Question, does anyone else think that when Ichigo and Byakuya have their fight in season 3 that they say each other's names waytoo much? Well, Ichigo really – Byakuya Kuchiki this, Byakuya Kuchiki that… and it's not as if it's just the first name – oh no, they have to go the full mile and say the full name every time. Anyway… I just wanted to get that out. (I just watched it if you didn't get that!) So thank-you everyone for reading and reviewing, enjoy.

XXX

"Perhaps this one… no, it'd make me look too short. Or this one maybe? No, I'd look like a pumpkin." Rukia placed a finger to her chin, tapping it as she stared at the assortment of kimonos. "I really can't decide."

"…upid. This is ridiculous."

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Rukia enquired, peeking past the kimono she was holding aloft, presenting it to Ichigo.

"I said," Ichigo repeated heatedly, making himself louder. "This is stupid and ridiculous. You said we were looking for an anniversary gift and instead we're playing… dress up."

Grinning, Rukia held the kimono against Ichigo's skin, enjoying his scowl. "It suits you."

"It does not," he growled, shoving the silky material away, glancing out to the middle of the market square.

Sighing, Rukia glanced between the two kimonos that she had finally laid out on the vendors stand. She was torn. They were both beautiful – one was a deep blue with a very delicate design woven into the material. It was of red roses and green vines, spiralling around the hem and up around the sleeves. The other was a silver one with bolder and bigger embroidery of more flowers and branches as well as some spirals in grey.

"…hat one," Ichigo muttered, glancing down at the two, quickly looking away.

"What?" Rukia glanced at him curiously. "Which one?"

Shifting uncomfortably, Ichigo crossed his arms before finally pointing at the silver one muttering something else.

"Ichigo, for crying out loud, I can barely hear you, speak up!"

"The silver one will look best," he snapped. "It will bring out your eyes where as the other one will take the attention away from you. I mean, you are wearing it because you want attention right?"

Seemingly surprised by his own outburst, Ichigo glanced away, flushing but said nothing to make up for it.

Rukia was also surprised – mostly because Ichigo had offered something quite constructive. She was silent for a moment as curiosity bubbled away before finally asking quietly, glancing up at him hesitantly through ebony lashes, "You have sisters…?"

Ichigo's eyes snapped to her, wide and a little guarded but it seemed he understood how she reached that conclusion and he sighed. "Yes, two of them." He chuckled quietly and smiled warmly.

Rukia decided she quite liked that look on him. "What's so funny?"

His eyes turned to hers again but he didn't answer for a moment. Then he smiled again, seeing no harm in telling her. "Nothing really, I was just thinking of them. Yuzu likes to dress up and she's always going on about how pretty the kimonos are but Karin grumbles whenever she has to wear them. I think she actually enjoys it to be honest. Girls like to feel pretty don't they?"

She smiled in return, enjoying the momentary openness she was experiencing. She hadn't liked Ichigo, not at all. But perhaps morbid curiosity had set in and she now found herself honestly interested in what he had to say. Ridiculous as she had only been with him for less than two hours. "Yes," she replied gently before lightening the reflective mood with a more bubbly tone, "But then, I don't actually know that many girls. I'm just going by what I think."

Ichigo smirked but didn't say anything.

"So, are you content with this one?" the vendor finally spoke up, eyebrows raised patiently as she held the dark blue one up, glancing between the pair.

"No," Rukia told her, pointing to the silver one. "I would like that one please."

Ichigo droned out the rest of the conversation as he stood in silent contentment. The sun was so nice and Ichigo felt as if he hadn't been able to experience its warmth for months. That of course wasn't true. He did go outside at Byakuya's but feeling it when free was something different and it lifted his heart.

"You done blanking out over there?" Rukia asked, suddenly coming into vision.

He scowled at her, walking on ahead instead of replying. Walking away speedily, he was suddenly suspicious when Rukia didn't call after him, scold him or even speak up. Glancing back, he was (disgustingly) concerned to find the small, raven haired girl had disappeared.

"Fuck," he muttered, eyes desperately searching the square for her familiar bob and bright eyes. Perhaps she found something interesting?

Unfortunately, Ichigo knew his luck and that would most certainly not be the reason for her disappearance. Byakuya would flay him alive.

"Rukia!" he called out, pacing uncertainly, heart in his throat. Jesus, where the hell have you gone?

It was then he caught sight of her furious face as she was dragged away through a small side street by a tall, long haired man and heard her desperate scream, "Ichigo!"

And momentarily their eyes met and she pleaded with him before she was whipped away.

Shit! Without another thought, Ichigo sprinted after her, pushing and leaping through the crowd who cried back and shouted curses at him.

He could hear her voice continuing as he reached the cobbled side street, darkened because of how narrow it was. His footsteps seemed ridiculously loud in his ears but it was soon overtaken by the pumping of his blood.

Rounding the corner, he spotted Rukia. There were three men around her, smiling and chuckling at her, shoving her between them while she attempted to fight them off. They were all large though and she was becoming increasingly frantic.

She hadn't noticed Ichigo yet, but boy, she would in a second.

"Get your fucking hands off her."

Ichigo's voice was heavy and thick and fury emanated from every syllable.

It wasn't as bad as actually seeing his face however and when the men turned to look at him sharply, they almost fled right then and there.

Ichigo's head was down slightly as he stalked towards them, a fist coming up and clenching fiercely. His brown eyes looked black in fury and it was if the air around him rippled, his simple presence enough to send it rolling dangerously. He looked suspiciously like the dangerous animal he had been advertised as.

"W – w – who are you?" one of the men managed to choke out, his voice shaking as his friends pushed him forward.

Ichigo smiled, white canines flashing before he kicked the man in the face with enough force to knock him into the wall metres away.

He wasted no time in twirling towards the second man who was attempting to scramble away, punching him square in the jaw, making him swirl a few times before collapsing to the ground.

Then he grabbed the last man by the collar, pulling him up to his height. "I don't like trouble makers, and I sure as hell don't like people with no common-fucking-decency. So scram, okay?"

The man was trembling so much he was sure to shake himself out of his skin but he nodded furiously, almost knocking heads with Ichigo in excitement.

"Good, now get away," Ichigo growled, throwing him away from Rukia, towards where he had come, watching the man practically trip over his own feet in his haste to get away.

Ichigo sighed heavily, shaking his head. It was ridiculous. People like that just pissed him off. Turning back to Rukia, he shifted uncomfortably at the look on her face. "What?"

Rukia blinked, trying to get the gape off her face and narrow her eyes a little. Ichigo had been downright scary in that very moment but her reason for shock was not that, it was that he had actually come after her. She was sure she was dead the moment they dragged her away. Sure, she could look after herself but she had been surprised and they were all big men.

"You – you came…" she managed, almost collapsing in relief as her gaze drifted from his in appreciation.

Ichigo frowned, reaching out a hand in support as he watched her in confusion. "Yeah? I mean, you screamed."

"I – I thought-" she tried, searching his face again. "I thought you'd leave."

Snorting in derision, Ichigo straightened; satisfied that Rukia could stand by herself. "Are you kidding? Just what sort of guy do you think I am? I'm not the kind of guy to leave when people need help."

Rukia shook her head a little. "I… I meant you could have left… gone free?"

Ichigo's face was blank before surprise crept up, soon to be replaced with a poorly hidden look of sympathy and amusement. "You honestly think that you were the one stopping me from running away?" He laughed. "No, I ain't running away right now because of Byakuya." Then he sobered, making himself pissed just thinking about the way Byakuya shamelessly used Mihane as a shield.

Rukia seemed confused but didn't press him as she smiled weakly. "Well, thanks all the same. Uh… where did you learn to fight like that?"

Ichigo's wicked grin tore her curiosity to tatters and she marched past him.

"Forget it! I don't want to know," she cried, raising her hands up in defence as she stalked away.

"Are you sure?" Ichigo teased, jogging after her. "It's a pretty interesting story."

"Nope! Not even a word."

"Well it was actually a rain-"

"La, la, la, la! I'm not listening!"

His laughter echoed down the small street as their bickering continued.

XXX

Ichigo and Rukia finally made it back to the mansion, out of breath with tears in their eyes and dust over their clothes, gasping out soundless laughter.

It was in this condition that Byakuya found them in.

Immediately Rukia straightened, attempting to straighten her face, though her lips continued to quirk up when Ichigo snorted out another laugh.

There was silence as they all regarded each other – Ichigo slightly deflated now that he had found the bane of his existence, Rukia, a little nervous and a little ashamed at her appearance and Byakuya staring at them in surprise, slate grey eyes widened and pale lips parted as words were half-formed but not spoken.

Finally Byakuya, who was having trouble keeping his gaze from Ichigo's wild appearance managed to clear his throat delicately and speak, "You were gone for quite some time. I hope you did not run into trouble."

Rukia's eyes widened and she waved her arms desperately. "No! No trouble! I'm very sorry for troubling you. I was having trouble finding a gift."

Byakuya glanced at Ichigo who just grinned at him innocently. A little taken aback, Byakuya had trouble thinking of something else to say. He was quite beautiful when he smiled like that. Schooling his expression, he nodded. "And did you?"

A smile blossomed on his sister's face as she glanced at Ichigo and she nodded excitedly. "Yes, I think we found something pretty good."

Ichigo laughed, shaking his head. "An interesting choice of gift…"

"What is it?" Byakuya asked, confused and a little irked at being left out of the loop. Next time he was shopping with her.

"It's a good choice!" Rukia argued with Ichigo, ignoring Byakuya as she frowned at the wild haired young man.

Byakuya noted how Ichigo just snorted, conversing with the younger Kuchiki easily as said, "I think you just chose it because you like it."

Actually pouting, Rukia slapped Ichigo's arm, shifting in nervousness as she continued uncertainly, "W – well… I did like it… but don't you think he'd like it too?"

Ichigo sighed, rolling his eyes and scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah, I guess. I mean, he's gotta be a little weird anyway right?"

Confused, Rukia cocked her head slightly. "Why?"

"Well he married you didn't he?"

Rukia almost screeched at Ichigo then, throwing herself at him in only half jest and kicking and slapping him as she told him exactly how much she didn't appreciate that comment.

Byakuya was taken aback by her behaviour, actually shifting away in surprise as they squabbled.

"R – Rukia… what on earth are you doing?" he managed to choked out, eyes wide. His sister had never really been an overly violent person, at least he didn't think so and she was also very composed, calm and not prone to rebelliousness. Not even once did he remember needing to truly scold her – there were moments of course when she spoke out of turn but she wouldn't for long.

So, to see her actually… mucking around was beyond strange, it was almost like being in a different universe – one where his sister was… well, whatever this was.

Rukia didn't exactly come to her senses then but she did pause mid-wrestle and stared at her brother expectantly before finally realising what he was referring to and releasing her grip on Ichigo's hair and moving her fist from his gut.

She imitated Byakuya's earlier behaviour and coughed gently, picking up the bags she had dropped when she attacked Ichigo. "Sorry brother, I'll go and get cleaned up."

Ichigo straightened as well, watching her walk off before also beginning to walk off, only stopping when Byakuya shot him a glare and said, low and rather coldly, "Ichigo, please stay a moment longer."

Ichigo sighed but stilled himself, turning around whilst rolling his eyes. "Yes, what?"

"What exactly did you do with my sister?"

Instead of taking this seriously like Byakuya was hoping (but doubting) would happen, Ichigo just snorted a laugh. Then, as if to mock him, he gave a look of surprise and planted his hand over his lips.

Then Ichigo's eyes flashed and he smirked, taking the hand away. "What do you mean?"

"Well it seems she's with you for no more than half a day and she's already wild. What did you do?"

"What, you think I brainwashed her or something?" Ichigo demanded, crossing his arms. "Look, I didn't do anything except talk to her." He smiled faintly, gazing away to where she left before steeling his gaze and once again glaring at Byakuya. "I like her and she's nice. There a problem with me getting along with her? Or would you prefer I always be stubborn and hostile?"

Byakuya felt his hackles rise. Of course he didn't want that but the effect he was having on her was troublesome.

"And you know, I don't think it's what I did… I think that she just feels like she can be herself around me," Ichigo told him, staring at him pointedly. Then he uncrossed his arms. "Now, if you've quite finished with your interrogation, I'm going to go finish filing your paperwork. Excuse me, Master Byakuya."

If Byakuya weren't a noble… he inhaled sharply, trying to contain his irritation. Ichigo always made him feel like he wasn't in control – that he wasn't winning and it disgusted him. "Ichigo, that arrogant mouth is going to be the death of you."

Ichigo seemed to smile wryly, glancing over his shoulder at the man. "So I've been told."

XXX

Quick update much? Right, I'm pretty awesome. No, actually, it's just that I've been crazy inspired :) Exciting huh? Oh and very soon we will see some pretty cute action – mostly on Byakuya's part because Ichigo still hates him. As you would. And the next chapter is going to (finally) explain a little about Ichigo and his past.
Thanks for reading guys and for being patient and as always, reviews are more than appreciated. If not for me, for the children – the children!