Thanks for the favs: AmericanJynx Jones/ lakeya2700. And to the new followers of this fic too.

*This chapter is dedicated to applepieshiomai, mbravesgirl and Gin as a thanks for their multiple reviews.*

Disclaimer: Kubo owns Bleach. Credits to my cousin Ninya.

Chapter Ten: "Hate does nothing but destroy you along with the person you nursed it for."

"Is she okay? Is Karin okay?" Nelliel directed the question to no one in particular as she rushed into her sister's hospital room. Karin was already asleep, the swollen bruise on her cheek the only evidence of tonight's disaster. Ichigo hadn't told her much when he called except that Karin and Rukia were mugged and attacked out on the street. Neither of them said it out loud but they both knew where said street was close to.

"Nel, hey."

She turned around at Grimmjow's gentle greeting and saw him rising from a corner chair. None of his usual humor was present. His dark blue hair was messy as if he'd run his hand through it a few times, his eyes tired and unsmiling.

"Is she okay? What did the doctors say?" She asked as she approached Karin's bed. "Her cheek looks horrible. Did they fix it? Are they -"

"They're keeping her overnight to observe for signs of concussion but the doctor said she's going to be okay. Bruised but okay," Grimm assured her as he fell into a step next to her.

Nel's hand clenched and unclenched as her worry started to dissipate and give way to anger. "How about Rukia?"

"She's a little roughed up but Ichigo took her home," he said. "You can visit her tomorrow morning."

She released a shaky breath and straightened her spine. "I hope they got the scumbags who did this to them."

"They're in jail right now and your brother's making sure they're dealt with for everything." She didn't look up when Grimmjow put a hand on her shoulder. Part of her wanted to shrink from it, knowing that the contact would weaken her and someday reduce her into what her sister had become, and another part wanted to take more of that touch until all this tension drained away from her.

"Nel, are you okay?" he asked softly.

She forced herself to look up into his mesmerizing blue eyes this time. "What do you think? I was safe and secure in my apartment, Grimm, watching old TV shows in my pajamas when I could've been looking out better for my sisters."

Rukia Kuchiki may not have been her idea of a sister-in-law but after tonight, Rukia Kuchiki had her loyalty.

"It's not your fault," he told her, slowly pushing against her shoulder to turn her toward him. She moved but didn't meet his eyes so he tilted her chin up. "Karin's old enough to make decisions for herself—even the bad ones. You can't blame yourself for their consequences."

There was no judgement or disapproval in his eyes and his words had been gently spoken.

"So you know? About her and..."

He shrugged. "Just because I never seem to stop talking doesn't mean I'm not listening. Ichigo's tried to talk to her before but like I said, at the end of the day, she decides what happens next. We'll have to let her tread the waters on her own."

"And let her drown for a f-cking coward of a man?" Nelliel snapped, angry tears prickling her eyes. "He doesn't deserve her. A man who cares so little for her heart doesn't deserve a piece of it. She needs to see that and let it go because there's nothing there for her. She'll be waiting for something she'll NEVER have."

She knows those words came from a deep, dark place inside of her that was familiar with the same hurt, carved out by the same guy who was telling her right now to allow the same thing to happen to her sister.

- Thanks, but no thanks, Grimm. -

And somehow he sensed that because his hand dropped from her face and he moved away. He walked toward the window and leaned against it, his arms crossed, his hand rubbing his jaw as he watched her quietly. She didn't know what he could see but she sharply reminded herself that she wasn't there for him. Nelliel was there for her sister whose hands were getting skinned raw from holding on to a rope that attached to nothing at the other end.

Her hands bore similar scars.

.

.

Rukia expected to have no shortage of nightmares after the crazy night she and Karin had been through but when she woke up the next day, the unfamiliar but incredibly luxurious room bathed with the soft glow of the warm, late day sun, she only recalled a deep, peaceful sleep, free of bad dreams.

She stretched in bed, the agony of her midsection registering without delay, and she groaned out loud and held her breath until the pain subsided, only letting her eyes move to take in what was around her.

The minimalist furnishings, the gray, blue and white color scheme, and the brushed metal and wood accents definitely felt masculine and modern. On the other hand, the random, books lying around, the dark green sweater draped over the couch, and the small, untidy stack of papers and folders perched on a side table, gave it a comfortable and lived-in feel that stopped the place from looking like it was staged to appear in an interior-design magazine.

Turning her head to the side, she glanced at the dark gray pillow next to her, the dent on its center reminding her exactly of whose bed it was she currently stretched out on.

Ichigo.

Every memory from last night was vivid in her mind like a View-Master—each one flashing behind her closed eyes in perfect sequence with the rest. Strangely, the only ones that stood out were those of Ichigo. His face dark with fury marching down the hospital hall, the anxiety in his eyes when he admitted to being scared, the tenderness of his smile when he dried her hair and dressed her after her shower, his grim frustration when he inspected her bruises and his look of apprehension as he tucked her in bed with the weak resolve to sleep himself on the couch.

She didn't recall all the words but she remembered every confusing emotion that rioted for the prime spot in her heart.

- How do I push away a man who just pulls me right back into his arms? -

Carefully, Rukia pushed herself up on her elbows and spied the digital alarm clock sitting on the night stand on Ichigo's side of the bed.

1:46 PM.

No wonder her head felt fuzzy. Decided that Ichigo had probably already gone to work sometime this morning, she didn't attempt to put any shorts on, or even look for any. She shuffled her feet to the bathroom wearing just his shirt that hung loose over her one shoulder and grazed the top of her thighs.

Her hair was a total mess and since she couldn't lift her arms up for too long, the most she managed was just getting it off her face. Rukia brushed her teeth and splashed some water on her face, dabbing away at the leftover smudges of mascara just under her eyes.

She was hungry and sorely tempted to raid the kitchen for food. With no memory of the penthouse's layout, she stepped out into hallway that ran past three more doors before leading to the open concept living space. As she poked her head out into what looked like the living room, she caught the sound of a familiar voice. Rukia tiptoed her way through the living room and stopped short when the kitchen and dining area came into view.

Ichigo was standing by the kitchen island, wearing a white apron over his gray shirt and jeans ensemble, ladling what appeared to be some kind of tomato sauce into a glass dish. He was looking at a laptop he had sitting on the counter a foot away from his prep area.

He looked up and caught her gaze, surprise registering on his expression as she slowly made her way over to him with a small smile. A warm blush crept on her cheeks as his eyes appraised her from head to toe because while he was sadly fully clothed under the apron, she was aware that his thin white shirt hid little in the light of the room.

Rukia was braless and her nipples were stiff under the soft fabric while her legs and feet were bare and fully exposed. Her dark, soft messy hair added to her look that screamed - she knows it - SEX.

The dark, hungry heat in his eyes was impossible to miss but instead of prompting her to run as fast as she could in the opposite direction, it pulled her in, remnants of last night's memories just right before she fell asleep springing in her mind. She remembered the whisper of his lips against her cheek and hair, the protective weight of his arm over her hip, the soft, soothing murmur of his words which she couldn't quite recall at the moment.

Maybe it was the drugs finally kicking in, or maybe it was just the plain simple fact that she was helplessly attracted to Ichigo Kurosaki.

- I'm a woman after all. A curious virgin, one at that." -

She couldn't stop her feet until she came right up against him. Her hands gently grasped his forearms as she slowly stood up on her toes and brushed a featherlight kiss on the corner of his mouth. Rukia felt his muscles tense under her fingers but he didn't pull away. Instead, he tilted his face toward her slightly so that their lips met for a fraction of a second—one that stretched on for an eternity, before he pulled back slightly to angle for a deeper kiss.

She moaned sensually when she felt Ichigo's hand caressing her smooth, creamy thigh. His hand moved excruciatingly slow, up to where a part of her throbbed - she felt it - and wet. She gasps as Ichigo's lips released hers and continues down her neck. She felt his loving hand coming closer to where she wanted to be touch. Closer .. closer .. closer..

Sounds of throats being cleared imploded into her consciousness and she abruptly reared back, wincing at the shaft of pain on her midsection at the sudden twist of her torso. Rukia glanced at the laptop and gasped out loud in horror.

- Oh, no! -

A conference room full of about five or six people stared back at them, some looking slack-jawed and others looking at everything but them. Even with half of Ichigo's body covering hers and the countertop hiding her from the waist down - Thanks goodness for that. She still looked like a splendid mess who was mashing faces with their boss.

Ichigo quickly recovered, setting down his ladle and wedging his body between her and the counter to block her from the view of their audience.

"Everyone, finish the rest of the discussion and email me the bid," he said with a resigned sigh as he leaned forward, reaching for the laptop. She could hear the amusement in his voice as he added, "My lady's awake and I'm all hers for the rest of the day. Goodbye."

Rukia peeked over his arm and saw that the screen was now off just as he was lowering the screen close.

"All mine for the day, huh?" Rukia blurted out as she stepped around from behind him. "What are your people going to think now? That I'm a needy bitch? Or a regular hussy who waltzes around your place practically naked?"

He smiled. "They're going to think that you are the poor, sick, little fiancee I'm nursing back to health. You're the explanation as to why I'm working from home today and why I'm wearing a damn apron and making lasagna in the middle of our meeting."

She bit her lip, softened by his admission, and glanced at the food he was making. "Do you know that I love home-made lasagna?"

He smirked and picked up the ladle again to finish pouring the sauce all over the pasta. "I know. Yoruichi-san told me. Why do you think I'm making it right now when there's more than a dozen other things I can make that take less time and work?"

"I don't think resentment is a secret ingredient to making it taste better," She grumbled with a roll of her eyes. "No one asked you, you know? I can just eat those chicken cup noodles."

He grinned. "I have those too which I can heat up for you right now because if the earthquake rumbling from your stomach is any indication, you're most likely starving."

She blushed. - Did he really heard that? -

"Sit and I'll get it ready for you," he said, pointing to one of the high stools that lined one side of the breakfast bar. "The lasagna's for dinner. Plus, there's chocolate mousse chilling in the fridge for dessert later."

She narrowed her eyes, fighting the thrill that shot through her heart. "Wait, is this reality? Did I hit my head last night? Or is this one of those Matrix moments?"

"Matrix moments?" Ichigo repeated with a wry smile as he set the electric kettle on before placing a cup of instant chicken noodles on a plate with a spoon and fork in front of her. "I was worried that you'd to be out of it today with all your pain meds but I think you're back, midget."

She gave him a death glare. "Don't. Call. Me. Midget."

Ichigo just chuckled. "As you wish. Shorty."

She was about to give him a spicy retort when her midsection throbbed in pain. Ichigo was by her side quickly as she thought.

"You okay." He asked, worries reflecting in his amber eyes.

"I'm fine. " She smiled. "After all, its not my first romp.''

Ichigo's eyes darken at those words. "What do you mean its not your first romp?"

"Nothing. Just forget about it."

He didn't look happy but he backed off and grabbed the kettle, pouring the hot water into the cup and letting her seal it back to cook the noodles for a few minutes. He slid on the stool next to her, folding his arms over the counter.

"Tell me okay. And before you start, I'll need all the names and possible locations so I can find them and make them pay," he said, his calm, even voice intimidating her more than his explosive temper flares.

She snorted and picked up her fork. It was a bit awkward to eat with her bandaged palm but it was manageable. "You can't really kill someone who's already dead and rotting six feet in the ground, Ichigo, but I appreciate the thought."

"It was your father." He stated as a matter of fact. "If he was alive, I could've killed him with my bare hands."

"You can't throw away your life for someone so unworthy of it," Rukia said as she peeked at him from her lashes. "I decided that I wouldn't, no matter how much I wanted to avenge myself, and you shouldn't either. Hate does nothing for anyone but destroy them along with the person they nursed it for."

A strained smile ghosted across Ichigo's lips as he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "Sometimes, I'm amazed by your fighting spirit. Sometimes, I absolutely hate it because it makes you so damn stubborn about letting me protect you."

She smiled back. "That's because I don't need protection. I bounce back and keep going."

"Your belief that you're invincible you could fight anyone for everyone is exactly the reason why you need protection," Ichigo said before taking a deep, ragged breath. "Even superheroes need the occasional rescue."

Rukia closed her eyes.

- If anything needs rescuing now, it's my heart. -

Minutes later, Ichigo let her finish her food while he finished preparing the lasagna. Then he scooped her up in his arms, despite her adamant protest that her legs were just fine, and deposited her in the shaded sitting area of his vast and beautiful penthouse balcony that looked out to the city skyline. He was still in a pretty somber mood but he stretched out next to her on the outdoor sofa with his laptop to do more work while she did her best to shut up and give him peace to run his multi-billion company.

Once Ichigo was done, he tossed his phone on the coffee table and set his laptop down next to it. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up," he said as he rose and scooped her up in his arms. "I'll show you your bedroom and while I get your bath ready, you can pick out some clothes. When you're done with that, I'll change your bandages and help you get dressed, okay?"

Rukia rolled her eyes as he carried her back inside. "I'm not an invalid, you know? The pain is there but dulled by the drugs. I can shower and change on my own."

"A soak in the tub might help soothe your stiff body better than a shower," he said as he continued down the hall. "As for helping you get dressed, I'd like to think that I did a superb job last night and that you'd want my services again."

"Keep it in your pants, pervert," She chided without any heat. "I swear, you're just using all of this as an excuse to put your hands all over me."

"Damn! And here I thought I was subtle," he teased with a wink and just laughed when she smacked him gently on the chest.

"You're about as subtle as a rhinoceros," Rukia said, smirking, but before she could say any more, he pushed open the door and stepped into one of the prettiest rooms she'd ever seen in her entire life.

"Oh, wow."

Her breath caught as she took in the turquoise-painted wall behind the cream-colored, leather-cushioned sleigh bed stacked high with bright, colorful pillows. A matching pair of white night stands stood on each side of the bed, holding up sleek, white lamps and a tall, crystal vase full of fresh, dark pink peonies. A peach-colored suede bench was pushed up against the foot of the bed, draped with a pale blue wrap. Facing the bed was a white wall featuring a modern fireplace and a bright, summery abstract painting. On each side of the fireplace was a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, sparsely filled with a mix of books, art pieces and little collectibles like seashells and charming, hand-painted miniature cupcake stands. To the right of the bed was an entire wall of glass with a door to the balcony right next to the white wooden study desk paired with a bright blue high-backed swivel office chair.

"Do you like it?" Ichigo's voice broke through her mesmerized thoughts and she turned to him and caught him watching her anxiously. He had yet to set her down on her feet.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," She said, nodding eagerly and grinning like an idiot.

His expressioned easened and he grinned back. "I'm glad you like it. The bathroom has a very similar colorful scheme and a nice, big tub. I'll go fill it while you go find some clothes to wear. The closet is just through that door."

He lowered her on her feet and pointed to the door just beside the bookshelf. She gingerly walked to it, pushing the door open and only poking her head in first. Light instantly filled the room and displayed a long hall with racks and shelves on each side.

- Is this a closet or another apartment? -

Only one of the bags Rukia packed was in there, still sitting unopened on the floor, and she bent down and dug out a pair of bright yellow, cotton boyleg panties and a t-shirt bra from the assortment of underwear she crammed together into the small, duffel bag. The rest of her clothes were probably delivered to Ichigo's bedroom but there were a few things hanging on the racks.

He was bending over, pouring some citrus-scented bubble bath into the tub that was quickly filling up, when she walked into the light, breezy bathroom that held the same bright, whimsical charm as the bedroom.

"Do you have most of my stuff?" She asked as she set down her clothes on a bright green armchair propped against one corner of the bathroom.

"Yeah, they're in my closet," he answered, his eyes flickering when they followed her hands up to the first clasped button that held the shirt over her breasts. "We can move them whenever you want."

She paused in awkwardly unbuttoning her shirt and raised a brow at him. "Are you going to stand there and watch me undress?"

He set the bottle of bubble bath bottle and straightened, grinning at her. "Actually, I would, if you don't mind too much."

"No way, you pervert," Rukia said with a firm shake of her head. "I'm not stripping naked in front of you. I can take it from here. You can wait outside or something."

"You need help getting into the tub," he insisted, coming to her and moving her hands away from the buttons to replace them with his. "Will you stop calling me pervert." He whined. "Besides, I've seen a female body before, Rukia. I won't drop in a dead faint."

She glared at him. "Thanks for the reminder, you insensitive jerk."

His hazel eyes sparkled with humor as he made quick work of unbuttoning her shirt all the way down. A strip of skin that ran between her breasts to her belly and stopped right above the waistband of her panties was exposed but Ichigo made no move to widen it.

"Jealous?" he asked, cocking his head to one side smugly. "Because I'll worship your body if you'll let me, you know? I'm not depriving you of anything you want."

Heat and color most likely suffused her cheeks, remembering their little tryst in the kitchen. She made a face at him. "How about I deprive you of your balls right now."

Ichigo threw his head back laughing before he picked her up in his arms. She had to clutch the front of the shirt to keep it from falling away and exposing her breasts to him.

"You're crazy, you know that?" he said as he lifted her over the tub and slowly settled her on her feet. Rukia shivered at the warm, sudsy feel of the water. "Now, once you've got your footing, I'll let you go and turn around so you can fully undress and get under the water."

She had no issues following Ichigo's instructions on this. He did more than prove she could trust him to a be a gentleman last night, despite his occasional, flirtatious teasings. No matter the circumstances of their first meeting, she instinctively trusted him now.

Once she was settled under the bubbly water, Ichigo left her to her privacy with the promise to come back in half an hour to help her out of the tub. He was right about the bath helping with her sore body.

She was nearly asleep when Ichigo knocked softly on the door. He was freshly showered, dressed in jeans and a light blue, button-down shirt, his orange, messy hair still damp. He offered her a big towel and turned his back while she wrapped it around herself. When she said she was ready, he picked her up and swung her out of the tub, setting her gently on her wet, dripping feet on the thick bath mat.

"I found your toiletries bag," he said, setting down a small, quilted drawstring bag on the vanity counter. "Anything else?"

She shook her head. "I think I've got it."

.

.

"Rangiku-san, I really think you should decide whether you want Gin or your career to be the love of your life because you only get to pick one, unfortunately. You can have both in your life but one has to be more important than the other or you'll never be able to prioritize."

"If Gin loves her, shouldn't he understand Rangiku's dreams and help her realize them?" Ichigo asked, pausing from typing and looking up from her laptop which he balanced between his knees. It was later that evening and they were stretched out on her bed, facing each other with her resting against the headboard and him sitting across from her.

"Gin has been with Rangiku-san for almost ten years but she's now at a point where she's no longer sure that Gin even knows she's there since all his attention is on becoming an even more successful," Rukia answered. "You can only take someone for granted for so long, you know?"

Ichigo pursed his lips in thought for a moment before shrugging. "I guess you have a point there. Alright. Sent. Moving on..." He rapped on the keyboard for a few seconds. "It's from Michiru. She says: Kuchiki-san, hi! Do you remember me, silly, shy michi from second grade? I heard the craziest news. You're marrying Ichigo Kurosaki? How did that happen? He's like a super-hot, hunky gazillionaire -," Ichigo looked up with a smug look. "I can see she's an extremely perceptive and honest girl and -"

"Ichigo!"

"Alright, alright!" He cleared his throat and started reading again. "I was so stunned when I found out because you always despised most rich people. Anyway, I wondered if your lightning-quick wedding is due to any bun already baking in your oven."

Rukia groaned. "Oh, no, Michiru. Not you too!"

Ichigo looked up with a frown. "Is that what everyone's speculating? That you must be pregnant if you're marrying me this quickly? I actually never thought about that until I heard people mention it."

She gave him a disbelieving look. "Really? Didn't you think it was a little preposterous to get married in two weeks when we've never even been seen together before? You didn't consider the questions people would ask?"

He shrugged. "I normally don't wonder what people think of me. Not because I don't give a damn at all but just because it never comes up. People hardly tell me what they think of me unless it's flattering. Only you and my family and my asshole of a bestfriend fling my mistakes to my face."

"That explains the size of your ego," she said with a snort. "You don't have enough people telling you the truth when you're being an ass."

"Not that I like to be told that frequently," he replied, narrowing his eyes at her. "Whatever the reason is, I'm happy for you. I hope it works out. You're such a lucky girl," Ichigo read on. "By the way, I don't recall her very well but I'm pretty sure I saw your Mom a week ago. She looked about the same and her name's also Hisana but it's been so many years since I've seen her and -"

"Just reply to her: Thanks for the well wishes, mich, and no, I'm not pregnant. Please don't mention my mother. Thanks."

Ichigo pursed his lips as if deliberating. "Don't you want to at least know -"

"My mother is a closed subject, okay?" Rukia snapped, instantly regretting her sharp tone. Softly, she added, "She's been a closed subject for years and finding out things about her now does nothing for me. She's not part of my life anymore. What she does or doesn't do has nothing to do with me now."

He set aside the laptop. "It's just that I think -"

"Ichigo, please. Just drop it," she pleaded in earnest.

"I'm sorry, I won't mention her again," he said gently, picking up the ice pack. "I think it's time for bed," he said, switching her laptop to sleep mode. "Where do you want to sleep?

- In your arms, forever. -

Rukia mentally kicked herself and gave Ichigo a light chuckle. "Here in my room, of course. We agreed to separate bedrooms, remember?"

"We did," he agreed slowly, his expression unreadable. "We agreed about two weeks ago, before a lot of things happened. It's your call."

As much as she itched to know exactly what he meant, she was afraid to ask because she didn't want to embarrass herself if it turned out that she was just being too creative with her interpretations.

"I'll be okay here," she said quietly, looking away. "Thanks for everything."

His lips pressed together into a tight line as he rocked back and forth on his heels. "Anytime, Rukia. Goodnight."

He quietly left and she immediately felt the loss.

- Hmm. I should have said yes. -

me: whaddya guys think about this chap?

Thanks for your reviews guys. Check out your inbox for my replies.

Guest: Haha. Ichigo is always.

Ej: Hmm. Why not? We'll think about that.

Guest: LOL. Isn't it?

Guest: It's okay. Thanks.

Cc: Thank you. I think he's sweet towards Rukia only. Or not.

Sarah 1991: Thanks for waiting.

Guest: Oh, no worries. Constructive critism helps a lot.

Gin: Depends on what you think. *winks*

Guest: I think your review was cut off but I'm not so sure. Hmm. Thanks for taking your time to review.

Han Ichiruki: I won't promise anything but I'll do my best. Thanks for reading!