It took longer than expected but I hope it's worth the wait! Enjoy.

The demon moved down the corridor without a sound. As he went, he cradled the sleeping lord protectively in his arms. Ichigo's knees felt weak and the ache in his shoulder blades strong, but the demonic butler forced himself to ignore the pained sensation. He had to. Now wasn't the time.

The sun had set long ago and the glow of the full moon followed the two as he moved down the elegant hallway. A soft creak was the only sound heard as he disappeared into their bedchambers.

Rukia let out a small sigh as she was placed in the center of her oversized mattress, never waking as the butler tucked the covers up and around her body securely.

The damp cloth of his dress shirt fell from his body then, Ichigo letting out a content sigh as the icy air hit his bare chest and back.

His gaze shifted and eyes now a honey brown ran lazily over his sleeping noble. Shaking his head weakly, he padded his way over to the washroom.

It wasn't in his nature to over think things. He wouldn't start now.

Ichigo's black slacks were removed along with his dress shoes and undergarments. The orange haired demon blinked tiredly, his vacant expression looking back at the male reflected in the decorative mirror hanging before him.

Tan skin covered in deep cuts and slashes as far as the eye could see; the scarred skin seemingly mocking the demon.

Although, it hardly had any affect on him after all these years. The man was used to the disfigurements he bared.

Ichigo left that part of him behind long ago. His eyes narrowed slightly; he would see to it that the past would never resurface. The demon had more important matters to attend to.

With a shake of his head, the faucet was turned all the way to the left and cold water filled the small shower-like area beside the tub.

He gathered himself, plopping down on the stool that sat beneath the stream, the cold temperature cooling his skin as much as possible.

Ichigo cursed his current situation. Even under the ice cold water, the burning sensation was still nearly unbearable against his flesh.

He just couldn't find the energy to flinch away.

If his kind could feel fear, he would be experiencing it at the moment— he didn't want to see what had surely scarred the pained flesh.

Drenched bangs covered his eyes as the male scratched at his shoulder blades weakly.

He was so tired.

Bringing a hand before him, the demon scowled at the burnt skin of his fingertips that had brushed over his wounded covering.

Ichigo knew he had to control himself. Had it gone any further, he would have transformed right before his precious human.

A soft growl left the monster.

Staying away from Rukia was the only logical option that could result in the absolute secrecy of his demonic tendencies.

She knew enough, Ichigo scowled. Too bad he could never seem to be logical when it came to his little master. The man let out a sigh. Why was it so difficult? Human emotions were simply too troublesome. It was obvious that this word was softening him and it nearly seemed pointless to fight against it.

It was best to not over think things. Especially now.

Standing, Ichigo turned the water off and the demon shook out his hair, not bothering to towel off before returning to their adjacent bedroom.

Rukia was sleeping peacefully still. Her petite body was curled up snuggly within the soft sheets and without thought, he burrowed in next to her, cuddling around Rukia as she turned towards him in her sleep, nestling closer to his warmth.

Ichigo buried his face against her crown as she clung to his naked form, causing the male to exhale happily. Even though it wasn't necessary for his kind to sleep, he felt his eyes drooping feebly. The man just couldn't seem to fight against the desire to drift off with his master currently wrapped in his arms.

Her cool skin just felt so good against his.

A young child rushed through the corridors of the mansion, her pink bunny plush in hand.

"Rukia."

She let out a laugh as she moved faster, the playful and loving voice following close behind.

"You shouldn't run indoors, Rukia," another voice, male in nature, chastised gently and the raven haired princess rolled her eyes teasingly; "But you're it!" her giggles merged together with the man's laughter as he followed behind her, "That's because I'm always it!"

"Darling, please promise me that you will never talk to strangers. No matter what," The young woman had smiled down at her daughter, her tone gentle yet absolute, a deep pain clear in her gaze.

"Sweetheart, come sit with me. I want to play you a song," the girl squealed happily as the man pulled her into his lap before the elegant Grand Piano.

"-Daddy!" She laughed as he playfully tousled her messy locks, her little hands finding the black and white keys before her with childlike innocence; "You're a natural, baby girl."

"Don't you ever go outside the yard again, Rukia!" The young girl stared down at her tiny dress shoes, holding back tears; "I'm sorry." She had choked out then, not fully understanding the panic in her father's voice. At the sound of her whimper, the man had bent down and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry, baby. I can't lose you, Rukia. Please...please don't scare me like that ever again."

"Daddy…"

"Come on, Ruki," her big sister smiled, "Don't you want to play dress up?"

"Mommy," the young girl dangled from the woman's waist with a small frown, "When's daddy coming home?"

"Mommy and daddy love you, Rukia."

Tears fell from the man's eyes as he saw the fear reflected in his little girl's orbs; "Rukia!"

Frozen in place, her mind racing; why was daddy crying? He was always so brave and strong…

Why?

"Run, Rukia!"

Her sister had grabbed her then, tugging her along desperately.

Fire had surrounded her in the corridor; the smoke entering her lungs, and the heat burning at her skin.

Thick splashes of blood splattered across her vision.

No!

"Rukia, what have you done!"

The noble gasped and kicked desperately from where she laid. The sheets that tangled about her only made her struggles more panicked.

Get away!

Rukia was caught between sleep and reality as she kicked and yelped, tears catching in her tightly closed eyes.

Please no!

The past that she had violently pushed to the back of her mind, attempting to forget, would offend attack when her defensives were down. Rukia's once peaceful slumber turned into something dark and sinister, just as she remembered it all those years ago.

As she thrashed about, she felt heat radiating from behind her. In her nightmares, she could still easily recognize it.

It was safe.

Even subconsciously the lord knew that, and when Rukia pressed up against the solid wall of warmth, the contact immediately comforted her.

The warmth wrapped itself around her, bringing her closer; the soft hum of his breath fanned her damp neck as he held his human protectively, even as he slept.

Violet eyes snapped open with lips parted in a gasp, Rukia's small hand moved to her butler's forearm that was draped snuggly around her middle.

Exhaling with a tremble, she buried her face in the pillow before her, allowing herself a moment to come to the realization that this was reality. Her dreams were as dark as the events that took place that night years prior and Rukia promised herself that she would never allow that to happen again.

She only had one thing that she held dear to her now.

The girl turned her head slightly until she was able to run her lips lightly over the Strawberry's jaw line. Her eyes drooped closed as she took in his constant presence.

He always made her feel safe and even though that was seemingly obvious given their current relationship, Rukia always felt awed by the realization.

She would often wake and trail kisses against his bare skin; and if it were any another night, he would have rolled her over and climbed on top of her tiny form, with his eyes bright and playful.

But tonight was different. Ichigo didn't even stir due to her soft kisses and Rukia blinked in mild confusion.

Turning completely in his arms, her palm found his forehead, fingertips softly running over his closed eyelids.

Never before had she seen this man sleep.

"Sleep is not necessary for my kind," the demon had told her years earlier. "We don't need it to survive, unless our energy has been depleted completely, then we need much rest. Though, it's a rare occurrence that doesn't last long." He had cupped her cheek with his gloved palm as he smiled down at her surprised form, "So even during the night I will protect you, young master."

Pressing a soft kiss to his bare chest, Rukia fought the urge to cuddle up to him once again.

It would be too normal to lie against Ichigo's chest as his soft snores lulled her into a peaceful slumber. It was no longer what she allowed them to stand for. It would be childish now for her to even consider.

Even as she listed off countless excuses as to why the gesture would be uncalled for, a part of her knew this was her trying to maintain some distance from the butler. Every word and action created by this man seemed to result in the Kuchiki falling even more deeply in love with him.

I can't stay away.

As she watched his sleeping form, the resulting pressure in her chest nearly terrified her.

With much effort Rukia managed to detangle herself from the demon, which was easier said than done considering the tight hold he had on her tiny body.

With a light grunt, she had snuck out from under his forearm. The girl stood at the edge of the bed, holding her breath as he seemingly reached for her in his dreams. But then, his face met her unoccupied pillow, her scent lulling his inner beast once again as he settled.

With a soft sigh of relief, Rukia ran a hand through her messy locks as she ignored the feeling of the cold floorboards against her bare feet.

Scanning the bedchambers, the noble noticed Ichigo's shirt abandoned a few steps away. The garment was tossed carelessly to the floor and with careful movements she managed to pick up the oversized daywear without waking her male. Her own clothing were ripped and uncomfortably wet with sweat. Rukia smiled to herself when she discarded her dress and tattered corset, the familiar aroma of Ichigo filling her senses as she tugged the dress shirt over her petite shoulders.

Fastening the shirt securely, even though the last few buttons were missing due to her own impatience actions in their earlier coupling, Rukia tiptoed over to the veranda that overlooked the large Kuchiki garden.

As the cool night air ran over her skin, the noble closed the double glass doors behind her silently.

Rukia made her way across the terrace and in a strange sense, the sticky substation of her thighs only served to calm her further. Normally, their joined liquid that would often drip down her legs after their coupling would make her feel uncomfortable and grimy. But this time, it was quite the opposite. The little Kuchiki nearly reveled in the sensation. It was a complicated sensation. It wasn't at all about being marked by him, but the evidence of their time together simply told her that this was real. He was real.

This was the life Rukia Kuchiki was living. The life she knew from her dreams was now nonexistent. It was always a hard concept to grasp, but being with Ichigo, in her eyes, was always too good to be true.

With a grumble, she threw her legs over the balcony edge and grabbed hold of the kept vines that wove down the mansion wall, serving as a ladder of sorts for the young lord.

As she moved, the thorns cut into the soles of her feet in her descent and Rukia held back a pained hiss. She needed to get away, even if it was just for a brief moment.

She needed to get away from him before she went absolutely mad.

Although there wasn't much going on in this chapter, I hope the importance was evident. Please review. I love hearing your thoughts!