Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

A/N: Hello guys! So, you can kind of count this as a continuation to the oneshot that precedes this one, but you don't have to read the other one to understand this one (although if you do, that would be great.) Anyway, this is a sort of fluffy oneshot revealing Ichigo's soft spot. Well, just read and find out. Props to karling08 for figuring out what this one was about XD Enjoy, and R&R!

The Tales of the Strawberry and the Chappy Fanatic: Oh, No He Didn't.

Ichigo wondered why he wasn't dead on arrival at that point. He was at the main entrance of the colossal Kuchiki Manor, asking for Byakuya's permission to start a committed relationship with Rukia. Oh, boy. He felt as if he was being watched by the guards, but everyone knew he would go through extremes for Rukia, even if it meant being murdered by Byakuya's hand. Whatever, he just wanted to get it over with. He wondered how hard the respected noble would interrogate him. Would whatever Ichigo said be enough? Jeez, it shouldn't have been this complicated to ask permission, he knew he was worthy of her love. What couldn't that rich prick understand about that? He fell in love once too, Byakuya should understand him at least a little bit. Ichigo spied his admirable surroundings while waiting for one of the maids to open the door. It was literally taking forever. Maybe it's because this mansion's way too damn big, Ichigo thought. Suddenly, the main door slid open.

"Good afternoon, Kurosaki-san. You requested an audience with Kuchiki-dono?" The auburn-haired maid asked very politely. Ichigo scratched the back of his neck and nodded. He even added a half-smile. The young maid gave a little giggle and blushed.

"R-right this way, Kurosaki-san." The auburn-haired maid stammered, gesturing Ichigo inside the huge manor. There were endless hallways, and Ichigo wondered how long it would take to find the bathroom or something. After what seemed like hours of walking, the two stopped in front of the largest door Ichigo had seen in his entire life. The maid knocked in an odd pattern; a secret knock. Ichigo rolled his eyes and waited.

"Come in," Byakuya called, his voice muffled through the sliding door. The maid slid the door open carefully, as if she was trying to be quiet. When the door opened, Ichigo saw Byakuya still as ever, on his knees in front of a small desk used for writing calligraphy. Ichigo squinted to see what he wrote, and he could make out a single word; Pride. Ichigo entered the noble's room and knelt a few meters away in front of Byakuya, but also close to the door. Why? So he could make a run for it in case things went terribly wrong.

"What do you want, Kurosaki Ichigo?" Byakuya asked flatly, his eyes not leaving the piece of paper. Ichigo watched how steady his arm was while it glided over the paper skillfully.

"I came to ask you one thing..." Ichigo swallowed hard. Byakuya still didn't meet his amber eyes. Instead, he drew out another word; Joy.

"And what may that be?" Byakuya asked with very little interest. Ichigo swallowed hard and balled his fists.

"I came to ask for your permission... to start a relationship with Rukia." Ichigo said with a tinge of nervousness audible in his voice. In truth, he wouldn't really fear anyone like Byakuya. But at a time like this, his life could end at any moment. Byakuya dropped his expensive-looking brush, and the ink bottle spilled all over the paper. Specifically, over the word "pride."

"Excuse me?" Byakuya asked, trying and failing to control the tone of his voice. Oh, shit.

"You heard me," Ichigo said boldly. Byakuya inhaled and exhaled shakily. His dark eyebrows furrowed with raw emotion.

"What makes you think you're worthy of her love?" Byakuya asked bitterly. He banged his on to the small desk. Still, Ichigo thought for a long time. The two sat in silence for a while.

"Because... She's the first woman I saw a future with. She's the first woman for me to love since... my mother passed away," Ichigo confided. Byakuya's furious expression softened, but he wasn't completely calmed down.

"I'm sorry. When did she pass away, Kurosaki Ichigo?" Byakuya asked. Every time the noble spoke of something very personal to Ichigo, a clamp gradually tightened on his heart.

"When I was nine." Ichigo replied bluntly. Byakuya picked of the ink bottle and set it aside.

"That long, I see. However, how are you sure that's enough? I wouldn't let anyone with the likes of you even near my sister," Byakuya replied angrily once more. Byakuya slowly put his hand on the hilt of Senbonzakura. Ichigo sighed with frustration and fear.

"Don't you understand? What about when you first fell in love? From what I was told, you wanted to give Hisana anything and everything you could have offered. Why won't you let me do the same?" Ichigo growled defiantly.

"Don't you even mention Hisana's name. Plus, Hisana was different," Byakuya replied callously.

"But you still loved her all the same. I love Rukia, and you can bet your ass that I will treat her better than any other rich douchebag here!" Ichigo said fiercely.

"Watch your language, Kurosaki Ichigo. Do not raise your voice with me. Does she return your feelings?" Byakuya asked carefully. He chose his words carefully.

"Ask her, why don't you?" Ichigo spat.

"Let me ask you one question, then. Would you die for Rukia?" Byakuya finally met Ichigo's eyes. His storm-grey eyes looked into Ichigo's soul.

"Gladly, without hesitation or second thoughts. But no, I won't die for her," Ichigo said without a moment's hesitation. Byakuya's gaze hardened.

"Then that proves that you really aren't worth-"

"You didn't let me finish. I would die for her, but if I did, I would leave her side. My death will make her resent me, it would give her nothing but grief and pain. That's the last thing I would want to do to her. I would live for her instead, and stay with her until she wants me gone," Ichigo said with pure honesty. With that, Byakuya was blatantly shocked. He cleared his throat, and straightened out his small desk.

"Kurosaki Ichigo," The shocked noble started. Ichigo waited for Byakuya's final decision.

"You are worthy. However, if you do anything, or if you even think about doing anything to hurt her, I will kill you with my own hands and feed your disgraceful body to hungry hollows," Byakuya threatened. Although the threat seemed a bit much, they both knew it doubled as a promise. Ichigo jumped up in victory and happiness.

"Thanks, Byakuya! You know, you're not as terrible and heartless as I thought you were," Ichigo teased. A vein throbbed in Byakuya's temple.

"Get out of my property, you delinquent." Byakuya said scornfully. Ichigo chuckled and bolted for the enormous door and knocked over a couple of things in the captain's room. He didn't even care, he just wanted to tell Rukia about the good news.

Moments later, a red pineapple entered the ridiculously large room with mountains of paper work in his hands. Byakuya looked behind him to see a confused Renji.

"Taichou, I got today's status repor- What happened in here?" Renji asked.

"I had a meeting with Kurosaki Ichigo." Byakuya revealed with disdain audible in his deep voice.

"Really? What about?" Renji asked with both curiosity and nervousness.

"Rukia. He's her new boyfriend," Byakuya managed to mumble without going in rage.

"Wh-what?" Renji dropped all the paper work in his hands and the color of his face matched the color of his hair.

"Why? How could you- I mean, we let this happen?" Renji collapsed onto his knees and buried his face into his hands. Byakuya simply rolled his eyes and got new paper. He then drew out a last word. "Love."


D'aww. Did you guys like this one? I really did. XD Please review to bring me joy. Next oneshot will probably come out next weekend or Tuesday if I'm lucky. Thanks for reading!