AN: Thank you for all the reviewers, I really appreciate it you guys pressuring me to update faster (hahahaha.Yeah, I'm often guilt stricken everytime I read your emails/reviews, but it's a good kind of guiltyness I guess)
Anyway, this story also have side pairings – like Ishihime, YuroUrahara – for now. Regarding Rukia's height (4'9 isn't really an ideal height for a super model) I do have an 'excuse' and I will write it in the upcoming chapters – together with the 'real story' why Rukia and Ichigo have to separate eight years ago.
Disclaimer : Nope, I haven't married KT yet.. but you just wait till I co-own it. (If that time will ever come, I'm going to make it sooooo IchiRuki cannon!!!) (insert evil laughter here. BOHAHAHAHAHA)
Yamada Hanataro's life has been nothing but uneventful. As a child, he was practically invisible at home or even at school. No, he wasn't really the type who was always being bullied – infact, he was so 'invisible' that even the bullies themselves fail to notice him. This is probably the reason why he decided to enter the Tokyo Police Academy after high school. To his dismay though, his boring and tedious life never changed even just a bit. Two years after his graduation, he found himself manning the Police Academy Library – with the old books and dusty shelves, it seemed like his doomed life will never get any better, until he met Shiba Ganju.
Shiba Ganju is the youngest among the three Shiba siblings. His Eldest brother, Kaien has been working as a secret agent for the Royal Family of Japan, his whereabouts are currently unknown because of the dangerous nature of his job. Kuukaku, the second and only female sibling used to be a topnotch FBI agent, few years ago after Kaien's 'disappearance', she took an early retirement from work to oversee the Shiba household. She is currently the Vice President for Safety and Security at Japan's largest television network - Tokyo Zangetsu. Because of the dangerous nature of police/military jobs, Ganju has been commanded not to involve himself in any job that would require him to hold a deadly weapon or track down criminals of some sorts – but Ganju has never been the type who follows the rules. Even if it would cause him to break few bones and earn few bruises from her verrry sweet tempered nee-san, he found himself looking for 'trouble'.
The day Ganju and Hanataro met each other is the day they were finally able to achieve their dreams – Hanataro finally finding himself in the middle of action, and Ganju, finally following what he really wanted to do – to become a private detective. With Ganju having the money, and Hanataro the background for the license, they were able to set up a Private Detective Firm aiming to help alleviate crime in Tokyo City (well, atleast that's how Ganju would like to describe it). The set up was simple, Hanataro does the research from the office – while Ganju does all the dirty field work – and everything was doing perfect until the day they met Kurosaki Ichigo.
Flashback
Kurosaki Ichigo was raging in anger when he walked out the Gotei Hotel. He knew he has to go out fast – going berserk and kicking a certain red-haired man at Japan's classiest hotel wouldn't make a nice headline for Tokyo Zangetsu's newest CEO, especially if the red-haired man he wanted to strangle so violently is one of Japan's most beloved athletes.
Trembling with anger, he decided to call his bestfriend – Ishda. During times like this when he cannot think logically, it pays to have someone like Ishda who is more than willing to think in behalf of him.
"Ishda.."
"Kurosaki, this has to be a life and death kind of call, or I swear to Kami, I'm going to shave your head!"catching his breath, Uruyuu Ishda answered from the other line.
"Oh.. did I interrupted something?" Ichigo said, blushing mildly for his bestfriend.
"Shut up. You totally ruined it."
"Err.. sorry, I didn't know you were with Inoue-san, I thought your'e working." the orange haired CEO find himself stalling, suddenly feeling embarrassed for the favor he is about to ask.
"And make you richer every minute?! No way." Ichigo heard him snort. "Come on pal, spill the beans because I have to go back to my bride-to-be before she changes her mind" his dark haired friend added.
Ichigo found himself smiling, Inoue and Ishda are getting married next month. Who would have thought that his nerdy four-eyed friend would be able to get Inoue Orihime, one of the hottest girls in highschool? A sudden pang of envy shot through his heart, his friends are starting a new life together, how come he cannot start his? An image of a certain petite raven haired model in a white wedding gown suddenly flashed his mind. He bitterly smiled.
"Listen, I need to know everything there is to know about Kuchiki Rukia – where she lives, her contact numbers, her whereabouts for the past 8 years, her personal life – EVERYTHING there is to know about her. And for starters, I need to know where she lives right now."
He heard Ishda chuckle.
Kurosaki Ichigo entered what seemed like a travel agency. He actually hesitated upon seeing the travel posters and brochures plastered all over the window glass. He glanced at a piece of paper Ishda sent him to double check the address. Although he is in doubt, he decided to check the place anyway since Ishda hardly make a mistake.
"Ohayo! How can we help you sir?" greeted the dark haired receptionist.
"Err.. Sorry, I must have gotten the wrong address." The orange haired CEO dismissively replied after scanning the place. Nah. There is no way I this could be their office. He thought as he turned his back.
"A..wait sir! Are you looking for Bonnie-chan and Hisagumaru?" the slim receptionist almost fell off his chair as he hurriedly ran before he could reach the door.
With his scowl plastered, he intently gazed at the smaller man who is now nervously scratching his head.
"I.. err.. I.. I'm Yamada Hanataro, b..but I am also known as Hisagumaru. A-are you Kurosaki Ichigo-san?"
Tilting his head sideways, as if closely scrutinizing the youngman, Kurosaki Ichigo partly raised an eyebrow.
"W..we have been expecting you Kurosaki-san! Uruyuu-san had told us that you will be dropping by today. I..in fact, we already have some of the information that you asked.." stammering, Hanataro awkardly exclaimed.
"W..we were the ones who opened Ms. Kuchiki's house for you last night."
Flashback
Kuchiki Rukia inserted her elevator keys and pressed the "P" button as the elevator closes its door. God, she was so exhausted. She glanced at her bronze bracelet watch, thirty minutes past twelve.
She was not expecting to see Abarai Renji of all people at the Gotei Hotel. And she didn't just meet him, he even asked for her number and offered her a ride home – not to mention the after dinner club he brought her. If not only for Hiyori's constant phone calls and text messages, reminding her of an interview with Cosmopolitan Magazine, she'd most probably be with Renji until now. Oh, she can't wait to tell Nanao-chan and Rangiku-san about it. Gosh, she's had the biggest crush on the cager since he entered the NBA! She is a really big fan – infact, she even subscribed to his yahoogroup fanclub. And well, thanks to his presence, she has – atleast for the meantime took her mind off a certain orange haired Kurosaki, whom to her dismay had left early because of a certain business appointment.
Rukia was even humming a happy tune as she entered her pad at Shiyaruki Residences Hotel's penthouse.
"Is this how you spend your free time here in Japan? Getting drunk and flirting with the newest hunk in town" Rukia's eyes grew wide as a grim faced Kurosaki Ichigo greeted her, his amber eyes hidden by a dangerous shadow.
"W…W-what are you doing here?!"
"Is drinking and flirting a part of 'super model guidebook'?!" ignoring her remarks, her childhood friend stood up and started to walk towards her.
"You didn't answer my question! How did you get in here?! Have you ever heard of the word 'trespassing' Kurosaki?!" she tried to fight back, trying to conceal her swaying legs and trembling body. God! Why do you always have this effect on me? She silently cursed.
Unpertubed by her threats, Kurosaki Ichigo stood towering over her – trying to intently gaze at her eyes, as if hoping to read her mind by looking at her dark violet orbs. Swallowing hard, Kuchiki Rukia found herself walking backwards, not wanting to fight him head to head.
"What the hell do you want Kurosaki?! You do understand that I can charge you with.. with.." she found her voice trailing as she felt her back pinned on the wall.
"Charge me with what?" Ichigo menacingly said, inkling more closer to her now.
Rukia shut her eyes, she suddenly found herself desperately gasping for some air as if her world has been diminished with the presence of Kurosaki Ichigo, and it didn't help that she can very well feel his warm breath on her forehead, and the deliriously scent of his cologne – awakening every fiber of her senses.
"Charge me with what Rukia?" he said, lowering his head, only to stop a few centimeters from her face.
"Look at me… Rukia …" Ichigo said hoarsely, taking a deep breath, as he reached for her bare shoulders. Kami! Why does she has to smell so sweet?! He unconciously told himself.
Rukia shivered as she felt a jolt of electricity passing through her veins when his skin touched hers.
"I..Ichigo.."
Ichigo almost cried. She called him by his name… after eight painful years full of longing, he finally heard her say his name. Closing his eyes, he rested his forehead on her forehead, his hands, now engulfing her tiny head.
"Say that again Rukia.. please.." he said, his rugged voice trailing, as if he is about to cry any minute.
Rukia's heart almost melted. This was the first time he ever saw the 'great' Kurosaki Ichigo so close to crying. She doesn't even need to open her eyes to sense that he is in a very vulnerable state right now. Oh, how she loved to touch his hair, to feel his body against her, feel his warmth and smell his scent. But she can't. She just can't.
"This is wrong Ichigo. This is so wrong." A single tear fell as she broke the contact. Walking towards a nearby chair, she avoided his gaze as she spoke, "Please go. We have nothing to talk about, Kurosaki-san. J.. Just let me go.. and try to forget me.. "
A deep sigh was heard as he walked towards the elevator. "Tell me Rukia, how can I let go of something I never really had?"
Ichigo felt his heart tightened as he remembered the last night's incident. He was so damn close in baring his soul to Rukia. So damn close…
"Errr.. is everything alright Kurosaki-san?" Hanataro interrupted his thoughts. The poor guy must have seen his face soften.
"Y-yes. Sorry about that..."
"Its okay Kurosaki-san.. It must be the weather! Really, I've been feeling a bit sick because of the heat! Do you think it's the global warming thing?" the orange haired CEO coughed to remind Hanataro of their 'business'.
"Oh.. sorry about that Kurosaki-san!" embarrasedly said, "Shall we go inside our real office then?"
Bonnie-chan and Hisagumaru's Private Detective office can be reached through a secret passage under Hanataro's counter. Party dimmed to complete the mysterious 'private detective effect', the office was relatively bigger than its 'travel agency' counter part. The room was filled with bookshelves containing big folders with what seemed like index numbers. Several LCD screens are also arranged in one corner which is connected to some cables and machineries. So this is where they do their stuffs huh. Interesting. Ichigo thought as he scanned the place.
"Kurosaki-san, please feel at home and take a seat" Hanataro smilingly said as he gestured Ichigo to an eight-seater conference table.
"Here's the information that we have gathered about Kuchiki Rukia". He continued, handling out a black folder to Ichigo.
"You work quiet fast, I have to say that I really am impressed." The orange haired client said in a serious tone, as he opened the folder.
"Err… honestly speaking, there has been a handful who have requested for Ms Kuchiki's information. S-she's been really a hot item since she started modeling" Hanataro proudly exclaimed, only to stop when his client abruptly closed his folder and murderously looking at him.
Kuchiki Rukia drank the last of her jasmine tea. She just finished her interview with Tokyo Cosmopolitan Magazine due for release in two weeks. She is scheduled to have a pictorial with them tomorrow for the magazine's cover.
She can't help but chuckle as she remembered her interviewer's minor teasing. Apparently, some gossip makers have started talking about her and Hisagi, and after last night's events, she is now being linked with 'the hunk' Abarai Renji.
These people wouldn't probably rest until I get married. She smiled as coyly played her teacup. Married. She thought. I used to dream of getting married to Ichigo – and only with Ichigo. And just like any other dreams, it will never come true – ever. She sighed, remembering why she spent the whole two hours rectifying her eye bugs brought about by HIS sudden visit last night. Damn that guy. He won't really quit until he gets what he wants. Closing her eyes, she heard a tiny voice inside her head scolding her. But you made sure he won't come back again – don't you? You made that pretty clear last night. She let out another sigh.
"A slam dunk for your thoughts?" a grinning Abarai Renji greeted the day dreaming midget super model.
"Abarai-san! How are you?" she replied, immediately beaming as she saw his smiling face.
"Aw. I thought we have already agreed that you will call me by my first name?" he said, acting offended.
Rukia turned a little scarlett as she tries to apologize. "Oh, I am so sorry R-Renji. It's just…"
"Ooops! No buts!! Come on, I'll take your apology if you go out for lunch with me. I believe you don't have any more schedules today ne?" the red haired cager winked, making Rukia blush even more.
"Well.. I am scheduled to do my grocery today" the raven haired super model nonchantly replied.
"Hah! You should see me push those grocery carts, people say I look so mouthwateringly handsome!" he gamely said, as he widens his smile.
"To see is to believe I suppose" Maybe, just maybe. I could finally go on with my life without Kurosaki Ichigo. She smiled, as she reached for Renji's right arm.
"Yeah, I know Jushiro, I know. Don't worry, I'll let Kisuke know. Thank you for informing us." Shounin Yorichi frowned as she ended the call.
"What is wrong my Yorichan?" a grinning Urahara Kisuke entered her private office, holding what seemed like two cups of coffee.
"Ah.. Kisuke, It's a good thing that you are here. Ukitake called." Massaging her temples, she took her coffee. "God, I knew why I married you! You make the perfect coffee!" she exclaimed as she savoured her coffee's aroma.
The tall man chuckled as he watched his wife enjoy her coffee, positioning himself comfortably on her table.
"Kisuke, about that little 'plan' of yours? Ukitake called. Ichigo will be so pissed when he reads tomorrow's newspapers." She said, giving Urahara Kisuke a concerned look.
To be continued
I hope you liked it (not too much OOC's I hope).
Well, you probably have an idea why our Kurosaki will be pissed next chapter. (wink) And oh, please pray that my staff would already come back from her vacation so I could update faster (like every two days!)
Ciao. Till next time guys! (And yep, Review if you can – it keeps my conscience heavy for not updating sooner)