Looks like I am continuing the story after all. I was quite happy to know that readers liked the story even though the nature of the story is total OOC-ness. Thank You for everything, readers. :3

Reesen555 - Ah, so it was you. :3 I was surprised as well when I got an email saying that a Guest reviewed but no matter how I looked in the Comments' section, I couldn't find that particular comment. D: I am glad that you have no problems with characters being OOC. I won't reveal it, you would have to read it for yourself to see whether this is the case. :3

Ichirukitrash4ever - Thank you for the review! I hope you would enjoy this chapter as well. :3

FafaCute - Yeah, i wouldn't recommend imagining Shuuhei, Yumichika and Byakuya as Brothers to Rukia though. Nobody needs to go through that suffering. XD Whether Rukia is a tough girl, you have to read on to know about it. Let's hope as more chapter comes up, it would still keep you interested. :3

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters.

Feeling a migraine coming on, he sighed loudly in frustration. To be honest, it wasn't news, seeing the newspaper headline printed in Bold that his son, Ichigo Kurosaki, had gotten himself in trouble once again. Arrested by the police officers because of reckless driving and public indecency, he pinched the bridge of his nose. A knock resounded. "Come in."

"Isshin-sama, you called?"

Not bothering to look up, knowing exactly who it is, Isshin placed the newspaper on his table. "Have you seen the news?"

"I doubt there isn't a soul who hadn't seen it, Isshin-sama."

"Right, I thought so as well." Isshin placed his hands on his forehead. Was there no end to Ichigo's behaviour? "Call the lawyers, please."

Hearing the door close, Isshin stood up and looked down on the streets, a deeper migraine following. For Isshin to clear this mess that Ichigo created, he would probably have to work overtime, sorting with the lawyers about the legal fees and avoiding how this incident would reflect poorly to the public about Kurosaki Enterprises and Ichigo Kurosaki himself. Isshin hadn't broken away from his parents' controlling nature, built the world's premier hotel and hospitality conglomerate from scratch only to have Ichigo destroy it in a traffic incident, after all. Time and time again, Ichigo had created numerous incidents. With those incidents, it brought Ichigo Kurosaki and the Kurosaki Enterprise in danger, the 2 things that Isshin treasured most in life. He sighed once more, remembering Masaki, his beautiful wife as he closed his eyes. He knew, if Masaki was still alive, she would have known how to help Ichigo. "Isshin-sama, where are you going? You have a meeting in 5 minutes!"

"Cancel ALL my meetings, I'm going out for a walk."

On her way back from the flower shop that she worked part-time after closing for the day, Rukia was currently walking through a park to clear her mind of everything that had happened for the past 24 hours. Long stems of the willows bent in the cool end-of-summer breeze, swans floating along the glassy surface of a nearby pond, chattering of children playing floating through the air and lovers embracing on the grass made Rukia realize even though Ukitake was having a stroke with the addition of ALS bringing him down yet the world still rotated, time would still go on as if the past 24 hours had never happened. Cradling the bouquet of lilies' scent that she had brought back from the flower shop while taking in some comfort from the scent, she was brought back to reality. Despite her heart aching at the fact that Ukitake was still in hospital, she knew she had to keep it together no matter what.

As her gaze swept through the park, Rukia noticed an older gentleman sitting alone on a bench, his eyes closed as if in some sort of a prayer. Gazing at the gentleman for a few seconds, Rukia walked towards him. Standing right in front of him, Rukia noticed he looked sad. For some reasons unknown to Rukia, it made her sad too. "Excuse me?"

He opened his eyes, blinking in surprise before gazing at Rukia. "Can I help you?"

Rukia shook her head. "I just wanted to ask if you are okay. You seem a little..." Hesitation was heard in her tone of voice, as if picking the right words to say. "...Down."

He shifted towards the bench and pointed at an engraving behind the bench. "I'm just remembering someone important to me." His tone of voice sounded heavy when he said that, Rukia noted.

Gaze turning to read the engraving, Rukia was silent.

For Masaki, Beloved wife and loving Mother.

Gazing back at the older gentleman, Rukia handed him the bouquet of lilies as she smiled softly. "For Masaki."

He took over the bouquet of lilies with shaking hands. "Thank You. May I ask for your name?"

"Rukia Tachibana."

Watching Rukia leave his sight, he felt a sense of peace chasing the burden and worry that was already in his heart. He patted the bench, smiling up at the sky. Looks like his solution to a very worrying problem had been found and it was all thanks to Masaki. Reaching to get his cell phone, he dialled a number. "Get me ALL the information you can about Rukia Tachibana."

"Isshin-sama, what's going on? I would need more information than just a name."

Looking at the bouquet of lilies, he noticed the name of the flower shop printed on the paper wrapping. "Ino's Flower Shop. And, I want all the information on my desk by the time I come back."

"Hai, Isshin-sama."

"Also, inform Ichigo that I have something to tell him."

Rukia. Come quick. It's about Dad.

What happened?!

He had a heart attack.

"We managed to resuscitate your Father." After receiving the messages from Shuuhei, Rukia ran all the way to the hospital only to be at the receiving end of more bad news, coming from the Doctor's mouth himself this time. "Stroke victims are susceptible to heart attacks in the first 24 hours after the stroke. We are keeping a close eye on him and will continue to run tests on him to see what we can do." The way that the doctor had said it caused Rukia to lower her eyes.

"Thank You, Doctor." Shuuhei said.

Nodding, the doctor left them alone. Gazing at Ukitake who was still in the hospital bed, Rukia narrowed her eyes, fists clenching. With all the bad news, it seems that death was inevitable for Ukitake but... "How long is Otou-San going to have to be here?" Shuuhei and Yumichika gazed at Rukia then, their gazes full of pity. "It doesn't look like he's in any shape to go home just yet."

"We might not have a choice."

Gazing at Yumichika who had replied, Rukia clenched her fists tighter. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Fear pounded in her chest as she watched her brother gazing at each other meaningfully. They weren't planning to say what she was thinking they were going to say, were they? Shuuhei turned to Rukia as he spoke. "We can't afford Otou-San being here, Rukia."

It was as if time stopped for Rukia. "W-What?"

Running a finger through his hair, Yumichika sighed. "We are broke."

"But, the restaurant..." Opening a restaurant at his peak, Ukitake had involved Unohana, his wife, into the restaurant. As soon as Shuuhei and Yumichika completed High School, they assisted Ukitake as well.

"It's been struggling for a couple of years. Recession had taken its toll on the restaurant. To see the restaurant through, Otou-San placed a second mortgage on the house." Shuuhei's tone of voice sounded tired, even to Rukia'a ears.

Hope was depleting like water, drained from the sink. "Why didn't you tell me any of this?" As Shuuhei and Yumichika was about to reply, hope had risen for Rukia once again. "I have my interview soon. Maybe..."

Yet, her hopes were dashed once more. "The hospital bills are coming soon..."

Silent for a mere moment, Rukia backed away. Judging from what Shuuhei and Yumichika was saying, they wanted to end Ukitake's life, despite not saying it out in the open. Ukitake had always been her will of strength whenever tough times were around and she was supposed to say Yes when her Brothers wanted to end her Dad's life? "I..." She bit her lips, she couldn't stay for one moment longer, feeling suffocated all of a sudden. "I have an interview soon, I have to prepare."

It was as if Shuuhei and Yumichika saw through Rukia as both called out for her. "Rukia!"

She found herself standing outside the hospital, eyes gazing at the hospital in front of her. They were fucking broke and her brothers wanted to end her Dad's life. Falling to her knees by the sidewalk, tears fell down her cheeks. Yet, it was also at that moment when she froze as a voice called out. "Excuse me?"

Wiping her tears away, she faced the man calling out to her as her voice shook. "Yes, can I help you?"

The man knelt before her as her eyes widened in acknowledgement. "You... You are the one who I met in the park..."

The man nodded. "Please forgive my intrusion, my name is Isshin Kurosaki."

"Isshin... Kurosaki...?" Rukia looked at the man in front of her. Honestly, who wouldn't know who Isshin Kurosaki is? But, question was, why would Isshin Kurosaki be standing right in front of her, in front of the hospital? "Um..."

"I know about your situation, Rukia, and I can help. I can help with your Father's medical bills." Rukia stared at Isshin as if he had grown a second head. How had Isshin known her situation? Instantly, at the next moment, alarm bells rung inside her mind. She was sensible enough to know that nobody was willing to give something without asking for something back in return. Yet, what would the billionaire behind Kurosaki Enterprise, Isshin Kurosaki, want in return? "I will pay for everything. I will make sure your Father is taken care of. You just have to do one thing for me." A hint of desperation crept into his voice as Isshin stared at Rukia. "You have to marry my son."

Okay, who expected that? XD See you next time. :3