Bound by Duty

Light of 1000 Stars

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Just write about it.

Warnings: Nothing. Just some Rukia/Ichigo fighting.

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Chapter Fourteen

Rukia stared, her striking violet eyes intense and focused upon her opponent. She breathed hard through her nose, trying to refill her gasping lungs with the rejuvenation of oxygen. She gripped the hilt of the sword tighter, until she could no longer feel the smooth pearl embedded on the tip. Perspiration—even the droplets from hours ago—were still continuing to line upon her forehead, and she resisted the urge to swipe it off; just in case Ichigo were to attack.

And yes—even he was tired. She kept her eyes peeled on her tired husband, watching his knees shake with the faintest shivering. He was much more bold than she; able to show his tiredness by panting loudly through his slightly ajar mouth.

They watched each other. They breathed together; their heartbeats rang with one another. Swiftly, Ichigo lifted his sword a little higher, aiming at his wife's neck—only a few feet away. Rukia, startled by this sudden action, grunted and stepped back, waiting for his first move.

Ichigo then stepped back, still holding his sword up in an effort to intimidate her. Rukia let out an irritated growl from the base of her throat.

"Well…?" she questioned firmly, startled as her voice bounced through the empty room.

"What are you asking me for?" Ichigo snapped back, tired and worn out. "You make the move, woman!"

She gritted her teeth at this as he frowned. In silent agreement, the two both rushed at each other, releasing a small cry of strength from their lips.

Ichigo was able to strike first, his sword smashing against Rukia's. Do we know each other?

He pushed her forcefully, causing her to slide backwards, sending up a tiny cloud of dust from the untidy floor. Why do I think so much about this…?

At this accomplishment, he leaned close towards her, pushing his weight upon her, sensing his victory. He grinned, his face a few centimeters away from hers.

"I think I win, Rukia." He muttered lowly. Why do I think about what we are supposed to be? And what we've become? And what I want us to be?

Rukia struggled to push back against his weight, but failed miserably. Ichigo only pushed on her harder, nearly toppling her backwards onto the floor. She breathed hot air into his face, grunting like an angry bull. I've been hurt many times. And I'm afraid of the world. Afraid of you. But I'm willing to grow. I'm willing to struggle and work…if you show me the way.

This only earned her a greater grin from him.

"Keep trying…" he teased. I want to let it go. Let's just let everything flow its course, shall we? For now…

With the last burst of strength, Rukia pushed Ichigo off of her, striking his sword with her own once. The clang of metal exploded throughout the room, startling both attackers.

Ichigo smiled. For now…I want to focus on us. On you. How to make you happy. How to let you show your true self to me. To make you unafraid of me.

She backed away, panting, soaked in sweat; her new kimono was definitely ruined. How many hours have they sparred?

"You're sweating," Ichigo noted the obvious. "You should get something to drink before you dehydrate."

"Idiot," Rukia hissed between gasps of air. "You're sweating, too."

Ichigo grinned. "Not done until I win first."

He lunged at her again, this time, at full speed. He swung his sword directly at her face this time, no holding back. Rukia held up her sword, pushing it back against his, and once again, their swords crossed paths; fueled with the fiery thoughts of this marriage.

Ichigo gritted his teeth at this, his ego getting the best of him. "We're aren't settling for a draw," he informed.

Rukia grinned back, her wrists shaking to push back against his weight. "I never said we were,"

This time, Rukia dug her left foot back into the floor, gaining a strengthened balance for her stance. She pushed her tiny weight against Ichigo's, her wrists sore. Ichigo pushed back, only held back by Rukia's strong stance. Glancing at her foot, Ichigo kicked it, easily tripping her. Rukia yelped and landed flat on her back.

Shifting the sword to his shoulder, Ichigo turned. "I win."

Grunting, Rukia sat up. Taking advantage of the moment, she swiped her foot through Ichigo's ankles and watched as he disdainfully fell to the floor in a messy heap.

"No. I win," she said.

Sighing, and a temper rising, Ichigo turned over on his back and began to get up. Rukia, alert, crawled over to him and slumped her tiny body over his chest, dropping her sword by his head.

"Oh no you don't," she whispered, her face meeting his.

They panted together, sharing the same air. Fiery ambers and angry violets pierced each other's gazes. And all at once, the two broke out into a smile. And shared sweet laughter.

"That was fun." Rukia admitted, laying her head under his chin. "Tiring, but fun."

Ichigo silently agreed, much too thoughtful about their position to answer.

"Rukia…"

Slowly getting up, a horrid red blush on her face, Rukia crawled a few inches away from him, grabbing her knees under her chin. "Forgive me."

Ichigo scowled. "Don't go all sweet and nice on me again. It took me forever to make you get out of that stage."

At this, Rukia blushed harder and looked away. She smiled. "Yeah. It did, didn't it? I didn't mean to make this so much trouble for you."

"No trouble. I just want to know," he looked at her, and she at him, both gazes captured. "who you really are. That's all."

Rukia's violets widened. Ichigo, in contrast, stared at his palm, not daring to look at her. They sat, silent words running throughout the room, a conversation of a million meanings.

"We're on that path now, aren't we?" they whispered in unison. At the same time, they perked their heads up, stared at each other, and laughed.

Let's just let everything flow its course, shall we?

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Orihime sighed, shutting the shoji door. They had only been sparring for a few minutes, but it seemed like hours when she couldn't interrupt them to ask them to come to dinner.

"They seem happy…" she whispered to herself, walking back to the kitchen.

Rukia's and Ichigo's dinners were left cold.

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Author's Notes: An early update! I usually update on Fridays/Sats/Sunds but I felt a little nicer this week! This chapter was fun to write…hehe hope you guys caught some symbolism in Rukia's and Ichigo's relationship.

Yep. They're feeling better around each other. The only thing that bugs me is that they have already started out being polite to each other (during beginning of marriage), so when I make them fight, it's not an argument that Rukia or Ichigo would be able to stop talking to each other for. They'd always come back and talk to each other and apologize…sigh…the way I already molded this fic has already ruined what I wanted them to fight about. Oh well. We'll see what I think up next. For now, they'll still argue. Maybe they'll get fed up with each other and then I could make them stop talking to each other!! OOhhh…that's a good idea…

NEwayz, leave a review if you want another update Sunday! Hehe. And thanks to all reviewers out there; I'll try to cut off from those flashbacks.