The Nightingale

Chapter 43: Visnia

Summer — x492 / September 13

Rukia had been scared, she didn't want to have children yet, and it was something she had been clear about since before she married Ichigo; but with that news, with only that possibility, something had changed. After overcoming the initial shock, after hearing Ichigo's words, and after preparing that tea herself in a moment of anxiety, something had changed.

She did not drink the tea, not that day or any other day.

Ichigo was with her at all times, avoiding talking about that topic as much as possible, and Rukia thanked him; she had enough with her mind reminding her of the subject every moment. It was as if the Deities were mocking her, because everywhere she looked, she saw pregnant women and small children, reminding her of the inevitable fate that terrified her so much.

Even in her dreams her mind did not leave her calm because she dreamed of a child, a small one that looked like Ichigo, with a charming and childish smile, and without all those traits that Ichigo had acquired in his training; a perfect boy who smiled and made her smile.

Rukia knew that she would do whatever it took to accomplish her goals, but she felt that freeing Maranni or breaking the Accords of the Fall was not worth the blood of her children. There were always options, she had said it once, but among those options was not sacrificing a child. That's why she didn't want Ichigo to restore the ancient fratricidal traditions and kill Kaien like that, because her children would too, at their time of inheriting the throne, and that was something she intended to avoid.

A quiet life with Ichigo and her son, the one she believed was growing inside her, was the possibility that prevented her from drinking the tea.

She would not seek to get pregnant, she did not feel ready for that, but if the Deities decided that it should be, she would not argue against the will of the Deities.

— We are about to reach the city of Visnia, do you want us to stop? — Ichigo asked from outside the carriage window.

That day Ichigo had decided to make part of the trip mounted on his horse so that she could rest in the carriage; but Rukia had gotten so used to feeling Ichigo's warmth and scent while she slept, that resting without him was something she couldn't quite achieve. She hadn't slept for more than a couple of minutes at a time, and she always woke up scared, as if someone was shaking her hard to wake her up.

— Yep. — Rukia answered from the window.

She heard Ichigo order the soldiers to stop at the side of the road and felt the carriage slowly stop. Rukia had noticed that Ichigo was also sad, she had seen him with a downcast look when he thought she was not looking at him; he played with that ring that distinguished him as the Commander-in-Chief of the kingdom, looking at it carefully and holding it tightly, completely lost in thought.

That quiet life was something he had also imagined; Rukia knew without the need for him to tell her, just by looking at him, she knew. Ichigo was smiling at her but it wasn't like he used to, it wasn't that smile that was just for her.

The carriage stopped and Rukia took out of her jewelry box the diadem that Ichigo's uncle had given her, it was pretty and had small black and red stones that decorated it; it also had a single blue stone in the center. Ichigo's uncle had told her that the blue stone was a nightingale, like the blue nightingale that decorated Vayalat's emblem.

Ichigo had made it clear to her that he was not considered one of the princes of Vayalat, although he was in the line of succession to the throne; he was the tenth. For Ichigo to become the king of Vayalat, there had to be a massacre where all the current heirs were killed. For that reason, that Ichigo's uncle gave her that jewel was something out of the ordinary and quite compromising.

Rukia put on the diadem carefully and got out of the carriage, outside Ichigo was waiting for her, with a worried expression, as if he was afraid of something; Rukia liked seeing how that concern changed to an expression of surprise when he saw her wear that diadem.

— Commander Kurosaki, I would like to enter the city on horseback. — Rukia clarified using a last name that Ichigo had told her belonged to his maternal lineage.

Rukia saw the surprise on Ichigo's face because she used that last name.

They did not use a surname because they were no longer ordinary people, and if they had to use one it would be "of Avanta". Rukia had given up the last name Kuchiki when she married Ichigo, she was no longer a Kuchiki; she was Rukia of Avanta.

— So, I think you need to change your clothes, Princess Rukia. — Ichigo didn't seem happy, he didn't seem upset either, just a little surprised and very formal.

— No, I don't want to ride, I want my husband to take me with him on his horse. — She said, very sure of herself. She looked at her nails and waited patiently for an answer.

Ichigo didn't usually deny her what she asked for, and Rukia hoped this wasn't the first time.

Ichigo smiled, but it was that smile that was only a smile, and he accepted her request; he gave a couple of orders to the soldiers and got on his horse. Rukia walked over to Ichigo, who seemed to be checking that her saddle was okay, and then helped her onto the horse in a nimble and surprising way.

Rukia let out a small cry of surprise before realizing that she was already sitting on the horse. Ichigo had arranged her to make both of her legs lie on one side of the horse, and Rukia took the opportunity to hug him and rest her head on his chest.

Ichigo made the horse move forward, and gave Rukia a kiss on the head that made her smile.

— Are you mad at me? — Rukia dared to ask after a moment advancing. It was an idea that had come and gone to her mind since they had left the inn in Zhilen.

— No I'm not. — Ichigo quickly replied.

Rukia looked up, but Ichigo was staring down the road.

— So, why are you upset? — Rukia asked again, still looking up, seeing Ichigo's jaw line.

Ichigo was silent, the horse was slow and behind them were a couple of soldiers who looked after them. The carriage had advanced and would arrive before them at the Palace of the Sun, which was their destination in Visnia, so when they arrived they would surely be waiting for them.

Ichigo looked down and Rukia could finally see Ichigo's eyes. The horse came to a slow stop and Ichigo raised a hand gesturing to the soldiers behind them to stop as well.

— I'm not mad at you, Rukia. — He clarified looking into her eyes. — I'm sad, that's all.

— Because we are not going to have a child? — Rukia asked.

— It's not because of that. We will definitely have children, I want four and I want them to inherit your eyes. — Ichigo smiled as he said that, and Rukia could see for a second that smile that Ichigo used to give only to her. That made her smile too. — Maybe yes, I'm a little sad that we won't have one now, but we will have them when the time is right; and yes, I'm upset, but it is not with you, my princess of Maranni, but with the situation. I put you in danger in more ways than one, and the last thing I want is for your life, which is so precious to me, to be in danger.

— You did not put me in danger, my prince. I would never be in danger by your side, my love. — This time it was Rukia who caressed Ichigo's face with one hand gently; just like he used to do with her.

— But…

— I'm your wife, you are the man I love, and with whom I want to have children one day. I'm with you for all eternity. This time I hesitated, but next time I won't. — Rukia said and Ichigo looked confused at her words. — No kingdom, no crown, is worth the lives of our children. If the Deities decide that we must have a child, then we will leave the kingdom; we will go as far from here as possible. Maranni can go to hell, the Accords of the Fall too. I want a quiet life, but more than a quiet life, I want a life with you; with you and our four children.

Ichigo didn't respond to what she said, not with words; he approached her and kissed her in an intense and passionate way, not like those little kisses he had been giving her in recent days; those kisses were sweet, soft, and calm.

The kiss he was giving her at that moment was so intense, it made her burn from within.

Rukia was flustered and flushed after that kiss; she was feeling hot and she had a silly little smile on her lips. Again she turned to see Ichigo, and this time she saw that smile that was only for her.

Ichigo raised a hand and motioned for the soldiers to begin advancing as his horse began to move again. Rukia hugged Ichigo again, laying her head on his chest, remembering the intensity of that kiss on the lips.

The horse advanced slowly, and they were silent the rest of the way to the main gate of the city, and before they crossed it, Rukia asked a question again.

— So, are we okay, my prince?

— Yes, we are okay, my princess.

They entered the city on horseback.

Ichigo was still holding her by the waist, and Rukia moved her feet in the air without letting go of him, seeing the city and the people coming and going from one place to another. Rukia could notice something curious, and it was that most of them were heading towards the door that led to the mountains, the same door through which they were going to exit to reach the Palace of the Sun.

— Why are there so many people going to the mountains? — Rukia asked curiously.

— Because in the mountains there are springs, there are actually several natural sources of water that form small lakes, not hot water because there are no volcanoes nearby, but water is pure enough to attribute healing powers. — Ichigo explained. Rukia noticed the indifference in his voice when he mentioned the theme of "healing waters".

— Do not you think are healing waters? — Rukia asked. She was a little surprised to know that there was waters with that quality.

Ichigo had a fixed gaze on the road they wore.

— It is only normal water, but people have faith that if they drink it or bathe in them, their ills will cure. — Ichigo turned to see her and kissed her on her nose. Rukia blushed. — Those springs go down from the mountains and reach the rivers, and the peasants use the water from the rivers to irrigate their crops. So, I do not think those waters are as miraculous as they say.

— You have magical powers but do not believe in the power of water! — Rukia accused him with a funny tone but still looking at him. She even pointed to him with an accusatory finger, making emphasis on her accusation.

— What I have is a gift, one very dangerous, but it is a gift after all. What comes out of the springs is water, very pure water, but water at the end of the day. If people are happy believing that it is "curative", we cannot do anything against it. — Ichigo took Rukia's finger and kissed the fingertip, staring into her eyes, with that expression that made Rukia's legs shake. — It's rude to point people out, princess.

Rukia blushed at that and looked away for a moment, the tone of voice that Ichigo had used was too seductive at the moment. She attributed it to that veil of sadness that covered them since they left Kirasam's city, had vanished.

— I'm sorry, Commander Kurosaki. — Rukia apologized but without really apologizing, she felt happy at the moment, being with Ichigo who seemed more relaxed.

— Do you like the surname Kurosaki? — Ichigo asked, curious and expectant.

— I like it; it reminds me, of some strange way, to the tattoo on your back. — Rukia admitted. — I also want a tattoo like that. Would you do me one?

That question made Ichigo look at her; he was too surprised with that request. Rukia smiled again and hugged him as if she were a little girl who was about to say something that she should not say.

— Not as big as yours, but you told me you can do them. Make me one, wherever you want, but do it you. — Rukia whispered.

She was completely blushing and hid the face between Ichigo's chest; Ichigo hugged her and kissed her head softly, evading somehow that diadem that she was using.

— Are you sure? — Ichigo asked, a little surprised and a little happy. He did not expect that request.

— Yep. — Rukia replied, smiling, but with the blush decorating her cheeks. — I want something permanent, as what I feel for you.

Ichigo stayed in silence for a moment, and Rukia waited patiently for an answer.

— It's okay. — Ichigo said. — I'll do it on the night of souls, after the dance. — Ichigo promised before looking at her with a malicious smile. — It will be my chance to return to you the pain that caused me the slap that you gave me last year.

— Hey! That is not fair! It is a very cruel revenge against your defenseless wife! Also, I already asked you for forgiveness for that. — Rukia reminded him.

— You hit me very hard. — Ichigo clarified.

— So, I ask you a very hard forgiveness? — Rukia asked with a nervous smile.

— It will not help. Little princess, which hits defenseless princes in the dances. — Ichigo joked and hugged her again. — Making this type of tattoos hurts, and it hurts a lot. It will be as if I burn your skin with Iron to red, and the best night to make them is on the night of souls. Think well if you want it, my princess. You know I cannot deny you anything, I just want you to be sure.

Rukia didn't say more about the tattoo, she just sighed and kept hugging Ichigo as they crossed the city. They left the city and followed the road to the mountains together with several people, who were also advancing on that road, and who were heading to the springs.

They deviated from the main road and took a secondary road that was flanked by trees that had small green and black fruits. Rukia stared at those trees with curiosity, she had never seen them, and she was curious about the fruits and the leaves. Such trees do not grow on the Maranni lands.

— They are olive trees. — Ichigo clarified even though she hadn't asked anything. Rukia turned to see him and found that he was looking at her. — Oil is extracted from them.

— Is it what they grow here? — Rukia asked curiously.

— Yep, among many things. — Ichigo added. — When we finish the work here, I'll take you to see the springs.

That excited Rukia, and she began to imagine what the springs that were so famous in those mountains would be like, until they reached the Palace of the Sun.

The Palace of the Sun really was a palace, it was really big, and Rukia could see that one area reflected light in a way that seemed magical to her; even the colors of the stone with which it was built seemed magical to her.

Ichigo introduced himself to the guards, for the guards to let them pass, and they advanced down the path to the main entrance, where there were a couple of servants waiting for them.

— Welcome to the Palace of the Sun, Your Highnesses. — They were greeted by the servants the moment Ichigo stopped the horse in front of them.

One of the soldiers helped Rukia off the horse and Ichigo got off after her; Ichigo handed the reins to one of the stable boys there, and walked over to her. Rukia noticed that the servants did not look up, and was surprised at how accustomed she was to her maid, who was confident enough, to look her in the eye in a less formal way.

— I'd like to speak to the Queen Mother. — Ichigo asked after offering his arm to Rukia for her to hold on to.

— His Highness will be able to excuse us, but the Queen Mother is not in the Palace of the Sun; she and the whole family went out after breakfast. They will return before dinner. — Explained a maiden who came quickly to where they were. Rukia noticed that the girl had a bunch of keys tied to her belt, and she guessed that this girl must be the Kahya of the Palace of the Sun. — The Queen Mother has left orders about the room that you must occupy, your things are already there. Please follow me and I will show you the room, Your Highnesses.

— Did the Queen Mother know we would arrive today? — Rukia asked in a whisper as they advanced through the hallways of the palace following the Kahya.

— I have no idea, I guess my mother tipped her off. — Ichigo replied in the same tone of voice. — Although she could not know that we would arrive today; surely she prepared everything long in advance.

That made Rukia have a chill down her spine.

Rukia had only seen Ichigo's grandmother on her wedding day, but she hadn't been able to talk to her much as the Queen Mother was more interested in talking to Queen Masaki than anything else. Rukia had the impression that more than a talk, it was a scolding from the Queen Mother towards Queen Masaki, and that impression remained etched in her mind as a warning sign.

If Queen Masaki was afraid of Ichigo's grandmother, then the Queen Mother was a woman to fear. Rukia was glad that the Queen Mother was not in the palace when they arrived. Knowing her up close was an intrinsic fear that had been activated the moment they said that she already knew they would arrive.

Thinking about the relationship that she might have had with the Queen Mother, if she had lived in the castle as stipulated in the agreement, it did not serve Rukia at that time, because she would not have met the Queen Mother anyway.

The agreement stipulated that she had to marry Kaien, and she would not have met Ichigo until he returned from Vayalat; surely her relationship with Kaien would be close since they would eventually have ended up married, and surely Ichigo would have continued his "romance" with Yoruichi and married her.

Thinking about that last thing made her angry, she didn't even know the famous princess of Gardelia but she already felt that she hated her.

Rukia turned to see Ichigo, who was totally ignorant of everything she was thinking at the time, and hit him on the shoulder when she thought no one was paying attention to them. Ichigo complained silently, asking for an explanation in a whisper for that blow, but Rukia excused herself saying that she remembered something that bothered her and she had to hit him to feel better.

Ichigo didn't say anything at that moment and they kept walking until the maiden who was guiding them turned a corner out of sight.

— Every time I'm jealous of imagining you married to Koga, I will corner you against the wall and make love to you. Just to reaffirm that you are mine. — Ichigo threatened her and then smirked maliciously. — What were you thinking that you got jealous? In all the women I've brought here since I returned to the kingdom?

Ichigo's question made no sense, Rukia knew that he had been more interested in his own plans and training than in women, but she couldn't help but get angry at that false possibility. Every time she got jealous, Ichigo would say something to her that made her upset more than she already was.

Ichigo used to tell her that if she wanted to imagine things and get angry out of the blue, he would gladly help her.

— You're lucky that I didn't know you back then, or my reputation would be just as sadistic as Queen Masaki's. — Rukia clarified, annoyed by Ichigo's words. — Besides, I can't do it yet; so try not to think of Koga kissing my hand.

Rukia showed him her hand and wiggled her fingers in a mischievous way, just because she liked to see him jealous and because the two of them could play that game. Ichigo took her by the hand and drew her to him, holding her by the waist with his other hand, until his lips almost rose to hers as he spoke.

— So, when you can, we won't leave the room. — Ichigo threatened her again in a dangerous whisper, looking into her eyes. — My love.

Rukia could feel Ichigo's hot breath, his breath brushing her lips and his hand gripping her waist. She loved all of that about him, and she loved the way he made her feel.

— I hope you keep your promise, my love. — Rukia whispered, in the same tone he had used, making the kiss Ichigo gave her so captivating, that she felt that if he let her go, she would fall hopelessly to the floor.

The maiden who was guiding them through the corridors of that immense palace cleared her throat delicately, and Rukia felt Ichigo slowly break the kiss until they parted. Rukia was flustered and flushed, her legs felt shaking and it took her a few moments to come back to reality.

They followed the maiden until they came to a room that was really large; it had a window that took up half the wall with thick curtains that decorated it, and the floor was decorated with rugs; the bed was just as big, bigger than Ichigo's bed in Adelaar, and it had lots of cushions to match the sheets and blankets.

Rukia looked at every detail in the room, the decorations, the paintings and the rugs; the furniture that shone with varnish, the cushions and the sofas; even the doors had something different that she couldn't make out what it was.

It was a truly luxurious room that clearly had the stamp of the royal family on every ornament and decoration.

— This is your room, Your Highnesses. Your things have been arranged and the bathroom will be ready for when you want to use it. — The maid pointed to a door at the back of the room. — That door leads to the private bathroom.

Rukia wondered if all the rooms had a private bathroom, or just that one.

Behind the maid who had guided them to the room, two more maids entered, each one holding in her hands a tray with food and drink for Rukia and Ichigo, which they arranged on the table in the room.

— Your servants have been briefed on the palace rules, so they will be there when you need them. — The Kahya of the palace explained calmly. — We will let you know when the Queen Mother arrives.

The Kahya and the maids bowed to them and left the room, leaving them alone.

Rukia walked over to the table to see what they had left, and discovered that it was a jug of water, a jug of wine, and plenty of food and fruit.

— You told me once that you don't like wine because it's so dry, but I've seen you drink wine many times. — Rukia spoke taking one of the grapes that had been placed on a tray.

— Contradictions of life. A year ago I said that I was not going to marry the Kuchiki girl and look at me now, the Kuchiki girl has me completely tamed. — Ichigo joked a bit as he sat on the bed and took off his riding boots along with the rest of his extra clothes until he was only pants and a shirt. — I don't like all wines, the king's wine is too strong for me to like it; I drink wine only when I have to, like at our wedding or at parties, when wine circulates like water.

— And the golden liquor that you have in your room? — Rukia mimicked Ichigo and took off her diadem and shoes before starting to undress.

— Let me help you. — Ichigo got up and walked over to her to help her undress; he kissed her shoulder before answering. — That liquor is the liquor of business, I drink it when I'm doing business.

— So if you and I do business, would we drink it together? — Rukia asked biting her lip before feeling her dress fall to the floor, leaving only her nightgown.

Ichigo smirked.

— No my love, if you wanted to drink it you just had to ask. I have not offered it to you because I had not thought about it before. — Ichigo offered her his hand so that she could hold onto him and thus lean over to pick up her dress from the floor. — When we return, we will drink it together.

Rukia nodded with a smile.

She left her clothes on a chair and approached the table to pour two glasses of wine, one for herself and one for Ichigo; she made a small toast to everything and nothing at once, and sat on one of the chairs to rest a bit while she took small cubes of cheese that were on a plate. Ichigo sat next to her and started eating grapes.

— And have you ever gotten drunk? Because I didn't used to drink wine, not more than one glass, until I got married. — Rukia commented making Ichigo laugh.

— Well... when I was with the mercenaries...

Ichigo told Rukia the craziest story she had ever heard; one where a drunken crew of mercenaries stole their own elephant trying not to make noise so they wouldn't be discovered by the elephant's owners; and with Ichigo yelling that he would rule the world when the world stopped moving because he didn't know how he had ended up riding an elephant.

Rukia laughed at the way Ichigo told her that story; the familiar way he referred to mercenaries, calling them by name, and by the gestures he made when he tried to explain something that he rambled on in the memory of that adventure.

They went from sitting at the table to sitting on the floor in the middle of that story.

— We finished three days later, lying on a deserted beach, without the elephant and without rum. It was the only time I drank that rum and in that way. I don't remember very well what we did with the elephant or how we ended up there, I only remember that at night red crabs came out of the sand and we started chasing them trying to get them to tell us where they hid the rum. — Ichigo finished counting with a laugh.

Rukia laughed like never before in her life and Ichigo told her other stories, some where he was no longer so drunk as not to remember how they had lost an elephant; all while they ate and played throwing pieces of cheese or fruit at each other, sitting on the carpet.

They spent the whole afternoon laughing, they finished the wine but did not ask for more, they ate and they lay on the floor, a little drunk and quite happy at the time. Rukia had never reached that level of intoxication, she hadn't had much to drink, but she felt happy, sleepy and a little clumsy when speaking

— When the Queen Mother sees the great woman you married, completely drunk, she will not be happy. Surely she will want you and me to get divorced. — Rukia joked rolling on the carpet until she reached Ichigo. — "I can't belief the… the fiutur queen of Avanta and… and the Blun Mountains is… completely drunk."

Rukia tried to imitate someone else's voice, but the laughter caused by the wine prevented her from speaking well.

— We were falsely divorced once, don't dream I'll say those words again. Lady Kurosaki, you are mine until time is no longer time. — Ichigo replied, getting up from the floor to carry Rukia in his arms and carry her to the bed.

Ichigo was not as drunk as Rukia, previous experience had given him resistance; at least enough resistance not to end up drunk with a jug of wine.

— I like Kurosaki. I will be… Kia Kurosaki from now on. — Rukia teased a little, feeling the softness of the bed on her back.

— You can't be Kia Kurosaki; Kia is Kon's girlfriend and Kon doesn't have that last name.

— What do you mean his girlfriend? — Rukia asked, but she was giving in to sleep and feeling more and more clumsy. — They should… should already be… be married… They have… to get… get married…

— No, they have not married; Kia is his girlfriend. — Ichigo whispered.

Rukia could no longer answer Ichigo because she fell asleep at that time.

She dreamed that night of Kia and Kon's wedding. Ichigo was dressed as a soldier and Rukia was dressed as a normal girl, with a pretty dress and with flowers in her hair; without all that protocol that marked a wedding with a prince, without all those people who were unknown to her. Just a wedding between two normal people who loved each other.

That dream was so comfortable and pleasant. It was a dream that made her happy because she even dreamed of the life that followed after that wedding, without problems, without conspiracies and without lies. A quiet life on a farm, taking care of your garden and orchard; chasing chickens and ducks. A calm and happy life.

But it was just that, a dream.

Summer — x492 / September 14

The sunlight that filtered through the folds of the curtains woke her up, the room was cold because the windows were open but the sheets gave her enough heat not to want to get out of bed; the mattress was soft, as were the pillows and sheets.

Rukia turned on her right side only to find Ichigo asleep next to her, shirtless and with his back uncovered, allowing her to see that strange tattoo. Rukia again admired that tattoo that Ichigo had on his back, so big and complicated that she couldn't even find a definite shape; they were leaves, fig trees with thorns, she sometimes thought she saw flowers or animals, but it was only the effect of the intersecting lines that made her mind find a shape.

That tattoo told a story, Ichigo used to say, but Rukia just doubted there was a story that could be told. That tattoo, like Ichigo, was magical and changed from time to time.

Someday she would ask Ichigo what story that tattoo told, but at that moment Rukia was only outlining with her fingertips what she believed to be a thorny fig tree; she placed a kiss on the shoulder of Ichigo, who was still asleep, and she settled back between the sheets to go back to sleep.

She was so comfortable that she would soon fall asleep; she felt sleep come over her again, when something made her open her eyes abruptly.

— It's morning! — She whispered in an alarmed gasp as she realized she had missed dinner with the Queen Mother.

Rukia got out of bed, no matter if she was making noise or not, and tried to wake Ichigo up.

Missing that dinner scared her a little. The queen mother intimidated her, even though Rukia had only seen her on the wedding day; she wanted to make a good impression upon her arrival at the Palace of the Sun, but evidently that would no longer be possible.

Ichigo used to be a light sleeper, a product of all those years of training and wars, so when she moved him, and he didn't wake up, she freaked out.

— Ichigo… wake up Ichigo. — Rukia said, going from a whisper to an increasingly audible voice, continuing to move him to wake him up.

He always knew when she woke up, and she must have suspected he was fast asleep when she kissed his shoulder and he didn't even move.

Rukia was getting desperate, and was about to pour him a pitcher of water that was on the table for him to react, when she felt Ichigo's hand on her waist pulling her back onto the bed. Rukia was surprised, but Ichigo had more strength than her, and she didn't fight that grip; they both lay on the bed and Rukia no longer tried to wake him up.

— It is too early to be awake. — Ichigo muttered, settling on the bed and hugging Rukia like she was a plush doll.

— It's too late for dinner. — Rukia replied, caught in that hug, feeling a calm that was unusual and that slight warmth in the ring in her hand. — Stop using magic to relax me, this is serious. Ichigo, we didn't make it to dinner, we fell asleep.

Rukia thought Ichigo was going to open his eyes in surprise at that phrase, but instead, he just lazily opened one eye, focusing on her. Rukia just stared at him, not understanding how calm Ichigo was at that moment, and felt like hitting him.

— What's going on? — She asked, staring at him.

— I told Kahya that we were not going to dinner. — Ichigo confessed, looking at her with a guilty smile.

— And why didn't you tell me! — Rukia broke away from that hug and smacked Ichigo on the shoulder. — For a moment I thought we were in trouble! Wait a minute, when did you tell the Kahya?

Ichigo stayed on the bed, Rukia couldn't blame him, the bed was truly comfortable, but he had to give her answers. She called his name in a threatening tone, and Ichigo had no choice but to sit up in bed, with a sleepy expression that was contagious.

— Yesterday afternoon, after you fell asleep. — Ichigo explained stretching a bit; Rukia could hear the sound of Ichigo's joints as he stretched. — I told the Kahya that we were exhausted from the trip and to apologize to the Queen Mother; that we would see her for breakfast or lunch, depending on what time we woke up.

Rukia just looked at Ichigo, who was still on the bed moving his shoulders a little like every day, while he spoke.

— And why did not you tell me? — Rukia asked, slightly annoyed at this omission of information from Ichigo.

— You were asleep. — Ichigo answered simply. Rukia narrowed her eyes and Ichigo smiled nervously. — I didn't use the ankh to put you to sleep, I swear. — Ichigo put his hand on his chest, right over his heart. — It's just that you were asleep, I tried to wake you up and you hit me so, I didn't try again and then I fell asleep. That's it, don't worry. We are not in trouble, and it is too early for you to get angry, although angry I like you more.

— That's not why you have to make me angry from the morning! — Rukia hit Ichigo on the shoulder again, this time a little harder, and Ichigo complained about it.

Ichigo was looking at her with a pained frown on his face, holding the shoulder where she had hit him. Rukia had to admit that canceling dinner was a good idea; she was in no condition to appear before the Queen Mother the day before.

— Thanks. — Rukia whispered, smiling a little and shaking her head before kissing him where she had hit earlier. — Sorry for hitting you; I was scared.

— You keep hitting hard. — Ichigo joked before tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. — Okay, time to get out of bed.

Ichigo was right, it was too early to be angry. So, after relaxing a bit and enjoying the view from that huge glass window in that room, the two of them headed for a shower before fully starting the day.

Rukia felt rested, relaxed and happy; and she supposed that was the reason why Ichigo had canceled dinner with his grandmother, because he also needed to rest. She didn't blame him, they both needed a moment of rest after everything they'd been through in the past few days, and they needed to get their relationship back on track.

Ichigo helped her to dress, to tie the knots of her dress and her stockings, giving her a small kiss on one of her thighs before dropping the skirt of the dress. Rukia did the same with Ichigo, helping him with the buttons on his shirt and his vest, stroking his back in the process and kissing his jawline and neck.

— If you give me one more kiss, my love, we will be late for breakfast. — Ichigo spoke and his voice was hoarse than usual; his hands were clutching Rukia's waist, and Rukia bit her lip as she heard him.

— Against the table, my love. We can't be late. — Rukia whispered before kissing him again, feeling Ichigo's hands draw her to him as much as possible, lifting the skirt of her dress urgently and quickly.

They hadn't made love in a long time, more than Rukia would like to remember, and feeling Ichigo inside her again was, at that moment, the best thing the day had brought her. Rukia knew that she must wait at least one more day before she could be with Ichigo, but the desire to feel him had been greater than common sense.

Greetings to: Scarease, jobananasan, diah77, Gman, FafaCute and Nikkiebelles.

Next chapter: Undefined

Author1: a little bit of love and romance before the next round of suspense, intrigue and hatred for all the characters. Reminding you that the IchiRuki is total so do not fear because they will not cheat.

Author2: Due to family business, I will not be able to update next week on the set day, I promise to update as soon as possible. Thaks everyone for reading.

P.S. Rukia had breakfast before breakfast 7u7