Good News From the Front

"Do I have Ukitake to thank for letting you come here?" Ichigo guessed after she finished her story. Like her Ichigo had learned to hide his emotions but for a different reason. He was a teenager trying to keep a low profile already elevated by his orange hair. An image she found stupid when he admitted that kissing a girl on the cheek would shatter it. The customs of the living world never failed to surprise her. Never mind that such displays of physical affection were unbecoming of a Kuchiki in Soul Society. Here she didn't care because nobody knew she was a noble.

"Hmm yes. Shortly after I left the Manor I reported to my unit, and asked Ukitake Taicho if he had any missions in the living world. He said he did, so here I am," Rukia acknowledged, leaning into him. He was nice and warm behind her.

"So, he knows you're here, and you came because you knew Renji and your brother would get together. And you say you're on a mission for Ukitake," Ichigo summed up.

"Yes, that is correct," Rukia replied, tilting her head to kiss the underside of his chin.

"Yeah, but for how long?" Ichigo asked.

"For a few months. I can always get it extended though," Rukia murmured as she pressed a kiss to his lips.

"Yeah, but your brother's still gonna be pissed you're here with me isn't he?" asked Ichigo, returning the kiss gently.

"Perhaps, but he will have to learn to live with it. He said as long as I lived in his house I had to abide by his rules. Even when I do go back I've arranged to move into quarters at Squad 13."

"Well I guess that's not a bad thing," Ichigo murmured, kissing her on the ear.

"You see I've thought this through," Rukia murmured back.

"Yeah maybe so, but I think we should go back at some point and get this straightened out," Ichigo said. Immediately she tensed.

"What did you say?" she asked voice cold.

"Rukia, I want this as much as you do, but I don't want your brother being a pain in the ass. I want to talk to him about this instead of sneaking around. We shouldn't have to do that to be together, when you've every right to do what the hell you want," Ichigo reminded her, rubbing her goose pimpled arms.

"Are you going to ask for my hand in marriage?" Rukia snorted, squirming on his lap. "Damn it Ichigo I came here to get away from that nonsense and I don't need you…"

"Just shut up and listen to me," Ichigo blurted out. "Would you stop putting words into my mouth?"

Rukia snapped her jaw shut hearing his frustration. "Fine Ichigo, tell me what's on your mind."

Still holding her in his lap Ichigo cleared his throat. "Look Rukia, here you're just one of us, an ordinary high school student. But like me you are also a Shinigami and eventually people are going to bug the crap out of you."

Sighing Rukia rolled her eyes. "Ichigo... if they do they should keep their opinions to themselves!"

"I'm not done yet!" Ichigo snapped, irritated at being interrupted, though Rukia also snorted in impatience. Breathing deeply she tried to calm herself and remember that they were both stubborn temperamental people.

"Fine, go on," she relented.

Ichigo then said, "If we're a couple, then we need to act like it and not hide it. Since you're from a noble family, there must be some protocol we have to go by so your brother doesn't make you miserable and feel guilty to be with me."

"Ichigo, can we not talk about this right now?" Rukia asked as she bit her lip, curling up against him.

Ichigo sighed, his breath hissing in her ear as he said, "But you're a still a Kuchiki and people expect you nobles to act a certain way. I don't want you feeling like you have to apologize being with me when we could just get him to answer some questions."

"I'm not APOLOGIZING For being with you I..." Rukia protested, yet Ichigo's glare stopped her from completing her sentence.

"Maybe not HERE but c'mon Rukia I know what it's like. Level with me okay?"

"Fine..." she mumbled. "You win. But don't enjoy it TOO much."

Ichigo nodded, satisfied they were finally getting somewhere. Trying to reason with her reminded him of struggling to put a bandage on a kid who insisted a dirty knee was no big deal. Squeezing her gently in an embrace he whispered in her ear, "Now are you going to tell me or will I have to wait to ask Byakuya?"

"All right Ichigo. There IS a custom and you have guessed it correctly. But I didn't think in the least that you'd be…"

"Be serious enough to want to be with you to think ahead a few years, Rukia?" Ichigo asked with a hint of anger.

At this Rukia's mouth opened wide, heart pounding with a surge of unexpected warmth. From that gleam in his brown eyes she knew he was serious. Just as serious as when he appeared before her on Soyokou hill saying "Yo..." blocking the instrument of her destruction with the power of Zangetsu alone. A scrappy annoying kid fast transformed into a determined warrior, flooring Rukia that particular day as she nearly trembled there on the execution stand in the awe of his immense spirit pressure.

"Ichigo..." she sighed, then leaned her head into his chest finally relenting that she was being just as difficult today as when he tried to rescue her in Soul Society. Determined to be self sufficient and independent of anyone but herself.

Bitterly Ichigo mumbled, "I don't just sleep with any girl Rukia. Despite what the hell you've read in those damn books not every guy wants to fuck two dozen girls and try them on for size."

"I'm sorry Ichigo I didn't mean it like that," Rukia apologized, grabbing his hands before he could release them. The idea of accepting that someone wanted to be with her was just as alien as the idea of someone thinking her worth rescuing.

"All right then, what DID you mean?" Ichigo grumbled. Still his muscles tensed as Rukia turned around in his lap and glanced up at his moody scowl. Now she sat sideways across his thighs.

Reaching up to caress his cheek she said, "Ichigo look at me. I want us to be girlfriend and boyfriend, and maybe something more. It is just that you're a teenager and you have your whole life ahead of you I assumed you would not want plans holding you back."

Now the furrow between his orange brows deepened. He complained, "Now just a minute... you're jumping to so many conclusions it's not even funny."

Rukia squirmed a bit on his lap, supressing her urge to snap back another harsh comment. Instead she said, "Ichigo... look, I meant that Nii sama has planned most of my life, so I assumed your parents and family had plans for you, or that you'd been expected to plan your life out. Because I assumed THAT I just thought you'd understand that I wanted a break from that. "

"I know, but it doesn't hurt to share things Rukia. I mean couples do that right. Even in those stupid romance novels you read which isn't anything like how the real world works couples talk and argue right?" Ichigo stated, muscles of his chest twiching behind her back pressed to them.

"All right, talk," Rukia relented, still annoyed at his lack of understanding and stubbornness.

"I'm going to probably go to medical school Rukia. Being a Shinigami is something that's important to me, but so is having a life here. If you're going to be part of that life, we have to figure out how to make this work," Ichigo explained.

"Ichigo…" she whispered, hearing the seriousness in his words. That sudden lump of ice inside her melted.

"I was serious when I said you belonged here. That doesn't mean I want you to stop being a Shinigami. It just means that we have to decide how it's gonna play out. We need a game plan," he continued.

"But can we at least talk about that tomorrow?" Rukia asked quietly.

"Fine, but I'm not going to let you off that easily, remember?" Ichigo pretended to scold her. His lips descended towards her face. Angling her head to the side Rukia had guessed it was a cue for another kiss. Something she was getting used to quickly from the passionate young man.

She slipped her hand into orange spiky hair at the same time his fingers twisted around her straight black locks. A clumsy chaste kiss blossomed into a tentative sweep of his tongue down the furrow between her lips which she soon opened. Alone with the door shut Ichigo lost his reservations.

***

After what seemed a promising kiss, the knock on the door interrupting them caused both to split apart. Isshin happened to poke his head in and almost appeared to be pouting when he said, "Clinic's closing in thirty, son. Why don't you two finish in here and let me take over eh?"

Rukia and Ichigo's exchanged look of surprise heralded their disbelief that Isshin was not gushing over them and froze midway in what they were doing. "Oi, we're almost done in here," Ichigo mumbled as he stacked the files.

"You've got school tomorrow and young people need their rest you know! PLENTLY of rest, especially young people in love!" Isshin crowed.

Rukia and Ichigo winched collectively, both blushing profusely and dreading what he was going to say next. On the verge of opening his mouth to say something Ichigo was interrupted by his father tackling him across the desk and cramming him into a headlock. "I'm so proud of you my boy! So when am I going to get some grandkids eh?"

"Will you stop rambling and let me GO damn it?" Ichigo ranted. The paperweight Ichigo held clunked against his dad's noggin as Ichigo hurled him off and into the nearest wall. Papers flew in a pattern after Ichigo's throw.

"Excuse me I have to go do my homework now!" Rukia said as sweetly as she could, dropping a curtsey. Ichigo was relieved when she primly scurried out of the room.

"Thatta girl! I'm so proud of you!" Isshin managed to croak out, giving her a thumbs up.

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing saying things like that in front of her?" Ichigo growled, shoving his face right in front of his fathers.

"Son you don't have to be shy with me! Your mother would be so proud! She's such a lovely girl and she's already like a daughter to us…" Isshin gushed, peeling himself off the wall as he kicked Ichigo in the gut to push him away.

"Can you at least get your head in reality Dad, shit?" Ichigo groaned in frustration.

"I just hope you're using protection son, and that you'll let me know the instant you two…"

"TIME OUT!" Ichigo yelled, slashing his hands in front of them. "Will you just LISTEN TO ME? FOR ONE DAMN MINUTE?"

Isshin's dreamy expression melted into a serious one as he sat down in his chair. "I am listening son."

"I… I'm seeing her okay. You happy now? But I don't… we're not gonna be having any kids anytime soon. I don't want to…"

"Son, you know I trust you to do the right thing," Isshin said as he regarded Ichigo in a serious tone. "Whatever you decide to do I'm behind you. I just hope that you're following the advice I gave you about safe sex…"

"That's only one small damn part of it. Will you TRY to focus?" Ichigo gritted, blushing beet red. He gripped the arms of the chair tightly that he sat down in, sitting on the edge.

"Well from your answer it looks like you are acting just like a man should, and you're making me proud at that, my boy," Isshin gushed, as he beamed a nauseatingly smug grin Ichigo wanted to punch off his face. "Are you telling your dear old dad you want to marry this girl?"

This caused Ichigo to blush even brighter red. "I'm only in HIGH school! I just… look… I'm not going to marry her right now it's just…"

"Who says you have to right away as long as you're honest with yourself and her?" Isshin said quietly. "But if you plan on having children I'd like you to think of…"

"I'll let you KNOW dad, but can we please stop talking about THAT! I'd been thinking about the other thing but… damn it… I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you… it's complicated…"

"I'm sure you and Rukia will discuss everything. Ichigo, I mean it when I said I trust you to do the right thing, and I trust you to do the right thing by Rukia. Just make sure you let me know if there's anything you need okay?" Isshin asked.

"Thank you," Ichigo mumbled in relief, half-wishing that his father was more demanding and strict so he would know what to expect.

"Have you talked to her family yet? When are we going to meet them?"

"That's what I'm going to do soon," Ichigo said. "I'm going to talk to her family about it… and that's the part…"

"Daddy's just over the moon! That's my boy! You go tell her family that you'll make an honest woman of her and she'll be part of a loving family!" Isshin cooed.

"Ahh, I give up," Ichigo huffed, dropping his head into his hands.

"Ichigo, if you want me to talk to her father and mother…" Isshin began, but Ichigo held up his hand silencing his father.

"She's adopted dad, and her family is well… it's complicated," Ichigo mumbled.

"Well if you ask me, and I know you are, I'd talk to them as soon as possible son. This weekend. Go speak to them and let me know how it turns out okay?" Isshin suggested.

"Fine, I'll do that," Ichigo sighed, relieved that his father was finally making coherent sense. Something told him that Isshin didn't need to know any more than Ichigo was willing to tell him.

"Oh, and one more thing son… don't worry if you want her to sleep in your room," he whispered as he grabbed Ichigo's arm. "Just keep your voice down and remember your sisters are down the hall…"

"Wait you mean you don't want…" Ichigo trailed off.

"Well it's obvious you two are a couple, so sleeping in the same bed is something that couples do! Your sisters already know she's going to be part of the family. Didn't I say that taking Rukia into our home was like having another daughter?" Isshin grinned. "But if you two want to pretend and sneak around that's your fun."

"Dad, just… ugh…" Ichigo sighed throwing up his hands as he stormed out. Isshin buried his grin behind his hand, stifling a laugh.
***

Later on, he sat upstairs in his room, trying to page through a book, the earphones of his mp3 player jammed tightly in both ears. Already he had posted his new schedule up on the bulletin board above his desk, and his laptop was open and set to the newest lesson he had downloaded from Karakura high's website. After that bizarre conversation, he needed to wrap his head around something less personal and embarrassing. Discussing anything, sex wise or relationship wise with his father was always something he dreaded.

So engrossed in the book was he that Ichigo failed to notice that someone had already sat on his bed. One minute his was the only presence then the next, it was hers. Ichigo snapped up his head seeing Rukia sitting on the edge of his bed, quietly hunched over a book. She still wore her school uniform, except her grey blazer was absent and she seemed pensive.

"Yo," Ichigo said as he pulled one headphone out of his ear.

"Hi," Rukia murmured, not looking up from her book.

"If you want the desk instead…" Ichigo mumbled, guessing what she was nervous about.

"That would be… better…" Rukia nodded awkwardly as he gathered his things up and she did as well. They crossed in the middle of the room before Rukia plopped her stack of books down and sat in the chair and Ichigo flopped on his bed. He set the computer near him and folded his legs in front of him. There she seemed more relaxed and able to read her chapter once more.

Just what set of rules was she operating under Ichigo asked himself until it struck him. He had nagged her about not sitting on his bed when they were both in the room before. Even though they were well past that point, she needed some boundaries. Ichigo was going to give her those if she wanted them; because he figured he needed them as well. They needed to figure out the new rules to this shift in their relationship, yet Ichigo waited for Rukia to say something before he brought up the subject.

An hour and a half later, they continued to study together in companionable silence without one word between them. Rukia finally broke it saying, "I'd better get ready for bed."

"Yeah, good idea," Ichigo said, looking nervously up at her.

"I'll… see you… well…" Rukia trailed off.

"Later?" Ichigo supplied, guessing what she was about to do. Rukia nodded relief on her face as well as she clutched her books and bent down to kiss him on the lips chastely.

"Later," she whispered her voice husky. Nodding Ichigo gave her a small smile. What surprised him was that she opened the closet door and looked into it as if expecting something. For a second he blinked, and then turned back to his work. So she wanted to go back to THAT again. He wouldn't complain if she wanted to sleep in the closet again rather than Yuzu and Karin's room. At least that meant she was with him.

He heard the sounds of rustling from inside, and guessed she must be changing in there like the one she had so long ago when this whole thing first started. Making sure the door was locked Ichigo put his books away and tugged open one of the dresser drawers containing the older t-shirts and boxers he usually wore as pajamas.

The closet door slid opens a mere crack to his amusement. If she wanted to play, he would play. Therefore, he turned his back to the closet and then slowly unbuttoned his shirt, sliding it off his back. He took longer than usual unfastening his belt and pants, letting them drop to the floor. Kicking them aside, he bent down to grab the clothes he had set on the bed, moving in slow motion so she could get a good look at him. He guessed she had done the same when they had first met.

Last to drop to the floor were his underwear. He took a long time bending over to pick those up before grabbing his shorts and stepping into them. Ichigo could almost feel the gaze of her eyes examining the gliding muscles on his back, imagining what expressions she must have on her face. He wondered if she was blushing as much as he was right now, which was part of the reason he had his back to her in the first place.

Yawning, he stretched his arms over his head and dragged the red T-shirt down his torso. It said 15 on it but it was 2 years inaccurate compared his chronological age. Now Ichigo let out another audible yawn as he murmured, "Damn I'm tired…"

Pulling aside the comforter and sheets, he slid between them, and then pulled them up around him. He reached up to click off the lamp clipped to his brass headboard plunging the room into cool shades of navy blue darkness. Only to close the curtains did he bother reaching up again from a position on his back. For a few minutes, he lay there in the darkness with his eyes staring up at the ceiling. Sighing he turned over to face the wall, both knees bent and tucked up under him.
***