Affected By Death

Chapter 15: Interview

"So how are you?" Isshin asks with a knowing wink, and Ichigo turns red from anger rather than embarrassment, but Rukia answers before he can.

"I'm actually nervous about the interview...did I do anything weird on the way out of the party last night?" Rukia asks, and Isshin gawks at her as he realizes she doesn't remember the end of the previous night.

"Rukia-chan...you don't remember?" Isshin squeaks out, and Ichigo sighs with annoyance.

"I forgot you agreed to that damned interview...and to answer your question, you didn't do anything weird besides hold my ass the entire time until we got to the car squeezing it with all your might. I'm sure the media got some good shots of that." Ichigo says, as he remembers the puppy dog look that the reporter had given to his fiancé.

Rukia has a look of horror on her face and she tugs at Ichigo's shirt sleeve.

"I did what?" She gasps, and Isshin can't help it, he starts to laugh.

"That's not all you did Rukia-chan...when we got home-" Isshin is cut off by Ichigo punching him in the face.

"She knows." Is all Ichigo will hiss and he pulls his arm back like he's going to punch his dad again, but Isshin quickly nods his assent.

"Okay, okay! I get it!" Isshin concedes, and he feels a little bit bad over how red his soon to be daughter-in-law looks.

"I really did that? I held your butt like that?" Rukia whispers, part of her horrified, part of her eager to do it again, and soon.

"Yeah and you smacked my ass on the way into the car too." Ichigo grumbles at her, and Rukia gives him an apologetic look.

"So what if people think she only wants you for your body?" Isshin says next, and Ichigo gives him a threatening look, but Isshin snickers like he doesn't care if Ichigo punches his head clear off his body.

"What! That's not true!" Rukia bursts out and Ichigo rolls his eyes at her.

"Ignore him." Ichigo says, and Isshin snickers some more.

"That's not what you were telling her when she said you two would take a shower together..." Isshin trails off and quickly puts his forearms in front of his face in case Ichigo decides to clobber him again.

"Shut up!" Ichigo shouts, and Rukia gives a small embarrassed smile, while trying to live up to her now wild reputation.

"When he's right, he's right." Rukia says, and Ichigo gives her a wide eyed stare.

"Don't encourage him!" Ichigo snaps at her, and Rukia laughs.

"He helps to take away the tension...and it feels like your father really accepts me as your future wife. I like that." Rukia says, and Isshin winks at her.

"I'm just glad this idiot hasn't messed things up with you Rukia-chan!" Isshin is practically singing, and Ichigo sighs.

"When do we have to leave for this interview...and how long will it last?" Ichigo asks, and Rukia winces as she wonders what kinds of questions Hisagi will ask her.

"After I have a couple of drinks to calm me down a little more. And it'll last at least an hour. Probably two. " Rukia says, and Ichigo doesn't know if he likes or dislikes the sound of that idea.