Affected By Death

Chapter 8: Ichigo's Question

As Ichigo and Rukia enter his room, after their successful first official date, Ichigo smirks at Rukia who isn't sure how to react to that, so she gives him a questioning stare before finally asking the question.

"What are you smirking about?" Rukia demands to know, wondering why his eyes are flashing in such a mischievous manner.

"We leave for this trip in a month, right?" Ichigo asks, and Rukia slowly nods her head yes.

"Yeah..."

"It just occurred to me that a month is when I can finally take up strenuous activities again." Ichigo says, which gets Rukia red instantly.

"Is that all that's on your mind?" Rukia asks worriedly, wondering if Ichigo will be gentle with her the way she hopes he will be.

"No," Ichigo says honestly, but he's still sure it's too soon to tell her he thinks she's the one, even though he said plenty about how he felt just before they reached the restaurant earlier.

I actually told her I didn't want to let her go...I hope I sounded cool and not pathetic...

Rukia also has a look on her face like she's remembering what he'd said in the car and she gives him a small smile. Ichigo feels himself start to heat up so he turns from her and removes his shirt, not realizing that Rukia has inched a bit closer to him and her hands are out and making motions like she wants to squeeze his ass.

Rukia's fingers twitch, and she's so tempted to just grab him, considering how much he played with her last night, but she refrains and yanks her hands still at her sides when he starts to turn back around. Then she is awarded with the view of his muscular chest again. Seeing him naked from the waist up in just his bandages is enough to make her entire body tingle all over.

Damn he looks good...

Then he realizes she's staring, so he puts his hands on his pants to pull them down next...and he has to hold back laughter at the way she keeps staring, but backs up a couple of steps to put some distance between them.

"Ichigo...why are you undressing?" Rukia asks in a whisper, with her eyes wide as hell.

"I'm not completely undressing. I'm still in my boxers." Ichigo objects as he opens a dresser drawer and pulls out a pair of sweat pants. "I'm just getting ready for bed." He tells her, before he slips on his sleeping pants.

Rukia can feel her heart pitter pattering against her chest in a ferocious way, and it's all she can do, not to bring her hand up to her chest which would give her away to Ichigo. She's unaware that she's holding her breath.

I bet he knows he's giving me heart palpitations, and he's probably enjoying it!

She exhales a breath of relief once he's pulled his pants up, and he gives her an amused smile, which horrifies her because that means he noticed the breath she'd been holding. He takes one large step to be near her, and then he places his hands gently on her arms.

"Rukia..." Ichigo's voice sounds extremely seductive, and part of Rukia is totally turned on, while the other part is very wary.

If I let down my guard, he'll surely get me!

"Quit teasing me Ichigo..." Rukia warns him, but that's all she's able to get out of her mouth before his lips come down over her own, and he's kissing her so passionately that she melts completely in his arms, guard completely down.