Ichigo and Rukia got into their spirit forms and jumped out the window right away when they got alerted about the hollow. A spirit was just about to get eaten by the hollow, but Ichigo grabbed the little boy then performed Konsō. Rukia was just about to slice the hollow in half, when something caught her eye. She looked to the side of her and saw a store with a big Chappy logo on it. Getting distracted, the hollow quickly made its move and swung it's huge claw at her. Ichigo's eyes widened. "Oi Rukia!" Ichigo quickly flash stepped in front of her slicing the hollow in half, getting a deep cut on his arm. He placed his Zanpaktō back in his sheath.
"Ichigo! Y-your..." Rukia looked at his arm with a sad expression.
"It's ok, I'm ok. Let's just get it healed." He said with a smile trying to make sure she didn't feel bad.
They went to Orihime's place first and she used her Shun Shun Rikka. But it was taking unusually long for Ichigo's arm to heal. "Is everything alright?" He asked Orihime.
"I'm sorry Ichigo, but for some reason its not working." She said and put her Shun Shun Rikka away. She looked down. "I'm sorry Ichigo..."
"It's fine. I'll go to Urahara's. He might be able to do something."
Ichigo and Rukia flash stepped to Urahara's while the whole way, his arm continued to bleed. Rukia knocked on the door. "Rukia and Ichigo... What a pleasure it is to see you." He said, smiling behind his fan.
"I need you to see what's with my arm. It's not healing with Orihime's Shun Shun Rikka." Kisuke examines his arm and quickly notices the spiritual pressure on it.
"The hollow seems to have left a poison, it's not that bad, it can be healed with lots of spiritual pressure. Other than that, your arm has to heal the old fashioned way." He said. Rukia looked away sorrowfully. Once Kisuke wrapped his arm in bandages, Ichigo immediately went up to Rukia to make sure that she was okay. First he stared at her. She wasn't making eye contact with him and kept her head down as they walked home.
"Why do you look so sad?" He asked even though he already knew why.
"I'm sorry. It was all my fault."
"You know how you can make it better-"
"Don't tell me not to blame myself." She said firmly looking up at him. Her eyes were full of sadness, it tugged at his heart. When they arrived home, they got into their bodies. Ichigo changed out of his clothes and put on a regular t-shirt and sweats while Rukia put on one of his shirts to sleep in. They sat quietly in Ichigo's room. Rukia at his desk, and Ichigo on his bed. Rukia closed the sketch book that sat on the desk top and put it in the closet.
"What are you doing?" Ichigo asked.
"Nothing." She said quietly. Ichigo walked up to her and stopped her from closing the closet door. He looked at her with a scowl.
"Stop it." He said angrily and grabbed the sketch book out of the closet.
"No." Rukia tried to yank the book out of his hands but was no match to him. It was like a quick game of tug-a-war, with Ichigo winning in the end. A page with a picture of Ichigo and Rukia as bunnies holding hands ripped in half in the process. Ichigo's wound opened up, the blood showing clearly through the bandages, and Rukia fell to the ground.
"Are you ok?" They both asked in unison and having a clear worried expression on their faces. They paused. Rukia was the first one to make a move. She got up and grabbed the sketch book out of Ichigo's hand and the torn page and put them back in the closet. Then she stopped to look at Ichigo, then grabbed his hurt arm gently.
"...Sorr-"
"Stop blaming yourself, dammit!" He said loudly and angrily. Rukia was caught by surprise and took a small step back. It was quiet.
"Ok..." She whispered so low Ichigo almost didn't here her. Rukia climbed into bed, not even looking at him. He stood there shocked and saddened by what just happen. After addressing his wound, he went to bed.
It was quiet and dark. The only thing allowing them to see was the light from outside that flowed through the windows. Their backs were towards one another. Ichigo heard a small sniff from his companion. His eyes widened and at that moment, he felt his heart shatter, and pain run through his whole body. "Rukia...?" Then he heard another. He turned so he was facing her. She slowly hid underneath the covers. Rukia tried and tried to hold in her tears, she didn't want him to see her cry. "Rukia!" He whisper shouted. He quickly and gently grabbed her, turning her around and hugging her tightly. He tucked her head right beneath his chin. Rukia sobbed, making his shirt faintly damp. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry!" He apologized hugging her and kissing the top of her head. "Rukia don't cry. I'm sorry!" He let go of her just enough to see her face. "I shouldn't of raised my voice like that." Ichigo softly moved her hair out of her face and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the pad of his thumbs. He placed a delicate kiss on her forehead, then moved to her lips, planting another kiss with all the passion and love he had for her. That stopped her tears from rolling down her face, and she snuggled closer to Ichigo, leaning her head onto his chest. He once again held her close wrapping his arms around her petite body and bringing her into a hug. His warmth engulfed her, soothing her and making her feel at ease.
When Rukia was sure Ichigo was asleep, she placed her hand on Ichigo's arm and used her healing kidō. She used every ounce of her spiritual pressure and then some. After a long time, now morning, his arm finally healed, and Rukia was all worn out. She ripped the bandages off and she passed out falling limp onto him.
Ichigo woke up happy to see Rukia's calm face. He kissed her on her cheek then nudged her. "Rukia, wake up." He said quietly. "Rukia." He got up and felt her body weak. He felt a knot at the pit of his stomach. He shook her by her shoulders. "Rukia." He said louder. "Rukia!" His voice cracked. He laid his head on her chest. "Rukia wake up..." Her heart beat was faint, and so was her breathing. He then noticed the spiritual pressure on his arm. It was Rukia's and his arm was fully healed. He looked down at the floor and saw the unraveled bandages. "Rukia..." Ichigo got up running his fingers through his hair. He got dressed for school, brushed his teeth, then went back into his room and stared at Rukia. "You didn't have to do that you know." He said. Ichigo went into his closet and took out the ripped picture. He taped it back together, then taped it on the closet door. Before leaving, he placed a kiss on her forehead.
Ichigo walked down the opposite way to school and stopped at the corner where a man sold a variety of flowers. He chose several white and purple flowers, then walked back to his house. He put the flowers on the desk then kissed her once again.
When Ichigo walked into school, he was bombarded with questions. "Ichiiiiigoooo!" With one swift move, Keigo was on the ground. "Oww..." He whined. "Wh-why are you late today?" Ichigo kept a scowl on his face, hiding the pain he felt at the moment.
"None of your business." He simply stated in response.
"Ichigo, where's Rukia?" Asked Tatsuki.
He paused. "She's not feeling well."
"Ichigo... How did you get your arm to heal?" Orihime asked next. He spaced out and started remembering last night.
She stopped to look at Ichigo and grabbed his hurt arm gently.
"...Sorr-"
"Stop blaming yourself!" He said loudly and angrily. Rukia was caught by surprise and took a small step back.
"Ok..." She whispered so quietly Ichigo almost didn't here her. Rukia climbed into bed, not even glancing at him. He stood there shocked and saddened by what just happen.
Their backs were towards one another. Ichigo heard a small sniff from his companion. His eyes widened and at that moment, he felt his heart shatter, and pain run through whole his body.
Everyone stared at Ichigo looking at the expression on his face. It was a mixture of sadness and worry. "I... don't wanna talk about it." He said forcing a scowl and stuffing his hands into his pocket walking to his desk. Everyone was quiet and decided not to ask any further questions.
All day, Ichigo looked depressed, like the rain was falling once again. He would space out in class, and he would see and hear Rukia shedding tears. When he was walking home, he went the long way and stopped by the Chappy store Rukia was interested in.
Ichigo walked upstairs with a weird feeling of excitement to see Rukia, and pain to see Rukia laying down unconscious. He opened the door to his room and saw Rukia sitting up with the flowers on her lap looking out the window. "Rukia!" He said excitedly. He dropped his bag and hugged her right away. "You scared me..." Rukia hugged him and they stayed like that for a while.
"You said sorry to me last night..." She said breaking the silence. "I wanted to say sorry to you, about your arm." They looked at each other.
"Yeah... Your right." He said. "Umm... Are you feeling ok? Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm just tired." Ichigo sensed her spiritual pressure and it was still a little weak. Ichigo grabbed his bag and pulled Rukia onto his lap.
"Here." Rukia reached out to it, but then stopped. She still felt a little stupid for getting distracted from Chappy in the middle of a hollow battle. She turned around and nuzzled her head against Ichigo's chest and shook her head no. Ichigo couldn't pass that as anything but cute. He leaned down and gave her a small kiss. "Take it Rukia." She didn't move. "I know you want it. C'mon. It's cute." He said moving the plushy so that it was hopping on Rukia's back. She smiled and held in a laugh. She snuggle closer, trying to hide her smile from him. "C'mon Rukia..." He continued to hop the rabbit on her. She couldn't hold it in any more and laughed, causing Ichigo to smile widely. Rukia looked up and took the plushy.
"Thank you..." She said quietly and blushed. They intertwined their fingers, then looked at the closet door. The picture of bunny Ichigo and Rukia holding hands hung nicely in its new home.
Fin.