Guest - If I was Rukia, I would probably be confused as well. Hopefully. :3 That's an issue she will be going to have if Ichigo doesn't apologize. And, even if Ichigo did, she would always regret her wedding being organized by Isshin... I think? :3

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

Goddamnit. The last thing Ichigo had wanted was to think of fucking Setsuna right now. Fucking in this sense doesn't mean sex in any way, it was simply an adjective in front of a pronoun. But, if she had left something here, he had no choice but to allow her in, didn't he? That or Setsuna was probably just looking for another excuse to get in his pants and that was yet to be determined. Now that Ichigo had learned about the truth about Rukia and after their pizza date, which was one of the best nights Ichigo had in months, he hadn't had eyes for any other girl since then. His groin had cravings here and there but Ichigo was doing his best to resist. Rukia was clearly not that kind of girl and Ichigo knew it would take time to win her over and to get her in his bed. At night, he had found himself constantly fantasizing about Rukia and what it might be like to strip her bare. It had killed Ichigo, knowing that she was only a few doors away and yet, Ichigo couldn't touch her. A Kurosaki billionaire like Ichigo wasn't used to not getting what he wanted. But, for once, Ichigo would have to learn to be patient since Rukia was worth it. When he heard the elevator pinging to life, he sighed. When the doors slid open and Setsuna was standing there, Ichigo was immediately struck at how damn good she looked. He had instantly remembered the feeling of pummeling into her, the slap of that juicy-ass and taste of her sweat as Ichigo bit into her shoulder. "Hey, Ichigo." Setsuna smiled. "It's good to see you." Setsuna was oblivious to Ichigo's thoughts as she leaned in for a hug. Ichigo had felt the press of her chest through her big and wooly sweater.

He cleared his throat, mentally chastising himself to focus and not fuck this up with Rukia. "So, what do you want?"

"I apologize for barging in on you. It's just that... The last time I was over... I think when we were... Um... We were taking off everything in a hurry and I must have -- "

Ichigo had a tick on his forehead. "Will you just say it already?"

Ichigo was growing impatient as Setsuna placed a hand on her neck, causing Ichigo to remember the moments where she had requested for him to choke her. He needed to focus and not think with his dick, he mentally chastised himself a second time. "My necklace. I lost it here."

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Get another. I will write you a check."

Setsuna sighed. "I'm not a prostitute, Ichigo. I don't want your money. I came here because I really like you."

Hello, friend named as 'Guilt'. Ichigo had seemed to be seeing more of him lately. "Okay, okay. What makes it so special? Can't we replace it?"

Setsuna shook her head. "It has a pendant on it with my name, it's irreplaceable. One of a kind."

Ichigo had a bad feeling before he narrowed his eyes. "It's from your ex, isn't it?" Setsuna's silence had told Ichigo everything he had needed to know. "Setsuna, it's better if you lost that thing. Just go home and -- "

"Please..." She interrupted. "I just... I need it, okay?" Setsuna had refused to look Ichigo on the eyes and Ichigo could tell that she was fighting back tears. He rubbed the back of his neck, the awkward silence stretching out between them. He knew there was a reason he hated emotions. For a start, why was she still that hung up over her abusive boyfriend was beyond Ichigo. He hadn't even known that guy and the thought had made him boil. Wait. Why is he caring? They were searching his bedroom by now to no avail. At one point, Ichigo had gazed over at Setsuna who was bent over and looking under the bed. He had felt a sudden urge to pounce on her, to take her from behind and make her his again. Okay, he seriously needed to get laid. If these kind of days goes on long enough, his little problem was only going to get worse. Setsuna turned and slumped on the wall, looking agitated. "I can't find it anywhere. Where is it, Ichigo?"

"How should I know?"

"But, I have to find it! You don't understand!"

Setsuna sounded desperate and Ichigo narrowed his eyes. Something didn't add up. In normal circumstances, Ichigo's empathy bandwidth would have been spent at that point and he would have kicked Setsuna out. Instead, he found himself sitting down beside Setsuna. "You can tell me, you know." Ichigo said awkwardly, he really wasn't good at these kind of things. "Why it... Matters so much to you."

Setsuna looked at Ichigo strangely before she sighed. "You know my boyfriend, right?" Ichigo nodded. He had never really been a big fan of his but they had to work together and keep their relationship cordial. When Setsuna had placed her foot down and broken up with him, Ichigo was there. Not in a romantic and emotional way, of course. Simply just for sex. Fortunately for Ichigo, Setsuna's ex was mainly based in Paris so he hadn't had the chance to see his slimy face very often. "He's coming to Japan next week."

"So?"

"I kind of agreed... To see him again."

It took Ichigo a whole minute to process the words but when he did, he stared at Setsuna as if she had grown a second head. "Are you stupid?"

"I guess so..."

At least she had the decency to admit it, Ichigo thought. "Look..." Ichigo was thinking for the right words. "I don't know all the details and I simply don't care enough to know them but he was abusive, right? That's why you fucking broke up with him in the first place!"

"He says he's changed..."

Ichigo felt like having a stroke. "Do you really believe that shit, Setsuna? Anybody could say that he's changed! You know as well as I do that he's lying through his teeth!"

"You don't know him like I do." Setsuna said, her tone rising yet Ichigo couldn't help but wonder: Was she trying to convince him or herself? "I can change him. I can help him through his problems."

"Why the fuck are you being so stubborn? Why the fuck can't you see the obvious? I know his kind, Setsuna." Ichigo's anger rose for unknown reasons. "He's manipulative, heartless and once he gets what he wants, he will throw you away like a fucking ragdoll!"

Tears spilled over Setsuna's cheeks. "Kinda like you?" Setsuna's words were like a slap to Ichigo's face, a splash of cold reality over his hot head. "Do you treat your wife like all the other women in your life?" Setsuna asked.

There it was. Ah. Mystery solved. The reason why Ichigo was angered over some ex that he hadn't even known, the reason why Setsuna's words had hit Ichigo so hard, the reason why seeing Setsuna so upset over her ex had pissed Ichigo the fuck off. It was like looking into a fucking mirror. In more ways than one, Setsuna was very alike Rukia and Ichigo was alike Setsuna's fucking asshole ex. "You need to go." Ichigo said in a low voice.

Setsuna stood up, her shoulders slumped and for a second, it had felt that Setsuna was trying to disappear into her oversized sweater. "I thought you had changed, Ichigo." Setsuna said. "I thought there was some kindness in you but you are still the same. Heartless."

Setsuna walked out the door right then, leaving Ichigo speechless. Had she been right? Was he that cold? Walking Setsuna to the elevator, Ichigo had the sudden urge to apologize. It couldn't be that bad, would it? Shaking his head mentally, deciding that Setsuna wouldn't be worth the apology, he stayed silent. Yet, as Setsuna was about to call upon the elevator, the door slid open. Well, he had the shittiest luck ever, it seemed.

She had felt positively giddy as she had made her way home after seeing Shuuhei. She couldn't believe that Shuuhei was going to propose to Ino. It had been a day since Shuuhei had told her the news and right then and there, she had decided to spend the night at Ukitake's, assisting Shuuhei and getting everything ready. It had been weird getting used to the 2 of them being a couple but now that Rukia had known that they were freaking wedding material, it had felt like all the weirdness had been worth it. Of course, Rukia had given Shuuhei an earful on how to properly communicate such that he would make things right with Ino first and foremost. After that, they had the best time shopping for the ring. Knowing exactly what Ino needed, Rukia took Shuuhei to a place famous for its conflict-free diamonds and remade jewelry. There were stunning antique pieces that women had worn for hundred of years before they had been reshaped into something modern and stunning. That kind of history was something Rukia knew Ino would appreciate.

"What do you think about this one?"

Rukia's breath had hitched. It was the most beautiful ring that she had ever seen. A delicate interlocking silver band with a rose-like ruby at its centre, circled by miniscule diamonds. It looked like something out of a dream, something made for Ino. She smiled. "It's perfect, Nii-San. She's gonna love it."

Thoughts penetrated her mind as she hurried home. She would probably never get to have a moment like Shuuhei and Ino, the moment where the love of your life kneels on one knee and asks you to spend your life with him. Her memories were mostly made up of a life-and-death deal she had been forced to make with Isshin. Ichigo had been sweeter lately but Rukia wasn't entirely convinced that he would fully change. That, and the fact that they were unable to rewind time such that they could have a proper wedding, that is. Then again, was he understimating Ichigo? Was a real love and a real wedding between them still in the cards? After seeing a miracle unfold between Ino and Shuuhei, anything had felt possible. When she headed inside, she had felt like she was about to burst with positivity and excitement for the future. As the doors opened, Rukia stepped into the apartment, frozen. Standing across from her was another woman, her cheeks with tears. Behind the woman was Ichigo, looking wide-eyed and alarmed.

If Rukia had been sober enough, she would have known how this situation was anything other than the scenario that was in her head. But, as she gazed at Ichigo, she couldn't help but feel betrayed, catching Ichigo cheating on her yet again and all the positivity that she had felt beforehand left her body in an instant.

Author's Notes: This Chapter, although short, stands on its own. :3