Rukia Baby

by

Mojo-licious

Chapter Five

- Contemplations -

Ichigo grumbled as he walked down the streets with his friends. It was bad enough that he stood out with his hair, but with a baby in his arms, he just seemed to be asking for it. And boy did he get it; he had been stopped several times by elderly women who crowded around him and stood cooing over the small child in his arms as they asked all kinds of questions regarding her age and parentage. Ichigo, despite his crude looks was a very respectful teen. Patiently he had answered their questions claiming that he was Rukia's babysitter since her brother was away.

"She's got such bright eyes," he recalled one woman saying.

"Such a cute little one."

Idly Ichigo looked down at the toddler in his arms. She seemed content leaning her head against his chest as her hand held onto his t-shirt. Her eyes were closed as she rested against him with a pacifier in her mouth. Ichigo couldn't help but run a hand through her soft locks forgetting that he was surrounded by his friends and a very irate Renji who was walking a few feet ahead of him. The orange haired teen smiled a little, Rukia looked so vulnerable; a far cry from the stubborn girl he knew. His smile disappeared as he wondered what had happened to make her change so much. The Rukia he knew was guarded, her emotions slipping through the cracks in her mask. It was true that they had an understanding of each other, she had managed to pry off his mask and knew his temperaments so well, yet when it came to her, he was lost. Sometimes he would understand her, but there were times when he yearned to be closer to her, especially in those moments when he had caught a glimpse of the pain lingering in those dark violet orbs.

Rukia, he mused, was a complex soul. In all his years he hadn't met anyone like her and through her he was finally able to break free from his bleak existence and become something much more.

"What the hell are you doing idiot?" a gruff voice asked, interrupting Ichigo's musings. He glared at the red head in front of him. Renji seemed extremely pissed off about something which in turn set Ichigo off. He was agitated and embarrassed that the tattooed freak had caught him being a little sentimental.

"Who're you calling an idiot, IDIOT!" Ichigo growled causing Renji to raise an eyebrow.

"Oh real original there, aren't you," he shot back.

Ishida, Inoue and Chad stood off to the side watching as the two began their verbal tirade.

"Shouldn't we stop them," Chad asked.

Ishida frowned and pushed up his spectacles. Absently he wondered what he was doing with such idiotic people.

"Normally Kuchiki-san breaks them up," he stated and the others sighed as the duo were starting to attract attention from those passing by.

To their surprise, the arguments halted suddenly causing the trio to look at their friends. Ishida pushed up his spectacles while trying to conceal his grin and Chad looked away with a smile tugging at his lips. Inoue stood gaping at the scene; the heroic image of her orange haired friend facing hollows and captains alike, was quickly replaced by an Ichigo with a yellow pacifier in his mouth courtesy of chibi Rukia. Inoue shook her head in awe of the small form, only Rukia could get the upper hand on Ichigo.

Ichigo stood with a yellow pacifier in his mouth while Rukia looked up at him quite content with her work. The toddler had woken up during the fight and thinking her precious ball was angry because he didn't have anything to suck on, offered up her pacifier to him. Dark brown eyes glared at a pair of innocent violet. Rukia simply rested her head against Ichigo's chest and was about to resume her nap when loud laughter interrupted her. Her eyes widened instantly and she turned searching for the cause of the noise. Something red filled her peripheral vision and she blinked watching as the red thing moved up and down. With her limited vocab she looked at Ichigo and pointed to Renji.

"Baall?"

Ichigo's eyelids drooped as he shifted her in his arms. With one free hand he pulled out the pacifier muttering a few death threats beneath his breath as he stared at the red head who continued laughing.

"Baall?" a chibi voice interrupted and Ichigo looked at Rukia, a vicious grin spreading across his face. He shook his bright locks and pointed to the red head.

"Baboon," he stated and repeated it again.

"Baaboo," Rukia repeated and Ichigo nodded with a grin. Renji however was not pleased and grabbed Ichigo by the collar. Just as he was about to throttle the teen he was interrupted by Rukia, who raised her arms wanting to go to him. The vice-captain shifted uncomfortably before taking her in his arms. Inwardly Renji was screaming for joy, he had been angry that even the chibi version of his childhood friend preferred the company of the orange haired idiot. His joy however was short lived when she called him, "Baaboo."

He grumbled and glared at his rival who smirked at him. Renji turned back to face the path, he smiled inwardly. It didn't matter what Rukia called him as long as she was with him. The sixth division vice-captain relished the small form leaning into him for support and comfort, something that the older version would never do. His foul mood soon gave way to a smile as the chibi form rested her head against his shoulder and fell asleep. The sight of Urahara's shop in the distance soon had the red head grumbling as he realized that Ichigo had carried her most of the way.

Inoue Orihime's place..

Hitsugaya Toshiro lay on the rooftop as he waited patiently for Inoue to return to her apartment. He and the others had just arrived on earth and decided to crash at her place since it was empty and she was part of their recent mission.

Aizen's hollows were now targeting those gifted in Demon Arts. Inoue Orihime was among those considered a possible target, along with Kuchiki Rukia. The short white haired tenth division captain watched the sunset, as he considered the victims of Aizen's schemes. His quiet solitude was interrupted by a loud crash. Soon another crash followed accompanied by shouts.

Hitsugaya sighed. Matsumoto, Ikkaku and Yumichika were at it again, bickering back and forth like a bunch of kids. He could hear their shouts from the rooftop.

"Stop flashing those things!!"

"Can it baldy!"

"BOTH OF YOU SHUTUP!! Your screams are stressing my beautiful hair."

The boy genius felt a vein pop out of his forehead as the trio continued shouting back and forth. His green eyes darkened as his fingers itched to break out Hyorinmaru and freeze their mouths shut. Grumbling he headed down before the neighbours could start complaining. It wouldn't do them any good to have Inoue evicted because they caused a ruckus.

To be continued.. Hope you're enjoying the fic.. Thank you for the encouragement!!

Rukia is 3yrs old though she's acting more like a 1 or 2 yr old. There's a reason for that which u will see in later chapters.. For those of u reading Haunted I'm still working on the new chappie so watch out for that..I don't have much time to write so pls bear with me