Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

(AN) Y'all, I can feel the love! I did not realize IshiRuki was this popular! Thank you for the wonderful reviews. I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint you! Now, who's ready for a little IshiRuki interaction?

Chapter 2

Three days after receiving hell from Rukia, Uryuu was finally situated at Shirayuki Getsu Designs. Overall, his bosses were nice, even after the stunt he pulled. He had a fabulous drawing board, numerous mannequins, sharp, stainless steel tool, and the best fabric money could buy - basically a tailor's paradise. All that he was lacking was a petite, raven-haired beauty by his side to complete this perfect picture, Uryuu had a plan to win her back.

Uryuu check marked part one of his plan was complete and successful. He didn't know what exactly he would have done if Rukia told Ichigo to escort him out of the building, but he would have found away to see her again. Thankfully, he didn't have to though. Rukia pleasantly surprised him not only by allowing Ichigo to hire him, but also allowing him to work with her.

Internally, Uryuu knew that Rukia was gun shy. He couldn't blame her. They were good friends before they started dating, then 6 months of bliss turned into torture. Their breakup was one for the books after all with copious amounts of family drama. If he just had they strength to defy his father and Byakuya then, Uryuu might have married Rukia, and they would have opened their own business together. Instead, Uryuu sent her into Ichigo's business driven arms and Kami knows who's strong arms to pick up the pieces of her heart - probably Kaien Shiba because the whole world knew that he was in love with Rukia. But throughout all his trials, Uryuu learned one important thing. A true love is worth a life time of struggle, strife, and any other barrier that presents a challenge.

Now, Uryuu was here standing to make good on his promise to himself and to her. He would set things right with Rukia one way or another. She had already given him a one in a million second chance opportunity when any other ex-girlfriend would have just shunned him away. Oh, but not Rukia. She was a Kuchiki through and through. Pose and proper to the T. Greatness was in her future, and he knew that she was damn well going to achieve it.

The Kuchiki's were like Japanese royalty. She was the princess, and he was a pauper no matter what status his family held. The Ishidas would never be above a Kuchiki so it Uryuu would always be a station lower than her. Uryuu gritted his teeth at that thought as he straightened his glasses. The damn Kuchiki's were responsible for this whole mess along with his father. Two of Japan's get along? You would figure that each one would see the advantage in binding each in marriage, but no. They had to mess up the best thing in his life.

Now, it was time for a little payback. He was here to get Rukia back even if it killed him, and knowing Byakuya that just might happen.

Turning to check his appearance in the mirror, Uryuu said, "Rukia Kuchiki, here I come." A mischievous smile played at his lips as he exited his office in search of his petite partner. She wasn't going to know what hit her.

Sitting at her drawing desk, Rukia wondered what she was going to do with her ex-boyfriend/new partner. Why she thought that keeping him here was a good idea was beyond her. Sure, he was one of the best tailors out there – actually, he was the best but Rukia wasn't admitting it. Uryuu was professional, intelligent, and being the best damn tailor ever. Those are the reasons Rukia agreed to keep him on. It had nothing to do with her thinking that he looked better than ever or to sate her curiosity over where he's been for the past three years.

I'm mad! That's the only answer to all this! Uh, damn being a Kuchiki and the drive to succeed! But with Uryuu's help, I may just shut up Byakuya about my career choice. Then all the Kuchikis could go kiss their own ass for a change.

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. The hair on her skin stood straight up. Only one man was capable of doing that in her life. "Come in, Uryuu." Rukia called out as she took one finally calming breath before the internal war began all over again.

"You knew it was me?" He asked suspiciously as he walked into the room. Rukia stood up to greet, offering him a firm handshake.

"Ichigo wouldn't knock, and no one else dares to bother me when I'm in here unless its with a phone call." Rukia replied with a small smirk on her face.

"Ah, still the Ice Queen I see…" He poked at her old nickname as a vein tickled slightly above her eyebrow.

"Nah, I'm just dedicated and hate interruptions…" Rukia trailed off as she walked back over to her desk to look over at the piles of sketches. She was searching for the perfect drawings to present to Uryuu for the collection ideas. "Would you like to sit down so we can get started?" She asked confidently.

"Sure, but if you don't mind me asking…" Uryuu began, but Rukia cut him off.

"If you're wondering do I have anyone in my life, the answer is no unless you count Byakuya and Ichigo. Sometimes I have random, dates that Byakuya makes me go on but that's it. So with my love life out of the way now, can we get to work?" She snapped.

He wanted to laugh at Rukia, but he couldn't. She answered the question that he has been dying to know, and her response thrilled him to no end. All Uryuu had to do now was watch his step with her. "Actually, I was going to ask what's your idea for the collection." He replied as he made his way towards her. His arms grazed hers as he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "But I am happy to hear it, Rukia."

She whirled around to face him only to find them nose to nose, violet eyes staring into blue ones. "I… huh…" Rukia was overly flustered at how close they were. All the memories of the past resurfaced - the stolen kisses, the long talks, the dancing under the moon light - caused her face to flush.

Gathering her wits and shaking off the memories, Rukia regained her train of thoughts as she shoved Uryuu back a little. You're not going to win this battle buddy. We're going to be strictly professional here. I can't screw this up.

Ignoring Uryuu's advances, Rukia turned back to her design table to pull a beautiful skirt and blouse to sketch from her pile. "Cherry blossoms are the in this year according to every magazine out there, specifically for the winter months. This will make the average customer carry a hint of color, but long for spring. In some cases, the design colors can be interchangeable with seasons." She handed Uryuu the design as he studied it with scrutiny.

"Rukia, it's been done a million times before. You're going to have to be more creative than that. The show isn't too far away. So think, what would you want to wear?" He asked her causing a million gears in her brain to go into over drive. How could a simple question be so complicated?

Then, Rukia decided to stick with her guts. "But the latest trends will be cherry blossoms when the designs hit the store. You and I both know this!" She growled at Uryuu.

"Do you want to be good, or do you want to be great?" He asked her with a teasing smile on his lips.

With an exaggerated sigh, she asked, "Then what you do suggest, Oh great and wise one?"

His eyes lit up at the chance to offer her a new idea that few people in Japan do. "Royalty meets commoner." Rukia arched an eyebrow at him. She couldn't believe his suggestion. This idea was ridiculous! "Before you throw it out listen to me! We can have classic designs for the average person, but they can't walk right off the runway with your styles here or their fabrics. We need items that can go from the runaway into the street with ease. Then we can have a few pieces that match more with the royalty then some for the commoner. These will be specifically designed for runway collection, but they can be officers as limited edition pieces in the store."

"You're going to trash my whole design concept, aren't you?" Rukia asked with a huffed, but she knew that his idea held merit. This wasn't something the whole fashion world in Tokyo expected, and everyone would go nuts for this new tread that they would start.

Searching through Rukia's sketches, Uryuu pulled one that caught his eye. "This one will be the grand finale piece! It's perfect! We'll keep make up minimal and I'll use the white silk fabric with layers of toole causing her to shimmer. I'll add a few jewels to the corset part. She's be the perfect…" He turned to look at Rukia. "The Ice Queen."

"No. You are not doing that to my collection!" Rukia growled as she snatched the sketch from him. "No one will want an ice queen. She'd be viewed as untouchable."

"You say that now, but if you were the ice queen? You represent Japanese royalty, Rukia! The collection would be that much popular with a familiar face leading the charge." He stared at her with his bright blue eyes gleaming with ideas.

"Wait, you want to use me as a model?" Rukia balked at his suggestion.

"I think you'd be the perfect model." He whispered as his blue glaze ventured down to her lips.

Why do we have to play this cat and mouse game already? No! Snap out of it, Rukia! Don't fall for him all over again! Nervously, Rukia gulped as she edged away towards her to get away from Uryuu. "I'll have to talk this over with Byakuya. With my face on these designs, the Kuchiki Clan will get a lot of attention - good and bad."

"Go right ahead, I'll be happy to tell him our vision." Uryuu walked a little closer to Rukia causing her butt to hit her design table.

No. No. No. Stop right there, buddy. Oh gosh! He didn't stop… why is he coming so close to my face? Is he reaching behind me? I think my heart is going to beat out of my chest!

Uryuu saw the panicked expression on Rukia's face, and he was trying not to smirk. He was making her nervous, but he could tell she also desired him by the softness in her eyes and the rise and fall of her chest. Pink was a lovely color on her cheeks when she was flustered. Uryuu bet that Rukia was remembering all their old times when he was this close. He would scoop her up and place her on the desk passionately kissing her till she was out of breath, but those were old times.

"I'll need this if I am going to make it." Uryuu told her as he grabbed the sketch of the ice queen dress from behind her.

A sigh of relief escaped Rukia. "Great! You get to work on the dress, and I will come up with more sketches and show you some fabrics that will match."

"Sounds good, Rukia." After he took his leave, Uryuu turned back around out the door to face Rukia. "Don't forget you have to model for me. I can't fit the dress without you in it, your highness." He said with a bow, leaving Rukia staring at him gapping like a fish. Byakuya was so going to kill her.

Thank you for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting the story! I know the characters are a little OCC here, but I hope you liked the change! Have a Happy New Year everyone!

ishirukirock: Thank you for the review! I'm glad you're excited for the story!

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