Sorry for the wait, finals are quite the hassle but at least I'm off until next semester. Thank-you to dbxgtfan2004, teshichan, Lizzy, Keegan.K92, purplepam, ilovebks, MugetsuIchigo and Givenwings for reviewing it means a lot to me. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter, lots of details about their past and we're seeing some advancement in their relationship. Whoo. I would also like to thank my beta lonely flame

Beta: lonely flame

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.


Chapter Eight

"So how does it feel to lose?"

"Shut it."

"What? Didn't know you were such a sore loser, strawberry."

Ichigo glared at Rukia as she hopped down from her horse with a prideful gleam in her eyes.

"Thanks a lot," Ichigo growled in Yoru's ear. The horse appeared to almost roll his eyes as it shook it's head. Ichigo slid off the ill-tempered steed and cursed as the horse tried to kick him.

"You have such a way with animals," Rukia remarked sarcastically.

"At least I'm tall enough to see eye to eye with the animals."

Rukia glared at him and Ichigo dodged a round house kick that was aimed at his now smirking face.

"Geez midget maybe you're getting a little rusty-OOF"

"What was that cap- I mean ex-captain Kurosaki," Rukia asked leaning down over Ichigo as he clung to his now throbbing shin.'

"You little-"

"What? Little what," Rukia asked her face taking on a challenging expression. Ichigo frowned and shook his head. He knew when a fight was hopeless.

"You little royal pain in the ass!"

But when did that ever stop him from trying?

"Take that back carrot top," Rukia shrieked tackling him. The fight quickly dissolved into claws and teeth and Ichigo let out a sigh of relief when Rukia rolled over to lie next to him. The two laid there for what seemed like hours just watching the clouds pass by when Ichigo felt his brain begin to nag him.

He had been in the palace for weeks and things had begun to appear that didn't add up. Rukia's attitude for one thing. She was proper, when she wanted to be. She was arrogant definitely, but she still had a humble side especially when she talked to people that were considered to be 'lower' than her. And never in the whole time he had been here had she ever acted entitled. It was very odd for someone of her standing. The more time he spent with her the harder it was to believe that she was related to the Ice King.

And Renji.

"He was my friend back before" Rukia hesitated for a moment,"I lived here," she finished.

"I may be the lieutenant of squad six but right now I'm just an old childhood friend visiting as an honored guest," Renji said throwing his arm around Rukia's shoulders.

And the mark of the 78th district on Renji's forehead. That showed that Renji was from there, the third worst district in the entire country. That's where Rukia's childhood friendgrew up.

"Friend back before I lived here"

"An old childhood friend."

78th district mark

"Before I lived here"

"Childhood friend"

78th district

"Before"

"Childhood"

78th

"What do you know about the district Inuzuri," Ichigo asked and the suspicious feeling in his gut strengthened when he saw the shocked look on Rukia's face.

"That's the 78th district, isn't it?" Rukia asked her voice wavering as her shocked expression cleared.

"Yeah, have you been there?"

"Why?" Rukia asked narrowing her eyes at him.

"Just wondering." Ichigo said sitting up.

"Really? You're 'just wondering'?" Rukia asked suspiciously as she pushed herself up into a sitting position.

"Yeah I was just wondering how a princess is childhood friends with someone from one of the most dangerous districts in the country. It seems like such an unusual friendship considering she's only left the palace three times and one of those times was Lady Momo's funeral." Ichigo said recalling the presence of a young girl at the soul crushing event nearly six years ago.

Rukia looked up at him shocked before a sad look came into her eyes. She let out a dry chuckle as she looked back up at the sky.

"How funny that someone as dense as you is among the few who has actually pieced everything together."

"Well I don't have everything figured out I'm afraid. Just some suspicions." Ichigo told her.

"Would you like to share those suspicions with me." Rukia asked her voice tired.

"You're not really Byakuya's sister."

"Not by blood." Rukia admitted. "He's, or was, my brother-in-law."

Ichigo couldn't suppress his shock. That he wasn't expecting. "What?"

"He was married to my sister, Hisana. I never met her, she left me when I was very young." Rukia said sounding almost bitter.

"Was it just you and your parents?" Ichigo asked a feeling of dread setting in.

"I didn't have any parents, or at least they weren't around much longer after I was born." Rukia said sadly.

"I'm sorry." Ichigo said not knowing what to say.

"I'm not." Rukia told him closing her eyes as the sun came out from behind the clouds. At his silence she cracked one eye open. "Does that seem odd to you?"

"A little." Ichigo admitted and Rukia smiled.

"My childhood wasn't exactly easy and often I wished for an escape. But now looking back I wouldn't trade it for anything. It made me who I am and I can't exactly regret that." Rukia said ruefully.

"How did you survive?" Ichigo asked puzzled.

"There was an elderly couple who looked out for me and a few other kids until they passed away when I was about four." Rukia told him.

"So how did you meet Renji?"

"After my guardians passed away, I was on my own for a while. I managed alright but everyday was a challenge." Rukia said her eyes glazed. Ichigo wondered what she was seeing.

"He was stealing a jug of water." Rukia said drawing Ichigo out of his musings. "There was an old man chasing him and the man was closing in on him. He drew his sword and I don't know what happened. I found myself tripping the old bastard and grabbing Renji. I managed to break every rule I had made for myself while I was on my own." Rukia said a fond look in her eyes. "But every day I find myself thanking Kami that I did it."

"Do you love him?"

Ichigo nearly slapped himself. The question was crossing the line but it didn't stop him from eagerly listening for her answer.

"Yes," she said and Ichigo felt his heart skip a beat. "But I'm not in love with him."

"Oh." Ichigo said hating the relief in his voice.

"We should be heading back," Rukia told him standing up.

"I suppose so." Ichigo admitted reluctantly. He got to his feet and brushed himself off before following her to where their horses were drinking from a stream. Rukia's steed immediately went to her and nuzzled her while Yoru gave Ichigo a dirty look before walking, slowly, over to him.

"Yeah I missed you too." Ichigo snapped and swung over onto his back. Yoru snorted before walking over to where Rukia was sitting on top of Chappy. Ichigo was about to go when Rukia held out her hand.

"What?"

"Remember our deal." she asked smirking, all traces of sadness gone from her eyes.

"Our deal?"


"Rukia Kuchiki is my superior in every way."

The staff all looked at him like he had lost his marbles, but one look at Rukia's smug expression had their expressions turn to understanding and in many cases amusement.

"Carry on, this is not an exhibit." one of the senior maids said shooing the gawking staff. Ichigo shot her a thankful look which she responded to with a knowing smile.

"Ha! Your expression was priceless strawberry,." Rukia said chuckling.

"Whatever." Ichigo grumbled crossing his arms. "I didn't mean it so don't let it go to your head."

"Well considering you had to say it because I beat you, I would say it's perfectly ok for it to go to my head. Not that it will." Rukia said with a self righteous tone.

Ichigo scoffed. "I'm sure."

Rukia looked like she was going to retort, or kick him, when one of the chefs walked into the entryway.

"Dinner is ready Kuchiki-sama."

"Thank-you Higurashi-san." Rukia said turning to face the woman. The woman gave a silent bow before retreating back into the kitchen.

"So I guess it's time for you to go." Rukia said as three guards walked into the foyer. His replacements, Ichigo assumed. He found it very flattering that he was replaced with threeguards. It looks like no one doubted his power despite his demotion.

"It appears so. Don't worry midget no need to miss me, I'll be back tomorrow." Ichigo teased and Rukia rolled her eyes.

"Why would I miss you?" she asked turning around. She started walking to her guards and Ichigo turned to go but he only made it a few steps before turning around again.

"Oi Rukia!"

"What?" Rukia asked turning back to him and Ichigo gave her a small smile.

"Thank-you." he said and Rukia scoffed.

"What for?"

"For telling me about…everything. You didn't have to do that." he said rubbing the back of his head and Rukia smiled at him.

"I know, I wanted to." she said and she turned away her cheeks a light pink. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"See ya, Rukia."


After that their dynamics seemed to change. They still argued and sparred but underneath that there was a bond that Ichigo had never thought he would form with her royal highness. She had crawled under his skin and now he would go so far as to say she was a friend. A close friend at that. Not that they were got along all the time, as a matter of fact they were currently arguing.

"Why can't you just tell me?" Rukia yelled poking him in the chest. Ichigo hissed and batted her hand away.

"I don't have to tell you anything!"

"Oh wow, I didn't realize that you were allowed to know my life story and not tell me anything about yourself! I thought we were closer than that Kurosaki." Rukia said bitterly and Ichigo was surprised to see that she actually looked hurt. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair.

"We are closer than that." Ichigo said tiredly. "It's just…hard for me to talk about."

"Well no one else will tell me anything about it. I just figured you would at least enlighten me a little."

"I don't like talking about it," Ichigo protested and Rukia didn't say anything. Ichigo sat down in one of the library chairs and pressed his fingers to his temple trying to ignore the barrage of memories flooding his head.

"Look it's Kurosaki! Did you hear they're letting him graduate early?"

"Do you pledge to protect this nation at the cost of your own life?"

"Good morning cadets, I'm Sousuke Aizen, your new captain."

"Very nice, I'll be keeping my eye on you Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Good morning men I'm captain Aizen's wife but you can just call me Momo."

"Aizen! I don't understand, why are you doing this?!"

"Lady Momo, LADY MOMO."

"We regret to inform you that Lady Hinamori did not survive the night, I am sorry for your loss."

"I'm going to kill you!"

"Just remember Kurosaki, we are the same. I may have failed but my vision will never die."

"You will be the new captain of squad six."

"Why? Why did this happen?"

"Ichigo it's alright. Ichigo. Ichigo!

"ICHIGO!"

Ichigo nearly slipped out of his chair at the sound of Rukia's cry and he looked up to see her leaning over him.

"Ichigo, are you alright." Rukia asked pressing her hand to his forehead. "You started breathing really heavily; I thought you were hyperventilating or something."

"Aizen was my captain."

At his statement Rukia froze. She suddenly gulped and nodded. "I was aware of that."

"Well it all started when I graduated the academy. I was supposed to go to squad six but there was a mix up in the administration….


Later that night Ichigo found himself dragging his feet to his room. It had been a long day; Ichigo had never told anyone the whole story. It left him feeling more drained than he had anticipated. It was worth it though. He felt a sense of relief in getting the whole thing off of his chest. He couldn't talk about it with most of his squad because a lot of them hadn't been there and the ones that had didn't want to talk about it which limited his choice of people he could share it with. A lot of the information was for captains' ears but he knew the information was safe with her. Rukia would take whatever he told her to the grave and not because she was the princess. But because she cared.

The idea both haunted and pleased him as he drifted off to sleep that night. Things were changing between them and he didn't know how, but whatever it was gave him a warm feeling in his chest and he was willing to patiently wait for the change to be completed. No matter what it resulted in.


"You ok strawberry? You seem a little out of it." Rukia asked as Ichigo once again tumbled to the ground. They were in the middle of their usual morning spar but for some reason his head was just not in it today. Usually Rukia and he were pretty evenly matched, until she pulled an underhanded trick at the last second, but today she was handing his ass to him with very little effort on her part. It was rather embarrassing but Ichigo couldn't find it within himself to put up a decent fight. He didn't want to think about whyhe was so distracted.

"I'm fine, just tired." he told her getting to his feet. He brushed off his pants and shifted into a fighting stance but Rukia shook her head.

"It's not even worth it if you're not trying." she said throwing her wooden sword to the left. "Let's just go in."

"It's still early." Ichigo protested. They still probably had two hours left until lunch and her tutoring wasn't until after that.

"There's other stuff to do around here." Rukia huffed. "This might even be a good thing, good chance for us to change things up."

"Are you saying you're bored?"

"You said it not me." Rukia said smirking and Ichigo glared at her.

"You're terrible." he told her and she laughed.

"Ah, but you're the one who willingly chose to be my friend so that makes you what?" she asked and Ichigo sighed.

"A very patient and compassionate man."

Rukia guffawed. "Yeah and Nii-sama is going to run away with Renji into the sunset," she said walking towards the palace.

"I did not need that image." Ichigo told her shivering. Rukia laughed and before saying hello to the servants they passed in the foyer. Ichigo gave them all a quick nod as they made their way to the marble staircase. "Where are we even going anyway?" he asked and Rukia grinned.

"To the roof."

"Wait-what? That doesn't sound safe."

"Oh don't be such a wuss strawberry." she said rolling her eyes. "It's completely safe."

"Then why haven't we gone up there before." Ichigo asked suspiciously and Rukia shrugged.

"I usually go up there at night. You can see everything from up there." she said wistfully and Ichigo felt his face soften at the realization that Rukia was once again allowing him into a part of her life that was blocked previously.

"Fine, but the second I think it's dangerous-"

"Yeah, yeah no need to nag carrot top I'm not a child." Rukia said passing the fourth floor.

"Well sometimes I forget because you're so shor-"

"Finish that sentence. I dare you." Rukia growled turning to face him.

"What got a problem with the truth shortie?"

A few curses and kicks to the shin later, Ichigo found them standing underneath a thick hatch.

"Why did they even put this here?"

"They put here during the battle against Hueco Mundo in the Arrancar war." Rukia told him climbing up the ladder to the hatch. "It was an emergency escape route for the King's wife and children."

"I didn't know that the soldiers from Hueco Mundo even came close to the palace." Ichigo said climbing after Rukia as she opened the hatch. Rukia pulled herself out and Ichigo quickly followed.

"They didn't, it was just a precaution." Rukia said and Ichigo didn't respond as he finally made his way onto the roof.

"This is amazing." he said in awe. You could see for miles from their position, he could even make out the barracks and the Central 46 compound from here.

"It's a nice escape." Rukia said walking over to a column and leaning against it.

"How did you find it?"

Rukia's face clouded over. "One of my old guards showed it to me."

"Oh." Ichigo said leaning against the column as well. "That was nice of him."

"He was a nice guy." Rukia said. The two sat in silence after that and Ichigo enjoyed the quiet. The breeze felt nice accompanied by the hot sun and he childishly enjoyed the ant-like appearance of the people on the ground. Ichigo felt puzzled though by the sight of a black blur heading towards them. He squinted a bit and he was surprised to see that it was a carriage with four respective guards both behind and in front of it.

"What is that?"

Rukia looked up and her eyes widened before a small gasp escaped her mouth. "Nii-sama."

"Nii-sama? Are you saying that that is-

"Kuchiki-sama!"

A servant opened the hatch and gasped for breath as he approached them. "Kuchiki-sama, your brother is about to arrive. You must go down and greet him." the servant said and Rukia immediately ran over to the hatch.

"I didn't hear anything about Byakuya coming here." Ichigo said jumping down to the floor.

"We didn't know either until a messenger arrived not five minutes ago." the servant said looking shocked at Ichigo's use of the King's first name.

"Nii-sama isn't one to show up without articulate planning." Rukia said worriedly and Ichigo scoffed.

"But he is presumptuous enough to assume you're always eagerly awaiting his arrival." Ichigo scoffed and Rukia glared at him while the servant looked at him in shock.

"K-Kuchiki-sama is the king-"

"Doesn't mean he's not a terrible house guest." Ichigo said as they arrived on the first floor.

"Disrespectful as always I see, Kurosaki."

Ichigo nearly flinched at the ice cold tone of the king of Seireitei. Byakuya gave him an icy stare before turning to his sister, who Ichigo noticed had frozen completely.

"Good morning Rukia." Byakuya said his eyes not changing their appearance even as he eyed his only sister.

"Good morning Nii-sama." Rukia said her voice strong despite the fact Ichigo could feel her tremble. Ichigo wasn't always the brightest person but even he knew this was a weird way for siblings to treat each other. Yuzu gave him a big hug when he had been gone for five minutes and from what he could tell the two Kuchikis hadn't seen each other in at least a couple of months. Probably longer. So why were they acting as if they were mere acquaintances. Hell, Rukia seemed almost afraid of him.

"We are going to the dining room for lunch." Byakuya said, or ordered really. He gave Ichigo a distasteful glance before turning around. "Kurosaki, you may leave."

Ichigo was about to protest when he felt a cold hand squeeze his own. He looked over to see Rukia giving him a pleading glance. He sighed and squeezed her hand in acknowledgment of her wishes before turning to look at the back of the most powerful man in Seireitei. The man who held his life and the life of the girl next to him in the palm of his hand.

It's for Rukia.

"Thank-you...Kuchiki-sama."

It's for her

That's the only thing that made Ichigo leave and go up the stairs to his room. And it was the only thing that stopped him from running back down once he got there.

It's for her


Ok that's it for chapter Eight. Please let me know what you think and check out my other stories. I've got Sasusaku,Itasaku,Kakasaku,Ichiruki and Amuto. Please review!

-Sakura478