Hi everyone! Sorry for the late update I've been a bit busy. Here's the next chapter and thanks for the lovely reviews =D

Chapter 14

**Kuchiki Mansion**

The following six months had passed by just as fast as the first. It was summer now and Ichigo was done with school but they still kept their same routine. It was the weekend and Ichigo was spending it in soul society with Rukia. He had gained enough trust from Byakuya that he was allowed to spend nights over and stay in one of their many spare rooms.

Ichigo sat in said room thinking about the times when his family would visit his mother's grave. He would wonder how his father could be anything but depressed? He knew now. The bond and time his parents shared made every minute worth it. If he had to do it again, he knew his father would. Today, he would take that step further and declare unconditional love to his soul mate. He had found the woman who if he died tomorrow would make him die a happy man.

**Random restaurant in SS**

"Nice to see you could make it! That damn Ichigo sure loves taking all of your free time, doesn't he?" Renji said as he met his friend.

"Thanks for the invite Renji." Rukia said as she sat at the table.

"Yea, yea…" He said casually. The truth was that Ichigo had asked him to keep Rukia busy during the day because he was planning something for her in the evening. Ichigo told Rukia that he would be training with some guys from the 11th division.

"Sorry I haven't been around. I've just been spending most of my free time with Ichigo and his family. But now that I think about it nii-sama has also been requesting that we eat dinner together more often and do other things like that…" Rukia said.

"Well, anyone would act like that knowing that some punk's taking their little sister away!" Renji said ruffling Rukia's hair.

"I'm not little Renji! And Ichigo's not taking me away!" Rukia said smacking Renji's hand away.

'If she only knew. Ichigo might be doing that faster than she had imagined.' Renji thought.

"So are you happy?" Renji said looking into her eyes.

"Yea." She said with a sincere smile.

They spent the rest of the day hanging out and catching up. When the evening came Renji walked Rukia to the Kuchiki mansion.

"See ya Rukia!" Renji said.

"Bye Renji" Rukia answered as she walked into the mansion.

She looked around for Ichigo but didn't find him. She figured he was still training so she decided to take a bath. Being a shinigami didn't really allow for her to dress up, but since she was off duty for the day she decided to wear something nice. She had many fancy clothes being a Kuchiki, she just never got the chance to wear them.

She wore a furisode* with pink and white flowers and a lilac obi*. She also requested that the servants prepare a nicer meal for dinner. They agreed although secretly they didn't do as told. They had been requested to do something else earlier today. After getting ready she was reading a manga in her room when…

"Rukia?" Ichigo called as he approached her room but was amazed at what he saw. He had seen Rukia dress up before when they'd go out in his world, but looking at her now with a more traditional and refined attire she looked like a princess.

"Ichigo! About time you came, dinner should be ready soon." She said looking back down to continue reading unaware of her impression on Ichigo.

Ichigo snapped out of his daze and went to Rukia. He grabbed her manga, put it to the side and held out his hand. She got up with a questioning look.

"What's going on?" she said.

"Why'd you get all dressed up?" He asked as he continued to stare in awe.

"I-I wanted to look nice." She said in a shy voice.

"Let's go." He said and kissed her forehead.

"But dinner will be ready soon and nii-sama-" He interrupted her.

"I spoke to Byakuya already, and you don't need to worry about dinner either." He said holding her hand and leading her out of the room.

She was curious. What was Ichigo up to?

He picked her up, held her in his arms and shunpoed to his destination -her favorite garden-. He gently set her down.

The spot Ichigo picked was breathtaking. There was a blanket on the grass with many fancy cushions (the cushions were Byakuya's idea), there were lanterns hanging on the cherry blossom trees and a small table next to the blanket that the servants had set up with Rukia's favorite foods: rice dumplings, cucumbers, and eggs. There were also treats, candy and chocolates that Ichigo knew she liked from his world.

"Ichigo…" she said speechless as her eyes became watery.

"You look beautiful." He said looking in her eyes.

The scene was perfect. The sun was setting and the lanterns gave the area an ethereal glow. Although Ichigo might not be dressed in fancy clothes or shower Rukia with the most eloquent of speeches, he was perfect for her. She'd hate to ever see him in a battle again, but she loved the way he looked wearing his shinigami robes. They matched his strong and protective personality. She looked into his eyes to find that look he only had for her, the one expressing his endless desire to be with her.

Ichigo was happy to have picked that spot. The place was perfect for the occasion although it dimmed in comparison to her. She looked at her and couldn't help to think of how delicate she looked. He wanted to be the one to protect her then, and the one to continue to protect her now. That was the reason he would always recue her, the reason he would never listen and the reason he could never stay away.

They hugged for a few minutes basking in their love and then went to sit.

"I never thought you could be so mysterious, you planned all this without me knowing." Rukia said as she reached for a dumpling.

"Well, now that your brother likes me somewhat I'm able to have more freedom around here." He said getting comfortable and fixing some cushions.

"So is this what you worked on all day?" Rukia asked.

"This and I talked to Byakuya for some time." Ichigo said biting into his dumpling.

"About what?" Rukia said curious.

"A few things." Ichigo said with a sneaky smile.

She rolled her eyes and continued eating. He would tell her when he's ready.

When they were done, they got up to go for a walk. There were lanterns all over the garden guiding them through the pebbled path. They walked hand in hand listening to the sounds of the streaming water, the trees blowing in the light breeze, and the little critters chirping in the night. Rukia leaned her head on his arm.

"Rukia…" Ichigo said.

"Mmh?" Rukia answered.

"Remember the first time we said goodbye? I assumed that you'd be coming back with us without even thinking that you could be better off in your own world. But when you told me you'd be staying I realized all I wanted was to see you happy so I wasn't really sad. Somehow I knew deep inside we'd meet again" He said as they continued walking. "But when we said goodbye after I lost my powers a part of me thought it was the end. That side of me was wrong. As time passed by I realized how wrong I was. I could have fought for you…I should have fought for you. Instead, I chose to blame you. To blame you for leaving, for not visiting, and even for my feelings. It was easier to sulk in my depression than to fight." He said as he recalled the days they spent apart.

They stopped walking. He turned to face her as he held her hand and said,

"But when we met again all that faded away. I know even though I had to let you go back then, I should have fought for you. Rukia, I won't ever leave you again. I want to always fight for you and be with you..."

"I love you, Kuchiki Rukia." He said in a husky voice.

"Ichigo…I love you too." She said fighting back the happy tears and buried her head into his chest. He put his arms around her and caressed her back.

Byakuya was lighting incense at the family shrine when he felt their reiatsu spike. The feeling wasn't forceful, it was warm and gentle. He smiled and looked at the picture of Hisana. He knew of Ichigo's intentions for the evening, the sudden change in their energy giving him his answer. Through the years his feelings for Rukia evolved into those of a protective older brother. Although he knew her to be capable of taking care of herself, he was at peace knowing she had found someone who would keep her safe, someone who had shown him time and time again his love for her.

**Karakura Town**

Ichigo, Chad, Ishida, Keigo, and Mizuiro were at a local restaurant. Ichigo was telling them about the latest news.

"Wwhhaaatt!" Yelled Keigo when Ichigo gave them the news. I guess marrying young was out of style in his world, but that was ok with him. He never really expected to live a "normal" life.

"So when's the wedding?" Mizuiro asked casually as he continued eating his noodles.

"In the fall." Ichigo answered.

"Nice month to get married, Kurosaki. Although it is a shinigami wedding, I would like to extend a helping hand and offer my excellent skills as a tailor should you need them." Ishida said.

Everyone sweat dropped. If Ishida got his hands on anything wedding related Quincy crosses would be the main component.

"Will you be staying here or moving there?" Chad asked.

"Rukia will be the representative of Karakura town so she'll be allowed to stay here. Since I got my powers back I was also offered to work for Soul Society and Urahara-san also offered that I work for him. I never really thought I could make a living out of being a shinigami. I guess we all have our calling in life and this was mine." He said in a serious tone.

Everyone just stared at Ichigo. Their friend had grown so much in the past year, although thinking back on things he had always been like this... kind of like an old soul.

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Don't forget to leave some feedback :p

Notes:

*From what I read a furisode is a colorful kimono with long sleeves that is worn to formal/traditional occasions.

*The obi is the sash of the kimono.

*I chose the wedding to be in the fall since weddings in Japan are common in the spring and fall. I wanted a spring wedding but Ichigo was out of school already (which meant the time frame was after spring.)