A/N: I couldn't just end that right there. It was a weird place to stop, PLUS I really wanted to get the meat of the beginning over with. I don't really do short fictions. I have a plot in my head. I try to keep myself a chapter or 2 ahead of myself. It's just easier that way. ^_^. Enjoy
Oi, I've seen that a lot of people are receiving alerts for my story (rad), but I'm totally bummed that I'm not getting any reviews. Personal goal? 40 Reviews
Oi, in response to Rangiku. I adore her. She makes me laugh. Maybe not everyone agrees she's funny?
Chap 3
"I'd love to join you. That is if Miss Kuchiki wouldn't mind." He flashed a brilliant smile to the woman. Yoruichi looked over at Urahara knowingly and discreetly elbowed him in the ribs.
"It's your town, Officer.." Rukia snickered a bit, he had the title of town player, but obviously he didn't like it. From that display with Rangiku he definitely looked uncomfortable with the attention. That was definitely a brownie point for him. Plus, he was hot and a cop. That definitely gave him at least 2 more points. And she'd always had a soft spot for a man in uniform, but she'd never admit that to anyone. He slid into the booth next to Rukia and asked Tessai for his usual, which Rukia would later find out was a cheeseburger with avocado and fries. She tried not to appear tense, but she was sure she was radiating it. He was so close to her and she had the urge to be closer. 'Bad Rukia.' She chastised herself. 'You are a Kuchiki! Control yourself! You are not a overly hormonal teenager anymore!'
xXxXxXxXx
Ichigo slid into the booth and tried to play the "cool" card. 'You're a cop Ichigo. You can handle more intense situations than some hot chick sitting next to you.' He could feel his breaths becoming more rapid. 'Just 'cause you've kissed her and seen her half naked doesn't mean you can't be friends with her.' He inwardly snickered. Even he couldn't stop laughing at that thought. He tried to focus on his menu, but that wasn't working, she smelled awesome. Like roses and winter, but it wasn't overpowering, it was a scent that left you wanting more. It was an intoxicating combination. 'You creep.' He thought to himself. 'If anyone else heard what you were thinking they would think you're insane. Really? You should just sniff her and see what happens then. Probably another slap in the face.'
xXxXxXxXx Half an Hour Later xXxXxXxXxXx
"And the entire lab filled with foul smelling blue smoke!" Yoruichi exclaimed and Urahara blushed crimson. He tipped his hat down to obscure his face a bit.
"If Byakuya had gotten the formula correct that wouldn't have happened." Urahara explained quickly with his arms up in defeat.
Rukia smiled softly, "I never thought my brother could ever make any mistakes!" Yoruichi and Urahara looked at one another and began to laugh heartily.
"There are many more stories to tell." Urahara divulged "You'll hear them all once you get settled."
"I don't intend on settling." Rukia said in a lowered voice. "At least not too long." She'd never forgotten that she had intended to sell the home that the couple lived in. That was not a conversation she wanted to have on her first night in town.
"Well then, we'll be sure to pack in some extra story time 'til you go." After more stories, Yoruichi explained that she and Urahara had a few errands to do before they went home. "Can you take her?" Yoruichi pleaded with Ichigo. She had a small secretive smile, but no one picked up on it, except Ichigo. He did not look amused by her attempts at matchmaking.
"Of course." Ichigo responded without hesitation. 'Idiot.' He reprimanded himself mentally. The last thing he needed was to be alone with Rukia. After his horrendous lack of self control earlier he probably was likely to scare her out of town permanently... Or maybe it was the perfect opportunity to show that he wasn't a giant walking ball of hormones.
"Well, let's go! Before it gets too late." Urahara grasped Yoruichi's hand and left the diner after leaving a few bills for Tessai.
"So..." Rukia began awkwardly as she played with her napkin.
"Soo?" Ichigo slid his arm onto the back of the booth. "Maybe 3 hours is too soon to tell, but how do you like Karakura?" 'Good job Ichigo. You sound like an idiot.'
Rukia smiled. "It's okay I suppose." She awkwardly looked around the diner and noticed that women still would occassionally give Rukia the stink eye. "I have to use the restroom." Ichigo pointed her in the direction. She went inside and locked the single person bathroom. She stared into the mirror. This morning she was supposed to get married to Kaien. Instead she hopped into her car, drove 400 miles away from home, ended up here, met Ichigo, made out with Ichigo and somehow made friends with Yoruichi, Urahara, Tessai and maybe even Rangiku. A knock on the door startled Rukia. "I'm almost done." Rukia said hurriedly.
"Rukia?" She knew that deep voice anywhere. "Can I come in?" Rukia opened the door and allowed Ichigo entry. He looked down at her, she looked a little bewildered and it was for good reason. He couldn't even imagine what was going on in her head right now. Changing her entire life in a span of 12 hours.
"You must really hate this place huh. Big city girl?" Rukia smiled nostalgically and shook her head.
"It's not that I'm a city girl and I certainly don't hate it here. I might even learn to like it before I leave. But I've realized today that I don't need to settle or marry.. ever."
Ichigo looked at the girl questioningly. "On the settling or on the marriage part?"
"Both." Rukia leaned against the sink and Ichigo stood in front of her looking down with his smoldering gaze. She gulped audibly, causing Ichigo to smirk lightly.
"A woman after my own heart. I'm sure you have a story behind it. We all do...I can't do the long term relationship kind of deal either, but I can promise I will be in Karakura for a long time. My relationship with Karakura is the only type of commitment I can do." He smiled to himself before asking a question that had plagued his mind since he had seen Rukia. "If you don't mind, how old are you? Barely allowed to drink huh.. I'm not a stalker, you just look kinda young is all..." He fumbled awkwardly, he knew she was obviously old enough to marry, but nowadays that meant nothing.
"I AM old enough. I'm 22." Rukia laughed and looked sideways at the officer. "How old are YOUOfficer Kurosaki?" She tried to bury her awkward feelings beneath a veneer of self-confidence. It was difficult though, it seemed like he could see right through her.
"25. I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't want to settle down or marry." He thought to himself for a moment. "You'd be considered quite the oddity in Karakura town." His voice had dropped down a volume level so that nosy neighbors couldn't hear.
Rukia's eyes widened with surprise. "Really?" Maybe she was a city girl, the concept of every woman wanting to settle down and marry was unheard of. "What about Yoruichi?"
"Yoruichi and Urahara have been together as far back as I can remember. They might not have the certificate, but I think it's safe to say that they're settled." Ichigo took a large gulp of his water before continuing. "This town has a tendency to warm up to people. A lot of people just don't end up leaving once they get here. So the ideal situation for most is to marry and settle." His dark eyes captured Rukia's stormy eyes.
"Well, I'm sure I can leave and I'm sure I will." Her eyes remained locked on Ichigo's and it seemed they were daring him to challenge her. "I just need to fix up Hisana's house and sell it. Then once that's over with, I'm outta here." Rukia looked away towards the window then back over at Ichigo who actually looked somewhat bothered by her response. "Don't look so glum Ichigo. I'm sure one of your many women will keep you company." She chuckled uncomfortably. Rukia knew he was uncomfortable by the way women threw themselves at him. She'd seen it firsthand, but it was the jealousy talking.
At this Ichigo laughed bitterly. "Are you kidding me? These chicks have been hounding me since I was 16. When you meet my dad he'll tell you. It's the Kurosaki curse." He said seriously before taking a deep breath. He ran a hand through his distinctive orange hair, the action sent shivers down Rukia's spine. It was like deja vous. "I hate these chicks bothering me." He looked over at Rukia who was sitting quietly and gauging the truthfulness in Ichigo's words. She inwardly shuddered at his words 'when you meet my dad…' He continued on after a moment. "I rambled. I'm sorry. Your sister's house. Do Yoruichi and Urahara know? Do you have any workers in mind?"
Rukia frowned at his question. "They don't know. I'll tell them soon once I come up with a definite plan. But actual workers? That can't be necessary. I'm not doing a major overhaul." To be honest, when she was in the house she hadn't really looked at it. It could have been a shack for all she knew. She was so caught up in Ichigo earlier that she hadn't thought of anything else or paid attention to anything else. His smile, his expressive dark eyes, how he probably had a chiseled physique beneath his uniform… Thankfully for Rukia her groan of desire was mistaken for frustration by Ichigo.
"Your sister's place is a 100 year old home. It's bound for fixing up. Paint, blinds, carpeting. You saw that place. Urahara spends more money on his shop and Yoruichi on her studio than on little stuff for the house."
"That requires money..." Rukia stated with a frown. "I don't have that much money. Enough for my car to get fixed and living expenses for... a little while." She leaned her head against the bathroom mirror. "Dammit." This wasn't completely true. One phone call to her brother Byakuya and she could have more than enough to completely redo the house and then some, but she was gonna do this right. She was going to be truly independent and wanted to start clean. "I would have to have a job and even then..."
"I have a proposition for you Rukia. I take care of your house, but I need you to do something for me." His voice was suddenly husky and this sent shivers down Rukia's spine. She attracted him more than any women ever had. She was innocence and sexiness all encompassed into a tiny frame. He had the urge to protect her and ravish her all the same. And he knew all these 'feelings' were leaving him with an undeniable urge to kiss her, but he couldn't do that. He had already rushed things too much already.
A/N: Hope this was an okay chapter for you guys. :) Enjoy.
