"No, no, no, no, you see it's a gun fight. We both have guns. We aim, we fire, you die."

The Quick and the Dead - Kid

Dodge City, Kansas

Two Months Later

Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp had seen a lot of gunslingers in his day. He'd killed a few who thought they could make a reputation for themselves by being the man that could plant him six feet under and he'd stood beside some of the better ones as friends and equals.

Which is why when the orange haired man with the scruffy trail beard and hard eyes rode into town he immediately caught his attention.

The big, black stallion he sat astride looked as if it had rode straight out of hell and the stranger didn't look much better.

The man wore a fancy two gun rig with a pair of pearl handled colts the likes of which he'd never seen riding his hips. Wyatt decided then and there to keep a close eye on him.

His brother Virgil seemed to understand exactly what was on his little brother's mind and Wyatt didn't even have to ask him to shadow the stranger, which is how they found themselves in the saloon that night playing cards when Sosuke Aizen walked in.

Aizen was new in town and well liked. He ran a small feed store and knew a lot about what ranchers needed to make a go of a herd on the frontier.

The stranger had been drinking in a corner and immediately rose to his feet.

"Aizen," he growled and the browned haired man turned, his hand hovering near his revolver. His genial smile slipped and his eyes narrowed.

"Kurosaki," he replied. Ichigo grinned, feral.

"It's time, Aizen. You should never have stopped running; you should have known I would be right behind you."

Wyatt and Vigil hadn't needed to hear anymore, they both stood and drew their own guns, one covering Ichigo, the other covering Aizen.

"All right boys, you need to shimmer down. There ain't gonna be any gunplay in this here saloon tonight."

Ichigo's eyes never wavered from his target.

"With all due respect, Marshall Earp, you have no idea what's going on here, or what this man has done. You should just stay out of it."

Wyatt regarded the young man in front of him thoughtfully.

"You know who I am then, that's good. Might keep you from doing something foolish."

Ichigo smirked.

"Depends on what you consider foolish."

Wyatt cocked the hammer of his pistol back. "Son, I really don't want to shoot you."

Ichigo relaxed his stance, turned to the marshal, and tipped his hat.

"It's all right now, marshal. I'll go ahead and leave," he turned back to Aizen. "You, I'll see in the morning."

He turned his back and took one step, two. Suddenly Aizen's hand blurred, someone yelled, and Ichigo spun drawing one of his colts in a fluid motion. He fired, hitting Aizen in the chest, dead center. Surprised brown eyes met Ichigo's amber ones and the gun that had been in his had fell from limp fingers onto the floor.

"No…It can't…end, like this," Aizen breathed and slumped to the floor, dead.

Ichigo holstered his gun and turned towards Wyatt and Vigil as they approached him cautiously. The lawman's face was grim and he was shaking his head.

"Boy, I consider that foolish. Now I try to be a fair man so I'll let you tell me why you went and did that while I escort you over to the jail. Unbuckle your rig and hand it to me, nice and slow."

Ichigo said nothing as he took off his gun belt and handed it to the lawman. He took it, grunted, and motioned Ichigo out the door. He went quietly but instead of marching him to the jail the lawman stopped him near where he'd tethered his mount.

"Now boy, I've got two things to ask you, first one. Why did you kill that man?"

"Because Sosuke Aizen was a very bad man and sometimes justice can only be found at the end of a gun. You know that better than anyone, marshal."

Wyatt narrowed his dark eyes and his mustache twitched.

"All right, question two. You planning on sticking around and trying to make a name for yourself with the end of that gun?"

Ichigo frowned. "No, I never wanted, nor believed a gun could make you a man. I've done what I've come to do and now…I just want to go home."

Earp nodded satisfied, lowered his gun, and handed Ichigo back his rig.

"Go on, get out of here." Ichigo didn't have to be told twice, he strapped on his gun belt, sauntered over to Zangetsu, un-tethered him, and pulled himself into his saddle.

Wyatt made him pause when he asked him one final question.

"Does home have a name, son?" A small smile twitched his lips.

"Yeah…Rukia," he replied and dug his heels into the stallion's flanks.

Wyatt Earp watched him go and shook his head, knowingly.

"A woman, that explains it," he muttered and stalked off into the night.

Rukia picked at her dinner, her stomach queasy while she gritted her teeth and pushed Zeke Thompson's wandering hand off her thigh yet again. His chubby, sweaty fingers gripped her knee and she had to fight not to stab him with her fork again.

Byakuya was once again, engrossed in conversation with Michael and didn't seem to be paying attention. Rukia twisted her knee out of grubby little parasite's grasp and whispered.

"Do that again and I swear to God, I'll castrate you." Zeke smirked.

"Now, now is that anyway to talk to your fiancé? Rukia's stomach lurched.

How could she have forgotten? Zeke was here to petition her brother for her hand and she had a deep seated dread that her brother might say yes. Rukia frowned and her small hand instinctively slid back and forth over her stomach.

She'd feared that her brother had figured out what she'd only guessed a few weeks ago and if he had he would want to marry her off as soon as possible to avoid the scandal.

Her heart lurched and her less than settled stomach churned at the very thought. During his covalence she had managed to keep the knowledge hidden, thanks in part to the fact that her brother had not been in any state to question anything, not even her sudden bouts of sickness.

But those days were behind them now and Byakuya Kuchiki was once more in command of his facilities and she had caught him more than once in the past few weeks watching her with inscrutable eyes. She bit her lip and snapped her head up suddenly when she realized her brother had just addressed her.

"I'm sorry brother, what was that?" His dark eyes were once more, unfathomable as she gazed at him.

"Rukia you know how I loathe having to repeat myself," he admonished. She flushed and ducked her head, contrite.

"I'm sorry." He nodded, accepting her apology.

"As I was saying. Mr. and Mrs. Ishida were in town today and Mrs. Ishida expressed the desire for your company during the luncheon hour tomorrow."

Rukia flushed. Orihime had been coming around a lot lately and as much as she liked the other girl she was afraid that she would find out…what Rukia hoped desperately no one had found out.

"I'm afraid I'm not feeling well still, brother. I planned on staying home." Byakuya narrowed his eyes and frowned.

"Well…perhaps that is best," he said and turned his attention to Zeke.

"Now, Mr. Thompson, you had something you wished to ask me?"

Zeke smirked and Rukia paled. Now! He was going to let him ask now!

A pompous grin twisted Zeke's piggy features as he stated importantly. "As you know I have been courting Miss Rukia for well on two months now and I find it is high time that I take her to wife. I only ask your blessing, Byakuya."

The aristocratic man regarded the pudgy man before him silently for a moment, narrowed his eyes, and parted his lips to speak when a commotion at the front door drew everyone's attention.

"Dammit Renji, move your ass. I need to talk to her."

Rukia paled, she knew that voice, and a moment later a scowling, angry Ichigo entered the room. Renji stood behind him, his arms crossed.

"Dammit Ichigo, you can't just barge in on the family during dinner," he muttered. Ichigo ignored him, his eyes swinging frantically to Rukia.

"Get up, midget. We need to talk." She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him defiantly, looking down her nose at him and praying that he couldn't see they way her hands trembled.

"We have nothing to talk about, Kurosaki." He narrowed his eyes, cursed, and opened his lips to argue when a flushed and angry Zeke rose to his feet.

"Byakuya who is this man and how dare he address my fiancé with such informality. Why it borders on disrespect!"

A cold look turned Byakuya's eyes to ice as he looked from one man to another, he was about to respond, but Ichigo interrupted.

"Fiancé? That's a fucking joke right? There is no way Rukia would be interested in a soft, yellowbellied dandy like you."

Rukia felt her rage override her better sense as she stood up and spat.

"How would you know? You've been gone for over two months. How would you know if I didn't fall head over heels in love with Zeke, you bastard."

Ichigo growled and advanced on Zeke and pushed him aside. The pudgy man stumbled and landed in his chair. Michael yelled, Byakuya curled his lip in distaste, and Rukia yelped as Ichigo grabbed her around the waist and lifted her bodily over his shoulder.

"Byakuya, me and your sister need to chat. Be back in a minute," he growled and stalked towards the front door. Rukia started cursing a blue streak and hitting him on his back, he didn't flinch.

Before he could reach the door Renji stepped in front of him, his expression mulish.

"I can't let you do this, Ichigo."

"Move Renji, this doesn't concern you and I really don't want to have to deck you."

Renji clenched his fists but something in Ichigo's eyes startled him and he frowned. He was silently pleading. Renji blinked in surprise once, twice and stepped aside.

"If you hurt her…" he threatened. Ichigo stopped briefly, murmured something unintelligible, and stalked off and out the door, towards the barn.

He carried her inside and Rukia was still beating on him and cursing, when he let her go and dropped her unceremoniously on her feet in front of him.

"Bastard, who gave you the fucking right to manhandle me!" she screamed and hit his chest. Ichigo dropped his arms and let her beat him until she tired.

She met his shadowed amber gaze and felt all the rage, pain, and heartache she had endured bubble up inside her. She wanted to kick him, beat him, scratch him until he was bloody and God help her she wanted him to take her in his arms, hold her, kiss her…she closed her eyes, collected herself, and opened them.

"You left me," she accused. He winced and ran a frustrated hand through his orange locks. She lifted an accusatory eyebrow and he cursed roundly.

"Dammit midget, yes all right. I left. I went after Aizen."

She nodded, not really surprised at the news.

"And what? You couldn't have waited around to tell me that? You had to sneak off like a damn thief in the night. And of course you had to fuck me senseless before you went. But I guess since all I ever was to you was a gullible piece of ass then that's all right then."

His face went stony. "Fuck midget, you know that's not true."

Her eyes flashed. "Don't you dare tell me what's true and what's not you asshole. You wouldn't know the truth if it jumped up and bit you. You know what? We're done. I don't have anything else to say to you except this. Get on your horse and ride away. I never want to see you again."

Panic welled inside him as he blinked stupidly and realized she was dead serious. He'd spent two months tracking Aizen through hell and back and the only thing that kept him sane where thoughts of Rukia and now she was telling him to get lost.

He growled, anger, pain, and desperation driving his actions.

He reached out, yanked her against him, and captured her lips in a bruising kiss, he groaned and she whimpered before placing two small hands on his toned chest and shoving…hard. He staggered back.

"Fuck you, Ichigo. You fucking bastard!" She spun on her heels to stalk out and Ichigo's world went hazy. He couldn't let her leave, dammit he just couldn't.

Ichigo was not a weak man. He'd survived more shit that most people twice his age but he knew he would never survive Rukia walking out on him. Desperate, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her back, and sank to his knees in front of her, burying his face in her abdomen. She froze and sucked in a startled breath.

"Don't Rukia…please…I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he begged. Of their own accord her slim fingers moved up and tangled into his orange hair.

In the many weeks he'd been gone she had imagined many times what it would be like when she saw him again, but she had never imagined something like this, Ichigo on his knees, begging. She felt her heart lurch and tears prick her eyes, she angrily brushed them away.

"Damn you, Kurosaki. How can I hate you when you do shit like this?" She whispered. He pulled her down onto her knees in front of him and captured her face between his hands, his thumb gently caressing her cheek.

She met his soul deep eyes and promptly drowned.

"I'm sorry," he growled. "I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye but I was afraid you would do something foolish, like follow me. Dammit woman, do you have any idea what you do to me? How much I love you? Losing you is the only damn thing in this world that scares me bone deep."

Rukia sucked in a startled breath and gazed at him like she never seen him before. She blinked and frowned.

"How can you expect me to believe that? To trust you after what you did?"

Ichigo scowled. "Damn but you're stubborn. You want proof? Well I can't give you proof all I can do is say it. Fuck woman, you've got me on my knees, pleading. I…never…beg…never, but for you I find myself doing the craziest damn things."

He rested his forehead against hers and she bit her lip.

"Rukia, I need a second chance. I need you to love me; otherwise this life ain't worth living anymore."

She stared into his eyes, felt his thumbs dancing lightly over her skin and felt her heart shift. He meant it dammit, meant every single word, and all she had to do was forgive him. She worried her lower lip. Could she forgive him? Could she give him…them a second chance? Frowning her hand went to her slightly distended belly rubbing lightly. She sighed deeply and made a decision.

"I love you, Ichigo."

Hope flared and a tiny smirk twisted his lips.

"Yeah?" She smirked.

"Yes fool, yes I love you."

He kissed her then and this time she opened willingly for the sweet assault of his tongue stroking against hers, she moaned and whispered.

"God, you're good at that." She brushed her lips over his and pulled back.

"So…where do we go from here? I seem to remember you promising me once that you planned on telling me, in detail."

Ichigo smirked.

"Well first I figured I might strip you naked and kiss every inch of your body until you come so hard you can't even move and then I figured we'd get married, so I can continue making you come and scream my name."

She felt her blood heat and she lightly slapped his shoulder. "Pervert," she whispered. He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"You love it…now about this marriage thing? You gonna give me an answer?" He tried to sound nonchalant but Rukia could hear the fear beneath his cocky words. She felt her heart swell.

"I think…that your proposal is acceptable, Mr. Kurosaki," she murmured and kissed him. He grinned against her lips, and pulled back.

"Good, let's go tell your brother." He stood and held out his hand; she gulped and took it while he pulled her to her feet. He didn't, however, release her as they crossed from the barn and entered the house.

Renji looked up when they came in, eyeing them suspiciously, but said nothing. Zeke was moping disgustedly, resting his flabby jaw in his hand and glaring at them. Michael grumbled a little and Byakuya simply turned inscrutable eyes on the couple. Ichigo took a deep breath.

"Me and Rukia have come to and understanding. We are getting married," he announced, his amber eyes defiant. Rukia tightened her hold on his hand and watched her brother's lips thin with baited breath. He was about to speak when Zeke jumped up and stalked over to Ichigo.

"You have no right! I have been courting Rukia and dammit she is mine! You think I wasted all this time on that little whore just so she could run off with some two-bit, uncouth cow-hand! I even bet you're the one that knocked her up."

Rukia gasped and Zeke turned his mean, piggy eyes on her.

"Didn't think anyone had noticed did you? I figured it out almost a month ago. I figured if Byakuya knew that you had spread your legs for some random man he would be more than willing to give you to me, to avoid the scandal of his sister being a common whore. It was my ace in the hole."

Ichigo had gone molten with rage and he was shaking.

"Byakuya, I may not always have liked you, but I've always respected you and that respect, and the fact that this man is a guest in your home, is the only thing keeping me from knocking this bastard's teeth in."

Rukia watched her brother cock an amused eyebrow.

"Please Kurosaki, don't let that stop you," he replied.

Ichigo grinned, feral. Cocked his fist back and let it fly. The punch caught Zeke's sagging jaw and sent him flying into the wall. His head cracked against the wood, he promptly groaned and slumped down, unconscious.

Michael cursed and went over to his son.

"Dammit Zeke, you're a damn fool," he muttered, grabbed his boy, and dragged him towards the front door. He looked up at Byakuya and said.

"I'll let you know about them cattle next week." Byakuya nodded and Michael dragged his son out of the house.

Rukia bit her lip as her brother turned to her.

"Now then, Rukia. Is he what you truly want?" She looked from her brother to the tall, proud man standing next to her.

"Yes, my brother. He is what I want." Her brother nodded and snapped at Renji, who was grinning at both her and Ichigo foolishly.

"Renji, let's go. We have…certain matters to attend to." His foreman nodded; his silly grin firmly in place as they passed by Rukia and Ichigo. He leaned in and whispered.

"Good luck with that one," he said and she lightly slapped him on the arm. His grin grew wider and followed his boss.

Ichigo pulled Rukia into his arms and one of his hands splayed against her stomach. She sucked in a ragged breath and met his eyes.

"Ichigo?" she questioned, wondering if the knowledge that she was pregnant change anything between them. He kissed her forehead and smiled.

"If it's a girl I sure to heaven hope she looks like you," he whispered and she smirked.

He kissed her and her smirk died as his lips moved over hers in a way that promised so many things; finally they broke away, breathing heavy. Ichigo gathered her close and she sighed.

She had started out life as one of the forgotten and abandon and as she snuggled against the man that would become her husband she realized something.

She had come full circle and she knew that life with Ichigo wouldn't always be easy but it would always be complete.