Author's Note: There are 5 arcs in this story in total and we are coming very close to the end of the first arc. Just 3 more chapters and the first arc would be completed. Stay tuned to the climax of this current arc which would be happening in the next Chapter! :3 I can't wait to show you guys what surprises there are in store for our newlywed! :3 Since I have completed the first arc in my Chapters' Piling Section, I will focus on posting for now before writing the 2nd arc! :3 Enjoy the Chapter! :3

Warning: The last chapter of the arc will be a bonus of 2 Chapters combining into one while this and the next Chapter stands on it's own! :3

Guest - As always, it's considered a Work In Progress for Ichigo. It was because Ichigo had allowed himself to let go at earlier stages that led to him being betrayed. Maybe it's those kind of thinking that caused him to shut himself off the world in the first place. I hate those girls for doing that to Rukia actually. D: But, I had to show, using this Chapter, that Ichigo and Rukia are worlds apart. Ichigo is a billionaire while Rukia's world consisted of a sickly Father and bills. Isshin is slowly getting on my nerves, actually. Might be because I am the one writing Isshin, I find that Isshin is too comical and delusional for my liking, but it fits his character, for some reason. :3

reesen555 - I know Ichigo's character has been dragged on. But, that's just it. If I make them fall in love just within a moment or spare them the torture, it wouldn't look realistic. I imagine every moment in the story by the back of my head, how they are acting, how they are supposed to think and feel, that's why the slow-burn is there. In some Chapters, I have mixed some thoughts of mine into Rukia's as well, I imagine how I would have reacted when facing those things Rukia would have faced, I imagine how I would have acted if another man just pops into my life and I have to deal with him, simply being married to him. I know that you understand all the frustrations that I have up till now and I understand the slow-burn is torturing all of us. (Inclusive of me, I treat IchiRuki as my favorite pairing, mind you. XD) But, I simply can't make then fall in love that easily. It's not how real love goes, at least. :3

Ichirukitrash4ever - Yes, the dream is simply lust. But, that's the point. What would that dream lead Ichigo to feel? We already see that he is avoiding Rukia in the start of the Chapter, that means he probably is trying to figure out his feelings. I think the the dream is the start of his struggles and his uncertain feelings towards Rukia because his mind obviously think: Okay, what the fuck? I am supposed to hate her. Why did I have that dream? Then, that's the exciting part to see how he would react to that. :3 I am sure I hadn't done him any favours when writing about the part of how he's treating Rukia but... Fingers crossed. :3

N (Guest) - I won't blame you for wanting to leave the story, not everyone can take the slow-burn. I have never said that it wasn't Ichigo's fault, I know it's a long way to his redemption but all I wanted to do was open another window for another viewpoint to come across. Things have been rocky for Ichigo but that's just it. We can't expect Ichigo to miraculously bounce back or simply think that Rukia is in the same situation as him. As for Rukia, yes, I agree with what you are saying. And, that was why I gave the warning before I had written the story, I know Ruka is a easy-to-be-bullied girl in this story, that's the impact I wanted this story to have first-hand. Rukia's personality was what had led her to the marriage in the first place. Wanting to help Ichigo and settling Ukitake's medical bill in the process. IchiRuki is my favorite pairing in Bleach and I want them to get together in this story as well but with Ichigo's past, it's just not happening this soon... Rukia doesn't know Ichigo very well and Ichigo doesn't know Rukia's reason for marrying him. And, that's a whole other issue to be touched in later Chapters.

Why do I feel that he has subconscious feelings for her? Because he doesn't hate her in his heart. But, his mind is so used to the fact of his past that he thinks that this is the best way to protect himself, that he thinks that Rukia Tachibana is in for it only for his fame. If you think about this from Ichigo's POV, it can be valid. Once again, I am not condemning his actions, he is a jerk to Rukia but I simply hope that, from another viewpoint, you can accept him for who he is.

FafaCute - I thank you for sticking around because the turning point is really close, in the next Chapter actually. :3 They would not exactly be falling in love with each other but things will change and I am so excited for you to witness what will be happening in both Ichigo and Rukia's journey for the things that would be happening next! :3 I know ultimately, people won't stop hating Ichigo for the things that he has done to Rukia (Original effect that I was going for), I only hope that things get better for both Ichigo and Rukia in readers' viewpoint. :3

CarBarrier - Welcome! :3 Yeah, that is exactly what Ichigo thinks and that is what makes Karma so deliciously sweet when his redemption comes. :3 Probably but it also gives me an idea though. With him bringing women home, doesn't it prove the fact that they are in it for his money and who he is? I mean, if he wasn't the son of Isshin Kurosaki, I doubt people, more specifically, women, wouldn't even give him the time of day, though, if you get what I mean. :3

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

All of them were laughing and Rukia had felt as if she was on stage with attention all focused on her, the audience able to see her weakest spots and pointing out her vulnerabilities without much effort at all. She had never been subjected to such bullying before. She was quiet and faded in the background in High School so Rukia figured bullying her wasn't very entertaining for the cool kids. On the contrary, being in a place like this, out of Rukia's element had made her stick out like a sore thumb. Wearing this particular gown, in this particular crowd, Rukia knew that she had given others the impression that she was desperately trying to fit in. Of course, marrying Ichigo Kurosaki made her an easy target as well. But, she couldn't believe those women were treating her like these. Weren't they out of High School already? Was such a treatment really needed? Rukia was currently in the handicapped cubicle of the bathroom. Usually, she would have never taken this cubicle because it wasn't being fair to those wheelchair-bound who had really needed it, but... As she had locked the doors to the cubicle, tears had began falling soon enough.

Ino, are you there?

Yes, I'm at the store. Just helping a customer, are you ok?

Yeah... I'm fine.

Rukia hadn't known why at that moment she hadn't told Ino that she was the laughingstock of Paris, that she hadn't belonged in Ichigo's world like what she had always been telling Ino all along, that Ichigo would have poured pig's blood on her if that was part of the plan. Taking some tissue and dabbing on her cheeks, she had decided enough was enough. Ever since being a Kurosaki, she had been feeling bad about herself, whether it be self-guilt or self-pity and it was enough. The reason Rukia was in Paris was simply because of Isshin's business deal and it was simply for one night. At that moment, she had decided she would push all humiliations to the side, plastering a smile on her face and if she tries hard enough, she could even trick herself into having a little bit of fun. Walking out to the hall and right up to a mirror, Rukia placed her hands on the cold marble of the counter, looking at herself. "You are Rukia Tachibana. Scratch that, you are Rukia Kurosaki and you will get through this."

Walking out of the bathroom, she spotted Isshin, looking spiffy in a tuxedo, emerging out of the men's room. "Isshin."

He then noticed Rukia before approaching her, a massive smile growing on his face. "Rukia." He took her hands in his and spun her around. "You are simply ravishing."

"Thank You."

"No, Thank You for coming. I know Ichigo's grateful that you are here."

Rukia had no doubt that Isshin was delusional but... It wasn't as if she could burst his bubble. "Of course." Rukia sighed mentally. "I have met some of his friends."

"Oh, the ladies?" Isshin hadn't noticed Rukia's averted look as he nodded his head. "Yes, he's known them since High School. Come on, I will walk you back."

She felt herself having the urge to puke but Rukia held her head high and accepted Isshin's elbow as they weaved through tables. When they had reached hers, Isshin cleared his throat. A chorus of greetings were heard and after Isshin had leaned over each woman, having a conversation with them, he had patted Ichigo on the back before taking off to talk to another attendee. Sekai focused her attention on Rukia, causing Rukia's nerves to skyrocket once again. "Where did you go?" It wasn't as if Rukia could have told them the truth, anyway.

The woman beside Sekai tapped her nostril a few times, raising an eyebrow at Rukia, implying something that she couldn't quite understand. The woman beside Ichigo gazed at him. "A drug girl, too?"

"Ah, that makes sense that she uses the money for the drug."

'You are Rukia Kurosaki, you will get through this night'. What bullshit was that? No, she can't even stay in the same breathing space as them, not even for one more second. Yanking her purse off her chair, Rukia walked away, hearing the laughter of Ichigo's and the women behind her. She hadn't known where she was going but she did know that she had needed to get out of the damn gala. Pushing her way through the doors, Rukia found herself back to the elevator bank and stopped in her tracks, noticing Isshin speaking to one of the earpieced man in front of the elevators. Not wanting Isshin to see her leaving, she turned back to the doors that she walked out before shaking her head. No, she would rather kill herself than go back to the damn gala. She had enough dignity in herself not to go back. Keeping her movement slow and subtle such that Isshin wouldn't have noticed her out of the corner of his eyes, Rukia saw a door and went in, closing the door behind her. Noticing that she was in a hallway, she opened another door and found herself in another ballroom, just that this ballroom, unlike the other one, was smaller and undecorated. In this ballroom, there were a scattering of tables and chairs, a small stage and a bar. Although the ballroom was dim, it was an empty room and an empty room was what Rukia had needed. Leaning back against a wall, Rukia allowed her tears to fall. A few moments later though, Rukia flinched as the door opened. "Hello." Rukia noted that it was the man in the turtleneck who desperately wanted to buy her a drink earlier on. "I saw you leave and you looked so sad... I had to make sure you were okay..." He knelt down in front of Rukia. "Oh no, beautiful lady! Why the tears?"

It was as if somebody being here other than her had effectively stopped her urge to cry. "I'm okay." She had attempted getting up but the man pushed her back to the ground.

"You are in no state to leave, mademoiselle. Please tell me what is wrong."

"I'm just not feeling well." Alarms bells had rung inside Rukia as she noticed where the man's hands were currently at -- Her knees. His thumb slowly moving in circles and up her legs now, Rukia tried standing up again but she couldn't have fought against his hands that were heavily pressing onto her. "Really, I'm okay, I'm going to find my husband."

"Your husband? Is that why you won't have a drink with me?"

"What? No... I... Just wasn't feeling very thirsty..."

"You are lying."

She noted the intensity from before, the feeling that made her senses on guard as she looked at the man who was at her. His dark eyes looked haunting and this room had not a soul except from them. Even if Rukia had shouted, she doubted anyone could have heard her. Feeling his hands reach her thighs, she was more than uncomfortable now. "Please... Please stop..." Rukia tried.

It was as if Rukia's pleading tone turned him on more than anything and he licked his lips. "Stop what? You are so magnificent and you radiate from the moment I saw you." Without any warning, the man had lurched forward, pressing his body onto Rukia's.

His lips were on her neck and she was craning her neck away from him and against the wall. "Stop! STOP!" His whole weight was on top of her, not hearing her shouts and his hand yanked Rukia's face such that his lips could meet hers. Rukia felt helpless and it was as if she was outside her own body, watching things happening in slow motion. She had tried to yell but it was as if his lips were glued to hers. Knowing that she had to get out of here, she remembered her shoes. Reaching forward as much as she could, the man moaned in response as more of Rukia's body had pressed onto his. Reaching her shoes, Rukia's fingers closed around the stiletto and lifted it from her foot. Ignoring her body screaming with agony with the man's every moan, she lifted the shoe up and sent it heel-first on the back of his neck.

"AHHHHHHHH!!!"

The man's eyes went wide and his hands moved to the back of his neck, checking for any signs of injuries. Taking the opportunity, Rukia sprinted out of the room. She hadn't looked back once, not when she was running through the side hallway, not as she ran through the first door and into the elevator and especially not as the elevator doors closed, keeping her safe inside. Elevator finally reaching her floor, she ran through the halls until she was in front of her suite door. Jamming the key into the lock, she then realized she had left one of her shoes in the ballroom. Knowing that she would rather kill herself than go back there, she entered her suite room and collapsed against the wall, checking her body for injuries. Other than her lips which was probably swollen, she had seemed to be fine. Stepping out of her gown, just simply in her undergarments, she had allowed her tears to fall once again.

Author's Note: This Chapter stands on its own because I wanted to highlight the feelings of Rukia as she was 'Molested' by the Male. :3