A/N: Reeeeeally short chapter, sorry! But sets the stage, like I said. WARNING: Lime-ish...I guess?

Bleach: Bankai's and Gigai's

Chapter 6: Boundaries


Ichigo grumbled to himself as he walked back from school, Rukia at his side. She, of course, didn't seem to notice. She had been self absorbed for the past few days, not really paying him much attention. Ichigo wasn't stupid, he knew where her thoughts were, and he knew time would only let her work things out for herself. He'd be there for her, when she was ready, but until then…he could only wait.

And it was pissing him off.

And so, here they were, walking home—again—and she was ignoring him—again—and the two would get home and do their homework in silence—again—and then Ichigo would go to bed alone—again!

When they reached the house, the make Shinigami opened the door for the small, petite one, and she merely glanced to him to offer a small smile before she entered. Yuzu and Karin were staying late, signing up for cooking club and the soccer team, respectively. Isshin was working late, or getting drunk with Urahara, Ichigo wasn't sure.

Ascending the stairs to Ichigo's room, Rukia's thoughts were anything but on her homework as she placed the books down. She sat on the bed, cautiously as she was still in her uniform, and Ichigo plopped his messenger onto his desk before he started rummaging around. Finally, however, Rukia spoke.

"Ichigo…do you think he's alright," she asked.

Ichigo looked over his shoulder to her and sighed somewhat. "He's fine, midget."

"But his gigai is still here…and his reiatsu vanished some time ago…"

"Maybe he went back to Soul Society," Ichigo admitted, and Rukia gawked at him for a moment. "What? That's where he said he was going!"

"But…," Rukia began and Ichigo cut her off.

"There's no use wondering what if…and why, and what could. There's no use worrying either—worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The guy's tough. He'll be alright," Ichigo said. "I wandered around Soul Society for sometime myself, you know."

"But you had help! Ishida-kun, Orihimo, and Sado-kun were all with you! Not to mention Yoruichi was there to train you as well," Rukia shot back, turning to look at her. Her legs were folded and she pulled on her ankles as she gave him a stern look.

"Rukia—he has a Bankai-," Ichigo began, but Rukia cut him off.

"So did you, and you barely beat my brother! He'd have to fight almost every Captain," Rukia said.

Ichigo stopped fiddeling with his messenger and turned to her, growling somewhat as he approached her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her to her back as he crawled up, his arms holding himself up as he looked down at her.

"I beat your brothers ass, thank you very much—and saved you, midget! So I suggest you offer some gratitude," Ichigo said, leaning down and placing his face close to hers.

"I didn't want to be saved," Rukia shot back, and Ichigo gave a slow grin.

"And I'm grateful I didn't listen," he replied as he leaned down, kissing her lips slowly. The kiss was a simple one, and he leaned back up, Rukia's violet orbs slowly opening to look at him.

"And I'm hesitant to wonder why…," she said, her own grin forming as she reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck. Ichigo grinned down at her and chuckled deeply.

"Because, midget" he began as he leaned down for a second time, avoiding her lips and diving directly for her neck with a small nip, and then whispered in her ear, "I love you."

Rukia let out a small gasp at the nip, and when those three words were breathed into her ear, Rukia's hands moved from around his neck, grabbing his shoulders and hands clenching the material as she placed a fierce kiss on his lips.

Ichigo was slightly stunned as Rukia's lips connected with his in a primal fashion. He returned the kiss, however, rolling so that he was laying slightly on his side beside her.

Rukia rolled with Ichigo, her hands still clenching that material, and her small tongue darting between their lips. Ichigo took in a sharp breath as Rukia's moist tissue invaded and played with his own, and his free hand moved to her leg. Running his finger lightly up her thigh, he heard her moan through their kiss. She moved her leg towards him a little, allowing him to run up to her skirt, and then under it as his hand cupped the back of her smooth, lean thigh.

Ichigo broke the kiss at this point, Rukia almost immediately panting as he dove for her neck. Small kisses followed by nips and licks teased the sensitive flesh and Rukia fought back, nipping at the youth's ear before he rolled, placing himself on top of her carefully.

Rukia let out a small squeal as Ichigo rolled to over take her, her small legs widening enough to let him lay between them as he continued his assault. Her hands moved to his mane, yanking and pulling, trying to get an opening so she could return the favor.

Finally, Ichigo moved back to her lips, the two moaning slightly as Ichigo ground his hips against hers. Ichigo then brought a hand up, un-tucking the hem of her shirt. With the white shirt un-hitched, the hand easily slid to the smooth flesh of her belly, causing another moan to come—this one breaking the kiss.

Ichigo's hand ran up her upper body, kisses trailing down Rukia's jaw line to reach her ear with a nip. When his hand reached the pert, modest mounds on her chest, he cupped one. Still clad in the bra, however, Ichigo could feel the small buds standing attentive to his caress'. With Rukia's shirt halfway up her tummy, at this point, Ichigo licked along the edge of her ear slowly, causing a shiver to run through the girl's body as she ground her hips up against him.

Taking that as a sign of encouragement, Ichigo pushed up on the bra, causing Rukia to gasp as the cool temperature of Ichigo's room met her bare breasts. She moved to wriggle somewhat, but Ichigo was already acting, a head swooping in…

The cool air was contrasted by the warmth of his mouth as he caught one of the buds between his lips. A long, prolonged moan broke Rukia's lips as she clenched at the substitute's orange mane a second time. She pulled him closer to her, only to try and push him away.

Ichigo's other hand traced down her body, over her though and then back up the inside of the length, causing Rukia to squirm a second time. As his hand traveled up, Rukia yanked his hair again.

"Ichigo, I…," she began, causing Ichigo to release her mound and look up at her. His face was flushed, his arms were shaky, and she could feel the bulge that he had pressing against her leg.

"I can't..," she finished and Ichigo furrowed a brow before he nodded.

"Alright…Rukia," he said and the girl let out a small sigh, a hand releasing his hair and falling across his forehead, the other sliding down to rest on his shoulder.

"I just…I just can't stop thinking about him is all," she admitted, and Ichigo mentally cursed. That was it. He'd friggin kill Nakamura next chance he got.

"You're worried," Ichigo spoke softly, and the girl gave a nod, before lifting her arm from across her eyes. She placed both of her hands on his chin, her thumbs running over his cheeks.

"I just….I want to know he's okay, Ichigo…I want to know…where he stands...," she said, and Ichigo nodded softly. He understood. He didn't have to like it, but he understood.

"Alright midget…hold out till this weekend. We'll see if Urahara can't help us track him down and make sure he's still alive," Ichigo grumbled as he rolled over, Rukia rolling to cuddle into his side.

A small smile came across her lips. This is why she loved Ichigo. He was kind enough to consider her wants, collective enough to make wise and thoughtful decisions. Sometimes, sure, he was impulsive…but he had a resolve that few others had. He was determined to protect what he cared about, and he was determined that whoever he cared for was happy.

And he made her happy.


A/N: And there it is! Next chapter is back to Soul Society! Read and Review, plx! The moar reviews I get, the faster I tend to post. Been seeing that I've been getting a lot of hits, and adds, though. Thank you very much for that. :) Glad my story has made enough of an impact. :D