Chapter 7: Telephone
Sorry this is late. Had no idea what I wanted for this chapter. The original wasn't so great, so twelve pages into it, I started up a new document and wrote another thirteen, differently for the most part. This chapter isn't so telephone-y :P But it is needed, I suppose. Like a bridge, something I favor so nicely in Strawberry Meets Death :] WHICH IS COMING BACK SOON! :O Holy crap, I might still have Telephone going at the same time for a few days...
Anyways, three things; one connected to a review:
Anonymous reviewers- please try not to submit multiple, cut-off reviews. If it was a computer connection, no harm; but if it's something you consider your style or something, please please please don't do it on my stories' reviews.
Now to Sweety (and everyone else?)- I think I'm on the edge of accepted depth of details, to be honest. Not only do I want to risk boring the crap out of you all, but I myself sometimes like only enough to drive my imagination of what's going on. I hope you still enjoy Telephone!
And KuchikiFAN- Rukia didn't graduate the Academy; Byakuya sped her straight into the Gotei 13. So, I feel it'd be normal for her to question if she could have, for example, and especially in an environment she didn't grow up in, different times and different expectations of her- on top of that, she's not even sure of what is expected of her. So I don't consider it self-pity; more like a human nature.
That said, thank you all for your support, and I truly hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own any brand/copyrighted names used in this story. They will always be italicized. I do not own any songs mentioned, or any characters/concepts from Bleach.
Inoue smoothed out the blanket she draped over the suede cushions, flannel sheets folded neatly on top of her pillow, Inoue already dressed into her night wear, tired from the long day; dropping onto the cushions, Inoue turned on the large television to The Food Network translated from English, settling back into the comfortable cushions, hands toying with the remote thoughtlessly.
Grey eyes soon wandered from the television, taking the time to admire the apartment without hurry, the large dwelling silent aside from the television; Inoue could remember her surprise the first time she'd stepped into Ichigo's city home some months ago, in awe of the large spaces and high ceiling, the easy, neutral colors complimented nicely by simple, yet handsome furnishings.
Inoue couldn't be surprised Soul Society made sure their savior were to live comfortably. She was much less surprised Ichigo took great care of his home, certain it was a quality he'd learned from his younger sibling, Yuzu.
"…though I've never actually met his family…." Brushing her bangs from her eyes, Inoue switched the channel, a cartoon she remembered watching with Tatsuki during junior high playing, a small smile on Inoue's lips; "Maybe sometime soon, now that we spend time together… studying and… studying…."
Her thoughts wandered as her eyes had, thinking over the time since the end of the Winter War, frowning as most of her time spent with Ichigo was either in their large group, or studying with Chad; she also thought over the fact Rukia stayed to live in his home, Ichigo constantly texting or calling her, returning to Karakura without thought to help her….
"Kurosaki-kun..."
Her Chocolate began vibrating against the dark wooden grain of his coffee table in front of her, Inoue moving off the couch to grab it, grinning brightly at the alert for Tatsuki's call; "Tatsuki-chan!"
"Hey, Orihime! I'm sorry about earlier, I hope you're alright! Where are you right now- they aren't kicking you out at this time of night, are they!"
Inoue settled back onto the couch, her legs curled beneath her curvaceous body.
"No, no, Tatsuki-chan, I'm alright. I actually don't need you to register me at Karakura anymore, I have a place to stay for a bit-."
"Really? Where are you, I didn't think you could find a place after we talked."
A light blush spread over Inoue's cheeks, her gaze running over the walls and furniture about her; "I-I'm at… I'm at Kurosaki-kun's apartment, Tatsuki-chan. He's letting me stay with him until a cheap apartment comes up."
"What!" Her Chocolate nearly left her grasp, Inoue fumbling with the small device, Tatsuki's shout having caught her off guard; "Hime, I can't believe it! Do you know what this could mean-!"
"That he's nice?" Inoue jumped again at Tatsuki's voice, pulling her phone a little further from her ear.
"No! Maybe things are finally changing between you!"
Inoue couldn't help but frown at Tatsuki's words, grey eyes on the television before her; "I don't know, Tatsuki-chan…."
"Oh, enough, Orihime- so, what's his apartment like, anyways? Does he have second room for you?"
"N-no…." Rubbing her leg, Inoue shifted on the couch, her hand resting absentmindedly on her pillow along the armrest; "I'm staying on the couch- it's really comfy!"
"What kind of ass would keep you on the couch- I'm sure he assumed you'd take the bedroom and leave him with the couch, instead."
Inoue blushed heavily, her eyes snapping to the closed bedroom door, a door she hadn't dared to open.
"I-I don't know about that… it's enough that he's letting me-."
"You won't know, until he comes home. Hopefully he doesn't stay too long down here in Karakura. I can't believe he skipped classes just because Kuchiki was upset."
A sigh left Inoue, her hand pulling the pillow onto her lap, clutching the sheets; "I guess he really cares about her, Tatsuki-chan… maybe I shouldn't ho-."
"If he cared for her the way everyone thinks he does, he wouldn't have left her behind in Karakura."
Inoue's eyes fell onto her lap, nodding to no one in particular.
"Now- tell me about his 'flat' you're staying in!"
The lecturer droned on and on about Modern Japan, Ichigo done studying for the day after sitting in through all of Rukia's Thursday lectures, his tall body slouched in the seat beside the raven-haired beauty; amber eyes on the clock, only fifteen minutes left for the end of the class, Ichigo shifted restlessly in his seat, Rukia throwing a quick glare at him before returning her attention onto the class' front, a scoff leaving Ichigo.
Why couldn't she take Ancient Japan, something she knows already?
Slinging his arm over the back of Rukia's seat, Ichigo entertained himself by throwing his crown back, counting the holes on the ceiling, Rukia glancing at Ichigo at the feel of his arm behind her; smirking at his painfully bored reiatsu and posture, Rukia turned back once again to the lecturer up front, the pair of shinigami's having opted for the back again.
Leaning onto her elbow along the side of her desk beside him, Rukia tapped Ichigo's knee, the male snapping his chin down, sitting up with a cocked eyebrow at her.
Rukia kept her voice low, Ichigo leaning in close to hear her, Rukia's eyes still up front; "You could leave, you know? Go wait in the car?"
Ichigo nearly snorted, tugging on her hair lightly, smirking at the immediate raise of her fist to hit him, Ichigo catching her wrist as he moved to speak into her ear-
"Hitting poor, helpless classmates is still bad, here in college, Kuchiki."
She pulled her wrist from him, Ichigo smug at her glare without threat, pulling away from her to slouch back in his desk, his strong, toned arm in place along the back of her seat, Rukia back to writing down notes.
Looking at the clock again, Ichigo settled on the ceiling for another round, reaching hundred forty-one holes before fifteen after two came along.
Rukia and Ichigo sat silently in the TSX, the windows fogged from their warm breathing, the sky chilled and colder by the hour, other cars waiting in the cold for Karakura High to dismiss its students; drumming her fingers on the steering wheel, Rukia huffed as she pulled her feet onto her seat, hugging her legs to her body, shivering.
"I still don't see why I can't put the heater on even for five minutes."
Ichigo groaned in the seat beside her, dropping his head against the window; "Because five minutes will become twenty minutes, and it's bad to be so warm in a small space and suddenly move out into the cold."
He looked over at her when she didn't complain or hit him, finding Rukia curled up tightly, her gaze on the car in front of them, her facial muscles light and relaxed, Ichigo fixated on Rukia's serene expression.
"Did you learn that at the university?"
Ichigo rubbed his neck, nodding.
"Yeah, just something my professor mentioned when someone asked her to turn on the heating system…."
She didn't say anything, still gazing out the windshield, shivering lightly; sighing as he sat up his seat, Ichigo unsnapped his seat belt, pulling off his jacket, Rukia staring at him as if he'd kissed a Hollow; "What are you doing? Aren't you cold?"
Left in his thin sweater, Ichigo shrugged, leaning over the console between them, draping his jacket over her small frame, smoothing it out over her back; gathering her hair caught beneath the jacket's collar, Ichigo pulled them out to fall loose, Rukia watching him silently with her stray bang in place as always.
"You're colder than me, midget- which is surprising since you have an ice zanpaktou."
Rukia smiled, shrugging with her gaze moving onto the gear shift; "I've gotten used to the warmth of your home…."
Ichigo stopped short, looking intently at Rukia, breathing out a laugh.
"…getting soft, Kuchiki?"
Rukia looked up from the gear shift between them, a weak glare with bright hues of purple meeting his gaze, a bell ringing in the distance, students soon to leave the building.
"I might be getting soft…." Reaching up to bury her hand in his mane, tugging on it lightly, she smirked up at him, dropping her hand from his hair; "But you are, too."
It was left at that, Rukia catching sight of the twins, moving her feet off her seat as she made to take off Ichigo's jacket, his larger hand closing over hers; "Keep it on, short-stuff." Ichigo moved off as the back passenger door opened, Karin and Yuzu climbing in, the door shut as they greeted their older brother and friend.
"Hey Ichi-nii, Rukia…."
Violet eyes caught theirs in the rear-view mirror, Rukia starting the car up, Ichigo's hair ruffled by the twins.
"How was school, girls?"
Karin and Yuzu burst into their stories, Ichigo glancing over his seat listening to them, Rukia smiling as she drove off towards home.
…home….
From: Tatsuki-chan
Hey Inoue! Ichigo back home yet?
Drying her hands from washing her dishes, Inoue slipped out her Chocolate, leaning against the small kitchen island, sliding the screen up.
To: Tatsuki-chan
No, Tatsuki-chan. I would ask him, but I don't want to bother him more than I already have.
Inoue made her way out into the living room, walking over to the sliding doors leading out to the balcony, sliding the curtains closed to the dark, cloudy sky beyond, her phone vibrating again.
From: Tatsuki-chan
It's obvious you're not a bother to him.
Inoue fought back a frown, fingering the thin, white curtains, replying to Tatsuki.
To: Tatsuki-chan
I really hope you're right
"Midget, we don't need orange juice-!"
"I want orange juice, idiot! I don't care if anyone needs it!" Rukia pulled into the lot, the twins' older brother glaring at her, Karin and Yuzu smiling at the older pair up front. Cutting the engine, grabbing her wallet from the storage console, Rukia tugged Ichigo's jacket closely around her frame, opening the car door as she sneaked in a punch onto Ichigo's leg, slipping out of the car as he cussed at the snickering female; "Be back in five!"
The door slammed shut, Ichigo left in the car with his twin sisters, watching Rukia nearly run into the store, the petite shinigami disappearing through double-doors.
"Hey, Ichi-nii-." Karin leaned over between the front seats, Ichigo looking over at her; "Are you staying until Sunday, again?"
"Ah, well..." Yuzu's brown eyes moved onto him as well, Ichigo's hand reaching up to rub his neck; "I'm actually thinking about heading back to the city tomorrow- I have a lot to catch up on that I can't do here."
Karin's lips frowned lightly, nodding as she dropped back into her seat, Ichigo looking over at Yuzu, sitting back there looking- "Oi; what's with that sad look, huh?"
Shrugging with a frown, Yuzu glanced beyond her brother onto the small grocery, her bangs teasing her long eyelashes.
"I just… I got so happy seeing you back not even a day later, and even though you study a lot like Rukia-chan… it's nice having you home to take care of her, while she takes care of us… it's nice having you back home…."
Amber eyes were taken aback, Ichigo glancing at Karin, only met with eyes to match Yuzu's gorgeous ones, heavy with feelings they surely thought to be selfish, knowing them; his thumb rubbing the smooth material of his seat belt, Ichigo bit his lip as his gaze wandered before settling back onto his sister, a sigh leaving him.
"Look, guys… I've… I want to be home with you; you know I miss you…."
A honk rang out from behind them, ignored by Isshin's growing children, Yuzu and Karin's look on him tearing Ichigo apart with guilt; "But you know I can't be. The university is hard to just drop, and I need that degree if I want to come back for you and eventually work, too… c'mon, don't give me that look-."
"Then at least…." Yuzu strayed off, looking at Karin to finish for her, Karin leaning forward; "Take Rukia with you."
What? "W-what?" Another honk rang out, drivers stepping out angrily, Ichigo staring back and forth between his twin sisters, both sharing a look before Yuzu leaned forward as well; "Take Rukia-chan with you, Ichi-nii, to study at the university…."
Karin huffed as more honking rang out, shouts exchanged between the drivers outside, a hand running through her long, black hair; "She may be handling Community well while you're there, but you know it'll be bad again come Monday! It's full of idiots, these days!"
"And you expect me to just take her to the university, just like that-?"
Both of his precious sisters crossed their arms, voices sounding together as one- "Yes."
"Are you seri-." Ichigo cut off at the driver's door opening, Rukia tossing in the bulky bags onto his lap; "Fuck, Rukia! What the hell-!"
His jacket was torn off her slender frame, left in her thin, fitted sweater, Rukia chucking the balled up material at the male before dropping into her seat, door slammed shut; Ichigo caught his jacket with confused, brown eyes in a heavy frown, Yuzu and Karin keeping quiet, a heavy silence in the car as Rukia started the car, shifting into reverse.
Rukia twisting her body to look out the back as she pulled out, the twins avoiding her fierce eyes, Ichigo clenching onto his jacket, fighting back a growling tone; "What… what's wrong-?"
"Shut up, Ichigo- just shut up." The siblings were struck silent, Rukia abruptly switching gears, driving past the arguing drivers, speeding towards home; eyes and hands in their laps, Karin and Yuzu didn't speak a word to bother the angry female, Ichigo conflicted between saying anything or keeping quiet as his sisters had, his reiatsu heavy, unable to feel Rukia's own.
…what the hell did I do?
Rukia gasped at the sudden wall of warmth she seemingly walked through, the double-doors closing behind her onto the chilled air outside, local shoppers inside the small grocery, Rukia quickly moving into the aisles, towards the large refrigerators in the back.
"Orange juice, orange juice-." Rukia held her black wallet by her teeth as she hurried through to the end, slipping her arms into Ichigo's jacket a bit too large for her, reaching up to grab her wallet out of her mouth; "Should I get two? Maybe three?"
Tearing the door open, Rukia grabbed four cartons of her juice, holding them in her arms against her chest, turning to let the door close on its own. Rushing to the end of the shortest line, Rukia glanced out the fogged windows looking out to the lot, her TSX where she had left it, Ichigo facing the backseat, surely talking to his sisters.
"Hope the girls aren't too cold in there…."
Rukia stood patiently in line, her gaze skimming the headlines in the various newspapers and magazines she stood beside. Taking a step closer in line as it moved, Rukia felt a familiar spiritual energy of a human move behind her, Rukia keeping herself from frowning; "Arisawa-san."
She turned enough to look at the taller female, Tatsuki behind her with milk cartons in her arms-
"Kuchiki."
The line moved again, Rukia turning her attention away from Ichigo's childhood friend, Tatsuki moving up in line with her, both females loading their groceries onto the conveyor belt. Glancing at Rukia as they stood in line, Tatsuki drummed her fingers along the conveyor's frame, leaning against it; "Heard Ichigo came to help you out at Community this week."
Violet eyes moved onto Tatsuki, Rukia unable to get any feeling from such a small spiritual energy as Tatsuki's, her arms crossed beneath her modest chest, picking at Ichigo's jacket.
"Hai. He'll likely head back to the city tomorrow."
"Good." Rukia frowned as she turned her gaze from her, fighting back the urge to scoff and roll her violet eyes at Tatsuki, her reiatsu growing irritated. Tatsuki smoothed out her jacket as the last person before Rukia gathered their change, the petite shinigami moving up to the register, Tatsuki stepping up along with her; "I was getting worried Orihime would get too lonely in that apartment of his, so it's good he's finally heading back, soon."
Tatsuki felt the pressure she could usually feel around the shinigami drop, Rukia's hands motionless around her wallet, her bangs covering her face from Tatsuki; "…Inoue's at his apartment?"
"Well, yeah; he didn't want her leaving the university, so he made her stay with him, instead."
Rukia's eyes were fixed on the cashier's hands scanning her juice cartons, clutching her wallet tighter in her grasp, whispering to herself- "Why didn't he tell me?"
The young cashier turned to Rukia behind the register; "Ten flat, miss. Cash or credit?"
"Uh… cash… I have cash…." Rukia seemed dazed as she opened her wallet, pulling out a few bills. Tatsuki brushed her hair behind her ear as Rukia paid, taking out her own wallet; "Good thing he still hasn't gotten stuck with a girlfriend yet- she'd be pissed with a beauty like Hime staying with him."
Rukia cast a side glance at Tatsuki, slowly gathering up her bags into her arms, nodding, quietly moving aside for the pretty tomboy to move up to the register.
"Y-yes… good thing…."
Tatsuki watched Rukia leave, the petite female bumping into shoulders, the pressure of her reiatsu still absent in the air; surprised she wasn't as satisfied with her words, Tatsuki turned to the cashier, smiling forcibly at the kind employee.
'…what have I become?'
The large door to the Kurosaki household slammed opened, Rukia storming through with her bags and wallet in hand, Ichigo trailing behind, his sisters carefully keeping their distance at the door, closing it quietly.
Her juice dropped carelessly onto the table, her wallet thrown on top of them, Rukia whirled onto Ichigo before he could speak a word, her thin finger pointing at her bedroom, Ichigo towering over her small height; "Bedroom, now!"
"Hell no!" Ichigo tossed his jacket onto the table, pushing her hand aside; "If you're going to chew me out for something I don't know about, I at least deserve the advantage of knowing where my fuckin' escape routes are!"
"Fine!" Pushing past him, Rukia quickly moved up the stairs, Ichigo cussing as he followed up, Karin and Yuzu staring until Ichigo's feet left their sight, the twins grasping each other's hand before looking at each other-
"We'll only intervene-." Karin started, Yuzu nodding, turning her gaze back onto the stairs; "-if Ichi-nii screams like a girl."
Ichigo stood his ground as Rukia rounded onto him once his door slammed closed, her violet hues dark, deceivingly black; throwing his arms open, Ichigo stepped up to the furious she-demon, glaring down at her-
"What now, Kuchiki? What damn shit pissed you off now-!"
She pulled the hem of her sweater up, grabbing her iPhone against her hip, sliding her screen lock aside, Ichigo gaping at her in near horror as she pressed the phone to her ear, hand on her hip.
"Who the fuck are you calling in the middle of a fucking-!"
"Hello, Inoue-san."
Ichigo stood silent and still as Rukia suddenly smiled and her violet hues returned, her thumb pressing the volume's button to make Inoue's voice louder, her bubbly voice loud and clear to him; "Kuc-chiki-san! I didn't expect a call from you! How… how are you?"
"I'm perfectly fine, Inoue." Rukia stepped closer to Ichigo, feeling his reiatsu flare with confusion, the male still unsure of where it was all headed; "And you? I had heard you got kicked out unfairly- how did that turn out?"
"Oh, just fine, Kuchiki-san. I'm staying with Kurosaki-kun for now… I thought he'd have already told you…."
Rukia watch dreaded realization dawn over Ichigo's eyes, a vulgar string of cussing muttered under his breath, a hand slamming up onto his temple, his other buried roughly into his hair, Ichigo taking a step back from her-
"He probably did, Inoue… I must have forgotten, most likely… I'm glad you have a safe place to live."
"Thank you, Kuchiki-san. I don't know what I'd do without Kurosaki-kun's help. Are you feeling better? I was there when he got your call…."
Rukia turned from Ichigo then, her voice soft and gentle as she kept talking with Inoue over the phone, Ichigo remaining rooted in place, watching her slowly pace about the room, her gaze keeping away from his.
I didn't tell her… shit, I completely forgot… but why is she so, angry?
"Yes, Inoue-san, I'll make sure to tell him… good night."
She hung up without another word, tossing her iPhone onto his bed, her back to him as silence held between them, Ichigo unsure whether he should say anything, finding himself afraid of her skill in kido all of the sudden.
But, fear never stopped him before; "Rukia…."
"When were you going to mention to me, the small fact that Inoue is living with you now?"
Ichigo moved closer to Rukia, frowning; "She's not living with me- she's staying at my apartment until she finds one she could afford-!"
She finally turned to face him, Ichigo unable to read her strained expression.
"You didn't tell me, though! Do you know how much of an idiot I felt like, not knowing what the hell Arisawa was talking about!"
"Tatsuki?" Ichigo stepped closer again, Rukia keeping her glare; "Tatsuki started this? What the hell did she say for you to-?"
"It doesn't matter what she said! You didn't tell me about Inoue! I felt like an idiot, Ichigo! An idiot!"
"Is that really what this is about, Rukia!" He grabbed onto her wrist, pulling her close, Rukia trying to pull away from his grip, Ichigo's grasp tightening as he stared her down from behind his orange bangs; "Is this really about you feeling like an idiot you aren't, or something else you're afraid to admit, Kuchiki?"
Rukia didn't answer him, her glare stubborn as her stray bang between her eyes, conflict heavy within violet.
"So I forgot to tell you something I obviously don't care about, if I forgot it in the first place."
He pulled on her roughly again, Rukia still holding stubbornly silent.
"You'd smack my head, yell at me for forgetting and move the fuck on- but you're not. It's something a lot more complicated than just being pissed at my stupid priorities; aren't I right, Kuchiki?"
"What are we getting ourselves into, Ichigo?"
His petite shinigami's glare faltered, a small tremble of her hand hidden with a clench of her fist, Ichigo feeling her muscles beneath his firm grasp.
"I don't care what you say! I'll always come for you!"
"Ichigo… I don't know how to feel… I don't know why I feel what I do!" His grip loosened when she finally spoke, her brows furrowed, her reiatsu slowly exposing itself again, confused and frustrated.
"I… I am a Kuchiki! A Kuchiki does not-!"
Ichigo moved his hand into her hair, pulling her head back, looking down intensely at her.
"You can barely manage to separate yourself from your body now, Rukia. So stop trying to understand whatever is happening as a damn Kuchiki, as damn reaper… and just accept it, as what you've become…."
Violet eyes turned vulnerable, her voice low; "And what have I become…?"
Ichigo looked at her, his hand releasing his tight fist of her hair, moving it curl around her neck, squeezing gently.
"Che… my world, midget…."
Rukia didn't stop Ichigo from pushing her back against the wall, his hand minding her head from hitting it, letting go of her wrist to lean his arm on the wall above her, boxing her in with his larger frame; she'd meant to keep him at a distance when she pressed her hands against his abdomen, clutching onto his sweater instead, pulling the male closer against her-
"What are we getting ourselves into-?"
His lips were slightly rough; thin, but full, pressed firmly against hers, Rukia's eyes slipping shut.
No more than seconds later did Ichigo pull away from her, Rukia opening her eyes with her breath heavy, meeting with amber before Ichigo pulled her off the wall, held up against his larger frame before he tugged on her hair again and leaned in once more.
Her grip on his sweater tightened, Ichigo pushing off her mouth over and over, pressing back against hers each time, circling his arm around Rukia's slim waist; held close one last time, Rukia felt his lips leave her as they moved to nuzzle her crown, Ichigo moving his arm around her shoulders, his other kept around her waist.
They stood as silent as they could, catching their breaths they'd held in, stomachs tight as his hold around her, Rukia letting go of his sweater to circle around him, holding onto him; "…Ichigo."
"Midget…." He laughed at the sharp pain in his toes, violet eyes looking up at him, glaring; "Midgets wouldn't be able to hit you on the head with a punch, now would they? Want to see if I can?"
"Sure, since I know you're indeed, a midget- ow!"
Ichigo caught her violent fist as it left his aching head, turning her body into him, grabbing her other wrist, her arms crossed over her; "Let me go, Strawberry, before I beat you again-!"
Light footsteps made their way down the stairs as Yuzu set the last plate on the table, the twins looking up to see Rukia making her way down, calm and clean of their brother's blood- "Rukia…."
"Karin, Yuzu…." Holding out her arms to them, Rukia caught them making their way over from either side of the table, hugging them close, nuzzling their temples gently; "I'm sorry you saw all that from before, and very likely heard us…."
Yuzu pulled away with Karin to look at Rukia, a pout on her lips to match the stomp of her foot.
"It's alright, Rukia-chan… we'd be mad as well, keeping another woman that isn't you in his apartment!"
Violet eyes looked surprised at her, Karin laughing out loud, a blush painting Rukia's skin.
"Yuzu! I hadn't meant that it had to be me, necessarily- and know that it w-was just a misunderstanding-!"
Karin's arm wrapped around Rukia's waist, pulling the petite frame against her side, "We're not stupid, Rukia- you're the only woman in our brother's life, and even you sure as hell know that!"
Yuzu nodded in agreement, brushing back her long, brown hair back, eyes catching sight of her brother making his way down the stairs.
"Hey, Ichi-nii." Her brother jumped the last step, moving up beside Rukia, her violet gaze glancing at him for a few seconds, turned away before he could look at her; rubbing his neck with a smirk, Ichigo turned to his sisters, both looking at the pair suspiciously.
"Well, either of you want to cut my hair?"
Rukia snapped up her gaze with a look of disbelief, Karin shooting up her hand, Yuzu dropping her mouth dramatically; "You're cutting your hair, Ichi-nii? But I like it longer…."
Karin ran upstairs with grin, yelling at her brother to be up in the bathroom in five, Ichigo shrugging apologetically at his sister, running a hand through his orange mane.
"I do, too, I guess, but-."
"Don't cut it." The siblings turned to Rukia, her arms crossed beneath her modest chest, Ichigo cocking a brow at hair; "And why not?"
"Well…." Fidgeting with her sleeves hiding her hands, wrapping her arms closer around herself, Rukia impressively hid any blushing, shrugging indifferently; "Because, what the hell am I going to have to grab onto and pull, idiot?"
He was sure he had a whole different purpose for the pulling, cursing himself for being bold already, mimicking her shrug, his sister simply watching the pair.
"It'll grow back, quickly. Probably in a week."
Karin's voice carried from upstairs, Yuzu deciding on joining her, a quick 'see you up there, Ichi-nii' thrown at Ichigo as she rushed over to the steps, quickly making her way up, leaving the shinigami to themselves.
They stood silently within the blended space of the living room and kitchen, Rukia frowning uneasily, irritated at the calm and amused feel of Ichigo's reiatsu, his amber eyes on her. She only lasted a minute or two, snapping at him, the back of her hand meeting his toned arm; "What, Strawberry!"
He only laughed, having swayed away from her hit, shaking his head lightly. Rukia looked at him heatedly, moving to turn towards her bedroom, Ichigo's arm hooking around her waist; "Hey, c'mon…."
She kept quiet as he hugged her close to him, small hands clutching onto his arm around her, his other hand on her shoulder.
"I know you've gone a bit soft, midget, but don't go too shy on me…." Rukia only nodded for him, brushing her hair back, that stray bang of hers back in place; "I won't, idiot-."
Her reiatsu flared as her breath hitched, Ichigo's warm hand on her waist slipping beneath her sweater and shirt underneath, pushing it up to expose her slender stomach, hips defined by her fitted jeans low beneath her waist; grabbing her cell from his back pocket, Ichigo quickly pulled at the hem of her jeans with his thumb, his fingers slipping the iPhone in place, Rukia's stomach tightening with him sliding the device around her hip to settle on her hip bone just barely hinted beneath firm skin.
Ichigo tugged her sweater back down, hugging Rukia close, leaning over to nuzzle her neck, Rukia surprisingly exposing it more for him, Ichigo's mouth against her skin; "Good."
Pressing a chaste kiss along the curve of her jaw and neck, Ichigo slid his hands off her, reluctantly pulling away, turning to sprint up the stairs to his waiting siblings. Hands reaching up to bury themselves into her hair, Rukia let out a shaken breath, closing her eyes, her skin practically burning wherever he'd touch her.
"Don't go shy on me…."
Violet eyes opened onto the ceiling, their hues bright-
"I won't."
:) Haha, I was watching Harry Potter while typing this- so many terms and concepts in this that shouldn't have been! :P I hope you liked it! D:
Much love, KurosakiLove