(A/N) This is a long one. Sorry!

Since a few people asked, I will address the topic for everyone because it was a valid one that was proposed on both sides.

The reason it seemed like some words or terms were avoided is because they were. Not because of censorship, but because I wanted to describe it from the minds of inexperienced seventeen year olds.

Certain terms are not comfortable coming out of the mouths of people who do not know what they are or who have not experienced them. Rukia cannot know what an orgasm really is unless she experiences it. Text books can only go so far and I have read many in my day. Nothing takes the place of practical application.

In Ichigo's case, he is working through the overflow of emotions that were brought about. The sensory overload of what can be with another person, in comparison to standard teenage boy locker room descriptions, is remarkable. His mind is working though the experience more than the description. After all, he is a Shakespearean man.

As such, some terms they will become comfortable with, as they progress. Some, they will never use. Besides, they will find more entertainment in the meandering definition than the succinct description.

Ultimately, you all came to the same conclusion which made me happy.

Ichigo and Rukia love each other greatly. They only see their future with the other and their unusual friendship makes their romantic relationship intense, but humourous and permanently flirtatious.

This chapter is about letting go of some long held beliefs to hold onto the truth. Ichigo, Rukia, Byakuya, and Tatsuki are coming to grips with reality.

Isshin is already there. In this chapter and the next, he serves to bring everyone up to speed.

It is supposed to be moving. The self discovery is serious and its revelations freeing. That is especially true for Ichigo, Rukia and Byakuya. For Tatsuki, it is sad and disappointing.

Ichigo and Rukia air the last of the dirty laundry between them. They slay the final ghost of the two years apart. They also learn one of the truths of long-term, committed relationships; blame goes both ways. When two people act upon righteous indignation rather than communicate, the core issue goes unresolved and the ongoing war damages both parties. Most of the time, your partner is not just trying to cause you agony. They cause you grief because they are in agony.

Over time, Ichigo's and Rukia's marriage will go through hard times, as all do. What will keep them together is that they learn to identify times when one of them will have to push, carry and support the other.

I hope you all have respect for Tatsuki in this chapter. She is not afraid to ask herself tough questions. While most of the characters deny themselves the undesirable questions of immediate introspection, Tatsuki does not. She starts to interrogate herself harshly. When further questions come along, she takes immediate action, regardless of the outcome.

Byakuya's personality is beginning to come alive. He is very formal in his ways. However, now that he has moved on to being a brother to Rukia, he is developing a personal life. Not one of high society and many people. Instead, one of a small number who are very frank, but loyal; most notably, Isshin.

Isshin is a role model of how to make peace with the past and still have a promising future. Byakuya will eventually learn that there can be redemption through tragedy. His previous experiences of joy are helping him appreciate current moments of happiness. He is coming to the understanding that he is free.

Whether from relationships, the past or themselves, every hold is undone. How it is all re-pieced together will be the new definition of many close dynamics.

Ichigo and Rukia's conversations have changed. Not only do the implicit meanings carry more weight, but the implied doubt is removed. When people see them together, they will hide very little. Ichigo's struggle will no longer be about keeping Rukia, but stopping himself from sounding stupid. Rukia's will be less about finding self value, but keeping herself from latching onto Ichigo.

At the end of an arc in Bleach, Kubo-san usually takes a bunch of non-events to create the underlying event. This is a wind down of what will seem like unimportant happenings. Hopefully, the end of this story into the next, when Rukia and Ichigo do their last reunion, will show them falling romantically in love.

Up to now, their falling has been an effort to come to cute and unambiguous admittance. With that out of the way, they can move on to an open sweetness without fear. If you hate fluff that is dorky and cute, mature and sexy but is saturated with endearment, then my story will annoy you after this chapter.

The next will have Byakuya and Ichigo's full conversation. You will get context in this chapter. You will probably face palm for their blatant male stupidity, in chapter 36. Gentlemen, I don't mean it in a condescending way. Testosterone just complicates things and your ilk tends to stand and beat their chest before they realize what they are doing.

Sorry.

Thank you for the birthday wish from DK. You are awesome.

Thank you for the reviews! There were a lot more than I expected. I am super, super grateful!

Thank you to: angel cheesecake, zgavreel, dakk101, KatLady13, AnimeFreak123, darkcreeder, Maghands, all imagination, zombiegirl22,marcus, The Light D-mon- James, Mischief in Mink, Rukia's Reflection, Marcus, garganta, Evil-Bastard, Clemen, KatzeNoel, Ichiebby, dakk101, Benevolent Abyss, Zitag, OPrincess ShinigamiO, narakunohime, , HmmmLOVE, KurukiXV, Thunder Claw03, 372259, lone ruler, WhiteMoonAndBlackSun, novicestar, Inuyokai52, GhibliGirl91, Shini Namikaze, Aletheya, SilverFlameHaze, 09ice, SexySade, Kireina-Ame, okami11235, Insanity-Plus, quietreaper, darklover, arya-demon4-bloodmoon, thyzephyr, and MugetsuIchigo.

I am not done with all of the replies and I am sure that there are minor typos, but I didn't want to delay the chapter any further. I will finish the reviews this week.

Thank you for the anonymous ones, as well.

The next chapter will be out in about six weeks. I am almost done, already. I had to sort of write it to make this work.

I own neither Bleach nor its characters which belong to Kubo-san. I also do not own Chef Boyardee. That belongs to Conagra Foods.

Chapter 35 Supernova Pt 2-Untying the Binds

Yesterday

The noble man looks over his orange-haired counterpart. He has to be realistic. Byakuya doesn't want to lose Rukia over a stupid fight with the Kozo.

From the moment his grey eyes laid upon him, Byakuya knew that Kurosaki was going to be trouble. Loud, irreverent and foul-mouthed, the noble was outraged that Rukia would give her powers to such a trashy, uncouth individual. And, the unsightly, insane hair colour from Hell! Why, in the world would Rukia pick this man who is, at least, seven shades of crazy?

Yet, over time, Byakuya has learned to understand the reason; the boy does not try to change her. As is, with temper and all, he sticks to her like glue. Often, when Kurosaki thought no one was watching, Byakuya has seen the boy move Rukia's hair in her sleep. When he put a cool towel on her forehead, he would remove each strand with gentleness and care.

And, he never left.

No matter how hard the older man worked to push the younger out of the place, sans throwing him out, the little pest stayed. He didn't care how he was treated…Kurosaki stayed to make sure that Rukia was treated well.

Truthfully, Byakuya never wanted to give Rukia to another noble house. He knew that they would treat her poorly due to her lineage. She would be afraid to tell him because she wouldn't want her ani to think that she is a failure.

Though it is not her fault, she is very wrong.

Byakuya will not tolerate someone abusing his sister; physically, sexually or otherwise. He just isn't having it. She will not be owned as property, they will not use her to gain favour or fortune, and he will not even think about a man intimidating her. Rukia's safety and security is on Byakuya's watch when she is in Soul Society.

The raven haired man also knows that Kurosaki will hold him to it.

He is more than up to the challenge.

Byakuya has to be sure that Rukia is protected and sound when she is out of Soul Society. Kozo will be diligent in that effort.

On the other side, Byakuya wants to be in Rukia's family circle. He doesn't want to be on the outside and only thought of once a month or every two weeks. He doesn't want to see his nieces and nephews part of a holiday or every other one. He plans to see them all day, get a chance to baby sit, be invited to school activities, be around when Rukia is pregnant and be one of the first to find out when she has had them.

If Byakuya were to wage war on Kurosaki, he could lose his imouto. That is unacceptable.

With all of that said, Rukia's brother knows how things are. He will have to tame some of Kurosaki's ways so that he can be taken seriously between the noble families. After all, with his age, he already has a disadvantage. Kurosaki has to act like a refined man, sometimes, to do what needs to be done.

In battle, the boy's uncivilized ways are an asset; in politics, they are a liability.

So…

Byakuya involuntarily sighs and shakes his head.

I will make you tolerable.

This is a lot like teaching swine to dance ballet. You may get them into a tutu and teach them to pirouette, but they will always oink.

This is my kazoku…my otouto…

Byakuya has to admit it…he does have a strange fondness for the bakamono.

As long as Kurosaki Ichigo treats his sister well, keeps her happy, produces an heir and protects her, Byakuya will work to get along with him.

Byakuya intends to continue his relationship with Rukia. She has brought life to his existence. His imouto has made the mansion a home, again. The man looks forward to seeing her and enjoys her company.

Hisana may have not been able to stay with him for all of his days, but she sent a sentinel to take care of his heart. His wife was an exemplary woman in all ways.

Though he did not understand that Rukia was a blessing before he thought she was a curse, Byakuya now knows that by being an ani to her, he gave himself a chance at redemption. By giving Hisana her dying wish, she fulfilled her promise.

Hisana said that Byakuya would always be able to feel her love. Though the type of love is different, it is no less vital. Hisana didn't leave him alone.

Don't take my sister away from me.

Today

A pale man stands on the balcony of his apartment, rubbing his forehead. I feel dreadful. His mind speaks of his body's predicament.

That was the last time Byakuya drinks with Kurosaki Isshin. His head is pounding, his stomach is queasy and if it weren't for the rail, he'd fall over.

It started out as a relaxing evening of poker. Tessai, as per usual, was ahead, Byakuya was second and the others were off in the distance. It all got away when Isshin volunteered to be the bartender, as Byakuya's staff became fatigued.

Soon, the noble's glass is never empty…and he is the life of the party. Byakuya remembers everyone laughing with him; but not at him. There were some distinctly nasty looks from Yoruichi followed by honest laughter from everyone else. Running his fingers along his jaw, he also remembers going backward out of his chair.

The man's deep chortle vibrates his chest. Byakuya took everyone's money. He broke everyone at the table, including Tessai. Strangely, Isshin left the game just in time; before the rest of the table started losing their pants.

And Yoruichi lost her top.

"Ugh."

Regardless of how unbelievably sick he is, Byakuya must admit…it was fun.

"Here, drink this." The command comes after the sound of the glass door opening and closing.

The addressed man turns to his tormentor who is holding a glass of fizzing liquid. "Oh, no. You are not talking me into drinking anything else. I feel like I got into a bar fight in the Rokongai and barely escaped with my life."

The older man posts up one of his brows before he laughs, heartily. "Reminiscing about the past, Bya? Ha! Ha! You used to be such a hell raiser! I remember when you showed up for training with your Ojii-sama with a black eye." Catching his breath and holding his gut, he appends, "Yoruichi said she was proud of you for fighting your way out alone, even if the old man was angry. We all laughed. We were impressed that you had the balls to go down there, as a noble. We knew you had promise, kid."

Byakuya looks away and his lips begin to spread upward. That was before he met Hisana. He was completely against the idea of rules. He hated people telling him what his place was and who he was supposed to be. One to be independent, even as a young man, Byakuya decided to define himself.

When he was in the academy, he would rarely go out with others to bars and such. One, he didn't need anybody tattling on him and two, there was always some asshole who wanted to prove that he could beat a noble. Byakuya would inform the man to leave him alone and after that…

He became Kurosaki Ichigo; putting an impressive hurt on the man and squawking about it, all the way out.

Once in a while, a fight would get out of hand. If a melee became apparent, it was best to get it outside. When it got into the open, things got serious. There has been more than one occasion that he showed up at the mansion having been cut, stabbed and/or run through. The elder never understood Byakuya's smile, after the fact.

Kuchiki Byakuya had taken on many aggressors at one time and still managed to get out alive; he was tough.

Isshin's continuation pulls Byakuya out of the past. "Anyway, this is an alkaline and seltzer mix. It will settle your stomach and the acid."

Slender fingers take possession of the drink ware. Sniffing it first, the junior man is satisfied and begins chugging the liquid. His hand is forcefully pulled down.

"Slow your roll, Byakuya. The goal is to sip. When this has managed to stay down for thirty minutes, we'll get you into some sports drink and water. You're just dehydrated." Isshin knows he got the kid really, really drunk. But, the guy also needed it. Bya was uptight after the Yuino talks and he looked like he needed some friends.

Plus, Byakuya was a lot of fun, last night. Once he got loosened up, he started giving Ruichi a taste of her own medicine; and she didn't like it. Mentally, Isshin laughs. Even Kisuke was cackling his head off.

He got clobbered right after Byakuya.

Last Night (Yesterday)

Byakuya stares at his hand and is thankful for his perfectly expressionless face. He has got to be the luckiest son of a bitch in the universe. He is warm as hell, but he feels really good. His body is limber, his mind is relaxed, he isn't thinking about giving away the only creature, next to Hisana, who has ever been kind to him… He is on top of the world.

The crackling of the fireplace is in the background and he has a glass of thirty year old, single malt Scotch whisky. It is orangey, but well balanced.

Yes, Byakuya can barely keep a straight face.

He just doesn't know that he is smiling.

The darkly tanned woman speaks across the table. "What has you so happy, over there, Bya-bo?" It is rare to see the Kuchiki smile; and even more so to see him this relaxed.

Dark grey orbs meet the cat-like yellow. "What? Is it your day to keep account of my expressions? I would have been sure that you relegated that duty off to Kisuke…like every other mundane task." His current topic of discussion is coy and smug.

Noticing the aforementioned man's fright at his significant other's changing demeanor, Byakuya inserts, "Kisuke, I understand that the cat has your tongue…and other anatomical parts."

The amused pun causes the woman to frown. All other men at the table snigger. The shop owner has always been under the princess' thumb; that much is true.

"Aren't you a laugh a minute, Byakuya. I do plenty. I do reconnaissance, I assist in patrol, I train myself and younger shinigami…I am not a lazy bum." The woman growls. Is he calling her useless?

The noble puts his glass to the table with the sound of ice clanking in his glass. Flipping his cards over, face down, he answers, "No one is questioning your value as a shinigami. You are excellent at that. I cannot nor would I want to say otherwise. You taught me a great deal and made me better with shunpo."

The woman eyes him stiffly for a few minutes, then calms down.

You better not be.

Looking over her cards, she is going to win this hand, anyway. She is holding a queen, jack, ten, nine and eight of spades. Being that she has a straight flush, she'll get that stupid look off of the brat's face. "I raise you thirty thousand."

"Oh…" Byakuya lifts the bottoms of his cards and offers a dramatic sigh. "I suppose. Then again, I am feeling a bit lucky, tonight. Let's add another fifteen."

Juushiro and his best friend opt out. "I think I will have to retire from this hand." The white haired man shakes his glass. This is about to get interesting.

"I have to agree. Isshin, bring that sake over here. Juu and Bya look dry, too." Shunsui puts his cards down and reclines in the chair. It is kind of funny watching Yoruichi take shit from Byakuya. She has antagonized that kid for centuries.

The shopkeeper and Tessai leave the game, as well. Something is going on. But, they have to live with her..they decide to back up. "Isshin, we'll come help you!" Both men, all but, jump out of their chairs.

Yoruichi looks around the room.

Wimps.

It is weird to see all of these shinigami men in human casual clothes. It must have done something to their fortitude. Well, except for Byakuya. She spies an arrogant, yet extremely attractive, smirk directed at her.

He's bluffing.

The boy has always been a looker. When he became of age, every noble woman of his peer group wanted him. Yet, he married a peasant. That, the Shihoin princess respected.

"So, in the words of my future brother-in-law, are you going to shit or remove yourself from the commode?" Crossing his legs and his arms across his lap, Byakuya holds his drink in one hand and reclines in a slouched position. He can say anything he wants.

You could too, if you were holding an ace, king, queen, jack and a ten of hearts; a royal flush.

Bringing her cards face up, she displays her hand with a serious voice. "I see your fifteen. Call."

The other competitor shoots a look of total confidence to the blonde man. "You might want to get some catnip ready. She's going to need a pick-me-up in a couple of seconds." That receives a loud round of "Ooooh!" from the others.

"Just show me, already!" This little snot is stalling too long.

"As you wish."

When his cards are revealed, he watches the princess' face become surprised. Raking his winnings to himself, he adds, "Kisuke, your life is going to be hell the rest of the week." Mimicking the woman's voice, the noble declares, "Kisuke! Get me something to eat! Kisuke! Go to the store! Kisuke! I have a mission I want to go on! Make me a gadget! Kisuke! Kisuke! Kisuke!"

Every other man but the one just mentioned guffaws loudly. Even when they were little, Kisuke has always been Yoruichi's willing pet. Quite ironic for a person who morphs into a cat.

The shopkeeper is the only man in the room who looks nervous…and scared. As fearless as he is in battle, Urahara Kisuke is petrified of his beautiful black kitten. When she is angry, not only does she beat him…he sleeps alone.

Please shut up, Byakuya.

"I am not whiny!" The woman is irritated. What is going wrong in the world? She antagonizes Byakuya! Not the other way around!

After a healthy swig, the man retorts with the kind of smile that begs for a smack to the face. "I did not say you were whiny. I said you were demanding. They are different. You may be an excellent taicho, but you are also a lot like my last hand; a royal pain in the ass."

The room erupts in laughter, including her closest companion who is trying to both breathe and apologize after actualizing her angry face. "Oh, Kitten, it doesn't mean that we love you any less. But, you are high maintenance."

The insulted woman stalks over to the clan leader and stands with her fists balled. She is not to be mocked! "If you continue, I will pulverize you."

He shakes his empty glass at Isshin who acknowledges him and picks up the appropriate bottle. "Now, now. There is no need to get upset. You can't take a little teasing? Isn't that what you used to ask me?"

Using his head to point toward the opposite side of the table that holds the addressed woman's cell phone, he continues, "You might want to check your voicemail. Payback called and she is still an, unrelenting yet patient, bitch."

The next thing Byakuya sees the adequately filled brazier of Yoruichi, causing him to shout. "Stop showing those things, woman! It is scary! You're old enough to be my okaa-san!"

The woman removes her top. "Shut up. I don't want my shirt to stain. Blood is hard to remove."

His alcohol bogged mind is in shock and fright for a few seconds before he gets cracked in the nose and jaw. The man's legs end up over his head as the chair back falls to the carpet. Byakuya opens his eyes to several faces blinking down at him.

He meets all eyes for ten seconds and puts on a cocky grin. "I know I'm pretty, but you don't have to stare."

The entire room roars. He is pulled to his feet by the Kurosaki, who smacks his fingers against the offended jaw. "Good job, boy! You've finally shut her up." Immediately after Isshin deftly realigns noble's nose and hands him towel for the nosebleed, both men's gazes turn to the woman who is smiling, as well. The senior man whispers to the junior, "You earned their respect, tonight. Congratulations, son."

"Thank-" Byakuya's comment is truncated by the sound of loud screaming.

"AAAACK!"

"You laughed at me!"

A blonde man is being disciplined by a voluptuous, dark-skinned woman.

As the youngest man winces and rubs his face, he can't help but feel a warm sense of camaraderie. He will have to remember to do this more often.

Byakuya will also have to admit… Isshin is one of the best friends, if not the best friend, he has ever had.

"Say, Isshin. You think your son might want an ani?" For some reason, probably the alcohol, he feels more familial with the Kurosakis than usual. "Do you think that I could meet your daughters, sometime? Will they mind another sibling?"

Isshin has drunk his fair share, as well. But, he knows Byakuya is totally being himself, tonight. The old Byakuya.

Let's talk, son.

Clapping his hands, Isshin announces, "Hey, guys, let's take a break. We'll regroup in an hour. Go relax, eat, drink, converse, take bio breaks…whatever. Do your thing. Be ready in sixty minutes."

As most people disband, Isshin grabs Byakuya's navy, pin-striped jacket and smirks. Bya reminds him of Ichigo. He's got on some expensive dark jeans, a crisp, white shirt, and a suit jacket. His belt has a huge ass buckle. His tasteful watch matches his…

Oh, son…

"Byakuya, let's go outside. Grab our shoes, I'll get the drinks and meet me by the door."

The addressed man spins around and is silent for a time, then returns, "Is this where you tell me that you regretfully decline?" Though he doesn't know why, his heart feels…fearful.

Isshin smacks back of Byakuya's head. "Of course not! You're welcome at my home, anytime. Don't be a jackass. Just meet me by the door." Regardless of the reason, Isshin is pleased that Byakuya is changing.

Stepping out onto the covered balcony, next to the heat lamp, Isshin starts. "You're still wearing it. It's not healthy." That gold band is tying Rukia's brother to the past. He has to move onward.

Byakuya scoffs. Strangely, he knows of what the other man refers. "When I am here, I can dress as myself…in what is most comfortable to me." Tilting the upper most of his crossed arms to reveal the ring finger, he is careful not to spill the drink his left hand is holding. "My ring makes me comfortable." Squinting, he adds, "It brings me comfort."

It reminds him of Hisana who was his peace.

Changing his disposition immediately, Byakuya deflects with redirection. "Anyway, I am sure you didn't call me out here to critique my attire." Taking a light sip, he casually continues, "So, state your business, Kurosaki."

Said man scoffs. "Always the charmer, Bya, always the charmer."

Staring out at the lights of the city, Isshin states lowly, "Byakuya, you are considered my family, now. Regardless of what happens, you are welcome in my home. I know it irritates you, but I consider you to be one of my brood. You're a good kid. Ichigo will warm up to you. It will take a while, but he will. One of my twins is like Ichigo. She will have to feel you out. The other will love you from the moment you walk in the door. All are extremely attached to Rukia. Don't worry; we always have room for kazoku."

Letting his vision rest on the slender man, Isshin appends, "The kids can always use another brother. I think you and Ichigo will do well, together. The more time you spend with each other, the sooner you will work out a norm."

Byakuya nods curtly. "Arigato." He is secretly happy that he can belong to a family with his sister. He has always wanted siblings. Since he and Rukia are progressing nicely, he would like to be included in her life; not exist as a satellite entity.

"So, Bya, what are you doing for Christmas?" Isshin asks while taking a sip, himself.

The junior man inhales and exhales heavily. "I really don't have plans." The clan does a Christmas party the week before. But, everyone does their own thing, the day of.

"Well, that settles it. You're coming to our house. Don't eat anything all day. Yuzu cooks a lot and she is fantastic at it." The father beams thinking about his talented daughter.

Byakuya qualifies. "Are you sure? I have no intention of being intrusive. I know that is family time." He doesn't want them to pity him. "Besides, I am not sure that we will be allowed to leave the Serietei by then. Do not worry about me. I will be fine."

"Well, I would think that you would want to spend time with your sister who is also going to want to spend time with her future husband. And, it would be a nice gesture if you can get her out of there by then. It would go a long a way with her and Ichigo. You're just being a knob." The man's teeth are overtaking his face and his voice is in parallel. "Welcome to the family, boy. Soon, you will be as crazy as us."

"I'll resist as long as I can." Turning and outstretching his hand, the noble says confidently, "I think we will do well."

The father takes the younger man's hand and pulls him into one armed hug. "Hell, it will be stupendous! On New Year's, we'll set off fireworks. You will have to come over the night before, too!"

"I-Is-shin…let me go…" Byakuya is being squeezed to death. Though his request is granted, his body is sharply pitched forward from a hard slap to the back.

Catching the rail for support, the younger man smiles to himself.

Maybe his life can be reborn.

Today

Byakuya's throat is dry and raw. The sipping part is difficult when he wants to attach his mouth to a faucet and let it run. His concentration is broken by Isshin.

"I have everything ready for Ichigo and Rukia. We just have to tell them, take them shopping for a while, give them some time to pack and finish paying for some things. We can all go to the mall. You and Rukia can go get her things and I will go with Ichigo. He needs a new suit and I am sure that he will want look at jewelry stores." He sips his tea with total leisure.

Byakuya nods. "That is fine. I will call some of her attendants up to go with her into fitting rooms.

I have a friend who owns one of the menswear stores in the mall. All of the people who work there are from Soul Society. They can have your son fully suited in five hours- four with the right level of incentive and it is still less expensive than having humans do the work. More on, the quality is of the highest grade. I use them, myself."

The other man gives him the raised brow. "Yeah, but what maybe discount to you, might be a king's ransom for me. I am not trying to get him an all silk suit." Byakuya doesn't ever think about cost when he wants something. He just gets it.

A refined hand waves him off. "No, it is not a ridiculous sum. Let us go together. I will get them started on that."

Isshin decides continue, even if he knows that Byakuya will get irritated. "And, I would rather it be Yoruichi and the twins going into the room with her. Rukia needs to look like a modern young lady, not a little girl."

Though he can hear Byakuya growling, the father has to make Rukia's ani understand. "You've had her in those kids' clothes so long, she thinks that is all that fits her."

Byakuya grunts, "Fine." He only hopes that Yoruichi respects Rukia's modesty and doesn't have all of his young sister's business out in public.

"You have to let her grow up and it would do you some good to see what she selects. That is how you get to know her."

Immediately rebutting, Byakuya offers, "I'll get Rukia and the ladies started then, come back to join you. I have no interest in women's clothes or the giggling that they do. It steals my manhood by the second." Byakuya shivers. The idea of all the giggling and girliness makes him cringe.

Isshin laughs out loud. "Oh, Byakuya. If you have daughters, you have had makeup put on your face, polish put on your fingers, purchased maxi pads, listened to the fear of their first period, folded tiny panties and tights, made ponytails and helped them pick out a dress. It doesn't steal your manhood. It makes you more compassionate. I wouldn't have traded it for all of the money in the world. I am sure that I will cry when they leave the house.

I hear ya, though. Ichigo still looks uncomfortable, sometimes. Rukia helps him get over some of it. She and my twins have those kinds of conversations, now. Not to sell my boy short. He can wash laundry, cook, do dishes, clean the house, comb his sisters' hair and does yard work. He could take care of their kids when Rukia is on a mission as well as she could."

Isshin closes his eyes for a second. That isn't the entire truth. "Well, he won't ever be able to do it as well as she does. But, if the need arose, their kids wouldn't feel neglected…or, at least, not as abandoned." His voice is somber.

Isshin did the best he could. He had to keep food on the table and a sense of normalcy in the house. Karin and Yuzu were so young when Masaki died, that they didn't get to form the memories that Ichigo has. They don't remember as much about her as their brother does. So, Isshin was able to insert himself into their lives as a total figure.

Ichigo rejected anything that wasn't Masaki. He was a true momma's boy. Kind-hearted, happy-go-lucky, smiling little ball of orange fluff…that was Ichigo. Most little boys didn't want anyone to hold their hand. Ichigo took Masaki's immediately.

Then, fate made him let go.

Isshin knows that his son was traumatized. The kid woke up with his dead mother on top of him, and no idea what had happened.

Ichigo has not ever fully come to terms with it. He never talks about what exactly happened and hasn't given any details since the week of the funeral.

It sucks to feel useless…to know that there isn't one fucking thing you can do to stop something from perpetually causing your child pain. Isshin would give his life if he could take that off of Ichigo. No man wants their son to carry that much sadness, despair and blame; especially when it was no fault of his own.

Rukia has helped him lift some of that. Over the last few years, Ichigo's rear view mirror has become a bit more foggy…he has been forced to drive his life looking through the windshield. That makes the father smile.

Yeah, I can finally do something for my boy.

Inhaling quickly, Isshin opens his eyes and continues happily, in earnest. This is the bonding of family.

"I won't lie to you. My profession made it so that I can give them lots of things that other kids don't have. But, they have to earn them. They have weekly rotations on chores and that includes Rukia. She is able to wash laundry and clean a house. "

With a laugh, Isshin re-caps Rukia in the kitchen from the beginning until now. "Rukia used to burn boiling water, but she can get simple meals down, read recipes and bake a cake. Pies and complex meals still throw her a bit and her sushi tastes great but looks awful. But, she is learning and is making amazing progress; she hasn't had suds coming out of the washer in, at least, a month and a half. The kids in my house don't sit on their asses. I made sure that they can survive without me, if it came to that. "

Byakuya did not miss his conversation mate's expressions. He sometimes forgets that Isshin lost his wife, too. The older man does such an outstanding job of moving on with his life and keeping his children in the right direction, that Byakuya doesn't notice the void.

Then again, the younger man could be accused of the same thing. He built a hardened exterior around what he didn't want found. "You're a good man, Isshin. You are insanely stupid, but you make good sense. In Soul Society, Rukia would not learn how to do any of those things because she would have servants. Here, I could give her some house help, but she would refuse."

Rukia is becoming a well-learned human wife.

It isn't that Byakuya doesn't want to spend time with his sister. It's all of that trying things on and asking how it looks. He will go with her to buy incidentals so he can talk to her. But the whole time in the women's sections of stores…

Ewwww…No.

Continuing, the noble man further makes his case for leaving the women's entourage. "I also have Hisana's ring here. I can go to the jewelers with you."

Isshin rolls his eyes and starts typing a text to his son. "Byakuya, soon, you will look forward to those types of discussions. Wait until they have a little girl. You will be an all day sucker like me and Ichigo."

Noticing his companions disbelieving expression, Isshin finishes, "Oh, yeah. Don't let him fool ya. My boy is a total softie with the girls and Rukia. Wait 'til you get a load of the real Kurosaki Ichigo, today. He may rip another man's throat out, but when his wife and sisters call, he is there without question or reason.

Then again, that's why they love him so much. He quietly makes it known how much he loves them."

Byakuya scoffs and looks back to the cityscape.

Maybe, just maybe…

I have something to learn from the Kozo.

After all, Byakuya wants to be a sucker, too.

Yesterday

Ichigo closes his eyes for a few seconds to collect himself. He doesn't know is about to come next. But, whatever it is, he will be fine. Though this is sudden, if he searches his heart thoroughly, he knows what he wants and has for far longer than this moment.

He and Rukia will have a life without interference and family infighting. They need privacy and respect. Their personal spaces should be theirs and they have the right to have some things remain, solely, between them.

In contrast, they must be allowed to be with and to make an effort at integrating their families. Rukia must never feel torn between her husband and her ani. Ichigo knows that Chibi loves Byakuya and that she hangs on his every word, much like Yuzu and Karin are with her.

That is always his other consideration. Rukia loves the twins and does not want to be away from the girls. Her affection for them and how she feeds necessary parts of each of them is dear to Ichigo's heart. The way the twins fawn over and cuddle up to her informed him that they lost something when Kaa-san died, as well. Rukia gives them something that they really need.

More of it, it is genuine. Rukia loves the girls, without exception. Not only did she watch over him for two years, she watched over them, as well. Her interactions with them tell Ichigo what a great okaa-san Chibi will be.

That is another important point for Ichigo. He has wanted a wife that could give his children what he had….for longer. Rukia knows how to love from the heart, individually, with truth and justice. She will be strict, but fair and when she does smother them, their children will know that she is sincere.

Oyaji and Rukia are so close that Ichigo, sometimes, feels outnumbered. They actually agree on a lot of subjects and Oyaji does a great job of helping her adjust from a soul to a full-time 'human'.

The old man does his best to help Rukia understand what to do, when to do it and how to blend in like she has always been here. Ichigo has overheard some of their talks. Rukia actually trusts Oyaji, fully. She tells him her whereabouts, where she is going and asks him questions about how long it took to fit in. In exchange, she brings him up to speed on Soul Society.

Plus, Ichigo has never seen anyone get so much unsolicited money out of the old fart except for… Rukia and Yuzu must be trading notes.

Ultimately, Ichigo doesn't hate Byakuya. Really, the guy is alright. He's just sort of an asshole, sometimes. Although, Ichigo is truly pleased with how well Rukia's ani is treating her, lately. Ichigo no longer feels as if no one is watching Rukia's back in Soul Society.

That's not fair.

Regardless of what has taken place, Ichigo does not believe that Renji would let someone hurt Rukia.

It is the mansion that worries him. Byakuya is on Rukia's side; that carries a lot weight with Ichigo.

So, when it gets down to it, the junior Kurosaki knows that he and Byakuya will have to find common ground to get along, keep Shortness happy, and keep their families harmonious. Ichigo has to see Byakuya not as a rival or an ally…

Ichigo sighs in his head.

Byakuya is to become his relation, his ani…kazoku.

The things you make me do, woman.

Ichigo supposes that it really doesn't matter. He will do whatever is necessary to keep her with him.

Today

To: Kurosaki Ichigo

From: Kurosaki Isshin

Bya and I are sending you and my oldest princess to the springs, this weekend. We will be there at 1:30 to take you shopping before you leave at 6:00.

Be ready.

Your Most Handsome Otou-san

P.S. Yes, I am paying for most of your shit and, yes, we can look at rings; so don't ask, cheap-ass.

Puffy amber eyes read the words of the text message causing the orange-haired man to smile widely. He gets a total weekend with Rukia without any drama.

A long masculine body stretches itself, tightly. Excellent!

His movement almost makes the person on top of him slide off his body, to the floor. Quickly holding onto her rear, he pulls her back. That was close.

Looking about their room, he wants to cackle. The place is trashed. There are takeout boxes, soda cans, bowls, utensils and sacks everywhere. Video game controllers, CDs, and headsets are piled up toward the foot of the bed along with movie cases.

They had a lot of fun, last night. He taught Rukia how to work a game console and play a first-person shooter game. Then, they watched a couple of movies. After that, they listened to music in the dark and talked. They didn't do shit but mill about and eat.

Their folded laundry is still in the baskets, yet to be put away.

That is so not like them.

Still, after the last couple of days, they were in need of serious down time. It was nice to do nothing with Short and Sassy, for once.

Speak of the Devil's Handmaiden…

He feels Rukia's petite body begin to squirm. When her violet eyes make an appearance, the corners of Ichigo's lips ascend. He couldn't be happier that this is what he will get to see every morning for the rest of his life.

"Ohayou, Chibi." Bringing her forehead to his lips, he detaches and continues with sleepy but contented eyes, "I hope you have a stomach ache from all of those dumplings you ate." Laughing lightly, he adds, "Where did you put it all?" Really, Rukia never eats a lot at one time. She eats lots of small meals and snacks.

Nevertheless, he kept feeding her. When they are apart, Ichigo doesn't want her to lose too much weight. Midgie stops eating when she is unhappy and she is already light. Since they started training in earnest, she has gained some muscle. But, she also lost some fat. So, her weight really didn't increase. Rukia can't be over 110 pounds. He would bet she's closer to 100 than 110.

Part of the next two days is to get as many calories in her as she will accept. It will make her happy to be on a tour of any food she wants. He'll even talk Yuzu into making curry with sausage on Sunday night. Though, knowing Zu, she has already thought of that and is making a bunny cake.

If he can get Rukia to a solid 110 before battle, she'll come back at about 90. He'll get ten pounds on her pretty fast in her first two weeks of coming back. He'd like to see her at a full weight of 110 when they get married. Just in case she should become pregnant by surprise, she won't become sick. Ichigo wants Rukia and their child to both come out alive and healthy.

The man sighs. Rukia is right; he's a worry wart, too. I hate it when you are right. His voice rumbles in humour.

Ichigo will be taking Oyaji's advice. Rukia will remember this.

This is the place where she knows people love and miss her. One person in particular will miss her most but, more importantly… When she is with him, he will remind her of why she always comes back and calls this place her home.

For the next 72 hours, Rukia will be showered with affection and attention. Ichigo plans to show her how much he worships her. That includes taking care of a little overdue business with one of his friends.

Ichigo explores the depth of the extraordinary violet-blue on his yome. Today is going to be the best day they have ever had. The next three days will be whatever they want them to be. They will be themselves, do what they want and go where they want. Ichigo just wants to be with Rukia…and to let her know how much he appreciates her.

Rukia blinks drowsily. Ichigo never stopped her from feeding herself in to a coma, last night; which is almost unheard of. Usually, he reminds her how bad the things she wants to eat are for her or he will suggest healthy alternatives.

But, not last night. Anything the small woman wanted, Ichigo retrieved. She had two bowls of dumplings and rice, two cups of hot cocoa, three juice boxes and most of the dark chocolate and raspberry candies. At one point, she must have looked miserable, so, he got her a can of ginger ale.

The last thing Rukia remembers is crawling on top of Ichigo and lying there, while he rubbed her back. The music was in the background, they were talking and, at some point, she fell asleep.

Yes, she does have a bit of a tummy ache, but it isn't from being too full…she is actually hungry. She felt like a bottomless pit, last night. And, the feeling is back.

Rukia gives him a soft smile with squinting lids, "No, in fact, I am ready for breakfast. How about pancakes?" She loves American breakfasts. They maybe hella fattening, but, they are yummy! Plus, they always include sausage or bacon. Mmm…mmm… As if on cue, her tummy growls.

Ichigo lets his head fall back to the pillow and chuckles. "Is that an invitation to bring some to me or for me to make you some?" Rukia must want sausage. He has deduced that she probably likes it because of the complication of its taste and the saltiness added to the syrup. How does she always work sugar into everything she eats?

Laying her head back to his chest, listening to his heart beat and softly closing her eyes, she answers, "It is an invitation to come down stairs and make them with me. I want to spend as much time with you as possible. So, I figured we could make breakfast, decide what we want to do today and figure out what time we need to be back before we have to meet your friends." His scoff is amplified in her ear.

"As if. I am not wasting tonight on a bunch of bullshit. They can go skating; we'll go do something else. I'll call Tatsuki later. "

"Don't feel like you have to cancel. I'll just ignore them." Rukia's good with reality, right now. Who cares what others think or say?

Ichigo smoothes his hand across her back. Her soft long sleeve t-shirt is creating heat through the light friction. He and she are super warm. It is a good day, already. "No. I'm tired of you having to adjust. They can just ignore us, if it offends them. But, I'll worry about that on a different day."

Turning them on their sides, he concludes, "They have to see us to ignore us and I don't plan on being seen. Not to mention Oyaji and Byakuya are sending us to the hot springs for the weekend. So, we have plans for the next two nights."

Her voice starts out excited and ends disappointed. "Really? What am I going to wear? None of my clothes really fit and it's hard for me to find clothes in my size for my human age. It's really crappy being so small." Rukia pouts and stares at Ichigo's soft long-sleeved shirt.

"Oh, stop. I am a six foot, Japanese man with size 12 shoes," Ichigo states. "I have a hell of a time finding clothes." At almost 200 lbs, he is lean, but solid. Most clothes are built for men like Ishida.

Rukia protests. "So? You always have nice stuff to wear. Most of my clothes and shoes come from the girl's department. Why do you have it so bad?" It isn't like he has to get help to get jeans off of shelves.

"Because, think of the men you know. Think of their build and then tell me why I might have a problem."

Rukia thinks through Hanataro, Ukitake-taicho, Urahara… Speaking flatly, she surmises, "They are usually below six feet tall, have small feet and very small waists."

"Correct. I just learned to buy from the internet. That's why I have so many American clothes. They are a little bigger and longer.

We will look around and find some things for you. I've also seen a couple of shops in the mall that I think will work. They have like designer overstock from the last couple of seasons so the stuff is discounted. Usually, the smallest sizes always have the best selection and cheapest prices. Yuzu will help you find something you like and it won't cost us an arm and a leg.

I also saw a petite shop. They should have stuff that would be on scale, for you. Your expensive stuff will probably come out of there.

The clothes you buy out of those types of stores are things you plan to wear for a couple of years with your cheaper stuff. They're usually things that you would consider foundations of your wardrobe. Sweaters, slacks, coats, jackets and the like. Or, they are unusual and cool.

The plan is not to pay big money for the trendy shit and to pay a little more for the quality on a nice pair of jeans. "

After pressing and holding his lips to hers, Ichigo concludes, "Don't worry. You will have nice things to wear. I'll take care of it. Besides, it doesn't matter; you still look beautiful."

Following her gaze for a few moments, he smiles at her. Rukia's so cute, Ichigo sometimes thinks he'll just combust. Her sweet, doe-eyed expression while she studies the meanings he doesn't say, takes his breath away.

He realizes that he is thankful for her frightful temper. If he saw this side of her all of the time, he might take it for granted. Closing his eyes at her delicate touch, he simply holds her.

The noble can't help her swooning, again. Her heart is racing. He's so sweet. He has actually thought about what she can wear and looks for options. Rukia would have never guessed him to pay attention to such things…to her.

Ichigo is so different when they are alone. All of the years he held her away, he now just as vehemently wants her with him. Pressing her nose to his collar bone after grazing it with a soft kiss, she closes her eyes and playfully rubs his earlobe while she whispers her question. "Where would you like to go, today?"

On the heels of her words, Ichigo breathily replies, "Anywhere you are."

Rukia's head snaps backward with wide eyes as Ichigo slowly peels his open with a lazy smirk. "Don't look at me like that. Have you not noticed that I follow you everywhere? That's where I'd be anyway. As long as you let me kiss you, I really don't care what we do."

Oh my gods… That is the most forthright thing he has ever said to Rukia in casual way, regarding his feelings. Something about him opening his heart… Rukia can feel herself wanting to cry from being so moved.

When he doesn't get a response, Ichigo prepares a sarcastic remark, before he opens his eyes again. "Did you lose your voice? By now, you should be-"

The crystalline violet with water-rimmed edges reflects back to him and steals the words from his throat.

The young woman places both of her hands on his cheeks holding a scowl that is pulled by strings from deep within her. Her words quiver with emotion. "You damned baka. If you only understood that I am the one following you…you'd know that there is nowhere that I can go that you are not with me."

Ichigo's heart aches from an overflow of complete adoration. His expression mirrors hers. In a low, equally as pained breath, he speaks the word permanently etched to his lips. "Rukia…"

Threading her fingers through his soft, unruly mane, Rukia meets his lips with everything that is within her. Why does he always pursue that which is in his midst? Tears fall over the sides of her cheeks before she releases him abruptly.

The sudden, demanding kiss slings the man into stupidity for a couple of seconds where his only reflex is to hold onto her with strength. As she leads him… "Mmmm…" He allows himself to submit to the energy of her soul. Warm, pulsing reiatsu with a soothing weight presses against him.

Soon, be begins to understand her purpose and Ichigo's chest becomes heavy, causing his arms tighten. As a result, he reciprocates with gratitude. Thank you, Beautiful. A terrible sting consumes his eyes.

When she breaks the kiss, he hesitantly retracts his lids. He doesn't want her to see him like this. But, when she starts to speak, he is done for.

With minimal mastery of her voice but the maximum that she can deliver, the woman croaks, "Stop trying to capture me. I am not running from you; I've spent too much time trying to get to you. Just live your life…be who you are. I will always be with you."

Watching his eyes well with tears and his chin eventually begin to quiver, her fingers delicately caress his face. "I will always watch over you. I have watched you from rooftops and telephone poles. I have sat beside you and laid my hands on your face when you believed that you were alone in life…even if I was jealous of every girl you dated."

Though her lips attempt turn up in jest to mask the internal sting of the last comment, they instantly go the opposite direction. Did she say something wrong? "Ichigo?" He was supposed to laugh at her pettiness.

Rukia shouldn't laugh. The fact that he obviously hurt her and broke her heart, is not funny. In truth, he was wrong. Rukia is right for feeling the way she does about it.

Though he thanks the gods for her every day, he feels undeserving of her love. Unable to look her in the eyes any longer, he buries his head between her neck and shoulder. The disgrace causes his lips to move of their own volition and his voice does likewise. "Rukia, I'm sorry…I missed you so badly… Please, forgive me. I will never do that again. I didn't want to date them, Rukia, I didn't. I-I tried to replace you because I was so lonely without you. I just wanted you to come home."

Her mind scrolls back through all of the girls she had seen him with and a waterfall pours down her face. While her heart creaks in pain, oddly, she can envision them all. After a moment of careful analysis, she feels even worse. Wrapping her arms around him, she asks with a heavy, shaking sigh, "Is that why all of them, but one, looked like me?"

Ichigo boroughs his head into her chest to keep her from seeing his eyes and nods. He is so ashamed of what he did; even more so than the first night.

He felt spite, at the time. Now, knowing everything, including how deeply she cared for him and how willingly she accepted him back, the self-disgust is excruciating. "I kept trying to find people who looked or sounded like you, but they didn't. There can never be another you for me. I'm so sorry…for the other girls, for Inoue, for the things I said, yesterday…everything. I never meant to make you cry. I was weak…I just got scared to be alone. I would never hurt you."

"Stop apologizing, this instant. I know you, Berry. I know you were in pain, too; I know that wasn't you. Sometimes, we all do things we aren't very proud of. Others, we detest our very existence. Nothing you can do can me love you any less."

Twisting her legs through his shaking ones, Rukia tilts her head upward and forces down the new lump that is even larger than the last. "I know your intentions."

Rukia feels like a complete fool…a blameworthy fool. Why didn't I notice? She was so angry and jealous, that she couldn't see the forest for the trees. If she had a third hand, she'd hit herself in the head. I was so mean to you.

It takes all of his effort not to sob in front of her. Ichigo swears that his ears can hear his heart screaming. His mind is unable to wrap around how bad he feels deep down in a portion of his soul that he had forgotten existed, making his distressed body tremor in sorrow and failure.

He doesn't know why he is telling her all of this, but he can't stop. He just…can't. "I hated it, so much…so much. Every time…it got worse and worse. I would always think of you when I was with them. What I did to you…" Ichigo can't help feeling like the lowest creature on the planet.

"Shut up, baka." Just like the night he didn't realize that he could see her, it is harder to hear the truth in his grief than it is to hear the anger in his screaming of lies. When Rukia puts herself in his place, she would have come undone, too. She has a normal to go back to. He had nothing.

"I hated you for knowing how weak and despicable I had been but still not hating me. You were supposed to…but you didn't and it just made me feel selfish. Then, I tried to hate you for showing me how awful I was. Please, don't ever be jealous of another woman, Rukia… You are all that I have ever wanted. I wish I could take it all back."

Ichigo failed Rukia as a partner, as a friend and as a person who loves her. He decided to hurt her to prove that she couldn't hurt him. Worse yet, she had nothing wrong. He was taking care of that for both of them.

"Ichigo, don't. I don't hold it against you. At least we have a future. Isn't that what matters most? In two hundred years, I will forget that any of them ever existed. I will only remember what is between us. If you really want me to forgive you, then I need for you to forgive yourself." Clinging to him, Rukia feels his fingers clutch the fabric of her shirt desperately.

Ichigo is trying very hard to reign in his emotions; it is evident in the power of his continuous, tight tremble. Rukia knows that this is horribly embarrassing for him. Two days in a row, she has said something that totally reduced him to ashes. His breathing is sharp, her shirt is wet, and every time he sniffles, she is stabbed in the chest. Her voice carries compassion, yet Rukia speaks with all of the conviction its worn tone can muster. "Ichigo Shujin-sama, Ai shiteru. Wakarimasu ka?"

After the true asshole he has been, he almost wants to answer, 'No,' because he doesn't understand why.

Why Rukia loves him is a mystery. Truthfully, Ichigo will never feel like he doesn't have to work to keep her. It surprises him that she used an arcane word like 'shujin' to refer to him rather than her usual, casual, 'hazu'.

It is even more unsettling, in a heartfelt way.

He accused her of having insecurities? Look at him.

'Shujin' , the lord of the house, humbles him even more. In Soul Society, that is what he would be considered. She may be head of the clan but in matters regarding their private household, in her dimension, he is the head. Rukia understands it and is content to let that be. While Ichigo knows that won't really be true, she is fine with that being the image with the total understanding of how asinine he can be.

Rukia has made such peace with their situation in spite of all of the stupid shit he has done and said. It occurs to him that yome-san has never done her justice.

It goes without saying that Ichigo wouldn't dare say something to the negative, however. The man may not comprehend her reasoning, but he does understand that Rukia loves him. The feeling is more than mutual.

Her scent gradually calms him.

Ichigo promises himself that from here on out, he will do his very best to do right by her, one hundred percent of the time and he will make other people do likewise. Everyone in his radius will pay her the proper respect befitting who she is…his most cherished person…Chibi…

Kurosaki Rukia.

Ichigo will wait for her as long as it takes. If it takes his lifetime to get her back, there will be absolutely no one to even question him about. There will only be Rukia.

Nodding, he quietly answers. "H-hai, wakarimashita, Rukia tsuma-sama. Boku mo Ai shiteru yo."

"I know that you do, Angel, and I'm so grateful. Try to remember that you are as precious to me as I am to you."

After inhaling sharply, to fill his lungs in one breath, he sighs in defeat. "You are the only person I know who makes themselves feel better by making someone else feel better. You have such a good heart, Chibi." He stills himself and lets his heart rate drop.

Rukia allows the silence to linger until Ichigo speaks. His head is still buried; his words mumbled against her. "Can we wait a little while before we go downstairs? I just want to lay here, for a while." It will allow the redness to leave his face before she sees it.

Nodding softly, she replies, "We can do whatever you want." Putting her nose to his field of spiky orange, her lips rest on his crown. "I just want you to be happy, Berry." Rukia truly hopes he is soon to be in a better place.

Unable to keep his eyes away from her face at her words, he looks upward. Though the dark amber is surrounded in an equally saturated dark pink and his skin is blotchy, Ichigo offers her a soft, but sincere, smile to frame his fine whisper. "I am. Arigato."

She looks exhausted. Why do I tell things like this to her? She has her own problems. While he feels better, she probably feels terrible.

Though Rukia is saddened by how weary he looks, she is gratified by the fact that the man she loves more than the entire universe is now unburdened. Gently pressing his head back to her chest, Rukia hums a low tune.

Closing his eyes, Ichigo finds so much comfort in her voice, heartbeat and touch that, with each exchange of air, he becomes more relaxed.

The heavy scent of lavender and pomegranates radiates through the warm cotton.

Thu-thump...thu-thump …

The power of her heart vibrates against his ear, reminding him that Rukia is real in his arms. Putting his leg around her, he shifts his weight as to not crush her; yet feel that he is able to protect her, if he needed to.

That, and he lives to be held by Rukia.

The gentle rise and fall of her chest offers a slight rocking motion with which his breathing automatically falls in time. The skin of his cheeks rests between the softness of her breasts.

Tiny fingers massage his scalp…

I love when you sing to me…

Eventually, Ichigo drifts off to a fine snore.

Fresh tears flow. Rukia's mind recaps the entire conversation. Until a few minutes ago, she was unable to put the entire picture together. The contrition in her heart is real but her devotion to him managed to increase tenfold.

You have always loved me.

She had been blind… She has pushed him away and all he ever wanted was to be near her.

And, stupid… She gave herself the reasons that she was doing the right thing when… Rukia sighs.

This is what I wanted, too.

Ichigo has been her husband long before the title was given to him. He won the right; he has earned it through his blood, sweat and tears.

Though she is a self-sufficient woman, it feels good to know that someone is there to protect you, fight for you, love you and refuse to let you go. Even if you don't want them to do any of those things because you don't feel that you need it.

Or that I am worthy…

Ichigo doesn't think that she is weak. He does all of those things because he wants to.

Securing him protectively to her body, she vows to not ever question his loyalty to her, again.

Shiro comes out to look at the sky. The sun has appeared after a powerful thunderstorm. It is partly cloudy at about eighty-five degrees. The breeze is warm and pleasant. His smile is devoid of its usual wicked mischief.

The air moves around him and he looks down to Zangetsu who is surveying the damage below. "Hey, how many windows got knocked out?"

The addressed man returns, "Quite a few. The wind and hail did not help the cause. How about up there?"

The pale man looks around, shaking his head. "Lots of lightning strikes. This was a really rough one. It has been a while since it was like this."

The older man comes up to meet his counterpart. "It makes you appreciate the weather we have right now." The heat of the sun is warm and relaxing on Zangetsu's face. The wind lifts dark wavy locks.

This is perfect.

"What are we gonna do when Rukia-chan is gone?" Shiro asks, quietly.

In parallel tone, Zangetsu replies, "I don't know."

"Zangetsu?"

"Yes?"

With total seriousness, the hollowed soul states, "I'm worried, man."

An older pair of hands clasp behind their owners back. His voice is distant and concerned. "Me, too, Shiro. Me, too."

"You think Shirayuki's got it this bad?" Okay, so she is a right-fighting pain in the ass like Zangetsu. But, he wouldn't want something to happen to her.

It is one thing to part for a few centuries. He wouldn't want her destroyed and unable to be brought back. She, Zangetsu and he have been together for a long time.

Plus, she is nice when she's not being her bitchy, goody-two shoes self. She's alright to hang out with and she is awesome when they all have to get into fight. When they can visit her world, it's boss because her joint is always clean. Yeah, she kicks his ass a lot, but there is no cooking and he misses three way arguments and spars.

Really, the wench is like a sister to him so, he begrudgingly admits, "I'm worried about her, too."

Shirayuki is important to Zangetsu. She is the balance between them. The woman is a personal friend who he enjoys spending time with to talk, spar and listen to music. It is certainly less boring when she is around.

She is a splendid person.

Shirayuki also makes Shiro keep his pig sty under some level of control. The man is a filthy slob of the greatest proportions.

Zangetsu knows that Shiro misses her, too.

"We must have faith. She and her wielder are strong." Turning his gaze skyward, Zangetsu appends, "It takes more to get them down than it does for us. We are ruled far too much by Ichigo's heart."

The younger looking man gives him a curt nod. "That's why we have to protect them."

Zangetsu returns his movement. "Agreed. Rukia-chan is our most paramount target of protection."

Yesterday

Tatsuki can't keep her mind going any direction other than on what has happened today. She has had her ass kicked twice and that hasn't happened in years. She is going to have to face in-house suspension and a talk with her folks. They aren't going to be happy about that, at all. Then, there's…

Ichigo.

What happened, back there? Is Hime not telling her something? If he and Kuchiki are best friends, why was he so angry? If they were best friends, why did he…

"Hime?"

The addressed girl looks over at her best girlfriend as they make their way down the sidewalk towards their homes. Suki-chan has not been herself for hours. Maybe she's ready to talk.

Responding evenly, Orihime hums her response, "Hmm?"

"Exactly what have you seen Kuchiki and Ichigo do, together?" Has Hime seen them kiss and just blocked it out?

Orihime looks at her with a perplexed expression. "What do you mean?"

"I mean…" Tatsuki doesn't want to implant any ideas in Orihime's mind. Before she mistakenly starts a rumor that would really hurt her best friend's feelings, Tatsuki decides to collect the data first.

"I mean, do they only seem friendly to you? Like, who would you compare their relationship to? Me and Ichigo, you and Ichigo, me and Ishida…" When Tatsuki sees the girl mulling it around, she clarifies, "Do you know what I am asking?"

The auburn-haired girl nods, "Yes, I do. I am just trying to think…" Really, "There isn't one relationship I could compare it to. It's kind of strange." Orihime is not being evasive. It is just that different.

Is Hime avoiding the question? "Give me some examples."

"Um, well, I suppose it would be like…Sado-kun and Kurosaki-kun…"

Tatsuki glances over to the other girl. Ichigo is not kissing Chad. Maybe Orihime doesn't understand-

"And, like Ishida-kun and Kurosaki-kun and like you and Kurosaki-kun…"

Tatsuki blushes in disgusted embarrassment. She would never kiss Ichigo for all of the money in the world. He's like a brother.

Taking a moment, Orihime ponders… "I suppose their relationship is a bunch of relationships pressed together. Sometimes, it even reminds me of me and Ishida-kun."

That gets Tatsuki's attention. Hime maybe oblivious, but Tatsuki is not. Ishida is sweet on Hime. There is no other reason in the world that he would eat the stuff she bakes unless he liked her. He is a polite man, not a push over.

"Really, how so?" The dark-haired girl continues to inquire.

"Well, he walks her home, he looks out for her, he carries her books, and he always opens the door for her-"

Tatsuki stops the train of thought. "Does Ichigo touch Kuchiki, a lot?" Tatsuki thinks that Orihime is getting the idea.

Grey eyes fall on her athletic companion, "Oh, no! Not unless you count them beating each other. They never hug and kiss each other or stuff like that. I don't think Kuchiki-san would ever let a boy kiss her. And, Kurosaki-kun hasn't kissed anyone, at least at school. None of the girls have ever said that he ever went far enough to even hold their hand. He's so shy…"

Orihime's dreamy conclusion is ignored. Did Ichigo and Kuchiki not realize that they were in plain view when they were in the school yard? Her mind goes back to a few weeks ago. "Hime, have you ever seen Kuchiki like…sit on Ichigo's lap?"

"No!" Orihime all but gasps. "Kurosaki-kun wouldn't let someone be that close and Kuchiki-san would be afraid that it wasn't proper or that her ani might find out!"

Tatsuki scowls in confusion. That was not the case on his roof. It didn't seem like either of them cared about anything.

Did Suki-chan and Kurosaki-kun get into an argument? Did she see something?

"Suki, why are you asking all of these questions?" Tatsuki has never wanted to know that much about Kurosaki-kun or Kuchiki-san. It is usually Orihime asking all of the questions.

The dark-haired girl's mind is doing a great deal of processing. There is something wrong with this picture. Is it possible that no one else has seen that side of Ichigo but Tatsuki?

No matter. Tatsuki is going to have to ask Ichigo, directly. If he has feelings for Kuchiki, why keep up the ruse? If he doesn't, what the hell is going on?

"No real reason. Just curious. I was just wondering why Kuchiki got so touchy, today. I must be imagining things." When Orihime nods and replies with a smile, Tatsuki moves to their usual subjects. She doesn't want to attract any more of Hime's curiosity.

No one has seen this but me?

Today

From: Kurosaki Ichigo

To: Arisawa Tatsuki

Call me at lunch. We need to talk.

The girl frowns. They are both out of school, today. After yesterday, he is about to skip out on tonight. He doesn't want Kuchiki's feelings hurt.

Whatever. She is done fighting with Kuchiki, for a while. Tatsuki just doesn't have the energy to keep it up.

The brash young woman stares blankly into her reflection from the black mirror of the phone's screen.

Perhaps she, too, has aided in some of this. Tatsuki didn't want Orihime to just give up on a dream. The softer girl has given up on herself too many times. Her self-esteem doesn't let her forget mistakes of the past. She dwells on them until she can correct them.

Though Tatsuki thought she was helping her friend move on… a terrible fear begins to swell. Could it be that Orihime wants to be with Ichigo more than she should? Does Hime believe that she can correct her mistakes to win him? If so, has Tatsuki been helping Orihime change to be someone she isn't in order to please another person…namely, Ichigo?

On the other side, what does Ichigo really have going on with Kuchiki? Tatsuki thought about it all night. She didn't get any sleep.

His expression was extremely hard, yesterday. He actually shouted at her…and meant it. Ichigo and Kuchiki walked out of here in a way that would normally be uncomfortable for him. He isn't draped over anyone and he isn't one to have others just touching him in that friendly of a way.

What really stood out was how comfortable he was with it…both of them. They moved as it were normal; unrehearsed.

Regardless, if Ichigo is going to bail on them or wants to give her a piece of his mind, he is doing it to her face. The phone is for pansies. Maybe, one on one, she and Ichigo can resolve some things.

"Suki, what's wrong?"

The addressed girl spins around to her best friend with all of the fake happiness in the world. "Ano…Hime…I have to run an errand at lunch. I will be back."

Why is Suki-chan looking so bothered? "I can go with you."

"No!" Immediately correcting herself, Tatsuki lowers her tone. "I mean, no, I am fine. Besides, Ishida said he was looking forward to your cookies."

Orihime smiles widely. "Yes!" At least someone likes her cooking. Then, she becomes somber. "But I can give them to him after school, if you want."

Patting her friend on the shoulder, softly, Tatsuki replies, "No worries, Hime. We'll walk home together."

Tatsuki does her best to pacify her friend.

It is time to settle up.

She doesn't want any extra casualties.

Tatsuki takes a deep breath and rings the doorbell.

She doesn't know what she is expecting to happen, but anything is better than the weird existence they have now. Tatsuki has to know exactly what Kuchiki is to Ichigo. If there is no hope for Hime, she needs to know that.

There is a strong discrepancy between what Tatsuki is told by her best friend and the actions of Ichigo. Hime insists on friendship. Tatsuki wants it from the horse's mouth.

Her ears notice the sound of a deep feminine voice in casual vernacular conversing with a masculine tenor.

Kuchiki and Ichigo.

"Hey, Chibs, get the door."

"Why can't you, Chef Berry-R-Dee?"

"Because I am flipping your pancakes! And, stop watching so much American Television or at least get it right. It's Chef Boy-R-Dee!"

With is Japanese accent, Ichigo's English isn't much more discernible than Kuchiki's.

"No, I had it right, Berry. Should I take your picture and put it on the side of the refrigerator? Maybe I should get you one of those tall hats… Chef Berry-R-Dee."

Honestly, from that comment, Tatsuki wants to laugh. Kuchiki gives Ichigo hell, non-stop. They argue like this when they are alone, too?

"Midget! I can't answer the damned door and deal with this at the same time!" Ichigo sounds irritated, but not angry.

"It's not my fault I am already done with the sausage and you wouldn't let me help with the pancakes." The alto is melodically teasing.

"You kept burning them!"

"Fine, you have a point." The woman laughs with light amusement, a short time before the door opens.

"Kurosaki Reside-" Rukia is stopped cold.

Tatsuki gives her greeter the full once over. Lavender and mint green flannel pants, a white long-sleeved t-shirt, barefoot, a messy ponytail… And, braless? She stayed here all night?

Finally assembling the situation, Rukia crosses her arms over her chest and cocks a brow. "May I help you?"

Standing tall, Tatsuki replies, "Yes. I came to see Ichigo."

"Please, come in." Rukia speaks flatly and steps aside.

"Rukia! Who is it?" The pancakes are ready, and he doesn't hear a lot of conversing going on.

Not taking her eyes off of their guest, Rukia answers him. "Arisawa-san has come to pay us a visit."

"What?" Has Shorty hit her head? "Tatsuki is still in school…"

Once he comes around the corner and sees their company, his face tightens. "Tatsuki. A call would have been fine."

"No, it wouldn't. I would rather talk face to face." Letting her eyes fall briefly on Kuchiki, her sight darts back to the male. "Is there somewhere we can talk in private?"

Rukia rolls her eyes. Whatever. "Let me take your coat." This is now her family's house and she has been taught how to be gracious when it is of good taste.

Yesterday, Arisawa's words held value because Rukia was scared that they were true. Now, she knows that none of it was. Everything has been resolved. If you know the truth, lies are as insignificant as the buzz of an insect; an annoyance, at best.

Rukia only ears Ichigo's voice and no one else's. She has no reason to be in an altercation of false pretenses.

While surprised by Kuchiki's hospitality, Tatsuki is not going to start a mess in Ichigo's family home.

Ichigo blinks for a few minutes. What is this about? "Sure. We can go up to our bedroom." Catching Rukia's sight, he adds, "We'll be right back. You can start eating without me."

The woman nods and motions to walk past him, when he grabs her arm. Leaning down to gently peck her lips, says lowly, "Hey, I'm sorry. I'll only be a minute."

Returning the gesture and sweeping his bangs out of his eyes, she replies, "Take your time. I can watch Chappy for a while."

Tatsuki does a double-take. Did he say 'our' room?

What the fuck is going on? Who are these people and what happened to the other Kurosaki and Kuchiki? This mushy…sappy…EWWWW!

They are not friends.

After a swift press to her temple, he lets her go and he turns back to his stupefied guest. With a cocky chuckle, he can't help his smart-assed comment. "What? Haven't you ever seen a guy kiss a girl before?"

And, that confirmed it. Tatsuki's cheeks are stained with embarrassment. Seeing Ichigo kiss anybody is unnatural. "Can we just go to your room, already? I have somewhere to be."

Climbing the steps in front of her, Ichigo comments, "And, I have someone to be with. So, we both have a reason to get on with this."

Her retort is sharp. "Well, I'm sorry that a friend is such an inconvenience."

His is equally so. "No, you're not. I said 'call', not 'visit'." He can feel the negative energy radiating from her, but pays it zero attention. "You were just nosy." Opening the door to his and Rukia's room, he lets Tatsuki in and adds snidely, "Did you see what you wanted?"

Only meeting his eyes for two seconds after his comment, his companion breezes past him and into the room. Something is different about Ichigo. This isn't the playful banter of the boy she knew.

Who is this person? You seem so…old.

The room smells…different. It smells like…Kuchiki! She has been in here a lot. Tatsuki turns about the room and sees two laundry baskets. One, with underclothes…boxer briefs next to bras and panties.

No way.

Finding herself needing to do so immediately, Tatsuki prepares to sit on the bed and Ichigo interjects immediately. "Not on that." Turning the desk chair out, he commands, "Sit."

Crossing her legs in the chair and folding her arms across her chest, her voice carries a snarky tone. "I'm surprised Kuchiki lets that slide."

Positioning himself on the bed with his arms behind him for support, he gives her a deadly look. "She doesn't have to. Rukia sits anywhere she wants."

Taking his expression as a challenge, she asks, "So, is Kuchiki your girlfriend?" In the interest of time and their basic nature, Tatsuki decides to get to heart of the matter.

The man raises a brow. "I wouldn't say that."

The woman lets out a sarcastic snigger. "Let me guess…your best friend." Still with the bullshit.

Ichigo matches her tone. "That, too; amongst many other things." He will tell her shortly. However, it feels really good to be unabashedly open about it.

"Look, jackass, I didn't come here to fight or do a cute little dance with you." Even when they were kids, Ichigo would play coy with her when he really wanted to tell something. If he was going to eventually give her the answer, he would playfully make Tatsuki work for it by making her angry. If he wasn't going to give you anything, he'd just tell you to fuck off.

Ichigo is dying to say it. This is not a good sign.

In that case, Tatsuki is going to make him tell her why.

The man snorts. "That's good 'cause you were never my type." Ichigo knows that will annoy her. He and Tatsuki are as platonic as you can get without being blood related.

Tatsuki smolders. You ass. "I'm glad we still agree on some things. You were never mine, either. But, I have to ask; what about Orihime? Why have you never asked her out?"

What? "Where the hell did that come from?" He abruptly brings his posture upright.

"You could have at least spent some time with her, over the last two years. She did follow you everywhere, for fuck's sake!" Why does he look so irritated?

"I did spend time with her and all of my other friends!" He knows damned well Tatsuki was with them when they all went out.

"No, I mean since you asked all of those other girls out on a date and never once Hime! That is insulting to her! You skipped right over her and went to Kuchiki!"

"Tatsuki! Inoue is not for me! I don't have to date her to find that out! She doesn't even look me in the eye!" Enough with Inoue! Are you just nuts?

Seriously? "Did you not notice that she was shy? It is hard for her to make friends!" Oh, my gods! Is Ichigo really that dense?

"Exactly! She's scared of me, she's too soft, she would NEVER argue with me," he begins rolling his eyes for emphasis, "and I would be SO bored I'd want to gouge my eyes out! I wouldn't be able to wait for death so I could be free of her and could only hope that Rukia isn't married by the time I cross over to the other side! Inoue is a friend, but that is ALL she will ever be!"

The woman gasps in insult for her best friend. How dare he say that about someone as perfect as Hime? She's beautiful, smart and caring! She'd be a wonderful mother!

Ichigo has no right to say that about her.

He doesn't give a damn how mad Tatsuki gets because he's not having it. "She reminds me of Yuzu! I love my imouto-sans but I don't want to marry them! Besides, you act like I am this outgoing guy! For your information, I have only asked one girl out and she is downstairs, right now! Inoue isn't foolish enough to think otherwise, is she? " She better not. He doesn't want to hurt her feelings, but there is no way…

Wow… This is not the Kurosaki Ichigo she once knew. He really hates the idea of being with Orihime that much? Recovering to not divulge her best friend's private thoughts, she throws in, "No! Of course not. I am just asking because it looks terrible. Who is your type, by the way? Kuchiki?"

"You're damned right." His tone is very unfriendly.

With a laugh of confirmation, she spouts, "So, she is your girlfriend."

Pinning his eyes to hers, he annunciates clearly and distinctly. "No. She is going to be my wife. We are getting married, this summer."

The woman gasps, again and lets her mouth gape before she attempts to stutter. "W-what? Ichigo! What did she get you into?" What has Kuchiki done?

"I asked her…no…begged her to marry me. With some solid convincing, she finally said 'yes'. I almost lost her, thanks to you."

"You aren't even eighteen or out of high school, yet! Nobody gets married this early, anymore! What if she saddles you with a baby? You'll be stuck with her! Are you crazy? In case you haven't noticed, she's dead!"

Amber orbs narrow. It really grates him when people try to bring him up to speed regarding the reality that Rukia is not of this world. He knows that and has accepted it. It hardly even crosses my mind. Ichigo's father is dead… "And, so am I."

Tatsuki's eyes are blinking with speed. Her next gasp almost steals the air from the room. Though she doesn't necessarily know what his next statement means, she knows it isn't good.

"My soul chain was cut. At this point, my body is a glorified gigai. Eventually, I will leave it behind to be with Rukia in Soul Society. But, her technical mortality status doesn't matter to me."

It mattered once; Ichigo questioned if Rukia belonged here. Strangely, it was a talk with Inoue that changed his mind.

Truthfully, he is glad that it turned out this way because they have more time together than normal humans. And, I would rather be shinigami. He has something to look forward to when he Rukia become bored of this life.

Further, she would never try to hold him back. Midgie gave him more than enough space…Ichigo doesn't want or need it. "Besides, Rukia is more alive than ninety-nine percent of the people I know. She tried to stay out of the way and let me date other people. I chose not to. When she came back, I was done with the acting. If you knew anything about me and Rukia and the several other times that she has lived here, you'd know that I'd be more likely to saddle her with a baby."

Ichigo knows that mental vision just made Tatsuki want to throw up, but she needs to get a picture of how serious he is about Rukia.

Really, if he thought that was the only way to keep Chibs here, it'd be done. He'd work his ass off to provide for them.

Tatsuki goes white. The woman's face looks as if she has heard Ichigo fart in temple. She is shocked…and appalled. Ichigo…and…Kuchiki…procreating? Oh…Hime was way off.

Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, he starts his somber soliloquy. "Listen to me. I am in love with Rukia. As soon as it is legally possible, we are having a wedding. She lives at this address, in this house, in this room and sleeps in this bed, with me. I am tired of hiding it from people. I have her ani's permission so I don't have to, anymore. I am not dating anyone else, I am not considering anyone else and I don't want anyone else. She deserves better than I have allowed to go on.

Disrespect to her is disrespect to me. She loves me, and has put up with a lot of things. It is not to happen any further. Don't pick any more fights with her and if you lock her in the shower again, we will have a real problem. She could have gotten hurt in there with no way out." Rukia told him about it while he was brushing his teeth and he nearly choked on toothpaste. Rukia stopped him from calling Tatsuki right then; he was extremely angry.

If something had happened to Rukia and she would have been seriously injured, the level of strain between he and Tatsuki would have been untenable; if he would have been able to forgive her, at all. It should never happen.

"But, bottom line? She is going to be with me for a very long time. Get over it."

His oldest friend finds her mind reeling. What the hell? "She's only been here a couple of months. When did all of this happen?" Her voice is distant and disbelieving.

Ichigo removes the edge from his voice. He is soft but serious. "A long time ago. Tatsuki, if you keep upsetting her, you and I can't be friends. I don't want her to feel like I would commiserate with someone who hates her. She's a good person with a kind heart. I sincerely love her, Tatsuki and I honestly know that she feels the same way about me. But, I don't want to lose you as a friend, either. I care about you and I hate that it has come to this, but there is no other choice. Please, don't make me do something I don't want to."

Tatsuki is still in shock. The woman's head aches and her mind is on tilt. How did she not see this coming? The unambiguous ultimatum makes her lungs feel constricted.

Ichigo would choose Kuchiki over me; his oldest friend? Would Ichigo truly consider abandoning their friendship?

A small voice echoes in her conscious.

He already has.

Tatsuki suddenly feels claustrophobic. The room is too tight for both she and Ichigo. All of the air has been removed by Ichigo and replaced by the scent of Kuchiki.

I need to leave.

Suddenly standing, Tatsuki pops out of her chair. "I have to get back to school." Going towards the door, Ichigo casually follows her.

He can tell that she is frazzled. That is a lot of information and she is probably dying to tell someone. So what, if she does?

As they descend the stairs, he states, "Oh, by the way, we aren't coming tonight. We're going to the springs, this weekend." Though he does not receive a reply, he doesn't find it unusual since she is almost running.

Sitting on the sofa with folded legs, watching television and stuffing her face, Rukia whips her head around to the sudden noise. Swallowing quickly, she attempts to raise herself off of the couch. It was loud up there, for awhile, but it didn't sound too crazy. "Let me get your coat for you, Arisawa-san."

"No, no, Kuchiki-san. I can find my way out." With haste, Tatsuki puts on her outer garments and rips the door open. Stopping before she walks outside, staring at the street, Tatsuki speaks with the joyless acceptance of certain facts. "Congratulations, Ichigo…Kuchiki-san."

The door closes quietly in her departure.

Tatsuki is walking as fast as she can, without running. Not only does she need to get back to school but…

Hime.

What is she going to tell Orihime? It doesn't matter what her best friend does, how she acts or who she becomes; Ichigo is out of her reach.

Regardless of how unpleasant and painful this is going to be, Tatsuki must tell her friend something. It is the only right thing to do. Hime cannot live for what can never be. It is not what either of them would have preferred, but no matter how implausible, this is the truth.

Though her steps are quick and light, they feel heavy and restrictive.

It is not every day that you have to contemplate doing something that you never wanted to.

Tatsuki will have to break the heart of someone she loves dearly.

Dream another dream, Hime. This one is over.