A/N: Hey there all the beautiful people! I'm finally back with the 2nd chapter and I know the gap between was far too long! Before I go on to explain why, I would like to assure all of you that two months after this, I will not be uploading so late! I really promise you that! You see, I got into a medical college last year and 1st years for us medicos is really really hard. You know to get accustomed to the huge pressure and also college and hostel life.. It was a bit hard for me and I couldn't concentrate on anything besides my studies and adapting to this change in environment for sometime! I'm terribly sorry for this HUGE delay but I promise it won't happen again. I'll have my finals in the month of August after which I'll be completely free for sometime and I'll try to get as many chapters done as possible during that time so you might get updates almost every two weeks! I am really hoping I'll be able to pull that off! *fingers crossed*
This is almost kind of another introductory chapter but there's much more to it than that! ;) And we have our berry boy making an appearance here! :3 I sincerely hope you find this interesting and I would love it if you left reviews!
As for my previous chapter, I cannot thank you guys enough for fav-ing, following and reviewing! That was such a huge boost and it was so encouraging considering this is my first ever IR fic!
A big shout out to all of you guys! Thank you so very very much. :')
I hope this story lives up to all of your expectations and you enjoy it just as much as I do! :D
Okay, so now on with the story!
"Ishida, I need you to book me a ticket to the next flight that leaves for Tokyo."
"Next flight?"
"Jeez, here I thought only your eyesight is dysfunctional. Do you need a hearing aid now as well?"
"I do not suppose you are even trying."
"Listen, I have an important meeting to attend and I need to be there before Monday afternoon. Tokyo time."
"Your sheer lack of professionalism never ceases to amuse me Kurosaki. You claim to have an important meeting in Tokyo on Monday and you ask me to book you an air ticket now? Honestly, how you even manage to run this vast corporation is entirely beyond me."
"You know, I could really do without that smart mouth of yours at the moment. I am running out of time as it is."
There was an exasperated sigh on the other end of the line.
"Fine. I'll see what I can do."
"Good. Mail it to me once you get it confirmed."
"I do not recall making any prom-"
...And the line went dead.
Ichigo Kurosaki felt a strong headache coming on and he suspected it largely had to do with the phone call he had received in the morning.
Byakuya Kuchiki had called to remind him of the meeting he had to attend on Monday, and he was not very kind about it. Now, Ichigo had not really expected a warm and friendly conversation, judging by the impression that man had made precisely a month ago when they had first met, but he was certainly not prepared for the piercing lecture either.
Byakuya's tone held an underlying derision that wasn't blatant, yet effectively perceptible, and the manner in which he spoke plainly suggested that he was only tolerating Ichigo.
Barely.
And something told him it was going to stay that way.
The date of the conference where he was supposed to be meeting his sister might have totally slipped his mind; more so because he was not remotely looking forward to it, but that did not give that arrogant asshole any right to so ruthlessly point out how "deplorable" his "absolute dearth of order and discipline" is and how he must "educate" himself in "fundamental business etiquettes that even the most incompetent of businessmen must have no difficulty in conceiving."
To say Ichigo was pissed off would be an understatement.
For starters, he wasn't exactly thrilled about associating with someone who clearly had a huge stick up his ass. So the resentment and bitterness worked both damn ways.
Besides, who the hell did he think he was anyway? They were equals in terms of business supremacy. In fact, some would say Masaki Corp. was even bigger. But there he was, schooling him like he was some errant kid from the streets needing to be taught manners..
And then there was that obnoxious way in which he spoke. Everything about him was repulsive.
Byakuya's evidently misplaced sense of superiority was infuriating to say the least and Ichigo honestly had no idea how he would convince himself to follow through the pact without killing someone off.
To think he would have to work with him for one whole year was enough to worsen the pain in his head.
But that was not all. Oh no no no. The real problem would be the deal itself.
A contractual marriage with a complete stranger who also happened to be Byakuya's sister? Yeah, the prospect was not an inviting one at all.
Byakuya could hardly stand him as it was.
The notion of him being his brother-in-law, even contractually so, was simply dreadful and was something he really, really wished he could avoid.
And his sister... What was her name again?
Ichigo hoped against hope she wouldn't turn out to be an exact replica of her brother. Putting up with one Byakuya was impossible enough, but two? He did not even want to entertain that thought.
Ichigo dug his fingers in his hair, closing his eyes in an attempt to calm himself down. He had to leave for Tokyo soon as it was Friday afternoon here already.
Byakuya had been 'considerate' enough to arrange for a suite in one of his elite hotels to check into after arrival. He had also emphasised that his reception would be more than satisfactory and Ichigo didn't miss how condescending that statement was made to sound.
"I don't even know why I decided to work with this clown in the first place. Damn that Yoruichi."
But despite his pronounced acrimony towards this merger, Ichigo knew he needed help. He hadn't been to his hometown in the last 15 years now, and he naturally had no idea how to go about the search alone. He was no longer familiar with the economic power distribution of the country or anything related to the business setting there.
He knew how utterly foolish it would be of him to venture into the deadly game without being thoroughly prepared and taking the necessary precautions.
He needed support and he needed strong connections for what he was about to do.
And when Yoruichi had approached him with this pact, he had no other option but to consider it. The Kuchiki Internationals, she had confirmed, was unarguably the most powerful company there, and coincidentally the head of the company shared the same motive. Conveniently, he was in need of assistance too, because searching for and chasing after a truth this lethal was not something he braved to proceed with alone, as it would mean leaving his precious little sister defenceless, and potentially thrusting her into a life threatening situation, a second time.
And Byakuya was obstinately against taking any chances where it came to his sister. He had made it abundantly clear.
That was when Urahara had stepped in as well, backing up the deal, asserting it would be beneficial for both the parties involved.
"Why are you guys helping me with this? What's in it for you?"
"Ah I only wish to help because I care about you. I feel it is my duty as your guardian to look out for you. I'm just a mere goods dealer Ichigo. Why would you even think of suspecting me? What hidden motive could I possibly have?
To think you would ever doubt my intentions... You're hurting my feelings."
"Jesus Christ drop the act already. It's useless. None of what you do or say phases me. You should have known that by now.
And also, you are NOT my guardian."
"My my! That's no way to talk to someone who is risking his identity, and quite possibly his life to help you with your plan, now is it? You're a businessman Ichigo. Please don't tell me you are lost on the manner in which you are expected to receive an ally? You ought to make sure you never offend or anger them in anyway."
"Oh it's alright Yoruichi! I don't mind at all.
Ichigo, don't worry. I'll be there with you. You go on with your objective, we'll be sure to support you all the way through."
Ichigo had only grunted in response.
"Listen Ichigo, you don't need to know everything. Kisuke and I may have our own reasons for helping you with this.
To be very frank, yes we do. But more than anything else, I am in this because two families I really care about are involved.
This isn't the time to worry about petty issues. You know what you need to do, and you know why you need to do it.
And I know, for a fact, that this contract is essential. Neither you nor Byakuya Bo can achieve the feat you both are desperate to, alone. You need each other. And you also need whatever is going to come along with the affair.
This is undoubtedly for the best.
Trust us and sign the deal.
I'll handle Byakuya. I know he does not have it in him to resist my persuasions. Begrudgingly as it might be, he'll agree.
More so because he knows he needs this as well.
I've designed the pact myself so you don't have to worry about loopholes.
Meet the man once. You'll know he means serious business and is not going to hold you back or get in the way. He is equally dedicated to the cause, and he possesses the balance and maturity that is crucial here, something you severely lack in.
The more I think about it, the more perfect this association seems to be.
We are geniuses Kisuke."
"We sure are."
Ichigo had nothing more to say. He knew better than to interrupt when Yoruichi was being like this.
She knew what she was doing.
And he knew Kisuke was aware of it all. More than anyone else.
He couldn't argue with that conviction mixed with an intense thirst for an extremely long-awaited closure.
Especially when it touched on Yoruichi's emotions. And every secret she never revealed.
Kisuke's intentions, though never spoken of, Ichigo knew were strong and reasonable enough if he was willing to risk his identity for it.
This meant a lot to the both of them.
And after his meeting with Byakuya he had realised it meant a hell lot to him as well.
He despised how a single man, whose identity was still a mystery had managed to push good people to a point where vengeance consumed them and hatred burned their souls.
Ichigo was not furious at his depravity, but his ability to inspire it in others.
How he had managed to get evil to seep in and diabolically contaminate innocence.
And how efficiently he kept himself hidden somewhere, he knew no one could reach.
Well all of that would change now.
He would make sure of that.
There was a looming uncertainty pertaining to this venture that Ichigo was more than wary of.
He was going after an unknown man; with an unrecognised face and an entirely unfamiliar existence.
He had nothing to grasp on to. Nothing to base his strategy on.
It was a blind shot. In every way.
He was well aware of the chance he was taking and the danger it involved, and how a single mistake could jeopardise the entire scheme, bringing about devastating consequences.
But he also realised he just did not care.
He had to do it, by any means necessary; even if it required getting himself killed in the process.
He was going to avenge her death at any given cost.
Nothing else mattered.
He only had one thing he could count on -
His instincts.
And that Ichigo knew, would never fail him.
That thought alone was enough to charge him up for the meeting he had to attend, and he knew he would gladly attend a thousand more, if it meant getting what he so desperately wanted.
The characteristic scowl on his face then shifted to an expression of unwavering determination; infested with a streak of morbid sadness mingled with inexorable guilt.
However, no sooner had the trademark scowl disappeared, the ringing of his cell phone brought it right back, and he answered the phone with an uncaring -
"What?"
"You just never learn, do you? What if this was a potential investor? Or an important business associate? Not everyone is obligated to tolerate your insolence Kurosaki. It might be something that comes naturally to you, but you have to attempt to keep it in check because it doesn't help your image at all.
For goodness sake at least have some regard for the name of the company you own."
"Oh I'm terribly sorry, Grandma. Also, remind me to instruct your dentist to stitch your mouth up the next time you have an appointment. I'm sure I'll be saving a lot of lives."
"Why do I even bother?"
"My question exactly."
"Listen Kurosaki, I had called to inform you that your ticket has been mailed to you, since I can say this with absolute confidence that you had not and would not have checked yourself. Your flight leaves in three hours."
"Okay. Bye."
"Hold on. When will you be back?"
"I'm not sure. Sometime during next week I guess."
"I see.
Please don't come back with police charges pressed against you. If you get into a fight with the client there, don't bother returning."
"Nice to know you care so much."
"Of course. You're my business partner after all."
"And that is something I shall forever remain afflicted with."
"Stop stealing my lines Kurosaki. Your lack of originality is hurtful."
Ichigo reached his apartment within the next 15 minutes to fetch some important documents he would be needing which of course included the contract papers.
Ichigo was extra careful to leave the 2nd part of the contract behind, as it contained information that Byakuya's sister could absolutely never come to know. That was in fact a major part of the deal he made with him; to keep their operation strictly private and to make sure his sister doesn't get drawn into the whole mess.
It also happened to be an instruction Kuchiki Byakuya had harped on twice. Twice.
Ichigo could be really dense sometimes, but even he knew better than to not follow through with an order Byakuya had bothered to repeat twice.
His Ferrari raced him through the highway lanes and he reached the airport with an hour in hand.
Ichigo couldn't remember the last time he had ever been this anxious. What was the matter with him? He had been in far more testing situations before and he hadn't even batted an eye.
He could feel his trademark scowl faltering, a first in ages, and he honestly didn't know why he was this shaken by the thought of the task ahead of him.
He only had to meet his stuck-up business partner and his stranger sister, who also happened to be his soon-to-be-wife-for-a-year and 'discuss' the first part of the contract with her.
The usuals.
Like, how much more regular could things get?
Nah. Sarcasm wasn't helping.
'So you have this huge mission ahead of you and you're worrying about this insanely silly meeting with highly probable lunatics?
Way to go, Ichigo. How the fuck are you even going to trust yourself with this if you sweat over a silly meeting?
Get a grip over yourself. Now.'
The soliloquy must have helped, as he discovered he had calmed down considerably and was finally ready for the flight.
However, as the plane gradually lost its touch with the ground and started soaring high into the territory of the clouds above, Ichigo's mind went running through a turmoil of emotions again, some of which he had difficulty in appreciating.
Unwarranted curiosity was one of them.
Not wanting to dwell too much on it, he reluctantly took out the contract papers from his handbag in an attempt to go through them. He had to, of course. He was stalling it for as long as he could, but he knew he had to read it at least once if he were to discuss it with his business partner's sister.
Ichigo turned the seat lights on and put on his reading glasses as he skimmed through the pages.
The alphabets printed on the papers were merely seen, not registered as his thoughts wandered off to somewhere distant, a place that was foreignly familiar, filled with the fragrance of delightful memories.
He longed to go back there, but was afraid of being reminded of the person he really was.
Afraid of colliding with his past and stumbling upon a seemingly insignificant piece that escaped his memory - standing at the root of the inherent vacancy and hollowness in his soul.
He was afraid of discovering that missing piece and the chaos that the discovery would ensue.
Ichigo figured he had to find the man behind it all, to be able to find himself again.
And in the process, he knew the collision might be unavoidable after all.
Rukia didn't exactly have a good start to her Sunday.
Her alarm went off at 6 o clock in the fucking morning and she was this close to smashing it on the ground and breaking it to pieces. The reason the alarm was saved was because it had Chappy the rabbit's face carved on it. It was a limited edition Chappy the rabbit alarm clock that Rukia had gifted herself a week ago on nailing the press conference held in Germany.
She had been out with her gang the previous night to unwind and had planned to sleep well into the next day.
And obviously that didn't happen because she had forgotten to switch the alarm off.
So needless to say, she wasn't in the best of her moods.
Rukia had yet to read the contract she wished would magically disappear.
She didn't even want to look at those cursed sheets of paper, let alone actually read them.
She was stalling the process as long as she could for somewhere she believed that if she didn't read the contract, maybe none of what was happening to her would be real.
Her stomach was growling and just as she was about to go to the kitchen and cook herself some breakfast, Byakuya had called.
"Rukia, I have called to inform you that your meeting with Kurosaki Ichigo tomorrow is scheduled at 11:00 am. It will be held in my office.
I expect you to be there on time."
"Hai nii sama."
"You have gone through the contract I believe."
"..."
"Rukia?"
"N-no Nii sama I haven't yet."
"...And why not, may I ask?"
"I-I.. I w-wa.. I was.."
"Rukia, this is utterly amateurish of you. I do not want our business partner to be under the impression that we are irresponsible or worse yet, untailored do you hear me? This is a solemn issue Rukia and though your initial shock and anger is excusible, what you are doing now certainly is not."
Rukia closed her eyes and sighed. Her brother was right. She had already given her word; there was absolutely no point in her displaying reluctance now.
And since when was Kuchiki Rukia a cowardly procrastinator anyway?
"Gomenasai, nii sama. I will go through the clauses this instant and mark the ones I feel require alterations. I will be comprehensively prepared for the meeting tomorrow brother, I promise you that."
"I hope you act on your word this time. I trust you to put in an appearance on time tomorrow, and we shall discuss the rest there."
"Hai, nii sama."
The call ended as Rukia heaved a sigh and took out the contract papers from her drawer and proceeded to sit on the couch and read them.
Okay, this is it.
You only have to read a bloody contract and mark the clauses you're uncomfortable with; for now, at least.
Rukia, what the hell is wrong with you? This is what you do for a living. This is what you're best at – handling contracts and making big deals go your way. This is no different; it's just a damn contract. That's all it is.
Just continue being the robot that you've always been and treat it as work. And quite honestly in the end, it is your work.
Stop thinking it's going to affect your life in anyway. You'll go on living the way you always have. You'll only change your name for a year and that's it. Think of it as an act. You just gotta make sure you play your part perfectly. And that shouldn't be a problem for you at all.
Before you know it, the curtains will fall and the show will be over and your company will be saved and everything will go back to the way it had been before like nothing had ever even happened in the first place.
Rukia couldn't help but ponder on the irony of the supposed 'motivational' speech she gave herself. Act for a year? Rukia chuckled.
And how exactly is it going to be any different from what she was doing now?
She knew she was engaged in a bare act with herself. Bare to her insecurities and inner demons. A game of pretense she was playing with her conscience – a game that bruised and scarred her already broken soul, anew every day.
It did hurt initially, but Rukia figured it did not anymore. Earlier the dull pain used to serve as the only reminder of her still being alive. But now along with the pain, the tiny remnant of the once bright and dominant spark of life she carried with her had also faded away.
She was truly dead on the inside; in every sense of the word.
And that was when she realized that it did not matter. Nothing mattered anymore. So what if she was being pushed into a contractual marriage with a complete stranger? It wasn't like she had anything to fight for anyway. Her strength, her pride, her dignity, her very desire of sustenance had been ripped from her long ago, leaving her unfeelingly open to anything that was to come her way.
She did not mind, and it did not matter.
She would remain how she was – entirely hidden, yet appallingly bare; a hauntingly mysterious and obscure paradox that no one could unravel.
Suddenly she wasn't as reluctant anymore and was welcoming the idea. Would this arrangement be successful in hurting her more? Or maybe become a source of amusement? She didn't think that was even possible. Rukia chuckled again.
Oh well, I'll just have to find out, won't I?
She turned to the first page of her contract and started reading it, sincerely this time. Her name was mentioned in bold letters along with the name of the man she was supposed to marry.
Kurosaki Ichigo.
"Ichigo.. 'The one who protects' "
Rukia concluded it was a rather nice and meaningful name to have. It was almost as if the name oddly made him appear less of a stranger to her. She felt like she knew him somehow.
As soon as those thoughts invaded her mind, she dispersed them, silently reprimanding herself for entertaining them in the first place.
What was with her romanticising every little thing and trying to be hopeful about it? Was she not tired of all the disappointments already?
This contract has been designed to validate the provisional marriage of KUROSAKI ICHIGO– the founder and owner of the Masaki Corporations ; and KUCHIKI RUKIA – the co-owner of the Kuchiki Internationals.
This is merely an arrangement that has been organized to help authenticate the merger of the two multinational companies and holds no significance outside of the aforementioned cause.
This settlement is temporary as has been mentioned previously, and exactly one year from the day of marriage, it will become completely void and none of the parties involved will have to recognize its existence at all anymore.
So far so good, Rukia thought. The introduction to the contract was precise and to-the-point and would not require any further explanations.
Ah well it was formulated by Lady Yoruichi after all.
The marriage date has yet to be agreed upon, but has to be scheduled sometime in January this coming year.
The five months that have been exempted from the bond are to be utilized by the affiliates to get to know each other as well as their family and friends. During this time they are also expected to make as many public appearances as possible so as to make this marriage seem wholly genuine and not look rushed or abrupt.
The couple has to exhibit an act that the media can buy and therefore public display of affection is mandatory. They will need to hold hands, smile at each other a lot and even kiss if the situation so demanded.
"Woah woah woah ...WHAT?" Rukia screamed out loud.
There was absolutely no way in hell she would kiss a stranger like that. Holding hands itself was asking too much, however she might still consider trying it if the situation ever became that desperate.
But kissing? Completely out of the question.
Rukia took the red pen out and underlined that particular clause repeatedly and vehemently, almost tearing the paper there.
This was simply outrageous. Why would Yoruichi put in clauses she knew she would never agree to? Or was it someone else who did this? Was it Urahara? He was a pervert after all so maybe he..
Wait, could it be the Kurosaki guy himself? What if he put them in? What if he was actually a disgusting pervert wanting to use all of this as an excuse to get laid? Or worse yet, what if he was just a playboy and.. No.. what if he was actually intending to get physical with her and then keep some sort of an evidence of that and then blackmail her and usurp the company from them and...
Goddamnit Rukia just stop it already! What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you even realize how delirious you are being right now? This is so unlike you, get a grip over yourself.
Rukia simply stopped thinking and decided to read on.
Once married, the couple has to abstain from being involved in sexual affairs outside of marriage. They will not be allowed to have any romantic affair with anyone else during the period of marriage, under any circumstance. This rule is to be strictly followed and there is no way around it.
The couple may have sex within marriage if they so desired, and they could proceed to do so as there is no rule against it. However it can happen only if both the parties consent to it and take proper protection.
Okay.. what was Youruichi THINKING? T-this was simply.. God it was HUMILIATING! She did not even SEE this guy yet and the contract already went there? What was she thinking mentioning these in an agreement so callously like it was no big deal at all?
Rukia took that red pen out again and did what she had done previously, only more forcefully this time; so the poor sheet, unable to withstand the pressure, succumbed to it presenting a small tear there.
This was beyond embarrassing. Surely Kurosaki must have read this as well? What did he think? How would she face him tomorrow and how would she even begin to discuss the problems she had with the contract?
She couldn't. She would simply hand him her part of the contract and tell him to get rid of the conditions she has underlined. That's it. He would have to follow what she said, no questions asked.
Was Lady Yoruichi possibly drunk while devising the terms and conditions? Or was she perhaps doing this on purpose, just for the fun of it? Either way, Rukia did not find it amusing in the least. She was in fact angry now and didn't quite know whom to direct her anger at.
She wouldn't even have to go through all of this in the first place if her brother had been tactful enough to come up with a more reasonable and less impractical way to save their company.
Actually, they both would have to go through none of this at all if he had still been here with them. And the reason he was not, was because of her...
So in the end Rukia could only blame herself. All of this was her fault.
Rukia was tired. She just wanted to go to sleep and not wake up.
She would have given in to her dark desires a long time ago, if not for the images of a few people she deeply cared about flashing before her eyes every time she attempted to.
As she was about to go to her room and take some rest, she was suddenly reminded of the contract in her hand, a part of which she had yet to read.
Rukia sighed and started reading again, wanting to get this over with already.
The content of this bond, or the bond itself is not to be mentioned to anyone other than the people involved and the ones who have designed it. Nobody, not even a close family member should be allowed to catch any hint of this contract and this is by far the most important term of this agreement and is non-negotiable. How the parties involved will achieve such feat without arousing the least bit of suspicion is for them to figure out.
However, both the candidates must work together as a team, respect one another, help and support each other at every step of the way and must learn to trust each other unreservedly. Only then will an arrangement like this become successful.
The contract will be considered valid and operational after both Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia will have signed on the paper without any objections.
Once the contract is ready, it shall be handed over to Shihoin Yoruichi directly and no copies of the original document will be made.
The additions to the bond, if any, will be made by Shihoin Youruichi herself from then on and the signing parties would not be required to intervene any longer. Only their word of acceptance would be enough.
That was all. The remaining two pages were plain official talk and it did not require her inspection.
Rukia sighed. She knew she had a lot of talking to do tomorrow and quite honestly she wasn't ready for it.
She hoped Yoruichi would be there too so she could talk a bit more about the agreement and clear a few of her confusions regarding the contract. Like what was the significance of that almost inconspicuous 'Part I' written over the top edge on the first page of the contract? Was there a Part II to the contract as well? If there was, then what was it about? Could it be about the business part of the deal? Ah well, she would get her answers tomorrow.
And then of course she had to get rid of those preposterous clauses. Even thinking about them made her cheeks turn red in anger and embarrassment.
I hope this Kurosaki person doesn't make it too difficult.
But then again, Rukia decided, she always hoped too much.
"No please... Please.. Please let me go. Please.. I have a family to support. They'll all be lost without me." ; the scientist begged and pleaded. His pleas were unheeded as darkness slowly consumed his entire being and he could not think straight anymore.
He knew they were doing it to him. They had begun the process already and nothing he did now could reverse his fate.
A single tear left his eye as the image of his son and wife happily singing the birthday song came to his mind.
"Mei..Tamako..I'm sorry.." was all he said before being enveloped in nothingness, as the monster welcomed him on the other side.
So. how did you guys like this chapter?:D *mystery mystery mystery* :3
Any questions pertaining to the chapter is surely entertained and I'll try my best to answer you queries without giving the plot away! :P
And please please review and let me know your thoughts! I wold really appreciate it! 3
Love you all so much and thank you for taking your time to read the story! :')
See you guys again with the next chapter, then! :D
Till then, bye bye and have a great day ahead! ^_^
