Hey guys, so I guess I've been gone a while huh? I found this story on my laptop and decided to repost it. I don't mind continuing it if anyone's interested.

Things were hectic last years so I decided to abandon the Heart. I'm sorry that I did, but i don't think I can continue that story. I just didn't know where to go anymore.

If anyone wants the story, i'm glad to send it to you by a pm or something.

Hope you like this.

Rukia Kuchiki slammed the front door of her brother's dining room hard behind her, startling the maid standing outside the door. She stormed through the entrance hall and out the mansion, making her way to her car.

She thought her brother had given up on trying to set her up with some of his business client's sons after the last time. She had ended up throwing a glass of wine the man's face. In a matter of seconds she was out of the giant gates and was driving away from the house, not really knowing where she was going.

After a few minutes of quiet driving, she turned on the radio and started flipping through channels wanting to see if there was anything worthwhile to listen too, she settled on a station which was playing a song she liked.

As she caught site of a bar she liked to visit from time to time, the Redwood Room; she decided she needed a drink to clear her head.

She parked her car by the side in front of the bar totally ignoring the pay before you park sign. Rukia got out of her car, walked to the door and pushed it open, making her way straight to the bar.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked.

"One glass of merlot please," Rukia said.

She looked around the bar while waiting for her drink, it was a little empty except for a few guys who were watching a game of baseball on the fairly large TV. Rukia wasn't really into sports so she didn't waste any time looking at the game.

She then reached into her bag to get some money and ended up accidentally nudging the man sitting beside her at the bar.

She didn't apologize, she was taken by surprise at the color of his hair, she had never seen anyone with bright orange hair before. She quickly realized she was staring so she looked away just as the bartender came back with her drink.

"Here's to you," she said. "Hope your problems aren't as bad as mine"

He turned to look at her a questioning look on his face. She got a good look at him; he was rather handsome, way better looking than the guy her brother had set her up with. He had peach skin with nice brown eyes, then came the orange hair. There was something familiar about his face though, like she had seen him somewhere before.

"So what's your story?" he asked as he finished his glass of scotch then motioned for the bartender for another one.

"Not really much of a story" she replied. "I have a pretty big meeting tomorrow morning… really important meeting…"

He smirked. "You really think it's good to get drunk tonight…"

"Well it's probably not a good idea…" she took a sip of her drink and looked at him. "I have an amazing hangover recipe that works wonders so I'll be fine come tomorrow"

"Really?"

She nodded. "Yeah, works every time. What's your story?"

"Been having a hard time recently" he said shortly before looking away from her back to his drink.

Rukia frowned slightly, a little dejected that he didn't share his story. She looked away from him back to her drink before taking another swig; as she placed the glass down on the table, she couldn't help but giggle.

The orange haired man looked at her, an eyebrow raised.

Rukia's cheeks heated up as she looked at him, a small grin on her face. "I'm not crazy…" she said quickly. "It's just a little amusing that here we both are, trying to forget our problems with a couple of drinks… like we're kindred spirits"

Rukia thought the orange haired man would look away, ignoring her; but he gave her a half-smile. "Believe me it would take me more than a few drinks to forget my problems"

Rukia guessed that his problems might have something to do with a girl.

"Girl troubles?"

"A part of it" he replied lamely, looking down at the counter.

She wanted to ask him about it, but she decided against it as she didn't know him well enough to ask him such personal questions.

"At least you aren't being invited to dinners which turn out to be ploys to set you up" Rukia rolled her eyes before taking a large swig of her wine.

She felt her a little happier as she saw him grin at what she had just said.

"But it doesn't seem like my problems are that big" she added.

He grinned slightly. "We all think our problems are bigger than someone else's… So we go to a bar, wanting to be alone"

Rukia looked back down at her glass. "Is that your way of telling me to stop talking and leave you alone?" she said quietly, a hint of disappointment in her tone.

He turned to look at her, shaking her head "I'm actually enjoying talking to you Miss-"

She looked at him. "Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki"

She raised her dainty small hand from the bar and gave it to him. He shook it. She noticed how small her hand was in his.

"Uryu Ishida"

He released her hand and gave her a smile. "Rukia, that's a lovely name"

She returned his smile. "Thank you. Glad to hear you're enjoying my company"

She felt her phone vibrating in her bag, she didn't bother checking the caller id, she just turned it off, not wanting to be interrupted.

She then signalled to the bartender, wanting to order another drink.

"Add it to my tab" Uryu told the bartender. "I'll also have another"

"Thank you," Rukia said. "But I'm paying for the next round."

"Deal," Uryu agreed as the bartender set new drinks in front of each of them. The TV had been turned off and someone had turned on the stereo, they sat there listening to the R&B music in the air. It gave off a romantic atmosphere.

"Do you come here often?" Rukia asked.

He shook his head and offered her a lazy grin. "No, this is my first time… you?"

She felt her face flush, but she wasn't sure if it was from the wine or his smile; she found it cute. "Once a week with a friend from work…"

"Well, I am glad that I caught you tonight," Uryu said. "Must be fate."

"Fate," Rukia nodded. "She works in mysterious ways, doesn't she?"

"Who said it's a she?" they both laughed. "But yeah she does"

The door to the bar opened, they both turned to see a group of loud talking guys enter and they were making their way to the bar.

Rukia frowned slightly as she didn't want her conversation with Uryu to end yet. She glanced at him, from the look in his eyes she could tell he was thinking the same.

He nodded to a table at the back of the bar; they both stood up and made their way over to the table. As they walked to the table, she could feel his eyes on her backside; she couldn't help but smile.

After they both settled into the booth, she decided to get a better look at him. She had already concluded that he was handsome; he had warm brown eyes, strong jaw and the orange hair, while weird, fit him.

He noticed her eyes on him. "The hair?"

She blushed a little, because she had been caught staring.

"Got it from my mum, was picked on a lot in school because of it"

"I can imagine" Rukia replied with a smile.

They sat for a few moments in silence. "So..." she wasn't sure what to say next.

"I'm a lot more interesting on other days" he told her.

"Too bad that it's not one of those other days"

"I guess" she took another sip. She really didn't know what to say next, luckily for her he broke the silence.

"If I may ask how did your setup go?"

She cringed as she remembered how irritated she had felt when Taka Matsuri had placed his hand on her thighs trying to silently seduce her in front of his father and her brother. She had silently jammed a fork in his hand.

"Terrible is the only word I can use to describe it" he laughed slightly at her expression.

"Wasn't as good looking as me?" he asked, a silly look on his face.

She scoffed jokingly at this. "Who said you were good looking?"

Uryu smirked. "Well you've been staring at me ever since you walked in here"

"I was staring at your hair, I would have also picked on you in school if I knew you" she replied slyly.

He smiled. "Right… just admit, you're attracted to me"

There was no way she was going to admit it, but she was. He looked really good in his black dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. She could see some strong muscles on his arms.

"Not really" she replied turning to look away from him trying to hid the blush of red on her cheeks.

He shrugged his shoulders. "That's too bad… I am attracted to you"

Rukia's looked at him. "Really?"

"Yeah, I really like your eyes. They look like they could see into the soul"

She blushed harder than before and looked down at the table. Never had anyone ever said anything like that to her, be it a stranger that she met in a bar. She didn't say anything because she didn't know what to say. But she was sure he was flirting with her though. It had been a while since she had been flirted with in a bar. Sure she had met a couple of guys over the years in her line of work; but her last boyfriend had been one she met in college.

"I'll be right back" he said suddenly, getting to his feet.

"Um... it's my treat-" Rukia's words were cut off as he left the booth. "Great..." she muttered.

He was probably disappointed; he wanted to get far away from her. Even though she might have just met him, she felt comfortable around him; plus she was attracted to him.

Rukia finished her drink before shoving the glass away and grabbing her bag. She stood up and slowly made her way to the bar with the intent of flirting back with him, but he wasn't there.

She felt disappointment flood her, he must have left. She settled her tab then turned around and slowly made her way over to the door. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to see Uryu smiling, wearing an expensive looking leather jacket.

"You ready to go?" he asked.

She nodded instantly and followed him as they made their way to the exit.

Once they were outside, Rukia turned to look at him. "There's my car" pointing to the black convertible just a few feet away from them. She really didn't know what to say.

Uryu looked at the car for a second admiration in his eyes, before turning back to look at her. He put his hands in his jacket. "I guess this is goodnight then"

Her heart beat faster, taking a step towards him. "I don't want it to be." She said before she could stop herself.

"Me too…" he mumbled taking a step towards her.

The next moment, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers briefly. As he was about to pull away she grabbed the back of his head pulling him closer, deepening the kiss.

Uryu put his arms around her and pulled her closer. A purring noise came from deep within her throat as their bodies pressed against each other.

"If you want," Uryu said, his mouth brushing her ear. "I have a place a few blocks away from here"

"I definitely want," Rukia murmured.

Uryu kissed her again. "Me too"

With kisses like that, Rukia would have followed him anywhere. She was sure the alcohol had lowered her inhibitions. But she didn't care, she wanted to do this.

They walked for what felt like 15 minutes, before they reached Uryu's rather large apartment. She was surprised that there was a place this big in the city.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"It's amazing" Rukia said sincerely.

He hadn't even locked the door before she threw herself at him, kissing him. He was surprised by her forwardness.

They walked backwards, lips still locked together into his room.

"Here we are?" he said softly as they entered the room. It was definitely bigger than hers, he had a white four poster bed, in fact all the furniture was white. The room was surprisingly clean, no clothes were on the floor, except for shoes which were scattered near the window.

She looked up at him, she wanted to be spontaneous and reckless for the first time in her life. She started unbuttoning his shirt.

He helped her pull off his shirt then started working on taking off her clothes.

In a matter of seconds she was in her black bra and knickers standing over him. She blushed a little when she saw him eyeing her appreciatively, she knew she had a nice body.

He slowly ran a hand over her thighs to her flat stomach to her cheeks, gently brushing away the stray bang of hair between her eyes. Rukia looked up at him with trusting eyes. She had only had sex once before and she wasn't very experienced.

He walked over to the bedside table and pulled out a condom just as she asked him if he had any protection.

"Sure" he replied before she started pulling his trousers; again surprised at her confidence.

Rukia smiled up at him before kissing under his chin briefly before capturing his lips in a deep kiss; his hand went round her back to unsnap her bra.

He pulled it off and got a view of her body. Her naked body was extremely incredible. Porcelain pale skin which seemed to glow gracefully in the light.

Rukia couldn't help but blush harder; he was looking at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Beautiful" he whispered before pulling her down on the bed, kissing her. Hovering over her, he leaned down and began kissing the valley between her breasts for a few seconds before capturing her pink rosy nipple in his mouth.

She closed her eyes as the feeling shot through her, she felt like she was on fire.

He then proceeded to run his hands over her body while pressing soft kisses on her neck. She giggled slightly. He kept pressing soft kisses over her body till he was at her navel.

Rukia whimpered as he licked her navel. She instantly parted her legs open for him, she needed him inside her now!

He moved up her body, capturing her lips in a kiss before thrusting into her.

She loved this feeling, it had been sometime since she had felt it but she remembered it. She wrapped her legs around his waist and closed her eyes, completely forgetting everything that was on her mind, her job, the lousy night before she walked into the bar

She lost her thought as he thrust into her again, harder and faster. Rukia cried out losing her head in pleasure.

Rukia awoke the next morning. She looked around the dark room not really sure of where she was or why she didn't have any clothes on. As she remembered last night, a small smile appeared on her lips.

Yawning slightly, she sat up looking for Uryu.

The next moment, he walked into the room carrying a tray which contained a glass and jug of orange juice along with a small plate of pastries.

"Good morning" he said, smiling at her.

Rukia smiled back at him as she got up to her knees, receiving the tray from him. As she smiled up at him, she couldn't help think what a gentleman he was.

"Thanks" she muttered to him before picking up a pastry and taking a small bite.

As she ate the pastry, he got a good look at her; she was stunningly beautiful. Her creamy porcelain skin seemed to go on forever. She had pert lips and her eyes which he had noticed yesterday were shining blissfully. Her hair-

His phone began ringing.

He turned to it, groaning as he saw the caller ID; it was his agent. "Crap!" He picked up the phone, muttering "I'll be right back" before exiting the room.

Rukia didn't really try hard not to eavesdrop as she could hear everything he was saying.

"I'm not late!"

"Stop yelling!"

"You're at my door!"

Rukia's eyes opened wide alarmingly as she hears footsteps and the main door opening.

"You're going to be late!" a female voice said sternly. "You're not even dressed? What's the matter with you?!"

At that moment, Rukia dropped her glass of orange juice back on the tray before placing it on the bedside table. She immediately began to dress up.

"What were you doing last night?!" she heard the voice ask as she pulled up her panties which were at the end of the bed.

"Nothing!" she heard Uryu say.

"Liar!" the voice said, as she began buttoning up her shirt. She looked to the bedside table, it was 8:32am.

"Crap!" She was going to be late for her presentation. She grabbed her shoes from the floor and sat back down on the bed as she began putting them on.

"Is there someone there?"

"And if there is?"

"I told you to go straight home!"

"You need to stop bossing me around!"

"You have a big-"

"Chill Tatsuki! Wait here!"

Rukia was looking at herself in his mirror, checking her reflection as she heard footsteps approaching the bedroom.

She picked up her bag and turned to the door just as it opened, and a red faced Uryu walked through. He didn't seem surprised that she was already fully dressed.

"I gotta get ready for something" he said.

"I gotta go" Rukia said at the same time.

They both smiled at each other before she began walking towards him, her eyes still on him; she stopped in front of him. As they stared at each other, she wanted to ask him if she would see him again but she didn't want to seem like one of those girls.

"Thank you for last night" she said. "I had fun-"

There was movement outside and he frowned. "I'm sorry..." he said before turning away from her and making his way into the bathroom.

Rukia couldn't help but feel a little disappointed but she didn't have time to think about it. She walked out of the room. She expected to see the woman who had come this morning but she wasn't in the living room she exited the apartment.

"I think that went well" Orihime Inoue said to her friend smiling widely.

Rukia couldn't help but nod in agreement; her meeting had gone very well. She had ended up securing the exclusive rights to one of her favourite artists work.

Rukia was a consultant for an art gallery in downtown Tokyo. Her job was to discover art from various artists to display in the gallery whenever they had an art show. They also sold paintings to various art connoisseurs.

Rukia hadn't gone home to change after her night. Luckily, she always kept a spare set of work clothes in her office so all she had do when she got into work was just wash her face briefly and put on make-up before changing into her clothes.

Her mind had been on her hook-up throughout the meeting, she didn't know why. She knew it was going to be a one-night stand but she had found Uryu to be a very nice and charming guy. Sure he had rushed her out the door when that lady had come but minutes earlier, he had brought her something to eat this morning; she thought that was very sweet. But she had to get him out of her mind as she wouldn't be seeing him again.

After the meeting, Rukia had followed Orihime to her office to relax as there wasn't really much for either of them to do anymore today. She then told her about the dinner with her brother and how it was a setup; telling her that the guy she had been setup with was extremely irritating.

But Rukia didn't tell her about what had happened after she had stormed out; how she had gone to a bar, met a guy then slept with him. Orihime really didn't need to know about it so she had just told her that she had gone back to her apartment and had a few drinks.

She wasn't too sure if Orihime had believed her but her friend had just changed the subject.

"So Rukia, do you have something to wear tonight?" Orihime asked her.

Rukia's eyes immediately widened, she had completely forgotten about tonight. Orihime had invited her to a party tonight. It was a release party for a novel by some author, she had forgotten his name. Orihime was a big fan and the author was also a childhood friend of hers.

Rukia wouldn't say she was excited to go, but Orihime had just broken up with her boyfriend and Rukia had been doing things with her to help her get her mind off him. The party could be fun; she could meet a couple of interesting people there.

Orihime already had a dress to wear as she and Rukia had gone shopping almost a week ago, but Rukia had told her she'll get it another day but it had skipped her mind. She had been preparing for the meeting for almost 2 weeks and not to mention, she had started a brand new painting.

Looking nervously at her friend, she slowly shook her head. "Sorry Hime"

Orihime shut her eyes for a moment before giving her a lopsided grin. "I'm not surprised"

"Don't worry I'll go look for one now" Rukia said, as she got up from the couch. "I don't have anything else to do today"

"Do you want me to come with you?" Orihime asked.

Rukia shook her head. "One of us needs to stay here in case we get some new work from Shirayuki… the agent said we-"

"It's him!" Orihime squealed excitedly, cutting her off as she increased the volume of the TV.

Rukia stopped and turned to the TV… and her jaw slowly dropped, her cheeks burning red when she saw who was on.

"Today marks the release of the sequel to his multimillion selling book "Memories in the Rain" by author Ichigo Kurosaki"

That was why he was so familiar… he was the author of her favourite book.