Chapter 36
One hour later Byakuya joined in on the celebration. All are pretty drunk with the exception of Rukia, Ichigo and the girls. Isshin is dancing with Rukia to a Frank Sinatra song, Strangers in The Night.
"Rukia my third daughter, Thank you truly for bringing back happiness to my useless son". They both smile. "But we both know he's far from useless, I say that to push beyond his limits. Truth of the matter is my son shut down thinking he caused Masaki's death and couldn't save her. He felt he didn't deserve love or happiness. It will break my heart forever that he suffered that way in silence and I am the true useless one…"
"Please do not say that".
"It is true but I vowed to Masaki that our daughters will not share the same fate. I will always be in debt to you my very precious third daughter…" Rukia's eyes are brimming with unshed tears. She wraps her arms tighter as she looks towards Ichigo… "when you were gone Ichigo was beginning to withdraw again and I will admit if it wasn't for Orihime and the others he would have sunk deeper but I know my son he played the I'm all better and bad by myself thing and still he was pretending so Rukia, Arigato".
"I'm the grateful one Otousan, Arigato for welcoming me into this wonderful family".
He kisses her forehead and lets her go after the song finishes. Rukia stands in front of Ichigo who is getting a noogie from a drunken Yoruichi. Rukia is crying.
"Rukia, why are you crying? What did you do to her old man"?
"Ichigo, you fool…"
"What did I do"? Rukia goes to answer but instead she covers her mouth with her right hand and runs up the stairs. "What the hell"?
Ichigo stands up to follow her but Yoruichi smacks him in the back causing him to stumble forward.
"I'll tell you what you did, you knocked her up good"!
The grown-ups laugh. Ichigo turns bright red and runs upstairs basically he had been red the whole time after he read the banner.
"Where are you luv"? He hears her hacking up a lung in the room that has the sink and washing machines. "Open the door luv".
"No I don't want you to see me like…" bluh… "just go away".
"Nii-Chan I'll make her some tea".
"Thanks Yuzu".
"You guys…" she is sobbing… "kept my toothbrush".
Ichigo smirks.
"No one dared to remove it. It would have been like you never were here and that's just wrong". He can hear her rinsing, gargling and spitting. "I kept telling myself that you would waltz back in like that fateful night".
She opens the door and hugs him.
"I hate that you felt that way. I called you a fool because you carry such pain and burdens. Please share them with me, I promise I'll carry them for you and if they are too heavy I'll freeze and shatter them away".
She looks up into his eyes and he sees determination and sadness. He nods and picks her up heading to his bed room. She opens the door so they can go in. He sits on the bed with her on his lap.
"I promise but only if you will let me do the same for you, especially now and in the future". She nods in response. "I'll have to tell dad not to talk nonsense to…"
"No Ichigo, Otousan just wants to thank me and he loves you so much. You and him are so much alike carrying so much guilt and pain inside…" Rukia smiles… "if I can help a little even if it's just to listen it will be an honor to do so. Please don't scold him ever I want him to turn to me always".
"How did I get so lucky with you"?
"Kami-Sama said…" Rukia turns her voice deep… "lets show this strawberry he deserves all the love and sunshine in the world plus throw in this midget as a bonus"…Ichigo laughs… "seriously I promise…" holding his face with both hands and never breaking eye contact using lips she taps his forehead… "to show you love…" taps his nose… "to make you feel love…" she taps his mouth… "to make you understand you deserve love for the rest of eternity…" digging into his hair she cranes his head up and pushes down forcefully into his lips with a fever pitch passion high. She is dominant yet gentle leaving him totally breathless and with want as he did to her the night she handed him to Orihime when she didn't have her memories. He massages her back underneath her shirt then reaches up to grab her lips again but she teases him retracting and then plunges her tongue deeply in again using her hands to grip the back of his head and hair to do so. Rukia smiles knowing she got him right where she wants him. The knocking on the door causes Rukia to stop.
"Onee-San I have your tea".
She gets off Ichigo who falls back onto the bed out of frustration. She opens the door to let her in.
"Thank you Yuzu-Chan it smells delicious".
"It's a non caffeine ginger tea I read that helps a lot".
Rukia give her a hug.
"Thanks again Yuzu-Chan you're a great auntie already".
Ichigo walks over and messes her hair up as he playfully pats it.
"Thanks Yuzu. Could you also do us one more favor and excuse us with our guests downstairs tell them Rukia and I need rest".
"You're both welcome and of course I'll tell them".
She walks back down stairs.
"She will make a good mother and wife someday".
"Over my dead body she will have a husband".
Rukia laughs while drinking some tea.
"Anyway how do you feel"?
"Much better I think it was the spinning around".
Ichigo takes his shirt off.
"I'm going to take a cold shower. You stay here unless you want to take one together…" he leans into her inches away from her lips which are slightly parted… "Wait you can't because you're a screamer". Ichigo waltz's out.
Rukia stops laughing.
"Damn that strawberry getting the last word. I'll show him".
Ichigo is scrubbing his back.
"Ichigo I don't feel good". He turns off the water and opens the bath room door and there is Rukia with nothing but a towel on. She goes in and locks the door behind her. "I thought we could kill two Hollows with one stone. You don't mind right"?
He smiles at her.
"Not at all luv, the more the merrier".
She looks at him he is only wearing a small towel around his waist. She strips hers off and there is nothing under the towel causing Ichigo to gulp nervously.
"What's the matter strawberry? You think you can't hold out"?
He removes his towel completely sending Rukia to stare and salivate.
"I, I'm just fine. Do you need help scrubbing luv"?
"Oh no, I'm not falling for that trick. I'm perfectly capable of doing this task by myself".
They start to wash their most intimate parts sensually and slowly trying to see who will give up first. Their breathing has increased then Rukia leans over Ichigo's sitting body on the plastic washing stool reaching for the shampoo. The only body contact is her right arm brushing against his left arm but despite that surprisingly she grabs it and retreats without incident. Rukia works up a lather and some of it gets in her left eye.
"Ouch that stings Ichigo please pass me the shower head".
He grabs it and carefully removes some suds away first by blowing it away from her face.
"Tilt your head back for me".
She complies as he picks up a wet rag and hands it to her while he rinses her head pressing the shower head onto her scalp with one hand in a massaging manner while the other hand is on the tip of her forehead so that water doesn't travel into her nose.
"Mmm your hands are magic Ichigo. I could get use to bathing with you, first at our secret engagement and now this".
He takes the conditioner and works it in.
"You haven't seen anything yet luv". As he continues she is leaning back into him causing a lot more than arms to touch. She reaches for his right thigh causing him to flinch. He gets close to her ear. "Say it, say you want me".
She is completely lost in the moment.
"I want…"
Suddenly there is someone trying to get in and both become startled.
"Wait a minute Yoruichi-San, that's the shower. This way is the toilet".
"Oops, sorry Ichigo if you need help in there just tell me, Rukia-Chan doesn't have to know".
They can hear Karin taking Yoruichi away. Rukia is about to open the door and let her have it when Ichigo hangs on to her then finally after Rukia stops struggling the pair rinse off quickly. After Ichigo made sure no one was in the hall he gave a signal to Rukia so she can follow. Once inside Ichigo laughs at what happened while Rukia is not amused. He puts on a pair of boxer briefs and a tee.
"Luv don't sulk she didn't mean anything by it she's always playing around with me like that". That seemed to piss her off more. "I mean she just teases me, baiting me to react".
She is just glaring at him now.
"Well have you 'reacted' to her 'teasing'?
"Of course not luv, she is my nakama and that's all".
"That's all it better be or I'll take her to the vet and get her spayed…" he gulps nervously… "can I borrow one of your tee's"?
"Help yourself to one. You know I like it when you get territorial and jealous".
She throws a hanger at him which he dodges. She slips into a tee that reads "If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done"?
"Nice tee, I like what it says".
"You can wear it whenever you like luv".
He lies down on the bed.
"I'm going to blow dry my hair I'll be back". He nods.
Rukia comes back in after a couple of minutes to find Ichigo asleep. She looks for a blanket to cover him from the closet since he didn't slip under the covers. "You must be tired". He's turned facing the window so she snuggles behind him wrapping her arm around his waist. "Goodnight my king".
She kisses the back of his neck and waits for sleep to take over.
Toshiro opens his eyes but doesn't see Rangiku in bed. He blushes crimson thinking about last night. He slips out of bed and puts his t-shirt back on walking out of the room.
"Morning Taichou, you're just in time". There is breakfast on the table which Rangiku and Momo prepared. "Now hurry up and wash your face the food is still hot". He studies her wondering how she isn't in bed after being wounded and poisoned close to death. She pushes him towards the rest room giving him no time to question. Once he is in she meets Momo in the kitchen. "Remember after breakfast take him straight out and tell him I'll meet up with you guys a little later on with Chad".
"Rangiku-San are you sure you're feeling better"?
"I told you I'm feeling great. I might be a little sore but it's nothing this old girl can't handle. I really want Taichou to have fun he's been down lately and only you can help".
Momo blushes.
"Gomenasai Rangiku-San, for allowing that disgusting Adjuchas to goat me into attacking him only to have a Hollow sting you and I slash your back causing you much pain and almost death".
"Stop apologizing it just shows you are human with emotions unlike the Hollows. Let's just forget it, I survived didn't I"?
Momo notices the sadness and dissapointment in her voice.
"Rangiku-San…"
"Anyway Momo-Chan I have to get going. Make sure you guys make it to the fair".
With that she grabs her shades and walks out of the apartment. Once the door closes she leans into the door holding her stomach and feeling dizzy but nothing feels worse than the pain in her heart.
Forty five minutes later Toshiro and Momo are walking around the entrance of the fair. She is smiling brightly while he is scowling giving Ichigo a run for his money with the trademark expression.
"Shiro-Chan, why are you looking unhappy"?
"That's a dumb question Momo…" she looks dejected… "I'm sorry I did not mean to snap at you but I do not understand Matsumoto. After being seriously injured she makes breakfast takes off and telling us to come to a fair".
"I think Rangiku-San has been picking up on your moods, she just wants you to have some fun besides she's joining us with Chad. I think they might have something going on".
Toshiro looks her dead in the eyes and looks more pissed off. Momo's cell alerts her to a text message. She begins to read it…
"Momo and Taichou we are running late so go in without us will meet you inside. P.S stop scowling Taichou and have fun think of Momo-Chan she needs this too".
Toshiro pulls Momo by the hand and they walk inside the fair. Momo is surprised at his actions but holds onto his hand tightly causing her to blush. Two hours went by so fast they got on a Ferris wheel, played some games and now are enjoying ice cream. His expression has relaxed and Momo is laughing at a joke she remembered from their child hood.
"You know sometimes I miss those years terribly…" he gives her his full attention… "we were innocent and happy. There were no traitors or wars".
He touches her face to wipe a tear.
"But that is what makes us stronger so that in the future nothing can break us. I believe everything happens for a reason and even though it hurts now someday you will look back and say I have come this far because I stared pain and betrayal in the face and won with my heart whole and stronger".
She smiles brightly looking at him with watery warm orbs. She leans in and kisses his lips without opening her mouth causing him to drop the ice cream. Rangiku who was in Shinigami form puts a hand to cover her mouth, flies out of the fair and back to where her body is with a mod soul waiting, her body immediately falling to her knees. She is sweating and panting due to the amount in Reiryoku she just used to suppress her presence since she is still not well but the tears escaping her eyes have nothing to do with that.
"What are you crying for? This is what you wanted for him to be happy. So stop being selfish and let go of what's left of your wretched heart".
The mod soul looks worried but Rangiku gets up and picks up her body flying off again.
Chad is in front of the apartment where Rangiku, Toshiro and Momo are staying. He had tried ringing the bell but no one answered and he can't sense them in anyway. He is dialing her cell but no pick up.
Orihime and Ulquiorra are walking towards him.
"Good morning Chad-Kun". He replies the same and the guys greet each other as well. "That is odd Rangiku-San is hurt bad why would she not be here? Do you think something bad happened"?
"I doubt it we would know by now. I tried calling her cell but I didn't get an answer".
"I'll try and text her Chad-Kun".
"Onee-San your food will get cold".
"Just five more minutes Suzumi".
"Who is Suzumi? I'm Yuzu".
Rukia groggily opens her eyes.
"Yuzu-Chan what time is it"?
"Its twelve fifteen in the afternoon. All the men are gone including Yoruichi-San. Karin-Chan went to the fair she had already promised some friends but she wants us to meet up with her".
"Ichigo is gone too? That strawberry left without telling me"?
"Nii-Chan tried to wake you up but failed and got a lump on the head".
"Oh well…he should have tried harder. Do you know where they went"?
"All Otousan said it was male bonding time".
"So why in the hell did Yoruichi go too? I mean darn she should have stayed with us girls".
Rukia laughs nervously.
"I'll be waiting for you downstairs Onee-San". Yuzu gives a knowing grin.
"Thanks Yuzu-Chan".
After Rukia eats breakfast and dress they head towards the fair. Rukia is happy to have some alone time with Ichigo's sisters. She had tried to contact Momo about Rangiku but no one answered. Her phone rings. "Hi Orihime, what's up? No I haven't I did try calling Momo. Really, yeah it sounds strange. I'm on my way to the fair Yuzu-Chan and I are meeting Karin-Chan there. Yeah sure come along, alright bye".
Momo has been pulling a still stunned Toshiro around the fair.
"I like being with you like this Shiro-Chan it's so different and fun but you have been quiet. Is something on your mind"?
"I'm just thinking about stuff but nothing you have done wrong".
"That's really good because I plan to do this more often".
She pulls him by the hand and plants another smooch right on the lips. This time he closes his eyes and pulls her closer. Little do they know there's a captive audience staring at them some in shock, some angry and some are blushing over their display.
Author's note: Hi my wicked ones! =) Sorry for the hold up just a lot has been going on! Hope you guys are still there =D Keep reading and enjoy! =) Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the late great Frank Sinatra.