DISCLAIMER: The only thing I own here is the plot. Characters and anything related to bleach is owned by Tite Kubo. That bastard...
—
There was a disquieting quiet, if that was even a thing. Nevertheless, there was this nerve wracking pause before the violins started with the sweetest tune. The chapel in itself was pretty small but it was enough to house the Kuchiki members who mattered, in the very least. Even when the little chapel had little baroque pillars and warm hues, those things weren't what had Rukia sold.
This was where Hisana was married.
And if she were to include the perfection of her dress as well as the perfection of the entire affair, this was basically her definition of the perfect wedding.
Without the perfect groom.
Oh who was she kidding... It would always be Ichigo. No one else would do for her. Throw away all the bullshit she had been spouting out for forever and it would always be him. He was the one and now he was the one who got away. There was no way he'd come running after her now. Every one had a limit and Rukia was straining and tugging at his.
Oh great, now she wanted to cry.
"Are you alright?"
Rukia glanced up at her big brother and locked away her feelings. She smiled instead and relished in the fact that he felt more brotherly now. "I'm fine."
"I hate to bring your sister up again but if you two are any at all similar, you're lying."
Rukia frowned. "Great, just great. Now you develop a sixth sense."
"Guys, I don't care if you've suddenly become a family but please walk down the aisle. It's my dream to see my bitchy best friend get hitched. God forbid that happens."
Rukia gave her best friend the eye and Momo stuck out her tongue. Yeah, very mature but hey. They were twenty seven, they were workaholic geniuses who were younger than their coworkers, they deserved to act like children.
Rukia felt Byakuya tug at her arm and she knew that she had to start marching. She broke down the few seconds she had left and listened to the music before finally walking.
She immediately saw Kaien standing on the altar, smiling at her. All she could think about however, was that she would have been happier if he had bright tangerine hair. Rukia once thought that she was only attracted to Ichigo because he looked like Kaien. Now she thought that marriage to Kaien would only be bearable because he looked like Ichigo.
It was like some Shakespearean conundrum just waiting to be scripted.
Did she have to do some soliloquy and then drown herself or something?
Rukia inwardly sighed. She had to think a little more positive. Kaien was a good looking guy with a good career. To some degree, yeah, he could easily be the office crush. He even had a sparkling personality that made everyone feel comfortable around him. In fact, a good number of the women sitting in the pews were shooting sharp piercing glares at Rukia, all because she was marrying the man.
For the record ladies, I dated him first.
And then he broke up with me...
Well, we were engaged. And he was just gutted by a serial killer so no hard feelings at all. Really.
Of course, because of Kaien, Rukia was forever ruined for excessive blood and overexposure to the hospital. Criminal lawyer she may be, but even Demon Kuchiki grew pale at a grisly macabre scene.
Huh...
She wouldn't be called Demon Kuchiki anymore. That tiny detail made her a tad bit sad. Rukia could always keep her name or hyphenate but still, she would be losing quite a few things. Maybe they were trivial things but they mattered to her.
Experienced soldiers would tell tales of how in the battlefield, they could break down their seconds and slow down time. Well, it sounded like a whole lot of bull but today, Rukia believed those veterans. Somehow, a short walk down the aisle had become excruciatingly slow. Her mind just broke down the seconds and she felt like she had all the time on the world to think.
Perhaps God was giving her a message or something. If not God, then perhaps it was the universe. It didn't matter who gave her the privilege but clearly, she could use the time to reflect upon her life like a nun in a convent. Hallelujah...
She wasn't exactly a Christian but maybe she could spend some time thinking about her life before holy matrimony attached itself to her person.
She was a flawed human being. Rukia knew that because she was greater than others, therefore she was more flawed than others. This wasn't her bragging or boasting to whomever was listening to her thoughts. This was a fact that life had presented to her ever since she was a child. Rukia was smarter than the rest and she picked things up faster. She was not only a prodigy but a genius, similar words but there was a clear cut difference between them.
She grew up being told that she was destined for great things. Only Hisana believed that Rukia could do whatever she wanted. Her sister believed that as long as Rukia pursued her own dreams, that in itself was already the great thing she was destined for. Rukia loved her for that.
She never really knew her parents, they had died when she was young. Her pseudo mother was Hisana and her pseudo father was Byakuya to some extent. Cold and stoic he may be but he was a romantic deep down inside. Hisana was his high school sweetheart, not many men married their sweethearts freely.
To make things simple, Rukia grew up loved until Hisana passed away.
Her life had been a mess since then. After her sister's death, Rukia was immediately adopted by Byakuya but he was constantly unavailable both as a brother and as a rock. She had no one to lean on until she decided that she could trust Momo and that was a bit later. Being a Kuchiki was one of the worst things to ever happen to her. They said that it would be a privilege but Rukia strongly begged to differ.
She never wanted the fame, the power, or the money. All she wanted was a family and the greatest family in all of the country never gave her that. They kept her because she was an asset to the family, her intelligence guaranteed a successful career that would benefit the family. It was why they tolerated her when she clearly didn't belong.
Miyako was the only cousin who was nice to her. She made Rukia's life a bit more bearable. Well, Miyako as well as the friendship of Renji and Momo. Those two were her saving grace. Without any of them, Rukia would have given up a long time ago.
Was she strong? Not at all. She just acted it and looked the part of a strong woman. But deep down inside, she was the biggest coward of all. Always running and never stopping to face anything. Now that she thought about it, that was pretty much at the core of her strength. Running away and facing battles she knew that she could win. She never tried to challenge the real battles because she was afraid of losing.
She was very bad at holding onto things that mattered because she was weak.
And now here she was. Walking down the aisle, having clearly lost whatever fight she had faced. A true victory was for her to marry the one she did love, and to keep everything she cared for. She still had her friends, that was a plus in the very least.
Rukia breathed.
"Come on Rukia, you'll be okay." She whispered to herself and she knew that she was the only one who could hear it. Not even Byakuya heard her whisper.
And true enough, despite all that had happened. When you've said those words enough times, somehow, you feel like you'll really be okay. So there it is. She would be okay.
Rukia smiled a little. She had forgotten that little trick of Hisana's. Her sister knew she was going to die but she would always tell herself that everything was okay. That she was okay and she would feel like everything truly was okay. Maybe it was a lie but it was the first step to acceptance.
So yeah, I'll be okay, Rukia thought to herself.
I'll be okay.
And for once, she wasn't lying to herself.
Eventually, Byakuya left Rukia's side with a reassuring nod and immediately sat beside Isshin in the pews. Rukia had to make a double take because she wasn't sure why Isshin Kurosaki would be at a wedding where he wasn't invited. Or at least, related to anyone in particular. He saw her looking but kept the uncharacteristic seriousness on his face. He just gave her a swift acknowledging nod and Rukia decided not to think too much about it.
She joined Kaien up at the altar and tried to smile at him. Thank god they were good friends now, and they had gone back to the time when they never thought more of the other. She knew that Kaien knew that her smile wasn't genuine but that didn't stop him from giving her a real one. She was extremely thankful for that.
"Hi."
Rukia smiled. "Hi."
She took one brief moment to glance at the huge chapel doors before facing the priest, or minister, or whatever he was. Rukia didn't know what she was hoping for. Well, to be truthful, she did know what was hoping for. She just didn't want to hope. If there was anything that could outmatch the tenacity of a cockroach, it was hope. Once it started, it was near impossible to stop.
Also, she had to consider the fact that deep down inside, she probably didn't want to stop it from growing.
Maybe she could get the Nobel Prize for being the biggest walking contradiction. Or maybe she was just the worst walking contradiction in the past decade. Either way, it didn't matter now.
Maybe she should just stop thinking altogether.
Clearly, she thought too much and her thinking never yielded anything good.
The minister began to start talking and Rukia immediately determined that her own wedding would be a total snooze fest. She could clearly see that the man was almost ancient, she hadn't expected him to sound like her history professor. It was like he had just reawakened from his centuries old tomb or something. His voice was raspy and wheezing, he easily sounded like he hadn't talked in years.
Kaien smiled at her mischievously and rolled his eyes at the minister. Rukia just smiled and tried not to laugh, it was so typical of him to do that. However, she took that as a good sign. She knew that by the end of this long day, she would have a friend by her side and not some vengeful ex with unfinished business with her.
If it were the latter then she would have enough evidence for a quiet divorce. And besides, she was friends with a good divorce lawyer, there was no way she would get out of her own marriage willingly without getting every thing she wanted. So in terms of the divorce settlement, she wouldn't want for anything.
Though seriously, Kaien was a good guy. She wouldn't mind him as her husband and besides, she wouldn't be taking his name anyway. It was like some unspoken thing in her profession.
Rukia was pulled out of her thoughts for the hundredth time and smiled when she realized that Kaien was trying to grab her attention. Well, he was pretending to snooze off to help Rukia save face in front of her relatives. In fairness, it worked like a charm because for as long as she was smiling her ass off, her relatives would wholeheartedly believe that she was paying attention to the ancient holy mummy who was currently officiating her wedding ceremony.
She seriously needed to thank her future husband later. Though right now, she didn't what she could do to past the time. She had already reflected upon her sad life. She refused to wax poetry on the gravity of all her mistakes combined. She already regretted the whole Ichigo Kurosaki debacle, she didn't need the added guilt to ruin her wedding. She had already done the regretting and self blaming part, Rukia was officially tired and done.
She just wanted to get through everything and go to sleep. Her only consolation was that time waited for no one. Time moved faster when you wanted it to slow down and it was far too slow when you wanted it to move faster. Regardless of how big of a douche time can be, it still moved. That's what counted. That thought was the only thing that softened the harsh blow to her life.
What if she counted, maybe that would keep her occupied until her vows came.
One, two, three...
Maybe she should add sheep and start counting the fluffy things as well.
One sheep, two sheep, three shee—
"Before we begin with the wedding vows, is there anyone who objects to this union. If there are any objections, please raise them now."
For some reason, that certainly grabbed her attention. Was she secretly hoping for some random outburst that could potentially save her singleness?
Or perhaps, deep down inside, she was just stupidly praying for her knight in shining armor to barge in and whisk her away.
Well stop hoping Rukia. It's not going to happen.
Instead of looking at the big doors, she closed her eyes instead in quiet resignation. No use changing her views on fairytales now. Rukia just needed to suck it in and deal with the cards dealt to her. She had an excellent poker face, now was the time to use it. She couldn't look anything less than the blushing bride.
When Rukia glanced at Kaien, she found him looking towards the door. His eyebrows were slanted downwards and he looked somewhat irritated for some reason. She could hear the light tapping of his shoes and she could tell that he was waiting for something.
Rukia inwardly frowned.
Waiting for what?
First Byakuya, now Kaien?
Clearly there was some big elaborate set up here and everyone important in her life took great pains to keep her in the dark. Well, at least she had Momo to share the surprise with.
Rukia glanced around somewhere and began to question the presence of the press. She knew that a few newspapers had to be here. Rukia was a famous Kuchiki and her wedding was kind of a big event. The question was Byakuya's choice of press. They weren't exactly low key, and some of them were not the usual names most Kuchikis would stick to.
Alright, that's it.
Someone was pulling strings and she had no doubt that the people who set her wedding up were behind it.
What were they thinking, trying to fool a lawyer.
"If there are no objections then we shall now proceed to the wedding vows."
Kaien scowled and that made Rukia all the more curious.
"Do you, Kaien Shiba, take this woman, Rukia Kuchiki, to be your lawfully wedded wi—"
The priest garbled his words when he heard the large doors slam open. The room was suddenly filled with that disquieting quiet again, and all eyes were looking towards the back. Kaien casually glanced at the wrist watch, shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled an all knowing smile. Byakuya on the other hand looked visibly irritated with the time and Isshin looked similar.
Rukia swallowed thickly and slowly turned back to look towards the door. She only saw him at the same time she heard his loud footsteps echo in the church. All of a sudden, her heart clenched and her chest felt tight. Her breaths grew short and she immediately found it difficult to think. In fact, she felt like she couldn't breathe at all now.
Ichigo Kurosaki walked in wearing aviator shades and with his hands in his pockets. He was wearing a tailored suit that fitted him to perfection and the vest he wore was a deep rich crimson. He fixed his impeccable tie as he took more steps towards the altar. Ichigo smirked and dramatically pointed towards Rukia.
"You. You're such a bitch you know."
Whatever romantic notion Rukia had at the moment fled in that instant. Instead of leaping into his arms, like a cliched bride, she crossed her arms.
"I'm a bitch? Well what the hell are you wearing?"
Ichigo scowled as he removed his shades and tucked it in his coat pocket. "What? These? They make me look like Tom Cruise. Didn't you watch Top Gun?"
"The aviator look was out a decade ago, didn't you get the memo?" Rukia couldn't help but retort.
After narrowing his eyes at her, he eventually smiled at her. That smile of his disintegrated any shred of anger she had and literally took her breath away. "Hey Kuchiki."
Rukia sighed. "Hi Kurosaki."
Kaien shrugged and stepped down the altar. He approached Ichigo and immediately patted him on the shoulder. "Well then Maverick, I guess I'm your wingman." As soon as he finished talking, Kaien was immediately blinded by the camera flash. He grinned and faced the press in the back with his arm sling over Ichigo's shoulder. "Whoops, gotta smile for the camera. This should cause some really good Internet buzz."
Rukia made some kind of weird frustrated sound before lifting her skirts and stomping to her groom and the guy she wished was her groom. She dragged Ichigo away from Kaien and started by jamming a finger right into his chest.
"Why are you here? I told you to stay away." She snarled.
Ichigo shrugged with an easy grin. "And miss your wedding? No freaking way Kuchiki. Over my dead body."
"Ichigo." She grounded out.
"What?"
"We discussed this." She began with hushed tones. "This marriage will secure my position as the CEO of the Kuchiki Corporation in the near future. When that happens, I'm going to be in power with Byakuya backing me up. That means I can do whatever I want."
"You can do whatever you want now."
"I can't. Because if I did, they'll ruin you."
He crossed his arms and glanced at their audience. They all seemed to be glaring daggers at him specifically. "They can't. Not now, they can't."
"Don't be stubborn."
"I'm not." Ichigo replied briefly before facing the opposite direction. "Isn't that right Byakuya Kuchiki?"
One of the elder Kuchikis made a sound when he suddenly stood up from the pews. He banged his fist against the hard wood and gritted his teeth. "Byakuya, as head of the family, I demand an explanation from you. This is an insult."
Byakuya stood up slowly and quietly walked towards the elder Kuchiki. "Uncle, you should probably sit down. All this standing is bad for your legs."
"No, I will not sit down!" The older gentleman insisted.
"Well then, I have no explanation. I don't need to give any of you an explanation."
The older gentleman's face grew red as the other Kuchiki elders decided to stand up as well. "This is ridiculous. Byakuya, this is most shameful behavior. If you persist, we will forcefully make you vacate your position in favor of a more suitable leader."
"Get rid of me? And then what? Take a hundred steps backwards instead of forward. This compa— no, this family will just go around in circles. There will be no progress, at the rate we are going, we're all just rushing towards the end of the whole family." Byakuya replied.
"Nonsense! We're higher than we've ever been. We don't need you. You're indispensable. You think you have power? You're just one man." Another elder exclaimed emphatically.
Byakuya raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Well then, care to explain your expenditures uncle? Because I can't put these numbers together."
"Huh? What the hell are you talking about." The Kuchiki in question retorted.
"Your accounts. I had Rukia run your numbers under the guise of a legal case. Of course, she had no idea but she did report to me that whoever owned those accounts was breaking at least seven laws."
Rukia blinked once before putting two and two together. "Wait? So that favor you asked me a couple of months ago was—"
"Yes, proof that esteemed members of our family have been doing things that are... less than desirable. Things like money laundering, as well as fraud. Anything to launch this company to new heights, correct?"
Byakuya managed a smirk when he saw that every Kuchiki who wanted to complain decided not to. Even the elder Kuchiki he was just talking to just immediately clamped up.
"My father died thinking that the family was in good hands. I've been carrying on Sojun Kuchiki's legacy while the rest of you have gone back to the old ways. True, we are a ruthless family but we have always been fair. Now, we can't even do that? To begin with, this whole wedding debacle is the result of an obsolete tradition that's just inconvenient now. The purpose is to keep the power within the family, but all of this?" He then gestured to the church.
"This is all ridiculous. The use of old traditions that don't even carry an ounce of sense, it's just a tool used to control the family." He stated before continuing. "Tongue tied? Good. This is all going to be tomorrow's news. It's better if you didn't say anything that could potentially put today's incident in the front page headlines."
When Byakuya finished, everyone took a seat and seemed to be way more obedient. He smiled in satisfaction before walking over to Rukia and putting one hand on her shoulder. "Now then Rukia. You're free to do as you please. I've put them in their place and I've spoken to Mr. Hitsugaya. The D.A's office will press charges against select members of the Kuchiki family. I'm sorry to have to do this behind your back."
Rukia took a moment to process all the information. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"If the family suspected that something was up, they would have made a move. You're too public Rukia. Any move you made might have been too obvious. The details don't matter now." He replied before gesturing to Ichigo. "What matters is that you can marry him now."
Rukia blinked at him twice before letting her guard down. "Wait what?"
Byakuya gave her a reassuring smile before officially leaving her to her own devices. When she looked behind her, she noticed that Kaien had already gone to the sidelines. He knew what her brother was up to all along.
Ichigo walked up to her and immediately went down on one knee. He brought out a familiar little box and opened it with earnest eyes.
"Now then. I know it's been a while but my feelings haven't changed Rukia. You really make it hard for a man to care for you but it doesn't matter how much of a bitch you are. I love you as you are Rukia. I love how you're so short yet we still fit perfectly together. I love how sometimes, we don't need words to understand each other. You can be very stupid for a very smart person but your overthinking is what makes you you. I need you in my life. I need to wake up beside you everyday for the rest of my life and hell, even the great beyond. Even when we fight, even when we bicker, even when you're being irritating, I still love you. I don't think I can ever recover from loving you, so consider me terminally ill. I'm in it for the long haul so say yes, and tell me that you need me as much as I always need you. Marry me because I love you."
Rukia swallowed thickly as she felt her heart swell and he chest tighten up. Once again, she couldn't breathe. Everything was just going too fast and she was still trying to understand what was happening.
"I've left you so many times... How can you still want me?" She blurted out the first solid sentence that popped in her head.
Ichigo winked at her. "I'm deranged. You've put me through hell but I'm in love with you anyway."
Rukia began to massage her temple out of habit. "Christ..." She muttered under her breathe. She could practically feel everyone staring at her. Everyone was just waiting to see what she would do.
"No pressure Rukia."
Rukia immediately look towards Momo the moment her best friend said those words. Momo was smiling at her, and it helped Rukia calm down. Meanwhile, that was also when she noticed that Byakuya was standing behind Momo, whispering and all. Rukia raised an eyebrow.
Momo was involved? That traitor.
"Oh what the hell. Stand up you idiot." Rukia cursed as she moved away from Ichigo and motioned for him to stand up, which he did. "No, I'm not marrying you. I will not be browbeaten into marrying anyone."
She then faced her ever loving family and put her hands on her hips. She wouldn't dare do this normally, but it in this case then they would probably be pretty obedient. "Umm, yeah. You guys can leave if you want to."
All the Kuchikis in the room looked at each other and it was eerily quiet for a while. Then they all stood up at the same time in perfect coordination and left the chapel via the large center doors. Rukia sighed in relief and immediately faced her brother.
"You, what the hell are you doing? I understand the power thing but this is stupid."
Byakuya raised an eyebrow. "This is what you want right?"
"No! Well... Yes, but no." Rukia admitted with elaborate hand gestures.
"I tried to tell him Rukia, but he's as stubborn as you. So I gave him a hand." Momo shrugged. "He was all like, I need your help and stuff. I was like, no Byakuya. Rukia can decide things for herself but he wouldn't believe me when it came to Ichigo so here we are."
Ichigo sighed. "Well this is awkward." He stated rather loud while he scratched his cheek. A nervous habit if you will.
"You think?" Rukia retorted before following up. "Why are you here?" She asked him, emphasizing the are.
"Momo called me and made some inspirational speech about coming here and shit." He replied matter-of-factly before looking irritated. "As if I needed that. I was going to come here anyway with or without the speech."
Rukia shook her head and smiled before going back to the traitors. "Momo, you have committed high treason against your BFF. The aforementioned BFF, however, will not press any charges against you because she loves you anyway." She stated in the straightest lawyer tone she could muster.
Momo smiled gratefully and came forward for a hug. "Aww Rukia, that is the sweetest thing you've ever said to me."
Rukia gave her a tight squeeze because surprisingly, she didn't hug Momo often enough. Of course, after this whole mess, she fully intended to hug Momo like all the time. Well, until Momo got fed up with all the hugging. Rukia cherished the rare hug for a few more seconds before she let Momo go. "We need to go out on a date."
Momo laughed. "You only ask now, God Rukia. A girl can't wait that long."
"Sure sure, go ahead. Be my guest. I totally waited for so long just so that the love of my life could become a lesbian. I suppose you wouldn't happen to be open to threesomes would you Rukia?" Ichigo interjected with a light joking tone, but with a hint of hesitation.
Rukia turned around and sucked in a shaken breath when she saw the uncertainty in his amber eyes. A familiar feeling settled in her chest and she immediately felt her heart sink. Most of the time, words failed them. That was why they were so used to communicating with glances. Rukia didn't really know how or why, but she always understood whenever they just looked at each other.
"So I take it, you won't be marrying me?"
Rukia nodded slowly. He could read her so well, no matter how excellent her poker face was or how good she was at lying. She watched a scowl form on his face as he buried the little box in his pocket. Rukia bit her lip and immediately went towards him. Her hands were doing some kind of nervous dance against her stomach but her eyes didn't waver from his.
She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, slowly dragged him down, and gave him a swift kiss. Rukia knew that kissing him was like a magnet, that she would be sucked in immediately. However, she needed to prove her point so she ended it.
"Do you trust me?" She asked him in a soft whisper, her forehead against his chest.
Ichigo slid his arms around her waist and clung to her as if she was his life line. She buried her head into the crook of his neck as he kissed her forehead. "You know I do."
"Then trust me on this."
"Always."
– – – – –
Rukia observed a certain ex-fiance of hers, and her dearest cousin with growing amusement. A wicked glint flashed in her amethyst eyes and she grinned. Kaien was currently dancing with Miyako on the dance floor of what would have been her reception. Instead of wasting the good caterers and etcetera, they decided that this was going to be their victory party. Rukia had finally won and things seemed to look up for her. She had to restrain her laughter though because Kaien looked so starstruck. He would end up stepping on Miyako's toes if he didn't start paying attention.
In fact, Rukia had been watching their meeting with growing interest. It was the first time she had ever seen Kaien Shiba at a loss for words. He was usually all suave and charming. He always knew what to say, except for now that is. Now, he was tongue tied, and he wasn't the only nervous one. Miyako on the other hand had a pretty good poker face, but Rukia could see her fidget and occasionally glance away from his gaze. Overall, she was expecting something good to come out of this dance but seriously.
Kaien Shiba and Miyako Kuchiki?
Who would've thought.
Ichigo squeezed Rukia's hand and she squeezed back affectionally. Her fingers had been intertwined with his and they were both watching the party from their seats. At this point, Rukia was perfectly content with just holding his hand for the entirety of the evening. When she smiled again, Ichigo leaned in closer to her and whispered directly in her ear. "Someone seems happy."
"More like amused."
"I saw them earlier, it was funny." Ichigo said with a lighthearted tone.
Rukia chuckled. "He was so ready to leave the chapel, when he saw her. Then he just froze… Ah, love at first sight perhaps?" she joked
He kissed her affectionately on the cheek. "I thought you didn't believe in love at first sight."
"I'll make an exception, just for them."
Rukia heard another loud uproar of laughter from another table and smiled again. Momo had been abusing her rights as Rukia's best friend, and was now getting piss ass drunk at the bar. Her husband Toshiro was currently having a massive headache but he couldn't help but smile at his wife anyway. After that little church fiasco, Momo confessed to Rukia that she had a major role behind the scenes. She was the one who put the actual wedding together with Byakuya's resources, and she was also the one who kept an eye on Kaien. It wasn't his proudest moment, but Kaien was long over his little hospital incident. Of course, she only agreed to prove a point to Byakuya and that she did. He now trusted Momo's opinion more than ever.
Byakuya on the other hand was having a quiet drink with Isshin. The both of them were reminiscing about the old days and perhaps, they were also talking about their wives. They had a lot in common and Rukia thought that despite their outward appearance, they were actually good friends. Byakuya seemed happier, and that made Rukia glad.
She also noticed that Renji and Tatsuki had suddenly disappeared from the venue altogether for like an hour, before reappearing near the buffet table. It was funny just watching the both of them pretend that nothing happened. Please, as if they could fool Rukia. Anyone could look at them and see that they had sex from a mile away. It was clear that Renji was deliriously happy and that Tatsuki would be his one and only muse. Rukia did note that his writing had been more inventive and creative lately. She had no doubt that Tatsuki had a huge part in that.
As of now, Kaien and Miyako were actually dancing to Ulquiorra's beautiful piano. He looked the part of the virtuoso. His eyes were closed and he was involuntarily swaying with the music as he played while Orihime leaned against the grand piano. She had been watching him all evening but for some reason, she felt especially emotional when he started to the play the current song. If Rukie recalled, the piece was something related to the star Vega or something. Every once in a while, Ulquiorra would glance up at her, smile a small smile, and continue to play. Their relationship was one of the weirdest ones, but who was Rukia to judge. She would never understand them. Their relationship was theirs and theirs alone.
Rangiku on the other hand was not drinking for once. Instead, she had been talking to her boyfriend Gin all night. In fact, she was probably hoping that everyone was too drunk to notice that giant ring on her finger. Of course, she could have taken it off to avoid detection but whatever. None of Rukia's business.
Kenpachi on the other hand was nursing a glass of whisky, neat. He looked bored but it was clear that he was looking out for someone in the party. Rukia knew who she was but she wouldn't want to intrude on Kenpachi's love life. Soi Fon had come to the party with Yoruichi, but Yoruichi technically came to the party with Uruhara. Rukia wasn't sure who the third wheel was in that particular trio.
Kiyone was also by the bar. Not drinking, god forbid that happened. She was still a minor. No, she was busy helping Toshiro with his wife. She had known Momo long enough to know how to sober her up as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, Rukia couldn't find a man for dear Kiyone. Maybe in the future perhaps.
Grimmjow had been feasting on the desert table while his girlfriend Nel was glaring at him. Rukia wasn't sure if she glared out of neglect but she knew it had something to do with the cake Grimmjow had just eaten. He had been looking good lately. Maybe he put on some more hard lean muscle, or maybe it's the haircut but he looked nice. Rukia was glad that Nel was making him a better person.
Ukitake wasn't really the partying type so he took a seat near Byakuya and Isshin. He occasionally added to their conversation but mostly kept to himself and stayed quiet. Karin was currently swirling wine in a glass absentmindedly. She seemed to be in deep thought while her sister Yuzu was busy dancing with her possible boyfriend, Jinta. Ichigo's friend Uryu had been busy taking photos all night. His inner journalist was probably on fire right now, today was pretty big news.
Rukia wasn't sure how, but she had a big party and boy was it a lively one.
"I'm just glad you know."
"Why?" He replied.
"It's like a great big load has been taken of my shoulders." Rukia sighed. "It's been forever since I've felt this light before."
Ichigo smiled. "Turn around."
Rukia raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
He shrugged. "Just do it."
Rukia did turn around on her seat but with questioning eyes. She stopped questioning his impure intentions when she felt his hands on her back. Rukia had immediately changed into another dress after she informed her friends and a whole slew of acquaintances that she had a party. This dress was backless and that backless part was where his hands were.
Rukia couldn't stop her moan the moment Ichigo starts to rub her shoulders with his thumbs.
"This feels like a knot. And this too... Damn woman, how stressed are you?"
"Yes yes, I know I'm stressed. Just keep doing that." She sighed.
She heard him chuckle as she leaned towards him. Ichigo gave the best back rubs and she always turned into this weird hybrid of gelatin and putty under his touch.
"You know Rukia. We really need to talk."
"Later."
"Now."
She frowned but in the end, she couldn't stay angry. In fact, she was thoroughly distracted right now.
"No."
Rukia bet that if she turned around, she would find him scowling. "Why not."
"Because... It's not something I can talk about right now. I will though, maybe later. Just... let me have fun for now."
"Alright."
They spent a couple of minutes just sitting there before Ichigo suddenly stood up. He tugged her up towards him, she landed directly against his chest and he smiled. "Come, we need to dance."
Rukia scowled. "Why?"
"Because I have to wait all night for you to tell me whatever it is you want to tell me. I'm taking liberties here, so you need to dance with me." He replied.
He dragged her towards the center of the dance floor and he grabbed Ulquiorra's attention. "Hey Mozart, play that song."
Ulquiorra looked puzzled before he looked at Orihime and eventually got the hint. Orihime flashed Ichigo a quick smile followed up with a thumbs up. Ichigo nodded back as he pulled Rukia towards him and redirected her arms so that they were wrapped around his neck.
"Come on Kuchiki, it's our song."
Rukia smiled, she knew what it was already. She allow his arms to encircle her waste and they were immediately pressed against each other. Her head was against his chest and she could breathe in the scent that was unique to him and him alone. They swayed with the music and somehow, she felt like it was just the two of them in the dance floor. She immediately forgot about all the the other people in the room. Eventually, she could feel his chest vibrate the moment he started singing to her in a low tune. If Ulquiorra was the music, Ichigo was currently acting the part of the lyrics. Rukia immediately begin to complete their duet, and even when no one else heard them, they kept singing.
"Did I ever mention that I love hearing you sing?"
Rukia chuckled. "Maybe once or twice…"
"I'm an awful man, I need to tell you that more often. Rukia, I love to hear you sing."
She hit him a little with her knee. "You think?"
"And you say you're not high maintenance…" he scoffed with affection.
"I'm not."
"Really now, do you want me to count all the times you ran on me because of how your strange little female brain works?"
She felt a tiny pang of guilt. "Yeah, I know. If I explained it, I would just end up sounding stupid to myself."
"Are you sorry for it?" He asked her.
She closed her eyes and sighed. "Maybe. Sometimes I just want to shoot myself. Other times I think that if I didn't, we wouldn't have gotten this ending. I like this ending."
He smiled. "Me too."
"You know Rukia, you don't really have to say anything. Just having you here with me is enough." He added.
She shook her head slightly. "No, it has to be said."
"Then why not tell me now?"
"Because it's the kind of talk that requires a lot of privacy and you sitting down." she replied.
"Okay." he replied, drawing out his vowels and making the word longer than it should be.
Their dance was immediately interrupted by Momo. Rukia's drunken best friend was only kept steady by her loyal husband Toshiro, and she was currently making a beeline for Rukia. She immediately threw her arms around Rukia and Rukia was immediately forced to bear her best friend's weight. Not that Momo was heavy or anything like that but Rukia was petite, she couldn't carry anyone for her dear life.
"Rukia!" Momo slurred.
Rukia sighed. "Yes Momo."
"You're such a bitch. Why didn't you marry Ichigo?" she slurred again.
"I have my reasons, and you're drunk."
Momo made a weird sound of disbelief. "I'm not drunk." she exasperated before she glared at her husband. "Shiro, I'm not drunk right?"
Toshiro ran a hand through his tousled hair and groaned. "Yes Momo, you're not drunk."
"See Rukia, you suck."
Rukia ended up laughing. "Yes Momo, I suck."
"Good, now marry him."
Ichigo was the one who was laughing this time while Rukia was totally not amused by the current situation. "Later."
Momo grinned a goofy grin. "Okay, let's go to Vegas. We need to get you guys hitched!"
"Momo, Vegas is like halfway across the world."
"What's the next greatest place?"
"Nowhere. Go home Momo."
"I don't wanna. They've got Dom Perignon here and that shit is expensive. I have to bring some of that home!"
Rukia groaned. "I'll send a few bottles your way." She retorted.
"Ugh, Rukia. You're lawyering me." Momo pouted.
"Yes, I know…" Rukia sighed in irritation.
Toshiro eventually stepped in the moment he stopped being amused with Rukia's pain. It was so rare to see Rukia not knowing what to do, but now playtime was over. He managed to pry his wife off of his old mentor's person and dragged her away from the dance floor. Momo of course, clung to her husband and was now telling him about all things she wanted to do to him.
Rukia had to grin because Toshiro was rarely flustered.
Ichigo whistled and Rukia glare at him. He immediately stopped before grinning with charm and closing the gap between them. His arms slid around her waist whilst she glowered at him. "What?" He asked."
"You weren't helping."
"You didn't need my help." He replied.
Rukia kept her steady gaze at him. She pursed her lips before she spoke. "What if I did need help?"
"Please, I would have stepped in of course. Clearly, you had the situation under control." he teased.
"Now you're just making excuses for yourself." She quipped.
Ichigo smiled at that. "Let's just not talk. Right now, I just want to hold you."
Rukia sighed. "How romantic."
He winked at her. "You know it."
Rukia leaned in closer to him and felt his warmth. "It's okay. I like you that way."
Then she felt his embrace grow tighter. It was as if he was afraid of losing her again. Rukia reciprocated by pulling him tighter against her. She didn't know what the future held for them. All she knew was that he was right here with her and that was enough.
"Rukia?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't ever change."
Rukia shut her eyes and listened to the sound of his heart beating. "I won't."
—
"Now then, I want to know everything that's going through that little head of yours. And when I say everything, I mean everything. I don't want you hiding anything now. Are we clear?"
Rukia frowned. "Crystal."
By the time everyone left, it had already been two in the morning. Everyone was either tired and sober or drunk and passed out. One could say that it had been a pretty fun party but considering Rukia's glowing personality, it was surprising to see that her friends weren't all sticks in the mud like her. Well, maybe not surprising. More like, it was pleasing to see. It meant that she went going to die an old recluse with a house full of cats. When everyone left and Rukia had sent the caterers and the staff home, Ichigo drove her home.
It was a quiet ride and while Rukia knew exactly what she wanted to do, Ichigo had no idea at all. She could tell he was nervous and she was just giving them unnecessary grief. Again. But then again, where would they be if she stopped being the blessed source of all their sufferings. Once they parked the car near her building, they quietly got out of the car, quietly walked through the lobby, and quietly rode the elevator. He only started speaking again the moment they were both inside. Rukia decided that she needed a glass of wine and helped herself to an excellent bottle of Merlot just to take the edge off. Ichigo on the other hand decided to suffer the old fashioned way and sat quietly in her living room.
Now here they were, sitting opposite the other in searing silence.
Oh joy.
Rukia took a well deserved sip and sighed. "Okay, where to start."
"The beginning."
Rukia took another sip. "And what is the beginning exactly?"
"Let's start with the resort."
Rukia breathed in deep. "In fairness, that was a stupid move—"
"You think?" Ichigo immediately retorted.
"Let me finish Kurosaki."
Ichigo smiled smugly. "Fine. We'll have it your way counselor."
Rukia frowned deeper. She put the glass down on the coffee table and crossed her arms. "Don't call me that, you're just trying to butter me up."
"Is it working?"
Rukia shut her eyes in snobbish indignation. "Stop manipulating me."
"Whatever Kuchiki. Keep talking."
Rukia rolled her eyes. "But I don't feel all that bad really. After all, me and Kaien managed to kiss and make up."
"Kiss?"
"It's a metaphor. Stop interrupting me and just let me talk... asshole."
Ichigo grumbled before leaning back on the couch and looking a little more prepared to listen. Rukia sipped from the glass on the table and set it back again. "Good grief. Okay, so we had a good talk about everything. That's was all we did. As for all the days in between, I buried myself into work and kept myself busy so I wouldn't have to think about anything else. And then suddenly, it was already my wedding day."
Rukia paused to ponder over her next words while Ichigo's attention didn't waver. He sat there, waiting attentively. She was terribly lucky to have a man like him.
"I didn't expect it to come that fast really... But before I walked down the aisle, me and Byakuya were able to talk as well. While we aren't the picture of a perfect family, I now know that he does care for me. It's comforting really. So once I was walking towards the altar, I had a lot to think about."
Rukia took another swig from her glass. "In the end, I realized that you were my greatest regret. At the end of all that thinking that I usually do, you were there. And I just kept thinking how it would have been better if you were there instead of Kaien. It's ironic really. I used to dream of marrying him but when I was out there... All I could think of was how I wish it was you. And I'm sorry for being stupid. I'm just so sorry and nothing can change that because that's just how I am. I think too much. I make too many assumptions. I do act on what I believe is right and true. Sure, maybe those make me good at my job but they make me bad at life. There are so many people I don't deserve... But of all of them. I don't deserve you at all. You're kind, you're thoughtful, you're... you. I don't know how you can have such a big heart after all you've been through. Yes, we argue a lot but I've never felt more alive than when we argue. Of course, that's bad for relationships but that's just how I feel."
She sucked in a shaken breath and looked away briefly. "And I'm horrible at feelings. I don't know how to show them properly. Affection just isn't my speciality and I'm just built to be awful at expressing how I feel. But Christ, maybe I'm just making excuses for myself but that's how my head works."
Then her cool amethyst eyes met his burning amber ones. "It's irrational and I hate how it swallows me up like this. It always makes me scared and uncertain but that's how it is. I'm a mess but I love you Ichigo. That's the simple truth. Whether we deserve each other or not, it's how I feel. I can't bear the thought of you looking at me like a stranger yet I'm scared to be with you again because history has proven that I can hurt you. I don't want that power over you, I just wish things were easy. I wish it was easier to love you, but it's not. But I'm okay with that... I just hope that—"
Rukia was cut off when Ichigo abruptly stood up. She watched him take slow strides towards her and suddenly kneel before her. His eyes met hers and he quietly cupped her cheek. She found it extremely difficult to breathe and she didn't want to speak. His hand was incredibly warm and she couldn't help but lean towards it. Then his other hand came towards her face and she found herself being dragged towards him. He crashed his lips against hers into a searing soul-stealing kiss. It was only one kiss, but Rukia felt like it was the kiss she had been waiting her whole life for. Ichigo released her and rested his forehead against hers.
"You talk too much. You also think too much but you knew that already."
Rukia didn't say anything.
"I'm not perfect too but I've already told you time and time again. I don't need you to become someone who is exactly what I need. You are what I need. Every right and wrong thing about you is what makes you perfect to me. I want you, just as you are. I love you, all of you. Run all you want, but I'll always find you. I'll drag you back to where you need to be."
"And where is that exactly?" She asked in a soft voice. It was meant to be joke but clearly she failed to make it sound like one.
"Right here. I need you to be here with me. That's all I want."
"It's a pity that you fell for someone who keeps running. Couldn't you find someone who always stays?"
Ichigo smiled that warm smile of his that made her chest tight and her heart beat fast. "Where's the fun in that?"
Then he intertwined their fingers together. "After all we've been through, I reject all your opinions. You keep doing all the wrong things so I'll just decide for you."
Her eyebrows furrowed. "You wouldn't dare."
"Wanna put that to the test sweetheart?"
Rukia shook her head and grinned. "Nah. Knowing you, that's exactly what you'd do... Except, I still have one more bad decision to make... Well, it's mostly for my benefit but hear me out."
Ichigo pulled back and narrowed his eyes at her. "What now?"
"See here? I know you'd go to the ends of the earth and back for me. You've told me that like, a hundred times. But, I've never done anything for you."
Ichigo stood up and crossed his arms. "You don't need to do anything."
She smiled apologetically. "It's for closure. So anyhow, we won't be together for a while. And when I say together, I mean 'together' together."
"I don't like where this is going. Just stop while you're ahead midget. Nothing good comes from all that brain activity."
"No, I don't think you'd mind really. Because instead of you courting me, I was thinking it could be me counting after you. You deserve some chasing Ichigo."
Ichigo scowled and ran a frustrated hand through his wonderfully tangerine hair. "I knew it. I totally knew it. And how would you be pursuing me exactly? I'm hardly a princess in a tower."
"True, but think about it."
He gritted his teeth. "No."
"You just haven't considered all the possibilities."
"You're just prolonging the agony."
"Humor me."
Ichigo seemed to seriously consider it because his scowling grew deeper and deeper if that was even possible. "So ah... I take it sex is off the table?"
"That's up for negotiation."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to try and seduce me?"
Rukia smiled coyly. "Also up for negotiation."
"Oh sweetheart. If that's up for negotiation, then it's going to be a very short courtship."
She shrugged. "Perhaps, but come on. I bet it'll be fun. And besides, we need a proper engagement period."
Ichigo grinned. "Oh? So we're engaged in during this period of separation?"
"No, we're going to do this step by step."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Step by step? Explain."
Rukia shrugged. "I have to meet you first."
"Okay, and then you're gonna flirt with me? Am I gonna flirt back?"
"No, you will be a rock. Rather, you're gonna be me back when we first met. That means you shouldn't yield."
Ichigo cocked his head to the side. "Oh really now? Now see here. I'm charming and I can easily flirt the pants off anyone. You? You have the flirting skills of a fish."
Rukia crossed her arms and pouted. "You just haven't seen me try. I can flirt."
"Sure you can."
"I hate you." She seethed.
Ichigo gave her a smug look. "Sure you do."
Rukia rolled her eyes and smiled anyway. "Shut up."
Ichigo grinned. "So I take it, you'll be the one asking me out on a date? I'll have to warn you though, my schedule is pretty tight."
"We'll work around it. If there's a will then there's a way." She replied immediately.
"So how many dates do we need to go on before I can get in your pants?"
"That depends on how much I like you after the first few dates." Rukia replied.
"Well sweetheart, that wouldn't be very long at all."
Rukia laughed. "I figured."
"So what then?"
Rukia looked him straight in the eye. "Then we'll see where life takes us."
Ichigo leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Okay."
Rukia tilted her head up just to match his annoying height. "Okay?"
He shook his head, sighed, and then smiled. "I'll do this stupid closure thing of yours. I still think it's stupid but I love you, so this one of those shitty things I'll have to deal with."
She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a tight squeeze. "Thank you."
"The things I do for you. Don't I get a kiss for this?" Ichigo teased.
Rukia immediately grabbed onto his collar and tugged at him. "Of course you do, but only for today. As of tomorrow, we'll have to start from scratch."
"But for tonight, you're mine." He replied as he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers.
"Oh, you're wrong there. No matter where I am, I'm always yours."
Then she kissed him.
"I love you Ichigo."
He smiled. "I love you too, now move over so I can take off your clothes."
She rolled her eyes. "How romantic."
—
AN: Yeah. There it is. It's done. Well technically, any good romance isn't complete without the epilogue and I will post that final chapter after New Year's Eve.
I will also save the sentimental speech for then.
So Merry Christmas guys! And I'll see you again on New Year.
AkaBaka-chan~ signing off!
P.S Is it just me or did the pagebreak button disappear in my long absence...