Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach mmk?
Alright yall!! It's Ch.12 and it finally starts getting back into the original plot! Oh, and thank you SO MUCH for all of the reviews! I LOVE YOU GUYS!
Someone last chapter said that Rukia wouldn't do something like hide what happened to her from people, and that's probably true. But, considering how it could kill a person she loves, Rukia would do anything to protect that person. She did try to protect Ichigo from Soul Society at the beginning of Bleach, and was ready to face her punishment. Rukia's tough like that. Anyways, I think if something like this ever did happen, Rukia would be upset about it, but would do whatever it took to protect the one she cares about.
Anyways, on with the chapter!
The Secrets We Hide
Ch.12 That Forbidden Feeling
"Ichigo stop!" Rukia said chuckling. The only reaction Ichigo gave was grinning widely. "I have to go soon!" She whispered. Ichigo only pushed her further into the wall.
"You have twenty minutes to get there. Nineteen of those minutes can be spent here." He whispered back as he started kissing her neck again. Rukia finally gave in and allowed his lips to caress her skin.
His hand let go of hers and moved to her small back as he pushed his face to Rukia's. "Have you told your brother about the wedding yet?" Ichigo asked in between kisses.
"I was hoping you would be there with me to tell him." Rukia replied breathlessly. Ichigo pulled away as he sighed. "Don't you think that might make everything worse?"
"No, what would be worse is if you weren't with me. Ni-sama is going to want to see how serious you are about this if you want our marriage to happen."
Rukia had been with Ichigo for five years and he was still afraid of Byakuya's reaction to it all. "He knows about us Ichigo, and I'm sure he knows how important you are to me. After everything we've gone through I don't see how he couldn't. Ni-sama isn't a fool."
Ichigo still didn't look satisfied. "Ichigo, do you want to marry me?" She asked. He chuckled. "Yah, I do." She smiled back. "Then it will all work out got it?" Ichigo nodded and moved back towards Rukia's lips.
They rarely had these moments now-a-days. Ichigo was a captain and Rukia was a vice captain. For some reason they loved hiding from everyone. They loved how it all felt forbidden.
Rukia wrapped her arms around his shoulders as Ichigo's hand pushed onto her thigh. "Rukia" He whispered into her ear. Twenty years ago she would have never imagined feeling this way about Ichigo and she was glad she did now.
"Ichigo" She whispered back. Every time Ichigo kissed her she only desired him more. They could fight, argue, and hide all they wanted, but by the end of the day all that mattered was getting to see one another like they did now, even if it was for twenty, or nineteen, minutes.
Rukia slowly woke up and realized where she was. She was lying in her bed at her house. Images passed through her mind and she smiled.
After a long year of keeping a distance they didn't want, Ichigo and Rukia finally found each other again. He was still sleeping next to her so she stayed close to him, thinking about the sweet memory she just dreamed about.
"That was right before we told Byakuya of our engagement. I was so afraid that he wouldn't accept Ichigo because he's not a noble." But Byakuya had agreed to their marriage and rather quickly. Of course he taunted Ichigo with annoying and pointless questions, but in the end he gave in.
"That was over eight years ago." She would never forget the first time Ichigo showed his feelings for her. They had been arguing about something pointless when out of the blue Ichigo kissed her. He instantly pulled away, but right before he said something else Rukia cut him off by attaching her lips to his again.
That was how their relationship had started. Neither of them said anything about their intimate moment until a month later when it happened again, only they kissed much longer. Deciding they had 'more than friends' sort of feelings for one another, they started to secretly see each other. Attraction grew to want, want grew to need, and need grew to love.
She remembered the surprise from everyone when they announced their marriage. Most people weren't surprised about the two being together, but it was the abruptness of the wedding that caused the shock. Rukia would never forget seeing the pain in Renji's face as he tried to look happy for her. She knew about his feelings for her, and Renji knew she would never return them.
Rukia thought of all their years together so far and felt happy. The only horrible year had been this last one when she was forced to do something no one could ever imagine. "And it's still not finished."
But would they attack again? Rukia's mind instantly replayed the face she saw during the wedding reception. Even if it had been over a year, she had the feeling the two men wouldn't just drop and forget about everything.
She squeezed her arms around her body as she felt disgusting. "They probably watched us last night." She thought sickeningly. Rukia wasn't going to say anything to Ichigo though. She didn't want to worry him after their wonderful night.
A groan was heard next to her followed by some shuffles. "You're up already?" He asked groggily. "Its 11 o'clock, we should get up." Rukia said smiling.
"I don't have to go to my division today so who cares." He mumbled. Rukia rolled her eyes and grabbed her clothes as she realized she was still naked.
Ichigo didn't watch as she changed. There were still things that could scare Rukia and staring was one of them, depending on when.
"Come on, I bet you're still tired." Ichigo said pleadingly. Rukia wasn't tired, but snuggling next to her husband sounded wonderful.
She sighed and crawled next to him, ignoring his triumphant/tired smile. "How do you feel?" He asked. She knew what he was talking about.
"Fine, everything was fine." She replied back. "Oh, so it was fine huh? Not good or amazing, but just fine?" He asked annoyingly.
"Yah, it was fine." Rukia snickered. She missed these little ramblings they said to each other. "You sure are hard to please." He mumbled.
Rukia elbowed his arm and he smiled. She waited for him to call her short or midget, but he did nothing. When she glanced up at him he was looking at the ceiling.
"What?" She asked. He looked at her. "You haven't hit me like that in a long time. It felt good." Ichigo cooed. Rukia elbowed him again.
"How about that one?"
"Nope, that one really hurt." Ichigo squeezed out.
In a matter of seconds several things happened. First, their door busted open to reveal an angry looking Byakuya and concerned Matsumoto. Second, Rukia screamed and clutched to her husband as he pulled the blanket protectively over himself.
"Do you think it's smart to barge into a person's bedroom like that?" Ichigo shouted. The comment was more to Byakuya than anything who looked irritated to see the two so close together, even if the two had been married for eight years.
"Hurry and get up, this is important." Matsumoto said sternly. Ichigo was silent after that as he got dressed. They met Matsumoto and Byakuya downstairs after.
"So what's the problem?" Ichigo asked. Matsumoto's expression looked deadlier than ever. "There have been some attacks in the human world, just like last time."
Ichigo and Rukia knew what last time meant. "Ryou and Hiraku attacked? But how? We destroyed their source of killing." Ichigo muttered angrily.
"The way the humans died this time is the exact way of how Ryou and Hiraku killed." She replied back.
A painful silence fell into the room as the meaning started to take its role on them. The two monsters were back, and they weren't going to leave unless they were stopped.
"But why would they do that? Surely they aren't dumb enough to think I would go and investigate again." Ichigo said.
"Perhaps not, but I think they are trying to get our attention for something. We need to be more cautious than ever." Byakuya said coldly.
This whole time nobody paid attention to Rukia. Just the thought of the two being back brought great fear. "We can't just let them continue to kill innocent people!" Rukia shouted.
All eyes turned to her. "If we knew how to stop them we would be doing it." Byakuya replied.
"Don't you understand? When I was trying to protect Ichigo, innocent lives were taken in order for them to distract Ichigo and get me! They're doing this to upset me!" Rukia screamed. She had never been so forward with her words.
As much as he wanted to, Ichigo made no movement towards Rukia. He had the feeling that she would push him away if he moved close by. But that didn't mean he was angry. "When are they going to leave us alone?" He muttered furiously.
"I think it's time we started to search for them before they try to attack us." Matsumoto finally said. Byakuya and Ichigo nodded. "But where could we begin?" Ichigo turned to look at Byakuya.
"Have you remembered anything at all about them?" Ichigo asked. "No, I haven't." Byakuya replied shortly.
Rukia was now sitting on the couch with her hands on her head. "I think you should stay at my house tonight." Byakuya muttered. Ichigo knew Byakuya was aggravated that they didn't stay the night before, but he didn't care. Ichigo opened up a dormant part of Rukia that had been locked away for a long time. It had been worth the escape from Byakuya's home.
"Let's go then. Rukia?" Ichigo called as he walked to her. Rukia made no response as she slumped sadly on the couch. He sat next to her and moved close so he could talk quietly to her.
"I know its hard Rukia. We're going to stop this. All of it." He whispered softly to her. Rukia shook her head.
"They're dying because of me Ichigo, it's my fault!" She said loudly. He grabbed her hands.
"No Rukia, none of this is your fault. Got it? I don't want to hear any of this coming from you." He said forcefully. Rukia looked into his confident eyes and was silent after that.
"Ready to go then?" He asked softly. She nodded and they stood to leave. "Stay close and be on the lookout." Matsumoto commanded.
Ichigo doubted the two would make a move during broad daylight but still kept his guard up. Rukia moved slowly along side of everything. Would all the progress Rukia made vanish if she saw the two again? Would she close up again?
He shook himself of these thoughts. For now they needed to figure out a way to find the two. When they reached Byakuya's mansion Rukia's face looked even tenser.
"Ichigo, if they killed the humans with those strange cards they had then wouldn't they try to kill you or me?" She asked timidly. Rukia didn't like to really wonder on if Ichigo would live or die.
"I don't know Rukia. Maybe they have something else in mind." Those words stung Rukia. What more could they possibly do? And as one answer already poured into her mind she fought it away and fast. She squeezed her eyes shut.
"Ichigo won't die." She said to herself.
The day passed by slowly as there was nothing to do at Byakuya's large home. A servant came into the room where Ichigo and Rukia were.
"Someone is here to see you sir." The servant humbly said. Ichigo already sensed the person coming to see him and he sighed.
"Kurosaki-taichou!" Haru shouted. Ichigo stood in the doorway staring at the younger kid. "What is it Haru?' Ichigo muttered.
He glanced in the room to see Rukia lying down and blushed. "Um, well, you're needed at the division. Yamamoto-taichou's orders." Ichigo scratched his head. If Yamamoto ever gave an order it was to see him or to go on a mission, not for him to go to his division.
"Are you sure Haru? Did you get the right message?" Haru nodded his head violently and nervously. "Look, this is the note his messenger gave me."
Ichigo read through the paper. "That's weird, alright, well you can go now." Haru bowed and stalked down the long hallway.
"Yamamoto wants you to go down to your division?" Rukia asked. "Yah, it's sort of weird for him to ask such a thing." Rukia nodded in agreement.
"Do you think it's some sort of trap?" She asked. "No, I don't think so. I read the note and the handwriting looked like Yamamoto's."
Rukia still looked suspicious. "Why don't you come with me then Rukia? That way you can stay with me." She looked surprised.
"But what if it is a trap, I mean, what if they think you would take me with you." Ichigo sighed.
"Like I said, I don't think there would be a trap. And plus, you'll be with me so nothing will happen. I haven't been following all of Yamamoto's orders, so it might be good if I actually do what he says this time." Ichigo said smirking.
"Alright I'll go with you." She said rising to her feet. They made their way downstairs when they were stopped by Byakuya.
"Where are you two going?" He asked emotionlessly. "I have to go to my division so Rukia is going to come with me." Byakuya stared at them for a moment and started walking away.
"Take Matsumoto with you." He said before disappearing. They both rolled their eyes and saw Matsumoto sitting on a couch.
"I'm coming." She said annoyed. Byakuya wasn't her captain so why was she taking orders from him?
After arriving at the third division, Ichigo sensed for anything unfamiliar. "Everything is fine now come on."
Rukia followed behind Matsumoto as they made there way into a large dojo. Unlike the thirteenth division that had most of the grounds outside, Ichigo's training area and meeting area were located inside.
Haru quickly approached his captain. After glancing at the two behind him he spoke. "Do you know what Yamamoto wanted me to do?" Ichigo asked as he looked around. The building was completely vacant.
"I think there's some paperwork he wanted done, and some subordinates are coming in a little while." Ichigo watched Haru's every move.
Something wasn't right.
"Why would Yamamoto want me to come here? Is he coming himself?" Ichigo asked a little louder. Haru shook nervously. "I don't know Kurosaki-taichou, honestly. That's what I would assume but I don't know."
A sharp pain hit Ichigo's shoulder and he fell to the ground wincing. "Ichigo!" Rukia called as she ran to his side. Matsumoto stood and looked around.
Something in the air immediately changed. Rukia could feel turmoil inside, and somehow knew what would happen next.
A familiar laughing was heard throughout the room and Rukia felt the urge to vomit. And then, like a kick in the stomach, the two emerged, though instead of covering their faces with cloaks they wore nothing to cover their heads.
Rukia could see their faces clearly now and she wished this was all a horrible nightmare. The one with the lighter colored hair had a deck of cards in his hands. She clutched onto one of Ichigo's arms as he slowly stood.
"How did you get those?" Ichigo demanded. They both chuckled as the man holding the cards spoke.
Rukia's hands were shaking violently and Ichigo held one to calm her down, though he knew it wouldn't help much. He couldn't believe the two were actually in front of him. The two men he wanted to torment.
"I made these cards once and I can make them again. The process takes about ten months." He hissed. Rukia shuddered. He would have to ignore the searing pain. Right now he needed to protect Rukia and somehow get those cards away…
"Rukia, you look pretty healthy." The other stated as his eyes loomed over her body. She stepped behind Ichigo further whose anger was already starting to blaze.
"Don't look at her! Don't talk to her!" Ichigo shouted viciously. "You know Rukia," The man continued as he completely ignored Ichigo.
"It's now a year later and you're going to have to suffer all over again, though this time we might not be so kind to your dear husband." Rukia's grip on Ichigo's shoulder tightened as her eyes widened with fear.
"You're not going to touch Rukia." Ichigo hissed. He pointed his large sword higher in the air. Rukia closed her eyes for just five seconds.
Her eyes snapped open and she gripped the hilt of her sword.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Rukia, if you attack us then we'll end Ichigo's life. It's simple as that." The other man said. Rukia saw their two swords hanging on their sides.
She had never imagined the two to be real shinigami, though proving they had swords didn't say much. But how strong were these two anyways? They had powerful enchantments so could their fighting skills be high too?
"Haru," Ichigo muttered as he continued to glare at these men he hated. "I need you to get Rukia out of here got it?" Haru slowly nodded.
"Ichigo I'm not leaving your side." Rukia said shakily. "Matsumoto I need you to stay and help me." Matsumoto nodded quickly with resolve. They couldn't let either of these men escape or they would chase after Rukia.
"No Ichigo! I won't go!" Rukia shouted. "I don't have time to argue with you. Don't worry about me ok? I'll be fine." Ichigo was surprised at how the calm the two men were being but decided to take advantage of the time.
"Ichigo—"
"RUKIA just do it PLEASE!" He screamed. Ichigo glanced and Rukia and wished he hadn't. Her face was wide with fear and tears began to fall.
"I'll be fine Rukia. I love you, now go!" He demanded. As Haru came and pulled her away she glanced at Ichigo for as long as she could.
The moment Rukia disappeared Ichigo attacked and the fight began.
"This way Kurosaki-san." Haru said calmly yet urgently. They were heading out a back exit. "I think it would be best if we went and told my brother. He can help Ichigo out." Haru only nodded as they continued to run.
They ran through some streets in Seireitei and several people looked strangely at them as they passed. "It doesn't look like they're following us." Rukia called out. Haru's hand was still holding onto to Rukia's tiny wrist.
When they reached a deserted spot on a street Haru stopped and pushed Rukia inside the room. "What are you doing?" She asked confused. "I-I think it would be better if you stayed here." He said nervously. Haru wouldn't look her in the eye.
Rukia figured Haru was nervous about the situation, but he was acting extremely strange for someone like him.
"Kurosaki-san, I'm sorry." And before Rukia could do anything, her world went black.
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A/N: Haha! Cliff hanger! So what did you think? I hope everyone liked this chapter! And if anyone can take a good and obvious hint, Haru isn't exactly a good guy!! Dum Dum Dum!! Next chapter is a lot about Rukia. I know people are probably wondering about Byakuya having to do with this and things will start to be revealed in the next few chapters (I haven't got much further than this chapter so I'm not exactly sure). I'm guessing there will be about eighteen chapters, but I don't know. And sorry if things seem rushed. I know it's been a year later (in the story) and now they're back again and it's moving all sort of fast so I hope it sounds all good. I think Ichigo would do something stupid as say "just come with me Rukia, I'll protect you" because Ichigo's all macho and doesn't think things through clearly (I'm talking about when he takes her to his division and how Haru is all involved now).
Again, thanks for ALL the reviews, I got like 20!! I have NEVER gotten that many reviews so thank you thank you THANK YOU! I love you guys!! Ok, now, it would really mean a lot to me if I got the same amount of reviews as last time (or more whatever works). Seriously, you guys motivated me to write and add more to this chapter (even though it was short) please REVIEW!
