Chapter 8: Conspirators

(One Year, Nine months after the divorce)

Today was Kurosaki Sora's ninth birthday and it was a hectic day. First Sora woke Ichigo up at six a.m. just to decorate her party. The bakery made a mistake with her cake forcing him to search all over town for a new one. Orihime also made him mingle with the other parents mainly Yachiru's father Zaraki Kenpachi and Nell's uncles Dondochakka and Pesche. He had nothing in common with them but stayed nearby incase Orihime requested him to do something. When the last guest finally left, he was relieved sighing as he sat down on the couch. Until he saw a pink hair girl and a green hair girl running through his house with pillows and blankets into Sora's room. He ran into his office locking the door behind him. It was going to be a long night, especially with Sora's friends sleeping over.

Rukia also did her best to keep herself occupied that day even if all she wanted to do that night was watch TV and eat ice cream as she did the year before. Except Hisana forced her into a strapless black dress and into the back of her black limo heading towards a charity event she was hosting for Seiretei Hospital. Rukia didn't expect to find that there were more single men looking for a new wife then those who actually cared about donating to the hospital. Byakuya and Hisana didn't care that she was living with Shuhei and that their relationship was serious. As long as Rukia didn't have a ring on her finger she was still available.

So not only was today Sora's birthday and the hospital's charity dinner it also was what would've been Rukia and Ichigo's ninth anniversary.

Ichigo relax in his office chair his hands behind his head. It was a lot harder to forget what would've been his anniversary this year. Last year he kept himself occupied at the clinic but today Uryu insisted (more like threaten) to stay away from the clinic today. He looked around his office hoping he could find something to do before Orihime insisted he come out. Except there was nothing to do in his office but work and study not something he wanted to do. He heard a soft knock so he quickly grab a text book off the shelf closest to him. Sora popped her head through the door.

"Dad"

"Yea?" he said 'reading' his textbook.

"Are you busy?" she asked.

Ichigo release a sigh closing his book, "What do you need?"

Sora slowly enters his office quietly closing the door behind her. She leaned against it staring at Ichigo with her grey eyes from afar. She look adorable in her violet dress and her hair in a high ponytail. For her today was a happy day but even she could feel it. The unhappiness her parents were trying to hide.

"I just want to talk"

"Talk?"

"Yea…I just wanted to know if you sent Ruki-Chan an invitation? She wasn't here and I really wanted her to meet my friends"

"I did give it to her but she had something important to do but you got her present right?"

This was the second time Ichigo lied to Sora. The first was telling her that he give an invitation to Rukia. Instead, he gave it Keigo. He knew inviting Rukia would make things uncomfortable and he needed to avoid any unexpected situations.

"I did…dad can I ask something else?"

"What?"

Sora remain silent carefully choosing her words. Then she did something that reminded Ichigo of someone he knew. She turned around speaking to him apathetically.

"Never mind, Nell and Yachiru are here so sorry if we make a lot of noise I know you're working" she open the door ready to leave.

"Oi, Sora" Ichigo called out before Sora had a chance to close the door.

"What?"

"Are you disappointed?"

"About what?"

"What we talked about last night"

Sora scratch her head. "About asking for a little sister? I guess I am but you and mom are right. Besides if there was another baby around you wouldn't have much time for me and I'll grow up to be mean like Ishida-sensei"

Ichigo chuckled, "Yea you don't want to end up like Uryu"

"There then it's settled. Oh and mom needs you to explain something to her that she read in the newspaper and that yea she asked the internet but it didn't talk back"

Ichigo prayed that Sora was joking. "Talk? You mean she actually talked to it?"

"Yup"

"And you didn't explain to her that it doesn't work that way?"

Sora tried her best not to smile, "Nope, it was too funny"

What a devious child she was becoming.

Rukia stretch her arms before climbing into the limo behind her sister. It was late and all Rukia wanted to do was get home as quickly as she could. Unfortunately, she would have to endure a half hour ride with her older sister. Fun.

As soon as Rukia settled inside Hisana hounded her. "There were many handsome men around you tonight. Did you give any of them your number?"

"I'm in a relationship already"

"And going for a nice lunch with an acquaintance is not consider cheating" Hisana replied innocently.

Rukia rolled her violet eyes, "Well the fathers of those handsome men were around you too. You looked old enough to replace their ex wives" she said sarcastically.

"Aren't you the comedian. Your cheap shots at my age are hilarious."

Hisana study the two bottles of champagne on the bar. She was indecisive in which one to open.

"Well you spent all your time trying to set me up that you forgotten about yourself"

"I didn't forget about myself…" Hisana struggle to open the bottle until she notice that the other bottle was already open. "I just can't- never mind"

"You're never going to tell me what happened while you were gone?"

"Perhaps I will one day… on my deathbed."

Rukia frowned. "Don't say that. What's going on with you? You seem distracted and it can't be just about me."

"I'll tell if you tell."

"You first"

Hisana finish her glass of champagne before answering. "Well Byakuya offered me my old job again. I'm not sure if I should take it"

"Why not? You were a great Vice President!"

"True I was the best thing to happen to Kuchiki Enterprises but I can't go back while grandfather is still sick. "

"I thought he was progressing"

"He's not. Byakuya will be going to visit him tomorrow and hire a new staff that will make his last few years comfortable. "

"Is that why you don't want to return to work? Because you're worried about him?"

"Alzheimer is not exactly a kind disease. There are moments when he thinks I'm mother and at times he does remember who I am. But he's still cheerful and always smiling. The other day I went to town and when I came back he was planting some seeds and calling me his sister. I would bring him here but he enjoys Karakura and I couldn't do that to him."

"I feel terrible. I've only visited him once since he became ill, while you gave up everything here to take care of him."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, it's no one's fault but fate."

"Did you just comfort me?"

"Forget it. Now it's your turn."

Rukia didn't really want to tell Hisana. It wasn't something she wanted to tell anyone. She was secretly ashamed of her actions and it didn't want to be judge or criticize by anyone- especially her sister.

"I-um…Renji told me not to-not to look into Kurosaki Orihime's background but I did"

"Found anything interesting?" Hisana poured herself another glass of champagne almost spilling it on the leather seats.

"I hired a private investigator and I found out some things I wish I hadn't."

"What was it?"

Rukia brought her hand to her face in frustration and shame. "Things no one should go through in their life" she said softly.

"Are we speaking about the same Orihime who is a 'ditz' as you put it?"

Rukia forgotten that Hisana remembered everything, especially when she was trash talking someone.

"Yea that girl. You figured that someone who went through the shit she did would be more serious but she's…I just can't believe what happened to her. I don't even know where I wanted to go with this."

Hisana let out a laugh surprising Rukia. She cover her mouth quickly regaining her composer by clearing her throat.

"You were looking for a reason to sabotage Kurosaki's marriage," she said.

Rukia became appalled, "No I wasn't."

This time Hisana rolled her eyes. "Please Rukia. You know what you're doing. If you're going to steal another woman's husband at least do it right"

"I'm not trying to steal Ichigo!" Rukia tried her best to not get so emotional.

Hisana raise her eyebrow sarcastically replying to her sister, "Of course you're not. Just looking into his wife's background for some hidden secret to tell him is just you being concern for his well being"

"That's exactly what I'm doing."

"Rukia…I lived in Karakura for a long time. I know that girl Inoue. Her mother was the town whore and her brother. Well he died mysteriously." Hisana was starting to get bored. "Other than that there's nothing special about her, but you already know that. Enough about Inoue. Did you learn anything about the little girl?"

"What makes you think I'm interested in her?"

"You're not curious? It would be pretty interesting to find out who the father is…perhaps Abarai?"

At this point Rukia more than dislike her sister. She hated her because Hisana was right and she knew it. When it came to Ichigo why was everyone right but her? Rukia let out a sigh, it was no use in trying to cover it up.

"…I already tried to connect Renji to Sora but the timing is off plus he denied it and Renji would never lie to me… I did learn that Sora has a trust fund"

This surprise Hisana. "She does?"

"Yea, but we can't find out from whom."

They both became silent slowly listening to the world outside the limo. Rukia didn't know what to say to Hisana. She was surprise that her sister didn't say anything about her actions only about what she was looking for. It was a relief since Renji would have berated her.

Hisana's voice interrupted the silence, "If you really want Kurosaki that badly then may I suggest that you drop this little private investigation and do it the old fashion way?"

"What are you getting at?" Rukia became suspicious.

"Rukia I know what today is. You think Byakuya and I would let you spend this day alone? Either you move on the correct way or go back to old ways," she suggested.

Rukia felt astonished by what her sister was saying.

"You actually want me to be with Ichigo?"

"I would rather see you with him then you pining for him from afar… Next month is Kurosaki Isshin's retirement party at the Grand Hotel. The Kursoaki girls will be there setting up for the party and I'm sure your ex husband will be there to help. If you just happen to be there and it just happens that you have access to the Kuchiki suite-"

Rukia was more than surprise she was angry. "I'm not seducing Ichigo. I'm not going to break up his marriage like a common slut. Don't you dare speak to me about that ever again."

This Hisana was stunned. Never in her life has Rukia ever spoken to her like that. Hisana quickly regretted her words.

"I apologize for crossing the line. I just hate to see you like this it's annoying." Rukia examine her sister attempting to unveil any tricks that Hisana could be hiding. The limo slowly came to a stop in front of Rukia's house. Madarame Ikkaku the chauffeur open the door for Rukia. "Again I apologize for what I said…but if you change your mind just keep in mind that I'm behind you. Good night Rukia" Hisana said. Rukia ignored her sister's apology quickly running out of the limo and into her home.

Orihime drained the cold tea into the sink. She was surprise to find out that it was already midnight. The girls had been quiet for some time probably passed out. Ichigo was either still in his office or somewhere else. She didn't really care. She knew whom he was thinking about. Uryu made sure that she knew. She couldn't help but wonder if he was being vindictive or compassionate. Either way it still hurt. She recalled the night before how Sora asked for a little sister. She was expecting it just not so soon. What bother her most was Ichigo's reply. Somehow, it hurt her and she couldn't understand why.

Ichigo carefully walk into the kitchen keeping the distance between him and his wife. "Orihime" he said softly. Orihime didn't move from her position. She couldn't stand to look at him.

"Hmn?"

"You okay?"

"I'm fine…just thinking"

"You don't sound fine. Do you want to sit down and talk about it?"

Unbelievable. Now he wanted to be with her.

"Don't try to comfort me now. I know you were avoiding me all day. You couldn't even stand next to me for ten minutes to take pictures"

Ichigo felt the guilt catching up with him. "I didn't mean to hurt you. You know that"

"…"

He sighed and she bite the inside of her cheek almost drawing blood. He tried to reach out but failed miserably.

"It's late we should go to bed" he said turning around.

"I wish you would talk to me," Orihime tried her best not to cry. "Sometimes it doesn't feel like a real marriage. Just some kind of arrangement…"

They faced each other. Orihime couldn't hide the tears anymore and Ichigo's amber eyes couldn't hide the guilt.

"It's not like that Orihime you know I do love you." It was the partial truth.

"Well sometimes it doesn't feel like it."

"I'm sorry. I'll try harder to-"

Orihime interrupted him bitterly, "Just forget it Ichigo. I'll be in bed soon."

He nodded leaving her stranded in the kitchen.

Yesterday was the first argument they ever had and for the first time since her honeymoon, she doubted her husband.

Rukia walk into the bedroom slowly turning on the light. Little by little Shuhei open his eyes. His face turning into a lazy smile when he saw Rukia walking past the bed.

"How was it?" he asked watching Rukia undress.

Rukia blew a raspberry while trying to find the simplest words to describe the night. "Boring and it was just a setup for my siblings to break us up" she said.

"Better luck next time" he open his arms inviting her to join him.

"Nope no more next time. Next time they want me at some charity or whatever Kuchiki's do I'm taking you with me," she said pulling on her chappy nightgown. Shuhei too tired to hold up his arms turned over to his side muttering about how he hated boring parties.

Uryu filled out his patients prescription. Today felt longer than usual. Perhaps because Ichigo was gone and there were more patients than expected. He hated days like that. Especially since it usually happen when Ichigo was gone on his field trips.

"I'm going to prescribe you ten milligrams of a painkiller for you. It's a small fracture but I want to keep an eye on it," Uryu told his patient dully.

"Thanks sensei" Ikkaku took the prescription reading it carefully.

"You're welcome Madarame. You should really stop fighting with your roommate"

"Then how are we supposed to have fun?"

Uryu wasn't sure how to answer that. He rarely had time to have 'fun' lately.

"Television?"

"That's boring" Ikkaku replied intensely.

Uryu groaned. Ikkaku was one of them. The ones who loved to fight and didn't care how grave their injuries were. He hated anyone who as stubborn as Ichigo and Ikkaku was on the list."Well I advise that you find an activity that won't bring you in here every week."

He left Ikkaku with the receptionist speed walking to his office before someone else asked for his help. He notice Isane and Orihime close by his office. He hope that they were too busy conversing to bother him. Unlocking his door something Isane said caught his ear. He knew eavesdropping was wrong but he was bored. Who could blame for that?

Orihime leaned against the wall whispering loudly to Isane, "I don't understand it Isane. I've been doing everything you said for three months and I'm still not pregnant."

Isane took pity on her friend and boss's wife.

"Are you having intercourse the days you're ovulating?" she asked.

"Yes, and I even taken those fake sugar pills so Ichigo would think I'm still taking the pill! Why am I not pregnant?!" Orihime was rattled. She wanted this not for her but for both her and Ichigo. Even if he did say he wasn't ready for another child.

"Orihime you need to stop stressing out. I'll give you a test right now and if you're not pregnant I'll give you another dose of hormones to help and if-"Isane stopped noticing that were no longer alone. Orihime panic when she saw Uryu lingering nearby. The look on the face was in disbelief. She quickly tried to explain to him her situation hoping that he was a sympathetic man inside.

"Ishida-sensei lis-" Uryu held up his hand. "Don't worry. I will not tell Kurosaki, I care very little what happens to him. I just never expected this from you."

Isane tried to explain for Orihime "You see Orihime need-"

"-I don't need to know the facts to understand. Kurosaki isn't making it easy for you and I'm sure any woman in your position would panic. " He went inside his office leaving Isane and Orihime flabbergasted. Still his assurance didn't help Orihime feel better. Only one thing could help settle her nerves and that would be Rukia and Ichigo staying out of each other's lives for good.

Thank you for your reviews!!

SO most of you are upset about the whole Orihime pregnancy thing. I didn't think the preview would garner so much more attention than chapter seven which disappoints me.

I think I made a mistake. I didn't want to bring the whole 'Whose Sora's Daddy' storyline so early. I really just wanted to focus on bringing Rukia and Ichigo back together first and the Orihime's baby ties into that but it seems that I can't do both. It changes the outcome so I'm not sure which one to drop yet. I like the Sora story because it brings Rukia and Ichigo together in the most unusual way but Orihime's baby just brings conflict for them but it also gives me a chance to write about Ichigo getting mad at Orihime and leaving her. See the conflict? I'll have to drop one of them eventually and flipping a coin isn't helping me out.

I apologize for such a boring chapter but chapter nine and ten are exactly what you IchiRuki fans are waiting for!

Chapter Nine: Rukia listens to her sister's advice and tries to seduce Ichigo. Or is it the other way around?

Chapter Ten: Rukia and Orihime come face to face. Plus, Shuhei has some surprising news, Renji and Uryu make a pact and Papa Isshin scares everyone especially little Sora.

(No previews, they'll spoiler your appetite.)

I won't update until September but you'll have two chapters waiting for you.

REVIEW!! I need them to fuel my creativity.

Josie

P.S: Forgot to mention this: Yuyu and Rubberducky I really liked your reviews. for some reason they made me smile and chuckle. I love long reviews. :)