Ichigo x Rukia

Distance

They knew they were standing really close to each other. Every time there arm or hand would graze against their skin, they'd each get butterflies in their stomach. But they didn't say anything. That is, until others began to notice. "So, are you guys, like a thing now?" Asked Keigo excitedly. Keigo, Mizuiro, Chad, Uryu, Orihime, Chizuru, Michiru, Rukia, and Ichigo were all walking home from school together. Ichigo and Rukia looked at each other and quickly took a step away.

"No! Why would you say that?!" Ichigo couldn't hide his blush. Keigo shrugged.

"I don't know. You guys are always standing so close to each other." They didn't speak. Ichigo and Rukia couldn't help but feel the embarrassing and awkward tension between them.

"Rukia, what's you relationship between you guys now? I mean, ever since you came back, you guys seem to be closer." Said Chizuru.

"Uhh, yeah. So is it true that your his girlfriend?" Asked Michiru.

"N-no! It's not like-"

"So Ichigo, I can ask Rukia on a date then right?!" Asked Keigo. Everyone began talking over each other. Besides Chad, of course. Ichigo and Rukia tried desperately to calm them down and to make them stop talking. They kept saying things like 'Ichigo is totally in love with Rukia.' or 'Ichigo is Rukia's secret crush.'

"We're just friends!"

"Oi. Shut up already!" Rukia's efforts weren't effective, and neither was Ichigo's. Soon, they had enough.

"Alright that's enough!" They yelled in unison. This got everyone to be quiet. They desperately tried to fix the uncomfortable situation.

"Yeah... There's no way I'd go out with him." Said Rukia. Ichigo felt a pang of pain in his heart. Although he knew, or thought he knew she was just saying that because of the situation they were in, he couldn't help but feel saddened. Rukia didn't miss the hurt expression on his face. She wanted nothing more but to comfort him. Ichigo put on a scowl.

"I'll never be with her. So stop talking like we're into each other." It was Rukia's turn to feel a wave of heartache. Ichigo caught a glimpse of her sad expression, and it only hurt him more.

"That was kind of harsh." Said Keigo.

"Well, if that's what you guys feel." Mizuiro shrugged. "Keigo and I go this way. See ya tomorrow."

"Uhh, Bye Ichigo! I turn here." Said Orihime, and the three of them left. Michiru and Chizuru left next. Then Chad, then Uryu.

Rukia sat at Ichigo's desk, while Ichigo sat on his bed. Although they were in the same room, the distance between the two was unbearable. "Ru-Rukia..." Ichigo stuttered.

"Yeah?" She answered in a quiet voice.

"I didn't mean what I said." He got up and stood next to her. "Sorry." He managed to let out a whisper. Rukia nodded her head yes slowly.

"I didn't mean what I said either. I'm sorry." She got up from his chair. They stared at each other in silence.

Without saying another word, they brought each other into a warm embrace as they stood in the middle of the room. They both felt butterflies in their stomach.

Fin.