CarBarrier - I love my Ichigo to bits now. :3

Disclaimer: I own neither Bleach nor its characters. :3

"What's cooking, Sweet Pea? Smells good!" Ukitake poked his head into the kitchen.

"Lasagna."

"Remind me to thank your husband for working this weekend! Don't tell Yumichika but I haven't seen food this good in weeks! How is that husband of yours, by the way?"

"Ichigo is fine."

"Just fine? No daughter of mine would have settled for 'Just Fine'!" Ukitake teased. Sliding the bowl of salad towards Ukitake for health reasons and hearing the living room erupt with cheers, Rukia shook her head as Ukitake rushed to the living room. It had felt good to be back in the small house she had grown up in. She was glad that she had taken Ino up on the offer to visit her hometown under the guise of checking out some wedding venues. It had gotten Rukia out of the city, giving her some time to regroup and figure out what to do about Ginjo. She had texted Ichigo earlier, letting him know that she would be away. She had known that Ichigo would be working the entire weekend and she hadn't wanted to be alone in the apartment. Maybe she was currently running away from her problems but she hadn't wanted to worry either Ichigo or her family, whom had already been walking on eggshells around her ever since they had known about Aizen. Ukitake pouted as he reappeared in the kitchen. "The other team won. Sweet Pea, you were saying?"

"Nothing, Ichigo and I are doing great."

"I'm glad to hear it, Sweet Pea but I would like to hear a little more than 'Great'. You would be married for a year soon and I have never met the guy, you hardly ever speak about him."

The only downside to having Ukitake back in full health was that he would be back on his A-game and wouldn't miss anything, just like when they were kids. "Tou-San..."

"You have been quiet since you got here. Is something wrong? Is everything all right between the 2 of you?"

She hadn't known what had made her say it. Was she worried about revealing Ginjo's issue if she was pressed? Had so many months of keeping secrets from Ukitake worn down her resolve? "I told Ichigo that I don't want to be married to him."

Ukitake's eyes grew wide. "What did he do to you?"

"Nothing." Rukia said quickly.

"That's not true." Ukitake said, rubbing Rukia's back in a comforting way. "No one wants to end a marriage over nothing."

"It's not that simple."

Ukitake leaned back towards the counter. "You are talking glibberish. What's up, Sweet Pea?"

Ukitake had been there for Rukia her whole life and she valued his advice above anyone else's. Would Ukitake help her sort out the complicated feelings she had for Ichigo? Deciding it's time, Rukia sighed. "Tou-San, I need to tell you something but I think you need to sit down."

"You are making me nervous here, Rukia." He laughed uncomfortably as Rukia led him to the couch.

"Please, let me say something before you speak and try to keep an open mind, alright?" He nodded and Rukia began. "I hadn't met Ichigo in a dumpling shop and we weren't head over heels in love with each other. Kurosakis' had agreed to pay your medical bills if Ichigo and I got married."

Rukia felt like being back to a 5-year-old kid, sneaking a cookie before dinner as she waited for Ukitake's verdict. "I know."

That certainly wasn't an answer she expected. "What?"

"I know, Sweet Pea."

"How?"

"Ino told me." Ukitake admitted.

"Ino did what?!"

"Now, don't go getting mad at your best friend." Ukitake held up his hand. "She was just trying to protect you. She came to me a few months back and thought that I might be able to talk some sense into you."

Rathered than getting angered at Ino, she was surprised. "You knew this whole time and you hadn't said anything? I thought you would be furious with me."

"Oh, I blew a gasket when I first heard of it." Ukitake admitted. "After I had time to digest things..." Ukitake wrapped an arm around Rukia. "I remember how smart I raised you. How you did the right thing when that boss of yours mistreated you. I also knew that I shouldn't go pushing my nose into places I wasn't welcome. I had to trust that you would sort things out on your own and that you would do the right thing."

Feeling grateful for Ukitakes trust since things would have gone haywire if he had confronted Ichigo, she shook her head. "We are dating, Tou-San."

"Dating? You just told me you want a divorce!"

"No..." Rukia sighed. "Tou-San, I think I..."

Door suddenly bursting open, Yumichika, Shuuhei and Ino walked in, Rukia instantly knowing that their conversation was over and turned to Ino. "What did you think of the hall?"

"Meh." Ino replied, voice muffled as she tugged off her scarf. "Too much wood panelling."

"Well, take a seat. Dinner will be ready soon."

Switching off the TV, Ukitake grumbled. "I don't see why you can't get married in the restaurant."

Ino bit her lips, pretending to be occupied with settling in her seat. "It's perfectly reasonable not to want our wedding guests eating with Gordon Ramsay's posters watching them."

Ukitake rolled his eyes. "Who doesn't love Gordon Ramsay?"

Shuuhei sighed. "Not the point, Tou-San."

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Yumichika stood up from his seat and rushed to the door. As Rukia busied herself in the kitchen, she suddenly heard Ukitake calling for her. "Sweet Pea. It's for you."

"Me?" Taking the lasagna in her hands, she returned to the living room. "Who could be looking for -- "

Standing before the front door beside Yumichika, looking as startled as Rukia must have been was apparently, Ichigo Kurosaki. "Rukia!" Ichigo looked more than relieved as he strode up before Rukia in less than 5 steps in total.

"What are you doing here?" Rukia asked.

"Do you really think I would leave you alone all weekend?" Now, Rukia was sure his dazzling smile could only be for show, a show for her family.

"Rukia?" Ukitake called, wondering if he had needed to go get his baseball bat for now.

Remembering that she had a dinner to host, she placed the lasagna down before waving Ukitake off. "It's fine, Tou-San."

Ukitake sighed. "Alright, can I take your coat then, Stranger?"

Currently on the way back to the kitchen, Rukia gazed at Ichigo before softening her eyes. With the conversation she had with Ukitake just moments before, Ichigo was in for a hard battle. Ichigo, being very self-aware of who Ukitake was calling out, scratched his head before replying. "Oh, yes, Thank You, uh..."

"Ukitake Tachibana."

There was the shuffle and the slide of a coat being removed. "Ukitake-San it is. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Ukitake-San."

Ukitake cleared his throat. "Tachibana-San will be fine."

"Tou-San, will you start serving? Ichigo, you can sit beside me."

An awkward silence filled the air as Ukitake served the food. Ichigo had been here less than 5 minutes and looked about as comfortable as a sheep in a pigsty. She was pretty sure after the conversation she and Ukitake had, a pigsty was exactly where Ukitake had hoped Ichigo would end up in. Shuuhei cleared his throat. "It's a surprise to see you, Ichigo. Rukia said that you would be working this weekend."

Giving Shuuhei a thankful smile, Rukia took a bowl of salad from Ino's hands. "I decided to shift my schedule since I didn't want to miss an opportunity to see where Rukia grew up." Ichigo reached out and squeezed Rukia's forearm. Was it an affectionate gesture or a cry for help?

"Shift your schedule?" Yumichika questioned. "I read in the paper one of your hotels is getting ripped down this weekend. That doesn't sound like something you would wanna miss."

"Well -- "

Ukitake interrupted. "Ripping down a hotel? Is business going okay, Stranger?"

Ichigo placed his fork down, the line of his shoulder going rigid. "I'm not sure now is really the appropriate time to -- "

Ukitake slapped Ichigo on the back. "Oh, come on, we are all family here, right?"

It was debatable, seeing that if they were all family here, Ukitake wouldn't have refused to acknowledge Ichigo and insistently called him Stranger instead. "The hotel is getting ripped down because we purchased the entire block around it. A new, state-of-the-art resort will be going up along the waterfront." Ukitake whistled and Ichigo took it as a cue to continue. "How is the business going?"

Rukia bit her lips upon hearing Ichigo's question towards Ukitake. She understood clearly that her family was being a bit unfair to Ichigo. She was actually surprised how well Ichigo was taking it but asking about how Ukitake's nearly bankrupt restaurant is... Was a low blow. Should she intervene? Was the comment well-deserved as a jab to her family? Had Ichigo known that the monthly allowance that he had given her contributed to pulling the restaurant out of the gutter? "Great!" Yumichika replied a little too quickly.

Ukitake nodded. "Ino and Shuuhei are gonna have their wedding in the restaurant."

Shuuhei sighed and shook his head. "It's one of our options, Tou-San."

Thankful for the change of topic, Rukia was quick to jump on board. "Ino would prefer to get married in the city." Rukia told Ichigo.

Ino sighed in response. "A pipe dream, it seems. Everything costs an arm and a leg here."

"Why don't you get married in one of our Hotels?" Ichigo asked.

Rukia choked on the water that she had been drinking. "Ichigo..." Ichigo gazed at Rukia, wondering if he had said something wrong. "I think it's a little out of their price range."

"It would be on me, on us. Think of it as a wedding gift."

A grateful warmth spreaded throughout Rukia. Since when had Ichigo done nice things? A sudden desire to touch him, to thank him like she had seen couples do dozens of times before bubbled up in her chest. They didn't normally touch outside of dancing though. Was she allowed to touch him right now? Hesitantly, Rukia reached out and laid 2 fingers on Ichigo's knee. Straightening at the touch at first, Ichigo's fingers eventually found Rukia's, lacing them together, the intimate gesture making Rukia blush. "What do you think, Shuuhei?" Rukia could see the excitement written on Ino's face.

After a quick gaze at Ukitake, Shuuhei nodded his head. "Whatever makes you happy."

Ino squealed. "Thank You! Thank You!"

Taking a swig of his beer, Ukitake snorted. "That's very kind of you, Stranger."

Ichigo smiled. "It's the least I could do."

"Why don't you help me clean up, Stranger?" Ukitake stood from the table. "I wanna talk to you for a minute."

Alarm bells rung inside Rukia's mind as she stood up as well. "I will help you with it, Tou-San."

"Leave it to us boys, Sweet Pea, you did all the cooking after all."

"Tou-San." She narrowed her eyes before Ukitake waved her off with Rukia sliding back onto the chair and gazed at Ichigo, an uneasy feeling in her chest.

"It's okay, I'm happy to help." Ichigo said, taking Rukia's plate. Rukia still wasn't convinced that this was a good idea. Had Ichigo known how to do the dishes, with his lifestyle as a billionaire? Second point and she hadn't even needed to make it a question, Ukitake hadn't wanted to do the dishes with Ichigo. But, her hands were tied as she watched both of them disappeared into the kitchen.

"Where is the dishwasher?" Ichigo asked, looking around at chipped-yellow painted cupboards.

Ukitake pointed in his direction. "Right there." Up till now, Ichigo was still surprised to find himself standing in what could only be described as 'Rukia's quaint family home'. It had been a long time since he had to play 'Meet the family' and the jabs that Rukia's family had given him was a test of patience to Ichigo, in the very least. Honestly speaking, he hadn't thought too much about what would happen when he had arrived after receiving the message that Rukia was going home for the weekend, he had simply jumped in the car. Reminding himself that he was here for Rukia, he placed the dirty plates in the sink. Rolling up the sleeves of his cashmere sweater, he couldn't remember the last time he had washed his own plate, let alone someone else's. "Look, Stranger." Ukitake called out, putting down his own pile of dishes. Turning to face Ichigo, Ichigo noticed that a scowl was on his face. "I'm not a man of many words so I am going to keep this brief. There is just one thing I wanna know and I expect you to answer me honestly, all right?"

Knowing Ukitake was serious now, Rukia nodded his head. "All right."

"Do you love my daughter or not?"

"Are we still going to the club tonight?" Ino asked, pulling her leg up onto the chair. They had been planning on going for drinks at the only club in town tonight to celebrate the engagement.

Rukia frowned as memories surfaced of Ichigo dragging her out of a club once. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, I don't think it's really Ichigo's scene."

"Isn't your man famous for partying?" Yumichika called over his shoulders.

"He can stay here and watch football with the boys." Ino offered.

Rukia shook her head, not wanting to entertain Ichigo's temper in the house if she had agreed to that. "I don't know."

If things had really heated up between Ichigo and her family, who would she have chosen? In the past, she would have said her family in a heartbeat. But, things with Ichigo had been so good lately that it would be a shame to really end things over a silly argument. Ino pouted. "Why don't we just ask him, then? Ichigo?!"

Not a second later, Ichigo walked out of the kitchen, his expression somewhere between the lines of 'Heartburn' and 'Trying-to-control-my-anger-because-it-would-be-rude-as-hell'. Behind him was a smug-lookimg Ukitake, whom had a new beer in his hand. She had known that she shouldn't have left them alone to talk privately. She tilted her head at Ukitake, narrowing her eyes once again before Ichigo's words snapped her out of her thoughts. "What's wrong?"

Ino hadn't seemed to notice that Ichigo was asking Rukia than her. "Rukia and I are going out for some fun tonight. Do you wanna tag along with us or stay here and watch the game with the boys?"

Ichigo's expression darkened for a flash before the usual politician smile lighting up his face. "Going out sounds like a great idea. Why don't we all go?"

Yumichika raised his hand. "I would rather stay here with Tou-San."

"A double date then?" Ichigo suggested.

"Eh?"

Disregarding Rukia's surprise, Ino clapped her hands. "Great!"

Ichigo fished his car keys from his pocket. "You girls go get ready and I will grab my things from the car."

"Do you really love my daughter or not?"

Honestly, it was a typical question but a typical question one would ask before a wedding. True, Ukitake had been in the hospital but he could have sent either of his sons to check on him. Instead, he had allowed Rukia to marry him and he had the audacity to ask whether he loved Rukia or not. Isn't it weeks too late for that typical question? On top of it all, Rukia had wanted to go out, to a fucking club no less. That was the last place he had wanted to go. There was one place that he wanted to be even less and that was back inside that house. He had already been out here stewing for 10 minutes and the last thing Ichigo wanted to do was letting her go alone. If he did that, another man might... Letting out a breath and making a big puff of vapor float through the cold air, he headed up the front steps and let himself in the unlocked door as soon as the imminent need to punch something subsided. Thud! His bag which he had taken from the car beforehand had slipped from his fingers and landed with a thud on on the carpet. Rukia was standing on the bottom of the stairs, wearing the tightest and shortest red dress that he had ever seen her in and was currently bending over to lace up her heels. As the door slammed behind Ichigo, Rukia stood up and approached him. "How do I look?" Rukia spun in a circle.

Ichigo's eyes roamed up and down her body. Seriously? How was he supposed to answer to that? The honest answer would be: You look like you are about to get fucked. Please go change into something more appropriate. The words were already on the tip of his tongue but out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Ukitake. Sighing mentally, he approached Rukia, his hands on her hips. "Beautiful."

Unable to help himself, Ichigo pulled Rukia's tight body against his, causing Rukia to gasp and Ichigo's groin to ache, almost on the verge of waking up. Yeah, tonight was going to be terrible.

From the outside, it had looked like a prison, a low and squat building made up of concrete slabs with an overweight 'Security Guard' checking IDs out front. Inside wasn't much better with one room that smelled of piss and stale beer with a strobe light at the centre. The plan, or rather, Ichigo's plan when they had arrived was to take over one of the sticky vinyl booths, drink a glass of watered-down whiskey with Rukia on his lap before getting the fucking hell out of this place. Instead, Ino had snatched Rukia away from Ichigo, yelling at a passing waiter for tequila. "Where are they going?" Ichigo had to shout loud enough such that Shuuhei could have heard him over the music.

Shuuhei shrugged, brushing past Ichigo as he turned to the bar. "Probably to dance."

With no other choice, he dove into the crowd. He needed to find Rukia. Now. The second he had stepped onto the dance floor, a woman with thick black curls pressed herself onto Ichigo and started to wiggle her ass onto his groin. Reflexively, Ichigo grabbed her hips and just as quickly, he pushed her aside. Apparently, giving up such a handsome man wasn't an option as she grabbed Ichigo's hand and twirled to face him. "What's wrong, sexy? Don't want to dance?" She purred.

"Not with you." Detangling himself and walking past a group of boys, he finally saw Rukia, who was twirling in circles with Ino, right under the fucking strobe light. "Rukia." Ichigo kept a hand around her waist, steadying her.

Wiggling against his grip, Rukia giggled. "Ichigo~" Ichigo spun Rukia around to face him, taking in her flush cheeks and violet eyes. Rukia, in response, placed her arms on Ichigo's shoulders and slid one of her legs outside of his own. "Dance with me~"

Wrapping his hand around her thigh, Ichigo sighed. "How many shots did you take?"

Rukia tapped her chin with her index finger, as if taking time to think. "2? 4? 10?"

"10?!"

"3!" Ino exclaimed.

Rukia pointed at Ino before giggling. "That's right, 3! I forgot!"

Bending his knees, he scooped up Rukia's other leg, picking her up bridal style. "Come on, let's get you some water."

"I can walk myself~" Rukia had insisted, wiggling against Ichigo's hold as Ichigo went to the bar.

"I know, my angel, but I like to carry you."

"That's sweet. You are soooo nice lately, you know that~?"

"You are always nice."

She giggled. "Too nice."

Placing Rukia on a barstool, Ichigo flagged down the nearest bartender. "What can I get you?"

"I don't suppose you have the 1937 Glenfiddich?" Seeing the bartender's blank stare, Ichigo took it as a No. "Just give me the strongest thing you have and a glass of water." As he turned back to watch Rukia, he saw what had looked like a Jack and Coke in front of her. "Okay, what the fuck is that?!"

"Dude." The bartender raised his hands up in the air. "Chill."

Rukia grabbed Ichigo just then. "Please... Don't talk to Ashido like that."

"Can't you see how much she's had to drink?!" Ichigo demanded, taking the glass Ashido had placed in front of Rukia away.

Ashido waved his hands up and down. "I think she looks great."

Before Ichigo could have thought over his actions, the entire contents of the Jack and Coke, inclusive of the glass, flew towards Ashido. Ichigo tossed Rukia over his shoulders, disregarding Rukia's shouts of putting her down and her small fists thumping against his back as they headed towards the entrance of the club. The boys who Ichigo had passed by earlier gave him a thumbs up. Not having time to care, he just needed to get out of the fucking club once and for all. "I. Chi. Go!" Rukia shouted as Ichigo reached the streets. "Put me down!" Allowing Rukia to slide down his body and once Rukia had stopped wobbling, Ichigo had taken a step back, then another before running hands through his hair. "What the hell was that?!"

Judging from Rukia's previous drunk experience, Ichigo knew that being drunk had caused Rukia's feisty side to surface. It was dangerous, especially when Ichigo was looking for a fight to vent out his anger. "Why don't you tell me?" Ichigo growled.

Rukia stepped closer to Ichigo. "I have known Ashido since I was a child, he was being friendly."

"Both of you looked really friendly! Should I get you a room for the night as well?!"

"Why do you always do this?"

Why was Rukia making it sound like it was his fault? Ichigo sighed mentally before calming himself down. Rukia was drunk and it wouldn't do to provoke her, he reminded himself. "What?"

Rukia threw her hands in the air. "This! Act like a possessive asshole everytime we go out somewhere! Anytime another man says Hi to me! The second anyone of the male gender glances my way!"

Ichigo bit his lips, suddenly guilty. "Rukia... I... I'm sorry..."

"H-Huh?"

Ichigo chuckled softly and took a step towards her and took her in his arms. "I'm sorry, Rukia. I know I can be a bastard sometimes but.. My ex left me for my best friend. I can't -- I can't -- The idea of another man touching you drives me crazy."

"I'm right here, Ichigo. I'm not going anywhere." Rukia said and then, pressed her lips to Ichigo's.

Ichigo had froze, like some kind of fucking teenager who had just had his first kiss. What. The. Fuck? On the contrary, Ichigo had kissed before, he had kissed hundreds of women. But, this person who was kissing him wasn't any other woman, it was Rukia Tachibana. Rukia, who had difficulties saying the word 'Kiss' without stuttering or blushing had initiated a kiss with Ichigo and she was kissing him. Ichigo managed to move his lips, his hands running through Rukia's hair, falling into the moment. They had never kissed before and that marriage kiss hadn't counted, which was a shame in Ichigo's point of view because it was simply like no kiss he had ever had. As their lips parted and they breathlessly staring into each other's eyes, Ichigo found himself hoping that this wouldn't be the last kiss they would share.