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Falling Together

Chapter Seven - Kurosaki's Alliance

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They stared at each other for a little while, it felt strange. The atmosphere was different, Ichigo certainly was acting different…and for once Rukia seemed a little too uneasy around him.

"Are you going to continue to be quiet?" He asked in a calm voice. She turned crimson and looked away. Damn you Ichigo! She gritted her teeth. There they were in a world of anger and cursing and now there she was in a new world of confusion with him. "…Well?" He asked intently, she perked up. Her body straightened and her hands clenching desperately on the skirt of her kimono.

"N-No of course not!" She stuttered for a pretty long time. But due to her sudden shy ways, she managed to take a glimpse of his true smile. Her heart fluttered. She realized that his smile managed to make her smile herself. And it took a lot to make her express herself. "Why are you acting so different?" She asked, staring at him. Her head cocked at one side, as she questioned her husband.

"Hm?"

"Well…why are you acting all…nice?"

"All I ever do is act nice, what are you talking about?" He grinned, and she blushed.

Their ride home, was unusually silent. Normally they would be arguing over simple things, but today…they were actually enjoying themselves. Today they were actually experiencing a more mature way towards life.

"I-Ichigo?" Rukia asked him a little timidly, she could feel her heart skip uneasily. Out of rhythm. He stared at her as he opened her door for her and took her hand. "…You know…you can stop playing around with me." She murmured, too afraid that he might beplaying around with her. He let her down, and walked towards the front gate without answering. So typical of him to be silent like that.

"I'm not playing around with you." Was his final answer, and the door flung open with Yoruichi and Soi Fon with urgent expressions.

"The final move might occur tonight." They simultaneously announced. Ichigo nodded, and walked with them to the meeting hall. Rukia voluntarily followed.

"What's the death record?" Ichigo asked softly, feeling his wife's presence behind him. Yoruichi stared at the velvet carpet as they strolled through the hallways. "Yoruichi. I asked you a question." The king spoke a little more loudly. Soi Fon, bit her lower lip. Such news, was too disgusting to be heard.

"Well…You see…Our borders have been breeched…At least tens of thousands of troops have been annihilated." The woman whispered, looking rather guilty. "Gomen. If I was there…then we could have at least fifteen thousand troops alive." Soi Fon looked away, a sign that she too was apologizing for her arrogance. Ichigo sighed, and sat down as they finally reached the room.

"I see." Were the only few words he could speak. Rukia sat beside him, her hands clasped tightly onto her lap as she gazed at the confused and pathetic generals.

Several minutes later, Ichigo stood up and rubbed his temples. Such an annoying responsibility. To order them around, using their lives for such a stupid cause. "…Contact, Ishida-san….I would like to talk to him." He finally replied, staring outside the window. The skies were an odd color of red and purple. A sign of such stupid wars of nobility.

"Contact…nii-sama as well!" Rukia piped in, before Yoruichi could leave. She nodded, and soon fled from their presence. Ichigo, looking quite surprised, didn't bother to ask why she wanted to help him. "…We're family…so family must defend each other." She replied to his silence, and closed her eyes.

"…Very well…"

"…Oh. Kurosaki-sama! Abarai-kun would like to speak with you." Soi Fon interrupted him as he gazed at Rukia. Ichigo nodded and stood up, leaving the area. He could feel Renji's riatsu, it seemed to be somewhat concerned and furious. As soon as Ichigo left, the doors silently closed to give the two privacy.

"YOU BASTARD." Renji angrily shouted, clenching onto his pale fist. Ichigo stared at him calmly, rather than angrily talking back.

"What's the matter, Renji?" Ichigo questioned. He knew something was up, otherwise the red-headed fool wouldn't be calling him such a name. "Did something happen?" He repeated his question, blinking at him with laziness.

"…DON'T EVER TOUCH RUKIA YOU GOT THAT!" Renji swiftly disappeared. Ichigo sighed, and reentered the room in which his wife was enjoying the scenery of the strange skies.

So he's figured it out? Ichigo thought to himself, and sat himself near her. She was too oblivious of his presence, enjoying too much of the beautiful sites. The pale blue mountains rising from the red and royal purple clouds while the orange glowing sun secretly peeked through the clouded area. "…Rukia…" Ichigo whispered to her. She turned around, blushing. "There is something I need to tell you." He muttered, feeling a little intense. Such a subject, was normally not meant to be spoken of.

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"Ishida-sama…an invitation from Kurosaki-sama." Nemu whispered handing her master an envelope with the royal seal on it. Her king made a slight nod, and kindly dismissed her.

"…What is it?" A woman's voice chimed in, her orange strand of hair flowing all over her face as she attempted to take the letter away from her husband. "Oh…please Ishida! Let me take a look!" She smiled charmingly which made him blush (even if he was used to it).

"…It's from Kurosaki." He replied, pushing his glasses up as he found her pleased. "You can open it if you want, Orihime." He smiled to her, as she carefully opened the letter with extreme care. He knew how fond she was over Ichigo.

"…It's…a plea!" She gasped, and handed it over to him. Ishida gazed at it for several seconds and closed his eyes. "…Kurosaki-kun is having difficulties against them…Isn't he?" Orihime questioned, sighing and leaning her head against her husband's shoulder. "We will help them, wont we?" She asked him in such a cute voice.

"Of course we'll help them." He replied softly, combing her bright locks with his fingers. "…I'll do everything I can…for you." He smiled, and kissed her on the forehead.

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"Ukitate-sama…we have heard of Kurosaki-san's request for allies. Shall we respond?" Hitsugaya questioned staring at his mentor.

"Has he asked for our help?" The man asked a little childishly, eating his meal as he read an old novel. Hitsugaya flushed.

"…No. He has only asked for Ishida-sama and Kuchiki-sama's presence…but…I don't think their forces are enough-" He got cut off.

"Then we can not expect to help them." Ukitate replied simply. He closed the book and stared at his student. "If we come without their request, we should expect nothing in return from them. If they ask for our help, we must build some contract." He smiled wisely. "All though…if it was Kuchiki-san…then I guess I'll help her!" He smiled. Hitsugaya frowned deeply. Honestly, still a child playing around.

"I think that's best." Kyouraku replied beside his friend. Hitsugaya stared at him as if asking when did you come here? "I used shunpo." The man smiled sweetly and took a flask of wine from Ukitate's hand. "I need some of this…" He licked his lips and drank it.

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"Ah! Kuchiki-sama!" Matsumoto came in holding a parchment in her hands, shaking it furiously, obviously indicating that it was urgent. Byakuya stared at her with his same emotionless expression, but motioned her to come closer to him. "Kurosaki-sama requests for your aid!" She huffed, showing him the letter. "Shall we reply?" The woman asked.

"No."