Marks of Marriage
It was the middle of the night and the Kurosaki household was fast asleep, except for a certain raven-haired shinigami. Rukia had just awoken from her slumber to drink a glass of water. After doing so, she climbed back into bed with Ichigo. This wasn't uncommon anymore, because the two had been a couple for several months now. Since then, Ichigo's dad even insisted that they share a room.
Probably in hopes of grandchildren, thought Rukia, smirking. Sorry Kurosaki-san, that's not gonna happen anytime soon.
Rukia snuggled near Ichigo's sleeping figure and instinctively; he wrapped his arms around her.
He's so cute when he's sleeping, she thought smiling. He doesn't scowl and he seems at peace.
Ichigo's warmth enveloped her, making her smile more.
Sometimes, I wonder if I even deserve such happiness, she thought, somberly.
Rukia could feel Ichigo's warm breath in her hair. Rising up slightly, she kissed the tip of his nose and pecked his lips. Even though he was asleep, she could feel his warmth envelop her body.
You're making me love you even more Ichigo, thought Rukia as her lips traced down his neck and to his chest, where some of his pajama buttons were undone.
Laying her hand on his chest, she could feel his strong, rhythmatic heartbeat. Rukia mentally blamed his sweet warmth as she gently placed her lips on his heart. Suddenly, she felt herself become breathless, as an overwhelming, soothing ecstasy overtook her. Rukia felt her body weaken. Allowing a final breath to arise, she fell into a deep slumber in Ichigo's arms.
"I'm not even trying!" exclaimed Renji as he dodged an attack from Ichigo.
The two shinigamis were sparring with one another in the Soul Society's training grounds. Rukia had some paperwork to complete and Ichigo tagged along.
"Don't tell me you've become sloppy Ichigo! A true shinigami must train every-"
Ichigo hit Renji's legs with such force, that the redhead was knocked out of balance, falling flat on his face.
"Train every what? Huh Renji? Everyday? I usually hear from Rukia that you're out drinking or shopping for sunglasses everyday," smirked Ichigo as he looked down at his opponent.
The onlookers laughed. Many were interested to watch Ichigo fight so they took the opportunity to watch from the sidelines of the training grounds. Stepping over Renji, Ichigo went to the patio and grabbed a bucket of water. Removing the top half of his shihakushō and bending over, he poured the water over himself. Ichigo cursed the sun for making summer one of the hottest seasons, but he was grateful for the refreshing feeling of cold water on his sweaty skin. The female onlookers squealed as they looked at his godlike body.
"Perfect eye-candy!" divulged Matsumoto.
Many of the women agreed with her.
"He's so sexy!"
"He's strong too!"
"Just looking at that perfect body makes me want to melt!"
"Hands off ladies. He's taken," said a voice from behind.
The girls turned around and saw Yoruichi, former captain of the 2nd division.
"Ah! Yoruichi-san!' they exclaimed.
"Renji! Get your butt off the grounds and let me fight! I'll show you how a true man fights his enemy!" shouted Ikkaku angrily as he stomped onto the field.
"Someone's mad," said Yoruichi plainly.
"Yoruichi-san, is Kurosaki-san still dating Kuchiki-fukutaichou?" asked one of the girls.
"Yep. And from the looks of it, I don't think that relationship is going to end anytime soon," she stated with conviction.
"Aww!" exclaimed the girls unanimously.
"I want a rematch!" barked Renji in frustration.
The girls turned their attention to the training field.
"Hey! You already had your turn! Now it's mine!" snapped Ikkaku.
"He cheated!"
"You were talking! That was your downfall!"
"They sound like a bunch of whiny kids who want the ball," remarked Yoruichi in annoyance.
"Will you guys shut up!" yelled Ichigo as he started to dry off the water from his hair with a towel. "Kami, you guys are giving me a headache!"
"Ack!" sounded Renji as he pointed at Ichigo.
"What?" he asked still annoyed.
"You-you-WHEN DID YOU GET MARRIED?!" blurted the redhead.
Everyone became silent as Renji's shout echoed through the training grounds.
Ichigo stared at Renji and said, "Huh?"
"You have the marriage seal!" bellowed the tattooed shinigami.
"What marriage seal?" questioned Ichigo as he took the towel off his head.
"The one on your chest ya idiot!" yelled Renji.
Ichigo looked down and saw where Renji was pointing. On his chest, right on his heart was a small circle of what looked like ancient calligraphy surrounded a seven-pointed star on the outside and the middle. Intricately designed, it almost looked like a tattoo. Ichigo could hear the girls squeal and the men go 'ehhhh?!' By the time he looked up, something was blocking the sun.
"B-Byakuya?!"
"Die."
Ichigo dodged the 6th division captain's attack by jumping onto a nearby tree.
"W-When did you get here?!" bellowed the orange-haired shinigami.
"Just in time to realize what was said," he stated with venom in his voice.
Actually, he was hunting down Yoruichi, who had stolen his calligraphy paintbrush. By the time he found her, he heard his lazy fukutaichou shout out the proclamation of marriage to the world.
"Now die."
"Wait! Wait! What's a marriage seal anyways?!" exclaimed Ichigo, clearly confused.
Byakuya stopped his sword from delivering another attack.
"Of course a brainless brat like you wouldn't know Soul Society customs," affirmed the Kuchiki noble. "Allow me to educate you. As a symbol of marriage in the Soul Society, two lovers must kiss each other's hearts. Once kissed, the marks of marriage appear on their hearts, showing that they are married. It is a promise created between the two that they are joined together as one."
Nani?! shouted Ichigo in his thoughts.
"The marriage ceremony is merely an option after the marriage marks have been affirmed, but you won't be having one once I'm finished with you," Byakuya stated, preparing for his next attack.
"But I don't even remember getting this mark! It wasn't on me yesterday and I just noticed it now!" shouted Ichigo defensively.
"Perhaps you didn't realize it while you were deflowering my sister!" vociferated Byakuya, infuriated.
"What?! I never did that!" shouted Ichigo.
"He's as pure as they get," snickered Yoruichi from behind Byakuya.
Byakuya merely sneered, "Do not distract me were-cat."
Meanwhile, as the spectators watched the scene in the training grounds, Rukia, who had completed her paperwork, walked towards the crowd wondering what all the commotion was.
"What's going on?" she asked Matsumoto from behind.
"Kuchiki-san, you lucky girl! I didn't know you and Ichigo tied the knot!" she exclaimed in happiness.
"Huh?" questioned Rukia.
"Don't act coy with me Kuchiki-san, or should I say Kurosaki-san! So, how is he in bed?" she asked suggestively.
"Matsumoto-san!" shouted Rukia embarrassed.
Byakuya and Yoruichi turned around at the sound of Rukia's voice. Upon seeing Rukia, Yoruichi excitedly yelled, "Grab her Rangiku!"
For once, the strawberry-blond haired woman did exactly as she was told. Grasping the struggling Rukia, she brought her forward.
"Rukia," said Byakuya firmly. "When did he do this?"
"Do what Nii-sama?!" exclaimed Rukia, still struggling.
"Byakuya, she doesn't know what you're talking about. So it's better if we check!" pronounce Yoruichi merrily.
"Check what?!" verbalized Rukia.
Yoruichi pinned her down to the floor while Matsumoto began to untie the bandaging under her shihakushō.
"Hey!" shouted Rukia, freaking out.
"No looking!" stated Yoruichi to the male onlookers and Byakuya.
Everyone covered their eyes out of fear of what the former captain might do to them, while Matsumoto checked.
"Nope! No mark, not even any love bites!" pouted Matsumoto.
"What are you talking about?!" yelled Rukia, covering her chest with her shihakushō once Yoruichi let her go.
"The marriage seal Rukia," stated Yoruichi bluntly. "It seems you and Ichigo are married. Well, almost married. Where's yours?"
Rukia stared at the dark-skinned woman in shock. After about a minute of silence, she uttered, "Married?"
"If you don't know about it Rukia, that must mean he's cheating on you," said Byakuya. "Now he can die."
"What?!" exclaimed Ichigo. "I would never be unfaithful to Rukia!"
"Aww!" squealed the girls from the crowd.
"Well then, why is there a marriage seal on your chest!" said Byakuya, ready to knock him off the tree.
In that moment, Rukia remembered last night, when she kissed Ichigo's chest. From what she recalled in her studies, feeling breathless is what supposedly happens because the seal takes away some of the energy from the partner as it forms. Being sleepy at the time, she didn't think anything of it.
"It was me Nii-Sama!" shouted Rukia. "Don't kill him!"
Byakuya turned around and faced Rukia.
"I'm sorry Nii-sama! I didn't know about the marriage seal! I forgot! And Ichigo didn't do anything to me, I swear!" cried out Rukia.
Facing Ichigo, she said, "I'm sorry Ichigo!"
Rukia shunpoed out of the training grounds.
"Rukia wait!" exclaimed Ichigo as he shunpoed after her.
"I'll kill him," swore Byakuya angrily.
"Rukia, stop running away!" shouted Ichigo irritated.
Rukia had shunpoed out of the Seireitei and into the Rukongai, in hopes of Ichigo getting lost.
When it comes to recognizing reiatsu, Ichigo fails miserably, thought Rukia as she started to run through the woods of the Rukongai.
And he can't shunpo in the forest, she mentally added.
When she could no longer hear Ichigo's voice or sense his reiatsu, she decided it was safe to walk. Rukia began to stroll around the elevated green, until she reached a steep edge, which traveled downward to a grassy patch, where the trees seemed to barely envelope with one another.
Damn it, mentally cursed Rukia as she relaxed herself at the foot of the tree. Why, of all things, did I forget about the marriage seal?!
Rukia wanted to scream at her stupidity, but she knew she couldn't because it would lead Ichigo straight to her.
Now what's gonna happen? she thought to herself. I can't just expect Ichigo to be okay with this. Sure we've been dating for a few months, but that doesn't mean we're ready for marriage. Hell. I bet he wouldn't even want to be married to me, contemplated Rukia.
Anguish consumed her as the thought continued to invade her mind.
What was I thinking? That he'd be okay with the idea of marrying me? Dating is one thing, but marriage is another.
Sighing, she closed her eyes and decided, Okay, when I go back to the Seireitei, I'll confront Ichigo and-
Abruptly, Rukia felt herself being lifted off her feet and into the arms of a stranger.
"Got you," whispered Ichigo as he held onto his petite girlfriend.
Rukia shrieked and started to struggle in an attempt to escape from the arms of her boyfriend.
"Damn it Rukia! Stop struggling!" he said, trying to hold her steady.
Attempting to stop Rukia and trying to make sure he didn't fall off the edge of the small hill, wasn't easy for the shinigami. Ichigo lost his footing and the two came tumbling down until they reached the bottom. Both groaned in pain from the impact. Opening her eyes, Rukia realized that they were on the grassy patch from below the hill an Ichigo was on top of her.
"Get off Ichigo!" she exclaimed as she attempted to wiggle out from under him.
Ichigo, after coming to his senses, locked Rukia in his arms.
"Damn it Ichigo! Let go of me!"
Ichigo kept his hold. Rukia continued to struggle and started shouting curses at him, but her efforts were futile. Exhaustion overcame her and she stopped struggling. Sensing that she gave up, Ichigo kissed her forehead.
"Worn out yet?" he joked as he looked at his petite girlfriend in the eyes.
Rukia glanced away, not wanting to look at Ichigo.
"Being stubborn huh?" he remarked sighing.
Rukia remained silent.
"Okay. I just have one question, if you'll hear me out," he said to the shinigami who refused to meet his gaze. "Do you like to molest me when I'm asleep?"
Rukia blushed and quickly turned to face Ichigo.
"W-What?! she exclaimed, embarrassed by his statement.
"Well, it seems," Ichigo moved aside the folds of his shihakushō and touched the marriage seal. "That I only realized this mark on my chest today. So how else did I get this?"
Rukia blushed and said, "I didn't molest you!"
Ichigo smiled. His girlfriend was so fun to tease.
"Well, Byakuya said lovers have to kiss one another's heart. So, I'm asking you, how else would I have received this?"
"I-I, I can explain!"
Ichigo quickly captured Rukia's lips. Rukia was surprised by this action, but the fervent sensation that ran down her spine from the kiss, prevented her from head butting Ichigo. The warmth spread down to her toes as Ichigo continued to kiss her. Holding her closely, he deepened the kiss, with his tongue seeking entrance. Rukia found it hard to resist her boyfriend's kiss and accepted. Desire for more erupted within Rukia as they proceeded to harmonize with one another. The way his hand gently brushed her hair as it moved its way down to caress her cheek. The way his warmth made her feel comforted and wanted. Each caress, touch, and kiss was driving her crazy and making her beg for more. Ichigo stopped kissing her and looked at his girlfriend, who gave him a confused look that made him want to kiss her even more.
"Rukia," he stated still holding her closely. "Lets get married."
Rukia looked at him, surprised.
"W-Why?" she whispered.
"Why would you say why?" he asked, clearly confused.
"Ichigo, marriage is something completely different than dating. Marriage is commitment and you're too young for that!" she stated, trying to reason with him.
"Well that doesn't seem like the case since someone decided to kiss my heart last night," he answered.
"I didn't mean it! I forgot about the marriage seal!" she said looking away from him.
Why is he being like this-
"Rukia, I love you."
Rukia faced Ichigo, hoping she heard him right.
"I love you, Rukia. I love you and only you," he repeated as he moved a lock of her hair away from her face.
Rukia stared at him, as if he might disappear any second.
"Why?" she whispered almost too quietly.
Ichigo looked at her, straight in the eyes and said, "You changed my world. You blamed yourself for it, but in reality, I'm glad you did."
The orange-haired shinigami kissed her lips again.
"It's because of you, I can protect."
Ichigo traced his lips to her cheek and then down to her collarbone, where he began to nibble, causing Rukia to blush.
"I'm going to do it now, okay?" he said as his lips trailed down.
"W-Wait!" she said quickly.
"Hm?" he responded, still kissing her collarbone.
"I-It's kinda embarrassing!" she answered, blushing like crazy.
Ichigo stopped nibbling her skin and looked up.
"Embarrassing how?" he replied, annoyed.
"Well, you're..." Rukia couldn't respond as she blushed at their position.
"It's not like we're having sex," he remarked with a slight tint in his cheeks.
"Well, y-yeah," she said biting her lip.
Ichigo put his hand over Rukia's eyes. "I'll try to make it less embarrassing," he said.
His response only made Rukia blush even more. Ichigo resumed his nibbling. With his other hand, he carefully moved aside the folds of her shihakushō and started trailing his lips down. Rukia's skin became deliciously hot with each kiss that she thought she might explode. Ichigo became lost in her flowery scent and the heat of her skin. Finally, his lips reached her heart, where he could feel her accelerating heartbeat, right in between her small breasts. Rukia could feel his warm breath on her skin and his lips moved forward, placing them on top of her heart. Rukia cried out as ecstasy overflowed her entire being and Ichigo felt himself becoming breathless as a soothing warmth overtook him. He could feel his body weaken as some of his energy left him, but he remained firm. Soon, his lips left her heart and he opened his eyes. Ichigo saw the marriage seal placed over her heart. Ichigo removed his hand from Rukia's eyes and looked at her. Her eyes fell down to her chest where she also saw the seal.
"Now we're married," he whispered,
Rukia looked back at him and he kissed her. Rukia kissed him back, but soon stopped momentarily.
Ichigo looked at her and Rukia said, "I love you, Ichigo."
Ichigo smiled as he pecked her lips and responded jokingly, "Do you now?"
Here's marriage number two!~
Another crossover as well. For those of you who have read MeruPuri by Matsuri Hino, ya'll will know this one.
Enjoy and comment please!~