Baby Blunder

Trust me it would scare you if you knew what was going on in my brain.
Trust me it would scare you,
that i've picked out the church, all the schools, all the names.
If you knew it was all about you,
Every wish, every candle, every coin in the fountain.

Ichigo shifted in his seat, making himself comfortable as he pressed the 'play' button on the T.V. remote. The movie title 'Kill Bill' flashed to life on the screen. It was times like these he was glad Rukia wasn't a total girlie-girl, otherwise he might've been forced to watch a chick flick. But Rukia, in fact seemed to enjoy action-thrillers just as much as him, thankfully.

It was a Saturday evening. Yuzu and Karin had gone to stay at a friend's house for the night and Isshin was away on a fishing trip— believe it or not— for the weekend, leaving Ichigo and Rukia in the house alone. The orange-haired teen cringed at the memory of what his father had suggested he and Rukia would get up to while in an empty house. A swift punch to the jaw had silenced that old fool.

He shook the thought from his head as Rukia sat down beside him on the sofa, a bowl of popcorn in hand. Ichigo reached across to grab a handful of the snack, not noticing her disapproving glare. The movie was as good as he had expected. There was definitely action, but he wasn't too bothered by the storyline. Rukia on the other hand seemed hooked. She even found the fight scenes impressive, though not as good as Ichigo, she mused silently to herself.

Just as another fight was about to take place, the doorbell rang and Rukia groaned as Ichigo paused the movie. He stood up first, picking up the now empty bowl they had been eating out of, "I'll get more popcorn, if you want to answer the door." He suggested. Rukia let out a sigh as he helped her up from her seat.

She quickly made her way out to the hall. Opening the door she was met by a young woman, who she assumed was married, by the ring on her finger. "Hello," the woman began cheerfully, smiling widely at Rukia who eyed the woman in a mixture of worry and suspicion, "I was wondering…" she paused, "I'm sorry… but is this the Kurosaki residence?"

Before Rukia could answer Ichigo stepped into the hallway and into the woman's view, "Who is it, Rukia?" he then noticed the two at his doorstep, "Ah, Mrs Tanaka, always a pleasure to see you." He spoke with an uncharacteristic smile plastered on his face. Rukia gave him a raised brow, but he ignored it, "What brings you here this evening? How is your baby by the way, Izzie, right?"

The blonde haired woman nodded in response and Ichigo gestured for her to step inside, "Izzie is in fact back at home. She is why I came here actually." The woman was speaking to Ichigo, but at the same time had her eyes on Rukia, who had managed to find her way behind the orange-haired teen. She looked a little awkward, "I hope I didn't… interrupt anything." She said suddenly, causing Ichigo to splutter and Rukia to laugh.

"N-no," Ichigo responded, waving his hands, "Sorry, this is Ruki-" he paused at the looks he was receiving for calling her by her first name, "This is Kuchiki Rukia. She's staying with our family at the moment."

She bowed to Rukia, who politely bowed back, "It's a pleasure to meet you." Only Ichigo knew it was a lie, for she would much rather be back watching their movie than introducing herself to his neighbours. They could be so alike at times.

"So what did you say you were here for?" Ichigo asked then, causing the woman to hang her head slightly.

"Well, you see, tonight's my wedding anniversary. My husband and I were planning on going out for the night, but our babysitter cancelled last minute." She then gave Rukia a warm smile, making the girl immediately feel cornered, "We've tried just about everyone, but so far nobody can mind our Izzie on such short notice. So we thought we would try you, that is… if you'd be available?"

Ichigo noticed that she was not looking at him, but Rukia. "Uhh…" Rukia didn't know the first thing about babies; let alone how to take care of one, "Umm…"

"Of course, if you're nervous about staying in a strange house on your own, Ichigo is more than welcome to join you." Her voice seemed cheerful, but desperate. Rukia looked to Ichigo who shrugged, nodding his head slowly, "We'd be happy to help, Mrs Tanaka." She replied and the woman immediately grabbed her up into an embrace.

"Oh thank you, Kuchiki-san!"

"Heh, no problem."

When they reached the Tanaka residence, the woman let them in. Rukia immediately went to admire the many pictures on their walls. She showed Rukia around the house, pointing out where everything was. Ichigo followed the two women, knowing full well that Rukia would forget everything almost immediately after.

The woman led them back to the kitchen, "The bottles are in the refrigerator. If she gets fussy, try a bottle. If that doesn't work; check her diaper. If it gets to be too much just call one of us. Our numbers are on the counter."

"Any allergies?" Ichigo asked suddenly.

"No. Not that we know of, anyway."

Both teens nodded, and the woman continued, "My husband's just bathed her, so she should be ready for bed within the next half hour or so."

At that, said husband brought the little bundle into the kitchen, "Here she is." He said sweetly, handing Izzie to Rukia.

Both parents then made their way to the door, "Remember to call if anything comes up." The woman added just before they left.

"Will do," Ichigo replied, "Enjoy yourselves." At that he closed the door, turning around to see Rukia and Izzie in the middle of a staring contest. The baby then reached up and pulled at the chain around Rukia's neck.

"Quit it!" she told the infant sternly, but it just laughed, reaching up instead to grab a fistful of her hair, "Ow! That hurts! Cut that out!"

Ichigo chuckled, earning a pointed glare from the raven-haired girl, "It's not listening to me!" she stated, her glare moving from Ichigo to the playful baby in her arms.

He walked over to the two, gently taking Izzie from Rukia. He held the infant carefully, rocking her in his arms, all the while telling her how good a little girl she was, in a voice far to high to be his own. Rukia watch; appalled by the sight. After a moment or two, she just had to ask, "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

He met her shocked stare with a raised brow, "What do you mean?"

She scoffed, "Have you lost your mind?" before Ichigo could ask, she began mimicking what he had been previously doing.

"That's how everybody acts around a baby, Rukia. Nobody talks to them like they're adults."

"Any why not?!"

He laughed at her outrage, "Well… because they're not adults. They're babies. They don't understand you."

At that the infant let out a sleepy yawn. Ichigo gave the small girl a gentle smile, "Looks like somebody's tired, huh?"

Rukia then realized that he wasn't expecting an answer as he brought Izzie into the nursery. Once they reached the room, Ichigo mumbled under his breath, "I forgot to bring her up a bottle. Would you…" he handed Izzie to a nervous Rukia, "I'll be right back. Try rocking her to sleep."

Once he left, the baby seemed to change expression immediately. Its face grew redder by the second, and Rukia had a feeling that the small thing was about to explode.

It did…

Though it was worse than any explosion she had ever imagined.

"ICHIGOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Said boy raced upstairs at Rukia's cry. The Raven-haired girl stood outside the nursery with the infant lying in her crib.

"What happened, Rukia?" he was panting slightly at having run upstairs.

Rukia had her hand covering her nose, "Ichigo… that thing is rotting from the inside out! I swear, such smells are not natural!"

He furrowed his brow, "What do you mean?" When stepping into the nursery Ichigo froze as a foul odour met his nostrils, "Oh…" he said simply, "That."

Rukia stared at him in shock, "'That'?! Is that all you're gonna say?! What will the parents say when they come home to find out that their baby is nothing but a rotting corpse?!"

Ichigo stifled a laugh. She was definitely not like most girls. Not with movies… or babies. Most girls would have gone 'gaga' at the baby girl, but Rukia insisted on treating her as if she was a fully developed adult. Most girls wouldn't have been completely stunned by a smelly baby either. Rukia was just not one of these girls. He had known that for a long time.

"Rukia, it's just a dirty diaper."

"Diaper?" she repeated curiously, despite herself. Ichigo rolled his eyes, walking into the stinking room and pulling the baby from her bed. Rukia couldn't understand how Ichigo wasn't unconscious, let alone how he was still smiling at the baby girl. He must be in shock, she concluded.

It didn't take him long to complete the most foul task Rukia had ever witnessed in her entire life. She gagged numerous times whilst watching Ichigo go through the process of, 'changing her diaper'. She was unable to actually stay for the entire procedure however, and had to escape downstairs to prevent herself from throwing up.

About ten minutes later, Ichigo returned downstairs with a baby monitor in hand. He set in on the coffee table before looking for Rukia.

"Rukia?" he called quietly, so as not to wake the now sleeping baby upstairs. He found the raven-haired girl in the kitchen. Two cups of tea were prepared on the counter, and she was sipping slowly at her own, sitting on one of the high stools.

He wanted to know what was going through her mind. Ever since they arrived for this job she seemed troubled by something. Ichigo didn't expect her to know much about kids. From what he knew about her, she herself had died as and infant, and he couldn't imagine there being many babies around Soul Society.

But she didn't even speak when he sat beside her, taking the tea she had made gratefully, "Thanks."

She nodded, still not looking at him.

There was a long silence. Rukia's mind appeared to be doing overtime, but Ichigo had no idea what had her so worked up.

"What's wrong?" he asked suddenly.

Rukia immediately looked at him, wide-eyed, "What do you mean? Nothing's wrong." She spoke shakily.

Ichigo sighed tilting his head to meet her eyes, "Rukia, you and I both know that lying never gets anywhere when it comes to you and me," he shrugged dismissively, "We just know each other too well."

At those words, the raven-haired girl looked away, "I'd really rather not talk about it…" she muttered.

He crossed his arms defiantly, "You know that won't work either." He stated matter-of-factly.

Rukia let out a frustrated sigh, "Stop thinking you know me!" she snapped, and Ichigo was taken aback. Her eyes met his in a distressed glare, "You have no idea what it feels like to see someone almost a hundred years younger than you handle a simple task like a baby better than yourself!"

Ichigo tilted his head, his brow furrowed. This was one of those rare moments when he realized that Rukia was indeed a century older than him. And it was one of those moments when he knew that it didn't matter to him.

"Rukia…" he began, but she cut him off.

"No, Ichigo! If you want to know what has me so worked up, then I'll tell you! I can't help but wonder; if I can't even mind a baby for a few hours with you, how the hell will I ever be able to help raise our kids?!"

Ichigo froze. Rukia stalled for a second longer, before realizing what she had just said. She slapped her hands over her mouth, looking at him wide-eyed and red-faced. Without another word, she ran out of the room. Leaving a stunned Ichigo sitting in silence.

Neither one spoke to the other after that. Neither knew exactly what to say. They had never even mentioned the chances of a relationship before now, and Rukia accidentally just blurted out that she wants to have his kids!

He remained in the kitchen while Rukia sat on the living room sofa. He ran a hand through his hair. She wants to have kids? What does she think of marriage? Would she want to marry me? Why would she want kids and not want to get married? He sighed in frustration; Maybe she just likes the idea of having a family, idiot… even if you're not in it.

He shook the thoughts from his head. He was going to have to talk to her. He walked out of the kitchen and was about to speak when.

A shrill cry was heard over the baby monitor. Rukia immediately jumped from her seat, instinctively almost. Not noticing Ichigo at the Kitchen door, she ran out upstairs. Ichigo followed suit. When he reached the nursery, he noticed the crying had seized. He peeped into the room to see Rukia standing beside the cot, the little baby in her arms as she rocked her gently.

He was about to enter when he heard soft singing come from the raven-haired girl. She's singing Izzie to sleep? It was a simple sweet lullaby, and Ichigo couldn't help but notice that Rukia did in fact have a lovely singing voice. After a few moments, silence met his ears, and Ichigo looked again to see Rukia place the sleeping baby back in her crib, pulling the blankets up on her and tucking in a little a teddy bear beside her.

She stood back, still eyeing the infant. She hadn't noticed before, but when she was holding the baby, Rukia realized it had brown eyes similar to Ichigo's, and a lovely head of dark hair. She had found it easy to imagine the child as being her own. Hers… and Ichigo's.

A pair of strong arms suddenly wrapped around her waist, and Rukia jumped at the sudden touch. She turned her head slightly to see Ichigo looking over her shoulder at the sleeping baby, "Good job." He spoke quietly, pulling her back closer to him as he held her in a gentle embrace, his head resting on her silky hair as she leaned her head against his chest.

There was no need for words. Ichigo was a man of very few. But he felt like he should be a little out of character at a moment like this, "Is this how you imagined it?" he whispered softly in her ear.

Rukia blushed, tilting her head to meet his gaze, "No…" she replied, immediately noticing Ichigo look away, his eyes telling her he was hurt. She cupped his cheek with her hand, bring his eyes back to hers as she smiled, "I mean; No… this is much better."

He squeezed her a little, his voice playful, yet dead serious as he spoke the next sentence, "Wait 'til we have our own."

Rukia gasped and Ichigo gave a small smile, turning her so that she now faced him. He tilted her head up in order to bring his lips down on hers. It was a simple, sweet kiss, that neither wished to end. But the sudden sound of the front door opening broke them apart.

Both flushed teens made their way downstairs as the parents closed the door behind them.

"Ah, was there any trouble?" the woman asked quietly.

Rukia went to answer, but Ichigo beat her to it, "Not at all. She was a little angel." He gave the parents a reassuring smile, "Did you enjoy your night out?"

She grinned in response, "It was wonderful!" the couple gave one another a loving kiss before turning back to the teens, "Hopefully someday you two will both know what it's like to find true love."

Rukia felt Ichigo place a hand gently on the small of her back, "I have no doubt about that." he replied honestly.

Rukia felt her face redden slightly, and for some reason she couldn't stop smiling.

They left the house, the woman handing Rukia a small envelope before they left. It was late, and dark, but Rukia had never felt safer. The two walked close beside each other, and it didn't take long for Ichigo to wrap an arm around her waist as they made their way home.

She rested her head against his chest, "Ichigo…"

"Hmm?"

"Did you really mean what you said… earlier when…"

She didn't get a chance to finish before Ichigo answered her with a tender and loving kiss, Rukia noticed, was similar to the one she had seen the couple exchange previously. When they broke away Ichigo gave her slim frame a small squeeze, "I meant every word."

Rukia was glad it was dark, although she was certain he could still tell she was blushing, "Ichigo… I…"

I love you.

She wanted to say it. But words seemed so unnecessary just then, like they simply weren't enough.

Ichigo chuckled, "It's alright, Rukia. I do too."

A/N: My opening note was courtasy on Natasha Bedingfield's - I Wanna Have Your Babies.
I laughed at the thought and figured I'd see how a fic would work out for it.
I liked this. I still get tingles at the ending, despite the fact I wrote it, hehe!