(AN) This is for Lightdesired. I hope this meets all your expectations, my friend! Sorry for the wait!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
The wish that started it all...
On her way from a fashion show in Paris, Rukia stopped off in Rome before returning home to Japan. She purposely chose this layover so she could visit the Trevi Fountain. Rumors whirled about the fountain's power renowned powers for finding love. All it would cost you was wish as you threw a coin into the clear water of the fountain as an offering.
This was her only chance at real love again. Three years was too long to mourn and suffer from a broken heart - her one real love lost due to their family's feud. Rukia spent most of time working to expand her business with Ichigo. He was the face of the business and handled the finances while she was the inspiration behind all of their amazing designs. If she wasn't working to expand their fashion empire, then she was busy dating at her brother's instance, but none of the poor souls could keep her attention span for more than a few months. The men Byakuya always introduced her to were too sallow or cared more about their career than making their dates one time. Needless to say, Rukia was tired of boys' bullshit. None of them were men even if they were older than her! Was it too much to ask for someone to love and respect you? But now, all that stood between Rukia and her future love was the masses of people as she got closer to the fountain.
Two hours of looking, relief flooded Rukia's veins when she saw the giant Corinthian pilasters! The Palazzo Poli stood as the amazing back drop for the Baroque fountain. Her heart was beating so loudly that she thought it would rupture from of her chest! She had finally reached her destination after two hours of searching!
Even though she was ecstatic that she reached the fountain, Rukia took the time to admire its beauty. The fountain itself was a wonder that told has what some scholars call Taming of the Waters theme. In the center of the fountain is Oceanus riding on a shell chariot in all his glory. Flanking him are Abundance and Salubrity. Balancing out the large fountain is two tritons trying to tame hippocamps.
After a few moments of admiration, Rukia was ready to make her wish. "Kami, Oceanus, which ever god is listening. I wish… for someone who loves and respects me even all my wonderful and horrible qualities." As she finished her wish in her head, Rukia tossed her coin into the fountain.
Only time will tell if her wish was successful. It couldn't hurt right? With any luck, she'll be accepting a date from a handsome man, who cared for her instead of her brother's money.
Rukia looked down at her watch. It was time to head back towards the plane or Byakuya would not be happy. Heaven forbid, that she's ever late for any reason, especially if it was to a Kuchiki Clan meeting.
Two weeks later…
"Kuchiki, you're late." Her "boss" said as she walked through the door of Shirayuki Getsu Designs soaking wet in one of her best outfits. The scowl told her that today was not the day to be late, but it wasn't like she could help it. Murphy had a contract out on her today.
"I'm sorry, Ichigo. My car wouldn't start, the bus was late, and I had to run most of the way here." She looked up to her bright orange haired boss with a pout. He could tell that she wasn't lying from her flushed face and soaked to the bone clothes.
"Fine, midget. I'll let you off with a warning this time." Ichigo told her with a smirk. She was one of the few people who ever got to see this side of him. Besides, how could he fire his business partner? "Go put up your stuff and make yourself presentable. Your new partner for the Tokyo show is already here, and he's anxiously await your arrival." The twinkle in his eyes told Rukia to be ready for anything.
Rukia gave Ichigo a questioning look, but in the end, she smiled at him as she silently prayed for her extra outfit to be in her office closet. "Alright!"
Slowly, Rukia crept towards her office after she removed her wet shoes and socks. Thankfully their part of the office wasn't visible to their customers.
Once in her office, a sigh of relief escaped her lips as Rukia pulled out a dark maroon pant suit with a white button down top – her best purchase in Paris if you asked her. Even the full-length mirror on the back of her door agreed with her.
A knock on her door disturbed her preening. She wanted to make a good impression with her new partner. Whoever it was, she hoped he knew their way around a needle. Drawing and designing was her passion, but putting it all together in another matter. Rukia went to open the door to see Ichigo standing before her with an all too familiar face.
"What the hell are you doing here, Uryuu?" Rukia asked angrily. Ichigo looked back and forth between the two, lost in utter confusion. The midget shouldn't even know who Uryuu was let alone greet anyone like that!
Uryuu pushed his glasses up before answering the feisty fashion designer. It was going to be hell working with her, but he was looking forward to it. Sewing was his passion and so was Rukia Kuchiki, even if she didn't realize it yet.
"Isn't it obvious, Rukia? I'm your new partner." Uryuu replied in his superior voice. He wasn't going to let her know that just seeing her affected him. The woman was stunning beyond measure. How could someone so beautiful not model her own line nor want to be the face of her company?
Terror and dread filled Rukia as she processed Uryuu's words. HE couldn't be her partner. Byakuya was going to have a cow if this were true. "Please tell me this is some sick joke?" She asked the men in front of her.
Ichigo noticed the anxiety in Rukia's violet eyes, but he couldn't understand the reason behind it. "Why? What's a matter with you, Rukia? Uryuu is the best in his field! He has graciously accepted my offer to help prepare everything for the upcoming fashion show."
"No. No. No. This way not in mind when I made that wish!" Rukia mumbled to herself while the men sent each other questioning looks. She paced back and forth right in her doorway.
Instead of trying to take to the shell shocked Rukia, Ichigo pulled Uryuu aside while they kept a watchful eye on Rukia. The poor woman was still processing the arrival of Uryuu.
"Is there something that you forgot to tell me?" The carrot top asked Uryuu. He'd never seen Rukia in this state before, well maybe once after she dated his cousin Kaien.
A blush crept up Uryuu's cheeks. "We dated for a while a few years, but it didn't work out. Though personally, I thought we ended on good terms."
"Apparently, your version of good terms is different from her's. Why didn't you tell me this when I told you that you were working with her?" Ichigo growled angrily.
"You wouldn't have hired me." Uryuu stated.
"You're damn right about that!" Ichigo looked over to check on Rukia. Her pacing slowed, but he could see her shaking with anger. "Get the hell out of her for right now, Uryuu. I need to pick her pieces right now. We'll talk later."
Uryuu wrapped his hand around Ichigo's wrist. Inwardly, Uryuu was trying to restrain himself from strangling his boss, but he understood Ichigo's point of view. "If you must know, Ichigo, we didn't end our relationship - we were forced to. Ryuken and Byakuya can't stand one another so it was give up her or be forced on the streets." Uryuu whispered into Ichigo's ear.
With a nod of understanding, Ichigo put a brotherly arm around Rukia as he led her back into her office. They were going to have a lot to discuss.
Ichigo spent an hour calming Rukia down – jasmine tea and Chappy tea cakes always did the trick. Even though he knew their situation, Ichigo decided to hear her side of the story. "Would you like to tell me why you freaked the hell out on Uryuu back there?"
A raven eyebrow arched at him in challenge. "He didn't tell you?" She asked skeptically.
"I heard his side, but I need to hear yours. Why didn't you tell me that you dated on of the best designers and tailors out there?"
"We for 6 months before our families found out. Then, all hell broke loose." She told him quietly. "Shortly after that, we opened for business so I threw myself into work helping us get off the ground floor. Who has time for a love life and work." Rukia attempted to laugh this off, but she knew Ichigo would see through her bullshit.
"You know damn well that I do midget! Without Tatsuki's around, you'd have starved before now or have gone insane." He countered.
"Ichigo, your fiancée is my childhood best friend. We talk all the time, even if it's about you." She stated as a horrified expression crossed his face. "Besides, your fiancée loves me more than you! I doubt she'd let me starve since I am her roommate." Rukia told him as her laughter filled the room. He was relieved to hear laugh even if it was at his expense.
Ichigo grabbed Rukia's small hand is his. "When I hired Uryuu, I was trying to be helpful. I knew you were getting stressed with all your shows on top of Byakuya pressuring you with clan meetings. What would you like to do about your new partner? He's already signed a contract, but I can get us out of it because he failed to mention your past history together. I don't want this affecting you." He told her as he released her hand.
Instead of feeling pressured, Rukia was sure of her next action. "We keep him, Ichigo." Rukia stated with authority in her voice. "I may not like it, but he is the best at his job. I think we can produce twice as much product than what I original estimated. If that's the case, then we shall have the best chance to win at the fashion show and expand out brand."
"Alright, Rukia. If this is you're wish, then we will keep him." Ichigo said with a smile. Maybe, just maybe Rukia and Uryuu will work out in more than one way. He would love to see his best friend settled down with a great guy.
Thanks for reading everyone! The Wish will be a short story - no more than 6 chapters - so stay tuned!