him and buried her face into his chest before letting out a contented sigh – still sound asleep.

It was perfect.

He lay there, wide awake for most of the night. Wondering what he would say to this beautiful girl in his arms when the time came. And at some point, the girl in his arms stirred. Ichigo hadn't even realised until she spoke his name, in a voice that made him wonder why he ever let her stay behind.

"Ichigo?" her voice was no more than a quiet sob this time.

"Shh…" he replied, squeezing her closer. Her little body fit against his without flaw and Ichigo spoke the only words on his mind at that moment, "I've missed you."

He could then feel Rukia relax as he held her, and a pair of soft lips brush against his chest. He returned the favour by kissing her sweetly on the forehead.

"I never want you to leave again." Her request was simple.

He grinned sleepily into her raven hair, "I can deal with that, but in return I want you in my bed a lot more often, and wearing my shirt is a bonus." He added with another soft kiss to the crown of her head.

He felt her smile against him,

"It's a deal."

A/N: I think I'll make this into my new group of IchiRuki one-shots. So let me know what you think and I might updatd with a new idea soon!