"Damn", Renji growled. Rukia would be here in any moment and he hadn't even properly secured his robe yet. Renji always had trouble with this early in the morning.
"Renji?" Rukia's voice called curiously, outside of his personal lieutenant chamber. Hearing no answer, she pounded on the door furiously.
"Renji Abarai?", her voice echoed off the heavy set door. "Hurry it up, will you?"
"Wait for a second!" Renji called out, obviously annoyed. "What a pest…", he muttered under his breath.
"What was that?!", Rukia yelled angrily, not missing a beat.
"You heard me!", came from the other side of the door.
"Why…you!", Rukia's head was almost in flames.
"I'm almost done, you hear?", Renji called, behind the door, struggling.
A firm hand gripped Rukia's small shoulder from behind.
"Ichigo…", she murmured, knowingly.
Meanwhile, changing behind the door in his chambers, Renji was secretly
fantasizing. He couldn't push the thoughts out of his head since Rukia was only a door away from seeing him half naked and struggling to get dressed. In Renji's dream, Rukia managed to stealthily open the locked door. "Renji, here, let me help you…", she would whisper tenderly. She would slither into the room like a seductive mistress. Being her spunky self, she would playfully run a finger down his chest while securing the final knot. She would keep teasing him with that finger running further down and down. "You have such tattoos and the scars", she would mew. Seductively, she would leave her finger in that same spot, waiting for the signal to descend. She was making him mad with pleasure. He would bring her finger to his lips to lick the cuticle and she would giggle, giddy with excitement at Renji showing her so much attention. "Oh Renji, stop, you bad thing! Oh Renji, no!"
"Abarai! Get your ass out of bed! We were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago, damn it!" A heavy hand pounded on the door, threatening to knock it down with every creaking tremor.
Renji was abruptly pulled out of his beautiful fantasy at the sound of that rough, callous voice. That was definitely not Rukia. That Kurosaki... always butting in to screw things up.
Besides, as if Rukia would ever do that. He shivered, involuntarily.
He barged out of the door, angrily.
"I'm up already," he glared at Ichigo.
"I could say the same", Ichigo greeted back before turning to Rukia.
Rukia flushed. "Uh, Renji, Um, well, I don't…your…", she stammered, not looking at Renji's eyes.
"Rukia, what is it?", asked Renji, concerned.
Rukia continued looking to the side
Suddenly, Ichigo caught on, his ears turning bright red.
"You idiot! Your robe is practically undone! No wonder she can barely look at you!", Ichigo shouted, slamming the door in Renji's face, pitching Renji back into his room.
Renji felt the door slam in his face. That damn Kurosaki never thinking of others- but that was Kurosaki, alright. Rukia could have been enjoying the display.
What the hell?
--
Ichigo and Rukia were walking back to their station, both more than a little shaken
Ichigo tightened his jaw. "Can't even act decently in front of a girl to save his life", he muttered, thinking back to Renji
"Maybe he didn't know how to tie his robe?", Rukia asked. Coming out half dressed did seem like the type of thing that Renji would do but slamming the door in his face was a little harsh…
"Maybe so but I doubt it", Ichigo added in moodily, keeping his characteristic annoyed expression. "Well, no use to keep brooding"
"You were the one brooding, you fool!", Rukia's eyes bulged angrily. She didn't even want to talk about it in the first place. "It was you, Ichigo!"
"Oh yeah?" Ichigo shot back.
"Do you want me to spell it out for you, you big dummie?", Rukia teased, jokingly. "B-R-O-O"
"Never mind", Ichigo sighed, covering his ears. "Anyway, we're supposed to get out of the Seireitei today and back to Karakura"
"Yes, the hollow", Rukia added in gloomily. This hollow had devoured six souls already and was continuing to terrorize. "The legendary Rio"
"Is it just me or are all hollows called legendary? What over ratings", Ichigo joked.
"Yeah", Rukia affirmed, "Got that right"
Ichigo noticed that her eyes turned darker every time she was thinking over something unpleasant.
"Don't worry, Kuchiki. Nothing will happen. Quit worryin' all the time", he grinned, "leave it to me to protect you"
He barely noticed that his hands were instinctively gripping her shoulders protectively.
'Ichigo would make a great Dad somaday...', thought Rukia affectionately
Rukia glanced up at Ichigo's face mischievously. Her eyes were a brighter violet now. "Well, what if you're too late and Renji comes to save me? What then, hot shot?"
"I won't let him!", Ichigo affirmed, not feeling greedy in the least.
'Or maybe, not', thought Rukia.
Rukia stuck her tongue out at him. "Bleh!"
"What?", Ichigo asked, taken aback.
"You're such a selfish hero, dear Ichigo boy", she sing-songed dramatically.
Now, it was Ichigo's turn to stick his tongue out.
A weird thought crossed Ichigo's mind. If Rukia had her tongue out and Ichigo had his tongue out at the same time, they could be technically…tongue kissing and swapping saliva. It wasn't an unpleasant thought yet a bead of sweat shone on his forehead.
YEEK! His head reeled! Operation, retract tongue! ASAP!
He quickly dropped his hands off of her shoulders and stuck his tongue back in his mouth.
Rukia shook her head, wondering if she had done something wrong to upset Ichigo.
It was too late to wonder, however because Orihime had run up to Ichigo and grabbed his hand, running down a corridor.
"Oh, Ichigooo! The gate is open! You'll be late, silly! You're so absent minded sometimes!", she exclaimed, dragging a helpless Ichigo along.
Rukia just stood there, flustered. "Huh?"
"Come on Ruuukia! Follow me and Ichigooo!", Orihime called back, but not stopping
"Oh. Yes, coming", Rukia answered, pulled back from her daze.
She ran quickly on her feet, struggling to keep up with Orihime and a pulled Ichigo.
What had gotten into her?
The gate back to the living world was huge and shining, waiting for entry as if expectant. Soul reapers were gathered around waiting for them to depart and finish the usual business in the living world. After all, fighting hollows was nothing new.
Ichigo prepared to step through the door but a huge weight tugged at his neck.
"Ori--hime..", she rasped struggling to breath.
Orihime was still hugging him from behind, not letting him go.
"Oh Ichigooo! Come back safely! I'll be so worried!", Orihime squealed, pressing her humongous boobs against Ichigo's back
"Bye Orihime!" Rukia called.
Orihime didn't answer, probably not hearing.
Rukia stared at the embrace, flustered. Did Orihime do that on purpose? She stepped through the doorway portal, not looking back.
Ichigo caught sight of Rukia going through the portal and gently pried Orihime's hands off.
"I'll be back safe by midday", he told Orihime hurriedly, patting her hand.
He ran through the portal in a flash after those words not looking back to see Orihime's reaction.
Back at Seireitei, Orihime turned to Rangikyu, happily.
"He's such a sweetheart!", she exclaimed, excitedly.
'I wish she would press that rack against me', thought a pink kimonoed captain, lowering his straw hat.
--
Renji managed to secure the final knot to his robe and scurried out of the door, hoping that Ichigo and Rukia hadn't left yet. For some reason, he didn't trust Ichigo and Rukia being alone together.
As soon as he came out, a black head of hair smashed into his side
"Watch it, you idiot punk!", Renji yelled in surprise.
The head looked up at him with wide eyes. "L-l-lieutenant, he, I mean, C-Captain Kuchiki wants you."
Captain Kuchiki wanting to talk with me?, he wondered. Well, he was the lieutenant. Still, something was up.
"Lead me the way", he told the trembling boy
The boy scuttled along the passage way to Byakuya's chamber.
"Knock first", he interjected, timidly.
'As if I didn't know that already', thought Renji, pissed, as he knocked on Byakuya's door. He didn't want a hand or two off this early in the morning.
The boy left right when Captain Kuchiki opened the door.
'Smart boy', thought Renji, turning to face the Captain.
His Captain's dark, severe eyes calculated Renji for a good few moments. His eyes were much harder than Rukia's softer ones. A cold wind drifted between the two of them-as it usually did. His spiritual pressure almost knocked the wind out of Renji. Renji inwardly cursed himself for feeling so weak, even at this stage.
His captain was too…what was the word? Imposing
Tearing his gaze away, Renji observed a portrait of the Captain's deceased wife in the room,first. She seemed so radiant in the portrait, it rivaled even Rukia.
That was probably why the Captain took Rukia in and adopted her as a sister.
Even though Byakuya was Rukia's brother, it didn't stop the hot shoot of jealousy swooping up his leg and down his back.
"Yeah Captain?", he asked, wanting to get this over with, quick and done.
"Keep an eye on Rukia", was the only thing that the concise Byakuya said, rather quickly, wanting to get the talk out of the way.
"Excuse me, Sir?", Renji asked. He couldn't believe that his Captain of all people was telling him this. It wasn't like him to care so strongly. Emotions weren't exactly his thing.
Captain Kuchiki just stared at his portrait, blankly.
"Find out more about that Kurosaki. I have plans for him. Just do it and don't question.", Byakuya spoke slowly and deliberately, turning his back to Renji, ready to leave.
"Uh, Captain?", asked Renji again, still not understanding
Byakuya pointedly ignored him.
Not giving up, Renji persisted. "Captain!"
Not turning back to face Renji, Byakuya spoke frigidly, "I want Rukia to be protected, she will bear the next Kuchiki heir because I won't. Has that penetrated your thick skull yet?", Byakuya spoke through gritted teeth.
Renji didn't need to be told twice that this was his time to leave. "Yes sir. I would do that without question-any time", Renji answered. Of course, he would always look out for her.
Affter all, he had been infatuated with that small Raven-head from the time that they were kids.
Captain Kuchiki nodded and continued to look at the portrait of his dead wife, as if his heart was tearing in two.
The moment was too intense for Renji to bear. Casting his eyes away, he spoke,
"Captain, I'll be leaving now."
"Very well", Byakuya answered, looking like he needed some solitary time.
Just as Renji shut the door, he stole a glance back.
His captain was brushing his finger against the portrait Hisana's cheek. If he strained hard enough, he could hear him murmuring to her picture, gently, so extremely gently. It was almost like a cat's touch.
What was with his Captain?
He never openly treated anyone as if he enjoyed their company. He was always unforthcoming and withdrawn. Why was he seemingly worried about Rukia all of a sudden?
It gave him the shivers.
Renji had an idea that hit him all of a sudden about the Captain talking to him.That's it! He didn't want Ichigo to end up with Rukia! Byakuya wanted him, his Lieutenant to end up with his sister. Why else would he talk it over with him?
The thought made him grin until he thought of Ichigo and Rukia on their mission. Together...alone...Together...alone. The thought plagued him.
Damn! This speculation wasn't helping! Rukia was his! Renji, Renji, Renji's!
His captain was right. He would keep an eye on Rukia and that Kurosaki if it cost him his life. Kurosaki was a good kid but Rukia needed a real man.
(Ahem. Him! Renji!)
--
Location: Karakura District, Ichigo's school's parking lot
"Is the legendary or whatever-it's-face Rio here? The sucker sure is slow", complained Ichigo, apparently pissed that the task would take longer than expected.
"Funny, My tracking device said it would be here", answered Rukia, staring down at her screen surprised.
"That cheap piece of junk!", Ichigo scowled.
"It's top of the line, idiot!", Rukia's shot back, her eyes ablaze. "Urahara sold it to me!"
"Yeah, and we can trust him", Ichigo asserted, rather sarcastically. He couldn't believe that Rukia was acting like Urahara was some soul shop saint when he was practically a hat and clogs demon.
He imagined hat and clogs wearing a red jumpsuit, some devil horns, and the devil fork. The site was not pretty, causing him to shudder.
Rukia could only roll her eyes. She knew exactly what Ichigo was thinking. "Ichigo…", she sighed. He was such a lost cause.
"Yeah. Just let me handle the hollow when it comes--if it ever does", Ichigo muttered, bothered.
"Hey! I'm a soul reaper, too! Have you forgotten?", asked Rukia, obviously indignant at Ichigo wanting to do all of the work.
Her eyes seemed to grow wider for an instant making Ichigo almost regret that he had implied that she was weak. Why did her eyes have to dim like that? What was she trying to do to him? Break his heart in two? Her eyes seemed like violet orbed saucers trying to tempt him to draw closer if he dared.
She stared down at her soul reaper uniform, pulling at the black, fraying edge. Her head was ducked down, unknowingly looking abashed.
'Too damn cute', thought Ichigo, shaking his head, wondering why the heck he was thinking of these things when he was about to fight a hollow
She pouted a bit, her lips making an odd yet cute noise.
"Rukia, you really are…", Ichigo's voice trailed off, looking at her, still pouting. He was cut short though.
Suddenly the sky opened up and a surprisingly small hollow appeared through the dark, sinister looking hole.
The ugly thing raised its masked head and screeched, a painful sound
Now, Ichigo was pissed beyond reason. He was about to say something super cool to Rukia! That damn hollow interrupted a perfectly good conversation!
The hollow dove headfirst into the cement of the parking lot where Rukia and Ichigo were. A deep crack was made in the cement from the hard, rock like mask on the hollow's face.
The hollow screeched in absolute pain.
'What a stupid hollow', thought Rukia, smirking, despite herself
Ichigo looked rabid with rage and he turned towards Rukia.
"Rukia, is this the vaunted legendary Rio hollow?!", he yelled, ahem-no, asked. He sounded unimpressed.
Rukia studied the dog-sized hollow carefully. It was too small and frail-looking to be anything like Rio. Rio was supposed to be huge and gigantic. She had heard more than enough details to know that this thing was sure-as-hell not in Rio's league. A real soul reaper could slash this thing with a hit or two. Rio had already devoured six previous top-of-the-line soul reapers.
"No! It's not! This is some other hollow, but this is not it!", Rukia called out to Ichigo.
"Still, I'll kill it in no time!", Ichigo yelled back at Rukia.
The hollow licked its lips greedily. "I want the pretty girl", it rumbled in its hideous voice. It started running towards Ichigo, eager to get him out of the way, before heading towards Rukia.
"Kido 90!", yelled Rukia, a beam of paralyzing light shooting forth from her hands
The hollow seemed to stop dead in its tracks.
"Rukia! I thought I told you to leave this to me!", Ichigo bellowed angrily at the small girl. Didn't she ever listen?
He raised his zanpakto, about to slice the hollow's head in two. The hollow could barely move and had nowhere to go.
The hollow cast it's deep holes or eyes at Rukia before the death blow was sent.
Rukia couldn't cast her eyes away from the hollow's head.
The hollow's eyes intoxicated her, drew her in like a moth to a flame...