Author's Note: so well, yeah! chapter 2. thanks to everyone who reviewed and read this story. i'm still on the 'setting-the-stage' part of my story, but the following chapters would clear everything up. to all of my dear reviewers and readers thank you for the support, i'm terribly sorry i can't thank you personally so i'll just be doing it here. thanks again and i hope you like this. i am open to any suggestions so just tell me, ayt? keep on reading and reviewing it helps me in writing:)

-leidi-chan


Sweet Pretenses

Chapter 2


Days had gone on into weeks, and every single day her husband would come home with a different woman. She would stand in the shadows, silent, purposely hidden as she watched how affectionate her husband was to them. And Ichigo would make sure she'd see, he'd bring the woman to their room and Rukia had no other choice but to leave them be.

Her depression grew due to her failing marriage. When Ichigo was out she would spend half of her time confined to her bed and the other half watching her infidel husband go off with a different woman every single day. She was dying…emotionally and physically. Her physique grew worse, for she rarely ate. Mao, Yui and the rest of the house staff was worried with their beloved mistress, they would beg her to eat her meals but she would refuse and state that she would only eat with her husband. This of course resulted into more alarming issues, Rukia spent lonely nights waiting for her husband to arrive only to have her already broken heart be shattered into a million smaller pieces when her so called husband comes home with another woman.

"Mrs. Kurosaki—"

"Stop…Don't call me that. You know he doesn't like it when you address me like that. Just leave me be." Rukia whispered that the maid barely caught what she had said.

The old maid bowed in respect and left the room leaving Rukia to her thoughts and the untouched meal.

"The mistress still won't eat" The maid told Mao. The old butler frowned in disappointment.

"I will handle it." Mao dismissed the maid and knocked on their mistress' door.

"Come in" She said with a barely audible voice.

Mao entered with a look of sympathy in his onyx eyes.

"Mi Lady please eat your breakfast."

"No" She answered curtly.

"Lady Rukia please eat, what would Master Ichigo say?" Mao argued a look of determination in his eyes.

"Good riddance, maybe. Or Thank you for dying" Rukia closed her eyes as exhaustion overwhelmed her. "Sometimes I wish I could just turn back time, and be back to the place where we were happy just to see one another in an inauguration ball. But now, I don't even think he'd care or notice if I suddenly disappear" Rukia smiled sadly, curving herself into a fetal position.

"Leave Mao" Rukia was surprised to hear her husband's voice. Her body was frozen and she didn't want to turn to look at him. She was afraid she'd see him again with another one of his women.

"I am glad you have received my message sir" Mao said with a bow before exiting the room.

Ichigo gazed at his wife's still form; her back was to him. He walked slowly to the chair beside the bed and took a seat.

"Mao said you haven't been eating" He said breaking the piercing silence. Rukia slowly turned to her husband, and brilliant amethyst eyes met deep brown ones.

"Why Kurosaki-san, would it even make a difference if I ate or not?" She said, and all Ichigo could do was to stare at her. Her eyes, he knew there was something different about them. Rukia's face was pale, she was almost translucent and Ichigo couldn't help but stare. It was as if she was really seeing her for the first time since their marriage.

"We made vows Kurosaki-san, why did you break them?" She continued her eyes stinging from unshed tears. Ichigo didn't answer; he just kept quiet and gazed at Rukia. She was thinner now than he could remember, her cheeks were very prominent, her eyes deeply set, and her bony fingers were shaking.

Ichigo held her hands and was shocked at how cold they were. He touched her shoulder and all Rukia could do was to freeze. She had been yearning for that touch since their marriage, even though she knew deep down he was only doing this to make himself feel better. Ichigo trailed his hand down her shoulder and he felt her ribs beneath his hand even with the rather thick blanket on her.

"Don't you have anything more important to do Kurosaki-san? I'm sure your better off with one of your girlfriends" It pained her to speak those words , but Rukia knew it hurt a lot more seeing him pretend to care.

Ichigo sighed and opened the untouched meal of his wife. He grabbed the bowl of porridge and started mixing it.

"You should eat" He said. Rukia smiled as she spat her husband's hand that held the spoon of porridge. The spoon fell to the floor with a rather soft clunk and this made Ichigo frown.

"I'm making things a lot easier for you Ichigo. This would speed up my death. Wouldn't you be happy if I die?"

Rukia waited for Ichigo's response. She prayed to whatever higher being that was there to not let her eyes betray her. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Rukia observed her husband's reaction. His eyes were cold, his face showed no emotion and his lips were in a thin line. Rukia wasn't surprised at how little emotions her husband displayed in front of her.

"Finally, there wouldn't be any reason for you to not be with her" Rukia continued, her voice cracking. She didn't have to say who 'her' was they both perfectly knew who that person is. Rukia reached out a hand to touch Ichigo's face. "I know I could never replace her so why do I even try?" She whimpered her hand still on his face. Her hand was like making an inerasable print that would forever haunt him.

Rukia's voice was trembling, her eyes feeling the overpowering exhaustion. Ichigo placed his hand over hers and looked straight into her brilliant amethyst eyes.

"Yes Rukia, nothing would make me happier if you were dead" He replied, removing her hand from his face. Rukia felt time stood still, everything just stopped. She felt pain like she had never felt before. Her already broken heart was crushed into a million tiny pieces by the only man she had ever loved.

Ichigo stood up from his seat and looked down at his wife. Her hands were trembling and her eyes were looking at a distant. And for the first time, Ichigo felt pained by seeing her in such a state. The woman before him was not the Rukia he knew.

"You're just a nuisance, interference between Orihime and I." Ichigo looked down at her and a pang of guilt suddenly pierced him through the chest. The Rukia he knew was beautiful, full of life, always stood up for him in high school, she was the kind of person Ichigo thought he'd be friends with until he dies. The woman was not Rukia, it was just an impostor.

'Tell me King, who are you trying to convince? Yourself?'

'Shut up! You know nothing!' He argued with his conscience.

'This is Rukia, King. The Rukia we knew she's gone because of…us'

'Us? We did nothing.'

'Spoken like a true genius'

With that Ichigo took his leave without waiting for her reply, the guilt slowly eating its way up to his very being.

His words stung, in fact she preferred a slap. At least that was just physical pain, but what he said…it had hurt her so much. She knew his answer, but it still hurt her to hear those words from him. Her fantasy of ever fixing her marriage was crushed into oblivion. Her eyes hurt and it was getting harder to stop the tears; but Rukia wouldn't allow herself to cry.

She stood up from the bed slowly, her resolve a few weeks back coming again and overwhelming her. She got up and went to her vanity. She pulled open her drawer and began taking out items. She pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.

"Be happy Ichigo" She said softly, writing in the piece of paper with her elegant handwriting. She removed her wedding band and placed it above the note as a small vision of memories began to play incessantly in the compact movie theater of her mid. How she wished she could bring back the days where Ichigo and her would spend the whole day trying to get away from their bodyguards or sneak out at night just to eat ice cream and ramen. Those days were long gone, and Rukia had to accept that fact.

Next she went to the drawer beside her bed, pulled it open and grabbed the small dagger hidden in the secret compartment. She wanted to slice through her skin and end her life, but as much as she wanted to die for the sake of Ichigo, she couldn't. Dying meant no more pain, no more sleepless nights, no more crying…and ultimately that would mean no more Ichigo.

'I still love him'

Tears freely fell from the raven haired's eyes as well as the dagger that fell soundlessly on the carpeted floor. Exhaustion had taken its toll on her body and she fell to the floor.

'Why do I love you so Ichigo?!' She questioned herself.

"If you are going to kill yourself might as well do it properly" Rukia looked up and saw her older brother looming above her, a look of disapproval across his face.

"Nii-san" Rukia whimpered, as her older brother walked towards her.

"Ayaa…Rukia" He said, putting one of his arms under her legs while the other supported her head. "Your lighter than paper" He said with a smile, but the truth was Toshirou was really surprised. When their older brother told him to get Rukia he never thought she'd be in this state. The young girl was so fragile; it was as if Toshirou was carrying as porcelain doll that can break if you handled it wrong. The uniquely white haired man glanced down at his sister; she was so pale that she'd pass for someone dead. It was just a couple of weeks ago that they had been watching wrestling together and they had both tried on a new stunt. When did she become like this? Almost dead. His family had entrusted Ichigo with the most precious treasure of the Kuchiki family and this is what he'd do to her?

"I'm so sorry Shirou-nii" She said crying into his chest.

"Baka, trying to kill yourself," He whispered, kissing his little sister's forehead. And for the first time since he was a kid, Toshirou Kuchiki teared up. "I'm sorry Ru-chan. I should've never agreed into letting you marry that despicable pest" He said with hidden vengeance. Anger and guilt welled up in Toshirou's system. "Don't worry Ru-chan, I'll make him pay" He said as Rukia snuggled closer, he tucked a stray hair from her beautiful face. "He'll regret every little thing he has done to you" He whispered, though he knew Rukia couldn't hear him. All Toshirou knew was that Ichigo was going to pay.

He turned towards the door but was stopped by Mao who was standing in the doorway.

"I saw nothing Master Toshirou" Mao said with a bow and left the two siblings.

--

"Someone's back early" A cunning voice said from the doorway.

Ichigo pressed his nose bridge as a migraine was slowly creeping its way in.

"Grimmjow…" Ichigo simply said, his swivel chair pivoting towards his visitor.

"I thought you won't come back" He replied, taking a seat at one of the black leather sofas.

Ichigo glared at him and continued to massage his nose bridge. "If you have nothing else to say or report, the door is open"

"But I do…" The blue haired man said with a cunning smile, standing up from his seat he approached Ichigo's desk and produced an envelope from his coat, and threw it to him.

"If I were you Ichigo, I'd start hiding now" Grimmjow said with a smile

Ichigo opened the envelope and scanned its contents.

"Seems to me nii-san came home early for his poor little sister" Grimmjow said with mocked sobs, his voice set in a very high pitch. "Toshirou Kuchiki just arrived a while ago from a business meeting in China"

"Since when did he know?"

"Today actually, after big brother told him" Grimmjow said, watching Ichigo as a distinct sign of frustration was evident on his face.

Ichigo was now massaging his head.

"Does Ginrei know?" Ichigo asked, afraid in knowing the answer.

"No, the siblings kept it to themselves." He replied, Ichigo's facial expression still unchanging.

"Does father know?"

"That I am not sure" Grimmjow said, standing up from his seat. "If I were you I'd start fixing this up because if it comes to worse and if Isshin finds out you've fucked up its bye-bye Kurosaki-Kuchiki Empire" He chuckled mockingly and then departed leaving Ichigo to his thoughts.

'The family will know soon enough' Ichigo thought as a feeling of uncertainty washed over him. All that was in his mind was Rukia, and her lifeless body in their mansion. He felt another pang through his chest, remembering her words from earlier.

'Is she really Rukia? Was she really the girl I grew up with?' Ichigo asked himself.

'Did you forget?! Or are you just stupid!? We broke her you asshole' His conscience barked.

'It wasn't like that…I…Orihime…Rukia was a nuisance'

'Really? Did you really think she wanted to marry you? She knew in the first place that you loved someone else and she was willing to let you go to be with Orihime… Are you forgetting you also had the choice of not marrying her? But no…you chose to marry her. In other words you chose money over Orihime. What does that make you huh? Do you think Orihime would love you after your greedy choice?'

'I still believe Orihime and I could make it. After everything I still love her and I know she loves me.'

'Really? What if Orihime already found your replacement huh? Did you ever think of that?'

'She can't I know she'll still choose me'

'Was that your mentality when you went and married Rukia? No, the only thing on your mind was money!'

'It wasn't like that…father…and the…'

'Blah, blah, blah, still bullshit excuses for choosing money over Orihime and putting Rukia through all that pain!'

Shaking his head suddenly, the tormented man stood up from his seat and started pacing around his office, trying to tune out the sing song voice of his deepest thoughts. Unfortunately, a visualization was made that a conscience isn't a radio, you can't turn it on or off whenever you please.

'Orihime probably forgot about you too, after everything you've done, I can't blame her for that.'

'I didn't mean to hurt anybody especially Orihime…or Rukia. I just wanted to do something to make father proud…and also for myself'

'Yourself? Huh! Don't you see? You just can't do things for yourself, that's your problem you stubborn asshole. You've hurt the person you love and you've hurt the person who loves you. I guess the fact that you grew up with the other and fell in love with the other won't hurt too right? With every decision comes a consequence. Good or bad. Learn that before you get all full of yourself and consider yourself a saint'

The voice died out as quickly as it appeared. Maybe that was because a conclusion was made that finally made him realize if he had denied his impulsiveness the satisfaction of resurfacing, things could have been better. But, unfortunately, he had been too afraid of facing the issue at hand head on, and decided on retreating like a coward. He took the easy way out, and now, he would have to accept the consequences of greed

--

"Will she be alright?" Toshirou asked as he held his sister's limp hand, she was sleeping soundly; he had admitted her to a nearby hospital. Rukia was shaking uncontrollably and she was very warm and Toshirou decided that taking her to the hospital was the best thing for her sister now. He'd do everything just to see her old self back.

"I'm afraid there are very alarming conditions of your sister" The doctor replied. "I'm waiting for one more of your sister's test to make sure my presumptions are correct" It was when an intern entered the room.

"Here it is Unohana-sensei" He said handing her a manila paper envelope. The doctor tore it open and grabbed the sort of film like paper inside. She observed it for a few minutes, directed it to the light and looked at Toshirou seriously. The young man felt like he was about to be sentenced into something horrible, but what scared Toshirou the most was the fact that it was his sister.

"Rukia-san is severely malnourished, she has an infection, she is also anemic, and I don't know how to say this but your sister has a condition called cardiomegaly where her heart is 50 percent bigger than the diameter of her ribcage. I suggest surgery. "

It was all just too much for Toshirou to take in. He was just staring at the beautiful doctor like some dumb psycho. His hands were sweaty and the hand holding on to Rukia had tighten. His baby sister…a heart surgery…it was just too much to take in. his mind tried very hard to process everything, he was used to stuff like that. But that was business, this was his baby sister…his beloved baby sister. He looked at the doctor then to his sister then back to the doctor. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

Unohana smiled at him, "But the good news is, you are going to be an uncle Mr. Kuchiki"