Good News From the Front

A/N: Takes place in the same 'world' as the Secrets, Frozen Disposition ByaxRen series. Takes place before Like Father, Like Son.

***
Two figures curled up to one another beneath a bedspread tugged up over their heads. An old-fashioned alarm clock ticked out the seconds, sitting on the bedside table near his lamp. One of the figures pushed aside the covers suffocating her after she let out a small grunt. Instead of opening her eyes, she pressed her neck into the chest of her companion. He rolled over so his head of spiky orange hair sank deeply into the corner of his pillow.

Someone leapt in through the window after they rolled the sash back. Rukia jolted fully awake, shouting, “What on EARTH?”

“Good morning ICHIGO!” crowed Isshin. Wrenched out of a deep sleep Ichigo automatically sat up in bed.

A female voice beside him hollered, “Get OUT of here you PERVERT!”

By the time Ichigo’s brain registered what was going on, he had grabbed his father by the shirt and thrown him into the far wall. Next to him, Rukia kicked sharply with a blanket-covered foot. They heard the resulting crash as Ichigo’s father made a dent in the far wall.

“Dad are you fucking CRAZY?” Ichigo yelled. “Get the hell OUT OF HERE!”

Already Ichigo pushed Rukia behind him, grabbing his boxer shorts while Rukia hastily wrapped the top of the blue and aqua bedspread around her bare chest. Lying on his back upside down, Isshin still had not opened his eyes. Before he could, Rukia ducked under the bedspread again with a yelp.

“If you don’t get out of here in two minutes, I swear I’ll kill you if Ichigo doesn’t!” Rukia threatened, voice partly muffled from under the bedspread. Isshin’s eyes popped open taking in the scene. He flipped over on his hands and knees, shaking his head.

“I said leave! You DEAF, Dad?” Ichigo yelled at his father.

“Way to go Son!” Isshin blurted out, scrambling for the door. “Carry on! Don’t mind me!”

“Get the hell OUT!” Ichigo and Rukia yelled together. A wastebasket and a pair of sneakers clobbered Isshin in the head as he tumbled out the door. Both of them looked at one another, flushed bright pink wearing looks of identical rage. Ichigo squeezed his eyes shut, fighting every urge to leap up and kill his stupid father for his shitty timing. Rukia by now had disappeared under the bedspread again.

“Let me get you something to wear,” Ichigo said quietly as he pulled on his boxer shorts. “Then I’m going to go beat the crap out of him.”

“Save some for me,” Rukia mumbled, daring to poke her head out from Ichigo’s bedspread. He tossed her a fresh T-shirt, which she eagerly caught. All their clothes were scattered around the room in a haphazard spread that looked as if a cyclone had hit Ichigo’s room.

Then sidling into his sweatpants and a wife beater Ichigo said, “Be right back. Go ahead and get dressed and shower okay?” he urged, giving Rukia a quick look of apology. Rukia nodded, catching the pair of boxer shorts he threw her. Gratefully she slipped them on as well so she was at least wearing clothes. She retrieved her bra at the same time. Why did she have to leave her change of clothes at Matsumoto's?

Once he marched out of the room, Ichigo searched high and low for his father He rapidly trotted downstairs, feet slamming more violently then usual into each step. Finally finding him sitting on the couch reading the paper Ichigo launched himself on him.

“Mind telling me what the HELL you were THINKING?” Ichigo ranted. Both father and son rolled over punching and kicking one another.

“Way to go son! You’ve made your old man proud!” Isshin cheered, pushing Ichigo off him by a hand clawing on his face.

“God damn it Dad, your timing SUCKS!” Ichigo yelled back.

“Ichi-nii, Dad, breakfast is ready!” called Yuzu from down the hall in the kitchen. Father and son froze in mid struggle.

“Better set another plate. Rukia nee san’s back,” said Karin, walking past Ichigo and Isshin struggling with a bored look on her face.

“Karin, how the hell did you know?” Ichigo stammered, pinned under his father’s knee in the small of his back.

“Please I could hear you and her all the way down here. And Dad, why are you such a stupid idiot, huh?” Karin growled, walking past him as she kicked Isshin in the head. Isshin flew off Ichigo, crashed into the sofa, and looked up to see stars.

“You’re DAMN lucky it’s me and not Rukia who’s beating your ass,” Ichigo gritted. He climbed to his feet before glaring down at his father still crumpled in a heap.

“I did say I was sorry,” Isshin apologized. He flipped over so he sat up, and then leapt up so he stood in front of Ichigo.

“Thanks to you she may not come back. You’re a huge heap of help Dad,” Ichigo muttered after he marched partway up the stairs.

“Ichigo I swear I’m sorry son! I just wanted to make sure you would have some grandkids soon. I won’t be able to forgive myself if she leaves!” Isshin wailed melodramatically.

“Dad, stop embarrassing yourself and leave them be okay?” Karin cautioned, grabbing Isshin by his lab coat. She tugged him into the kitchen.
**

Minutes later Ichigo knocked on the bathroom door. Through it, he heard the droning rush of the shower. “Oi, Rukia, you in there?”

“Yes you fool! Leave me alone!” Rukia yelled.

“Dad says he’s sorry… and breakfast is almost ready! You gonna be much longer?” Ichigo asked.

The door shot open one minute followed by Rukia’s wet hand reaching out to snatch him by the front of his wife beater. Very wet and annoyed Rukia dragged Ichigo inside, then tossed him into the shower. She clutched the curtain around her after she let the door slam.

“Thanks a heap Rukia! What the hell are you thinking?” Ichigo complained drenched head to toe in sopping wet clothes.

“Just broadcast to the whole house that I’m in the shower? Are you as perverted as your father is?” Rukia hissed. Rings rasped on the metal bar holding up the shower curtain.

Ichigo yelped in protest at Rukia tugging his shirt out of his sweatpants. He helped her peel the wet clothes off, tossing them onto the towel rack so they could drip dry. Without speaking, they both shared the soap and shampoo. Neither of them looked at each other’s naked bodies until Rukia snorted, “This is ridiculous.”

“What? This is my time to shower, so if we’re going to bathe we gotta share,” Ichigo complained.

“Not that, idiot! Why are you looking away from me?” Rukia sighed, grabbing his chin. “It’s not as if you haven’t seen me naked!”

“It’s not that, it’s just that…” Ichigo stammered.

“You are such a prude,” Rukia teased him. “Here we are, sleeping together and you don’t think you’re allowed to look at me without my clothes unless we’re…”

“Shh, keep it DOWN!” Ichigo hissed, putting a hand on her mouth. “You know how much trouble…”

“Please, Ichigo,” Rukia grunted in irritation, smashing shampoo in his hair. “Doesn’t that idiotic father of yours WANT us to be involved?”

“Yes but not by parading it in front of everyone screwing like bunnies!” Ichigo shouted, stopping when he saw her expression at his metaphor involving one of her favorite things in this world and Soul Society.

“And what’s wrong with that?” Rukia demanded, shoving his head under the showerhead. He spluttered at the water running into his open mouth.

He realized she had a perfectly valid point, so he protested, “Well it's not the part about screwing like bunnies I mind. It's just that I’ve got two sisters that could see us in the act you know!”

“They know all about what two people in love do together,” Rukia continued to reassure him. “Your dad is a doctor isn’t he?”

Ichigo’s skin flushed pink from head to toe at that moment. Rukia stared at him in the full light of day without any clothes. A smirk crossed her attractive face. “So all of your hair is the same color…”

“Well so’s yours!” Ichigo fumed. “Damn it… I’m going to get a nosebleed if you don’t watch it!”

“For a typical teenager you’re so…” Rukia giggled. Ichigo squeezed his eyes shut, leaning against the tile wall.

“Well… so what if I don’t want people to be naked except in a bedroom?” Ichigo muttered, hurt that she was teasing him. However, the gentle motion of her hands rubbing soap on his body caught his attention enough to look her in the face.

“Well two people who are lovers should be able to admire their bodies,” said Rukia gently. “And you have a lot to admire.”

“Thanks I guess,” Ichigo grudgingly replied. “Just don’t want to ruin your privacy. I know you need it.”

“That’s sweet of you, Ichigo. I’ll let you know when I want my privacy okay?” Rukia said, bending up to kiss him.

Both managed to control their urges long enough to finish showering. Ichigo and Rukia both headed back to separate room wrapped in towels and his bathrobe. A minute later Rukia poked her head out into the hall wearing one of her clean school uniforms. In her haste this morning she had forgotten there were a few neatly ironed ones still in the dresser and closet since Yuzu and Karin both shared a room with her anyway when she stayed in Karakura Town.

Ichigo whispered, “I’ll go down first, then you come down a minute or two later okay?”

“Fine, Ichigo,” Rukia relented, rolling her eyes at how careful he was being. It was ridiculous because the whole house knew that they were sleeping together so why the subterfuge? Still to humor Ichigo she nodded.

**
Five minutes later, hair still damp, Rukia sat down in the chair Ichigo pulled out for her directly next to his place. She faced Yuzu and Karin sitting this way. Isshin at the head of the table sat to Rukia’s right, face buried in a bowl of rice. This fact kept Rukia from pummeling him, besides Ichigo’s sisters sitting eating breakfast peacefully.

“Nice and quiet this morning,” Karin commented.

“How’s the omelet Rukia nee-san?” Yuzu asked.

“Its delicious thank you,” Rukia said in that higher pitched voice she practiced for fitting into the living world.

“How long will you be staying this time?” asked Karin.

“Oh, a while. I’ve gotten my visa straightened out, so I’ll be staying… if that’s all right?” Rukia asked.

“Sure, stay as long as you like!” Isshin stammered, turning away as he buried his face in the bowl. “You can go anywhere in the house you like! Just like my other daughters…”

“Don’t you have something to say to Rukia?” Ichigo said, not looking at his father. He held his chopsticks poised over his bowl of steamed rice.

“I’m sorry for… what happened this morning,” Isshin mumbled to Rukia. “Please forgive an old man who just wants his son to be happy!”

“All right, that’s enough,” Ichigo grumbled.

“I forgive you on the condition that it never happens again, Kurosaki san,” Rukia said sweetly, though her eyes gleamed dangerously. Isshin’s lower lip trembled along with the rest of his body.

In a tiny meek voice he said, “You have my word.”

“Good, then everything’s fine,” Rukia said brightly, beaming at them all. Ichigo refrained from rolling his eyes.

“If you say so,” Ichigo answered, picking up his glass of juice to sip it. He choked and coughed at the feeling of a hand pinching his thigh.

“Oh my goodness Ichigo, are you all right?” Rukia asked, pounding him on the back.

“Don’t hit him on the back! Just let him breathe!” Isshin said worriedly.

“I’m FINE, damn it!” Ichigo complained once his father leapt out of his chair and tackled him.

Rukia gave a nervous smile at the sight of Ichigo and Isshin again rolling over on the floor. Karin and Yuzu returned the smile. “More for us,” Karin said to Rukia.

“Karin don’t be so mean!” Yuzu warned, shaking her spoon at Karin.

“It’s nice to have things back to normal,” Rukia nervously laughed. She had stayed here long enough before to know that this was life as usual at the Kurosaki Clinic.

“My dad drives me NUTS,” Ichigo quipped slinging his bag over his shoulder. He zipped up his grey jacket as Rukia grabbed her books and stepped into her loafers.

“Don’t forget your lunches!” Yuzu called, handing two bundles to them.

“Don’t forget to come home at five, Ichigo. Remember you’ve got your job!” Isshin waggled a finger in his face. “Rukia san, you can come home at seven!”

“Dad, I know!” Ichigo sighed dramatically marching out the door with Rukia next to him. She kept her mouth shut for most of the time, feeling awkward but relieved.
**
Keigo and Mizuiro stood outside waiting patiently. Their faces lit up in surprise seeing Rukia close by Ichigo’s elbow walking out of the house. “Kuchiki san! How lovely to see you again after your trip abroad!” Mizuiro exclaimed.

“Well yes, how lovely to see you two!” Rukia gushed in her higher pitched voice.

“Ichigo! Is it true that she’s back? Did you get lucky?” Keigo excitedly babbled before Ichigo punched him in the face.

“Everything’s fine Keigo. She’s staying,” Ichigo said automatically as he walked along. Keigo gave them a thumbs up once he leapt up from where he crashed to the street from the force of Ichigo’s punch. Seeing Ichigo’s two friends again however annoying felt comfortable for Rukia.

“That’s right. I’m going to stay at Karakura high to finish off my education,” Rukia said sweetly.

“Ichigo you lucky dog,” Keigo whispered in his ear.

“Don’t walk so close and stop breathing on me!” Ichigo growled at him. Asano dropped back a few steps to keep pace with Mizuiro. Both exchanged grins of excitement.

“That’s lovely news,” Mizuiro said brightly, smiling endearingly at Rukia who smiled back.

“Yeah yeah, let’s just get to school okay?” Ichigo interrupted, frown plastered on his face. He walked with his hands shoved in his pockets yet Rukia knew that he was thrilled. From that extra bounce in his step and the way he walked standing straight up instead of slouched over.

Rukia carried a satchel with her books at her side, the others hugged against her chest. Keigo and Mizuiro wore their shoulder bags slung across their chests just as Ichigo did. She smiled at the cheerful chattering among the three boys. Occasionally Ichigo chimed in, still walking staring straight ahead. The pleasant sensation continued all the way to Karakura High’s gates. Unfortunately, two hulking figures stepped out from behind the gate once the foursome walked through.

“Well if it isn’t Tango boy,” one of them said.

“Get lost, I’m not in the mood,” Ichigo said glaring up at them.

“When are you going to dye that hair of yours jerkass?” the other said.

“Guys, we don’t’ want a fight!” Keigo said as he jumped between them.

Rukia rolled her eyes, then asked, “What do you two cretins want?

“Rukia, stay by me,” Mizuiro cautioned as he jumped in front of her. “Let Ichigo and Keigo handle it.”

“This is ridiculous,” Rukia snapped as one of the guys said, “Oh lookie here. If it isn’t a new girl. Wanna hang out with me instead of these losers.”

“Go to hell,” Ichigo said. “Back off or else.”

“Unhand me,” Rukia said as she grabbed the boy’s hand and then he went flying. Ichigo’s foot cracked the other in the jaw. Ojima and his crony swung out in a series of punches only to have a loafer and a fist in their face along with a few punches and kicks courtesy of Ichigo.

Keigo and Mizuiro watched at Rukia and Ichigo disposed of the two bullies easily. Both looked up in shock as Ichigo bent down. “I warned you. You'd better keep your hands off my girlfriend or I’ll rip you a new one. Understand?”

“I suggest you listen to him unless you want a second helping, you dolts,” Rukia added, glaring down at them.

Mizuiro and Keigo looked at each other in shock. “Girlfriend?”

“Yeah, you got a problem with that?” Ichigo snapped, folding his arms across his chest.

“No… no we’re good!” Keigo waved his hands across his chest. “Ichigo you’re such a lucky guy! Good job!”

“I knew it! Congratulations you two!” Mizuiro said with another winning smile. “Now let’s go before the first bell…”

***
Sitting in the classroom Rukia crossed and uncrossed her legs several times. It felt good to be back here in familiar settings with her friends in the living world seated in their usual places. When she had shown up Orihime and Tatsuki had waved to her excitedly. She was glad to see that Ishida was standing close to Inoue, his hand clasped in hers. At least that one loose end wasn’t going to unravel things.

Tatsuki however was another story. She had known Ichigo forever, and if she gave her a hard time Rukia was sure there would be problems. So far, Tatsuki had looked in her direction a few times from the whispers from the others.

At lunchtime, Orihime whisked her away to sit under a tree and eat with the girls’ contingent while Ichigo looked apologetically in her direction from a group of his male friends urging him off. Sighing Rukia looked over at Orihime who had said, “Eat lunch with us Rukia san! It’s been a while!”

“You crazy she was just here last week!” Michiru snorted.

“I think it’s cute! My Hime misses us all so much when we’re gone only a short time!” Chizuru cried hugging Inoue from behind.

“Are you CRAZY?” Tatsuki ranted, prying Chizuru off a flummoxed Orihime. She tossed the lesbian into the tree then turned around with a disgusted grunt.

“News flash, she’s dating Ishida kun,” Michiru sighed, shaking her head.

“So Rukia… what took you and Kurosaki so long huh?” Tatsuki asked, looking at her.

“Uh… well…” Rukia mumbled, sitting down in the grass with the other girls looking expectantly. Shadows from the branches overhead spread over the lunch eating group in the same way they had a year ago when these girls asked her a similar question.

“C’mon Kuchiki san, we all saw you together. There’s no shame in admitting you’re going out with Kurosaki,” Tatsuki said, with a teasing grin.

“It’s all right. They know about me and Ishida kun,” said Inoue with a reassuring smile, patting Rukia’s shoulder. “We’re all friends.”

“I…” Rukia started.

“Well, are you or aren’t you?” Tatsuki demanded.

“We are… going out,” Rukia said quietly with a lump in her throat. She gave everyone an uneasy smile.

“That wasn’t so hard was it?” Tatsuki asked. “Though I feel sorry for you. Anyone who has to put up with that ill tempered jerk…”

“Tatsuki, he’s very nice!” Orihime protested. “Right Rukia san?”

“Took you two long enough I say. I knew you were together the minute I…” Michiru said haughtily.

“Oh save it,” Ryo warned.

“Well it’s a personal thing,” said Rukia, playing with the wrapper on her sandwich. “It only just happened last week where we… started going steady…”

“Yay Rukia san! Did you kiss?” asked Inoue, hugging her.

“Yes…” Rukia admitted. If these kids knew what she and Ichigo had done, they’d probably faint or nosebleed. Unless she was mistaken and they were not as innocent as they appeared.

“So can he kiss?” asked Tatsuki. “We want details…”

“Tatsuki!” Orihime scolded. “She’s blushing!”

“Of course!” Rukia sighed, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. However, she could not erase the knowing smile from her face that she was free to express herself among these people. Unlike in Soul Society where she was treated with utmost fear or deference. Here she was not Captain of squad Six’s little sister and sister of the Kuchiki heir, but just Kuchiki Rukia, a student of Karakura high. Now Kurosaki Ichigo’s girlfriend.

I belong here, she thought to herself with surprise. It feels right. How could I have doubted for a minute that having friends or emotions was a burden? My brother was wrong… She glanced down at the grass in shame. Of course her brother had told her emotions were a burden and unnecessary for being a shinigami. Yet it was his own emotionally stunted philosophy, not a rule.

“So… is there anything ELSE you want to spill about Kurosaki, Kuchiki san? Did you two go all the way?” asked Michiru.

“Come on, do you think that’s something we should talk about over lunch?” Tatsuki snapped. “I’m eating!”

“I will say this though. Kurosaki is good at putting a straw in my juice boxes,” Rukia said with a grin that reeked of double entendre.

This brought a series of different reactions from the girls. Tatsuki spit her juice out while Orihime blinked, and the other girls giggled knowingly. Chizuru shook her head saying, “what a waste. First my Hime and now you…”