Guest - Seems so. I remember in Bleach, Ichigo was the shy one but it seems that the roles are reversed in this story. XD I think you would like this trip a whole lot than the other one. :3

99 (Guest) - Maybe, maybe not. You will just have to look forward to the day that I reveal it. :3

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

She gazed over at Ichigo whom was driving. For some reasons, he had decided to give Ikkaku some much-deserved time off, a move that had struck Rukia as uncharactiscally charitable. Not that she was questioning it, of course. If anyone had earned some time with his or her family, it was Ikkaku, her favorite of Ichigo's personal staff. Ichigo noticed Rukia watching him and gave her an amused glance. "Something on your mind, Rukia?"

"I was just admiring how beautiful it is out here."

"You really want to know where we are going, don't you?" Well, excuse her. Suspense with Ichigo rarely turned out to be good, after all. In response to Ichigo's question, she simply nodded. "Alright, so that we don't embarrass ourselves, walking in blind, I will fill you in..." Ichigo said, smirking. "...This time." Was this his attempt of flirting? Rukia hadn't known what to make of it, she simply waited for Ichigo to tell her where they were going. "Do you remember Yoruichi Obaa-Sama?" Rukia blinked. "No?" Ichigo asked. "How about Ururu and Jinta? Or..." Ichigo continued to say names that Rukia had no idea of. Finally, he realized that Rukia had no idea who he was speaking of. "They are my extended family and you met them briefly at the wedding." That fully explains it. There were few days that Rukia could have remembered less clearly than her wedding. It was simply a mix of excitement, horror and confusion for her. Throught the wedding, Rukia had only remembered one detail in her wedding and that was chigo's hatred towards her and the words that were directed to her by Ichigo himself. The rest of it... Was a blur. Ichigo must have noticed Rukia's expression because he had gazed at her closely, causing Rukia to gaze up as well. "Hey." He said. "There's nothing to be worried about. My relatives are nice. A bit stuffy, sure, but nice. I'm pretty sure they like you. A lot." That had done nothing to reassure Rukia as she bit her lips and played with her fingers, nerves wrecking her whole body but she was also genuinely surprised by how Ichigo was acting. "Remember..." He said, turning back to the road. "...They think we are married. Really married. So, we will have to play it up a bit. Think you can manage?" Rukia knew that was the problem. She hated having to fake anything as it simply went against her nature and pretending to love a man who didn't love her back sounded like Hell itself. "You know..." Ichigo spoke, snapping Rukia out of her thoughts. "I'm aware you are not the worst person, Rukia. I used to think that, but... Uh... Now..." It was as if the words Ichigo spoke were magical. Rukia relaxed for a while as she continued to gaze at Ichigo. "I still don't understand you. I don't understand why any woman would marry a stranger. It doesn't matter now. It's done. We are a married couple so we do have to act like one." Just like that, the magic was broken but Rukia could feel herself relaxing.

There was something that was constant. She hadn't understood Ichigo Kurosaki, even after the near-death experience. What made him the way he is currently? Why was he nice one second and cold the next? Why was he flirting with her this second and being a jerk the next second? Abandoning her thoughts knowing that those thoughts were unnecessary at this point of time, Rukia simply nodded. "I understand, Ichigo."

If all else fails, she could just get a divorce anyway.

When she had arrived at the Kurosaki Estate and calling it Estate was underestimating this enormous building in front of her. One could fit 50 homes onto this property and it had felt exactly like something out of a dream. Ichigo and Rukia stepped out of the car and the chauffeur had quickly took the keys while nodding to both Ichigo and Rukia. "Kurosaki-sama, welcome!"

The chauffeur taking their bags, Ichigo led Rukia to a gathering area and Rukia had instantly recognized none but one, beyond grateful that he was there. "Rukia, Sweetie!" Isshin exclaimed, walking over and pulling Rukia into a hug. "Welcome! Consider this your home away from home."

"Isshin..." Rukia muttered.

"Everyone wants to talk to you, of course. They hardly had a chance at the wedding."

With those words, all the nerves had came back. How was she supposed to place a name to the face that greeted her when she had no idea who they were? Fortunately, as it turned out, she hadn't needed to, after all. "Well, isn't she absolutely radiant!" Rukia turned to see a woman with golden irises approaching her and grabbing her hand as if they were long-lost friends. "Yoruichi, Darling." She had said, reminding Rukia of who she was. "Of course, I don't expect you to remember. Unlike this lot, who thinks that they are the centre of the Universe." Yoruichi rolled her eyes at that statement at the Kurosakis'. "Come, let me show you around."

Taking her arms before Rukia could even stop her, Rukia gazed back at Ichigo where Ichigo had already grabbed a glass of champagne and held it in her direction, his expression slightly amused.

She hadn't understood most of the words coming out from Yoruichi's mouth but at the very least, she was introducing her to everybody. She had already met Ururu and Jinta. Right now, Yoruichi was pointing her to two guys who was also a member of Ichigo's relatives, apparently. "That's Yukio and Tsukishima. Yukio's a doll but Tsukishiro... Not so much." The dislike that Rukia had felt for Tsukishiro was powerful yet confusing as Tsukishiro eyed Rukia up and down before sneering. Normally, Rukia would have given anyone the benefit of the doubt but this time... "There's a rumour going around Tsukishima, you know..." Yoruichi nodded while watching Tsukishima approach Ichigo. "He was in the running to take over Kurosaki Enterprise, it was between the both of them. Needless to say, Ichigo had won."

That was news to Rukia, in the very least. She had always thought that Ichigo was the only potential heir to the company and fortune. She had always thought that they were just... Given to him. "So, it could have been Tsukishima instead?"

A nod. "If you ask me, Tsukishima's still bitter about it, to be honest."

Despite knowing that it was none of her business, Rukia couldn't help but wonder what the 2 men were talking about. Learning the family history of the Kurosakis' had successfully piqued Rukia's curiosity and she had Yoruichi to blame for that. Her eyes softened as she gazed at Ichigo.

"So, Ichigo, tell me. Are the rumours true?" Tsukishima was obviously trying to goad Ichigo into an argument and Ichigo knew that. He had decided already that he wasn't going to give Tsukishima the time of the day when he had approached him. "Is the Board really so concerned with your incompetence as a CEO that they are forcing you to compete in the Silver Jubilee? To prove yourself through dance? What is this, Footloose? If I was in your position, I would be... Humiliated."

"At least I have a company, Tsukishima."

"Because Isshin-sama is handing it over to you. Be honest, Ichigo. When have you ever built anything on your own?"

Ichigo shook his head, feigning sympathy. "It must be hard, Tsukishima. Sitting on the sidelines. Watching the company grow 10 times what it once was in 2 years when all you can do is twiddle your thumbs."

"It would have been 20 times with me in charge." Tsukishima responded with a sneer.

"Would have, could have, should have. You want the truth, cousin? I pity you."

It had always felt good to rub salt in the bastard's wound. Years ago, Tsukishima had tried everything in his power to steal what was rightfully his. If it weren't for the fact that they had shared blood, Ichigo would have killed him in his sleep. Lately, however, his temper hadn't been as short-fused as it used to be. The fact that he was able to disregard an insult from Tsukishima out of all people was already an improvement. He wasn't certain what had changed to make him less goddamned angry all the time but he had a vague idea. His gaze shifted over to Rukia, who was chatting with Yoruichi and a strange feeling had welled up inside Ichigo, he had actually liked seeing Rukia around his family. Ichigo was starting to really like Rukia as a person and in turn, he was starting to like himself more. So what if Taukishima had insulted him? He was about to turn away when Tsukishima grabbed his arm. "There is another rumour, you know." Tsukishima said, smirking. "About you and your wife. The wedding seemed to happen overnight. One second, a stranger and the next, you are married. Seems almost... Manufactured."

Ichigo growled. "Watch it."

Tsukishima could talk shit about him, sure but talk shit about Rukia, Ichigo will fucking pummel Tsukishima to a pulp. Tsukishima could tell that his provoking was working as he stepped closer. "Could it be that she's one of those mail-order wives? Or something more simple, a lowly prostitute that you found on the streets?"

Ichigo hadn't known what had happened next. He had simply saw red and the next thing he knew, there was blood everywhere.

"I have to be honest with you, Rukia. I never cared about Ichigo's taste in women. His last girlfriend, Inoue, she was kind of a monster. She really did a number on Ichigo, unlike you." Rukia was listening to Yoruichi intently. She had never learned this much about Ichigo during the times that they had lived together. One afternoon with Yoruichi and it was as if she had held the key to Ichigo Kurosaki's heart. "After the accident, everything changed." Yoruichi smiled sadly.

"What do you mean?"

"Ichigo hadn't told you what happened between them?"

She shook her head, she hadn't known there was so much to the story. Yoruichi was about to spill Ichigo's secret when they heard a commotion and turned their head. "STOP! GET OFF OF ME!"

Everyone was huddled around, trying to grab one man off another. Said man was punching the other in the face over and over. Ichigo was beating the shit out of Tsukishima, blood spraying out of his nose. Was Ichigo going to kill him? His own cousin?

He had felt hands grabbing, pulling and tearing at him, trying to make him stop. Yet, Ichigo realized that he couldn't stop, he wanted to make Tsukishima pay for all the filthy words that had came out of his lips. "ICHIGO, ENOUGH!" That had successfully caused Ichigo to stop mid-punch and he gazed up to see Isshin before realizing what he had done.

"He..." Ichigo said, panting. "You didn't hear what he had said towards Rukia."

Tsukishima was a bloody mess, lying there and holding his nose. "I think he broke it! ASSHOLE!"

"Oh, shut up, Tsukishima." Riruka, who was supposedly Tsukishima's Mother, scolded. "We all know you brought this upon yourself."

"It's no excuse." Isshin gazed at Ichigo with a stern look. "Someone help Tsukishima up and get him out of here." Yukio, Tsukishima's Brother who was called, hurried over and took Tsukishima away. He shot Ichigo a last hateful glare before he was carted off into the house. Ichigo turned to Isshin, annoyed. "What?"

"You know what, Ichigo." Isshin said, obviously pissed at Ichigo. "That anger of you will be the death of you, I swear."

What? Was he supposed to simply just allow Tsukishima to insult Rukia? Is that Isshin's idea of handling things? "He called her-- "

"I don't care what he called her, Ichigo. From what Ikkaku have told me, you have been known to call her some cruel things yourself." Ichigo lowered his gaze to the ground, ashamed. He had forgotten that Ikkaku would sometimes converse with Isshin in private as he drove Isshin around. He couldn't deny the words Isshin had said, he had called Rukia far worse than what Tsukishima was saying. A slut, a bitch and even, a monster. How is any of those better than what Tsukishima had called her? But maybe, just maybe, when Ichigo was punching Tsukishima, he was really imagining what it would be like to punch himself. Punching himself for being so disgusting and cruel. "Look at Rukia, Ichigo." Isshin had said not a moment later. "Look at her expression."

When Ichigo followed Isshin's direction, what he had saw made his heart ache like never before, a heart that he hadn't known was capable of aching. Up till this moment, only lying anger and bitterness had festered in there. Now as Ichigo gazed at Rukia, he saw clearly how his anger and violence was affecting her. He had clearly scared the living shit out of her. She was freaking cowering like Ichigo had physically assaulted her, not Tsukishima. He couldn't help but wonder, was she simply that empathetic or simply just traumatized? Was it possible that Rukia had been physically hurt before? He hadn't wanted Rukia to see him this way, not ever. His knuckles were bloodied and speckles of Tsukishima's blood was splashed on his shirt. "I..." Ichigo shifted his foot uneasily. "I will go change."

"Do it." Isshin said. "Do it, Ichigo. For Rukia's sake." He had looked once more at Rukia, whom was being comforted by Yoruichi now, before turning away. What the hell had came over Ichigo? Since when had she cared about Rukia to defend her honour?

Rukia was dreading dinner, the idea of having to sit beside Ichigo and pretending she loving him after watching him beat the pulp out of someone was beyond weird. After Yoruichi and Isshin had assured Rukia that Ichigo was simply over-reacting and that Tsukishima would be all right, in the addition that she wouldn't want to miss food this ridiculously good, Rukia had shrugged and gave up. She simply had to make it through the weekend and make it through another week of dance classes before making it through the Silver Jubilee and calling it quits. That was her thoughts of her arrangement with Ichigo but somehow, she had known that this was wishful thinking, that her arrangement with Ichigo would last longer than necessary. There was always something, some event, some family gathering and some reason to keep the charade going. It would continue up to the point where Rukia puts her foot down and decides that enough was simply enough. Until then... How much more anger and intensity could her heart take? Closing her eyes, she sighed mentally. At least for tonight, she would continue playing the role of Ichigo's loving wife, even if she was scared of him. As they entered a beautiful room that had looked like it could have sat one hundred people, not just the twenty that were here, Ichigo was already seated and waiting for her. Sitting beside him, Rukia kept her eyes glued to her empty plate. She figured, as long as she wouldn't have had to interact with Ichigo, she would be fine. "Hey..." He started but Rukia hadn't gazed up. "About today, I just wanted to say..." The starting of the conversation had caused Rukia to gaze up. Was Ichigo Kurosaki about to apologize for what he had done? "I... I didn't mean to scare you, Rukia... My cousin, he can get under my skin and..."

He wasn't about to apologize but this was as close as an apology that she could have gotten out of Ichigo and the fact that he was trying had touched Rukia. His expression, as pained and frustrated as it was, had showed that he cared enough to try, at the very least. "It's okay, Ichigo." Rukia smiled. "I don't know the whole story anyway, who am I to judge?"

The way that Ichigo had looked at Rukia was downright strange. As if he was feeling real devotion to Rukia and as if... He might kiss her. Was it just in her head? "Dinner is served!" A group of waiters had entered the room and everyone took their seats, ready to dig into what appeared to be an incredible meal. Even Tsukishima, with his nose bandaged, was sitting there in a tux, bringing a forkful of food to his mouth and eating in glowering silence. At one point, Ichigo had turned to Rukia, whispering. "Have you noticed?"

"Isshin certainly wasn't kidding when he said how good the food is."

"No, silly." Rukia turned to Ichigo. "That everyone is watching us."

Taking a glance around the room, Rukia had realized that Ichigo was right. Although they had done a pretty decent job hiding it while using small talks and their foods as covers, they were all glancing at them. A light shade of red covered Rukia's cheeks as she fingered her fork. "Why are they doing that?"

"They want to see if we are affectionate, you know... A loving couple."

"Oh." Rukia shifted her foot uneasily, reminded of what Ichigo had mentioned to her back in the car. "Do we have to kiss or something?"

"No, that would be too showy and too obvious." Rukia heaved out a sigh of relief mentally. The last time they had touched lips was the worst memory in Rukia's life.

"What do we do then?"

"You remember feeding me on the island?"

Rukia smiled a little, knowing that it was the more pleasant memory of both of them. "Sure. What about it?"

"Why don't we do that again?"

"You mean..." Ichigo nodded sweetly and Rukia's heart melted at Ichigo's gesture. A 'Go ahead' look and a 'Please, please me' look all in one gesture. Furthermore, it was a gesture that Ichigo Kurosaki had made, the billionaire. Serving the fish to her plate, she raised the fork and brought it to Ichigo's lips. Ichigo had closed his eyes and shut his mouth around it, smiling, as if it was the best-tasting fish he has ever had. Rukia couldn't help but giggle seeing Ichigo so smitten with a fish. "How is it?"

"Not as good as the fish you caught, but still good."

As Ichigo opened his eyes and gazed at Rukia, Rukia stared straight back into Ichigo's gaze as a deeper blush reddened her cheeks. What was happening? Why had she felt like she could stare into Ichigo's amber gaze forever? No, she has to snap out of it! Averting her gaze to her plate, she continued eating. Looking around the table once more, Rukia noticed everyone was smiling, especially Yoruichi.

Going back to their room after eating, realization had dawned on Ichigo just then that both of them were going to share a bed and that was one fact that Ichigo hadn't stopped to consider before. Of course, it had seemed obvious by now. If they were staying in a home filled of his relatives, there was no way they could have sneaked into 2 rooms without someone noticing. But, it wasn't something they had discussed and he felt kinda bad springing it upon her so suddenly. Sort of, anyway. He had to admit that a more devilish side of him enjoyed seeing the look on Rukia's oh-so-innocent face as she walked in. "Wait... I only see one bed. Do I sleep somewhere else or...?"

"I'm afraid not." Ichigo said, slowly unbuttoning his tux.

Rukia's cheeks had reddened. "Ichigo..." Rukia had stuttered. "I'm not... Sleeping in that bed... With you."

"You don't have much of a choice, Rukia. Don't worry, I will behave. Keep my hands to myself. I promise." A promise that Ichigo would find it difficult to keep, that is, as he imagines what Rukia looked like, partially undressed on her way to the shower. Ichigo mentally reminded himself to behave since he had owed her that much. Rukia could hardly process what Ichigo was saying and Ichigo hadn't blamed her one bit. They had never shared a bed before so this was considered a big step, even though that they were technically husband and wife. He was only in his boxers now, his groin in display but he hadn't cared about it since Rukia had seen most of it anyway. As Ichigo turned around, Rukia was in bed, her blankets up to her chin and Ichigo couldn't help but laugh. "Here." Ichigo said as he got into bed and grabbed another blanket, placing it between them. "A buffer. So you feel more comfortable, okay?" Rukia had nodded and blushed, eyes flickering down before looking away. "It's all right to look." Ichigo had said with a wink as he got into the bed as well, covering himself with a blanket. There was a wall of fabric separating them since Ichigo could tell Rukia was wearing a nightgown anyway, it wasn't like she was naked underneath. But, being so close to Rukia, as both of them turned as Ichigo was not comfortable sleeping on his back, he could have felt the heat radiating from Rukia's body, warming him and making Ichigo feel more attracted to her. He wanted to press closer to her, to feel that ass against his groin and to hear her moan. Okay, he needed to stop this now! He needed a change of topic. What hadn't turned him on? A face flashed past his mind and he knew just the topic. "Can I ask you something?" As Rukia turned slowly to face Ichigo, their faces were so close that Ichigo could have felt Rukia's breathing against his chin. "Toshiro... Is he someone you loved...?" Rukia was confused for a moment before realization dawned on her as she giggled. After that, she was outright laughing and Ichigo was even more confused. Was his question funny? What was going on? "What?" Ichigo asked, feeling frustrated for some reason. "What's so funny?"

"Toshiro, he's..." Another giggle soon erupted and Ichigo could feel himself fuming. Was he this mockable to her? Was Toshiro Hitsugaya that much of a better man than him? "He's gay, Ichigo."

It was as if lightning struck. Well, that had explained why Ichigo had felt Toshiro was checking him out. Wait, he was being angry over a gay guy? Now, he was embarrassed. "How did I..." Ichigo began. "Wow..."

Both of them were laughing now and Ichigo had felt that was the best and most rapturous moment they have ever shared. The sense of relief that Ichigo had felt knowing that Toshiro wasn't his competition, was enormous. He still hadn't known why he cared so much but that was besides the point. As they turned the light out and both of them breathing, their bodies only inches apart. Ichigo felt Rukia slowly relaxing. "Goodnight, Ichigo."

"Goodnight, Rukia."