I'm gonna keep my sheep suit on
Until I'm sure that you've been shown
That I can be trusted walking with you alone


"Jushiro, where are we going?" Akane questioned as they walked into the woods, her hand grasped in his.

"It's a surprise!" He answered, pulling her closer.

Holding her close, Jushiro pulled her farther into the woods, helping her over fallen trees and a small stream. Stopping outside a line of fir trees, Jushiro turned towards Akane.

"Close you eyes." He demanded, the smile stay playing on his lips.

"Why?" She questioned, trying to figure out what he was up to.

"Please?" He begged, his eyes shining.

Sighing Akane nodded before closing her eyes, her grip on his hand tightening. Jushiro moved closer, sliding his free hand around her small waist before leading her forward slowly.

"Trust me." He whispered, his breath hot against her ear.

He led her forward into the line of trees, holding her close to make sure she stayed stable on her feet. Once they cleared the tree line Jushiro stepped away from Akane, walking ahead of her before turning to face her.

"Okay, open!"

Slowly Akane blinked open her eyes in the bright light, her breath catching in her throat. Jushiro stood in the middle of a clearing surrounded by snowdrops, the sun dancing off his snow color strands and the white buds. At his feet laid a large patchwork quilt with a wicker basket placed in the middle.

"It's beautiful, Jushiro." She breathed, noticing the large smile on his face.

To her, he was the most beautiful piece of the picture. The way the slight breeze ruffled his hair, his green eyes shining brightly, and his silhouette glowing from the sun. Slowly she walked towards him, a smile stretching across her face the closer she got. When she finally reached him she looked up at his face, her eyes squinting in the bright winter sunlight.

"How did you know I'd be here today?" She asked, tilting her head to the side to hide her face in his shadow.

"I was just hoping you'd come," He answered pulling her closer by her skirt until she was a breath away. "Plus, I asked Rukia to bring you here just in case." He whispered blushing before he closed the distance to her lips.

He was soft, always soft and gentle. His lips were chapped and slightly rough against her own soft ones as his rough hands slid up her neck into her hair, goosebumps rising on her flesh. Her hands slid up his chest as his tongue probed the seam of her lips, asking to be let in to explore the cavern. Hesitantly she parted her lips and felt his velvety slick tongue stroking hers. A soft moan escaped her lips as Jushiro's fingers tangled into the hairs at the nape of her neck, pulling softly.

"Jushiro." She whispered breathlessly as the seperated, their foreheads resting against each other.

"Come Akane, I have a lovely lunch prepared for you." He answered, pulling her down onto the blanket.

He spread out the contents of the basket before them before settling at Akane's side. There were breads, cheeses, pieces of dried meat, and some fruits. He placed two small porcelain cups and a small porcelain bottle of mead on the blanket before they tucked in, laughter filling the clearing the whole meal.

"Here," Jushiro started, handing one of the small cups of mead. "To wash it down." he finished, picking up his own cup.

Akane felt the burn of the alcohol as it slid down her throat, leaving her slightly breathless. She held her cup towards Jushiro silently asking for more and the older man obliged, noticing the slight blush beginning to tint her fair cheeks. Sighing after the second cup made its way down her throat Akane stretched and fell back on the blanket, basking in the early winter sun. Slowly sliding her hand up Jushiro's back she tangled her fingers in the soft hair of his ponytail, twirling it around her lithe fingers.

Turning to look at her Jushiro smiled softly and lowered himself down next to her, propping his head up on his hand. Slowly he reached out and brushed a rouge curl out of her face, his rough fingers gliding gently across her cheek. His fingers made their way across her lips before sliding down her neck towards her throat, where they ghosted over the metal pendant resting in the hollow.

"Do you know what this is?" He asked as he picked it up.

Slowly Akane shook her head, her fingers still playing with his snow colored locks.

"It's a snowdrop," he started, leaning closer to her face slowly. "The sigil of my family."

His breath ghosted over her lips, the tint in her cheeks becoming darker as she licked her lips.

"A sign that one day, Little Red, you will be mine."

Finally he pressed his lips against hers, stealing her breath away. Her hands ran up his neck into his hair, pulling the leather thong that held it apart. Jushiro pressed into her, sliding his hand up her leg while pushing her skirt up, pulling her against him. Shivering Akane pressed closer, his rough fingers and the cool wind making goosebumps appear on her body. Tongues wrestled and fingers stroked, soft moans spilling from swollen lips.

A deep growled reached their ears, causing them to pull apart quickly; breaths short and ragged.

"What was that?" Akane whispered, wide eyes looking toward Jushiro for answers.

His emerald eyes cast around quickly at the tree line before glancing back at her.

"I don't know." He answered quickly, sitting up and bringing her with him.

He held her close, his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders. Another growl reached his ears causing him to whip his head around, eyes zeroing in a spot in the tree line. In the shadows were a pair of eyes, seemingly glowing in the shadows and watching the couple with a fierce intensity. Jushiro's hand slid towards his boot, his fingers wrapped around the hilt of a knife. As the blade glinted in the light the eyes vanished in the dark, no sound accompanying their disappearance.

"Jushiro?" She whispered clenching his shirt between her fingers in fright.

"It's okay, must have just been a wolf looking for food." He soothed, stroking her hair lovingly. "Let's get out of here."

Forgoing the basket and blanket Jushiro helped her stand, pulling her cloak around her shoulders as he noticed her shivering from the cold wind. Grasping her hand he pulled her close and they quickly headed out of the clearing, Jushiro keeping a trained eye on the shadows around them.


"Thank you for today, it was lovely." Akane stated as they walked towards her home.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Jushiro replied, still holding her close.

As they walked up to the small home they noticed Rukia and Ichigo sitting on the front steps, Renji leaning up against the side.

"There you are!" Renji yelled, walking towards them.

"Where the hell have you been!?" Ichigo fumed, walking up behind him; Rukia in tow.

"I'm sorry?" Akane stuttered, shrinking back from the yelling men.

"Rukia told us Aizen approached you in the field! And then you suddenly disappeared without a word!" Renji fumed, his face turning a shade of red to rival his hair.

"Sosuke approached you in the field?" Jushiro questioned softly, turning towards the frightened woman.

Silently she nodded her head, tears beginning to pool in her eyes. She didn't like yelling, especially when it was directed at her for no fault of her own.

"It's okay, you're okay." He cooed, gathering her in his arms and holding her against his chest.

"I'm sorry gentlemen, it was my fault. I stole her away for a picnic. Please, don't yell at her." He spoke in a level voice, a voice that offered no room for argument.

Seeing the crying, frightened woman both men stopped yelling and rubbed their head in embarrassment.

"We're sorry Little Red." Renji started, in a softer voice. Guilt lacing every word.

"We were just afraid something happened to you." Ichigo finished, hanging his head.

Sniffling, Akane wiped her eyes before sighing.

"It's okay. I'm sorry for scaring you." She said softly, still tucked away in Jushiro's strong arms.

"Akane? Would you like to come with me to get my dress?" Rukia asked meekly, peeking out from behind her fiancee and his best friend.

Smiling Akane nodded before looking up at Jushiro.

"Thank you." She whispered, giving him a soft kiss on the lips before taking Rukia's offered hand.

The two women walked down the street, hand in hand, and the men watched until they rounded a corner. Turning towards his two friends Jushiro set them with a stern look before demanding they tell him about the Aizen incidents.


"Hello ladies!" Rangiku cooed, running from behind the counter of shop as the two women walked in.

Before they could speak the busty blonde had them both in a tight hug before she ushered them into the back where her assistant Momo was waiting to begin making the dress.