A/N:I promised an update at 105. Thanks to pamianime ( I love your stories by the way) who left me a BUNCH of reviews we reached my goal. Not that everyone else is chopped liver!! Love you all!! (8/24/09)I just finished my LAST finals today. I'm still waiting for the grades. Then I begin my residency at the hospital in a week!!!!!!!! EWWW pressure. EWWW adulthood-ness. Random tangent b/c I havent slept in 2 days because I never study until the night BEFORE tests I was telling my study buddies/ buddies that my years of extensive schooling ultimately lead me to have a vocabulary dominated by 3 words. 1. Rad. 2. Awesome. 3. Unpleasant. It makes me giggle.


Ch 8

Rukia stood before her mirror, curling her hair to delicately frame her face. Tonight she was going to Ichigo's, for the first time EVER. It was kind of funny that even though she and Ichigo had played boyfriend and girlfriend for a while (and were together now) that she had no idea where he lived, if he lived in a house or an apartment or had any pets or anything. She laughed to herself. As she primped and preened, she noticed that she was unconsciously smiling. It was a small smile, but she couldn't even remember the last time that she smiled for no reason. But then again, she couldn't help but smile. She was in a small country town, with a bunch of new acquaintances and friends and was in a blossoming relationship with a really great guy.

However, her mind drifted.

Back to her ex-fiance and her life back in Tokyo. Her smile faded.

Flashback

Rukia was 9 when she met Kaien. It was at a barbecue that her brother was throwing at their summer home outside the city. The Kuchikis and anyone else the Kuchikis associated with didn't throw 'normal' barbecues. Sure they had burgers and hot dogs with occasional games, but they were gourmet, turkey or veggie burgers and their hot dogs were actually foreign sausages either imported or made by their personal chefs.

Rukia was bored out of her mind. There were no other kids who wanted to play were her. They were all mean and kept talking about how much better everything THEY had was better than hers. She wanted to play games, not talk about each other's vacation houses and boats.

After realizing what a bore all the other kids were she ventured out to the garden and clad in her white sundress and ballet flats. She spun around in the garden where no one would bother her then climbed the biggest tree in her yard. As she sat up in a tree, hiding from the party, the tree she was comfortably sitting in began to shake violently.

"AHHH!!" Rukia screeched, gripping tightly to the tree with all her might

"Keep it down!" A voice from below hissed. Rukia slid down the tree trunk to see the face of her new tormentor, a tall boy with jet black hair and laughing eyes. She jumped from some lower branches and landed in on the ground gracefully. "You could have broken a leg." The boy chided as the girl looked at him with irritation.

"I wouldn't have had to jump down if YOU hadn't shaken the tree." Rukia argued, a small smile creeping on her face. "Rukia Kuchiki."

"Kaien Shiba."

End Flashback

Rukia slowly walked out of the bathroom. Kaien had been her best friend and confidant... At some point things just spiraled to a point where business and obligation dominated their relationship. They had grown up together, their families associated closely and eventually both sides pushed the two people to form a relationship.

Flashback

"Look at that Akira, Kaien is playing with Rukia Kuchiki." Kaien's mother Makoto told her husband who was deep in conversation with Byakuya. Akira looked over and saw how well Kaien and Rukia played together. "They're just positively adorable."

"They're getting along well." Akira told Byakuya who agreed.

"Would it be great if one day they got together?" Makoto smiled.

"We could align both our families." Akira stated thoughtfully.

"If they chose to marry one day I wouldn't be adverse to it." Byakuya said in an even voice.

Years Later

"Why not Rukia?" The young man teased, a sideways smirk on his lips. "We've been friends forever. Let's just humor them." Kaien suggested as he toyed with the Chappy stuffed animal on Rukia's bed. Years had passed since they'd met, they were teenagers now and ever since they met they had hardly ever been apart.

Rukia shook her head negatively. She cared for Kaien, but she wasn't sure if it was in THAT way. He was her friend and confidant, but could she see him as her boyfriend even if it was just to test out the waters. Rukia nearly shuddered, this was a big step and could possibly destroy their friendship. "It's just a bad idea in general." Rukia assured Kaien stealing her stuffed animal out of his hands.

The man took her hands in his and kissed them gently. "I know you're a closet romantic." He laughed, "You know you can't hide that from me. You're like an open book to me. I've known you forever. From the time we met by that tree in your summer home, to the trips to the coast with our families and until now. We've known each other for 8 years Rukia. Throw me a bone." He winked and Rukia blushed, swatting him hard in the arm.

"Idiot." She said firmly, but a smile was plastered on her face. How could she deny him anything? He was her best friend.. and when he flashed her that toothy smile she could never say no. "Whatever. Fine." Rukia blushed, trying to hide the fact that she thought she could pass out from excitement. She coughed lightly then opened up her Physics homework. "Can we just do our homework?" Kaien leaned over to Rukia and kissed her cheek lightly.

End Flashback

Much like her situation now, somehow a tentative relationship had gone out of control. Obviously. She didn't regret her relationship with Kaien because he was her first boyfriend and first love. Hell, she almost married him. After they had split she hadn't talked to him. Being in this town took her mind away from everything, but every once in a while she would remember the life and the people she had left behind.

She didn't know where this relationship with Ichigo would go, but she liked him a lot and if things were a little different then she could see a definite future. But he was here. Hours from her home.. Unless someone moved, which was unlikely, then their relationship would end when Rukia went back to Tokyo.

Her doorbell rang. She smiled widely at Ichigo, a smirk on his face as he surveyed Rukia's appearance appreciatively. "You look hot." Rukia sighed with content and her small arms reached around to embrace Ichigo. "What's with the vice grip?" He teased, wrapping his arms around the tiny woman.

"I dunno." She shrugged. They left her house and headed over towards Ichigo's home. They headed towards a quaint neighborhood and Ichigo pulled into a driveway. Rukia smiled at the house, it was cute! It wasn't opulent or a huge house, but it was a nice house all the same. Ichigo handed Rukia out of the vehicle and blushed slightly.

"It's not huge, but it's serves it's purpose." Ichigo said with a shrug. Rukia admired the house, it was probably nearly 20 years old, but it had a fresh coat of paint and a well manicured front yard.

"It's nice." Rukia assured him as they entered the home.

"My dad owns the house directly next door." Ichigo said with a laugh. "It's convenient really, at least for him. When he has to go out of town it's easier for me to check on my sisters." Ichigo shoved off his shoes and flopped down on the couch. Rukia walked around the living and kitchen, trying to get a feel for her surroundings. It was definitely Ichigo's style, practical and simple, with touches of personal items like a giant sword hanging over his fireplace, an old soccer trophy and a few volumes of Shakespearre on the coffee table. Picking up the book she was surprised to see the book so well worn.

"You actually read this?" She flipped through the yellowed pages.

Ichigo shrugged. "It's one of my favorites." Rukia put down the book and joined Ichigo on the couch. Ichigo's hand came up to push Rukia's curls out of her face. Even curled her hair still went into her face. "You're so beautiful." Ichigo divulged leaning in to capture her lips. Rukia smiled against them and returned his kiss. Rukia's mouth instinctively began to open against his lips and Ichigo slipped his tongue against hers. His tongue felt like velvet as Rukia caressed his tongue against hers. Ichigo smiled against her lips as he felt the woman in his arms begin to quiver in excitement. She practically buzzed. Ichigo's hand slinked it's way down the sensitive skin of her neck, then her side and finally rested on her thigh. Rukia gasped as his hand began to travel up the hem of her dress. Ichigo's pupils dilated at the sound of Rukia's pleasured gasp. Immediately, Rukia put her own hand onto Ichigo's. He looked deeply into her eyes and saw apprehension and nearly had to stifle the frustrated grown in his throat. Ichigo pulled away from her slowl, his breathing heavy.

"I'm sorry." Rukia said with an apologetic smile.

Ichigo smiled to the woman tensely. "It's okay." He frowned slightly, over the time they'd be dating she'd stopped him every single time things were getting heavy. At first he thought it was because of the incident when they first met. But now he was beginning to think she just wasn't as into him as he was with her. That of course was murder on a guys ego.

His expression must have given him away because Rukia spoke, "It's not you." He looked over at Rukia with disbelief. "Really!"

"It's okay Rukia. I understand."

Rukia nearly laughed at the expression on Ichigo's face, like a petulant child. "No.. I don't think you do."

"No really. I do. Actually, it's got to be one of 2 things. Either you wanna take things slow because of how we began OR you're not as attracted to me as I am to you." He smiled slightly at the end and raised an eyebrow, in a futile attempt to diffuse the awkwardness of the situation. Rukia laughed staring down at the perfectly chiseled man. If he was serious he was a complete idiot.

"I knew you didn't understand." She straddled Ichigo's chest. She was being bold and she was scared to death. Her hands were pressed against Ichigo's chest and she could feel his heart beating wildly within. Time to reveal her secret.. 'I probably should have told him from the beginning. I guess it's a little too late for that at this point.' "I'm a virgin."

.....

....

... Intermission?

..

.

"I'm a virgin."

There was silence for several moments.. "Wait, WHAT?!" Ichigo's eyes widen with surprise. "No way." Ichigo said with disbelief, he nearly stood up. Rukia began to blush furiously, her cheeks were reddening wildly. "You're serious?" He'd heard this song and dance before, it seemed too good to be true... and usually it was. Ichigo hoped that Rukia wouldn't take it too personally if he was a little skeptical. Honestly... Who stayed virgins for so long?

Rukia nodded wordlessly. "I'm totally a loser. 21 and a virgin." 'Why the hell did I admit that?' Rukia thought to herself. 'He's NOT going to believe me. Hell, even I wouldn't believe me. When I came here I acted like a total skank.'

"Who stays a virgin until they're 21?" Ichigo didn't know whether or not to believe her still... He nearly chuckled at his own thoughts. 'There's really only one way to find out.. Even that can be kind of sketchy, if she was active or something.'

"I just.. I wasn't ready..." She whispered softly. She didn't want to divulge her entire life story to Ichigo, especially not at this moment.

"But you were engaged and you never...."

"Nope." Rukia interrupt with an embarrassed smile. 'Might as well make the most of it...' She wrapped her arms around Ichigo's neck and smiled nervously. "Can we just NOT talk about this now? Please?"

Ichigo looked deeply into her violet eyes, she was exposing herself to him and hoping she wouldn't be rejected. How could he resist that hopeful and utterly adorable look on her face. "Did you ever ride horses or do sports as a kid?" Rukia stared at him for a moment and denied both. He began to laugh and Rukia retracted her arms from his neck and gained a hardened look in her eyes. Ichigo snatched her wrist and tried to calm himself. "Baby, don't worry." He smiled, his hands wrapped around Rukia's waist. "If you let me, I'll show you everything you've been missing." His eyes twinkled with lust. "In your own time, of course."

Rukia giggled and leaned down to kiss Ichigo. "I just wanted you to know." Ichigo smiled at her nervousness and the way she wiggled against his lap. He captured her lips again, this time when Ichigo's hands began to wander he would assure Rukia she could stop him whenever she wanted. His hands wandered against her exposed skin and he saw the way Rukia was biting her lip.

"Let go." His voice was coarse and filled with need. Rukia looked into Ichigo's dilated pupils and was entranced with the adoration in his eyes. Ichigo's hands began to slip up her dress once again and this time Rukia moaned. It was a deep, lusty moan and Ichigo thought he'd never heard a sound more beautiful. She felt Ichigo's arousal twitch beneath her. He reached down and pulled Rukia's dress over her head, leaving her clad in her matching red lace bra and panties. It was an image that would be burned into his retinas forever.


(8.30.09) A/N: So that was Chapter 8. It felt a little rushed. I have issues with the rate of speed my story goes. *sigh* I'm itchy for a little more passion, so I wanna do away with the history and the filler pretty soon. Get to the real meat and potatoes. Goodness, I'm so hungry.... Review please!!!