A/N: I shall start by saying thank you to the following: Zangestu50, kuchikirukia07, kiyari817, and XLightningX for their reviews and adds of this story. I would also like to thank all of those reading this now, for giving this story that I'm weaving a chance. I shall try not to disappoint. Let's get down to it.
DISCLAIMER: I still don't own Bleach—but I have considered putting Aki up for auction, since the ladies seem to like him so much! xD
DISCLAIMER II: If you haven't done so, go back and read Bleach: Bankai's and Gigai's before reading this, or you will be totally lost.
Bleach: Legacy
Chapter 2: Worth It
Bullshit—that's what this was. It was complete and utter garbage. He refused to accept it, to even see how it could be possible! But, yet, here he was, with no choice but to accept the stupid revelation of reality.
Kurosaki Ichigo—the savior of the Kuchiki Princess, rescuer of the damsel-in-distress Inoue Orihime, slayer of Espada and Hero of the Winter War…
Was sick in bed.
He had spiritual pressure that children in the Rukongai dreamed of when they wanted to be a Shinigami—and the immune system of an infant!
Grumbling, the orange haired man rolled from his right side to his back, reaching for the towel that hung from the chair of his desk. Securing it, he draped it over his dark ambers, a deep frown present. He knew what had gotten him sick—he knew it! But still…
The corners of his frown tugged up slightly at the memory.
They had been back from Soul Society for two weeks now—two weeks after Nakamura Akihiko had left the Kuchiki Princess in his care.
And he was estatic.
Ichigo wasn't the type to run in circles, giggle stupidly, or even laugh very often—but he was happy, and the princess in question knew it. She saw it in the way he looked at her, the thoughtful gestures he made, and even in their continual banter. All of this, though, came to the final realization on both parts:
Kurosaki Ichigo had been tamed by a 'midget'.
His image had been destroyed at school. Rukia would occasionally wrap his hand in hers when he walked down the hallway, reach up and give him a peck on the cheek—when she was sure someone would notice—and even had him carrying her messenger to and from school.
But still, Ichigo found himself loving it. Every time she grabbed his hand, he shivered. Every time she gave him a quick peck, he wished he had turned to capture her lips. Every time he carried her messenger, he wished it was her.
And this particular day was no different.
Ichigo stood outside the classroom, as he waited for Rukia to get out of her handicrafts club meeting. He had her messenger (she gave it to him before entering) and currently had it slung over his right shoulder, leaning onto the wall with his left. His own messenger sat on the ground, leaning against his own crossed feet. The usual scowl he wore was present, but any who knew Ichigo, knew it was only because he was waiting. When that midget came bounding out of her club, the scowl would melt to a forced one—that hid a small smile.
And bound she did. The door opened and Ichigo raised an orange brow as the 'brat' came out, arms behind her back as she smiled up at him. The smile was one of hers that she used when acting—or when she was hiding something—and it made Ichigo twitch slightly.
"Do I even want to ask," Ichigo asked and Rukia let out a small laugh before producing a pin. It was something she had made, evidently, for him and the shape of it made him throw his arms up (dropping her messenger) in an X shape.
"No way. I'm not wearing that, Rukia," he exclaimed and she looked to it. The white pin was in the shape of a bunny, and when she looked back; her large violets were shimmering with tears.
Ichigo glared at her; her lip began to tremble. He crossed his arms; she sniffled. Finally, he sighed and she let out a squeal, leaping up and kissing his chin before working the pin into the pocket of his shirt.
"Oi, you missed midget," he mumbled into a smirk, and Rukia gave him a devilish grin.
"You're just too slow, Ichigo. Getting rusty, perhaps," she asked and he let out another growl, grabbing her wrist as she leaned down from her toes—having gone there to put the pin in.
"We'll see when we get home," he whispered into her ear, and the petite shinigami blushed before taking her wrist back. She cleared her throat—and the fog that had crept into her mind—before she folded her arms.
"Very well, I would like to retire to home for the evening. Grab my things and let's go," she said, her tone commanding.
The orange haired hero looked down at her, glaring—noting the smirk on her face. Grumbling, he snatched up both their messengers. She would pay.
As they reached outside, they had both been so immersed in their conversation that neither had heard nor paid any mind to the thunder of the storm that raged outside. Ichigo grumbled as he was hit by the whipping wind—and rain—looking to Rukia.
She had the same smile she always did during any storm. The rain reminded her of Sode no Shirayuki and no matter how stormy it got, she always insisted that there was a majestic feel to storms.
"So, what now then, midget," Ichigo asked and the violet eyed princess looked back up to him. "We walk," she replied.
And walked they did. It was two weeks into school—and still spring—so there was still a light chill in the air as the sun began to set. Ichigo had both messengers in one hand as he wrapped his other arm around Rukia's shoulders, pulling her close. They had taken a detour to the park, and since they were both already fully soaked at this point, Ichigo didn't really care.
When they reached the park, Rukia took off from Ichigo's grasp and ran to a swing, leaping up onto it. She slapped onto the wet wooden object and looked to her orange haired prince, a smirk on her face. "Well? Come push me you oaf," she commanded and Ichigo let out a sigh.
Placing the messengers down (thankfully they had covered their books before leaving) he moved to her. The rain poured down the tips of his orange spikes, a steady stream and no longer drops as he reached her. He could see through the white blouse of her top, to the white bra she wore beneath and as he placed his hands on her shoulders he could feel the thin straps as he gave a push.
She swung for several minutes as the duo talked. They talked about everything from school to Akihiko, and Ichigo gave a small smirk.
"I think you should relax, midget, he's fine. Don't you think it'd be kind of insulting to be worrying about him at this point? He's a Captain now," Ichigo replied.
Rukia turned to look over her shoulder, the petite limb hiding her smirk. "You don't know him very well then. He'd tease me to no end for 'fawning' over him, and not let me ever live it down."
Silence reigned over the two and finally Ichigo stepped around to the front of her after the momentum of her swinging had died down.
"Do you…still wish you would have stayed," Ichigo asked, his amber eyes searching her violets and she couldn't help but smile softly.
"Not at all, 'Berry. We talked about this for a long time…and we both decided that he and I should let the past stay in the past. You're the only one I want," she said, her tone soothing. She still held the chains of the swing and Ichigo stepped in, placing his forehead to hers.
"Better be," Ichigo said in finality, and Rukia let out a laugh.
The rain poured down both of their heads at this point, though neither cared since they had been soaked for so long. Ichigo leaned forward and kissed her nose softly.
"Shall we go," Rukia asked, and Ichigo's grin widened. "Oh no. You still have to answer for bossing me around earlier."
Rukia opened her mouth to speak, but Ichigo easily claimed it, causing her planned protest to come out as a muffled response. The muffled response, then, became a moan as Ichigo's tongue glided against hers.
Her small hands clutched the chains of the swing as Ichigo stepped forward further, between her legs, and grasped her hips, pulling her flush against him. His lips continued their dance with hers.
After several moments, the kisses slowed and finally the two parted, Rukia's violet eyes slowly opening, her lips still touching Ichigo's. His dark ambers locked back onto her violets, and she smirked.
For a moment, there was only silence between the two, the sound of the rain on the ground, leaves, and objects in the park drowning out their slightly increased breathing. Finally, Rukia spoke.
"I just might have to keep giving orders, if that's my only punishment," Rukia said.
"Try it," Ichigo growled, though he smirked as well.
Ichigo pulled the towel from his own face, at this point. How long had the two stayed out there? It was already after dark when they arrived home. A few days later, after coughing and sneezing, here he was—bed ridden.
He glanced to the clock. Rukia should be home soon…she had offered to stay home—and Isshin had nearly let her.
"Such a dutiful girlfriend! I'm sure my Rukia-chan would make a lovely wife some day!"
Ichigo grumbled at this thought. His father was a pain in the ass…
But maybe he was right….sometimes.
Ichigo's ambers opened a second time that afternoon as he felt the familiar spiritual pressure enter the house. He heard the light padding of her small feet, and looked to the door as it opened.
Rukia stood, still in uniform, and a small frown on her face.
"Feeling any better," she asked, crossing the room to him.
"Kinda," Ichigo mumbled. "How is it you're not sick anyway?" He pulled Rukia to him, draping her body next to his on the bed.
Once pulled, Rukia laid her head on his chest. She could hear the slight rattling in his lungs, symbolizing he had gotten some kind of respiratory infection. Aside from that, she had no idea he had been sick. Well, besides the sneezing. And coughing.
And she was slightly certain he looked better after the fight with Aizen, than he did now. He was such a baby…
"Gigai's can't get sick," Rukia responded, turning up from his chest to look at him.
"So…Urahara made it so you can get a gigai…er…ya know…but you can't catch a cold," Ichigo asked, raising an orange brow.
"Or maybe I'm just stronger than the common cold," Rukia said with a shrug as she snuggled back down on his chest.
Ichigo could smell the scent of her shampoo and perfume, both aromas blending perfectly and it made him smirk. He closed his eyes.
"Hope you're happy. It was your idea to stay out in the rain," Rukia muttered. Her attempt at sounding harsh, though, was broken by a heavy yawn.
Ichigo's grin widened as he watched her snuggle close for a nap. "Yeah" he whispered into her hair, "it was worth it."
A/N: D'awww. Ichigo's turned into a big softy! Anywho, I wanted to put this out so that people could see how Ichigo and Rukia were doing. It also gave me the chance to skip some time in the Seireitei, so that when we move back to Aki, stuff could have changed a small bit. Couple o' weeks, tops. xD Next Chapter is in the works and will probably be posted with this, since it's kinda short. Since you're down here, how about clickin' that review button before the next Chapter? xP