A/N : PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS. IT'S IMPORTANT!
Okay, so this is my very first IchiRuki fanfic and it's a multi-chaptered AU. I have had this plot in my mind for a really long time now but was too lazy to write it out! :P Now that I have finally created an account here, I decided to get on with it. Along with it being my first IR fanfic, it's also my first multi-chaptered fic and my second fan fiction here! This story is really dear to me for a lot of reasons and I really really hope you guys like it! And also, please review. Good, bad, whether you liked it or hated it.. Whatever it is, I need to know because I am new to this, and I could really use your help.
Okay so no more babbling now! :P On to the story! :D
She looked at her reflection in the mirror, mildly surprised by how brokenly beautiful it looked.
A petite girl with amethyst eyes as deep as the ocean and skin as white as snow, with midnight black hair and a wonderfully sculptured face designed to haunt dreams was staring right back at her.
There was a persistent hollowness somewhere in those eyes that efficiently mirrored the void in her heart; a void she knew could never be filled. However, it was something nearly inconspicuous. She was a Kuchiki after all, so she had mastered the art of keeping every tinge of emotion carefully concealed, to perfection. And sometimes she even found herself being grateful for this 'gift' that belonging to the Kuchiki family had bestowed upon her. The hollowness for example, even in the highly unlikely event of being noticed somehow, could merely be passed off as a hint of the cold arrogance that her very name seemed to bear along with it. She was grateful, yes. Because the last thing she wanted was a forceful confrontation with her true self that letting her guard down was sure to stir. She chose to remain unattached, following in her brother's footsteps, for she figured that was the most secure thing to do. And the famous 'Kuchiki mask' was a huge help.
There was a time when Rukia would ponder whether the stoic exterior that Byakuya fronted was intentional and not a mere obligation that being the head of the family had thrust upon him. Now, she no longer had to wonder. She knew it was. It was a rather convenient method of elution that her brother had adopted under the guise of responsibility and Rukia could at last fully comprehend his reasons.
She was impeccably dressed for an important office meeting that she had to minister within an hour and she was customarily more than prepared for it. Rukia never let emotions get in the way of her duties, as was expected of a Kuchiki, and perhaps that was the very reason she willed herself to get along with this particular day, for the past five years now. The 31st of July.
It was raining so heavily…
The sudden ringing of her cell phone snapped Rukia out of her trance and she silently thanked the caller for momentarily putting an end to her miserable chain of thoughts.
With a deep sigh she picked the phone up and answered it immediately without bothering to check who had called.
"Yes, Rukia Kuchiki speaking. Who is this?"
There was a slight pause on the other end of the line before she heard the distinct deep voice, one she would be able to recognize under any given circumstance, call out to her.
"Rukia."
Rukia mentally chastised herself for not checking who had called and waited for the mild reproachful tone of her brother as he reminded her of the proper manner in which to receive a phone call. However, what followed was something that surprised and worried her.
"Rukia, I would like you to come and meet me in my office as soon as possible. There is a subject of utmost significance that I wish to talk to you about and I suggest you do not make me wait."
Byakuya stated, in a tone that clearly left no room for discussion.
"Yes, Nii sama of course. I understand. I'll be there promptly."
The line went dead right after and Rukia began wondering what the matter was. Her brother had never been one to voluntarily invite her into his office at this hour of the day, given how busy a man he was. This was even more shocking since Byakuya desired her presence in spite of being quite aware of the eminence of the meeting she was about to attend and the effect it would have on the company if it got cancelled.
'This must be something really important'.
But what troubled Rukia the most was the hidden uncertainty and apprehension she could weakly sense in her brother's voice. It was so very unlike him, that she almost believed she was imagining things. Almost.
Rukia called for her chauffeur, picking up her office bag, laptop and cell phone in the process, as she rushed out of her apartment taking the elevator down to the parking area.
"Good Morning Rukia. Would you like to go straight to your office today or stop by the café for breakfast?"
"Good morning to you too Hanatarou. And no, having breakfast won't do right now! I would like to stop by my brother's office first. He says he has some urgent business with me so I cannot afford to be late. I'll drop by my office later, provided I have time left.
It's going to be a busy day today!" Rukia mumbled the last part mostly to herself, and couldn't decide whether that was something she must be pleased with or bitter about.
"Yes of course Rukia. Don't worry; I'll drive you there in no time." Hanatarou replied, with a gentle, reassuring smile on his face as he opened the car door to let her in.
"Thank you Hanatarou. I really appreciate your help; more than you'll ever know." Rukia returned the smile as she got inside the white Bentley, feeling the suppressed anxiety dissipate a bit at the warm company of the person driving.
Hanatarou Yamada was a very lucky man. Or so he believed he was. He had always been voiceless, frail and weak, deemed worthless and unimportant by almost every single person he had ever been acquainted with. That was, until he met Rukia.
He had been a chauffeur for as long as he could remember, working for the elders of the Kuchiki family. It was, by all means, a dreadful experience and Hanatarou would often wonder what he had ever done to be treated in the manner he was. He loathed coming to work. But then one day, everything changed, and undoubtedly for the best.
He remembered being summoned by Byakuya Kuchiki, one fine morning, precisely five years ago, where he was assigned with the duty of being a permanent server to his sister. Hanatarou had been shocked initially, and a sense of foreboding had settled in him. Though he had never really met her, he had not dared to hope for a different treatment, as she was in the end, a Kuchiki. He had heard from other staffs of the house that Lady Rukia was someone who loved driving on her own and had always been against recruiting a chauffeur. So what suddenly made her change her mind about it?
Looking back on it now, Hanatarou was thankful for whatever caused her to change her mind, as it led him to her.
He recalled the first day he had driven her to her office and had wished her a "Good morning Miss Kuchiki",expecting the usual scornful or indifferent look accompanied with silence; or if he was fortunate enough, a nod in return.
"Good morning to you too! And please, you do not have to address me so formally. Just Rukia will do. May I know your name?"
Hanatarou stood there flabbergasted, as even being noticed was way beyond his wildest imaginations, let alone actually being talked to.
"Are you okay? I am sorry. Startling you like this was not my intention."
"N-n-no t-that's not it at all! I-I I am just not used to being greeted back… I m-mean… No one has ever bothered to know my name before, so I j-just d-didn't… I am s-sorry for mumbling like this Miss Kuchiki... I-I-I mean R-Rukia…"
Hanatarou stopped babbling as a clear, soft laugh echoed in the car.
"It's alright. You don't have to apologize for this -"
"I-It's Hanatarou. Hanatarou Yamada."
"Hanatarou. That's such a nice name."
"Thank you Miss Ku- umm R-Rukia."
And that was when his work stopped being something he dreaded and became something he essentially looked forward to.
Hanatarou smiled to himself as he thought about his current situation. Had he been told five years prior that his life would be altered in this way, he would have no doubts that he was being subject to mockery like he so often was. But now, all those previous years of psychological torture had become a distant memory and here he was, working for Rukia, listening to her stories and sharing some of his own; being acknowledged not only as a distinct individual, but as a friend and companion.
Hanatarou concluded that he would forever remain indebted to her; for if he had ever known happiness and belonging, it was because of the woman occupying the backseat of the car.
Fifteen minutes later, Rukia felt the car coming to a stop as the entrance to the skyscraper KUCHIKI INTERNATIONALS came into view. This was the main building where her brother worked, while her own office was a few miles away, more towards the center of the gigantic campus. The entire foundation was largely spread over acres and acres of land and covering the grounds between the buildings of various departments alone was impossible without the assistance of vehicles. Their company was a rather versatile one, majorly dealing with steel manufacture and export along with owning Japan's most popular modeling agency, a long line of seven star hotels, as well as some of the most well known institutions. There had been a recent project thought of and designed by Rukia to set up a chain of hospitals in the country, which was to proceed under her leadership, something she was eagerly looking forward to as it would immensely help further the influence of the company. That was precisely what her meeting today was to be about; the one she had to cancel because of her brother's entirely unexpected phone call.
Rukia got out of her seat as Hanatarou wished her a good day, a greeting she gladly returned, before rushing inside the office building.
She took the elevator to the 13th floor, gliding to the receptionist desk located near the center of the lobby, coughing slightly in order to capture the attention of the woman sitting behind it, typing away at the computer.
"Oh I'm so sorry Miss Rukia; I didn't see you coming. How may I help you?"
"It's alright, you need not apologize, Aiko. Actually my brother had requested an audience with me and said it was -"
"Oh yes of course. Mr. Kuchiki had asked me to let you inside the moment you arrive. Please go right in."
"Thank you." Rukia replied with a quick smile and hurried to her brother's room, knocking slightly on the door.
"Nii sama, it's me."
"Come in."
Rukia softly swung the door open and entered the office room with measured steps to find her brother sitting behind his desk, going through the documents arranged in a neat pile on the table.
He was flipping through the pages mechanically, with cold grace and discipline, careful not to let the paper get even the slightest of creases. The expression he wore was one of indifference; not a trace of the apprehension or hesitation she had sensed earlier visible anywhere in his stance or his handsome face.
"Take a seat." Byakuya's voice echoed in the large suite as he gestured her to occupy the seat directly opposite to the one he was currently sitting on.
"Hai Nii Sama." Rukia replied proceeding to do as she was told.
She watched as Byakuya put off the document he was working on to the side, folding his arms and linking his long slender fingers together before resting them on the table and fixing her with the familiar stoic stare.
"Rukia, I demand your undivided attention, for the matter I am about to discuss is of immense consequence, as I believe you must have correctly presumed."
Rukia nodded and Byakuya continued.
"Before advancing any further, I would like an honest answer to the question I am about to ask."
"Hai"
"How far are you willing to go for the sake of this company?"
"All the way, brother."
"Are you certain that yours is a thoroughly thought out statement?"
"Yes of course Nii Sama; I'm surprised you even have to ask."
"Very well then."
There was a momentary pause following her brother's reply, as she noticed him pull out an envelope from his personal drawer, the one he hardly ever used and was kept locked at all times.
From that action alone Rukia could conclude that whatever it contained was particularly private.
…And so was this meeting.
Byakuya wordlessly handed the envelope to Rukia who accepted it rather calmly, successfully veiling her growing anxiousness and curiosity.
She examined the pure white envelope finding it tightly sealed.
"Rukia, inside that envelope you will find a marriage contract. You are required to sign it."
The sudden announcement made Rukia still in her seat, shell-shocked, as the blood completely drained off of her face making her look as pale as a ghost. She tried to speak but her lips refused to move. She just stared at Byakuya with eyes like saucers. Could this be a joke? Rukia hoped with all her heart it was. However, considering this was Kuchiki Byakuya, she highly doubted that was the case.
She knew her brother was never one to beat around the bush. He had always been blatantly forthright in his approach. His words were always sharp, to the point and brutally honest, painfully lacking in the delicacy or patience that certain situations demanded.
But even after being accustomed to it all so well, Rukia felt her body going numb and her brain shutting down as she struggled to wrap her head around what her brother had just disclosed and what it implied.
"A ma-ma-marriage… wh… what?" was all Rukia could manage after a gap of around five minutes.
"Do not stutter Rukia. It is unbecoming of a Kuchiki."
Byakuya paused, and then continued.
"It is a one year contact. The person you are supposed to be marrying is Kurosaki Ichigo. He is a celebrated entrepreneur and the owner of the Masaki Corp. The company has its headquarters in New York. I am confident you have, at the very least, heard of him. He is an able man, having accomplished a great deal at a remarkably young age. He is in New York as of now, but I have arranged for a meeting between the two of you so he will be arriving in Tokyo shortly. You may discuss and negotiate the clauses of the contract with him then, and clear any doubts that you might have."
Rukia was not listening.
"What exactly is the purpose of this contract Nii sama?" The coherence of the sentence surprised Rukia herself.
Byakuya was silent for a moment as he contemplated his reply.
"To prevent this company from falling."
If she had been dumbfounded before, she wasn't sure what exactly one could call the current state she was in.
Rukia started questioning the reality of this entire ordeal.
She was shocked, perplexed, scared, but most of all, angry. Boy was she angry.
"Nii Sama, ours is the most successful and influential company in all of Japan. What could suddenly have gone so terribly wrong that my contractual marriage with a complete stranger is the only possible solution?"
Rukia tried really hard to keep her anger in check, but failed miserably.
"Has it got something to do with your latest announcement regarding me being the next heir to the company? Did the Elders set something up? I know they were resolutely against the idea. What is going on Nii Sama?"
"This has got nothing to do with the elders or my recent proclamation. The elders are not aware of the existence of this contract in the first place. Very few people are, for that matter, since it is strictly confidential. And to answer your question, this contract was created solely to prevent the demise of this company. Ours is not the only prominent corporation in this country, Rukia. There are several other economic super powers we are being threatened by. They have combined forces and are plotting devices to destroy the Kuchiki Empire. It is not within my power to counter it all alone, as much as I would like to believe otherwise."
"I am not sure I fully understand brother. The Kuchiki Internationals is way too powerful and renowned a company to be taken down that easily. And even if you do need assistance, how can you blindly place your trust in a foreign company based on its dominance alone? Doesn't that make this venture all the more dangerous? How can you be so certain that this person you are talking about won't betray us? Brother this isn't like you at all. I do not recall you ever being this impulsive. Whatever happened to the calculative approach you always undertook during any business agreement?
…And is the contract really mandatory here?"
"I assure you Kurosaki Ichigo and his company is worth our reliance. And I have indeed never been impetuous as you so fervently pointed out, neither am I being so now. You must understand that placing you in such precarious state of affairs does not remotely sit well with me; nevertheless, this is the only way to successfully achieve the conglomeration of these two companies. We need to provide the media with a reason for this affiliation that they can feed on, without being overly suspicious. Rukia, had there been any other solution to this predicament, anything that could spare your involvement; I would have readily adopted it without a moment's hesitation."
There was a silence that stretched on too long following Byakuya's reply before he chose to speak again, in a relatively moderate tone this time.
"Rukia, you must know that the Kuchiki Internationals is not a mere company to me. It is my pride. And if it is for the sake of my pride, there is nothing I cannot or will not do. I am willing to go to any lengths to protect it.
Please understand that the fate of everything I treasure and live for, rests on your decision. Therefore, I am requesting you to consider this proposition sincerely."
Byakuya's steel grey orbs had somewhat lost their edge just then, as the piercing light in them dimmed considerably, faintly shining with desperation.
It was an exceedingly rare moment of vulnerability he allowed, and she felt it effectively convey the magnitude of his request, before the perpetual detachment habitually returned to replace the odd dullness in his eyes.
What more could Rukia do or say? Byakuya had willingly abandoned his façade, even if for an instant, and his eyes had fleetingly reflected his emotions, silently pleading her to regard them.
He had trusted her with his sentiments and it was so very, very rare of him to do. How could she only think about herself when Byakuya was clearly suffering, even more so than her?
And Rukia knew that after witnessing what she just did, there was no way she could ever bring herself to refuse the proposal; her heart just won't permit it. He was already distressed as it was, and she just couldn't bear to burden him any further with her own problems.
"I could never turn my back on this company, especially when it needs me the most. If there is in fact nothing else that can be done, then I will sign the contract without another thought."
Rukia acquiesced.
Byakuya was quiet for a moment, before nodding in what she assumed was relief and a semblance of gratitude.
"The document already bears Kurosaki Ichigo's signature in it. There is a brochure contained inside as you must have noticed. It holds all the necessary information and clauses that support the accord. I would recommend you go through them before signing the agreement. And if there is any particular provision you feel the need to alter, keep it marked so that you can negotiate it during your meeting with him."
"Does that mean he has already gone through the conditions himself and then signed the pact Nii Sama?"
"I would like to believe so. I can only hope he wouldn't be irresponsible enough to sign without even reading the contract properly."
"Hold on. Was he not the one who formed the clauses?"
"No. He was not."
"Well then who was it? Was it you Nii Sama? If it was you then I do not feel I have to go through-"
"It was Shihoin Yoruichi. I believe Urahara Kisuke assisted her with this too."
"Shiho… Yoruichi? What? Yoruichi sama knows about this?"
"Who do you think mediated this entire affiliation Rukia? She is the only person who is closely associated with both the companies. As a matter of fact, this concurrence was her idea in the first place."
"I-I never could have guessed… Who else knows about this brother?"
"Kurosaki Ichigo, Shihoin Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke are the only ones who do, besides us of course. And Rukia, you are obligated to keep it that way. Nobody else can be allowed to even catch a hint of the contract. Is it understood?"
"Yes Nii Sama."
"Alright. Remember to show up in my office on Monday. That is when you will be meeting Ichigo Kurosaki officially."
"Hai."
"Is there anything else you would like to ask?"
"No Nii Sama."
"I see. If that is the case, you may take your leave now."
Rukia only nodded, bowing in reply, before letting herself out the door of her brother's office. There were so many questions lingering in her mind, questions she desperately needed answers to, but couldn't bring herself to trouble her brother anymore with. She was feeling terribly insecure, having no clue on what to think or do any longer. Here she was, being forcibly pushed into unfamiliarity with absolutely nothing to base her thoughts on.
Who is this guy? How is he as a person? What if he is some conspirator in disguise out to take our company down? What if her brother or Yoruichi had been tricked?
Rukia suddenly felt tired, and her brain refused to do any thinking at the moment. She sighed as the elevator started taking her down to the parking lot and decided to simply head home and take a break. Going to her office now would do her no good seeing as to how she wouldn't be able to get any work done if she went anyway. She still had two days to think about the situation and attempt to calm herself down before Monday came. It was essential for her to be completely prepared and remain perfectly collected and professional during her meeting with this Kurosaki guy and for that she needed all the rest she could manage.
Rukia entered her own apartment roughly twenty minutes later, welcoming the warm and comforting ambience it offered. It was only a little past one in the afternoon so she decided to make some lunch, take a nap afterwards and then maybe call Momo and check if she was up for a little shopping. She didn't bother to even think of asking Rangiku about it.
Matsumoto Rangiku declining an offer to shop was just as likely as the sun rising in the west and setting in the east.
Never going to happen.
Back in his office, Byakuya was sitting at his desk with his eyes closed, lost deep in thought.
He wasn't sure how long he could keep Rukia from discovering the whole truth, but he had to do everything he could to keep her out of the mess for as long as possible. He resented himself for having to resort to something as contemptible as a marriage contract and his failure to protect his sister on his own was eating away at him. But in spite of all of that, he knew it had to be done.
This was necessary.
"Hisana… Am I doing the right thing?"
His question was met with expected silence right before a surprisingly gentle wind subtly caressed his face, as if to soothe and reassure him.
He knew he had found his answer.
"Arigatou Hisana…"
Rukia returned to her house at eight o clock that evening after a shopping spree. Thankfully Momo had been free and willing to accompany her and Rukia felt she was rather fortunate because shopping with Rangiku alone, with no one else to talk sense into her when she so evidently 'over-bought', losing track of time space and everything else around her; could be too much of a hassle.
And right now, she didn't exactly need that.
But regardless of it all, she was glad she went out with them because it was a welcome distraction from her thoughts concerning the cursed contract and it helped calm her down.
Rukia was completely exhausted by then and had to fight to keep her eyes open. She had barely managed to change into her night gown and clumsily stack her shopping bags into the walk in closet before she felt her legs giving away, sleep taking over her entire being.
As she felt her consciousness slowly drifting away, the thought that this was the first 31st night in the last five years she didn't spend reminiscing about the past and crying herself to sleep; faintly registered in her mind before all touch with reality was lost and Rukia happily held Chappy the rabbit's hand letting him lead her into an adventure she was sure she had never been on before.
So, did you guys like it? I really hope you did! :P
And to all those of you who missed our berry boy, don't you guys worry he is going to show up in the very next chapter! :3
Please review! I really need to know how you guys feel about the story! And feel free to ask any questions you might have regarding this chapter! :D I'll try to answer them all without giving the plot away! :3
I sincerely hope this chapter was worth your time and thanks to all of you who read it! :D
Have an amazing day you all! :D