If it was a serious enough injury, Rukia might even start to resent Ichigo. Their relationship could change from a close friendship to one filled with animosity and mistrust. However, if Ichigo shows true remorse and tries to make amends, there could be a slow rebuilding of their relationship over time.
One possibility could be that Ichigo is under some sort of mind - control. Maybe an enemy has found a way to manipulate his actions and he ends up hurting Rukia without meaning to. This could lead to a lot of internal conflict for Ichigo once he realizes what he has done.
There's 'Soulmate's Journey' which is a really popular one. It delves into the idea that they are soulmates in a more spiritual and emotional sense. It has some really touching moments that show their love and loyalty to each other. It also includes some great action scenes that are true to the Bleach universe.
Ichigo might become more reliant on Rukia's knowledge of the Soul Society when it comes to teaching their daughter about her heritage. Rukia, in turn, would rely on Ichigo's human - side experiences to give their daughter a well - rounded life. Their relationship would evolve into a partnership in parenting, with mutual respect growing even more.
The new addition to their family could also make them more open about their feelings for each other. They might realize how much they truly care for one another while watching their baby grow. This could lead to more affectionate moments between them and a more solid romantic relationship.
Their friends might be initially shocked. For example, Orihime, who has feelings for Ichigo, could be heartbroken at first. But then she might see how happy Ichigo and Rukia are together and come to accept it. Chad, on the other hand, would probably be very supportive. He's always been a good friend to Ichigo and would likely see that Rukia makes Ichigo a better person, so he would encourage their relationship.
The potential for different storylines is a big factor. In the anime/manga, their relationship was left with some room for interpretation. Fanfiction writers can take this and create all kinds of scenarios, like alternate universes where they are from different social classes or have different powers. This allows for a lot of creativity and exploration of their characters.
It could strain their relationship. Chichi might become more distant from Goku, feeling that he doesn't care enough about her safety. For example, if Goku hurts her during a fight on Earth that he brought to their home, she may start to question whether she can trust him to keep their family safe.
His actions could also change Max's personality. She might become more withdrawn and less trusting. This would then affect her relationships with the other characters. For example, she might push away Mike and Will when they try to help her because she's so used to being hurt by Neil.
Lemon fanfictions usually involve adult - themed content which might not be suitable for all audiences. However, if you're specifically looking for Ichigo and Rukia - centered stories that are more on the romantic side without the 'lemon' aspect, there are many great ones out there. You could start by searching for stories with high ratings and positive reviews from other fans of the series.
In many fanfictions, their relationship starts from a place of mutual respect due to their fighting side by side. For example, in some works, as they face stronger enemies together, they begin to understand each other's motives better, which deepens their bond.