There will be a complete overhaul on Parts I and II coming in the next week or so. Since my plot has gotten longer, and this has grown out of a short story, I need to adjust the rhythm and flow of the first two parts. I'll be including more interactions between Renji and Rangiku, as well as some cute/funny scenes between Ichigo and Rukia.

I also won't be moving the story until parts 1 and 2 are overhauled and revised. When Dragon Infatuation becomes a stand-alone story, I want it to be as strong and well-worked as I can make it.


Dragon Infatuation Part III

First I got an earful from Lord Hitsugaya. It was very entertaining to see such a small guy so absolutely pissed. The little lordling, was a pure-blood prodigy that inherited his family's estate at a young age. Well, young for a dragon at least. He looked like a diminutive teenager when actually he was about a hundred years old. Lord Hitsugaya reamed me about damaging his property, and about how costly it was going to be to repair his terrace, and the turf that me and Kenpachi turned into a war zone.

The day after my fight with Kenpachi, Byakuya, the prince of self-importance decided to grace me with a visit. I didn't even hear him enter, I was too busy shifting my weight and trying to find a comfortable position. The curtained off "room" they placed me in was about four sizes too small for my massive form. So I was forced to find new and creative ways to stretch and comfort my aching muscles. I'd just finished settling when his voice cut the air.

"Kurosaki." It was a first to hear him greet me. I looked up at him in response, my golden eyes studying his stoic expression. The man just stood there watching me, almost the same way someone watches an animal. Several moments of silence passed before he finally spoke again. "I appear to have captured a butterfly." The statement would have seemed odd, and irrelevant except that he held up his hand, and there was a small white butterfly perched on the end of his middle finger. I tilted my head in response, and regarded him with caution.

"She is such a beautiful and free-spirited creature. Set apart from anything else in her kind by her royal nature. This one especially so." I gave his mundane and rather small insect a once over. I wasn't quite sure what he was getting at. He continued, "But in the end, she's only an insect, small, weak, helpless, and fragile." His voice became ice on the last word, and he curled his fingers around the butterfly. Then proceeded to place it on a curtain nearby, where it remained, fluttering it's wings ever once in awhile.

"Let me supply you with another analogy." He pulled out a cigar, and a cigarette, placing the cigarette on my nose, as if offering it. "Would you like a light?" Byakuya posed the question so casually. I grumbled in return, uninterested. "Suit yourself." I watched him put the cigar in his own mouth and light the end with a rather expensive looking zippo. When he was finished he casually took a few puffs, and let out a breath.

"Allow me enlighten you on the differences between these two."

It's not like I can decline, now can I?

"I despise cigarettes because they are cheap, and they smell foul. A sad and pathetic offspring derived from the cigar."

I emitted a low growl when I realized where he was going with all this.

"While a cigarette is for the commoners, I much prefer a cigar, it's like the nobility of tobacco products. Classier, and more modern than a pipe." Byakuya took another puff from his cigar and blew the smoke in my direction. There were a few more moments of silence between us, then Byakuya bent and picked the ignored cigarette off my nose. He continued talking as he lit the offensive metaphor. "The lifespan of this cheap imitation is so short, it will inevitably burn out in a fraction of the time it takes the cigar." His eyes narrowed at me, as he took another breath. "If I were to take this cigarette and put it with something lovely, like... shall I say my butterfly." He brought the now burning cigarette and put it near the white butterfly still perched on the canvas curtain. "It would most assuredly destroy it."

I watched in horror as he rubbed the cigarette out on the small delicate creature, and both the offensive metaphor and the now singed insect fell to the grass covered ground below. This infuriated me beyond belief. Immediately I pulled myself off the ground, let out a guttural snarl and brought my head around to attack him.

Before I could even snap my jaws at him, Byakuya seized my left horn and held my head at arm's length. He didn't so much as stumble in his action. With a flex of his muscles he forced my head down into the grass and dirt, hard. The Alpha didn't release my horn and proceeded to hold me, despite my best efforts to struggle. Apparently I was still recovering from my previous battle. I continued to snarl and snort hot air at him anyway.

"It is unbecoming for my sister to fraternize with your kind." He informed. "It would be in the best interest of you both, if you would stay away from her. This is your only warning boy." With that Byakuya released me, and straightened back up into his perfect posture. I saw the nails of his right hand still in the form of claws, and a few dark scales glittering against his skin. Apparently he had to force a partial shift in his right arm, just to exude enough strength to hold down an injured half-breed.

"Rukia was discharged from the infirmary today, with only a few minor cuts, and some contusions." He continued to inform me. "But I should warn you. If she had been admitted with anything worse than that, I would have made this visit to commit some very necessary homicide." His steel colored eyes glowed an eery silver for a moment, then without another word he vacated my infirmary room, and left me to my thoughts.

Lady Unohana the head of the infirmary, spent the better part of the first day flocking around me like a mother hen. While also keeping me prisoner in her giant medical tent until my wounds healed. If a dragon incurs injury in a form, they are strictly advised not to shift forms until the wounds heal. Thus, for the past day and a half I spent it curled awkwardly in a walled off area of the infirmary tent in full dragon. My injuries healed quite fast, and by mid-day on the second day I was ready to be discharged. But as such, Unohana was taking her sweet time in doing so.

This gave me lots of time to think about how I wasn't going to be able to see Rukia anymore. Part of me was quite relieved, it meant I could return to my normal life and I wouldn't have to play babysitter anymore. Then there was my chest, it felt like a large lead slug, weighing me down and causing a foreign ache. I was also rather bummed about the tournament scheduled to happen at the end of the week. I wouldn't be participating now.

What am I so worried about anyway? That girl is nothing but trouble. I grunted at myself, as if a vocal sound made my thoughts valid. I've never lost my head over a girl, and I'm not going to now. She's short, she's bossy, she's stuck-up. I tried not to think of her good qualities. She's pompous, dressy, rich, the complete opposite of a bourgousie punk like me.

It was in this state of mind that I had my latest visitor. She entered my room to find me in a most awkward position. I was laying on my back this time, neck craned around, and tail curled the same way. So when I cracked an eyelid to see who it was, I saw her upside down.

I wasn't used to seeing her the way she was today, no formal clothes, no make-up, no regal manner. She was dressed in blue jeans, and a teal blouse under a brown cardigan. He hair was a little messy, and her feet were clad in polka-dot flip flops. I don't know why, but I rather liked it.

Rukia. You look...

"It's not fair!" She declared, the sudden cry hurting my ears. Then she glared down at me, and frowned. "I'm not going to thank you for saving me."

I know, I don't expect you to. We both knew this was all my fault to begin with.

She stood there for a minute longer just looking at me. I closed my eyes after that, I couldn't bare to see her eye me with such disappointment. It hurt. I always hated being a failure.

You aren't supposed to be here... You should really go.

My eyes flung back open and I was quite startled when I felt Rukia clumsily climb onto my stomach, then scoot herself up onto the middle of my chest. I couldn't really see her at this point because the angle was bad, but there was no mistake when she flung herself across the expanse of my torso.

My dragon heart was probably about the size of her whole body, and I really hoped she was unable to feel the way it hammered in my chest right now. If Rukia did feel my frantic heart, she didn't say anything. I heard her let out a content hum, and felt her idly rub my scales with her hands. I answered with my own rumbling hum of approval, it felt nice.

I'm not sure how long we stayed that way. I imagine I felt like a large warm pillow of some kind because Rukia eventually fell asleep on me. I realized it not long after she stopped rubbing. Her breathing kinda evened out, and her body became rather limp. I hesitated a moment or two before lifting my head and angling it around to look down at her.

Oi Rukia~ You appear to have nodded off on me. What am I gonna do with you?

0000

An hour or two later, found me and Rukia much the same as before. Me laying rather uncomfortably on my back, while she cuddled against my warm and slightly hairy chest. I entertained myself by playing with her hair and watching her nose wrinkle. Turns out, she's actually just as grouchy as a sleeper as she is when she's awake. I had just started braiding one of the locks of her hair when she murmured at me in a sleepy voice.

"Mmm, Ichigo, stop that. Trying to sleep."

"Don't let me disturb your beauty sleep, Princess." I chuckled in response. Letting her hair be at peace.

"That's not my name, moron." She responded a little more forceful. Seems she was finally waking up. She sniffed a couple times and murmured, "You smell like a sweaty old reptile tank."

"Rukia~" I whispered in her ear, my voice just a low hum. I felt her shiver against my skin in response and it made me smile. This caused her to adjust her position. She lifted her head to look at me and I met her eyes with the warm amber of my own. "Hey." I greeted.

For a moment Rukia just looked blankly at me. Then I watched the calm exterior melt right off and harden into a tense expression. It was like she couldn't decide whether to be livid or horrified. I felt her whole body stiffen up, and her muscles became tense like a guitar string.

"Please, umm-Rukia. Please don't get up quite yet."

"You're naked." She hissed.

"Yes, well-uhhh, where dragons are concerned nakedness happens." I tried to suppress the embarrassed color in my cheeks, but to no avail. "Unless you wish to get more than an eyeful, I suggest you don't get up." She didn't seem convinced that that was any worse than the predicament she was already in.

"This is a little forward, especially for you." Her hand connected with the side of my face, but honestly I deserved it. "That's for being a pervert." She added. Her eyes dropped then, and traveled down my chest, curiosity seeping into her mask of irritation.

"Oh no you don't!" I wrapped my arms around her and held her still so she couldn't let her eyes wander where I didn't want them. "You live with dragons, shouldn't you be used to this by now?" Between being a dragon, and the way my Dad was in general, I'd developed a pretty strong tolerance for nudity. Of course, that only concerned male nudity, I actually haven't seen many nude females come to think of it.

"All the dragons I've lived with had the decency not to shift in front of a lady."

"Well technically I shifted beneath you-"

"That's a very grown up answer, smart-ass." She rolled her eyes at me. After a moment or two of silence, things just got really awkward for me. Acerbity and curiosity was not the response I expected from this woman. I finally released her, and she climbed away from me not all that different from when she climbed atop of me. "Oh my." I heard her murmur before she proceeded to turn her back to me. I won't lie, my pride sizzled a bit at that.

I sat up and crossed my legs in an effort to hide my cash and prizes. I looked around the small expanse of the infirmary room for something to cover myself with. But there was only the grass on the ground and the canvas walls.

"Here" Her sudden expression was accompanied by a brown cardigan tossed in my face.

"What's this for?"

"To tie around your waist, moron."

After fumbling with the small article of clothing I finally tied it around my waist like a make-shift loin-cloth. Then I got up and stood awkwardly in the middle of the room unsure of what to say next. "Uhh, thanks."

Rukia hesitated a moment, peeking over her shoulder to see if I was properly covered. After confirming it was safe she turned to face me, arms-crossed, and her expression bitter. "Are you this frisky with all the ladies? Or am I a special case?" It didn't escape my notice how she kept averting her eyes every few seconds like she was embarrassed and forcing herself not to stare.

"Oh come on! Have you seen this room, its about one third my normal size. My wounds were healed, I was uncomfortable, and it wasn't like I was gonna get comfortable with you on my chest like that. So I did the next best thing, I just didn't realize you were gonna be such a..." I fumbled to find the right word but came up empty handed.

Rukia huffed in response. "I'm not promiscuous if that's what you're implying. Besides if you didn't want me to look, you shouldn't have flaunted."

The conversation didn't have a chance to go any farther; both of us freezing when we heard a voice outside. It was a deep baritone, commanding and easy to pick out over the natural din of the infirmary.

"Has Rukia Kuchiki been seen entering or exiting this structure? I require her presence." He must have been asking one of the infirmary attendants, but they only seemed to cower and mumble out nonsensical excuses.

"We have to go," whispered Rukia. "That's my brother."

"No shit, but I haven't been discharged yet." I mouthed back.

She gave me an "Oh really." look. Tilting her chin down, raising an eye brow, a set frown below, and glaring at me from under her brows. Then she pointed to the side of canvas that served as the wall to the outside. I understood what she meant immediately, but that canvas was heavy, and tethered.

With one last moment of hesitation, I resigned to the fact that this girl was going to get me in a lot of trouble. I just couldn't bring myself to care. So I grabbed two handfuls of the canvas and wrenched it up, tethers and all. I'd be lying if I said I didn't use some of my dragon strength to accomplish that task. It was just enough room for her to crawl out underneath. When I was sure she was clear, I wriggled my way right after her. I was successful getting out on the other side, and breathed in the fresh air of freedom, but the brown cardigan wasn't so lucky. It had gotten snagged on the canvas, and my stuff was once again bare for the world to see.

Rukia did the polite thing and hid her eyes, but not as quickly as I would have liked. I did the polite thing, and cursed under my breath. We didn't have long to celebrate our freedom though, Byakuya's voice could be heard from inside, and we both knew he was outside of the now vacated infirmary room. I decided it was time to stretch myself.

Right before Rukia, I began shifting to my true form. My face elongated, and my lips peeled back to reveal rows of fangs. Two large horns sprang forth from my skull, and my hair dissolved into a blazing mane of spikes. My fingers extended and became long and spider like, this was followed soon after by the soft fleshy membrane that would be my wings. Scales rippled their way through my skin, layer by layer, crawling down my body. My spine extended forming a large and deadly tail, and I felt the bones in my legs stretch and contort forming into the taloned and powerful legs I was used to.

The last time she'd seen me shifting, I had been in a feral rage, charging down her servant friend, and hurting her in the crossfire. It was rather painful to watch her now, eyeing me with abject terror. I felt the constriction of self-loathing worm around in my stomach. What am I? Rukia just stood there, terrified and frozen in place. It took all the willpower I possessed to move, I was so afraid I'd frighten her away. But I laid myself down, and and let out the closest thing to a whimper as I could muster.

"Well?" Rukia, shrugged away her fear the same way she would shed a coat. "What are you waiting for. I want up." To my surprise she approached me, and made to climb on my back. What I heard in her voice wasn't disdain, or fear, it was approval. I bit back the warm feeling that coursed through my veins, and bared my back to her. She shimmied her way up, it wasn't graceful, or perfect, but then it was Rukia. I couldn't expect the childish brat to be anything but what she was. And that was just fine.

I took to the skies as soon as I was sure she had a firm grip. Her body was nestled between my shoulder blades, her fingers clinging to some of my spikes for dear life. Of course normally I'm an excellent flyer, I blame the rocky start on my extra passenger, it was throwing me off. I had a rough take off, clipped a few trees just trying to get enough altitude, then made a couple of shear drops while trying to get into a wing-beat rhythm. This made Rukia shriek a few times and proceed to tremble, but in the end I leveled off and things smoothed out. God, she acts like I was trying to kill her.

Besides, If she had the nerve to call me a shitty flyer, I could say Rukia was a lousy rider. I haven't let very many humans mount me. Mainly just my sisters; but Rukia didn't know a lick about riding a dragon. She was rigid, and clingy, complete dead weight. Not that she really weighed much more than a dog, but it didn't help. When a dragon flies, their whole body moves in a flowing movement, and she wasn't flowing. Just static against my back, and it felt horribly awkward.

I was well away from Lord Hitsugaya's estate, and the infirmary when I realized Rukia was having trouble keeping her grip. A particular updraft sent a stutter through my wing beats, and the jarring caused Rukia's hold to slip, her body slid along my scales before her hands grasped some of my spikes again. I let out a thrum of irritation, and forced my whole body to stiffen up and become a little more stable. This meant instead of flying, I was now gliding, wings locked out and spread wide in order to catch as much air as I could for as long as I could.

I half expected Rukia to continue to cling halfway down my back, but to my surprise she inched herself back up to my shoulder blades, one spike at a time. Her bravery astounded me on more occasions than I could count.

I didn't have to glide for long before I came across a large pool of water where we could land and chill for a bit. Of course Rukia was full of objections when I started circling the large pond, or maybe it was a small lake, in hopes to land. When I finally adjusted to an angle where I was working against the wind, I angled my wings to let myself drop slowly towards the surface of the water. About ten feet from the surface, I beat my wings to slow my decent even more, and I was rather proud of myself when I only mildly cascaded into the water. I toppled over when one of my beating wings submerged and caused drag, the other wing still grasping at the air. Oh well. No one ever called me graceful.

I fwished around a bit, my wings flapping uselessly in the water. Contrary to popular belief, wings are anything but useful when swimming. They catch too much water, cause too much drag, and slow all your movements to a halt. Its and awful lot like trying to swim with a parachute. Finally I just lifted one up, cupped some air under it, and let it rest on the water's surface. This was followed shortly after by the other wing, then I just stretched my body out, and paddled like a dog with my hind feet toward shore. The air trapped under my wings, acted like a raft, keeping my torso buoyant on the surface.

Rukia had toppled off my back at some point during landing, it was most likely when I had been flailing around, struggling with my wings. I couldn't see her, but I heard the sound of someone else swimming, and I figured she'd make it to shore just fine. It really didn't occur to me to wonder if Rukia knew how to swim, I kinda just assumed she could. As soon as my torso and legs touched down on the bottom of the pond, I rose out of the water to assess how she was doing. I had nothing to worry over, she was just fine, arriving just behind me and crawling like a wet collie onto dry land.

She certainly had a flare for drama. The little lady, flopped herself on the grass among a patch of dandelions, and wild foxglove. Then she proceeded to sputter, and hiccup, and take huge gasps of air, like she'd been drowning. I just let out an amused rumble, and settled myself into the mud, stones, and grass that made up the bottom of the shallows. Only my head was resting on the bank in the grass next to Rukia.

Are you quite finished?

As if responding to my thoughts, she finally stopped making noise and turned her head to look at me. Her strange violet eyes regarded me like I had just tried to kill her.

"Is that your idea of landing?" she implored.

I grumbled back with indignation.

"If I had known I'd spend ten minutes clinging for dear life, followed by a near drowning experience, I'd have stayed back at the infirmary and faced my brother's wrath."

What a load of horse's ass. We were only flying just over five minutes. And most of it was gliding.

"What are those wings even good for if you suck so bad at flying?! I mean for God's sake, seventy percent of you is ALL wings!" She stopped yelling temporarily while she scrabbled to get to her feet, her wet clothing was weighing her down, and it made the process much slower.

I took advantage of her distracted state, and sucked up a mouthful of water. Then I swiveled my head around just above her, and dumped it all over her head. The resulting scream was absolutely priceless, and she even slipped and landed on her butt as a bonus.

"ICHIGO KUROSAKI!"

Yes~ Rukia? I flashed a toothy grin at her, and even tried to muffle my rumbling chuckles. I wasn't at all surprised when she began beating the end of my nose with her fists, as soon as it came within range.

"If you think I'm giving you any kind of recommendation after this!" She gave my nose one last shove, and then stomped off into the trees by herself.

Oh shit! My recommendation! I had completely forgotten about that. Somehow amidst all the events that had transpired in the past week, I'd managed to forget about the whole reason I'd been doing all this. Needless to say, I was quite surprised at myself.

Rukia!

"Garrrroouuuu~!" I called out to her, the forest was no place to wander off alone. Wild animals were the least of her problems out there. During the gathering, the forest would be crawling with rogues. They would be hunting and skulking about waiting for easy prey.

There are some dragons that would eat humans, most of us consider it cannibalism because we can take human form ourselves, but that doesn't stop some dragons. That, and rogues can be bullies anyway.

Speak of the devil, Rukia came scurrying right back out of the trees, across the bank, and into the shallows of the water, not even a minute later. She was followed by a silver dragon, with squinted eyes. The offender was very sleek, very small, and kept himself hunched up like a ferret. It was probably a tactic he used in battle. If his opponent assumed he was smaller and had less reach, their underestimation would spell their doom. All it took was stretching out to full length, and a slash of those razor hook-like claws, and this dragon could easily down an opponent.

I pulled myself out of the water, and stood over Rukia in a protective way. Then I puffed up all my spikes, and let out a rumbling bellow. The other dragon stopped in his tracks at the sight of me, and backed off a little to assess the situation. The rogue before me was very weasel-like, but he also had a very thin, and had a stretched grin that seemed to start at one of his ears and continue around his snout to the other.

The interloper responded to me with a keen whine, very ominous, and I didn't know what it meant. So I just interpreted it as a challenge. I lunged forward, with a hiss, and snapped aggressively at the rogue.

Back off, she's mine! I brought my tail about, and coiled it possessively around Rukia. Herding her closer to my left hind leg. There I go letting my dragon instincts take over. Damn possessive nature.

He backed off when my gnashing teeth came a little too close for comfort, eyed Rukia once more then decided she wasn't worth the effort. There wasn't a snap, or a strike, or any sort of retaliation from my opponent, he just moved back and slithered away into the trees. He did however let out a humming chuckling sound, that almost sounding like he was mocking me. I stood my guard for several long minutes, until the sound of dragon movement was long gone into the distance.

"I hate dragons!" Shrieked Rukia. "All of them, every single one!" There was a shove to my tail, so I moved it away from her.

I gave her an offended snort, folded in my wings and flopped over onto my side in the warm grass, and wild flowers. She sat down next to me, and proceeded to rest her back against my ribs.

"I didn't even know you guys existed until my sister married Byakuya. She did this to me." There was a sense of frustration and despair in her voice, and she began venting. I watched with intent golden glowing eyes, to show I was listening to her. "There were so many rituals, and tests, I was sworn to secrecy, and many other things. Living with the Kuchiki's, I didn't actually see dragons that often. Mostly they keep to human form, and appear to be a very rich and powerful family. It wasn't until I came here, that I realized there were so many of you, and that you weren't ALL rich and powerful."

I snorted at that. No, Rukia, some of us are just poor nobodies.

"I never asked for this, and I haven't even seen Hisana for several months. Brother says she's sick, and that she has to stay where it's clean. But who stays sick for four months?!"

Someone who is very sick. I of course didn't voice that, best not to worry her and all.

"If it weren't for dragons, I'd be going to college. If it weren't for dragons, I'd have a future. If it weren't for... I wouldn't be sold away as a slave, or a trophy." Her voice cracked there at the end, and I realized she was trying very hard not to start crying. "How could Hisana do this to me?"

I concluded that Hisana was probably her sister. but I had nothing comforting to say, or do for that matter. The Kuchiki clan had stolen away her freedom, and enslaved her humanity with regulations, rules, and pride. They would not stop there, Byakuya wouldn't be finished until he'd given her away against her will. She would either become a servant to another noble family, or forced into a loveless marriage. For a modern woman, it wasn't a privilege, it was a punishment. All because she was human.

I wish I could set you free.

"I hate dragons."

Don't hate me.

I snaked my head around and let it rest in her lap. A rumble of sympathy escaped my throat, even as a half-breed I will never have to endure what she has. I have my freedom, and I'm not from a noble clan; I suppose sometimes working-class sets you free.

Rukia let out a frustrated sigh. "This is all a fruitless effort, Ichigo. Even if you manage to prevent my brother from signing me off during the Gathering. There's no way you'll be able to protect me once this is over."

My tongue lolled out of my mouth, and slipped along her arm. The sensation probably wasn't that comforting, but maybe it would distract her a little.

"That's gross."

You're gross. My distraction didn't work as well as I'd hoped, she continued telling me things that made my large heart ache.

She told me about Renji. Things I never knew about him. She told me that she knew him before she knew he was a dragon. She was a child when he was a pre-teen. They'd both spent some time in the slums as close friends.

I didn't tell her that Renji was probably already past his twenties at the time, and only looked like a pre-teen.

Her sister had raised her after their parents disappeared. Hisana told her that they left, but Rukia assumed they died as she got older. Renji left when she was just getting to be a teenager. And it was quite a shock when he showed up almost ten years later as a dragon, pledging his loyalty to the kuchiki clan after Hisana's marriage. By that time Rukia had already pledged her own loyalty to the Kuchikis, before she was aware of Byakuya's intentions.

Rukia... I really wished I could talk, but maybe its best I couldn't. This was the most she'd told me about herself since we met. Maybe my silence was comforting, maybe she just needed me to listen. I will save you, I don't know how... and hell, I don't know why. Even if I have to crush your brother-in-law, somehow I will set you free.

"You must think I'm an idiot. Weak, and helpless." She laughed at herself, but it was empty.

If I've seen anything over the last few days, its that you are anything but weak and helpless. My thoughts were as comforting as a kiss from the wind, and just as silent. I decided it was time I sought out Ukitake. He was a friendly dragon, and also one of the elders. If anyone would know how to help Rukia, he would know.

The sun was starting to droop low in the sky, and paint the horizon with waves of rose and lavender when we decided to head back. Rukia wasn't very thrilled about being airborne again, she spent extra time getting a good grip. I, of course, did my best to keep everything as steady as possible. The flight back to the estate, was actually quite calm, and refreshing, alas our arrival was not.

Renji was waiting for us in the side courtyard with some very perturbed Kuchiki clan members. Luckily Byakuya was too important to be there himself. Most likely he had some noble business to attend to.

When I landed, Renji strode forth and met me with a large brown cloak. I knew when he offered it to me I was expected to take human form.

"Renji!" The cry from Rukia, startled me, as she slipped down my back. Her clothes hadn't quite dried since our dip in the pool, and it was rather comical how she squelched up to him.

"Lord Kuchiki is pretty upset with you, Rukia. I believe he told you just this morning not to associate with Kurosaki anymore." I growled at how pompous and important Renji was acting. Sometimes the man just pissed me off.

"How-? She started to ask, but Renji shook his head to cut her off, his red hair swished vibrantly.

"You left this at the scene of the crime." He held up her brown cardigan, which I'd lost during our escape under the canvas. He motioned for two of the clan members to escort Rukia inside. "Lord Kuchiki told me to send you to get cleaned up, he's entertaining the Schiffer clan tonight, and he wants to introduce you to their alpha." The Kuchiki's ushered Rukia toward the manor, and I let slip a distressed noise when she didn't even look back.

"I can't believe you, playing hooky with Rukia Kuchiki." The red-head began chastising me. "Byakuya was pretty pissed when he found out you took off with his sister-in-law."

"You can shove it where the sun don't shine, Renji." I had just finished shifting, and I snatched the cloak from his out-stretched hand none too gently. Renji's attitude was pretty awful, and I had a inkling suspicion as to why. The cloak was old and the fabric itched when I shrugged it over my shoulders. I couldn't complaint though, it was better than standing there naked.

"You don't have a chance with her, she's way out of your league." His tone was snide. It made me angry.

"Byakuya isn't going to gift her to you just because you lick his shoes." I sniped back. "The only thing you are managing to accomplish is endorsing her servitude." My arms folded over my chest. "I bet you must be proud."

"I- wha- What happens to Rukia is none of your business." He sputtered.

"She asked me to make it my business."

"Why would she do that?!" My words must have struck Renji's nerves.

Talking to him, was very much like talking to a mound of dirt. Thick, and muddy. "Why don't you ask her, moron. You know, actually talk to her, instead of at her." I marched into the manor leaving him sputtering and indignant out in the yard.

0000

I was unable to escort Rukia to her social tonight. Which meant that Rukia was at the mercy of any man.. or woman. Luckily for me, Hitsugaya and his lackeys were present for this social. I asked Rangiku to stick close to Rukia for me, and... well.. do what I could no longer do. Rangiku was a sweet heart, and she happily agreed. Unfortunately my request convinced her that I have the hots for the midget noble, this resulting in a lot of teasing.

I spent my evening tracking down a certain elder. Lord Ukitake was a sickly elder dragon who was an off shoot from Old Yamamoto's clan. Ukitake was good friends with Alpha Shunsui, and both Alphas had defected from Old Yama's clan back in their youth so they could start their own.

I found the elder in a study with the last dragon i would ever expect him to be with. A man with very dark hair mixed with gray streaks, and a groomed beard. My father. I was already through the threshold when i noticed my old man in the room. I could have retreated, but knowing my Dad, he would have given chase and tackled me.

"Well hello there SON!" Dad's voiced bellowed at me, and I felt all my bones rattle.

"Hi Dad."

"Goodness me. Is that your boy, Isshin?" Ukitake squinted at me as he stood up from the lounge he'd been sitting on. "I think the last time I saw him he was just a small child. He's really grown a lot." It was rather odd being scrutinized by the older man. I fidgeted under his gaze and tried to find an opening so i could talk.

"Yeah," Started Isshin, he wasn't even trying to hide the pride in his voice. "My boy has grown up to be quite the bruiser." My Dad stood up as well, and folded his arms over his massive chest. If it weren't for my father's burly physique no one would ever have taken him seriously. My father is what you'd describe as obnoxiously enthusiastic, and that's just being polite. Right now he was dressed in black slacks and a pink Hawaiian print button-up. His shirt was open at the top revealing an abundance of chest hair. I thank God, that I did not inherit my father's hairy body. That's not to say i don't have any chest hair of my own, its just a modest amount. Humble in comparison to my dear old man.

"I think his mother was still alive the last time I saw him. He must have been four, maybe five years old?" Ukitake prattled on like I wasn't even there. The white-haired alpha was a friendly dragon, but he was also rather scatter-brained.

"Has it been that long?" Mused Isshin. "Masaki passed away when Ichigo was five. That would make it fourteen years."

"Speaking of his mother, your boy looks just like her." Ukitake's green eyes shifted and I found myself under the scrutiny of both of them. Again. There was something about Lord Ukitake, even though I knew he was very old, he was so thin and lanky that he almost looked young. His hair was straight, very long, and the color of freshly fallen snow. All the color had drained out long ago. His face wasn't what you would call wrinkly, but if you looked real close you could see a spiderweb pattern of creases at the corners of his eyes and mouth.

"It's his hair and his eyes. Masaki had the same colors." Informed Isshin.

"Hey." I cut in. But they ignored me.

"She was a very beautiful woman." Ukitake said while stifling a small cough. "I hear one of your daughter's also bears a striking resemblance to her."

"Hey."

"That would be Yuzu, that rich hair color is just infectious!" Bellowed my father.

"HEY!" I finally managed to get Lord Ukitake's attention, even if my Dad was still off on a tangent. "If my father would excuse us for a moment, I would like to have an important word with you, Lord Ukitake."

"That wouldn't be a problem at all." Assured the elder. "As an elder it is my duty to proffer advice to the younger generation." He smiled in a sweet way, that made him seem like a gentle old man. I could almost forget that he was one of the oldest, strongest, and deadliest dragons on the estate. A fearsome creature that could spew electrified water instead of flames. "Isshin would you please excuse us. We can carry on gilding the past later this evening."

"Nonsense!" Hollered Isshin. "If Ichigo needs advice, what better man to give it than his dear own Dad."

I growled under my breath. Ukitake must have heard it because he cut my father short at that moment. "Isshin, you will take your leave from us." His voice had dropped to a serious icy tone.

My father just looked back and forth between the two of us. Usually my Dad would burst into fake tears, and make a huge hullabaloo when he didn't get his way. So it was more than unnerving when his face just became grim, nodded, and then stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind himself.

The friendly atmosphere seemed to drain from the room with the absence of my father. It was unsettling, and i couldn't help but feel wary in the presence of just the dragon elder.

"What's on your mind, son." Started Ukitake. He wasn't looking at me anymore, his bony hands were busy pouring a cup of tea, and his back was now towards me.

"Its about a human. Specifically one from a noble clan." I wasn't quite sure how much information I wanted to give up on the situation. But Ukitake smiled before I could even finish.

"Ahhh. that human wouldn't happen to be a girl would it? Rukia Kuchiki perhaps?" His smile only faded a little when he brought the tea cup to his lips and sipped.

"How did you-?"

"I'm more observant than you think, Ichigo." He turned to face me again, taking a seat on the edge of the lounge. "I hear you've gotten into quite a lot of trouble with that young lady."

I wasn't thrilled by the amusement I heard in his voice.

"So what is it that concerns her, that you've got yourself concerned with?" He asked.

"How do I free someone from a clan? There has to be a way to sever her from the Kuchikis."

"And why do you need to do something like that?" He raised a thick eyebrow at me.

"Byakuya is trying to marry her off, or give her to another clan against her will. I need to help her."

The elder broke into a short coughing fit, doubling over and shaking with each wheeze. i would have been more concerned but He had been suffering from some kind of a chronic lung condition for ages. Seeing him break into fits of coughs wasn't uncommon at all. When he was finished he cleared his throat and asked, "Why does her fate concern you?"

"I..." I could hardly admit the reasons to myself. I didn't even know where to begin voicing them to someone else. "If I don't help her, who will?"

He chuckled at my answer. "There is a way you can help her. But I don't believe you are prepared for the consequences."

"Will it grant her freedom?"

"No, but it will put her freedom into your hands." He said.

"I don't get it. Couldn't I just challenge Byakuya for her freedom? If I win, he has to let her go right?"

"Rukia can't just be set free. Unless Byakuya says so." Informed the elder. "She belongs to the Kuchiki clan, and they want to keep tabs on her. As long as she bares the kuchiki name, she remains their property." He paused for a few moments taking a few short breaths, then continued. "The only way to break her from the clan, is to challenge the alpha for her hand."

"I-WHAT!?" I felt my mouth go dry, and my stomach flopped uncomfortably.

"If you challenge Byakuya for her hand, he has to accept the challenge. By law he cannot refuse. If you somehow manage to win, then he must give her to you. Only by marriage will she no longer be a Kuchiki. After that, if you wish to let her go, that's all up to you."

I was completely speechless when he finished. I tried speaking but all that came up was a string of, "m-m-muh."

"Marriage." Ukitake finished for me. "Just remember, she's only a human. Really you shouldn't be so concerned for her."

"She needs my help." I attempted to defend.

"Does she?"

I left Ukitake's presence more perplexed than ever before. If what he said was true, I'd be forfeiting my own freedom just to take Rukia's. Getting married was the last thing she wanted, hell our agreement was made to keep her from getting hitched. The Irony of the situation was burning my thoughts like little laughing devils.

I didn't have much time to mull over my thoughts. My father jumped me as soon as I turned the corner of the hallway. He was leaning against the wall, and I knew he'd been waiting for me.

"Ichigo." He greeted. His voice was low, devoid of it's usual playful quality.

"You were eavesdropping weren't you."

"Do you love her?" It was just like my father to jump straight to the point.

"No! Hell no!" I replied a little too quickly. I didn't even sound convincing to myself.

"It makes me proud that my son grew into such a honorable, and respectful young man. But for your own good, let her go." He leveled me with a serious expression. His eyes were trying to tell me something that is mouth wasn't going to voice.

"Why?" I asked against my better judgment.

"You're a dragon, she's a human. It'll be nothing but trouble. Find yourself a pretty dragon lady, there are plenty here for the gathering. Besides you have no business courting a Kuchiki noble."

"Mom was a human, was she trouble?"

"Yes!" He barked. "Your mother was all kinds of trouble. She was fire and brimstone, brave and fearless. She landed me in all kinds of situations, and gave me three bratty whelps." there was a sadness in his eyes now, it was like dredging up the past. "I'm telling you to stay away from her. Byakuya is more concerned about her welfare than you think."

"Is he? He's giving her away for money and power. What a brotherly thing to do!" I yelled into his face.

Dad let out a long resigned sigh in response, and massaged the bridge of his nose instead of yelling back. "I'm not going to stop you, son. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

"Like hell, You haven't warned me about anything." Growling in response. I glowered at him even when he affectionately smacked my shoulder with his massive hand. Then as if he'd never been serious in the first place, a huge grin formed on his face, ear to ear.

"Oh Masaki! Our son has finally fallen in love!" My father made a break for the study before I could even retaliate. "Isn't it beautiful?!"


I want to thank two very special readers for Beta-ing this part of me. You played a huge role in helping me figure out what to keep and what to toss, and also what to change. A special Thanks to Keira14 and Dargonlily. Your advice and feedback helped me come to terms with this chapter.

A lot of you were asking to see Isshin. So... I worked hard to figure out how to work him into my plot. Of course that means the story has now gotten LONGER. So thank you, you lousy Isshin begging people. You are making my story longer. grumble mumble.

And that's a wrap. Expect parts 4 and probably 5 in the months to come. There was a lot of bonding happening in this chapter, and I didn't want to saturate it with action. So expect lots and lots of fights in the next chapter as Ichigo struggles to figure out what he wants. Isn't our lovable oaf just adorkable?