ARRANGED LOVE OR COERCION?
Disclaimer:I don't own Bleach or it's characters:)
"Speaking"
"Thinking"
"Zanpakuto talking"
Chapter 11: Catching up, cold shoulder and explanations
"Hey Shinji catch!"
"Oh Berry-chan! brought me lunch how sweet, I thougnt you had forgotten about me."
"Don't call me that idiot, I oromised you lunch remember? So how are you settling down as Captain Hirako once again?
" To be honest the job is boring, I might consider
resigning if this monotony persist ." He said a bored expression on his face.
"You are saying that simply because you are a lazy-ass."
"Maybe" he said with a chuckle.
"So how does it feel like working with Rukia."
"Well, Rukia-chan is so sweet, I am considering demoting you and taking her as my first love." he said with a wink.
"Suit yourself goldlocks, but let me warn you that Renji isn't a reasonable guy when he is jealous. You know since you are all my friends I would not want to separate a fight." she said with a mischievous smile.
"You are such a party pupper Ichigo."
"i try to be. On a serious note how are things in the living world?"
"Well as I told you earlier today they are all fine though I know your death created a void in their hearts. They have become more protective of each other, what's more; it seems Keigo Asano stopped being a clown and became an exemplary student; As for you sisters, Karin is like a mini you now, while Yuzu has become very strong emotionally, she stopped crying the day after your burial. Oh and Ishida and my Hime-chan are a couple now, well Tatsuki, your dad, Mizuiro, Urahara and your other friends haven't changed much." he summed up.
"Wow, I am happy to know Ishida-teme finally confessed to Hime. About Kisuke, did he give kon a gigai?"
"Yeah I almost forgot he did, Kon looks like a male version of you though his hair is black. Since your family know everything about you being a substitute-."
"WHAT!" who told my family I was a shinigami"
"Oh about that, Karin found out but decided to pretend she didnot know and as for your dad he always knew because, he was formerly a shinigami."
"Ok let me get this, my old man was once a substitute shinigami?"
" No a Captain in the Gotei 13, he is the former captain of the 10th division,at that time though, he was known as Isshin Shiba not Kurosaki."
"Now I understand why I had the feeing he could see me the day I staged my death and equally why I could see spirits. As for Karin I am not surprised she could see souls too but decided to pretend she couldn't. who told Yuzu?"
"Your dad and Karin did. Do you know what she said?"
she said "Ichi-nee has always been my guardian and hero I am sure she died protecting someone, I will do my best do be like her."
"Oh Yuzu!" she said with a sad smile. "And you know all these things because?" she asked suspiciously.
"Well the truth is they all sent me here to check on you, I wasn't planning on coming back here anytime soon, the human world is more interesting in my opinion."
"I am sorry I didnot know my decision will drag you into this mess."
"Don't worry about that I will look for ways to entertain myself while I am here." he said with a reassurring smile." As I was saying Kon now lives with your family he has become an overprotective elder brother to your sisters."
"That is Ironic considering how kon use to behave. Thanks Shinji knowing they are safe and fine makes me happy."
"You are welcome berry-chan" he said jokingly.
"Idiot" she. muttered.
"Thanks for the lunch it's delicious, don't tell me you made it just for me? I don't mind eating this well, I just hope your hubby wouldn't be jealous you are taking care of little old me." he said with his piano smile.
"No idiot when do you think I had the time to make you a bento, A servant brought it from the manor as usual, I just ordered them to add an extra bento."
"With a lunch like this, I am beginning to love being close friends with you Lady Kuchiki, so tell me my friend if you are here who gave Kuchiki-tachou his lunch?"
"I gave it to Renji to give him why?"
"Nothing I was just being curious."
"Oh ok. I will be leaving for my division then, I wouldn't want Santero and Kiyone to turn my office upside down, Thanks again Shinji"
"Yeah see you later." he said still eating.
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Later that day
ichigo was exhausted when she got back to the mansion. It seems her paperwork tripled today. On entrying their chamber, she was stattled to see Byakuya sitting in the dark room, it seems he has been waiting for her. Ichigo tried to ignore him by going directly to her closet to take a change of cloths for her shower.
"Good evenning Ichigo, Have you calmed down enough for us to talk?"
"No I don't want to talk to you right now Kuchiki, all I want is to freshen up and sleep till tomorrow." she answered venomously.
"Don't you think that answer sounds childish especially coming from you?."
"I know you are trying to get a reaction from me. unfortunately for you, I assure you it won't work tonight, I am too tired to fight with you."
"Oh really tired from paperwork, I presume not from fooling around the whole day right?"
"Fooling around ?, What do you really want Byakuya?, Do you find pleasure in fighting with me almost all the time?"
"I told you earlier I want us to talk."
"Oh mighty Byakuya-sama is that an order or a request?"
She asked in a challenging tone, but he decided to ignore her question and remain silent. "I equally remembered telling you not today. So stop being bratty and leave me alone Kuchiki." with that she entered the bathroom and locked the door behind her."
"It seems she is still angry with you Byakuya -sama"
Thanks for stating the obvious Senbonzakura" he said in an annoyed voice.
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"What a jerk calling me childish." Ichigo grumbled
"Wow you still have a backbone, I thought you lost it the day they forced you to marry Kuchiki."
Hello to you too Shiro-baka where is old man Zangetsu?"
"I have no idea he might be napping or meditating somewhere."
"Ok then leave me alone, I don't like chatting with you because you are an annoying bastard."
" I talk to you only whenever I am bored idiot, however it seems you are about to add my boredom." he said cutting the mental link
Ichigo was surprised when she came back from tbe bathroom to find their bedroom empty, Byakuya was gone Kami knows where."I am too tired to think of were he is right now anyways." she thought and fell asleep as soon as her head hit her pillow.
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"Rukia I know you are there you can come out now" a cold voice said.
"Eeeehm sorry Nii-sama I didn't want to disturb you that is why i..." she started explainging but was interrupted by her brother.
"What do need Rukia?"
"Ano... nothing..I mean I wanted to apologize for raising my voice at you this morning."
"Is that why you are still awake? Don't worry I am not mad at you. I needed the scolding anyways."
"Byakuya do you ever blame me for all the problems you face of late?"
"Blame you why will I do that? " he asked with a frown. "You are not to blame, I am the clan head my job is first and foremost to protect the clan and it's members and you are not only a member you are my sister." he explained.
"Thank you Ni-sama. Have you resolved your problem with Ichigo?"
"No she did not want to talk to me."
"Really why?"
"She said she was too exhausted to argue."
"That means she is still mad at you, but don't worry Ichigo doesn't stay angry for long."
"I hope you are right imouto, So what did you and Ichigo talk about today during lunch?."
"Me? I wasn't with her today during lunch I had lunch with Rangiku."
"i see that means my suspicion was correct, she was with that idiotic captain of yours." he said a deep frown on his handsome face.
"Are you jealous of Shinji, Nii- sama? she asked with a teasing smile.
" No"
"You are! but, don't worry they are just close friends. you know Ichigo and the other vizards developed a strong bond after they trained her on how to control her inner hollow. My captain is more of a brother figure or best friend to Ichigo."
"No need to give me details Rukia I said I wasn't jealous."
"Keep telling yourself that Byakuya maybe you will feel better. Oh well good night I am up to bed.
" Night Rukia."
"Nii-sama go to bed I am sure she will talk to you tomorrow."
"I will."
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The following day Ichigo got up well rested and in a better mood than the previous day. She looked around the room and realize she was alone. However she did notice a note on the bed side cupboard. it read
Morning Ichigo,
When you are through preparing for the day. I am at the Kuchiki training grounds, I will be waiting for you there."
Byakuya Kuchiki.
"He better have a good explanation or else." she thought aloud.
" Oh my you are already considering forgiving him? How sad I taught you better than that queenie."
"Go back to sleep idiot, don't spoil my good mood." her inner hollow answered her with a mocking laughter.
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At the training grounds
"Getsuga tensho!!!"
Byakuya being a skilled sensor was lucky enough to detect his attacker before the attack was launched. He was therefore able to shunpo out of the way on time.
"I know you are mad at me, but attacking me by surprise is cowardly especially coming from you Ichigo " he called out.
"As arrogant as ever I see. But no Byakuya, I knew you sensed me so it wasn 't a surprise attack. And I was trying to maim you not kill you if you know what I mean." she countered
"When you say it like that I feel better." he said in a sarcastic tone turning to face his wife.
"So tell me why am I here?" she asked.
"When I made a deal with my aunt, I was thinking of your welbeing. I know it was selfish of me to take that decision and not tell you and for that I am sorry. In my own way I thought I was protecting you." he explained.
"You of all people should know I don't need to be protected, I can take care of myself."
"I know but as your husband it is my duty to do so especially when protecting you from my clan." he answered.
"Apologies accepted, since you have a reasonable explanation. However, I will appreciate it if you don't keep secrets from me especially on issues partaining to both of us" she said.
"I give you my word Ichigo."
"So tell me how are you planning on winning the bet husband of mine." she asked with a teasing smile.
"Is that a challenge?" he asked with a lifted eyebrow.
"Maybe" she said with a wink and dissappeared via shunpo.
"Oh I see the chase is on then." he thought with a confident smirk.
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AN:
Shunpo : flash step
imouto: little sister
Ano: Hum
AND CUT!!!
SEE YOU GUYS NEXT CHAPPY:)
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NAMIKAZE ICHIME