Hi xD
Here I am to update Remember. A little bit late, but well… it's me.
Firstly, I'm surprised at the good response Remember got. I didn't expect 17 reviews at all (I know most of my old readers are not into Bleach anymore and honestly, I don't blame them, the end of the manga was a bullet in many fans' hearts), so I was happy to see Remember picked up your interest.
So… my biggest thank to each one who took your time to review. You are really amazing, guys! (Guest, Guest, PAMILA, trinity456, anon, lightdesired, HarunaOno, P.N.M 80, J, EclipseLove, Red, CindeeCaramel, Pretty Please, kiti4life, Guest, Guest and noblepride) and those who added this story to the favorites and follows (hope this get your interest to leave me reviews in future chapters ^^
Ludmilla, please leave me alone. Love you, bitch!
This chapter isn't betaed, so you know…
Shachō means President.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, but I own this plot.
Enjoy!
Remember
Chapter 2 - The not so charming prince
The grayish weather outside mimicked his thoughts at the very moment Doctor Unohana stated Rukia's condition. Byakuya gave her his back and stared at the window. His eyes closed for a second as he pulled the air into his lungs.
She lost the memories of the last four years.
Four years... She lost not only her memories of him and their marriage as well the ones related to her father who happened to be six feet under.
If she could nope cope with the idea of him in the same room, let alone accept the fact she forgot the last years of her life and the loss of her beloved father. They were so close it would be a shock for her.
He could see her reflection on the window. She was peacefully sleeping after asking Doctor Unohana one million questions. It took the physician a while to answer them without the risk of causing her even greater distress or worsening her condition.
She seemed shocked to realize it was not 2012, but instead 2016. College was over and she was actually about to finish her Master's in Education. At least she got it right when she asked if her thesis involved something related to educational games.
None of those questions was asked to him though. All of them were directed to either Unohana or her ex-boyfriend.
A man she seemed to think was still her boyfriend. A man who was already married and had one daughter — his wife was expecting their second child if he was not mistaken. He knew very little of their story together, but he was aware Renji was a special person who thought it was best to let her go and marry him, for he could never give her what Byakuya could. A man who broke her heart when he said she would be better off without him… If not for Abarai's decision, their marriage would never happen and they would never develop feelings for each other. After such painful break-up, she decided she did not want to keep in touch with Renji… It must have been a shock to receive a calling from her so many years later.
"Kuchiki-san?"
He looked at her over his shoulder, but voiced nothing. Even if he tried, he could not find the right words to reply to her earlier statement.
"I know it's difficult right now, but you will have to be patient with her."
His eyes narrowed slightly at the physician. He knew it. And although patience was not his forte, he was determined to work on it for her. It would be pathetic if not tragic to watch him, the man who was above everyone else, controlling his temper because of his wife.
"It will take a while for her to recover her memories..."
There was silence in the room for a moment. The only sound was of the equipment monitoring Rukia's condition. For the last few weeks, he slept and woke up with it ringing annoyingly in his ears. It almost became a lullaby.
"That is not all."
Unohana looked at him. A sad and somehow sympathetic smiled graced her lips.
"No. That's not all." There was a pause; she seemed to be looking for the best words. "She may never recover all of her memories. Actually, right now, I think that it would be best if you left her alone."
Her suggestion did not shock him at all. On the contrary, Byakuya kind of expected it. It did not mean he liked it though.
"Right now she needs to be surrounded by people she can remember." There was silence again. "By faces she knows."
Not by the ones who know her best.
A pregnant pause followed her words. None of them dared to say anything else. Byakuya had his arms hanging on his sides, the hands closed in fists, eyes closed.
"Will that be all?"
"Yes..." She smiled encouragingly. "Good night, Kuchiki-san."
In the quietness of the room, her steps approaching the door were perfectly heard. He could also hear when she placed her hand on the doorknob, as if deciding whether to leave or not.
"Speak…"
"Everything will turn out alright, Kuchiki-san…"
There was no answer from his part. He merely nodded, still back turned to her. He only shifted his attention to his wife when the door was completely shut. She seemed peaceful now, as if losing her memories — memories of him — meant very little to her.
"See? I'm perfectly fine!" She raised her arms a little and then punched Ichigo's face. She barely could hide the grimace that threatened to take over her features. Her arm was still a bit sore after having yanked off the IV the last day.
He grunted and covered his nose as everyone around them laughed loudly.
"You're really in perfect condition, midget!"
"I told you!"
"When are you going to get discharged?"
"I don't know..." She bit her bottom lip nervously. She was still unaware of how she would pay for the ridiculously expensive bill of such hospital.
That was what she asked of Doctor Unohana in that very morning. The woman smiled kindly at her and told her not to worry, for it was already paid. Next thing she knew, she was gone and once again she was left asleep in the room.
Of course Rukia did not leave it alone. Last time she remembered she was a middle class girl, daughter of a teacher, principal of the high school she worked at in Tokyo's suburb. They did not live that badly, but not good enough to pay for the most expensive hospital of the whole country. Not even if she was born again she would have enough money to pay for that.
Was it related to that man in her mobile phone?
Who was him?
Who are you? she asked when he entered her room, a cup of green tea in his hands, but received no answer.
The kind Doctor entered the room afterwards and said she was to be in bed. As soon as she realized, she was back to it and the woman answered a few of her questions.
What year is this? How old I am? How much did I lose? When College has ended? Was I really accepted into one of the most important universities with my thesis for a Master's?
Even if all of them were answered accordingly, she knew there was a lot missing. And she asked exactly that when the cute, innocent-looking, head nurse entered her room to check on her. Isane was her name if she was not mistaken…
The answer slipped through her instantly.
"You are married to Kuchiki-sama. You have been our patient for the last two years and half, Rukia-sama."
Married.
She was married. In a relationship with one of the richest man of the country; of the whole Asia.
Ukitake Rukia, a nobody, married to one of the most influential man of the continent.
How long?
She wanted to ask, but discovered she was in short for words.
Married.
How?
Just how could she find herself thinking in one day to propose to Renji — the fool would never do it himself — and in the next discover she was actually married to another man?
She knew it was not like that. She knew now years had passed, but it certainly seemed so.
Did she love him? Oh, did he love her? Was she a mother? How tragic it would be for the child if its mother could not recall such tender existence...
That was the second question she asked the head-nurse when she returned that afternoon — she thought about asking her husband, but his very presence scared the hell out of her. So when he was close for almost twenty minutes, she pretended to be asleep — but she seemed unsure.
"You were actually trying to get pregnant. Kuchiki-sama was not so sure about it, but you were really excited about the possibility, Rukia-sama."
Married... Married to a man who did not want children. A man so cold as everyone stated that the very thought of having children around probably made him sick.
"Kuchiki-san?" A sweet voice brought her from her thoughts.
She shook her head and smiled up at Orihime, tightening her hold on her hands.
"You should rest..." Her grayish eyes shone with concern. "We tired you out too much for one day."
"No..." She tried to force a smile, but her friend was right. She was very, very tired.
"We are leaving you then..." Tatsuki replied, pulling Ichigo by the arm. "Take care!"
"Take care, Kuchiki-san..."
Sado, on his side, merely waved his hand.
"Take care, midget!"
"Take care my ass, idiot!" If she was not in such pain, she certainly would have thrown a pillow on his face, but she contented herself with the punch he received from Tatsuki. She was the best!
The room fell silent when they all left. Rukia sighed and prepared to stare a few more hours at the white ceiling — or until a couple of nurses came back to guide her to unceasing tests related to her health — when she noticed she was not alone. An orange head looked her through the gap of the door.
"Inoue..."
"Kuchiki-san…"
"Why did you return?" she asked, but shook her head. She never left… And if she was there, Rukia should seize the opportunity. She bit her bottom lip, unsure on how to ask this, or if she really wanted to know for sure. "I can't remember about the last four years. They simply..." Her voice grew heavier as she whispered the next words, "disappeared."
There was silence from Orihime's part. She closed the door and approached her friend. Rukia only opened her eyes when she felt the bed shifting under the weight of the ginger-headed girl. Her hand then was delicately held between warmer hands.
"I know..." Her words were also whispered. "Don't worry, we are here for you."
Her kind smile only made the lump in Rukia's throat all the more obvious and difficult to hide.
"I don't know if you are dating that idiot. If you finished College... How were your grades. If you became an astronaut... I simply can't remember."
"Shhh..." Inoue said soothingly, caressing her hand. "I moved on. I am dating Ishida-kun now and we're both working as interns in the Hospital his father works at."
"The carrot's head lost you?" She seemed shocked for a moment, but then she realized it was not a surprise at all. Ichigo never saw in Orihime more than a friend. "He's really an idiot!"
Orihime's cheeks grew hot with the comment. Kurosaki-kun was in no way an idiot! She waved her hands desperately, trying to dissuade Rukia from such opinion.
"I'm glad you are fine."
"You were fine too," she commented in a low voice, "very happy indeed."
"Am I?" She arched her eyebrows incredulously.
"Of course!"
The lump returned to her throat. Gosh, she wanted to hit her head against the wall so badly... she wanted to do it again and again and again until she recalled everything. From the first kiss, the first touch to the last word exchanged before that horrible happening.
"I am married and I don't even remember getting married. The proposal... My dress... The wedding..."
Was it a happy moment of her life? Did she cry? Did he seem happy to see her there? How was the ceremony? Did she dance the whole night in his arms as she knew she would love to dance in her wedding day?
Why couldn't she remember it?
Marriage was supposed to be a very important cycle of one's life and yet she couldn't remember it. Not even one single moment.
"Shhh... It's okay..." Orihime brought her to the comfort of her arms. "You can cry if you want to. It's okay."
Rukia shook her head. She knew that if she started crying she would not stop anytime soon.
"I can't..." she whispered, biting her lips together.
And where on Earth was her husband? If he cared that much about her why did he disappear? Where was he when she needed him the most? She recalled the words of the nurses in her room… His face… Oh, God, his face. He seemed destroyed when she asked him who he was and yet… Yet he was nowhere to be seen.
"I know I should not... But I disagree with Doctor Unohana..."
"What?" Rukia frowned, wiping her nose furiously. "What do you mean?"
"She thinks you should take your time and forget about recovering your memories, but I disagree..."
They broke apart. Rukia used the back of her hand to dry the tears in the corners of her eyes as Orihime smiled at her.
"I think it may be worse if you continue in the dark. I'm bringing you a few things this afternoon, okay? For now just relax and don't worry... we don't blame you for forgetting the last years… nor does your husband."
"My husband..." she tried the words in her mouth, but they sounded so bitter she wanted to take them back and never pronounce them again.
"Orihime!" A loud voice echoed in the room. Both looked back to find three heads poking through the door.
"I'm coming! Goodbye, Kuchiki-san!"
When they all left, Rukia laid her head in the pillow and closed her eyes.
What a day!
Give her room… Time…
"You are a fool, Byakuya."
"Ojii-sama…" Surprised, he looked up at his grandfather and cursed himself for not noticing he had entered his office. Usually he was always aware of his surroundings, but lately he found himself too much distracted.
And yes. He was back to work. At first, he seemed unsure, but as Doctor Unohana stated he had better give her time and space, he decided it was time to return to his daily routine. He did not stop visiting her — he continued to sleep in the hospital —, but he chose the moments she was most likely sleeping.
"I suppose there is no one with Rukia right now."
There was no answer from his part; he shifted his attention back to the document he was reading before the untimely entrance. He saw no reason in arguing with his grandfather. To him, he was never right when it concerned Rukia.
"I see you did not see fit to warn me of your return."
His gray eyes shifted from the papers he was holding and focused on the very similar orbs of his grandparent. He remained silent for a moment, deciding whether to apologize or be straightforward.
That choice — to return to work and leave his wife alone. No! He corrected himself, she was not alone, he was giving her time… The family doctor said it herself it was for the best — was already difficult enough. There was no need for Ginrei-sama keep on chastising him.
"This is my office and this is my company."
He watched as those equal pair of slate-gray eyes stared back at him with a scold. They narrowed significantly as he spoke, opening the button of his blazer to sit comfortably in front of his grandson.
"A company you only managed to head because you married that very girl you forgot in the hospital. Don't you ever forget that."
There was no time for Byakuya to even think about a response for his secretary entered at the very moment, leather briefcase in hands, and looked at both of them questioningly.
"Good morning, Kuchiki-sama."
"Good morning, Ise-san," Ginrei replied politely as ever. Byakuya remained silent, still focused on the man sitting in front of him.
"I did not know you were returning today, Shachō," she said, a little bit unsure. "How is Rukia-sama?"
"Recovering."
"Hn… Eerr…That is good to know." She closed her eyes for a brief moment. She knew she had just interrupted the fight of the century. The old Kuchiki had never been soft on his grandson and the CEO had never been one who listens in silence. "Who shall I accompany in today's meeting?"
Byakuya even opened his mouth to reply, but he did not have enough time.
"Of course you shall accompany me." He looked at his grandson with a serious expression. "Byakuya is not even here."
He rose from his seat and buttoned his blazer again. It did not matter his advanced age, Kuchiki Ginrei had always have the impeccable looks. Looking at the secretary who had been of much help the last few weeks, he held the door open for her and motioned for her to leave.
"Do you need something, Shachō?"
"No." He also rose from his chair and mimicking his grandfather he placed his white coat on his shoulders. "I am not even here."
In silence, he watched the two of them leaving the office. The bimonthly meeting on profits would take place in the auditorium located in the mezzanine, the first he would miss since he became the CEO of the Kuchiki Enterprises. Not even in their honeymoon he missed that important meeting.
Turning off the lights, he looked at his office and noticed how hollow it felt without Rukia's presence. Last time he attended to one of those meetings he agreed to take her to dine out. However, the meeting lasted longer than he predicted. When he returned to his office, she was sleeping soundly on the leather couch; a cold pizza box she had not even touched placed on the coffee table, two wine glasses lay empty, the bottle however, was cleaned out.
The remembrance only made him notice how of a bad husband he was. How could he be hopeful that she recovered her memories? In all of them, he was always working, or too busy to be with her and even when they were together, he was always focused on something else.
He shook his head.
Perhaps she would be better without her memories of him.
It was twilight time when Orihime returned with the pieces of memories she promised. She was about to start her shift, so she merely dropped the files and left as soon as possible.
Rukia stared at the folder in her hands, deciding whether to open it or not. Doctor Unohana was right... she should not seek those memories back so desperately, but Inoue was not wrong either. She could not be kept in the dark. Even if she did not remember them so soon she had the right to know. If her husband was not going to reveal it for her, she would find it herself.
Trembling, if out of anxiousness or fear, she could not precise, she opened the baby-blue folder and noticed that it pertained to herself, contrary to her expectations. It was not a diary — she had never been inclined to it nor did have enough time to write one — rather a few things she maybe thought important to keep, such as newspapers clippings, photographs, post-its, and other important documents. How Inoue managed to get this, she had no idea.
She pulled out the first document. It was a newspaper. Asahi Shimbun, one of the most important of the country. Front cover. Bold black letters composed the headline. In the main picture, she holds the hands of the Education Secretariat as they seal the deal. Higher-quality education that values the students as individuals rather than only a group with no identity or desires.
Rukia bit her bottom lip. She had always believed the educational system was too screwed up, but she never thought she would be one day responsible for inducing such changes.
The Wall Street Journal Asia reported that was a drastic change in all the education system that could, in the long run, bring suitable changes in economy. No word on how greatly it could affect the lives of millions of students who thought about suicide every September. But what else could she expect from a right oriented newspaper?
She sighed.
The next was the cover of the Nikkan Gendai. There she was, dressed in a silver princess-like gown in the arms of her husband. According to the tabloid, they were dancing in a charity ball. A happy portrait of an arranged marriage that worked out.
A Pikachu-shaped post-it was attached to the image of both of them dancing. It had her horrible calligraphy in it.
The dress was marvelous, but I hated it. It was not comfortable, nor it was warm enough for that chilling night of November. Byakuya chastised me in that icy tone of his that I should have heard him and bought a warmer gown. He even said that he wouldn't give me his coat. His face was regal all the time, but I think he was having fun at my expense… I never know for sure when he is serious or joking. In the end of the night, however, he placed his coat over my shoulders and let me embrace him in our way back in the limousine. It was a chilling, true, but happy night.
She traced her smiling face and her heart clenched.
…Very happy indeed...
If that time of her life was so happy why couldn't she remember even a single moment of it?
Her eyes shifted to the man that held her close. His face was magnificent, stoic. So devoid of any emotion she wondered if he was a man or a machine. She would not be surprised if it turned out this way.
The picture, however, forced her into looking at another direction... Her left hand. There was a golden band encrusted with amethyst pebbles.
Automatically she looked at her own hand. The mark was there although there was no signal of the ring itself.
Who had it now?
Why was it away from her? What kind of marriage did she have? What kind of relationship? There was love? If not, did they respect each other at least?
The lump returned to her throat.
What about her father? Where was he? Why was it an arranged marriage? She was quite sure her father would not force her into it. He always respected her and her decisions so much.
And why was she thinking it all in the past tense?
He was dead.
She knew it.
Deep inside she knew.
Rukia did not know how or when, but as soon as she woke up and he was not around and none of them mentioned him, she knew... he was already gone.
When? How? Did he suffer?
She should have asked. She knew it. But she could not find the courage within herself to. What if she was not around? What if he died in one of his attacks and she was not there to help him? What if he died because of her?
There was so much in her life that was so... so confusing and painful... the idea of her father dead did not make it any easier.
Before the tears could roll down her face, she breathed in slowly and looked at the next document.
It was a simple document. It seemed to be a project, as she eyed it closely, she noticed it was one of the educational projects she had the idea to write when she was younger. So she had done it… Why was it printed? Why did it have a lot of comments? Another post-it, this time of Chappy – the rabbit, graced the front page.
I'm keeping this copy instead of the final version because Byakuya proofread it even though he stated more than once he didn't have enough time to. If not for him, I don't think I'd be able to write such a good project. And well… Let's be honest, he drew in the last page his Wakame Taishi holding hands with my Chappy… Isn't he a cute husband? Hope he never finds this folder, I can foresee him throwing it to the rubbish.
Her lips were already very much bruised when she placed the project aside. It was not that easier to keep the tears at bay. His calligraphy was beautiful, as regal as he and his comments, although not sweet or light, were honest and sought her best. It was clear he wanted her to be better, wanted her project to be better.
Next there was a picture of them together, a selfie. There was no post-it in it, but on the back part there were two very different handwritings. The first one of course pertained to her and the second, she noticed quickly, was his.
First selfie together. Yay! Never thought I'd get one. He hates photos
It was dated March 11, 2014.
I have never consented to this foolishness.
His comment was almost a year after, January 10, 2015. She did not know how he came to write that, if it was because she asked him to or if he did it himself.
She let her head sink in the pillow, a long loud sigh escaping her lips. She simply could not remember! No matter how much she wanted, or how she hoped that being in contact with those items would help, it did not and it was simply frustrating!
Outside, the sky was tinted black, few stars graced the Tokyo's firmament, but she did not know that. She was too much focused on keeping the tears at bay to notice hours had gone by. Her lips trembled as she tried to control herself, but it was no longer possible.
Her face was wet now and her sobs were uncontrollable. The tears were more than she could wipe away. She cursed herself for being so weak, but the more she tried to resist the more she cried. The sobs became so frequent and loud, she had to bury her head on her hands, in order to muffle the sounds.
It seemed like hours had passed before she could gain a little more of control over her trembling form. Days before her face was finally dry, but not without a price. It was so swollen no one could pass by her without noticing she had cried her heart out for the last minutes.
Sitting back on the bed, she decided it was best if she did not look through the folder for now. Her head hurt like hell after she cried and she remembered why she hated crying so much. She busied herself with placing the documents back in their place.
Then she heard steps. Light steps, the same she heard just two days before when she woke up and found out that nothing she knew was still true. She quickly tried to hide the folder behind the pillow and barely managed to before the door was swung open.
She did not see him, did not know how he was looking. If he still had his beard or if his face was already shaved… All she knew was that she had to pretend to be sleeping, she did not have courage to face him just yet.
If it hurt her not to recall all of those memories, how it must be for him to know she did not remember him and their marriage?
The first thing he noticed as soon as he entered the room was the lack of light. He turned on the outskirts lamps and placed his coat on the coat hanger nearby.
The atmosphere was heavy, but dead silent. Since she woke up they did not talk to each other properly, she was never awake when he was closer, nor did he have enough to say, or found the right thing to. The quietness was broken when a sniff made him shift his attention to her frame.
Byakuya wondered what made her cry.
Yes, that was a stupid question, but his heart clenched at the mere possibility of being the reason why she cried after so many years.
The first time Rukia cried because of him was in the very beginning of their marriage. In their wedding night actually, when he set those horrible rules for them — actually for her — and walked away, leaving her alone. As fool as she was, she believed he spent their first night with another woman and Byakuya being Byakuya did not do anything to demote her from such idea.
When he returned to the room, she was fast asleep, but her face was swollen and drenched with her tears.
Just like the very first time, his heart now constricted. It became very, very small at the sight of her sorrowful face.
Yet, unlike that occasion, now he would give anything to make her smile again.
Sitting on the bed, he brushed his thumb on her cheekbone and caressed her lower lip. Her breath caught.
He knew she was not sleeping, he always knew when she faked anything. It was just like his other visits. Whenever he was in the same room she would pretend to be fast asleep, but after three years sleeping with her in his arms, he knew her sleeping pattern better than he knew his own.
Did the possibility of being married to him affect her that much? Was it so unbearable to look at his face?
Aware that she just needed some time to cope with the idea of facing a strange that suddenly became her husband, he never spoke anything either. He let her pretend to be asleep while he pretended to buy her little white lie.
But now... Now he just had so much going on inside his head he wanted to warn her not to lie to him.
He shook such thoughts. It would do their relationship no good if their first talk was the same of their first meeting ever.
Byakuya was about to leave her and the room when he noticed the blue folder placed behind her pillow. Pulling it to him, he noticed it was where she stored a bunch of documents about them or things she considered important.
She gulped, but remained still, lids pressed forcefully together. Time seemed to freeze and so did her petite body.
Touching the pikachu post-it, he closed his eyes. So... that was the reason she had been crying. She had been looking at memories of them for God's know how many hours. How did she get that folder? He would punish for sure whoever give that to her.
He could just wonder how painful it was to look through it and not be able to remember even a thing... or perhaps she did and they were of him leaving her alone to work until the tender hours of the morning, of him making her cry... of her saying that she loved him without ever receiving a proper reply.
His fingers found his way to her bang, removing it from her face and touching it slowly as he often did after their long lovemaking sessions.
When the first words came to life in his mouth he was as much as surprised as she was.
"I hope you never recover your memories of us."
Rukia did not think she would be able to sleep after those horrible words he spoke, but he left the room as soon as they came out of his lips.
She sat on the bed and looked at the closed door with a questioning look on her face. What the hell was that?
However, she had very little time to think of anything else for the kind Doctor greeted her.
"Hello, Rukia-san..." There was a sympathetic smile on her lips. "How are you feeling?"
Confused, I think... What the hell just happened?
"I am fine."
"No headache?"
"Just a little..."
"I see your husband arrived," she commented lifting Rukia's chin to look her in the eyes. If she noticed how bloodshot they were she was kind enough to remain silent.
"Yes, he did..."
"Did you two talk?" Her question caught Rukia off guard, but she did not have enough time to reply, for the doctor was pretty much focused on her heartbeats. "Your exams turned out pretty fine. Tomorrow afternoon we will discharge you."
A deep breath she did not even know she had been holding left her mouth. The Hospital was truly comfortable, but nothing like home...
She widened her eyes at the thought of home... if she was married, married to the richest man of the country, of course her sweet, old home was far gone now. Where did she live? Ginza? Azabu?
"...you will be fine as long as you follow the medical orders."
"Yes..." she muttered meekly, aware she lost a good deal of the doctor's words. "Unohana-sama..."
"Yes..."
"When I will recover my memories?"
The physician fell silent for a moment, as if choosing the best way to approach the matter.
"You should give it a rest, Rukia-san..."
"Will I? Or there is a possibility that I never..."
The silence that followed her line was almost unbearable. Rukia swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Yes. There is always the possibility."
"I see..." Her voice was small, weak as she shifted her attention to the windows.
"Don't worry." Although she could not see it, she could swear there was a smile on the doctor's lips. "You can always make new memories with your husband."
With that, she left. In the following minutes, as the medicine entered her system, she fell soundly asleep.
It was past two in the morning when she woke up again. The room would be completely dark if not for the light coming from the bathroom.
Quickly, she looked at the source of light, afraid he was awake, but was relieved when she found him lying on the armchair. Her brows shot up, was it not too small for him? Why did he insist on sleeping in such place when he could have the leather couch?
She shook her head and removed the IV from her arm, careful not to hurt herself. She was already all sore from those needles and because she stayed three weeks in only one position, she could not afford to spend more days at the hospital.
Holding her breath, and so slowly a snail would be quicker, she approached his sleeping form and waved her hand in front of him.
Nothing.
She did it again.
He did not move. He was fast asleep.
Sighing, she walked to his white blazer and touched its pockets. There was a piece of paper. She retrieved it and raised it to her eyes. In the dim light she could barely see its contents, but there it was, his rich calligraphy.
Buy Rukia her medicines. Force her to take it.
In the border of the paper there was a Chappy smiling. Her drawing.
A sad smile graced her lips.
When a small sound reached her ears, her heart almost stopped. Looking startled at him, she noticed he just shifted in the armchair.
Relieved, she went to the next pocket in which she found his mobile phone. It was identical to hers.
There was no way to unlock it, for she did not know his password nor had his fingerprint, but she could see at least the background image.
It made her breath stop on her throat.
There she was, all dressed in riding clothes, bathed by the sunlight, riding a white-brown horse — it was such a beautiful photo it took her breath away. She had always wanted to ride horses, had always found the animals strong and beautiful, but never had the chance to. He was nowhere to be seen in the picture, so she just assumed he was the one to click it.
Again, as she held the reins of the beautiful animal, she noticed not only her bright and happy smile, but also the gold band in her finger.
Yes, that's what she was looking for. She placed the mobile phone back in the pocket and continued her search.
Nothing.
She was not even closer to find it. She walked back to him looked at his frame.
Yes. He shaved his face.
He looked much younger without the beard. The fact he was sleeping and his stern eyes were closed almost gave him a relaxed and peaceful look.
She ached to touch him, but held herself.
Biting her bottom lip, she took her time to watch him closely. Kuchiki Byakuya, her husband, was surely a handsome man.
It was not surprising every girl her age dreamed to be in her toes. The nurse wished to be her — even in her current condition.
Everything about his face and body denounced absolute power. She wondered how she felt being held by those powerful arms of his.
She should blush at the idea of being touched by another man other than Renji — he was her first and she intended him to be the last... at least she did. She did not know anymore — but she faced it with relative ease. Of course they had been intimate and she suspected she not only enjoyed it as she loved him as well. If she was willing to have a child with him — she never thought of anyone else before to be the father of her children than Renji — it must be because she was deeply in love with him.
Then why couldn't she remember him? Not even a single memory of him flashed through her mind. There was only blank when she thought of him... pure, desperate, painful blank.
She shook her head. She should not lose her time so much. He would wake up at any time. She knew his sleeping pattern was messed given the last two days. He would wake up more than once and she could not have that.
Rather: she did not want to face him and his cold demeanor.
I hope you never recover your memories of us.
What a horrible thing to say. She wanted so badly to remember him... remember their moments together and there he was... expecting... no, hoping, she never recalled him.
Her lips were already bruised when she leant into him and removed a strand of jet black hair from his face.
At her touch he moved in the chair, causing her to retreat, startled. He did not wake up nonetheless. With his movement, she saw it... the golden ring hanging on his neck.
Rukia held her breath. If she just reached out a bit...
Her fingers barely brushed it when she felt a warm hand wrapping around her wrist.
"You should be in bed."
For a few seconds, she could only blink in the dark, surprised to find him wide awake.
Byakuya pulled her by the wrist, making her whimper and fall on his arms. In this position they were too much close... their breath mixed together and their noses almost brushed.
"Kuchiki-sama..."
"Rukia."
Somehow he was displeased to hear her calling him once again so formally.
Her hand was open on his chest, she could feel all his heartbeats.
A human being indeed... not a machine.
A blush none of them could notice in the darkness of the room spread on her cheeks.
The silence was almost unbearable and it seemed to last for hours. She took her time to analyze his features. From this close he was even more handsome and powerful.
The fact she was sitting on his lap and one of his hands were placed on her hips while the other still hold onto her wrist did not bother her. Surprisingly. It merely confirmed her earlier thoughts, they had been intimate and she appreciated it... very much.
"Go to sleep," he commanded, releasing her slowly.
She held onto him more firmly.
"This band..." Her voice was shaky. It was funny how all her fear fled from her mind as soon as she found herself in his arms. Perhaps it was the lack of light, or her growing curiosity, "is it mine?"
He did not reply, so she took his lack of answer as an answer in itself. She removed the necklace and looked at it closely. All the while he remained in silence, merely watching her.
When she was about to place it on her finger, he stopped her.
"You should not seek those memories back."
She gasped.
"W-Why?"
If there was a word to describe Rukia at the moment it was surely dumbfounded.
"Were we that unhappy?" Her voice was small and her heart constricted as she waited for the answer.
For a few seconds he did not talk and this habit of his was driving her nervous beyond control.
The folder... the files... the newspapers, her friends, the doctor, the nurses... All of it indicated she was happy with him. Happier than she had ever been.
Hell, she wanted to have a child with him...
"It was an arranged marriage. None of us wanted it," he replied truthfully.
"I know..."
It was all over the newspapers. An arranged marriage that worked out. A fairy-tale come true.
His warm fingers touched her cheeks. She closed her eyes. The touch felt so real, so good and so heartfelt all at once... it was like being home again after years away.
"We made it work out... The newspapers..."
"Newspapers can be deceiving." His tone was harsh, cold as if he wanted to destroy all of her fantasies.
"I know but..."
A happy fairy-tale... That's what one of those sites described their relationship. The marriage of the century.
Desperate to find more information about them... about him... she used the internet in her mobile phone and placed their names in the google chrome app.
They graced the trending topics more than once. Because of their marriage, because of their partnership, because he was chosen as the businessman of the year, because she won several educational prizes, because of their looks, because she became the country's loved princess... because she was the Queen that warmed up the Ice King.
There was even what people called ships. A fusion of both of their names.
ByaRuki. Byakuya and Rukia.
There were so many pictures of them. So many tabloids wrote about them. About every single happening in their marriage... about her collapse.
The entire press focused on her husband's pain. One of them spoke how destroyed he seemed at his Birthday.
And she learned he was born in the same month as she even if six years before.
The amount of information was overwhelming. She did not know how she learned how to deal with so much harassment. The entire media was over them and every little detail became the news of the year. Being poor and invisible all her life she wondered it was not easier at the beginning.
His tips on her chin forced her to look at him.
"You read about us in the internet," he stated as if scolding her.
In fact, he was. He knew those articles very well to know they did not match the reality. Byakuya did not want her to believe in that fake fairy-tale when their reality was far from it.
She could very well be the princess, but he was far from the Charming Prince.
As he thought of her believing he was that good for her when all he did all those years was make her cry, he felt angry.
So unbelievably angry at himself he had trouble controlling himself.
"I...I..."
He forced her to stand up and rose from the armchair as well.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Her eyes widened at his harsh words.
"Media has a habit of lying."
The lump in her throat returned. So... he was just saying that all that she had seen was but a lie? She knew that she could not trust everything, but she hoped that if their life was a living hell there would not be so much people believing their marriage was a fairy-tale. And hell, she was not that innocent, she was a teacher, she knew when it was a blatant lie and when it was partially the truth.
Suddenly, the room was full with an anxious feeling as he walked away to drink water. The silence was so complete she could swear she heard the liquid running down his throat.
It was killing her.
Was it always like this?
Did that silent behavior of him always unsettle her that much or did she learn how to live with that?
His back was turned to her and she noticed how much he was tense.
She ached to touch him again, to somehow ease that instance of his, but held herself. There was a question she did have to ask before anything else.
"Do you hate me?"
Byakuya eyed her over his shoulder. His eyes told her he thought she was a stranger being... with 90 heads, perhaps.
"I could never hate you."
Rukia bit her bottom lip. That was a relief. She released her baited breath and looked down, bracing herself for the next question.
"Do you love me?"
Now he was completely turned to her and his eyes were unreadable. The fact it was impossible to read anything in his handsome face did not make it any easier for her.
He walked to her, stepped into her personal space and caused her to close her eyes.
Her heart beat so fast it was about to explode. When he removed the bang from her face, she was almost shaking with anxiousness.
But then... as simply as that, his touch was gone and his body was no longer so close to hers.
She heard the doorknob being turned and the door opened with a too loud sound for the quietness of the room.
Then his voice filled her ears and its content made her choke.
"Goodnight, Rukia."
A/N – That's all for today, kids!
Who wants to kill Byakuya?
I wrote this chapter listening to Come to my,by Seungri. While I'm a bit… well… let's say not too much into kpop and have a few worries of my own on this topic, I felt this this lyrics expresses how Byakuya feels about this whole situation… I told you, it's angst after all ^^
Newspapers and places here mentioned in fact do exist. Just to let you know I didn't come up with it on my own.
As for Orihime and Ishida dating… I don't ship IchiHime for many reasons, but I have nothing against them. I'm more of an UlquiHime fan, but I decided to try here for IshiHime… so let's see. Anyway, they won't have a big part in this story, as it's more focused in Byakuya and Rukia solely.
About Ginrei… I know he must be really OOC (everyone is OOC, that can't be helped, sorry guys, trying my best here). We don't really know how he truly was, but I imagine him being harsh on Byakuya, not because he hates him, but because he seeks his best and well… as the heir to an Empire…
For anon who asked about the timeline: She has been married to Byakuya for 3 years, but they know each other for 4. It happens that Rukia wasn't a virgin when she married him, so she was on birth control since before, when she was dating Renji. Five years is how long he was chosen as the businessman of the year it was even before he was married to Rukia. Hope it's less confusing now ^^
See you probably next week or the other, don't know if I can correct chapter 3 till next week, but let's see. What I can promise is that I will do my best to update The Duke's Lover next week, for it's the anniversary of the fic.
Wish me luck with my final exams and my paper. And I'll be eagerly waiting for your reviews ^^
Take care,
Velvetsins.