Rukia completed the braid and patted it. "Never got around to asking, Ren, but are you suffering from hair loss? Your forehead's really high."

Her lover twisted around. "Shaved for the tattoos. If you weren't the woman I love, I'd kick you all the way back to Rukongai for that question."

"You like me too much to do that, Renji," chirped Rukia mischievously. She was tugged into his lap and under his chin. She could feel the growl rumbling from a broad chest, and it was taking on a dangerous note. "Come on, it's just an innocent query."

"Really." Renji tucked the dark head close, then asked equally innocently. "So when are you hitting your growth spurt, midget?"