#ichiruk

She know it's probably morning and she definitely wants to have some coffee (she really missed coffee) and to see their friends later today. She snuggles further into his arms, remembering the look in his eyes from last night; every single thing he made her feel. She feels her face turning red just thinking about it. She would love to kiss him good morning.

But she is content where she is right now. So she closes her eyes and slowly drifts back to sleep.

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The first thing Ichigo notices when he wakes up is the raven haired shinigami snuggled into his chest. He's laying on his left side, his arms around her. He notices their legs are intertwined, and he can feel one of her arms around his right side. She's clearly still asleep and he doesn't have the heart to wake her, not just yet. He looks over his shoulder and sees how much sun light is coming in from his window; realizing it must be right before noon.

He doesn't want to get up, honestly he can stay like this forever; just holding her. But he knows if he doesn't and she does not eventually get up; she will be angry that they missed a day of fun. He also knows she probably wants to see their friends, who he should call and check on anyway.

With his decision decided he slowly untangles their legs, he moves to get up trying to be as silent as possible. She ends up shifting slightly, he freezes until she is still again. He fixes the bed comforter over her before deciding to lean down and kiss the top of her head. He can't help but smile before he turns and grabs some clothes for the day; he decides to take a quick shower before making a late breakfast.

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By the time Rukia has woken up, about an hour later after he did; Ichigo has gotten ready for the day and made them breakfast which consisted of steamed rice, eggs, miso soup and toast. Coffee was brewing when the Shinigami wandered down the stairs and entered the kitchen. Ichigo has just laid their plates down, he looks up and sees Rukia rubbing her eyes, stifling a yawn before giving him a sleepy smile. He smiles in return before asking the one thing that makes her wake up and her eyes widen.

"Want some coffee?"

After hearing his words she runs to the kitchen counter where the coffee pot sits. She reaches up to open the cabinet where the coffee mugs are, she notices a pink cup all the way at the top that she was unfortunately to short to reach. Before she considers jumping on the kitchen counter to get it, he's behind her and reaches up to grab it. He gently sets it in front of her on the kitchen counter. Her eyes widen, her eyes growing misty. ‘He has kept it all these years?’

"I didn't get rid of any of your stuff, you know." He says it more like a statement then a question but she understands. She looks at the pink coffee mug in front of her, it had a Chappy Symbol on it and was a Christmas gift from Ichigo, their first Christmas together which was a few weeks before she realized how amazing coffee was.

---- (Four years Prior)

It was Saturday morning, Ichigo had gotten up early to do his laundry. He sat at the kitchen table when Ruiia came downstairs and entered the kitchen. She instantly noticed a smell in the kitchen, she had no idea what it was that smelled so delicious.

"What is that smell?" she asks, walking around the kitchen in search of it. He raises an eyebrow at her before sipping his coffee.

"Is it this?" She asked, pointing to the coffee.

"Yeah, it's coffee Rukia." He answered her, still confused with how she was acting. Did she not know what coffee is?

"What is coffee?"

His mouth hung open before he promptly shut it. He stood up and went to grab a mug out of the kitchen cabinet. He grabbed the creamer out of the fridge and sat both next to the coffee pot, before pouring her a cup. He added a spoonful of sugar before adding a little creamer and stirring it up with a spoon. She stood next to him, fascinated with what he was doing. When he was finished, he handed her the cup.

"Try it." She eyed his suspiciously, before taking a sip. And then another. In that moment he watched her fall in love with coffee, while he unknowingly fell a little bit more in love with her.

-

That moment he first introduced her to coffee seemed like a lifetime ago. Who would have ever thought they would end up here?

She notices Ichigo wasn't behind her anymore until she saw him pull the creamer out of the fridge and walk back towards her. He stood beside her as he made her a cup of coffee, just how he did years ago. Once he was done he turned towards her and went to hand it to her. She looks up at him, as she takes her coffee mug from his hands.

There are many reasons why she loves him. He was the only person to ever do as much as he has for her. Even though everything, he never once gave up on her. Hell, he fought most of Soul Society to save her and risked his life in the process. He was her best friend, her comrade and she knew without a doubt he was her soulmate.

She set the coffee mug back on the counter as soon as she had taken it from him, and took the two steps she needs to be able to lean up and kiss him. The last day felt more like a dream then anything else. So much had changed between then in just one day. It felt right. She pulled back, smiling up at him.

"Let's eat."

------

" When did you learn how to cook?" She asks before taking another bite of her eggs and then sipping her coffee. He looks over, seeing her devour her food and gave her a smile.

"Last year. Yuzu taught me a thing or two." He said before finishing his bowl of miso soup. She gives him a questioning look, silently telling him to explain.

"The first year, I didn't care about doing anything. I hung out with Uryuu, Chad and Inoue sometimes but that was about it, other then going to school." Hearing the sadness in his voice, she sets her fork down and looks up at him, silently urging him to continue.

"Then last year, I was on my way to bed and heard Yuzu crying in her room. I could hear Karin talking to her, trying to comfort her. I became worried, and I was about to open the door when I heard Yuzu say she didn't understand why I was still so sad all the time. I knew she didn't know everything that had happened,  Karin knew a little bit more then her but they both didn't really understand why I had changed." 

Rukia watches him look down into his coffee cup, she could see the sadness in his eyes.

"I wanted to say something to them. I know I should have. But I walked away and went to my room. I ended up talking to my dad a few days later and told him what I had heard. He told me Karin went to talk to him about it the morning after; and he had sat down with them that evening before I got home and told them everything."

Rukia's eyes widen in surprise at that. She knew Karin knew a little bit, considering she could see spirits like Ichigo could at her age. She also knew from Ichigo that at one point in time Karin had met Captain Histugaya and even considered him a friend. Yuzu had always known a lot less then her.

"Everything?" Rukia asks, staring at him. Ichigo nodded.

"Dad said they took it as best as they could. Before my dad spoke to them, Karin was angry... at you." Rukia eyes widened at his words before looking down at the table.

"She didn't know why you left so suddenly. She saw how upset I was, she thought we had a fight or something. I didn't tell them I lost my powers.. but then dad told them what had actually happened. About the war with Aizen. Me losing my powers and ability to see spirits, hollows; and you." she nodded her head solemnly; silently understanding.

"And Yuzu?" She asks almost in a whisper.

"Yuzu couldn't be mad at you no matter what. She always believed you had a good reason as to why you left. More then anything, she has really missed you. Dad said she has always seen you as like an older sister to her. After dad told them everything, they told him they understood. And they understood why I couldn't tell them myself." After his explanation, Ichigo got up to clear the plates off the kitchen table and put them in the sink. He sat back down before speaking again.

"The day after dad talked to me, I decided I needed to try to spend time with them. I knew it would make them feel better. So I started helping Yuzu with dinner every night. On weekends I would play soccer with Karin and made sure to go to all her soccer games after that." Rukia couldn't help but smile at that, picturing Ichigo in an apron cooking with Yuzu and kicking a ball around with Karin at the soccer field.

"They'll be back home tomorrow afternoon. I haven't contacted them about you returning, I want it to be a surprise. Yuzu is probably going to cry, and I know Karin will be happy as well." Rukia stood up from her spot at the table, putting her empty coffee cup in the sink. Walking over to Ichigo who was still at the table, she laid a hand on his shoulder.

"You're a good brother, Ichigo." He laid his hand on top of hers, looking up at her. The were silent for a moment before he got up, moving her hand on his shoulder to hold it in his. They were silent for a moment before he smiled down at her.

"You should get dressed and ready. I gotta make a call." He said in a suspicious tone before turning away and reaching for his phone on the table. She lifts an eyebrow at his words and crosses her arms.

"What are you planning, Strawberry?" A playful tone in her voice. He gives her a smile before leaving the kitchen before she heard him speak again.

"You'll see. By the way, yours clothes are in my dresser on the right side." Rukia rolls her eyes and heads up the stairs to get dressed and showered, all the while wondering what he was up to.

------

After her shower and getting ready for the day, she walks into the living room to see Ichigo getting off the phone. Standing in front of him in her favorite blue dress (she forgot how much she loves to wear dresses) She plops down on the sofa beside him before grabbing his hand in hers.

"You going to tell me now?" She could see the smirk on his face, a certain twinkle in his eyes. Oh how she hated not knowing! He stood up, and she followed. Leading her to the front door, they walk out and he locks the door behind them.

"We're going to the new bakery cafe' in town and going to meet up with a few people I think you might have missed since you've been gone."

He eyes lit up with excitement before dragging him along. He laughs at her obvious excitement and let her take the lead. It was a twenty minute walk before they reached their destination. They entered the cafe', noticing their friends weren't there yet they order two iced coffees and a pastry to split. They sit down at an empty table by the window and wait for their friends to arrive.

"Orihime is probably going to freak out, just a warning. She has no idea you're here with me. But Uryuu an Chad know."

Rukia sits up straight and takes a sip of her iced coffee, feeling anxious. Picking up their pastry, she eats half before giving Ichigo the rest. She couldn't wipe the grin off her face even if she tried. She had always felt close to Orihime, she couldn't wait to see her excitement.

A few minutes later they see their friends walk through the door. Chad is talking to ishida, before he looks their way and smiles. After talking to Ishida he leaves his two friends to make his way to the couple sitting down towards the back of the cafe' by the window. Ichigo stands up to greet his friend before Rukia follows suit and gives him a hug. He sits down with them before he speaking.

"Uryuu is taking my order. He told Orihime you weren't here yet and that I went to find a table." Rukia nods excitedly while Ichigo smirks and folds his arms.

"I should have a brought a camera." Ichigo says, an amused expression on his face. They knew how dramatic Orihime can be to the point where it's comical. Rukia playfully smacks his arm as he smirks at her. She reaches under the table to hold onto his hand which he happily takes in his. Chad watches the exchange of his two friends, wondering what that was about. This was the happiest Ichigo had looked in years. His eyes went to Rukia when he saw her sit up straighter, clearly excited.

The three friends watch Orihime and Uryuu leave the front counter, Uryuu holding both their drinks in hand as well as a small bag with a pastry in it. He was in front of her leading her to their table. Once they reached their destination, he sits down and Orihime gets a first look at all their friends, including their raven haired friend. They heard her gasp as her eyes widen in clear surprise; a hand going to her mouth as tears filled her eyes as they landed on Rukia. Once Rukia saw that she was seen, she bolts out of her chair towards Orihime a growing smile on her face as Orihime screams in excitement.

"Rukia!! Oh, goodness, you're here!! I missed you so much!!" she exclaims tearfully, before embracing her friend in a tight hug. Rukia would be lying if she said she wasn't a little teary eyed. Orihime was a nice girl and a very good friend.

Their friends sat at the table and watch the happy reunion. Ichigo had his phone out on his camera setting and had been snapping photos the whole time.

"Hah, got it!" He states proudly, showing Chad and Ishida the photos of the two girls hugging. After hearing her boyfriend, she slowly pulls away from Orihime to get a better look at her. Rukia notices her hair has gotten longer since the last time she saw her, she looked slightly older as did all of their friends; including Ichigo. It hit her then how much time really had passed since she last saw them.

"I missed you too, Orihime. It has been much too long." She says softly, before sitting back down and motioning Orihime to sit in the chair next to her.

"What are you doing here? I mean, I thought you would have to go back after what happened yesterday."  Orihime states, before taking a sip of her coffee.

"Usually I would, but I requested two weeks off in order to spend time here. It was long over due. It was perfect timing anyway." She turns her head to look at Ichigo who was giving her a look of adoration. Their friends noticed but didn't say anything about it. They all had their suspicions though.

"That's awesome, Rukia!" Oh, Ichigo! You got your powers back, didn't you?" Orihime asks her friend happily. She looks towards her orange haired friend before nodding, a smile on his face.

"Yeah, thanks to the midget!" He says, a teasing tone in his voice. Rukia turns her head and gives him a hard glare before smacking him upside the head.

"I may be in a Gigai but I have grown too, fool!" She scowls, before crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair. Ichigo rubs his head muttering something along the lines of 'How the hell does she hit harder after all these years'

Their friends watch on in amusement as they playfully bicker. They had missed this.

Uryuu opens the bakery bag laying out the donut for Orihime in front of her. She smiles gratefully before breaking off a piece and popping it in her mouth. Rukia notices then that Uryuu was giving their friend a certain look that seemed all to familiar to how Ichigo looks at her. She wondered...

"So what have I missed since I've been gone?" Rukia asks, sitting back down and smiling at her friends. She wanted to know everything she had missed.

"Oh! I started working at a bakery after school! It's so much fun! Chad has been working at a record store downtown and Uryuu has started his classes for becoming a doctor!"

Rukia was surprised by all the information but she figured this is what happens for humans around this age. They were still so young but soon they would be done with school and starting careers.

"Yeah, I think you guys are missing a piece of important information here." Ichigo states with a certain tone to his voice. He puts his right elbow on the table and laid his chin in his hand, looking at Ishida and Orihime in a way that told them to start speaking. Rukia raises an eyebrow at them in question, confused by what was going on. Ichigo clearly had a smirk on his face, Chad was watching on in amusement while sipping his iced coffee which Uryuu and Orihime both blushed before looking away.

Rukia felt like she knew exactly where this was going. She stood up suddenly, a look of almost disbelief on her face. Putting one hand on the table and leaning forward; she stares at her two friends. Ishida now has his head bowed down, obviously still blushing. Orihime meets Rukia's eyes, a slight blush on her cheeks before nodding and grabbing Ishida's hand and holding it on the table between them. Rukia lets out what sounded like an excited squeal before giving Orihime a quick hug and sitting back down. She looks at the new couple, feeling true happiness for her two friends.

"When did this happen?" Rukia asks, curiosity getting the best of her. Orihime tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear before speaking.

"It has been a little over a year now. After the war with Aizen, we all struggled in a lot of ways. My main struggle was the nightmares, Uryuu lives pretty close to me so he would come over and spend time with me, to make sure I was okay. This went on for almost a year, even after the nightmares had stopped. Then one day he asked me to go to dinner, and the rest is history!" She explains happily, looking at her boyfriend who smiled back.

"I'm so happy for you both." Rukia said, honestly. The way she saw it, they were perfect for each other.

"Thank you, Rukia." They both say, feeling thankful for their friend who was finally back after all these years.

Rukia leans back in her chair and reaches out to grab her iced coffee. She glances over at Ichigo who was giving her a questionable look before darting his eyes to their friends; hoping she would understand what he was silently trying to communicate to her. Her heart started to race as she realized what he was asking her. She grabbed her iced coffee with her left hand and takes a sip while still looking at Ichigo; giving him a look back silently asking if he wanted to tell their friends now. He understood and nodded his head. She gives a smile, and gives a small nod back.

Their friends were watching this exchange. Chad had a knowing smile on his face, Ishida was clearly smirking. He pushed his glasses up before glancing at his girlfriend who was on the edge of her seat, her mouth slightly hanging open. Rukia looked back towards her friends, seeing their different range of facial expressions on the three of them. She stifles back a laugh before speaking.

"We actually have our own important news to share with you all." She said sweetly as she leans forward in her chair. She glances back at Ichigo who she could tell was trying very hard not to blush. He met her violet eyes and leans forward as well to look at their friends, waiting for one of them to guess. Rukia props her left elbow on the table setting her chin in it, smirking. She felt the impatience in the air around them. Rukia brought her and Ichigo's intertwined hands on the table waiting for their friends to react. No one they knew had ever seen the pair hold hands or show affection like this. That could only mean...

Orihime suddenly slams her hands on top of the table, making her friends jump. She gasps dramatically before standing up, a smile growing on her face. She shoots a finger out to point to Rukia.

"You!" she exclaims loudly, Rukia was taken a back by her friends actions but didn't know what else to do but nod. Orihime took her finger back, then points at Ichigo.

"And you!" She said loudly again. Ichigo raises an eyebrow at his friends antics. He leans forwards towards his girlfriend taking his hand back to put his arm around her shoulders. Rukia looks at him, blushing before staring back at Orihime. He nods his head as well before glancing at his two other friends. Chad has a huge  grin on his face, not surprised in the least. Uryuu has a huge smirk on his face, and his phone out recording his girlfriends over reaction to the news. It was eerily silent before Orihime brought back her finger and starts jumping up and down in excitement while clapping her hands. She turns towards her boyfriend.

"I TOLD YOU!" She said loudly, now pointing an accusing finger in his face. Ishida can only nod his head in a way to tell her she was right.

"Hold on, what did you tell him?" Ichigo asks, squinting his eyes at his friend. Did he even want to know?

"I told Uryuu that one day you would confess your feelings to Rukia, and he didn't believe me!"

At that, both Rukia and Ichigo raise their eyebrows before Ichigo sends an icy glare towards the young man still recording. Ishida puts the phone down after seeing the hardened glare Ichigo is shooting at him across the table.

"I told her years ago that you didn't have the balls to tell her. I will admit that I was wrong. I guess you do have balls." The Quincy states in a smart ass manner before folding his arms. The table is silent before everyone other then Ichigo bursts into laughter. He sulks in his seat. This is not how he planned on this going. Damn Quincy.

It takes several minutes for them to calm down. Rukia is leaning into Ichigo, trying to calm her laughter. She wipes her face, when was the last time she laughed so hard with friends that she cried? Once everyone is calm, they look towards the new couple expectantly. Ichigo squints at them before scowling.

"Why are you looking at us like that?" he growls out, looking away and taking another sip of his coffee. Rukia rolls her her eyes and pokes her elbow into his stomach. He chocks on his drink before looking down sending her a heated glare.

"They want details, dumbass." She states before rolling her eyes again. Her words make him go slightly red, remembering what happened last night. She gives him a deadpanned expression, she can see where his mind went when she said that.

What a fool.

She turns back towards their awaiting friends.

"I guess it was obvious to everyone else but us. Until a few weeks ago anyway. We didn't talk until last night." Rukia states simply. Their friends give them shocked expressions, not quite believing what their shinigami friend just said.

"Wait... you never knew? Neither of you never knew?" Chad surprisingly asks. Rukia and Ichigo both shake their heads no. They all turn to look at the Quincy when he bursts out laughing. Orihime gives him a hard look as if to tell him to stop because this is serious. He looks at her fierce glare and instantly becomes silent, muttering an apology.

"I think I can speak for all three of us here when I say we find that very hard to believe." Uryuu states, he pushes his glasses up before holding his girlfriends hand again. Rukia's eyes trail down the center of the table, a soft smile on her face.

"I find it hard to believe too. Maybe if things weren't so crazy back then with everything that happened.. we would have realized it a lot sooner." The group of friends is silent before Orihime speaks.

"Ichigo, do you remember when Ulquiorra told you Rukia was dead?" Orihime asks Ichigo softly. Ichigo's eyes widen at her question. He could never forget that moment in time. A chill runs down his spine as he holds on to Rukia tighter with the arm he has around her shoulders still. Rukia gives a questionable look, feeling concerned.

"Yes." It's one word spoken, but everyone can tell how distressed he sounds as he remembers.

"I remember the exact look you had in your eyes when he said those words to you. That's when I knew." She shares a look with her orange haired friend before looking at Rukia who looks surprised before a scowl overcomes her face.

"Did he taunt you with that?" She asks him, looking up at Ichigo. His eyes harden before nodding. Her eyes soften at the look on his face. She couldn't imagine how much pain that caused him. The group remains silent before Chad speaks up.

"But everything worked out, right? Things are better." He states looking at each of his friends. They all knew he was right. Ichigo looks back down at Rukia, and their eyes meet. He couldn't imagine it any better then how it was right now.

"Things couldn't be better." he says, while looking at his friends who were looking at the couple happily. He was thankful for his friends, they had never given up on him. He gazes back down at Rukia who is already grinning at him.