Author's Note: Beginning of the 2nd arc! It happens moments after the first arc ends and I am still writing / planning (Eh, whatever you call it) the chapters but I have a decent start on it although the chapters are still gonna be slow, I can guarantee you that. :3 Arc 1 has been mostly about Rukia, this arc, we will shift the focus from Rukia to Ichigo. Of course, minority will still be focusing around Rukia but I think majority focuses on Ichigo more, from what I have written. So, for those who are curious about Ichigo's POV, you will get them! :3 Enjoy the first Chapter of the 2nd arc! :3

Guest - It would be challenging and I hadn't gotten the full grasp of Ichigo's thoughts yet, judging by the Chapters that I have written, but I hope this Chapter satisfies you. It may be too fast for some of the readers but... I simply wanted to convey that the misconceptions of Rukia that Ichigo has are now gone with how she helped him. I will try my best to shift Ichigo's mindset to where people can , at the very least, accept his changes but no guarantees, that is. :3 It won't be a 180 degree change. Ichigo is simply just confused on what he is feeling, not having a word to describe his current feelings.

Ichirukitrash4ever - If I simply pulled a plane crash out of my ass, why hadn't I placed it on the trip to Paris? No, it wasn't simply just pulled out. I actually thought about it, if I had them go on a honeymoon and had Ichigo do the unspeakable thing, then, their relationship would really be irredeemable. It was a story meant for them, I want both of them to be together. Therefore, my muse brought me to the plane crash. Think of it, why is he acting like this? He thinks of Rukia as a money-grabber but Rukia saves him. Why didn't she leave him to die? Could anyone blame Rukia if that was the case? Could anyone say that she harmed Ichigo? It was Rukia's kindness that had forced Ichigo to reevaluate Rukia. That was also what I was trying to convey. Ichigo has everything, he is a billionaire, he doesn't need help. If I place a tragedy that both of them would have to face and have Ichigo no choice but to depend on Rukia, he can see the truth of Rukia. Misconceptions take a big part of their relationship and I am not saying he would come to love Rukia instantly in this Chapter. No. His attitide will still be there, his habits will still be there but his feelings... That's a different matter. :3

reesen555 - It wasn't a memory loss, simply that Ichigo has no idea who this woman is. It doesn't fit the image he has in his mind, about a Rukia who marries him for his money and could care less about his well-being because she only cares about the wealth. That was what I was trying to convey, in a sense. I can only hope that you would come to accept this Chapter. :3

CarBarrier - Enjoy this Chapter. :3

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

Fire. Wreckage. Debris. Isshin couldn't keep his eyes off the screen even if he had tried. The search party had finally found the remains on the plane but there was still no word of the survivors involved in that plane. Isshin had absolutely no idea whether Ichigo and Rukia were alive or... Isshin shook his thoughts away, not allowing himself to think about that word, not allowing himself to say that word aloud. The same word that people used when speaking about his wife, Masaki. Isshin couldn't bear the thought of losing both Ichigo and Rukia on top of losing Masaki. What's worse, the voice on the TV had refused to give him peace as well.

"We have now learned that there are a number of casualties from the plane crash over the Carribean. No word yet as to the fate of billionaire Ichigo Kurosaki or his new wife, Rukia Kurosaki."

Grabbing the remote, Isshin muted the voices that was haunting him through the TV. Personally watching his life fall apart through the seams was one matter but having to listen to it? Isshin closed his eyes, his hands touching his forehead. "This is all your fault..." Isshin muttered brokenly. "If you hadn't forced them to go on that honeymoon..." Tears stung his eyelids as Isshin threw the remote against the wall, enjoying the sound as it cracked open with batteries flying out. It had felt good to destroy something at that very moment. But, what then? How was he supposed to go on from here? How was he supposed to forgive himself for placing them on their honeymoon trip if his worst fears were realized? Suddenly, Isshin's cell phone had buzzed in my pocket. Taking it out with trembling hands, he knew that with one swipe, his life, his dynasty and his future that he had always pictured it, might be erased just like that. As he read through the text messages that his assistant had texted him, Isshin's eyes widened in disbelief.

Isshin-sama! I just spoke with the authorities! You won't believe it!

What? For Christ' sake, TELL ME!

They are alive!! Ichigo and Rukia. They are both alive and transported to Miami right now!

Are they okay?

Only minor injuries. Some blood loss, dehydration. But, they are going to be okay.

Are you SURE? Are you absolutely certain? I will have you know that I cannot take another heartbreak. I need proof.

I know. I'm sure, I just received this photo.

Isshin had instantly recognized the wedding ring on Rukia's fingers on the photo. He knew that there was only one such ring for it had belonged to Masaki when they married. It was true, they really were alive.

That's from inside the helicopter. They were told no photo of faces in case this leaks... But, I'm sure you can tell if it's them...

Get my plane ready, I want to meet them in Miami.

On it, Isshin-sama.

Ichigo's eyelids had felt like they were made of cement and there was no goddamned way that they were going to move anytime soon. A part of Ichigo had recognized that he would have to open his eyes sooner or later bit the darkness he was in was so soothing right now. After all the harsh light and the unforgiving sun, that brief time Rukia had shared on the island with him... His mind had drifted to Rukia at that moment and all the memories had instantly came back to him. Rukia had taken care of him, fed him and dressed his wounds. The girl that he had constantly insulted, the girl that he had called a gold-digging bitch and the girl that he was married to. Blinking open one eye then the other, Ichigo could vaguely make out the cold and sterile setting of a hospital room. For a second there, Ichigo had wanted to shut his eye and retreat back to darkness but he had thought of Rukia once more. Ichigo needed to see her, he needed to be sure that she was okay too. When Ichigo turned his head, the bed beside him was empty and I instantly, panic surged inside of Ichigo. "Nurse..." Ichigo croaked, his voice still not used to speaking. "NURSE!!!" A heavy-set, frowning nurse stepped inside Ichigo's room with a tablet and checked his vitals, ignoring Ichigo. "Where is she?" The nurse either hadn't heard Ichigo or hadn't cared. Though, Ichigo noticed that the nurse had one earbud in, the other dangling around her chest as Ichigo sighed. With his condition, his patience around women was depleting. "I asked you a question." Ichigo asked, his annoyance growing. "Where the hell is she?!" The nurse, finally making eye contact with Ichigo, shrugged. Ichigo couldn't believe the audacity of this nurse! Last he checked, he was Ichigo fucking Kurosaki and this nurse... Clearly, the nurse hadn't known who he was as she began walking towards the door just as Ichigo began to contemplate communicating with the Director and firing this nurse. "HEY!" Ichigo shouted and the nurse turned, facing Ichigo. "My wife, Rukia Kurosaki."

"What about her?"

Ichigo clenched his fists, suddenly afraid to say those words. He was still considered a foreigner to these emotions such as care and he hadn't known if she had successfully made it. "Is she...?" He bit his lips, softening his tone. "Please..." It had felt weird for those words to be coming from his own lips seeing that he is a billionaire but... He had to know. "Just tell me, is she okay?"

Something in the nurse's eyes shifted and she nodded. "You don't have to worry, she's just down the hall." The nurse had stepped out, leaving Ichigo alone and Ichigo had breathed a sigh of relief, grateful. In a way, he felt confused. From the plane crash, he had known that Rukia Tachibana wasn't a gold-digging slut but... Had he stopped hating her? If he had, when had he stopped? Was it because of that dream? Or, was it because of the fact that she had helped him despite him trying to make her life difficult and she could have allowed him to die on that island? If she had allowed him to die on that island, no one could have been none the wiser. Or, was he simply grateful that she had saved him? For some reasons, everything felt different now than before. The way that Rukia had looked at him with those eyes of pure kindness, not a hint of malice... Wait, was he fantasizing about Rukia now? What the hell... Coming to the conclusion that he had concussion, he shook the thoughts off. They were back to where they had started anyway, they would have to continue their routines and that also meant that Ichigo would have to learn how to hate her all over again. That should be easy... Right? But, somehow, uneasiness and uncertainty blossomed inside of Ichigo's heart.

"Ichigo!"

A few hours later, the door to Ichigo's hospital room had burst open and Ichigo sees Isshin running inside. "Old man." Ichigo greeted. "You look like shit. Are you okay?"

"Am I...?"

Isshin shook his head and without any warning, Ichigo felt his shoulders being grabbed, Isshin close to tears but still smiling nevertheless. "I thought I lost you, Ichigo... I thought..."

"Come on, old man. It's alright."

He hadn't liked seeing Isshin Kurosaki, someone so powerful, brought to one's knees. The only other time that he had seen it was when Masaki died... "Ichigo..." Isshin had said, taking a seat beside Ichigo, eyes watery. "When the news came out, they said there were casualties, and..."

Ichigo flinched just then. "Who?" His tone had became hard. "Who died?"

Isshin looked away. "Akon."

Ichigo lowered his eyes. He had known Akon his whole life, Akon had flown Isshin and Ichigo around the world more times than he could have counted. "Has anyone spoken to his family?"

Isshin nodded. "We already reached out and offered generous compensation, not that it could ever replace him."

"That's good." Ichigo knew, right from the moment that he had spoken those words, it was a lie. He hadn't felt good about it and there was a pressure on his chest.

"I'm just so grateful, Ichigo." Isshin had said once more. "After Masaki... I... I just can't..."

Realization dawned on Ichigo just then. The enormity of what Isshin had experienced, the sleepless nights, the terror and heartbreak... As bad as it had been for both Ichigo and Rukia, they had been together. But, Isshin... He was all alone, not knowing what was happening. Staring straight at Isshin and although feeling that it was weird for him to display such emotions, Ichigo took Isshin's hand in his. "I'm okay, everything's alright."

Isshin nodded, wiping a tear before frowning. "Where is Rukia?"

When the nurse, attitude as bitchy as ever, finally allowed Ichigo to leave the room with Isshin and visit Rukia, they approached her hospital room slowly. The wounds on Ichigo's arms still ached and he had to be careful not to overexert his body. Isshin pressed his hand gently to Ichigo's back and opened the door, guiding Ichigo in. And there she was, quiet and still as Sleeping Beauty herself. Rukia Kurosaki. The strange girl that he had always thought to be a gold-digging bitch but had taken care of him when she could have left him to die. Isshin shook his head as he gazed at Rukia. "She's so beautiful and pure, Ichigo." Isshin had said. "Not just her appearance, but her soul... Can't you see it?"

One month ago, Ichigo would have had a lot of colourful words to say to Isshin, but now... Watching Rukia lying there, her chest falling and rising, her eyes closed, Ichigo felt a strange sensation washing over him. He had originally thought that once they had returned to Japan, everything would have gone back to normal and he can go back to easily hating her. But, now... He knew it was impossible. What they had shared on the island was primal, raw and real, such that there was no going back now. "I know what you mean. I don't think I would have survived without her."

"She saved you?"

Ichigo simply nodded before approaching the bed and sitting beside Rukia and grabbing her hand. When would Rukia wake up? Even if she did wake up, what would she think when she looked at Ichigo now? Would Rukia see him as the monster that he had always treated her? Or, would she see him as someone different? As the man he really was underneath this hardened skin? "Open your eyes..." But, Rukia's remained shut and for a second, Ichigo thought he would have to kiss her to bring her back to life, like that fairytale. Ichigo shook his thoughts away, deeming it to be a concussion. Before he could pull away and stand up, acting like nothing ever happened, Rukia's hold on his seemingly tightened and Ichigo watched as Rukia'a eyes slowly fluttered open.

And, as Rukia's violet eyes gazed into Ichigo's, he felt breathless. "Ichigo?"

She couldn't have believed what she was seeing. She had been in Japan her whole life and called it home but right now, it had looked and smelt all so foreign. After the silence and solitude of the island, going back to Japan was just... Rukia sighed mentally. When she had woken up in the hospital, finding Isshin and Ichigo waiting for her and ready to take her home, she had known the transition back to real life would be strange. Honestly, she had expected it to be strange, but never this strange. On the flight back to Japan, she had been positively terrified. Her hands had gripped the handrests and her leg, still bandaged from the wound, kept bobbing up and down. Rukia had been expecting turbulence, she had kept waiting for that familiar and terrifying feeling when the altitude drops and your tummy feeling as if it's been flung into your throat. She had been prepared for the inevitable crash. Although Ichigo had hardly spoken to her, refusing to make eye contact most of the time, he had gently placed his hands on her knees, forcing Rukia to rest and be calm when he had sensed her anxiety on the plane. The feel of that rough hand through her jeans, the understanding look that Ichgo had given her, was even more stranger than being back home and feeling like a tourist. As Ikkaku drove them back through the city, both of them looked out the car windows, not speaking to each other. What was there to say, honestly? How were they supposed to process everything they had just been through? Will Ichigo continue hating her now that they are back? Rukia had to admit that the silence was certainly preferable to Ichigo screaming at her all the time. "Ikkaku." Ichigo had said, shaking Rukia away from her thoughts. "Drop me off at work, will you? I have a lot to catch up on."

"Of course, Kurosaki-sama."

Rukia gazed back at Ichigo surprisingly. He was just going back to work after surviving a plane crash? 5 minutes later, the car pulled outside of Kurosaki Enterprise. About to step out as Ikkaku opened the door, Ichigo turned to Rukia. "Um..." Ichigo looked uncertain, causing Rukia to tilt her head. "Take it easy... I guess?"

Apparently, that was all Ichigo had to say as he slammed the car door shut and headed inside the building. Rukia stared at his retreating back in disbelief. Take it easy, huh...? Feeling confusion but not surprised at the events that is happening, Rukia closed her eyes. Really, who was she? Rukia Tachibana, not anybody else. A plane crash, a near-death experience, strange bonding on a faraway island -- None of it had mattered now that he was back where he belonged. Ikkaku stepped back into the car and faced Rukia. "Back home?"

Home, huh? Rukia smiled at the word 'Home'. She felt like going back to a different 'Home' today. "I would like to stop somewhere first."

"Rukia!!!"

The front door opened and burly arms wrapped around Rukia, lifting her into the air. Even as her leg bumped against his and it had throbbed, Rukia smiled. She was surrounded by people who loves her, back where she was raised. "Yumichika, you can put me down." Rukia said, laughing slightly. "I'm fine."

"You have no idea how scared we all were, Rukia." Yumichika said, lowering Rukia and waving her inside. "Shuuhei started knitting just to calm his nerves."

"He did?"

Behind Yumichika stood Shuuhei, shaking his head but beaming nevertheless. Even at the scariest moment, Yumichika was always joking around, making the rest feel better about any matter instantly. Beside Shuuhei, Rukia was surprised to see Ino, honestly. For a second, she hadn't understood what she was doing there. She was one of her best friends but she wasn't family.

"Thank God you are alright." Ino said, running forward and hugging Rukia tight, tears running in her eyes.

Right. Ino and Shuuhei were supposed to be a couple, weren't they? She had forgotten that small fact, apparently. "I'm... I'm glad that you are here..."

In truth, the idea of her best friend dating Shuuhei still made her feel a little queasy. Obviously, she was happy for them. It was just... Hard to wrap her head around it. It had never crossed her mind that she would be confronted with it the instant she came back either. Around the corner, Ukitake emerged, cheeks looking rosy and healthy, a huge smile. "There she is." Ukitake said. "My Sweet Pea."

Suddenly, there were tears in her eyes. When she had been stranded on the island, when all hope had seemed lost, she had thought of Ukitake and whether she would ever have the chance of seeing him again. But, there she was and here Ukitake was. "I'm..."

A sob left Rukia's throat and she ran towards Ukitake, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging him. "It's okay." Ukitake said, holding her and gently patting her head. "It's okay, Rukia, I'm alright. We are all here." The Tachibanas' had stayed there, frozen, trying to hold on to this moment, this gratitude that they had been reunited, despite everything. Finally, Rukia pulled away from Ukitake, wiping her tears away. "Do you see this girl? Skin and bones!" Ukitake had declared to Shuuhei. "Come on, we gotta get her fed and pronto!" Rukia laughed, feeling a warmth inside that no Carribean sunlight could ever come close to competing with.

"You did WHAT?!"

"I caught a fish! Is that so hard to believe?"

Yumichika was staring at Rukia with disbelief written all over his face. Not only Yumichika but everyone at the table was looking at Rukia as if she was a completely different person. "Guys, it's not that big of a deal." Rukia said, blushing. "Tou-San used to take us all hunting. You don't think I picked up a few tricks along the way?"

"I didn't think you were capable of killing anything." Yumichika said. "I will admit it that I'm scared of you now." Everyone laughed.

Noticing Ino and Shuuhei holding hands under the table, Rukia looked away. That was one subject Rukia was intending to avoid for as long as she could. Rukia shifted her attention to Ukitake. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, Sweet Pea." Ukitake responded. "So much better. My appetite's back and some days, I can even do a little jogging."

"So... The treatment might actually be working?"

Ukitake shrugged but as Rukia looked at Yumichika, he was positively beaming. There were so many questions that she had wanted to ask but for now, she was satisfied eating a delicious home-cooked meal, laughing at Yumichika's jokes and be thankful that she was spending this moment in her home. Her real home. Not with Ichigo.

As if reading her mind, Ino turned to Rukia. "How is the hubby by the way?"

Someone was speaking to him about flowcharts, about a new Kurosaki Hotel and about an upcoming presentation but Ichigo felt the words going in and out of his ears. All he could have thought about, at that moment, was Rukia. "Kurosaki-sama? Do we have your approval?"

"Oh! Uh, sure..."

"Wonderful!" One of his top executives said. "We will get the ball rolling and keep you updated!"

He nodded before lazily turning aside in his chair as she left his office. He looked at the view outside his window. It was an island, sure, but... Could it have been more different than the island he was on? He knew he should have said something back to Rukia in the hospital, plane or car... But, he hadn't known where the hell to begin. Ichigo placed his head in his hands. He had wished that he could still hate her and call her exactly what she was -- A no-good money-grubbing whore. But, just thinking about that had made him feel sick, let alone saying it out loud. Was this what people call 'Guilt'? Seriously, what the hell was happening to him? One second, he wanted to spit in the girl's face but by the next second, he wanted to cuddle her? His thoughts are all over the place without even having the time to arrange them. He had wanted to blame the plane crash but he knew better, it was his feeling that had started to change because of Rukia's behavior towards him after the plane crash. He just couldn't make heads or tails of why the hell it was happening now, after hating her for so long. "Ichigo?" Ichigo turned to see Isshin enter the office. He looked better, if still exhausted. The bags beneath his eyes were betraying his otherwise put-together demeanor. "You really should be at home." Isshin had said, taking a seat across Ichigo.

"That is what everyone keeps telling me."

Isshin tapped on the table that was between them, sighing. "It's too early to bring it up but if you are insisting on working, I might as well."

Isshin had that look that said he was about to spring something on Ichigo, something Ichigo wouldn't like at all. "What is it?"

"Right now, your PR image is... How do I say this?" A moment of silence was heard and Ichgo sat there, waiting patiently for Isshin to finish his words. "It's bad, Ichigo. The photos of Rukia -- "

Ichigo folded his arms. "I hope you know that that's entirely her fault."

"The rumors that you have been sleeping around." Ichigo was struck silent at that and Isshin giving him the look of 'not-even-wanting-to-know-if-the-rumor-was-true-or-not-because-he-doesn't-want-to-know' had caused him to frown. "And then the plane crash."

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't that make us the victim, in regards of the plane crash?"

What, did the public think he had purposely orchestrated a plane cash and allowed his life to be in danger just to make himself look good? "Yes. Pathetic. Powerless. Incapable of running a business because you have been so traumatized."

Ichigo stared at Isshin as if he had grown a second head. "Please, you know I'm more than capable -- "

"No, Ichigo." Isshin cut Ichigo off. "Right now, I don't know anything, neither does the Board." Isshin stared at Ichigo. "You need to do something to show that you are in control."

"Fine." Ichigo sighed. "Name it."

"The Silver Jubilee is 2 months away. As you know, part of the evening includes an annual dance competition." Ichigo stared at Isshin, an uneasy feeling blossoming in his chest. "You and Rukia are to take part. You need to dance in front of everyone. Show how confident you are. Show how in love you are. Understand?"

Ichigo folded his arms. "This is ridiculous. I thought it would be something business-related, not some goddamn -- "

"Ichigo." Isshin said sternly, causing Ichigo to gaze up at Isshin. "I don't ask for much usually, but this... I nearly lost both of you and... If you are not doing this for Kurosaki Enterprise, do it for me..."

Ichigo closed his eyes before sighing and looking away. It wasn't a matter of who he was doing this for, it was a matter of how the hell is Rukia going to attend a dance, let alone dancing with him, with a fucking leg injury? Hadn't Isshin thought about this? Argh.

Where are you? I'm home and you are not here.

Sorry. I needed to see my family.

GODDAMNIT. WHY DIDN'T YOU... Nevermind. Whatever. I need to ask you something.

What is it?

No. In person.

Is it okay if we talk tomorrow? It's already late, after all.

Fine.

Presuming that Rukia would have done more for him was the definition of insanity. If Ichigo was in Rukia's position, she would have fucking hated him and not wanting to see him again for all he had done to her, let alone being his dance partner at the Silver Julibee. He had never thought in a million years that this would be his problem. Mentally reminding himself to be nice and charming, he sighed. He had never thought he would have to try his charm on Rukia, out of all people. And, would it even work, for goodness' sake? Wouldn't Rukia hate him for all he had done to her? But, Ichigo also knew, if he failed to do this simple task, Isshin might very well replace him as CEO of Kurosaki Enterprise. To think that his entire future depended on some stupid fucking dance! It made Ichigo wanting to tear his hair out. Nothing made sense for him lately. Not work. Not play. Not his relationship with his oh-so-sweet gold-digging wife. As he repeatedly asked the question again and again in his head, he had to admit he had no answer.

How the hell was he going to convince Rukia to dance with him?

Author's Note: Looks like Ichigo is more confused than anything else and the issue about Silver Jubilee... Good Luck, Ichigo. :3 It's good that you have the decency to know that Rukia should hate you, although I doubt she does, anyway. :3