That little witch was teasing him; sitting on his desk with her legs spread ever so, that grey pleated skirt riding just a bit high on her thighs. Enough that he could see a hint of thin, sheer red lace hidden between; the minx was wearing a g-string. Specifically, the one he often tore off with his teeth.
"See something you like there carrot top?" He could hear her growing smile, and though he tried to look away, for his eyes to be anywhere but the temptation between her legs. But it was harder than he cared to admit; with her spreading her legs further and further apart he was given an uninterrupted view of her clearly soaked, freshly shaven mound.
"Stop trying to tempt me woman, it's not going to work."
"Are you sure about that Ichigo; all I want is their names, why is that so hard for you to give me?" Her question was asked in the sultriest voice she could muster; he wanted to give in, so badly, but the surprise would be worth it.
"I just like keeping you on edge."
She wasn't fond of his answer; her legs closing and a pout taking hold. "Come on Ichigo, why can't you?"
"Because this is much to fun; besides now you know how I feel not knowing what you and Karin are up to."
"Ugh" she leant back "you're impossible."
"And yet you still love me."
"Yeah, still don't know why."
Ichigo rolled his eyes and let his hand rest on her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. "How are things with your friends?"
"The guys taking it in stride, I think it helps that I'm open with them about everything."
"Everything?" He asked cocking an eyebrow "well not everything" a knowing grin taking hold of her lips. "but when they ask how I'm doing or what we did yesterday I'm fairly open about it, I think it helps them to trust you."
"And Renji?"
Rukia let out a sigh "he hasn't talked to me since Saturday, I've tried texting him, calling him, and talking to him at lunch but he just ignores me. I'd get it if it were just about you being our teacher, but I think it's more than that; he looks at me like I've done him wrong. Like I've cheated on him or something. I'm angry, sad, and frustrated and I just don't fucking know which one is justified."
"All of them are, he's hurt you, it's fine to feel however you do."
She smiled at his words "look who's taking over the job as my therapist" "if the shoe fits" his joke worked to lighten her mood, but all too soon she fell once again into a dour mood.
"What if he tells my brother?"
"If he tells Byakuya it'll be awkward, but I promise I'll be able to keep you from going back there, going back with him, I'll always be able to protect you from him."
"How can you be so sure Ichigo, he's a very powerful man."
He just smiled "you trust me, right?" "Of course, but what does that have anything to do with this?" "You'd be surprised" he answered with a smile "but you'll see."
He could see she was skeptical, but she didn't question him.
"We've still got half an hour before lunch is over."
"So?" She asked "so you won't be able to use the excuse of the festival for much longer."
"Ichigo, you're not suggesting what I think you are?" She sounded almost horrified that his inner pervert was coming out and he didn't care. "What, you're not going to sit there and pretend you didn't wear the skimpiest underwear you have just to flash me."
"That's different Ichigo, what if we get caught?"
"You'll just have to be quiet then won't you" she wanted this just as much as he did; there wasn't a word out of her as he left his desk to lock the door. By the time he made it back that little string of fabric that counted as her underwear was already around an ankle.
With a sly smile he parted her legs and tried to get between them, just to be stopped by her hand "wait… wait" she looked concerned "I just… meeting more of your family, this means we're more serious right?"
"Rukia where is this coming from? And now of all times."
"Just answer me Ichigo."
"I've been serious about you this whole time Rukia, but I guess this would be a step forward for us wouldn't it."
"Do you think we could talk after everyone leaves?"
"Rukia is everything alright?"
"Yeah, I'm just… I'm just happy. Now" her legs slowly wrapped around his waist "I hope you have an idea on how you plan to keep me quiet."
"I have a few" he uttered before claiming her lips.
…
"Ichigo, we need a table."
"How many times are you going to tell me that?"
"I'll keep repeating it till we get one, do you have any idea how cramped it's going to be?"
"Hey just be thankful my one cousin and his wife had to cancel, there's only six of us now that island should be more than enough." He was too busy with the stir-fry to notice her childish display; sticking her tongue out at him still brought satisfaction though.
"I get it you two like each other, now can you stop bickering like an old married couple for five minutes; it's giving me a headache."
It seemed as though Ichigo and her had the same idea, looking to each other and rolling their eyes at his sister's words.
Now, contrary to Karin's earlier distant attitude she had become a welcome addition to their dinner routine. She liked to help out in small ways, set the table, stir the dish while they prepared something else.
Right now she leant against the counter, far enough away from Ichigo and eyeing up a bowl of fruit.
"You know Karin you'll probably act like this someday."
The younger girls face contorted into one of disgust "I will never act like you two."
"Are you sure?" Rukia asked "not even for Toshiro?"
"Well… I… ugh…" her stuttering was cute.
"Maybe you'll date for a couple years, he'll propose and you'll get married in a big church."
"Hold up there midget, don't let those fantasies of yours run wild. I still haven't gotten used to the idea of her dating yet and you're throwing marriage into the equation; a man can only take so much."
"Yeah Rukia, I think you might be more into the idea than I am." Contrary to their beliefs she was just having fun, both of them were just too embarrassed by her words; tomatoes couldn't compare to their redness. The laughter just started bubbling out of her, starting as a snort before turning into a fit of laughter.
"You two… are… too easy."
"There's no need to scare us like that midget!"
"Please Ichigo, this is my main source of entertainment."
"I guess Chappy the rabbit has started to lose its luster then? It is a kids show I'd expect you to grow out of that stupid stuff at some point" Ichigo fired back at her.
The fork in her hand, ready to be placed beside a plate, was now being carelessly brandished at her boyfriend "don't belittle the bunny Ichigo." He squealed as the cold steel of the tongs pressed into his side "y-yes ma'am."
Much to Ichigo's relief her fury was interrupted by an incessant, demanding banging on their door. "I'll get that" much to her dissatisfaction he left her side and quickly headed for the door, but, the moment she heard the lock click out of place the door was thrown open.
It all happened in slow motion; Ichigo stumbled back, then, a flash of red. Renji was here and he was rushing though their apartment, reaching for her, but Ichigo was quick. He'd recovered and took hold her red headed friend, grabbing his arm and pulling him back at the last second, throwing him into a wall.
There was a wheeze followed by constant gasps as the redhead tried to regain his breath.
Then, from the chaos he emerged from the hallway and into their home, head held high, long black hair flowing over his shoulders; dressed in what was most likely a steel grey Italian suit that cost about as much as their apartment. "You, get the hell out of my home! And you!" Ichigo turned to Renji, aggressively grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, throwing him towards her brother "follow his example."
"You're in no position to make demands boy."
"Rukia will you look at that, somebody is able to come up with a less clever nicknames than you."
"Do not insult her you creatin."
"You would know if I had, chances are I'd be writhing in pain."
"Ichigo" never had she put his name under so much stress "this isn't the time for you to be pissing people off."
"But I don't know when I'll get a chance like this again."
She knew that tone of his, he wasn't angry or frustrated, no, he was enjoying himself. "How can you be happy about this Ichigo! Do you not realise that everything, and I mean everything could just end!"
Her anger at his callousness, it didn't even faze him. "Don't you remember what I told you midget?" Even standing up to her brother he was brave enough to flash her one of his signature smirks; so cocky and full of defiance. Her stomach which had been doing flip flops settled, he had asked her to trust him, and so she would.
"Karin, can you watch the food I need to help your brother; the trash is starting to pile up again." With haste Rukia put herself in front of Ichigo, her little frame didn't do much to shield him, but this wasn't a physical battle.
Even in his stoicism her brother could make her feel small; looking at her through half lidded eyes, and quickly turning them back to the man behind her. "You will relinquish my sister at once."
"Excuse me brother" forgoing honorifics was a sure-fire way to piss him off "I don't know if you've noticed but I'm a woman, not property."
"I know that; but you're not staying here Rukia. I cannot allow this wretch to defile you any longer. You are a Kuchiki; I can make sure you are overlooked when this comes to light and he rots in a cell, now come along."
Renji took that as his que, once again reaching for her, and Ichigo, he would certainly be ready to knock his lights out the moment one of Renji's hands touched her. Neither would have their chance.
A smile, that's what she was greeted with as she reached for Renji's outstretched hand. That smile turned to a grimace of pain as she took one of his fingers and started bending, bringing him to his knees "Rukia… ah… what the hell?"
"I am so sick and fucking tired of men trying to force their wants and themselves onto me! You two are no exception!" She looked her brother dead in the eyes "there is no way in hell I'm going back to that shit hole that you call home!"
"You won't have much of a choice once he's in jail."
"I'd rather live on the streets" Rukia countered.
"Impossible, no Kuchiki has never-"
"No Kuchiki has probably ever worked as a stripper before but hey, I've done that, what's a few more firsts."
"Y-you did what!" She couldn't tell if he was angry, or just taken aback; but it had been an impossible thought, to imagine him stutter, and yet she'd just heard it for herself.
"I did what I had to do to get away from you. Never mind that I hated every waking minute of it, and it damn well nearly cost me my education; do you know how humiliating it was to go out on that fucking stage? To have strange men leer at my body and throw money at me like I was some street walker, but I did it, because it was better than going back with you."
Her poignant words caused his walls to crack and there was an ever so slight slouch in his shoulders, and that was what she wanted, for him to feel guilty.
"Rukia you need-"
"No!" She yelled; the volume even surprising herself "you don't get to talk! I thought you both loved me, but I was just a fucking toy. When I left Renji I didn't have much I worked as often and as hard as I could but there were days I had to choose to eat or have enough to keep a roof over my head, you don't know what that's like! And when I finally did have a steady income I was a god damn piece of meat! I almost got raped leaving that fucking club, but you know what, almost being raped is better than actually being raped. That's what would've happened if I'd stayed with you, if I had let one of those men your family chose near me!"
Her brother, he looked away. Down to the hand which bore scars from her nails.
"You two don't get to waltz in here and play hero, not here, not my home, not the only damn place I feel safe anymore! You don't get to take me away from here, from the one damn person I know I can trust, the one person I believe when he tells me he loves me."
There was something she never thought she'd see in her brother, heartbreak. "Rukia, you need to come with me, I can keep you safe, this man, this… pervert is only lying to you, he doesn't matter your duty to the family-"
After all that, he still just wouldn't believe her. Though she could feel the tears streaming down her face she was ready to rebuttal, but a figure elegantly slipped through their door and did the work for her.
"My my little Byakuya, the girl pours her heart and soul out to you and all you can think about is a name, what would your dear sweet wife think?"
This woman, perhaps the picture of elegance with her tan skin, purple hair, and a soft yellow dress that hugged her curves in the most flattering of ways; she was beautiful and Rukia could've sworn she'd seen her somewhere before.
"Yoruichi Shihōin" the name left her brother through gritted teeth "what are you doing here?"
Rukia still couldn't place the face, but the name was one she couldn't forget; this woman was just as rich as her brother, what was she doing here?
"I saw your car out front and I can't resist bugging you. Plus, I was invited to a dinner party by my beloved god-son."
"Then why don't you run along."
"Why? I was invited, judging by the current situation you weren't." She turned to look at Ichigo who was smiling like he'd just won the god damn lottery "god-son" she heard her brother repeat to himself.
"Is hat'n clogs running late again?"
"You know him Ichigo; when he's not at that candy shop he's tinkering away with something."
"Hat'n clogs?" she asked Ichigo.
"My husband, Kisuke, and their" she gestured to the Kurosaki siblings "god-father; Hat'n clogs is just the twerp's little pet name for him."
"How do you two know each other?"
"Why Byakuya didn't you hear me the first time, I'm their god-mother, I like to drop in every now and then, see how their lives are going you know."
"Not that you vile woman, he's a peasant how would you-"
"Damn, I'm always late to the parties aren't I?" Rukia's attention was drawn to another woman: dressed more casually than Yoruichi in tight jeans, a black t-shirt and leather jacket, with a bandana wrapped around her forehead, keeping her long black air out of her face.
"Actually Kukaku, I'd say you're right on time for once."
"Good I'm hungry, let's eat."
Kukaku strode by the scene as if it was the most normal thing in the world, leaving Ichigo and her brother to stare in disbelief. "Can you help me kick this ass out of my home before we sit down?"
She stopped dead in her tracks, turning to Ichigo "Very funny, but seriously I haven't eaten all day."
"Shiba" there was an uneasiness in her brother's voice that had Rukia turning to look at him "what are you doing here?"
Yoruichi nudged her brother and gestured between Ichigo and Kukaku "can't you see the familial resemblance?"
"You mean he's?"
"My father is Isshin Shiba" Ichigo took a step out from behind her "and I've done my research on you; my cousin's firm handles all your legal matters, and she's your personal lawyer. But she is a woman of character, and I know she wouldn't stand for what you're trying to do to Rukia; come hell or high water she'll always do the right thing; Kukaku's made the Shiba name stand for something again."
Why had Ichigo kept his heritage from her? She tugged on his arm but he was too focused on his cousin.
"Ichigo, thank you. But you should know Byakuya wasn't going to stand for his families'… out of touch ways. But he's getting what he wanted; Ichigo is the cousin of mine we discussed those years ago. The one that would appease your family and let Rukia find her own way in the world; seems she just found her way to him instead."
"What?" Rukia asked finding it hard to believe the woman's words.
"When you ran away the family gave up; there was no longer a need to shield you, I just wanted to know that you were okay" Byakuya explained.
"So you paid my boyfriend to spy on me!?"
"I had to make sure you were in the right hands, I thought it a good test" her brother explained. Renji, still suffering from her grip, managed to look surprised through the pain "but him" her brother gestured to Ichigo "though he turned down my money he is still taking advantage of you; now come!"
"I'm not a fucking dog!" She yelled "I'm staying here" "Rukia you will-" "don't think you can tell me what to do brother! I will stay here! And if something happens to Ichigo I will hold you personally responsible."
"What could you do?" He coldly asked.
"The only thing I can" Rukia replied through gritted teeth "I will do exposé after exposé on the Kuchiki family, I will personally drag the name you value so much through the god damn mud, it will be synonymous, hate, greed, sexism, and selfishness; it'll be worth nothing when I am done with it."
"Rukia please" this was new, though he looked as stoic as ever he wasn't demanding, he wasn't asking "please come home" he was pleading, almost begging.
"I am home, now get the hell out" letting go of Renji's hand he took to cradling it; taking too long to register anything other than sweet relief, Rukia placed her foot against his chest and kicked him to the floor at her brother's feet "take him with you."
One last attempt, he raised his hand, offering it to her. But a cane, placed on top of it pushed it back down to his side "I think she's made her decision Kuchiki-San."
She hadn't noticed him enter, but now out from behind Yoruichi their final guest appeared. It took a single glance to understand Ichigo's nickname for the man; with his green and white striped hat, and footwear from centuries past; hat'n clogs described he man perfectly.
With all eyes on him, and three very powerful people on her side her brother did the only thing he could "get up Renji, we're done here." He didn't wait, pivoting on his heel and storming out of their apartment; Renji scrambling to follow him.
"Dinner should be ready soon; if you'll all excuse me I think I need to touch up my makeup."
…
"I don't think I've ever seen that man walk away the loser before" Kukaku sounded amazed, but he just shrugged.
"Yeah, well I doubt he ever had you three ready to gang up on him before."
"I guess that's true isn't it; is that why you wanted us all here?"
He wandered over to the couch and just let himself fall. Shaking his head side to side before putting it in his hands.
"I didn't mean to; Rukia was worried about him, that he'd take her away. I thought seeing that I had connections to people as powerful as him might set her at ease. I didn't want to drag you all into this, I didn't mean for it to go the way it did; I just wanted her to feel safe."
"So he just happened to show up today of all days then?" Yoruichi asked "as hard as it is to believe, yeah; I wouldn't want to do this to her" he sighed in resignation.
"It's not like you're one to lie, so, as long as you feed me I don't care."
With Kukaku leaving them to bug Karin about food Ichigo looked up at his god-parents "are you two going to be that easy about this?" It was Yoruichi who spoke for them.
"Just be careful with him Ichigo, I've never known Byakuya to back down from a fight; even with Rukia's threat looming over his head he might try something; and I don't need that coffee shop losing more good employees."
A Couple Hours Later
She'd put on a good face through dinner, but now that they were alone in their room the façade fell. It was the way she lay across the bed, feet up but still, not kicking through the air like normal; and when she turned the page in her book it wasn't a slow gentle affair, it was fast and without care for the delicate pages.
"You want to talk about what happened?"
"What's to talk about" came her grumpy reply. "I just lost my oldest friend, my brother tried to take me away again only to be probably foiled by your rich god-parents, and your almost equally as rich family. But the kicker of this all is that he planned to set me up with you as some sort of fall guy; instead of just telling the family no he was going to try to appease everyone. Now don't get me wrong this is better than what I thought was going to happen by why couldn't he have told me… why didn't he tell me Ichigo?"
With her book falling to the wayside; with the book gone he had an unobstructed view of her trembling bottom lip. "If he still cared… why didn't he tell me?" Her voice was shaky, just like her shoulders.
What could he say? What could he do besides pull her into his arms? "I lot my friend, my family I-" "You'll always have me" he whispered.
"I'll always be here; and I'll always be that idiot that asked you out in a graveyard."
"Fool" she mumbled "you're a fool Ichigo."
He smiled as her arms wrapped tightly around his neck; the events of the night still on the forefront of her mind but it seemed that she'd calmed down.
"What was that thing you wanted to talk about?" He had only wanted to provide a distraction, but she froze in place and her breath hitched. "It's nothing" she didn't sound too convincing but he let it go, in favour of letting her push him onto his back; her head resting over his heart.
"Don't leave me" "I won't" he whispered back; pressing his lips against her head.
AN: I Just want to thank everyone who has read this far; the story has recently crossed 10,000 views and while 3,500 of those are just on the first chapter I'm still thrilled I never really expected to get this far. I'm now also 2,000 words away from writing something the length of the hobbit; to me that's success, anything more is just the cherry on top.
I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter, the next two I am so pumped to write.