Hi again everyone! So I'm back for one last huzzah, one final chapter to close up this very interesting section of my time in fanfiction. I hope you all enjoyed the story and I deeply apologize for the lateness and craziness about updating after chapter 14.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, alerted, and favorited this story. You all mean so much to me and I would never have been able to get through this story without you.

Without further ado, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Never once, in any of these 16 chapters have I owned Bleach. Never in the future will I own Bleach. I've accepted it and now you must do the same…

Day 7

As Ichigo cracks his eyelids open slowly, he realizes this is his first peaceful morning in a long time. His alarm clock reads 10:59 am. Ichigo set an alarm for 11 the previous night and lets out a sigh, groping out with one long arm to flick the alarm switch from on to off.

The clock clicks to 11 and Ichigo flops back down onto his bed, taking a moment to absorb the peacefulness of the morning. A few birds are chirping and light streams in through Ichigo's window.

Ichigo feels a grin tug on his lips as he thinks about his conversation with his younger sister the previous day. She arrived home from the Soul Society before dinner and purposefully stayed at the table longer than necessary to have a heartfelt chat with her only brother.

Flashback

"Hey, I need to talk to you about something," Karin keeps her gaze on the table as her voice echoes around the room, for a moment Ichigo thinks he imagined it.

Ichigo sits down at the table warily; his thoughts drifting to what she may have been up to in the Soul Society. "What is it Karin?"

"It's just… you know a lot about relationships, so I thought you might be able to help me."

Ichigo's eyebrows furrow together at the anxiousness he is picking up from his usually extremely confident younger sister. "What happened?" He clenches the edge of the table, leaning in slightly.

"While I was the Soul Society Toshiro and I got into a huge fight, he said he never wanted to talk to me again but I don't want to give up my friendship with him because of some stupid fight."

Ichigo's gaze softens as he sees true concern on Karin's face. "If I were you I would give him a call and try to work things out."

Karin nods, "alright I will, thanks Ichi-nii. I'll call him later."

Ichigo freezes in his seat, "you should wait until next week, I heard the Soul Society is doing many joint exercises over the next few days, plus you want to give Toshiro a few days to cool down."

"Good idea, he'll be easier to talk to once he has time to think things over." Karin stands up, a grin returning to her face. "Thanks again, I'll see you later!"

Flashback Over

Ichigo sits up on his bed; he only has an hour until a certain someone is going to jump off a bridge. Since Karin and Toshiro got into an argument, his victory is assured.

Ichigo gets ready quickly and soon finds himself at one end of the bridge.

The Karakura Bridge is 15 feet above the river, runs 100 meters long, and Ichigo stuffs his hands into his pockets as he peers over the side, trying to determine where he will make Rukia jump.

"Good to see you are on time today," a bright voice rings out from the other end of the bridge. Ichigo's head snaps up and he isn't surprised to see a certain black haired Soul Reaper waving with a large bosomed vice captain standing behind her holding a large video camera.

Ichigo slouches and takes a few large steps to meet the shorter teen in the middle of the bridge.

Rukia walks forward as well with Rangiku right on her heels. She stays silent for a moment, smirking up at the carrot top.

Ichigo grins back, "I was thinking and I'm feeling generous today, so you can keep your underwear on."

Rukia's smile wavers slightly, "what are you talking about, I won fair and square!"

Ichigo takes a small step towards Rukia, tilting his head down further to stare into her deep violet eyes. "I talked to Karin yesterday evening and she confirmed that she is not in a relationship with Toshiro."

Rukia holds Ichigo's gaze evenly, forcing them into a staring contest. "I talked to her just this morning and she admitted to getting together with Toshiro in the Soul Society."

"I wonder why I don't believe you." Ichigo leans down even further, his nose practically pressed against Rukia's but he barely notices as he tries to force the truth out of his shorter friend. Both have forgotten about the video taping Soul Reaper watching them with great amusement.

"Guys…" Rangiku steps towards the two but Rukia ignores her.

"Maybe you would have noticed how close they are if you weren't so oblivious." Rukia's lip pulls back slightly, daring him to respond.

"Eh! I am not oblivious!" Ichigo leaps back, pointing and waving his arm around rapidly. "Who knew to still rescue you even when you said no? Who knew exactly where Orihime was taken? You are the oblivious one!"

"What?!" Rukia is enraged now, all rational thought going out the window. "That is the most… ridiculous thing I've ever heard! How am I oblivious?"

Ichigo blubbers for a second, trying to come up with something to say. "You just are!"

Rangiku steps between the bickering teens with a determined expression on her face, "guys, please stop for one second!" Ichigo and Rukia both fall silent so Rangiku continues, "We ran into Karin just a few minutes ago, and I just so happened to turn my camera on while she was talking, so we have proof."

Ichigo's arm drops and he walks over to Rangiku wordlessly as she turns on her camera.

Rangiku starts the first saved movie in the camera's memory. The lens is pointing at the ground but Ichigo can clearly hear Karin talking with the two Soul Reapers.

"…and then he took me onto a roof to watch some fireworks, he was so romantic! He confessed that he has had feelings for me ever since we met and after that we kissed! We cuddled for the whole night on the roof, then the next day I had to leave. I hope I get to go back soon…"

Rangiku stops the camera, leaving Ichigo shocked. "Why would Karin tell me they had a fight but tell you they got together?"

"Maybe they can explain," Rangiku motions to one end of the bridge, where Toshiro and Karin have now appeared. Their hands are entwined as they walk slowly, Karin appears to be giggling at something Toshiro said.

Ichigo's eyes narrow at the two teens. He steps towards them, his arms crossing as they come to a stop in front of the angered Substitute Soul Reaper.

Karin glances up, boldly meeting her older brother's gaze. "Hey Ichi-nii!"

"Karin… Toshiro…" Ichigo tries to make himself seem taller and more intimidating. "Why did you lie to me yesterday?"

Rukia steps towards them as well, wanting to put a layer of protection between Toshiro and the practically steaming red head.

"Abarai filled us in," Toshiro's response is brief and to the point.

Karin adds, "We really are dating now."

"Renji!" Ichigo shakes his head and takes a step back, "He betrayed me."

"Actually, your boy Renji has been working for me for the past few days, so he betrayed both of us."

Karin's smile grows when she sees a spark flick from Rukia's eyes to Ichigo's. Rukia grins at the taller teen and a few unspoken words pass between them.

Rangiku cuts in for the second time that day, "so who is going to jump off the bridge then?"

Ichigo feels a weight drop into his stomach as Rukia's eyes light up.

"If I recall, the bet was whether or not Karin and Toshiro got together this week, which Karin recently told all three of us they have." Rukia takes a daring step towards Ichigo, a mischievous fire in her eyes. "I'm feeling generous today, so you can keep your underwear on."

Ichigo gulps, glancing at his sister, who smiles innocently back. So much for family support…

"What if we did something else instead?" Ichigo shoots Rukia a pleading look and she pauses, intrigued.

"I'm listening…"

"Right… What if we got Renji and threw him off the bridge instead?" Ichigo squeezes his right fist so tight that he can see his knuckles turning white.

Rukia pauses, turning towards Rangiku for her opinion. Rangiku smiles evily, then nods once.

Rukia turns back to Ichigo, staying silent for a few extra moments to torture the carrot top. "That'll work I think, we did get betrayed, it's time for revenge."

"Make sure to point your arms in a dive position when you reach the bottom, we don't want you breaking any bones now." Rukia snickers as Ichigo struggles to restrain a partially stripped Renji.

It had only taken a day or two for Ichigo and Rukia to invade the Soul Society, kidnap Renji, and then return to the bridge with Toshiro, Karin, and Rangiku hauling her trusty camera. Renji is now shirtless with his pants pooled around his ankles. Rukia reaches down to tug them off and shoots Rangiku a thumbs up when they come free.

Rukia drops the pants and grabs Renji's feet while Ichigo shifts so he is holding Renji by his wrists. "You get to keep your underwear." Rukia winks and Ichigo shakes his head in disgust.

"No one wants to see that…"

Behind him Toshiro leans in to whisper something to Karin and she giggles, punching Toshiro lightly on his shoulder.

Ichigo's head snaps around, a hot fire lighting his gaze, "just you wait, once this is over we are going to have a serious talk about this!"

Karin nods but waves her hand dismissingly, "yea yea, sounds good Ichi-nii."

Rukia tugs on Renji's legs, drawing Ichigo back into the scenario. "Let's throw him on three."

Ichigo nods and steps back to Renji is completely stretched.

"You don't need to do this," Renji's nervous voice draws their attention.

Rukia shakes her head, "you betrayed us, you have this coming Renji."

Ichigo and Rukia slowly start swing Renji back and forth at the end of the bridge.

"Wait!" Renji's complaint falls on deaf ears as Ichigo starts to count.

"1…2…3…" Ichigo and Rukia release Renji at the same time and watch him plunge over the edge of the bridge. They can faintly hear a loud, "aaaaaah," but it could have been the wind.

Renji catches air for exactly 3 seconds before splatting into the water.

Ichigo winches, "he didn't do it diver style."

Rukia glances over the side, "we should go fish him out."

Ichigo nods, shooting a glare over his shoulder, "the three of you should stay here, we'll be right back, and no touching!"

Karin takes a small side step away from Toshiro in consideration to her brother but she shoots Ichigo a glance that says she thinks he is crazy.

Ichigo turns away, satisfied with the distance between his sister and the white-haired captain. Rukia has already started to walk away so he trails after her.

They reach the underpass of the bridge rather quickly but Renji doesn't seem to be floating on the surface.

Ichigo narrows his eyes, trying to peer to the bottom of the lake.

"Well… go get him!"

Ichigo only has a few seconds to comprehend Rukia's words before he finds himself shoved off balance, falling towards the flowing river. Fortunately for Ichigo, he has had years of training in the ways of fighting and has become very fast. Ichigo smoothly turns and latches onto Rukia's arm, causing her to fall into his chest as his back hits the river water.

Rukia feels Ichigo's arm tighten around her stomach as they sink into the water. He kicks up from the bottom of the lake and the two come up laughing. Rukia is still pressed to his chest, and for a moment Ichigo doesn't really feel like letting go. However; the two start to sink again so Ichigo releases the smaller teen with a silent sigh, then realizes the water is only around five feet deep. He places his feet down, but it is too late to get Rukia back into his arms.

Rukia turns around, trying to stifle her giggles. "I can't believe you did that."

Ichigo smiles warmly, enjoying the fact that he can stare into her violet eyes. "I can't believe you pushed me in."

Rukia places one hand onto Ichigo's chest, nudging him playfully, "you did lose the bet."

Ichigo nods, finding it impossible to get angry at the firecracker standing in front of him, "I did…"

Ichigo finds himself leaning down, completely captured in Rukia's eyes. Much to his surprise, Rukia isn't backing off, if anything she is getting closer.

Suddenly, a mass of red hair rises between the two teens. Ichigo's gaze shifts downward and he comes face to face with a soaked and half naked Renji Abarai. Well that's a moment ruined…

Renji jumps up, "I am never going to try to help either of you again…" Renji climbs out of the water and unceremoniously storms off.

Rukia and Ichigo watch him go, then turn back to each other, both smiling at the ridiculousness of the situation.

Ichigo suddenly feels a rush of bravery and warmth fill his chest. He leans down quickly, capturing Rukia's lips with his own.

Ichigo's kissed a few girls in his time but never a Soul Reaper. Rukia's sweet strawberry scent wafts into his nose as she kisses him back, and then it is over.

Ichigo pauses, but feels relieved when Rukia grins up at him. "I guess we will have something to tell Toshiro and Karin huh?"

Ichigo nods, swooping down at kiss Rukia once again. "Maybe they've made a bet about us?"

Rukia laughs, "Maybe."

That's it, the end! Thanks to everyone who read this!

Well all I can say is please leave a review telling me what you thought of the story.