Chapter 7

A/N: Short but sweet.

"The Gift of our Father?" asked Ichigo looking at her with slight perplexity, "Don't you think that's a little dramatic?"

"I don't think so. I think it's pretty accurate considering its the father that decides whether or not the offspring a male or female. Gene wise it makes no difference but that slight difference makes it apparent." she said taking another sip.

"So there is no way to learn that technique?" he asked.

"No, absolutely no way. It's all passed down and it would take years for the offspring to even realize they have the power to manipulate their reiastu in a way that it deflects any physical damage away from it."

Ichigo stood and nodded. He gave out a yawn before resting his hands behind his head. Night was coming soon and it didn't seem as if they would be encountering any Demi's anytime soon. He turned to Rukia who had just placed her bowl onto the nightstand and said, "Lift up your shirt."

"What?"

"I just want to see if those stitches are holding up." he said walking over to her. She looked at him puzzled as said, "Oh, alright." She took her shirt and gently raised it exposing the stitched wound and surprisingly the wound was nearly closed. Taken aback he looked up at her.

"Well, you heal pretty fast." he said. Rukia didn't have the heart to tell him it wasn't the stitches nor her own anatomy that caused the rapid regeneration. It was his own spiritual pressure. As she laid there bearing the pain she could feel the warmth of his reiastu enter her body. He was subconsciously healing her with his own energy. She could remember Miyako once telling her a story of her and Kaien. She had been wounded by a hollow and he had been patrolling the area when he found her. They had been courting each other before and once Kaien had realized the seriousness of her wounds he began transferring his energy to her. At the time he hadn't known he had done such a thing but Miyako knew from that moment that he loved her. To give your energy without even knowing you were doing so was a sign of a close connection. Both spirits giving and accepting to each other. Sharing each other's strength and harmony. Both needing to exist for the other.

"Actually, I think I can take these out." said Ichigo in a low tone. Rukia felt his fingertips touch her bare skin as they traced to the stitching. She felt him tug at the string and with surprising ease it slipped out leaving almost no mark. He then traced his forefinger along where the wound used to be. From her hip, to her navel and then slowly under her chest. Ichigo then realized where his fingers were going and ceased. He went to withdraw his hand but he felt Rukia wrap her fingers over his wrist.

"Rukia? What are you doing?" he said. To be quite honest. She didn't know what she was doing but her body did and so did her heart. She didn't need any more evidence to hold herself to.

"Just... shut up." she said sounding slightly flustered. He allowed her to trace his palm over her stomach.

"Rukia, I..." he lost his words. Words no longer stood in the way. His emotions were to act by action and action is what his heart wanted to reveal himself. He hesitated for a moment before bringing his other hand on her waist. The warmth of her skin and softness he felt took him by surprise. For such as strong willed person she was rather soft. He lowered his head and met her forehead with hers as he slowly lowered her onto her back. Rukia could feel his breath on her neck and it sent pleasure inducing chills down her back and between her thighs. He was above her now looking into her eyes with his body held under her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in. She began to remember the small kiss they shared a night ago but that was nothing compared to the one they would share now. She met his lips which sent a surge of electricity through her body igniting a flame within her. She felt a curious sensation rise from between her thighs which had spread to her abdomen and chest. She tasted his lips and with every passing second her body demanded more. She felt him raise her leg using the palm of his hand to graze the underside of her thigh and finally positioning it over his waist. Then she felt his loins hit up against her and a sudden rush of pleasure erupted causing her to suddenly gasp in ecstasy. Ichigo withdrew for a moment as he attempted to remove his shirt but was quickly stopped when Rukia said, "No, let me do it." He nodded as he saw her face highlighted by moonlight reach up and slip his shirt off. Ichigo leaned forward towards her neck and began to kiss her gently. With his hands he gripped the sides of her shirt and lifted it off of her. There she was. Vulnerable to him and to him alone. Her barriers were down and for the first time she felt as if she was whole again. He kissed her softly leaving a trail from her neck down to the center of her chest. She pulled him into a deeper kiss this time she could feel him. Feel him in a way that she could feel her very soul intertwining with his and that nothing could come in between them.

"Onii-san!!" called Karin knocking on the door.