Author's Note:

Hello everyone! I know at the start of the New Year I promised that this story would be up. But college happened, and now I'm attending part-time. Now add a full time job with two energetic kids, that equals no time to write! But I have finally enlisted two beta readers, and now with much confidence I submit this story to you all!

Warnings: This story does have some adult situations, especially in this chapter. I will try to note the chapters with the 'saucy' bits, because believe it or not, there won't be a lot of lemon in this story (but it's there!). Please keep in mind that this story is for mature audiences.

Thanks to all my fans that stuck by and waited for this. I only hope I will hear from you all in a review!

Gift of the Guardian

Chapter One

Written by gokusgirl

Big thanks to Shenhui & Janabanana for beta reading!

Song for this chapter: Say by John Mayer

Sitting on the bathroom floor, Rukia could only stare numbly at the object that she held in her hands.

She was careful to follow the products' instructions. Fear gripped her belly and anxiety loomed over her as she watched, and waited. Her eyes grew wide as the faintly blue plus sign began to emerge from inside the little window, and in that very moment her life was forever altered.

She was pregnant.

Rukia's heart was thundering hard against her chest as her limbs began to shake. She let out a sob –unsure if she was experiencing joy or sadness over the situation that she now faced. It was more like a reaction of amazement, disbelief and surrealism. It was utterly inconceivable that she could get pregnant.

But yet she was.

It was enough that she recently announced to Ichigo that she got her orders to return back to the Soul Society, and that he didn't take the news very well. He suddenly began acting immature and angry with everything she did, and she realized it was just his way of dealing with her planned departure.

Now this.

Could she go through the senkaimon carrying a child? And what would Ichigo say if he finds out? What would nii-san do when he finds out?

Placing her face into her hands, Rukia began to weep. This was too much for her. Leaving Ichigo, having a baby, and facing her brother was becoming horrifyingly overwhelming. Too weak to move from the spot she sat, she was unaware of the soft knocking that came from the bathroom door.

"…Rukia?" The sweet voice floated up from behind the door. Orihime had heard her cries and wanted to make sure she was alright. "Are you alright?"

Rukia's head snapped up, and she suddenly realized that her outburst may have caused Orihime to check on her. Wiping her face, she took a moment to find her calm, level-headed voice. "…I'm okay, Hime. I'll be right out!"

There was a long pause at the door, and Rukia could see the shadow of Orihime's feet as they still stood there. She held her breath, hoping the sweet girl would leave, but she never did. Sighing, Rukia struggled as she pulled herself off the floor, and hid the pregnancy test in her dress pocket. She walked over to the door, unlocked it and opened it wide. The moment she looked at Orihime's concerned face; the tears began stinging her eyes. Orihime let out a worried sigh as she embraced her friend, patting her shoulder softly.

"Oh…Rukia! Whatever could be wrong?" Orihime asked her alarmingly. Rukia's shoulders shook with her tears, and she couldn't find her voice to talk. Orihime walked her to the bed, sitting down with her and gently rocking her until she quieted.

It was then that Rukia told her the news.

Lost in thought, Ichigo toyed with the remnants of the food left on his plate. The last couple of days had been completely exhausting. He finally got the last of his college applications mailed off and he was in the middle of studying for his finals. Then to top it all off Rukia decided to drop a bombshell – she was leaving for the Soul Society next week.

He knew it was bound to happen sooner or later… but why now? Just when they started seeing each other, she leaves. She had to be prompt with her exit; she didn't want to face any punishment for being late again. Instead of being considerate about the news, he made up his mind to be pissed about it. And he wasn't being fair to her, either.

He was being cold and blunt to her. He wasn't dealing with it right; Ichigo knew that acting like an asshole was only placing a wedge between them. Rukia was only going to be gone for a few weeks. Why did it seem like she would be gone for an eternity?

"Something wrong Onii-san?" Yuzu asked timidly as she cleared the dining room table. Ichigo blinked a few times as he brought himself out of his deep thinking, and gave his baby sister a big smile.

"I'm fine Yuzu. Dinner was really great!" Ichigo told her as cheerfully as he could.

"If dinner was so great then why were you shoving it all over the place?" Karin spoke sarcastically as she drank the rest of her milk.

Ichigo narrowed his eyes at his other sibling, and in return she gave him a teasing smirk. "Shut up, Karin."

"Or could it be that little Ichigo is so lovesick he can't stomach his food anymore?" Karin continued, batting her eyes at him as she clasped her hands together tightly, holding them to one side of her chin. Ichigo instantly shot out at her, trying his best to grab his little sister with no success. She was already out of her seat, squealing with laughter as she ran.

"You little- !" Ichigo growled, standing up with his fists tight at his sides. Yuzu just stood there, mouth wide open with surprise as she watched Ichigo's reaction to Karin's taunt. Any other time he would just dismiss her with a wave of a hand or simply ignore her. He looked over at his other sister and took in a deep breath as he slowly regained control of his composure. Straightening his shoulders, he gave Yuzu a small smile as he walked off, mentally reminding himself to kick Karin up the ass at the first given opportunity. As he walked into the living room, he saw his father sitting on the couch watching television. Ichigo noticed that he was engrossed in some Discovery Health documentary, so he silently walked behind the couch in hopes of making it to the stairs unnoticed.

"Ichigo, come sit down." Isshin ordered him out of the blue.

Rolling his eyes with irritation, Ichigo grumbled as he turned around and sat down beside his father. He could already tell by the sound of his voice that he was distracted but serious.

"What's the matter?" Isshin asked him suddenly. Ichigo frowned, looking over at his father who still had his eyes on the program. "Your usual gloomy demeanor is even worse lately."

"I don't even know what you're talking about," Ichigo mumbled flatly.

"I don't know who you're trying to fool around here son, but the twins and I have noticed you're dragging your ass around here lately. Having some girl trouble?"

Ichigo's faced reddened. "Why would I be dragging my ass around just because of a girl?"

"That's the only reason a man would drag his ass around!" Isshin boasted loudly. "You want to talk about it?"

"I'm fine," Ichigo growled annoyingly. "Can I go upstairs now please?"

Isshin studied his son's face closely, and gave him a curt nod. "Okay… I won't pry. But you remember what we talked about a few days ago… and keep your word on it, son."

Ichigo stood there bewildered at what his father told him, and as he quickly remembered, his eyebrows arched slowly. "Oh…Yeah, I will." Ichigo replied as he walked upstairs.

She awoke with the sound of her bedroom door opening. Still groggy with sleep, Rukia glanced up at the skinny figure that stood at the foot of her bed, and then over at the alarm clock that read two a.m. She pulled herself up, brushing her hair out of her face.

"What are you doing here so late?" Rukia asked softly with a yawn.

"I couldn't sleep," Ichigo told her flatly. "Is it okay?"

Nodding, Rukia patted the vacant side of the bed. "Sure. Lay down."

Even now, the way they acted towards each other was so peculiar. In the past, Ichigo would show up and climb into her bed with no question. But this was after she told him she was leaving.

He removed his clothes, leaving on his tee shirt and boxers and climbed in. Rukia wasn't sure if he wanted to touch her yet, so she laid there silently on her back. He covered himself up with the comforter, laying on his side facing her. The room grew heavily quiet; the only sound you could hear was their breathing. She never looked in his direction, but she could feel his penetrating gaze on her. As Rukia looked over at him from the corner of her eye, she could see the glimmer of his eyes as they pierced through her even in the darkness of this room. Swallowing, she balled the sheet in her hands and shut her eyes tightly. She couldn't understand it. He was acting like he couldn't stand her, and yet he wanted to be near her.

She was pulled out of her confused thoughts when she felt Ichigo's warm hand slide across her thigh. Instantly she let out a suppressed whimper, but she kept her eyes closed. She hated that she loved his touch, no matter how mad he made her. His deft fingers glided across the elastic band of her panties, and she heard him let out a small, irritated sigh when he discovered the garment was there. He drew his fingers upward, softly skimming across her soft belly, his fingers lingering as they made small circles. Rukia's eyes flew open with much alarm - why was he touching her there? Her heart was beating furiously with fear, and suddenly his fingers lingered downward again, this time going underneath the elastic band. Rukia was relieved inwardly, thankful he didn't suspect anything, at least not yet.

He let his fingers travel through the wiry dark curls and between the soft folds of her sex. Against her own will her legs parted wider, the warmth of her desire spreading all over her. He stroked her gradually, eliciting a few pants from her as he moved his hand faster. Rukia's body trembled with want; she felt herself drifting so close to climax that her toes curled. All at once Ichigo withdrew his fingers, and before she could make any objection he was on top of her, pulling her panties down fitfully, tearing them in the process. Yanking the front of his boxers down, he then shakily grabbed his throbbing organ and pushed it into her roughly.

Rukia let out a yelp of pain as he ground into her in an unyielding pace. She held on, grasping his shoulders and arms as he pummeled into her. Her hands found his face, trying to pull him closer down to kiss her, but his head remained stiff and stationary. Rukia stared at him in the darkness, and saw how he looked straight ahead, looking strangely detached. Rukia tried to swallow the tears that burned in her throat but her eyes were already spilling over, sliding down the sides of her face. It pained her that he was just using her right now- just quenching whatever aggression he had over her until he was satisfied. Her pain turned quickly into white-hot rage; and all she could think of was him finishing and leaving.

Ichigo let out a stifled groan as he began pumping faster into her, and suddenly he went rigid. He gasped for air as he abruptly spilled inside her, and he lowered his head down to her heaving chest. The room grew silent again, and as he felt himself dancing right on the edge of sleep he felt Rukia shove him hard.

"Get off of me!" Rukia screamed loudly, smacking his shoulders and face. She pushed him off, her legs flailing as she kicked what she could. Ichigo landed on the floor in a daze, and as he pulled himself up, he glared at her.

"What the hell was that for?" Ichigo yelled.

"I want you out of here Kurosaki Ichigo!" Rukia cried out loudly. "How dare you do that to me!"

Still bemused, Ichigo stood and gave her a hard stare. "What are you talking about? You let me!"

Rukia's eyes narrowed as she gripped the covers around her tighter. "What is wrong with you? You weren't making love to me, Ichigo. You were doing something that was far from love - it was so cold and angry… like you were punishing me!"

Like coming out of a strange trance, his angry expression evaporated as he realized that he went too far. He may have been mad with her but he never meant to hurt her this way. Guilt washed over him, making him shiver down to his very bones. He took a step forward, and noticed how Rukia flinched at his approach. Embarrassment and self hatred shook through him as he clenched his fists tightly at his sides; his head hung low with shame.

"I'm a disgusting, ignorant fool," Ichigo muttered lowly, too ashamed to look at her as he stared at the floor. "…I know this won't amount to anything… but I am sorry, Rukia. I'll leave now."

Numbly he put his clothes back on, and Rukia watched him silently, her gaze blank and cold. He made his way to the bedroom door and opened it, turning around slightly to see her face that was still angry.

"My Dad wants you over for dinner tomorrow… if you don't show up, I'll understand." Ichigo told her as his voice cracked. When no response came, Ichigo sighed heavily. "I know I fucked up, Rukia. But I still love you." He walked out, shutting the door behind him softly.

"Karin you have three seconds to get out of that bathroom young lady!" Isshin yelled from the bottom of the stairs. "Big brother's girlfriend will be over here any minute!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" Karin drawled as she opened the bathroom door, sauntering out with her usual annoying scowl. "You're acting like the Emperor himself was dropping by."

"We'll finally get to see Onii-san's girlfriend today, sis. Try to act happy about it." Yuzu told her older sibling as she poked her head out from the kitchen.

"That's right, Yuzu. Talk some sense into your sister!" Isshin said.

Karin rolled her eyes as she walked downstairs, plopping herself on the living room couch. "So we'll finally put a face to the girl that wakes the entire house up with her moaning when Ichigo sneaks her in? Wow, I'm really excited!"

"Well your big brother's a man, Karin. You couldn't understand any of that right now, so can the sarcasm." Isshin snapped as he pointed his finger at her. "You will bow, smile, and say polite positive things for the rest of the evening, got it?"

"Sir, yes sir!" Karin said with a mock salute, smirking dryly.

Isshin nodded, ignoring her mockery as he looked up at the stairs once more. "When is Ichigo coming down? It's nearly six o' clock!"

Ichigo stared back at his reflection in the mirror, sickened at what he saw.

She's not coming. Ichigo thought glumly, and he rested his hands in his face. I hurt her. I shouldn't be surprised if she doesn't show. I can't believe that I came this far with her only to fuck it up.

Ichigo raised his head up once again as he felt a wave of nausea. The bile was rising up to his throat quickly, and he turned, now on his knees at the toilet as he began to retch. His empty stomach lurched painfully, making tears well up in his eyes as he kept dry heaving.

Finally he stopped. He slumped against the counter and wiped the sweat off of his forehead.

"What the hell…?" Ichigo mumbled with a raw voice. Pulling himself back to his feet, he went back to the sink to brush his teeth, nearly gagging a few more times. He washed his face, still puzzled at the sudden wave of queasiness that came over him. It's just my nerves… I've got to stop working myself up like that, Ichigo thought to himself as he walked back into his bedroom, lying down across the bed. He was just dozing off when he heard the chime of the doorbell.

As Rukia rang the doorbell, she stood nervously and waited for it to open. She had a dessert tray that Orihime graciously made for her, and she decided to wear a simple white and blue dress for the occasion. The seconds dragged on like hours as she waited; and she thought of how she didn't want to come here, but remembered how remorseful Ichigo looked when he left last night. What he did was wrong; but he was able to recognize that, and that meant something to Rukia. It meant there was still hope for them. So getting past her leaving was the only concern she wanted him to bear now; her other news would be another battle they would take on another day.

She heard loud footsteps run to the door, and her heart began beating faster with the anticipation. The door opened and a very ecstatic Isshin appeared, showing every tooth in his head.

"Welcome to our home Miss—" Isshin boomed happily until he realized who was standing there. His smile faded a few degrees, and his face blushed. "…Rukia?"

"Good evening Mr. Kurosaki!" Rukia told him in the airiest voice imaginable.

Isshin stepped up to the door, looking over Rukia's head and then down at her. "Rukia-chan… what a surprise! We weren't expecting you this evening."

Rukia's heart dropped. She gave him a small frown, not sure what he was talking about. Forcing a smile on her face, she told him, "Well I'm here because-"

"You know Ichigo has his new girlfriend coming by here for dinner tonight," Isshin told her as he rubbed the back of his neck uneasily, and he grimaced slightly. "I don't think she would understand if you were here and all." He gave her a nervous chuckle.

"His… girlfriend?" Rukia repeated back at Isshin, feeling angrier by the second.

"Who's at the door Dad?" Karin yelled from the living room.

"It's your big sister Rukia-chan, come say hello!" Isshin shouted, throwing her a placid smile. He noticed she was holding a container, and his eyebrows rose with curiosity. "Did you drop by to give Ichigo something?"

"No- well, yes… but I'm here because—" Rukia tried to explain, but Karin and Yuzu appeared at the door. She bit her lip, not liking the way this was going down. If I leave now it would spare me the continued humiliation, Rukia thought to herself.

"Big sister!" Yuzu said happily as she ran over and gave Rukia a hug. "We haven't seen you in so long… how are you?" Karin stood silently beside her father, giving Rukia a small wave.

"Why Yuzu…Karin," Rukia said as she greeted them, trying hard to smile now. "I'm doing fine, thanks for asking."

"Well you do understand, Rukia… with the awkward situation it is and all," Isshin told her as he tried to make her comprehend. "I'm sure Ichigo will see you around some other time. I'll let him know you came by."

Rukia's jaw slacked with disbelief to what Isshin had said. She was about to curse him out completely when she heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Why is everybody lurking around the doorway?"

Her heart fluttered with happiness when she heard Ichigo, and she wanted him to come save her from this dreadful welcoming. He walked around his father, and saw Rukia standing there with a look of helplessness on her face.

"Rukia," Ichigo spoke breathlessly, a smile creeping across his face. "Oi."

"Ichigo," Rukia replied, so happy to see him right now that she could just burst.

"Son, I was just telling Rukia that you had plans tonight," Isshin said sheepishly. "And she brought you something!"

"Dad…" Ichigo said with an irritated sigh, and walked over to Rukia as he put his arm around her shoulders. "She is my plans for tonight."

The twins and Isshin's mouths were now agape as they stared at the pair in absolute shock.

"I knew it!" Karin sneered as she covered her mouth.

"You mean…" Isshin stuttered out slowly as he pointed at the couple. "…you're dating your sister?"

"She's not my sister you dolt," Ichigo growled.

"She's your girlfriend," Yuzu spoke with wonder, her eyes growing wide with happiness. "This is wonderful news! I like Rukia very much!"

"Thank you Yuzu." Rukia said with much relief evident in her voice.

"You're cool; I've got no problem with you." Karin told her bluntly.

"I appreciate your honesty, Karin." Rukia replied with an accepting nod.

Everyone's gaze turned to Isshin, who for the most part, was still looking stupefied. As He looked at Rukia and Ichigo standing there, a slow smile crept over Isshin's face. His eyes twinkled with happiness. He walked over and embraced the couple tightly in his arms.

"This is… wonderful! I am at a loss for words…" Isshin laughed merrily as he drew back to look down at them. "But I am truly glad it is you, Rukia. Welcome again to our family!"

Rukia could feel her eyes stinging with the start of fresh tears, but she held them back as he beamed back at Isshin. "Thank you so much Mr. Kurosaki! This is truly an honor!"

"The honor is mine, Rukia… now let's all go back inside, shall we?" Isshin said as he let them go and walked back inside the house, they all followed.

"I brought over some Ichigo daifuku that Orihime made." Rukia told them as they walked into the living room.

"Oh isn't that adorable!" Yuzu exclaimed happily as she took the container out of Rukia's hands. "Big Sister brought sweet cakes named after Onii-san!"

"She's not your big sister anymore Zu," Isshin corrected her as he smiled at the new couple. "She'll be Ichigo's fuufu one day."

"Dad," Ichigo warned him with a tight voice. "Quit it."

"Yeah Dad… its making me want to gag," Karin laughed, only to get popped on the head by her loving father. "Ow!"

They sat down in the living room while Karin served tea. In the middle of an interesting speech that Isshin was surprisingly having with Ichigo and Rukia, the cell phone that was clipped to the belt of his pants began to ring. When he looked at the number on the caller ID he immediately flipped it open.

"Moshi Moshi?" Isshin said as he stood, rolling his eyes in slight irritation. He listened intently to the caller on the other end, and he cupped his hand over the receiver as he looked at Ichigo and Rukia. "I have to take this call; it's one of my patients. I'll be in the next room, okay?" Isshin whispered quickly as he got back on the phone. "…Okay, now tell me about your flare-up Mr. Hiroshi…"

Left sitting in the living room with his two sisters, Ichigo stared at them with mild nervousness. He watched as Karin smirked at him devilishly, and Yuzu sipped her tea daintily as she smiled warmly at the couple sitting on the small love sofa.

"So how long has this been going on?" Karin began rather abruptly. She crossed her legs, linking her hands together as they went around her pointy knee; mimicking Barbara Walters perfectly. Karin saw how Ichigo stiffened with the question, his face pinking with mortification. "Guys, I'm surprised, but not entirely surprised about this, you know. You two are always together… it was only a matter of time."

"Karin you shouldn't ask such questions!" Yuzu chastised her older sister, her apologetic gaze going back to Ichigo and Rukia. "Pay her no mind… she's like this all the time."

Ichigo didn't say a word, only standing as he grabbed Rukia by the hand. "We'll be upstairs until dinner's ready."

"Here we go!" Karin said in a sing-song voice under her breath.

"What did you just say?" Ichigo snapped, his face turning a shade redder.

"Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes." Yuzu interjected as she stood, placing the tea cups on the serving tray.

Ichigo stood there staring at Karin heatedly until Rukia tugged on his arm. "I'll deal with you later pipsqueak." Ichigo told her venomously. He followed Rukia upstairs, giving his raven- haired sister another smoldering glare as he walked up.

"God, this is sickening!" Karin groaned as she began to help Yuzu with the serving tray.

"What is?" Yuzu asked her, puzzled at what she meant.

"Never mind, you wouldn't understand Zu… let's get the dinner table set." Karin replied, not ready to tell her baby sister about the amount of grossness that was about to ensue once Ichigo got Rukia upstairs.

Utterly disgusting.

::To Be Continued::

Senkaimon –World penetration gate; a sliding door that leads Shinigami to the human world to the Soul Society, and vice versa.

Fuufu - wife

Well that's chapter one! I hope everyone is liking this so far… please send out a review and let me know what you think! There is so much more to come (this story is well over 100 pages done!) Next update scheduled in the next two to three weeks, school is starting back for me next week so I'm going to be a little busy.