Hello again lovelies! I am on a roll! Which is why this chapter is up here so fast. Hope you enjoy it!
As usual, thank you all for your wondrous support. It brightens up my day whenever I receive an email on your follows, favourites or reviews.
P.S. I usually do not update that fast... so please be patient with me! :X
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. When is the anime coming back, by the way?
"MY SONNNNNN!" Isshin cried while pouncing onto Ichigo. "You're late, you bastardddddd~!"
Mesmerised by the grand entrance of the ballroom, Rukia barely noticed that her fake fiancé was tackled and currently pinned face-flat on the ground. Her violet orbs were wide with amazement at everything since she entered Shiba Hotel. Marbled flooring, stone pillars with intricate carvings, huge paintings, luxurious furnishings and there was just something about the air that just smells… expensive. She took a deep breath.
"OH MY GODDDDDDDDD! YOU MUST BE THE GIRLFRIEND!" She almost choked while inhaling when she heard the ear-piercing shriek towards her. She turned to see two teenage girls standing before her. She could've sworn the brown-haired girl had glitter in her eyeballs. Like right in the irises.
"Uh-"
"Yes. Family, meet Rukia. Rukia meet family." Ichigo managed to utter while trying to stay alive under the weight of his father.
"Rukia! What a lovely nam-"
"Great, so someone finally wants my asshole of a bro-"
"RUKIA-CHANNNNN!"
There was seriously an interrupting problem in this family, Rukia thought. And it didn't end there.
"What does your name mean? Was it inspired by some-"
"How do you even tolerate-"
"Rukia-chan, let me just say I'm very glad that you've decided to look pass all these flaws and-" Isshin said, gesturing at the whole of Ichigo.
From the cue cards, there's the dad and his two sisters, Yuzu and Karin. His sisters looked and seemed lovely, Rukia thought to herself, smiling. Her eyes fall on Isshin who was emitting heart-shaped bubbles when looking at her.
That one, though, is a little queer.
"Your hands are so soft!-" Yuzu gushed as she held up Rukia's hands.
"He is literally a doorknob-"
"I'm so proud of you my boy! She's GOR-JAST"
"And you look so quaint! Those eyes!-"
"I feel sorry for you, honestly-"
"My boy! Is this the reason why you didn't introduce her to us earlier? Because she's underage?"
Rukia felt her eyebrows twitched.
What did he say. What the hell did he say. WHAT. DID. HE.
"ALRIGHT!" Ichigo interrupted, "We're late, aren't we? So why don't we all just head in. You guys can catch up with Rukia later." He pulled on the petite girl's arm, whisking her into the Grand Ballroom.
Whatever anger Rukia felt previously dissipated away the moment she walked in the ballroom. Everything was so immaculate and everyone was dressed to the nines. And the food, oh my God. Don't even get Rukia started on the food. There was enough to feed an entire army in here! She doesn't even know what half of them were but they just looked so tantalizingly delicious.
"This place- the food- oh my. So beautiful. So wow. Is this really your- my- engagement party? Wow." She was almost hyperventilating.
Ichigo smirked, "You speak as if you would never get engaged again. Not that I think you would, given your attitude."
"HEY. Of course I will be. And he will be every bit of a gentleman than you will ever be." Ichigo rolled his eyes at that. "It's just that I probably won't have an engagement party like this again."
"Anyway, the bathroom is this way. Take as much food as you want, but try not to stuff yourself. I'll be over there-"
"Hold on a sec! You're going to leave me alone?" Rukia said agitatedly.
Annoyed by her sudden outburst and fearing that anyone might hear them, he held both of her shoulders and spoke low and firmly, "I'm here for business as much as I'm here for this engagement thing. Maybe more on the business now that I'm engaged to you." Rukia scowled at this. "Just roam around, but remember, don't talk to anyone. I mean it. Even if someone approaches you, try to keep the conversation un-personal and try to end it quickly."
"Must really suck to be your real girlfriend." Ichigo opened his mouth to retaliate but was cut off, "I know I know. I'll be around. Bye." Rukia gave a little nonchalant wave before weaving through the crowd towards the food table. He sighed, was this really the right decision.
Were these people mad? Rukia thought when she finally reached the food table. It was almost an hour into the event, the food looked amazing and yet it was barely touched. Her eyes combed through the menu; are there really so many ways to do a salad? Fresh shellfish served on an ice platter looked like they swam straight from the ocean. There was even a sushi bar complete with a sushi chef who prepares them right in front of your very eyes. Entrees ranged from beef to chicken to fish and crustaceans. The fruit corner looked like a supermarket and there were so many different kind of desserts it would've put her café to shame.
"Would you like a plate, miss?" A waiter approached her with a plate in hand. Plate? She would probably need a tray. But she was in a dress that could've paid for her entire wardrobe, shoes and accessories included, with change to spare, so she decided she had to act the part.
As demure as possible, she answered as she took the plate, "Thank you."
-ooo-
As quietly and stealthily as she could manage, Rukia approached the table for her fourth helping. This deal was slowly becoming the best thing that has happened to her; her stomach has never felt this satisfied. "Rukia." She stopped, why the nerve of interrupting her.
"I'd like to introduce you to my colleagues. These are people I work very closely with, like I mentioned before." He added the last part in an awkward fashion, not that anyone noticed.
Rukia thanked the heavens that her mouth wasn't currently loaded with chow. She bowed curtly as Ichigo acquainted her with Orihime, Ishida, Shinji, Grimmjow and Nemu. Grimmjow. Wait, Grimmjow? This guy looked-
"YOU!" Rukia shouted as she pointed an accusing finger at the blue-haired dude, throwing away all her previous demeanor in the process.
"The fuck? I mean, God!" The accused clutched his forehead in embarrassment.
"What's going on?" Ichigo questioned, puzzled. Do they know each other? Shit.
"Look, dude, I'm sorry man." Grimmjow said as he placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder before continuing. "Hey kid, I apologise too." He bows, "I didn't know. God. I feel like such a douche right now. Oh man, this is awful. Y-you can punish or scold me or… whatever. I'm really sorry."
"Nah, it's okay." Rukia replied, deciding to be the bigger person here. But inside, she wanted to scream and tear his hair out. The audacity he had to appear in front of her after all that happened last night. Freaking pervert. Nevertheless, she had to admit, watching him squirm, like he is now, was oddly satisfying.
Ichigo frowned and gave Grimmjow a look that probably meant, "You. I. Speak later."
As if breaking through the awkward bubble that has formed around the trio, Orihime spoke, "Congratulations Kurosaki-kun! I- uh- This is so- I mean uh-, I am so happy for you! Really! That you've found the one that you really love, and will spend the rest of your life with, and uh- hahah, I am so happy for you that I'm tearing up- I should really stop talking now. I- uh- do you know where the restroom is?"
The rest of the group stared at her with a weird look.
"Oh! Hahaha- I worked here for so long, I should know. Silly me! Hahahahah." And she left.
"Okay, what was that?"
"Kurosaki. Are you an idiot?" The bespectacled man commented before turning towards Rukia and bowing diplomatically. "Anyway, nice to meet you…?"
"Just Rukia is fine."
"Ah. Rukia-san." They talked some more as she introduced herself to the other two in the group. Soon, one by one, they started to disperse to mingle with other guests in the party.
"Right! So far so good!" Ichigo thought out loud. "What the hell is with that look." He asked with narrowed eyes when he caught sight of Rukia eyeing him with doubt.
"That girl, just now, with the pretty hair and the big boobs," she started.
"Inoue? What about her?"
Rukia threw her head up, "God, you really are an idiot! I would bet my life that she likes you." Though she absolutely did not know why anyone would even consider liking this man.
"WHAT?!"
Yes! Why didn't he think of Inoue? She was his secretary, so anyone would know why he has to keep it a secret for so long. And he was pretty sure she would keep their deal a secret too. Instead, he went ahead without thinking and asked this total asshole of a midget. And now, Inoue actually likes him? Wait, she likes him? When did that start?
"Uhhh, in case you're thinking of backing out now and switching fiancées, you still owe me the appearance fee of ¥20,000." Rukia reminded.
"Bah, forget it. I've already introduced you to a bunch of people, no use changing now. I'm going to mingle around for a moment. Rukia, remember, same rules apply."
She waved him off, as usual, and wandered off to get something to drink.
"Your poison, miss?" The bartender asked as Rukia took a seat at one of the counter stools. She stared at him, and at the rows of alcohol and mixers behind him. It was ironic really that she didn't exactly drink, even when she once held a bartending job. Well, it only lasted three days, but still.
"Uhh… anything sweet?"
"We have the Piña Colada? Long Island Iced Tea? Lychee Mojito?" A whadda? It was as if he was speaking in another language.
"Uhh, the last one then. Thanks!"
That lying bastard. Her drink tasted bitter. But, oh well. Feeling bored already, she poked the lychee, that was served attached to a thin straw, around. How long do these parties last anyway?
"Hello!" She heard someone calling behind. A beautiful busty woman took a seat beside her. "Argh, this is my favourite place! One Cosmopolitan, please! You're the fiancée right?"
Alarm bells started blaring inside her head with Ichigo's voice saying "DON'T SOCIALISE." Rukia smiled curtly and nodded, her eyes darted around for anything she could use as an excuse to leave.
"I'm Matsumoto Rangiku. Nice to finally meet you! Oh, and this is Kira and Isane." She gestured to two other guests whom Rukia hadn't realise were there. Rangiku continued to talk about how excited she was to meet her, and something else, but Rukia had spaced out by then.
"Anyway, where's Ichigo?"
"Ichigo?" Who in the world is a Ichigo? "I am not sure… probably there." She pointed to the safest spot, a bunch of ladies crowding just beside the stage. Surely one of them was Ichigo.
"Huuuh~ But I don't see him there."
"Him? I don't think…" A guy named Ichigo? Seriously?
"HEY! Rangiku!"
"Ichigo!"
Rukia's eyes widened, "Oh! OH! You mean HIM. Ichigo! Yeah right! Oh I'm so sorry. It's just that I'm so used to calling him my strawberry muffin, I just- just momentarily forget his name-hahaha" And she tried her very best to cover up her nervousness with a high-pitched laugh and by hugging Ichigo's arm. Who would've thought he was named after a fruit.
What the fuck. "Uh- y-Right, my little honey midget." Ichigo added as he patted her hand that was currently slung unto his, earning a death glare from Rukia.
"AWWWW~! Aren't they just adorable?" Rangiku squealed. Ichigo quickly apologized to everyone while excusing himself and Rukia.
"I swear my arms are turning red." Rukia said as she yanked her arms from his grip once they were out of sight.
"Didn't I tell you not to talk to anyone? And what the hell, you didn't even know my name?!"
"Well, it wasn't in the cards!" She retaliated.
"Okay, okay; anything else you need to know?" Ichigo asked as he guided her to the backstage.
"I think the question should be: is there anything else that you need me to know?"
"Erm, I don't- what's your last name anyway? I think they would announce it on stage later."
"Wait- Stage? YOU NEVER TOLD ME ANYTHING ABOUT GOING ON STAGE!" Rukia yelled before realizing that she had followed Ichigo all the way to the back of said stage.
"This is our engagement party, for God's sake."
"Still. It didn't mean I have to stand up there and shower people with the glory of being trapped with the likes of you."
"Uhh. Yes, I think it kinda means that. That's the whole point of an engagement party." Ichigo pointed out.
"Don't get smart with me. And I don't have a last name." Rukia simply replied, slowly inching away from Ichigo towards the unused stage equipments left around.
"What do you mean you don't-"
"I JUST DON'T HAVE ONE OKAY?" The sudden outburst had shocked Ichigo, and he noticed right away that it was the first time she had yelled without actually looking at him.
"Okay. Hey, it's just another word anyway. Look, just stay here. I'll call you up later when it's time to go up." He walked towards the petite woman, lifting a hand and almost touching her shoulder. But ultimately, he decided against it and left the area.
Rukia sat on one of the chairs left at the back of the stage and stared into the distance for what seemed like an eternity before she was interrupted out of her stupor. "Miss Rukia?"
She turned to see a man with spiky black hair and a weird tattoo on his cheek. He had with him a whole tray of treats, including cakes, macarons, puddings, éclairs and cream puffs. "Master Kurosaki requested for these to be sent here?"
Rukia raised an eyebrow. She thanked the man before fiddling with one of the many pastries before her. She chuckled. Who was he trying to feed? Ryuzaki L? She guessed that he wasn't that bad afterall.
-ooo-
"… And I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce my beautiful fiancée, Rukia." Ichigo announced as Rukia joined him on stage. She gave an awkward wave at the audience. Applause accompanied with audible "awws" and "what a lovely couple" were heard from the crowd.
Rukia felt like she was going to have a mini panic attack. Was she smiling too wide? Were her lips quivering? Was she standing straight enough? One of her hands shot up to adjust her hair. Okay, she really shouldn't have done that. She gawkily put her hand down again, but now… where does she put her hands? How do people even do this? Whatever this is.
But before she could over-think again about her appearance, Ichigo was already standing beside her with one hand behind her waist. "My dear Rukia is currently still pursuing her degree, so I hope that all of you here will respect our privacy as mentioned before. Once again, thank you all for coming here and please enjoy the rest of the evening."
I don't really drink... so I just Googled the cocktails that you read here. Please forgive me and my uncultured soul. Honestly, I added the last three paragraphs on impulse. Not really sure if I liked it that much. But oh well. Reviews are appreciated!
Replies:
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Guest: Hahahaha, yes he was. That makes the story anyways! And here's my next update!
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