48Thanks to Wolfgang04 I realized I ended this story prematurely. So here's another chapter dedicated to all of you who're still interested to read. My gratitude to all for taking time to review.
Disclaimer: If I were Kubo, Ichigo and Rukia would have been married and have lots of Kouichi's already, dammit!
Epilogue – Part 1
Ichigo couldn't explain the rush of feeling sweeps over him as he felt Rukia clutches more tightly at him and responds to his kisses the same passion he is kissing her. All his senses are on high alert but focused only on the girl trapped in his arms who he has no plan of releasing anytime soon.
This is the first time in eight years that he felt alive again, that all his organs are functioning properly again, as if some parts of his body has been lying dormant and kissing Rukia has awakened them.
Ichigo tighten his hold on her waist more and delve in her mouth deeper. He felt like he was transported back to eight years ago- eight years ago when he first made out with his girlfriend, but this time, holding back be damned.
Rukia's body is entirely at Ichigo's mercy. Her feet are barely touching the floor. She couldn't do anything but accept his assault and she wouldn't have it any other way. She remembers he was always intense with her, as if she's the only thing in the world that matters, only this time he kisses her with so much more intensity that her heart feels like it's going to explode soon with happiness.
Ichigo is so lost in Rukia's scent and warmth. He wanted to feel her more, to make sure that this is not just a figment of his imagination, or that it was not one of those dreams he had over the past eight years.
So when he thought that he has kissed her enough for her to remember the shape of his lips again, he moves on and sticks his tongue in her mouth, swiping his tongue with hers. She moaned and that delicious sound travels all the way to his lower region. He too couldn't help but groan in her mouth for Rukia is running her fingers in his head. That was one of his weaknesses and he's glad she remembers. Ichigo grabbed both her bum as he lifted her high up where she can clamp her legs in his waist. She did just that.
When Rukia is secured in his arms, Ichigo blindly started to walk towards the stairs while his tongue is still battling with hers. His knees nearly gave out when Rukia closes her lips and sucks his tongue. He stopped walking to relish the sensation. Instead of heading to the stairs, he moves towards the nearest flat surface which happens to be a display table and sat Rukia there. He proceeded to kiss her further and this time his hands are now free to do its own exploring.
He tangled his fingers in her hair and tilted her head to have more access. Rukia complied as she tightens her legs around Ichigo, bringing their lower bodies even closer. She swallowed Ichigo's groans.
The hand that was gripping Rukia's waist loosens and she felt it travelled to her stomach. She remembers this is what started that brought Kouichi into this world. With this thinking, Rukia's hazy mind clears a little.
"Ichigo…" she called without realizing she moaned his name instead, she received his attention alright but not the way she intended to, for Ichigo hearing her calling out his name in that voice has heated him even more. His hand left her stomach and went up to caress her breast. Rukia arched her back as he touches her; she felt electricity run in her body- her body that has not been touched for a long time. It craved for him, only him.
Ichigo is so lost in the moment already that nothing else mattered. He yanked her blouse up along with her bra and buried his face in her chest all in a second, his other hand still keeping her in place. Rukia cried out even more.
Rukia couldn't recall if this was how great she felt when they had done it eight years ago- eight years ago when Ichigo claimed her for the first time, and unfortunately, their last too.
Something nagged in her consciousness again.
"Ichigo, stop." This time she was proud her voice is a little clearer. "Your son might wake up."
That earns her a little reaction. Ichigo stopped only to put his hands in her back and behind her legs and carries her hastily towards the stairs. He crosses the stairs two steps at a time.
"Which one?" He asked huskily. His eyes are still clouded with longing.
Rukia realized what he is asking and she pointed her room. In just a few strides, Ichigo reached her room and laid her in the bed with him following. He kisses her again while his hands got busy removing her clothes.
His mouth travelled down to her neck, to her chest, to her stomach. When his lips was about to go down further, Rukia held his head and told him to stop again
Ichigo's lips still for a moment then went up again and buried his face in her neck. "Please Rukia, I'm begging you, don't tell me to stop. I've been pent up for eight long years and you've ever let me have you once. I've waited long enough, don't you think?" Ichigo begged, his breath fanning Rukia's neck. His body sprawled on top of her. His trouser is torturing him too.
Rukia was surprised. She gently turn Ichigo's head to see his eyes "So, you didn't..." She asked in disbelief but hoping for a certain response.
Ichigo lock his eyes in hers and let her see the honesty in them. "No. Now shut up and let me make up for the time you hid from me." He told her. He didn't wait for her reaction as he ravaged her lips again to make it busy.
Rukia couldn't contain her racing heart. They were still each other's first and last. She threw all her remaining resistance to the wind and focused her mind to the sensation Ichigo is giving her. It's time she does the worshipping.
When Ichigo finally left her lips and went to her neck, Rukia took the opportunity and ran her tongue in Ichigo's ear as she glided her hand inside Ichigo's back. She tugged at his shirt. Ichigo took it out in a matter of second and return his lips to her body. Rukia slightly sat up and kissed Ichigo's neck as she gripped his behind.
Ichigo's body heated even more as he felt Rukia's tongue and hands in his body. He held her tighter. His lips leaves marks as it passes. He familiarized himself again with every part of her body. She is still petite but she has developed into of a woman.
Rukia is doing the same thing. She might not know what to do in their first time but she has knowledge now even if not actual.
Her violet eyes admires Ichigo's toned body. He has matured a lot, she thinks. She caress his broad shoulder, his chest, his firm abdomen. She flushed when she saw the prominent bulge in his pants.
"God, I missed you, midget…." Ichigo huskily said as he proceeded to kiss her again. Rukia's hand moves and she started to unbuckle his belt.
Ichigo did the same and started to remove Rukia's pajama.
They were both so lost that they don't care about anything except each other.
They were about to completely undress each other when they were sent back to earth by a sound of a knock on the door.
"Mommy? Can I sleep in your bed?" Kouichi called from the door. Ichigo groaned, this time from frustration, his frustration is so painful he could barely hold it in. Rukia giggled. He glared.
"Mommy? Is daddy there?" Kouichi called again.
They both sighed in defeat and started to dress themselves. Ichigo went and open the door. "Hey there, Kou-chan. Why don't you sleep in your room tonight? You can sleep beside your mom next week… no, next month."
Kouichi blinked.
Rukia slaps his shoulder and lifted Kouichi in her arms. Kouichi laid his head in her shoulder and was asleep immediately.
"In UK, he sleeps with me until he turned 3. I was only able to convince him to sleep in his room when he had his private tutor. But even then, some nights, he wakes up and crawls in my bed. The doctor said he might have a mild separation anxiety disorder. That is because it was only the two of us most of the time. My brother increases his visits when I told him of Kouichi's fear. He calls him often too. Aside from telling him about you and your family, I also started gathering pictures of you so it will lessen the time he felt alone.
Gradually, he got over his fear and was able to sleep alone. Occasionally, just like tonight, he still comes to my room, sometimes after seeing me he goes back to his own bed and sleeps." Rukia told him.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't there with you." Ichigo kissed her head then Kouichi's. Ichigo ran his hand in his son's hair. "It will be the three of us now, always. When dad and the twins get to know of him then Kouichi will be the one to hide from them. Although, if Kouichi is anything like me when I was a kid, you alone will settle his fear." He told Rukia. She smiled at him.
"Hey, you have nothing to feel sorry for. I was at fault here." Rukia said. Her eyes down.
Ichigo gathered them in his arms and told her, with his lips in her head "Don't worry about it anymore. Having you again and Kouichi is enough for me. Just don't disappear on me again, please, or you'll surely kill me this time."
Rukia leaned into him. She couldn't thank the Gods enough for this man.
Ichigo carefully took Kouichi from Rukia. He couldn't help the smile showing in his face when Kouichi cling to him, laid his head in his father's shoulder and continued sleeping.
They walked towards his room and Ichigo tucked his son to bed.
"It's late, Ichigo. You had better go." Rukia told him. As much as she wants him with her, something are still needed to be settled.
Ichigo nodded. He understand what she meant. They headed down. Before Ichigo left though, he pulled Rukia in his arms and held her. "I love you."
Rukia tighten her embrace as response.
"Make sure to lock the door." Ichigo told her.
"My house is guarded, Ichigo, and before you say anything, let me tell you, they were handpicked by my brother." Rukia told him, with a smirk in her lips.
Ichigo lifted her face and tapped her chin with his pointer finger. "You still know how to shut me up."
Of course, berry-head, because in my heart, we were never apart, Rukia thought.
Rukia stood on the tips of her toes and reached for his lips.
Ichigo left Rukia's house and decided to see Orihime straight away. He knew everything about this is unfair to her and he is entirely to blame and no one else. But between that and Rukia, he would gladly face anyone's wrath than to let Rukia slip in his fingers again.
Unbeknownst to Ichigo, Orihime is already on the road of accepting she has lost him. She had suspected she's starting to lose him from the moment he confirmed that the ex-girlfriend he fell deeply in love with was Rukia Kuchiki, she knows it when she remembers how intensely Ichigo had looked at Rukia during the time they were in her office. She had brushed it aside thinking that he might have just been observing the woman knowing her family was famous. But it sealed all her doubts when he did not answer her straight away and didn't not gave her a definite answer when she asked him if he still love her. She concluded she lost him from the moment Ichigo's eyes laid on his ex-girlfriend again.
In the depths of her heart, she thought she saw this coming because even before they meet Rukia, she still couldn't believe that she's dating him, let alone proposed to her, for Ichigo had never looked at any woman from the time she first saw him.
And she knew him from a long time.
She knew Ichigo from their University days, and she loved him then. She admired his dedication, his skills, his gentleness that no one sees unless you observe him. Observe him was all she did at first. She watched him always alone and so focused in his study, always aiming for the top grade, like he wanted to prove something to someone. After a year of admiring him from afar, she squared her shoulder and approached him, introducing herself. She remember she had been so happy when they started hanging out. She got to know about his goals, got to hear a little info about his family and most of all, she got to know a little about his love life. One time when she had caught him off guard, he had told her that he loved his ex-girlfriend so much but she left him. Until now, she still couldn't forget the longing played in his face, but along with the longing, the pain in his eyes was so blatant that it was the first time she willingly looked away from him. She had felt her heart brakes for him too. So she stayed by his side and did all her best to cheer him up.
She had thought she was getting closer to win his affection, but then Ichigo accepted a medical program overseas and left the country. She was devastated then.
After a couple of years, she was shocked to know Ichigo had returned in the country and started to work in the same hospital she works at.
She had thought that her feelings for him had disappeared along with him but she had been mistaken, for the moment she saw him, all her feelings came back too. So after they re-acquainted, she waited for a few months until he was settled in the hospital and declared her love to him.
She told him she loved him from the time she first approached him when they were still in school and that she still love him until now. She told him she only ever love him and that if he accepts her then she will never leave him, she will never run away from him. His eyes widens then. She had almost regretted saying it as his amber eyes became dull, his face became indifference. Her hidden message was fully conveyed if she was to base it on his expression. To her surprise and delight, he had nodded. He had told her "okay."
Now that she thinks of it, he has never really accepted her in his heart. His heart has never been hers. How could she have concluded that? Well, maybe because he barely initiate any intimate moment with her, he only ever kiss her chastely and she could count in her hands the time they went out for a date in the almost 3 years they were together. Or maybe, she could base it on the fact that she's at the bottom of his priority list, his work being on the top. Given, with their profession, they both have busy schedule, him so much more than her, but she would gladly choose him over her work. This treatment has started to kill her inside, she had thought they will remain that way, but he surprised her again when he proposed. She cried in happiness when she accepted the ring. Her happiness is short lived though, because he told her it will be a long engagement as he wants to focus more in his research. So yeah, she really did not think that she has a hold of his heart.
Orihime held up her hand that bore the ring. She still has not removed it. She wiped the tears cascades down her face, she realized, he might have just done it to shut her up for she had been dropping hints that she wanted him to take their relationship into another level.
She chuckled bitterly. She knew now, why he wanted a long engagement - because he is still hoping, even if unconsciously, for his ex-girlfriend to appear.
And appear she did. Now she lost him. She wanted to bang her head when she remember it was her who dragged him to her. It was her fault that they found each other again. Fate is so cruel to use her, she thought, disheartened.
She wouldn't be surprised if he'll knock on her door anytime soon to break up with her.
And she couldn't have been more right, for only a few minutes more she heard her doorbell rang.
She took a deep breath, wiped her face and begged her heart to stop aching.
So she wasn't surprised when the first word that came out from his mouth was "I'm Sorry."
She looked at him, to this person she adores and love so much. "I understand." She said. Really, there's nothing else to say. There's no point competing with the girl he is so in love with, not to mention they have a son together.
"I'm sorry." He said again. "Please, tell me if there's anything you want me to do."
Anything I want you to do? If I tell you to love me instead, will you do it? If I ask you to give me your heart, will you give it? Orihime wanted to ask but controlled herself.
Enough already, Orihime. You had your chance. You just have to accept that sometimes the only thing you so desperately wanted is not really meant to be yours. She chastised herself.
She took a deep breath and commanded her whole body to stop shaking, although her tears are stubborn, they couldn't be stopped. "I already cancelled everything except for the house plan." I'm sure you have done that, already, she thought. "I will inform my side of the family. Just do yours." She added. She removed the ring and put it in the table.
Ichigo nodded.
Orihime stands, face to the side. She couldn't bear the torture of seeing him anymore. "Be happy, Ichigo."
Ichigo stands as well, nodded and left.
Orihime sat down again, she let everything out now. She cries freely as her body shook. She looked down and saw the ring. Her heart weeps even more.
Friday. Past four in the afternoon, Ichigo parked his car near the school gate and waited for Kouichi. When it was almost five, he got out from his car and waited at the gate. Not long after, a guy stand beside him.
"What took you so long, idiot?" It was Renji, looking at the same direction as Ichigo.
"Huh?" Ichigo was confused.
"This morning, I saw Rukia laughed. The last time I heard her laugh freely was when she was with you. So I knew instantly you guys has settled your issues." He smirked.
Ichigo wanted to smile so badly that he shifted his face to the side to compose it.
"But you are still a jerk for getting yourself a girlfriend, let alone engaged. Now my wife has been disregarding me to console your fiancée." Renji continued.
"Ex-fiancée." Ichigo corrected. "It wouldn't have come to that if you had not helped hiding her." He looked at Renji with a fierce glare.
"Do you hear what you are saying? You want me to head-butt with Byakuya too? That's suicide, I'm surprised you are still alive. Besides I had thought you were just playing her. You see, a lot of guys had tried that. Why do you think I've been so protective of her? I was so furious because you had succeeded." Renji retaliated.
Ichigo grabbed his collar and said in a gritted teeth, eyes blazing "You know that I loved her and I wouldn't dare play her."
"I know now, alright. I have known from a very long time." Renji removed Ichigo's clutch on him. "As an apology for not helping you, I continued protecting her, I enrolled in the same university and took the same course. Do you know how hard it was to keep up with her? Fending off her admirers was even harder. Sometimes I brought Kouichi to the university to show him off. I tried several times to convince her to call you but she have this reason I don't really understand, something about you living a normal life, or whatever. Who knows what's running in that genius mind of hers. She forbid me to contact you and you know where my loyalty's lies."
"Tch!" was all Ichigo can say.
"Honestly dude, I'm glad you found her. Even I knew you are the only person she ever opens her heart to. That's why, I was close to barging in your office when Kouichi told me he saw you slipping a ring into another woman. You know that kid got his brain from his mom. He's very sharp. The only time I saw him got upset with Rukia was when she agreed to get married. He did not speak to us, even to Byakuya. Eventually, Rukia called off the engagement." Renji told him.
"Does Tatsuki knows about me and Rukia? I met her a couple of times and she didn't say anything." Ichigo asked. Although even if she knows, will she tell him? He doubt it. Tatsuki is loyal to Orihime just like Renji to Rukia.
"No. I didn't tell her anything about somebody else's lovelife. Although she might have her own suspicions every time she see Kouichi. Man, you would have to be blind if you cannot see the resemblance. I even thought I heard Byakuya said something about so much for hoping to at least not inherit that's brat's hair."
Ichigo smiled again. Damn, he is smiling a lot lately.
"I'm just glad she didn't asked me. I would hate to lie to her. I think she might have not connected the dot, she was the one who recommended Rukia to Orihime, anyway." Renji added.
"I'm glad she did. Thank her for me, will you." Ichigo said. He knows, without outside help, chances of him and Rukia bumping into each other in the mall, hospital, or anywhere normal is slim to none. He knows Rukia's life style. The only place he knows she frequented are the orphanage. For several years he scouted most of the orphanage and asked if a certain midget has been visiting. In the end he gave up.
"Are you kidding me? She's still mad at me for not telling her about your twisted lovelife." Renji scoffed. He looked up. "There's the squirt." He nudged his head. Kouichi has just left the building and he was still considerably far. "Sometimes, that obnoxious hair of yours has its uses." He smirked.
"Look who's talking." Ichigo said, his eyes on Kouichi.
"So, I'm leaving them in your care. But I'll still be around to kick your ass…" Renji pointedly looked at Ichigo, then started to walk away, waving one hand. Ichigo watched him stopped beside a limo, tapped the driver's window and told him something pointing at Ichigo. Ichigo guessed it was here to pick up Kouichi. They argued a little then Renji took out his phone, probably to call Rukia or Byakuya, whoever the Limo driver is answering to. Renji then give the phone to the driver. After just a few seconds, the driver gave back the phone to Renji and drove away.
"Thank you, Renji." Ichigo said to his back.
Kouichi's scowl is prominent. He glared at the papers in his hand. Its smell is assaulting his nose. Why couldn't they understand that his mom is not available and that he have a daddy already? Why do they keep telling him to tell his mom to accept them to become his dad so that his family will become complete? Yes, his dad is not around and it has always been him and his mom from the beginning, but he have uncle Byakuya too, and uncle Renji and Aunt Momo. Kouichi understand that his father is a busy man, and that he was away due to his studies and research. He knows too that it was his mom who did not want his father to come home yet because she wants him to fulfill his goals. Even his uncle Byakuya doesn't want his dad to come home and Kouichi wonders why.
Kouichi has always been fine with just his mom. His mom is everything to him. Everyone can disappear but not his mom. Maybe not his dad too, he added in afterthought. Then his scowl vanished instantly when he remember his dad was with them yesterday, he was even at his mom's room. Does this mean that his dad is finally home? That he will be with them from now on? Kouichi hope with all his heart that it is the case for he is getting tired telling his mom's admires that he already have a daddy. He ran towards the gate. He couldn't wait to go home and see his father again.
And Kouichi was surprised to see his father sooner than he thought. His face lighted and brakes into the biggest smile he reserved only for his mother. He waved at his father. Ichigo waved back.
When Kouichi stepped outside the gate, he looked around and did not see a Limo waiting. "Dad, are you here for me?"
Ichigo's heart bloated again, he still couldn't get enough of his son calling him dad or daddy. He ruffled his son's hair. "Of course, who else. Let's go pick up your mom. Are you hungry?"
Kouichi nodded. His smile is still in place. Ichigo took his bag from him and noticed the papers in Kouichi's hand. "What's that?"
Kouichi looked at the papers, his scowl returning. "Just another letters to mom." Kouichi said, heading towards the bin and dropped the papers there.
Upon hearing that, both father and son mirrors each other's scowl. "Tell them you already have a daddy." Ichigo told his son.
"I told them several times, but they told me as long as my surname is Kuchiki, they will not give up." Kouichi said, looking up at his father. His father ruffled his hair again "Don't worry, it's going to change soon." He promised.
Kouichi beamed at his father. Then his eyes caught his classmates looking at them, pointing at his father's hair. Kouichi smugly grinned at them.
So they pick up Rukia in her office. Momo apologized to Ichigo as well and told him she's glad they're back together, that Rukia's finally happy again. She told him the same thing as Renji; that she had wanted to contact him but wouldn't want to face the Kuchiki's wrath.
Ichigo told her it's all good.
They went and ate in a restaurant. Kouichi couldn't be happier. His dad is back and he is holding his mom's hand. Good thing people have two hands for he loves holding his mom's hand too. "It would be great if uncle Byakuya's with us too, right mommy?"
Rukia smiled. Ichigo scowled. Kouichi blinked.
And speaking of the devil, Rukia's phone rang, she took it out and Ichigo saw it was Byakuya calling. Rukia answered the phone and listened to her brother. "I understand, brother." The call ended.
"Ichigo, please bring us home. I have to prepare. Some elders are visiting us tonight." Rukia told Ichigo.
At Rukia's house, while Kouichi's changing in his room. Ichigo tugged Rukia to him. "When you said us, it doesn't include me, right?"
Rukia's hands circled his neck. "It was just a normal visit. Let me tell them first about you. I don't want to surprise them." When she saw Ichigo's unconvinced face, she assured him "Don't worry, I won't let them separate us again. As you so kindly told me in my office – we are not teenagers anymore."
Ichigo nodded. He kissed her forehead and held her some more. He decided to trust Rukia, that she's stronger now. "Be ready tomorrow morning, I want to show you both to dad, Karin and Yuzu." Rukia smiled and nodded.
After telling his son he cannot stay yet, he left the house with a queasy feeling growing stronger in his chest which he just couldn't shake off.
The next day, very early morning of Saturday. Ichigo woke up. He is glad he did not have to go to the hospital today. His mind automatically thought of Rukia. When he remembers who visited Rukia last night, the uneasy feeling from yesterday started coiling in his stomach again. He wanted to see Rukia and his son already. So he took a shower and reminded his father that he is visiting later, to which he responded that Yuzu is already preparing the food and Karin will be home soon and that he is excited to see his idiot son and he would be happier if he brings a grandson with him. Ichigo chuckled as he put down the phone. He could only imagine his reaction when he see that he indeed brought home an eight year old grandson.
So Ichigo anxiously drove to Rukia's house only to be told that the house is empty. The uneasy feeling in his gut instantly morphed into fear and is becoming heavier and heavier every second. Ichigo's heart started beating hard. Rukia did not mention anything about leaving and why would they leave this early in the morning? So, he demanded to one of the guards where did they go.
The guards did not budge. They were not obligated to answer.
Is history going to repeat itself again? Please, not again… not again… Ichigo repeatedly thought.
One of the guards looked at the man who was pulling his hair in frustration, his face in pain. Looking at him made him winced. So he took pity and told him "they went to the airport."
What the guard said echoed in Ichigo's mind, it reverberated in every corner of his brain, and when it finally sink in, he felt like a hole has been blown through his heart, the hole is so big he doubt his heart is still recognizable. The pain stilled him. He couldn't move. He guessed his lungs have abandoned him too for he couldn't breathe.
Not again.. not again… Oh God please, not again…
The guard was so confused with the man's reaction. He just wanted to help but it seems that his words distresses him even more. The man's face is now contorted in anguish that the guard thought he delivered a horrible news when he just told him his mistress and her son's whereabouts.
The guard tried again. So he clarified. "They just left." The man's eyes widens then and the guard saw hope flickers in them.
The guards last words is all Ichigo needs, he nodded in thanks and ran to his car.
As he drove to the airport, he prayed to all the deities that he is mistaken. That Rukia isn't trying to run away from him again.
A/N. This is the outcome of me reading too many shoujo manga while waiting for the last chapter. I wonder what the 'shocking' announcement is all about...
Uh, review?