What full lips you have
They're sure to lure someone bad
So until you get to grandma's place
I think you ought to walk with me and be safe

The next morning Akane woke up to knocking on her door and confusion settled over the young woman. She wasn't supposed to work today, she brought Grandmother everything she needed to get her through the next few days, and both Renji and Ichigo were probably already at work. So who could be knocking at her door? Getting up from the warmth of her bed, Akane stopped in front of the small mirror that hung on the wall and noticed some of her curls were becoming tangled at the back of her head. As the knocking persisted she rushed to the door, pulling it open quickly. Standing there was Kuchiki Rukia, Ichigo's fiancee.

"Rukia? What are you doing here?" Akane asked, confusion coloring her face.

Laughing Rukia shook her head before she pushed into the house.

"You don't remember? We were going to go pick flowers for the wedding today!" The shorter woman laughed.

"Oh! That's right!" Akane exclaimed before running into her room to get dressed.

Shaking her head Rukia sat on the small couch, chuckling to herself as she heard the older woman stumbling around her room. Seconds later the redhead emerged, her hands trying to tug a comb through the mess her curls had become.

"Rukia? Do you mind?" She asked, pointing the comb she couldn't get through her hair.

"Not at all." Rukia laughed, patting the spot next to her.

Rukia managed to get the comb through Akane's hair easily once she got the knotted curls apart and proceeded to braid the sides together to keep them out of the other woman's face. When she finished they left the house, baskets in hand and headed out of the village towards a large field just north of the cutter site, the sounds of axes cutting into the trees echoing as they passed. When they reached the large field, the sun was shining brightly, dancing off the different colored flowers that sprang up before them. Placing her basket and cloak down, Akane and Rukia began to pick the flowers the smaller woman wanted to use for the wedding, mainly purples and pinks.

"So are you nervous for the wedding, Rukia?" Akane question as she sniffed her bundle of flowers.

Standing up straight, Rukia stretched before turning to look at her friend.

"A bit, but mostly excited. Ichigo may be a complete idiot, but he's my idiot." She exclaimed before laughing.

Joining in in the laughter Akane turned to go place her bundle in her basket when she stopped mid step. Standing next to her basket and cloak was Aizen, his sharp eyes focused on her.

"You shouldn't be walking around in these woods alone, Akane. You never know what or whom is out there." He purred as she walked closer to pick up her basket.

"Thank you for your concern, Sosuke, but I am not alone. I'm here with Rukia." She stated, motioning to the woman heading towards her, her violet eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Even so, I think I should stay and keep an eye on you ladies. Just to be safe." He informed, looking like the cat who got the canary.

"As generous as that is, Sosuke, we were actually just leaving. Thank you for your concern, but it isn't necessary." Rukia spoke as she stopped next to her friend, her basket overflowing with flowers.

Her voice was hard and her eyes were like ice towards the larger man. She didn't trust this man as far as she could throw him and didn't like the way he looked at Akane.

"Oh? And where are you off to so soon?" He asked, contempt lacing his voice.

"Nowhere of concern to you, Sosuke." Rukia countered before pulling Akane in the direction of the woodsmen, Aizen's eyes burning a hole into her back.

"He's such a creep." Rukia seethed when he was out of sight, her holding on Akane loosening.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who see's it." Akane sighed, rubbing a hand over her face.


As they got closer to the cutter site Akane stopped, grabbing Rukia's hand. Turning, Rukia looked at her friend confused as the taller woman bit her lip.

"What's wrong Akane?" She questioned, her brow furrowed.

"Jushiro kissed me last night." Akane blurted before she could stop herself.

Rukia looked at her in shock before she smiled a big grin.

"I knew he liked you! I kept telling Ichigo but he wouldn't believe me!" She exclaimed before grabbing the redheads hand and pulling her along behind her.

"This is great! I can't believe it! Is he courting you?" Rukia questioned in a hushed voice as they entered the cutting site, afraid anyone would overhear her. Especially Ichigo.

Akane just nodded, smiling as she looked up and saw Jushiro loading a cart with wood. It was a bit cold out, but the sun was shining brightly down on them, warming their bodies. His forehead was slick with sweat, his muscles bulging beneath his sinewy skin. His hair was tied back in a leather thong at the base of his neck, contrasting greatly against his black shirt.

"Oi! Rukia!" Ichigo called upon seeing his fiancee at the mouth to the clearing.

Rukia spun around, a large smile taking residence on her face. Laughing she ran forward and jumped into the man's arms as he spun her around, planting a kiss squarely on her mouth. Smiling at her two friends Akane walked forward, smiling and waving at the other men as she passed, most having known her since she was a child. She could hear the infectious laughter of her two friends as Ichigo chased Rukia, yelling about how he wanted another kiss as they ran around a confused Renji. Setting her stuff down she sat down on her cloak and watched as Renji began to yell at the two lovers about how they were making him dizzy.


He saw her when she walked into the clearing, talking in hushed whispers to Rukia. The sun shone brightly against her hair, lighting it up like rubies in a mine and her smile was bright as the two girls giggled. He watched as she made her way across the clearing, the other woodsmen calling out greetings, and observed the way she moved.

She held herself tall, despite how short she actually was, and moved with sure steps. Her cloak was held close to her body, shielding a small tummy from view. As she sat down, Jushiro caught a quick glimpse of the yellow dress fabric pulling tight against her heart shaped bottom. Smiling he set down his axe and walked towards her, pulling a small object out of his pocket.

Kneeling down behind her, he slipped a leather thong around her neck with a small metal pendant hanging from it. As the cool metal touched the skin of her chest, Akane jumped in shock, falling back slightly into his arms. As she turned her wide eyes towards him, Jushiro flashed a large smile before planting a quick kiss on her lips.

"Hello beautiful." He whispered before stealing another kiss.

He surprised her, there was no doubt about it, in many ways.

"Come with me." He spoke, pulling her to her feet.

Scooping up her cloak before she forgot it, Akane let him pull her out of the clearing, a large smile on her face.