Tale of the Two Lovers

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter 1

"Whew. Finally..."

Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki unsashed her white obi belt and tossed it aside in her private quarters in Squad 13's barracks late that evening, then shrugged off her black shihakusho robe. She set Sode no Shirayuki on its wall-mounted rack, wiped her brow, and checked her reflection in the round mirror over her sink. She definitely looked as tired as she felt; fighting hollows day in and out took its toll, and ever since the casualties from the Thousand-Year Blood War a few years back, there weren't enough Soul Reapers in uniform to fight every evil spirit out there.

All the same, Rukia would be damned if she made any excuses. She had a sworn duty to fulfill.

And a warm, soapy bath to take.

Just as she sank into her full bath, there was a knock on the door. "What?" Rukia snapped. "I just got back! Can't I have some time to myself?" She hugged her knees to her chest, her skin slick with sudsy water.

"Lieutenant," came the muffled voice of the fifth seat officer. "I have a message from the Kuchiki manor. I had to come here right away."

Rukia blinked and her guts churned. What the hell? Was there something wrong? Not at a time like this...!

"Wh... what is it?"

"It's a missive from Captaun Kuchiki," the fifth seat said. "He said that you're to join him and Lady Hisana for morning tea for a very important discussion."

"Oh yeah? To discuss what?"

The fifth seat paused for a second. "He didn't say."

All kinds of thoughts whirled in Rukia's mind until she shook her head, whipping her dark hair back and forth. Relax. You'll find out tomorrow morning. "I understand. Thanks for telling me."

"Of course, Lieutenant." There was the sound of the fifth seat's retreating footsteps.

Rukia let out a small sigh and lay against the back of her tub. She closed her eyes and tried to relax. But darn it, now she wsas curious and eager and a little anxious. What could her brother-in-law and big sister need at a time like this, when the Soul Society was still picking up the pieces? She hadn't even set foot in the Kuchiki manor in years! It was going to be a long night, wasn't it?

At least the bath was nice and hot.

*o*o*o*o*

"Rukia. I'm glad you could join us," Byakuya Kuchiki said politely the next morning, already seated with his wife at a low, square table in the manor's first-floor tea room. he wore formal, navy-blue robes today, and Hisana, a deep red set of robes. Neither of them had touched their tea yet, and there were enough tea mugs and plates of tea cakes for four people. Four?

"Good morning, Rukia," Hisana said brightly. "Did you sleep okay?"

"I guess. Good morning, big sister, big brother." Rukia did a proper bow, but felt herself trembling a bit. She sat opposite her sister on a cushion, hoping that her working-class pink robes and simple earrings were fancy enough for a place like this. She folded her hands in her lap to keep them occupied. "So, uh... did you both sleep well, too?" She made a nervous laugh as she mentally kicked herself. Gee, great conversation starter!

"We slept fine," Byakuya said. "Now, as soon as the fourth member of our party joins us, we may -"

"I'm here! I'm here," a young man's voice said breathlessly as the wooden door slammed open. "I swear I got here as fast as I could... Rukia?!"

Rukia turned around in shock, her violet eyes wide. "Ichigo?!"

The substitute Soul Reaper stood petrified in the doorway, wearing his usual black robes. "I... I..." Ichigo croaked. "All the Kuchikis are here... I'm not in trouble, am I?"

"Can't be," Rukia said. "Otherwise, you'd have Senbonzakura shoved down your throat by now... Sorry, brother," she added meekly.

Byakuya cleared his throat as Hisana giggled. "Please be at ease, Kurosaki. Join us. You are a guest here."

"R... right. You got it, sir," Ichigo said, sliding the door shut and sitting on the cushion next to Rukia. He shifted in place a few times. "Nice place you got here. Real nice. You oughta invite me here more often!"

Cut the small talk, carrort-top, Rukia thought. Honestly...

Byakuya finally took a sip of tea. "Have a drink. It's brewed from some of our finest tea leaves." He didn't say another word until Ichigo and Rukia tried some.

"Now..." Byakuya set his mug down and steeled his eyes. "I'm sure you are aware, young Kurosaki, that the Soul Society is still in disarray after the war with the Quincies. There are positions to fill in the Gotei 13, and there have been civilian deaths, too. But..." He glanced at his wife, and she smiled. "This can also be a happy time. For the future of the Kuchiki household, and as a show of friendship and goodwill, I hereby declare your engagement to my sister-in-law, Rukia Kuchiki."

Rukia stifled a gasp at the last second, her heart racing as she stared at her big brother. What?! That's what this is about? She glanced at her longtime friend and, despite herself, she felt a smile tug at the corners of her lips. Well, if it had to be anyone... it might as well be -

"Me?" Ichigo cried, scooting back on his seat. "No way! I'm not even a nobleman, or a Soul Society native! What the hell?"

"Langauge!" Byakuya's eyes flashed. "This is a tremendous honor, Kurosaki, and you shouldn't be terribly surprised, either. Think about it: you're related to the Shiba noble family through your father, you are of marriagable age, and time and again, you have proven yourself an ally and guardian of the Soul Society and 13 Court Guard Squads. Believe me, my grandfather, wife and I have contemplated this for some time, and in light of recent events, it is only natural."

"We look forward to welcoming you to the family," Hisana said brightly. She took a tea cake and took a small bite. "And I personally think you're a wonderful match for my little sister! You're both so... well... lively together."

Ichigo made a funny face. "Yeah, when we argue to drive each other nuts. It's not easy being friends."

"Hold it right there, buster," Rukia said, pinching Ichigo's ear rather hard. "You don't think we didn't have some good times together? I liked living in your closet and meeting your sisters and your friends. And I had total faith in you when we infiltrated Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime. None of that counts?"

"S-sorry," Ichigo said, wincing at the pain. "I didn't mean it like that. But, I mean... I'm gonna to graduate high school in a month. I have to look for colleges, and a job, and other human stuff. Y'know..."

"The Kuchiki family is wealthy. You know that," Byakuya said, taking another sip of tea. "We can provide for you."

"Yeah, well, last I checked, I can't spend magical Soul Society money back in the world of the living," Ichigo said with a teasing grin. "I'm 18, you know. I have to learn to support myself."

Hisana waggled a finger. "Don't be silly, Ichigo. You could easily split your time between your household duties here, and sometimes visiting your family back in the world of the living."

"Easy for you to say," Ichigo said. "This sounds like a crazy idea. I mean, me and Rukia?"

Rukia released Ichigo's ear and used the free hand to pout. "We've gone through so much together, Ichigo. Don't you trust me?"

"Uh, well..." Ichigo fiddled with his tea mug in his hands. He went red as he avoided Rukia's eyes. "I like you, Rukia. You're a great friend, and you helped me learn to fight, and we..." He swallowed. "But I dunno if I can do this."

"What if I said that I think we can pull it off?" Rukia told him. She grabbed Ichigo's shoulders and turned him to face her. "This is news to me, too. But come on! You can face down Sosuke Aizen and Yhwach but you can't be with your best friend?"

"To be fair, Aizen didn't want to marry me," Ichigo said with a nervous chuckle.

"How strange that would be," Byakuya muttered to himself as he took another sip of tea.

Rukia made an aggravated noise. "You're not a scaredy-cat, are you?"

Ichigo stiffened. "No!"

"Then can't you give this idea a chance? Goodness knows I'm trying," Rukia said. On impulse, she took Ichigo's hand in both of hers and squeezed. "Please? Think it over. Think about what I mean to you, and what you mean to me." She held her breath, waiting for his answer.

Ichigo looked away. "I-I need some fresh air. Thanks for the tea, Captain Kuchiki." He drew his hand from Rukia's and stalked out of the room. Rukia was pretty sure that he had just left the entire manor and took a senkaimon gate back to Karakura Town.

Hisana shrugged. "He'll come around."

"Will he?" Rukia snorted. "Sometimes he'll face a challenge like a man, and sometimes, he runs off like a dog with its tail between its legs. I just don't get him sometimes."

Hisana smiled. "Why, Rukia, you sound pretty eager to marry him after all!"

"I..." Rukia blinked and felt her face warm. "Well, you know how it is! I trained him to fight and be a Soul Reaper. What does it say about me if he's a coward or can't decide what he wants in life?"

Byakuya glanced at the door. "Sometimes I, too, have my doubts about that boy."

"Hey!" Hisana scowled at her husband. "You need to believe in them both. Aren't you the one who just announced their engagement?"

"Yes, of course," Byakuya said, clearing his throat. "I'm confident that Kurosaki will return, and be more receptive to the engagement. I apologize, Rukia, if that boy's behavior upset you."

Rukia glanced down at her lap. "You don't have to apologize for him. Thanks for the tea, brother. I have to get back to the barracks."

She got up and stepped out the same door Ichigo had used, and she closed it a bit harder than she meant.

*o*o*o*o*

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid Ichigo!"

Rukia paced around her office, steam shooting from her ears. What the hell! She was a Kuchiki, a fantastic Soul Reaper, and overall one great catch! Ichigo should have kissed Byakuya's arse in thanks for this! What were the odds he'd find another girl like her? None! Zip!

"Oh, whatever..." Rukia ran a hand down her face and tried to convince herself that this was no big deal. But all she could imagine was Ichigo's uncomfortable expression and him stalking out the door and away from his new fiancee. Rukia's stomach bubbled in anger. Yes, this was pretty sudden for her, too, and she needed time to process it. But damn, Ichigo could stand to show a scrap of enthusiasm!

Maybe some paperwork would take her mind off things? Rukia sat at her desk and started filling out some reports.

Tedious... so tedious... Rukia yawned in the morning sunlight as she finished another form. This wasn't how her morning was supposed to go. How could a young man engaged to a Kuchiki princess do that? How could a friend turn away from her like that? A comrade in arms? Rukia and Ichigo were all kinds of things together... but not very good fiancees yet.

Not exactly a classic lovers' story.

Rukia blinked. What if they were in a story, though? Rukia had heard all kinds of tales growing up in the Rukongai, and read classic literature during her days at the Academy. All sorts of heroes and wandering rogues and princesses and heart-wrenching dilemmas... even Renji and Izuru and Momo had been fascinated by them, even though Renji wouldn't admit it now. Epic tales of adventure and romance and destiny in worlds near and far...

Before she knew it, Rukia seized a blank sheet of paper, held her pen tight, and wrote:

There was once a wandering hero named Kuzo, who had a soul of gold and steel. Across the land he traveled, and at the tip of his black sword, demons and evil spirits fell, and the legend of his name grew. But his heart was empty, and not all the grateful villagers in the world could keep him happy.

Until one day, he slew a great spider demon that had trapped a wealthy lord's castle within its web, and in those bejeweled halls, the lord presented his daughter Raiko, and in her eyes, Kuzo saw -

"Wait a minute." Rukia stopped, a self-depreciating smile on her face. What was she doing? She was still behind on paperwork! But... what would happen if a wandering hero found the maiden of his dreams? She lowered her pen to paper again...

In her eyes, Kuzo saw something tantalizing, something foreign to him. The maiden Raiko wasn't just a grateful rescuee, but the temptation to indulge Kuzo's long-hidden desires, to fill the missing pieces in his soul. While the castle's people celebrated the hero's triumph, Kuzo wrapped himself 'round the maiden Raiko, his armor, then his robes falling to the floor. He declothed the fair maiden and pressed her 'gainst the wall, her flesh warm against his, her voice whispering to his ear, "Have me."

No, this was silly, and Rukia should stop... but heck, why not keep going? It was only a story! No harm done...

The hero Kuzo lay the princess Raiko 'cross her bed, his gentle breath tickling her neck, whispering of his past heroic deeds. "Speak not of the past," Raiko moaned. "Lose yourself in what is now."

Rukia made an embarrassed grin. This was actually kind of fun! She had to write more...

Kuzo knew then that this is what he had really sought, and as the party continued in the lord's main hall, Kuzo and Raiko dampened the bedsheets with lovers' sweat, their bodies twisting together, the maiden's breasts firm in the hero's hands, her hero's sculpted chest pressed 'gainst the maiden's chest as they consumated -

There was a knock on the door. "Lieutenant? Hello?"

Rukia yelped and scrambled to cover the story's paper with her reports. "C-come in!"

Kiyone Kotetsu slid open the door. She blinked. "Are you okay, Lieutenant? You look like you just ran a mile!"

Rukia was suddenly aware she was panting for breath, her face a little damp with sweat, her face warm. She shook her head. "N-no, I'm fine. What's the matter?"

"Captain-General Kyoraku called another meeting," Kiyone told her. "For all the high-ranking officers. You're supposed to report to Squad 1's barracks in ten minutes."

"I see. Thank you," Rukia said, willing her heart to slow down. "I just have to... finish a bit of paperwork, that's all."

"Okay. See you later." Kiyone gently shut the door.

Rukia sighed and held up the half-finished story. What the hell am I doing? This is ridiculous... She moved to throw it away, but stopped. Why was she doing this? That stupid, ungrateful carrot-top wasn't worth it... but then again, maybe he just needed time to come around, and Rukia needed time to sort out her feelings... And putting her thoughts down on paper felt pretty good, kind of like a journal entry. A naughty one!

Meeting first, Rukia thought, folding up the paper and putting it into her pocket. Then I'll see if I can get myself an editor and write a better version. Something more personal, something more true to myself, I guess.

She thought of just the right person for the job.