'Who was that guy?' said Rukia quietly to Ichigo as she surveyed his new apartment.

The dark blush on her cheeks still hadn't disappeared from Skip's comment on the handcuffs. Ichigo had to brush him off quickly with some lame excuse and hurry Rukia into his apartment… to which only earned a snicker from Skip. 'Oh I see… can't wait to get busy, eh?' came his cocky voice before Ichigo slammed the door shut.

He turned to face the pretty raven haired girl who was staring up at him with those mesmerizing cerulean eyes. She had an adorable flush across her cheeks and Ichigo quickly decided he liked it.

'Earth to Ichigo,' Rukia tried again. His tawny brown eyes were surveying her and widened at the sound of her voice. Apparently she was waiting for some kind of response from him. Now, if only he had heard what she said…

Ichigo was spared answering as Rukia turned and began walking around his living room. She walked over to the window and so did he as far the metal contraption was concerned.

'The view of the city is so much better from here,' she muttered, pressing her free dainty hand against the glass. Her eyes glittered in reflection of the city lights.

Ichigo smirked. 'Yeah, I like it too,' he agreed.

Rukia walked around on her own surveying the place, Ichigo in tow, instead of asking him for tour.

They finally reached the master bedroom. It was quite spacious. Ichigo already had a super-single bed, TV, mini-fridge and a cupboard in there. Boxes full of stuff were piled in a corner. Even from the little he'd unpacked, Rukia could see he was a very neat person. That was rare.

DING DONG!

Ichigo's study table had arrived. The movers clucked in approval as they saw Ichigo and Rukia in their chained glory. Ichigo just told them to put in the corner and leave, irritably. They were still smirking when Ichigo closed the door.

Rukia began going through some boxes with Ichigo. This was becoming increasingly difficult, trying to work while chained to the other. All the while they kept yanking each other's arm unintentionally. Especially Ichigo, at one point had lurched so quickly to retrieve something at the bottom of a box; Rukia lost her balance in her crouching position and fell onto him. They crashed on the floor heavily, Rukia's forehead landing on his chin. He felt her hot breath fan out over his Adam's apple as she sighed in frustration. Rukia meanwhile, felt her heart race as the feel of his solid, warm body under hers. She attempted to get up and lightly buried her knee in his crotch. 'Ah!'Ichigo inhaled sharply. 'Sorry, sorry,' she muttered embarrassedly.

They finally gave up and decided to something else until Hisana came back from work and was able to free them.

'So what do you wanna watch?' Ichigo asked Rukia, who was seated next to him in his squashy couch.

Rukia uncrossed her long legs and shrugged, Ichigo's eyes not missing a bit of it. 'Anything is fine with me,' she sighed lying back into the comfortable chair. Ichigo nodded and switched the TV on to some random movie channel.

Rukia massaged her eyes with her slender fingers using her free hand. 'Your couch is so comfortable,' she yawned, stretching out.

Ichigo peered down at her as she shifted into a more comfortable position, but wasn't able to due to the handcuffs. She finally gave up and edged closer toward him, their arms were almost touching now.

'You seem tired all of a sudden,' Ichigo prompted softly to her.

'Correction, I am tired. I went to this crazy party yesterday. Hardly slept,' she explained, her heavy eyelids half-hiding her stunning irises beneath a thick, dark, array of eyelashes.

'Ah…' said Ichigo suddenly noticing how close she was.

Ichigo's soothing scent wafted through her as she inched a bit nearer, he smelt heavenly. She rubbed her nose against his sleeve. Rukia could feel his body warmth radiating her being, how nice it would be if she could just…

'Rukia, uhm… what are you doing?' came his deep voice.

Rukia's eyes flew open to discover her small arms were snaking around his waist. His toned, oh-so- slender, waist at that.

Oh. My. Gooooood.

Only perverted old men did that, right?

She flushed heavily and pulled herself of him at once. To her surprise she was stopped by his strong arms encircling her. He brought his soft lips down on her, sliding them against her own. His hand rode up her slender back to her neck to deepen his angle of the kiss. The power of his kiss was too much. Rukia opened her herself to him at once. His tongue explored every inch of her sweet mouth, like he could never get enough. Rukia moaned helplessly and lightly bit on his lower lip, her fingers soothing the hair on the nape of his neck. He groaned in approval. He finally tore his lips from her mouth and dragged it down her throat, his tongue soothing the nibbles he made. Rukia groaned, fisting handfuls of his fiery hair.

'Say my name,' his lips fluttered against her milky throat before his tongue swirled on her pulse.

'Ichigo…Ichigo…Ichigo,' she chanted helplessly as he ravaged her body like a beast. Then she suddenly felt herself being shaken from the distance.

'Rukia! Rukia! Wake up! Are you alright?' came a familiar deep voice.

Rukia opened her eyes slowly, pushing her dark hair out of it. She found herself looking into a pair of chocolate brown eyes. She was breathing heavily and sweating, while a confused looking Ichigo was watching her carefully. Thunder striked in the distance and it began raining outside, very heavily.

'Are you alright?' Ichigo asked again, his scratchy voice clearly audible through the pouring rain.

Rukia realized that she had one hand on her neck. She removed it quickly. She sat up a little in the squashy couch.

'W-what happened?' she said slowly as she noticed her question made Ichigo avert his eyes to the floor.

'You fell asleep after telling me how tired you were and then you started… breathing heavily and…. Uh…' he paused uncomfortably.

'And what?' she said her cheeks colouring, hoping it wasn't so.

'Saying my name. Over and over…' he trailed off, suddenly a deep flush appearing on his sharp features.

Rukia shut her eyes and turned away, so embarrassed there was an insisting buzzing in her ears in addition to the raging storm that seemed to be overtaking the sky outside. She was dreaming of making out with Ichigo? What was wrong with her? She never crushed on people; it was always the other way round. She never needed to long for someone, as they were always all too ready to be laid out for her. What was it that this strawberry had that draws her to him so much?

Ichigo noticed her blush and her attempt to hide her face in her soft, dark, hair.

Whoa… was this what he thought it was? Or was he reading it all wrong? He had to find out. If she wasn't going to tell him he had to find some other way.

He lifted his fingers over to her and lightly brushed her hair out of her face. He watched as her eyes flew open wide and a small gasp escaped her pink lips. He didn't move his hand from the side of her cheek as he tried to decipher her emotions from her facial expressions.

Rukia just stared up into his handsome face. She could feel his slender fingers stroking her cheek whilst he watched her like as though she was some sort of interesting science experiment. She tried to keep her face stoic and impassive, failing miserably. Her heartbeat was a terrible giveaway though. She wondered if he could hear its erratic beating even through the noise of the storm outside.

Ichigo slid his hand a bit lower, under her jaw, his forefinger grazing her pulse lightly. Bingo. That was quite a rhythm, and he highly doubted she was afraid of the thunder.

She noticed the cocky grin on his face and swatted his hand away.

'Just what do you think you're doing?' she demanded, trying to regain her fallen dignity.

To this Ichigo only moved a bit closer. 'I don't know, why don't you tell me?' he said playfully.

Rukia blinked at his close proximity. She averted her eyes immediately and Ichigo chuckled softly.

'Looks you've come down with… a severe case of the la la love bug,' said Ichigo teasingly checking her temperature by pressing his palm to her forehead and neck, as she shifted uncomfortably next to him.

'You arrogant prick, what made you come up with that conclusion?' she stated her last word coming out a bit higher than usual as Ichigo's fingers lightly probed her neck.

'Let's just say I have sixth sense, okay… Princess?' he breathed his voice so deep and sexy, Rukia was shuddering.

'Who knew you were such a Casanova?' she teased back, her eyes torn between amusement and wonder.

'I've watched a lot of movies…' he admitted dragging his free hand through his spiky hair.

The sound of thunder broke through Ichigo's apartment.

Ichigo turned to the window. 'Wow, that's quite a storm,' he said and Rukia watched as a flash of lightning illuminated his bright eyes.

His eyes trailed back to her, sparked with renewed interest. His next question nearly made her slip of the couch.

'So… what was I doing in your dream?' he said swiftly catching her in one arm and pulling her back onto the couch.

She tried and failed to yank his arm from her dainty waist and huffed angrily, her pretty face in a pout.

'You were going to fall off a cliff, so I tried to call you back…' she lied lamely.

Ichigo swallowed a laugh. 'Could have fooled me,' he said making her crimson again. Oh, how he enjoyed making her blush!

'Sure didn't sound that way… the way you were moving in your sleep, the way you breathed my name,' Ichigo couldn't believe these words were coming from him. He was rather proud of himself for turning into such a tease. Oh No, this could have finally been a sign of his perverted father rubbing off on him. Say it isn't so.

'You little…' Rukia breathed, dizzy with embarrassment. She noticed he still hadn't let go off her waist. Did he think this was a game? Did he enjoy seeing his effect on her? The nerve of the guy…

A loud, solid blast of rock music came from Rukia's shorts pocket interrupting the tension and weird conversation. Rukia pulled out her phone and glanced at the caller ID.

'Hisana,' she said urgently to Ichigo.

Ichigo nodded in understanding. He was beginning to wonder if Rukia's sister was ever going to call them back. She after all… had the key to their freedom.

'Hello? Hello… Hisana? I… your breaking up,' shouted Rukia into her cell phone, covering her ear with her other hand to drown out the sound from the surroundings.

'Rukia? R-ukia… I can hear you now. What is it?' came Hisana's deep voice barely audible over the crackling static. Rukia immediately assumed Hisana was in her office.

'I need the keys to Kitara's handcuffs!' Rukia got to the point loudly.

'What? Rukia…' came her sister's confused voice.

'I'll talk to you when you come to pick Kitara up!' yelled Rukia.

'My driver has already picked her up ten minutes ago,' Hisana explained.

'Shit! Okay. Listen. Hisana. I NEED THE KEYS TO KITARA'S HANDCUFFS!' Rukia bellowed into her phone as Ichigo began snickering to her utmost annoyance.

She swatted him but he dodged it. Curse his lightning fast reflexes.

Hisana took a while to process her sister's frantic yell. Then she began laughing. Oh, Rukia was SO not in the mood for this. Already, bad as it was Strawberry not only discovered her perverted fantasies of him, but he was now full out laughing at her. And so was her one and only sibling.

'Hisana. This is urgent! I need it,' she clipped on, her voice tone threatening.

Hisana felt a wave of pity for her sister, but couldn't help but ask.

'Oh… That Kitara! What did she chain you to?' came Hisana's amused voice.

'That's not important!' shrieked Rukia.

'Okay, okay. Calm down. Maybe I'll swing by sometime tomorrow. It's raining cats and dogs in case you haven't noticed,' Hisana's calm voice rolled over the static.

'Tomorrow? B-but I need it now!' Rukia tried her best not to sound like a whiny six year old. Rukia noticed with satisfaction as the laugh on Ichigo's face turned into pure shock.

'You'll live Rukia, rest assured you're brother in law will make sure you're niece does not have those handcuffs anymore,' she said finishing sternly.

'Goodbye!' said Hisana before all Rukia could hear was the hang up tone.

Ichigo turned to her expectantly.

'S-she hung up on me!' she huffed out angrily to Ichigo.

'What?' he half-shouted, this was serious now.

Rukia smiled sweetly up at him. She loved annoying him. Oh, sweet sweet revenge. She traced his chest lightly with her fingers.

'So up until tomorrow, I'm all yours, baby,' she purred, her fingers teasing his chest in circles.

Ichigo frowned. Two can play this game, hell yeah.

'Okay then, baby. I need to pee,' he announced curtly.

Rukia yelped and stumbled a little away from him. 'Oh… No way,' she groaned.

'And… I need to take a bath. So, I was thinking, sugar, we could take one together,' he grinned at Rukia's horrified expression. She obviously hadn't thought their situation through.

'Okay, I see your point,' she said limply running her fingers down her eyelids.

'Uh… Rukia?' he asked.

'Hmmm?' she murmured her hand still over her closed eyelids.

'About the peeing part, well… I wasn't kidding,' came his sheepish voice as Rukia's eyes widened in horror.

Rukia really didn't know how she had let him persuade her into this. He had threatened her about the possibility of there being a large puddle on the floor if she didn't go through with it. Maybe it was just the fact that he able to drag her into the bathroom anyway, using his body to his advantage. So here they were, standing in Ichigo's bathroom in front of the toilet.

'I can't believe you,' she said for the millionth time.

'I need to, now will you please shut your eyes, unless, you would like a free show to make your pervy fantasies more real,' he said slyly to her as he fumbled for his zipper.

Ichigo felt a sharp pain to the side of his head as her fist connected solidly with it.

'Oww, I was just kidding. That hurt!' he wailed.

'Whatever. Just hurry up already!' she said embarrassedly, creeping behind him so they were back to back. Her right hand pulled to Ichigo's front uncomfortably due to the trap.

'No peeking,' Ichigo said as she used her free hand to cover her already shut eyes.

When Rukia didn't answer him he moved his hands to undo his zipper. He began sweating as he noticed Rukia's fair hand dangling dangerously close to his crotch. He immediately dropped his left hand to prevent himself from hardening. He wouldn't want to have to answer unnecessary questions from her later. As quickly as he could one handedly, he finished the job and quickly zipped up his pants. He pulled the flush and she turned to face him.

'Hey! What if I wasn't done? I didn't give you the signal yet!' he exclaimed.

'Save the code of Bushido for someone who cares, Strawberry. I'm hungry…' she said looking up at him.

He smiled down at her. 'For?' he countered, eager to see her blush again.

Rukia scoffed. 'Food. What else?' she said stoically not wishing to give him the satisfaction.

Once again, Ichigo couldn't believe these perverted lines were coming from his mouth. He blamed it on his father.

'Sure?' he couldn't resist adding in.

Rukia sighed. 'Just give me food, Strawberry. And make sure you wash your hands before doing so,' she said peering up at him through her eyelashes.

After single-handedly eating cheese sandwiches, Ichigo switched on the TV again. This time Rukia leaned on him slightly, resting her head against his shoulder. Ichigo felt his heartbeat quicken against his will. Then a thought struck him.

'Rukia, where are we gonna sleep? I haven't got my new bed yet so I'm still having my single bed from my old room,' he gulped at the thought.

Rukia's eyes shot open wide. How could she have forgotten all of this? She groaned in frustration.

'We can't go back to my place because James will definitely tell Byakuya…' she sighed into his sleeve.

Ichigo frowned. 'Who's that?' he asked.

Rukia laughed darkly. 'Let's put it this way, he turns Kitara into a saint with his mere presence,' said Rukia looking up at him.

'I think I like this guy,' said Ichigo, nodding.

'You wouldn't be so sure once you meet him,' was all Rukia had to say. She began stretching comfortably against him.

'Maybe we can sleep on this couch…' she yawned.

Ichigo scowled. 'Rukia, we won't be able to move, it's so small. My bed is bigger,' he explained.

Rukia's lips twisted into a wry smile that got Ichigo's heart beating a lot faster.

'Don't say that, it sounds wrong,' she wiggled a finger at his nose.

Ichigo caught her hand and pulled it to him pressing her finger to his lips. They were good at their flirting game.

'Do you want this to turn 'wrong', then? Just say the word, Rukia,' he murmured, looking at her beneath his lashes.

Rukia felt shiver run down her spine. God, his lips were soft. They were reminder of when she had err… forcibly kissed him to persuade those losers earlier today. She knew he was only teasing her but she was stubborn to let him make her feel this way. Who was this stranger to take over her feelings so easily?

She pulled her hand from his grip and up at him. That's it Rukia! Confidence, something you never had to remind yourself to have! She told herself. Tease the little cretin back. Show him who's boss.

'That could be fun actually,' she said lacing her voice with honey, as she allowed herself to trace his firm jaw line.

To her amazement, he didn't shy away. He just laughed.

'Isn't this weird? We just met each other today morning…' he said softly.

'I don't quite care. I feel like I've known you forever,' said Rukia a little startled with her own confession.

Ichigo felt a warmth envelope his being from head to toe at those words. They were somehow exactly what he wanted to hear from her.

'Well then, to bed?' he asked her.

'Somebody's eager,' she teased softly.

Ichigo blushed at that. 'I thought you were tired?' he shot out.

'Yes, oh so tired. So tired that I can't walk, babe,' she said flirtatiously slithering her arms around his neck.

Ichigo grinned and in one sweeping motion she was in his arms. She blushed as he stood and her feet dangled from the distance.

'I was kidding, Ichigo, put me down,' she said embarrassedly.

He looked down at her, a mischievous look on his handsome face. 'It's OK,' he assured her as he carried her into his bedroom.

Rukia couldn't believe this. She was walking into his apartment at first to help him unpack, and next thing she knows… she could only guess where this was leading to.

He dropped her onto the bed unceremoniously and his trapped hand yanked forward painfully. He climbed next to her. 'I am not a sack of rice for you to throw around!' she huffed, turning to face him. She was startled to find him exceedingly close to her face.

'Sorry,' he murmured brushing his nose against hers.

Rukia blushed and rubbed back against him gently.

Ichigo didn't know what was coming over him, he just felt like being as close to her as humanely possible. The way she was looking at him now wasn't helping either. He wished she would push him away and ask him what the hell was wrong with him to make it easier. Rukia was feeling the same way, longing for his embrace, but why? She didn't know this guy. How could she be lusting over some dude she met a few hours ago?

What the hell, Ichigo sighed in defeat, sniffing her fruity scented locks. I'm a healthy male of breeding age, this is normal. Right? Well, maybe not to him, but it certainly was like that in most cases.

She leaned closer to him, he could almost count her eyelashes now.

'Ichigo?' she breathed.

'Hmm…' he answered distractedly.

'Why are we doing this?' she whispered as he leaned in to brush his lips against hers.

He chuckled softly against her lips, making a shiver run down her spine. He slowly wrapped one arm around her securely, so that their chests were brushing.

'We're not doing anything, Rukia. You must have fallen asleep again,' he murmured onto her lips, his voice throaty, sliding his lips against hers.

Rukia felt heat radiate from his hands as he gently rubbed her back. She pushed her lips just a bit harder against his. 'Stupid boy,' she breathed, sucking on his lower lip.

Ichigo shuddered, she was good at this.

Rukia watched him shudder softly, his eyes shut, his lashes sweeping his defined cheekbones. God, does he have to look so damn irresistible all the time?

Ichigo deepened the kiss gently, by mimicking her actions, lightly nibbling her lower lip, then running his tongue along it. To his surprise, Rukia began giggling.

He crinkled his nose and peered at her. 'What's so funny?' he muttered.

'Is this your first kiss?' Rukia asked, her eyes sparkling.

Ichigo coloured considerably. 'So what if it is?' he said scowling.

'Nah, I can just tell,' she said softly, licking his pouting lip. She ran her fingers through his hair and he closed his eyes savoring the feel of her light fingertips on his scalp.

'I've been wanting to experiment,' he admitted, his voice a little dangerous.

Rukia's heart started beating erratically again when he leaned in again, this time with much less innocence. He crashed his lips against hers and was met with no resistance. He began kissing the life out Rukia as she opened her mouth to him, their tongues crashing in a relentless war, which needless to say, he won quite easily. Their teeth clacked together as they began sucking the life out of each other. Rukia found herself groaning. Damn, he was a natural, she thought. 'Mmm…' she mumbled approvingly as he lovingly sucked her tongue into his mouth. Ichigo smirked inwardly, watching her expression. Hell yeah, he was doing this right. Now he knew why people liked kissing so much. Rukia tugged at his hair trying to gain control tilting her head and running her tongue along his teeth.

'Ow, Rukia. You bit me,' he hissed breathlessly pulling away from her. His lower lip was swelling from Rukia's angry bite.

Rukia was trying to catch her breath. 'Sorry… needed… to… breathe,' she gasped out.

'No such luck,' he said casually before kissing her again, this time more gently. Rukia soothed his lip by placing butterfly kisses on it. Ichigo relaxed against his pillow his lips never leaving hers. They could keep going forever, or at least until sleep overtook them. He tightened his hold on her slender body, trying not to crave for more and ruining everything.

Rukia smiled against his lips. This was going to be a long night.