Affected By Death

Chapter 11: The Scoop

"Do you think they'll leave you alone now?" Rukia asks, as she settles onto Ichigo's floor to sleep, and he wishes she'd get back into the bed with him, but she's proving to be more stubborn than ever on that subject.

At least she stays in my room with me...

"I hope so..." Ichigo tells her as he hops out of his bed, grabs his pants, and reaches deep in the pocket.

"What are you doing?" Rukia ask curiously, and Ichigo smiles at her as his hand closes around what he's looking for.

Rukia's heart skips a beat when she sees him smile at her like that, and she feels herself get a bit breathless as she awaits his answer.

"With everything that happened, I didn't get to do this yet...will you stand up" Ichigo asks, and Rukia sits up looking confused.

"Why?" She asks, even as she's already getting to her feet.

Ichigo drops down to one knee and looks up at her with his face red, grabbing her left hand into his hands.

"Because...even though you've already agreed to marry me, I just wanted to make it official." Ichigo says, as he slides the ring that his father gave to him onto her finger.

"It's beautiful!" Rukia breathes, as she stares at the ring in shock and excitement.

I've never felt this happy in my whole entire life!

"I'm glad you like it." Ichigo says softly, before standing up and turning off the light.

"Good night, Ichigo..." Rukia says softly, and Ichigo is tempted to tell her it would be a good night if she'd get back into his bed but he's able to restrain himself in time.

"Good night, Rukia."

Isshin is standing outside of the door, smiling hard since he knows how his son must be suffering. For some reason he finds that fact very amusing.

"I don't think my first grandchild can come quickly enough!" Isshin whispers so as to not be heard by his son and future daughter-in-law.

"What are you doing? Spying again?" Karin asks dryly, and Isshin flinches from not expecting her.

"Since the engagement party is tomorrow, I was just making sure it was peaceful," Isshin says, and Karin rolls her eyes.

"That wouldn't have worked even when I was a child." She retorts in an irritated voice and Isshin chuckles.

"I know. You always were way too observant." Isshin remarks, and Karin balls up her fist to slug him, but Isshin darts off ahead of her, and she chooses not to chase him like her stupid brother would.

"And he'd most likely be stopped by Rukia-san again too." Karin mutters, even as she tries to keep herself from smiling.

"You like her don't you?" Yuzu asks, and Karin nods looking amused.

"Who wouldn't?" She asks, and Yuzu shrugs at that one.

"Karin-chan?" Yuzu asks from around the corner and Karin finally grins.