So this is set in Karakura even though it's AU. I'm thinking about starting a collection of oneshots where Ichigo and Rukia meet for the first time in different situations but we'll see how people like this one first :) Please review! It makes me so happy to hear what you think.

Lonely

"Hey, you ok?"

Rukia jumped slightly, startled by the masculine voice calling up to her. She shifted from her position in her favorite tree to look down, almost dropping her book on a teenage boy.

"What're you doing up there? Are you stuck, little girl?" The carrot-top asked again.

Rukia scoffed, as if she would ever be "stuck" in a tree. And who was he calling little?

She made up her mind and purposely let go of her notebook over his stupid orange head.

While the boy cursed and rubbed his head, Rukia climbed down from her perch and landed soundly in front of him. She picked her book up off the ground and scowled.

"I am not little."

The boy met her gaze and for a moment, Rukia forget she was mad at him, this boy with beautiful amber eyes.

He stepped closer to her and reached a hand out. Rukia blushed, taking a step back. His larger stride easily countered hers and he put a hand over her head and then brought it back to his chest, comparing her height to his.

"You're pretty short." He gave a small smile before grimacing again and touching his head. "Why'd you throw your book at me?"

"It… fell." Rukia mumbled, ashamed of her childish action. She crossed her arms defensively and purposely avoided his gaze.

The boy chuckled and stuck his hand out again. They stared each other down for a few awkward moments before Rukia realized he wanted to shake hands. She tentatively reached out and he took her petite hand in his own.

"My name's Ichigo. My family moved here last week."

Rukia nodded, mentally berating herself for blushing again. So what if his hands are warm?

"Rukia Kuchiki. I live a few blocks that way." She pointed over her shoulder, almost disappointed that she had to let go of Ichigo's hand.

"I live above the clinic on Seireitei Lane. You should come by some time and meet my little sisters, Karin and Yuzu. They're eleven."

Rukia stopped smiling.

"How old do you think I am?" Her eyes were narrowed slightly, as if daring this ignorant boy to say that she, too, looked eleven.

Ichigo tilted his head to the side and studied the girl in front of him.

"Like, twelve? Maybe thirteen?"

Rukia's eyes widened. She raised her notebook, threatening to chuck it at his head again.

"I'm sixteen, you fool!"

Ichigo's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"No kidding? You're older than me! I'm only fifteen." His mouth twisted into a smirk. "You're awfully short for sixteen, midget."

Oh, that's it…

Ichigo ducked, allowing the small book to fly over his head. He laughed as he went to retrieve it for the raven-haired girl yelling curses after him.

When he returned, she had calmed slightly. Her face was still red but at least she wasn't shouting anymore. He ignored her irritated mumblings, instead opening the cover of the notebook.

Her handwriting was surprisingly terrible. Ichigo smiled to himself, flipping through the pages filled with scribbles and creatures that somewhat resembled rabbits.

"What are you doing! That's personal, you jerk!" Ichigo laughed and held the notebook in the air.

"Is this what you were doing up there? Drawing these rabbit things?" Rukia jumped, reaching again for her book.

"Give it back!" She pummeled his stomach but with her small fists it didn't seem to have much effect.

"Your handwriting is really awful. What is that?" Ichigo brought the journal closer to his face and stopped laughing.

Brother told me that he would be leaving again next week. He said he'd try to bring something nice back for my birthday and that I should think about what I want… I told him a card would be fine. Maybe I can ask Tatsuki and Orihime if they want to come over since the house will be empty… Orihime's so nice, I'm sure she wouldn't say no…

Ichigo looked further down the page and realized that the entry was dated yesterday.

"You're going to be alone on your birthday?"

His sounded so sincere and sad for her, it made Rukia pause. Then, she crossed her arms again and responded sourly.

"I'm not alone. I just like spending time by myself sometimes."

They spent a moment in awkward silence before Ichigo offered, "You should stop by my place on your birthday. Yuzu is an excellent cook and she loves having people over."

Rukia laughed despite herself. She didn't need this idiot's sympathy.

"Thanks, but I'm really fine. I have some friends coming over and I'll probably be too busy with homework anyway." Rukia blushed as the boy chuckled at her pathetic excuse.

He opened her notebook again and, before she could protest, he had written something down on a previously empty page.

"That's my address. We'll have a cake and everything and it'll break Yuzu's heart if you don't show up." Ichigo handed her the notebook with a small smile on his face.

Rukia sighed to herself. His eyes were so honest, revealing everything he was thinking. And he was new to Karakura, it was almost her duty to be his friend. And she couldn't upset poor Yuzu…

"Fine," She said finally. "My birthday is next Saturday. I'll be there at 5. No presents."

Her violet eyes met his amber ones, daring him to object and waiting for him to say he was kidding and take the invitation back.

But instead, Ichigo just smiled.

"Sounds good."

"Uh… Yeah." Rukia stuttered, amazed that she now had birthday plans with this orange-haired stranger.

"I should probably get home. Dad'll be wondering where I am." A shy smile spread on his face and he lifted his hand to wave good-bye. "I'll see you Saturday, midget."

"I'll see you then," she said as he turned, her eyes following the gangly boy as he walked away.

A small blush rose to her cheeks as he looked over his shoulder to wave to her one last time before turning the corner. She waved back, her excitement for Saturday growing as she realized, she really had been lonely.