Author's note: I never imagined it would take this long to update this but I have been busy, between school, work and my own social life trying to find time to write has been akin to locating a needle in a haystack. I have the next chapter finished – roughly finished- so hopefully that update won't take nearly a year. My editing is on the fritz so apologies in advance for typos.

Thank you to all my reviewers!

IIIII

As much as Ichigo had prepared himself for this moment it was obvious that his preparations weren't enough. He would gladly fight Aizen all over again then have to endure a second longer of having breakfast with Byakuya. Even having Rukia at the table couldn't quell the general feeling of dying a million times over. If this is how they had all their meals it was no wonder Rukia was such a light eater, Byakuya's presence was enough to turn even him from food.

"Have a good day, Nii-sama," Rukia politely bidding her brother farewell, much to Ichigo's panic. And before he could sink his fingers into her arm to prevent her from leaving, Rukia was already out the door all but throwing him a goodbye over her shoulder.

Ichigo's shoulders slumped. This was how betrayal tastes like. He couldn't help thinking. It was unfortunate the tea was piping hot because he wanted more than anything to also make a hasty exit, but he didn't want to leave a half full plate and a cup of tea. Somehow he felt Byakuya would find a way to make that seem like a direct insult to the honour of the Kuchiki clan. Or something equally ridiculous.

"So Kurosaki what are your intentions?" Byakuya asked, glancing at him down his nose.

Even though he didn't have to, Ichigo found himself clearing his throat. It also served to buy him a bit of time. Hadn't Rukia told her brother why he was here? That little...

"I came to help Rukia," he managed, proud when he didn't stutter or spill his tea.

Byakuya's lips turned downwards slightly. "The story of your life..." he drawled.

Ichigo blinked in confusion, "Excuse me?"

"Helping Rukia, isn't that what you always do?" Byakuya asked and it somehow managed to sound insulting.

"Well she is my friend."

"Who is always in need of your help."

Ichigo was now perplexed, he had no idea where this conversation was going and what Byakuya was on about. "Byakuya, what exactly are you trying to say?" he asked narrowing his eyes slightly. The man had a way of making him feel stupid with barely a glance.

"I simply find it curious that you are always conveniently at call when my sister is in need of help," Byakuya stated and if the man actually shrugged Ichigo had a feeling he would've at that moment. "Abarai had an incident a few weeks ago where he needed help. Why even that imbecile from the Shiba clan got himself in quite a mess... and yet..."

What had begun as unease was now turning into annoyance. "Yet?" Ichigo prodded barely keeping his tone civil.

"You, our resident helper, were nowhere to be found." Byakuya said flatly.

"Well I can't be expected to help everyone all the time!" Ichigo exclaimed irritated.

Byakuya pursed his lips as if in deep thought. "Yet you never fail to pop up when Rukia is in trouble. In fact at times you seem to appear moments before she finds herself in peril... almost as if your very presence invites danger," the noble said coldly.

Releasing his cup from its near crushing grip Ichigo squinted at Byakuya. "Are you saying I'm dangerous?" he asked no longer even bothering to hide the strained pitch his voice had taken.

"Hardly, that is quite a proven fact." Byakuya said with a dismissive wave.

"Then what are you saying, Byakuya?"

"Simply that your actions seem that of a courter than a merely concerned and helpful friend."

It took several moments for his words to sink in and when they did, Ichigo's eyes widened and he gaped like an idiot at the captain of the 5th division. "Y-y-you think I'm trying to court, Rukia!" Ichigo exclaimed mortified, pointing an accusatory finger at Byakuya.

"I'd appreciate it, Kurosaki, if you'd refrain from pointing your finger at me under my own roof," Byakuya said before taking a sip of his tea. He made a show of placing the cup back down before meeting Ichigo's eyes once more. "I care not if your attentions are subconsciously done, only that they exist and will hinder the chances of Rukia making a suitable match."

Ichigo was silently fuming. How dare Rukia's brother accuse him of not only being a danger to Rukia's wellbeing but also a hindrance to her prospects of marriage? Frankly he felt that on both accounts Rukia was solely culpable. "You are wrong, Byakuya," he began in a quiet tone.

"Why don't you enlighten me then?"

"For starters, Rukia jumps headlong into danger of her own violation. In fact I have tried repeatedly to keep her away from fights but she doesn't listen to me," Ichigo ground out. "Secondly if a man truly wants to be with Rukia nothing should stand in his way. Not me, her unhealthy obsession for cute things and penchant for violence. Rukia as she is should be all that matters."

Byakuya stood up. "I had feared that it was already too late but foolishly I had held some bit of hope," he murmured to himself as he made his way to the open doorway. "I believe Shizuka will be coming today. I for one don't care much for him and should the urge to gut him prove too strong I'll advise you to simply walk away Kurosaki. His family is of quite importance." And with those parting words, Byakuya disappeared using Shunpo, leaving Ichigo to stew over his words.

/

"So you have asked Kurosaki-kun to help you find a suitor?"Momo asked, squinting slightly. Rukia could tell from Momo's look that she was perplexed by the notion; after all it was completely unheard for a girl's male friend to act as her matchmaker. Heck, if not for their relationship Rukia would also find the whole arrangement bizarre.

But explaining the complexities of her relationship with Ichigo would take a whole century, so instead Rukia nodded. Initially she'd agreed to use a matchmaker to appease her brother but it quickly became evident that she and the matchmaker couldn't see eye to eye. The woman was insufferable and wanted the impossible. To spite her, Rukia had even compulsively cut her hair shorter.

"Well isn't it a bit... strange?" the other lieutenant asked nervously.

Rukia expecting the question shook her head. "Of course not, Ichigo knows me well and so far has maintained an admirable level of maturity about it" she said referring to how he had handled himself with the first suitor he'd spoken to.

The fact that he even agreed to help her when he could have easily refused spoke volumes. When it came down to it, Ichigo, really was the one person she could count on when she needed him most. As much as Rukia lorded her maturity over his head, she was just as inexperienced as he was. She was clueless when it came to luring a man and honestly the thought of playing the coy seductress as the Matchmaker had suggested would surely have been the death of her.

Momo still looked unconvinced,."If you're sure..." she said her voice trailing off.

Rukia folded her arms over her chest. "I'm positive," she said confidently. "Ichigo is not going to do anything-"

"BANKAI!"

Rukia and Momo both spun around, eyes wide as they watched a portion of the Kuchiki mansion go up in splinters. The explosion seemed to resound all around them, forcing them to cover not only their eyes but ears.

"Rukia-chan, what just happened?" Momo asked once the debris began to settle down.

"Ichigo just signed his death wish!" she growled as she stalked over to what was left of the left wing. Nii-sama would kill them, he'd kill Ichigo first of course, but Rukia would subsequently follow. Using flash step she made quick work of the distance, forcing the unfortunate Momo to chase after her.

Barely landing on the ground, Rukia was already rushing towards the commotion amidst the stunned servants. "Ichigo what is the-" she began. Her rage scarcely contained as she glared at the substitute shinigami, but he was staring at a heap of scorched silks, which on closer inspection turned out to be her second potential suitor. Her eyes widened in mortification. "Ichigo did you-"

"They call me the Substitute Soul Reaper," Ichigo gritted his attention focused solely on the whimpering mass before him. "That means in my spare time, I reap souls... do you understand what that means?!"

"Yes," cried the heap pathetically.

Ichigo straightened up. "Good, because once I perform a konso on someone in Soul Society, they disappear," he said menacingly before adding, "Forever."

The mass of silk leapt to his feet. "Forgive me Soul Reaper!" he cried bowing his head as he cried pathetically. Rukia felt herself cringe at his pathetic display. And that man had honestly thought he could be her husband? She scoffed at the very notion.

"Just as long as I never see or hear you ever again," Ichigo was saying darkly. Rukia had never seen him so angry. He gave the other man another glare before finally addressing her. "Oi, Rukia?"

From the corner of her eye she watched the Shizuka bodyguards escort their pitiful master away as she prepared to voice her outrage. Taking her completely off guard Ichigo grabbed her arm, pulling her along. "I'm starving," he said simply as if they were not standing amidst the ruins of the left wing of her brother's home and everyone gaping at them. "I could eat a horse," he added as if she hadn't been about to give him a good old fashion yelling that would make his ears bleed.

/

"What the hell was that?!" Rukia demanded angrily. Shinigami kept eyeing them as they walked through Seireitei. No doubt news of his little spat with that pompous git, Hantaro Shizuka, already spreading like wild fire.

Ichigo was still scowling, hands shoved deep in his pockets no longer dragging her reluctant form behind him. "Can't we just say the guy deserved it and leave it there?" he asked.

Rukia glared at him. "No we can't!" she snapped. "What happened in there?"

"Nothing happened."

"Ichigo?"

He honestly didn't feel like talking about what had led him to nearly decorating Byakuya's left wing with Shizuka's guts. Byakuya's cryptic message had begun to make sense all of two minutes after meeting the man, but even he hadn't expected what would come next. He got angry all over again just recalling the man's vulgar words.

"Ichigo!" Rukia exclaimed, grabbing his arm to get his attention.

"He said something, okay!" he finally yelled.

"About?" Rukia prodded

Ichigo glanced briefly at her before staring ahead. Rukia was too stubborn and persistent for own damn good, couldn't she just accept his word and smile in gratitude? The man who'd marry her will have to be really patient or suicidal. "You," he answered, because he knew she wouldn't stop pestering him until he caved.

She crossed her arms across her just and furrowed her brows. "So?" she asked.

"So nothing," he bit out before he resumed walking.

He imagined she was glaring at him, but he didn't expect the blow to the head that came a few seconds later. Ichigo yelped as he stumbled forward barely catching his footing before turning to glare at her. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" he demanded, practically seething now.

Did she not see that he was barely holding onto his anger as is? Why did she always insist on driving him insane?

"I appreciate you defending my honour, Ichigo," Rukia began. "But next time, just leave it to me to deal with."

Ichigo scoffed as he straightened out his uniform. "That's one request I can't follow," he said flatly and it was the honest truth.

"What?" she asked, obviously surprised at his blatant refusal to acquiesce to her wishes. You'd think by now she'd know that when it came to her wellbeing any opinions she had would be rejected?

"I made a promise to myself and unfortunately for your pride, it also involves you," Ichigo stated seriously. "Because it has come to my attention that I and I only know what's best for you."

Rukia blinked at him like he'd lost his mind but he wasn't going to take back what he said. "And when did this information come to your attention?" she drawled sarcastically.

He ignored her tone. "Geez Rukia, not everything in my life is privy to your knowledge" he said resuming his walk.

She fell in step with him. "Oh so I'm only privy to your embarrassing secrets... like that time I caught you-"

"Okay, enough already!" he all but yelled cutting her off and placing a silencing hand over her mouth. "It was one time and it was your own fault for walking in on a teenage boy in the shower anyway!"

"My my and here I thought that all you did was sleep in the boy's closet Kuchiki..."

Ichigo threw his hands up in defeat as Matsumoto sashayed past them with a covert smile. "Is she just going to keep randomly popping out of nowhere?" he wondered aloud.

"I actually think she's following us," Rukia said with a shrug.

"Where I come from that's called stalking!" he exclaimed in annoyance.

"And what do they call what you were doing in the shower, Ichigo?" Rukia asked with a smirk.

"None of your business!"