Ichigo could feel his eye twitching again.

"You've been waiting for this to happen." he echoed back to his father.

Isshin Kurosaki nodded vigorously; so much it seemed as if his head could fall off.

"And you thought that it was a good idea to bring," he waved his hand in the general direction of the crowd - made up of Uryu, Chad, Keigo, Mizuiro, Yoruichi, Kukaku, Ganju, most Captains, all Lieutenants and a few seated officers from the Gotei Thirteen - "everyone along with you?"

"Well, not everyone." Kisuke Urahara replied from behind his fan. "Just those who wanted to come."

"Byakuya let us know where you were so here we are!" the former Captain of the Tenth declared, as if it was expected for them, ALL OF THEM, to be there.

The Captain of Division Six said nothing while his Fukutaicho stood, grinning like an idiot, beside him.

He turned his head to look at Rukia who blushed furiously in the company of Tatsuki, Orihime and his sisters.

The Shinigami Daiko sighed.

Why they decided to descend from the top of the execution stand to see what the ruckus was about is beyond him.

They should have just ran away; headed for the other direction.

But, since they're there now...

"Why is Ichigo's spiritual pressure rising?!"

... he wasn't going to let them (especially his dad, who he knew was most likely the mastermind behind this)...

"Ichigo, son, wh-what are you doing?!"

... get away with...

"I think Ichigo's mad!"

...embarrassing Rukia...

"Ichigo's drawn both his swords!"

... and ruining that special moment between them.

"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"

Rukia instinctively moved the twins behind her while Tatsuki laughed at the situation. Orihime summoned her Santen Kesshun to shelter those who really had no business (or capability) to be at the receiving end of Ichigo's attacks.

Byakuya Kuchiki gracefully separated himself from the skirmish and called for his sister.

After a quick good-bye to her human friends and a promise to return to the World of the Living soon, she went to him.

"Yes, brother?"

"Are you certain about accepting Ichigo Kurosaki as a suitor?"

And she thought her face couldn't possibly get any redder.

"Yes, brother."

"Very well."

The Head of the Kuchiki Clan returned his attention to the on-going chaos.

Without raising his voice, and retaining his ever stoic demeanor, he said, seemingly to no one in particular: "We shall meet at our family manor in three days."

There was a temporary stillness as the Heads of both the Kurosaki and Shiba households replied, almost simultaneously, "See you in three days."

He glanced over to his lieutenant who had his face flat on the ground. "Renji, come, we have preparations to attend to."

The red-head abruptly stood; brushing off whatever dirt he had on himself. "Hai, Taicho."

When Renji Abari became an official - "unofficial" member of the noble clan was vague, but he was honored to be included, nonetheless.

He gave his childhood friend a smile, genuinely happy for her, despite the annoying, slightly painful tug at his heart.

But when Rukia returned his smile with her own, her face radiant, he knew that he was going to be okay with what was to come.

He gave her a playful nudge before the unlikely trio started walking away.

"RUKIA!"

She stopped, surprised when Ichigo flash-stepped towards her...

... appeared by her side...

... then kissed her on the cheek.

Renji looked at his superior.

"Is he allowed to do that?"

Byakuya said nothing and resumed walking while the onlookers cheered.

Rukia stammered a quiet farewell before catching up with Renji and gripping his arm for support. Her friend chuckled but said nothing else as they followed Byakuya down the hill.

Ichigo smiled despite the blood rising to his cheeks; proud of what he had done.

"Woohoo! Way to go, Ichigo!"

Vein pop.

Oh yeah, he almost forgot about them.

With a renewed grip on Zangetsu, he charged.

He really had no intention of hurting them... much.

This should teach them to mind their own business.

Unlikely, knowing his family, his friends and Shinigami comrades, but, worth the shot anyway.

- THE END -

Author's Note: Whew! I had to reign this in a bit because it was starting to become longer than all four chapters combined. So if the scene feels rushed, it kind of is, but mostly because I took out a lot of speaking lines. I just wanted to keep the idea that there was a curious mob at the bottom of the stand who saw (most likely heard) the whole exchange between Ichigo and Rukia then got their asses kicked by Ichigo for being nosy. Byakuya (reluctantly) opens his home to Isshin and the Shibas to discuss arrangements for the two during their courtship and again, Renji does not get left out. And, to make up for all the shouting I put IR through, I let them have one kiss.

Again, thank you for taking interest in this story! I hope to be able to add more to my other one, "Snippets," *coughshamelessplugcough* now that this is done (I have a few more ideas floating in my head). Know that I very much appreciate the likes, follows and reviews/comments. 'Til the next inspiration!

PS. "I Love You, Goodbye" is a song made popular by Celine Dion and written by Diane Warren. Bleach is by Tite Kubo and we all wish that he would make "IchiRuki" canon.