After Ichigo bad brought his catch to the custody, he had retreated to his apartment suit, accompanied by Rukia.
They told each other some stuff about themselves, since there wasn't anything else to do.

So Ichigo learned that Rukia grew up at a relatives place, since her parents died through some unknown cause.
The police told her that it was an accident, but she didn't believe it because when the relative identified the corpses he said he had seen some strange injuries all over their upper bodies.

Ichigo in turn told her about his father and sisters, who of course had long since passed away.
"Don't you have any more relatives?"
Rukia asked him when he was finished and noticed his expression get dark and sad.
"I have a niece and a nephew. Though they probably are either real old by now or dead. Maybe they even have children of their own, I don't know that, since I have only seen them a few times until they turned a year old. Since then I visited my sisters only when they were alone at home."
"Why?"
Ichigo looked up, a deep frown marring his face.
"Isn't it obvious? My father and sisters knew about my awakened heritage and they could live with it. But how do you explain to two little kids that are at a Kindergarten age, that their uncle, who's supposed to be the older brother, looks younger than their mothers and has to drink the blood of other people, or he ages a lot faster than them and turns into dust within a few years."
Rukia casts her eyes away from the burning gaze fixing her.
"I haven't thought about it. I'm sorry."

Ichigo took a deep breath and tilted his head into his neck.
"You don't have to. You just asked a question and I overreacted."
His gaze fell on the upward down skyline and he noticed the setting sun.
"Well. I think it's time to head home."
"Home?"
Rukia asked, looking after Ichigo as he stood up and headed over to the big doors, separating the apartment suit from a long hallway that lead to a single elevator.
"Of course. Do you think I lived in a small space like that? If I had to stay here 24/7 for the rest of my life I'd get a cage tantrum."

'He calls this place small? Where the hell does he live?'
Rukia asked herself as she saw Ichigo waiting in the open door.

"What are you waiting for? Come on, if you're gonna be my watchdog you'll have to stay at my place as well."
With that said, Rukia hurried to follow him and the two drove to the outskirts of Karakura in Ichigos car.
Soon he pulled up at a long gateway, to the left and right stood each three big houses and straight ahead one huge mansion.
"What is this place?"

"This is where I and the Japanese Vampire council live. Though originally there had been just the mansion that we all shared. But the other council members didn't like to mow the lawn and Shiro didn't want to hire a gardener just for that, so he build a house for every council member. Well that and because they had enough of overhearing when Shiro and I were...doing stuff. Therefor each house is very soundproof. The one next to the mansion on the right is empty, though. Shiro said, 'when we're already building houses I can make one for you as well, maybe you'll need your space some time, or you just let it stay empty and we use it when we have special guests'."

Rukia admired the view around her, it was like she entered a different time when she rode up on that gateway.
Each house was build in the same architecture like the mansion, which in itself had to be very old already.

"Then, you live in that mansion, with that Shiro? Who is he to you anyway?"
"He's my mate. I'm sure that you got a glance on the tattoo I have."
"Yeah. I guess."
"That's his insignia. A sign that I'm his for the rest of our lives."
"So you're his pet."
Rukia deadpanned and Ichigo flinched at the comment.
"No. More, like his husband, or wife. Whatever you'd prefer to see me as, I don't care."
"Ok. So where will I live?"
"I suggest you take the empty house. That would be the best. Believe me."

Ichigo halted his car in front of the house and both got off.
He brought her inside, showed her around and handed her the keys at the end of the tour.
"Welcome at your knew home. You won't get tired of it too fast, I can promise that."
Rukia took the key, wondering about his words and the wide grin.

'Why the hell did I run after him?'

Chapter 4
End