The King's Death

Chapter 21:Ichigo And Rukia Room

I awoke around dawn as the hazy light shone through the window. I can feel her small frame on top of mine and somehow throughout the night she shifted until she was thrown across my chest her head on my right bicep. Her black hair was still perfectly in its place even after our rough night and our long training. Her hand was fisted around the sheet and brought up to her loosely parted red lips. Her small face was relaxed and her hips were tilted forward but not completely flat against mine. Her feet were tangled in mine and ended near my knees. Her other hand was beside my head mostly because she had been playing with my hair before she fell asleep.

"Morning beautiful." I murmur brushing a strand of hair from her forehead as her eyes flutter open revealing those beautiful pools of violet blue. Her lips curve into a soft heartwarming smile. "Is it just me or does it seem like today is better already?"

"You're silly Mr. Kurosaki." She murmurs pressing her lips to mine. I hold her cheek tenderly in my hand.

"Shouldn't you be training Mrs. Kurosaki?" I reply pulling away from her. She stands allowing the sheet to fall from her body as she walks toward our bathroom. She opens the door and turns halfway around curving her finger beckoning me to follow her. I allow a smile to cross my features and follow her quickly.

We walk down stairs and sit at the table eating in a comfortable silence.

"Ichigo can I tell you something?" I look to her and nod softly she clears her throat before looking to our joined hands. "You scare me sometimes…not in the way you think Ichigo…you scare me when you go into a battle that you may not win when you fight Hichigo and you scared me last night when I watch your body hit the ground like that. I don't want to lose you, I can't lose you, and I will never be able to move on without you." She murmurs tears forming in her eyes. They fall down her cheeks and I wipe them away hesitantly. Before I speak I kiss at the trail marks and then choose my words wisely.

"Rukia I swear to you that I won't leave this earth until you leave it. I couldn't bear to leave you alone and yes I know I scare you and yes I know that I might come back from battle hurt and injured but I will never die. You are my reason to fight, my only reason to live until we create a family and then they too will add to my reasons to fight and live. You will always keep me alive, I know that people think that when you think of everything you'll lose when you are about to die you will die but I find that thinking of you makes me stronger it makes me believe that no matter what I need to win so I can see your beautiful face again." Her eyes widen and she lunges at me knocking me to the floor in a tight bone crushing hug. The chair clatters behind us making noise and she kisses me softly before hugging me tighter. Her brother and Renji come up the steps cautiously and their eyes widen at Rukia sprawled across my chest hugging me tightly and not looking like she's letting go anytime soon.

"Rukia I think he needs to breath." Renji mutters softly while keeping his laughter at bay. She looks up and pokes her tongue out at him glaring full force. Byakuya sits down and we return to our previous seats noticing the serious look in his eyes.

"We have gotten word from Head Captain Yamamoto that the rank of the opposing group have dwindled considerably however there has also been a noticeable amount of hallows and arrancar appearing around here and they said that there was a reaction in the division 12 and a possible arrancar spotting. They are worried and want us to stage our attacks as soon as possible." Rukia looks down slowly playing with her fingers.

"Well I certainly hope you guys fight well because I won't be joining your battle any longer." Her words freeze me and I turn to her quickly confusion crossing my features along with her brother and Renji.

"Rukia, I'm not sure I follow you, why won't you be participating?" Her brother murmurs softly. Rukia takes my hand and I kiss the back of her hand tenderly.