A/N: Finally chapter 10… I'm so sorry for the late update. The whole exhibition thing is killing me… T_T. But it's over now. Thank you for your good luck charm for my exhibition. One's done, the bigger one comes… But I'll make sure I finished this story before engaged with the whole preparation and the chaos… f(;-_-)

Like usual, thanks for ksko81 for her assistance in beta-ing this story. ^^

Appreciation Corner:

Like always... my gratitude for those who reviewed the last chapter:

gnarley- (how could you manage to be my first reviewer is a mystery, but this time you managed to be the first reviewer, again ^^);

StupidMe (hahaha... you're right. Byakuya will welcome him with senbonzakura, but I have to think about what will I use as senbonzakura's substitute, seeing that this is an AU fic and it will be weird (or psycho) if Byakuya brought along a katana with him. lol);

darklover (this chapter is not 25 pages, but I hope it still amazing ^^);

alero1990 (hope Byakuya in here met your expectancy);

Hekka (Hahaha... yeah I agree. Let's see how will he react to the unpleasant surprise ^^);

Sam Matthews (more chemistry is on the way... ^^);

BleachOrcalover13 (welcome to the club... ^^);

Luminous Snow (the exhibition turned out well, thank you ^^);

rukiahinataika (yeah... he is soooo dense... someone has to knock some sense on him ^^);

Meong (the wedding won't be happen yet, but keep reading...);

KuroKuchiki (aah... another new reader and reviewer... welcome to the club ^^);

0namakiza0 (how is your vacation going?);

usagi ch4n (is this soon enough? ^^);

SinoviVaatell (hope he's not murder him yet, poor Rukia if he does. ^^);

Roma88 (when I read your review, I felt like... wow. Really... such an amazing review. Thank you very much. I'm glad you like how clueless Rukia, and yeah... I love that part when Ichigo thought about having sex, Rukia was thinking about having children. lol... Btw, I'm eager to know your opinion about how I wrote Byakuya here... Is he cold enough? lol ^^);

Rukes (thanks, I'm glad you like this story ^^);

UR Biggest Fan (lol... yeah... Ichigo sure is too confident to confront Byakuya. ^^ PS: is your nickname really meant as: "my biggest fan"? lol... I'm flattered if it is.);

khfan forlife (hahaha... you have a unique way to review. ^^);

khe (short but flattering. Thanks);

near-note (Thanks for the review. I hope you'll also enjoy this chapter, and the upcoming ones. Yeah... about the conflict after their marriage... maybe... yes, maybe no... ^^);

ABBYCADABY123able (trust me, the pleasure is mine. And of course, I'd like to read yours when you posted it. Just let me know... ^^);

God-knows-who (Do you mean fanfiction account? lol... yeah... Glad to see another Indonesian who read my story... feel free to review using our mother tongue... ^^ And about Byakuya... let's see what he will do toward the poor Ichigo. I don't like the idea of Rukia's breaking Ichigo's heart too, but it will make the story more exciting, or at least, I hope soo..);

And special thank you for my dear friend falconrukichi who added me as her favorite author... (is it because of this story or the light and the darkness story? trust me, if I can pick up favorite reader, I will added you... and anyone else here... as my favorite).

If there's any of you whom I forget to mention, please forgive me. And PM me to remind me. ^^

And thank you for those of you who added this story into your favorite story:

KuroKuchiki; usagi ch4n; Secret Starr; bleach-gurl-katie; Naomi93; falconrukichi

And of course, thanks a lot for those of you who added this story to your story alert:

BleachOrcalover13; KuroKuchiki; xcHiiBii-RuKiiax; Secret Starr; khe;

Disclaimer: as always… Bleach the anime is still belonged to Kubo-Sensei and the original plot belongs to Holly Jacobs

Chapter 10

What did she do?

What was she thinking?

Was there something in those delicious pancakes that made her agree with all this craziness? No, not the pancakes. Must be the hash brown Kurosaki gave her before.

Rukia kept asking those questions, mentally, while she was sitting behind her desk in her office the next day after the tragedy. Unfortunately, she couldn't find the answers.

That's the problem with talking to yourself... you can't get a second opinion. Rukia had been thinking about calling her brother, or her sister in-law, but this whole situation supposed to be their secret, just between Kurosaki and herself. So, the legal second opinion she should ask would have to be from Kurosaki, and Rukia felt that was useless. Kurosaki was, after all, the one who asked her to be involved in this whole problem. Rukia didn't know what was the reason she agreed to change this fake engagement into a fake marriage.

The only positive thing from this situation was a proof that Kurosaki was indeed a persuasive person; a great quality from the lawyer she hired to handle her case with Grimmjow.

Rukia looked at her agenda, and instead of being happy because she saw a lot of appointments, she felt upset.

She felt like a fraud.

As if she wasn't able to start her own business without Kurosaki's help.

Of course, she could ask her brother for help, and get the similar result. But she wouldn't do that. She wanted to be acknowledged by her own effort. Not because of Kuchiki name. Rukia's been feeling distress since her school age.

People treated her different because she was Kuchiki. Every time she gained an achievement, people will congratulate and praise her, but behind her back they'd be gossipping that her surname was the reason behind the achievement.

Rukia never wanted to continue living under the shadow of the glory of Kuchiki. She wanted to be acknowledged just because of herself, Rukia. Just Rukia. Her brother understood that, he had gone through the same condition, with better acceptance. That was why he married Hisana, because she didn't see him as the heir of Kuchiki. Hisana only saw him as a plain Byakuya.

Right at that moment, her cell phone rang. A special ring tone. Byakuya.

Sometimes, Rukia was sure that Byakuya had the ability to read her mind, even when they were far away from each other. Everytime she thought about him, he'll show up, or call like this. That was why Rukia always tried her best to brush off the thought about his brother. Not too often, though.

"Good evening, Nii-sama."

His brother replied with a short greeting.

"Is everything alright?" he started.

"Yes, why wouldn't everything be alright?" answered Rukia, trying so hard to keep her voice steady.

'God, please don't let him know about what I'm going to do.'

"Is that how you speak to your brother?"

Rukia sighed, here we go again, "I'm so sorry Nii-sama. I'm just tired."

Silence. Rukia could imagine Byakuya nodding curtly, buying her reason.

"I assume your business is going well then."

Rukia sighed. Juushiro Ukitake had called her before, and he was her last appointment for today, one from five business appointment she had, with the people she met from the party last week.

Damn.

No, Rukia refused to think like that. Kurosaki might be the one who introduced her to them all, but she got these projects more likely because of her ability.

"Yes, Nii-sama." Rukia agreed, ignoring her inner battle.

As many their phone calls before, especially during Rukia's time in college, the silence was the greater part of the conversation. And Rukia had become accustomed to that. So, it's not something she might find uncomfortable.

Yet, she never… never lied to her brother. Okay, there were few times she lied to him, but not something as big as this. Rukia suppressed her urge to sighed, knowing that Byakuya would immediately sense that something's wrong.

"How is your business, Nii-sama?" Rukia resorted to a safe conversation.

"They are going on well as always."

Yep, definitely nothing's new from her brother, confident and arrogant as always. Rukia couldn't blame him, though, for all his prediction was always right. He never failed in his business. Hell, he never failed in his entire life.

"How is Nee-sama?"

"She is fine."

Sometimes Rukia wondered why her brother bothered to call her if they didn't have a decent sibling conversation.

"She was asking about you." Byakuya added after a long paused.

Rukia spontaneously nodded, forgetting that Byakuya couldn't see her, and then she added, "Please tell her that I'm fine."

Rukia thought deeply whether it's her chance to tell her brother that she was engaged and about to get married.

"So, Nii-sama, when will you two return to Karakura?"

"I told you about that before, didn't I?" Byakuya icily answered.

"I know. I just want to make sure there isn't any change in schedule."

"Why would I change the schedule?"

Here it came…

"Well…" Rukia was hesitated.

She didn't believe herself. Even after these past few years, she was still fidgeted when talking to her brother. Like a juvenile caught breaking her brother's car.

"Is there something important that I need to know?" asked Byakuya, in other words: "Spill it!"

"Yes, Nii-sama." Rukia answered, knowing that she couldn't escape from this.

"I'm listening."

Good. That was the last thing Rukia needed from her brother right now.

"Nii-sama…" she started, "The thing is… I'm engaged… s…" Rukia bit her lip in time. She was about to say "sort of" but then remembered what happened with the last time she used that words.

There was a long pause. Rukia could imagine Byakuya was counting 1 to 100 in order to restrain his emotion.

"Very well." Finally Byakuya responded when Rukia thought he was fainted.

What? Very well…? That definitely was not the reaction she expected from her brother.

"I'm sorry, Nii-sama, what did you say?" Rukia asked.

"I said, 'very well'." He responded as calmly as ever.

"Aren't you surprised?" She knew she asked too much, but please… it's not everyday that she was engaged.

"Should I?"

"Ehmm… I don't know."

"It's not that you can't cancel your engagement once I find your fiancé is unsuitable for you. And by proposing to you before asking my permission for your hand is a big mistake he made." Byakuya stated as-a-matter-of-factly

Okay… that's sounding like her brother.

"Do I know him?"

"I don't think so. He is a lawyer from a law firm near my shop."

"Name."

"Kurosaki," she paused, "Ichigo Kurosaki."

Even when she felt tense during this conversation, she couldn't deny that she liked how his name felt in her tongue.

"I see. I shall meet him immediately. It's not like you're going to marry him soon."

"Ah… Nii-sama… about that."

"We will talk later. I have to go now. Take care of yourself."

"I see. Thank you, Nii-sama. Please send my regards to Nee-sama."

Byakuya hung up the phone.

Rukia heard the bell chime, meaning that someone's entering her shop. Startled a little, she flipped her cell phone shut. She took a deep breath then walked toward another part of her shop. Rukia tried to look cheerful. Not too convincing though.

"Hello, Ukitake-san," greeted Rukia to the silver white hair man she met last Saturday.

Saturday.

She almost couldn't believe that her life was changed a lot since then. How is that even possible?

"Hello, dear," said Juushiro, nodding his head politely to her.

"Do you want to take a seat?" Rukia guided him to a couch.

The older man was waiting Rukia to sit first before he sat on his own couch. "Firstly, I want to give you another congratulation, Rukia. We're glad that we've met you in our party, and even happier knowing about you and Kurosaki."

"Oh, about that..." said Rukia. "I feel a little bit guilty. It was your wedding anniversary, but the attention was focused on Kurosaki and me."

"What will be happier rather than celebrating an everlasting joy by announcing another new happy couple? Really, we are glad about that. And Retsu is very excited in helping you with your wedding."

Retsu-san had called her before and told her that she couldn't wait to start planning the wedding. Her excitement just made Rukia more and more felt guilty.

"But it's not the reason on why I am here now," Juushiro continued. "I came here to offer you a project."

"Ukitake-san..."

"Juushiro, Dear. You are a part of our family now."

"Juushiro-san," Rukia almost chocked when she said that name, feeling more and more like a fraud. "I really don't want to take advantage from Kurosaki's position to gain a project. It felt like nepotism. I don't want my career relying on Kurosaki. I hope you will understand."

That's it. She said it. Clear and to the point, Rukia Kuchiki didn't need any help, thank you very much.

"Kurosaki hasn't told you that I never pretend to be nice?" asked Juushiro.

Couldn't stop herself, Rukia let out a small chuckle. "Not yet, but even if he said that, I won't believe it."

"Well, that's insulting," the older man snorted while emphasizing each word. "Do you think I've lost a little bit of my ferocity just because I never handle a case in court anymore?"

"Ukita..."

"Juushiro."

"Juushiro-san, I don't believe that you can be fierce."

The older man sighed and trying to looked insulted, but the twinkle in his warm eyes betrayed him. Rukia knew he didn't feel insulted at all.

"Well, I just don't want to scare you," he said. "I'll tell you what, since Kurosaki introduced us, I had done several researches. I've seen what you did to Grimmjow's office."

"How did you do that?"

"Kurosaki took several photos which he would use as evidence in you case. And let me tell you, my offer has nothing to do with nepotism, but because I want to have the best I can get. That was the reason why I accepted Kurosaki in this firm, and that is I am here now."

"You only saw an office," Rukia felt that she should say that. "And pictures are not enough to convince you."

"A whole office. You decorated a whole floor. That is enough. I know you're good in doing your job. The receptionist room in my office needs to be the centre of attention, and I want the best for my firm, whether when promoting a partner or choosing a decorator. I met you today because of your ability, not your relationship with Kurosaki."

"But..."

"Are you telling me that you don't want this job?" asked Juushiro, raising his eyebrow.

Rukia sighed. She did not only want this job, she needed this. "No, I'm not telling that I don't want it."

"Are you trying to tell me that you're not a good decorator?"

Rukia straighten her sitting position, "I am the best."

"Alright then, I'm in the right place. So, Kurosaki told me you have few suggestions about the receptionist area."

"The idea was just popped up in my mind," said Rukia.

"Then why don't you tell me what's in the head of yours, and if I agree with you, you can make a formal plan and we can arrange the budget."

Rukia felt herself more and more excited about her plan and the receptionist area. And when they discussed about that, Rukia almost forgot the mess she did to her life.

When Kurosaki's senior partner left, Rukia was so full of new ideas about the receptionist area, that she forgot her problems completely. She entered her office and trying hard to catch the initial idea, when the bell chimed again.

She forgot to lock the door after Juushiro left. It proved how her concentration was focused on her new project. She'd never forgotten to lock the door before.

Before she could make a single movement, Kurosaki entered her office and straightly said, "How long you need to pack?"

Rukia put her sketchbook and stood up, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, we should talk about this when we had breakfast yesterday, but I'll be honest, when you said that you agreed to marry me, I lost my focus. And after that I thought it will be wiser to give us more time, a night to be exact, to adjust to our new status."

What he didn't explain to her was that he never lost his focus before this… never. Kurosaki didn't sure whether he liked it or not.

"But you can't live like this," added Kurosaki, a little bit rude than he intended to, "so you're coming home with me."

"I won't stay at your house until we get married." Rukia shut her lips stubbornly.

Kurosaki had a sudden urge to kiss her tense lips.

Kissed her?

No, that can't be. It's just business, not for pleasure. He had to remember that.

"Rukia, please try to think logically. Because we won't share a bedroom, even after we get married, it's not important when you'll move in with me. I don't have any intention of raping you."

Kurosaki surely didn't intend to do that, but he couldn't stop himself from imagining that fantasy. Making love to Rukia was something he couldn't get rid from his mind. During the day, he could exterminate that thought, but when night came…

Kurosaki's dreams about Rukia got nothing to do with a platonic business agreement, and everything Rukia-related kept growing stronger in his mind, more than any other agreement.

But it didn't make any sense.

He only had a little time for arranging this agreement. He definitely didn't have more time to handle other things that disturbed him, a lot.

"Listen," said Kurosaki, louder than he wanted to. "I had a job to do and I don't have time to debate. Now, I want you to pack your things, and move in to my guest room. Right now."

"NO WAY!" Rukia snapped.

At that moment, not only Rukia's lips were tensed. No, that girl was put her hands on both side of her hips and she looked ready to fight him.

"This will strengthen the image of a serious relationship among others." said Kurosaki.

"NO!"

"I insist." This time, there was no accidental rudeness. Oh, no. His rudeness was on purpose. Why can't she understand that living in a place like this was insensible? This building only had two rooms, with a cupboard-sized bathroom, without shower or bath-tub. Rukia slept in a sofa-bed. 'My house is more comfortable and safer,' thought Kurosaki.

It was clearly seen that Rukia wasn't easy to convinced, since she was still in her fighting pose when she shook her head and said, "Listen, you can force anything you want to your subordinates, your clients, or even the court. But your charge means nothing for me."

"Please?"

Damnit, where did this word come from? Please? Kurosaki wasn't the type of man who pleaded – he commanded. But it seemed that pleading Rukia to do something for him had become a habit. He asked her to become his fiancé, asked her to marry him, and now he asked her to move in to his house. Kurosaki didn't sure whether he like his new habit or not.

It looked like that Rukia was as surprised as Kurosaki upon hearing he pleaded her, because she asked, "What did you say?" as if she didn't hear it.

"Please," repeat Kurosaki. That word didn't even choke in his throat. "If pushing you didn't work, I think asking will be worked out. I couldn't stand seeing you live like this. I drove you here yesterday and came home to do a Dawson's short report. The thing was, I couldn't do that. This place doesn't have a security system… that's another thing to talk about, even if you don't live here, a good security system."

"This place has a safe locking key."

Kurosaki sighed. This girl was difficult to handle. That was another good reason to suspend the wedding… Rukia was very stubborn, and this bickering had spent a lot of time.

"Listen, working hours has finished, and I just came in. You didn't even lock the front door."

"I usually lock it, today I just too absorbed on thinking few sketch, that's why I forgot. I promise I won't let that happen again, if that could make you feel better."

"No," Kurosaki convinced her.

"Well, I'm sorry Kurosaki, but I won't move in with you."

"Alright." Kurosaki threw his bag to the corner and sat comfortably in her sofa. "What time we will go to the sports centre tomorrow?"

"What?"

"To take a bath. What time do you usually wake up to go to the sports centre? And do you usually order delivery or go out for dinner? It's clear that you do one of those, because there's no kitchen in here. And I'm hungry, so either way you usually have your dinner, can we have dinner now? I can't think with an empty stomach, and I really need to finish this whole report tonight."

"What are you talking about?" Rukia started to lower her hand now.

"If you don't want to move in with me, I think I'll move in here until our wedding day. Even though…" Kurosaki stared at the sofa, "… I think there will be a little crowded for us to share this sofa-bed. But the most important thing is you feel comfortable and safe."

"YOU will move in here?" asked Rukia. That girl seemed she was trying hard to decide whether she wanted to laugh or upset.

"Yes." Kurosaki now looked at the small cupboard. "And can you take out half of your clothes; I need to put a few suits."

Rukia's patience had reached the limit, because it's impossible to Kurosaki not to notice the emotion in her voice when she spoke, "You are nuts. You can't live here. This place is already crowded, and the only person living here is me."

"Ah, so you have decided to move in to my place? Great. Come on, I'll cook your dinner."

"No. That's not what I mean. I mean, you go back to your house, and I'll stay here."

"I'm sorry. That isn't in an option. You live with me, in my comfortable, big, fancy, and complete house of mine, or I can live here, in your little, crowded, no-shower office?"

"This is not a negotiation. I've agreed to help you, and kept asking myself why I do this, but I don't like you crossing the line and trying to control my life. Forget it, I cancel our agreement."

"If that's what you want, we will meet in the court then." said Kurosaki while walking toward the door.

"You will still handle Grimmjow's case? Rukia offered him a slight smile. "Thank you. Kurosaki."

"Of course I will. Besides, our initial agreement was, you're being my fiancé in one night, and I will sue Grimmjow. You've already done your part, so I'll make sure Grimmjow pay his debt. But I will see you in court because I will also sue you. Canceling an agreement without any reason."

"Sue me?" Rukia laughed for a moment, but then she stared at Kurosaki and he saw Rukia's facial expression showed that she understood what he said before, when she snapped at him, "I didn't sign anything."

"Ah, but you made a verbal agreement with me. You said that you'll marry me."

"I change my mind."

"No. You just upset because our negotiation wasn't going on like what you expected. It's not a good reason to cancel our agreement."

"You're mad."

"And you're pretty." Did he say that out loud? Kurosaki then covered his unintentional compliment abruptly by saying, "But we still have a verbal agreement, and you have no strong reason to cancel that. So, the question is your place or mine?"

"I…"

"Rukia, you shouldn't live like this. I shouldn't come here and command you to pack. I should have talked about this to you before. I'm not a kind of guy who pleads. I am so sorry. Alright. I'm not used to apologizing either, but I did that."

Kurosaki was silent, trying hard to find a way to make this girl saw that his plan was for their own good. "I can't do my job while worrying your safety here. Like what happened last night. I just ask you to stay with me, in my guest room. Nothing needs to be compromised. I just want to protect you."

"Kurosaki, you take this fake engagement too serious. It's just business. You don't owe me anything, and even if you do, I can take care of myself."

"Maybe. But I can't let my partner lives like this."

"It's not too bad." Rukia shrugged. "Really."

Kurosaki didn't know who Rukia wanted to convince, he or herself.

"Are you serious of choosing to lie like this rather than in my house, a place where you can get your basic needs like kitchen and shower?"

Rukia sighed when she said, "No."

"Then say yes, you'll stay with me. At least, try it."

"I think you're right. I should try it."

"You'll live in my house after we get married. So it will make no difference."

"Alright."

Before Rukia could change her mind again and think about other reasons to throw, Kurosaki said, "Then what are you waiting for? Let's pack your things."

Their trip to Kurosaki's place was filled with comfortable silence. Rukia glanced at her companion, and felt that she should tell him right away.

She cleared her throat, trying to get Kurosaki's attention. Kurosaki glanced at her, motioning he was listening.

"I spoke to my brother this evening."

Kurosaki nodded, so Rukia continued, "I told him I'm engaged to you."

Kurosaki looked into her eyes for a moment, "And what did he say?"

Rukia was hesitated, should she warn him? "He… said that… you've already made a mistake because you didn't ask his permission to date me before you propose me."

Kurosaki raised his eyebrow, "Is he that strict?"

Rukia nodded. "He is."

"Don't worry, I'll apologize to him and I'm sure he will understand and agree to give your hand in marriage." He said confidently.

Rukia just prayed he was right.

A/N: Finally…. what about Byakuya here? Did I do a good job in illustrating him? To be honest, it's difficult for me to write about Bya-kun… He is… unpredictable.

Oh, and by the way I don't know about the proposing custom. Which one should Kurosaki do first? Ask Byakuya for Rukia's hand in marriage or propose to Rukia first?

In Asian, Indonesia particularly, the man should ask the parents' permission first, and after the parents agree, the engagement ceremony will take place. But of course, the woman has already known that the man will propose her.