I am sorry about the long wait, I have been really sick.

On the brighter side, the story will be 8 chapters long. Long ones! :D

Rukia's view. Enjoy! :D

My main fear, as a child, was that if I got married, it would be boring. I couldn't just sit around day after day, doing whatever it was wives did until their husbands got home. My attention span was short- I longed for adventure and suspense and everything that went with it.

That was another thing- my attention. It was shifty, it required constant thrills and action. I was difficult to manage, and it had always worried me. What if I got bored when I was married? Bored of whoever it was I was married to? Would I actually leave him? Or would I find adventure else ware?

When I had met Ichigo, he had scared me slightly. He was impulsive and wild- like no one I had experienced. Every moment with him left me on my toes. Which is why I wasn't upset when they ordered our marriage. If he couldn't keep me satisfied... no one could.

But now, two months into our marriage, I knew I had married the perfect person for me.

"Gotcha!"

"AHHHHHH!" I dropped the pretty dish on the floor, where I had been taking it to set the table for dinner. "Ichigo! Let go of me!" He smiled evilly, not letting go of my waist, which he had grabbed from behind me. "No- I don't think I will." He answered, picking me up and stepping around the glass.

I twirled a curl of his hair gently, smirking at the orange color. He sighed quietly, still holding me, leaning his head into my hand. I tilted my face up, pouting a bit, until he looked at me and noticed what I wanted. Laughing, he leaned me gently against the nearest wall.

Teasingly, he trailed his nose under my collarbone, the way he knew I liked. I shivered in reaction, and he chuckled softly, before lifting his head and kissing me full on the lips. It was amazing to me- we had been married for a while now, and a simple look from him still made my stomach tighten and my palms get sweaty. He made my brain fog- a talent he used often.

Still using the wall to support me, I reached my hands under his shirt, tracing the smooth muscles hidden there. He tensed, my hands cold against his body heat.

I groaned, separating my lips from his. "Byakuya will be here for dinner shortly. And we're not exactly being polite for company." Ichigo rolled his eyes, but put me down. He eyed me as I walked away, a look halfway between confusion and admiration. "What?" I asked from where I was cleaning up the glass with a broom.

"I was just admiring you." His face turned red, reminding me of Renji's hair. I smirked, standing up, and twirling slowly to give a full view of my short black shorts and one of his tee shirts. "Yeah- I'm sure I look like a model for Short Tomboy Chick Magazine." He laughed loudly, coming over to help me set the table. "Well, you're pretty short. And you might not be as... uh- girlish looking as some others, on the exterior. But I've seen you..." He winked, his his tone teasing, "And anyway, being short has advantages. I couldn't do that wall thing we just did with a tall girl."

My face got hot as he explained.

Would I ever get tired of him? I looked at him carefully. My heart sped up and I felt a heat behind my naval. No. I would not.

The Dinner will be from Byakuya's point of view. ;P

I had to admit, Ichigo had really taken care of Rukia. Their house was small, but it was charming, and decorated much like my own manor. I supposed Rukia had done that. Stepping inside, the appealing smell of cinnamon greeted me. Rukia led me inside, chattering nervously as she took me to the kitchen. Ichigo was leaned casually against the counter, waiting for us. "Hey, Byakuya."

I nodded stiffly toward him. Rukia bounced skittishly, then pranced over to take Ichigo's hand. "Let's eat, brother." She smiled softly at me, then towing Ichigo to the large circular table.

He held out her chair for her, I was pleased to see. Her ring made a knot in my throat, but I ignored it and sat down. A small bowl was on a platter in front of me, full of a rich looking soup of meat and carrots and some sort of spice on the top. I took a tiny sip, recalling Hisana's cooking skills.

"Uh- Hisana, dear, it's really not necessary for you to-" "But I like to cook, Byakuya! And it took me all day to make." "Oh, in that case..." I gingerly took a small bite of the repulsive looking food, trying not to wince as it went down. Hisana's face lit up, and I smiled in return. Anything to please her.

To my surprise, the soup was delicious, very spicy. "Rukia, the soup is very accomplished." Ichigo nodded, leaning back in his chair to nod at his wife. "Thank you, brother. I'm glad you enjoy it."

"When was it you said you were going to visit me in the Soul Society?" Ichigo's eyebrows pulled low over his eyes, but then he answered. "Christmas. If it's still okay with you." I nodded, then turned to Rukia. "You know you'll have to visit the elders, I assume? They'll want to see you..."

Rukia grimaced. "We'll permit an extra day to do that." "Good."

"Brother... how are you? At the manor... it must be lonesome." "Yoruichi rarely lets a day go pass without visiting me. It's quite irritating. Beside that, how are you?"

She looked like she had wanted me to ask this. She leaned against Ichigo, looking up at him. "We're perfect."