Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Wow, another chapter! Yay!! I didn't get as many reviews for the last chapter as I usually get, but hopefully this one will be better! Right???

Go ahead and review! I'm trying to make the small romance scenes with Ichigo and Rukia different, so hopefully it's all working out!

Unprepared Battles

VII Of Making Out and Baby Showers

"And that concludes the meeting. If anyone has any questions, please ask me or my vice captain. Brunch is being served in the left wing, now please excuse me." Yamamoto, the head captain announced to everyone.

Everyone nodded as he left, except for Rukia, who was instead yawning extremely loudly. Her captain next to her chuckled.

"I didn't think the meeting was that boring." Ukitake mocked. Rukia smiled at her captain.

"I'm sorry Ukitake-taichou, I'm just tired as usual." Rukia replied. Ukitake chuckled again and patted Rukia on the shoulder.

"Don't be ridiculous Rukia-san. You didn't have to come to this meeting if you were so exhausted. I could have sent Kiyone and Sentarou instead." Ukitake added.

"And then heard them arguing the whole time? I wouldn't cause that much trouble for you sir." Rukia said back. Ukitake laughed that time, and Rukia smiled again, glad to see her captain so full of life and energy. His health was a constant off and on thing, and it was good to see Ukitake acting like he did when Rukia was younger and new to the division.

She pressed a hand to her stomach following, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Is something the matter?" Ukitake asked. Rukia shook her head.

"No, the baby just kicked." She replied. Ukitake nodded.

"I still remember when you first came to my division, and look at you now, about to be a mother. It brings a captain true joy I tell you."

Rukia laughed. Ukitake was always someone Rukia looked up to, and it was funny to hear such words from him.

"Well I better get going. If I don't then Shunsui will eat all the donuts first. I'll see you Monday at around noon right?" Ukitake asked.

Rukia nodded at her captain, watching him walk away.

Deciding she should get a move on herself to the food, she began walking. Perhaps she could actually see Ichigo. When a hand fell on her head, she stopped, knowing only one person that would do something so childish to her.

"What do you want Renji?" Rukia snapped. Seeing the amusement on his face, she knocked his hand away.

"I just thought I'd come say hey to you. I haven't seen you in a while, so I thought I'd ask how you were doing." Renji replied. He had the mischievous grin still plastered onto his face, and Rukia could only wonder what was going through his mind.

"I'm doing alright I guess, minus be so tired all the time." Rukia said, rubbing her watermelon stomach. When she looked up at Renji again, his eyes were on her stomach as well. He didn't say anything for a moment, but looked up when he saw Rukia staring at him.

"Well I would think so, though I don't know a whole lot about woman being pregnant." Renji replied as he scratched his head awkwardly. Rukia eyed him for a moment but began walking towards where the food was.

"You'll know some day when you find a wife of your own. I'm assuming you'll want to have kids." Rukia shot at him. Renji grinned.

"Yah, I guess I will, though hopefully we'll wait a few years before having them, if by some miracle I ever do get married."

Rukia knew Renji didn't mean it the way it sounded, but the words bothered her.

"Even though there's absolutely nothing wrong with having children the first year of marriage." Rukia replied sharply, walking with a quicker pace.

Renji must have sensed Rukia's aggravation. "You know I didn't mean it like that Rukia." Renji said in a soft voice. She turned her head to look at him.

"You really should learn to think before speaking, that way you won't have to say sorry because of your idiotic comments."

She heard Renji chuckle from the side, though Rukia was one hundred percent serious. "Well I'm excited for you either way. It's hard to picture Ichigo as a dad though." Renji said.

Rukia smiled at the comment. It was true. Picturing Ichigo as a father had been hard at first, but Rukia came to live with it. It wasn't like she pictured herself as a mother either.

"He'll do just fine, as will I, hopefully."

"Let's hope that you have a daughter. At least she'll have a chance of being just as short as you." Renji said with a menacing smile. Rukia didn't hesitate in slamming her elbow into Renji's side

"I thought we already told you, we're having a boy." Rukia said to him. Renji frowned, rubbing his side.

"I don't remember you saying that." Renji said. Rukia rolled her eyes.

"It says it on the baby shower invitation you dimwit. Are you going to be able to attend?" Rukia asked. Even if Renji drove her up the wall, he was still one of her best friends.

"I think so, since its tomorrow and nothing has popped up yet, and hopefully nothing will. If I for some reason can't I'll be sure to let you know." Renji replied. Rukia nodded her head.

"I'll talk to you later then. I have to get back to my division." Renji told her. Rukia waved goodbye to him, and continued walking to where the other captains and vice captains were.

She understood that captains didn't exactly have all the time in the world to do whatever they wanted. They were actually always busy.

Thus Rukia's main problem.

Ichigo had been extremely busy with his Shinigami duties. In fact, she had only seen him several times during the past few weeks. Anytime he was home, she was sleeping, because that was all she really could do. Anytime she was awake, she spent her time at her division, trying to catch up with her work. Rukia was just glad that Ichigo would be able to come to the baby shower. Though baby showers were more for women, Rukia wanted Ichigo to come. Isshin and everyone would want to see him after all. It was really difficult at the moment, and Rukia hoped she could at least talk to Ichigo for five minutes.

When she reached the doorway, she saw all the captains and vice captains chatting with each other. It was a little difficult looking for Ichigo when all the captains wore white haoris, but continued none the less. She only wanted to talk to Ichigo, so she stayed in her spot, hoping no one like Matsumoto would come up to her, because then Rukia would never be able to take a break. Matsumoto always asked her a billion questions about her pregnancy, and it drove Rukia up the wall.

Seeing no bright and ridiculous orange hair, Rukia figured rather Ichigo wasn't there, or she just couldn't see him for her spot, so she began moving slowly into the room. She saw her brother, who was standing next to her captain quietly, but there was still no sign of Ichigo.

She flinched when a hand fell on her shoulder. "Oi, there you are Rukia." Ichigo said from behind her. Rukia smiled before turning around. Just seeing him made her feel all the better, despite the fact that she really wanted to go and sleep.

Ichigo had a smirk on his face, and let his hand slide down to her hand. "Could you come with me for a second?" He asked. Rukia looked at the wonderful table of food, but decided that Ichigo was way more important at the moment, and nodded.

Once they were out of the room, Rukia moved a little closer to Ichigo. She would never affectionately hold onto him in front of the other captains and vice captains, let alone anyone really. When they turned down a strange hallway, Rukia began to wonder what was going on.

"Ichigo, where are we going?" She asked. Ichigo kept his eyes forward.

"I just thought we could talk for a little while together. I haven't seen you all week." He replied. Rukia shrugged her shoulders and continued to follow him. They walked further and further, until the hallways were pretty dark and nobody was seen.

"Why do we need to go so far away?" Rukia asked. Couldn't they just go in a room to talk?

Ichigo suddenly pulled Rukia and pushed her against the wall right when they turned another corner.

"There aren't any extra rooms in this building. I'm extremely busy today, but I have about an hour to get back to the division. I just thought we could be together for a little while." Ichigo said softly to her, his eyes locked on hers and only hers.

It brought butterflies to her stomach, though she didn't see how there was room for butterflies with a baby growing inside. At that moment, Ichigo's hand came to her stomach, rubbing it gently. Rukia smiled at him, placing her hand over his lightly.

"He was kicking earlier." Rukia whispered to him. Ichigo pecked her lips softly.

"He's already gotten you're kicking habit down." Ichigo mumbled back with a smile. Rukia chuckled.

"I thought you wanted to talk Ichigo." Rukia said playfully.

Ichigo smiled. "How have you been this week?" Ichigo asked quickly.

"Pregnant and sleepy. And you?" Rukia asked back.

"Busy." He replied, and before anything else could happen, his lips were on hers.

Rukia hadn't really wanted to chat either. She didn't know what came over her, but the moment Ichigo's hand had touched her shoulder only moments before, she wanted to touch him back. Rukia figured that being pregnant would stop the urges of wanting to do…such things, but apparently not.

As Ichigo's mouth moved against hers, she just came to the conclusion that she missed him. Even if it had just been two weeks, it felt like so much longer for some reason. She remembered going to stay at Byakuya's house. Rukia missed him, but it wasn't anything like what she was feeling at the moment, the desperation to hold onto him.

But she didn't care. She just let it all go and let Ichigo kiss her.

Rukia's hold on Ichigo's neck tightened, and before she knew what was going on, he was pushing her up the wall, bringing a hand down to cup her bottom to keep her up.

His lips traced her neck, letting his tongue touch her skin as he knew Rukia loved. When Rukia let out a soft moan, he brought his mouth back up to her lips again, thrashing his tongue into her mouth.

Ichigo knew the moment the meeting was adjourned what he wanted to do. He knew he wanted to see Rukia, and only Rukia. He also knew he wanted to make out with her, no matter how immature and stupid it sounded.

She was his wife, and for the past two weeks their usual make out sessions had been turned down due to sleep and work. Ichigo couldn't take it, and by Rukia's immediate response to his kissing, it seemed like Rukia couldn't either.

It was kind of fun too, since they were "sneaking away" to go fulfill their appetites. Ichigo never got sick and tired of kissing Rukia. In fact, just about every time his skin touched hers he wanted to devour her. He never thought he could be so…obsessed with her.

But he supposed that came with the whole "I love you" part.

Rukia's hands strummed through his hair, and Ichigo feeling encouraged, ran a hand slowly up her thigh. There wasn't any need for extra magic tricks since they were both fully into the mouth-to-mouth/skin connection, but Ichigo knew Rukia like an extra touch here and there.

As did he.

He smiled against her lips when she mumbled out his name in desperation. His lips left hers again and traveled to her jaw. Ichigo could feel her head moving up, giving him better access to touch as much bare skin as possible.

Suddenly, Ichigo heard footsteps walking towards them.

Getting caught at the 1st division quarters would not be good.

Pulling his lips away, he kept his hands tightly around Rukia's waist, in the case that he needed to get away and fast. Rukia kept her arms wrapped around his neck, almost as if she were in fear.

The footsteps suddenly stopped. "Did you get the extra files?" A man asked. Ichigo didn't recognize the voice. He was probably a worker for Central 49.

"Ah, no sir, I didn't. Do you want me to go back and get them?" The second person, who had to be a woman asked.

"No that's alright, the thirteenth division probably won't have them done anyways since their vice captain is currently out." The man replied.

Ichigo suddenly felt a sickening feeling in his stomach, and did not want to look at Rukia's face.

"Right, hopefully that baby of hers will come soon. I'll just go and put these away then." The woman replied.

What a bunch of bastards.

"I'll join you then." The man said, and the footsteps disappeared. Ichigo suddenly felt guilty for bringing Rukia to that exact spot. If he hadn't, then Rukia wouldn't have heard the words come from two complete strangers.

"Don't listen to them Rukia, alright?" Ichigo asked before Rukia blurted out anything. When she didn't respond, he looked at her. When he felt her head lean onto his shoulder and her arms not loosening their hold from around his neck, Ichigo's grip tightened, and he pulled her closer.

He held her like that for a long time, not saying a word to her.

When they pulled away, Ichigo was relieved to not see any sign of tears falling, because that would have been bad. Even though Rukia was extremely sensitive due to her pregnancy, he still hated to see her upset.

"You ready to go?" Ichigo whispered to her. He was kind of annoyed also that the mood had been ruined. They were really getting into the making out…

"Yah, let's go." Rukia replied. Ichigo went ahead and took her all the way home, but not before grabbing a few donuts for Rukia. Luckily nobody questioned where they had disappeared to, because that would have been awkward, especially with Byakuya sitting a little ways away from him.

"Ichigo, Rukia-san! I'm so glad you are here!! It's been so long!" Yuzu cried as she opened the doorway to the house. Rukia and Ichigo just smiled in their gigai bodies, happy they could to be away from Soul Society.

It was the day of the baby shower.

Deciding that it wasn't fair for Ichigo's family to see the growth of Rukia's child, they planned the baby shower for the human world. It was much easier after all from people from Soul Society to come to the human world, instead of Yuzu and Karin and everyone going to Soul Society.

Ichigo and Rukia followed Yuzu into the living room, where their eyes widened in shock.

Isshin's living room looked ridiculous.

Baby decorations galore, cake and presents everywhere, food, graffiti. Rukia didn't know why she was so shocked. Her wedding shower had been ten times worse.

Not to mention the lingerie Isshin had given her.

Stepping into the room, Isshin came out.

"Ichigo, how are you! Rukia —HOLY WATERMELON."

Rukia couldn't help but blush at Isshin's embarrassing words. She got enough back in Soul Society from Matsumoto on her stomach, but it didn't help that Isshin was much louder than the busty woman.

"When is your baby due anyways?" Karin asked as she stepped from out of the kitchen.

"About two months, in April." Rukia replied. She took a seat on the couch and watched in amusement as Ichigo and Isshin got into a wrestling contest. Ichigo was winning by a long shot.

Pretty soon people started showing up. Inoue, with Chad and Ishida came first.

"Kurosaki-kun and san! How are you?" Inoue asked in her same bubbly tone. Rukia gave her a big hug as Yuzu took Inoue's gift to put it with the rest.

Ishida, who had contacts, rubbed his eyes continuously. "You're gifts are coming Kurosaki-san. I made a lot of stuff and had to have a friend deliver them." Ishida said in a dull tone. Rukia nodded.

The door bell continued to ring, with people coming in at a fast rate. Matsumoto, Hinamori, Kiyone, Yachiru, Yoruichi, Urahara, Hitsugaya, Renji, and a bunch of other people showed up.

The baby shower was more of a party for friends and family, at least that's what Rukia told all the guys.

"Awww! Rukia! I can't believe you're having a baby in two months!" Matsumoto cried as she hugged Rukia. Rukia patted the woman back, trying to break free so she could get some air.

"Trust me, I can't either." Rukia replied, earning a laugh from Matsumoto and Hinamori.

"I hope you like what I got you. Toshirou picked it out!" Hinamori chirped. Hitsugaya gave her a glare from across the room.

"Alright everyone! It's time to open the gifts!" Yuzu shouted. Rukia was the only one to move next to her. Everyone else continued to talk as if they didn't hear her.

"It's time to open GIFTS!" Yuzu yelled a little louder. Everyone continued to talk.

Yuzu looked at Rukia for help, but Rukia just shrugged her shoulders.

"Oh I know! Look there's DON KANOJI!" She screamed. STILL, people kept talking.

Rukia shook her head. "They think he's an idiot." Rukia told Yuzu.

He was an idiot.

"Let me try." Rukia said as she stepped in front of Yuzu.

"MY HOLLOW DETECTOR IS GOING OFF!" Rukia screamed. Everyone in the room stopped and looked frantically at Rukia.

"What's its location?" Hitsugaya asked.

"I don't sense its reiatsu. It must be very smart and strong to know how to hide its reiatsu." Renji said as he placed a hand on his chin.

"You took your tablet right Rukia?" Ichigo asked her.

Rukia and Yuzu both shook their heads. "You guys! We were just trying to get your attention! There isn't really a hollow; we just wanted you to sit down to open gifts." Rukia replied.

All the men in the room looked extremely pissed off, except for Isshin of course who skipped next to the couch and took his seat. Ishida also sat down on a chair in the living room.

"Sit by me ok Rukia-san?" Isshin asked. Rukia gave a very fake smile and nodded.

Ichigo hadn't really wanted to go to the baby shower, but after Rukia threatened that she would tell Ichigo's father that Ichigo once accidentally put on her Chappy shorts, he agreed to go.

It turned out alright though, since there were several other guys at the shower, and they were allowed to go into another room and "chat" while the women watched Rukia open her gifts.

Apparently though, Ichigo misunderstood what Rukia meant.

"Alright, well we'll leave you ladies to open the gifts then." Ichigo said as he turned to leave with the other guys.

"Wait, what Ichigo?" Rukia asked. He turned his head to see surprise and irritation on her face.

"I thought you said I didn't have to stay for this part." Ichigo replied. Rukia immediately shook her head.

"No Ichigo, I meant for you to tell the other guys that they didn't have to stay right now. You on the other hand, need to stay."

Ichigo shook his head back. "Why do I need to stay? This part is for you after all."

"It's for the baby, not me! These gifts are to help us, not just me!!"

It was completely typical for Ichigo and Rukia to scream at each other in front of everyone.

Rukia suddenly smiled at him, and turned her head towards Isshin.

"You know Kurosaki-san, I never told you about this time when Ichigo accidentally —"

"ALRIGHT Rukia, I'll stay." Ichigo cut in as quickly as possible. Luckily for him, Isshin was too confused to continue to pester Rukia about what she was going to say to him.

And so, the gift opening process began. Yuzu and Karin got Rukia and Ichigo a baby blanket, and a night light that sang lullabies. Inoue got them some baby books, and some baby clothes. Matsumoto got them a Chappy baby suit, which Rukia shrieked about.

Ichigo would definitely burn it once they got home.

Ishida gave three bags full of brand spanking new clothes, even for when their baby would get older. "I sowed it all by hand." Ishida bragged, rubbing his eye again since he couldn't shove his glasses up his nose. Everyone else got the same old things. Baby clothes, toys, stuff to decorate the baby's bedroom. It hadn't been too bad, until Rukia started crying.

"I'm so happy everyone! Thank you so much!" Rukia said as she wiped a tear away. Isshin began crying with her.

"No, thank you Rukia-san for getting knocked up by my son and making me a grandfather!" Isshin cried back.

The room went quiet for a moment, but Isshin went on.

"Oh wait! Let me go get my gift for you!" Isshin yelled. Everyone waited while Isshin walked to his bedroom and came back.

"Here you go! But this is for you personally Rukia-san." Isshin told her. Ichigo could see the hint of concern coming from Rukia, and began feeling a little concerned himself.

His eyes widened in embarrassment.

"Thanks…Isshin." Rukia mumbled out, her cheeks blushing. Isshin had gotten her a very very skimpy night gown.

"What are the two holes towards the top for?" Yuzu asked. Rukia's blush deepened even more, as did Ichigo's. It was for Rukia's…chest…area…

"That way once the baby is born you can get started on my next grandchild!" Isshin said with a grin. Ichigo couldn't help but walk over to the old man and punch him square on the head.

"Honestly, how are you really my father?" Ichigo asked. Isshin just kept on smiling.

"You'll understand once you get older." Isshin replied.

Ichigo didn't think that was possible.

Once the gift part of the party was done, the men came out.

"So Hitsugaya-san, you really picked out that pink baby album?" Ichigo asked Hitsugaya. He closed his eyes.

"It was the only thing that I saw!" Hitsugaya practically yelled back. Hinamori giggled next to him.

"It was rather the pink baby album, or a fuzzy teddy bear." Hinamori said.

"Thanks for coming!" Rukia said as everyone left. Ichigo and Rukia said their goodbyes Isshin, Yuzu and Karin.

"That nightgown cost a lot Rukia-san, so don't hesitate in wearing it out!" Isshin called out as they exited the house. Even though it was dark at night, Ichigo knew that Rukia was blushing.

Traveling back to Soul Society didn't take too long, and Ichigo was glad to be home. He didn't have to go to his division for the rest of the night, and tomorrow was his day off.

They could just…relax at home for once.

"We have strawberries at home right?" Rukia asked as they walked home.

"Yah, why? Are you craving some?" Ichigo asked. Rukia sighed.

"I thought that maybe I would make a strawberry shake or something, would you want one?" Rukia asked.

"Nah, it's bad enough when my name is strawberry." Ichigo replied. Rukia chuckled next to him.

"That is true." She said sarcastically. Ichigo smirked.

Rukia had really surprised him the last two days. After the incident happened the previous day, Ichigo thought surely Rukia would beat herself up about working at the division, and probably force herself to work, but she hadn't. Once they had gotten home, she was smiling again, acting like nothing ever happened.

Maybe it hadn't bothered her when that woman had said those words.

"Right, hopefully that baby of hers will come soon."

He was about to ask Rukia about it, because it was suddenly bothering her.

But for once, he thought ahead. Would it upset her again? Rukia was in a pretty good mood, and he definitely didn't want to ruin it like it had been ruined the previous day. He gave Rukia a good look, and smiled when his eyes reached her stomach.

It wasn't like what that woman said was rude; it was just that something about it felt extremely coldhearted. Then again, it was Soul Society. Things were extremely different in Soul Society compared to the human world.

Perhaps Rukia realized that.

No, she did realize that.

And that was why she wasn't upset.

Ichigo was married to a strong woman, no matter how he looked at her. She knew how to handle herself, even if he couldn't see the whole picture.

That's why she was his wife, because Rukia didn't take any crap.

When they reached home, Ichigo threw all the bags of stuff down, nearly exhausted from carrying it all. He and Rukia both sat down on the couch, Rukia resting her head on his chest.

"You know Ichigo, I would have never said it at your father's house, but the lingerie he got me…well I was going to try and see if I could get it on."

Ichigo blushed. "Uhuh."

"Tonight." Rukia said.

His blushed deepened.

"Like…right now." Rukia finished.

The room suddenly got extremely hot, and Ichigo knew his face was completely red.

"Unless you don't want me to." Rukia mumbled. Ichigo slowly sat up, pushed Rukia off of his chest, and stood from the couch.

"I'll meet you upstairs in one moment." Ichigo replied. Rukia nodded with a very peculiar smile and went upstairs.

For once, Ichigo thanked his idiot of a father.

Perhaps Ichigo was becoming Isshin Kurosaki.

A/N: HAHA. Wow!! Isshin's such a perv, but so is Ichigo!! I absolutely loved writing this chapter. I loved the sneaking away part, the make-out part, the baby shower part, all of it. It was a total blast. I think this might literally be my favorite story to write, because Ichigo and Rukia are already together, so it makes doing the fluffy stuff a little easier, and fun. I know this chapter kind of jumped from hot to serious to funny to hot again, but hopefully you all enjoyed it. To me, this story is kind of a bunch one-shots in order of Rukia's pregnancy, so hopefully you guys are getting that vibe!!

PLEASE REVIEW!!

Today is my 19th BIRTHDAY, so leave a review as a uh…present for me. Please???

LOVE YOU.