Title:

Clemency Pays

By: CypressArtemis

Summary: He was just a rancher's son. A hardworking man content with a decent, honest days work. Concerned with little else than horses and cattle he suddenly finds himself wondering, as his hand clutches the stained parchment of a wanted poster, how anything so young and gorgeous could be considered so evil.

Chapter 3: Spurred To Victory


Ichigo yawned loudly and drew a sharp audible breath through his nose as he pushed the barn doors open. They swung freely on the metal hinges and smacked the walls with a thud. A fluffy little yellow head lifted from its resting place on two front outstretched legs, brown eyes squinting in the sunlight streaming in and staring at him. Whiskers and fuzzy triangular ears pulled back and the cat bared its gaping mouth equipped with a complete set of sharp teeth, fangs included, and a sandpaper pink tongue. Exhaling the cat closed its mouth and shook its head, standing on all fours it stretched out each set of front and back legs simultaneously before jumping down from its roost on a large hay barrel, purring its way over to give Ichigo's legs a figure-eight rub while a mouse scurried away with a squeak.

Amber eyes followed the tiny grey creature as it fled from the safety of the hay barrels to a hole in the side of the barn leading to the great outdoors; they then traveled down to the purring ball of orange fluff scent marking his legs with the corners of its mouth and sides of its body. He rolled his eyes and stepped over the cat's lithe form. It mewed in protest and Ichigo shook his head a little irritated and disappointed. "Some cat you are Kon. Can't even catch a little mouse," he sighed looking back at the cat as it stared up at him from the spot Ichigo had previously occupied. "What do I keep you around for anyhow?"

Kon let out a low growling noise, twitching its long tail and moseying over to a splotch of sunlight to plop down into a laying position and start rolling about on his back in a playful manner. It was still pretty early, the sun just beginning to make its appearance on the horizon as Ichigo turned around deciding to ignore the bundle of annoying harassment and collect Zangetsu's riding equipment. He had time for an early morning ride before his second set of chores officially started and he wanted to take full advantage of the freedom and sense of adventure, no matter how small it may be.

The currently ignored horses all stamped their feet in excitement as they watched him gather everything together and set it on Kon's designated barrel. At least that's what Ichigo called it since the cat was always curled up in ball on that particular one when he strode into the barn every morning and various times during the day. He knew cats slept most of the day, but damn! Kon could set the record for laziest horniest cat of the year. His day consisted of sleeping on the hay, chasing the female cats in town, and wolfing down cans of tuna like it was going out of style. Considering all that the cat did in a day Ichigo was surprised to see Kon was actually still quite fit, lean and muscular instead of plump and weak as he would have expected.

He shrugged upon pondering the anomaly. Obviously the cat did something else he was forgetting or had never witnessed, something that kept him in good condition. Maybe it was chasing the girl cats or hauling-ass from the dogs, because it sure as hell wasn't mouse catching! He growled scowling back at the fur ball twisting and rubbing around in the dirt before making a mental note to get a new cat, one that might actually put forth the effort to chasing out the mice.

"Some barn cat," he scoffed and climbed into the nearest empty horse stall then over and into the fenced in field. Three heads poked out to watch him as he walked down in a straight line unlatching the gates to each stall and pulling them open, purposely bypassing Zangetsu. The onyx head jutted out and attempted to latch onto the rolled up white sleeve on his right arm. Ichigo smirked and took a rather quick stride forwards making the horse miss its target and whinny after him.

"What are you complaining about?" Looking Zangestu in the eyes he unlatched the stall to Yuzu's pinto and pulled the door open. It dashed out and chased Karin's Cleveland Bay further into the field nipping playfully at its hip. Walking into the now empty stall Ichigo hopped the fence and grabbed the bridle. The stallion's body turned round in the provided space and dipped its head out in anticipation. Deciding Ichigo wasn't moving fast enough for his liking he began tossing his head from side to side and snorted until his orange haired master was standing before him, slipping the bit into his mouth.

The door was open and Zangetsu was being led out by the reins as Ichigo gave a subtle huff of laughter. Zangetsu was so impatient sometimes. Obedient and loyal, yes, but still restless from time to time. His fingers latched onto the saddle blanket and with a flick of his wrists the blanket whipped up before descending into position on the muscular body beneath. He placed the saddle atop the blanket, adjusted it, and latched it into place before leading the horse out of the barn and mounting the saddle.

Zangetsu walked down the partially deserted dirt streets lined with darkened houses and just opening shops. Permanent imprints of horseshoes and wagon wheels made in the mud during storms and later dried by the sun were overstepped by the powerful animal in the slow descent from town. Ichigo's eyes surveyed the surroundings. Hardly anyone was moving around at this time other than shop owners, a few residents, and some unrecognized people bringing shipments of goods for sale.

Rounding the corner he could make out Uryu standing upon a wooden porch in the shade of the overhanging roof stuck with banners hanging from nails and billowing in the gentle breeze. Orihime was standing at his side smiling brightly at a man that Uryu was currently shaking hands with, most likely completing a business transaction. The strange man fit the profile of a hunter what with the large rifle upon his back and an ensemble consisting primarily of furs, a rather large crate of animal bait sitting on the ground beside two horses.

Ichigo's suspicions proved correct as Uryu stepped down from the porch and began helping the man unload a variety of different skins and pelts from a nearby wagon and hauled them inside the shop while Orihime held the door open. She caught sight of him and waved, letting loose the door just as the two men were going to walk out. It swung back with a screech and succeeded in smacking Uryu in the face, knocking the glasses off his eyes. Ichigo chuckled as Orihime gasped, clutching her hands to her mouth in appall at the consequences of her own actions before grabbing his arm and apologizing frantically.

The hunter stood behind him and Ichigo couldn't help taking note of how the man was desperately trying to hide his own laughter from the tailor's misfortune as Uryu clutched his bleeding nose and tried to downplay the situation, telling Orihime everything was fine. As he rode by laughing Uryu glared up at him with a snarl and Orihime's concerned look twisted into one of delight as she smiled up at him. "Good morning, Kurosaki-kun."

Nodding was the only reaction Ichigo could accomplish at the moment as he halted Zangetsu and watched Uryu wipe more blood from his nose, reaching into his pocket to produce a nice sized wad of cash in order to pay the man behind him. The hunter took it with a half smile and a nod, rushing rather hastily down the steps he hoisted the crate and slipped it into the back of the wagon. Securing it down to keep from falling out the back he jumped into the seat and urged the horses forward giving Uryu and Orihime a quick wave. Ichigo glanced over his shoulder as the hunter broke out into laughter clearly mistaking himself being out of earshot as he shook his head in disbelief and road over the train tracks on his way out of town.

"Seems I'm not the only one to think it was funny," Ichigo smirked cockily down at Uryu and gestured at the retreating wagon, now disappearing from view behind a line of Japanese Maples decorating the entrance into town.

Uryu picked his glasses up from the porch and slipped them back on, adjusting them briefly as he tried to keep his cool. "I guess it just shows what little sense of humor you have Kurosaki."

"Kurosaki-kun it wasn't really that funny," Orihime fidgeted nervously next to the dark haired tailor, glancing upwards at him and away in a shy manner as she attempted to defend their mutual friend. "It could have really hurt him."

When she wasn't looking he rolled his amber eyes slightly at her jittery behavior but sighed and nodded at her. "I suppose you're right Orihime, but still it was amusing." He snorted as he stifled a fresh set of laughter and Uryu crossed his arms in a defensive manner choosing to ignore him rather than retaliate.

He pushed up his glasses giving the teenage rancher an annoyed glare before turning towards the orange haired female at his side. "Want me to walk you to the school Orihime?" He offered, chivalry getting the better of him and determination urging him not to allow her to say no as she was most obviously about to do. She began to shake her head and he held up a hand to halt any protest thrown his way. "After what happened yesterday I think it would be best if you not walk the streets alone."

Orihime held up both hands in objection, her eyes closed as she smiled in gratitude at his concern but she rather not be a burden to him or anyone else for that matter, besides the school wasn't too far away. "No that's ok Uryu. I'll be fine."

"He's right you know. You shouldn't be walking around alone." Her grey eyes flickered up to a rather serious looking Ichigo, his brows furrowed as he looked at the horizon and no longer at the two of them. He had a somewhat dreamy kind of look in his eyes as though thinking or remembering something pleasantly important and she nodded hesitantly, turning to smile at Uryu.

"Alright then, but I really don't think there's anything to worry about. I mean they did catch one of those bandits yesterday."She pointed out looking thoughtfully over at the jail and back at Ichigo. He was still glancing off into the distance apparently not paying much attention and she began wondering just what it was he was thinking about.

Uryu brought a fist up holding it to his mouth as he cleared his throat in order to get her attention. When her eyes were focused on him again and not staring infatuatedly at the other man he shook his head. "You obviously haven't head Orihime."

"Heard what?" She blinked, staring in confusion.

"That she escaped last night." Ichigo's voice was serious but with a hint of some kind of peculiar emotion that didn't belong in a topic as serious and dangerous as this one. Not when speaking of such people as those that were evading law enforcement several hours ago. It hadn't even been a full day since the incident she noted mentally.

She looked down at her feet trying to decipher just what emotion was residing in his voice. Was it excitement? Appreciation? Admiration, maybe? Whatever it was it made her slightly jealous. The tone in his voice was one she had always longed for him to speak with her, of her, in and here it only appeared at the mention of her, whoever she was. A common criminal for all Orihime was aware of. A girl that robbed innocent people among leading a group of immoral men and pursuing gentlemen specializing in authority and peacemaking on a wild chase through a quiet little town of decent people. According to Orihime, that wasn't exactly the profile of a lady and shouldn't invoke admiration from decent kindhearted people like Kurosaki-kun.

She frowned at her own thoughts and shook her head to clear it. She didn't know this girl and she had no real right to judge, but she couldn't help it. It was more the resenting jealousy talking than rational thought anymore as her eyes flicked back up to her crush, still gazing out of town with a serene yet resounding gruff look on his face. She bit her tongue and scuffed her shoes in the dirt as she forced a small laugh. "Oh, no I hadn't heard about that. But still do you really think they'd come back?"

Uryu shrugged. He really had no idea. He'd imagine not for a while if they were truly as smart as everyone imagined them to be. After all the police were on high alert, not just because of the little spectacle they made in town but because of the deceptiveness they managed in order to accomplish breaking-out one of their friends. The Marshal and his deputies messed up big time for sure, but in their defense they simply hadn't recognized the two men as any of the gang members and were expecting Byakuya's men to come for the girl. It was an honest mistake, but still a mistake, only noticed once the true government men came calling not long after she was already sprung.

"Doubtful, though not guaranteed. We should all be more careful." Chad waltzed up behind them and all three turned to glance at him in surprise. Orihime nodded in acceptance of his answer and greeted him in her usual cherry manner.

"Good morning Chad." Uryu pushed up his glasses once more regarding the man with curious eyes as he took note of his dressy attire. "Working?"

Chad's face remained blank as usual as he nodded in response and adjusted the long white coat, checking the buttons on the front to ensure the clothes beneath were covered. He spent a lot of time working with sick animals so the extra layer of clothing was especially important. He glanced over at his best friend still sitting atop his sable horse, "Going for a ride?"

"Yeah," Ichigo stretched in the saddle and began patting Zangestsu's neck as the horse stood patiently but anxious in the center of the road. "Haven't been out for a while, what with all the commotion lately."

Chad nodded and remained quiet as Orihime's face lit up in excitement. "Are you going to race again soon Kurosaki-kun?"

Ichigo sighed in dismay. "I doubt it. No one seems interested in doing so anymore since I've beaten everyone in town."

"You know Kurosaki," Uryu began, taking a few steps to the side he leaned over and snatching a sheet of paper off a nearby table. "There's a race tomorrow afternoon in Kagamino City. Winner take all, and the prize is rather abundant." He passed him the flyer and Ichigo scanned the contents quickly.

He shook his head. "That's a bit far and I doubt my dad would approve of abandoning my duties for a race." He went to pass it back but Uryu held up his hand in rejection.

"Keep it. In case you change your mind." He suddenly took note of how light the surrounding area had become since their conversation had started and turned to Orihime. "We should be going. You don't want to be late."

She nodded with a smile and waved goodbye to Chad and Ichigo as the two departed, walking off towards the schoolhouse. "Bye, enjoy your ride Kurosaki-kun."

"I should be going too. I'll see you later Ichigo."

"Later Chad." Ichigo folded up the flyer, slipping it into his pocket he gave Zangetsu a light kick and the two were moving once more, the stallion whinnying happily as the edge of town became fast approaching. Once past the threshold he steered the horse towards the forest and spurred him into a canter. Zangetsu gladly complied and raced off towards the trees, hooves pounding relentlessly over grass, rocks, and dying tree limbs.

Ichigo's form leaned forward in the saddle as the gait increased in speed and Zangetsu bolted over the trail winding through the thick towering foliage, wind rushing through his orange locks. He smiled, it was nice to actually get out again. To take in the sights and sounds from horseback as the pair traversed the stunning landscape.

Slowing to a trot Ichigo loosened the reins on the right directing Zangetsu off trail to progress up a nearby hill that led to a clearing they usually frequented beside a stream. Once over the incline they pressed on over towards the crystalline blue water gushing noisily over a smooth rocky bottom when a sudden gunshot in the distance spooked them both. Ichigo whipped his head to the side and stared off into the distance as Zangetsu pranced a few steps and neighed shrilly. Spending most of their time on a ranch neither was too accustomed to hearing gunfire, aside from the occasional drunken duel or the ridding of the streets of a pesky animal, but now in the middle of a forest with no one around for quite a good distance it was a bit unnerving to say the least.

Rational thought would have told him to turn around and go back immediately but something held him there and even urged him to move closer, so when he actually acted on the sudden impulse he knew he was being reckless. Well more than reckless. Careless actually, and he muttered under his breath as they treaded lightly, closer to the sound of gunfire sporadically piercing the tranquility. Gingerly shifting overhanging branches out of the way they carried on for several moments of silence. Everything was still, eerily so as the wildlife had most likely been scared off and Ichigo's eyes scanned the surroundings and the dirt beneath them.

He wasn't noticing any fresh horse tracks or footprints, which was all he was really concerned with finding at the moment. His eyes fixated on the ground rather than ahead or even beside him as they swept the forest floor. They passed over nothing but undisturbed dirt, branches sticking upwards stuck in such a position by mud while being surrounded by layers of crumpling brown leaves and pine needles. Acorns, pinecones, and weeds scattered about as well giving the air a heavy scent of earth and decaying foliage.

"Hey!"

His head jerked up looking above him at the sudden voice accompanied by the clomping noise of horseshoes upon rock. Sunlight streamed through the leafy canopy and into his eyes causing him to raise a hand, cupping it on the side of his forehead to block out the glare. Before his eyes could adjust and make out the mounted form above him he heard the cocking of a pistol and Zangetsu's loud whinny. His horse tossed its head and almost reared up in an attempt to turn its body around hastily, but Ichigo clutched the reins tight and kept him firmly in place as he finally began to make out the figure.

His eyes went wide in alarm for a split second and a black eyebrow arched at him, the pistol poised and trained on his muscular chest was lifted, flipped backwards, and slipped back into its holster. A brilliant white horse was standing on a rocky ledge just above, its head lowered as its black snout sniffed at a clump of grass before being guided off the rocks and down a small hillside coming to stand in his path.

"I could have shot you, idiot," the teasing remark dripped from the supple lips of a particularly familiar female, an increasingly recognizable hat resting upon shoulder length black tresses. Her purple eyes stared mockingly yet cautious for a moment, sweeping over his body up and down in search of weapons before turning her horse round, moving away from him.

Snapping out of his momentary daze he swallowed hard as the fear began to subside and urged his horse to catch up to hers as he glared at the back of her head. "Hey! I'm not an idiot you midget!"

Catching up he watched her whirl around in the tawny leather saddle, the horribly agitated look on her face making him smirk in triumph, all sense of caution he knew he should posses had been discarded. She clenched her teeth tight and hissed through them her fist balled up and shook in front of her chest with the undeniable urge to hit him. "What did you call me you dumbass carrot top idiot?"

At first he was taken back by the retort but it faded quick enough leaving him furiously provoked as he growled at her, baring his teeth now clenched in irritation. "What the hell did you call me? There's nothing wrong with my hair!"

Their eyes locked, glaring dangerously and taunting at one another. Both horses stopped side by side and glancing about the surroundings as their riders bickered relentlessly above. Rukia leaned sideways bringing her fist up to his face and holding it there. "And there's nothing wrong with my height! Got it carrot top?" She paused and turned away scoffing as she did so. "Now get lost, and stay out of my way."

Still annoyed, Ichigo followed after her as she started moving forwards once more. "What? That's it? No comeback, just get out of my way?" The urge to fight was still bubbling in him as he taunted her in an attempt to get a rise out of the girl in front of him.

It didn't go as planned as she simply rolled those beautiful glinting amethyst eyes in response, looking dead ahead and avoiding his gaze at all costs. "I'm busy. I don't have time for an idiot like you."

"Idiot?" He growled, temper rising again as his eyebrows furrowed into his signature scowl. "Stop calling me that. My name is Ichigo damn it!"

"Oh, sorry." She stretched out the end in a mocking faux apology then turned to face him, smiling mischievously. "What I should have said was, I don't have time to argue right now Strawberry."

The look on his face made her burst out laughing; throwing her head back she nearly fell backwards off her horse but caught herself. Ichigo glared daggers at the giggling girl as he shook in rage. "It's Ichigo, and it doesn't mean strawberry it means 'He who protect' alright?"

"Whatever you say… Strawberry." A few leftover giggles left her lips and she sighed, quelling the amusement within her as she turned forwards again listening to the man beside her seething in anger.

"Ichigo!" He corrected harshly, dropping the reins in his hands and crossing them across his chest. Glancing at him she stifled another laugh at his rather childish behavior.

"Alright, you're making a scene Ichigo. Besides you don't have to repeat yourself like a broken record. I heard you the first time." Kicking her white horse into a trot they crossed over a dip in the landscape and began towards a steep looking hill, large jagged rocks jutting out the side. She almost smiled, not surprised to see her obviously inexperienced orange haired acquaintance following suit. This should be interesting.

"Could have fooled me," He mumbled, his black horse trotting a bit behind her.

She moved Shirayuki to the side to give him some room but instead of catching up to her side as before he remained where he was. "Clearly I did if you didn't understand what I was doing."

An orange eyebrow raised in her direction, confusion on his face as their eyes met. "What the hell does that mean?"

She smirked. "It means I intentionally called you strawberry to annoy you, idiot."

"No! I mean-" He paused trying to find the words and shook his head when it proved fruitless. "I know that!" He insisted.

"Whatever you say… Now leave me be. As I said, I'm busy." She eased up and allowed her horse to walk carefully as they began climbing the rocky terrain of the hillside.

Ichigo's amber eyes swept over it and an unsure feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. It didn't exactly look very safe but a quick look at the girl beside him showed a rather confident face, one without fear and Zangetsu began following the mare upwards. "Busy? Doing what... And by the way, why the hell'd you pull a gun on me back there?"

Her eyes narrowed in disbelief at such a question, and more importantly how it somehow had only just occurred to him. It wasn't an unexpected topic, quite the contrary actually. She was simply surprised it had taken this long for him to bring it up. "It's called being cautious alright? I didn't know who you were. A murderer, a bounty hunter, a lawman, could have been any of those."

He nodded, satisfied enough with the answer. It was logical and certainly not too farfetched, but with those sorts of concerns why was she out alone? Just the mention of such things gave him an overwhelming feeling of concern for her and in his mind he cursed himself. Why'd he have to be so chivalrous? "Yeah, ok that makes sense but what are you doing out here alone anyway?"

As if sensing his hidden feelings she turned. Her eyebrow arched in bewilderment before a knowing and amused smile took shape upon her lips. "What's it matter?" She asked teasingly and he watched her face as it turned from one of smiling amusement to a suddenly very serious and insulted looking one, as though something neither had thought of had just occurred to her brought on by his simple inquiry. "Don't tell me you're one of those men that don't think a woman can stand up for herself, because I'll have you know I do just fine. It's my sister you should have worried about." It was out before she could stop it and she bit down on her lip, hoping he hadn't been paying attention, which was very unlikely, or simply wouldn't push it.

His eyes went wide for a moment and a forlorn look crossed his features, horrible thoughts swimming through his head and his eyes flickered away from her own. For a moment she was relieved. It didn't seem he would press her for information but it turned to regret as her eyes stayed locked on his face. In the short time they'd talked she'd already concluded that he was a short-tempered, impulsive, and stubborn sort of man, but not a bad one and causing him emotional distress made her feel guilty and underhanded. He shook his head and sighed. "I didn't say that. It's just… never mind. Where's your sister?"

Looking away her eyes fixated themselves on the rocky expanse, watching it pass gradually as the horses made their way slowly upwards and with extreme caution. She chose to ignore his question for a previous one in hopes of changing the subject. "… I'm hunting if you must know.

It did. "Hunting? Hunting what?"

She shrugged. That question really didn't have an answer to go with it but she responded none the less. "Whatever. Doesn't really matter as long as it's edible."

He nodded. "I guess." He regarded her and the white horse for a long moment, searching for anything that would come with skinning an animal. Fur, bones, claws, meat, something but he found none of those. "Haven't made a kill yet?"

She scoffed at him but concentrated more on the landscape as Shirayuki cleared the hillside, stepping up onto the grass and snorting, tossing her head about. They moved out of the way as Ichigo's mount stepped up as well and they stood there allowing the horses to rest and graze a bit. "No, I've made plenty. I just don't carry it around with me everywhere I go, Ichigo."

He sighed closing his eyes. Either she just didn't understand him or he was doing a poor job of expressing himself correctly. "Again I know that. I'm just saying I don't see you carrying any meat or anything. That's all."

"All that stuff is back at camp." There was a long pause as she surveyed the surrounding area. "Why so concerned?"

"I'm not." The reply came unusually fast causing the girl to cock her head in disbelief, a small smirk playing on the corner of her mouth.

"Right." She rolled the word over her tongue slowly and Ichigo could tell she wasn't buying it but she didn't call him out or even turn her attention back on him. She simply continued with her observations, looking for something or someone. He wasn't too sure but his thoughts halted when she spoke up again. "Don't you have better things to do than follow me around like a puppy?"

"I'm not following you… I just happen to be going the same way." He demanded persistently, a slight blush tainting his cheeks at the realization that he had, in fact, followed her this far. It was obvious they both knew that was the case as well and he rubbed the nape of his neck mumbling a bit. "Well excuse me for making conversation."

"You're excused." She replied mockingly, letting him know she had heard him despite whether she was meant to or not as she became exceedingly serious at the same time, violet irises stern and burrowing into his amber ones. "Really, why are you out here? And with no weapons? It's extremely dangerous."

"You mean because of you?" He jeered jokingly with a smirk but it fell quickly. Her face didn't change despite his joke, not even slightly, and it made him extremely embarrassed, making him feel like a complete idiot.

"No." Her voice was stern and un-joking. "We're not the only gang out here and the others aren't so kind to strangers. That means you." She pointed at him and lowered her hand down to rest on the dark golden brown of her coat covering a nice sized portion of her thigh.

"Oh, well thanks for the scare." His sarcasm was thick as irritation coursed through him. What did she think he was? A weak pushover or something? "I'm not afraid of a bunch of lowlifes," he spat out angrily.

"Lowlifes like me, huh?"Once she pointed it out his face fell, lips twitching in a deeply forced against frown. He hadn't meant to insult her along with the rest of them. Actually he hadn't even put her in the same category as them. He opened his mouth ready to tell her so but stopped when she raised a hand to him. "Save it. I'm not trying to scare you I'm just trying to warn you. Besides lowlifes can be pretty frightening, especially those with guns and no moral restraint." There was a pause as she tried to distinguish his emotions and reactions for a second; looking for any sign she was making any progress in getting through that thick stubborn skull of his. She saw none. "You shouldn't be out here if you don't understand that much, let alone without any means of protection."

Her good intentions weren't taken quite as well as she'd of hoped and he snarled at her. "Don't fucking belittle me! I'm not some weak little kid that's going to be frightened off by a ghost story!"

She glared dangerously at him, a mix of emotions swirling around in her gut but the most dominate being determination. "Did you not hear me? I said I'm trying to warn you, not scare you." Her face went blank and cold while her eyes furrowed more, the expression almost made him shiver. She'd never shown any sign of being an emotionless and dangerous criminal until now and in all honesty it was a bit chilling. The fact that she could kill him exceptionally easy if she say fit was suddenly very profound within his mind. "Next time you come out here, have a gun with you."

It was a clear demand, not a question or means of rebuttal, but he still felt the need to say something. "I don't need a gun."

"Trust me, you do." Sitting there scrutinizing him with those cold eyes made him shift uncomfortably in the saddle. He wanted those eyes off him or at the very least much softer, warmer, more inviting.

He huffed moving his gaze elsewhere and then back to her in skepticism. "Why the hell would I?"

Although his question had confused her she didn't allow it to show on her face. "What? Trust me or need a gun?"

"Both," he snapped, tilting his head sideways as he stared back at her with a scowl on his face and a fierce gleam in his eyes. He was doing his best to match the intensity in her eyes and intimidate her, but disappointedly noticed she was little, if at all, affected by it.

Raising her hands she began counting off the reasons on her fingers, her left forefinger latching onto the right and holding it up. "One, because I know what I'm talking about rancher boy. In case you've forgotten I'm one of the lowlifes you spoke so highly of moments ago." She sneered and went to the second finger. "Two, it's very dangerous out here. Outlaws aside, there are cougars and bears roaming around." Her head jerked in regards to the surrounding area as she tapped her third finger. "And three, I already nearly killed you. Or have you forgotten the gun in your face?"

An eyebrow rose in his direction and her hands fell to her sides; her right clutched the grip of her pistol and pulled it from the confines of the holster. She slipped her right pointer finger through the trigger guard and held it barrel down in front of her chest, giving him a clear view of the weapon's profile. "I can refresh your memory if you'd like, for learning purposes only of course."

Shock made his eyes widen and he gulped, amber eyes fixed intently on the gun as he snapped at her. "That won't be necessary. I get it already."

He wanted to scream at her as she relinquished the pistol back to the holster and her emotionally devoid face relented, an entertained smile splayed over her mouth, chuckling softly at his reaction. "Good. Take my advice then, less you end up dead." She paused, gripped the reins, and started moving again as her horse's teeth finished grinding and swallowed down a mouthful of grass. "By bullet… or mauling," she called over her shoulder as he reluctantly began following her again for some unknown reason.

He shook his head swearing at himself in his mind. He must be crazy. She just pulled a gun on him, not once, but twice and here he was chasing after her… But then again she was just trying to help him. Wasn't she? He smiled a tantalizing grin and trotted up beside her. He looked ahead, not at her but he was positive she was fully aware of the look plastered on his features. "I got it. I'll get a gun since you appear so concerned for my well being."

Her eyes rolled and she looked away in denial. "I'm not concerned, just obligated." He just couldn't go ten minutes without picking a fight with her.

"Obligated?"

She nodded. "To inform you you're being a moron wondering around a predator infested forest with no weapon."An amusing thought crossed her mind causing her to giggle. "What are you going to do? Get in a fistfight with a bear if it attacks."

He was silent for such a long moment it caused her to turn to make sure he was still there. He was and blinking at her with a blank expression on his face. "Well you don't have to be so insulting about it… And no I'm not that stupid. I'd simply run away, or had that thought not occurred to you?"

"Oh, you gonna run from a bullet too? I'll let you in on a little secret," He jerked backward as she withdrew the pistol for a third time, raising his hands defensively in front of his face ready to start yelling at her to take it easy as she pointed it in an outstretched arm to her right. A rather large buck jumped out from behind a bush and with a piercing bang it fell sideways in mid hop, falling dead onto the ground blood oozing from the bullet hole in its neck and staining the fur.

"It doesn't work too well." She stated simply, flipping the gun backwards and holstering it, dismounting her horse and leading it over to the dear carcass. She reached down with her left hand and pulled out a coil of rope, secured at her side by a satchel and knelt down to begin wrapping it around the dead buck.

"Need help?" Ichigo hopped down from his own horse walking over to stand behind her as she continued her work and shook her head at him. He reluctantly nodded in acceptance and simply watched her wind the thick strands around the legs and torso, his fingers twitching at his sides as he suppressed the urge to lean in and offer his unwanted help.

Once her mind declared it was tight enough she clutched the ropes crisscrossing over the animal's chest and hoisted it upwards, dragging its back hips and legs over towards the horse. In less than a second Ichigo stepped over the carcass and grabbed hold of its lower half, helping her carry it over to Shirayuki and hoist it onto her lower back just beneath the saddle. Ichigo held it still as Rukia began running the excess rope around the horse's girth tying the deer down.

Shirayuki stomped her back foot at the added weight and turned her neck to watch them. Noticing this Rukia patted her hip and stood back up as Ichigo stepped back, slipping his hands into his pockets as he sauntered back towards Zangetsu. He ran his right hand down the horse's neck to the base as he jumped back into the saddle looking down at a very lost in thought girl. "Something wrong?"

She shifted and gave him a glance through the corner of her eye. Her mouth opened and she took a breath as though to say something but paused, standing there for a moment before shaking her head, slipping back into her own saddle. Deciding it best for Shirayuki to walk with the added weight she urged her onward, Ichigo close at her heels.

Her eyes now narrowed in suspicion but she said nothing. This boy was really starting to intrigue her, and get on her nerves at the same time. His behavior and actions were incomprehensible to her. Half of her wanted to scream at him to just leave and get away from her. She had no need of an escort which he seemed to think she did, while the other half of her was quite content with the company and the lightheartedness he brought. Nothing was chokingly serious around him like it was with her friends.

Still, he didn't make sense to her. What sort of man follows an outlaw that pulls a gun on him twice through a forest simply for conversational purposes? Not to mention then willingly helps them? Better yet though, what kind of man sticks around when they can be killed or charged with aiding a criminal if caught? She stared intently over at him. Did he really know the actual trouble he could be in? Was he really that dense he didn't realize absolutely no good could come from associating with her? What the hell was a simple rancher and descent man doing fraternizing with a criminal?

"What?" He shouted at her, unintentionally squirming and looking about nervously under her heavy gaze. He hadn't thought much of her staring at first but now it was starting to make him very uncomfortable.

She blinked but kept staring. He saw her mouth clench tighter and lips press into a straight line as though trying to hold onto some self control, but it didn't last long. "What the hell is wrong with you? Really? I mean why help me, and more importantly, why are you still here?" She snapped a little more irritable than she'd wanted, but it all just sort of flew out without her consent.

He surprised her yet again. She expected him to become furious or offended but instead he just shrugged at her, his face softening but his ever-present scowl remained. "Seemed like you needed help is all. I wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I left."

She snorted in resentment at that, not even believing her own ears. "Gentlemanly? You're worried about not appearing gentlemanly to a common criminal?"

This made him sigh heavily. His head shook and he let out a low chuckle. It made her glare at him. It was like he knew something she didn't, something exceedingly obvious and yet she couldn't grasp the concept.

She almost reached over and smacked him in the face. Not because he was laughing at her, that she could take, but because she didn't understand why he was laughing at her. "What?" She hissed, eyes narrowing.

Inhaling deeply he ceased his laughter and took a moment to regain composure before answering. "I'm not worried about not looking like a gentleman in front of a common criminal as you put it but," pausing he turned to her almost laughing again at the deadly look he was receiving. "Not looking like a gentleman in front of a lady."

For the first time in a long time Rukia was utterly flabbergasted as she gaped at him wide eyed, and most definitely blushing and looking like a complete idiot. She growled, trying to play it off like she wasn't affected or even remotely flattered by such a statement. Kicking her horse into a trot she left him behind to blink after her, wondering what he did wrong and catch up.


Renji sat in the grass beside a crackling pile of sticks and flickering flames, his back and left forearm leaning into an elongated mossy log set behind him. Its main purpose was to serve as a seat but as exhausted as he felt at the moment sitting upright wasn't the best idea. The possibility of falling backwards and smacking his head on something was rather high as he yawned, repeatedly dozing in and out of consciousness.

He shifted, outstretching his right leg and moving his head about to get more comfortable. It was exceptionally hot but not unbearably so as he made a last-ditch effort to inch into a more comfortable position, wanting to catch a few Z's before Rukia made an appearance. She always had a habit of berating him for falling asleep during the day.

Due to the shortage in their food supply they'd gone out hunting together at the break of dawn while the others resumed other necessary chores around the hideout, from weapon maintenance to repairing various odds and ends to retrieving supplies in town.

After a few hours they gathered their many kills at a makeshift campsite before his female counterpart decided to go out again, leaving him to gut, clean, and skin the remaining animals alone. Luckily for him though, Ashido and Shuhei decided to check up on their progress and took everything back with them, leaving just enough for the two to have a quick meal before making the journey back.

He sighed tiredly as his eyes drooped shut. Several moments of silence was suddenly shattered as two voices emerged from the trees, bickering back and forth accompanied by horseshoes. Brown eyes snapped open and he sat up quickly in recognition of one of them. Looking over he instantaneously identified Rukia perched upon her graceful white horse but her accomplice was totally foreign. They were arguing about something and it made him tense up, instinctively reaching for his gun.

He stopped as they came closer into view and he right away noticed two things. One, the man had orange hair and two, he had no weapons. Renji could almost chuckle if it wasn't so brainless. Rationalizing that he must have lost his gun somehow in the woods he refused to believe he never had one to begin with. Surely no one could be that stupid.

The two grew silent as Rukia began ignoring the orange haired boy and stopped at camp, tossing a small nod of acknowledgment his way as she hopped down and began untying a hefty buck from the back of her horse. The next moment that passed made Renji snigger and jump to his feet to help. The newcomer attempted to lend a hand but as he leaned in too close for comfort a strong and dainty elbow collided with his stomach, knocking the air out of him and forcing his bulky form to bend forwards, snarling at the smirking girl.

Instead of commenting Renji chose to shake his head at him and haul the dead animal down. Rukia took the opportunity to flop down on the log and watch as Renji proceeded to slice the buck across the stomach, pulling away the skin and slicing away chunks of bloody meat.

Ichigo's face contorted into one of disgust as he watched transfixed and unable to look away from the massacre. Noticing, Rukia crossed her arms and huffed amused. "Never seen an animal gutted before Ichigo?"

Ichigo glared breathlessly at her while Renji's hands never discontinued their work and his eyes never left the carcass. "Ichigo?" He paused a moment, pulling away one of the buck's kidneys. "Another one of your admires Rukia?"

"Shut up Renji," She barked at him, raising her foot and giving him a kick in the back. He fell forwards and his hands shot out to brace himself and keep himself from landing into a pool of blood and carnage. He pushed himself up onto his knees and started briskly scanning over his clothes for any blood stains, sighing relieved when he didn't find any.

"Oi, be carefully! This is an expensive suit you know!" He bellowed back a bit loud for her taste.

Her eyes narrowed menacingly at him but unlike Ichigo, Renji showed no sign of being intimidated or even slightly fearful. He'd lived with her since they were children. He knew her better than anyone so it was no surprise to her but Ichigo seemed a bit intrigued at this.

It wouldn't be shocking to learn Ichigo's mind was screaming to know, not only why she wasn't invoking discomfort, but what the secret was to why she wasn't. His amber eyes blinked taking in the scene as the man he now knew as Renji did nothing but close his eyes and smile before going back to his work. "Admirer?"

"Forget it. The idiot doesn't know what he's talking about." She spat insultingly as she glared at the red hair tied up high on the back of his head, a white strip of cloth running beneath.

Disregarding her he smiled cockily and glanced at Ichigo. "I just assumed you followed her here like a few other members of the gang. Rukia has a way that seems to attract attention."

Huffing Ichigo crossed his arms scowling. "I didn't follow her. I helped her."

"Oh?" A disbelieving twinkle flickered through brown eyes and his smirk became a rather large grin as his mind pieced things together. "So you helped her, but still followed her."

His face fell and he snarled at the red haired man. "It's not like that! I helped her and it just happened to lead me here! I didn't follow her like some stalker or anything!"

Violet eyes rolled in aggravation as the two screamed at one another, leaning closer and closer trying to intimidate the other into backing down till they were glaring eye to eye. Their faces were so close now that if she were to bump one of them they'd most definitely end up in a lip lock. She had the fleeting urge to put the theory to the test but disregarded it and picked up two nearby rocks, tossing them and smacking each square in the side of the head. "Both of you shut up. You're making way too much of a commotion."

Each groaned in pain, rubbed at the red mark forming where the rock hit, and huffed turning away from one another. It didn't take Renji long to finish separating the buck into useable and unusable parts and begin roasting up a good portion of meat. Ichigo jumped to his feet in a panic, mounting his horse as he said a quick goodbye to Rukia and a rather insulting and reluctant one to Renji. He didn't stick around long, needing to get home to finish his chores for the day.

Both Rukia and Renji watched him gallop away. Renji lifted a piece of meat to his mouth, taking a bite still glancing at the now disappearing form. "Audacious character isn't he?"

Chuckling Rukia gave him a smile. "You have no idea."


Kagamino City was a large and busting place full of all kind of people, most wealthy or at least upper middle class. It was yet another sunny afternoon, thankfully, as Ichigo road into the city for the first time, the excitement of an actual race getting the better of him. He still wasn't sure how he'd convinced his father to let him go, but surprisingly it was quite effortless.

He scanned the city and noted the big group of men on horseback just up the way, resting and mingling under the archway of one of many of the city exits. Clearly the starting point. They jogged over and Ichigo scanned the so called competition. They were all older men in their late thirties to early fifties it seemed. Very few spoke to one another and when they did it was more insults and obscenities than actual conversation.

Amber eyes looked off into the distance at the roadside. Groups of people were dispersing along the track for a better view of the race and a small band of four men were standing at the start chatting and waiting for racers to show up. One had a checkered flag tucked under his arm and a pocket watch clutched in his hand. The manner in which he continuously glanced down at it told him it was nearing the designated time.

A few of the fellow racers tossed him dirty looks which he ignored, waiting patiently as the four men split into two groups, each taking a place at the side of the starting point. The one man slipped the watch into his pocket and grabbed a chair, stepping up onto it in order to be seen and heard clearly. He raised his hands and the crowd and riders quieted down. "Gentlemen, this is a fair race! No guns or weapons of any kind will be permitted! Any actions intended to cause another rider to be pushed from his horse or severally injured is a cause for disqualification! Should you find yourself being passed up by a faster be courteous and allow them through! Now if everyone is ready," He held up the flag giving them a chance to get into position before dropping it in a sweeping motion. "Go!"

A series of horses bolted through the archway and down the winding path. Riders spurred their horses and shouted furiously at others attempting to pass them up. Ichigo found himself in the lead soon enough. Zangetsu was much too fast for the likes of their horses and although that was on his side, stamina may prove an issue later on. His plan was to hold an early lead and get far enough ahead they'd have no chance of catching up in time to win.

It appeared to be working as he repeatedly glanced over his shoulder to check the distance between him and them. Dust was swirling in the air, kicked up by each footfall and Zangetsu neighed, huffing as he galloped on. A chorus of hoof beats and whinnying resounded behind them and the occasionally shouted swear.

The passed small crowds cheering earnestly at his commanding lead as they winded through a rather towering canyon and back out into open space. The other rides were hardly detectable after a few moments and Ichigo smiled, adrenaline pumping in the excitement of it all. They had this one for sure or at least he assumed as much.

It wasn't soon after they crossed the wooden bridge leading over a small creek that Zangetsu really began to tire and was slowed to a canter. Another pair of hooves appeared on the bridge just as they made their way off and onto the bank of the other side. He was shocked to say the least. He'd left most of them so far back that the idea that one managed to catch up was stunning.

Turning over his shoulder his eyes widened and had Zangetsu not taken it upon himself to turn to the right they'd have run dead into a tree. The Standardbred neighed beneath him, obviously not understanding what was occupying his rider's attention as a strikingly white horse raced up beside them.

All Ichigo could do was stare as Rukia smiled brightly at him, keeping pace with the sable stallion. "You have speed strawberry, but not stamina." She called over the pounding of hooves and with a spur to the horse's hindquarters she was ahead of him. He watched her retreating form and noticed the finishing line just up ahead. He cursed. She was the last person he expected to see let alone loose to. Shaking his head he growled and urged Zangetsu to catch up.

Despite the fatigue the horse sped up in one last burst of speed and was right on the mare's tail. He frowned when he heard the girl ahead of him laugh. She was right. Zangetsu was built for speed. That was his strong point but he didn't posses the stamina to maintain it as long as other breeds, not like her Arabian. Distance was the only thing causing her to win and they both knew it and as the finishing line rapidly approached she looked back over her shoulder, shocked to see him grin at her.

They both crossed within seconds of each other, the white mare first the black stallion just behind on the left. They slowed to a stop, both horses panting relieved to now be resting. Rukia turned away and nodded towards a man with maroon hair and a suede fur coat. He nodded back and made his way over to the judge to collect the prize on her behalf.

"I never expected you to be here."

Ichigo's comment got her attention and she smirked at him. "Disappointed?"

"Eh," he shrugged nonchalantly. "So I lost, it was still fun."

Rukia frowned as he clearly missed what she was attempting to say. "I meant are you unhappy that you did see me?"

He looked both shocked and thoughtful at the same time as he picked his words carefully, not wanting to offend her but also not willing to admit that he was quite the opposite. "I… suppose not." Though it was a statement it was spoken in a questioning tone, as if asking if he had responded correctly which earned him a very subtle laugh. "Uh, what's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing." Looking away she caught sight of Ashido. He gestured with a small head tilt and she nodded in return. It was time to take their leave before the other rides, which were just arriving, got a bit violent in wanting their money back. "Take care Ichigo."

Biting the inside of his lip he blinked at her. "Leaving already?"

"It would seem." She turned her horse and the two began trotting off towards her friend and his palomino colored mare. They exchanged a brief set of words to which Rukia's face turned into one of the utmost seriousness and the two were off, leaving the city and him behind, now very curious and concerned at the same time.


Author's Note: Thanks for you liked it. I know it's been a bit of a wait for this one to come out and I apologize, but I've been having other story ideas lately. So I've basically been switching from one thing to the next jotting down ideas and things. You may see some new stories start coming out soon and if that's the case this story will still be my top priority. So don't worry lol. Anyways, review if you like and a special thanks to my last reviewers and those that favorited this. I appreciate it :)