Author'snote: Due to my IchiRuki fic, I have forgotten what I've planned for this fic! OH NO! By the way, I'm so sorry for not updating faster. Now, all of you have to wait about 4 months for the next one! I am such a bad person. And thanks to all who reviewed! And sorry for not replying… I will reply in the next chapter in A.N. for people who review for this chapter onwards. But if they are questions, I'll still reply in PM.

Setting: Shinigami don't exist. Humanoid cats do! Both cats and humanoid cats exist. Don't get confused.

Warnings: Lousy English, Mature content, Yaoi, Cussing, Neko!Hichi, Neko!Rukia

Chapter 5: The Deficient Side of Love

After the make-up 'session' the previous night, Shiro did keep his promise and woke Ichigo up at 7 a.m. But Ichigo refused to get off from his bed so his pet had to use his last resort, molest him. Ichigo was pissed and knocked Shiro off when he started licking his neck. His father not budging into his room today to wake Ichigo up did puzzle the orange head though, even though he was glad he did not do that since he and Shiro were in his bed.

Naked.

Being so tired after two rounds, he totally forgot about the problem he would face when his dad wakes him up with his kicks.

The orange head straightened his uniform and picked up his school bag off the table. Giving his pet cat and lover who was stretching his back in a very feline manner on his bed one last glance, he walked to the door, waving his arm in the air. "I'm off then." But before his hand could reach the doorknob, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. A head rested on his shoulder, chest pressed tightly against his back, as his pet inhaled slowly and deeply. Ichigo leaned slightly into the hug, allowing a few seconds of comfortable silence before asking, "Shiro?"

His pets' cat ears bent down further as his grip tightened even more. To be honest, Shiro was afraid. Before, he was afraid that Ichigo would fall in love with somebody else, and now that he had him, he was afraid that Ichigo would leave him. No matter how confident he was, he could not shake that feeling off him, especially after the incident of Ichigo ignoring him over Inoue. He didn't want Ichigo to leave for school. He couldn't follow and watch over him like he usually did, not that Ichigo noticed anyway. Whenever he was with Ichigo, he would growl at the other strangers looking their way and his owner has always thought that it was due to his bad-temper. Little did he know that it was because Shiro was trying to get all possible partners away from his chosen mate. Shiro never growled the way he did when he was alone, unless somebody provoked him, then it was a different matter.

"Don't leave, King." Shiro whispered against Ichigo's neck. It was filled with so much need that the cat was a little shocked himself.

Ichigo reached up and caressed Shiro's hair, feeling a purr rumbling through him. He'd never seen Shiro so terrified before. He had never been afraid of anything, carrying that insane grin on his face everyday that made Ichigo wonder when his face was going to tear. It was the first time since Shiro grew into his humanoid form, which made him remember that his pet was dependent on him. If Shiro's voice didn't sound so needy like it did, Ichigo would probably think his pet was just being possessive. "I can't, Shiro." He scratched behind his ear to soothe him. Shiro purred softly. "I need to go to school. I can't be together with you everyday, every minute, every second, even if I want to…" He kissed Shiro's hair before turning in his arms. Grabbing his chin, he gently lifted Shiro's head and pecked lightly on the lips. "I won't go anywhere. I won't ever leave you, Shiro."

Knowing there's nothing he could do about it, Shiro sighed before asking, "'kay. But can ya let me do somethin'?"

Ichigo blinked curiously. "What?"

"Let me put my scent on ya." Shiro grinned, returning to his usual self.

Ichigo tried to push Shiro away but to no avail. "W-What?"'

"Please?" He used his 'kitty eyes' attack that always gets what he wants.

Ichigo shook his head fiercely, flailing his arms to get Shiro away. "No! No way! No!"

Pushing his owner against the wall, he pinned him against it. "Sorry, King. Ya don't have a choice." With that, Shiro started rubbing his head slowly against Ichigo's neck, his white locks tickling his face.

"W-What are you doing?" Ichigo shivered when his tail slid up his leg.

Moving to rub against his chest, Shiro purred. "Puttin' my scent on ya, my King~ My hair, tail and cat ears have da scent that all cats have ter indicate their ownership my dear~"

"I am not your property!" Ichigo stated angrily as he continued his struggles.

Shiro just grinned at him and leaned back up, placing butterfly kisses on Ichigo's cheek. "We don't usually do this though, us humanoid ones. Our bite marks are enough…" His lips travelled further down to kiss the mark he made a few hours ago, making Ichigo flinch. "…Don't ya think so? I just need ter confirm that every one of them knows that yar mine." Leaning up, he captured Ichigo's lips, plunging his tongue right in as he was about to speak, most likely about how possessive the cat was. The orange head moaned into the kiss as Shiro's tail quickly slid over every part of the body he could reach. Just as Ichigo was going to deepen the kiss more, Shiro broke the kiss, smirking, earning him a small whine from his owner.

Shiro snickered and gave him one last peck on the nose. "Gettin' horny, my King?" To that, a deep blush covered Ichigo's cheeks due to embarrassment and anger and he smacked his pet on the head. Hard. "Shut up! You pervert! EXTREMELY POSSESSIVE PERVERTED CAT!" And with that, he left, leaving a white cat in pain on the floor as he crashed on the wall when Ichigo hit him.

"Ha…" Ichigo sighed when he placed his schoolbag down on his desk, falling into his chair. Wincing a little when his sore butt met the hard wood.

"Good morning, I-CHI-GOOOO~!" A figure came flying towards him and Ichigo lifted his fist to hit the object in the face while replying, "Yo." Even though his father didn't act normally today, his friend sure did.

"Ichigo~~ You're so cold! We haven't seen each other for TWO days straight!" The figure exclaimed in tears, not bothering about the dent and throbbing in his face.

"Ah…yes. It has been a long time, Asano-san. Good to see you alive and kicking." Another figure from behind said calmly. Keigo screamed, "What's with the formality, Mizuiro! Why are you as cold as Ichigo!"

The orange simply waved at the short guy who continued his formality with Keigo and turned back. He yawned and slumped in his seat, resting his head on the table on his arms, trying to get some sleep before the irritating homeroom teacher comes in. 'Stupid Shiro…' He thought as he tried to snuggle in his arms. 'I'm so tired…'

Just when he was about to enter his dreamland though, a hand came down on his shoulder and he peered sleepily at whoever it was. "Are you alright, Kurosaki-kun?" Ichigo almost jumped off his seat when he found Orihime's face very close to his. Although he was a little annoyed that he couldn't take his nap peacefully, she had every right to be worried because he didn't usually sleep before class started. Smiling the best he can, he said, "Yah…I'm fine. Just…lack of sleep." Feeling really sore too, although he didn't say it out loud. Shiro was really rough with him yesterday or just a few hours ago rather. And he even teased him this morning! He was so dead when the orange head gets home. And then he suddenly wondered if people would smell anything on him. He couldn't smell anything though.

"Really? Was Shiro being a nuisance?" Orihime said, breaking his train of thought. 'Yeah,he was…' Ichigo thought. Before he could reply, Orihime continued, "Oh, By the way, Rukia-chan's all healthy now! I think. I hope the fever doesn't return. She looks fine when I left though. Drawing her favourite Chappy in her sketchbook."

Ichigo smiled, relieved that Rukia is all right now. "Really? That's good." His dad and sisters would be happy to hear that too.

"Would you like to see her? I can bring her over to your house after school today." The busty girl suggested.

"But is that good? Rukia just recovered, didn't she?" Ichigo asked.

Orihime shook her head. "It's fine. I should let her out of the house. And she hasn't seen your family for some time, hasn't she? She'll be happy to meet them."

"But-" Ichigo started but was interrupted by their teacher. "Ok, everyone shut up and get to your seats!" She exclaimed as she clapped to get the class' attention. "I'll bring her over after school then." Orihime said and got to her seat before Ichigo could say anything else.

The orange head just sighed and turned to his teacher, pretending to listen to the teacher ramble on about some homework or whatever she was talking about. It's not like it's anything important anyway. As much as the orange head wanted his family members and Rukia see each other, he knew that his pet, no, lover, would be upset. Not about Rukia though.

Ichigo sighed. He couldn't believe how unsmooth his relationship with Shiro had been. It had only been what? 2 days? And they've had already quarreled once and he didn't really want that situation to happen again any soon. Ruffling his hair exasperatedly, he decided that he should just stay away from Inoue later before he returned back to concentrate in class. Unfortunately, that action didn't go unnoticed to his teacher and she decided to bring the class' attention towards him. "Is something bothering you, Kurosaki? You seem troubled."

"Nothing, teacher." Ichigo grumbled.

"Well, I think you better figure out how to make up with your girlfriend at home and listen to my lesson now, my friend." She turned around to write something on the board. Some people giggled at the words and Ichigo just sighed.

"What da fuck, King?"

Ichigo covered his right ear, which was nearer to his pet who just yelled at the top of his lungs. The orange-haired knew Shiro wouldn't be happy.

That was an understatement.

"How could ya do this ter me, King! Even though I said I was gonna bear wit' her, that doesn't mean that I want her in da fucking house!" Shiro fumed, cat ears and tail stood straight up, index finger pointing downwards to emphasise his point.

Ichigo messed the hair on the back of his head, a little frustrated. "I didn't want this either… She insisted! I couldn't reject her… And my family would love to see Rukia too…"

"Then what about me? Have ya thought of me?" Shiro continued yelling, walking back to Ichigo. "What about ya? Ya have ter learn ter protect yerself Ichigo! Ya can't just let tha-Inoue walk all over ya! Ya have ter reject her somehow! I'm not gonna let her have ya!"

Ichigo could feel his temper rising again. He didn't want to, but Shiro had to choose his words properly! "I can't protect myself? What the fuck are you talking about? How can a girl like her actually harm me? Before I picked you up from the streets, I took really good care protecting myself! Thank you very much for your concerns, prick!" Ichigo barked and glared at his pet who seemed somewhat shocked from his sudden outburst, but was trying not to show. Giving his pet one last glare, he said, "Now if you don't mind, guardian angel, I would like to get out of my dangerous room and to the safe living room to wait for our friendly guests with my family." And with that, he left the room, not waiting for Shiro to respond.

The white cat stood there petrified. It took him while before he smacked himself on the head at his idiocy. He had said something wrong again! How dumb could he be! Letting out a frustrated groan, he fell on the bed face down into the pillow.

Slamming his door shut, Ichigo heaved a sigh and dragged his way to the living room where his family are watching the television while waiting for Rukia and Orihime to arrive. His father sat on the longer couch that was facing the television while his sisters sat side by side on the carpet, around the coffee table. He made his way to the couch and slumped into the seat on the other side where his father sat. Resting his elbow on the armrest, head on his palm, Ichigo glanced up at the clock.

It was 7.30pm. They've already eaten dinner and Orihime should be here soon enough. The orange head had announced Rukia's visit during dinner and his family were so excited when they heard that. All except for one though, whom sat through dinner without uttering another word from then on, only to scream at him in his room later. He heaved another sigh.

"What are you so troubled about, my son?" Ichigo flew out of the couch and landed face flat on the floor when his father kicked him hard in the side. "Don't give that gloomy face, Ichigo! Stand up and face the world like a real man! Face it with total confidence and optimism! Don't let small things get you dowWWWW-!" Isshin was interrupted when Ichigo recovered from his kick and gave him a kick of his own right in the face, sending him flying across the room and into the wall. "Shut up, goat-face!" Ichigo yelled, satisfied with the crash as his father hit the wall. Yuzu and Karin just watched them fight since it was a very normal scenario in their house.

Peeling himself off the wall, his father gave him a thumbs-up, grinning widely despite his badly bruised face. "That's the spirit, my son! That's the strength of a real man!" Ichigo was about to give his annoying father another hit before the doorbell rang. His father immediately perked up and dashed for the door, screaming, "Here she is! Rukia-chaaaaaaaaan~!" Ichigo watched his two sisters rush after his father before making his way to the door as well.

"Rukia!" Yuzu screamed in excitement and Karin beamed after his father opened the door to reveal the petite humanoid cat standing in the doorway with expecting eyes. "Hey, Yuzu! It's been a long time, hasn't it?" She wasn't prepared for Yuzu's lunge at her and stumbled back a bit to rest against her owner, Inoue Orihime.

"Thanks for bringing Rukia-chan over, Inoue-chan!" Isshin exclaimed, "Quick, come in!" Orihime smiled and greeted politely before pushing Rukia lightly to step into the house after Yuzu released her grasp on the humanoid cat. After that, Yuzu quickly rushed to make some tea while the rest made their way to the living room.

"Ah, Rukia-chan, are you feeling better now?" Isshin asked the feline who sat on the couch with Orihime, while Ichigo's father and sister sat on the other. Ichigo sat on the hand rest with his family, leaving a seat for Yuzu.

"Yes. I'm really happy to see all of you again!" Rukia smiled before glancing around. "Where's Shiro?"

"He's in my room." Ichigo answered.

"Ehhhh? Doesn't he want to see Rukia-chan?" Orihime burst out in surprise.

"Er, no! It has nothing to do with her…" The orange head explained hurriedly before Rukia misunderstood, skimming his fingers through his short locks nervously. Rukia looked at him in confusion while Orihime asked, "Hm? What happened, Kurosaki-kun?"

He sighed. "It's nothing actually… H-He's just angry with me."

"Onii-chan! You quarrelled with Shiro-chan again?" Yuzu yelled as she came back from the kitchen with tea in hand. She moved to place the tray down while Karin continued the lecture. "Yah, Ichi-nii! What are you guys fighting about all day?"

Ichigo just scowled, trying to find a way to change the topic while the others glared at him for an answer. To his surprise, Rukia was the one who spoke to save him from the situation. "I'm sure it's nothing. Both of them are really immature anyway. " Well, although not very nicely. Both of them were very close even though they quarreled often, bickering like a married couple. But both of them never thought of each other in that way. Ichigo always treated her as his sister and Rukia treated him like a close friend. "It's not much of a surprise. They'll get over it soon." She said with a grin, eyeing at the orange head. 'Fuck you, Rukia.' Went through Ichigo's head even though he was grateful. Until Orihime said, "Oh yah. Why don't you go up and persuade him down, Rukia-chan? I'm sure he'll listen to you."

Ichigo's lower lip almost bled due to his sudden harsh bite on it. Rukia looked over to Ichigo and he could see her planning something in her small head, but not sure what. Then Rukia suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "Ok! I'll go persuade him down."

Yuzu and Isshin cheered loudly while Karin just smiled. Ichigo stared at her, not knowing what to react. "I-I'll bring you up." And he stood and walked his way to his room, knowing that Rukia would follow behind.

Standing in front of his door, he turned to her. Staring at his worried look, Rukia smirked. "Don't worry, I'll get him out. ASAP." And she went into his room as silent as a cat like she is.

His family decided to play card games while they waited for Rukia to bring Shiro down. Ichigo didn't want to but his father dragged him into the game and now he knew he couldn't get out. He couldn't concentrate on the game since Shiro was with Rukia. In his room. Alone. ARGH! He couldn't get those thoughts out of his mind! He'd repeated 'Nothing would happen between them', 'Shiro only loves me' and many other sentences he could think of but to no avail. Who knows what are they doing in his room when they've been in there for like an hour?

"What's taking Rukia-chan so long? I want to play with her more!" Yuzu complained, voicing out Ichigo's concerns as she laid down her cards. It seemed that he wasn't the only one who thought that Rukia was taking her own sweet time persuading Shiro to get out.

Karin didn't give much of a reaction, but Ichigo knew she thought the same. His crazy father, though, acted like a kid who wants his lollipop. "Yeah! Hurry up Rukia-chan~! I can't wait to cuddle you some more, feed you your favourite food and show you all of Masaki's photos that you would love so much!"

If Ichigo hadn't been so worried about what's happening in his room, he would have kicked his father for whining like a baby. A giggling sound caught his attention though.

Looking over, it was Orihime who did that. "It's fine, Kurosaki-san! I bet they're just taking some time to catch up with each other! Maybe even developed further." Ichigo's ears twitched in surprise while the rest of his family let out a gasp.

"What do you mean, Inoue-chan? You mean the both of them…?" Ichigo's father asked curiously in a hushed voice.

The busty girl blushed slightly as she replied in the same way. "I'm not very sure… But Shiro was really concerned when Rukia-chan was sick. He doesn't show his emotions a lot, but I can feel it. I trust my intuition!"

"Really?" Yuzu almost shrieked in excitement. Isshin's gaped like an idiot and Karin gave a bored look a usual. Ichigo was totally petrified. 'Were my worries all coming true? Is that true? Shiro is definitely concerned about Rukia, no doubt about that. …But is he really…?' No matter what, Rukia is a humanoid cat like him. Although it's not unusual for humanoid cats to fall in love with humans, but most would go for another humanoid. It's their instinct. To mate and give birth to humanoid kittens. Pure humanoid kittens. And they couldn't even give birth, let alone impure ones.

"Aren't they just so cute together?" Orihime squealed with Yuzu furious nodding like some fan girls obsessing about their idol. That sentence killed him.

Going crazy in his mind, he decided he needed to get away from his family for a while. When they ended that round, he got up and told them he needed to go to the toilet, rushing off ignoring his father's and Orihime's calls after him.

Instead of the bathroom, he went to his room. Pacing in front of his door, he wondered if he should knock. His hands curled into fists, buried deep in his pockets as he shuffled his feet about the small patch of floor in front of his bedroom. Finally picking up his courage, he stepped forward to his door, fist raised, about to knock when-

"Please, Shiro~"

He paused in his action, straining his ears as he listened.

"I…I really like you!" Rukia confessed. Her confession travelled to Ichigo's ears. His arm limped and fell to his side. Is she serious?

"B-But I-" He heard Shiro started to reply but was cut off and ended with "Mmm…!"

Ichigo froze. Was that what he thought it was? But it sounded like Shiro was going to protest, wasn't he? Then Rukia k-kissed him? She was forcing herself on him! He needed to tell her. Tell her about them. Now.

He turned the doorknob and stepped into his room with determination. "Ru-!" Halfway through her name, he paused. He stared really hard at the scene displayed in front of him. Shiro was hovering over Rukia on his bed, both of them panting with clothes unbuttoned, Shiro's well-defined chest and abs fully revealed while Rukia's sundress was pulled high enough to show her white, rabbit patterned panties. Both of their eyes stared back at him. Shiro's gold on black eyes widened in shock while Rukia's violet eyes were difficult to read. Like she knew Ichigo would be there, that Ichigo was at the door and would enter.

Ichigo didn't know how to react to this situation. Go over and scream at Rukia for stealing his boyfriend, go over and beat Shiro up, or get out of this room and run as fast as he could away from them?

He stood still, bangs covering his eyes. Brain finally functioning, his pet hurriedly got up away from Rukia, "I-Ichigo, it ain't what y-"

"Shut up."

The two words silenced Shiro completely as he shivered at the venom contained in the low and terrifying voice. Command. It was a command from his owner, his master. His superior. It was not his place to speak unless told. He was to follow every word his master said with no objections or complains. He ruled him.

He was his King.

"Rukia. Get out."

The petite humanoid blinked at the command before lifting herself off the bed smoothly and elegantly. She walked towards the door with her hips shaking left and right and smirked as she passed by Ichigo, "Don't be too rough, Strawberry~" She whispered and left quietly with the door closed after her before Ichigo could even catch a glimpse of her back.

'What? Does she…?'

The orange head turned back to his pet when he heard a shuffling sound. Shiro froze halfway getting up from the bed, one feet planted on the floor while the other bent on the bed. He peered into his master's eyes, knowing better than to speak. His master's eyes were so dark that it was almost black, unlike his usual warm hazel eyes. He watched as his master stepped heavily across the room towards him. He startled and gasped when hands shot up and wrapped around his neck with the collar tightly.

"I-Ichi…!" He gasped in pain and his master only tightened his grip further, cutting off more air before pushing him roughly on to the bed, hovering over him. The cat didn't even dare to wrap his hands around his master's to push those arms away, only letting out a small whimper. It'll only make his master even furious, if that's what he's feeling right now. He didn't understand what was going through his master's mind right now.

Ichigo leaned down till their foreheads touched, glaring into his pet's slightly widened eyes. "I said shut up. I didn't allow you to speak, did I?" With that, he let go of Shiro's neck and he immediately took in large gasps of air. Ichigo watched coolly as he watched his pet coughing and struggled for air. Grabbing his pet's chin, he tilted it up to get his attention. "Listen up, pet. It doesn't matter what happened just now. I don't care who was the one at fault. You just need to know that you're not going to get away with that."

Shiro's eyes widened further as he gulped. Ichigo watched his Adam's apple bobbed and leaned down to nip at it, earning himself a strained gasp. He smirked.

"You're going to pay for it."

Thanks for reading! Hope to hear some suggestions!