Chapter 29: Strawberry Meets Death

Okay, so in the last chapter I said this one would be packed; I wasn't happy with it being packed! So I chopped it up, and viola!

I need to respond to reviews from Chap. 28, so please forgive. I wrote this chapter at work :P Go easy on me, haha xD

I hope it doesn't disppoint, and I don't own anything from the original Bleach! :]

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Rukia swiftly ran through the neighborhood she now knows so well, her hand on her zanpaktou's hilt.

Her uniform struggled to stay on her body against the wind, her form almost a blur to other's eyes as she made her way to the strong reiatsu.

Jumping over a fence, Rukia slid to a stop as she unsheathed her zanpaktou, her eyes quickly scanning the open area of the small park.

Some few seconds passed before she finally caught sight of the Hollow's white mask, just beyond the bushes ahead of her.

A split second was all it took for Rukia to appear behind the Hollow, its roar loud and clear as she sliced through it.

The Hollow disappeared as she sheathed her weapon, a frown pulling at her lips.

That wasn't the Hollow.

---

"Damn it!" Shuuhei turned to the wall beside him, throwing a punch at the rough cement. His knuckles bled at the impact, trickling down to his fingers.

"Shuuhei, stop it! This won't help us find the Hollow!"

Rukia sighed as she ran a hand through her hair, crouching down to sit against the building.

Ahead of her stood the Kurosaki home, Yuzu visible through the kitchen window as she cooked.

"Rukia, it's been a whole week and nothing! All we've done is chase after the reiatsu only to find some pansy-ass Hollow!"

"Calm down, Shuuhei!" Rukia growled at the male pacing in front of her, reaching out to grab his robes.

"Did anything happen here while I went after the other one?"

Shuuhei looked down at the shinigami, her violet eyes darkening as the sun disappeared into the earth behind him.

"Nothing. I got here within seconds just as we separated back at Urahara's."

Sighing again, Rukia stood up from the ground, looking at Yuzu one last time before turning to Shuuhei; "Let's go home. We can continue training tomorrow…."

The leaves by their feet whirled away into the street as the shinigami disappeared with shunpo.

---

"Ichigo, we're back!"

Rukia quickly entered her gigai, stretching as she walked over to her bedroom, Shuuhei shutting himself in the bathroom as she opened her door.

Smiling, Rukia gently closed the door behind her, a sleeping teenager spread across her bed.

Climbing in, Rukia crawled over his body to sit against the wall, leaning over to rub small circles along his back.

"Ichigo, wake up."

Nothing.

"Ichigo! Come on, wake up…."

The boy groaned as she started to poke him instead, simply rolling over away from her, continuing to sleep.

"Ichigo!" Rukia moved over to the boy laying dangerously close to the bed's edge, swinging a leg over his back to straddle him, leaning down to his ear.

"Ichigo, wake up already; Ichigo!"

"Mhmm, what do you want, Rukia? Leave me alone…."

Rukia laughed as Ichigo attempted to roll away from her again, only to realize he was trapped between her legs on either side of him.

"Oi, what are you doing?" Ichigo glanced over his shoulder to Rukia, wide awake now.

"I was trying to wake you up, you fool! If you sleep any longer, you won't be able to later and I don't want to deal with you being restless."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm awake now…."

Ichigo lightly pushed up against her, rolling over onto his back beneath her when she loosened her hold on him.

Looking up at the girl on his stomach, Ichigo reached up to curl a hand around the back of her neck, pulling her down to kiss her.

For the past week Rukia had hardly spent any time with him, her training with Shuuhei lengthened and her chases after any suspicious Hollows frequent.

Any little moment was enough for Ichigo, just wanting to feel her and make sure she still wanted him as well.

"We saw Yuzu today, Ichigo…."

Pulling away from Rukia, Ichigo sighed as his eyes saddened, running his thumbs over her lips; "How did she look?"

"Like she misses you, Ichigo; safe and sound."

Ichigo nodded his thanks, pulling Rukia down to him again.

---

Shuuhei quietly walked through the streets, the moonlight casting a shadow behind him, playing along with the other shadows littered on the sidewalk.

His feet were making his way over back home, his daily check up on Yuzu done for the night.

As he neared the apartment, Shuuhei decided to patrol for the night, his restless body rejecting the idea of sleeping.

Entering the apartment, Shuuhei glanced over to Rukia's bedroom, the door open just enough to look inside.

From the front door, he could see Rukia and Ichigo sleeping, their bodies tangled with each other.

Shuuhei smiled before he went to his bathroom, leaving his gigai behind in the tub before he left for the night.

---

Urahara groaned into the darkness of his room, turning on his light just as the Hell Butterfly left him.

Yawning widely, he slipped out of his bed, dragging his feet along the floor as he made his way to his living room.

Sitting down ungracefully, Urahara yawned again, another Hell Butterfly fluttering through his window.

Within seconds, his good friend appeared before him; "Ah, Jyuu; good to see you… even at midnight."

"Sorry to wake you up. It's just that I've been worried about Kurosaki and our shinigamis, you know."

And Byakuya isn't giving up his fight to bring Rukia back to Soul Society."

Urahara sat up at the mention of their mutual friend, his interest perked up; "What?"

"Byakuya's temper is starting to melt his own ice, Kisuke. Don't be surprised if he comes for Rukia himself."

---

Rukia cursed heatedly under her breath, her smallest toe throbbing in pain as she hopped around her small kitchen.

Biting back a whimper, she leaned against the table, lifting her foot to inspect.

"What happened, Rukia?"

Gasping, Rukia snapped her head up to Ichigo, the tall boy at her doorway.

"I hit my toe on that floorboard, right there…."

Pointing, Rukia glared at the guilty corner of the board jutting out from its place.

Ichigo walked over to the growling shinigami, laughing at her pout; "Here, sit on the table."

Before she could react, Rukia felt his large hands grasp her hips, lifting her up to the table's top.

Turning, Ichigo went to the small freezer in the refrigerator, grabbing an ice cube.

A small fan was on the counter top, Rukia's hair and skirt ruffling with its blowing; "Did I wake you up?"

Grabbing her small foot, Ichigo lifted it above his stomach to inspect it, placing the cube on her injured toe.

"Nah, I was just laying there when you got up. I came out here when I heard your colorful words."

Smirking, Ichigo glanced at Rukia, his stomach full with butterflies as she stared back.

"I've missed you, Ichigo; this past week, I mean…."

"Same here, midget…."

They were silent for a few minutes, enjoying the faux breeze surrounding them.

The ice cube began to melt under Ichigo's warm hand, trickling down Rukia's smooth leg, down to her thigh.

Rukia squirmed as the cold water trailed down her skin; however, she found herself shivering when a warm hand reached down to her thigh, resting dangerously close to her sensitive core.

Ichigo retraced the trail of water back up to her foot, removing it just long enough to wipe his hand on his clothed hips.

Rukia kept her gaze on Ichigo, immediately forgetting about her injured toe.

She nearly jumped when Ichigo began running the ice cube down the same trail he had dried up, her entire body shivering at the touch, at the cold, at the thought of what he was doing.

"Ichigo…."

Resting his hand just beyond the hem of her skirt, Ichigo cupped her thigh with the cube now completely melted, his amber eyes locked with her violet ones.

"Want me to stop?"

---

"Hisagi-kun, what brings you here at this hour?"

Urahara fanned himself as the vice-captain sat down beside him, offering him tea.

"I felt Ukitake taichou's reiatsu here, came to see how things are…."

Smiling, Ukitake gently slapped Hisagi's back; "Now, now, Hisagi-kun! How about you tell us how your training with our princess is going?"

Frowning, Shuuhei instinctively reached for his nose; "Surprised she's not a seated officer."

"Byakuya made sure to have her taken off every single list that could nominate for any seat in the squads."

"Hai, just like Jyuu said. He silently pulls any strings to keep her safe; in his aspect at least."

"I think his safe keeping has made her more of a dangerous woman, in my aspect at least."

The three men continued their talk, purposely ignoring the excited reiatsus they could feel from a few blocks away.

---

Rukia wrapped her slender legs around Ichigo's waist, pulling herself across the table top against his body.

Ichigo grunted as his hips pressed against the table's edge, his arms shooting out to steady himself on the smooth top.

Rukia grabbed a fistful of wild, orange hair, pulling him down against her mouth, moaning as he swiped her upper lip with his warm tongue.

Ichigo's hands moved to her teasing hips as she parted her lips enough for him to taste her, slipping his hands under the skirt along her thighs.

Rukia pulled away from Ichigo's mouth, her hands meeting at the hem of his shirt.

Ichigo took charge of discarding his shirt, tossing it aside as he grabbed Rukia by her chin, pulling her lips against his again.

Ichigo moaned as he pulled Rukia against him even more, feeling the wet cloth between her legs on his skin, their warm tongues massaging each other's; his hand released its hold on her chin, running along her throat.

Rukia groaned in protest when Ichigo left her lips; however she gladly leaned her head to the side, exposing her neck to Ichigo.

Ichigo's hand was replaced with his mouth, his teeth nipping at her smooth skin.

Panting, Rukia clawed at Ichigo's lower back, moving her legs against him as she wound them tighter.

Ichigo's moan vibrated against her neck as her legs pushed his pants further down his hips, his hands grabbing her skirt to push it up along her firm thighs.

Biting down on her neck, Ichigo pulled Rukia past the table's edge, her small, curved bottom ready to slip off were her legs not around his hips.

Rukia brought her arms behind her, supporting herself on them.

Her breath was shallow and quick, Ichigo's teeth and wet caresses never leaving their place on her neck, his hands roughly pulling her closer.

Rukia mewled as Ichigo bucked his hips up against her core, his hands holding her still.

Reaching into his hair, Rukia managed to get a hold of it, pulling his head back from her neck, crushing her lips onto his.

Ichigo breathed heavily through his nose as Rukia bit down on his bottom lip, refusing to let him pull away.

Biting down one last time, Rukia pushed past Ichigo's lips, smiling against his mouth when he gave up his protest.

Ichigo let Rukia explore his mouth, bucking into her again, earning himself a deep moan from her.

He started to steadily thrust up against her, breathing out a laugh when she gave up her dominance, burying her face into his neck, her hand tightening in his hair as the other clawed at his hips.

"Rukia."

The shinigami moaned in response, her hands continuing their attack on his body.

Ichigo tightened his hold on her hips, thrusting one last time into her, biting his lip as he forced himself still, his body fighting against his will to finish himself.

Rukia's legs kept him in place, her face still buried in the crook of his neck, her hands now wrapped around his back.

"Rukia, I need-"

"No, Ichigo; just- just don't move. It'll take us longer to calm down, but I don't care. Just stay here…."

Sighing, Ichigo forced his hands to leave her hips, circling them around her slim waist.

He bit back a moan when he noticed the cold breeze from the fan, his sweat cooled off by it.

Nuzzling her head, he closed his eyes, breathing in her scent; "You're killing me, midget."

I think we're going to be here for a while."

"Good thing I'm sitting then…."

"Bitch."

"Idiot."

Ichigo laughed, feeling her wide smile against his neck.

---

"Well, well, well- look who decided to wake up!"

Shuuhei grinned as Rukia trudged over to the table, her hair wild, her shirt and- "A skirt, Rukia?"

Didn't know that was sleepwear; or you didn't have patience to take off your day clothes?"

"Be quiet, Hisagi." Growling, Rukia sat down across from Shuuhei.

"Yare; it's not my fault you didn't get enough sleep, you know. I got even less than you- since I couldn't come home until a certain shinigami and boy went to sleep!"

"Oh, shut it, Shuuhei!" Grabbing a cup, Rukia chucked it at the male, frowning when he quickly caught it just before it hit his nose.

"Don't think you'll always get me, Kuchiki."

Placing the cup aside, Shuuhei grabbed his sandwich, taking a large bite from it.

Pieces of ham and tomato fell onto the table, Shuuhei shrugging as he picked them up, eating them.

Grinning, Rukia stretched her arms above her as she stood, walking to her bedroom.

Pausing at the doorway, she glanced over her shoulder, her smile wide and mischievous; "You know, Shuuhei…."

Right there where you're eating? Ichigo and I had one hell of a time!"

Laughing, Rukia skipped into her room, Shuuhei's coughs and curses behind her.

---

Urahara smiled, his eyes easily following every move of the two shinigamis fighting before him.

"That's for getting busy with Ichigo, keeping me from my tub!"

Shuuhei swung at Rukia, his zanpaktou clashing against her own, sparks bursting from the blades.

Grunting, Rukia pushed off the ground, putting a few feet between them.

"That is for getting busy on the table-!"

Using flash step, Shuuhei moved behind her, bringing down his blade to her, her own blade meeting with his as she quickly spun around to block.

"And this right here, is for letting me eat off that very same table!"

Shuuhei shoved his blade against hers, causing the petite shinigami to loose her balance; in the single second, Shuuhei used flash step to move behind her again- only to move back around as she forced her body to spin.

Urahara coughed as a cloud of dust exploded around them, the impact of Rukia's body against the ground strong from Shuuhei's attack.

Panting, Shuuhei jumped from the scene, his body relaxed as he waited for the dust to clear.

After seconds of waiting, Shuuhei smirked as she failed to appear.

"Heh."

"Shakkaho!"

Shuuhei cursed, his body much too surprised of the attack to move in time, the red blast scorching his arm before he was able to jump away.

Landing in the dirt, Shuuhei gasped as he crushed his arm beneath him, the blood mixing with the ground.

"Damn it!"

"You yourself told me to never relax my stance during battle, fukutaichou."

Glancing ahead of him, Shuuhei could see Rukia ready to fight in the crater he had caused just a minute ago, her hand still extended from her kidou attack.

She didn't even chant the spell, or anything- she went straight to the attack!

Groaning, Shuuhei stood up, cursing loudly and openly as his arm burned; "Fuck, it just had to be the same spell!"

Laughing, Urahara started walking to them, clapping his hands; "Bravo, Rukia-chan, bravo!"

Now Hisagi-kun, I'll treat that arm in no time!"

"Like hell you will! I still remember the last time- I won't let you touch it!"

"Quit crying and whining, Shuuhei- or else I'll burn your other arm!"

"Don't act all high and mighty, Kuchiki!"

"Don't act all stupid and pathetic, Hisagi!"

"Oi, I'm a damn vice-captain; respect me, damn it- ARGH!"

Shuuhei dropped to the floor, cupping his bleeding nose, Rukia's sheath lying beside him.

"Perfect, Rukia-chan! Now I can heal him!"

"Damn you, Kuchiki!"

---

Tessai smiled gently at Rukia, the female stretching on the mat, trying to get comfortable in her gigai.

"You don't feel the wound Hisagi-kun gave you on your back, correct?"

"Not at all, Tessai-san! Thank you for healing me, as well as for cleaning my uniform."

"I'm just surprised a cut like that didn't stop you, Kuchiki-san."

"As am I; but I suppose it's a good sign it didn't, right?"

"Right, Kuchiki-san."

Smiling, Rukia thanked Tessai again, heading out of the room to find Shuuhei.

---

"Hey, Yuzu- how are you?"

"Ichi-nii! I'm so happy to hear from you!"

"Everything alright over there?"

Ichigo leaned against the payphone, the sidewalk busy behind him.

"Oh yes, Ichi-nii! Dad hasn't been annoying me ever since that night I hit him with the spoon."

He's even been doing the groceries. Though I have to admit I'm bored at home when he does it."

Ichigo laughed; "Really? Wow, you really have him whipped now."

"Almost the same way Rukia has you whipped! Like father, like son!"

"OI! That is not true, Yuzu!"

"The whipped part? Cause there's no way you can deny being a Kurosaki, Ichi-nii."

"I can wish, can't I?"

"Hey! Then you'd be denying me!"

"Not unless you deny it, too."

"True. So tell me, how's Rukia? And Shuuhei? Having fun with them?"

"They're both fine, and we're having a blast."

Wish you were here, kiddo."

"I miss you, too, Ichi-nii. But I need to get dinner started; Dad's bringing a potential partner to fund the enlargement of the clinic."

"Ugh, then you better cook up a few courses. Keep the old man in check, Yuzu."

"Will do, Ichi-nii. Give a kiss to Rukia and Shuuhei for me."

"Rukia- no problem. Shuuhei- that's another story."

"Get Rukia to kiss him for me, then!"

"Kurosaki Yuzu!"

---

"I went to Kisuke's last night, Bya."

Byakuya kept his head down, reading his papers before him.

Ukitake wasn't bothered, used to his cold exterior; "Rukia is advancing very well, you know."

Even though you demanded poor Hisagi to stay away from your office, he's been keeping reports of her training. I must say, it's impressing…."

"Why are you here, Jyuushiro?"

"Because you're a stubborn idiot who is twisting a promise out of its real intention."

"Indeed; now if you'd please excuse me, I have many papers to go through."

Sighing, Ukitake stayed in his seat before Byakuya's desk, glaring at his emotionless friend.

At least that's what you pretend to be, Little Bya.

---

"I pity Ichigo, Kuchiki- stuck with a violent brat like you, glad I'm not in that position!"

"Be quiet, already! You've been complaining since Urahara's!"

"With every right, damn it!"

"Then maybe you need to step up your fighting, Hisagi!"

"No, you need to first stop playing around with Ichigo outside of your room, and then know I'm only going easy on you!"

"Then stop going easy on me!"

Rukia glared up at Shuuhei, making their way over to Ichigo's home to check up on his family.

Shuuhei was walking beside her, ranting about her "dirty business" and "noble cockiness."

Rukia was about to bite back when a sudden appearance of a reiatsu appeared just a few blocks away.

Frowning, she smacked Shuuhei's arm while looking in the general direction of the reiatsu; "Shuuhei."

"Disgusting bums- eh?"

Turning to Rukia, Shuuhei frowned as she stared intently towards the town's center.

"Rukia?"

"That reiatsu, Shuuhei? Is that it?"

"What? Which-?"

"The damn reiatsu, Shuuhei! Is that the one that attacked you?!"

Focusing, Shuuhei closed his eyes, trying to find-

"Yes; it's him!"

Jumping into the bushes beside them, Rukia and Shuuhei left their gigai behind, their hands on the hilt of their zanpaktou as they sped towards the Hollow.

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Eee, I'm so excited! I hope- reallyyyy hope- my idea doesn't blow up in my face!

I'll try to update within a week!

Please review, let me know what you think!

Love, KurosakiLove!