A/N; um, Konnichiwa peeps! ^^ I'm a new author here in bleach fandom and I'd appreciate supports from all of you. Please enjoy this story but don't forget to let me know what you think of this.

And I would like to thank crimson-sana for her immense help. If you're a fan of Fairy Tail, you should go and check out her story. It's called, Let Yourself Fall. You'll enjoy it no doubt!

Enjoy!

[Edited]

Winter Heart

Chapter 1

"Mamma Mia!" a scream was heard from his right that could very well pass for a woman's squeak. Then followed the sound of something crashing –like glass –on the granite counter his elbows were propped up on.

"Careful, honey." A sweet, feminine voice came next, probably helping the aforementioned man out.

"Man, I sometimes can't believe that dude is actually my dad." A girl, with a cap covering her dark locks groaned before slurping a mouthful of lemonade.

He had to agree with that one. Having a dad like that would be…embarrassing. He shuddered.

"Now, now Karin-chan." Another girl with sun kissed blonde hair that barely reached her shoulders spoke up, peeling a banana. "You shouldn't talk about dad like that. It could have been an accident. We should go and check it out. He might be hurt. Maybe we should call an ambulance." The girl ranted on, her voice sometimes coming out muffled as she munched on the fruit.

He let out a sigh.

What a weird family. Was there even a single member who was sane? The black haired girl looked better than the rest but she could be a little she-devil if she wanted to. Then the blonde one was the mother duck. Quacking non-stop about this and that and it amazed him just how someone like the black haired one –named Karin, yes Karin –put up with her. She acted like she wasn't even there and slurped her beverage, bored eyes staring at the ocean up ahead, like she was communicating with the water or something.

Sometimes he had quite a weird imagination.

"Karin-chan!" a faraway voice called.

"When we get back to the hotel, I swear I'll skin that guy alive."

The blonde haired girl hummed in disapproval as she helped herself with some ice-cream.

He swallowed thickly. He could practically feel the murderous aura emanating from Karin who was sitting next to him. He lowered his arms down; holding the edge of the countertop for support as he slowly began to get off the wooden stool. But before he could make a move, he was tackled to the countertop .

"Where do you think you're going, Ichigo?" it was that annoying voice, trying to imitate an Italian accent.

"R-restroom." He managed to choke out.

"Ok. Hurry back." The man patted him on the back, nearly knocking the breath out of him.

He stood up straight, dusting himself.

"I can't believe you're ditching us." Karin muttered under her breath but Ichigo heard her nice and clear as he passed his baby sister.

Thrusting his hands into the pockets of his khaki shorts, he walked away from the beach. By the time he reached the ramp that led to the sidewalk, he was already getting undressed by the stares received from the female population. One hand reached up to his eyes to adjust the Ray ban wayfarer and a squeal was heard from somewhere. He hesitantly retracted his hand back to his pockets, a scowl marring his features. He knew he was handsome alright; they didn't have to make it so obvious. To the point he almost felt uneasy of his appearance.

Raking a hand through his tangerine hair, Ichigo Kurosaki walked down the sidewalk aimlessly –of course he lied about the restroom – turning his head to look here and there to see if he wasn't making himself lost in the middle of nowhere. Well, he knew he was in Italy but his family was on a holiday and it wasn't like they visit here all the time so he was pretty foreign about almost everything.

He flopped down on a bench under a palm tree, the infinite ocean lay up ahead and the breeze ruffled his hair, making up for the heat sent by the sun overhead.

He was twenty-six. The newly employed CEO of Kurosaki Opera, subdivision of Kurosaki Enterprises, where ballet dancers were employed. They were the best of their profession in whole Japan.

There was an upcoming competition between the neighboring countries and he really had no idea what he was doing on the other side of the planet when he should be sitting behind his deck, preparing for the competition. He wished the dancers will do well while the chairman and CEO was away enjoying, holidaying somewhere faraway.

Ichigo sighed. He leaned further back in the bench. People were scattered all over the beach. Kids ran around playing while some adults were too. There were girls in bikinis sunbathing or playing beach volley or…

Attempting to seduce him.

He mentally shook his head. Girls, what sort of creatures are they?

He nearly jumped out of his skin when something vibrated in his pocket. He quickly shoved the hand on the backrest into the pocket and grabbed the thing that disturbed his thoughts. Sliding the green button of his Galaxy edge, he answered the call.

"Kurosaki-kun!" a feminine voice screeched from the other end of the call. He had to pull the device a bit away from his ear.

"Yes. Inoue." He drawled in a bored tone.

"Where in the world are you?" And now she was whispering. Ichigo didn't miss the murmurs and voices coming from the background. Where was this woman?

"Italy." He answered like she was stupid.

"Aren't you supposed to catch a flight and come back this noon? Well. Whatever happened to you?" she was beginning to get exasperated with the people behind her.

"My father canceled it. What's wrong?" he sighed.

"The board is demanding your presence, your majesty. They apparently don't believe that you went on a holiday. Says that you won't abandon your duties and position when there was a competition right under our noses." The orange haired CEO could feel the woman roll her eyes.

"I think I left you as the acting CEO for a reason. In case you have forgotten, I'm on a holiday." He emphasized like she had done. "Now bye." He pulled the smartphone away from his ear.

"Kurosaki-kun!" he heard her whispering. "Kurosaki-kun! You can't hang up on me, you understand?! You can't. I'll –" he cut the line dead.

Whatever happened to the meek and timid board of director? Where did she go? Was this what they call a woman's 'deadly vengeance'? Because he left her in charge in his absence? She was trying to get revenge? Well. Not like he could be blamed that her family was friends with his and she was the most trusted person in the whole company whom he could rely on perfectly well. The rest of the board was just old farts who were always seeking for an opportunity to kick him out of the company. Well, in case they have forgotten, the company was an inheritance for him, a birthright, a family heirloom. They can't just throw him away, duh! Not when he had the majority of the shares also.

She should be grateful, shouldn't she?

He was about to dive into the depths of his thoughts when his mobile began to vibrate again. He slid the button irritated.

"We're going back to the hotel, Ichigo-kun." It was his mother.

He opened his mouth to reply when she cut the line dead. He stared at the screen blankly. She could have just sent a message.

XXXX

The rest of the holiday passed very quickly with the usual events. His father was always being his usual self, stupid, idiotic, and annoying. Karin was grumpy and embarrassed –the teenage hormones and effects of puberty. Yuzu was either lecturing or rambling. Masaki, his mother was happy as usual. Not bothered at all by her husband and daughter's weird behavior.

"Karin-chan! Yuzu-chan! Did you enjoy your holiday?" Isshin Kurosaki, their father asked smiling brightly at his girls.

Karin rolled her eyes while Yuzu returned his smile with a thumb up. Sometimes, Ichigo wondered if his sisters were even twins. They were that different.

His father's voice began to grow in volume and Ichigo resisted the urge to pummel the old man into the ground.

"We are in the airport, for god's sake!" he hissed in his father's ears.

The older man looked confused for a minute before breaking into a huge grin.

"I know!" he exclaimed, patting him on the shoulder. "Can't we have some fun?"

Ichigo sighed. There was no point in arguing with him.

After what seemed like an eternity the host announced that it was time for them to get on board. His father didn't stop his mouth even after they got on the plane. Luckily enough, his seat was beside the window and sitting on the other side was Karin. He glued his eyes outside though he could only see workers and the runway and several other planes.

When the plane began to move however, the orange haired man closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. The journey would be long and tedious. He loved travelling very much, he did. But today was just tiring.

Ichigo drifted off into a dreamless sleep not too later.

XXXX

It was already night when they arrived at Haneda airport. It felt good to be home. The chauffer was already waiting outside the arrival gates. Ichigo and his father carried the luggage to the car while he walked over to his shining black sedan and dumped his suitcase in the passenger seat.

"Good night, onii-chan!" he heard Yuzu yell. The man turned his head to look over his shoulder and saw his sister waving.

"Night." He waved back at them and slipped inside.

The apartment he lived in was located in Karakura district, Tokyo. Same as his parents though they lived in the Kurosaki estate, the family mansion. He moved out after he finished college to a much more secluded place in the district, by the sea. The view was beautiful and peaceful, top reasons why he chose that particular apartment block.

Parking his car in the underground parking area, Ichigo stepped out, dragging the suitcase behind, to the elevator. He pressed on the button to his floor and waited.

It wasn't long until he reached the top floor –about twenty floors up – where his penthouse apartment was. He entered the code on the lock and the door opened with beep. Pulling his shoes off by the door, he pulled the suitcase down the entryway and into the large living room where the walls were painted beige. Red leather couches and armchairs were in the middle of the room while the large flat-screen TV was attached to the wall. A huge spiral chandelier with red ornaments lit up in orange when he turned a switch on.

Ichigo walked over to the glass coffee table and picked up a remote. He pushed on a button and the red curtain with white lace began to draw away, revealing the full length glass windows that showed the starry night sky. Placing the remote back on the table he walked into the large kitchen in front of the living room and took his shirt off, exposing his chiseled chest and six-pack and threw it on the white granite island counter. Walking over to the double-door fridge, he took out a bottle of water and chugged it down in one breath.

Looking at the time displayed on the edge of his mobile, Ichigo sighed and walked towards one of the ashen doors on the right side of the living room –his bedroom –grabbing his shirt on the way.

Like the rest of the apartment, his bedroom was huge. Upon entering, the first thing that caught his eyes was the full-length windows on the right covering up the entire wall. Right next to it was his king sized bed making him want to jump on it and drown in sleep. He walked into the walk-in closet on the left side of the room and dumped his shirt into the laundry basket. He walked out and opened the bathroom door next to it.

He opened the glass door to the shower was and stepped in, turning the nozzle overhead, soaking his body with cold water immediately.

Ichigo sighed in contentment. It was always good to be back home.

XXXX

Kuchiki Rukia watched the large black metal gates in front of her, as the sensor scanned her license plate opening the double gates when it was done and drove into the Kuchiki estate. The lights on the pathway were lit giving her a view of the many other things in the way. The gardens in the estate were always her favorite. It was night but she still liked to watch the floras, rocking back and forth in the light summer breeze as she drove slowly towards the modern Victorian mansion that was the Kuchiki residence.

She parked her BMW m4 in the garage. Adjusting the rearview mirror, Rukia took a look at her face. Her eyeliner wasn't smeared and the pink lip gloss was still there. Her dark locks that reached mid-back were straight and the bangs parted, lying gracefully on either side of her face where she had given it a slight wave.

Without wasting another moment, the dark haired woman stepped out gracefully, her high-heeled leather boots clicking on the asphalt ground as she walked towards the doors, slinging her bag on one shoulder.

Upon entering, Rukia removed her shoes and wore her fluffy indoor bunny shoes. She was unfastening the buttons of her black trench coat revealing the sleeveless white chiffon button down shirt that was tucked into a pair of navy blue skinny jeans when a maid came to her.

"The chairman is asking for you, Rukia-sama." She said in a kind voice. "He's at his study." The woman stepped forward to grab her coat but Rukia shook her head.

"I got it. Thank you. I told you many times Aya, call me Rukia." She said in a soft voice and crossed the main foyer to the medium-sized semi-spiral staircase that led to her grandfather's study.

'The chairman' as the maids would like to call him. Because he was the owner of the strongest and largest real estate building company in the country. He was a strong figure and it was no surprise that they all called him by his title. They had seen the vast number of malls, plazas and apartment buildings he had built. And they always respected the old man.

Over the years, Rukia had grown accustomed to the lifestyle. She knew there wasn't much of a choice in this lifestyle. The only thing she had to do was impress everyone. Be it her family or the outsiders. It was always about impressing this one and that one. Show how much of a jewel the granddaughter of the Kuchiki Enterprises was, how much she was capable and how she is the best of the best, elite of the elites.

Ballet was something she had always loved, ever since her younger days. Now, at the age of twenty-five she was a world renowned ballet dancer, Japan's best and she was glad that she wasn't stuck within the walls of the Kuchiki estate like a damsel in distress like most rich women do. Stay home, get married for the benefit of the business and stay at home looking after the kids while the men did their jobs. There were perks too. Of being rich, that is. She'd admit but that wasn't something she desired. The advantages.

But deep down Rukia knew she won't be fully able to get accustomed with the lifestyle of the riches. Because, this wasn't her life. She was just a regular average girl. Until her sister married into the Kuchiki family.

Hisana Kuchiki was an astounding lawyer, something the Kuchiki family lacked. She had doubts about the agreement of her sister's marriage to Byakuya Kuchiki. There was no way someone like her and her sister will be accepted into a family as prestigious as this without wanting any sort of advantage. Her sister had been the best lawyer in the whole country, putting justice above all else. But their life changed when she fell in love with the Kuchiki heir. When they started dating, Rukia had seen countless times Byakuya smiling at her sister. It was a rare sight, she had already heard of the Kuchiki heir even back then. When they finally decided to get married, it was almost enough time to know that there was no ulterior motive behind the marriage. He married her out of love. She had seen it with her own eyes. There was nothing to doubt anymore. She'd never be a member of the Kuchiki family if Byakuya didn't love her sister.

She obviously wasn't a part of the family. She was the only in-law of them. But everything changed with the death of her sister six years ago. She was nineteen when the accident that took her life occurred. Within the two years she was married into the family, Rukia had seen on several occasions how fond the chairman had grown of her and how proud Byakuya looked every time when he witnessed it. And therefore, it had been a huge blow to everyone. The fact that she was one month pregnant didn't help the situation either. It only made everything worse for the Kuchiki heir. Byakuya was devastated. He hadn't looked at a woman since.

Rukia's world went into a blur. Nothing was clear from the moment she heard about her sister's death. She was coming back from ballet practice and had run like a maniac almost running herself into a car. Things weren't the same anymore. Hisana had been her mother, father and sister after their parents passed away when they were still kids. Her world revolved around her. And everything broke apart with her death.

But then, before she died, she had asked her father-in-law to watch over her, to keep her safe. The old man understood immediately. And he called in for a couple of lawyers right then and there, adopting Rukia right in front of her as his granddaughter. He signed her name under his son, though he was deceased, so the public won't have any suspicions and making Byakuya her legal guardian and adoptive older brother. That was how Rukia found herself as a legitimate member of the Kuchiki family.

Hisana had died with a smile and without regrets.

And the fact that she was adopted had been kept as a secret for the past six years.

With a sigh, Rukia knocked twice on the large mahogany doors.

"Come in." a voice permitted from the inside and the woman immediately recognized it as her grandfather's voice.

She turned the handle and opened the door, revealing a number of books, large and small sorted neatly in shelves that covered three side of the large rectangular study. There were antiques and vases giving the place a bit of life. Her grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki sat behind his mahogany desk, spectacles on with a number of folders spread out before him.

"I'm home, grandfather." Rukia bowed, closing the door behind him.

The old man grunted in acknowledgement and gestured her to sit on the couch that was on the left side of the study room.

"You came late." Ginrei stood up from his chair and walked over to the lone armchair that was in between one of the couches his granddaughter sat on.

"Practice held me back." She replied in absolute politeness.

"I see. How is it coming along?" the old man nodded.

"Very well actually. We have been practicing for very long hours. The competition is only a month away, you see." She spoke with excitement, her mauve eyes glistening.

Ginrei couldn't help but smile at her. She was such a fine young lady, he had gotten. Almost surpassing the Kuchiki women in grace, beauty and elegance. She was a jewel, a very rare one. There was determination in what she did and no matter what, whether by him asking or telling, she always gave it her best, returning as the best and never wavering even if she failed. That was what makes him so proud of her. He could only wish that the young woman who was sitting with him was his own granddaughter, his own blood and flesh. He already does consider her as his own but it still doesn't change the fact that she was born to someone else. He didn't take care of her because Hisana asked him to. The request was still there but he considered her more of his own rather than an adopted orphan. There was life in the house when she was there.

And Ginrei didn't think he could take the pain of losing her too. Once was enough.

"That's wonderful. You will be the best, won't you?" he gave her hand a squeeze and the young woman grinned from ear to ear.

"Of course. I'm the best, grandfather." She laughed heartily emanating a similar one from the old man.

They conversed about different topics until late into the night, both of them enjoying each other's company thoroughly.

"It's late, Rukia. You should head to bed." The old man said after a fit of laughter.

"Yes. You should too." the black haired woman stood up. "Good night, grandfather." She bent down to peck him on the cheek.

"Good night, my dear."

With a smile marring her pretty face, Rukia took the steps down to the main foyer where she crossed the living room into a hallway. It was times like these, having a conversation with her grandfather that she felt so contented. Like she was actually living. She felt happy knowing that there are still people who cared about her, who loved her.

Rukia opened the door at the end of the hallway that was her bedroom. Closing the light wooden door, she took the three stairs down and threw her handbag onto her dressing table. Taking off all the clothes except for her undergarments, the ballet dancer walked into the bathroom on the left side of the room.

After a nice and long bath, Rukia stepped out in a bathrobe. She walked into her walk-in closet, taking the three stairs up again, where the wooden stalls were visible with no walls surrounding it hence all her dresses, shoes, jewelries and bags were on full display when she take those three steps down from the entry.

She grabbed a pair of tight shorts and a chiffon dress shirt. Putting her sleeping attire on, Rukia walked back into her room where her bed was pressed against the wall. She turned to the left bedside cupboard and grabbed the remote on it. She pressed on a button pointing it to the crimson curtains that filled the whole wall.

They drew open, revealing the starry night and the gardens that were viewed from the second floor of the mansion.

Rukia drifted off into dreamless sleep as she watched the scenery in front of her.

XXXX

He clasped the sleeve button of his white button down shirt and adjusted the collar. Grabbing a black tie with grey stripes from the glass drawer in the middle of his closet, the young CEO tied it into a knot, fast and accurate. Ichigo then grabbed the black blazer and wrapped it around him.

He then squished some cream onto his palm and massaged his hair for the sake of keeping his hair healthy knowing that no matter how much he try to tame it, that'd be the impossible mission of the century. Nevertheless, he ran a hand through his bright orange hair, narrowing his eyes when it spiked up in all directions. With a sigh, the young Kurosaki grabbed a pair of black, expensive looking shoes from his shoe cabinet and wore it on.

Satisfied at how he looked, he readjusted his skim-fit pants before looking up at his reflection once more, smirking in satisfaction at how absolutely handsome he looked.

Ichigo grabbed a stainless steel wrist watch –one given to him by his mother as a birthday gift – and put it on before shoving his wallet and smartphone into his pockets. He grabbed the car keys from the island counter and walked out of the apartment.

Putting is Ray ban wayfarer on, Ichigo Kurosaki pressed on the unlock button on his car key with one hand in the pocket of his pants, upon seeing the vehicle. Some women in the underground parking zone gaped at his perfectness. He stepped inside in with so much elegance that made the women gaping at him drop the contents they were holding.

Ichigo ignored them as he drove away, accelerating as he drove out of the parking zone. It always happened so it wasn't much of a surprise.

After a thirty minute long drive, the young CEO found himself in the company of a very pissed off board.

Oh dear.

A/N; well, that's about it for now. I hope it was to your expectations. I'm not a native English speaker and I got no beta so forgive me for any mistakes.

I hope you will stick with me until the end of this story. I'll be sure to make this as enjoyable as possible.

Another update will be completed within a week or less. Hopefully! It depends on your support for this story! Now,

Go and read Let Yourself Fall (Jerza fans)

Ja!