AN: Sorry for disappearing. Life I guess. But here is a long update. I hope you like it

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The attendants neatly placed all the food on the mat. Now that Yoruichi moved in the Kuchiki Manor, they made sure to prepare more than enough food to cover ten households. Byakuya sat opposite of Yoruichi, while Rukia sat in the middle.

Byakuya sternly gazed at Yoruichi. Even after everything, the marriage and the love making, he failed to see how this could ever work. He was still mad at her for disrespecting him in front of the elders. Would there ever be a connection? He was attracted to her. She was beautiful. That was where it ended.

She didn't bother to look his direction. Her eyes were focused on her food. She filled her plate with rice, stew and lettuce and gulped it down.

She moved on to her next plate in seconds. Everything about her was so feral. She had no etiquette. How on earth did she not get fat? She openly chewed with her mouth open while she said something to Rukia, earning a laugh from Rukia. He watched her every move with a scowl on his very handsome face.

Yoruichi felt his intense gaze on her. She could see the disgust on his face.

"What, you have never seen a girl with a big appetite?"

"Continue to eat like that and you will lose your shape." Byakuya informed her.

"I have been eating like this for years and nothing has changed. In fact eating like this shaped me up don't you think? It's like the more I eat, the bigger my boobs get." A naughty smirk formed on Yoruichi's face.
"If I recall, on our wedding night you could not keep your eyes off them." She teased him. It was true. A hot shade of red formed on Byakuya's cheeks. Rukia bit her lips and held back her laughter. She pretended she did not hear her sister in law.

"What happens in our room should be kept private." He didn't yell but Yoruichi could sense the anger in his voice.

"Why, Rukia is an adult. It's not like she unaware of these things."

Byakuya's eyes darkened. Yoruichi was utterly disrespectful. Everything she did and said frustrated him. Yoruichi quirked an eyebrow. She noticed Byakuya's plate was empty.

"Aren't you going to eat, Byakuya? I don't want a skinny husband." Yoruichi beamed at him.

"I lost my appetite." Byakuya stood up. He nodded his head at Rukia. He left the dining room in silence. Yoruichi let out a loud sigh.

"Your brother is a real piece of work, you know that, Rukia."

"He will come around, Yoruichi." Rukia stated. "Just give him some time."

How much time did he need? Yoruichi was not in this marriage alone. Though she would never mention this to a soul, she wanted Byakuya's support. He was her husband after all. He still never put on his wedding ring. Though she threw it out on the day he left, she had the attendants retrieve it and put it in his study. He just stared at it and left it there. There several times she wanted to take off her wedding band, but she could not bring herself to do it. Why? This marriage was not important. Yoruichi reminded herself.

No, don't lose your focus, Yoruichi. She thought. Her mission in this marriage was to make his life a living hell. There was no need to feel sorry for him.

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After eating several plates, Yoruichi found herself in one of the many corridors looking for her husband. Where did he disappear to? There were many things she could do this afternoon. Go out to the world of the living, roam Rukongai, hang out with Kukaku or better yet tease her husband. Teasing her husband was the best option. She passed Byakuya's prayer room noticing that the door was shut. She stopped by her tracks. She felt Byakuya's spirit energy. He was in this room. Yoruichi walked to the door.

She wanted to slide it open but she could not bring herself to do it. She never asked Byakuya about his first wife. She never even attended her funeral. A long time ago when she heard that Byakuya got married, her first reaction was "Wow, what a brave woman. Who would marry should a hot headed brat? However the one thing Yoruichi knew about Byakuya was that when he loved somebody, he gave them his all. He never played games. He was either all in it or not. There was never in between. When he wanted something, he went for it. When in believed in something, he was faithful. As much as she wanted to interrupt him, she walked away. She understood he wanted to be left alone. Deep down she knew she needed to have a talk about his first wife. At some point he had to let her in. Though she wanted to avoid it, sooner or later she had to do it. She strode down the corridor headed nowhere in particular. She wanted to ignore the sentiments buried deep in her chest. An attendant walked to Yoruichi politely bowed before her.

"Yoruichi Sama, the royal painter, Shigeru has arrived."

"Thank you." Yoruichi replied.

"Where is Byakuya Sama?" The attendant asked.

"Byakuya is in the prayer room. Wait until he is finished."

"Yes, Yoruichi Sama."

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Byakuya intently gazed at Hisana's photo. It had been a while since he had been here. He missed her so much. The more he stayed in this marriage, the more he yearned for Hisana. Losing this woman was one of the hardest things in his life. It was painful. He never shared this pain with anyone, not even Rukia.

He wished he could go back to an easier time, where it was just him and her. It was one of the best times of his life. He said a prayer and blew off the candle.

He slid the door open to find one of the attendants bowing before him.

"What is it?" Byakuya asked plainly.

"The royal painter is here."

"Tell him to wait in the living room." Byakuya walked past his attendants.

"Yes, Byakuya Sama."

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Why did they need a portrait of them? All this for what? To celebrate a loveless marriage. It almost made him sick to the stomach. He walked to his bedroom to find Yoruichi already there, getting dressed in a traditional Kuchiki robe, which was lime green. She eyed Byakuya but never spoke. Her purple hair was left loose around her shoulders. His mouth watered at the sight. He slowly tore his eyes away from her. He wanted to tell her just how beautiful she looked, but his pride would not allow him to do so.

Walking to the mirror, Yoruichi grabbed hold of the scarf Byakuya gave her on their wedding and wrapped it around her neck. She turned her head to face Byakuya who was also getting dressed in the same attire. She opened her mouth to speck but decided against it.

"I'll be in the sitting room. Don't take too long." Byakuya closed the door behind him. When he stood in the corridor, he took a deep breath. It took all of his will power not to throw her on the bed and make love to her. He thought of their first night as husband and wife. It still brought him shivers. He could not deny Yoruichi abilities in the sheets. He shook off those thoughts and walked to the sitting room where the painter sat patiently and waited for the royal couple. He stood up and bowed when he spotted the Kuchiki prince.

"How long will this take?" Byakuya asked, he sounded bored

"Not too long, Kuchiki dono." Shingaru replied. Byakuya noticed the short stout painter had all his equipment, from paintbrushes, to pencils and paint.

"When will you be done?"

"Today. I know you and Shihouin hime are busy. So I won't take much of your time. It will be showcased at the Royal ball, and then hung on the Great Hall of Soul Society." Shigeru informed him. Byakuya nodded his head and sat opposite of the painter while he waited for wife. He still had to get used to the fact the demon cat was his wife.

Yoruichi joined him after several minutes. She looked astoundingly beautiful. Even the painter was openly gawking at her. Byakuya felt his blood boil.

"Yoruchi Sama, it's nice to meet you."

"Thank you, Shigeru. I am a big fan of all your paintings." She admitted. He was one of the most skilled artists in Rukongai and Seiritei. She took a sit next to Byakuya.

"Thank you, Yoruichi Sama." Shigeru blushed. Byakuya did not like how the man was eyeing Yoruichi.

"You may begin." Byakuya hissed, knocking the painter out of his perverted thoughts.

"Yes, Byakuya Sama." He laughed nervously. He put all his equipment in order.

"So, how should we pose?" Yoruichi asked.

"I want to capture the romantic element of you and Byakuya Sama's relationship. A picture that displays true love between two great figures in all of Soul Society."

"I see." Yoruichi smirked. "That will be easy seeing how much you love me, right Byakuya?"

Byakuya gave her a blank stare.

"When you are ready, please get in position." Shingaru pulled out a big white board and a sharpened pencil with a brush. Without warning Yoruichi sat on Byakuya's lap. She wrapped her arm around his broad shoulders and faced the skilled artist. Byakuya looked at her puzzled. His cheeks reddened.

"What do you think you're doing? Byakuya asked annoyed.

"You heard the man didn't you? We need a romantic picture. Just pretend, Byakuya even if don't have feelings for me." Yoruichi eyes darkened for second. It was almost like he saw her hurt.

Putting his hands firm on her hips, he pulled her closer to his bigger body. The warmth she emitted from her own form was comforting. This means nothing. Byakuya once again repeated to himself in his head. This marriage was based on duty.

"Shall we begin?" The painter asked.

"Of course." Yoruichi replied. The way Byakuya held on to her hips made her feel secure. She ignored how she felt and focused on why she entered this marriage. To make Byakuya's life a living hell. For a brief second Yoruichi thought this marriage could possibly mean something. She was losing all focus again. She was Shihouin Yoruichi, a strong independent woman. She was doing this because it was amused her, not because of her feelings for Byakuya. Did she just think that? She mentally scolded herself. She bit her lips, drifting off.

Byakuya noticed a change in her demeanor, she was in her own world. What was she thinking about? He stared at her; it looked like he was trying to read her mind.

This was it. The perfect picture for Shigeru. He immediately began to draw. This was a picture of the royal couple that would be showcased for a thousand of years. He moved his pencil in precision, capturing the shared moment of Byakuya and Yoruichi. For what he was drawing was nothing short of a masterpiece and in the end he was certain they would be happy with the results.

Before they knew it, Shigeru was finished. He covered the portrait with a cloth. No one would see it until the royal ball in a few days.

"Do we get to see it?" Yoruichi got off Byakuya's lap to his dismay, and walked to Shigeru. Shigeru shook his head.

"No, not until the royal ball."

"Why? I'm an impatient." Yoruichi shrugged her shoulders.

"I want you to see it in its complete form. I still have to paint it. When it's complete you will appreciate it more. I must leave."

"Alright, the royal ball it is." Yoruichi shrugged her shoulders.

Shigeru bowed before them and left, leaving Byakuya and Yoruichi together in the sitting room.

"Finally, it's just you and I." Yoruichi turned around to face Byakuya.

"Those pictures are going to be amazing. He is one of the best artists in Soul Society. He drew an amazing portrait of my grandfather many years ago." Yoruichi beamed at him.

"If we are done here, I'm going to my study." Byakuya walked past her, brushing her shoulder. Grabbing broad shoulder, Yoruichi halted his movement. He turned to look at her.

"Why do you always have to be cold? As a child you were hot headed but fun. Now…"

"Now, what you see is not a boy, Yoruichi, but a man. Things can never be as they were. You left and…" Byakuya stopped before he gave himself away. He looked away.

"What do you mean, Byakuya?" Yoruichi questioned him

"Look at me…" She walked to him and put her palm on his cheek and made him look at her. Yoruichi searched his grey eyes with her own.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing."

He put his hand on hers and gently pulled away from her leaving her in a complete state of confusion. Deep down she knew what he meant, she wanted to hear it from his mouth. Leaving Soul Society was the hardest thing she ever had to do, yet she left without hesitation. Left her loved ones, left her friends, left her students. It was not like she was selfish. In fact she was selfless. At times she regretted leaving; after all she left behind what could have been her future. Saving Kisuke was the right thing to do and if she had the power to turn back the hands of time she would do it again. She always cared about little Byakuya.

She knew he would grow up to be a strong, handsome young man who would be the one of the mightiest warriors in Soul Society and perhaps find love. And he did, he got married. There were times she wanted to be selfish, go back and see him, but what would she say?

Yoruichi smiled thinking about it. Life was funny. She never thought in a million years that now she would be married to him.

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Days had past and it was now time for the Royal Ball. All royal families were invited to the esteemed event; all the captains with the squads attended the evening celebration. Yoruichi insisted that the Royal Ball should take place at the Shihouin estate. Just because she was now a Kuchiki did not mean she completely abandoned her estate. The mansion was beautiful decorated. The crystal chandeliers sparkled and brightened the enormous sitting room crowded with shimigami. Ichigo and friends also made it to this event. Ever since Byakuya got married to Yoruichi, they were the talk of the town. Their marriage was the next best thing after the defeat of Aizen.

Byakuya and Yoruichi stood by the front door to the living room waiting to make their grand entrance. Both of them were dressed in expensive white robes. They never continued the conversation they had a few days ago, both of them too stubborn and prideful to reveal truths and feelings they kept buried for many years.

"Now Byakuya Sama and Yoruchi Sama will make their entrance." The Royal Guard of the Shihouin's announced.

Byakuya held Yoruichi's hand and walked in the enormous living room, gracefully leading Yoruichi down the stairs. Yoruichi put on smile while Byakuya waved. Instruments were played. Byakuya grabbed hold her waist and they slowly moved in sync with one another, dancing to the romantic beat. No matter how he tried to ignore it, Yoruichi looked beautiful. Then again she looked beautiful in anything, even without her clothes on. Byakuya furrowed his eyebrows. Here, he was again having indecent thoughts about this woman. Yoruichi wore a smile on her face as if he knew what he was thinking.

"They look so happy." Inoue said. Ichigo, Inoue, Chad, Ishida and Rukia stood by a table filled with food and drinks. They were drinking nonalcoholic punch, it tasted amazing.

"I don't know. It's hard to read Byakuya and Yoruichi. " Ichigo shrugged his shoulders and watched the royal couple. He could not believe this was now a reality. Byakuya and Yoruichi married or the fact that they now dancing, in each other's arms. It was intriguing to watch.

"What do you think, Rukia?" Ichigo questioned her.

"It's like you said, Ichigo. They are hard to read. I believe, somewhere, deep down, they care for one another. They are just too stubborn to show it." Rukia nodded her head. They all sipped on their punch and watched the royal couple.

They danced to a couple more songs. Time was at standstill.

"I didn't know you had rhythm, Byakuya. I'm surprised. " He was a good dancer, graceful in all his movement. He slowly spanned her around. She wrapped her arms around Byakuya's shoulders and pulled him closer. He said nothing.

"It's a complement, Byakuya."

"I can do a lot of things that will surprise you, Yoruichi."

"Oh really, Byakuya. You are yet to show me." Her eyes flashed mischievously.

She wanted more of him, just like on their wedding night. Explore their physical aspect of their relationship in depth. Byakuya was amazing lover. Because of him, she reached climax several times. Of course she did not want to voice it out. She did not want to give him the satisfaction. He left and took off for several days, leaving her to face the pregnancy scare on her own. Thank goodness Rukia was there and supported her. Thinking about what he did left a bitter taste in her mouth. Truth be told, it hurt her to find out that she was not going to be a mother. Yes, many would call her reckless, careless, rebellious but when she came to having her own children, Yoruichi knew she would be a great mother. She loved kids, and the thought of being responsible for a life she created warmed her heart. The only question on her mind was Byakuya the right match. He never asked her about what she went through or the possibility that he could have been a father. Did he even care or was he just too prideful to admit that he was in the wrong. She immediately pushed the thoughts away.

After their dance, they all stood and watched as Shigeru revealed the portrait of Byakuya and Yoruichi for the first time. Everyone looked to the front where Shigeru stood.

"I would like to present to you the portrait of Kuchikis." Shigeru announced as he pulled off the black veil off the portrait.

It was beautiful. He drew them with precision, capturing every emotion of that moment. In this portrait Byakuya gazed at Yoruichi intently. It looked like Byakuya had something to say to her, but could not voice it out. While Yoruichi looked straight ahead, a look of uncertainty in her golden eyes while she clung on to her husband's broad shoulders. Everyone smiled at the piece of art, marveling in its beauty.

Yoruichi was astonished, it looked amazing. Shigeru was truly an amazing artist. She looked at Byakuya's emotionless face. Surely he must have been thinking the same thing. Impulsively she reached for his big calloused hand. She squeezed it, enjoying its warmth. Byakuya turned his head to look at Yoruichi. He enjoyed the warmth of her hand. He wanted to kiss her in public. That thought scared him and made him uncomfortable. He was never one to show public display of affection. This woman always made him act different.

She took him out of his comfort zone and it terrified him.

Bitterly Byakuya snatched his hand away. He gave her a cold look before he walked away to greet the captain commander. What did she do wrong? For once, they had a special moment and he once again had to ruin it. Yoruichi let out a loud sigh. What would it take to get through to that man? She pushed a purple lock of hair out of her eyes. She turned around on her heels and bumped to a form that mirrored her own. It was Kukaku.

"Hey there." Kukaku greeted.

"Kukaku! It has been a while." Yoruichi had a bright smile on her face.

"Yes, it has." Kukaku smiled.

"How is married life treating you?"

"Terrible."

"Shame, poor you." Kukaku said sarcastically and pulled a cigar and puffed on it.

"You could have fooled me. The way you two danced, it actually looked like you're in love with the Kuchiki brat."

"In love with whom…" Tear flooded in Yoruichi's eyes. She bent and laughed hysterically. "In love with Kuchiki Byakuya? This is by far the funniest joke you have cracked in a while, Kukaku." Yoruichi wiped away her tears, finally standing up straight.

Kukaku rolled her eyes. She knew her friend too well, even if she pressed the matter further, Yoruichi would deny it.

"So why are you here?" Yoruichi changed the subject.

"To invite you to go drinking. It's been a while don't you think? Aren't you bored? Places like this have never been your setting." Kukaku looked around uninterested and blew out some smoke.

"And miss the royal ball?" Yoruichi put her hands on her hips.

"Why not?" Kisuke stood behind Yoruichi.

Kisuke stood behind, in her personal space. Married woman or not, she was always going to be his best friend, his first love and potentially more.

"Kisuke, now there is another face I have missed." Yoruichi turned around and smirked at him.

"So are you up for it?" Kisuke grey eyes glittered.

"I don't know." Yoruichi looked across the room to see Byakuya talking to the Captain Commander.

"Yoruichi…" Kisuke suggestively put his hands on Yoruichi's waist. She looked at him with a quirked eyebrow.

"Kisuke, Kisuke, Kisuke. Yoruichi is a married woman. Don't forget that." Kukaku let out a loud chuckle. It not like she cared. They could do whatever they wanted. They were adults. She put a cigar back in her mouth and puffed. Kisuke ignored her. If Byakuya was not going to treat this woman right, he was. He had a little much to drink and felt courageous today.

"It will be just like old times. I want to show you something. Please, for me." Kisuke pouted. He gave Yoruichi that puppy dog look that he knew she could not resist.

"Fine." Yoruichi gave in.

She had nothing to lose. She looked at who stood at the other end of the luxurious living room, engaged in deep conversation with the Captain Commander. Would this get his attention?

"Let's go." Yoruichi finally gave him.

They flashed stepped away unnoticed leaving the tedious royal ball. Minutes turned into hours and it was time for the last dance. Byakuya eagerly looked for his wife. It was time for the last dance which marked the ending of the event. He felt bad for what he had done. For once Yoruichi was being affectionate and he pulled away. Perhaps he could make it up to her with this dance. He looked around for her in the crowd. She was nowhere to be seen. People let out loud gasps when they found out Yoruichi disappeared. He spotted Miu, an attendant welcoming guests by the front door.

" Byakuya Sama." Miu bowed.

"Where is Yoruichi?"

"She left with Kisuke and Kukaku Sama."

"Why didn't you tell me?" His eyes blackened with rage.

"I'm sorry Byakuya Sama. They just took off and left."

"Did they say where they were going?"

"No, Byakuya Sama."

His resiatsu went up, nearly choking Miu to death. He gained control when he realized what he was doing.

"Tell them the ball is over." Byakuya strode out the door.

"Yes, Byakuya Sama."

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AN: Reviews are always appreciated! THANKS GUYS!