The next morning, he rolled out of bed with the realization that his life had drastically changed a few hours ago. He felt excited, giddy, and anxious, and... Well, he had a hard time pinning down the rest of his emotions so that he could place them. But he mostly felt excited and anxious.

He was engaged!

Excitement bubbled up within him, making him smile dreamily as he thought of his woman.

He didn't really know all of the procedures involved in participating in omiai's, but he was fairly certain that becoming a fiancée was meant to be a process. Who was he supposed to talk too to make everything official? Her family? Her friends? Byakuya Kuchiki?

Or was he simply supposed to speak with Miss Kurosaki- er, Ichigo. Her name was Ichigo and as of last night they had moved onto a first name basis. After all, it wasn't considered impolite to call one's betrothed by her name.

He moved through his usual morning routine while he debated on a multitude of things. But most of all, he was worried that Ichigo may decide that she had been a little bit drunk when she'd agreed to marry him. So, once he finished showering, and dressing for the day, he'd grabbed his cell phone and called her to see if she would mind meeting him for breakfast.

Before he moved forward to telling his parents and friends anything- he needed to be absolutely certain that she was one hundred percent committed to marrying him before the two of them could make any plans of take anything a single step further.

Ichigo didn't answer her phone the first time he called her. And he took a moment to double check the current time- just in case it was too early, and she may still be sleeping.

It was well after nine thirty am. And while he was typically an early riser- it didn't mean that everyone else was. There was also the fact that if she was hungover from last night then she may be sleeping in.

He may have initially forgotten about that little fact until right that moment. But he remembered it now.

Resigning himself to sit for a little while and wait to see if she would awaken the next time that he tried calling her, he grabbed one of the library books that he'd gotten the day before and began to read a bit.

He had been sitting there for all of ten minutes when his phone rang. Startled by the fact that someone was calling him- he grabbed it and checked the number- and noticed that it was Ichigo's.

Apparently, she had woken up and had simply missed his call before for some reason.

But whatever.

He didn't bother dwelling on the reasons too much. Instead, he answered his phone and was greeted by her voice rambling out an apology for not answering him before.

She'd been on a three-way call with her sisters and her friend Rukia. And each of them had wanted to know how things had gone at the omiai and had flat out refused to let her go until she told them everything.

He waited for her to finish speaking patiently and then once she went quiet asked her how the conversation went. She made him chuckle when she uttered that she had too many nosey people in her life.

But then told him that her siblings and friend were all excited that she had accepted his proposal.

Shocking him into speechlessness for several moments.

Her words made his earlier concerns and fears seem...shameful. Even somewhat cowardly. Especially when she mentioned that she had spent half of her morning looking for an old notebook from her childhood that held some super-secret wedding plans for her special day that she hoped would be of some use to them both when planning their wedding.

She was pleased to announce that she'd found the book about an hour ago.

But she was worried about some of the notes that she was going to inevitably show him. She'd been really young when she'd started it. And apparently, she had some sort of ridiculous sketch in there where she was being walked down the aisle by a unicorn wearing a bowtie.

Listening to her speak of their wedding reignited his previous excitement, but he didn't let it rule him as he just sat there listening to her speak in utter contentment for a little while before finally managing to ask her if she would like to meet for breakfast.

He could practically hear her heart thundering in her chest when she agreed and then the two of the tried to decide on a place to go. Once that was done and the place was agreed upon, she told him that she was going to go get dressed.

And before they hung up, he told her to bring her notes. She agreed but asked him not to laugh too much. He made no such promise. After all, seeing a sketch of a unicorn walking a bride down an aisle wasn't something that he saw every day.

Thirty minutes later, he was sitting at a nice table outside of the appointed eatery patiently waiting for Ichigo to show up. He was expecting her to walk up any moment now, perhaps dressed up to impress like she had the previous night. He may not have said it straightaway, but he had really liked the kimono that she'd worn.

Both the color and floral design had been very flattering to her appearance.

So, he was naturally planning a few events in their life together that would require her to wear more of them. Perhaps to a summer festival? Or on a vacation?

If she had trouble deciding on one to wear, then he could even help her out. It was fairly easy for him to picture her in a pretty, intricate, but tasteful kimono with her hair up in a pretty style, decorated by floral combs and pins.

He wasn't sure how long he sat there daydreaming about dressing Ichigo in a kimono, but it must have been for several minutes before he finally caught sight of her walking his way. And as happy as he was to see her, he could automatically tell that something was wrong by her expression.

She didn't look terribly happy right then. Her face was carefully blank, but her eyes- they were all but seething with rage. Slowly standing up, he took a moment to cautiously look around. Attempting to home in on what had her looking so- so out of sorts.

He scanned the crowd around her for a moment, his instincts going into overdrive, before he finally spotted the problem.

Byakuya Kuchiki was walking a few steps behind her surrounded by a small group of what he could only assume were bodyguards. Each of the men were fierce looking and were also undoubtedly armed to the teeth.

Which made sense given Byakuya's status in both the business world as well as a nobleman. And while he could understand Byakuya being out and about with his people- he didn't quite understand why Ichigo was so upset until the man broke away from his guards, grabbed her by the arm and all but dragged her over to the table that he'd claimed for their little meeting.

Glancing between his fiancée who was barely containing the urge to do the man bodily harm, he reached out and quickly drew her into his arms with a hug. Forcing the other man to relinquish his hold on her for a moment while simultaneously shooting him a warning look.

Byakuya's expression only shifted a little bit in comprehension that Kurama didn't approve of his butting in, before he quickly masked it. "Good morning Minimoto-san." The man said politely as he absently reached out and tapped his wrist lightly with one of his fingertips to indicate that he'd held onto Ichigo long enough and he needed to let her go now.

Kurama wasn't a fool. He understood the subtle warning that the man had just given and fully intended to give one of his own. But not right that second. Right this second Ichigo and their impending wedding was more important to him than getting into a pissing match with the man.

"Good morning, Mr. Kuchiki." He said as he reluctantly released his woman and let her move back a little bit while he pulled out her chair for her so that she could sit next to him.

She gave him a small grateful smile before sitting down, and he absently noted that his presence seemed to have calmed her a bit. But that rage that he'd seen in her wasn't gone completely. Merely carefully subdued for the moment.

"I must admit, when Ichigo and I planned this meeting earlier-" He started to as he re seated himself and gave the man a glare of annoyance, "I don't believe that you were invited, Mr. Kuchiki. Please explain why you are here."

Byakuya opened his mouth to say something, but Ichigo bit out. "The jerk ambushed me while I was leaving."

"Demon girl," The dark-haired man growled at her in reprimand for speaking when she wasn't being talked too. Kurama raised a brow at this but didn't comment.

"The second that your name came up- he invited himself to come along despite being told no, repeatedly."

Kurama gave her a slight, tight-lipped smile as he reached out and took possession of one of her hands. Her expression lightened a little bit at the contact, so he laced their fingers together and was rewarded by a subtle, but definite squeeze from her.

"I came, because I have a few things to speak with you about concerning my ward-"

All of a sudden, Ichigo let out a loud, animalistic growl that almost made him release her hand and jump away before something terrible happened.

However as startled as he was by the- demonic- sound emanating from his betrothed, he still sat there. Though he was staring at her with wide, shocked green eyes.

"I am not your ward!" She hissed at Byakuya from between clenched teeth.

"It was the deal that was made in order to allow you your freedom, Ichigo." The man sighed as he reached up to massage his temples while he explained. "Your father, aunt and two uncles thought it would be a good idea to have someone make sure that you stayed out of trouble. Thus the whole 'ward' thing."

"I'm not a child. I don't need anyone's frigging permission to live anywhere or do as I like!"

"I agree." Byakuya said easily with a slight nod. "But for the sake of argument, let's just say that keeping tabs on you is a good thing."

Ichigo growled again. This time lower, and deeper in her throat. But the sound still managed to send a chill down Kurama's spine. Almost as if someone had just stepped over his grave.

It was such a cold and creepy feeling that he was beginning to feel as if he should run. But he didn't know exactly why he got that feeling.

It didn't feel as if anyone was using spirit energy. Or even demon energy. So why the hell was he so alarmed at the moment?

"You're a noble, Ichigo. An heiress with extensive bank accounts and inheritances, at that. Not keeping tabs on you would leave you vulnerable to-"

"To what Byakuya?" It was Kurama who asked the question this time. Which earned him a small, cautious look from Ichigo before she looked away again.

"I have enemies," Byakuya said simply and then paused for a second as if to think before going on to say. "Usually, people who wish to take my life or harm someone close to me and my sister. This fact is absolute because of who I am. Ichigo is no different. Her inheritances coupled with her childhood...mischief, and past work have exposed her to many who would do the same to her and her own family. Which is why it is imperative that someone be around to keep tabs on her."

The man paused again and smiled as he said, "I understand that the two of you have agreed to marry."

"Yes. We have."

"Does knowing any of the things I just mentioned make you want to run? Do you feel afraid for your life?"

"No. It does not. I'm not such a weakling or a coward that I would back out of something as important as a marriage proposal just because of a potential for upset or some physical harm. I made a promise to Miss Kurosaki last night when I asked her for her hand. I will stand by it." Kurama said firmly, meaning every word.

Byakuya looked genuinely, but pleasantly surprised by his response. "That's good to know. You seem like a fighter, and that's exactly what my favorite Demon Girl needs by her side."

The man reached out and patted Ichigo's free hand in an oddly affectionate and fatherly manner that earned him a shudder from the woman as she quickly moved her hand.

Making him smile as Kurama merely hummed. But didn't comment while the man suddenly said, "Let's talk about dowry. I know that it is an outdated and archaic practice, but is there anything specific that you want from her family as a wedding dowry?"

"I've been authorized to give you anything that is within reason. She has various properties in Japan, France, Italy, Germany, and even several the U.S. I can also give you some lesser family heirlooms if you desire. They are all nice and well-kept and have even been appraised and would make excellent gifts."

"There are some jewelry pieces- pearls, diamonds, platinum, gold, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, etc. There have even been several chests of ancient, gold dab loons, bars of silver, and gems that have been set aside from her family's long history of pirating before becoming nobles."

Ichigo sputtered, her face flushed with embarrassment and to be totally honest- to Kurama, she looked as if she were so utterly mortified by the fact that the possibility that he might be getting paid to marry her, that she wished to just disappear.

And Kurama didn't like that since it was insulting to her.

As if the only way he'd marry her was if he were compensated. For god's sake, he was an ancient demon. He knew a treasure when he saw it!

So, the mere thought set his teeth on edge, and the sharp and vicious desire to resort to violence rose up within him. And the urge to lunge across the table and tear Kuchiki's throat out for embarrassing his woman almost made him growl just as Ichigo had earlier.

Thankfully, he managed to keep a tight hold of his temper though. And slowly told Kuchiki that anything set aside as a dowry rightfully belonged to Ichigo and should be given to her to do with as she saw fit.

Kuchiki didn't have much else to say after that, aside from being late for something, and then finally excusing himself and leaving. And the moment that the man and his guards were completely out of sight, some of the tension left him as he turned to look at Ichigo and simply stated, "I'm beginning to see why you hate that man."

"Give it time," she said as she gave his hand another slight squeeze. "You'll hate him even more the more that you get to know him."

"Fantastic." He said dryly, already dreading his next meeting with Kuchiki. The man was simply as much fun as a bunch of dead puppies.

"I'm sorry." Ichigo said softly, her shoulder's slumping a little bit.

"About what?" He asked curiously.

He already knew that she hadn't wanted the man to invite himself to sit with them and ruin their private meeting to go over some wedding plans and such. It wasn't her fault that Kuchiki was a bastard.

"I was going to try ditching him but one of his stupid guards grabbed me." She said after a moment or so as she hung her head. "Byakuya only caught up to me because I was busy dealing with him."

"What?" He asked, his eyes widening in outrage as he suddenly shot to his feet and frantically began to look her over for any hint of bruises as he fired questions. "Where were you grabbed? Are you alright? Do you hurt anywhere?"

"I'm fine." She said after a moment or so, a bit startled by his reaction. He visibly relaxed a bit and sighed in relief as he started to sit back down while she went on to say. "I...can't really say the same for the guard though."

"Oh? Did you kick him very hard?" He asked, wondering if she were a fighter in the same sense that Keiko, Botan, and Shizuru were. To his knowledge they tended to stick to the strengths of their gender.

And he had seen the damage that each of them could do firsthand. So, he assumed that perhaps Ichigo was similar and had just kicked the one whom had grabbed her in the balls.

"Actually," She started as she did something with her shirt sleeve and a taser fell onto the table between them. His eyes widened a bit in surprise as she quickly tacked on. "I sort of stole his taser and shocked him in the balls with it. He went down really fast and just lay there screaming really loud. It was a bit unnerving. I don't know if he's okay or not, but I hope that he doesn't have any lasting damage. I'd feel really bad if he does."

Kurama visibly blanched and let his jaw drop open in horror as he stared at her for a moment or two awhile his hand subtly moved to collect the taser. He was already planning to keep it far, far from her hands for safety's sake.

His safety.

Hers.

And innocent bystanders as well.

Finally, he managed to shake himself from his funk and give her a slightly nervous smile as he suggested that they order their breakfast before it was too late. She nodded her head in agreement and the moment her back was turned, he stood up and threw the taser hard enough to put it up onto the roof of the restaurant, before quickly following her inside to order some food.