There is only ichiruki! There always was. Ichihime is not an optiion. Because:
1. Ichigo and Rukia are meant for each other! They are bound by fate. They are meant to meet each other and change the other’s world forever! Guys, if this isn’t fate, then I don’t know what fate looks like.
Rukia changed my fate. Rukia changed my destiny. It because I met Rukia that I can be here now fighting to protect everyone -Ichigo Kurosaki
Hey, if death is not really the end, both of us, maybe our meeting that time was not our first. Maybe we were already connected way before that. I don't know, but I think a bond that was once connected will never be broken. So even if we forget about everything, we will still be connected in other place. -Ichigo to Rukia
2. Why would there be so many references if this is not the true ship? The two of them are saving each other and they would die for each other! Ichigo went to the Soul Society to save Rukia. And she saved him from the first moment.
"You were the one who saved me in the first place." -Rukia to Ichigo
3. The resemblance to Ichigo’s parents. The hair colors even match, just think about this. Why would this be so? Because Tite Kubo wanted to stab us all in the heart? Well, could be an option. But there are so many animes, in which the children choose someone who reminds them of the love story of their parents. Ichigo came to save Rukia. Isshin came to save Masaki. Coincidence? Can’t be!
4. They are equals in every way. They argue about everything. They ignore each others protests, beacuase they know how it is the best. And they know, that deep down, the other also feels it. Rukia is the only one who is able to keep up with Ichigos during arguments. He loves to make fun of her drawings and she gives him contra. Maybe Rukia isn’t as strong as Ichigo is, but she is mentally stronger. They are both hot-headed and they won’t stop save each other. Rukia betrayed the Soul Society to save Ichigo. Ichigo swore to his soul to protect Rukia. His soul! Okay guys, if this isn’t proof enough, read the next one.
Shut up! You're being rescued, so stop babbling! You should go cower in a corner, shiver in fear, and scream 'Help! Help!' -Ichigo Kurosaki
Can I start by asking why your drawings abnormally suck? -Ichigo to Rukia
5. They are best friends. Rukia understands Ichigo like no one else does. She can see into his soul and she understands him. She feels his pain and is willing to share it with him. They are supporting each other. And they are not able to abandon each other. They cannot live without the other. You saw this very clearly in chapter 423. Since his mother, he never missed someone so much like he missed Rukia.
They respect each other. They admire each other. Because they are soulmates.
Rukia, let me ask you something. From your experience where do you think your heart is?
Um well if I had to guess I think somewhere around here isn't that right?
If you want to be literal about it. But in my opinion it's more a state of mind. I believe its right here, not inside our bodies at all. I think a heart is created between people when they meet for the first time, a bond that's brought to life between individuals. It's an emotional connection, when you think about something or care about someone, that's where your heart is born. If you were the only person that existed in this world, your heart would have no way of forming so it just wouldn't be anywhere. There's nothing to worry about Rukia. If you believe with all of your heart that you belong here, then this is where you'll stay. If your heart is here then that's all the reason in the world you need to be here. You must never doubt that. But listen Rukia, in the fights to come, there's something I must warn you about. Something you must promise me you will never ever do. I mean this. You must never die alone. Our souls are our bodies and when we die our bodies turn to dust and become the reishi that go on to form the soul society, but where do our hearts go? We entrust our hearts to our friends. If you entrust your heart to your friends it will continue to live on inside them. That's the most important thing you'll learn from my training. Don't you dare die alone Rukia. -Ichigo to Rukia
Understood? He means his heart! Because if not, his heart is going to die with her!
