Hey, Guys!

I feel awesome announcing my new story. A great way to kick off the New Year!

In this story, Ichigo goes on a perilous journey to save Rukia, his wife, in a desperate search for the life-saving medicine far away. Will he make it in time? Or lose Rukia forever?

Read and find out!

It's fall.

The leaves are browning, animals are disappearing into slumber or migration, and the air is becoming cold.

Fish are fleeing to warmer waters upstream and winter animals are preparing for the snow. It'll only be a matter of time until the only green to be seen are the few scattered pine trees of the great Karakura Mountains.

With a grunt, he hauled the log across the dirt yard to the massive pile of chopped wood protected by a large blue tarp and dropped the chains. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed. It may be chilly, but he was still working like a bull and sweating like a pig.

"Ichigo!" he turned to the voice and saw the short and petite black-haired woman standing in the doorway of the small two-story house. She was in a dress, but had his heavy coat tightly around her. "Come inside before you get sick!" she yelled at him. He smiled at her.

"All right. I'm coming, Rukia." Ichigo left the log where it lay and made his way inside his home. Rukia brushed off his arms and back and shoulders of the debris of leaves, pine needles, and bark pieces as he walked in.

"I hope you don't get a tick." Rukia said, smacking at his upper back.

"Not like I haven't had one before." Ichigo retorted with a smile.

"And it's not like I haven't nursed you back to health each and every time you've gotten bitten." Rukia retorted back. Ichigo grinned at her.

"It was only twice." Ichigo said. He turned, bent over, and kissed her on the cheek. "Besides, I like when you smother me like that." He whispered into her ear. Rukia smiled.

"Yeah, well don't get used to it." she whispered back. Ichigo chuckled.

"I love you, you little midget." he kissed her again.

"Ichigo?" Rukia whispered as she linked her arms around Ichigo's waist.

"Yes, love?" he replied by holding her close to him.

"You stink. Go take a bath." she mumbled into his chest. Ichigo laughed.

"Way ahead of ya." Ichigo let go of her and walked out of the kitchen and up to the bathroom on the second floor. All the while, as he undressed to get into the shower, he was thinking of how wonderful of a wife he had. He loved her more than he imagined. And he was in a state of mind where he thought nothing would get in the way.

In the town a few miles from the mountainous range, streets bustled with cars, buses and, taxis. Sidewalks were crowded with people walking, parks were filled with picnics and kite flyers, and others were just getting out of work.

Not far off from the city's central core was a small clinic.

Kurosaki Medical Clinic

It sat snuggly in the middle of a small neighborhood. Though it wasn't a hospital, it was handy to those who only had a small ailment they needed diagnosed and treated. The owner of the clinic was always there, only leaving briefly to retrieve food and other supplies. Isshin Kurosaki ran it by himself with his two young twin daughters often helping out.

At his desk, Isshin was filling out a few prescriptions to send to the pharmacy for a few of his recent patients. When the door opened and the bell attached to the upper part of the frame jingled, he looked up and smiled.

"Hello, Jushiro." he greeted. The tall, white-haired male smiled and waved at him.

"Hello, Mr. Kurosaki." he greeted back. Isshin laughed.

"I thought I told you not to be so formal around me." Isshin said. Jushiro shrugged.

"Eh, force of habit." he said. "I'm here to pick up my slip early this week." Jushiro said.

"Oh, no problem." Isshin said and pulled out a drawer below the front desk.

"I have to say, Isshin, if it weren't for you, getting my medicine would be a lot harder. I appreciate everything you do for me." Jushiro said. Isshin pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to the man.

"It's no trouble at all, Jushiro. And no need to thank me. I'm just doing my job." Isshin replied. "So, if you don't mind me asking, why are you in need of it early this week?" Isshin asked.

"I'm going on a business trip next week and won't be able to pick it up when I'm away. I'll be back at home in two weeks." Jushiro said.

"I remember the old days of having to take business trips." Isshin said. "I never favored for them and knew I didn't need to sit through such boring rubbish and opened my own business. They said I couldn't do it. But I proved them wrong." Isshin had a proud glint in his eyes. Jushiro nodded.

"Good for you, Isshin." he said with a smile. "Oh, I've been meaning to ask; how's your boy doing? I miss seeing him around here." Jushiro asked.

"He's doing great!" Isshin exclaimed. "And you're right; I do miss him wandering around the house here. But he's happy where he is. Especially with Rukia."

"I'm happy for him. I'm glad he found someone for him again." Jushiro said. Isshin's happiness faded a bit.

"Yeah, so am I." Isshin said, looking down at his paper. "I'm hoping this one will last forever." he whispered. Jushiro felt bad for bringing up the topic, knowing the tragedy that Ichigo suffered.

"If I heard correctly, Ichigo's trying to start a family, am I right?" Jushiro changed the topic. Isshin beamed again.

"That's right!" he nearly yelled in excitement. "When I heard the news of little Rukia trying to have a baby I was elated! I can't wait to see little ones running around and turning my son's hairs grey like he did with me!" Isshin said. Jushiro laughed, but soon started coughing hard.

"Sorry about that." he apologized. Isshin waved a hand.

"No, I'm sorry. Anyways, you better get going before the dry air gets you sick." Isshin said.

"You're right. Thank-you again, Isshin. I'll see you in a couple of weeks." Jushiro bowed and waved good-bye, exiting the clinic. Isshin smiled until he was gone and then sighed with a frown. In truth, he was deeply concerned for his son. Ichigo really wanted a family and Isshin was hoping for the best. For his son's sake. He was worried of the future and what may lie ahead. It was enough when his mother died. When Ichigo lost his previous two wives, he wondered how he didn't lose his son to suicide.

"Dad?" Isshin looked up to see his youngest daughter standing at the front desk.

With a smile he said, "Why Yuzu! How are you, my dear?"

"We're out of cotton swabs in room 3 and room 6. But I can't find them anywhere." Yuzu said. That reminded him.

"That's because I was supposed to pick up a new shipment at the pharmacy this afternoon. Would you like to come along?" Isshin asked. Yuzu smiled.

"Of course!" she said.

"That's my girl! Go grab your coat and your rebel of a sister and meet me outside!" Isshin roared with enthusiasm. Yuzu darted off back upstairs to fetch her sister and her coat and left Isshin at the front desk. As Isshin was getting his coat, his cellphone rang. He saw it was Ichigo and picked up right away. "Ichigo, my son! How are you doing on this fine sunny day!" he yelled into the phone.

"I'm doing fine, Dad." Ichigo said on the other line. "Hey, I was wondering if Rukia and I could come over for dinner tonight?" Ichigo asked. Isshin grinned.

"But of course you can!" Isshin yelled again. "You know you don't need to ask that question. I'll see you later tonight!"

"Thanks, Dad." Ichigo hung up and so did Isshin. He was glad his son was coming over. Ever since he moved out of town last year it had gotten lonely. He was used to the vibrant color of his son's orange hair lighting up the living room. He missed his overall presence. But he was coming over tonight and that made him happier than he could imagine. Now to pick what to have for dinner tonight.

Please leave a review and let me know what you think!