Chapter 18: A Kido barrier?

Warning Lemon.

It was very late by the time Rose placed her heavy head on the pillow in Shunsui's bed. When they had arrived back at Shunsui's quarters they had taken a bath together. The bath had started of innocently enough but the heat of the water and the tenderness of the touches had led to more explicit activities.

The hot bath water, rich with the smell of lavender, lapped around their bodies. Rose was lying against Shunsui, her back to his front and was absentmindedly playing with the bath bubbles and thinking while Shunsui was sipping a glass of sake and drawing lazy circles on her shoulder.

"Rose…Rose…ROSE!"

Shunsui voice startled Rose out of her thoughts. Slowly she nodded her head to indicate to him that she was listening. "Is something wrong Rose you seem awfully distant?" asked Shunsui.

"Nothing is wrong Shunsui." replied Rose rather lamely.

"It is not nice to lie." Murmured Shunsui while wrapping his arms around her chest, just under her breasts, and pulling her more against him. The heat of his body seeped into Rose's back, warming her even more than the bath. She sighed when she felt his lips gently brush against the shell of her ear. "Tell me what is wrong Rose." Whispered Shunsui in her ear.

"I feel dirty." Explained Rose with a slight blush on her face. She knew that it was the most ridiculous thing she had ever said to Shunsui but it was the only way she could explain how she felt.

"Dirty?"

"Yes, like there is blood on my hands…I killed a person…and, and-"

Shunsui cut of Rose's rising panic with a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Rose has anybody explained to you what happens after a Shinigami defeats an arrancar or a hollow?" He was careful not to use the word kill because it would only make Rose panic more.

Rose shook her head. "I was too busy learning how to use Midnight Dancer to ask what happened to the hollows that I defeated. It never really dawned on me that I would have to fight one."

Shunsui pulled her even closer so that she was practically sitting on him. "Well you know that a hollow is a 'bad spirit'." Shunsui used his hands to emphasize 'bad spirits'. Rose nodded slowly. "When a Shinigami defeats the hollow they are cleansing the spirit of the evilness thus allowing it to travel to the soul society. An Arrancar is basically thousands upon thousands of hollows moulded together into one being. By defeating him you clean him and allow him to pass on. If it is any comfort you helped his soul by removing all the evilness of it. I know it is hard to come to terms with what you did but Shadow Crawler had to be defeated."

"I feel bad for killing Shadow Crawler." Whispered Rose quietly. "I must sound stupid but I wished that I did not have to do it. I-I just don't like harming anybody. You must think that I'm crazy"

"I don't think any less of you for feeling bad for killing Shadow Crawler. In fact I prefer that you have feeling of regret for killing another person than no feelings at all." Said Shunsui which made Rose smile.

"Thank you Shunsui."

Shunsui nodded and then started to kiss Rose's ear, nibbling on the lobe while running his hands up and down her body. Rose squirmed in Shunsui lap making him grunt in pain.

"Shunsui?" Asked Rose in concern. And then she felt it, his hard erection pressing into her thigh. "Oh". She said in shock and blushed making Shunsui laugh.

"Oh my sweet little Rose did you really think that you wouldn't have an effect on me." Murmured Shunsui seductively in Rose ear making her moan. Need. Hot boiling need rose within Rose making her ache for him. She started to grind her centre over Shunsui ragging erection making him moan in pleasure. His moans of pleasure only made the lust and need within Rose rise until it was nearly unbearable.

She could feel Shunsui hands moved down her body and then slip into her boiling core making her moan. With skilled hands he gently pumped in and out of her while massaging her clit. The combination of Shunsui kissing her neck while fingering her overwhelmed Rose, making her cry out. However, Shunsui was taking his time which made Rose grow impatient. Need was clouding her mind and all was wanted was Shunsui raging member within her. With a feral growl Rose pulled away from Shunsui and before he could do anything she was kissing him passionately on the lips while impaling herself on his member. Shunsui groaned as Rose's hot, velvet core surrounded him and squeezed him deliciously. With a devilish grin Rose lifted her hips up until only Shunsui tip was in her before impaling herself again, harder. Her passionate cries filled with bathroom but it was still not enough.

"Please Shunsui!" Cried Rose after she impaled herself on Shunsui member again. She needed more, her body was craving it.

Shunsui grabbed her hips in order to still her while he recklessly started to pound into burning core. Rose screamed as Shunsui repeatedly hit her sweet spot with his hard and fast thrusts. The water in the bath had started to overflow and spill out onto the tiles while Shunsui's grunts and Rose's screams echoed of the walls. Desperately, Rose laced her fingers into Shunsui hair and then brutally pulled out his hair tie. Shunsui growled loudly, his brown locks falling freely down his back. The steam from the bath water, the heat from the two bodies and the lust between them made the atmosphere intoxicating. The intense pleasure radiating from Rose was too much and all she could do was hold onto Shunsui with desperate hands. And then the pleasure came too much and she was overtaken by an intense organism that seemed to rip through her body. Shunsui continued to pound into her making her orgasm last even longer. Just when one organism ended another started to brew within Rose making her scream and beg Shunsui. But she did not know what she was begging for. Shunsui thrusted powerfully into Rose one last time before stilling and releasing his load into her all the while shouting her name. The look on Shunsui's eyes as he came and the feel of his load filling her was all too much making Rose climax one last time. Stars filled her eyes as she experienced the most intense climax of her life. She slumped forward onto Shunsui chest, panting, desperately trying to get her breathing under control. In front of her Shunsui gently lifted her off his member and then held her close to his chest.

Around them the bath water settled until a few ripples spread out over the water emanating from the two cuddling couples.

"Hmm Shunsui…as much as I like being in the bath with you the water has gotten a bit cold." Said Rose in a calm voice.

It was only then did Shunsui realise how cold the water was. It was not bitter cold or anything like that, it was just too cold for his liking. "We can always put more hot water in." suggested Shunsui.

"Rose looked around the bath tub and saw that it was already overflowing. "Erm…" Rose gestured to the already overflowing tub. Her movement alone cause water to overflow over the side and splash on the floor.

"Oh well, and I was really enjoying our time in here." Said Shunsui with a smile on his face.

Rose traced her fingers up and down Shunsui sternum, gently caressing his soft chest hair. "We could always continue our activities outside of the bathtub." She looked up at him with a devilish look on her face. Shunsui laughed and climbed out of the bathtub. He was starting to like this new nymphomaniac side of his lover. With an over dramatic wave of his hand, Shunsui offered Rose his outstretched hand like as if he was asking her to dance. In a way they were about to dancer, a very sexual and intimate dance. Rose giggled and accepted his outstretched hand and climbed out of the tub. However, her feet slid on the wet floor and she went crashing into Shunsui chest.

"Well aren't we impatient to start." Chuckled Shunsui as he watched Rose blush a delightful shade of pink.

Shunsui arms laced behind Rose's bottom, pulling her close to his growing erection. Rose giggled as he lifted her into the air and carried her to his bed where a second round was swiftly started.

The morning light shone through the gaps in the blinds causing Rose to blink against the bright onslaught. There was no warm presence behind her whish signalled that Shunsui was out of bed. She stretched, hearing her joints crack before climbing out of Shunsui's bed and making her way to the door. On the floor by the door lay Shunsui's discarded captain's haori. The edges were singed and there were spots of hollow blood on it. Rose pulled on the haori, and then opened the door and started to walk towards the kitchen. She was not sure she was allowed to wear a Captain's haori but it was the only item of clothing lying around and Rose did not want to walk around Shunsui's quarters in the nude. Not that he would complain. She was just about to walk into the kitchen, where she assumed Shunsui was, when she heard the sound of voices coming from the living room. Quietly Rose listened in. There were two voices, one was Shunsui's deep baritone voice while the other she did not recognized. Silently Rose retreated from the door, the memory of the last time she was caught eavesdropping still present in her mind. And also she did not think it would be proper to meet this strangers wearing only Shunsui wrecked haori.

Rose dashed silently to her room and flung open the closest. She had no more shihakushō left, two of them being destroyed and the rest in the wash. She had no kosodes or naga-bakamas to wear so she had to wear her western clothes. A few minutes later Rose stepped out of her room wearing a dark red shatter skirt and a white shirt tucked into skirt. Quietly she walked back to the living room and quietly knocked on the door.

Shunsui opened the door and beamed down at Rose. "Darling Rose! I see that you have woken up." But Rose was not fooled by his happy smile and antics. His eyes were dark and serious which meant that whatever she had interrupted had been very important.

"If I am disturbing you I can leave…I can go make breakfast or something." Said rose while gesturing towards the kitchen.

"Nonsense Rose! We are discussing something important which includes you so you have a right to listen in. And although you making me breakfast sounds delightful it is already mid-afternoon. You will have to wait until tomorrow." Shunsui then gently tugged Rose into the living room and directed her over to the low table surrounded by cushions. A man that Rose did not recognize sat at the table drinking tea.

"Darling Rose may I introduce to you Aoi Kagawa, Head of the kido corp." Said Shunsui after helping Rose onto a cushion. Rose looked over at the man sitting at the table. He had long black hair that was tied in a short pony tail that reached his shoulders, and dark, almost black eyes. His skin was pale and seemed too tight for his body, if his protruding cheek bones were any indication. But what was the most peculiar thing about him was his long, spindly figure. In fact every single one of his features seemed unnaturally long: his nose, arms, fingers and chest. His whole appearance made Rose's hairs stand on edge.

"Pleasure to meet you." Said Rose with a bow. She realised that people got confused when she offered her hand to them while introducing herself. Bowing seemed to be the norm form of greeting here so Rose converted to that.

The Head of the Kido corp grunted in response to Rose's introduction. "As I was saying Kyoraku Taicho this kido barrier will send you a reiatsu signal the moment someone enters or exits your quarters. This will allow you to know who is entering your quarters and thus you will be able to respond accordingly. I also hear that the human is rather high spirited and tends to escape frequently so I have also ordered my men to place a restrictive kido around your quarters thus enclosing her and preventing her for escaping."

"What?" Cried out Rose. The indignation was clear in her voice.

"Rose. Yama-jii, the rest of the Taicho's and myself have agreed that you need more protection. It was decided that we would place a powerful kido barrier round my house in order to protect you. Please… this is for your own protection." Explained Shunsui his hand reaching out to grab Rose's.

"But you are putting me under house arrest. What if I want to see my friends or go to the library." Asked Rose still a little indignant.

"They will just have to come here and I think that you will find my collection of books to be most fascinating. Please accept this…it will make me feel so much better." Shunsui gave her the puppy dog eyes.

"Fine…I guess I have no choice but to agree. But I want you to know that I object to this." Mumbled Rose.

Shunsui beamed and kissed Rose on the lips to show his gratitude.

Kagawa cleared his throat in an impatient manner. "I will have my men perform the kido barrier within the next hour. Kyoraku Taicho, might I remind you that we need you present while performing the kido barrier so don't wander off or be in a situation where you are unable to summon your reiatsu in a safe manner"

Shunsui smiled at Kagawa's remark but Rose knew he was only giving him his polite smile. The guy had been pretty rude. "Oh you seem to know me so well." Exclaimed Shunsui. Rose giggled at Shunsui's antics which then turned into a full blown laughter when he turned around and gave her a devilish wink. He was only toying with Kagawa.

Kagawa glared at the two of them before rising to his feet. "I will be back in an hour to perform the kido barrier. I will see myself out. Until later Kyoraku Taicho." He turned and nodded at Rose before leaving the room. Shunsui and Rose waited until he had left the house before letting out a deep breath.

"Well that was entertaining." Smiled Shunsui while wrapping his arm around Rose's waist with the intention of pulling her into his lap.

Rose elbowed his arm away. "I am still mad at you."

Shunsui sighed and the pulled Rose into his lap anyway, but this time with more force. "What are you angry about?"

"The kido barrier." Rose saw Shunsui face fall into a serious look the moment she mentioned the kido barrier. "It's just that I find it a little unfair that you would go around making decision that concern me without consulting me. And why must I stay enclosed in your quarters like some delinquent on house arrest? I thought I had enough protection when there was you and the members of the second division guarding me. My change now?"

Shunsui looked into Rose eyes and then pulled her close into a hug. "I know it was unfair making this decision without you but it was an order from Yama-jii. Your security is of top most importance after the invasion last night. Last night demonstrated that we were still vulnerable when protecting you. You should never have had to face Shadow Crawler or that ridiculous doll. To answer your second question, we decided if you stayed inside a secure location then you would be safer. This kido barrier will allow me to know who is entering my quarters and whether or not they are a threat. Yesterday when I went to the Taicho's meeting I left you in a vulnerable position. Now this barrier will provide you with security when I am not around to guard you. However, you are allowed to leave, but only if I am there to help you pass through the barrier. "

Rose shuffled in Shunsui lap and then hugged him back, burying her face into the crook of his neck.

"When I sensed you and Shadow Crawler's reiatsu fighting together I panicked. I have never been so worried in my life. And then I turn up and find Nanao lying on the ground unconscious and the eight division in ruins…and then there was you, lying covered in blood in the middle of a burning blaze. I have never been so angry and scared at the same time." Said Shunsui in a tone that was almost pleading.

There was a pause in which Rose hugged Shunsui closer to her. "I am sorry for making you feel that way." She murmured into his neck.

Shunsui sighed. "Just never do that again."

"I don't think I can promise you that. But I will promise you that I will not go looking for trouble."

"Thank you."

There was another pause in which the two of them revelled in the other' presence. "Thank you Shunsui." said Rose after a while.

"For what?"

"For talking to me about the kid barrier. Now that we talked about it I feel more comfortable with the idea of it."

Shunsui kissed Rose on the cheek. "I am glad to hear that."

Rose was about to answer but then her stomach grumbled loudly. "Sounds like someone is hungry." Chuckled Shunsui which made Rose giggle.

Shunsui stood up with Rose still in his arms and walked over to the kitchen.

"So what would Rose Bentley like to eat." Asked Shunsui after he deposited Rose on top one of the counters.

"Whatever Captain Kyoraku would like to cook…as long as it's not aubergine or anything too spicy." Shunsui smiled widely and kissed Rose on the lips before turning around and opening the cupboards in search for ingredients. Rose loved watching Shunsui cook. He had a sort of elegance and grace that only came with years of practice. But he was also arrogant, and Rose could see that in the way he would look at her while adding the ingredients together for Udon which just screamed 'yes I know my cooking is amazing and will knock your socks off'. However, that look was very sexy in Rose's eyes.

When the Udon was done the two of them sat down and ate in comfortable silence. It was one of those moments when conversation was not required. When they had finished eating Shunsui cleared up the bowls and then joined Rose lounging outside on the large wooden patio that overlooked Shunsui magnificent garden.

"And what is my Darling Rose doing?" asked Shunsui while leaning on the door frame, admiring Rose stretched out on her stomach reading a large book. The late afternoon sun was glinting of her hair and made her look magnificent.

"Reading a book about World War 2. I have been wanting to read this book for a long time. But sadly I never found the time to read it until now." Replied Rose without looking up from her book.

"World War 2?" Asked Shunsui as he sat down next to Rose and poured himself a glass of sake from his ever present bottle.

"It was a war on a massive scale that killed an estimated sixty million people, most of which were civilians." Explained Rose while putting a book mark in her book and closing it.

"Why would you want to read a book like that? Surely there are more pleasant things out there to read?"

"No not really I love reading history books, the bloodier the better in my opinion. I love a history book full of bloody battles." Replied Rose with a smile on her face. She turned towards Shunsui and gasped slightly. His eyes were full of anger, and the worst part was that it was all directed towards her. His anger burnt through her and made her feel guilty and ashamed. Hana had told her that Shunsui was one of the oldest Shinigami in the Seireitei and so it was highly likely that he had been a survivor of a bloody conflict. Rose had read some of the books in the library about the history of the Gotei 13 and from what she could make of it, it had been very bloody. From time to time she had come across Shunsui's name, but it was usually accompanied by a long paragraph about some bloody battle. What horrors had he experienced in his life and how many close friends had he lost in those battles? It was obvious that he still suffered from them. His eyes would sometimes, for a very brief moment, reflect all the pain and lose he experienced. And here was Rose, telling Shunsui that she enjoyed reading about bloody battles because it gave her pleasure.

She was a historian looking back on the past but never truly understanding it because she was not there to experience it. She had no right to comment on the past, and what she had just said was very inconsiderate and rude.

Shunsui stood up quickly and turned to leave. "Wait Shunsui! I-" Said Rose as she quickly scrambled to her feet.

"-Kagawa has just arrived. I will assist him in building the kido barrier and then I am going to go visit Juu. Stay here." Said Shunsui rather harshly before he walked out the door. Rose stood frozen to the spot as she watched Shunsui walk away from her. He was hurt because of her. She felt like a major prat.

The sun was setting, casting the Seireitei in a gorgeous bright orange light. It was moments like these that lovers would kiss romantically with a scenic sunset behind them. Or were the movies giving her too much hope. Currently Rose's lover had stormed out of the house, assisted the head of the kido corp with the kido barrier before storming off to the thirteenth division.

Rose sat on the patio and watched unseeing as the members of the kido corp finished raising a giant invisible barrier around Shunsui's house. In a few moments she would be imprisoned in her rather comfortable cell with her impeccable lover as her warden. However, right now her lover was rather pissed off at her. She needed to do something kind to Shunsui in order to beg for forgiveness. Maybe she would bake him a batch of cupcakes. It seemed like a fake way to apologise but at least it would break the ice between them and she needed a distraction.

An impatient clearing of somebodies throat brought Rose out of her miserable trans. Behind her stood Kagawa wearing long blue robes and holding a weird looking staff. "I am a very busy man, human, so I do not want to be delayed by some daydreaming little missy." Snapped the man.

Rose realised how much she hated Kagawa. All he had done since their first meeting a few hours ago was through insults at her. He was a disgraceful man that Rose could not help but distrust.

Rose stood up and bowed "My apologies sir."

"Stupid child. My men inform me that they have finished the kido barrier. Kyoraku Taicho can now keep you locket up and in your proper place woman. I hear he likes to take his whores back to his house so that he can fuck them and then force them to cook breakfast for him. But I must say he has never needed to but a kido barrier around his quarters. Maybe it is so that you don't escape and so when he return there will be a perfectly pliant women there ready to be fucked whether she wanted to or not. I wonder how long you will last until he throws you away like all is other whores? You and all his other whores are the same. You are and always will be a whore."

Rose glared at Kagawa. What was this man's problem? Her Scottish blood was boiling within her. How dare he insult Shunsui! It did not matter that he insulted her, she was a whore and broken goods but Shunsui was a kind gentlemen who did not deserve to be insulted. Rose marched forwards and slapped Kagawa across the face with all her might. "I am surprised that a disgusting worm like yourself ever became a high ranking officer. You are rude and inconsiderate with a fowl mouth. You have no right to talk about Shunsui like that. He is kind, caring and twice the man you will ever be. I don't know what your problem is but I think that you are jealous of Shunsui and his reputation as a brilliant fighter. But whatever is going on stops now. Do you HEAR ME!" spat Rose.

Kagawa rubbed his check, which was turning a bright shade of pink and glared at Rose. "How dare you slap me you WHORE! Just you wait, I will report you and when I do there will be nothing your precious 'Shunsui' will be able to do." And with that he smacked Rose across the face.

Rose was used to people slapping her and had grown accustomed to the pain so she just glared at Kagawa with hatred in her eyes. "Leave." She said in a hard tone.

"Don't worry I don't like spending too much time with the scum of the world." Kagawa turned and walked away leaving Rose glaring at his back. She would not break down into tears she kept telling herself. Kagawa was not worth her tears. She was going to bottle it up and go and bake Shunsui a nice batch of cupcakes and then apologies to him and this will all be in the past.

Shunsui watched the sun set behind the trees that sat in Ukitake's garden while sipping sake. He was pondering to himself what Rose had told him before he left. He was not angry at her, but angry at the way historians' depicted bloody battles in a way that would make people enthusiastic about it. He was also rather shocked at the way Rose easily talked about the gruesome history in her books, like she was unfazed but it all. He had always imagines Rose to be rather innocent, maybe he had been wrong. It was human nature to be curious and he could not stop her from reading about bloody battles. But by god he will protect her with his dying breath and if that meant keeping her way from battles then he would do it.

"You seem rather preoccupied Shunsui?" asked Ukitake over the rim of his steaming tea.

"I am still thinking about the invasion." Lied Shunsui. Ukitake was not fooled by Shunsui lie but he got the hint that Shunsui did not want to talk about what was bothering him.

"How is Rose after the incident? And more importantly how is you division coping without a means to feed itself?" asked Ukitake in the hopes of distracting Shunsui from his inner demons.

"Rose is fine. And the ninth division is kindly providing food for my division. The repair works on the mess hall and the kitchen started today however, the whole place still smells strongly of chemicals. I was given a direct order from Yama-jii to never leave Rose alone with fire." Shunsui smiled when he mentioned the order from Yama-jii.

"Yes that was a very impressive fire she built. I wonder how she made it so strong."

"She mixed chemicals together and then set the kitchen ablaze and blow up my division's kitchen. She told me that she studied a subject called chemistry and so knew which chemicals would react with the fire she had already created. She is a cleaver girl…but dangerous."

"Can we please get back to the matter at hand?" Said Toushiro in an impatient tone. Shunsui looked around and saw Toushiro frowning at him, Nanao shaking her head, Rangiku giggling and Unohana looking her calm, normal self.

"Sorry kiddo." Smiled Shunsui with a wave of his sake dish.

"As we were saying before Shunsui brought us off on a tangent, are we absolutely certain that Shadow Crawler is dead?" Stated Nanao.

"Yes I am certain that he is dead. Rose said that she cut his head off during the invasion. "Replied Shunsui in a serious tone.

"Shadow Crawler may be out of the picture but we are nowhere close to solving the mystery of the missing children, child brothels, the missing Shinigami and Kurosawa's whereabouts." Outlined Toushiro.

"There is still that doll being held in the twelfth division holding cells." Stated Nanao. "Maybe she could shed some light on the situation."

"My lieutenant spoke at length with lieutenant Kurotsuchi and informed me that the doll seems to have gone into a sort of hibernation and will not speak to anybody. In fact she seems almost dead." Said Ukitake in a serious tone.

"Damn, we have nothing. And I can bet my year supply of sake that I am not the only person feeling this uneasiness. Kurosawa has something planed and soon he will act upon his plan. And like before we will remain in the dark until it actually happens." Said Shunsui in a harsh tone.

"Shunsui calm yourself. Rose is shielded behind a powerful kido barrier. If something was to happen to her we will know." Said Ukitake with a hand on Shunsui shoulder.

"Let us hope that we can solve this mystery before Kurosawa initiate the next step in his plan." Said Unohana in her calm and serene voice.

There was an all-round murmur of agreement.

"It is getting rather late and I have patients to attend to. Goodnight Shunsui, Jushiro, Hitsugaya, Ise, Matsumoto." Said Unohana before rising and leaving in a quick yet grace step of shunpo.

The others watched Unohana leave in silence. "Kyoraku Taicho may I ask for my leave as well?" asked Nanao after a pause."

"Of course my Nanao-Chan. As long as it is not to do horrible paperwork." Smiled Shunsui.

"As I am sure you will be pleased to know, Sir, most of this month's paperwork was destroyed along with your office. Although the first division has said that they will send us new copies it will take several days for them to arrive so for the moment there is not paperwork to complete." Replied Nanao while adjusting her glasses.

"Why this is a moment worth celebrating!" Exclaimed Shunsui, who then proceeded to drink from the sake bottle which had appeared in his hands. He then offered the bottle round to anybody else who wanted to join the celebrations

"I'll drink to that." Cried Rangiku as she dived for the offered bottle.

"You still have your share of the paperwork to complete, Matsumoto and might I remind that you still have not touched it." Said Toushiro in a somewhat irritated tone.

"Oh come on Taicho, all fun and no play makes for back moral."

Toushiro grit his teeth before rising to his feet. "Good evening Shunsui, Jushiro…and Matsumoto that paperwork needs to be finished by the end of the week." Toushiro turned and left with a swish of his captain's haori.

Shunsui watched Toushiro go before he got to his feet. "I need to go check on Rose and the kido barrier. The Kido corp must have finished constructing it by now." He said in response to the other two's curious stares.

"Nah Kyoraku-kun I thought we were going to celebrate and it has been so long since we last drank together". Pouted Rangiku.

"You can come if you want. I think Rose would like the company…Juu you are more than welcome to join us."

"Shunsui I might just take you up on that offer." Replied Juu who then chuckled at his friend's confused look. "Well someone has to make sure the two of you don't cause any trouble and since Ise-san is currently unavailable I guess it is my job to do so."

Shunsui merely smiled at Juu's response before leading the way towards his quarters.