reesen555 - Hm... I will try my best, I can only promise you that. No guarantees. :3 But, war is coming! Have you prepared your guns because you know how war goes, a trivial matter can go a long way. :3 Let's hope the warzone is up to your expectation. .

Ichirukitrash4ever - Because I know how each chapters tends to be short, so I make it a point to update everyday. (Other than being busy and having no chapters to update, that is.) Do you know that as I wrote the later chapters... Nope, not giving you any spoilers but you can have a feel of it with what I am writing anyway. I have to clarify that Rukia's my favorite character in Bleach because of her personality. That's why, when in one of the chapters that I have written (That isn't revealed yet), I was amazingly pissed at Rukia given it was a chapter that I wrote. XD I am like: Seriously, Rukia? You are going to let him climb all over you? Are we serious over here? Argh! So, I tried my best... (You will see when the chapter comes) A little bit of the old Rukia in Bleach comes out but this Rukia is designed to be submissive so I still went along with that but a hit of the old Rukia comes out. XD

FafaCute - I actually did some thinking when I saw your review and the only logical explanation I could give is - Rukia said that Ichigo and her met at the take-out place, they chatted and soon after, Rukia decided to marry Ichigo, knowing that he was the right one for her. An intense love. Shuuhei and Yumichiki bought the story. That's all I could offer as a logical explanation. To Ichigo, the way that Rukia agreed after that insult only made Ichigo double-confirm his theory. There might be some changes here and there to Ichigo's misunderstanding but it remains the same in general. :3

Disclaimer: I neither own Bleach nor its characters. :3

Where are you?

Bathroom. I want to leave.

Wait. What happened? It's your wedding and you want to leave?

There's something I have to tell you. It's about why I married him.

Hello? Rukia?

Sitting on the cold floor, Rukia placed her face in both of her hands. No, she couldn't even bear to continue to be at the dance floor any longer. Tired of fake smiling and air kissing to all the guests Isshin introduced her to, even to the extent of accepting Congratulations from people that she hardly knew, Rukia took an escape to the bathroom when she was able. With the message she had typed, she knew she had told Ino too much but she could hardly care. Her feet hurts, her brain was in overdrive and she was simply too exhausted to even function properly anymore. A knock was heard as Rukia gazed at the cubicle. "Rukia?"

Without standing up, she allowed Ino in the cubicle. Ino, seeing the state Rukia was in, frowned. "What on earth, Rukia? What do you have to tell me?"

"It's just..." Hesitation was heard in Rukia's tone. It was in a moment of impulse that Rukia had typed those messages but now that Ino had came, she hadn't known what to say to her. "...Too much."

"You said you wanted to tell me the reason for marrying him. What is the reason?"

She knew it was the moment. Despite a violation of agreement, she knew Ino could have kept a secret. Her eyes stayed locked to Ino, hoping Ino could see the pain in her gaze. Yet, as Rukia stayed silent, Ino sighed. "Do you want me to get Ichigo instead?"

"Ino, please..." With that said, the moment of weakness had passed for Rukia as she closed her eyes. "He wouldn't understand. It's all... So foreign to me."

Sitting down across her, barely fitting in the cubicle, Rukia smiled at the absurdity of it. "I get it. I get you. Yeah, this stuff is crazy, overwhelming, weird and terrifying. But, the important thing is that you love Ichigo and he loves you as well." If Ino's words were true, Rukia would have felt so much better in that regard. "Back there, all of them are celebrating your love." Knowing that Ino hadn't understood her gaze after all, Ino continued speaking, taking both of Rukia's hands in hers. "I know your Dad would have loved to be here, Rukia. He would have lost it, seeing you all done up in that dress." Hearing Ino's words made Rukia think exactly why was she in this predicament. Because of Isshin's efforts, they were able to gather back at ThankGiving. Clenching her fists, she willed her years to return to where they belong. "You do love him, right?"

"Who, Ichigo?"

Ino's impatience was revealed in her gaze. "Yes, Ichigo, the man you just married."

It was the second moment that Rukia could have told Ino the truth, the whole reason why this arrangement was happening, the feelings that she was bottling up all this time and the lies she had convinced herself. "Yes." Her gaze lowered. "I do."

"Then, let's get back out there." Ino's tone of voice returned to the cheerful one as she attempted to drag Rukia back to the wedding ceremony. As Rukia allowed herself to be dragged, she gazed at Ino. For a moment, she wondered had Ino really believed her? Even if she had, what would Ino think about her, the girl who had met somebody 2 weeks ago and instantly decided on marrying him?

"One more." Ichigo's voice was heard as Rukia had returned to the wedding ceremony, grabbing a cup of water.

"What?"

There's one more dance we have to do." She could smell the alcohol in him as she sighed mentally. "There's a couple over there that wants to see us dance."

Rukia tilted and wondered what weird tradition it is for people wanting to watch them dance and she voiced it out exactly like it is. "They want to watch us dance?"

Ichigo shrugged in response. "I don't ask questions. They are the clients, if they want us to dance, we have to dance."

Rukia nodded as Ichigo took her hands in his and guided her over to the couple.

"Rukia, dear, you just look scrumptious."

"Thank You."

"We just can't wait to see Ichigo and you doing a little ballroom -- You know what they say, you can see the love in their dance."

For an instant, Rukia wondered if that saying was true. If it was, could they be able to tell that she hadn't loved Ichigo at all after a mere dance? Shaking her mentally and deciding to follow Ichigo to the dance floor and allowing Ichigo to spin her around, she was slightly grateful that she had switched from champagne to water a while ago, if not, she would have probably emptied her contents in her tummy and made a spectacle of herself. After the dance had been completed, Ichigo smiled towards the couple before giving her a blank stare and walking away. "There you are, Rukia."

"I'm here." Turning to the direction of the voice, she saw Isshin. She smiled, seeing that he was really enjoying himself and she was grateful for that, really. "You did a wonderful job with everything, really. It's amazing."

"I'm glad you think so." Reaching into his pocket, his pulled out a hotel room key. "This is the honeymoon suite, my dear, I already gave Ichigo his." Rukia took the key. "Go, enjoy yourself. Ah, young love..." Isshin sighed happily as Rukia watched him walking away from her before she could thank him.

Wanting nothing more to do with the party and not knowing where the hell Ichigo had disappeared off to, Rukia headed for the elevators and allowed the elevators to take her to the top floor where the honeymoon suite was located at. Taking a deep breath and thinking about Ukitake, she reminded herself mentally that Ukitake needed her and stepped out of the elevator. Opening the door and releasing a deep breath, Rukia switched on the lights and took off her heels, hearing her feet thanking her. Another issue popped up moments after that. Wouldn't she need someone to remove her gown seeing that she needed someone to fit in the gown in the first place? Deciding that Ichigo would be the best bet in this, she sighed, already feeling uncomfortable. Sue her for badly wanting to sleep in outfit other than a gown then. As she had gotten to the room that she was supposed to be sleeping in, she had opened the door without knocking, freezing in place.

Before her, on the bed, laid her husband, Ichigo, practically naked and a woman kneeled over, with her face in the sheets and butt in the air, moaning loudly as Ichigo's movement struck her hard and fast. The make-up artist that had assisted Rukia in the wedding photoshoot. Turning to see who had opened the door, Ichigo hadn't stopped his movements and the woman hadn't stopped moaning either. "Hey, Rukia, do you mind shutting the door on your way out?"

After slamming the door with Ichigo smirking, Rukia had ran out of the honeymoon suite and slept in the bridal suite alone. Not only had Ichigo had sex with a woman right after he married, that woman had to be the make-up artist that she had interacted with a whole day. It was as if Ichigo was trying to punish her for staying, for making the decision to marry him. After exiting the hotel, Rukia had made it back to Ino's place for the day and after a good night's rest, she hadn't been feeling better at all knowing that today would be the official move of her to Ichigo's house. Isshin had suggested the postponing of Ichigo's honeymoon in favour of closing an important deal and really, although Isshin couldn't see it, Rukia was mentally thanking Isshin. She couldn't face Ichigo, not after the scene she had witnessed at their honeymoon suite. Today, she was supposed to move in with Ichigo and having some 'Quality time' with him. Sending the exact location to her through the phone, Rukia had instantly Googled it and was surprised to find the description of the location, already mentally noting that Ichigo Kurosaki had the whole freaking floor to himself.

Sweeping view of the park and the city, a private elevator, an indoor spa equipped with a sauna and six bedrooms.

Wait, six bedrooms? Seriously, was this a house or a hotel? Was private elevator even a thing? Looking around at the apartment that she shared with Ino, she couldn't deny that it wasn't as grand as what the description stated but in the very least, it was considered homey to her. Sighing mentally, she proceeded to pack her suitcase as she proceeded her way to her new apartment with a cab.

As she reached the exclusive building that Google had stated, she pushed open the door and someone had taken her suitcase, panicking for some reasons unknown to Rukia as she tilted her head. "Good morning, Kurosaki-San."

Flinching in response, she realized she wasn't used to the honorifics. Not one bit. Knowing that it wasn't his fault for addressing her that way, she smiled after a few moments. "What's your name?"

Panicking once more as he stuttered, he bowed his head low. "Yamada Hanatarou."

Not knowing why he was panicky all of a sudden, Rukia sighed mentally. "Hanatarou then. Hi." Honestly, Rukia was simply asking for his name to get to know him better since she assumed that they would be interacting a lot for an ample amount of time.

Taking Rukia's suitcase and leading her through the massive lobby, past the elevator bank and all the way to the private elevator, he asked. "Do you want me to come up with the suitcase?"

Rukia shook her head. "That's okay. I can take it, if it's easier."

"Whichever you would prefer, Kurosaki-San." A flinch once again. Rukia knew that, if she was to survive, she would have to be used to the name seeing that Ichigo and her are practically married, despite the circumstances.

"I will just take it then." Hanatarou rolled the suitcase inside the elevator and Rukia waited for the doors to close between them. As it did, Rukia took a moment to marvel at how the fuck was there a cushioned bench in a elevator before sitting on it. The doors opened and her eyes widened as she walked out, seeing a palace in front of her and she wasn't even joking. It practically looked like a palace.

Natural light streamed in through the windows that lined the wall, an open-concept living area, meaning that from where she was currently standing, she could see the library, the living room AND the kitchen. Living room was decorated in tons of beige and cream, inclusive of 2 4-persons sofa, a couple of cream leather armchairs and a flat-screen television that was so big it could be easily misinterpreted for a movie theatre screen. Moving to the kitchen, it looked like a chef's dream, really. Fridge, ovens and stoves, all looked state-of-the-art. If one thought about it, it wasn't surprising seeing how Ichigo Kurosaki was the son of a billionaire. As she was about to proceed to the library, a voice stopped her. "Hello?" Turning to the voice, Rukia saw a lady dressed in a maid's uniform. Despite being a maid, just by walking towards Rukia, her movements were quick and coordinated that Rukia was in awe. "Hello."

Snapping our of her own thoughts, Rukia vowed. "Hello. I'm Rukia... Uh... Kurosaki." Okay, she had to admit, speaking the name itself brought a bad taste in her mouth. "I'm just moving in."

"Right." Her tone seems rushed for some reasons and Rukia frowned. "I'm Momo Hinamori. Please come this way and I will show you your room."

Rolling her suitcase, Rukia followed Momo. "Where are you from?" Rukia had made conversations with Momo knowing that, with Ichigo as hier husband and with this freaking big palace as her residence, she would need some serious help, preferably coming from a maid.

"I live here, in Kurosaki Residence." Although it was getting abundantly clear that Momo hadn't wanted to talk to her, that is.

As Momo led her through the long hallways, they had finally gotten to the right room as Rukia stepped in and jaws dropping once more at the beauty of the room. Wooden floors with plush whie carpets covering them, the walls were egg-shaped coloured and artfully-shaped mirrors hung across them. Looking at the bed, Rukia was reminded of the plush chairs she had sat across from Isshin before everything started, because the bed looked like a freaking cloud, out of all things, all fluffy and white. "It's beautiful."

Momo, hearing that, simply snorted and made her way back down the hallways, causing Rukia to frown. Had she said something wrong?

Ino, you wouldn't believe this. This bed, it's a freaking cloud. Or, Heaven. Ino, are you there?

Hours later after she had sent that message, she heard the sounds of the elevator opening. Halfway unpacking her stuff, she pressed her ear onto the door, wanting to get a slight hint of who is outside and whether she should go out or not. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you. Seat warmers on, heat off."

Okay, that voice is familiar and it could only be one person. Ichigo. "Of course. I apologize, Kurosaki-sama."

Despite wanting to remain in her room and continue packing her stuff, Rukia knew she would have to face the music eventually and sighed. Since they were living together now, interaction would be inevitable after all. Better to get it over and down with rather than delaying the inevitable, no? With that thought in mind, Rukia opened the door to see Ichigo typing on his phone furiously. The man beside Ichigo was dressed in all black, had a shaved head and held aviator sunglasses in his hands. He looked effortlessly cool but at the same time, looked like he was in a mafia gang all at once. Turning his head to gaze at Rukia and clearing his throat, causing Ichigo to gaze up as well, he gave Rukia a blank stare. "Ikkaku, this is my wife."

With that, he disappeared to a room, slamming the door behind him as Rukia turned to Marco. "Hello, Ikkaku, nice to meet you, I am Rukia --"

"Hey." With that, he walked into a different room and disappeared as well.

Honestly, Rukia knew that Kurosaki Residence was a place that any woman would have wanted but now that she was actually here, she had never felt this alone before, a far cry from the apartment she shared with Ino. Heading back to her room, she scrolled through her phone to find that Ino still hadn't replied her. Not thinking about anything, she had called Ino on speed dial and felt a sense of relief when Ino had picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"INO!"

"Hey, Rukia."

Rukia frowned at the tone of voice she detected from Ino's. "Where are you? Is everything okay?"

"I'm just at the shop, what do you need?" Okay, this wasn't the direction of the conversation that Rukia had originally expected.

"Oh, nothing. I just miss you... And... The apartment."

"You just got there. And, honestly, your new home sounds kind of great." So, she did receive the messages after all. Rukia wondered briefly why hadn't Ino replied then.

"Oh, it is. I mean, it's incredibly beautiful. Indescribably amazing."

"Mhm." Rukia was certain now that there was something wrong in Ino's tone of voice.

"But, it's nothing like what sharing the tiny little apartment with you was, Ino. I miss how cozy it was and how much fun we had."

Ino sighed. "Look, Rukia, you have been there for only 5 minutes. You will get used to it, like everything else."

Rukia frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Just that..." It was as if Ino had more to say but she cut herself off. "I'm happy that you are happy, okay?" It wasn't the first time Rukia had heard this sentence, but it was the first time Rukia had begun doubting the sincerity of this particular sentence. Had Ino disapproved of her marrying Ichigo after all? But, was it simply because Rukia was set on it, she decided there was nothing she could do and went along with it?

"Thanks." It was the only answer Rukia could have given.

"Look, I got to go. It's getting busy here."

Being a part-timer for months, Rukia knew that was a lie. "Can I be honest with you?"

"Always." It was the first time that throughout the call, Ino's voice was as soft as it could be and Rukia couldn't help but wonder. Had Ino known that she was lying but was waiting for Rukia all this time to spill the beans after all?

Moments of hesitation was heard from Ruki's side. "I don't know if I fit in here, Ino. It's such a weird world they live in. Everyone's cold... And, there are rules that nobody tells you. They simply expect you to know--"

"Rukia, listen to me." Rukia halted her words. "You chose this life, okay?" Rukia bit her lips, knowing that Ino's words had affected her. "You decided to marry him. I can't keep holding your hand and tell you what you wanna hear. This is the path you chose and you will get used to it. The cloud bed, the fancy shoes, all of it. Now, I really gotta go."

A beep tone was heard and Rukia knew that Ino had hung up. Holding the phone in her hands, she gazed at the phone, lost. It wasn't the first time Ino had argued with her but it was the first time that she had hung up on her. Re-dialing her number, it went to voicemail and Rukia closed her eyes. If she had known that accepting Isshin's proposal would have meant losing Ino, would she have done it? Yet, despite Ino's harsh words, she couldn't deny the truth of it all. She chose this life, she chose the life of marrying to a husband who hated her, she chose the life of saving Ukitake, it was her who had took a pen and sealed her Fate in a contract, nobody forced her. Sinking further into the cloud bed, she wished that it could have swallowed her whole.