Monday, September 23, 2002

Rukia wasn't entirely sure how long it'd been since Ichigo had briefly woken her to let her know he was getting up but she'd tried not to linger in bed too long after. Their schedules seemed to be diverging a little since he consistently had to get up early and she wasn't really a morning person by nature. She didn't like that drift in the slightest and if she had to get up around when he did to bring them back into alignment then she would. She opened her bedroom door, dressed for the day in a relatively sober and conservative dress, only to immediately stop as she found Kūkaku waiting for her in the sitting area.

The elder of the surviving Shiba siblings had made a greater effort than usual to look presentable: her mane of hair had been put into a rough sort of order and she had dressed relatively restrained given the occasion and the weather—she was wearing a thin black sweater and a medium-length skirt, having decided she didn't much like pants. Upon sighting the Shinigami she fixed her with an open but meaningful look and held it for a time before glancing to an empty chair, making her intentions clear.

After a moment's hesitation Rukia made her way to the indicated seat, sitting down. She glanced at her counterpart before looking away.

"Do you remember what I told you the last time we met?" Kūkaku eventually asked. She didn't really want to go back over it but from the look she'd gotten on her arrival she felt it needed to be addressed. She'd wondered if Isshin hadn't deliberately concealed their visit for exactly that kind of effect and this kind of conversation—he'd never liked ordering people to do things and could be sneakier than one would at first think. That after so long an absence he was suddenly maneuvering things around was proof of the same.

"Yes," Rukia said quietly. She knew better than to say 'sorry' again. She also knew that despite her words and penchant for brevity, Kūkaku still hurt at Kaien's loss even more than she did, if differently.

"Good, then I won't repeat it," the Shiba leader said, looking her way. "I know you liked him," she stated.

The petite Shinigami blinked and turned to her with a touch of shock.

"It's one thing to be guilty about something and it's another to bear that guilt along for such a long time and so blatantly," Kūkaku explained. She knew that Kaien had been faithful to Miyako but she also knew that he had regarded Rukia as something more than a subordinate or a kōhai—he had seemed to view her as not only a friend but as a kind of apprentice and had been genuinely interested in her well-being. "In his own way he liked you too. He thought of you like a protégé. He'd talk about you sometimes when he came over to visit us. He had a lot of hope for and faith in you," she continued.

"Why are you—" Rukia whispered, not sure what to make of it. She hadn't known that he'd spoken of her to them but . . .

"He'd be proud of how you turned out," Kūkaku said decisively, making eye contact with the her. She didn't know many of the particulars other than that Rukia had Kaien's former position, but she had three mental impressions of her affect and reiatsu output and that was enough to make a conclusion. She seemed much sturdier than she had been when they'd last met and she was vastly more powerful than when they'd first met. "He'd also be proud to know you helped and were helped by another Shiba," she said after a beat, glancing downstairs and not referring to Ganju.

Rukia stared.

"I know how he was about things, so I know he probably told you about 'heart'. Considering what we're here to do . . . well, in his case I don't have to visit a grave. What happened . . . happened . . . so just keep on." the Shiba clan leader concluded. The words for what she wanted to say didn't really exist and so she decided to leave most of it to inference.

Rukia suddenly looked away.

Kūkaku blew out a breath and glanced aside before once more looking at the woman who seemed certain to be her future cousin-in-law. With how much they were sure to wind up interacting with and having to trust one another because of that, it just wasn't possible to hold onto things. Bygones had to be bygones. "That's enough about the past," she said less weightily, "Things will get complicated in the future. We'll talk about that later, but I want you to know we've got your back."

The raven-haired Shinigami's gaze returned, confused and surprised as she realized that this was the Shiba woman's way of declaring it was truly water under the bridge and that she should let it go.

Kūkaku let her trademark smirk back onto her face. "Anyway, I'm glad it seems Ichigo's better at cooking than kidō. He almost blew my house up, you know." It wasn't lost on her that if someone as stubborn as Ichigo was doing domestic work then Rukia wasn't the only one who'd gone through changes.

Rukia carefully put what they'd just discussed aside for the time-being. "Yuzu-chan is a really great teacher, but maybe we should check in on him just to make sure?" she suggested after a moment, testing a small smirk in response.

"Yeah, maybe," Kūkaku replied, letting her own expression become a bit arrogant and standing to do exactly that.

They went downstairs together, finding Ganju was already at the breakfast bar trying to offer Ichigo cooking advice he'd picked up from things 'Hawk' Taichi had said. The orange-haired teenager looked like he was going to snap but was trying his best to be polite.


Ichigo, Rukia, Karin, Yuzu, Isshin, Kūkaku, and Ganju arrived at the nearby cemetery during a light rain, the couple sharing a single large umbrella and having provisioned the latter two with their spares from Tokyo. It had been and was projected to be overcast and cloudy the entire day. It made for a marked contrast with the previous day's sunshine and seemed to fit the tone of the occasion. They stood before Masaki's gravestone in a tight cluster. There were some other people scattered about paying respects to their own departed.

There was no need to clean the gravestone or its surroundings as that was all seen to by the caretakers of the cemetery. The weather made burning incense, offerings of food, and pouring water over the gravestone unnecessary or impractical, and the need to hold umbrellas made traditional prayer difficult. They stood in solemn silence with their thoughts instead.

Since the Kurosaki family had never really celebrated ohigan before, the Shiba were unaware of it, and Rukia's knowledge was vague, before setting out together they'd briefly reviewed what it was genuinely about other than the reverence for one's ancestors and relatives, which was something of a Shintō twist. Ohigan meant the 'other shore' and as a whole was concerned with transitions—the changing of the seasons, the transition from life to death, and the journey from a world of suffering and illusions to one of liberation and enlightenment, as embodied by six haramitsu, or pathways: generosity, right conduct, endurance, endeavor, meditation, and wisdom. That had been as far as they'd gotten when Karin and Kūkaku had become frustrated with how grim and dour it all sounded.

Ichigo had his farther arm from Rukia crossed over his stomach to hold the umbrella between them as his nearer hand was holding hers. He was thinking back on his memories of his mom through the lens of what his dad had told them. It was strange to think that she had always been an incredibly strong Quincy under it all, but somehow he could see it. When his thoughts turned to what she'd think of Rukia though, they were perfectly clear and required no effort to parse: I know you'd love her, especially because of how much I do . . . He also reflected on how some of the six haramitsu reminded him of things they'd said to one another since being reunited. Not that it was enlightenment he was seeking . . .

Rukia held onto his hand securely as she tried to picture the woman in the photographs and in Ichigo and Isshin's stories. I never knew you, and I know I never will, but I want you to know I care about your son more than anything and I . . . She had also noticed the same things he had about the nature of the holiday as it related to them, and spent some time wondering at it.

Everyone else's thoughts were their own.

No one really noticed the sound of slowly approaching footsteps until they stopped behind them all.

"I didn't know you celebrated today," Isshin offered with a bit of humor, discerning exactly who was behind them without needing to look

"You're one to talk," Ryūken replied dryly. The Kurosaki family had never come to visit her during ohigan and he had never gone to visit her on the anniversary—it had worked and seemed to suit both parties fine.

Everyone else turned to look at him. All were somewhat confused except Rukia, who knew why he was there. He had gone for a more subdued suit for once, although his shirt reflected his preference for white clothing. He was also carrying an umbrella.

The Last Quincy felt no need to explain himself and just closed his eyes while paying his respects, able to figure out why they were being less than traditional and guessing at who the two new additions were.

After a moment everyone else returned as they had been, Ichigo giving Rukia a small perplexed look as he noticed her absence of any surprise.

She gave him a glance that indicated she'd tell him later. She hadn't learned terribly much from the elder Quincy she hadn't known already but she could at least explain his presence there.

It was a minute or so thereafter that another pair of approaching footfalls could be heard above the muffling effect of the rain and they all turned to see who it was. Only Ryūken wasn't surprised.

Ishida glanced from his father to Ichigo and Rukia, from them to the Shiba, and then to the gravestone and back, deciding not to make any comment on the things he inferred as he approached, simply taking up a place and quietly paying his respects. He too had his own umbrella.

Only a few seconds passed before Isshin let out a small chuckle and said "Dear, you're drawing a lot of attention this year—it must be all the good news afoot." He knew she wouldn't have been one for such a sober occasion.

Karin shot him a glare.

Ichigo and Rukia didn't react other than to squeeze at each others' hands.

Ryūken glanced to Ishida in such a way as to catch his attention before turning and starting to walk off, saying only "We have another visit to make."

Ishida blinked before taking on a mildly chagrined expression and following along. It was as he was leaving that he gave Masaki's gravestone one last look and noticed the date on the side of it that detailed when it had been placed. He kept his eyes from betraying anything at what seemed like a very unlikely coincidence as a lot of other things suddenly clicked into place.

The Shiba, the Kurosaki family, and the lone Kuchiki watched them go before exchanging glances, staying for awhile more before deciding to go their own way. There was only so long one could stand in the rain being morose and contemplative, even in solidarity with family.


They all wound up back at the Kurosaki household for lunch, family activities, and dinner. It had been decided to split the events up by day to share the burden of the eventual cleanup. Yuzu had used most of the morning to work on preparing food for them all. They ate, talked, played games, and did their best to learn about one another and come together as a family in celebration. Each of them—even Kūkaku and Ganju, from what little they'd heard from Isshin—had the sense that was truly how Masaki would've wanted to be remembered.


It was well after dinner and deep into the evening when Ichigo and Rukia left with Kūkaku and Ganju to head back home.

Ichigo found something bothering him and realized it was how long his elder cousin had requested they be allowed to stay. "Hey, Kūkaku-san, why two nights . . . ?"

"Because I didn't want to ruin your plans with too much serious talk and wanted to see if you'd just trust in what I asked of you," the Shiba clan head replied plainly. She actually intended to stay longer but there was no reason to bother her family with that as she could just impose on Yoruichi instead. Ichigo's shower was really nice though . . .

Ichigo blinked and glanced to Rukia. She once more seemed to know something he didn't and he found himself wondering if they'd already talked about Kaien. Had it been that morning before they'd come down together?

She gave him another look that communicated she'd explain and took on a somewhat guilty expression as she realized how many small things she just hadn't told him.

"Don't worry, dandelion, we already have everything squared away regarding your training tomorrow!" Ganju offered.

"I'm not going to be training with you, am I?" Ichigo deadpanned, making it clear what he thought of the idea as he was distracted from attending to Rukia.

"No, but don't say that so cruelly, cousin!" Ganju shot back, glaring at him.

They continued to bicker with one another while Rukia and Kūkaku just listened with growing amusement, both of them deciding to take the diversion instead of dwelling on what the latter had meant by 'serious talk'.


Rukia turned off the last light as she joined Ichigo on her bed, sitting down beside where he lay. "I'm sorry I haven't told you certain things, I just haven't wanted to trouble you with them," she confessed after only a few seconds.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it," he said earnestly. He didn't question her honesty or forthrightness; they were just small things she seemed to know something about before he did. She always thought things through more than he did anyway, so it always seemed possible she just figured stuff out that he hadn't. It wasn't something worth worrying over or being upset with her for.

"I . . . went to go talk to both Ishida and his father after we learned the truth about your powers," she admitted.

"I talked with Ishida too," he said, not understanding why she felt guilty about having done so herself. He found one of her hands and took it in his.

"The reason they were there today is . . . Ishida-san and your mother apparently always regarded one another as cousins, although they were much more distantly related than that. It would seem Ishida has decided to accept that at face value," she said. She didn't really want to intrude upon or betray the nature of his relations with his friends if she could help it, but it was impossible to otherwise explain their attendance.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow and looked at her rather disbelievingly in the darkness. The Shiba were one thing, but the Ishida too? Given Byakuya would eventually be his brother-in-law, and after he'd tacitly acknowledged Yoruichi and Urahara the way he had . . . exactly how quickly was his extended family going to keep growing?

Rukia didn't notice and continued on, saying "Yoruichi didn't really tell me everything but you should know that your next instructor is going to be the former."

"What?" he asked with mild incredulity. He still had no interest in archery.

"She said he knew something you needed to and that it'd fit with your interests. That's all I know," Rukia said with pained honesty. There were a lot more mysteries than she liked in Yoruichi's training program but she'd decided she trusted the woman and so she'd simply accepted that.

He contemplated it for a short while before gripping her hand and asking "Did Kūkaku already say something to you?"

"Yes . . . she told me that Kaien would be proud of me. And you," she replied quietly.

He slowly pushed himself up at that, sitting beside her. "Is something like that really bothering you so much?" he asked softly.

"I . . ." she trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"You remember the last time we were at that cemetery?" he asked after awhile.

She just nodded and he knew somehow.

"I know you were listening when I asked my dad why nobody blamed me for what happened to my mom, and I know you heard what he said," Ichigo continued, "It sounds like . . . that's the kind of thing Kūkaku was trying to tell you."

Rukia turned toward him then, pushing close. She didn't have the heart to say that in a way Kaien had told her that himself, she had just never wanted to hear it. After all the time that had passed and everything that had happened, she still had trouble hearing it.

He got his arms around her and held her tightly.

They stayed together for a long time before she started pull away. "Sorry, I'm being selfish right now, this isn't—" she began. The day wasn't supposed to be about her problems and to end it in that way . . .

He leaned down and kissed her tenderly to cut her off, keeping her in his arms.

She protested mildly at first against his mouth and made a halfhearted effort to pull free, but soon relented and joined in with it.

Ichigo soothed her with his hands while holding it, just wanting her to know through touch that she was loved.

Rukia eventually broke it off and sank against him, her hands finding his shoulders and gripping them as she understood what he was doing. She leaned against him silently for another very long interval before sitting up to kiss him more firmly in appreciation.

He tried doing the same in return, putting all other thoughts out of mind.

She lightly bit his lower lip in reply before turning her head farther, wanting and needing more of his affection at that moment.

He took her invitation and French kissed her, taking his time and being patient. He knew instinctually that she was vulnerable and didn't at all want to exploit it, but he likewise knew he had to comfort her.

She let out a quiet moan against his tongue to encourage him and it was a long time before they ended it for air.

Ichigo made a snap decision then and moved back from her for a second, pulling off the t-shirt he had on so he was left with only his boxers. With how frequently and the ways in which they were around one another there was no question of their trust in each other. He'd already seen her and felt her and he knew she needed to feel secure and wanted, and he needed to help her, and so there was simply no room for distance or thin layers of fabric—both had to go. "I'm not—I just have to be closer to you," he whispered as he tossed his shirt aside before getting next to her again. He didn't want her to misinterpret him but she also had to understand . . .

Rukia began to say "Ichigo—" only to stop as he pressed a finger to her lips. Her eyes became a bit wide as she tried to read his expression or body language in the dark but he was already playing at her jawline and neck as she was still trying to catch her breath. She finally just kissed his finger.

Removing his digit, he took the bottom hem of her pajama top in both hands, slowly pulling it up.

She blushed slightly but helped, throwing it away, only to blush more as he carefully took off her pajama pants in the same way, leaving her in just her panties. She wasn't used to him being so assertive about such things and she was more than a touch embarrassed to find that she liked it.

He pulled her close again so she was against him and resumed playing at her neck, basking in the feeling of her skin against his.

After a moment she brought her hands up onto his chest, tracing the outlines of his muscles. Once she felt she had her breathing back under control she kissed him deeply, taking her turn.

Ichigo played with her tongue while also bringing his hands up to brush his fingertips across her front as she had with him, making sure not to linger too long in any one place or to tease in any fashion.

Rukia let him until he moved his hands away for a moment, pressing against him to wordlessly restrict access—she understood the limit he'd set and was willing to abide by it, but she was more sensitive than he was. She let out a noise of surprise as his hands found purchase on her rear instead but continued to explore his mouth.

They continued for a time until eventually she was on her back with his face against her neck, most of his torso draped over her. He'd made very sure that where he might've marked her with love bites fell below the collar of her uniform.

She had her arms and legs around him and had buried her face in his hair, clinging to him.

"You're not going to be able to fall asleep like that," he said without teasing, gently massaging her sides and trying to get her to relax.

"Shut up, fool," she whispered back with barely restrained attachment. She was beset by a maelstrom of different feelings and was only really certain in the physical presence of his heft and warmth.

Ichigo suddenly felt guilty. Had he gone too far? He tried once more to comfort and reassure her, abruptly much less confident than he had been.

Rukia sensed the shift in his mood from his body language and constricted her grip, holding onto him as tightly as she possibly could. She brought a hand up into his hair and grasped there, pulling his head back so they were face to face, just barely able to see reflections glinting off of his eyes. "I love you, Ichigo," she whispered to him, her voice as sincere as she could make it.

"Rukia, you're really, really beautiful . . . Not your gigai, not your spirit body, not your singing . . . you . . . are so beautiful . . ." he replied in a hushed voice, putting his adoration and reverence for her on full display in his tone.

Her expression became impossibly soft and she closed her eyes, shifting a little so her forehead was against his, slowly easing her grip and starting to use her hands to calm him in turn. As she did so she made up her mind about something—not for the first time she hadn't really wanted for them to stop, guests or not, and if they could be together in such a way as they were right then, then she . . . she was ready, and she wouldn't make him wait long.

"I love you," he continued, trying to mollify her with renewed focus. The things he whispered to her then weren't sweet nothings, because there wasn't any nothingness to them—they were all things she needed to hear about what she meant to him.

Rukia slowly settled under his litany and eventually pulled him to her one final time, moving his head back to her neck and finalizing her grasp on him as she felt herself start to fall away, feeling secure against him.

Ichigo kept on until he was sure she was asleep before sinking against her.


A/N: I won't have another chapter ready to go by tomorrow and it's almost January 14th in Japan anyway, so happy birthday, Rukia! Special thanks to jcampbellohten for offering to look for technical faults—my writing isn't perfect and if any of you see errors feel free to point them out!

Although it was established in the first chapter, I'm going to address something pertinent to the current chapter since it won't wind up being discussed because it's something the characters know or can infer from how others act. A lot of people in the Bleach fandom assume souls eaten by Hollows are destroyed. Given how big a deal it is that Quincy destroy souls, this strikes me as unlikely—Hollows would receive much higher priority if that was true because that'd definitely upset the balance of souls. The more obvious conclusion is they're locked in a Hollow in some fashion until it's purified or destroyed—if the latter, maybe they're also destroyed, hence why Quincy are a really big problem from the Shinigami perspective. Basically, Hollows are a convenient if dangerous dense soul storage mechanism that can be broken open when necessary.Souls consumed in such a way could either be sent to Soul Society or directly reincarnated, it's not clear. My inclination is toward the latter.

For the purposes of this story, Masaki would've been released when Grand Fisher was eliminated by Isshin while Kaien would've been back when he perished. (My view is Metastacia didn't consume his soul but it doesn't really matter given even if it did, Rukia terminated Aaroniero.) The short of it is, their essence goes on but they as individuals are gone.