Ichigo x Rukia

Convincing Byakuya

He knocked on the door a few times. "Come in." Ichigo slid the door open and stood in front of Byakuya. He nervously played with the fabric on his Shihakushō.

"Hi," he greeted Byakuya with a timid smile. "Y-you uh, look good..." Byakuya analyzed Ichigo, then he nodded.

"Thank you. I wish I could say the same about you." Ichigo tried to keep himself calm. "What do you want, Kurosaki?" Ichigo took in a deep breath.

"I came to ask for your blessing," Ichigo said firmly. Byakuya's eyes narrowed. "I want to ask Rukia to marry me."

"No. You are not suited for her."

"Byakuya-"

"No." Byakuya got up to leave when Ichigo stopped him.

"What can I do to prove I'm worthy?" Byakuya stared at him. "Rukia is always safe when she's with me. When she's with me in the World of the Living, she feels comfortable there. She likes it-"

"Do not talk on Rukia's behalf." Byakuya sighed. "I'll observe how safe, and comfortable she is with you for a night. I will judge everything you say and do. And, if I feel Rukia is not safe or comfortable, then you are not worthy." With that, Byakuya left the room. Ichigo smiled hopefully.

____________

Rukia laid on the couch. She wore one of  Ichigo's t-shirts. The front door opened and Ichigo and Byakuya walked in. "Ichigo! Hey," she greeted, not looking up from the manga she was reading.  Ichigo looked at her and smiled. If Byakuya wasn't here, he would sit her on his lap and kiss her.

"Hey," he answered. She looked up and her eyes widened when she saw Byakuya.

"B-brother!" she blushed feeling embarrassed about being only in a big t-shirt. Byakuya looked around the apartment. It was very clean, something he did not expect from Ichigo. "Uh...what are you doing here?" she asked politely.

"He came to observe me. He's thinks I'm not worthy of being with you." Ichigo said. Rukia nodded understandingly and still flustered.

Ichigo went into the kitchen and began cooking dinner. Byakuya noted how carefree Rukia was with Ichigo. He knew that if he hadn't been there, Rukia wouldn't of been so embarrassed. Byakuya felt a twinge of envy towards Ichigo. Ichigo has seen other sides of Rukia beside her being formal. The carefree side of Rukia, the fun and loving side of Rukia. It was something Byakuya wouldn't get to witness.

Rukia calmed down and soon forgot Byakuya was there, and so had Ichigo. "Look." Ichigo was in the middle of cutting vegetables. He turned his attention to Rukia. She held open a page from the manga in front of him.

"Hey! Don't spoil it for me! And anyway we're supposed to be reading it together!" Rukia giggled. "Put it away!"

"No!" she said and ran. Ichigo quickly turned off the stove and ran after her, joining in on her game. Not long afterwards, Ichigo got a hold of Rukia. She threw the book out of his reach and laughed. "My book mark fell out!" Ichigo smirked.

"You deserve it!" He hovered over her and intertwined his fingers with hers. He leaned down and was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing there throat. They looked up at Byakuya. Rukia quickly crawled her way out of Ichigo's grasp. She sat by the couch out of Byakuya's view, while Ichigo went back to the kitchen trying to hide his blush. Byakuya watched every second silently. Of course, he didn't like the intimacy between them and couldn't even imagine his sister being married to this orange haired man. However, he saw how happy Rukia was and could not take that away.

Moments later, Ichigo placed Rukia's food on her spot on the dining room table. "Rukia! Dinner." Byakuya took a seat next to her. Unfortunately, it was were Ichigo liked to sit. Ichigo placed a plate of food in front of Byakuya and took a seat in front of Rukia. Before Ichigo could begin to eat, two soul pagers and a substitute Soul Reaper badge went off.

"I got it," said Rukia.

"I got it."  Ichigo jumped up. Rukia frowned.

"You went last time."

"Who cares. I'm going."

"I can take down a hollow on my own."

"I know you can."

"You seriously have to stop worrying about me. I'm not going to get hurt." Ichigo ignored her and quickly left before she could interfere. Rukia pouted and sat back down. She didn't want him getting hurt either. Byakuya turned his attention back to the meal in front of him. He looked and saw Rukia gobble down the food left for her. She blushed and ate slower. "It tastes really good." Byakuya began to eat and was very surprised by Ichigo's talent for cooking. "Do you like it, brother?" He reluctantly nodded.

"It's edible." They ate in silence for a while. "You seem very...content with him." Rukia felt the mood lighten. She nodded happily.

"Yes," she gushed. Without realizing it, she began rambling on. "He always makes me happy." Byakuya felt a bit saddened that Rukia will soon be married to him. Yet he enjoyed seeing her this way. Ichigo walked in and didn't go to his seat right away. He listened to her speak. "He's funny to. And obviously he's a really good cook..." Ichigo came from behind her and hugged her. She blushed and so did he.

Ichigo walked outside with Byakuya. "So..." Byakuya sighed, and let himself show a tiny smile.

"You have my blessing, Kurosaki.

Fin.