Title: Coming to Terms...
Author: sylarismyhero2
Chapter: 4/5, 5/5
Characters/Pairings: Ichigo/Ishida, Rukia
Summary: Ichigo and Uryu have a conversation concerning their PDA and Rukia worries over her confused heart.
Disclaimer: I do not own ANYTHING!
A/N: Okay, it took me a while to finish this up, so I'm going to post the last two chapters of Part 3 in the same post. Figured it save us all some time.

~~~

( Part 1:...With the Confession )
( Part 2:...With Your Sexuality )

( Part 3, Chapter 1 )
( Part 3, Chapter 2 )
( Part 3, Chapter 3 )

~~~

Ichigo found Uryu sitting on the couch, hands cupping a mug of tea. The orange-haired young man let his posture relax as he closed the door. Ichigo had to admit, he had been a little worried. Uryu and him never really met through invitation. Uryu just assumed that Ichigo would follow him home, like a strangely-colored puppy. No questions. And when they got there, to Uryu's apartment, they never really said anything to each other. Mostly, Ichigo just stared at Uryu as he sewed or sipped at tea. Sometimes Uryu would turn and look at him back.

They never were ones for words.

Ichigo came closer and noticed that Uryu's knuckles were white.

"Uryu?" Ichigo ventured. He placed his palm on the Quincy's shoulder.

"I think we should be more careful of what we do and where we're doing it." Uryu's voice was calm and stern. He was absolutely sure about this.

Ichigo rounded the couch and sat next to his boyfriend. "I don't see us having a problem with anything we're doing."

"And neither do I" Uryu agreed. "I'm just worried that someone else, someone we won't be able to intimidate as easily, will see us do something."

Ichigo pulled Uryu closer to him. The Quincy didn't make a noise as the jolt, rather the hot tea that had spilt on his arm. Ichigo reached over to the pale body part. He held it gently as he brought it up to his mouth, where an adorably uncharacteristically pink tongue peeked out to lick up the remaining tea. When Ichigo looked up, his eyes were hard, but soft. It was a queer look, something Ichigo gave Uryu quite often when they're alone.

Of course, they weren't really alone.

In the hallway, there was a set of eyes, wide with shock and glittering with tears she didn't know how to control.

(----------)

Rukia had tried her best not to cry, and was half successful. She did cry a little, but had the self-control to stop herself before anyone could hear. At least she thought that no one could hear. It would be embarrassing if someone had heard her. Then they would come and look to see who was so upset. Of course, the Kurosakis were probably used to strange noises and voices. They were constantly haunted by a variety of strange and wandering souls. They probably would've just assumed that Ichigo had a new stalker-ghost.

Meanwhile, Rukia attempted to stop her hurting heart from tearing itself to pieces.

The shinigami had to admit: she had no idea why she was so upset. She didn't like like Ichigo. The majority of the time, he was a pain in the ass. And, Rukia reasoned, with Ichigo and Ishida together, they would be able to work better together. No more useless fighting, always a plus.

But something still tore at her. Maybe it was the thought at loosing someone whom she had grown close to. Loosing her best friend. The first person she had met in this world and who held her powers.

Rukia heard the door open. She looked at her watch. It was at least an hour since she got back. The shinigami peeked out of the closet. Ichigo was changing into his pajamas. If Rukia looked a little closer, she would have noticed there was a moderately-sized hickey on his neck.

Rukia opened the closet door. She had to confront Ichigo. She had to. If not, it would eat her insides.

"Ichigo" Rukia said. The boy looked at her. Rukia looked away, finding it hard to look into his eyes. "If you want, I can help you and Ishida. I mean...I can help you hide yourselves until you're both ready to reveal your relationship."

Ichigo stared at Rukia. "What are you--?"

"I followed you." Rukia looked up. "Kon tried to stop me, but I ignored him."

Ichigo looked away. "You're not upset about it?"

Rukia shrugged. "Why should I be?" Rukia leaned against the door of the closet. "You and Ishida are happy together. There's no reason to be angry at someone if they found happiness and love. That would be just stupid." Rukia's eyes fell to the ground. "And...I'm your friend. That means I should be happy for you no matter what and I should help you no matter what."

Ichigo looked up and down Rukia. "You don't look very happy."

Rukia closed her eyes. She turned around and climbed into her closet. "We can tell Ishida tomorrow that I know." Rukia closed the door.