Tale of the Two Lovers
by Ulquiorra9000
Chapter 7
"Oh, so here it all is," Rukia said curiously when Momo led her into Shuhei Hisagi's office in the Squad 9 barracks one morning.
Momo smiled. "I can't believe you waited until now to read all your fan mail. It really piles up, you know. See?" She motioned to the huge stack of letters by Shuhei's desk. There must have be hundreds of unopened envelopes in here!
"It's about time, Rukia," came another voice.
Rukia jumped. "Hisana?!"
Her big sister waved from her seat in the corner, a letter in hand. "I was waiting for you, Rukia. What took you so long?"
Rukia blushed. "I... was having breakfast at the Kurosaki house."
Hisana made a sly smile. "A long breakfast, I'm guessing."
"Sh-shut up," Rukia muttered.
"Anyway..." Hisana made a show of opening the letter in her hands, a smile on her face. "Let's take a look, Rukia. I think your last chapter of Tale of the Two Lovers really generated a huge response!"
Rukia went a shade redder as she recalled just what she had put in the last entry. The last chapter... whoa, was it a steamy-hot tale of lust and adventure and all that good stuff.
Hisana unfolded the letter. "Oh, this one's from a girl in Squad 3. 'I loved how bold the princess was in the last chapter'," Hisana read out loud. "'In fact, I think the princess has taught me a valuable life lesson: don't be afraid to make yourself happy, because life is too short! Thank you, Lieutenant Kuchiki!'"
Momo patted Rukia on the back. "See? You're changing lives out there, miss author! I'm so proud!"
Rukia rolled her eyes. "It's just some girl getting carried away." She picked up a letter and opened it. She frowned. "You've got to be kidding." She showed it to Momo: Hi Rukia, this is Kanichi Mozi, sixth seat of Squad 7. Your story has changed my life! It's never too late to have that transformative moment and find happiness, and Tale of the Two Lovers has taught me that. From now on, I'm taking control of my own life! And I'm going to ask for a promotion first thing in the morning! You're the best!
"Just another buffoon," Rukia said with a shrug, tossing it aside.
"Now, don't be like that," Hisana said. "These are such nice letters... open another one!"
Rukia sighed. "Fine..." She pulled up a cushion, sat by the formidable pile of letters, and opened another one. She reeled from its contents: OH MY GOSH RUKIA PLEASE WRITE ANOTHER CHAPTER TODAY THE LAST ONE WAS TOO GOOD! I'M DYING! WRITE IT WRITE IT WRITE IT!
Momo burst out laughing when she read it over Rukia's shoulder. "Some folks get carried away, don't they?"
Rukia opened another one: Please update soon.
"What, that's it?" Momo asked. "If someone writes feedback, they should be more articulate."
"Oh, this one's not so nice," Hisana said, waving with a letter in her hand. "This girl thinks the rabbit princess is a selfish, scheming, uh..." She re-read the letter and blushed. "How about I not say the rest out loud?"
"Just put it down," Rukia said, then she choked on what the next letter said: rukia please marry me.
"Does Ichigo have a little competition?" Momo teased, until Rukia shoved the letter in her face to shut her up.
"This one is much nicer," Hisana said brightly, ten minutes into the letter-opening spree. "This girl said that your story inspired her to confess her feelings to her crush, and she has had a massive boost of self-confidence."
Rukia nodded. "Neat."
"And this guy from Squad 1 said that Tale of the Two Lovers put the spice in his relationship with his girlfriend," Momo added, beaming. "Look! He even drew a picture on the back... oh my!"
"Let me see!" Rukia eagerly took the letter and saw the expertly-drawn image of the hero Kuzo with his princess Raiko in bed... very detailed!
Hisana plucked the letter from Rukia's hand. "I'll take that."
Rukia yelped. "Big sister...!"
"Maybe Byakuya needs a few ideas," Hisana said, folding the letter up and stashing it in her robes.
Rukia would give anything to have a new sister at this moment.
Finally, the girls sorted the letters by type: a huge pile for praise and admiration for Tale of the Two Lovers, a small pile of criticism, a short pile for fan art, and a too-large pile for nonsensical letters. Rukia stood, hands on her hips. "I think we have enough to go on, girls," she concluded.
Momo looked up from re-counting the piles. "What do you mean?"
Rukia pointed at the stack of positive letters. "This proves that my story is a good one... and I've got to make it even steamier! The people are clamoring for it!"
"Most of all me," Hisana added with a giggle. Rukia pretended not to hear that.
"Does this mean you're finally ready to confess all your feelings and desires to your fiance?" Momo asked. "After all, you wrote this story to expressyour feelings about Ichigo. So please tell me yes!"
Rukia hesitated. "I... don't really know where we stand," she admitted. "Momo, it's complicated. We had a great date last week. But Ichigo did have a point... he would give up a lot to come here and live with me in the Kuchiki manor. He's got a life down there in Karakura Town."
Hisana held a hand to her heart. "I'm so sorry, Rukia," she said gently. "Love's sting can often hurt."
Rukia scowled. "That's not what I said."
"Then what are you going to do?" Momo asked. "I mean... you're right, it would be a burden on Ichigo to move here. I can't even imagine what he's thinking right now."
Rukia shrugged. "Well, there's plenty of time until the wedding. Byakuya is patient. So, I'll just head back to Karakura Town and try to figure things out with my fiance."
Momo cracked a wicked smile. "You mean, seduce him until he changes his mind?"
How'd she know?! Rukia blushed and hastily made her way for the door. "I think I'm late for high school. See you later!"
She stepped through a Senkaimon gate, got into her gigai (complete with her uniform), and headed for school like a responsible 18-year-old girl. Already, there were crowds of students funneling into Karakura High School's front doors as the school's bell chimed. Birds sang in the blossom trees and a light wind picked up. Just another ordinary day in the world of the living, right?
Rukia rolled her eyes. Like I've ever had one of those!
*o*o*o*o*
"Come on, you're really not gonna tell me?" Renji insisted as he and Ichigo left school later that afternoon, their school bags slung over their shoulders.
Ichigo made a face. "Tell you what?"
"What do you think, bozo? How did the rest of your date with Rukia go?" Renji grinned. "You two were great at that dance studio. Some serious chemistry was going on. Where did you go after that? What did you do?"
"Damn, Renji. You're not even trying to hide the fact that you're Byakuya's spy," Ichigo shot back. He returned Renji's teasing grin. "What, did the Kuchikis already put up the wedding decorations? Are they putting the pressure on you?"
"I'm not being pressured to do anything!" Renji cried, waving his arms. "Come on, Ichigo, I'm not some servant."
"Here, Renji, hold this," came Rukia's voice. She jogged to catch up with both boys and shoved her school bag into Renji's hands. Then she clasped Ichigo's hand in hers and smiled. "I didn't see you much at school today."
Ichigo held Rukia's warm hand tightly in his. "Well, we don't share any classes on Thursdays..."
"I know. I missed you," Rukia said simply. "Oh, and guess what else? My story in the Seireitei Bulletin is getting realy popular! I read my fan mail today. It was kind of fun."
Ichigo winced. "Watch out. Some fans can get pretty out of control. You might end up with a few stalkers out there."
Rukia snorted with amusement. "Give me a break. I can handle any jealous girls who corner me in some dark alley. Even if they all gang up on me!"
Ichigo shared a knowing glance with Renji. "That's sure as hell true."
"So..." Rukia smiled and looked up at her fiance. "What do you want to do today? Are there any good TV shows on? Or we could look for a new favorite restaurant. Any ideas, Ichigo?"
Renji nodded with approval. "Look at those sparks fly. I think you're both totally ready to tie the knot."
Ichigo made up his mind. "Okay, look," he announced. "Rukia, Renji, I don't think you both know what it would mean for me to leave Karakura Town for good."
"Oh, not this again," Renji complained.
"No, really. I have an idea," Ichigo said, holding up a finger and grinning. "Rukia, can you send a Hell Butterfly to your brother-in-law and sister?"
Rukia blinked. "Well, sure I could. But what do you want to tell them?"
"I'd like to send them both an invitation..."
*o*o*o*o*
"Ichigo, you darling boy, this is a wonderful idea," Hisana said fondly that evening when she and Byakuya met with Ichigo and Rukia at a trendy outdoor cafe. This cozy place was near the banks of the Karakura river, and this evening, the early moon shone on its rippling surface, all romantic and stuff. Though Ichigo remembered the hot skinny-dipping he and Rukia had indulged in... their naked bodies in that cool water, and what came next...
Ichigo cleared his throat and tried not to blush.
"Hey, it was no trouble," he said, raising his glass. "Rukia thinks I should be more spontaneous and romantic, so here we are."
"I didn't phrase it like that," Rukia muttered in his ear, "but close enough."
Although Rangiku had finally returned Ichigo's and Rukia's stolen clothes, this evening Rukia wore a knee-length black dress with matching heels, and a false-pearl necklace and a small white flower in her hair. Ichigo had the same musty old professor-like clothes from last time, and Karin had teased him that he looked like a doctor from some TV show she was watching. Well, elbow pads and bow ties could be kind of cool...
Byakuya took a bite of his teriyaki beef and looked around the place. The foursome were hardly the only guests here; the umbrellas over the round tables, strings of white lights, ambiant music, and happy chatter made it a great place for a double date. It seemed totally innocent... but the Squad 6 Captain saw right through it.
"All right, Kurosaki," Byakuya said, setting down his chopsticks. "You don't have to keep up the facade with me."
Ichigo blinked. Crud. "What d'you mean?"
"Your date invitation was rather detailed, and involved exploring all over Karakura Town," Byakuya said simply. "Almost as though Hisana and I were tourists."
Ichigo swallowed. "Well, that's kinda true. You've hardly ever been here. I wanted to show you guys around, that's all. And have a good evening with my future family."
"He's right," Rukia added. She glanced at Ichigo, looking a bit confused. "Right...?"
Hisana smiled and patted Byakuya's shoulder. "Oh, I thinik I see where my husband's going with this. Ichigo, you want to show us how wonderful Karakura Town is, and how difficult it would be to leave all this when you marry into the family."
An awkward silence fell.
Ichigo hung his head. "I should've known I can't trick the Kuchikis."
"You are certainly right about that," Byakuya said, resuming eating. "but do not worry. It's fair that you want to have one last good evening in your hometown before moving to the Kuchiki manor. And I am grateful that you shared this with my wife and I."
"But..." Ichigo's voice trailed off. No way! Both Byakuya and Hisana realized Ichigo's reluctance to leave Karakura Town in intimate detail... and they didn't change their minds one bit. They were "full steam ahead" for bringing Ichigo into the family and leaving this place for good.
Rukia took another sip of tea. "Come on, guys, this doesn't have to be awkward. Karakura Town's a fun place, you know. Let's forget about any schemes or uncomfortable feelings and have a good time."
Ichigo stole a sideways glance at his fiancee. What's her game?
Hisana smiled. "Yes. Let's do that."
Ichigo was pretty sure that his plan was ruined, but he soon forgot that when Rukia took charge. First stop was a charming little ice cream place, where Hisana discovered the joys of Rocky Road while Byakuya insisted that fresh, authentic fruit be provided for his ice cream until Rukia explained otherwise. Strawberry sherbet just barely satisfied his palate, though he appreciated Hisana sharing her Rocky Road.
Then, Rukia sniffed out a local indie band, an almost hipster-like group who played "the music of our times, the soul of today", on a weird variety of instruments that somehow came together. Rukia and Hisana clapped and cheered with the small crowd at the outdoor venue, while Byakuya politely asked Ichigo whether "humans are this typically bizarre". Ichigo could only shrug.
"Byakuya, honey, aren't you having any fun?" Hisana teased her husband an hour later as the group tried out a local dance club down the river.
"I believe the human world is a bit too noisy for me!" Byakuya cried over the noise. "Humans make such a ruckus!"
"I know, but look at them go!" Hisana said with a smile, pointing at Ichigo and Rukia's dance routine nearby. "They've having such a great time. I can't imagine then spending a second apart."
Byakuya nodded. "Yes, I agree. We have certainly arranged the perfect match for your little sister."
Hisana held Byakuya's shoulder and smiled. "Now, shall we dance, too?"
"In a place like this?"
"You're forgetting," Hisana told him, "that we're here to have a little fun with the people we love."
"I..."
"Get moving, honey."
Ichigo could hardly believe his eyes when he saw an excited Hisana trying to lead Byakuya into a couple's dance, and in a place like this! "Your sister sure likes this place better than the Captain," he commented.
"I know, right?" Rukia grinned. "She's totally nuts about Tale of the Two Lovers. I've never seen her like this before."
"So, now the little sister is teaching the older one a life lesson?"
"Something like that. Now kick it up a notch, lover boy, or my annoying sister will make us look bad."
"You got it."
*o*o*o*o*
Hisana insisted that the four of them spend the night at the Palace Hotel further down the street, "to see how humans do it", which was code for "I can't wait to be pampered here some more."
"Whoa, this place is a little expensive," Rukia muttered as Hisana booked two adjacent rooms.
"It's all right," Hisana told her kindly. "Byakuya and I will pay."
"Apparently," Byakuya mumbled.
Hisana patted Byakuya's shoulder. "Let's go check it out! See you in the morning, Rukia!"
Rukia, meanwhile, led Ichigo to their room, and once the door shut, she sighed wearily and removed her necklace. "Whew, I'm beat," she said, running a hand through her dark hair. "How about you?"
Ichigo sat on the corner of the bed. "Yeah, it was a good night," he said, hands in his lap. "It's getting pretty late. I'm glad we don't have class tomorrow..."
"We sure don't," Rukia agreed. She looked over at the wall. "I can hear Hisana in there. She never shuts up."
Ichigo heard the muffled voices, too. "I bet she and Byakuya will get their money's worth out of this place."
Rukia made a face. "Oh, don't be gross. That's my big sister over there."
"Sorry."
Rukia, meanwhile, walked over to the window and shut the curtains, blocking off the stunning skyline view.
"Hey, I kinda liked the view," Ichigo complained.
"Do tell." Rukia put on a cocky smile and strode confidently over to her fiance, hands on her hips. "How about I make you forget all about the view outside?"
Ichigo grinned. "Oh, is that a promise - whoa!"
He was thrown flat on his back on the wide, king-size bed as Rukia clamored over him, the alluring scent of her perfume wafting over him. Her dark bangs hung around her face.
"We've got the whole night," Rukia breathed into his ear. "Time for this... and this..." She closed her eyes and kissed one cheek, then the other, then all over his jaw and neck, her lips soft and warm on his skin.
Ichigo couldn't help a big smile. "Hey. that tickles a little."
"Just a little?" Rukia straddled her fiance and sat up, her hands gripping his dress shirt. "Will this tickle?" She pried his shirt open and leaned down, running her tongue along his bare chest.
"Wh-whoa." Ichigo felt his face warm, his heart beating harder. "I feel a bit over-dressed."
"Maybe you are."
Ichigo hastily slipped out of his jacket and shirt, showing off his great physique. "Is that better?"
Rukia tossed her hair. "Don't I get a turn?"
Without a word, Ichigo sat up and planted his lips on hers, his hands reaching up to slip the petite black dress down Rukia's shoulders, showing some generous cleavage and her pink, lacy bra. Ichigo felt his interest perk up as he kept his face on Rukia's, his hands reaching around to undo the clasp on her bra. He felt the straps part, and he let the bra fall onto the bed's comforter.
"Look, I know you'll miss Karakura Town," Rukia breathed between kisses. "But you'll always have me. Wherever we go, we'll have a home together."
"Damn, you're smart." Ichigo let himself get lost in the moment, savoring his fiancee's soft, sweet lips as he ran his hands along her bare breasts, which were starting to grow slick from excited sweat as Rukia's chest heaved. Ichigo definitely felt himself perk up some more as he gently squeezed Rukia's breasts in his hands, toying with her nipples between his fingertips.
"You naughty boy, you..." Rukia leaned forward and had Ichigo on his back again, holding herself a few inches above him. "You like playing with your fiancee, do you?"
"Hey, I thought the hero was supposed to worship the princess," Ichigo teased her. "Or did I misread your story?"
"My story is how I show the world what I think, what I feel," Rukia told him, running a hand down Ichigo's cheek. "You've always been such a stubborn brute, Ichigo, and all clammed up. I had to try and show you how much I love you. And I'm not the only one who's cheering me on."
Ichigo chuckled, embarrassed. "It just feels funny to think that our personal life is out there for everyone to see."
"Well, I had to reach you somehow," Rukia reminded him, an amused smile on her face. "You know, this whole thing with Tale of the Two Lovers has shifted my perspective on things. Life is too short to not spend it with the people you love. And that's coming from a Soul Reaper, too. You know how long we live."
"Does this mean the days of shy, awkward Rukia are over?"
"What?" Rukia blinked. "Since when was I ever shy or awkward?"
Ichigo swallowed. "Well, when we first met, I used to get teased about you and me. Some people thought I was trying to hook up with 'the new girl'. And one of the girls mentioned to me how you were getting teased about it, too."
Rukia shook her head. "Forget all that. I know what I want out of this, and I know what you want." She sighed seductively and pressed her upper arms inwards, jostling her bare breasts. "You want some more of this, don't you?"
"Hell yeah."
"You'll get some, lover boy. But first..." Rukia stood and slipped out of her little black dress, standing there in just her heels and panties. "I want to make you beg for it."
"You think I'll do that, huh?"
"Oh, I'm sure you will." Rukia turned around and bent over a little as she held the fabric of her lacy pink panties. "Now. Beg for it."
Ichigo sat up, his interest fully upright. He felt himself panting. "Come on, give me a little something."
Rukia wiggled her butt. "I don't think you want it badly enough..."
"Hey, just a little?"
"Maybe I shouldn't bother..." Rukia said with a false sigh, lowering her hands.
"N-no!" Ichigo jolted. He felt himself actually salivating. "Rukia, you're so damn hot. Seriously. You came all this way just to stop? When were you such a tease?"
"Mmmmmm, maybe I like teasing my fiance."
Ichigo leaned forward. "Come on, do it... I want it. I want it!"
"Well, maybe you do!" Rukia pinched the waistline of her pink panties again and started to slowly, carefully, slip them down her body. "How badly do you want me?"
"Really bad!"
"That much, huh?" Rukia kept slipping her panties along her skin, showing the top half of her round, curvy bum. She kept sliding the fabric down even more, almost all the way -
Rukia stopped. "Okay, what is that?"
"Huh?" Ichigo heard it, too. Someone was talking in another room, a loud and formal voice like a stage play, or reciting poetry. Then Ichigo heard it: a woman's voice reciting the steamiest, dirtiest lines from the newest chapter of Tale of the Two Lovers.
Hisana!
Rukia slid her panties back into place, threw on a robe, and stalked over to the door. "She has got to shut up," she muttered, annoyed. "Be right back, Ichigo."
Ichigo sighed and lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. This date was totally going in a different direction than he expected... Tale of the Two Lovers was having a serious effect on the Kuchiki sisters.
What was Ichigo to do?
*o*o*o*o*
I swear, Hisana...!
Rukia stormed a few steps down the hall and noticed that Hisana and Byakuya's door wasn't completely shut. What, did they rush in here all horny and forget to lock the door? Even now, she could hear their voices, mostly Hisana's. It sounded like they were reeanacting a scene from her story in there.
Rukia knocked. "Hisana! Shut up already!"
No response. Rukia tried again, but still nothing.
Fine! Rukia threw open the door, just in time to find Hisana nude except for her red high heels, kneeling on the bed as she tickled Byakuya's bare chest. The Captain, by the way, had his wrists bound to one of the bed's posts with his shirt, and he somehow had a dignified look on his face despite being nude, with his interest fully perked up.
Then Byakuya turned and saw Rukia. His slate-gray eyes widened.
"Hey, what are you looking at, bad boy?" Hisana cooed, running her hands down Byakuya's well-muscled chest and toward his manhood with excited hands. "What - RUKIA!"
She turned and beheld her little sister, and a second later, clapped her hands over her breasts. At the same time, Rukia shielded her eyes with both hands.
"I-I'm sorry!" Rukia cried. "I was just gonna ask you to lower your voice! I didn't think you were actually...!"
"We were just doing a scene from the Tale to spice things up," Hisana cried. "I-I didn't mean to disturb you and Ichigo!"
"I swear I didn't see anything. Good night!" Rukia backed up and shut the door securely, then retreated back into her and Ichigo's room, shutting her door even tighter.
Ichigo stared. "What happened?"
Despite what she said, Rukia had seen far too much of her sister's naked butt and Byakuya's... that. She shook her head, heart hammering. "I-I think you had a point. It's getting late. Let's get to sleep. Good night!" she blabbered.
Ichigo looked confused and disappointed but didn't argue.
Rukia picked up her bra from the floor, parted her robe, and put her bra back on with a mental sigh. Welcome to the family, Ichigo.
