It was...wierd, watching Ichigo fight without my knowledge being spewed out at him. It was almost like he was an actual Soul Reaper, one who has passed six years at the Shinigami Academy. I felt left out, like I wasn't needed anymore. He just slashed the head with no problems. Each hollow he defeated was almost easy to kill for him. Slash. Kill. Slash. Kill. The process didn't stop as he burned through the hollows, one by one. He then returned to me as the melee of enemies were all defeated. "Rukia." I looked up at him, but he knew something was missing from my eyes. "Where's the sparkle that I always see? Heh. It should be there. Maybe I'm just blind." I had always thought he looked at my forehead, or studied the lump of hair on my head whenever we conversed. But no. He looked into my eyes. He looked hard enough to actually see the usual sparkle in them. I smiled sadly, wishing someone would just hug me right there. I want to feel loved, not that I already am. "Ichigo, it's probably time for me to return." He looked confused. "Return to the Soul Society. I... I've been gone for three months, Nii-Sama must be worried. I'm sorry." As I walked away, he grabbed my wrist. I could tell he was angry. "You're not going anywhere. You're staying untill someone comes to take you away. But they'll have to get through me, first." Ichigo didn't want me to go. I was like apart of his life, I knew that. But sometimes, you have to make the hardest decisions, even if it means letting the most important part go. I sighed and turned to face him. He still was holding my wrist. "Ichigo, please. If Nii-Sama comes looking for me, and you engage in battle..." I didn't want to finish. It was too painful. Ichigo, however, laughed. "First and foremost," he smirked, "who's this Nii-Sama?" I looked down. "He's my brother. B-Byakuya Kuchiki, captain of the 6th division. Known as the most powerful captain, and is the 28th head of the Kuchiki family." I really didn't want to say his whole name. Ichigo's smirk got wider. "Well, I can beat him, can't I? I'm powerful enough." I broke free from his grasp on my wrist. "Ichigo," I raised my voice, "you don't know who you're up against. He'll probably bring his lieutenant along too. You're no match for them." He was startled, by the look on his face. Just let me go. I don't want you to suffer like I am. Ichigo shook his head. "I-It's worth a try, isn't it?" I looked up at him and closed my eyes. "No. It's not worth a try. You could get killed." I said softly. Tears came to my eyes. I wiped the first one away the second it made it through the cracks of my eyelashes. I shook my head and ran. I could tell Ichigo was following me. He ended up passing me and standing right infront of me. He looked like an abused puppy as he stooped down to reach my eye level. I expected him to say something but he just stayed silent. "Ichi-?" he silenced me by putting his lips to mine. They were soft. They looked kinda cracked if you actually looked. But if you look too hard, or for too long, the cracks actually start to go away. And next thing you know, he's looking at you as if you're crazy. But you were, because they are cracked. You just imagine that they aren't cracked. Then you see it. They look chapped, but if you feel them, they're softer than mine, just a little bit. I... I didn't know what to do at that point. But I remembered what I saw on the televisions here. I tilted my head to the side a little, closed my eyes, and kissed him back. It was... A wonderful experience. It went on for a little while, while Ichigo was grasping my shoulders, kissing like he would never see me ever again. Well, he probably wouldin't, as I knew I would have to suffer a severe punishment. He pulled back and smiled with glossy eyes. "Rukia, I love you." I wept tears once again, but didn't wipe them away. They were tears of joy. He... He loves me. I... "Ichigo, I love you too." He embraced me in a bear hug, and at that moment, something wet dropped onto my head. It was rain... No, wait... W-Was Ichigo crying too? He was, hearing sniffles from him. He pulled back and I saw the biggest smile I've ever seen. I don't think that Renji could have smiled that big. He reached for my hand and wiped all of his tears away, and pulled me along the sidewalk. I was really happy to meet  this strawberry. 'Cause now he's all mine.