Example of thread: IchiRuki FC V1 pages 35 to 50

[Naomi]

First I’m going to answer the two questions commonly posed by detractors I saw many pages back. :3
1. Rukia is so much older than Ichigo, and the problem between their relationship turning into romantic one is a question of maturity. Even 20 year old has problems with someone 16 year old, so over 100 years old would surely feel like 16 year old is too much of a boy to her. It's hard to get attracted on to someone who's practically a child compared to you. And after all, Rukia does time to time act condescendingly on Ichigo and it's commonly accepted thing in fandom that she's more mature. She's more likely to get interested in Renji, who is supposedly same age as her, or on Kaien, who was older than her.
Like others have said, Bleach breaks many conventions because it’s not situated in the same reality that you or I experience, so judging the difference in age by our real life sentiments fails completely.  First off, the most obvious thing is that Rukia never looks at Ichigo as a child or even a “boy.”  At the very beginning, I can see that she definitely saw him as possibly being “immature” or perhaps “misguided” as he didn’t yet discover his true potential as a shinigami who wanted to protect everyone, and while she did take on a role that was similar to ‘mentor’ (I don’t believe she was actually a mentor to him), she still saw him as an equal.  He just needed all the tools and knowledge that she had, and as Nacchan pointed out by the awesome collection of panels of Rukia looking at Ichigo, she never looked at him as if he were a boy. Always a man.  Her eyes always  conveyed a lot of care and love, but not a “babying” vibe.

My second point is that aging is both a mental and physical experience.  Age in the shinigami world doesn’t matter so much because their bodies take so much longer to “age.”  Growing older doesn’t feel like growing older every year because they are still healthy and well, completely there mentally, so maturity doesn’t just automatically increase with every passing year.  The state of mind is still the same, you know?  Decades to a shinigami may seem more like years.  In terms of experiences, Ichigo and Rukia both have battle and emotional experiences that were trying. They’ve always had common ground and have always understood each other without speaking about it.  Especially now, Ichigo has matured a lot.  And no, Rukia’s never going to be interested in Renji that way because that poor boy has been friendzoned SO. MANY. TIMES.  And have you noticed that Renji and Ichigo have similar levels of maturity?  So age definitely does not automatically contribute to maturity in Bleachverse. Rukia’s admiration for Kaien had nothing to do with his age but more with his outlook on life. He had more life/battle experience than her then and gave her a sense of belonging, but it’s Ichigo who really affected her heart and made her find value in living and in herself.

100 years, 18 years, whatever, that minor thing doesn’t stop love.  They have looked at each other as equals from the beginning (and with Rukia refusing to stand aside and be ‘protected’).  The so called “condescending” acts mostly were at the beginning of the manga when Rukia had more experience as a shinigami and when Ichigo had reluctance in taking up those duties, but really, they’ve mostly been two people joking/teasing with each other. :3

2. While Ichigo was shown thinking about Rukia a few times during the recent arc, Rukia didn't show any hints of having missed him or thought about him during the time-skip. In fact, she has become a lieutenant and all, so it looks like she did quite well without Ichigo in her life. She did show how she believed in Ichigo, but that was something she has done before and something that others, like Byakuya, also show towards him. This argument further supports argument 1.

One of the most important things to remember is that it’s Rukia’s unwavering support and belief in Ichigo that also contributed to others’ beliefs in him. It’s not like she went home and went “oh Ichigo’s fine” and just forgot how much he meant to her.  The reason why Rukia didn’t show any hints of having missed him is because Kubo sensei didn’t have a chance to yet! XD Her perspective in those 17 months would take oodles of chapters, and while I would love to read it, I guess he just doesn’t have the time to elaborate. But Rukia’s always been shown to be a little less emotional about being “alone” but hey, it’s the UNCHANGING HEART that is strength. She always puts others’ happiness and well-being before her own, and she doesn’t frequently fall into despair as Ichigo does which is why she’s such a ray of light for him. Her strength is unrivaled and quiet.  She doesn’t need fancy declarations because she’s a woman of action.  She accomplishes what she sets out to do, and the significance of her being the one to stab Ichigo with the reiatsu sword is evidence to me that their whole relationship is important to her (as always) and OTHER PEOPLE recognize the importance and specialness of it as well.  If Rukia started to cry or wail all the time about being left behind/away from him, then we’d be reading a different ship.  Her quiet strength is what makes her such a strong heroine, and just because she attained the title of lieutenant (quite deserved for her performance in HM) doesn’t mean that she didn’t miss Ichigo. Her smirking face when she stabbed him :3 she just couldn’t contain it.

Do you think Ichigo and Rukia's relationship has changed for good or for bad because of recent happenings (the separation of 17 months and Rukia's comeback?)
Very few things could be bad for Ichiruki XD The 17 month separation solidified to Ichigo how important the power to protect and Rukia’s stabilizing, motivating force are to him.  They picked back up where they left off when she returned, and it was adorable how Ichigo wanted to tell her his past didn’t change and looking at her all googly-eyed when just moments before he’d been crying and wanting to kill Tsuki. While yes, I do think they’ve been missing out on each other, their bond is the strongest. I think while everyone was knocked out, Rukia and Ichigo probably caught up with each other AND we already know that Rukia knows he’d been pathetic without her. XD But he’s always been a man with great resolve- she sees it.

In the coming chapters, do you think that Rukia's return to Ichigo and the team will be one with a big impact, or more like an everyday thing? (Because Ichigo can see her whenever now)
She just had an epic return so idk if we’ll get another one.. I do think her return to the team wouldn’t just be like “ohai, I’m back now.”  It won’t be climbing windows and stabbing Ichigo but it is still going to be fitting. I’m thinking something along the lines of either funny or super serious.

Additionally, would you prefer that Ichigo to to S.S to see her and get information, or the other way around as usual, if so then why?
Hard to say because any number of ways could be interesting. I don’t really think of her coming to see him as something “usual” because every time they’re reunited, it’s something special. I would prefer to see Ichigo go to SS because it’s not something he often does as a substitute and I really want to see him on Rukia’s turf for a change. Rukia as VC. *drools* But they’re not a bunch of lovestruck teenagers. They’re dutiful people even when they’re in love, so it’s not going to be all snogs. It would just be nice to see Ichigo in that more assertive

Kubo is obviously hinting about Ichigo being Yuki's mentor. Do you think this situation may be benefiting to our ship? If so, please explain how.
O.O Yeah I don’t see how this really contributes to Ichiruki really, but I like it nonetheless because we get to see Rukia’s influence on Ichigo.  He’s that kind of man now because of Rukia.  She was the first to challenge him to be better, and I love seeing the mature, experienced Ichigo training a rookie. If anything, I bet Yuki is closet-blocking Rukia. XDDDD

Ichigo and Rukia, because they do not see each others often, interact seldomly, but when they do, it always seems that they are taking a new step in their relationship. What do you name and how do you define their feelings and statues at this point of time in the manga?
I don’t think there is another bond that beats theirs.  While they have always been romantic and a pairing that is full of beautiful symbolism, they’re definitely progressing towards a more obvious love confession. I bet they still consider each other nakama to other people, but they know they’re very important to each other.  Hell, Ichigo didn’t mind so much when nakama!Chad was thought to be defeated but he abandoned the mission when Rukia was presumed dead.  So, the feelings are strong.  When they separated in 423, love was absolutely in the air, floating with the shoujo background.  But this is Ichigo and Rukia.  Ichigo is about as daft about feelings as one can get, and I think he’s working out his feelings.  Rukia’s absence in his life (both the very first time and in this 17 month) shocked the hell out of him. How could the world continue without her?  He probably realizes that he can’t be without her but admitting love ain’t easy.  As for Rukia, she’s very devoted to serving as a shinigami and protecting others, so I bet she tries to ignore the more ‘lovey-dovey’ of emotions and try to stick to ‘nakama’ but that. Is. Failing. So, I’d say that they’re not really friends but they certainly are soulmates and almost lovers.

And as a last question, What event do you think might trigger the epiphany -both to Ichigo and Rukia- that they love each other? This is left to your wondering imagination.
From what we’ve read so far, I believe they already know they love each other and are important to each other.  The one thing they need to work out is the kind of love.  Ichigo’s a little slow on these things, and I think Rukia already knows but she’s hiding it. The love is there (triggered by 423), but the realization is to come. <_< I think it will be either be at the climax of this arc or will be when the manga ends. ._. so much teasing.

[Akintosh]

Thank you Pikeish, yrsherry and Annie for the novel info! I'm not a big fan of Don Kanonji but I do love seeing the happenings in SS during the 17 months~ Hope to see Rukia's pov

Kubo is obviously hinting about Ichigo being Yuki's mentor. Do you think this situation may be benefiting to our ship? If so, please explain how.

I don't really want to be a shipper who wants everything happening to Ichigo and Rukia be a benefit to my ship. Ichigo mentoring Yuki is about Ichigo and what he becomes as a person. Although Rukia is a big part of Ichigo's change and we should credit her for that, I don't really see any reason why Ichigo being Yuki's mentor will benefit our ship other than further supporting the notion that Rukia changed Ichigo for better.  Even if that's the case, it's lovely to see that Ichigo is now mentoring instead of being mentored before.

Ichigo and Rukia, because they do not see each others often, interact seldomly, but when they do, it always seems that they are taking a new step in their relationship. What do you name and how do you define their feelings and statues at this point of time in the manga?

This is very unoriginal but the statues of their relationship at this point is what people call IchiRuki statues. Morita back then (during FTB) said the same words (if not the exact thing). You cannot say they are lovers because they still are not. You cannot say they are close friends because you know they have feelings for one another transcending that of feeling we have for a close friend. More than friends less than lovers is a very good description but it is not enough. Precious nakama is also one but you know it's more than that.

Labeling and defining Ichiruki in such a way of looking for a generic term to summarize their relationship/status/feelings is hard. It's very, very hard. Only I know is that Ichigo and Rukia have an intense feelings for each other and that feeling is what made them who they are today. Is it love? I think it is. Is it just love? No. IchiRuki is created with different layers of emotions and thoughts and changes. There is complete trust and faith that should really go hand in hand with love. Yet this faith doesn't make Ichigo or Rukia be in complete dependence to each other. Their relationship is always been healthy and that's the very thing that never changes about their relationship. Only it grows and grows and becomes healthier each point of time. Their feelings for each other make them be the person that they should be and reminds them the kind of ground they want to live in. It is a feeling that enlightens readers of what is a real and healthy relationship looks like because really, there is no relationship in Bleachverse or in any other manga that's constructed the same way as Ichiruki.

Every point in manga, the Ichiruki relationship is always been an IchiRuki.

[TsukiHana]

So now that I'm here, I shall celebrate by answering a whole bunch of questions^^

Starting with...
1. Rukia is so much older than Ichigo, and the problem between their relationship turning into romantic one is a question of maturity. Even 20 year old has problems with someone 16 year old, so over 100 years old would surely feel like 16 year old is too much of a boy to her. It's hard to get attracted on to someone who's practically a child compared to you. And after all, Rukia does time to time act condescendingly on Ichigo and it's commonly accepted thing in fandom that she's more mature. She's more likely to get interested in Renji, who is supposedly same age as her, or on Kaien, who was older than her.

Exhibit A:

"That is the kind of man you are in my heart, Ichigo!"

Exhibit B:


There are plenty of moments in which it's clear to anyone who reads that Rukia does NOT see Ichigo like a child, or even a "boy", but I post these two because she is directly referring to him as a MAN. In the first one, she openly declares that to her, he is a man. In the second, I simply can't get over the way she views him, with his back turned and head held up high- the image of a strong man if there ever was one.

I could go on forever explaining why the age difference doesn't matter here, but I'll just let Rukia do the talking on this one

 2. While Ichigo was shown thinking about Rukia a few times during the recent arc, Rukia didn't show any hints of having missed him or thought about him during the time-skip. In fact, she has become a lieutenant and all, so it looks like she did quite well without Ichigo in her life. She did show how she believed in Ichigo, but that was something she has done before and something that others, like Byakuya, also show towards him. This argument further supports argument 1.

Going to go with another simple answer straight from the source (in this case, the source of the source, I guess...XD)-

"When the two who share destiny part and reunite, beyond the frame of time, the ceased clock will awake and start to tick once again."

The poem, given to us by the very author of the series who, I'm just assuming, actually knows what the heck is going on with his characters even off-panel (when we, the readers, do not) expresses a feeling that includes BOTH parties when it comes to how time seems to stop when they are separated. So while the demonstration may be different -partly due to their different personalities, partly due to Rukia barely getting any room to actually express much of anything on the manga-, here we have something that shows that the feelings are the same for the two who share destiny.

Frankly, the mutuality of their relationship is the point that has the least amount of room for argument imo. Shippers of other pairings rarely, if ever, try to argue that there is a chance that maybe Ichigo has feelings for Rukia that she doesn't return (despite so much cheesiness on his part), or that Rukia could have feelings beyond friendship for Ichigo (despite recurring googly eyes and bordering-on-sappy inner monologues). I believe one of the main reasons for this is that Kubo has done such a fantastic job of showing time and time again how Ichigo and Rukia stand equally in each other's eyes- this includes the way they feel about each other. Whether those feelings are of friendship, romance, or whatever- at least we can be certain that it goes both ways.

Kubo is obviously hinting about Ichigo being Yuki's mentor. Do you think this situation may be benefiting to our ship? If so, please explain how.

I don't think this would directly affect IchiRuki, like others said, it's more of an Ichigo thing. Even so, I do think that the new level of maturity that Ichigo will attain now is beneficial in the sense that it gives him a layer which he had lacked before: Rukia has already become a mentor, both to Ichigo and to whatever subordinates she trains now that she's a VC. If Ichigo himself also becomes a mentor, it would help to further the sense of equality between them, emotionally/mentally speaking. This way, Ichigo does not fall behind to a very accomplished and confident Rukia.

Do you think Ichigo and Rukia's relationship has changed for good or for bad because of recent happenings (the separation of 17 months and Rukia's comeback?)

I don't think their relationship changed much at all, I think that it was their feelings for each other that strengthened further (if possible), or at least became more apparent during their prolonged separation. The relationship itself remains more or less the same (maybe Ichigo is a little bit more submissive now, but that's it XD)- they both showed how greatly they care for each other and to what lengths they will go to help each other; not to mention how strongly they react to one another's mere presence.

This arc, for me, was merely reinforcing the beauty of their bond and how important it is to both characters. I believe the changes (progress) will come in the next, and final, arc.

In the coming chapters, do you think that Rukia's return to Ichigo and the team will be one with a big impact, or more like an everyday thing? (Because Ichigo can see her whenever now). Additionally, would you prefer that Ichigo to to S.S to see her and get information, or the other way around as usual, if so then why?

We didn't get any big separation, so I don't expect a huge reunion. I believe it will be more notable than just having her waltz into Ichigo's room along with all the nakama (or other shinigami) and have nothing but casual banter follow; but nothing so huge as a Deatberry Returns/ Death & Strawberry kind of thing XD

As for Ichigo going to SS instead, it would be a nice change of pace for sure, I would enjoy that. But I also enjoy seeing his dopey look and the little hearts in his eyes every time Rukia pops up, so I'm happy either way haha!

Ichigo and Rukia, because they do not see each others often, interact seldomly, but when they do, it always seems that they are taking a new step in their relationship. What do you name and how do you define their feelings and statues at this point of time in the manga?

"Unbreakable bond", that's how I define them. Not to take the term lightly- many people can claim to have such a thing, but even married couples don't always last forever. With Ichigo and Rukia, what they have is something special and undefinable really, but it is definitely unbreakable no matter how much time passes, or what obstacles they have to overcome. And quite frankly, I take this over a mere five lifetimes any day

And as a last question, What event do you think might trigger the epiphany -both to Ichigo and Rukia- that they love each other? This is left to your wondering imagination.

Actually, I like to consider the FB arc as the Confession (or maybe Revelation?) Arc.

See, we left off on the previous arc with the most blatant, in-your-face moment where Kubo made it quite clear to anyone with eyes that the feelings between Ichigo and Rukia have definitely gone past the friendzone and are entering the platonic stage:

Those faces do not lie.

Then we have Ichigo, who starts off with this little poem in his head:
"I wonder if I can keep up with the speed of the world without you."

While it's not an "I love you", the point where you start to actively wonder if you could go on without one specific person in your life, that is the point where most people would start shopping for wedding rings.

And if that wasn't enough, we also had this:


The image alone is worth a thousand words. Ichigo's pained face, the beautiful image of Rukia that he keeps in his mind's eye... That's enough to show anyone that she is more than special to him. But when you look at the context, it actually gets even more obvious XD The way her memory stands out from that of everyone else, the fact that he had been desperately trying to suppress it, and how it was that one memory that managed what a plethora of others could NOT -to activate the power based on emotions-...Well, come on.

The way Ichigo set Rukia apart during this arc when it comes to how he feels about her is clear enough. Hell, the fact that Kubo showed all this when he could have just stuck to "he misses his powers" is pretty damn telling. I think if Ichigo hasn't realized he is in love with Rukia, he at least realizes that he needs her to be able to go on- and is that not a romantic revelation in itself?

As for Rukia...


The way she's looking at him, her eyes at the top of the first page and the smile on the last panel; plus the fact that she's standing in the middle of a battlefield, with Riruka missing somewhere inside her body, having just woken up in the arms of a very smexed-up Renji only minutes prior: and all she can think about is of Ichigo, all her memories of him and how much he has affected SS and herself... Again, she's not saying "I love you", but she's setting him apart in a way that I don't think she has ever set anyone apart before. Maybe Kaien, but back then there was a lot of admiration and not so much understanding involved- here she is basically thinking of how wonderful this person is, despite knowing and understanding all his faults and weaknesses. If it's not a epiphany in itself, it's definitely a good build up for one.

All in all, I doubt there will be ONE moment in which Ichigo and Rukia realize how they feel for each other, no big epiphany. Judging by all that we've seen recently, they already realize or are slowly realizing it on their own. The real question would be how and when they will act upon their feelings...And I'll leave that one up to Kubo ^.^

...Phew, congrats to anyone who made it through the entire post XD

[Detergent]

1. Rukia is so much older than Ichigo, and the problem between their relationship turning into romantic one is a question of maturity. Even 20 year old has problems with someone 16 year old, so over 100 years old would surely feel like 16 year old is too much of a boy to her. It's hard to get attracted on to someone who's practically a child compared to you. And after all, Rukia does time to time act condescendingly on Ichigo and it's commonly accepted thing in fandom that she's more mature. She's more likely to get interested in Renji, who is supposedly same age as her, or on Kaien, who was older than her.


Seriously, if people really say these kind of things, it can only mean they're desperate. If there really would have been nothing but friendship between them, then they probably wouldn't have become so desperate to come up with these questions in the first place. To these people I say, grow up.

2. While Ichigo was shown thinking about Rukia a few times during the recent arc, Rukia didn't show any hints of having missed him or thought about him during the time-skip. In fact, she has become a lieutenant and all, so it looks like she did quite well without Ichigo in her life. She did show how she believed in Ichigo, but that was something she has done before and something that others, like Byakuya, also show towards him. This argument further supports argument 1.

I guess it's stupid to assume she missed the man who changed her and the whole Soul Society. How stupid. *Sarcasm mode off*.


But seriously, either people who state that Rukia is too old and that she doesn't care for Ichigo are very young, or they are unbelievably stupid naive airheads (that should IMO be barred from any computer with internet access). Though I'm afraid the latter option is more truthful to reality *sigh*

[CaptainYoruichi]

1. Rukia is so much older than Ichigo, and the problem between their relationship turning into romantic one is a question of maturity. Even 20 year old has problems with someone 16 year old, so over 100 years old would surely feel like 16 year old is too much of a boy to her. It's hard to get attracted on to someone who's practically a child compared to you. And after all, Rukia does time to time act condescendingly on Ichigo and it's commonly accepted thing in fandom that she's more mature. She's more likely to get interested in Renji, who is supposedly same age as her, or on Kaien, who was older than her.

Shinigami aging is not like regular human aging, though. Even though Rukia is older chronologically, I think that in terms of emotional maturity, she is about the same age as Ichigo. But I also think Ichigo is probably more mature for his age, so they kind of meet halfway. Ichigo's done and seen a lot more than most humans do.

2. While Ichigo was shown thinking about Rukia a few times during the recent arc, Rukia didn't show any hints of having missed him or thought about him during the time-skip. In fact, she has become a lieutenant and all, so it looks like she did quite well without Ichigo in her life. She did show how she believed in Ichigo, but that was something she has done before and something that others, like Byakuya, also show towards him. This argument further supports argument 1.

The time-skip was told from Ichigo's perspective, and IMO it would have been out of place for Kubo to write in a section with Rukia thinking about Ichigo just for the sake of showing that she did. But besides that, just because we didn't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. I would point out that since she was there and helped restore him to being a Shinigami, she was thinking about him even though the manga didn't show it. She had to work with Isshin and Kisuke before the scene took place to make all of that possible.

[shinigami_1nabe]

The image alone is worth a thousand words. Ichigo's pained face, the beautiful image of Rukia that he keeps in his mind's eye... That's enough to show anyone that she is more than special to him. But when you look at the context, it actually gets even more obvious XD The way her memory stands out from that of everyone else, the fact that he had been desperately trying to suppress it, and how it was that one memory that managed what a plethora of others could NOT -to activate the power based on emotions-...Well, come on.

The way Ichigo set Rukia apart during this arc when it comes to how he feels about her is clear enough. Hell, the fact that Kubo showed all this when he could have just stuck to "he misses his powers" is pretty damn telling. I think if Ichigo hasn't realized he is in love with Rukia, he at least realizes that he needs her to be able to go on- and is that not a romantic revelation in itself?

You're absolutely right. If Bleach is as romance-free as some people say, why wouldn't Kubo just imply that Ichigo simply misses his powers? Why not replace Rukia's image with Zangetsu, or Tensa Zangetsu or Hichigo? Heck, why not simply replace Rukia's image with the entire cast of the Gotei 13? The fact that it is Rukia that 'activated' Ichigo powers is very telling of what, or whom, he really missed when he lost his powers.

Kubo is obviously hinting about Ichigo being Yuki's mentor. Do you think this situation may be benefiting to our ship? If so, please explain how.

I think it shows that Ichigo is growing up. Whereas before, he was the one who was being mentored (Rukia, Urahara, Yoruichi), now he's the one who's taking someone under his wing. I don't particularly think that it will have any impact on our ship (I may be wrong) but I do believe that the general theme of Ichigo growing up will be good for IchiRuki. Because one of the cornerstones of the argument against our ship is that she's too old for him (baseless and illogical that may be). But with Ichigo growing up, very soon that argument may just lose its steam.
Ichigo and Rukia, because they do not see each others often, interact seldomly, but when they do, it always seems that they are taking a new step in their relationship. What do you name and how do you define their feelings and statues at this point of time in the manga?

I always take my cue from Kubo as to what to define their relationship:
“Time goes on but these bonds will never break.”

Even distance and the lack of interaction no longer take away anything from the bond these two have formed. It's a done deal as far as I'm concerned: there is no one else that can take each others' place in their hearts; there is no one else that has the same bond that these two have in Kubo's story. With Bleach ending, I don't see how Ichigo and Rukia will turn around and say 'Oh, wait. No, my bond with (insert name of any other character here) is much stronger!'.

It's a done deal.

[Pioneer]

What event do you think might trigger the epiphany -both to Ichigo and Rukia- that they love each other? This is left to your wondering imagination.

Honestly since Kubo will never let both of them sit in a nice and comfy tatami room with a tea and manju in hand, an epiphany of some sort might required for them to analyse what kind of relationship they have for the time being.

I for one sure as hell that we won't get a verbal confession from either Ichigo or Rukia, because both of them are man and woman of action. Besides, quotes like,
"Thank you Rukia, thanks to you I think the rain has stopped." or
"That's the kind of man you have been in my heart, Ichigo!"
are more awesome than a mere confession of "I love you." *insert heart and rainbows*

I could be wrong to the max though, Kubo in all his teasing glory lol, might made Ichigo doing the confession in a more poetic roundabout way. So there you go, for me as long as IchiRuki relationship got resolve with a red note and gold font "Yes they are in-love" written on it I'll be as satisfied as when I have received my salary with my own sweat on my first job.

[meriahbrownie]

What event do you think might trigger the epiphany -both to Ichigo and Rukia- that they love each other? This is left to your wondering imagination.
I for one sure as hell that we won't get a verbal confession from either Ichigo or Rukia, because both of them are man and woman of action. Besides, quotes like,
"Thank you Rukia, thanks to you I think the rain has stopped." or
"That's the kind of man you have been in my heart, Ichigo!"
are more awesome than a mere confession of "I love you." *insert heart and rainbows*

I completely agree, and I myself would feel that if they did say I love you, it would feel completely OC. They are more action than words. A 20 page eyesmex for me would suffice  I think Kubo should create something unique for Ichigo and Rukia when they realize their feelings for each other since he has created this unique bond between them. All the things I could think of are too cliche or just not appropriate. Thank god Kubo has greater creativity that I have .

[Skilly-n-Duff]

1. Rukia is so much older than Ichigo, and the problem between their relationship turning into romantic one is a question of maturity. Even 20 year old has problems with someone 16 year old, so over 100 years old would surely feel like 16 year old is too much of a boy to her. It's hard to get attracted on to someone who's practically a child compared to you. And after all, Rukia does time to time act condescendingly on Ichigo and it's commonly accepted thing in fandom that she's more mature. She's more likely to get interested in Renji, who is supposedly same age as her, or on Kaien, who was older than her.

Rukia never actually had the chance to grow up and develop psychologically like a human.  Think about spoiled rich heiresses (NOT COMPARING RUKIA TO ONE OF THESE) who still have the mentality of a spoiled child despite being grownups--age does not always mean maturity and wisdom.  Now picture a kid who grew up on the street and had to fight for their life--they're young but they've got old eyes.  It's situation that ages people in Bleach rather than years.

When Rukia was little in Rukongai, she didn't have a normal childhood.  People didn't teach her how to interact with others--every day was a life or death situation. She adapted and survived And when she was adopted by Byakuya, she was pretty much neglected.  We learn how to behave by learning from the example of those around us.  No one ever showed Rukia what growing up meant--she was pretty much forced by circumstance to become the person she was.  Kaien's kindness was a bit of a breakthrough but after he died, she emotionally locked herself off.  I'm not saying Rukia was in anyway immature or childish upon meeting Ichigo--quite the contrary.  He's the one who unlocked her, emotionally, and made it OK for her to feel things again.  HE COMPLETED HER AS A PERSON.  Really.  Take the Rukia we first met (convinced her own life meant nothing, someone who purposefully cut all emotional ties with those around her to avoid pain) and put her next to the Rukia of today (strong, successful, supporTIVE of and supporTED by everyone around her)

Ichigo is the one who taught her about what it really means to be a friend, a brother, a protector.  He's someone who's matured quite quickly due to his gifts and an early exposure to what death means.  He had a lot of the same problems Rukia was facing, isolation due to self imposed guilt over causing the death of a loved one.  Mentally, they were in the same place when they met each other.  SHE COMPLETED HIM by drying the rain and giving him the power to face down his problems and protect people--took him from a helpless human to a substitute shinigami. 

TL:DR  When you are both going to live forever (honestly, has a Shinigami ever died of old age?) does it matter at what age you start?

2. While Ichigo was shown thinking about Rukia a few times during the recent arc, Rukia didn't show any hints of having missed him or thought about him during the time-skip. In fact, she has become a lieutenant and all, so it looks like she did quite well without Ichigo in her life. She did show how she believed in Ichigo, but that was something she has done before and something that others, like Byakuya, also show towards him. This argument further supports argument 1.

We KNOW she's dazzled by him.  Perhaps not the right word, but Ichigo had some pretty serious power.  Her belief in him is unshakable (whether or not he's a shinigami, fullbringer, or wearing a hollow mask) I'm sure she had complete faith that Ichigo would be coming back, no question.  So, she's been working hard to prepare.  Rukia wants to be his equal--to fight along side him.  Even back in KK town when she had hardly NO powers, she still worked her hardest to fight beside him.  The real poignant IchiRuki moment  for me in Hueco Mundo was when he saved her from Yammy.  I know that's not as juicy as when he turned back from Ulquiorra to save her, but when Rukia commented on his mask being different it really hit me--she CARES about him.  I remember the FC getting all hyped up over "how will Rukia react to his mask?!" (All of us eager to compare to Orihime's fear)  Kubo pulled the rug out from under us by revealing she's known THE WHOLE TIME and has done her RESEARCH on it.  Even when Ichigo wakes up after defeating Aizen, Rukia's the one who's gone to Urahara.  She's the one who knows everything there is to know about Ichigo.  She doesn't have to make up silly fantasies about him in a tux.  Rukia has seen Ichigo at his most powerful and his most pitiful, and the moments they've shared together are the most raw and personal of any couple in Bleach.  (Graveyard in the rain, her arrest, that scene on the bridge, the goodbye when he lost his powers)  There's a reason eyesmex is the chosen weapon of IchiRuki--it's because these two know each other so well that in one look, they can communicate. ("Save the reunion for later" "Aren't we nakama?" "Those eyes...were not the eyes of a victor" "I'll never be able to face my mother" "I came to save you" "Thank you, Rukia" "Thank you, Ichigo")

TL:DR  The conversation of a thousand words is trumped by a single panel of eyesmex.


I'm holding my breath for more timeskip Rukia.  Kubo said he wanted to draw her thoughts upon becoming a lieutenant so I'll wait for that.  I think Rukia was being a rock for Ichigo--easily falling back into that natural relationship they've had.  It would not surprise me if her thoughts mirrored Renji's in the Sand and Rotator chapters.  "I'll surprise him by saying 'I'm a vice captain'" Kubo has been pretty stingy with Rukia for the past...oh, 3 years or so?  Pretty sure he's saving her up for something special.

[chiztaku]

I'm so happy to be back !!! 

Anywhoo, time to answer the topics !


Kubo is obviously hinting about Ichigo being Yuki's mentor. Do you think this situation may be benefiting to our ship? If so, please explain how.

I think this is going to shed more light on the IchiRuki dynamic, how it was mentor x student developing into friendship up to
what we have now, which is deeper than friendship. I think Kubo-Sensei may want to highlight the differences between a mentor x student relationship to what IchiRuki is in right now.

I also kind of want to see Ichigo take someone under his wing and how he will use Rukia's assuring words on Yuki. 

Ichigo and Rukia, because they do not see each others often, interact seldomly, but when they do, it always seems that they are taking a new step in their relationship. What do you name and how do you define their feelings and statues at this point of time in the manga?

Oh and Ah...  ;D So many Sensei has been giving us , it's so hard to choose. I would like to single out the one from RS 6 though, that they are "the two that share destiny" - I find it kind of a summary of sorts, that no matter how many times things or people change around them , they are "the two that share destiny" , that their relationship constantly grows , as well as them on their on but no matter what happens -  it would always go back to the beginning of Bleach that they are Destined. *fangirl heart goes dokidoki* XD  *happy tears*