Find her!
Yes.
Ichigo let out a jagged gasp, the butler allowing the thread clinging to his psyche to snap like a tightly strung rubber band. Light and sound blurred around him and in quick spurts of movement, the demon's mind was pushed up and away from his body. Ichigo let the indistinct images overtake his gaze, his breath evening out as his consciousness was shoved further away from him. After a moment, the haze managed to even out into recognizable imagery and the butler found himself seemingly gazing out at a koi pond surrounded by colorful undergrowth.
In the seconds it took the male to identify the sight, his mind was shot back into his body with such force that if not for his protruding claws digging deeply into the woodwork of the bathroom wall, anchoring the demon, Ichigo would have easily been knocked off his feet.
Eyes closing, he ignored the throbbing headache that came with using the useful tracking ability. The demon steadied himself, his breathing controlled.
She was safe.
A feeling he identified as relief moved throughout him, a grateful sigh leaving the male.
As Ichigo calmed, his claws retracted and his fang-like teeth shrunk back to their usual size.
With eyes now a light rose-red, he turned, spotting his trousers from hours before lying forgotten. It had completely slipped his mind that he was naked to begin with. After the demon tugged the dark material up his strong legs, the slacks coming to rest lowly on his narrow hips, he brought his right palm to eye level.
Ichigo's gaze narrowed in understanding as the inked marking against his skin bled crimson, the liquid running down his bare wrist and forearm. Smudges were now clear against the slacks where his hand had griped.
That tricky ability always came with a price. Moving every individual finger of the wounded limb, he couldn't help but worry if Rukia had felt some form of pain at the connection that had briefly merged their minds.
Ichigo pushed the thought aside as he calmly moved to the balcony adjacent to the bedroom, the doors slamming shut behind him.
He would see to her himself.
Jumping, Ichigo stood on the balcony edge with eyes glowing crimson. With a kick of his feet, a leap pushed the demon butler high into the air.
His gaze scanned the large plot of greenery, ruby reds falling to the figure sitting beneath the large cherry blossom tree.
Yes. He would see to her himself.
He was here.
Ichigo.
His presence managed to ease and unsettle her all at once. It was truly an impressive feat.
Her heart hammered away in her chest as he landed beside her in the Kuchiki Garden and even though she wasn't looking his way, the demon's intense stare sent shivers down her spine.
"You haven't been here lately." His tone was distant but she could still sense the slight anger and concern in his tone. She spent enough time trying to read the man. It was only natural that after all this time, she would be able to catch such a slip; no matter how unlike him it was.
Knowing that asking him directly would only cause him to close up further, Rukia pushed the thought to the back of her mind. It wasn't the time for that. She would wait until later to address the apparent issue at hand. For now, the woman looked up at the darkened sky, the Kuchiki Garden bathed in a glow thanks to the bright candlelight surrounding the area. It was such a beautiful sight, no matter how much bitterness it had once caused the young lord.
"It brings back a lot of memories. You know that."
He watched her closely, his eyes hidden by an array of orange bangs, "Would you like me to show them to you once again, my lord?"
Her gaze snapped to him, eyes wide as she forced back tears.
No
"We've been through this." Rukia forced out after a moment. She just didn't want to go there. To relive the memories that the demon had gathered would be too difficult, too painful.
"You miss them." It was a very direct retort. It was also the first response of Ichigo's that clearly addressed the issue that had been filling her with anguish for years now. She missed her family. She knew it to be true but it was a nearly taboo subject between them. Actually, it was more as if Ichigo avoided the topic at all costs. He was the only one that mattered and he liked to keep their little world peaceful and simple. It was astonishing that he would decide to bring it up now.
Rukia let out a bitter chuckle.
"I don't want to see them." It was a lie. She knew that a part of her desperately wished she could. To see their faces, revive the happiness she once felt; it was nearly suffocating her all over again but that was the problem. Reliving her past now would only serve to tear open old wounds. She refused to dwell on such depressing matters.
He moved then, the butler coming to sit beside her. It was in that moment that she noticed he was only clad in his black trousers. Seeing that she was currently wearing his button-down, it wasn't unexpected per se, but the fact that he had gone to her without changing absolutely stunned her. Ichigo was always at his best, no matter the circumstances.
That was when it hit her. When he had awakened to find that she wasn't at his side, the demon must have been worried. It was a simple thought but the near ridiculousness of it made her cheeks burn pink in slight embarrassment. She had to be wrong. That wasn't him.
"I understand to some degree." He interrupted her thoughts with a gruff reply, "I believe I would feel the same if you were lost."
Her eyes, which had been staring blankly at the pond before her, shot over to him at his words, violets wide and cheeks now a deep scarlet.
If you lost me, would you feel this overwhelming pain as well, Ichigo?
He met her gaze and her conflicted expression caused him to look away as his left hand ran through his bed tousled locks; "I know it's not the same." He blinked her way then, eyes now a calm amber due to her company, soothing him, "But it's normal to miss them. You shouldn't over think things to such a degree, little one. It's bad for your health."
His comment caused Rukia to blink down at her hand currently residing on her upturned knees, warmth spreading deep in her belly. His explanation was filled with so many possible meanings. It left her breathless.
As her eyes shyly moved over to the man at her side, Rukia noticed his shaking palm resting weakly beside her, blood pooling around his hand as it braced feebly against the dew covered grass. She imminently un-tucked herself from the martial of his dress shirt, the lord crawling closer to the demon, pain and concern obvious in her wide indigo eyes; "You're hurt…"
Amber moved to her, his gaze dull and weak. It staggered her but didn't stop Rukia from wrapping a much smaller hand gingerly around his, mindful of his painful gash.
His palm was turned upwards, Rukia's stare running over the ink that ran red.
Why?
She must have spoken the shaky word allowed because the next thing she new, Ichigo had turned towards her, his uninjured hand carefully cupping her neck.
Large fingers ran over her seal, the painful sting causing Rukia to flinch slightly in bewilderment.
As Ichigo pulled away, she saw his fingertips covered in a small amount of blood that had been running down her skin without her knowledge. His gaze was soft as it burrowed into hers.
The seal…was bleeding?
She breathed out a pant, the man at her side leaning further towards her, his lips pressing against her scarred throat; "I'm sorry."
She blinked hazily at his reply, Ichigo's tongue currently lapping at crimson, distracting her.
Rukia gasped as he used his nose to sweetly nuzzle against her flesh, his eyes closed as the demon let out a bated breath.
The connection had undeniably harmed her and Ichigo couldn't stop the self-loathing that ascended at the thought.
All he seemed to do was hurt her.
Her little palm that wasn't presently wrapped around his marked palm moved to tunnel through his bright mane tenderly, Ichigo's demonic heart quickly strumming away at her affection.
As Rukia tugged at the strands some, he watched her. His master may have been hurt but the most important thing was that she was alive and protected.
Safe.
That's all that mattered.
But he couldn't ignore the fact that something was clearly bothering her. The lord was holding back. For as long as she's been by his side, there were some things Rukia hardly ever allowed. She never wanted to be portrayed as weak. Even he, an insensitive demon, had discovered that. It was an emotion she knew Ichigo wouldn't be able to understand. She didn't want be seen as a burden.
It caused something to shift within him. Ichigo desperately wished to be the one she would confide in. Even if he wouldn't be able to fully comprehend the issue. He could tell she was close to breaking into tiny pieces and it nearly infuriated him that he couldn't do anything to sooth her inner struggle.
The butler found himself tugging her down against the cool grass, the little noble gasping at the abrupt action. But then, after a moment, she gazed up at the beautiful branches watching over them, her form now sprawled out on her back beside him. Ichigo moved, the demon tentatively resting his head against her little shoulder.
She's safe.
The appendage still tangled in his locks scratched lightly against his scalp, the noble chuckling lightly, "Dummy."
The insult that had gradually became the demon's own loving pet name, caused a lump to form in the back of Ichigo's throat, a tightness forming in his chest. But he forced the strange emotion away. He needed to focus.
Even if it were only for a moment, maybe he could make it better— bearable.
His eyes now shined a soft red, the servant nipping softly at his master's milky throat. She always tasted absolutely delicious.
His name left her in a whisper and Ichigo nearly lost it completely when she tugged his bloody appendage forward in hers, tiny kisses and licks being placed against his wounded palm, cleansing.
In that moment, the demon moved over her without thought. Tugging open the dress shirt that shielded her beauty from his intense stare, the man gazed down at her petite form.
Rukia stared up at him with tear filled violets that caused the demon to let forth a predatory growl, his mouth crashing to hers in a kiss filled with soft nips of teeth and prying tongues. The taste of blood was strong as small hands freed him from his slacks and then he found himself within her, thrusting into his little noble's warmth with gasping pants and heavy hips.
She was moaning and whimpers beneath him, legs wrapping up and around his hips as dull nails bit into his muscular shoulders. "Ichigo…"
It had hurt, just slightly. She was small, he was large and he hadn't prepared her. But that was ok. The dull sting of her center as he moved matched the continuous ache in her heart. Feeling weak and broken, Rukia let tears fell against the warm skin her butler's neck.
Ichigo regretted his selfishness. The only way he could express himself to his human was through this animalistic act and as he felt her cry, he quickened his movements. He had to or else his mind would have cracked completely at the sound of her soft sobs.
She was hurting and all he could do was hurt her further.
He tugged at her locks, pulling her from the nook where his neck met shoulder, his mouth crashing against hers in a kiss that screamed the emotions they were both too weak to speak aloud.
As Ichigo took his master roughly beneath the beautiful cherry blossom tree that lay in the center of the Kuchiki Garden, one thought plagued the demon's mind.
He would never let her go.
Not ever.