A/N: Woo chapter 9. (Thank you for all your reviews)
Okay so I don't want to babble and give anything away...so yeah.
Previously...
"Who's reitsu is that?" He asked looking around, he didn't know it...but Rukia did. Not him...Rukia begged in her mind, anyone but him. Ichigo looked at Rukia and she shook her head.
Ichigo and Rukia walked into the house, Yuzu and Karin had disappeared. Yachiru was busy taking out the bows that were stuck in Kenpachis' hair, the whole room was silent and the tension fell heavy in the air.
"Did you feel the reitsu?" Matsumoto asked, her speech wasn't even slurred, it was calm and collected just like the white haired boy next to her. Both Ichigo and Rukia nodded their heads. Rukia lightly squeezed his arm as if telling him 'I'm here.'
Renji chuckled, "That's surprising, you two must of been goin' at it outside 'cause your reitsus' were blazing like crazy!" Renji threw his arms up into the air "I thought you were gonna break Uraharas' little reitsu toy over there!" Rukia threw the nearest object at Renji (which happened to be a plastic fork).Both Ichigo and Rukia had a bright pink to their cheeks.
Hitsugaya cleared his throat and everyone looked at him. "The reitsu was a criminal, a murder, in soul society." He said clearly. Orihime gasped, Ishidas' eyes went wide behind his glasses, Urahara waved his fan infront of his face, the other shinigami looked bored as if this was old news and Ichigo just stared like he was hit in the face with a brick. When no one spoke, Hitsugaya continued;
"The criminal was a lower shinigami in squad 13." Hitsugaya passed a quick glance to Rukia. "He attacked mainly women. He would first beat them, you see the criminal was much stronger, he could hide his reitsu with ease and pass off as a lower class shinigami." Hitsugaya waited for the mummers of conversation to cease. Yoruichi spoke up, her voice clear and unshaken by the news.
"Urahara and I have kept close watch on this guy, when Rukia returned a few weeks ago to the living world...his reitsu disappeared" Yoruichi snapped her fingers on the word 'disappeared'. Orihime shifted uncomfortably and Ichigo stared at Rukia, who stared at Yoruichi. "He's got the same strength as Kenny! But no one is stronger that Kenny! Right Kenny?" Yachiru said, the effects of so much cake still not wearing off quite yet.
"So, how do we find him?" Ichigo asked in a low voice, for some reason he wanted this guy dead. The others passed glances and then stared at Ichigo.
"We were hoping...you had a plan" Matsumoto said playing with the sash on her uniform, Isshin came down the stairs; oddly cheery even though a criminal was on the loose.
"I got the girls to go to bed" He announced before taking a seat. Urahara cleared his throat, "I think...I can help" The humble shop keeper said pulling out a file from his robe.
Every person in the room stared, Rukia glanced up to see Ichigos' expression...he was scowling.
Urahara opened the folder and cleared his throat.
"His name is Leon, his death was at birth. He was a quick learner at the soul societys' academy and excelled in all of his classes. Leon was appointed a seat below Miss.Kuchiki in the 13th squad." Urahara coughed and looked around the room before continuing. Ichigo was staring at Rukia while she kept her eyes on the floor. Everyone else was just waiting, for more information, for more ways to take the criminal down. Yoruichi stole the folder from her husband.
"Leon was described as kind, loyal, care-free and an easy person to talk to." Yoruichi narrowed her golden eyes, "This is the nasty part" She said her eyes darting around the room.
"Come on Orihime, I don't want you to hear this" Ishida said taking his wifes' hand, who did not object, she looked pale just listening about a man who targeted and killed women. Ishida walked Orihime outside, the air was still warm and he hugged her close.
"Everything will be fine" Ishida whispered and Orihime nodded.
Yachiru yawned, "Hurry up so Kenny knows how to beat him up!" The pink haired girl raised her fist in the air enthusiastically. Hitsugaya crossed his arms with a scowl.
"It won't be easy." He growled out.
"Stop being so negative!" Matsumoto cried, glomping her captain. He grumbled some colorful words at Matsumoto before she finally got off of him. The tension in the air was lifted, if only a little. Kenpachi was even smiling, just a little. Yoruichi sighed before continuing. I wonder what is going through Ichigos' mind. She thought giving a glance to the orange haired boy who had his eyes glued to Rukia, as if trying to read her mind.
"Leon would charm his way into their hearts, he would find ways to connect with them easily and then when they were weak he would beat them down...physically and mentally." Yoruichi took another breath, Ichigo wrapped his arm around Rukias' waist and held her tightly to him. He wasn't going to loose her.
"Once they were weak, he would use a binding kidou, filled with so much reitsu not even a captain could get out of it...possibly Kenpachi because he has a freakish spiritual energy. Now, we only know that he would kill them, maybe even have their way with them. We don't really know...but the girls' bodies would be found bloody and broken in their respected bedrooms. He would take the time to bring them home basically, or he would dump them infront of their home...it all depends. One thing we noticed was that..." Yoruichi sighed deeply, everyone was staring and she couldn't finish the sentence. She handed the folder to Hitsugaya, who furrowed his brow before reading the line.
"He would...cut their hearts out." Hitsugaya finished, Ichigo thought he was going to break Rukia in half because he was holding her so close. Matsumoto narrowed her eyes, in deep thought. Hitsugaya stared at the folder and its' contents, hoping for more. Yachirus' eyes were wide but she said nothing, Kenpachi was talking about ways to kill the guy. Urahara had his arm around Yoruichis' shoulders. Isshin was rubbing his beard, thinking seriously about this whole ordeal. Renji was whispering something to Tatsuki, whose eyes looked glazed over...as if she were lost in her own thoughts.
Ichigo cleared his throat, "I think...we shouldn't stay together. Uraharas' place can be a safe house for Hitsugaya, Matsumoto, Kenpachi and Yachiru. Renji," Ichigo looked over at the red head. "You stay with Tatsuki." Ichigo looked at Rukia and their eyes met for the first time during this whole meeting. "I'm staying with Rukia." He said firmly. The shinigami nodded in approval.
"That's it?" Isshin said with a raised eyebrow.
"We need to wait until more information is known about him." Hitsugaya said to the elder shinigami, "I think it's smart. If he attacks...we will all be in one place or close to one another for support" Hitsugaya crossed his arms across his chest.
"But we are hiding!" Kenpachi complained, Hitsugaya gave him an icy glare and Matsumoto shook her head. "We are all very, very strong. He wouldn't stand a chance if it was us against him. I know Rukia and Ichigo can take care of themselves, I'll alert soul society so we can have extra support in Ichigos' town." Matsumoto stood up and walked to the kitchen.
"So it's settled then." Yoruichi clasped her hands together and Isshin got up from the table. "I think I'll go to bed..." He said wearily, Ichigo never saw his dad look this old. Something was bugging his old man, although now was not the time to ask.
"We should get going anyway..." Urahara stood up and fixed his hat, Yoruichi by his side. He bowed to Ichigo, "Happy Birthday" He said before leaving. Renji stood up with Tatsuki, no words needed to be said as they followed the humble shop keeper and his wife out the door. Ichigo felt Orihime and Uryus' reitsu leaving the area as well.
Hitsugaya waited for Matsumoto to come out of the kitchen before leaving, he gave a curt nod to the couple. Kenpachi groaned as he stood up.
"See ya kid. Take care of Rukia. We don't want him killin' anymore" Kenpachi said before Yachiru waved enthusiastically "BYE!" she yelled as they walked out the door and it shut behind them, the house was dead silent. Ichigo sensed Chads' reitsu off in the distance, he must of left before this whole thing even started...
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Ichigo walked down the street with Rukia, keeping her close by his side. She had said she wanted to go home and he could sleep with her if he agreed. Either way, Ichigo would of forced her to share a bed with him, he wasn't going to let her be out of his sight until this freak was killed. The air was warm and the moon high and bright against the dark blue sky. Rukia opened the door to her apartment and Ichigo made her double check the locks.
"Like a shinigami is gonna use the door...god Ichigo you are so paranoid" Rukia said as she took down her hair. Ichigo grunted in response as he laid on her bed.
"Who is he Rukia?" He asked after what seemed to be a long time because she was already dressed in a night gown sitting next to him.
"You know who he is" Rukia said rolling her eyes. Ichigo sat up on his elbows, he stared at Rukia. Her dark hair pooling onto her slim pale shoulders as she sat next to him, the light blue of her night gown contrasting with her white walls and the dark blue of night outside of her window.
"Rukia..." Ichigo gulped, she looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Did he ever...hurt you?" Ichigo asked, the raven haired girl lowered her gaze and a ghost of a smile was on her lips. "No." She lied. He did hurt her, and she hated it. She wouldn't tell Ichigo, even if he saw through her lies, she would never tell him because the fool would blame himself and it was a never ending cycle.
"Rukia! Rukia!" A young man with brown hair, the same length as Chad's only straight rather than curly. Rukia rolled her eyes.
"Stay away from me Leon" She growled, her hand on the hilt of her sword. The man grinned but it held no warmth in was a fake smile.
"Aw come on Rukia. You know you love me" Leon said with a cold chuckle as he reached towards the collar of her shinigami uniform. Rukia unsheathed Shirayuki and held it at his throat.
"Why such hostility? I thought you liked me." Leon said cooly, as his reitsu sparked.
"I hope you die for the things that you have done." Rukia said with bitterness. Leon laughed again, his green eyes sparkled with amusement. "But you won't tell, because if you do...I'll hunt down that boy you love so much. I will kill him. His family. His friends. Then you." Leon turned and walked away. Rukia sheathed her sword, she wished she was stronger.
He reached a hand up and placed it on her cold cheek, she leaned into the caress. "Rukia, I..." Ichigo began but he couldn't finish the sentence, the words were stuck in his throat. He fought Aizen, countless hollows and shinigami, but he was a coward when it came to confessing his feelings. Rukia shook her head lightly and placed a kiss on his palm. "We should get some sleep, it's past midnight." She said leaning over and kissing him softly on the lips. He sat up and kissed Rukia again, this time with more force. She wrapped her slender arms around his neck as he kissed her again. His thumbs looped around the straps of her night gown and pulled them down so they laid limp on her shoulders. "No." She growled, pushing away from him and fixing the straps on her nightgown. His amber eyes were smoldering, "Why not?" he said in a growl. Rukia chuckled and kissed him softly on the forehead.
She climbed under the covers of her bed, it was so fluffy, the top blanket reminded her of clouds it was big and poofy. Nii-sama only wished the best for her, Rukia thought maybe he wanted her to stay in the living world because he treated her so well. Ichigo wrapped an arm around the petite girls' waist, laying above the covers. His kissed her shoulder before sharing the pillow and nuzzling his nose into her soft hair. "Night" Rukia mumbled, Ichigo held her closer and whispered good night into her ear. Rukia turned around so she could bury her face into the soft fabric of his shirt, "Hold me close" She whispered softly and Ichigo did just that, he always wanted to protect her and if this Leon guy had Rukia so shaken up that her voice would sound like a plea, Ichigo knew he had to kill this guy and quickly.
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"Oh this is just wonderful." A girl spirit pouted. "Not only did Ishida and Orihime not do their part about getting those two back together but now the stupid guy...Leon, yeah that was his name, he is messing everything up!" The girl flopped down the grass.
"Relax Rai..." Said an older boy spirit, "You've fixed worse." He said with a shrug. Rai groaned and rolled onto her stomach.
"I can't do anything!" She whined. The older boy rolled his eyes, "You know what that means, little miss play with fate." He teased, Rai only crossed her arms with another pout.
"At least they are showing their feelings but now I, their guardian angel, the girl that supposed to give these two soul mates a happy ending can't to a god damn thing about this Leon dude who is going to mess up their future!" Rai complained to her older friend. He shrugged, "You know what that means...Leon is here to cause conflict. To test the strength of their love. Things will be happy in the end..." He patted the young girl on the shoulder. Rai sighed deeply..."Haven't these two had enough conflict? God damn! I'm surprised they are still alive, and don't you dare say that they aren't alive because they are shinigami!" Rai pointed her finger at her friend.
"Things will be fine" He encouraged.
"I hope you're right" She whispered staring off into the distance.
"I am...most of the time" The boy said with a chuckle, Rai rolled her eyes and threw a rock at him.
A/N: Quick chapter, I know. I wanted to introduce the evil guy, put just a little bit of fluff and add in the spirit girl (Rai).
Also, the flash back that Rukia had was after he committed all these murders, and almost right before she left to stay in the living world for a while to see if Ichigo would show up.
Reviews are love :)