Heart's Desire Chapter 5, a bleach fanfic

Heart's Desire Chapter 5 Heart's Desire Chapter 5By C. LeShay

Genre: Romance, AU

Characters/Pairings: IchiRuki, etc.

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Me no own Bleach!

Warning: As this is an AU story, many of the situations are changed to fit my idea. I'll try to make the characters as in character as I possibly can do. All of the captains are here (that means Aizen, Gin, and Tousen) but I added a division (thus Gotei 14 instead of 13). The setting is in Seiretei and no one is living in Karakura. The timeframe is somewhat feudal, so no technology stuff except for what the 12th division uses.

Summary: In the middle of the war against the Arrancar in Seiretei, Kurosaki Ichigo laid siege to the district of the noblest of all nobles. The mission: to capture and take as hostage the sister of his enemy, Kuchiki Rukia. The problem: the hostage herself.

No; this is not a Yuri or Yaoi chapter! Neither is this a songfic.

This is a serious chapter that was made to address many questions that were left unanswered for the past four chapters. Like: is Inoue a lesbian? Laughs Good lord people! I wanted to write something nice that is still In-Character for Inoue that time. At any rate, it was really fun to write the previous crack chapters. I kinda miss it after writing this AU plus an angsty piece that I may post sometime soon. As I told Kaya, my beta reader, so many reacted to that kiss. I so wanted Inoue to kiss Ishida too… but it was too fun to let her and Rukia get some 'action' here. Read more below, okay?

A warning though: this chapter is serious. It will deal more about the 'back story' of Kuchiki Rukia. Thus, she's a bit O-OC here - just a bit.

I mean it. You'll crash from your crack-high.

Are you so sure you want to continue?

Don't say I didn't warn you….

…

Recap of previous chapter:

"For the love of god!" muttered Ichigo in annoyance at the drastic turn of events, "Let's just hit the bastards and get over with it. I need some sleep."

"I accept!" Inoue said, her eyes sparking with defiance and determination.

Slowly she turned around.

Ishida stiffened. He was the one beside her, so would she be kissing him? His face turned a bit red with the idea… but… if Inoue needed his help…

He would definitely do anything for her, even act ungentlemanly and kiss a woman that was not his betrothed or sweetheart.

But Inoue walked past him towards the couple behind.

Ishida gasped. No way!

Ichigo, for his part stiffened, as Inoue took hold of his hand. "Um…" he trailed uncomfortably. Her eyes were bright and fierce, as her grip was bruising. Beside him, Rukia was looking at him weirdly.

Inoue pulled his hand off Rukia's and pushed him aside.

Then, to everyone's surprise, she grabbed Rukia by her cheeks and brought her lips down hers.

…

What in the name of Soul Society was going on? Rukia thought to herself as Inoue enthusiastically pulled her face up to kiss her. Somewhere, (and she really wasn't sure EXACTLY where) someone was whimpering in surprise at what they were seeing. Really now, if she was able too, she would done so as well!

Inoue's hands were digging into her cheeks, but Rukia was too shell-shocked to decipher its meaning. Suddenly, Rukia felt Inoue's teeth against her lips. Those sensations made her gasp; okay, so she was NOT that much of a prude. Rukia had been kissed before, the first was by a man in the 13th division, but to be kissed by a girl was a totally novel –

WHAT THE FREAKING HOLLOWS! Inoue was using her tongue!

…

Ishida whimpered, as his mind becoming really blank. Inoue-san… was kissing… a girl… Suddenly, he felt like fainting, like his knees were unable to support his entire weight. Apparently, he was not the only one. Right at that moment, Kurosaki Ichigo's face was as red as a kidō blast, with his jaws slack open – obviously dazed. Not many people can strike down his Taicho dumb, but with Inoue-san's passionate kissing session with Kuchiki-san, the girl can definitely add her name to the short list.

Ishida felt relieved that the gods were still merciful: Inoue wasn't making those noises – yet. If she did, there would be no accounting for the body count from the fatal blood loss.

Suddenly, Inoue pulled away from Rukia's lips and turned to face the men, smiling as she asked sweetly "Well? Is that not proof enough?"

It was only polite to answer, but most of the men were too busy wiping the blood that was flowing through their noses. "Um…" the leader managed to croak out, face burning red. "Yeah… uh… well now… that was… kinda hot…"

"Thank you." Inoue said brightly as she placed a hand on top of Rukia's shoulder. "That's why we're just not interested. I hope you guys understand."

"Totally." The man gushed, adoration written in his face. The look he gave the two women was certainly beatific. Then he turned to Ichigo and Ishida, "So… are the two of you…"

Ichigo stared at Ishida when the implications hit him "GROSS, NO!" he screamed vehemently, moving even farther away from his Fukutaicho as possible. "I don't swing that way!" he insisted as he gave Ishida a dark glare.

Regaining his wits, Ishida murmured irritably, "I am wholly insulted with the idea." Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, he motioned to Rukia. "That dark-haired lady there is my sister and she sneaked out of the house. I was sent to retrieve her. The other lady is my friend's cousin. I'm sure you can figure things out."

The man nodded enthusiastically, still looking at the women. "Yeah, I can see it, dude." He cleared his throat before resuming, his face still burning red "Well, I guess we'll go now. Sorry 'bout that ladies," he told the two enthusiastically. "I'm all for homosexuality in Seiretei… just so you know. Hope you don't get into trouble. If you need our help, feel free to drop by."

"How wonderful," chimed Inoue happily, gracing the men with an enchanting smile that only served to make them blush all the more. "It's not good to bottle up your true nature, you know? Take care, okay guys?"

The others murmured, blushing red and waving like teenagers as they slowly made their way. But not without sneaking admiring glances back at them again.

"Well then, see! All's well ends well!" the buxom 'lesbian' remarked cheerfully as she faced the two men of the 14th division, proud of her achievements. "Plus, no fighting was done. I'm so glad!"

An embarrassed and flushed Rukia, who spent most of the time looking at the ground, murmured, "You've been spending WAY too much time with Chizuru, Inoue. I see that she corrupted your thinking." At the back of her mind, Rukia prayed that her Nii-sama would not get wind of this, because she was really going to get it. Gods above, what would Aizen-Taicho say?

Laughing, Inoue looked back at her friend, "Chizuru said guys love that thing." With that, she turned to the two men hopefully. "Well? Did you?" she asked, leaning closer to Ichigo.

Ichigo made a choking noise that sounded something like "What the hell," while Ishida was just silent. Both were red-faced however and were currently glancing somewhere else. It was quite obvious that the three were still reeling from the recent events. After all, it wasn't everyday when you get to see two equally attractive woman exchange saliva in the most provocative way.

"But you know," Inoue said thoughtfully as her brows furrowed in concentration, "Rukia-san really has the softest lips ever. And she always smells like jasmine; plus her skin is sooooo soft." She eyed her friend contemplatively. "I think I understand now why those men line up at Kuchiki-sama's front door for your hand. I can even understand why some try to grope you, Rukia-san. If I liked girls, I would have done the same too!" A thought suddenly struck Inoue and she gasped. "Oh dear!" she cried, grabbing Rukia by her shoulders "We must make sure you're thoroughly protected from such men! Well… I suppose I can try and kiss you again if they get too fresh, but Chizuru might get weird ideas and invite us to an orgy –

"Inoue-san…" murmured Ishida, busy trying to wipe something from the bottom of his nose. "Please…"

"God, you two are weird!" Ichigo exclaimed, recovering from his stupor and has then resumed sending his captive an evil look.

Rukia gave the orange-haired Taicho a glare. "Please! Like you couldn't get enough of the performance!" she scoffed. "Dare I ask if it turned you on?" she asked slyly.

Blustering and flailing about, a red-faced Ichigo waved his hands in front of him madly. "Don't delude yourself, midget; it just caught me by surprise! Besides, nothing about you would turn me on!" Then he frowned as he once again grabbed the noble's arm. "You're still in hot water, and you know that."

Inoue clapped her hand against her forehead. "Goodness, Rukia-san, we were supposed to be escaping, right? Oh dear, our plan's shot – and it was a pretty clever one too!"

"I'm sorry to hear that, Inoue-san." Ishida said, wondering just how she forgot about such a thing. "However, we have to take you back."

"Yeah. And I have to throw this troublemaker into our division's jail cell." Ichigo added as he tightened his hold around Rukia's. "This time, I'll PERSONALLY oversee that you won't escape again."

Rukia shot him a look. "Right, sure. Keep telling yourself that. Maybe it'll come true." Then she gave Ichigo her creepiest smile. "I'll let you in on a secret, Taicho…" she said coyly.

"Shut up."

"Ishida Fukutaicho!" Rukia called out, undeterred by the Taicho's behavior.

"Yes, Kuchiki-san?"

"Inoue's a better kisser than most men."

It was a wonder that the 14th division's Fukutaicho did not faint.

…

Kuchiki Rukia's change in accommodations came as no surprise to the people in Ichigo's division.

"I didn't know that your men were complete idiots, Taicho." Tatsuki commented wryly as she and the others stood a good distance outside Rukia's cell. At Ichigo's orders, Rukia and Inoue were transferred to the 14th division's special holding cell in order to prevent another attempt of escape. "How was it that no one thought of comparing love letters? Or even ordering in, instead of leaving their barracks? Besides, WHY would you give out free drinks if you weren't going to join them anyway?"

"I DIDN'T give out free drinks." Ichigo stressed angrily. "SOMEONE forged my handwriting and 'borrowed' my seal for their own nefarious purposes." His tone was adamant on implicating who it was that he ought to blame. It was unfair, really. He hardly got drunk, and yet, here he was, saddled with the drinking tab of nearly a quarter of his division.

"That hakufuku was really powerful." Mizuiro said, as he eyed the Kuchiki noble. Due to the fact that her powers were drained, she was wearing a white inner kimono and was barefooted. "I know it was a blow for our division, but Ichigo, you should have at least tried to give her a yukata and some tabi at least.

Sado looked back at the others. "Let us go now. We still have a lot to do, overseeing the repairs in the Eastern wall."

"Go on ahead." Ichigo said as he still eyed Rukia who sat on a chair with her back facing them.

"She's not going to escape this time, Taicho." Keigo said, amused. "It's not like she has enough reiatsu to –

"Let's go." Sado said as he led the other out. "We'll go on to the Eastern wall first." He told their Taicho who was too lost in his thoughts.

Ichigo observed the noble who sat quietly, obviously contemplating on a new idea to get out. From the corner of his eye, he could see Inoue Orihime look at her friend nervously. It didn't take a genius to figure out that she wanted to say something that had been bothering her for a while. Ichigo was very interested to know what it was, but as he was already seen, there was no way the two would talk now.

"Ichi-nii…"

Quickly, Ichigo turned around to find Yuzu behind him.

"Here are the clothes you asked for." She said, handing her brother a bundle of neatly folded clothing. "I also brought a spare yukata and bedding for Inoue-san. Can I give it to her?" At her brother's consent, Yuzu walked to Inoue Orihime. "Inoue-san…"

"Oh hello, Yuzu-san!" Inoue greeted cheerfully. "Sorry about what happened last night."

"Oh, don't mention it." Yuzu smiled, "I really don't mind."

As the two continued to talk, Ichigo stalked to Rukia's cell. "Oi." He called out. However, the other did not seem to hear him, or was ignoring him. "Oi, Kuchiki Rukia. It's generally considered impolite to ignore someone speaking to you. "

Finally, Rukia turned to look at him, her face expressing nothing, Kuchiki's poker face back in place. Ichigo found, to his surprise that the look on her face was something he did not like seeing. "Midget." He said snidely, hoping to provoke her into retorting. "These are Yuzu's, I doubt if you'll fit in anyone's clothing without Ishida altering them."

Still wearing the infuriatingly blank expression, Rukia simply replied, "Thank you. Please put them down" before she turned back to the small barred window to watch the dust particles illuminated by the shaft of sunlight that skirted its way in her cell.

"You're not getting out again, midget." He said roughly. "There is no way in Hueco Mundo that I will let you."

Rukia remained silent.

Her reaction provoked Ichigo into anger. She was ignoring him! She was supposed to be shouting at him, and hurtling expletives after expletives. He scowled and looked at her back. Her hair was parted to the side, showing off her pale and skinny neck. From the hem of her kimono, he could see the sharp bones of her wrists and ankles standing out. She never looked as small as she did now. Her skin was so fair that any small bruise would stand out immediately; her body seemed vulnerable and fragile, that a single backhand would break her body.

Ichigo sighed. "I'll have someone send you food." Without waiting for her reply, he pushed his body to move to the door. "Yuzu. We're going now."

"Hai." His sister replied. Before he slipped out of the door, Ichigo turned back to get another glimpse of Rukia who remained motionless.

Then the hall was silent again.

"Rukia-san…" Inoue whispered.

"Not now." Came her curt reply.

"But your shoulder…! You pulled a muscle when Kurosaki-taicho brought you back here."

Rukia continued to look out the window. It seemed to be near noon by now, judging from the amount of sunlight that was receding from her small cell. Rukia wondered what Hueco Mundo was like now. In that desert of a wasteland where there was no sun, how does her brother fare? Perhaps Renji was being a pain once again, causing her brother to hold on even more tightly to his cold expression.

How was Ukitake Taicho? Were Kiyone-san and Sentaro-san annoying him further? She hopes that her Taicho wasn't over-exerting himself and becoming sick. Ukitake Taicho was strong, but his illness was putting a damper on his potential. The last time she saw him fight was when…

It was a long time ago, when she was just shy of a decade in his division. It was an experience Rukia wanted so much to forget.

Rukia instinctively dug into the pockets of her kimono to remove the snow globe. How was Aizen Taicho doing? Was he alright and safe? Was he wounded terribly?

Did he know that she was captured by Kurosaki Taicho?

Rukia's mouth tightened. She had to escape now and head off to the 13th division. It was the only way she could protect Kurosaki's family from the effects of Kurosaki Ichigo's momentary lapse of intellect.

"Rukia-san." Inoue said softly. "If I don't heal you now…"

Inoue knew that Rukia was planning on another escape. But with her injury, she would be unable to fully utilize her fighting abilities. Not at the moment especially when her reiatsu was extremely low. If she had to be healed, it was now. Besides, the others already are aware of her healing abilities – not the ones that she was still hiding.

She saw Rukia close her eyes briefly before she looked intently at the snow globe. Her attention was focused fully on the swirling white stuff around the small castle. Inoue knew that she was, without a doubt, thinking about Aizen Taicho. She wondered if maybe the noble was planning on going to Hueco Mundo to follow the man she was betrothed to. Perhaps she missed him terribly.

"Ayame, Shun'o. Soten Kisshun, I reject!"

Rukia gasped, as the familiar yellow glow of Inoue's abilities cover her shoulder. "Inoue!"

"They are aware of this ability, Rukia-san." Inoue defended, her eyes looking intensely at her friend.

"But do they know that the death stone cannot sap your powers away?" Rukia asked sternly, in a tone that was all Kuchiki, all business. "Do not give them the chance to discover your powers, Inoue. Remove this immediately."

"Ayame, Shun'o."

Quickly, the two fairies complied, returning back to the clips in Inoue's hair. "Gomen, Rukia-san…" she whispered "I was only concerned about you."

"I understand, Inoue. Just be careful next time. Do not act rashly. They might separate us if you do and we will have an even hard time escaping."

Inoue looks down forlornly at her feet.

…

"That freaking Ichigo, hiding Nee-san away from me." Kon muttered angrily as he kicked the dust with his plushie feet. "Nee-san and I could have been so happy together. We could have spent a lot of evenings watching the stars or talking until the sun went up… Nee-san…" he whined petulantly. "Nee-san…"

Suddenly, there was the sound of rustling dead leaves from behind him.

"Gyah!" shouted Kon as he jumped a good three feet into the air.

In front of him was a sleek black cat, looking at him in disapproval. "What?" Kon shouted. "You scared me, what did you expect me to do? Break out into a song and dance number?"

The cat stepped closer and raised a clawed paw.

Kon's sweat dropped. "Oreta awai tsubasa… Kimi wa sukoshi… Aosugiru sora ni tsukareta dake sa… Mou dareka no tame ja nakute… Jibun no tame ni waratte ii yo…" he garbled nervously, miming holding a microphone as he swung his stuffed-cotton body sideways to the lazy beat of the song.

The black cat bared its fangs at the plushie and hissed.

"Ichigo!" cried Kon, as he dashed into the manor as fast as he could. "Save me, Ichigo!!"

…

Mizuiro looks down from the doorway. "Ah, Yoruichi-san!" he greets happily. "Long time no see!"

Yoruichi nods, stretching its feline body in an attempt to get the kinks out of the used muscles. "It was a tiring trip, Mizuiro."

"Aa. Well, I'll have someone bringing milk and grilled tuna for you, okay?"

"That will be appreciated. So, where's Ichigo?"

Mizuiro smiles as he opens the door wider. "Training his men. I swear he's such in a bad mood today, so I'm glad you dropped by." Without further ado, he stepped aside to let the cat in. "I'll bring him over, I hope you can wait."

"Don't have to." Ichigo said from behind them. He stood there, red-faced and sweaty from a recent sparing match, no doubt. "I was told of the arrival of a black cat by Ishida."

"As usual, your senses are duller than a rusty knife. I'm embarrassed to hear you call yourself my protégé." Yoruichi sneered in a throaty voice, looking at the Taicho up and down and in disapproval. "How you became a Taicho with only such minimal abilities continues to astound me."

Ichigo glared at the black cat as he stepped in, heading straight for the nearest chair. "Bull. You're the one who called me 'Your Protégé' first, so don't go blaming me if you don't find my efforts and achievements to your liking. I'm as fast as you are, stronger, AND I have a big-ass zanpaktuô. Why wouldn't they –

"Me thinks you compensate your zanpaktuô size for your small –

"YORUICHI!"

"- brain?" Chuckled Yoruichi, pleased to have elicited such a predictable reaction from the younger man so easily. "Ichigo, you prude. You act like a maiden virgin. Or have you become a monk all of a sudden?"

"Shut up, Yoruichi!" hollered Ichigo, as he stood up in a hurry, his face red as a beet. "Do you mind NOT commenting on my sex life?"

"Or the lack of it." Added Mizuiro. "Unless Ichigo Taicho is good at sneaking women in regularly, I'll say he's abstaining indefinitely, or he's being self-sufficient."

Ichigo gave his subordinate and friend a black glare. "If you value your life, Mizuiro, you'd shut up." He gritted out, grabbing the other by his kimono.

"It was just a joke, Taicho…" Mizuiro said in an attempt on placating the anger of the taller man.

Yoruichi sighed in annoyance before it jumped and gave the Taicho a bash on the head "Enough of that. Kisuke is aware of your predicament. He says, it was expected."

"Expected?" Ichigo burst out angrily, "I'm now in deep shit and he says it's EXPECTED? Didn't he say that everything would be okay if I follow –?"

"DID he?" Yoruichi asked pointedly, licking a black paw languidly as she focused calculating eyes on the Taicho. "If I may recall, Kisuke's exacts words were…

"So see, Kurosaki-kun, just follow the steps of my plan – which you BEGGED me to share, if I may remind you – to the letter, and it'll be just fine, since we'll all get what we want." Urahara Kisuke said jovially, as he fanned his face industriously. "Now… where did I put that old sock of mine… Yoruichi-san, have you been using it as a security blanket again?"

"I don't think he said it will be alright – just that we'll all get what we want…"

"What WE want?" echoed Ichigo, "What the hell does Urahara want anyway?"

Mizuiro watched the entire scene unfolding. His mind was taking leaps and bounds just trying to figure out what it was that the two were trying to discuss. Why would Urahara help Ichigo indeed? That was the question Ishida pondered in private as well. He knew Kurosaki Masaki was a good friend of that exiled shinigami and Yoruichi, but was it all just for that? No indeed; there has got to be something behind it all.

"The usual, like what everyone wants: get revenge for Masaki's death, unmask a bastard Taicho, protect your division, and marry you off to Kuchiki Rukia. No big deal, really."

There was a moment of terse silence as Ichigo and Mizuiro looked blankly at Yoruichi; who was by now, lying on her belly contentedly. Mizuiro was the first to blink while the orange-haired Taicho was still gaping like a fish out of water.

"Kurosaki-dono and Urahara-san WANTS Ichigo Taicho to marry Kuchiki Rukia?"

"Summing it up… Yes." Yoruichi said bluntly, stretching contentedly, aware that Ichigo was looking so damn uncomfortable by the minute.

"What?" Ichigo croaked. His face turned pale for a moment before it started to color up fiercely. Soon, the bright flush of red spread not only across his cheeks, but also up his forehead to the back of his neck.

Mizuiro wondered if it was from embarrassment or anger when Ichigo gave out a hoarse bellow –

"I'm Gonna ….What?"

…

"How long have they been discussing in there?" whinned Keigo. "I wanna know what they're talking about too! How predictable of them to leave us out on a loop."

Tatsuki angrily shoved Keigo aside to shut him up. "Mizuiro, are you SURE Yoruichi said that Ichigo should marry Kuchiki Rukia?"

"It's all true, Tatsuki-chan. I may be over 50, but that doesn't mean my hearing is going down already."

From his crumpled position on the floor, Keigo sobbed, "Why? Why does it seem that Ichigo has all the luck? He's going to marry Kuchiki-san…"

"Ichigo did look pretty surprised, you know." Mizuiro said. "I'm not sure how he'll handle this."

"Please." Scoffed Ishida, as he pushed up his glasses against the bridge of his nose "He's been looking at Kuchiki-san more than what is considered normal…

"Ichigo never said anything about him liking Kuchiki-san, Ishida." Sado said, "Maybe you're over-analyzing things."

Tatsuki cleared her throat, "Enough about Ichigo; what about Kuchiki-san? Doesn't she have a say on this? Besides, she's set to marry Aizen, so she won't be exactly thrilled to be shackled with Ichigo. Well," she mused in good-humor, "I don't think any woman would be pleased to be shackled to our Taicho."

Snorting, Keigo looked up at the only high-ranking female shinigami in Ichigo's division. "Just because you don't find him attractive, doesn't mean other women feel the same." At the other's surprised look, Keigo scoffed "You weren't there when Ichigo was mobbed by his fangirls outside his office last month. He had to shunpo every time he went out to avoid being mauled and groped by hormonal, eager, sexually depraved women." There was an envious look in his eyes as he sobbed. "They literally shredded his gi when they tried to grab him. How come I never get that kind of treatment?"

Mizuiro smiled "Well you do, Keigo. Only they're not after you because they think you're hot; they're after your blood because you're a dirty pervert."

Keigo whimpered "What kind of friend are you, Mizuiro?"

"A Honest one, obviously."

"Well I don't SEE Kurosaki's charms." Ishida said dryly. "Do you think shinigami women need prescription lenses?"

Beside him, Tatsuki snorted. "If you said you saw Ichigo's 'charms,' I'd be more surprised."

…

"For God's sake, what the hell were you thinking to suggest such a thing?" Shouted Ichigo as he punched his father on the face "There is no way in Hueco Mundo will I marry that noble!"

Isshin sprang up and sent Ichigo to the side with a spinning kick. "Idiot! Do you want to go to jail? If you marry Rukia-chan, you'll only have to go against Aizen. If her brother and Taicho vouch for you, then Central 46 won't throw you in jail or execute you for treason!"

Angrily, Ichigo wiped the blood from his mouth. "Asshole! You set me up with Urahara." He accused his father. "What kind of inconsiderate moron would sell out his son, huh?"

"The one who cares for an idiot!" Countered Isshin. Suddenly, he ran to his wife's memorial poster. "Oh, Masaki! Masaki! I tried my best to be the perfect father! Was I doomed to be a failure with Ichigo in the first place?"

Ichigo grabbed his father by the collar of his robes and hurled him across the room "Bastard! You're the one ruining my life! If the Central 46 sentences me to death, it will all be on your head goat chin!"

Amused at the cozy father-son 'bonding' moment, Yoruichi lazily lapped at the pan of full-cream milk in front of her before muttering: "By marrying Kuchiki Rukia, Bya-kun wouldn't have any influence over his sister anymore. He also wouldn't side against you during the inquest and maybe he can even vouch for you. He's a Kuchiki; they're hell-bent on reputation and social standing. Of course, it also means rules and regulations are more important to him than family, so there's a possibility that he won't." she shrugged. "At any rate, Byakuya's out of your hair. As for Ukitake, well, if Rukia would just say that it was her decision to marry you, he'll side with you, both against any inquest and Aizen of course. It's a WIN-WIN situation, if you ask me."

"For whom?" sneered Ichigo, "Old pervert here?"

Behind Ichigo, Isshin sprinted and landed a kick at his son's backside, sending him to the ground a few feet away. "Your guard was done, fool! How do you expect to protect Rukia-chan if you can't marry her?"

"Possibly because I WON'T." Ichigo retorted from the floor.

"Ichigo." Isshin said, in a voice that was far too serious. "I made a promise to take care of Kuchiki Rukia before. Are you to deprive me the chance to pay me debt to her mother?"

"Eh?" Ichigo asked.

Isshin looked at his son who was still seated on the floor. "Son, I owe Rukia's mother a blood debt. If it wasn't for her, you wouldn't be alive today. Call Ishida, tell him to bring Rukia-chan here."

…

So it was nearly half an hour later that Kuchiki Rukia was once again brought into the walls of the Kurosaki home by his puzzled fukutaicho. If Rukia was likewise confused by the sudden development, she showed no indication as Ishida led her into a comfortable chair. However, she was now wearing the clothing that Yuzu provided for her.

From behind the door left ajar, the rest of Ichigo's high-ranked subordinates looked on curiously through the small gap. Glaring at Ishida, Ichigo motioned for him to step out before he closed the door in their disappointed faces.

"Rukia-chan!" Isshin cried out dramatically. "Are you well? You don't look fine to me."

"It's nothing, Kurosaki-dono." She assured him "I'm just surprised to be here."

Ichigo looked at his father. "Now explain it, old man, why you owe her mother a blood debt." He then glanced at the noble in disdain. "Like any Kuchiki would go out of their way to assist people."

Though she was silent, Rukia gave Ichigo a 'you-are-so-dead' glare that spoke volumes.

Isshin turned to Rukia. "Rukia-chan… your parents…"

"They're not my real parents." Rukia spoke, hoping to set the record straight.

As Ichigo had a surprised look on his face, relief was visible in Isshin's "How did you figure it out."

"They told me." She said. "Just in case I had questions, they wanted to come clean about it. Hisana-san was my sister."

Isshin nodded. "Did you… know how your real parents… died, Rukia-chan?" he asked quietly. For all he knew, Hisana might have kept it hidden from her, to protect her from the truth.

Rukia sat silently for a while. She sat stiffly on the chair. Partially due to the pain on her shoulder, the other due to the uncomfortable topic. Outwardly, she showed no emotion, but silently, she felt her body go numb and a cold feeling grip her tightly by the neck. "They were murdered. They also tried to kill Hisana-san and me, but she was able to grab me and escape."

"Did she tell it to you herself?" Isshin asked gently.

"No." Rukia said, "Nii-sama… He gave me a letter from Hisana-san the day after she died. It was all too painful for her to say personally, so she decided to write it instead."

Hisana plowed on, moving as fast as her legs was capable of. Around her, the wind was bitterly cold; winter was especially hard this time at Seiretei. As she felt her muscles tremble in the cold, Hisana gripped the bundle that was her little sister. At two years of age, Rukia was surprisingly small and quiet, a blessing since they were running from the unknown man who murdered her parents just recently.

There was no time to lose; her father had instructed her to flee to the 14th division with Rukia, seek the help of Kurosaki Isshin Taicho, and to give him some books that were handed to him by the former Taicho Urahara for safe keeping. Hisana gritted her teeth as she continued to run, carrying only two things that her father deemed as important. She must not fail. Despite the white cloak she wore to somewhat hide her form in the snowy landscape, Hisana knew that she could be found easily – especially if that pursuer was a shinigami. She had enough awareness of reiatsu to know that this one was a powerful one, perhaps a third seat or fukutaicho at that.

Worriedly, Hisana hugged her sister closer. Rukia was quiet, too quiet that it scared her. Was her sister even breathing? She was not a strong woman, physically, but Hisana knew that these limits can be broken if the situation called for it.

This was definitely one of those rare cases.

To Hisana's horror, whoever it was that was after her was getting closer and the 14th division was still at least an hour and half away. Suddenly, Rukia whimpered. "No." she whispered urgently as she picked up her pace, "Go to sleep, Rukia. Go back to sleep."

"Mama." Rukia whimpered again, causing Hisana to feel as if her heart was broken in two. "Hush now, sleep and we'll see mama later."

As Hisana continued to run, she felt another reiatsu that was near, although it was in a direction away from the 14th division. Would she dare change her course of direction and seek the help of that person? The reiatsu seemed strong enough as well… but what if it was with the man who killed her parents?

There was no time for further thoughts, as she and Rukia desperately needed assistance. Quickly, Hisana changed the direction of her path, heading straight for that person – whoever it might be. If it was her fate to die, let it be so, yet Hisana hoped that her sister would be spared.

Running like all the hollows of Hueco Mundo were at her heels, Hisana used the last of her strength to propel her and her sister forward, not caring that the hood of her cloak flew off, causing her hair to spill wildly in all directions; not caring that her footwear snapped, causing her feet to be drenched in the cold snow; not caring that Rukia's loud cries echoed the frantic beat of her own heart; and especially not caring that her pursuer was too close behind her for comfort. "Somebody help!"

And suddenly, Rukia screamed. Hisana was jolted out of her thoughts and musings of safety to feel a sudden surge of reiatsu. "Hi-sa!" Rukia shouted again as Hisana too felt something in the air.

Shikai?

Immediately, Hisana dropped on all fours, shielding her sister from whatever attack from a zanpaktuô that may come. Instead, she saw a fireball hurl at them swiftly. Hisana screamed as her eyes flew shut.

"Chire. Zenbonsakura."

As a wall of pink shielded them from the blast of kidō, Hisana opened her eyes to see a slender man standing in front of her, his cloak and dark hair flowing in the chilly wind.

"If it wasn't for Nii-sama, we wouldn't have made it." Rukia whispered quietly, looking at her lap."We stayed at the 6th division then. Nii-sama married Hisana-san and I was adopted by his parents who lived in a different part of Seiretei.

Isshin reached out to take hold of Rukia's hand as it clenched her knees. "Your mother was once a high-ranking shinigami of the 4th division, Rukia-chan; while your father was the curator of Seiretei's document archives. They were good people, and if it wasn't for your mother, Masaski and Ichigo might have died in labor."

The words made Rukia look up to meet Isshin's eyes. "Why are you telling me this?" she asked.

In his seat, Ichigo gazed at his father in surprise. This was something he had never heard before. Surprisingly, his usually goofy father was so serious and earnest; it was unsettling him.

"Because I told your father that I would do anything to return the favor and protect the life of his children. I was unable to help you the night your parents were murdered, Rukia. So please, let me help you now. Let my son protect you from Aizen."

Rukia shook her head. "Kurosaki-dono; I am betrothed to Aizen Taicho. He is a just man –

"He's a murderer." Ichigo snarled. "How many times do I have to tell you about that? He only wants you to think that he's this honorable person when he's not!"

Without flinching, Rukia met his glare head-on. "I have no reason to doubt him. What would he gain from marrying me? My Ni-sama's fortune?" she retorted angrily. "Until I see a reason and until I find evidence that he is not to be trusted, I will not be swayed. I am sorry, Kurosaki-dono. I decline whatever protection –

"I was going to ask you to give your hand to Ichigo in Holy Matrimony." Mused Isshin.

"FUCK!" shouted an angry Ichigo, "How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not marrying that midget!"

"Like I would…" Scoffed Rukia. "I'd take my chances on Aizen Taicho, if you don't mind. At least there's a decent shot of my kids being geniuses."

"Yeah and all of them would be tyrants and murderers." Ichigo countered acidly.

"Well, but would they be good-looking?" Isshin insisted, smiling as he struck a pose. "With me and Masaki's genes, you won't go wrong, Rukia-chan!"

"Aizen-Taicho happens to be VERY good-looking." Rukia said dryly. "And Nii-sama is Seiretei's most desirable bachelor shinigami for 8 consecutive years."

Ichigo scoffed, "You aren't even related by blood!"

"Between me and Aizen-Taicho, our kids would be BOTH smart and good-looking." Gritted Rukia, as if she was not rudely shot down by the Taicho's scathing comment "They would be paragons of grace, have razor-sharp minds, AND they wouldn't run full-tilt without a plan they came up on their own!"

"What the hell?"

"I heard from Keigo." Tittered Rukia, enjoying the fact that she was not only angering, but embarrassing him as well "See, I KNEW something was wrong with you; you're a complete idiot."

Ichigo sneered, "Well good luck with Aizen making your children 'good-looking.' You need it!"

Rukia smiled triumphantly "There, you see?" she told Isshin, "We are simply incompatible. And Isshin-dono, I really wouldn't marry anyone who isn't even attracted to me."

Isshin broke out in another round of crying as he latched himself on his, telling him to confess the extent of his affection and devotion to the Kuchiki noblewoman. His son on the other hand was preoccupied trying to get his father to let go of his haori.

"You really have no choice in this matter, Kuchiki Rukia."

The three turned to see Yoruichi, who had just finished her milk, licking her paws lazily.

Rukia stared at Yoruichi for a moment, remaining silent and motionless… until…

"The c-c-cat is t-t-talking!"

"Why the surprised look? Is this the first time you saw a talking cat?" Yoruichi inquired as she stalked over to the other woman before she slumped beside her on the large armrest of the chair.

Isshin dashed to Rukia. "That's Yoruichi, a friend of mine and Ichigo's godmother! She used to go by the name Shihouin Yoruichi-sama, Commander of the Secret Mobile Corps, Goddess of Flash, and The AMAZING TALKING CAT when she joined the traveling circus more than 10 years ago."

A vein throbbed along Yoruichi's head. "Must you bring that up, Isshin?"

"What?" Isshin asked, appalled. "But you were the star of the circus, Yoruichi; I remember you singing that song… what was that title again?" he mused, deep in his thoughts.

An enraged Yoruichi jumped off the chair to hit Isshin right on the left eye. "You idiot! How many times have I told you never to mention it ever?"

"A TALKING CAT!"

"Will you stop that, Kuchiki!" snarled Yoruichi.

"Um… Yes… Ma'am…" she replied hesitantly, as if gauging the chances of a painful death impaled by sharp claws and insisting that the whole thing was weird. Well, life won over pride, so it seemed.

"As I was saying," Yoruichi continued. "I'm afraid you don't have any more option other than marrying Ichigo."

"Excuse me?"

"We have reason to believe that whoever it was that murdered your parents may be after you."

"I have nothing of value from my parents; the books were already given to the library archives."

Yoruichi glared at Rukia "You're the only living witness, Rukia. Do you not remember anything?"

In her chair, Rukia thought carefully about that fateful night. "I remember feeling scared and paralyzed. I couldn't move or breathe…"

"You got hit by someone's reiatsu."

"Yoruichi-san, there is no way that I can remember that person! I was only two years old." Argued Rukia as she shook her head, "Even if I did, I never felt it again."

"Think carefully. Do you think Taichos and Fukutaichos release their zanpaktuôs without permission?" Yoruichi drawled, focusing her eyes on the noblewoman. "Unless there are special wartime orders, the only time you can feel intense reiatsu is when engaging against a hollow. Or," she added meaningfully as she eyed at Ichigo "If you're like HIM and you can't control your reiatsu properly that your zanpaktuô is always in shikai form."

A surprised Ichigo gave the cat an angry look "Hey, I'm still here!" he snarled.

"Please, Rukia-chan," Isshin said pleadingly. "Let Ichigo protect you; marry him."

"Kurosaki-dono, your son can 'protect' me without him marrying me."

Isshin scratched his head. "Well… I really didn't want to say…but… remember when I said that me and your father were friends?" he asked sheepishly, "Well, when you were born, we kinda told each other that we'd marry you off to each other…"

Both Ichigo and Rukia sprang up in shock.

"Old man, stop it already!" gritted Ichigo, "I've had enough of your corny jokes."

"Hisana-san said no such thing!"

"You better show them the contract, Isshin. We're dealing with two doubting Thomases here."

Excitedly, Isshin dug into the sleeves of his haori enthusiastically. "Hmm… where… where…" he murmured as he pulled out a small book of poems; a pair of silver chopsticks; a small packet of catnip – which he promptly threw to Yoruichi; a yellow rubber duckie –

"Hmm…"

As the others watched, Isshin brought out a poster of Masaki; another poster of Masaki; and an assortment of things.

"Hold this, will you?" Isshin muttered as he handed his son a small plastic bag of goldfishes before he pulled out a spatula. "I know it's in here… somewhere…"

Bemused, Ichigo peered at the goldfish in disbelief as Rukia sat back and yawned daintily.

"AHA!"

Triumphantly, Isshin thrust the rolled, yellow parchment to Rukia, who wasted no time in unfurling it.

It was stated that Kurosaki Ichigo would be married to Fujiwara Rukia when both were adults and the fathers of both children signed the said contract. Urahara Kisuke and Shihouin Yoruichi witnessed it.

Rukia glared at Ichigo as if it was his fault before she looked at Isshin, "I'm sorry, but as I am adopted by the Kuchiki clan, that does not make me a Fujiwara anymore. So, I cannot marry your son."

"Ah, Rukia-chan; I didn't know that you do not take stock on promises!" sobbed Isshin as he gave the other piteous looks. "All I wanted was the best for my old friend's daughter! Why do you deprive me of my chance to prove my loyalty –

"She already said no." Ichigo countered icily, as he looked at the parchment. "Why must you insist?"

"What if I tell you that we suspected that it was Aizen's doing, would you agree?"

Rukia turned sharply to face Yoruichi. Enraged, she frowned even more; but she was able to reign in her temper by clenching her fists tightly. "First, you tell me Aizen-Taicho murdered Masaki-san; now you say that he may have been responsible for the murder of my real parents. Why do you implicate Aizen-Taicho that much? Your reasons for doing so are highly suspicious."

"Why you…" Ichigo growled in annoyance.

Yoruichi chuckled, "Relax, Ichigo. She's on her guard. I see you haven't lost your head, Kuchiki. I'm glad you don't accept everything at face value; but as of the moment, the proof we need still eludes us." She said ruefully. "Unfortunately, YOU are the link we have been looking for all these years; you're the one who can find the murderer."

Uncertainly, Rukia wondered that if THEY were the murderers, she would be in danger even more. "I am not marrying Kurosaki Ichigo." She said with conviction. "If you will excuse me…."

Yoruichi looked at Isshin.

"Rukia-chan."

Rukia turned to face the former Taicho of the 14th. He reached out and gave her something from the sleeves of his haori.

Wordlessly, she took the parcel, wondering how it fit in the pockets in the first place.

"Masaki made that a long time ago. We were supposed to give it to your mother before she and your father were found murdered. Please take it; it belongs to you."

As Rukia bowed and took her leave, Ichigo glared at him darkly.

"Talk to her, Ichigo." Yoruichi spoke as she looked at the Taicho whom she watched grow up.

"I am not going to convince her to change her mind, Yoruichi." He said as he leaned back in his chair. "I'm not marrying her either."

"You of all people know what it feels to lose someone you love." Yoruichi said. "She has never known her real parents and now she'll feel that pain for the first time. Even a Kuchiki has limits to handle emotional pain."

For a moment, Ichigo said nothing. He just stared at the patterns on the carpet. It was the exact carpet that he pranced around for his mother when he was younger. The exact carpet where he ran across to meet his younger sisters for the first time. The exact carpet that he and his mother danced on every weekend.

Without another word, Ichigo stood up and trended out of the room.

For a while, there was silence as Isshin and Yoruichi looked at each other. Neither one made a move to leave; contented to remain in their respective seats.

"So?" Isshin asked casually, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "That was quite a sentimental speech, Yoruichi. Are you getting soft on your dotage?"

Yoruichi scoffed. "Please. Kisuke gave me a script."

...

It was under the shade of a large apple tree that Kuchiki Rukia soon found herself. Honestly, she had no idea how she got there or when. All she remembered was that her legs moved by their own will and led her here. Stoically, she looked at the aged wrappings. Rukia debated on whether or not she should open it and play into whatever game Kurosaki and his cohorts had.

However, there was a part of her that wanted some sort of confirmation of her existence; a closure for the tragedy that separated her from her sister and landed her as a Kuchiki.

Slowly, she unraveled the coarse paper bindings without breaking it. With bated breath, she peeled of the yellowed parchment, smoothen it on impulse.

Rukia's breath was caught in her throat. It was a small portrait of her family. The people were unrecognizable – even Hisana-san, whom she remembered as a frail and sickly person with a sallow complexion and sad eyes.

The people who were in the painting were remarkably healthy-looking and happy. There was a tall, handsome man who had her eyes, and that stubborn chin. Beside him was a delicate-looking woman who had similar cheekbones and facial features as her and Hisana. She was also of a short stature and they had a similar hairstyle – right down to the stray fringe that fell to the middle of their faces – as her daughters.

It was Hisana who surprised Rukia. Her sister was in the pink of health. Her eyes were flashing with mischief and mirth that was caught in the portrait completely. Hisana was all smiles and exuberance, a far cry from the person she had been later in life. As she peered into the beaming face of her sister, Rukia could see just what it was that caught the eye of Byakuya Nii-sama in the first place.

Suddenly, Rukia's gaze was drawn to the small infant in the middle of the group. Nestled in the arms of her mother was the younger version of her: small and rounded, wearing a miniature kimono like Hisana's and holding a teething ring to her small mouth.

Vibrant. The whole thing was vibrant. It was as if Kurosaki Masaki captured every little detail and froze them in paint.

Rukia was surprised to see moisture falling on the precious painting. Was it raining, she asked herself as she carefully wiped the liquid with trembling fingers.

Imagine her surprise when she realized that the drops of water were from her eyes. Damn it! Why in the name of all spirits was she crying anyway? It was not like she remembered them to miss them, right? As far as Rukia could remember, her family was the Kuchiki and Hisana was her sister-in-law. Byakuya Nii-sama may be aloof and cold; sometimes he may think her as a weakling incapable of fighting, but it didn't mean that he was a monster. Her parents loved her and they spoiled her like a princess before she was placed under Byakuya Nii-sama's guardianship the day Hisana-san died.

She was a Kuchiki, damn it all to hell! This was pointless to think over; it was making her throat burn menacingly. Her hand shook as she dropped the portrait like it was a hot iron rod. She was a Kuchiki! They said it didn't matter who her REAL family was. She was a Kuchiki.

Suddenly, she felt a hand grab her arm. Blindly, she reared back before she threw a punch to the side. She felt her fist hit a solid wall of chest before she was slammed against someone. "Don't." a voice whispered quietly. "You'll regret it if you throw that away."

There was a sound akin to that of a wounded animal that filled the air. In disdain, Rukia wondered who it was until she realized that it came from her throat. Angry at herself for this moment of weakness, she thrashed and punched Kurosaki Ichigo (she was now sure who it was) while she cried uncontrollably.

Ichigo said nothing; he just held her as she screamed like a banshee. For a woman who was trained to repress her emotions, Ichigo was certain to have glimpsed the kind of woman she was beneath that Kuchiki crap. He had seen her scream murderous obscenities, act like an enraged bull, laugh and flirt coyly; but he was never expecting to see such raw anguish from her like this. This kind of hurt was something he was familiar with.

When he saw her wept soundlessly on her knees after he followed her, Ichigo was reminded of the time his mother died. He pretty much acted the same way. Then she howled like an animal – something that he remembered himself doing. All he could do was to hold her the way his father did when he was in hysterics as well.

In truth, it was unsettling to see Kuchiki Rukia – the unflappable Kuchiki Rukia – break down like this. For whatever it was that he thought about her: annoying, stupid, headstrong, he never felt this much protectiveness or concern about her. Perhaps it was due to the fact that they went through the same generic hell; maybe because she was crying like her life depended on it; or maybe because… he just didn't want to see her this way.

Somehow, he felt really inadequate on what to tell her. Saying 'Don't worry' sounded so clinical, while mumbling 'I understand what you feel' sounded lame. Likewise, rubbing her back might look dirty if anyone saw them this way; not to mention she just might knee him in the groin again. In the end, he kept his silence and just held her as her crying turned into wracking sobs.

"Do you think Aizen-Taicho had something to do with their deaths…?" she finally spoke when she felt calm enough to talk coherently.

"Yes." He replied simply, his arms still around her shoulders.

"Why?"

Ichigo raised an eyebrow; okay, so she was challenging him. This woman's loyalty was unflappable, yet he could see that she was not closed to any possibility. Grudgingly, his respect for her increased again. "Because he was after the Hyougokyu. You walked out before we could tell you that among the books Urahara gave your father, one was about the Hyougokyu."

Rukia stiffened. So, it was a possibility that all of these things were just because of the Hyougokyu. She still gave Aizen the benefit of a doubt. But if Kurosaki Ichigo was right – she would definitely give him hell to pay.

"I hope you're not thinking of acting on your own, midget." Ichigo drawled. "You can't accomplish anything on your own." He felt her push him away. "Listen to me." He said harshly as he pulled her closer, "Don't make a mistake like that. Let me handle it."

"Let go." She said stiffly. "I can take care of myself."

"Listen to me, idiot. Going against Aizen is the quickest way to die –

"IF, he is guilty."

"- stay put and let me do it." He added as if she said nothing. "My old man is going to kill me if anything happens to you. Trust me and I promise to avenge them for you."

"Why?" Rukia questioned, genuinely confused. "You're no kidō expert like me; all you do is hack and slash and –

"Let's not stain that zanpaktuô of yours with his dirty blood, shall we?"

Rukia was surprised. Did he actually think that Sode no Shirayuki had not met blood before? She was a capable fighter and a smart shinigami; how dare he insult her?

"I'll protect you, but I'm not going to marry you, midget." He added loftily.

"Only when Hueco Mundo becomes a prime tourist destination, baka Taicho."

It was ironic really that they soon found themselves joined in matrimony an hour later.

...

C. LeShay's corner:

Whew! This has got to be the longest chapter yet. I'm sorry for the delay; I was really swamped with work so I didn't have enough time to write this. It's also extra difficult to write serious topics after a crack chapter so this one is definitely different from the previous one.

I tried to keep them as in character as I can – just for the drama.

Once again, thanks for Kaya for being my beta reader; your suggestions and encouragement are very much appreciated.

Speaking of e-families, congratulations and best wishes to my e-aunt/ e-godmother MitsukaiMizuno, who will be e-married soon to Spartan27! Seeing as you'll invite me to the bridal e-shower, let me prepare a ahem 'suitable' gift.

Hi to e-great-great-grandmummy Bunnisteffi, to my e-great-great-grand aunt Laurie B, and to CooWings, my e-sister. Gosh, they've been so very supportive of this fic. Many thanks again.

And oh yeah, welcome to my e-aunt, Amy Core, the e-sister of my e-mommy 07Janina07 or hereby known here as Kyttichan.

Meh; my brain is feeling all mushy due to pressing deadlines at work; would it be too much to ask for encouragement and reviews? Maybe it will help improve the next chapter (blackmail is the way to go).

Three guesses on who was Rukia's first kiss? Yeah, like you won't get it snickers. Hint: It's not Aizen, though he's already kissed her before. Don't worry; I'll try to show that scene sometime in the future…