Chapter 15

Ichigo awoke the next morning, his mind hazy and his body tired.

"Good, you're up." Started Rukia, "Hurry and get dressed so we can get going."

Ichigo took a second to steady his vision then noticed Rukia's clothes.

"Why do you have that on?" He said looking her up and down as she wore her school uniform.

Rukia looked over almost as puzzled as Ichigo, "We're going to school."

Ichigo's heart rate slightly increased and he raised his voice, "Is this some kind of joke? The world is in danger and I need to start training to try and save it yet you all want me to go to school? Not only that, but who knows when I'll turn into that thing, what about…." Ichigo's voice trailed off as he realized Rukia wasn't paying much attention to anything he had to say.

"Ichigo, you're a teenage boy, teenage boys go to school to hang out with their friends and expand their knowledge." Rukia replied solemnly.

Ichigo was fuming; it was as if Rukia was purposefully trying to egg him on by saying something so stupid and irrelevant. He opened his mouth and as he was about to start shouting he stopped…he took a split second to focus on Rukia's face. He didn't see any condescension or superior look on her face like he expected. Her lips were not tense and pursed like usual when she gave him an order, they were loose and bent ever so slightly downward. Rukia's eyes were devoid of the fire they had a few days ago when she woke him from that dream. Her eyebrows were slightly raised and although she looked well rested, everything about the way she looked at him seemed heavy. What is this thought Ichigo she knows I'm right, yet she still wants me to go? And it's not even like she's making me go. She wouldn't have a problem with giving me an order but…it's like….she's asking me to go.

"Fine." Ichigo finally replied.

Ichigo watched Rukia carefully as he gave his answer. She blinked once and looked at his window above his bed. For a second, the end of one side of her mouth shot up in a sort of half smile. She blinked again and her mouth eased back down deliberately. Her eyes held the same heavy look the whole time. Ichigo didn't understand. Rukia had been patient with him all morning and hadn't bothered him about being late to school, if it really was school she was concerned with. Rukia began moving towards his window to get out. "Rukia," Ichigo started, "is something wrong?"

She looked over with the sort of innocence a child has after getting caught with crayons after redecorating the walls of their house, "Hmm?" she started, her eyes shot upwards then back at Ichigo, "No, nothing." And continued on her way out of his house.

Ichigo accepted this response, as his head hurt from exhaustion of the past few days' events, and continued to struggle through his drowsy morning.

Once outside he met up with Rukia and they began their walk to school. The walk was quiet for a little then Ichigo asked "So what's this 'special training' Urahara says he has planned for me?"

"Hmm?" Rukia looked over at Ichigo, only then focusing on the fact that Ichigo had said something. "Oh, well, I don't really know much about that. Either way, knowing Urahara it'll probably be effective."

Alright something's definitely wrong thought Ichigo. What could it be?...what happened in the last couple of days that could've made her be like this…so…defeated. Then Ichigo remembered. That's right! This is the first time I'm talking to her since that night. He recalls being in Senna's empty house and Rukia's sudden interruption. I'm sure she saw something…but…does that mean…Rukia?...

Ichigo stops walking suddenly and looks at Rukia. After realizing that Ichigo had stopped she turns and looks at him puzzled. "Look Rukia," Ichigo says looking at the sidewalk "the other night when you came to Senna's place and you found us…" Rukia was still puzzled by Ichigo's train of thought. "And you saw us…you know…" But Rukia did not know, Ichigo was just rambling as far as she was concerned. "It's not that you're…" Now Rukia understood what Ichigo was trying to say. As soon as the realization came to her, one of her eyes twitched ever so slightly and she clenched her teeth behind her lips.

But Rukia did not say what she wanted to, instead she decided on "Oh Ichigo….you don't understand….I…I love you. Ever since that night when I saw how skillfully you handled that hollow having only barely been turned into a soul reaper…I couldn't help myself. I've always loved you Ichigo!" Surely, she thought surely this clichéd and overdone confession lets him understand how much of an idiot he is.

Ichigo looked away with his face as serious as ever. Oh god Rukia thought I underestimated him.

"Look Rukia, it's not that I don't like you…it's just that—" Ichigo was cut off by Rukia bursting into laughter.

"Ichigo c'mon you can't be serious. That confession was so cheesy and melodramatic; you really thought I was being serious?" Rukia asked, smiling.

"Well it's just…." Ichigo started confusedly.

"Look Ichigo, when I say that there's nothing wrong, there really is nothing wrong." Rukia reassured him. Rukia's smile faded as she said this and stopped looking at Ichigo hoping he wouldn't notice. But Ichigo seemed content with her answer and was now walking with a smile on his face as they made their way to school.

Chapter 15 End