Between Me and Thee

by KuroKuchiki

Rukia and Ichigo knew that separation was part of the deal but they didn't understand was how hard it would be nor what life would be like when they met again. Two years can change a person. AU/OOC.

34. Supernova Pt 1Tell Me You Love Me

(A/N) This is a long A/N so, please bear with me. I feel this has to be said so I won't get accused of dropping it as a surprise.

Firstly, thank to all of you who have kept me in your thoughts. Things are looking up for me. I appreciate your kindness and concern.

Next, this is the release of all things. From the exertion of the pent up anger, confusion, frustration, fear, jealousy, heartbreak, desire; most damning of all, love; they are both bombs waiting to blow. In all relationships, there will be times like these. Something has to be destroyed to be reborn again. One part of your life is decimated to the point of no return and another is created, for better or worse. No relationship remains the same.

However, from it, a new life is made. A new normal emerges in both public and private life. This is necessary to turn the corner in their lives because, well, let's face it; this is what happens in real life. Our favourite teenagers are becoming adults. It will be evident from the way that they address each other. Their level of familiarity will be blatant to anyone who sees them together and they will no longer hide it. The implicit terms and level of their relationship will become explicit in their actions.

Hopefully, when they get to the point of crossing that last line, you will be judging the emotions, rather than being shocked by the abrupt change in their physical interaction. The rest will be about the sensual motions that come with it. From there, they will express themselves to the other using all levels; best friends, partner, lover, spouse, family…They are many different things and people to each other.

Therefore, I hope to create a multi dimensional Ichigo and Rukia. Right now, they have a problem. They are in love and want to wait as long as they can. Hormonally, seven months is a life time. It is true that they just started this portion of their lives. They just started touching each other. Unfortunately, now that they've eaten of the forbidden fruit, they know what they have been missing.

I want you to get accustomed to how I write steamy. The sequel will be very warm. But, it will be a painfully long time before they get to the inevitable, even if they don't make it all the way to the wedding night. I hope you find that the agony is worth it. I also hope you feel what they feel.

On the other hand, it would be silly to believe that they will be in the hot springs alone and not go where their hearts lead them. Thus, their last night at the springs will be very much a lime that many would consider a lemon.

They are learning to reconcile the many layers of a marriage. Rukia is learning that to have to take on one role does not mean you must forsake another. She is overwhelmed by the need to be respected and competent, while dealing with the changes within herself. She doesn't understand that they can all co-exist in one person. Ichigo is trying hard to figure out the shortest and most successful route to his goal. He will eventually learn how to behave and mature. The number of roles he has to master doesn't even scare him. He knows that he will be successful. He just wants her to stay calm while he tries to figure out not only what roles he has to play, but what they mean. His physical issues are more complex, so he needs her to be committed. The reason for it will be in the next story.

The negotiations regarding the betrothal will be in the next chapter. I don't have enough room unless I were to make this, like, forty pages. That would not be a good thing for many readers. You will find it a bit humorous and a bit touching. Both Ichigo and Byakuya care about Rukia deeply, but they are afraid that they will be alienated by the other. It is too bad that Ichigo and Byakuya are a great deal alike. LOL!

I am sure that most of you are aware of the drama going on in fanfiction. In an effort to not get in possible trouble for the events of this chapter and the language of the prior chapters, I changed the rating to 'M'. Since I had to bump it up, I will insert the out take of the hot springs lemon I had planned as a separate story. I will warn you, at the top, that the chapter contains certain implied and explicit details so you can skip it, if you wish.

Make no mistakes about it, though; I expect to be in trouble with quite a few groups at the end of this chapter. All I can say is let it play it out. It will be stressful, but the end provides some well needed fluff. If any of you have read 'The Taming of the Shrew' and found themselves pulling for Kate will appreciate Ichigo's internal dialogue.

For those of you who are curious, there are about five chapters left of this story.

And, I did update my profile. If I have missed your deviant art link, please let me know. I didn't mean to omit anyone.

As I told most of you, I am looking for an alternate home for this and future stories should my story offend the wrong reader. If moderators should find my material unsatisfactory for the site, I hope you will visit my story wherever I land. However, I will hope for the best. In the words of Insanity-Plus, I got a good feeling :)

Thank you to all who reviewed! I am sooooo greatful for you! I think I got back to all of you. If I missed you, let me know. I apologize in advance. Thank you to:Darklover, Rukia's Reflection, W. Cyan, Aletheya, ADVluv4life, zombiegirl22, rissakee2, Quietreaper, 372259, Kage uingu shukun, Lone Ruler, Chuela7795, Insanity-Plus , Thunder Claw03, MugetsuIchigo , Novicestar, XLightningX , Grimelark, Apple21, Hollownature, Rebelhunter92, BosRonald, KitElizaKing, Celestia Capedalupo, Experimentnumber628, SilverFlameHaze, KurukiXV, HmmmLOVE, Arya-demon4-bloodmoon, Shini Namikaze, LOVE1213, and Doll Hime.

Thank you for alerts and favourites. I am happy that you enjoy my story. Say 'Hi', sometime.

Phew! Now, I close thy pie hole.

I own neither Bleach nor its Characters.

---

Chapter 34- Supernova Pt 1- Tell Me You Love Me

Rukia comes hurriedly through the door. Dropping her bag, she quickly pulls off her boots with her socks, in one seamless motion; detaches her hat and moves on to unbuttoning her coat. Once she is free of her outer gear, she commences to pulling her hoodie over her head and stretching her shoulders.

She needs some quick calories. The petite woman is dehydrated and all of the emotions have her light headed. Rukia wants to get some juice and toast to settle her stomach before she goes upstairs to the closet. If she can just get it together before he gets in the door… She doesn't want to fight with him, right now. Hell, she doesn't even want to see him, at the moment.

But, that is wishful thinking. For sure, he is going to want a fight, at this point. He may even be justified.

Still, who is he? It was his idea not to tell anyone about them! It wasn't as if she flirted with Shuhhei. They just spent a great deal of time together over the last couple of years, so they are friends. She wanted to give him an authentic hug for not being difficult…for not making this piece of happiness, a cluster. Maybe it went on a little longer than Ichigo would have liked; she definitely didn't expect Shuhhei to kiss her cheek.

So, yes, she knows that he has a reason to be irritated. But, it was not due to ill intentions.

Besides, she got locked in a shower room by his friend, today. Doesn't she get a pass?

Part of her needs some space to think. Just to…to…rationalize. Ichigo makes her stop using any logic, whatsoever. As a result, they could end up really fighting. Then, she'll lose him.

It's just not worth it.

She has found herself doing things that are, more and more, unlike her. Look at the broom closet. She completely forgot where she was. Ichigo, of all people, had to remind her. Ichigo! She liked it when he put her against the wall. Liar. Loved it.

She inhales deeply and closes her eyes. The smell of him, warmly wafting out of the collar of his t-shirt, when his body is pressed to hers…she loves the sound of his breath hitching, when he lands into her. Rukia sighs her exhale.

The way he kisses her, sometimes…she inhales deeply, again. Yeah. Ichigo totally shuts her down. She moans like crazy because…WOW. He plants his face to hers. The slow but purposeful and deep motions make her tummy tighten and her legs falter. He kisses her like it is a hobby…that has become his passion. Another sigh leaves her.

Ichigo's lusty breaths and sighs, combined with sweet and delicate touches, never fail to make her submit to his will. Whatever direction he goes, she simply follows. And, that is just plain dumb.

A small body shudders at the thought of his doing the same and pulling her in tightly when she whispers his name in his ear; then drags her lips the entire front of his throat. All the while, her index finger runs down the small of his back. A pale thumb comes around to graze his tummy.

At first, he sighs. Once at the rippled skin on his front, his breath hitches harshly and his shaking is almost one of submission. As her hand slides down half of his six pack to his hips, his groan is quiet, but emphatic. If they were married, it'd be the type of groan that would make her…this shiver is accessorized with a knowing smile.

Her face instantly stiffens in self admonition.

She longs for him all of the time. Until today, they hadn't had a kiss like that since Monday night. Something she hadn't even known of, a week ago, she now requires. To have him wrapped around her is the only way she would ever want to spend her nocturnal respite.

Great, now I sound like Bya-nii.

Still, Berry's skin…her eyes roll backward. Scent…manly. Very musky, but a bit sweet. The heat radiates all of his natural aroma and pheromones, mixed with his soap, shampoo, deodorant and aftershave lotion.

You cannot imagine how good Kurosaki Ichigo smells. Dark and sweet…heavenly and sinful.

Of course, there is the side of her that adores him, but there is another part that wants…his body next to, snuggled to, and crushed to hers.

The woman sighs exasperatedly.

What a complete mess! How is she supposed to get through the next two plus months when she is addicted to him? Slender fingers tightly grip black, silken locks in frustration.

Everything is so wrong!

What is wrong with me?

---

I have suffered insult, swallowed my pride, and made an example out of a guy, all to be married to you?

I must be insane.

The night is cold and damp. It feels like it is going to snow. Very humid with a stiff wind; basically, cold enough to freeze the moisture, but not enough to make the snow powdery. This will be the stuff of fat, wet flakes.

And I am running home to fight with you?

This is precisely why the soul bonding idea was a definite 'yes'. He is tired of her craziness. In fairness, all of it isn't her fault. Some of it is Byakuya and his asshole clan.

My lungs are burning from the cold, my face hurts, you ran off and left me…twice, today! Why do you have to be so…so…goddamned logical? All the damn time?

But, when she actually gets illogical? It is at the most inopportune time…like, now.

Oh, my gods, you piss me off.

Rukia is just fucking annoying, sometimes. She does so many things that make him crazy.

But, dammit if he doesn't love her. Everything is so tangled!

She's about to back out. Ichigo can see it coming. Rukia doesn't think that everything is going the way it should. She's worried that they aren't ready for their future; no one ever is. Chibi spends a lot of time guarding him from some imaginary villain who is out to screw up their lives. Somehow, Rukia has become convinced that someone in the cosmos is actively working to make their existence miserable.

Is she going to let that get in the way of being together? If it causes too much heartache, leave it alone? That is utter nonsense!

Who the hell cares if they are? Fuck thee and thy trusty steed on which thou might arrive! What would Petruchio do?

If I clowned Rukia the way Petruchio did Kate, I'd get my ass handed to me.

Nonetheless, she is ill tempered as hell.

Any time Rukia runs, she has decided to give up. Ichigo will not let her. She will not give up on them. She will believe that they are meant to be together and that it is worth whatever they have to do to protect it.

She must have faith. Nothing is concrete, in life. It is all a sinking hole of quicksand that they must always fight their way out of. They will fight together and believe nothing can pull them under. All people walk by faith; not by sight.

And, what is up with the Inoue comments? Outside of that stupid shit today, in the hall, he hasn't even so much as looked in Inoue's direction. Other than today's incident, she has no reason to even suspect such a thing.

This has to be about the hallway and it is exactly how he knew it would be. Rukia's mind keeps going back to what she saw. She didn't even want to talk about it in the school yard…and, she wants to talk about everything.

Something is going on with that. Is Rukia honestly convinced that he has some sort of…thing for Inoue? Seriously? That is ridiculous!

He gives Inoue no special attention, he does his best to keep his actual cell phone calls and texts to her to a minimum, his emails to her are always 'cc'd' or 'bcc'd' to Rukia… He and Rukia are together almost 24/7. When would he even have time for this?

Furthermore, there is this other complication; one in which he knows the gods find distinct humour.

Rukia has almost always been in the forefront of his thoughts when he becomes naturally aroused. Yes, he can become that way by seeing something that is particularly risqué. However, the only way he can reach actual gratification is imagining her, in some form or another…only her.

He wasn't lying to her last week. There is only Rukia. He has never imagined anyone else with whom he'd want to be in such a position. The thought of any other woman doesn't…work…at all…

People think that he lies when he says he never had the desire to touch or kiss another girl. The mere mental suggestion disgusted him. When people like Inoue jump on him, all he can feel is…repulsion.

He has been out with plenty of pretty girls. It isn't that they were bad people. He just can't…his body just doesn't… Ichigo has always felt like…he was doing something unnatural and wrong.

Because it was.

For a while, he thought something was wrong with him. It is not normal for a teenage boy to not want that type of interaction with a girl. Even if your mind is in full control and you are a complete gentleman at heart, usually, it is just a front to control what is going on in your thoughts. On all of his dates, sans Chibs, there was nothing to control. Neither his body nor his mind was interested.

Then, there is Rukia.

On her first night back, his body started to lose discipline. From her hand on his belly, to her whispers, to the mental image of her naked body rising from the bathtub; he was over taken by a feeling that was foreign. The night before she gave him his powers back, his eyes were stuck to her as she left the room and he had the weirdest feeling engulf him. At this point, he can freely say…that was lust. He had not known it for another person.

But, she stared him down fiercely that first night, as well. His body heated up all over. He thought it a fluke, but it happened more and more often. When they gave each other simple and sustained kisses about the face or held hands or their text messages…he realized that she also brought him passion.

Rukia's small body curled up next to his, her holding him or giving away her life for his survival and sanity…she brought him love.

Calling him on his shit and showing him what humility really means…so much so, he felt it necessary to bow lowly and kiss her feet because he understood that he needed her forgiveness. She was worthy and he wasn't, but she took his punishment for him, anyway. She is his partner in all things; Rukia is his equal who would face down the angels of Hell for his safety.

Yet, he is compelled to protect her because he cannot be without her; Rukia is his happiness. He maybe proud of his bravery and masculinity, yet, he will never fail to give her what it is that she needs to be happy. Rukia taught him that sensitivity and tenderness can co-exist with bravado and pride…she owns his respect and gratitude. Her actions made him a man.

Rukia is his everything. His future, his past and his present…she encompasses all of those things. It isn't even that he doesn't appreciate her. She has to know how much Ichigo loves her.

Ichigo would never sleep with another woman; never. One, he has no desire. There is no girl more beautiful than Rukia. Second, he physically can't. It makes him sick to even think of dating other girls and his biological situation adds to the issue. Third, he could not willingly disrespect or hurt her in seriousness. The day her violet pools filled with water from the pain of that type of betrayal, he'd let a hollow take him.

Lastly, certainly not least importantly…he sighs. Ichigo wants Rukia. Not like the great conversation, great buddy, wanting her around, sort of a thing. All of those things are true about her and he values them, deeply.

However, he…

Ichigo is not a boy anymore; he is a man and Rukia is a woman that he has a separate set of feelings for which can only be expressed in certain ways. He wants wants her…sweating, entwined, bare, and panting wants her…kissing, licking, and shuddering wants her…groaning, moaning and screaming wants her.

He closes his eyes with a soft scowl and stops moving for a moment. Bottom line? Not only is he neither able nor willing to fabricate emotional closeness with Inoue…

His reiatsu flares dangerously.

Ichigo cannot fake his burning lust. That is only for Rukia…his gorgeous, mythical, sweet, crazy, combative, and bitchy queen. Ichigo has never looked at Inoue and instantly had to stave off the voices in his head that yearned to rip her clothes off.

The young man starts moving swiftly toward his house with a tense scowl.

Rukia though…

"One thousand, four hundred and ninety-five times," a higher pitched stereo voice adds.

Shit, something piqued Shiro's interest. "What?" Ichigo is not in the mood for this, right now.

After a wicked cackle and a smile that Ichigo can feel, the hollowed soul answers, "That's how many times you thought about ripping Rukia-chan's clothes off. Oh, I'm sorry. One thousand, four hundred and ninety-six times, including just now."

The orange haired man growls. "Shut the fuck up." Am I that much of a pervert?

Keeping the smile in his voice, Shiro asks, "Yeah, you are. So, can we?"

"No! Stop reading my mind! I get enough of that with Rukia! And, there is no 'we', in this. There is 'me'. Don't even get your hopes up." Seriously, is nothing private? Why does anyone have to know that he would love to toss her to the bed and…

His thoughts are interrupted by his tormentor.

"Did you forget that I live inside your soul, kill joy? Ah, ah, ah… One thousand, four hundred and ninety-seven."

Grrr… "Zangetsu! Do something before I come in there and rip his spine out!"

"Alright! Lighten up, King! No need to get the old man over here!" Can't Ichigo take a fuckin' joke, once in a while?

When Ichigo is left with silence for a few a few seconds, he resumes his train of thought.

Where is Chibs getting this stupid Inoue shit from? Not that it matters. Because the reality is that she is going to listen to him, for once. He has already gotten permission to officially propose to her. So, her usual story about what her brother will and won't allow, is immaterial.

He is going to drive the real reasons for her standoffish behavior toward him, out. She is going to cop to her factor of hesitance…then, he'll get down to the deal with her and Hisagi.

Coming upon the gate, he swings it open and bounds up the stairs. Oh, for sure, it is about to be on, tonight. He doesn't care how ugly it gets.

There are things you must do to hold onto what you love.

---

Finishing her milk and a piece of dry toast, Rukia paces the kitchen trying to get herself ready. He is going to come with all kinds of arguments and reasons. She doesn't care.

It is one thing to love someone. It is yet another to be in love with someone. The former is sweet and endearing. The latter makes the sweet even sweeter, but the underlying current is different. Soon, the current becomes more dominant; the driving force.

The current becomes a tide; one of possession and desire; the need to gratify one's self by gratifying another. It used to be about dumb drawings and random Chappy gifts, with them. Now, it is about wheezing breaths and moans. The small woman tingles from her fingers to her toes and it isn't from the cold. Inhaling deeply, she opens her eyes in hopelessness.

They haven't even gotten around to talking to Nii-sama. Who, though she is sure that he won't forbid her, will definitely be asking some serious questions. Is Ichigo ready for that? Does he even understand what all of that means?

Maybe, just until she returns, perhaps they should re-eval-

She hears the door open harshly. Jerking her head to the right, she sees a tall young man who is getting ready to scream the name of the person directly in his sight; his mouth snaps shut. Instead, he says nothing, holding a scowl of both anger and hurt.

---

For a few seconds, they simply stare. Ichigo is somewhat surprised by the expression on the woman in front of him. She doesn't even look like she wants to fight. She looks startled…like she was going somewhere.

Every since Shuuhei showed up, Rukia has been odd. Further, from the point that they left for Urahara's, she has been exceptionally distant. She has made an effort to make sure that he couldn't get close enough to call her on it, in a private space. They both like to keep their business theirs.

And, she knows that she has a fight coming.

While he was going to start with why she is angry, the more he stares at her, the more he can't shake the vision of Shuuhei touching her. Ichigo feels like his blood is going to boil and unknowingly begins to snarl. Though Ichigo cannot see any markings where Hisagi kissed her, the mental image infuriates him.

She let Hisagi completely wrap his arms around her and kiss her on the cheek…and it wasn't quick, either! What the fuck! She didn't put up a fight or anything! She never does shit like that!

Rukia has some answering to do, because she is his and his alone. He thought that he had made that abundantly clear. It seems that he has to reiterate.

---

She cannot betray her thoughts. Her face forms the flawless mask of indifference.

Slowly, she turns her eyes back to the refrigerator to remove her drink, keeping her face expressionless. Since she is not going to be able to avoid at least some of his wrath, she might as well be adequately hydrated.

And…she'll have an object of leverage.

If she can get up the stairs before he is done getting his shoes and coat off, she is home free. Bending forward, she reaches into the back of the cooling unit. Her fingers are millimeters within grasp of the grape flavoured object, when she retrieves air and her body is sharply pitched sideways.

Everything happens so fast, Rukia doesn't even have time to process what has just happened to her.

---

Rukia is not getting away from him and avoiding this argument. He doesn't want to hear it. She is explaining some shit, right now. What is she over there doing?

She's getting a juice box?

He sees her eyes wander to the stairs, before going to refrigerator. She's planning to make a run for it. I don't think so, Kurosaki-san. Her bullshit tricks will not evade him.

Ichigo knows Rukia's standard mannerisms and expressions.

I know my wife.

Faster than even he would have believed, he has his coat and shoes off and is on his way to the kitchen. If she gets the box, she has a projectile. That is a sooo not going to happen.

Making sure that his eyes move in a sweeping fashion, he looks for all possible weapons within her reach. His only advantage is that jeans restrict her movement. This is one of the reasons she hates to wear them. The fabric is not conducive to her fighting style. Plus, he knows that they are too small so, she is even further disadvantaged.

With swift, long strides, he reaches the kitchen and gives her a short, stiff push to the shoulder with his finger-tips. It jolts her out of the way so that she doesn't get her box, nor her arm injured in the door. Getting a grip on her upper arms, he pulls her to him so that she doesn't get hurt by a fall or get away from him. Her movements are swift and unsupported, like a rag doll.

Rukia sees the door close before her body is jerked inward to the body of her future spouse who holds her by both arms. Her head whips upward and stills. She can see long, tangerine bangs… His hair is so crazy and beautiful, at the same time. Below his slightly darker and touching orange brows, are his amazing soul windows. They are beautifully brown with a golden sparkle.

Rukia's face melts to become nearly mesmerized by the beauty of Ichigo's irises, when it occurs to her why they are that way.

She watches him blink slowly; searching her eyes for some type of answer. He seems to be trying to calm himself.

Wow, is he mad.

She just has too much going on. Perhaps it isn't Ichigo who is too immature; the girl sighs sadly.

It's me.

Tightening up her face to furrow her black slender brows, she gets back in the mode to fight. Rukia knows what she has to do.

She and Berry need space.

They need to be realistic and level headed. To do that, they can't continue to be this close…not until she gets back and all of the other things are settled.

This is becoming too much and it will just go down in flames if they don't save themselves.

Fortifying herself, Rukia takes a few seconds to simply memorize his eyes.

It tears at her heart to do this. But it is better to be safe, than sorry. The regret that she would feel if he were to push her away, is more than she is willing to chance.

Only a little longer, Love…I promise.

---

He watches her face soften to an affectionate expression; then, it hardens. What the hell is her deal?

Pinning her, he asks lowly and slowly. "What. The fuck. Was that. With Hisagi? I thought we agreed that you couldn't have another guy that close to you." Is she trying to back away? Her eyes tell him that she's steeling herself.

Rukia scowls harshly. "Firstly, it wasn't anything! I just gave him a real hug since he hasn't caused me a bunch of shit for being with you! The kiss on the cheek, I didn't even see coming! What is wrong with you?"

Are you really going to fight with me over something I care so little about?

Ichigo notices that though he is staring her down, she isn't afraid of what he sees. She's confused, not secretive and hopes that he is seeing what he wants. There's something else…

Still, he can't let this go. He doesn't know why. "Rukia, how would you like it if I did that with another girl? That is bullshit!"

"You mean like Inoue? Is that what you want? That isn't the first time she's hugged you in the last week!" Fine, if they are going to bring out the shit that the other does to them, there is no point in keeping that back, either.

Besides…that really, really hurt. Though, she'll never tell Ichigo that.

The man blinks erratically in surprise. "W-wh-what the fuck are you…when…how…" His mind rolls through the day's events and all he is left with is his head snapping back with his eyes closing tightly after a deep sigh.

The laundry bag in her hands before I decided to choke hold Hisagi.

He knew that would come back to haunt him. Damn.

"Seriously, Ichigo? Does that even matter? I think the 'How' part of the question is pretty damned pointless, don't you think?" Scowling tightly, the noble's voice carries complete coldness.

He drops his head to hers and opens his eyes, remorsefully. She has every reason to be angry if she thinks he's hiding something from her.

Somehow, he doesn't think it is the anger of concealment as much as it is the hurt of dishonesty. The coldness covers her pain. With them, the more indifferent they are, the more it hurts. The fact that Rukia brought up that subject with that tone…it really cut her. Double Damn. His stomach twists in knots. Ichigo has never liked hurting her.

Deadpanned as he can, he delivers the truth. "I hid the shirt so you wouldn't get any ideas. Just like yesterday, she jumped on me. I didn't want to fight with you anymore, on Friday. I don't like being next to her, in that way. Rukia, honest to gods, when she touches me, I feel nothing."

It isn't that she doesn't believe him. But, why does he get to decide what is allowable and what is not? "Ichigo, step back for a minute! How do you think it looks to me? A very pretty girl with large breasts jumps on my husband! I assure you, that is bullshit, too! And you hide the shirt in the laundry? Really? What happened to not keeping things from each other? Why do you get to be the only hypocrite?" She attempts to get out of his grip and go for the stairs, when she is pinned to the counter.

Petite hands push forcefully into a broad chest in an attempt to get away. Rugged fingers tighten around two small arms to hold her captive.

She has a point. He can't have a girl jump on him, she be expected to suck it up and still have to keep her fanboys away. He feels her shoulders point as if she is trying to escape.

Using his mid-section to hold the woman to the edge of the counter with the force of his bodyweight, he continues to stare into her magnificently purple eyes… and then down to her flushed cheeks. They are soft, like a peach; he makes a habit to kiss them; often.

When she is angry, her lips are pouty…one, sumptuously, stacked on top of the other. After he kisses her for any length of time, they become like ripe berries.

His eyes meet her neck as it rolls from her shoulders into her tank…graceful and delicate. He enjoys lightly dragging his lips from her jaw to her collar bone.

The material flows over her breasts to her tummy and waist. The swell of her feminine appendages flow into a flat, what he knows to be, four pack. A very soft to the touch four pack. He's dying to give his lips a full tour.

From her long and narrow waist, her hips have rounded and he wishes that she were wearing a skirt so he could cleanly see her pale, bare legs to her tiny feet. Rukia's thighs are marvelous. Toned and lightly defined, they maintain a sexy fullness. The same is true for her calves, while her feet are small and slender. Her ankles look like she'll topple over. She is an iconic and uniquely beautiful girl. Her skin is almost fictitiously soft, gigai or no.

What's behind her is absolute perfection in backsides. It makes it so that there is no bad view of Rukia. His eyes visibly darken when he imagines Rukia in her bra and panties; from all sides…in black…with her hair down.

His amber orbs snap back to her violets. Ichigo's throat feels extremely dry. Swallowing thickly, he speaks hoarsely, in a low volume. "I only feel that way about you."

Her body tingles as a result of the heat that emits from his gaze. She can see the blood beginning to rush to his skin.

Her heartbeat increases in speed and her breath adjusts in kind. The way she feels about Ichigo is of equal nature. Yes, she loves him. But she also…his gaze is hot on her and his face is one of painful truth. What makes it intense is the truth he is revealing.

A narrow and tense frown, becomes completely relaxed. Large violet orbs affix to those above her and begin to haze. His covetingly soft frown is so libidinous that her intellect all but ceases to remain.

Ichigo is letting her see what he holds at the back of his mind. Violet changes to a deep amethyst and her lips begin to part with slackening tension. What he wants to do with andto her is…Rukia's entire body involuntarily shivers. Black pupils take over.

I would sooo like to participate.

Blinking twice, Rukia gets her wits about her. Must get control of my mind…it isn't even asking questions!

No!

Jerking her body from left to right, while pushing on his chest even harder, Rukia attempts to escape. Shooting him a perturbed look, she speaks to him with gritted teeth. "Let me go, Ichigo."

Oh, hell no. So, this is what you were building your resolve for. Scowling back at her, he replies in the same fashion. "No." His face may have changed, but his eyes have not.

He's on to me. Eliminating the venom, but maintaining sterness, she dispenses, "Look, we need to talk. I thi-"

"No." Without hearing the rest of her words, he already knows what she is about to say, so she can stop with the madness.

"Ichigo! Just list-" Her voice is loud and irritated.

Refusing to let go of her, he answers in parallel volume. "I said, 'No'!"

"Be reasonable! Look at what we go through! Look at how the people around us are acting!" Rukia's face is tense and slightly pleading.

"Fuck them! I don't give a shit what they think! This is between you and me! Who gives one happy damn about them?" Ichigo's face is one of harsh reasoning. But the slight whining in his voice, alerts the girl to his anxiety.

Oh, that is such a lie. This is why they need a break. He is too worked up. Attempting to be logical, once again, she interjects, "There is the shit with Arisawa, you getting upset about Shuuhei, and we still have tomorrow night! Don't be a baka! Look at us, right now!"

He gives her an incredulous look. "I had a right to be pissed about you and Hisagi! That shit is not to go on!"

Is she crazy?

Her face mirrors his. "Oh, and it is okay for you?"

Excuse me?

"You didn't do shit about him!" He nearly shouts.

Matching his loud words, her tone rises to belligerent shouting while adding, "And you don't do shit about Arisawa, in the beginning! We spent all of our last days together, apart! Why? To please people who would be angry! WHAT ABOUT WHAT ME? DO YOU EVEN CARE WHAT I WANT?"

Ichigo's face inches forward. It is red and agitated. This is too much of a piss off! To even allude to the fact that he has not kept her first in his life is a complete and total lie! "THAT IS BULLSHIT! YOU KNOW THAT I DO!"

Continuing to shout at her, he inserts, "THERE IS NO ONE I WOULD PUT IN FRONT OF YOU AND YOU KNOW IT! QUIT FUCKING WITH ME! WHAT'S WRONG?" Something has her going and she has NO right to accuse him of not giving their relationship the proper respect! He is tired of the ruse!

"LET ME GO!" Rukia's angry and red face contorts harshly as she continues to attempt to free herself. If you don't let go… There is nothing to even argue about! If he cares so much about how things look and what other people think, they aren't ready to take this any further. Plus, she is so damned frustrated! Why can he not see her perspective?

That's right; he doesn't care.

Ichigo tightens his grip. He knows he might be making bruises on her and he will apologize for that, later. However, under no circumstances is he letting her go. His adrenaline is really high, he is becoming unbelievably angry, and he knows she's hiding something. "NO! WHAT IS WRONG! STOP MAKING ME READ YOUR MIND! OWW! FUCK!"

Registering a harsh kick to his shin, Ichigo releases the girl to grab onto his leg. As he copes with the pain, Rukia runs swiftly out of the kitchen. Using the seat of the couch as a step, she attempts to bound over the back, but is suddenly pulled backwards as she is tackled to the floor. "AACK! ICHIGO! DAMMIT, LET ME GO!" Goddamned jeans! In no other piece of clothing would she have not made that jump.

Sailing from the end of the piece of furniture, he wraps his arms around her waist, and hurls them sideways over the edge of the sofa. Ichigo's back connects with the bamboo plank boards in a hard and loud thud, along with the sound of the coffee table scraping as it is forced backward. Miscellaneous objects fall from wooden top as they are shaken from their resting place and crash behind the man to the floor.

His arms and legs fight to subdue the small woman as she opposes him in order to extricate herself. Every time he thinks he has her under control, she manages to get a limb free. Adding to the matter is the fact that she is inadvertently kicking and hitting him with her wild movements. With a tightened jaw, Ichigo commands, "STOP IT, RUKIA! STOP FIGHTING ME!"

"NO!" Their wrestling is harsh and Ichigo's sheer weight difference is a major challenge for Rukia. He is heavy and is obviously stronger. No matter how much she fights him, he manages to grapple his way to the mid-section of her body.

Eventually turning her on her back, he ceases her movements. Each of his hands holds her wrists above her head, while his knees and feet lock down her legs. Panting harshly, he peers at her. Rukia's face is so red, that he knows that this is just going to get worse. Nonetheless, it has to be done.

"Can you fucking act civil, now?" He asks in a lower but accusatory voice, trying to take the fight down a few degrees.

The young woman glowers back. He's making her the crazy one? Oh, that's rich. Also restraining her tone, Rukia scolds him evenly, with implicit venom. "I was being civil. I was acting like the adult and attempting to walk away. You are the one hell bent on holding me against my will."

An insulted orange eyebrow rises. His complaint begins lowly and crescendos to a loud, angry mocking. "Against your will. So, I'm a childish person for keeping you still enough to talk about something that you know damned well is a problem? Something that could tear us in half, you want to put off?"

"Stop being so dramatic! Everything is not about you, asshole!" He makes everything to be life and death…his life and death. It isn't that serious! She isn't leaving him permanently!

After an incredulous snort, he appends, "Stop being such a childish, passive aggressive, self-devaluing liar and be straight up with me! Or are you too scared to be honest with even yourself?" He knows he struck a nerve by the depth of her eye colour. She is going to pop, pretty soon.

Rukia's eyes begin to burn. She doesn't care how much of a point he has, who does he think he is to treat her like she is not fair in her feelings? Clenching her jaw, she grinds her teeth. She is going to choose to say nothing because after this, she is going to go for broke. She is sick and tired of him thinking that she is irrational, stupid or insane.

How did they end up this way? Had they kept things the way they were, it wouldn't have turned into this. Regardless, she has pain, too. It hurt to see Ichigo with Inoue, only to realize that she had been that close to him before. It hurts to think that he could be doing something with someone that is just as valuable to him as what he and she have.

The feelings she has for him and with him, have taken her will and judgment away. She can't deal the agitation or the physiological issues. Even right now, in the middle of her irritation, there is something about his dominating position that makes her tingle.

Rukia just can't take much more. This day, this miserable fucking day, has drained her. She tried to go about it with no feeling, what so ever. But, no. Ichigo insisted on making it different. She has been through pain, fear, love, regret, uncertainty, longing, lust and unrelenting anger. Why can't he leave her alone? He never wants to talk about anything! This is too much for one day!

Okay, Rukia is processing too long. Either she is working on a lie, formulating an excuse or she is reaching critical mass. He needs her talking. "So, you finally calm down?"

Rukia's volume is extremely low. Its quiet level masks the eruption on its way to the top of the mountain. "Get off of me, Ichigo. I am done dealing with-"

"What? The stuff that comes along with being together? Well, I got news for you, Sweetheart, this is only the beginning. Get over it because you are stuck with me." He can't believe how calm she is being. Maybe she has become sane.

"This is your last warning. Get off of me. I don't need this shit, right now." She really means it. This is his last warning before she seriously attempts to free herself. Raising a brow, she snidely inserts, "Go on with your life. Date as many Inoue's as you want. Maybe after you've gotten all of that taken care of, you'll be ready. Just leave me-"

Kurosaki Ichigo has stopped listening. He can hear the meanings between her words. His blood pressure rises and his ears become extremely red. He has heard what he was looking for. Interrupting immdediately, he asks lowly, "You don't need what, Rukia? Hmm? Tell me what it is that you don't need." The question comes out flatly because his eyes are searching her with scrutinizing ire.

"Let go!"

"Tell me what you don't need! Tell me you don't need me! Huh? Is that it?" With each syllable, his voice gets more and more animated. "SAY IT! SAY THAT YOU DON'T LOVE ME OR NEED ME!"

She's not ever going to say that because it isn't true. She may love and need him, but that has never been the problem! "SHUT UP! TELL ME YOU DON'T LOVE INOUE! TELL ME THAT AFTER ALL OF THE PEOPLE YOU DATED, THAT I AM SO DIFFERENT! YOU DON'T LOVE ME! DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS?"

What? Are you fucking serious?

Sitting up on his knees, he releases one of her wrists to uses that hand for pointing. Screaming at the top of his lungs, his brain checks out while his mouth starts moving. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS? I DON'T KNOW? YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT YOUR PROBLEM IS? DO YOU? YOUR PROBLEM IS THAT YOU DON'T LOVE YOURSELF SO YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND HOW I CAN! I AM TELLING YOU THAT I! LOVE! YOU! THERE IS NO PERSON OR NO THING THAT I LOVE MORE THAN YOU! IT ISN'T MY FUCKING FAULT THAT YOU PUT YOUR INSECURITIES ON ME!"

Rukia's chin quivers violently. Though they are only words, they slice deeply into her chest. There is truth in them with a blade that stabs into the mirror of her heart.

Bitterly, with tear filled eyes, she states barely above a whisper, "Fuck you, Ichigo. I may have failed to love myself, but I have never failed to love you. Never. Can you even bring yourself to say the same?"

The man instantly retracts his claws. Maybe he went too far, there.

Sighing and leaning forward, he scoops her body up toward his, bringing her to sit in his lap. Lowly, he starts, "Rukia…" She is right, she has always shown him how much she loves him, even if he couldn't see it.

Rukia needs to get away so she can get it together. His breath in her ear and his face next to hers is not how she does her best thinking. Strangely, she is going from wanting him to get away from her to wanting him to touch her…desperately. This is how they always end up going wrong!

Leaning back and watching her eyes quiver, he thinks he has a good idea what the problem is. Yanking her body even closer to his, he asks, lowly, while staring her in the eye. "Is it this?"

Rukia blinks quickly, trying to continue control. Her voice is shaky but stiff. "I-I don't know what you are talking about."

Leaning his head down, so that his lips are near her ear, he whispers finely, "I want you to look me in the eye and tell me that you don't feel it. Tell me that you don't feel what is between us." Ichigo runs his nose along her ear and kisses it softly. "If you can, I will walk away from this until you get back."

The girl shivers again and opens her eyes to look at him. She stares at him for a few seconds and snaps them closed. Allowing her sight to fall, she answers while shaking her head, "It's not…I just can't…"

Ichigo's eyes soften as does his voice. Rukia is afraid that she can't maintain control of herself on top of the complications. The boy sighs, once again and runs his hand through his hair in a stressed manner. "We don't have to ignore it and there is nothing wrong with it. That is why it is called 'intimacy'. Only you and I share this; no one else knows this side of us. We won't go too far…just enjoy it. Why are you fighting something we both want and need? We are supposed to feel this way and figure out what we like."

He wants more of this with her. One, he's a man. Two, it will be fun. Three, it will release the tension so that they can control themselves. There is no way they can continue pretending that they aren't starting to need something else. After time apart, they are going to be all over each other. If they don't open the door to other options, they will ignore all previous plans on her first night back because they miss each other so badly. And, even if they do decide to take things where they ultimately want that night, it should be because they both emotionally need it, not because they can't control themselves.

More importantly, Ichigo wants her to trust that she has his undying fidelity.

Rukia continues to shake her head. She is afraid that she will not be able to… "I can't…what if…" She really wants to wait a while for that and if she starts with him…

What if they go too far and he leaves her or changes his mind? What will become of her, then?

She needs a clear thinking moment. One of the reasons that they are probably in this position is because they don't think anymore. They just…just…do. Being instinctual and doing what they feel is going to be their downfall. Someone has to do the thinking!

Putting her small hands on his tummy, she pokes him in the belly button with her thumbs. He reflexively jolts backward and she makes her break for the stairs. She is able to run efficiently, since she removed her socks.

Rukia turns the corner with precision and is able to skip stairs, once she has bounded onto the landing. Using all fours, she can keep from falling and is up the stairs as Ichigo makes it to the landing.

He cannot believe she got him with the belly button trick. That is low, but she is not getting away from him. They are going to finish this discussion. He can't have her leaving here angry and confused like this. She will come up with a half-assed reason. He has to get her to a point of no turning backward.

They are used to well thought through actions and words. Even though they are not as rehearsed with each other, there are distinct barriers and more of them have to be removed. Unfortunately, Rukia isn't one to knowingly reveal anything too deep. She has to let herself yield to her heart and body, once in a while. This is how they learn to trust each other…completely.

Once to her previous starting point, Ichigo slides and slips to his knee. He still has his socks on. Shit!

He can see her tiny, round rear in snug jeans as Rukia bounds the stairs like a cat. Truly, he understands what she is saying and afraid of. Yes, they have a legendary closeness. But they have a level of sexual attraction that is scary. They have hidden it for so long and now they are faced with the double edged sword. They can admit that they feel it, but they don't want to completely act upon it, either.

He is going to enforce some closeness, tonight. Rukia has to see that it is okay for her to have emotional and sexual needs. Even if they cannot fix them all, they can express to the other that they are there. They should be allowed to convey that something feels good, they want something done again, or that they need something, without being ashamed. That goes from something as small as a hug or a kiss to something as large as wanting your spouse to sexually dominate you, that night.

He decides to stop her from holding back and establish the level of their relationship. He has just as much to lose, as she does…even more so. "Rukia, don't you dare close that do-"

Rukia slams the door, locks it and sharply turns into the closet. Hopping onto the shelf, she turns in and slides the wood along the tracks, with a slam. The woman gets down to changing into her lounge pants. The material allows her to move without restriction. She can tell that she and he are going to get into a position where one of them is going to run and the other is going to try to keep them from doing so.

She's betting money on her doing the running. She has already tried.

She better get a move on. She can feel him trying to get through the door and he is infuriated beyond all measure.

---

"GODDAMMIT, RUKIA!" Oh my gods, does this woman fucking piss me off! She has locked the fucking door! What is she doing? Is she trying to leave? He hears the closet door slam and he deduces that she is changing clothes. For what, he does not know. However, whatever it is, it isn't good. He continues turning the knob in anger, nearly disfiguring it, when it occurs to him that there is a key…his head turns slowly to the right…in Oyaji's room.

Letting go of the door handle, he briskly walks, heel-heavy, down the hall and begins his reconnaissance in his father's room.

---

She hears the door shaking cease for which she is very thankful. She is having a hell of a time getting these jeans down. They are insanely snug at the hips and this would be so much better if she could stand and shimmy them down. But she is al…most….there… With one last push, they budge over her backside.

Moving the material down her thighs toward her knees, she hurries. Ichigo has never been one to let anyone keep him out of a place he wants to get into, regardless of efforts to restrain him.

---

No!

She is not going to do her usual routine! He doesn't want her to ever think that he sees what they have together as trivial or something that he would have with someone else. What he has for her is different. What he wants, feels, needs from her is…is…it comes from a place that is deep inside of him.

It burns from the pit of his gut and radiates though his chest. He wants to touch her; he wants her body next his; her skin next to his. There is something about Rukia that he wants all over him. He loves the smell, sound and touch of her. He loves her lips on his and the taste of her kiss. He loves Rukia…all of her.

He will make her know that and she will acknowledge it.

Walking with purpose, Ichigo ceases his steps and socked feet slide across the wooden floor; his hand catching the handle to stop. Unlocking the door, he pushes it open so hard, it hits the wall and bounces closed, with reverberation. His right hand, grabs the wall to turn him in that direction, simultaneously clasping the handle of the closet door with his left. The wood smashes into the frame loudly with enough power to shake the windows.

---

By the time the sound of the doors' two slammings have reached Rukia's ears, it is well after the fact. Getting her jeans down to her ankles, she lifts her legs to get them over her feet, when the closet door slides open with a bang. Her eyes are as wide as saucers.

Holy, shit! Ichigo is in here!

Her eyes blink rapidly at the overhead light piercing the dark closet and she is faced by a determined Kurosaki Ichigo. She'd give him a kick to the head to back him up. However, she is wearing a tank top, lavender panties and her jeans are around her ankles. This just looks bad. "Ichigo!"

Grabbing her jeans, he pulls her legs down and her body upright. As her legs come over the edge of the shelf, he finishes removing the clothing from around her feet. Swiftly, pulling his sweatshirt over his head, he leaves his own tank top on and throws the hoodie into the corner, while using his knee and thigh to part her legs and get as closely to her, as possible.

"Ichigo! I just need some time to thinmph…mmm…mmm." Her eyes roll backward, and her hands clutch to his hair. The way he is kissing her is…is…the pit of her stomach is on fire. His left hand his gripping her hair tightly and the other is on her back, just above her panty line.

Of their own volition, her legs wrap around his hips. A warm, soft palm begins to rub his chest and her fingers trace down his muscles to his belt line. Large abdominal muscles tighten.

His kiss is in no hurry; strong and slow. His breath is heavy and his pulse is quickening. Yet, he is kissing her so deeply, their teeth sometimes click. Ichigo is making a statement; he is trying to tell her something. Rukia finds his assertion and possession surprising but strangely arousing.

Ichigo presses into her warm mouth with stokes that are deep, dominant and needy. He wants this with her and only her. The way his little goddess continues to hum when he kisses her, affects him completely. Her deep moan of satisfaction is heavenly. The sounds that come from her, when she is without restraint, are perfect and delicious.

She becomes more then complicit in the kiss…in fact, she is well past reciprocating. He feels her tongue wrap deeply around his and his waist jerked forward. Small fingers are against his stomach as it tightens in anticipation and nervousness. As soon as she starts to unzip his pants, she is about to know what is on his mind, and it is something that he has always hidden from her. He hopes she doesn't feel too objectified. He sucks in a deep gasp and his head tilts slightly backwards. His lips smile…she doesn't.

Rukia breaks the kiss to unbuckle his belt, unbutton his jeans and push them down, forcefully. Her feet take over pushing them to the ground. If they are going to be on a different level then, so be it. If he is saying that they need to see or know something about the other that only they can know, she is in. As much as he wants her to be his, he belongs just as much to her.

Her belief, as she articulated before, has not changed; if she is to give all there is, he will, too. They are to have a bond, like none other. She is sick of the things that they have seemed to deal with to feel this. If he wants her to communicate what she has bottled up, held back and hidden, she will open the option. Maybe then, he will come to understand her fear.

When the jeans meet his ankles with jingle of the buckle, Ichigo steps out of them and kicks them to the corner with the sweatshirt. Removing his socks with his toes and moving as closely to the shelf as he can, their kissing resumes to the sound of pleased moans.

They have gone most of the days in the last week without much more than a peck. They will not be able to kiss each other at all, in a while. Granted, they just started doing that to this level, last week, she doesn't want to be without it.

Rukia realizes that she needs to touch more of him. Ripping her lips from his, the small woman grabs her mate's tank, lifts it and he raises his arms to help her. Once his is removed, he reaches to make history of hers, as well. Her hands reach down to help him and the garment is tossed behind him.

Both stare, catching their breath, at the other person's face. Rukia smiles softly at him and he begins to do likewise. "I love you, Ichigo." Though her eyes are fully dilated, her whisper belays the truth of her heart.

Taking her small fingers, she slowly traces the skin on his chest. As her fingers move across his torso, his eyes begin to close in bliss and he releases a light sigh. His sounds of pleasure are astoundingly sexy. Whether whimpers of submission or grunts of dominance…Ichigo should know that just because she controls herself, it doesn't mean that she is without feeling and lust; more than he could possibly understand.

His skin is so soft and warm. The pink shading beneath its natural tan is gorgeous. He is very flushed…she can do this to him by the simple power of thought and longing. His natural smell is emitting from his skin and it makes her nostrils flare.

Suddenly, Rukia feels herself going forward. Reflexively, her head goes backward, and a loud grunt joins a deep moan as her arms curl around his neck to hold on tightly. That which he has hidden from her is no longer a secret. Rukia had always been disgusted by thought of another man thinking of her in that way…enough to have…this happen. Though she cannot articulate the feeling, it is extremely positive. She just doesn't trust herself.

Neither does he, but his body moves automatically. Using his large hands, he pulls her to the edge even more by grabbing her rear and forcing her forward. Even through clothing, when their bodies meet, the man shouts in elation as his head lolls backward and he tries like hell to contain himself.

Ichigo is very glad that no one will be home, tonight. Because, the sounds that he is about to make, he would not want any witnesses to. The sounds Rukia is about to make, he wants to be the only one to hear.

Though they are not going to see or do all of the things he would so like to, they are going give each other a private present. When he feels her hips move up and down, he realizes that they are on the same page of the book.

They have waited so long. Don't they deserve to privately express how much they love and enjoy being with each other?

She doesn't know how she knows how to move…but she does. Ichigo begins to move with the same motion, in the opposite direction, in simpatico. She feels his grip on her backside tighten and his breathing change to a pant. While continuing to move, she nips at his neck, drawing out loud, but deep grunts. Leaning forward, she offers one breathless command into his ear. "Bed."

His return is equally so. "Yes, Love." Turning around abruptly, he makes it to the bed in one step. He is not in the mood to oppose her, at this point. What she is doing to him is well beyond anything he would ever complain about. Whatever she is wanting, she is about to get.

How does she get him in these positions where he becomes her personal lap dog? Wasn't this supposed to be his show?

It never is…and he is not upset.

Whipping the comforter backward, the male prepares to motion forward in order to lay the female on her back, when he is pushed sideways and onto his. While not disagreeable, a startled breath escapes him in a satisfied sigh as her warm body collides with his.

Rukia's high pitched huff is effectively snuffed when her lips press to his chest. Holding Ichigo on his back, she uses her hands to slowly rub all over his exposed skin. Hearing him moan softly, she inhales deeply. Her tongue and lips continually taste and lathe his skin. The peaks and valleys of his sinew rise and fall with his laboured breathing.

Ichigo's body is absolutely beautiful. An amazingly rosey tan, with dark lines of shadow between, adorns a torso that would rival Greek gods. With broad shoulders and a large neck, he is very strong and swift. There has never been an opponent that he could not eventually defeat. And yet, he writhes in pleasure below her. Her chest tightens in concert with her tummy; knowing that she is able to make him feel like this only intensifies her need to make it continue.

Something inside her is begging for release; it is control. For the very first time in her life, Kuchiki Rukia is about to knowingly and willingly force her brain to relinquish control of her body to her heart. It wants to watch this beautiful man respond to being attended to…revered…venerated.

People are forever asking him to do something for them. Fight for them, save them, sacrifice for them… if he will allow it, Rukia wants to do something for him. Her teeth lightly nip the skin just above the belly button she has previously offended. "Let me show you…" On the heels of Ichigo's whimper, she quickly soothes the area with open kisses. "How much I love you, Ichigo."

His continuous rubbing and gripping of her backside causes her body to respond in time and she begins to understand that making him feel good makes her feel the same. So much so that she closes her eyes and only concentrates on movements that bring them pleasure.

Rukia's hands on his body are magnificent. She rubs from his pecks…"Mmmm." Her small digits squeeze the skin and muscles from his belly, to his sides, down his arms. He sighs loudly and repeatedly while continuing to knead into her thighs and bottom, and…and…

His voice is low and guttural. "Please… Rukia…do not stop…." His hands reach up to her hips and he grips on tensely.

The girl's hips begin to roll forward and backward, against him. Ichigo's eyes flutter into his head as he increases the pressure of the rhythm. The rubbing of their bodies is wonderful and he can't get enough of it. It is not a feeling he has ever had; his mind goes completely numb. The way the moist heat from her pushes against him is more than he can hold in. He is aware that he is making lots of loud noises, but he really doesn't care and he couldn't control them if he did. Yes, it feels that damned good.

Two amber slits appear to hungrily gaze at the woman on top of him. Rukia is insanely beautiful from below. In her lavender panties and lace bra, mixed with that hair that is everywhere…the way her body moves…her head back; neck exposed. Watching her as she pants and moans… Rukia is enjoying herself. She is not at all concerned about how she looks or what she is doing.

This is what he wanted. This, right here, right now, is one of Rukia's truely unfiltered times…one of the real sides of she who keeps him grounded. When they are like this, he wants there to be no walls; open, honest…emotionally naked and bare. Their physically stripped bodies and sensual actions will go where their desire takes them. Their love and respect will tell them what comes next.

His hands slide up her thighs to her rear and grip tightly. He feels his hips trying to fight with hers for pressure and his grunting is becoming urgent and rhythmic. "GOD, RUKIA!" Her pace instantly slows down to the point of almost agonizing…but still torturously fantastic. It is good that she slowed it down, but the young man whimpers nonetheless.

He breathes deeply in pleasure when he feels something soft meet his skin, every so often. He opens his eyes for a lazy split second and realizes that Rukia is placing kisses on his chest. Allowing his lids to fall, he relishes in the moment, his stomach tightening but quickly relaxing. After a whimper, she nips him, but uses her tongue to soothe it.

Unable to bear it any longer, he flips them over so that he is above his pretty little hell raiser.

Settling between her legs, he gets to work on her. They are going to give each other something that no one else has given them…or ever will. He wants to see the expression on her face…

She can feel his lips and fingers all over her. He kisses her shoulders and neck. Moving on, he sucks in the skin on her upper chest. The heat of his touch is brushing her sides and belly…in addition to the luscious grinding movement that is going on between them. They are both sweating profusely, causing their bodies to slide and collide against the other.

Ichigo's warm breath fans her ear while his lips kiss her temple and the corner of her eye. His thumb caresses one cheek while the other is kissed softly and down to her neck. Continuing to rock into her with momentum, his pace is methodic and easy. There seems to be a light cadence or mantra coming across his lips.

She would concentrate on the words, if she could get her mind off of ….her mouth expels a high pitched sigh. After a slight sting at the front of her throat, soft lips drag up to suck, lick and kiss the area below her ear. He uses his thumb to rub circles in the same area on the opposite side.

The urgency in her body growing. She needs something else from him…she…just…

After a sultry whisper of his name, she grabs one of his hands above her and puts it on her modest mound, on top of the bra. Reflexively, his hand lightly squeezes and the feeling is surprisingly pleasurable, producing sounds of equal happiness from both people.

"Yeeeessss." That is what she wanted. She allows him to lull her into a feeling she had never known existed. Pale legs and arms wildly traverse his body with evident lust; her hips violently meet his.

The breath of "Ichigo" reaches his ears and his blood starts to pump harder. Touching Rukia's body is unreal. His fingers brush over the slight lace and the instant hardening makes them both moan. She is round, firm and soft. When he gets to touch and see them without clothes, he is going to burn the image in his inner world.

The way she sounds…those moans are outstanding. "Only you." His lips can't stop moving in those words unless they are pressed to her. His teeth attach to her earlobe and lightly drag off of it, causing her body to shake.

His mind is brought back to here and now when he notices that her rhythm has changed and so has her voice. Her yelling is deep, loud and so very turned on. "Ichigo, don't stop! Something is happening to me! Please don't stop!" Her legs tighten around him and her power increases.

That is when it occurs to him that he is about to give Rukia her first experience in raw, primal pleasure. He is about to have his first with another person in the room. Well, at least, physically in the room.

In the end, there was nothing wrong with him. Ichigo's face smiles devilishly and his eyes are softly closed while his body delights in the sensual pleasure she bestows upon him. He shouldn't have worried; his body works just fine…all of it. His heart, mind and body were just waiting for someone special.

The bed is squeaking, they are drenched in sweat, they're rocking into each other with force, breathing heavily, grunting and moaning; this is their private moment. For all of the wonderful things she has done for him, he wants her to know what bodily satisfaction feels like. He wants her to know that there is nothing wrong with carnal gratification between two people that love each other. She should never feel apologetic for needing that from him or that he would turn her away.

Why would he ever turn down the opportunity to touch and kiss his beautiful death angel?

"Soooo g-good." This friction is new to her and indulgent for reasons she cannot explain. Forceful, pleasurable and something else she has never experienced, but she can feel her entire being almost aflame. A small petite body feels like everything in her is tightening and she wants it to continue.

The tightening begins to strengthen. Her lower belly and inner thighs are unable to contract any further, but her lower spine is…tingling…amethyst orbs roll backward. Where she and Ichigo meet is becoming so…wonderfully…tense…

One pale hand takes refuge in orange locks and the other grips the sheets tightly. "ICHIGO! OH, MY GOD, S-S-SOMETH-"

Suddenly, her entire body seizes harshly causing her mouth to open in an effort to silently scream her euphoria. The tight tension within her releases while her back arches off of the bed. As her eyes snap closed, her body stiffens completely. Rukia is feeling something that she would have never understood, before today.

Ichigo has definitely stepped over the bounds of return. He couldn't stop if he wanted to. He never knew that she could sound like this…or move like this. When she begins to fall into her rapture, Ichigo watches her face and memorizes it.

He has often wondered about this expression. He has wanted to know…he has wanted to know what her face looks like when she experiences ecstasy. Disappointment will not be making an appearance, tonight.

Stunning; completely stunning.

Her arched body is perfectly poised in her climactic spasm. It is a sight to behold and one that he plans to make return every night, when she gets back…including the first one. Though he would have loved to have seen her eyes, he saw something else, instead…truly, something else.

It is impossible to be any hotter than Kurosaki Rukia.

Her mind and body feel like they are in free fall. The lower part of her torso is in a perfect contraction. It is like a deep massage and the perfect spot is hit. Only, it is the core of her body. Rukia registers a feeling that is like she is falling through clouds and the light of heaven flashes her consciousness.

Though she wishes it would continue, her brain takes over and forces her to begin breathing, again. Purple orbs begin to flutter as a pale petite body collapses to the bed in exhaustion and relaxation while she revels in the feeling of her mate experiencing the same thing.

A prickling seizure overtakes his being and his body helplessly moves in gratifying repetition. Burying his face in her shoulder, at first, he clenches his teeth to stifle his noises. However, when her legs tighten around him, the intense friction causes him to grunt loudly. Ichigo completely lets go and acquiesces to his physical and emotional needs since there is no point in holding it back.

They make each other feel good. Why is that a bad thing? Ichigo allows his own release take over; his hips move erratically and powerfully.

"UGH! RUKIA, YES!"

Clutching her desparately, he holds her pelvis to his. "RUKIA!" His shout is loud, tight and has a bit of a whine while his hips' movement continues to accelerate until he suddenly falls into a series enraptured convulsions.

Ichigo's being is in a state of perfection. Gripping her body tightly to his, he falls prey to the divine shutdown of all rationality, time and sound. After the last of his movements, he screams into the girl's shoulder, feeling the hormones travel through him and the blood rush.

Panting harshly and securing his body to hers, Rukia drowsily whispers, "I love you, Angel."

Experiencing this alone is totally different than experiencing this with someone…someone you love…someone to hold…to share with…to trust. Even his chest tightens at her sweet words in his ear; it only enhances the emotional aspect of the physiological pleasure. This is the longest, hardest this has ever happened to him

Unable to hold himself up any longer, the boy falls forward onto the small girl below him sucking in as much air as he can. Ichigo makes every effort to try and still his trembling body against hers.

Rukia runs her fingers down his sweaty back and sweetly offers, "Don't try to stop yourself from shaking. It's okay. I'm still shaking, too."

Blinking and finally getting his wits about him, Ichigo turns on his side and pulls her to him securely. Panting loudly, he answers with a voice full of gravel. She never makes him feel badly for being imperfect. "I love you, Rukia." When he takes a moment, she is right. They are both shaking pretty badly. He holds her shoulders forward so he can feel her heart beating. His fingers pull her soaked locks away from her face. They lay simply catching their breath.

Eventually, she sits up and pulls the cover over them, causing him to lazily open his eyes with a hazy smile. "Rukia?"

"Hmm?"

Pulling her to him, he whispers in her ear just to see her blush. "You look amazing when you do that."

She scowls in confusion. "Do what?"

Pulling her closer, he whispers after a dark chuckle. "I think you know what I mean. You're beautiful when your body is satisfied."

When he backs away, her embarrassed face goes from pink, to red, to crimson, to purple; his smiles widely.

After delivering a good slap to the face, she buries her nose to his neck and chuckles. "Shut up. You don't look half bad either."

With a taunting smile he suggests, "Maybe we should put some mirrors on the ceiling…OWWW!" His hand goes to grab his midsection with a light scowl. "You shouldn't pinch people!"

Two smiles evolve slowly, accompanying a meaningful stare that is held only for a few moments.

"Ichigo, thank you for not trying to take it too far but for making me feel…" The girl looks down and is pulled into his chest.

"Rukia, don't try to explain it. This is only between us. I only have hormonal feelings and this type of love, for you. No one knows this side of us or what we do. What I do with you, I will never do with anyone else. This is trust, Chibs." He tightens his grip. "I am glad that I could give you your first one of those and show that there are lots of ways we can make each other happy without having to do something that we want saved for another time. I know you want it saved, and so do I."

Pulling her partner's body closer to her, Rukia replies, "Ichigo, I know you aren't like other guys who have been with lots of women. I know that you have the same type of situation I have. I am not weirded out by you seeing me without clothes or you having me in a compromising position. I weird myself out. I am beginning to have urges that I didn't have before; more often."

Burying her head in his chest, she meekly chuckles. "I am scared that I am going to maul you."

Ichigo smiles knowingly. Rukia wants me? Oh, the amount of fun they are going to have with that. He and Chibs are going to have a very healthy sex life.

Do whatever you want, Shortness.

Taking a deep breath, he puts on a serious tone and lifts her chin to see him. "Me, too, Chibs. We just have to balance everything together." Blinking slowly with an extremely warm smile, he adds, "We need this so we don't go insane, one day. We let go of it, in small amounts, so our immediate needs are met. Understand me and make no mistakes about it; I want you so badly that I almost can't stand it...you and only you. But this'll allow us to hold on for a little longer.

I want us to be ready so that our relationship gets stronger. I need you, Squirt, deeply in my heart."

Large worried eyes carry an equaled expression. "I am just afraid that I will get to a point where I won't care that I am out of my mind. I am afraid that my body will want something so much, that I don't care what my heart wants. And, sometimes, I can't tell the difference between the two; they want the same things. I'm just confused as hell. Sometimes, I think if I could just…stay away long enough to get myself straight, I won't want it anymore…but I do. I am embarrassed to even admit tha-"

Interjecting and taking her face in his hands, Ichigo tilts it upwards. "Look at me."

Keeping his voice soft, it still holds serious tone. His eyes carry deep feeling, but are stern. "Sex will not be sex between us. The things we do together are out of love. Yes, physically we find each other attractive, but that doesn't make what we do extraneous. I want you to feel how much I care for you when we are together."

Violet eyes travel downward as she attempts to nod her head to the affirmative. The effort is slow and understanding.

"Rukia," Ichigo brings her gaze back to his and speaks with quiet conviction. "Never be embarrassed to ask for something or want something. If I can't give it to you, I will try to come up with an alternative. That is especially true in bed. Tell me what you want, how you want it, if you want it repeated and when."

Leaning so that he is eye to eye, he appends in a whisper, "Don't hold back your noises, either. They are soooo cute and sexy…and it only makes me want to work harder to please you."

Her face begins to take on a dark shade of rose.

Here we go again.

Why can't they go in the natural order of things? They do enjoy just being next to each other. He will help her keep control and know when to stop being afraid.

This is so difficult. She has spent her whole life being independent and she is now unable to stand the thought of life without Ichigo. So much so, that she can sometimes become paralyzed. He makes her certifiably crazy.

Rukia giggles darkly as her face turns deep red.

What would I do without you?

Ichigo lifts a brow. "What is so funny?" Directly after his question, he closes his eyes and sighs in contentment. Rukia's face is so soft against his skin.

The woman continues her giggle and pulls them down into the bed. Rukia snuggles into his chest and intertwines her legs with his. She loves his chest rubbing against her nose. The skin is soft and smooth. It is a little sweaty, but it feels fantastic against her face. "You know? I was thinking the same thing about you."

Feeling the heat from his reddening skin, she adds with a cocked brow and a smile in her voice, "The way your muscles flex is very pleasing to the touch; especially at that exact moment. The way your body shakes is very hot."

Silently, the extremely red and embarrassed Strawberry reaches over his bedmate, to the desk. Using rehearsed actions, he retrieves his phone, sets the alarm for an hour nap and wraps his arms around his Midget.

After a full minute of silence an alto inquires, "What? The cat got your tongue?"

A conceding sigh follows. "You just can't let it be, can you?"

A deep feminine giggle with dark intentions replies, "Nope. Get used to it. You're stuck with me."

Ichigo hugs Rukia tightly. His lips kiss and mumble into her sweaty locks.

"That's my girl."

---

Two hours later, Rukia feels her face being covered in light, feathery touches and cracks her eyes open. She realizes that Ichigo is softly kissing her face.

Violet affixes to amber in the dim room. "Ichigo?" Her voice is soft and sleepy. He seems to be kneeling in front of the bed. When did he get up? "What time is it?"

"Yo." His smile is calm. "It's about eleven. I got some fruit, cheese and yogurt for you, on the desk. I want you to eat a little, while I take a shower. I know you haven't had much, today. When you're done with your plate, you can go take your shower. I put your bath stuff on the desk chair." His fingers remove the hair from her face, while his amber scrutinizes her with affectionate wonder. Though his voice is deep and quiet, it is also extremely gentle. "I used a couple candles so your eyes wouldn't hurt."

You are so sweet! Rukia smiles demurely, and sits upward. She realizes that she is still in her underclothes, but she is not overly ashamed of that. Tiny fingers shove a grape into her mouth to keep from ruining the moment. Rukia simply nods.

Raising himself and walking toward the door, he adds. "I'll order delivery, in a bit; we'll just stay in, the rest of tonight. Is that okay?" With his hand on the door knob, he looks back at his future bride.

Maybe they have finally turned the corner.

Rukia's cheeks make her eyes look squinted closed with a visible top row of her pearly whites. She couldn't be happier in life. The warm glow from the room makes her comfortable. The most comfortable, she has ever been. "I'd like that very much! As long as we can have hot chocolate and some candy!"

The man pads back to her and cups her cheek tenderly. Allowing his thumb a few strokes, Ichigo leans down to place a wet sultry kiss to her lips. Upon breathless separation, he adds, "From now on, you can have anything you want, as long as I am the one to give it to you. I promise to make you happy and give you a life that others will envy. You are mine."

Rukia finally peels her lids open when she hears the door knob turn. His kisses always turn her into goo. How did he move so fast without making noise, in human form?

Catching her gaze, once again, he adds, "But don't worry. I also know whom I belong to." Though he may be smiling, his eyes are serious. "If you don't believe me, ask your brother. I already talked to him."

Rukia's eyes go wide with shock and fear. "W-what did he say? Bya-nii didn't try to kill you?" Ichigo talked to Nii-sama and she hasn't gotten a call, yet? What is the world coming to?

Chuckling softly, his only reply is, "We're good. Trust me. Just you don't forget our deal." There is no way he is telling her of the humiliation he has agreed to put himself through, just yet.

She looks down and laughs lightly with bright pink cheeks. "How the hell can I forget to whom I belong? Even Soul Society knows, by now. Oh, well, they'll get used to it."

The man looks her over to see if there is any hesitance. There is none; she doesn't want to go back to the way things were. Though he doesn't realize it, he has checked into his own world; one where everything is back on track, Rukia has let go of her fear of the future and they are aggressively in route to their wedding.

Ichigo knows that he will suffer through all of the craziness life brings if he can receive all of the love Rukia has to offer. Plus, Chibs is hella sexy eating in bed wearing nothing but her underclothes with that face that always gets him into trouble.

The woman brings her gaze upward, when she doesn't get a reply. His expression is extremely soft and understanding. She can tell that he is finally at ease with what has happened between them and their future prospects. Ichigo believes that she is worth the trouble.

Rukia offers him a warm, toothy smile that radiates from her heart.

It is strange. She always thought that Ichigo needed an escape door out of the life that they may have, in the future. Rukia never wanted him to feel pressured into something he didn't really want and understand. Instead, he has been systematically closing every loophole she exploits.

He loves me and only me.

Ichigo is such a perfect guy. Even now, with his gaze seeming far away, his heart is here; with her. Rukia couldn't care less about anyone else's petty jealousy, anymore. Ichigo is with Rukia because he wants to be. Their two separate lives will become one; together. There is no point in being jealous of other girls. Rukia will let the other girls be jealous of her being married to the hottest man in the entire universe. Suck it up, Inoue.

Ichigo is so, so hot! And, if his astonishing looks didn't do her in, the way he dotes on her makes Rukia shyly appreciative.

She can't do much more of this swooning or Ichigo will think that she is a complete dolt. I have never been this happy.

Clapping her hands, she snaps them both to attention. "Now, get going, Love! Your job, for the rest of your life, is to make me happy and I want dumplings, tonight!" Her wrist flicks upward, shooing him on his way. "Are you still standing there?"

Said man blinks a few times and catches her dismissive hand motion. Pulling the door open, his only answer is a jovial, "You are so bossy! Oh, my Gods! I signed up for this?"

A teasing alto replies, "You betcha, Baby! For many, many more years; more than you can fathom in that numb skull of yours. Now, hurry the hell up!" She goes into singing, "I want some dumplings! I want some dumplings! With lots of candy and hot chocolate! With some Chappy and my orange-haired Berry…"

All the man can do is roll his eyes. She always sings this weird, made-up song when she knows she's going to get all of the stuff she has asked for. Sometimes, it annoys him. Mostly, though, it makes him laugh because he can relate…even if he is not necessarily the singing type.

Exiting the room, Ichigo strolls down the hall, smiling like a fool. Shortness is happy, again. Mentally singing the words to Rukia's tune, he whistles. Rukia loves me and Renji can't have her! She's going to marry me and have our babies! Lots of babies…

Ichigo chuckles while laying out his toiletries. In about ten to fifteen years, they will start having children. Two years ago, the thought would have made him gag. Now, he is overjoyed with the idea. Though he will take only one, if that is what is meant to be and they are healthy, he would like at least three, maybe five. He better not say that out loud. Rukia would pound him into the ground.

She'll come around.

The image of his Midget fat, round and pregnant turns his lips up so far, he can barely wait for the time to pass. She'll be sooo pretty. I'll even massage your feet, every day, if you let me rub your belly. Ichigo begged to rub his mom's belly when she was pregnant with the twins. As a boy, was surreal to know that there were lives inside of her. From the viewpoint of a man, it is humbling to know that your wife is willing to go through that much discomfort to make you a father.

Maybe we'll have some twins, too.

Continuing to whistle his tune as he goes about preparing for his shower, he can't shake the incredible mood he is in.

There's nothing like being on the verge of having everything you have ever wanted.

Did she call me…'Baby'?

Noticing his buzzing phone, he opens the text message.

---

From: Kuchiki Rukia

To: Kurosaki Ichigo

Do you need me to come in there and make some water out of ice? Get to bathing! I want to cuddle with my Fruit and eat dumplings!

Love you!

P.S. You already give me a life others envy :)

P.P.S. Hurry the hell up!

---

Ichigo laughs lightly and shakes his head.

Love you, too.

Yep, everything he has ever wanted.