Chapter Three

"Kurosaki Ichigo."

No way.

No way no way no way.

Him.

He was here.

The Orange Strawberry.

He was in my house.

He was in my house, talking to my brother.

He was in my house, talking to my brother, the vampire hunter.

I am so dead.

Years of Kuchiki etiquette automatically kicked in, taking my body into autopilot mode.

I gave him a smile and a small bow, my body almost creaking as I forced the muscles to respond.

"Kuchiki Rukia." I said, hoping no one had noticed my inner rant.

He flashed that smirk again, "Hmm."

I am so dead.

Kurosaki had me in his hands and he knew it.

"You're Kuchiki – sama's younger sister?" Abarai asked.

I nodded as I forced my gaze away from Kurosaki's face. "Yes, I am."

The smirk of death spread out even more on Kurosaki's face.

"Rukia," My brother's voice cut into the conversation.

My eyes went over to my brother, his cold countenance comforting in the situation, "Yes, Nii-sama?"

"Take Abarai and Kurosaki to the guest wing."

The guest wing? Also known as the place rooms are that people stay in when they plan on staying here for a long period of time? They are to be staying at our domicile?

"The guest wing?" For once, please let my vampire hearing be wrong.

My brother's response was a gaze as cold as an iceberg. That was all the response I was going to receive.

"Hai, Nii-sama," I clenched my hand as I gave my brother a small bow, the pain of my nails digging into my skin the only reminder of keeping my fury in control.

"Abarai-san, Kurosaki-san," I turned to them, the last words of my mouth tasting like sour fruit. "Please follow me to your rooms."

Renji mimicked my actions and gave my brother a deep bow. "Arigato, Kuchiki-sama."

Ichigo just repositioned his feet to the direction I was turned. "Later, Byakuya."

Renji and I froze on the spot.

The atmosphere of the room dropped to below freezing. The morning sun darkened. Footsteps from the other attendants stopped. The heartbeats of everyone in the hall way came to a standstill. Nothing. The silence was too loud for me.

"Yo, are we going or what?" Ichigo asked, breaking the silence.

His voice broke me out of my confine and I turned and started in the direction of the rooms. "Follow me." I said with Kuchiki authority, ignoring the ice cold fear that was radiating off of my brother.

The two followed in my direction, tension in the air almost suffocating in every step.

Once my brother's glacier aura was out of our reach, Renji's pulse began to slow to its usual rhythm.

Ichigo's pulse was easy going, completely unaffected by my brother.

If only I could have that immunity to everything.

On the outside, I was in full Kuchiki mask mode; calm, cool, and collected; the epitome of a Kuchiki.

On the inside, I was in full on freak out mode. Panic, pessimistic, and anxious; fearful. The complete opposite of the Kuchiki name.

I will not let it show. I will be the epitome of a Kuchiki and be fearless. Kurosaki had no real evidence that can work against me. If my brother ever found out I had snuck out, at most he would ask what I was doing and why. Then he would lecture me on how I disappointed him with my un-Kuchiki like behavior by sneaking around at inappropriate times.

Then my brother would have someone following me; watching my every move outside of the house.

Watching me, seeing my true nature; the true me.

Forever ending my life as a Kuchiki.

On the run as a Fumetsu.

Or dead as a Kuchiki.

The outcome was still up in the air.

Uncertainty was not fair game.

"So you've recently moved here?" Renji asked.

I looked up at him, keeping my inner turmoil at bay. He, I had no reason to fear. Probably.

Anyone who uses the word slice in a sentence with my brother was probably someone I had to keep an eye on.

"Yes," I agreed in a pleasant voice. "We just moved in yesterday."

His face brightened slightly. "Really? How do you like Karakura?"

Renji was more animated than his partner. Kurosaki actually had a stand-offish attitude, like he didn't give a damn.

Keeping my eyes on Renji, I noticed Kurosaki in my peripherals. His eyes were focused solely onto my face.

"Karakura seems nice." I responded. "I haven't really had a chance to go out and explore the town."

Kurosaki snorted. "Not today, you mean."

Renji turned his attention back to Ichigo.

"What's up, Ichigo?" Renji asked.

"Nothing," he said. He went back to looking at me, and then asked, "So you haven't had a chance to see the city, huh?"

I looked ahead, allowing a smile. "Not really, no."

After all, enjoying the city was a difficult thing to do on an empty stomach.

"What a shame." Kurosaki's voice was deadpanned.

Renji nodded. "The city does look great at this time of day."

"The city does look different when it's not seen by moonlight." Kurosaki commented. "Don't you think so, Rukia?"

My mask gave a slight crack.

I shot him a glare, a smug smile reflecting back at me.

Then somewhere in the back of my mind, it clicked.

He called me by my first name without my consent. This idiot had no manners at all whatsoever!

If he thought his comments were going to make me waver, he had no idea who he was dealing with the wrong girl.

Rukia takes crap from no one.

"I'll take your word for it, Kurosaki."

Renji stated, oblivious to the silent exchange, "Maybe we should go out and see the town."

Nope. Not gonna happen.

"Sounds like a plan." Kurosaki agreed his tone devious.

At the end of the hall, I stopped. This idiotic conversation had to cease.

"These are your rooms." I said, motioning to the two doors that I had to my left. "If you shall need anything, feel free to tell us. I'll leave you two to rest. Our house is at your disposal."

Leaving no room for questions, I turned leaving them in front of their room doors.

"Thank you." Renji mumbled.

"Yo, Rukia."

My right eyebrow twitched, the stress already kicking in.

"Yes, Kurosaki-san?" I asked, my sweet hostess voice appearing out of nowhere.

I had the contentment of seeing the corners of his eyes narrowed, agitated by my tone.

Maybe I should use this tone of voice more often. More so around Ichigo.

"Where's the kitchen?" He asked walking up to me, his red friend coming closer to us.

The muscles in my arm reacted at him being in such a close distance to me. They were prepped to throw him another round if necessary.

"Are you hungry, Kurosaki?" I asked.

"It is rude for the host to deny their guests food, Rukia." He responded.

The emphasis on my name did not go unnoticed.

Renji's expression was a little nervous, his back straightening and then he motioned to me. "Err, Ku-"

"Very well then," I said in my hostess voice, delighted at the agitation that was once again in the amber eyes. "Follow me."

"Hai," Renji whispered.

"Whatever," I heard Kurosaki mumble softly.

His steps were too close for my tastes. I could almost feel the heat radiating off of him as we walked. There was an attendant opening a window on our way to the kitchen and a wave of air rolled in.

Ichigo was in front of it and his scent assaulted my senses.

"So, Rukia, what do you do?" Renji asked. "Since your brother runs Kuchiki Corp., he has to have you doing something there."

Spicy, musky, an undertone of caffeine….

I shook my head slightly for some control. "I'm waiting for my college semester to start."

"You're a college student?" Ichigo's voice cut in.

…Primal. All mixed together.

Ichigo smelled wonderful.

My resolve could not waver.

The breeze stilled.

I let out a sigh of relief.

Cursing my enhanced senses, I nodded.

"I didn't know little kids were allowed to enter college."

My head snapped to Kurosaki. "I am not a child, Kurosaki. Contrary to what your small mind believes, I am a grown adult."

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Yeah right. You're like – what – twelve?"

"Ichigo!" Renji exclaimed, finally noting the dark turn the conversation had taken. "Kuchiki-san, w –w - what Ichigo means is-" Renji stumbled on his words again.

"I am twenty years old," I stated, trying to keep my cool. "And unlike you, I actually act my age."

"No, you don't."

This Orange was just trying to push my buttons. If we weren't in the manor, I might have screamed at him at the top of my lungs.

"Ichigo-"

"And why do you say that?" I asked, interrupting Renji.

"How many twenty year olds do you know of that are that short?" he asked me, folding his arms across his chest.

"Well how many teens do you know of that are tall, genetic mutants?" I retorted.

"I am not a teen!" he yelled, his tough composure breaking. "I am eighteen years old!"

"Still ends in teen." I commented.

"So what's on the menu?" Renji asked nervously, hoping to fan the flames down.

We both turned our attention to him, our anger now aimed at him. Renji's eyes shifted between the two of us, looking like he was ready to bolt at first chance.

"The chef can make anything to your liking," I growled, my eyes now observing Kurosaki.

His entire body was tense, well developed muscles in his arms causing the sleeves to appear slightly tight. The buttons on the front almost seemed to cascade down his chest and abs, slight strain showing next to them, like they would pop right off with minimal effort.

This guy looks like he's rip-

I instantly looked away before that thought could finish forming. I had to be losing my sanity. There was no way I could think of the enemy like that. He was the enemy! Thoughts like that only made things worse until someone ends up running for their life.

Ignoring the glare on me, I turned my back and continued walking.

This part of the walk was actually peaceful. Renji kept making small talk with me and I was glad do oblige. He was actually very interesting and he knew how to show respect; a truly nice man. Had we met under different circumstances, we might have been true friends.

The chef must have heard us coming since he was already standing patiently by the table and promptly asked us what we had wanted. Seconds later, he had disappeared into the kitchen.

I walked over and sat in the spot I usually sit in. Kurosaki made the wise decision of sitting across the table from me – not far enough, however – and Renji sat on my left.

"So what is worth seeing in Karakura town, Renji?" I asked.

"Everything!" Renji exclaimed. "The stores, the sights, the people, it's all wonderful here!"

Not all the people were wonderful, but that didn't mean the rest of the town had to pay the price for one rotten apple. Or should I say one rotten strawberry.

"I think I'll do that." I said.

"You should, since you probably narrowed down the list of places after your trip yesterday." Kurosaki commented.

Renji tilted his head slightly, the piled red hair making him appear like he would tip over. "Why do you keep making comments like those, Ichigo?"

I shook my head. "Don't worry about it, Renji," I said, "Kurosaki is probably referring to what I saw through the window on the plane ride here."

"Oh," Renji nodded, believing the lie, "Makes sense."

"Isn't that right, Kurosaki?" I asked him in my nice voice again.

There was a brief irritation coloring his eyes when he looked at me. "Of course, Rukia." He agreed through gritted teeth.

At least I could torture him for entertainment.

"I know," Ichigo's voice rang louder than necessary. "After we finish our meal, how about we take you on that tour of the town we promised you earlier?"

No. The answer was no.

I opened my mouth to reply in the nicest formal manner I could muster. "Thank you for the offer, Renji-kun, Kurosaki-san, but I am afraid I cannot today. Maybe we could some other day?"

"Sure." Renji replied, his features marred with slight disappointment. The sadness did not suit his personality. "No problem."

Ichigo gave a fake frown. "Are you sure? There is a lot of Karakura to know. I can tell you one thing or two."

And I could give you a one and two right in the gut, but you don't see me doing that, now do you?

"After all, wouldn't it be rude to refuse a request from a guest?" Kurosaki continued. "It is just a tour of the city."

This man was wearing down my patience fast. He had only been here for almost an hour and I was frustrated beyond belief.

I took in a deep breath for composer then opened to respond.

"Do not be back late."

The three of us jumped, seeing my brother at the dining room entrance.

"Nii-sama," I mumbled. How much of the conversation had he heard?

He opened his eyes and looked at me. There was reprimand in them, showing he had heard the last part of the conversation. It was rude of me to refuse a guest's request, but I did not want to go when half of the duo had a burning hatred for me and the third party would be caught in a cross fire.

"You shall accompany Kurosaki on a tour of the city." Byakuya declared. "Abarai, we have business to discuss once you are finished."

"Hai, Kuchiki-sama," Renji inclined his head at my brother's back.

No one spoke a word until my brother's steps echoed.

Renji seemed to be in a daze. "I wonder what he wants to discuss. I mean there are some things I know he would like to talk about. Unless he was so pleased with our business he wants to continue the work relationship. I can't believe we impressed him that much. Then again, it is an honor to work with him. Don't you think? This could mean huge deals for us…."

Renji's voice trailed off, his words a haze in my mind.

I was going to be alone in a car with him as my tour guide. My eyes widened at the thought, turning my attention to him.

Just before he spoke, I had my eyes firmly on him. The cards had shifted to his favor. His body attitude changed significantly. Kurosaki sat straighter, an aura of power engulfing him. His eyes flashed to me, everything else in the room fading. Pure delight: my torture his satisfaction, amber eating me alive.

"It's just you and me, Rukia." Ichigo's tone was dark, coated with the satisfaction of capturing his prey in his hands; tongue savoring every word, decadence was every syllable. "Just you and me."

Love to my reviewers, readers, B000097z, Cecilia Haunt, Fadedlies, and SuperRukia (Nice name, btw!) for reading this.

Love also to the people who reviewed and favorite my one – shot as well.

Mini-Chappy's for all!

See you next chapter – where you're going to meet someone and hate me for it. Sorry.