Author's REALLY BIG NOTE! OK! Ahem! First of all, I'd like to say that I never intended Ichigo to be such a bad person, if you flamers out there continue to read, there IS another side of him. Just because he's an "asshole" to Rukia right now, doesn't mean he will always be. BTW. Thanks for those who've reviewed my Fanfiction. It's just a FANFICTION people. Don't get angry, I mean…Sheesh…you guy s demand so much.

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Falling Together

Chapter Six - The Truth

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They stared at the new castle with amazement. It was huge and bright, nothing like the previous castle Rukia had been living in with him. "…This is our kingdom?" She asked delighted that they had finally moved into a more comfortable area. Ichigo nodded silently and entered in first. What's up with HIM? She asked rolling her eyes and walking behind him.

"Kuchiki-sama, Kurosaki-sama! We've already prepared everything." A man murmured in front of them, and bowed politely. Rukia gave a small nod, while Ichigo closed his eyes and gave a slight bob. "However, if there is something that does not please you. You may inform me or anyone of us." The servant replied kindly, and dismissed himself from their presence.

"Wow. It's really spacious." Ichigo suddenly spoke and stared at the ceiling wall. It was really far away from him, not like the old castle it had at least sixteen floors rather than four. "Father outdone his planning again." He grumbled and sighed. Rukia let out a smile feeling quite satisfied. Such a huge kingdom usually had tight security and such, such she felt at ease. "So…about tonight…" Ichigo trailed off and stared at his wife. Rukia gazed at him and turned red.

"I-I was just kidding!" She stuttered and found a smile on his face. Not that usual cocky grin, but rather a truly kind beam. "What's wrong with you?" She asked him, placing her palm over his forehead. Nothing. He had no fever. But he certainly was acting quite awkward. "I think you need to go to bed!" She grumbled, pushing him towards the stairs. He wasn't trying at all to stop her, which was strange. Usually he would have a great big fit over such a simple thing.

"Okay. Okay." He muttered sluggishly and had such an honest tone. Rukia's eyes widened. What is he up to? She asked herself uncomfortably and dragged him upstairs to their room.

Opening the door, the bed was even bigger. Their were two pathways in there, a closet and bathroom for Rukia while another path lead to for Ichigo. "Well. Go in bed." She murmured, pushing him on top of the fluffy cushions. He lay there like a dead man. His eyes looked weary, and his body seemed a little limp. "What were you doing?" She asked him, a little concerned. "This morning you were just fine." She sighed, and stared at the ceiling wall. She knew she couldn't get an answer from him, he had easily fallen asleep. And such was how the bed was so comfortable.

Leaving the room, Rukia escaped to gaze outside and feel the cool breeze. Today seemed strange. In the morning, Ichigo was full of endless energy but now it was like his infinite energy was somehow drained out of him. It was strange to feel so concerned over him despite all the nasty comments and jokes he showered over her, she was still worried.

"Kuchiki-sama is there anything you need?" Someone asked in a soft tone. She found Renji behind her, and shook her head. "…Rukia? What's the matter?" He asked putting his hands over her shoulders. She shuddered at that feeling. It felt strange, but warm. If only…If only Ichigo would do that. What was she thinking!

"No. I'm perfectly fine!" She muttered, convincing him as she crossed her arms with defiance. Renji nodded, and apologized for his stupidity and was about to leave, since he found no purpose to stay any longer. "W-Wait! Renji!" She called out to him, as he walked towards the training hall. He turned around, a little surprised that she had wanted to say something to him. "C-Can you check on Ichigo?" She asked with a little blush creeping up her face. He nodded, and quickly disappeared from her sight.

He didn't get it. There she was, being humiliated by that god damn man. And here she was falling for him. Life was twisted and cruel, it gave you such strange surprises that would turn your life upside down without hesitation. "…Rukia…" He moaned, angrily. To take care of that bastard, was her request. And so he would fulfill it, no matter how much it hurt him.

Finally reaching the main room, where Ichigo was fast asleep. Renji, uncaringly, slammed the door open with fury. There, he found Ichigo awake, staring at the ceiling with some unknown interest. "What the hell, are you doing?" The red-haired guard questioned with a little annoyance. Just the SIGHT of him, made his blood boil.

"Staring." Ichigo replied easily, and put his arms behind his head. That answer, easily ticked off Renji, but he said nothing as he found his king's eyes roam to him. "Why are you here?" He questioned, uneasily.

"Rukia…I mean, Kuchiki-sama ordered me to take care of you as of now!" Renji announced, while pounding his chest with his right fist. Ichigo sat up and had a small grin on his thin lips. "What's with that damn smile?" He asked, feeling uncomfortable as he found some shimmering amusement in his majesty's eyes.

"Tell me." Ichigo asked, crossing his legs. "Why are you so infatuated with Rukia?" He asked, the most unexpected question.

That was something, Renji could never try to attempt to answer. It was just to hard to confess the feelings deep within him. But here was Ichigo, urging him for an answer. And here…he found himself responding.

"Because, I swore to protect her." He muttered, shrugging as if it was nothing. Why should he give such an answer to that son of a bitch? Oh yes. He was the king. "That's it." He closed his eyes and breathed quietly.

"That's all?" Ichigo asked, confused. Renji nodded.

"That's all." He announced it with such a tone, Ichigo knew he would say nothing else.

"I see…." He murmured under his breath, and looked outside of the window. There he found Rukia sitting on the patio while drinking some small sips of wine. "So. You won't mind if I…?" He asked, his eyes gazing at the confused red-head.

"I won't mind what?" His guard asked with a small smile.

"So. You don't mind if…I finally start acting like a husband to her?" He asked him another, question that lead Renji to a chaotic conversation with himself.

"WAIT? Is that why you were acting all bitchy to her? Because of ME?" Renji shouted angrily and gripped onto Ichigo's collar. "WHAT THE HELL? YOU'RE FREAKING MARRIED! Do as you please!" He grumbled, and loosened his grip. A smile was on Ichigo's face, and then a laugh escaped. "Why the freak are you laughing?" He angrily fumed, and punched the king on the stomach. Ichigo finished laughing, and held onto his stomach with a little fury.

"Bastard." He grumbled. "I asked you for your permission and here you are, punching me!" He coughed, and groaned. By then Rukia had left his sight, and was nowhere found on the Patio.

"Jeez. She's your wife." Renji murmured, a little displeased at that sentence. Ichigo nodded at his response and left the bed. "…You know…you didn't need to act all bitchy towards her." Renji responded.

"…I wanted to see if she'd leave me. You know…it was some test." He muttered. "If she divorced me, then she could have such a better life." He choked a little. The pain in his heart ached more.

"Test…? You don't need to put Rukia in such a stupid test. She won't EVER give up at anything." Renji replied rolling his eyes, and sighing.

"Show's how much you know about her." Ichigo muttered, and got up from the bed.

"Same goes to you." Renji barked. "By the way…What do you mean by 'better life?'" He asked him with a confused tone. Ichigo shook his head, and let out a smile.

"Nothing." He grumbled.

Ichigo and Renji walked out of the room and found Rukia staring at them with quite a surprise. "Ah! So the idiot got better!" She stated happily. Ichigo found it a little…too insulting, but said nothing and nodded. Renji nodded his head as well, and spoke of his cunning that had made Ichigo ALL BETTER. "You're amazing even as just a servant!" Rukia's eyes twinkled. Renji blushed, while Ichigo whacked him on the head.

"Um…by the way, Rukia…" Ichigo whispered feeling a little shy for once. Rukia gazed at him with a new found emotion. She seemed to as well turn scarlet. "Um…well…" He couldn't say it. "How about we go to some…restaurant." He coughed. She stared at him with more interest. "…There's something I need to ask you." He whispered uneasily.