Hello again everyone... Its been a hectic two weeks i think, and i am sorry for the delay in updating. took me a while to get this chapter done, but work comes first after wards i get to come out and play for a bit yeah. I had mixed feelings about this chapter yeah... it was sort of inspired but a true life event that happened to a M8 of mine,didn't want it to be to obvious just in-case someone also happens to know that M8 and what happened.


Thank you everyone that's reviewed, a knowing *smirk* to the *smut lovers* especially i guess thats all of you...

(arlingtonsteward/silverqueen/Anne/ANONYMBYAKURUKI F/DRUON/Violet/ra7matigorti2/aria/vicky73/Lilith's Heart/bxrfan/seras3791/Aii Sakuraii/CielDoll/Jasmine/LuciL06/ReckoningDay/gue st(s).)

I hope you all are able to understand and follow this chapter and then let me know what you think. because this chapter and possibly chapter 8 makes or breaks this story.


DISCLAIMER- DON'T OWN BLEACH OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS.

THIS IS ALSO AN AU STORY. LOTS OF STUFF IS MADE UP. AND WE'RE JUST HAVING A BIT OF FUN ... CHEERS!


CHAPTER 7 –WHAT HAPPENS IN PHUKET STAYS IN PHUKET RIGHT...?


Rukia hadn't awoken till almost sundown that day, luckily no one specifically Nan or Ran didn't stop by, or they would have gotten the shock of their lives seeing Byakuya in her room and lord knows what the conversation would have been about.

Awaking to find the most beautiful, sexiest man in your bed is something Rukia wasn't used to, as she still thought and felt that this was an imposter look alike, though she really knew deep down that it was the real Byakuya. She'd laid there unmoving not that she wasn't trying to, but her damn body wouldn't budge and it hurt to move everything in her felt broken and battered. Just what the fuck kind of acrobatics sex did they have?

"A nice hot bath would help you mildly, but you'd feel a lot better," he husked in a low tone that did something to her.

"I_" she croaked not recognizing her own voice that sounded dry and scratchy.

He handed her a glass of water,"

"I think you would be thirsty after all that screaming and hollering you did earlier."

She finished the glass of water then cleared her throat...

"Exaggerating much are we?"

"Oh Ru-kia I am not, you're a very vocal lover sweet heart and that's fine with me, I don't mind everyone knowing that I was with you and showing you a good time."

"Ugh- I hate you gleeful piece of shits that think you were so good in bed, but I've got news for you mister_."

"Ru-kia did I disappoint you, if I did then I demand another chance to show you that it could only have been a fluke on my path."

"Look Bya, what happened was just fun, you had a good time, I did to, but there isn't any more to it. so what happened here stays here."

"Now try saying it with a little more zeal, I wasn't convinced."

"You're so fucking arrogant… you got the goodies let's just leave it at that."

"Ru-kia, do you think that's all I wanted from you, you mean more to me than just a quick fuck, hell I'm here because I lo-?"

"NO! Don't turn this around on me… fine I admit the sex was good but there isn't anything more between us, all I am is a reminder to you, a look alike to my sister, whom you want to play house with, pretend that its fucking 2003, which was a good year for you,

I was just a hot piece of ass to you and you were the same to me, I don't want to move in with you, nor do I love or care for you in that manner, we fucked- okay just fucked- it's as plain and simple as that bya-kuya,"

Byakuya did not show how affected he was by Rukia's words. He got off the bed and pulled on his clothes casually, he was not going to dignify her crude words with a response because he had yet to figure out the extent to which her words had cut at him.

"What you don't have anything to say?"

He thought about it for a second before looking her in the eyes…

"…As a Kuchiki, you are to fulfill your obligations, as such I expect you to be at work on Tuesday, after which you are to formerly request a meeting with the board members, grandfather included and tell them why you wish to abandon the job."

"I don't have to explain anything I handed in my resignation letter weeks ago,"

"And I burned your resignation letter the same day I got it."

"Why would you do that?"

"It's not relevant, however I told him that you requested some time off, which I approved."

"I have no intention of going back to KC,"

"Understood, but grandfather is owed much more respect than a letter with so few words."

"You're a complete nutter; minutes ago you were a smiling smug bastard now you're giving me the cold treatment because I told you off."

"Well if you insist on acting like a prostitute then I shall treat you as such," he said throwing a wad of cash, that he produced out of thin air at her, before he quietly walked to her door, closing it with a gentle click behind him.

Rukia was stunned, so fucking stunned she wasn't sure if she wasn't just dreaming this entire scene up. She pinched herself hard, crying out as the pain registered. Not a dream she concluded as she looked down at the money scattered around her.


Nanao was just about to exit her room, when she caught sight of Byakuya leaving Rukia's room, looking calm and deadly, in fact deadlier than he usually looks. Did he and Rukia have a fight? Did he hurt Rukia, the latter got Nanao, to move towards Rukia's door. She knocked gently and waited. After a full minute had passed she knocked again. She was about to knock a third time when the door was flung open by a pale looking Rukia, in just her robe.

"Do you want to get dinner?"

"I'm not really hungry,"

"Do you want to talk?"

"I don't want to talk either."

"Then what do you want to do?"

"I don't know, I just feel so drained all of a sudden, I also feel a nasty migraine coming on,"

"Are you feeling sick?"

She nodded her head in response.

"Can I do anything to help; do you want me to get your pain killers from Rangikus room?"

She nodded again, unable to answer as the lump rose in her throat, she really felt like having a good long cry.

"Rukia, I am here if you want to talk, I'll listen."

"Thanks Nan, but I think I'll just take two pain killers and have a hot shower and go get dinner after all, tonight and tomorrow is our last days here, and since I invited you both here I don't want to spoil it by crying over spilled milk."

"That's my ruki-baby," Nan said squeezing her hand before walking over to Rangiku's room.

Rukia decided to take a shower in the mean time. When she got out both Rangiku and Nanao were seated on the sofa watching some non English show.


The three friends headed down to the beach bar and restaurant.

"Hey Rukia, you feeling alright, I noticed you're very quiet tonight."

"Fine Ran, just a little hung over still I guess."

"There is only one way to combat a hangover_" Rangiku started to say when Rukia and Nanao finished her sentence for her with,

"_By drinking and getting another hangover to beat the first one," we know Ran, we know."

"So are we going to get a couple drinks after?"

"Why not, we are on vacation and we should get drunk as hell," Rukia said a little too enthusiastically.


Byakuya was seething mad, he had never had someone speak to him as such, then again that was a lie, Rukia had always been outspoken since he could remember, how could she say and believe that he was only interested in her because she reminded him of his wife. Nothing about Rukia reminded him of his wife, they were so different, hell-worlds apart.

Being with Rukia, in Rukia was like nothing he could compare to. She awoke something deeper in him, that no one had ever regretfully not even his wife had awoken his passion and desires as such, but he'd loved his wife and it was enough. But Rukia was something else, vastly different. She made him lose control, she drove him insane.

He ripped the cork of another of the mini liquor bottles, taking it all in one mouthful, the burn no longer affecting him, causing his eyes to water, it had ceased after the third straight bottle, and he didn't care that he was mixing his drinks, vodka, whiskey, rum, anything to dull this throbbing ache that ceased to stop hurting him further.

First thing tomorrow lunch he would be on a plane heading back home to japan, where he would do whatever it took to put this city, and especially Rukia Kuchiki behind him.


~~ MONDAY~~


Byakuya was informed by his grandfather on Monday that Rukia had called and said that she would return to work on Tuesday and she had also personally requested a meeting with him and all the heads on Friday, who she also informed via email and if he knew what it could be about?

Byakuya of course remained his usually cool, indifferent self, sounding absolutely perturbed to be disturbed about attending some meeting that she requested, he however said that he wouldn't know what it is about nor had he gotten round to checking his email as he was busy and he really was, if they only knew busy with what.

The Sunday he had returned home, he didn't sleep at all, he couldn't. At 5am Monday morning he called his lawyer, who met him at his home. There he discussed the present situation. Mr Kaezo assured him that the necessary papers would be ready on Wednesday possibly Thursday at the latest; after all he was Byakuya Kuchiki. Byakuya of course smiled on the inside while his face remained emotionless and hard as a stone. That's right he was Byakuya Kuchiki and he could get anything and anyone to do whatever he wanted in a short period of time for the right price.

He didn't need to say anymore as Mr Kaezo was already putting things in place as he sat drinking his tea. After Mr Kaezo left Byakuya called his secretary informing her that he would be visiting the other branches for the next two days but he would be in the office come Wednesday/Thursday morning, and she was to only forward the very important calls to him, and on a side note if Rukia wanted to get in touch with him, that he was still out of the country and unreachable.

He was sure that Mrs. Tanoka would carry out his wish, she wouldn't question his decision to keep Rukia away- from him… that's the thing about having a much mature, professional, non sense woman as a secretary instead of the floozies his grandfather and others employ… she didn't pry into his life. Rukia wouldn't be able to get pass Mrs. Tanoka, she was very efficient that way and it's why he paid her a most generous salary, in fact she was the only highest paid secretary in KC history that wasn't sleeping with the boss.

He walked over to the well stocked dining room bar and grabbed two bottles of his finest whiskey he was going to drown his sorrows until Wednesday or at least Thursday which ever came first. He closed his mouth as he was about to tip the bottle up to his lips, he still had one more thing to take care of. He hit the security speed dial button, and informed his head of security to beef up on security for the next two days, he wanted men patrolling right around the perimeter and he was to allow no one through the gates or on the compound, even if it was Rukia, especially if it was her. With a curt "…Hai Mr Kuchiki sir…" from his head of security, Byakuya hung up and finally tipped the bottle to his lips, taking a long deep swallow of the fiery liquid warming his entire insides.


On Tuesday Rukia true enough did return to work and did try to get in to see Byakuya that same day, they desperately needed to talk, but was informed that he was still out of the country. She tried to intimidate Mrs. Tanoka, who just stared right back with her dark beady little eyes unblinking, unmoved. She tried the 'I have important documents for Byakuya to look at and sign', but Mrs. Tanoka only took them and placed them to the side in a tray. She tried the 'he's expecting me for lunch' trick and still nothing, finally she gave up and went back to her office.

~
Byakuya was behaving like a child, she knew he wasn't out of the damn country, he was just avoiding her and for a good reason she had been horrible to him, but she really needed to see him, to apologize, she had all of Sunday and Monday to think over what happened and realized that she only reacted that way because she was scared to believe that he really wanted just her and not to replace his wife. She needed to apologize and explain things to him. One thing Byakuya was was honest and he didn't say things he didn't mean, but she just could not then even a little now wrap her head around why now? Why all of a sudden? What's changed?

She was determined that he would hear her out, and she was going to beg for another chance, at anything with him, because he was in her system and she couldn't get him out. She bid her team of workers a good day as she left work promptly at 5pm, she went home to her condo and freshen up, before grabbing a bottle of wine and heading over to the mansion, she still had a key so she was going to let herself in and wait, he couldn't avoid her if she caught him off guard.


~K – MANSION TUESDAY NIGHT (Rukia)


She arrived at the stroke of 7:15, on the drive over she thought about what she could say and so far she hadn't struck on anything more solid than the truth, she was scared, plain and simple and to the point. Oh and she liked him, in fact she was falling for him to. She waited for the security to open the gate for her, but Mr Satoshi did not even budge from his post. She knew that he knew it was her; there was no mistaking her car. A bit peeved, she got out and walked up to his guard booth.

"Hey Mr Satoshi, why aren't you letting me in, it's me Rukia?"

"I am sorry Miss Kuchiki, but Mr Kuchiki isn't home, he's currently away and strictly forbids anyone from entering the mansion, even you Miss Kuchiki."

"Really, he did that now did- he?"

"Hai… Miss Kuchiki, I'm very sorry but I cannot allow you beyond these gates."

"Its fine let him keep hiding behind other people, behind his mansion walls, tell him I said he is a damn coward and a jackass and I no longer feel like apologizing to him, and that I meant every word I said to him."

She turned on her heels and stormed back to her car. She didn't even get her other foot in the door before she was speeding away in a cloud of burnt smoke from her tires.


Rukia took a lesser time getting home, once inside she screamed and screamed till she was hoarse, tears now streaming down her face, unable to hold them back her heart breaking little by little as he shut her out again little by little. She started drinking and fell asleep on the sofa with the bottle in her hand, when she awoke the next morning Wednesday, she had a splitting headache, but she also had to be at work by 9. She spent a good twenty minutes in the shower, after which she downed four pain killers and grabbed a shake to go instead of making herself breakfast, then again she didn't feel hungry, her appetite had completely vanished.

That Wednesday she was out of the office for most of the day overseeing three other projects, that by the time she blinked it was time to go home, she went back to the office, gathered a few documents she needed to look over, really people up for promotion and headed home, feeling exhausted, and utterly drained. She had, had enough, she needed to get away from KC and him, very far away, she was contemplating to open another office in another district, but not if Byakuya intended to treat her as such, not if they couldn't work together under the same roof. She couldn't handle it, not from him.


~~TUESDAY (Byakuya)


Byakuya knew he was a mess, he still couldn't get a grip on reality, he hadn't even bothered to bathe since he decided to hold himself up in his mansion as he continued to get wasted, to drown his sorrows over her. Thankfully he hadn't received any calls in the last two days from Mrs. Tanoka. However his self banishment had to come to an end and he needed to be sober for the very next day an important day that would bring about a lot of changes, beginning with her. The root of all his troubles, the very reason he was now acting unlike himself. He chuckled aloud for the first time, the sound foreign to his own ear.

"That's right bbbbyaaaa… you're Bya Kuchiki… NO! You're Byakuya Kuchiki… the Byakuya Kuchiki a-a-and…youuuu, you han-d-some… ba-bastard…can get-get… any woman you want… you don't n-needeed her-need her," he laughed this time heartily as he dragged himself from his sitting position near the foot of his bed. He moved into his huge marbled bathroom, placing the bottle on the counter, barely, as he clumsily got into the shower turning the water on; he didn't care if it was scalding hot or freezing cold. He was done moping over her.

He lay down on the tiled flooring of the shower and allowed the water to beat down on him, after about half an hour maybe more, he felt the thickness and fog in his head clearing. He was able to stand up on shaky legs and scrub his skin, and shampoo his hair. Facing himself now in the mirror through blood shot red eyes he shook his head at the sight he would make for anyone. He swore once many years ago he would never fall this low ever again in his life and yet here he was and the reason for him being here was alive and well.

He ducked his head in time, as he couldn't finish the thought of where she is or who_ he fell to his knees hugging the sink as he brought up all the liquor he had consumed after a long few minutes, he rinsed the sink and then his mouth, before grabbing his tooth brush and scrubbing his tongue vigorously, to get rid of the foul bitter taste in his mouth. After the fifth numbing scrub, he gargled half a bottle of mouth wash. Mouth feeling fresh he climbed back in the shower and rinsed his skin, before getting out and drying off. He took up the comb and combed his tangle matted mane reaching the middle of his back, leaving it to air dry.

Byakuya knew that even though he wasn't hungry he needed to eat something, it would make him feel much better for the next day, he settled on soup it was fast and easy to make, after which he would have a cup of green tea and then get into bed to get some proper rest. He wouldn't let anyone see him weak and in this condition because of her, he was Byakuya Kuchiki, cold and emotionless, he didn't feel anything, he was a heartless bastard. He didn't know how to love anyone, it's the reason his wife died. Those people that had said those things were right after all and he wouldn't start now by giving anyone a reason to doubt what was said of him.


~~THURSDAY~~


Rukia woke up feeling the same as the last day, she really didn't have the energy to do much today. In fact she hadn't gotten to bed till 2am this morning partly thinking of him and missing a chance meeting with him yesterday. She was angry and hurt but did she really have any reason to be? Had she given up to early? Should she force her way in, standing on the ledge of KC tallest building demanding that Byakuya speak with her or she'd jump? Then again he'd probably rather she jump. Okay she had thought it over. Today he was possibly due back in the office, so she would try and meet with him today, even if she had to use underhand tricks.

She bounded into the ground floor; she pressed the elevator button, waiting for either one to get to the ground floor first. Though she was two floors below Byakuya's office she got of on his floor and walked up to his secretary desk.

"Good morning Mrs. Tanoka…"

"Good morning Miss Rukia Kuchiki…" she replied with the barest of smiles.

"Is Byakuya in…? I really need to meet with him?"

"Yes he is, but he's currently in a meeting with someone." She replied not even looking up as she typed away on her computer.

"Is it possible to see him this morning?"

"Let me check," she replied pausing, a few clicks of the mouse later she looked away from the screen… "I'm sorry Miss Kuchiki, but Mr Kuchiki is booked solid for the morning."

"What about lunch… tea time?"

"I'm afraid it will be impossible, Mr Kuchiki will be in and out of the office for most of the day till about 8pm when he leaves for his last meeting with a very important business prospect, would you like me to fit you in tomorrow though he only has a 30 minute break after the heads of department meeting scheduled for 11am?"

"Uh- no, its fine I guess I will speak with him after the meeting ends; I just wanted ten minutes of his time that's all."

"Okay then, well I am sorry I couldn't be of much help,"

"Thank you Mrs. Tanoka,"

So he was going to attend the meeting after all, she would wait and speak with him after the meeting tomorrow, she was quitting KC but she still wanted them to stay in touch, be friends, maybe lovers, something, but she couldn't handle this cold distant behavior of his she had after all fallen in love with him for kami sake and if she still even had the tiniest chance to get him to reconsider giving her another chance then she would take it.


Byakuya couldn't wait for the day to end, he desperately wanted to get rid of the papers in his hand after meeting with his lawyer Mr Kaezo last night, at home he needed to hand her those papers, it would be the lifeline he needed to make him turn the mess his life had become around. He had a fairly relaxing day yesterday Wednesday, he had only two meeting then he was of to the spa to be pampered, after which he and Mrs. Tanoka hoped he would look and feel like the Byakuya of then, who was reported to be a womanizing rogue seen everywhere parading a different woman on his arm.


~~YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY)~~


He really needed a day at the spa and it was a good thing Mrs. Tanoka had seen fit to schedule him for a spa day, sighting that he seemed to tense and over worked. He would of course thank her for her thoughtfulness when she received her salary this month with a nice hefty bonus attached to it. She deserved it after being with him the longest. Ten years was a long time for him to have a secretary who he didn't fire right after he slept with them, he had changed three secretaries prior to her and he was glad when his friend Ukitake had suggested that a mature woman as a secretary was the best way to go.

Promptly at 12:30 Mrs. Tanoka stepped into his office and told him to get a move on. She packed up his briefcase and handed him his coat.

"Good day Byakuya I expect you to be looking like the million dollars I know you're worth, when you walk through those doors tomorrow."

"Mrs. Tanoka, are you hitting on me?"

"Not at all, you're handsome, not too young for me and very rich but I'm happy with my husband thank you very much."

"You sure I can't steal you away, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you to keep me in line."

"Oh you don't really need me to keep you in line, you're well disciplined, and you just need me to keep the crazies away, so thankfully you got another four years of me before I retire."

"And who will I find to fill your place,"

"Leave that up to me, I'll have someone ready when that day comes."

"But fifty is so early to retire,"

"Byakuya you know very well that I'm fifty-eight,"

"No I don't and besides you don't look a day over forty-five."

"Thank you for the compliment, now you need to leave this office you can't be late for your appointment,"

"You're awfully eager to get rid of me, why is that?"

"Because I have a lot of paperwork to finish as well as organize your schedule for tomorrow and email it to you, so you need to go now,"

"Okay fine, but next week I am sending you to the spa for the day, I don't want you feeling stressed out in the least."

"Wednesday next week is fine with me,"

Byakuya gave her a small smirk, he knew that Mrs. Tanoka was the only other person besides his really closest friend to ever see him smile, and in her own words she sometimes lived to see that smile. He kissed her cheek quickly and walked out his office, leaving a blushing Mrs. Tanoka, who had again been privy to his rare display of affection for someone else.


Rukia would never really know how close she had come that Wednesday to meeting Byakuya, just as she had entered the elevator and the door were closing, he had exited and she only caught a back look of him that unnaturally long hair pulled into one, by the time she reacted to stop the doors from closing it was to late.

That evening she got home around seven having met up with Rangiku and Nanao for dinner. She had divulged more or less what was going to happen to her come day after tomorrow, they did not argue or tried to dissuade her as they offered her their support in whatever decision she made regarding her career at KC.


~~FRIDAY~~


Byakuya woke up feeling like a new man; he had got his mojo back, the talk with his grandfather, that spa day on Wednesday organized by Mrs. Tanoka and Mr Kaezo efficient results had lifted his spirits tremendously. Today Friday was going to be a new day starting for him and Rukia whose name he could now say without feeling like his heart was suffocating. He also called his live in cook and requested that she prepare him a feast of his favorite breakfast dishes, his appetite had retuned and he was hungry, truly hungry like never before.


Rukia woke up feeling like everything was going to go wrong today. She couldn't shake the feeling that today was going to be a day she would never forget and she wished then never happened. She forced her meager breakfast of toast and butter down with hot chocolate tea and then a small platter of cut fruits.

After her hot shower it had been a chore to prepare for what was very well her last day at KC. She was really worried about how Grandfather would react to her sudden departure, it was obvious where Byakuya stood on her decision which he had prior knowledge of, on top of the fact that he hated her, and wasn't even talking to her. Her life had become one big stain, because of her damn horniness; if she had only tried harder to keep her legs close and ignore her attraction to him, they would be better off for it.

Dressed in a black and silver sleeveless ladies crepe neck forming dress with matching silver six inch heels Rukia picked up her purse and black prada saffiano leather briefcase that contained her macbook and other items she used or needed for work. Taking one last deep breath she exited her condo feeling a greater weight slowly descending on her, today was not going to be a good day, and she could feel it with every fiber of her being.


Byakuya dismissed his driver, opting to drive himself to work today in his 'Buick Riviera; the latest addition to his fleet of cars, when he pulled into the underground car park, he immediately had everyone's eyes focused on him, usually because no one ever saw him when he arrived and because it was rare that Byakuya Kuchiki ever drove to work, no less in the latest model car from one of their partner ventures.

Some of the ladies were even brave enough to compliment him on how good he looked today. Not to sound conceited or anything but that was his intention. He wanted Rukia to see what she had lost, when she kicked him in the heart and out on the curb. He rode the elevator silently to his floor and was immediately greeted by his secretary, who openly gushed that her Byakuya was back, looking all handsome and sexy like the heart breaker he is.


Rukia got stuck in traffic so she was twenty minutes late getting to work, but she still had over 90 minutes before her meeting with the other heads. Once the meeting was over she didn't have to linger she hoped, she had long ago cleaned out her desk space and any other personal items. She hoped that Grandfather Ginrei would understand. Her team of six was schedule to be out for the rest of the day handling two new projects, she was thankful that she had the time to herself; she was shaking like a leaf despite her brave face.


~10:58am BMR (board meeting room)~


The twelve heads had more or less already gathered in the board room as they awaited the arrival of Byakuya and Ginrei Kuchiki as well as Rukia Kuchiki. Rukia was the first to arrive a mere couple seconds later, and exactly at 11, both head Kuchiki-s entered taking their head seats at opposite ends of the table. Ginrei brought the meeting to order immediately.

Rukia found it hard to speak, but no one seemed to mind her sometimes stuttered speech. She only looked at Ginrei afraid to look at Bya or anyone else. Ginrei soft smile at her was somewhat reassuring that he didn't hate her for wanting to leave, she sighted that she wanted different things that she wanted to get on her own and even though KC could help her achieve them, she wanted to do it elsewhere on her own, she wanted the exposure and experience and maybe one day she would return to KC.

Everyone extended their heartfelt best wishes to her on her endeavors and hoped that she succeeded in whatever she set her mind and heart to, Byakuya yawned and didn't even bat an eye her way. At 11:47 when she announced that was all she had to say and took her seat.

Byakuya stood up, looking so-so-fucking breath taking in his black master tailored and 'Power look' avatar Fioravanti, bespoke suit made of Super 220 merino wool. She knew who the maker was, because only a Fioravanti make could make him seem untouchable, almost invincible. He wore Fioravanti, when he was in war mode, everything calm on the surface while beneath that beautiful skin of his, was something else altogether.

She clenched her fist in her lap tightly when hethen flicked his left hand up to look at his Grande complication, by that she meant his wrist watch which was so freaking complicatedly designed by Jean Dunand… it really was when it came packing a mono-pusher split-second chronograph, split-second hand isolator, minute repeater, tourbillon, bi-retrograde perpetual calendar, and even a see-through sapphire back signed by its creator, Christophe Claret, it certainly is one of the most expensive watches he owned, it was also a limited edition of six–three in 18K rose gold, two in 18K white gold, one in platinum he owned the platinum one of course costing a staggering $800,000US. She knew which one it was because she was there when he had bought it for himself and gushed about the oh so stunning brilliance of his latest watch after securing a multi-million dollar deal with some American investors.


Everyone's attention focused on him, he cleared his throat and spoke so everyone could hear him clearly…

"Ladies and gents just bare with me I won't take much of your time. In regards to Miss Rukia wanting to work on her own, I wish her all the best that said I am glad that I had the future hindsight of deciding to have necessary papers drawn up, absolving and nullifying Miss Rukia of being hindered in her future venture by the Kuchiki name. As you all know we have fierce competitors out there and some are reluctant to invest in any business with a kuchiki for fear that they will be undermined. That said I can assure you Miss Rukia that this will not be so in your case.

Also any work that you may have done using the Kuchiki name will fully be established as your work under your current name to be, which is Rukia Hoshino,"

No one spoke; they didn't know what they were expected to say or how to react.

"Come on everyone this is a good thing, Miss Hoshino has worked very hard to build herself a reputable… reputation and it is only fair that she takes and accepts full credit for all the work that she has done using the Kuchiki name. So give her a round of applause."

The table erupted into a hearty round of applause, as Rukia looked from Ginrei to Byakuya. Did he plan this? Did grandfather know? How could he do this to her in front of all these people, literally disown her, rescind her as a Kuchiki? How dare he do that to her, did she really hurt him so, that he needed to sever all ties with her. She knew that the people at this table didn't know anything that was going on, but if they knew what would they say or think of his actions?

She smiled, as her lips quivered, her vision began to blur, as the tears, growing hotter pushed to the edge, threatening to spill. She wanted to pass out, she wanted to fall into a bottomless black hole and never come out.

"Miss Hoshino, please come and sign the documents to make this all official," he said dryly, unfeeling, no trace of warmth in his voice, no look of passion or fire in his cold steel looking eyes.

Rukia moved with heavy laden feet to his end of the table taking the pen he held out to her, the first tear fell then wetting the papers right where she had to sign.

"Thank you everyone, from this day forth Rukia is no longer a Kuchiki and is not to be associated with the Kuchiki name, however be she a Kuchiki or not Miss Hoshino will continue to make her name and impress anyone she works with, as she has done with us." After that little closing speech, everyone filed out the BMR save for grandfather and Byakuya.


"Rukia, I truly hope you find what you're looking for in business and in life, you're still you and you already have a reputation that you worked hard to build, so I do not expect you to fail at whatever you set out to do, and believe me when I say that you will always have a place at KC if you ever wish to return."

She nodded her head, walking over to Ginrei and hugging him tightly.

Thank you Mr Kuchiki_"

"Oh nonsense girl don't start calling me Mr Kuchiki, you make me sound like an old man… like Byakuya, you are to call me grandfather or Ginrei anytime, is that clear?"

She could only nod in response as she tried to swallow down the lump in her throat. It hurt to breathe, it hurt to move, and it hurt to think she meant nothing to them, but more importantly she wasn't a Kuchiki anymore, she was now Rukia Hoshino, of the poor lower class. Who was Rukia Hoshino after all…? No one that any body knew, not even her closest friends Rangiku and Nanao knew that her name before was Rukia Hoshino.

Ginrei excused himself leaving the both of them. She flicked another tear away finally looking back at him. He was busy signing papers; she walked closer to him…


Byakuya could have left, but he wanted the pleasure of watching her break apart, fall apart like she had made him. It hurt more than his wife dying maybe because his wife had died and there was nothing he could do but heal and move on but Rukia was alive and would be for a long time to remind him, making it harder for him to heal or move on but seeing her hurt like he did was justice enough for the way she had hurt him so carelessly, maybe it was petty on his behalf, and maybe he could have done the whole rescinding her as a Kuchiki in a more private setting, but he had to ensure that he would not rip up those papers and go chasing after her to beg another chance. Byakuya Kuchiki never begged yet he had begged her, almost said those words to her, but never again would he do such a weak thing in front of any woman.

Watching her eyes sparkle like bright little diamonds as she looked at him so hurt and with so many unasked questions, nearly made him cave, forget his resolve to move on pass Rukia Kuchiki, almost. She looked so beautiful and stunning today; she still could take his breath away.

"So is this what we have become?" she asked quietly

"Lets not, after all you're the one that said what happens in Phuket stays in Phuket right?"

"Bya- I'm sorry for the way after happened,"

"Don't be, when you're not really, you've never been afraid to speak your mind."

"What will it take to convince you that I am so- so- so- sorry for what I said, how I reacted… how I discarded your feelings_"

"Feelings- a john doesn't fuck a prostitute because he has feelings for her, he may want her to relieve his stress, but that's it, there is nothing more to it, feelings don't get involved in such business."

How his words cut her, deeply. She was bleeding out slowly.

"Do you really believe your own lies? You're reacting this way because I hurt you and I'm sorry,"

"You did not do anything to me, least of all hurt me- and I have always been this way, you were just a hot piece of ass to me and you was the same to me, I guess the saying really is true you can't turn a prostitute in a housewife, but I know now that I do not love or care for you in that manner, we fucked- okay just fucked- it's as plain and simple as that Ru-kia," he finished watching as each of her words turned on her ripping her apart.

"So that's what it is, I hurt you, you hurt me, but not only hurt me, you had to disgrace me and humiliate me in a room full of people, by annihilating me as a Kuchiki?"

"I did no such thing, you were never a Kuchiki to begin with, you were always Rukia, you were only made a Kuchiki because you had no where to go or no one to turn to and thank heaven that I loved Hisana Kuchiki enough to lend you my name, that's all it was, you weren't a real Kuchiki, so you didn't lose anything, now get out of my sight, and out of my building."

"Someday I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me, for hasty spoken words spoken without thought."

"Don't hold your breath, that day won't happen."
~

"I am terribly sorry for what I did Byakuya, I truly am and I hope you believe that."

He grabbed up the papers leaving her copy behind with everything that was decreed to her and transferred to her proper name. She grabbed up the papers, it was all she had left of him, the last remaining connection between them. She slowly moved to the exit where he stood holding the door open, she stopped and faced his still handsome, but hard as stone face, imploring him to look at her even if with malice and hate, he didn't. She cleared her throat and spoke…

"Can I come by the mansion to get the rest of my things there?"

"Make it tomorrow and no later, the maid will be there to assist you if you don't do it tomorrow then I am going to throw them all out," he said not even looking at her

She nodded, dabbing at her eyes with her fingers, she kept her head bowed as she walked away from him, she had long ago walked away from KC, he and Grandfather were the only reason she was still here, but in the end it had turned out to be that he was the only reason she was here, that she came back after she had walked out only for him to kick her out and down back to her lowest, beyond that in fact.


JULY 28th


It had been close to one week when everything had happened and she had spilled most of it to Rangiku and Nanao even the fact that they had sex but not what she had told him to cause him to react this way. Rangiku wanted to go bat-shit crazy on him she threatened to mutilate and emasculate him in so many ways that Rukia was worried that she actually would, Nanao was silent, but Rukia knew that what Nanao was thinking was much more diabolical than Rangiku not so outlandish thoughts of torture, to get revenge on Byakuya.

She hadn't bothered to keep the apartment that the company had bought her, though he said she could keep it in the papers he had documented so well. Rangiku told her she should or sell it, but she couldn't stay there, she wouldn't. She had the keys courier to him with a brief letter stating that she did not wish to keep the apartment and moved in with Rangiku, shortly after that she found a place of her own a week later.

The third week after was another week where a lot happened for her, she was doing a remarkable job of keeping it together, though she felt anything but together, if it wasn't for Ran and Nan she really don't know if she would have been able to cope… to survive because she would be all alone and she didn't like being alone. When her sister had died and Byakuya closed her out she was thankful that that she had Rangiku and Nanao then, like now.

She would take it easy, she needed this time to herself to figure out her next move so she didn't rush to find another job, she had a good bit of money saved, and besides she was considering going into business with Rangiku.