#its not as bad as the shinigami but sheesh

[ectocreature]

yo danny faenton he was just fourteen

[sabsfanfiction]

Femme Fatale

Pairing: Rukia Kuchiki x Centric

Rated: K+

Genre: Rukia doesn’t need romance

War has ended. Everyone deserves a little party to celebrate for the whole warriors of Seireitei who have sacrificed their lives and throw themselves out there to protect Soul Society. All the blood, sweat, and tears they all had experienced if only they would have to write their names on history books of the heroes of the world. Everyone deserves this right amount of reward.

The party was held at the Kuchiki Mansion. For some apparent reason, Byakuya did not like the idea of throwing any party after the war had just ended, at the same point he hated to see people have to make up this “big event” just to slack off. Especially to the Lieutenant of the Tenth Division who still has a lot of time to slack anywhere around that the Tenth Division Captain grew tired to his Lieutenant’s behavior. Well, that is Rangiku Matsumoto the mastermind of all parties and events.

The Men and Women Shinigami Association had debated over what the theme would be best fitted for the event, and gladly, and obviously, the Women Shinigami Association won. Seriously, it was Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto’s way of winning over a simple argument.

A pair of enormous amethyst boring eyes roamed every corner watching everyone in their best midnight dresses, long gowns, luxurious tuxes, and everyone just seems so glamorous tonight. She saw Orihime in her red sparkling dress that revealed her legs and caught everyone’s attention especially to the males in the banquet. Such a young girl to have such a body that every woman wanted to have a body like hers. Overall, this young beautiful girl is the trophy of the night. She also saw Yoruichi in her orange gown that perfectly defined her slender body walking her way to their seat with the dingy-shopkeeper Urahara in her arms, looking at her with such love in his eyes.

She saw Renji got teased by his friends at the Eleventh Division for wearing a tuxedo that he looked like much more of a syndicate than a man with luxury. Renji who was blushing embarrassingly while everyone was watching how loud and how they made such a scene on the dance floor. And he could feel his Captain is not happy about what they have caused to put shame on this sparkly evening.

Rukia crept an amused look on her face, almost a laugh. She was alone on the bartender’s stall, drinking her favorite apple martini.

She wore a white-tubed mermaid sheath long gown that reaches down the floor with a revealing skin at her back with a stitched snow-flake particle in the corner of the dress, and a pair of long white gloves that matches the design of her dress. She lets her hair down to its natural hairstyle. She wore a bit of make-up, not really a fan of a cakey makeover. Just a little touch of powder, a blush to enhance her pale skin, and a touch of pink lip gloss. She also wore a silver three-inched heels that Yuzu gave to her last Christmas.

(also follow me on Wattpad, username on cover page lol)

Rukia averts her eyes to see a blue-haired Arrancar who have the audacity to join forces with the Shinigami after what he and his kind had done to destroy Soul Society along with Aizen.

“One Rum, and one Paloma for the lady, please.” His infamous grin never left his face as he caught Rukia staring at him. She just watched him finding a seat beside her, not saying a word. It was silent, and all they can hear is the sound of the music played on the dance floor.

“You’re a talker, aren’t you?” Grimmjow sneered, facing his body to the crowd while leaning his elbows on the bartender’s table

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t like to repeat the words I say.”

“Here are your drinks, sir. Enjoy.” The bartender said, presenting the pinkish colored Paloma and the blood redrum.

“Thanks a lot,” he said as he gave Rukia the pink drink, “Here as a peace offering and my greatest apology for punching you in the gut.”

She raised a brow, he was not being sincere at all, but she doesn’t want to leave him hanging. She just sighed and took the glass from him. They just cheered their glasses and drank it together.

“Just what are you trying to do, Grimmjow?” She was getting a bit tipsy, this was her seventh time drinking a lot of glasses of cocktails since Renji told her to wait for her at the bartender’s stall. It seems that he has forgotten about her and saw him currently drinking on another side of the table with his group of friends.

Grimmjow just smirked, he turned his body to face her. The first time when he got to invade her place is to see her flawless back that magnifies the whole place and to find out that it was the Shinigami he once fought in the World of Living and badly injured her. I was a bit surprised that it was THE shinigami I once fought, but this will leave me no choice.

“Well, I just came because you seemed alone, and is it wrong of me to be your company just for the night? I’m alone too you know, my date Nel came to be with her girlfriends, where is your date?”

She also followed his position facing her figure to him as a matter of conversing properly, crossing her legs with a little bit of tease. “Renji told me to wait here but turns out he was with his friends. But I’m glad to be with your company.”

He just raised a brow, “I thought your date was Ichigo Kurosaki, isn’t he your boyfriend?” Somehow, he feels happy but doesn’t know why he feels that way.

Rukia grew tired of that question, Ichigo and her were never an item, and she doesn’t see him that way as much as possible. “He is just an ally, honestly. And there is nothing really between us.”

“Ouch Rukia. If he hears that, he would be very devastated!” He just laughed. He never knew how beautiful this woman was in front of him, her skin that magnifies the whole place, her eyes that he cannot possibly read the stories in any particular, and her resplendent beauty that overpowers the expensive dress. So, this is Rukia Kuchiki.

Rukia didn’t say anything. “You know, you wanted him to feel devastated at that time, I could really see you have changed a lot these past two years, Grimmjow.” She chuckled silently, then looking at him with a grin on her face.

Grimmjow nearly shivered. He wanted to know why this girl is such an important person towards Ichigo that he would vow on his knees to protect this woman in front of him. Just who is this woman? And why is Ichigo feels like he is so lost to see Rukia getting hurt?

“You’re interesting, I would like to know more of you, Rukia. I hope I could work for you in the near future.”

“It’s my honor to work for you as well, Grimmjow.” They shook their hands in the most proficient way and let go afterward, “But there is nothing really interesting you want to know more of me, Grimmjow.”

The way she says his name makes his heart came to life again to a hollow like him could feel this kind of disposition. Is this forbidden?

“Excuse me, Lady Rukia, Lord Byakuya is looking for you.” It was the servant of the manor who has interrupted their conversation.

Rukia signals that she heard the word and will go to meet with him. She just stood up with the help of Grimmjow, knowing that she was tipsy. “Thanks for the drink, I’ll see you around.”

Damn, she is really something! He thought as soon as they parted ways.

“You’re looking for me, Nii-sama?” She smiled.

Byakuya observed her, something was not right with her dress. It looks like it was about to fall, he did not expect her to dress immodestly. Does Matsumoto have to do with this? And she was looking like THAT while talking to that blue-haired peasant.

“What did you and that Arrancar talk about? I want you to keep your distance away from him.”

“Nii-sama, it’s alright, we’re okay now. He offered me a drink, and he wished for me to work for him, that’s all.”

Byakuya does not like what he heard. He took off his coat and covered her back. He could feel the dirty eyes of every male in the party darting to its target and that is his sister and he is more than welcomed in slashing them with his Senbonzakura.

“Nii-sama, I told you, I’m fine, I don’t feel cold, and the cold doesn’t bother me.”

“I insist, and I am not happy with what you are wearing.”

“I’m sorry, Nii-sama, this is what Shirayuki made for me, and it’s beautiful.” She was a bit dissatisfied that she disappointed her brother on what she was wearing. It wasn’t that bad.

Byakuya sighed. It is not the dress that makes her beautiful, she made the dress looks beautiful on her. She just shined in the moon right now. And he hated that insolent Arrancar who had the audacity to make a move to his sister. He could not allow such thing to get near to his pride who has tried to kill her once or twice. And he could not particularly blame everyone for hurting his one and only family, because he is too, he tried to kill her once. No, he was being a jerk to her ever since he adopted her to the Kuchiki Family. And honestly, he regretted all the things he had done to her, to make her feel less of herself. He was the one to be blamed why she was hiding in the darkness, why she tried not to tell him a single thing about her problems. It’s all because of him, his selfish and insensitive being that had caused everything for her depression.

“No, don’t feel sorry. Anyway, I wanted you to meet someone—”

“Rukia!”

Byakuya irked a bit when they were interrupted by someone in particular.

“Hey, Byakuya! Mind me borrowing, Rukia for a while?”

And there is only one person who has no manners up until this time.

“Kurosaki Ichigo. My sister is not something you can borrow, she is not an object.”

“Sheesh Byakuya, it is just an expression—”

“Uhh— Come on Ichigo, let’s talk somewhere. I’ll see you later, Nii-sama.” She bowed then dragged Ichigo far off away from her brother. And she sighed as soon as they find somewhere more private.

They were gone, she ignored me, and she did not even take my coat. Byakuya was even more dissatisfied. Then he went around to entertain the visitor.

“Thanks for saving me, Ichigo.” She owes him that.

“No big deal. I know that Byakuya could be an ass sometimes.”

“Hey don’t say that.” She punches him playfully.

He just chuckled. “Anyway, where were you, I kept on looking everywhere for you. Even though you are already wearing heels, I still can’t—”

Rukia did not even let him finish what he has to say, as she stomps his foot with her heels that earned him what he deserved.

“Geez, I was just kidding!” He cried. She may be small, but he has forgotten not to underestimate small people like Rukia. He would be killed by now if she reads his thoughts. Or worst he will meet Byakuya’s Senbonzakura in his throat.

“I was just at the bartender’s stall.”

“I see, you’re a bit of tipsy you know that how many glasses you have drank anyway?”

“Seven.”

“God, I did not know you can drink that much.”

“It’s not something an underage brat like you could discuss something like that.”

Ichigo sighed. “Stay here, I’ll get you some water.” Then he went to the bartender to get something for her to drink to relax her stomach. And honestly, she looks so different tonight, she looks so feminine that has been masking out her masculinity. That even he realized he was treating her differently this evening, he was more like gentle to her unlike their unusual bickering and nonstop argument with each other. Nah, she is still a bitch.

Rukia was near the dance floor and saw everyone started dancing with their partners. She needs to find a seat first, she regrets wearing this heels Yuzu gave to her, she could already feel the numbness forming in her legs, and she would even regret if she gets cramps after this. She composed herself and decided to wait for Ichigo. Then she saw someone walking up to her with a warm smile that crept on his face. She almost gets into tears at the moment where she sets her eyes on him. For such a long time, for how many times she had beg in front of her brother that she has to go back in Huenco Mundo to save the person who has helped her, and her friends escaped from the Menos Forest.

“Ashido.” She whispered his name, as she ran up to him, he was also doing the same thing. They kept on excusing themselves from everyone on the dance floor just as what they want to see themselves.

“Ashido!” She exclaimed, holding him in a tight embrace as soon as they find themselves with each other. How does he escape? When did he come here to soul society? Why did he change his mind of coming back in here? She had a lot of question, that she cannot just simply express it in one whole sentence. And the crowd just stopped whatever they were doing but look at them reuniting with one another. And some eyes, in particular, do not see this as a friendly camaraderie.

“Rukia, I’ve missed you.” He whispered, cupping her face, leaning so close to her as if he was controlling himself of his urge to kiss her.

“I’ve missed you too, Ashido! Why are you here? And I’m sorry, I have told you and I had promised that I will come back for you, but I didn’t. I’m sorry! I really am! I tried to come back for you, but I failed. I’m sorry that I couldn’t do such a thing just to make up my promise to you. Ashido, please, I-I am really—”

Ashido hated the way she kept on apologizing to him as he stops her by smashing his lips on hers. He could not contain his hidden emotion for her, he had missed her. Just looking at her in his arms right now for how long it was of not seeing her, this was the moment he had always been waiting for to feel her skin, to taste her lips, and just to be with the woman he had admired. When the first time he met her, he had underestimated her skills but found out that she is as strong as a warrior prepare for a battle of a lifetime and that truly makes her so different from anyone else. And he admired her for that kind of being which he could not help but fell in love with such a strong and independent warrior. Rukia was taken by surprise but she just responded of his soft gestures, the way his tongue generously asking for an entrance. She could not believe this right now, they were being stared at by everyone else. Byakuya saw them! She could not believe her tongue is asking for his.

“WHAT THE HELL IS THE MEANING OF THIS RUKIA?!” Renji, her date was enraged.

They stopped kissing when they heard Renji. This party turned into such a shameful commotion. She did not know why she responded to Ashido’s kisses, and honestly, she would be damn of how good he is.

“And you, who the hell are you!? Just who are you to Rukia?!”

“Renji, please, he is Ashido the one who help us from the Menos Forest two years ago, have some decency and respect,” Rukia assured.

“Oh, decency and respect? After what you two have caused in front of everyone, in front of your brother in the name of your title as Kuchiki to show such an indecent act!? And what about respect, Rukia! I am your date, and you came to kiss this guy and ask me to buy me your respect. I am your date! Why can’t you buy my respect?!” Renji was filled with hurt that spreads all over his face.

Rukia bit her tongue. “I-I’m sorry.”

“Jesus Christ! Rukia!?”

She had hurt him again. “Renji—please—” Then she saw Ichigo who was carrying a water bottle, seeing how surprised he was even more confusing.

Rukia’s head was getting dizzier, she just rubbed her temple, massaging all the headaches. She was confused to whom she would deal first. But Renji’s words pierced right into her heart and seeing how hurt he was, left her with guilt and felt she had lost her loyalty to him. As partners.

“ENOUGH! All of you in my office now! Especially you, Grimmjow.”

Grimmjow just blinked he didn’t do anything, maybe he just did a little, like offering Byakuya’s little sister a drink. But he just obeyed as they all followed Byakuya in his office.

“All of you! Did you all know how indecent it was to make up such commotion to everyone! Ashido, why did you kiss my sister?”

“Um—”

“And Rukia, I am extremely disappointed in you tonight!”

“I’m sorry, Nii-sama.” Rukia just sighed, it was her fault. She felt with so much guilt that Renji could not even dare to look at her and all she could see is the anger in his face and the hurt in his eyes. Then who should be the one who will be blamed with that? Her.

“But Ashido why are you here?” It was Ichigo who had asked.

“Oh, I came back because the Kano Family needed a new Heir and Byakuya Kuchiki-dono was the one who helped me escape for her sister’s sake.”

They were surprised as well as Rukia.

“Nii-sama, you? You were the one who helped him escape?”

Byakuya sighed, he could no longer put his anger at her but seeing her right now the only woman in the room to be so beautiful. She is so elegant. “I have been telling you not to worry about it. Because I have everything in control.”

“Just when did you come back here, Ashido.” Rukia somehow connected the dots.

“I—”

“I forbid you to answer that!” Byakuya raged.

“And I forbid you to listen to him!” Rukia fought.

Ashido sighed. “I came back in Soul Society, two years ago. After you had begged for your brother to look for me.”

“And why am I hearing it just now?” She was mad.

“It was for your own good.” Said her brother simply.

“What good did I get to deserve something like this! I always have to blame myself and thought about it all night of the I promise I have made to save Ashido. Are you out of your mind?!”

Everyone did not say anything.

“This is bullshit!”

Byakuya had forgotten that Rukia too has a sharp tongue. He has to lecture her about that later.

“I’m sorry, Rukia. It is not your brother’s fault. It was no one’s fault at all. The elders, they were the one who decided to hinder us from seeing each other again. Because they were arranging a proposal for us to be married.”

“WHAT!?” These reactions came from Ichigo, Grimmjow, and Renji.

“Oh.” Rukia reacted vaguely, she was used on hearing arranged marriage and every proposal is a failure due to her brother’s strength and power of not letting her marry anyone for her sake. And for the sake of the Kuchiki Family. Because for Byakuya he knows what is best for her, who is best for her. And whatever he has in mind, she should abide by his decisions.

“Nii-sama, you knew about this?”

“It is my role as Heir of the Kuchiki Clan to know any information with our affiliation with the other Noble Families.”

“And, do you think the Kuchiki Clan and the Kano Clan are prepared to produce an offspring?”

“Yes. I believe we are all prepared—”

“For the sake of the family. But not for me? Remember, I am not a true blood Kuchiki. And I don’t like people who only see women as sexual objects just because we are the only ones who can produce an offspring. This is not how society works! This is like some stupid complexity that both parties are being forced for marriage!”

“And you must abide with the rules because you are my sister. You were a Kuchiki! And that’s final, you are marrying the Heir of the Kano family.”

Rukia clenched her fist, she could not contain her anger, she felt so betrayed. She could not believe her own brother has to do this to her. She didn’t realize she is losing out of control that she lowered her own body temperature causing the room to shake, forming a gush of ice fog near her body.

“Rukia, you have to calm down!” Byakuya told her, but she didn’t listen.

She was out of her mind everything inside Byakuya’s office turned to ice and broke it into tiny bits of pieces.

“Captain! Do something about this!?” Renji exclaimed chanting some kido spell to break the ice of his frozen legs.

“Rukia can do this?” Grimmjow was in awe, getting away from Rukia as much as possible to avoid being frozen cold.

“Don’t be surprised, idiot! Rukia’s bankai could literally kill anything! And she is momentarily killing herself right now!” Ichigo hissed at Grimmjow.

Rukia’s hair turned white. “I’M OUT OF HERE!” She blows such fuse of coldness that everyone inside the room frozen on their feet. And could not follow her.

Rukia walked as fast as she could outside the banquet that everyone seems to be so surprised with her setback, they were trying to get away within the area. She was freezing the whole ground of the banquet that even the Koi fish pond turned solid ice because of how cold she is.

“What happened?!” It was Captain Hitsugaya who demanded an answer as everyone pointing their Zanapkuto at Rukia.

“Please, everyone, calm down!” It was Ashido who was just following her behind together with the other men in Byakuya’s office.

“Rukia... you need to calm yourself first.” Ashido said in short breaths, “Look around you, everyone is scared.”

Rukia stiffened a bit, as she looks around in every corner of the banquet. They were giving her a look of fear. Her power is uncontrollable, yet she feels so strong and powerful that it also become a very dangerous state for her to master it. She breathes slowly melting and thawing out the area around her slowly as it is, she began to melt. Her hair turns to its original color and her entire organs inside her skin just melted to its core as soon as she reached her normal temperature. She made a little scratch on her left cheek.

“My greatest apology, everyone, Nii-sama.”

“ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL US ALL?!” It was Ikakku.

“SEIZE HER!” Soifon ordered her mobile squad to capture her.

“DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT LAYING A SINGLE FINGER AT HER!” Byakuya roared, glaring Soifon’s subordinates.

“Or you will be killed by her lethal skin?” Byakuya muttered. He chanted some kido spell and targeted it to his sister as a yellow bolt of string keeps her from moving away. “And don’t even think about freezing it!” He warned her.

“Party is over. I’ll take everything under control if you please let me Kyoraku Captain Commander?”

“SHE SHOULD BE IN JAIL! FOR THIS SINFUL ACT! SHE WAS TRYING TO KILL EVERYONE!” Soifon seized.

“It was an accident! She did not do anything wrong!” Ichigo defended.

“Ichigo,” Rukia called him out, “It’s okay.” She gestured him not to speak any further. Ichigo just bit his tongue and obeyed.

Rukia curtsied an apologetic bow in front of the crowd and curtsies herself in front of her dear brother, avoiding the gaze he was giving to her.

“Lift your head.”

Rukia did so and receives a slap from him which took everyone by surprise. The slap that everyone can hear, and they could not believe he just did that to his own sister. She could have been better off in jail than being treated with humiliation with the whole people in Soul Society. Rukia was pretty used to it. A squatter like her to be in the Kuchiki Family, having the title as Lieutenant in the 13th Court Guard and her name is known in the criminal records in Seireitei for transferring her powers to a human boy, and other sins that her brother would always keep on reminding her not to disappoint him again. Until now, she is such a hard-headed Shinigami.

The bolt of binding was still around her body.

“Take her to her room.” Byakuya told his servants as he unbinds the Kido spell from her, as his servants bowed in front of Byakuya and bowed at Rukia before they will take her to her room.

Rukia slumped into her bed. Rolling over to the side, finding it uncomfortable, then slumps back facing the wooden ceilings. She had lost her count how many times she had disappointed him with her manners.

“Rukia-sama, is there anything you need?” She heard her servant by the door, wishing any request from her.

“No, leave me be.” Rukia lost her mood as well, maybe she was ashamed of her doings. Especially, her incident with Ashido, her fight on the dance floor, her anger to her brother, the way she blows some shards of ice nearly killing the people in the mansion, and being the host of the party to show such indecent manner to her visitors.

She counted the spiritual pressure decreased one by one away from the mansion as if they started calling the night to such a pity party. She could feel Ichigo, Renji, Grimmjow, and Ashido along with Byakuya being in the same area together. Her brother might be telling them that they are prohibited from seeing her ever again. Then, they just separated in such a swift manner. Rukia sighed heavily, she doesn’t like staying in her room, she had asked Ichigo to open the window for her at the World of Living at his house, as she had decided it to him that she will be staying at his house for a while. But unfortunately, her brother dumps her in her room.

“Rukia?”

She heard her brother’s stoic voice behind the door. She did not answer.

“Meet me in my office at ten, make sure you are properly dressed!”

If Rukia hadn’t enough temper, she would have freeze the door in no time, or freeze the whole Seireitei that it surely will become a one winter season, and spring, autumn, and summer will cease to exist. She just quickly changes into something more comfortable and presentable, a black with florally patterned kimono. It was given by the elders on her last birthday and waited for the time to strike ten.

She heard a knock o the window sill by her balcony and felt his spiritual pressure.

WHAT THE HELL IS HE THINKING?!

“What the hell are you doing in here!? You can be killed!” Rukia hissed to see this bright orange haired idiot who has no fear of getting himself killed by her brother’s rage.

“Shhh, I’ve learned how to hide my spiritual pressure and don’t shout.” He hissed back at her.

Rukia just shuts her mouth as she joined him in the balcony, enjoying the relaxing cold windy air that Ichigo shivered and Rukia being immune to it. “You should go home, Ichigo. Please.”

“For two years, Rukia. You knew that I’d never listened to whatever you say. And you’re still going to tell me that?”

“For two years, Idiot. You knew that I’d kick your ass if you wouldn’t listen to me, yet you still got your ass kicked by me.”

Ichigo just blinked and got his ass kicked just now. Then he chuckled, let’s just say, Rukia’s kicks hurt a lot. He just rubbed his butt, ignoring the pain---well enduring it while enjoying her company in the silent night.

Rukia just wondered what he was doing in her balcony. “Aren’t you gonna ask about what just happened?”

“I wanted to, but let’s stay here for the silence for a while,” Ichigo stated, closing his eyes while putting his elbows on the railings.

Rukia chuckled silently, “Idiot!”

“Say anything you want.”

Rukia just followed his position then lets out the longest exhale ever recorded. “You see, about what happened, about---”

“About what happened to you and Grimmjow, why did Byakuya call him in his office? Why is he in the game as if he is part of it.” There ICHIGO said it. He could not contain his curiosity anymore to why he was here. He needed answers or he wouldn’t be able to sleep with all the questions running in his head.

“Well, he offered me a drink.” She said simply.

“And?”

“And ask me that he will work for me in the near future.” Rukia sighed, she was being asked the same question for one night and by two persons. And she is tired of hearing it.

“And about that KISS?! Could you please explain it to me?” He was now facing her, frustrated.

“The kiss, was...nice?”

“I DIDN’T SAY TO DESCRIBE IT!”

“Well, I was surprised by it, and I missed Ashido.”

“A total stranger, yes. Yet you still responded, and are you sure you consider it as a friendly camaraderie?”

“I never said it was!”

“Then why did you respond?”

“Because---”

“Because you’ve never been kissed before, and you responded because you felt nice in his lips?”

“Why do you care so much about me kissing someone?!”

“BECAUSE YOU DON’T LOVE HIM!”

“Ichigo! Please! GO BACK TO YOUR HOME!”

“NO! I WILL NEVER LISTEN TO WHATEVER YOU WILL SAY TO ME TO GO HOME, TO GO BACK AWAY FROM YOU. BUT I WILL DO WHATEVER PLEASES ME!”

Rukia sighed. “Is there anything you needed to ask?”

“Are you marrying him?”

Rukia looked away. “What other choice do I have, of course, I will marry him.”

“Why?”

“I SAID I DON’T HAVE ANY CHOICE!”

“And you would just give it up that easily fighting what is really good for you? But abide for what is good for the Kuchiki Family?”

Rukia did not answer to that.

“Don’t get smart with me, of course, I still have my rights, even if it means my brother will kill me,” Rukia said it with so much vague in her tone of voice.

“Then, it is your turn to answer me, why would you care so much as much as this?”

Ichigo nearly bit his tongue, nearly stuttered, “because you are my friend, and--”

He looked away, he cannot believe that his heart was racing like this, “and I don’t want you to get married yet.”

Damn, why do I sound so possessive!?

“And if you do, I-I could feel I don’t have anyone to talk to, to argue to, to fight to, to stay in my closet, and to have this kind of normal and freedom relationship like we had, like this, right now.”

Rukia felt the warmth when he said those words. It really means a lot to her, she just smiled. She was so happy to hear such sentiment of what real friendship is all about. That’s how their relationship works.

“Idiot, even if I marry him, our relationship remains intact.” 

No, don’t even think of marrying him or marrying someone. Ichigo held his grip.

“I don’t know, Ichigo. Even if I don’t have any other choice. I feel like I’m being choked down and being forced into something I couldn’t deal with.”

“Then, I will help you.”

“Over my dead body.”...”

“Rukia please, trust me this time. I will convince Byakuya not to marry you with Ashido.”

“And why can’t my sister be married to him, Ichigo Kurosaki? And did I ever warn you to stay away from Rukia a while ago?”

“Byakuya! You cannot just separate Rukia and me for some stupid reason! And do you think Rukia would be happy about that? She is your dear sister, treat her correctly! And You cannot force her to something she cannot handle, she is still learning and improving, she doesn’t have to be perfect in everyone's eyes, because for me, Rukia has her own imperfections and she is not ashamed of it! She has her own kind of strength by being one of the strongest Shinigami’s I’ve ever known! And it is not just being a Shinigami is her strength, but she is strong to handle any situation even from her childhood and up to this day! And that’s how strong she is no matter what you can do to make you control her! She is strong! She is not some kind of Royalty to be treated like a rose-tinted glass, she is Rukia! She is someone who can fight on her own, even though she really needed it! But that’s what makes her different! She is unique! You cannot protect her forever! Because she is strong enough than to be protected by thousands of blades! AND YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF HER! Brother to brother, I am disappointed in you!”

Byakuya who have entered in the scene startled Rukia, as Rukia kept her silence. This time, she couldn’t say any words. She wouldn’t want this night to be a burden for her. She could not believe what she just heard, it makes her happy, Ichigo said those to her? In front of her brother? And Praying that Ichigo wouldn’t be killed either.

THIS STUPID IDIOT! 

“Very well.” 

“What!?” Ichigo and Rukia said in shock, that was fast? Did Byakuya get awaken with what Ichigo just said?

“Kurosaki, don’t ever think so highly of yourself, you are not the reason why I change my mind.” Byakuya said with such venom in his voice. 

Ichigo just blushed embarrassingly. With Rukia hearing all the things he said about her in front of her brother, then this oh-so-high-and-mighty Noble Shinigami grade A pain in the ass would tell him something like that was even more embarrassing.

“Rukia, I’m sorry, I’m sorry about not being the perfect brother, I’m sorry that I hurt you. I want to stab myself---” Byakuya ranted, looking down on the floor.

“N-Nii-sama! Lift your head.” It was her turned to slap him back, but not in a way of paying back, but waking him up.

Byakuya deserved that one. “You slap like, Hisana.”

“Everything is all right.”

“Not everything, Rukia. I have carved a deep scar in your heart even from the day we met and even before we met. I could not see myself a perfect brother for you. I don’t worth calling myself your brother.”

“Nii-sama, I told you. It’s alright, can we speak later.” Rukia needed him to go, she wanted to hear whatever Ichigo just said to her.

Byakuya did not say anything at all. But felt his sister was pushing him away because of what Ichigo had said about her sister. He felt rejected. And he was not happy about Ichigo saying those things to his sister. Does he even deserve this?

Byakuya just leaves them defeatedly as he returned to his office to speak with Rukia later. That insolent human, don’t even think about touching my sister.

“So--”

“DON’T EVEN START WITH THAT! I DARE YOU!” Ichigo said, with a flush on his face.

“I’m different...I’m unique? I’m strong?”

Ichigo needed to calm himself down. “Well yeah---”

“It’s just, I just realized that one, but I cannot even bring myself that I’m always here to protect you.”

“I don’t need it, Ichigo.”

“And I need you to protect me as well, Rukia.”

Rukia just looked at him they were gazing at each other. “Stupid.”

“Midget.”

Then they just laughed. Then looked at the moon, how beautiful it is. 

“The moon.��� Rukia started.

“What about it?” 

“It’s beautiful,” Rukia said admiringly, closing her eyes.

Ichigo just looked at the moon then to her, “Yeah.” He smiled. “I’m looking at one right now.” Whispering. He returned his gaze back at the moon after he was being too obvious.

“And she’s really beautiful.” He said with a smile.

“RUKIA! WILL YOU STILL MARRY ME!?”

DAMN IT! Ichigo thought interrupted by Ashido and the others who barged into Rukia’s balcony.

“What the hell are you guys doing in here!?” Rukia hissed.

“RUKIA I’M SORRY ABOUT EARLIER!” Renji who was sorry for himself.

“Hey, Ruks, let’s go slay some Menos Grande’s in Huenco Mundo, just you and me.”

“HEY! YOU GUYS ARE INTERRUPTING US!” Ichigo wailed.

“Scatter, Senbonzakura.”