Warning: Mature content. Do not read if you hate lemons. But if you don't ..*wink* :D

"Mmm, your skin is so soft… " Ichigo rumbled his approval before spinning her around and capturing her mouth with his. Expertly his lips teased hers and before she realised what she was doing, Rukia opened her mouth, and his tongue slipped inside gently stroking hers. Skilfully, his lips teased and caressed, stoking a fire within her.

Involuntarily, she found herself responding, gripping his biceps as he moved his hands up and down her back, drawing her closer until they were touching from chest to knee. Rukia could feel his hot erection pressing against her stomach and a strange quiver of excitement shot through her. This was what her friends had talked about. Even as the thought passed through her mind, she felt herself being picked up and carried into the bedroom.

Seeming not to care that they were both wet, Ichigo set her on the bed and then dropped down beside her. He kissed and caressed her, nipping and stroking, stimulating nerve endings until her entire body hummed with awareness. Heat was building inside of her and she squirmed restlessly. Ichigo was licking her belly and massaging her hips then shockingly, he grabbed her thighs and pulled her legs apart, burying his face in her curls. Inhaling deeply, he licked at her nether lips. Rukia tried to pull away but his grip tightened.

"I can smell your arousal, taste it. It calls to me." Ichigo looked up at her, his eyes dilated, his breathing uneven. He slid up and kissed her hot and hard. "You are my mate."

He muttered against her lips before moving to her neck and running his teeth lightly over her skin, biting down gently but not actually breaking the surface. Trailing his lips up her neck and back to her mouth, he sucked on her lower lip before kissing her again. She started to melt into the kiss but then felt him push a finger inside of her and stiffened. It felt… strange.

"Relax this will make it easier." He whispered against her mouth.

The finger probed her body and she felt an interesting sensation tingle down low. Of their own volition, her hips jerked against his hand and he worked another finger inside. Again she stiffened – it was uncomfortable and tight but soon the movement of his hand created more strange feelings within her and she felt herself becoming moist and relaxed. Ichigo's fingers began to slide easily in and out of her and Rukia closed her eyes, concentrating on the feelings growing within. There was tension but it felt good, exciting…

Her breathing became shallow and she felt herself striving to reach some unknown place. When he stopped, she whimpered her displeasure. Suddenly, his fingers were gone. Her eyes flew open to see him rise above her and position his manhood at her entrance. For a moment he paused and looked her in the eye before thrusting himself into her. She gasped. It hurt. He was too big.

"No!"

Struggling, she tried to escape but was pinned between his arms. He pulled out and pushed into her twice more, each time entering more deeply until he was fully sheathed. Tears trickled from her eyes and he bent forward licking at them.

"It will be fine. The first time can be difficult," he reassured. "You're slight compared to me but in a moment it will be better. Tell me when the pain subsides."

Some part of her brain noted that Ichigo trembled as he held himself still within her, but she was too consumed with what she herself was feeling to wonder why. After a few moments, the burning dissipated and she swallowed hard before nodding. "I'm all right now."

Slowly, he began to move within her and soon the pleasurable sensations returned. They seemed to grow from inside her, like a bubble slowly expanding. As Ichigo moved his shaft, it stroked her female parts. Her breathing became shallow. She needed more… more of something, though exactly what, she wasn't sure. Her fingers dug into his back and he seemed to understand. Ichigo plunged into her faster, harder, deeper… Suddenly the bubble burst and she lost control, her limbs quivering as she found her release. Vaguely, she was aware of Ichigo grunting in pleasure before collapsing on top of her.

After a moment, he pulled out of her and rolled over. The room was silent except for the sound of their breathing. As the pleasurable feelings faded, Rukia's rational mind took over. It was not Renji who had just brought her to her first orgasm. It was Ichigo—a virtual stranger. Feelings of shame and regret washed over her. How could she have enjoyed being with him? It all seemed so wrong, but there was no going back. She was mated to him for life.

Her thoughts had brought her full circle and now she was pressed against Ichigo's chest, his arm around her waist. She felt trapped both by his limb and the fact that her life was now bound to his. The future loomed ahead. What would it be like to spend the rest of her life with this man? To share his bed? Bear his young? To grow old beside him? Did he like to run in the forest or would he be too busy with his duties as Alpha to spend time with her? And who were the members of his pack? She'd have to leave her friends and family behind. Her new position as his mate would guarantee her respect, but would anyone be her friend or was she destined for a lonely existence? Fears and doubts tumbled through her mind as she fell into a restless sleep.

In the morning she awoke to find herself alone in bed. She stretched and winced, her body stiff from her activities the previous night. Twice Ichigo had awakened her. Each mating had brought her pleasure, but her heart still felt heavy. There was no love between them, just sex. If it had been Renji, they would have made a blood bond, biting each other's necks to mark the fact that they belonged together. It would have forged a mental connection that would grow throughout their lifetime.

Ichigo had made no move to do this and while Rukia was relieved not to bear his mark, she also was unaccountably put-out by the fact. She would have liked the opportunity to refuse and earn a small victory, it would have allowed her to prove that she was still loyal to Renji. There was no sign of Ichigo and she listened carefully, wondering if he was in the next room. All was silent.

Well, at least she didn't have to face him right away, though in some ways getting that first awkward greeting over with might have been nice. Rolling out of bed, she made her way across to the bathroom her feet silent on the soft carpeting. She stayed in the bathroom as long as possible, delaying the moment when she would have to go find Ichigo. Finally the water began to run cold and she reluctantly stepped out. Drying herself off, she donned the pants and T-shirt she had brought in with her.

Taking a deep breath, she exited her temporary haven only to pause mid-stride. The bedding had been changed in her brief absence, the Council had been quick to gather the evidence that the union was complete. Embarrassment heated her face as she imagined Ichigo stripping the bed and then handing over the stained sheets. She twisted her fingers together wondering how she would ever be able to face any of the others. It really was a ridiculous custom to cling to in this day and age.

At that moment the bedroom door opened and Ichigo appeared. "Hey, I heard you in the shower when I came in, so I made some breakfast for us."

Briefly she made eye contact with him and he must have noted her flushed countenance for his eyes darted to the fresh sheets on the bed and then back to her.

"Yes, the Council has been here to check on our union." He spoke the fact blandly as if it was of no more importance than the weather and Rukia forced her feelings down trying to match his nonchalant attitude. He extended his arm, ushering her into the kitchenette. The table was set. Bacon and eggs, juice and toast were waiting.

"I wasn't sure what you liked to eat first thing, but this is what I can cook. I hope it's suitable."

Rukia looked at him in surprise. Her father had never set foot in the kitchen, always too busy with his work as Alpha. "You cooked this?"

"Yes. I am capable of fending for myself, you know." He chuckled at her expression and helped her into a chair. "Also, I can't have my mate undernourished. We used up a lot of energy last night."

This final remark was accompanied by a kiss on her cheek and a casual caress over her breast. She momentarily froze but Ichigo sat down opposite her as if nothing had happened and began serving.

"We'll need to take a few days to get used to each other—acquainted with various likes and dislikes. Is there anything you aren't fond of eating?" He paused in the middle of spooning up some egg and looked at her enquiringly.

"Not really."

"Good. I'll eat almost anything myself. Do you like to read? Watch movies?"

The meal progressed with Ichigo asking her questions and Rukia supplying answers. When she didn't question him back, he would fill in his own preferences. She had to admire him for the effort he was making. He was being friendly and polite, showing an interest in her. Apparently, he was committed to making their union work.

After awhile, she began to relax and found herself expanding on her answers. Ichigo smiled over at her, obviously pleased that she was making an effort.

"Our territories adjoin to the east, and with our packs under an alliance, we technically have miles and miles of forest to roam in now," he explained, leaning back and sipping his coffee. "Personally, I love a good run. How about you? When I first saw you, it was clear that you'd just come in from exercising."

"Yes, I'd been out with… a friend." The faint smile that had been on her face faded as she recalled her last run—the last time she would ever be with Renji.

"And this… friend. Would he be the male who was looking daggers at me yesterday? Tall, with red hair and about twenty years of age?"

Rukia hesitated, but knew Ichigo could find out from anyone in her pack. Her friendship with Renji had been no secret. "Yes. That was Renji. He had

hoped to speak to my father about being my… mate." She looked away, her eyes misting over.

"And you?" Ichigo prodded softly. "How did you feel about that?"

Staring at her hands, Rukia whispered her answer. "I… I was hoping for the same thing."

Ichigo was silent for a moment, and then answered slowly. "I see… but I'm not surprised. You're beautiful and it would be strange if no one in your pack had wanted to mate you." He reached across the table and put a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Our being mated was of great importance to the well-being of both our packs. It's our duty to them to make this work, agreed?"

His amber eyes bore into hers, the authority of his position evident and after a moment she nodded in agreement. He was right. Duty to her pack, and duty to his, necessitated making this union work. He stood and extended his hand to her. Hesitantly she reached out, placing hers in his. Warmth enveloped her hand and slowly worked its way up her arm. Smiling encouragingly, he pulled her to her feet.

Standing at the edge of the woods, Rukia waited for Ichigo. After cleaning up from their morning meal, he'd headed up to the pack house to deal with a few pressing matters, saying he'd meet her in half an hour. She wasn't sure if she wanted to run with him—that had been an activity that she and Renji had enjoyed together—but knew that she needed to make their bonding work. Running could turn out to be one of the few things they had in common.

Inhaling deeply, Rukia let the fresh, crisp air invade her lungs and energise her body. Ichigo was later than he had thought he'd be and she began to shift around restlessly. Biting her lip, she stared deep into the woods. The land was calling to her. Did she dare go ahead without him? Her father had expressly forbidden any pack member to go out by themselves. Hunters sometime laid traps and a wolf could be caught and shot before anyone in the pack was aware. That was how her mother had died…

"Good morning."

A voice spoke behind her and she jumped. Spinning around, she saw Renji standing just a few feet away.

"Renji!"

She felt her heart leap with joy and she rushed over to hug him, only to have her friend back up when she was but a foot away. His movement brought her headlong rush to an immediate stop.

"Renji? What's the matter?"

"What do you mean, what's the matter?You know what the problem is." Renji sounded bitter, a frown marring his normally handsome face. "You're mated to Kurosaki. I can smell his scent on you."

His words cut like a knife into her. How could he be so cruel?

"You know that wasn't my choice! The Elders decided on the need for the union. You know that. You were at the ceremony yesterday and heard the speeches just as I did."

Renji looked away, his expression grim. "I know. It's just… " He seemed to be waging some type of internal struggle, his fists clenching. Finally, he sighed deeply and looked at her, his eyes sorrowful. "I had hoped to be your mate."

"I know." Rukia took a step closer and laid her hand on his arm. "I'd hoped for the same thing." She took his hand in hers "This union was for the good of the packs, but it doesn't mean that I've stopped caring for you."

"And I still care for you."

Renji reached out and stroked her cheek, staring intently into her eyes before switching his focus to her lips. Silence stretched between them and Rukia realised that he was leaning closer to her, his intention of kissing her evident. Her conscience pricked and she knew she should step away. Renji was not her mate, Ichigo was…

A twig snapped behind her before she could act and Renji jumped away, pulling his hand from hers. They both turned to see Ichigo standing nearby, his eyes narrowed and glaring at them.

Yes, this is a werewolf fic.. :D