Chapter 25: Cherish
At first when Rukia hopped on the back of Ichigo's motorcycle and he tore down the road, she held on for dear life screaming curses in his ear. She would have knocked his head clean off, but because he was driving, it wasn't really an option.
Then Ichigo slowed down a bit and let Rukia get used to the sensation. She hadn't actually ridden in too many other human vehicles. She had ridden a bus a few times and a car even less. She found them both cramped and boring and completely incomparable to traveling with shun po.
But the motorcycle was the polar opposite. Wind stung her eyes, bugs hit her face, she couldn't hear a thing over the engine, her skirt—why did Ichigo even let her wear a skirt?—flew up indecently, and every part of her body that wasn't hugging Ichigo, was freezing cold.
So obviously she was absolutely in love with it!
After they did a few lovely scenic tours in the area around Rukia house, she pressed herself to Ichigo and told him to stop driving like Ishida's grandmother and show her some speed.
She ended up losing a shoe, but it was worth it!
At the end of the ride, Rukia was shaking so badly from the engine and the adrenaline, it took her a few moments to realized they'd stopped at her house.
"You okay Rukia?" Ichigo asked and looked backwards from the front of the seat with a smug, proud grin.
Alright, so he'd impressed her. He didn't have to act as if it were such a big deal. Rukia rolled her eyes but didn't relent from her Ichigo-squeezing position. "I can't move." She mumbled into his back.
Ichigo laughed and Rukia could physically feel his ego inflating. He lifted himself from the motorcycle, effectively carrying Rukia with him like a wraparound backpack. His hands went to hold her legs as he climbed her porch steps, but he paused when he felt bare skin. Rukia smirked and could picture the look of embarrassment on his face.
"Shit Rukia, you wore a skirt? You can't wear a skirt on a motorcycle!"
"You saw me before I got on. Do you think I can magically grow pants when the occasion calls for it?"
Ichigo's throat growled and when they got inside her house he tossed her haphazardly from his back and onto the couch. Rukia stifled a giggle and pulled her skirt down to a safe level while Ichigo sat heavily beside her with stained cheeks and crossed arms.
"You probably flashed half of Karakura. I hope you're happy." Ichigo complained.
Rukia patted blindly at her mussed windblown hair, and lifted a leg to lazily kick her sulking partner. "Don't be such a baby. We kept to back roads and didn't even go into town. The only one who got a peek at my underwear was probably some fuzzy little squirrel." She kept poking him with her foot until he caught it and grabbed both of her ankles. His frown rose into a smirk and he pulled both of her legs towards him and flipped her onto his lap.
Rukia fought him for about a millisecond before placing her hands around his neck and fingering the soft hairs at the nape of his neck. Ichigo's large hands settled nicely on her waist and Rukia sighed in contentment.
Ichigo's thumbs curled under the hem of her shirt and lightly rubbed her stomach. "So, what'd you think?" He gazed at her with an arrogant expression and Rukia decided his ego had enough bloating to last him at least a month. She wiped off her gleeful smile and closed her eyes disdainfully. "Eh." Rukia shrugged.
" 'Eh'?" Ichigo repeated with skeptical eyes. "All you can say is 'eh'? Did Byakuya take your sense of fun and smash it with a hammer before he left?"
"Nii-sama is too dignified to smash anything with a hammer."
"You haven't seen your toaster." Ichigo muttered.
Rukia narrowed her eyes slightly, but then continued with the same uncaring expression. "My brother's assessment was correct. I can see how such a simple machine could amuse you and Renji, but I'm afraid it takes more than loud noises and shouting 'vroom, vroom' to pique my interest."
At that, Ichigo tackled her on the couch and started tickling her roughly. Rukia was shocked and pleased, Ichigo had never tickled her before, and she couldn't stop the shrill squeal that burst out.
"You're giggling Kuchiki Rukia." Ichigo grinned fiercely as he continued his attack.
Rukia writhed and struggled under him, but she restrained herself from hitting him too hard…she kind of liked his playful side… "S-stop it I-I-Ichigo!" She laughed when his fingers dipped tantalizingly under her thighs and pushed harder against him. "Stop it!" She cried again over his laughter. "W-what are you? F-f-five?!"
"Admit you loved it and I'll stop."
"Absolutely not!" Rukia cried out in determination.
Ichigo only stepped up his assault and managed to pin both of her wrists in one hand above her head. Damn her tiny body! He lifted her shirt halfway and went at her tummy without obstruction. Rukia bit her lip to keep from shouting out more laughter. How could something so stupid be so effective? She was a trained shinigami from the 13 protection squads and had found herself trapped on a couch being tickled to death! Perhaps they should include withstanding tickle torture to their training regiments.
Ichigo mercilessly sought out Rukia's weak spots and took advantage of her uncharacteristic helplessness. Rukia screamed childishly again and thrust against him when he made contact with the side of her rib cage.
"Come on Rukia." Ichigo cooed evilly. "I know you enjoyed it."
Rukia had the feeling Ichigo's words were taking on a double meaning, and her suspicions were confirmed when he placed his free hand under knee and lifted her leg to kiss her inner thigh. Rukia gasped as Ichigo tickled and kissed her with his tongue. Her bound wrists fought against his grip harder, and he only responded by kissing dangerously close to her most sensitive spot of all.
"I guess…" Rukia ground out and bit her bottom lip again. "It was alright." She admitted lightly.
She could feel Ichigo's smirk against her leg but knew he wouldn't be satisfied with her admission. Although…she didn't really want him to stop now anyway. He pulled away from her leg and leaned over her again, letting his hand glide under her thigh to cup her bottom. His face ducked over hers for a kiss and he opened his mouth against hers. He sucked out her breath and her tongue along with it as he kissed her fiercely, forcing her tongue to probe inside him. Rukia gasped into his mouth as Ichigo slipped his fingers under her panties. He squeezed her bare skin tightly, almost like a rough massage. Damn him for knowing she liked it when he was rough with her. Ichigo didn't treat her as though she were as fragile as she looked.
" 'Alright' huh? Well…" Ichigo trailed off and suddenly let go of her wrists to hoist her up onto his lap again. He firmly grasped her bottom with both hands and forcibly pushed her against his erection…not that Rukia wasn't an eager participant. She watched Ichigo's eyes fog as he visibly relished the feel of her rubbing against him before he spoke again. It was worse torture than tickling. "Did I mention that maybe… I'd let you drive next time?" he finished huskily.
"I loved it!" Rukia cried out with a groan and zero hesitancy. She was highly susceptible to bribery when it included Chappy and apparently, motorcycles. "It was fast and loud and obnoxious, just like you." She teased.
"You can't ever give me a straight compliment can you?" Ichigo was complaining, but his smile belayed any harshness to his words. He leaned his head back and finally relented some control to Rukia.
Rukia swiveled her hips on top of him and drove a supremely sexy groan from his throat. She loved hearing him groan. And pant. And hiss…she loved all of his fighting noises…especially when there wasn't an enemy in sight.
She leaned forward to kiss his open neck and the first thing she did was give him a bite to match hers. Ichigo must have been expecting it, because he barely twitched under her teeth…either that or the constant pressure Rukia was applying to his lap was distracting him. She ran her hands under his shirt and along his chest as she suckled at his throat. His muscles were hard but his skin was eerily soft, and Rukia could feel his heart beating strongly beneath her hands. Her fingers detected vague scars from past battles and Rukia wanted nothing more than to explore his body at her own curious pace.
She pulled her mouth away from his neck and gave him searing wet kisses along his jaw and up to his earlobe. "Ichigo…" she whispered slowly.
"Not yet." Ichigo answered without her having to ask the question on her mind.
Rukia gently pulled her head away to look at him, but didn't feel Ichigo pause in rocking underneath her. His eyes were closed, and despite his obvious arousal, he looked relaxed. Rukia understood he was reveling in their rare privacy and wrapped one arm around his head and the other around his back to hold him closer. Her body was tensing up, but her heart was satisfied.
Ichigo placed one hand on her hip to continue their slow ministrations and the other gripped her shoulder to return her embrace. "I wanna take my time." Ichigo spoke lowly from his position in the crook of her neck. "Our first time… I don't want to just take you the first chance we get. I don't want any interruptions. I don't want any distractions. I want it to be just us. Just you and me on our terms." He emphasized his words by swirling his tongue in luxurious slow circles on her neck.
Rukia nodded against him and agreed. Their first time would be special. Their first time would be something they could always look back on and remember when times would, inevitably, get arduous. It took them so long to get to the point they were at, to rush into something so significant would be a mockery of everything they had overcome.
Of course after the first time…Rukia was expecting to be thoroughly fucked against a wall if that's what she desired.
Rukia let her body roll over Ichigo's length, getting more of a feel for him in their position. Ichigo panted against her and let his hips rise to push against her more firmly. A pair of deep groans slipped out from each of them and the gentle pace they were keeping picked up a few notches…in frequency and force. Rukia gripped the scruff of hair at the base of Ichigo's neck to keep her hand from going for his zipper. Everything was feeling good, too good.
"Okay, time to stop." Rukia panted out before her body overtook her brain. Rukia knew Ichigo's romantic moments would be rare, if they ever came up again, so she wanted to make sure the idea of their first time pulled through. Using the first few hours they were alone to get busy on a couch wasn't exactly ideal.
Ichigo moaned into her neck. Whether it was from disappointment or pleasure, she wasn't sure, but he loosened his hold on her and let Rukia climb back to her side of the couch. Rukia shook her head to collect herself, but Ichigo flopped his head right onto her lap and hugged her. At least this position was less compromising.
Rukia gathered her breath and ran her fingers through his hair. "Affectionate are we?" she teased softly.
"I'm not a dog Rukia." Ichigo murmured as he snuggled closer, wrapping one arm around her waist and the other under her thighs.
Rukia responded by scratching behind his ear before she looked at the clock. "It's later than I thought. Kaien-dono should be coming home soon."
"He doesn't have any weird drunk stages like you do does he?" Ichigo asked nuzzling into lap.
Rukia shook her head despite knowing Ichigo couldn't see it. "No. I think Kaien holds his alcohol really well. We never really went out drinking together, but I know he always had to carry Kiyone and Sentaro back to their apartments when they went out."
Ichigo started inching her skirt up with his nose. "If he has to drag Renji's ass back to Urahara's, we could probably get away with a little more then…" he kissed her thighs lightly as he revealed more skin, but Rukia playfully pulled his hair.
"Your resolve astounds me." She said sarcastically.
Ichigo continued kissing her as he spoke. "Well I just gave it more thought and maybe we should get it over with before someone else we know comes back from the dead."
Rukia yanked harder, and Ichigo's kisses stopped with a yelp. Rukia could feel him scowling, but instead of leaving her lap, he rolled over and crossed his arms behind his head comfortably.
"You know Ichigo, I just realized…" Rukia began. "You don't really have to stay here anymore now that we know Urahara wasn't serious."
"Well my dad doesn't know that." Ichigo said simply with his eyes closed. "And there's no way I'm leaving Shiba alone with you."
Rukia rolled her eyes. "Ichigo I told you—"
"I know, I know." Ichigo interrupted. "You can take care of yourself and Kaien's not like that, blah blah blah. Maybe I just like it here better okay?" He frowned at his last admission, but Rukia smiled.
He opened one eye to see her reaction and smiled back softly when he saw she wasn't annoyed with him. Rukia was finding the urge to 'get it over with' suddenly more appealing and knew she had to stay strong.
So Rukia stood up quickly, effectively knocking Ichigo from her lap and the couch. "I've been thinking there's too much white in my house." Rukia declared loudly. "What do you think about purple? Something dark like a violet…or maybe even a burgundy." She considered.
Ichigo groaned irritably as he sat up. "I think you should be asking a girl, or even Yumichika. Not me."
"You'd think you'd be comfortable with your masculinity Ichigo." Rukia chided.
"I think you should shut up and put on some freaking pants for once." Ichigo tugged at her skirt but removed his hand before Rukia could slap it away. "Too much damn temptation." He muttered as he moved over to his backpack and brought out a textbook.
Rukia took his advice and ran upstairs to change before coming back down dressed in her pajamas and with a horror manga in hand. The glory of distractions.
So like every teenage couple who had the house to themselves…Rukia and Ichigo sat next to each other reading quietly.
It didn't get noisy until Rukia heard stomping noises coming from her porch. She and Ichigo exchanged a glance as someone announced their arrival outside.
"It's Shiba Kaien coming back after a night of drinking!" He called out obnoxiously. "I'm not drunk either because Renji is a lightweight! So if anyone is still awake, they'll probably want to put on some pants right about now!"
Rukia stifled a laugh as Ichigo growled and got up to throw the door open. Kaien was fumbling with the lock and keeping a hand over his eyes, giving ample time to anyone who may have had to scramble back into clothes.
"Would you shut up?" Ichigo yelled harshly at the other man. "We're sitting right here and fully clothed you pervert! You're not supposed to shout your arrival when it's late at night!"
"I was just giving you two fair warning." Kaien smirked as he walked past Ichigo and into the living room. "Abarai told me about the last time you thought you were alone, and I really don't wanna walk into something like that."
Ichigo turned a little rosy but still snapped back sarcastically. "Thanks for being so damn considerate."
"You're welcome." Kaien grinned until he saw the books on the table and in Rukia's hand.
He stared at Rukia with a disturbed look on his face. "What the hell is wrong with you Kuchiki? I gave you guys the perfect opportunity and you're wasting it on school crap?"
Rukia frowned and pointed out her current page. "This isn't for school. I'm finding out what the evil sorceress keeps in her cellar." She returned to her reading with enthusiasm. "I think it's the reanimated remains of her past lovers."
Ichigo snatched her manga away and scowled at it. "I thought this was freaking lit homework." He complained. "I can't believe all you idiot shinigami got your work done before me."
"Work smart, not hard." Rukia replied as she yanked her manga back. "Jackass."
Kaien shook his head and sat lazily in the armchair. "You're really disappointing me Kurosaki. I thought you had more game than that."
Ichigo slammed his textbook shut, giving up on getting any more done. "What kind of supervising are you doing? Didn't you tell Byakuya you'd watch over Rukia?"
Rukia cocked her head in bemusement and slapped Ichigo with her manga hard enough to kick-start his brain. The idiot really let his anger get the best of him if he was suddenly trying to goad Kaien into protecting her virginity. Sometimes she really worried about his common sense.
"What the hell was that for?!" Ichigo shouted cluelessly with his hands gripping his skull.
Kaien answered before Rukia could. "Your game is really bad if you're actually reminding me to play chastity police. Rukia told me you were a prude but I didn't think it went this far."
"You told him I was a what?!"
"It's late." Rukia sighed. "I think it's time everyone went to bed. Kaien, you need to remember we still have school in the mornings."
Kaien shook his head. "No…" he paused and looked thoughtful. "Kurosaki's right."
"Ichigo's never right." Rukia said a bit fearfully. Her Nii-sama was an obstacle, she had hoped Kaien wouldn't make himself one. Ichigo must have been in agreement, because for once he didn't argue with her insult.
Kaien shook again, but more firmly the second time. "No. I'm not gonna put some barrier on your panties Kuchiki, I just want to make sure Kurosaki's really worth your time."
Rukia grimaced. "Please don't ever say panties again..."
"Come on Kurosaki. You and me, underground. Let's see what you've got." Kaien boldly placed his hands on his hips and waited for Ichigo to stand.
Ichigo's eye twitched, but other than that, he fought Kaien's provocation. "I don't think so old man. I don't wanna break your back or something."
Kaien growled and pulled Ichigo by the hair over the couch and down the stairs. Rukia left her manga in the living room, as Ichigo and Kaien would provide far better entertainment than any fictional zombie filled dungeon.
Kaien popped a normal mod soul into his mouth, as Urahara decided he wouldn't be giving out any more for free, and unsheathed his zanpakuto. Kaien grinned as he gripped the hilt and readied himself.
Rukia smiled at how excited he looked just waiting to spar and frowned when she saw Ichigo stubbornly standing off to the side with his arms crossed.
"Come on Ichigo." Rukia called. "Just show Kaien-dono you're not as stupid as you look and sound."
"Whose side are you on?" Ichigo sneered.
Rukia jabbed a thumb towards Kaien in answer.
"I'm not gonna hurt ya." Kaien gloated. "I just want to make sure your fighting skills are worthy of my favorite student."
Rukia stood a little taller at the compliment and Ichigo finally groaned in compliance.
"I mean what kind of man doesn't take up the opportunity for sex?" Kaien continued.
"I'm getting ready, just gimme a second." Ichigo called grumpily as he fumbled in his pocket for his shinigami badge.
Kaien ignored him. "Especially when Kuchiki's got so many other suitors. Abarai obviously likes her enough."
"I said just a second!" Ichigo yelled a little louder.
"Or maybe I didn't interrupt anything and you're just a quick shooter."
"You bastard!"
Rukia watched as Ichigo flew towards Kaien and their zanpakuto's met with sparks flying. At first she was worried Ichigo would let his temper get the better of him, but calmed down when she saw neither of them were going all out. Just boys and their necessary release of testosterone…
"I didn't know we were already getting into shikai." Kaien commented while he pushed back against Ichigo's much larger blade.
"Sorry," Ichigo grunted as he shoved the older man back roughly. "Zangetsu's always like this. If you want me to go easier on you—"
Kaien shun poed behind Ichigo but was swiftly blocked. "Who's going easy on who?" Kaien taunted back as he slid across the ground.
Rukia smirked as she watched the two banter and boast. She knew they were having fun whether they were going to admit it or not. It stopped being about Ichigo 'proving his worth' after the first blow impressed her former lieutenant.
It brought her back to the times Kaien would take her to the outer districts and work on her swordplay. He was always patient, but never coddling. Somewhat like Ichigo…except of course the patient part…
It didn't take long before Rukia saw Kaien's satisfaction with Ichigo's abilities. They were only slightly winded, but they paused their fight for a moment anyway.
"Alright." Kaien admitted. "You pass."
Ichigo snorted playfully. "Past your bed time grandpa? Hope I didn't dislocate your hip or anything. I know that's common with guys your age."
"No way." Kaien smirked. "I'm just bored of you. You've got a few good moves, I'll give you that, but what I really wanna see is your bankai. I barely believed Rukia when she said you had it."
Ichigo shook his head and moved Zangetsu behind his back to let the cloth wrap around it. "I don't think so." He said decisively. " Maybe when I first met you, but now I don't have any reason to kill you."
"Not to mention," Rukia spoke up from the sidelines. "I said no using bankai. Those are the rules you agreed to."
Rukia's vein pulsed when both Kaien and Ichigo rolled their eyes at her.
"You're not going to use that as your excuse are you Kurosaki?" Kaien challenged.
Ichigo crossed his arms. "I don't need an excuse like Rukia's lame rules. I don't feel like using bankai, it's not her who's stopping me."
Rukia narrowed her eyes vengefully. "You wouldn't want to see Ichigo's bankai anyway Kaien-dono." Rukia called out menacingly. "It's not very big or impressive. Renji's is though, you should ask him sometime."
"What the hell?" Ichigo scowled. "You…just…just don't say things like that."
Rukia hid her smirk. He took bait so easily. "I'm just saying that Renji's is huge and Ichigo has the smallest I've seen."
Ichigo fell to the ground with an, "Ack!" and then swiftly ran up to Rukia's face. "Stop it Rukia!" He cried in her face.
"I'm not talking about your penis Ichigo."
"Rukia!" Ichigo yelled again and Kaien came forward with an amused face.
"A man's zanpakuto is basically the same thing Kuchiki. Try to have some tact. Kurosaki doesn't want you telling other men his release is weak."
"It's not weak damn it!"
Kaien shrugged with a grin. "Then whip it out."
"Fuck you guys okay! I'm not showing you anything!" Ichigo hollered.
"Looks like neither of us is getting lucky tonight Kuchiki."
"That's it! I'm going to bed!" Ichigo shouted and dragged his body furiously up the stairs, ignoring the bruises he would be leaving on himself.
Rukia didn't let herself laugh until she knew Ichigo was out of range.
"Remind me never to piss you off Rukia." Kaien spoke with a shake of his head.
"It's a little late for that." Rukia murmured with an arched brow. "But a good idea none the less."
"Alright, enough of that." Kaien took out Nejibana once more. "It's your turn to show me what you've got." He said as he took his sparring stance.
Rukia hesitated. The last time she fought with Kaien, it was really that espada… but Rukia quickly shook the negative image away. She refused to let her memories haunt her any longer. She and Kaien had a second chance and she wanted to show him how much she'd improved.
Rukia transformed and set her face into a slight smirk, taking a defensive position. Kaien let himself laugh and then his eyes flashed with determination as he charged at her first.
Rukia appreciated that he wasn't going easy on her; he respected her abilities. He used his height to quickly strike down, but Rukia used her agility to speed away and pull off her own attack from a different angle.
Kaien blocked her easily, but Rukia could see the surprise in his eyes at her boldness and strength.
"You've really been practicing huh?" he asked genuinely.
Rukia tilted her head slightly. "Actually, I think Ichigo's right. Maybe you are just a bit rusty." Her verbal spars were still better than her physical ones.
"Heh, say that now Kuchiki."
Kaien pushed her back hard, but Rukia kept her stance and slid to a quick halt. She wasn't going to let him overpower her.
A few jabs and sweeps of their zanpakuto's later, Rukia actually managed to knick Kaien with her improved speed. She was just a bit faster than he was now. He complained that he was out of practice, but they both silently knew better.
Rukia enjoyed showing Kaien how much more comfortable she was with her zanpakuto than when she first learned. She'd never been able to make his eyes flash in surprise and for a brief moment, she thought she saw pride.
They carried on until they were both panting slightly and a sheen of sweat was building on Rukia's forehead. It was odd being in a winter scene without any ice cooling them off. Kaien seemed to have the same mindset.
"How about a dance Kuchiki? You can show me that much before we call it a night right?"
Rukia smirked in agreement as Kaien lunged at her to see her defensive attack. She decided to pull out all the stops and really give Kaien something worth seeing. Something she hadn't actually shown to many people yet. Rukia released her shikai immediately and went directly into her newest technique.
"Third dance. Shirafune."
Kaien had time to widen his eyes before the water in the air crystallized into a crisp white blade right in front of him. He jerked to avoid it and completely missed the second one that shot up from the ground beneath him. It knocked Nejibana straight up and out of his hands. His zanpakuto landed solidly in the ground a few feet away just as Rukia brought Sode no Shirayuki to a point in his face.
"Holy…" Kaien gaped before he dropped his jaw in a huge grin. "What was that Kuchiki?! That was amazing!" He answered himself. "You learned a whole new sequence. I'm damn proud of you!"
Rukia swelled at the admiration her senpai was giving her. She thought she'd never hear him commend her swordplay that way in her wildest dreams.
"What was that?" Kaien asked again with excitement. "Shirafune? It can make it's own blades out of nothing?"
"Out of the water in the air." Rukia nodded. "At first I used it to fix my own blade when it broke, but then I learned to expand it's potential."
Rukia felt Kaien rest his large hand on her head and pat affectionately. "That's good work Kuchiki. You've improved so much. Even without releasing your zanpakuto, you really impressed me."
Rukia bowed low and closed her eyes. "Thank you Kaien-dono."
"I guess you and Ichigo get a lot of practice stamina-wise huh?"
Rukia's eye twitched. Way to ruin a nice moment. "It's not funny without Ichigo to hear it." Rukia warned lightly.
"I bet to differ. " Kaien teased.
Rukia grabbed the hand still on her head and twisted it behind Kaien's back. "Ow ow ow! So rough Kuchiki!"
"I think it's time we said goodnight Kaien-dono." Rukia let him go and made her way towards the stairs hearing pained grumbling behind her.
"Ow…" Kaien complained again for good measure. "Night."
Rukia transformed back into her gigai as she trudged wearily up the stairs. "Urahara should figure out a way to keep sweat and blood from transferring bodies." She muttered to herself. She needed to take a shower before she turned in.
"Took you freaking long enough."
Rukia jumped slightly from hearing Ichigo's voice coming from her bed. He was in his sweats and nightshirt lying in the middle of the comforter scowling at her ceiling.
"I thought you were going to bed?" Rukia asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Never said whose bed I was going to…" Ichigo mumbled. "You two have fun?"
Rukia stopped looking for her pajamas and turned a cold eye towards him in warning.
"I'm not jealous. I swear." Ichigo said honestly. He sighed and shrugged one shoulder. "I've decided it's pointless to let my imagination get away from me. Who'd bother to try and steal you? You're not all that Rukia."
"Oh really?" Rukia glared evilly while Ichigo feigned disinterest. He was trying to get her back for earlier, but she was too tired to play into his insults like he so easily fell into hers. "Whatever." She said shortly. "I only hope you took a shower before you hopped into my bed."
Ichigo grunted and lifted himself onto his elbows, annoyed she wasn't arguing with him. Rukia turned toward her bathroom with a triumphant smirk etched on her face. "Too bad you didn't wait for me to come up here." Rukia called as she shut her bathroom door. "My bath's big enough for two…" she teased.
She heard a much louder groan and then Ichigo cry out, "Bitch!" before she turned on her shower and drowned away the bustle of the outside world and Ichigo's bitching.
Rukia showered leisurely and when she got into bed, Ichigo had given up on goading her into an argument. At first Rukia thought he was asleep until he snuggled up close behind her. Cuddling happened to be their deep dark secret. They didn't hold hands in public, but at night, in Rukia's room when they got the rare chance, they were all over each other like a couple of bickering teddy bears. Kon would have been greatly upset by this fact.
Rukia felt Ichigo's arms wrap around her front and she clasped her hands over his, tucking them both under her chin. She took a deep soothing breath and nuzzled into him further. Rukia was already feeling sleep weigh down her eyelids when Ichigo decided to speak up.
"Rukia?" Ichigo mumbled into her hair.
"Hmm?"
"You never told me…what was Kaien's nightmare about?"
Rukia's eyes opened. She paused before answering. "You really want to know that now?" She tried and failed not to sound annoyed. She had promised to tell Ichigo, but did he have to choose now to ask?
He pulled one hand gently out of her grip and pulled her hair back to place a soft kiss on her temple. "You don't have to tell me now." He said easily and kissed again into her dark mane.
Rukia sighed and turned around in his arms. "No, I might as well…"
Flashback
Rukia tapped her foot impatiently while she clicked randomly through her television stations. Ichigo had left four hours ago and she still didn't hear his motorcycle signaling his return. She wasn't staying up and waiting for him…that would be pathetic and foolish…She was just a little worried that he might have encountered a hollow and gotten himself injured. Then she'd have to drag herself out of bed, patch him up, and clean up any blood left behind. He was so inconsiderate. It was simply easier to stay awake until he came back.
"Rukia?" Renji timidly called out to her from her office.
"What?" Rukia snapped without looking away from the TV. He and her Nii-sama had been in there since Ichigo left and she had no clue what could be so interesting. She'd assumed Byakuya had brought paperwork from Soul Society and dragged Renji into working on it.
"Um…we kinda need your help…" Renji murmured.
Rukia turned off her TV and turned slowly at the tone Renji was using. "What did you do?" She asked cautiously. "You're not on my computer are you?"
The guilty look in his eyes answered her question.
"I told you not to mess with any appliances if Ichigo or I weren't around." Rukia sighed impatiently as she stood to fix whatever he screwed up.
"Well it wasn't in the kitchen so I didn't think it was the kind that could catch fire." Renji shrugged.
"It's on fire?!"
"No, no!" Renji disputed. "It's just—"
Byakuya blew past Renji and focused on Rukia looking almost as pink as Senbonzakura. The color actually suited him if it didn't disturb Rukia to the very core. "Explain to me the other functions that box in your office performs." He ordered with harsh restraint. "Because I will not have a member of my clan using human technology so perversely."
Rukia moved quickly into her office with Renji bumbling excuses behind her. "I swear I was just looking for that game Ichigo showed me! It was a spy game! Bond something!"
"You typed bondage?!" Rukia cried out at the obscene array of images on her screen.
"Abarai assures me it was an accident." Byakuya defended Renji dryly.
Rukia was definitely going to dedicate a few H. L. classes to computers and the dangers of the internet…She was also going to start locking her office.
"I only gave you a few rules to follow and you've already started breaking them…" Rukia lectured irritably. She was about to continue and convince her brother she'd never visited one of those sites before…not counting the time she did it accidentally on Ichigo's computer…but an anguished scream coming from her guesthouse grasped the three shinigami's attentions.
"That was Shiba." Renji said as they swiftly made their way towards the yells.
Rukia didn't think of transforming into her soul reaper form, but instead concentrated on getting to Kaien as quickly as she could. She, Renji, and Byakuya came to a stop outside of Kaien's room, pausing in the doorway.
Kaien was sitting with his head tucked to his knees and breathing harshly on the futon. It seemed he'd just been lying in bed before he was screaming.
Rukia took a quick scan of the empty room and came closer to the shivering man on the bed. "Kaien-dono?" she asked with slight trepidation.
"I-it was j-just a dream." Kaien tried to reassure them, but his whole body was covered in sweat and his face was still stricken. "Just some sick nightmare." He said again.
"What was it about?" Rukia asked with concern.
Kaien just shook more and gripped his head harder. His black hair laced through his pale fingers. Renji came forward and slowly put a hand on Kaien's shoulder to steady the older man. "Calm down and take deep breaths. Tell us when you're ready."
Rukia added her hand to Kaien's other shoulder and he slowly stopped shaking. When his breathing returned to normal, Byakuya spoke from the doorway. "What was the nightmare about?" He asked authoritatively.
"It was…" Kaien took another deep breath and collected himself. He gave Rukia a thankful nod and straightened up as she and Renji let go of his shoulders. "Sorry." He shook his head again with slight embarrassment. " It was intense." Kaien admitted. He swallowed and took another breath before going into more detail. "It might have been a memory, but…it wasn't my memory."
"How do you know that?" Rukia asked quietly. She knew full well the kind of horrors Kaien had been through. She'd hate to have to tell him what he saw had actually happened.
"I know," Kaien continued. "Because I almost attacked myself. I was killing members of our division. Sl-slashing them. Cutting them down. It was horrible. I couldn't stop myself. And then I almost killed you Kuchiki. You and Ukitake, but then, I jumped in the way."
Rukia paled and tried to keep her own body from shaking. Kaien had dreamt about Miyako being taken over, but…he was dreaming it from the hollow's perspective… Why was Kaien remembering something the hollow did?
"The worst part was near the end of the dream." Kaien shuddered. "I…not me…but the monster…it consumed someone from the inside out. Like their body was just a shell."
Rukia closed her eyes. That would be how Miyako died.
Kaien looked nervously at the grim faces in front of him. "It was bad but…I'm okay now. It was just…pretty gruesome to watch."
"I shall go and inform Urahara of these events." Byakuya said lowly, but Kaien rushed to his feet.
"No!" He held his hand out, asking Byakuya to stay. "It was just a nightmare. I- I let myself get carried away. If it's necessary we can talk to Urahara about it later."
The three men in the room looked to Rukia. She felt put on the spot, but she did know the most about the situation. She had the wonderful pleasure of being there that night. Rukia stood and tried to put on a soothing smile. "We don't need to do anything now. It was just a nightmare and Kaien-dono doesn't remember anything new, so we should all retire for the night."
Rukia, Byakuya, and Renji said goodnight to Kaien and closed the door behind them. Renji's eyebrows were drawn together as he spoke to her so Kaien wouldn't hear. "I'm going back to Urahara's anyway Rukia. Want me to give him a run down? It could be important."
Rukia shook her head and brought out her cell phone. "No. I'm going to call him right now, I know what actually happened so I can explain more."
"Did you or Kaien witness Shiba Miyako's final moments?" Byakuya asked stoically.
Rukia dialed the numbers and shook her head again, hiding her pained expression. "We didn't see it. Kaien doesn't seem to remember anything about Miyako and especially that night. I have no idea why he would dream about Miyako's last moments." Rukia turned away and headed to her bedroom to talk to Urahara in private, and Byakuya and Renji got the hint to turn in for the night.
Urahara wasn't happy to be woken up so late, and he seemed even unhappier by the news Rukia was relaying to him.
"Do you know what all this could mean Urahara?" Rukia asked quietly into the receiver.
"Hmm…"
Rukia could hear Urahara's customary fan tapping his chin in mock contemplation. He was putting on a show even through the phone.
"Well I had my suspicions that Shiba-kun could have some kind of connection with the hollow he shared a host body with…"
"You mean the espada Aaroniero?" Rukia asked worriedly.
"Actually I meant the hollow Aizen originally experimented on, Metastacia."
Rukia frowned. "So he's getting memories from him?"
"Well I can't say until Shiba-kun has recovered all of his memories. Then I'll be able to perform more conclusive tests."
Rukia rolled her eyes at Urahara's roundabout answer. "When do you speculate Kaien-dono will get all of his memories back and you'll be able to know more?" she asked with her patience wearing out.
"Kuchiki-san, I'm not a psychic, I'm a scientist! Although I do think that with enough dabbling I'd be able to—"
"Urahara!"
"Oh I'm sorry Kuchiki-san, you probably need your beauty rest. You do have so many handsome houseguests to attend to. I suppose I should get to the point and give you my best hypothesis yes?"
"Yes…" Rukia said through gritted teeth.
For the moment Urahara's tone turned serious. "I think Shiba's reluctance to remember certain details, especially those of his late wife are a part of the mind's subconscious nature to protect itself from further pain. In short, I believe the most painful memories will be buried the deepest. Give him time Kuchiki-san. We'll all have more information than we wanted to receive soon enough. For now let Shiba Kaien believe what he saw was merely a dream."
Rukia closed her yes. "I agree Urahara." She was about to say goodbye, thinking their conversation over when he spoke once more.
"Rukia?"
"Yes?" Rukia blinked at the rare use of her first name. Urahara liked to tease her with his slight formalities.
"…I…I suggest you enjoy this time you have now, while keeping in mind that it is not meant to last."
Rukia faltered for a second. Did he mean Kaien would change when he remembered all the dreadful things that happened to him? Or was Urahara referring to something else…?
"Ura-"
His loud and obnoxious yawn interrupted her from asking for more detail. "I'm so sorry Kuchiki-san, this humble, aging, but still handsome shop owner can't keep his curious eyes open any longer. Thank you for the information on our dear Shiba-kun! Give your brother and Kurosaki-kun my best regards! I hope they enjoy their close quarters!"
With that he clicked off the line and Rukia was left feeling even more confused and anxious than she was before she called him.
Rukia got frustrated again just thinking about that bucket-headed bastard. He really didn't answer any of her questions. She looked up to Ichigo's face in annoyance, thinking he'd fallen asleep, but her expression fell quickly when she saw his eyes glaring at nothing.
"Ichigo?" she asked quietly.
His gaze didn't fall towards hers yet. "Urahara said that to you?"
Rukia glanced down and nodded. "Yes…I'm not exactly sure what he meant, but I think he's just being overly cautious…"
Ichigo pulled her closer and his fist wrapped into the back of her nightshirt. "He doesn't have all the information yet Rukia. Don't let his cryptic shit bother you."
Rukia smiled softly at how in tune Ichigo was to her feelings, even if it was a day ago that it happened. But she decided to tease him for his concern rather than praise him. "Who said I was bothered Ichigo? You honestly worry too much."
Ichigo grunted and Rukia couldn't stop herself from pressing a kiss into his chest. He leaned down and met her lips gently, coaxing her tongue to mingle with his after a few moments. Rukia's hands roamed over his back and shoulders, but she didn't stray under his clothes like she usually did. Ichigo seemed just as satisfied with simply kissing her and holding her, as his hands didn't slip under the waist of her bottoms.
They pulled away from their kissing, breathing a bit heavier, but still remaining calm and relaxed under the covers.
"Damn it." Ichigo swore. "I'm too tired to take advantage of you."
"And I'm too tired to let you." Rukia agreed.
Ichigo bent down again and kissed the corners of her mouth before pulling away with a scowl on his face. "You don't think Kaien worked out with us so we'd get tired on purpose do you?"
Rukia could only blink back. She wouldn't put it past her former lieutenant.
"That bastard…" Ichigo grumbled and he rolled onto his back to rest Rukia securely on top of his chest. "I'm not falling for that crap again, I'll tell ya that much."
"Deal." Rukia promised as she closed her eyes and let the thumping of Ichigo's heart set the pace of her own. She was finally going to spend her night sleeping instead of cleaning and she realized it was due to Ichigo. She'd probably never get a full night's rest without him and she wasn't sure if that was good or bad.
AN: That stuff about Rukia's zanpakuto's third release is just speculation on my part. She hasn't realized the full potential of her third dance, so I was just playing with an idea. Hitsugaya's zanpakuto can use the vapor in the air, so why not Rukia's? As always thanks for leaving reviews and thanks for reading the story! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!