Willing Idiot

AN: Thanks to all reviewers of my last fic! ;]

She calls him stupid whenever he does it. He has caught so many obvious blows. It angered her because a noticeable majority of these blows taken stupidly were the ones coming at her. He couldn't do that. It was not a way of self preservation that she would ever accept. He was willing to get beaten to a pulp for her. Idiot.

It wasn't like he wanted her to be okay with it. Hell, he's surprised that she noticed. Then again it's Rukia, always annoyingly observant. He wishes she would acknowledge that while they are both strong, one good hit to him cuts him, and one dead on hit to her knocks her into the wall. She's about this big around. He would bet his soul that his fingers would touch if he put a hand on each side of her waist. Not that he is tempted to do so.

So he'll step in front every once in a while. She says she can handle it, but what if she gets in a few too many hits? Rukia needs to accept that by being small and delicate , she's more prone to serious injury when a hollow swings it tail with sure accuracy. She expects him to treat her like she is capable of anything, but he can't do that. He's not judging her skill or doubting her, he just would prefer not to take that risk.

He is only protecting her health. He is not motivated to upstage her or to make her feel overprotected. Rukia is willing to die to look independent. Idiot.