Friday, August 23, 2002
Over lunch Rukia and Ichigo were split up in engaging with family and friends.
Rukia was mostly preoccupied by Karin, Yuzu, Inoue, and Yoruichi—continuing on as her core support group—about the imperative of completing her wardrobe.
Karin and Yuzu really did regard her as an adoptive sister in addition to their brother's girlfriend. That feeling had only intensified when Byakuya hadn't rebuffed—nor admittedly acknowledged—their efforts to extend adoptive familial status to him too when the Kurosaki family had inserted itself into his real-estate adventure.
Inoue still held her as a dear friend and counterpart in supporting Ichigo, and felt sincerely indebted to her for the change she had worked in him. She was glad for them and happy that they were happy, and would do whatever she could to keep things that way.
Yoruichi was heartened to have a woman around who was somewhat nearer her own age and understood at least some of the worldview and experiences she'd had. She'd been stuck almost exclusively with men as associates since her exile to the Living World, especially since the female Visored kept to themselves and were prickly. Rukia was a lot more fun than she let on also seemed like she might make a good drinking buddy.
Meanwhile Ichigo was assailed by Tatsuki, Keigo, Mizuiro, Chizuru, and to a much lesser degree Michiru as to what exactly happened and how he'd met Rukia again, as most of them had only recently returned from their own vacations and only some of them had been partially filled in as to what was going on.
Tatsuki, Keigo, and Mizuiro had all been indisposed during the events in Tokyo, and the first they'd heard about the recent developments had been by phone from Yoruichi on Monday. They'd returned over the course of the week and had only been privy to the Flash Goddess showing them the karaoke recording earlier in the day. All of them were staggered by the change in Ichigo's disposition and genuinely curious as to what had happened.
Chizuru hadn't been part of the club as she didn't know Ichigo or Rukia well, but she'd been told by the three who were what had gone on last year and since so many of her friends were involved and they'd been honest with her she'd decided to help out.
Michiru knew significantly less about what was going on and was largely lost, but had been convinced to help mostly because Inoue and Tatsuki so clearly believed in the cause.
A third group—consisting of the rest of the Urahara Shop, Isshin, Byakuya, Renji, Ishida, and Chad—mostly kept quiet and watched or engaged among themselves.
Isshin'd had a brief but serious chat with Byakuya about what this was all about upon his return to Karakura and found they were on the same page—for the moment anyway. In not so many words the brother had articulated he wanted his sister to be happy, and the father wanted the same for his son. That understanding was sufficient for the foreseeable future, although other considerations would have to be addressed later. It seemed rather obvious Ichigo had learned about the Shiba clan, so he'd opened up about to his daughters and let them know he'd taken Masaki's familial name. They'd seemed disinterested until he mentioned cousins. He'd let them engage with Byakuya in a familiar way because he thought it was harmless, funny, and they seemed to enjoy it.
Byakuya had understood and tolerated Isshin's interference out of an understanding—if not quite a respect—for their similar positions on several matters. It'd been clear from Monday onward that he was in command of the final stages of this enterprise and all parties had deferred to him sufficiently on that point to satisfy him. Once they'd selected the house he'd spared no expense in bringing in an army of contractors to bring it up to his standards; the last of them had only left earlier that day. Between directing them and shopping for all manner of items it'd been a rather busy and unusual week. He'd found the behavior of Karin and Yuzu toward him vaguely amusing, if overly familiar, but given their clear and earnest concern for Rukia as much as Ichigo in their suggestions he'd chosen to say nothing about it.
Renji'd already told Byakuya about the situation that was developing in Soul Society earlier in the day upon being summoned, and his taichō seemed indifferent once he'd revealed he and Ukitake had been heavily involved in trying to make events constructive. It seemed that Rukia receiving due praise in an appropriate manner was more than satisfactory to him. Renji had been left with the impression there were other calculations being made too but he wasn't privy to them. He felt his part in everything beyond just continuing as Rukia and Ichigo's friend was basically done.
Ishida, despite being surrounded by so many Shinigami, found it all rather entertaining.
Chad was just happy for the couple.
Urahara was internally treating it as another mental holiday from his real work; externally he was quite satisfied with free food.
Tessai, Jinta, and Ururu were there because the boss was and a good excuse to get off work should never be turned down. Likewise, the food was free, and having been observers to the whole thing almost its beginning, it was interesting to watch it continue to play out.
"If you're going to keep demanding answers to things then you can do it while helping me get these bags upstairs," Ichigo said loudly, standing and going to retrieving the luggage to haul it up the lounge area. He was joined by Keigo and Mizuiro, who were more than happy to do physical labor if it meant they could continue pestering him, while Tatsuki exhaled dismissively and went over to join Inoue with Rukia's group. She was followed by Chizuru and Michiru.
Ichigo was able to get the luggage upstairs in short order with Mizuiro and Keigo's assistance. After threatening them both with egregious physical violence—damn if he'd let them even see into Rukia's room—and getting them to sit down in the lounging chairs he sorted the bags into the appropriate rooms, knowing what was whose, and led them back downstairs.
"Tell me again how I'm a playboy for only pursuing older women, Kurosaki," Mizuiro continued to needle, not above getting a few hits in after having endured over a year of such commentary. He didn't know exactly how old Rukia was but it had become clear over the past several months she wasn't actually their age.
"And what's with someone like you winning the hand of such a beautiful maiden anyway?!" Keigo demanded. If there was a contract that delineated their friendship it would have specified being annoying was his job.
"Just because I'm farther down the stairwell than you doesn't mean you can't have an accident," Ichigo growled ominously to both.
They were all stopped by how animated the group of girls had become in trying to convince Rukia to go shopping. Ichigo was perplexed by it, while Keigo and Mizuiro seemed to regard the sight with fear.
"I couldn't possibly—" Rukia was protesting with a defensive smile.
"It's an important part of moving into a new place," Inoue said sweetly.
Yoruichi leaned down and whispered something to Rukia. Ichigo noticed she turned pink and her eyes widened at whatever the Flash Goddess was saying.
"Yeah! Besides, you can tell us what really happened," Tatsuki offered, putting a friendly hand on the petite Shinigami's shoulder. For a split second she glanced at Ichigo and glared, not having believed most of his version of events for a second, before giving a winning smile to his girlfriend. They'd never been very close during the times she'd been around before, but Inoue liked her and anybody who could tame Ichigo and get him to open up was surely worth her time.
Rukia looked to Ichigo not for approval but out of concern for him.
Ichigo let the corners of his mouth twitch up a little to indicate he'd be fine if she went off to do something.
Byakuya noticed what was occurring; he had one last item of business to attend to with the pair since the event appeared to be winding down and with both he and Renji there paperwork was no doubt piling up back at the 6th Division. He rose and walked out to the garden, giving both Ichigo and Rukia brief glances to indicate that they should follow.
With a moment's hesitation they both did, leaving their friends behind.
Keigo and Mizuiro shared a look before going over to Ishida and Chad to bother them in turn about various things. Most of the ladies began to discuss where they should go in Karakura and potentially Naruki to shop for things Rukia still needed.
Byakuya waited out in the garden for the couple to assemble in front of him. Once they did he reached into his suit jacket and produced an envelope, opening it and removing two keys and two cards. The keys were identical and were clearly for the house. The cards were personalized JCB credit and debit cards with their names on them and bore the Mizuho Bank logo just like the one Rukia had that accessed the Shinigami special mission finance account. After handing them out, he kept his hand extended out to Rukia.
She understood and produced that older card, handing it over.
"These utilize the Kuchiki clan's private account. For your purposes they are unlimited, however I trust that you will show some restraint in using them in the understanding that conspicuous spending is precisely that," Byakuya said to both of them dryly.
Each nodded, understanding.
The clan head then looked to the teenager and said "Understand this too is a gift and that I am not buying you off or putting you into my debt . . . Ichigo."
"You know, if you keep calling me that I'm going to just start calling you Byakuya again," Ichigo replied with a small smirk. His delivery was only faintly arrogant—he wouldn't push his luck too hard.
Byakuya's eyes narrowed fractionally. "All of the utilities and other expenses associated with this property are set to be automatically withdrawn from the same account as those cards." They would never miss a bill. He handed the rest of the envelope over to Rukia, adding "These are the documents confirming ownership. Since it would appear that you now have plans for the day and I have stayed quite long already I will be taking my leave with Renji."
Rukia looked up at him before looking down again as if in thought. After a moment she crossed the distance between them and hugged him around the waist.
Ichigo was scarcely less surprised than Byakuya by that.
She didn't let go, and after looking down at her with unusually widened eyes for a moment, the head of the Kuchiki clan slowly brought his hands to her shoulders, gripping there lightly.
This seemed to be enough and after a few seconds Rukia withdrew, smiling up at her brother warmly as she stepped back beside Ichigo.
The three stood in silence for some seconds before Ichigo bowed his head slightly in a rather more knowing and familiar way than earlier to communicate some respect.
Byakuya's only acknowledgement seemed to be jutting his jaw forward slightly before he turned and headed back inside.
Yoruichi, Isshin, Renji, Yuzu, and Karin all had the good sense to get away from the windows before their observation of events might have been noticed.
Renji slapped Ichigo on the shoulder somewhat harder than was normally friendly and said "Later," before pointing at Rukia and continuing "And I'll see you in like, two days, so whatever," dismissively to tease. It was sufficient to get them both to glare at him while he got his shoes on and left with a smirk, following after Byakuya.
They were followed by the rest of the Urahara Shop crew. "Kurosaki-san, Kuchiki-san, do your best," Urahara offered, tipping his hat as he left.
Tessai nodded at them both sagely.
Jinta said "Thanks for the food, I guess," with disinterest.
Ururu bowed deeply to both and said "Thank you," meekly before sprinting to catch up with everyone else.
Rukia scarcely had time to react before Yoruichi was grabbing her by the wrist and stepping into her own shoes, forcing Rukia to do the same. "Come on, we've got a lot of places to go," she entreated, practically carting the raven-haired woman off.
Ichigo received a smile from Inoue and weird looks from his sisters and Tatsuki as they quickly filed by in turn, getting more traditional thanks and farewells from Chizuru and Michiru. Like that they were all gone. He realized then the looks had all been different varieties of reassurance. He shut the door, trying to figure out what they'd meant.
"You should know better than to stand that close when they're on the prowl, Ichigo! You're lucky to be alive!" Keigo called as if seriously worried for his well-being. Mizuiro had a look that indicated he didn't quite endorse the position but at least understood it. Ishida and Isshin just looked smug in their own ways. Chad looked cryptic. All of them were having more of the food, clearly intent on ensuring nothing was left.
"Why is it I'm left with you jerks!?" Ichigo demanded sourly.
"That's no way to talk to the people you used as scapegoats for your deceptive vacation plan!" Keigo protested, likewise willing to use the abuse they endured as ammo.
Ichigo grimaced mildly at that and went over to join them in eating and conversation.
The young men began to drift out as the day wore on. Chad had work, and Keigo and Mizuiro got as much mild revenge upon and information from Ichigo as they felt they would in one day and decided to become scarce before they actually irritated him. That left Isshin and Ishida, and the latter had the sense to tell there was some unfinished business between the father and son so he left as well.
Ichigo found himself looking at his dad across the table, both of them regarding the other in silence. Finally he said: "So that's the Shiba mon on the cutting board and kimono, right?"
"Yeah," Isshin replied. He took a moment before asking "Did she tell you?" He didn't refer to the mon when asking the question.
"No, I guessed it while trying to piece together who Kaien was," he said honestly, "She just confirmed it later when we talked about that. Leaving the haori on your shihakushō was a pretty big clue." His dad seemed to ponder this and looked mildly impressed that he'd managed to put everything together.
He was really wondering at how much he should say right then, and what approach to take. Ryūken was right that I haven't been the greatest father . . . "So you know why Byakuya is doing all this, right?" he asked, deciding to stall.
"The real reason he's doing it is he wants Rukia to be happy, but it doesn't hurt that I'm a strong descendant of the Shiba and there's no Shiba clan to worry about anymore," the son replied. He had the feeling Renji and Yoruichi had reported back to him and Urahara, so why they were even discussing this was a mystery. "You knew that I knew that already."
Isshin sighed and scratched at his chin. "This isn't really the greatest time to tell you everything," he muttered.
"So don't," Ichigo replied. He stood by what he'd said in fake Karakura that day even if he'd borrowed Rukia's words.
"I don't think that's fair either," his father replied with a lame smile, making it clear that it was an actual problem. "Now it's not just about you, but Rukia-chan too, so . . ." he trailed off.
The son looked away at that, discerning what he was implying. "Tell me whatever you can and I'll just deal with it until I can really do something about it," he said quietly.
"No," Isshin replied flatly.
"You just said—" Ichigo began heatedly, looking to him. He was stopped by the expression on his father's face; he looked deadly serious.
"I know you want to protect her, but it's not something you should have to shoulder on your own, or can right now, and she needs to know too. I'll tell you what I can, but only when she can hear it from me too," the former taichō stated. Rukia deserved to know because she'd already dealt with a lot of the effects of it in the past, and it would affect her in the future. He didn't doubt she would accept it and it wouldn't change her opinion of Ichigo. As for the rest . . . they couldn't do anything about that as they were anyway.
The son glowered for a second, but cast his mind back to that morning, and the previous, and on and on. He trusted Rukia with his body and his mind, and one of the very first things he'd ever done with her was trust her with his life and his soul. In the end he just nodded resolutely and looked away.
A heavy silence lingered between them. Isshin could see his son's emotions written all over his face. After a time he asked "Have you told her how you feel yet?" There was a beat before he added "How you really feel?"
Ichigo narrowed his eyes. He trusted Rukia with his heart too but hadn't said it. Not that way, anyway . . .
"Nothing about this is normal. You know she knows. You know she feels the same. You shouldn't be scared of using a word. She's leaving soon for a few days, right? It was your idea? I can tell it wasn't hers. Don't wait: tell her before then. It'll eat you up otherwise and you'll make your sisters worry," the father advised. It was the best he could offer. The boy would probably be lovesick either way, but at least that way he'd have done something about it.
"Is it right to tell someone something like that before they leave?" Ichigo asked, looking to him.
"If you never want to have any regrets, it's the only time," Isshin said quietly, meeting his gaze levelly. His meaning was clear, even if there were many ways to interpret the words.
They stared at each other for awhile before Ichigo looked away again.
Isshin let out a breath and got up, going to the coffee table and retrieving the bouquet of liquor. The atmosphere was suddenly oppressive. "How about a drink?" he offered. His son was looking at him incredulously. "Just one, and don't look at me like that! It's not like I got your started or this is your first!"
The campaign to complete Rukia's wardrobe was wide-ranging and not without casualties. Although they had fun, Michiru and Chizuru dropped out after the group had scoured Karakura and were moving on to Naruki in the late afternoon. Yuzu, worried about making dinner for the couple, also departed not too long after, taking Karin with her. As they were a bit far away by then Tatsuki chose to accompany them back to at least the edge of Karakura, although she promised she'd return. Karin protested being chaperoned, but not too much as she thought Tatsuki was actually pretty cool.
Rukia was left with just Inoue and Yoruichi, who were helping her carry bags of the many items they'd already picked up. She'd gotten a good selection of underwear—Chizuru had largely kept her opinions to herself for once—some shorts and jeans, and quite a number of t-shirts and other casual wear. She'd also picked up a few winter items since they were still on summer sale, and various toiletries like soap, shampoo, and conditioner.
"Now we can get the really serious stuff!" Yoruichi declared. Naruki would have a better selection than Karakura had anyway.
"Eh, Yoruichi-san?" Inoue asked with confusion, not sure what else there really was to get.
Yoruichi shifted all the bags to one hand and held up a finger for each absolutely critical class of item, declaring: "Makeup, perfume, shoes, hosiery, and real lingerie." It was clear Rukia had enough to function, and Byakuya had apparently done well by her for dresses and jewelry, but it wouldn't do just to be functional. It wasn't about Ichigo—he was already smitten with her and there was little need to impress or tease him—it was about making Rukia feel powerful and confident in herself.
Inoue blushed a bit at the idea of helping Rukia pick out the last of the five kinds of items, but quickly directed her thoughts away from anything she shouldn't be thinking about regarding the couple, instead smiling and nodding confidently. She understood.
"Do we . . . really have to?" Rukia asked. She was a bit embarrassed at the whole thing.
The former head of the Shihōin clan peered at her with vague disapproval. "Rukia, you're pretty. Ichigo knows it already. This isn't about him. It's about you. You have to know it too," she said with certainty.
The petite Shinigami stared at her at that.
"You are really pretty, Kuchiki-san," Inoue added, "but Yoruichi-san is right. It's one thing to be something, and it's another to know you're something."
"I—I know I'm pretty!" Rukia said with a huff, looking away in annoyance. Her mind drifted back to the previous morning and Ichigo's comments about her dresses. He really did know it better than she seemed to. Shirayuki said nothing but she felt a small smile of encouragement to go along with it. She sighed and with some exasperation said "Alright, fine."
Yoruichi gave a sly smile and lead them on. Tatsuki caught back up about a half hour later.
By the time Rukia returned with the two teenagers and the woman it was dusk. They were all carrying several bags, having acquired a few more in Naruki. Tatsuki had understood the objective immediately upon rejoining them and had served as the voice of aggressiveness and practicality to compliment Yoruichi's sensuality and Inoue's demureness.
Karin was the one to greet them, and helped them take everything up to Rukia's room before they returned downstairs.
From the kitchen Yuzu insisted they all stay for dinner, and Isshin joined in, calling it a gathering of close family friends.
Yoruichi and Tatsuki agreed quite quickly and persuaded Inoue to stay despite her objections.
Ichigo and Rukia didn't protest. There was a tension between them again, but it wasn't dire and everyone who noticed felt sure they'd work it out later. Both the adults and teens decided to not prolong dinner too much to give them time to themselves.
Rukia was adamant that Ichigo couldn't be in her room while she unpacked and got her new purchases put away; she'd let him know when he might be allowed back inside.
He got his own bags unpacked relatively quickly and decided to keep busy by putting the luggage away downstairs. He knocked on Rukia's door and asked if she'd set the bags and cases she had outside while he showered before retreating, in no mood to test her. Upon returning—his new shower was just as good as the hotel's had been—he found she'd cooperated and took her bags downstairs, storing them in one of the closets with his own. He and his dad had already squared away most of the housewarming presents to suitable locations and mounted the clock in the living room, so the only things left were their workout clothes. He left Rukia's set by her door and put his own away before flopping onto his new bed.
He briefly let his mind wander over how to tell her how he felt before realizing if anything should be done naturally, it should be that. A yawn suddenly overtook him and he realized how tired he was. He would do it tomorrow. He would definitely tell her tomorrow . . .
It took Rukia a lot longer than she expected to get everything put away. When she finished and ran all the trash from packaging downstairs to the garbage she realized Ichigo wasn't there. After giving the lower floor a final look she turned off the lights and went up to his room to check on him.
She found him asleep on top of his covers, looking peaceful, and watched him for awhile in deliberation. Finally she went to retrieve a throw-blanket off her bed and came back, carefully putting it over him before going to shower. When she returned she gingerly got onto the bed with him, under the blanket, and into his arms. She absolutely refused to leave him alone on the first two nights, and if that meant being in his bed rather than having him in hers then that was fine.