A/N: Hello all, I'm so sorry for the rather late update. I intended to update on Thursday, but found out that I had other things to do on that particular day…. And oh, I'm so sorry if, there are some of you whom I forget to mention in my appreciation corner. I deeply apologize.

Btw, I'm still waiting for the result in the poll. I won't be able to update chapter 9 if the poll still haven't qualified yet. Therefore, I'm going to close the vote on May 26th, and after that I will post chapter 9. ^^

As always, my first thanks goes to my beta ksko81 ^_^

Appreciation Corner:

As usual, my biggest thank you goes to those of you who have reviewed the last chapter(s):

Luminous Snow (my first reviewer for the last chapter);

Sam Matthews (lets see... what poor rukia did this chapter. lol...);

khfan forlife (for noticing some parts that I missed);

gnarley- (I do love to make a scene with Byakuya in it, let's see the poll result);

darklover (I'm sure how Ichigo will react will be more interesting than his colleagues reaction toward their engagement);

0namakiza0 (let me know your reaction when you read this chapter, ok? lol);

LeyCoo (again, Ichigo's reaction will be more hillarious than Rukia's);

SinoviVaatell (I'd be glad if you review again, ^^);

Mikazuki Mitsukai (this will be the proper answer ^^);

headyzest (again, you make me flatter again... ^^): and

kekisan20 (thank you, I'm glad you like this story...)

PS: solstice442 (I think, I'll make you read double chapters again... --sigh--)

Next, Thank you for those who added this story into their favorite story:

ABBYCADABY123able; ; and rockergrl171

And last but not least, thank you for those who added this story into your story alert:

; WickedWitchVictoria; and kesu25

Disclaimer: Bleach still belonged to Kubo-sensei, and no... I don't own the original plot. Holly Jacob does.

Chapter 8

Kurosaki could only see Rukia among his friends and their families. People gathered around her. Mostly the women from his firm, but Juushiro was also present among them.

"You look nervous," said Renji Abarai. "Worrying what they might say about you?"

"Say about me? Why should they say something about me?"

Renji laughed. "Come on, Kurosaki. You gathered a huge group of women; of course they will say something about you. Maybe they'll even discuss about us guys in this party. I mean, Tatsuki is there. I'm sure she gossips about all the guys here. Maybe I'm at the top of her list. She isn't too fond of me."

"Why you thinks so?"

"Because last week, she said..." Renji raised his voice an octave higher in order to mimic Tatsuki's voice. "... Renji Abarai, I don't like you."

"What did you do?" asked Kurosaki.

"What did I do? Why do you think I did something? I never understand why Juushiro-san hired her. She is talkactive and..."

"Talkactive is another word for friendly and kind. Those qualities are needed to be a good receptionist."

"Oh, it's proven. It's official." Renji sounded very upset.

"What's official?"

"You're engaged, and that woman shuts your brain down. Are you sure you're the same Kurosaki who's been in Seireitei Firm for the last six years? You're going soft."

"No, I'm not. It's just..."

"Don't explain it." Renji raised his hand and shook his head. "Don't explain anything. I don't want to be infected with whatever has changed you. No... I think... it would be better if you don't say anything at all. My heart wouldn't be able to survive from another shock tonight. First you, a free-independent man, suddenly get engaged, and now you're defending Tatsuki. I'm going to take a drink. Heck, I'm gonna need a lot of drinks."

"Renji," called Kurosaki, but the red-head man had already walked away from him.

Kurosaki stood in the corner and watched the group of women. They laughed. Rukia did too. Whoever saw them will think that they have known each other for a long time, when in truth, they've only been acquainted the past hour. Rukia looked comfortable being among the groups.

Kurosaki said to Rukia that sometimes he saw her having lunch in the park. What he didn't say to her was, watching her having lunch had become his daily activity. He'd take quick glances at his watch at 11:30 until noon to see her eat lunch.

There were days when she didn't show up. He guessed she had a business lunch or other business appointments. And he'd never admit it to Rukia – even to himself – that on those days he'd feel a twinge of disappointment.

However, she was seldom absent from having lunch in the park.

Sometimes she brought along a sketchbook with her lunch and sat on the bench doing what seemed to be sketching

Kurosaki thought maybe she was designing her new project.

He never told Rukia that sometimes he was considering having lunch outside and pretend that he accidentally bump into her. Maybe they'd sit on the same bench and have lunch together.

More than once he was tempted to go back to Rukia's shop and visited her after that rainy day. There was something about Rukia which attracted him. But if there wasn't any mumble-jumble about the-wedding-in-order-to-be-a-partner, he would never ever talk to this girl again, maybe just a nod here and there when they would cross paths. He didn't have time to maintain a relationship.

Kurosaki was once a happy little boy. He lived happily with both his parents and his fraternal twin sisters. However, when he was 9 years old, his mother died. She died protecting him from a speeding car. Since then, he never forgave himself of taking their mother away from his family.

He became rather emotionless, just answering when he need. His father and his sisters didn't blame him. And that was what killing him more. He wished they just blamed him, yelled at him, or even disown him. But none of that happened.

The car driver never got any punishment, because Kurosaki's family chose not to sue him. He was underage at that time. But to Kurosaki, he was guilty. That was when he chose to be a lawyer -- to help serve justice.

He knew that Yuzu and Karin always felt sad when they had special event in their school, for they didn't have their mother to cheer them up, just a goofy father who never failed to embarasse them. Nevertheless, they still loved their father, even if Karin and Kurosaki never showed or said it to the old man.

Kurosaki felt like he didn't deserve having a family of his own, because he had taken away the most important person in his family. His family didn't punish him, so he punished himself. He drown himself to his job. And for now, he didn't mind of not having a wife or a family. Maybe one day, when he'd feel that he had repaid his debt, he would find someone to start a family.

When that time would come, Rukia would already be in the arms of another man. A girl like her can easily enchante everyone around her, especially men.

Kurosaki stared at Rukia who was surrounded by his colleagues.

Yes, he meant what he said before. Rukia Kuchiki was a type of woman who wanted a happily ever after life. And the last thing Kurosaki wanted was having his mind busy thinking about girl who wore his engagement ring.

Of course, the said girl was wearing engagement ring now. Kurosaki wasn't sure why he gave her the ring, and why he told her the history of his family. But Rukia got what she wanted: a decent and romantic engagement

But it won't last for a long time.

Next week, this woman will return his ring, and Kurosaki will have his normal life back, as a partner in the firm, even before the age of thirty-five. That achievement always became his goal. Then, after that he will find more permanent clients, and maybe not long after that he will ready to find a woman like Rukia.

Kurosaki realized Rukia looked at his direction. There was a sense of pleading in the way she looked at him. He knew that girl was in need of him. There was trust in her eyes. She trusted that Kurosaki will come and save her, from anything that she was facing.

Her stare sent something... something that made Kurosaki's blood swished. He didn't sure what was that is, and he didn't try to understand it either.

Kurosaki walked through the crowd. He could see a wave of relief wash over Rukia's face.

"Rukia, I thought I'd have to send a searching party to find you. I miss you," said Kurosaki while putting his arm around her shoulder as if it was the most natural thing to do. As if the girl was indeed his fiancé.

"Kurosaki, your friends are very kind. They're offering to help us prepare our wedding."

Kurosaki could hear the soft tremble from her voice and even a silent grunt. What did Juushiro want now?

"That's very kind of you, but I'm sure Rukia and I can handle it."

"Handle it?" asked Juushiro, mocking him.

"This poor girl plans to wait until next year to hold her autumn wedding. We won't make you two suffer. My daughters have suggeted her to hold the wedding here. You know, our house is by the lakeside, and Rukia is right, the trees will look more dashing than any other decorations. We're thinking to have it on the second week of November. Rukia's brother and sister-in-law will be already back here at that time."

"But..." said Kurosaki. 'But tonight is the last night we're engaged,' he wanted to say that. But of course he couldn't. Even for a man who called himself a talented public speaking person, Kurosaki couldn't utter a single word to say.

"I think what Kurosaki wants to say is that we couldn't let you all go through the hard work and difficulties just for our sake. Nevertheless, we are very thankful for this nice offer."

"No, no. You won't rob anything from us. Not even fun. Oh, it's been a long time we haven't held any wedding reception again. And besides, I'm sure I'm going to love this wedding." Said Retsu.

"Of course. We will have fun." Juushiro added.

Fun.

It seemed that he wouldn't be experiencing that tonight. Then he looked at Rukia.

Seeing her expression, Kurosaki was sure that Rukia's night would be anything but that.

Kurosaki saved her. Like a knight in shining armor, he saved her from the wedding sharks, gave a subtle respond, "Rukia and I will talk about it.

"

Oh, how Rukia wanted to kiss him, but of course she didn't do that, because even though they were engaged, it wasn't a real engagement.

Even though the thought of kissing Kurosaki didn't bother her too much. Rukia felt that if she did kiss him, her well-balanced life would be destroyed. So, she chose not to do that and said. "Thank you very much. I don't know how that could happen at the first place, but I appreciate your help getting me out of there. Without even realizing it, they had already passed through the wedding plan and went directly to baby shower. Gosh... could you believe it?"

Kurosaki went silence. The only response that the ice man gave was a grunt. Rukia was about to break silence hovering them when they were about to say farewell. Well, actually Kurosaki was the one who bade their goodbye. A short and formal farewell saying, We'll be leaving now. Rukia could catch him saying thank you for a pleasant night, but it looked like the night was far from pleasant for Kurosaki.

That guy almost pushed her into the car and slammed the door behind him. He slammed his own door and drove fastly.

Okay...

Kurosaki was mad about the wedding plan.

Rukia replayed the whole scene, which seemed so seemed unreal, trying to decide whether she should have done things differently, and the only thing came to her mind was if she didn't approve to engage with Kurosaki at the first place, that way she wouldn't end up in this ridiculous situation.

'Well, it's his problem if he's furious,' thought Rukia when they arrived in front of her shop.

"Thank you for taking me home," said Rukia, ready to runaway as fast as she could. She tried to take off the ring, which had weighed a heavy burden on her finger since she started wearing it.

The ring wouldn't come off.

Another complication for this weird night.

"I can't take the ring off. I'll try to scrub my hand with soap and I'll return it..."

"It can wait. Now take your car," said Kurosaki. Both his expression and voice were unreadable. "I'll follow you home, we need to talk about this."

"No," cut Rukia flat and cold.

"No? You don't want to talk about the situation... in which both of us are trapped in?"

"Yes, we will talk about it, but no, you don't have to follow me home. We can talk about it in my office."

Dignity. Rukia realized it was all for her dignity. She would never ever tell Kurosaki that she lived in her shop because she couldn't afford to rent an apartment. She didn't tell her brother and sister, and she definitely won't tell Kurosaki.

"Rukia, don't be silly. I will follow you home. It's already late. Besides, I don't like the thought of you going home alone, without anyone here to protect you."

"I am more than capable to take care of myself, Kurosaki. I've been living alone since long time ago, and I will be alone after this whole games is over. Whatever your colleagues were thinking, this is not a real engagement. You don't have any obligation to cater to except my legal matter."

"Rukia, what are you hiding?" asked Kurosaki.

A sofa-bed in her shop can be an accurate answer or his question, but instead, this petite woman chose to say, "I don't know what are you talking about."

"Yes, you do know what I'm talking about. I've spent years to read people and know exactly when someone is trying to deny something. What is it about your house that you're trying to hide from me? Is it because the location is in the slum area? You said you're having financial difficulty. Knowing how you don't want to rely on your family, despite their fortune and all, I don't expect you stay in a large-luxurious house. I might be everything, but 'arrogant' is never be the word people might use to describe me.

"Yes," Rukia approved immediately. "I never hear people calling you arrogant. They even seldom say something about you. At least not to me. Even though it's because I'm your fiancé and they thought I'd defend you," said Rukia, half joking.

"Would you do that?" asked Kurosaki.

"Do what?" the way Kurosaki took a conversation interested Rukia. She could see the reason why this man was an eligible lawyer. Kurosaki made you kept your guard on so you can still follow the conversation's flow.

"Would you defend me?"

"Of course," answered Rukia gently. "You know, I think you are better than what you want to admit, Kurosaki. I meant, it is either because you are bossy or sweet, thinking about my well-being until I arrive at home. But I believe, it's because you are sweet."

"I. Am. Not. Sweet," Kurosaki emphasized each word and his scowl was deepen, as if what Rukia said was hurting his pride.

Rukia tried hard not to tell him that his reaction even sweeter than his willing to protect Rukia.

"Okay, if you say so," said Rukia, trying to calm him down. "But I won't take you to my house, so if you want to talk, we'll talk in my office."

Rukia opened the passenger door, about to get off of the car and from the ridiculous fight they had.

Kurosaki's arm reached across her and closed the door. "Forget it, we'll talk in my house. After that, I'll drive you here again."

Kurosaki started his car engine once more and drove leaving Karakura Square.

"Kurosaki, I don't want to cause you any trouble," said Rukia. "Just let me take my own car. I'll follow you with my car. That way, you won't have to drive me here again."

"You won't cause me any trouble. Like I said in our little course about you and me, I have a condo near the bay. I just need a couple minutes to drive you here."

And so they let the silence take over again.

Rukia thought she should tell this guy that she lived in her shop. But she knew that he'd just give her a long lecture, like what her sister-in-law will do if she ever found out. Her brother... now, that's interesting. Rukia didn't know exactly what will her brother do. Maybe he won't talk a single word, or discussed it with Rukia, but rather assign some underlings to get her things, and then he'd drag her from her shop in the middle of the night and then ground her in their mansion for at least a month.

That creepy imagination was more than enough for Rukia to keep her little secret for herself. She didn't need to be lectured, and she certainly didn't need any type of house arrest. She was a grown up woman. When she decided to open her own shop, she never expected things to go smooth. She knew that, and she was willing to go through it.

Kurosaki's car stopped. His condo was located exactly on the edge of the bay.

Rukia should have thought about it. Only the best for the famous Ichigo Kurosaki. Silently, Rukia called his first name. She didn't know why, but she liked saying his first name.

Yes, she liked his name, even though considering the said guy's mood, Rukia won't dare to call him with his first name. So Rukia kept silent, thinking only of his name. Over and over again.

Ichigo.

Kurosaki pushed the remote to open the garage and proceeded to park his car inside the garage.

"Come on," said Kurosaki rudely. That guy got off of the car and guided Rukia toward the door, then opened it.

Rukia stopped from her tracks, she didn't know why, but she didn't want to enter Kurosaki's house. It didn't mean that she was afraid of that guy. No, on the contrary, she trusted that guy. That was why she made an appointment to meet Kurosaki instead of other lawyers in Seireitei Firm.

Rukia couldn't understand the feeling coursing through her veins. It didn't mean that she knew him. Unless when he barged to her still-messy shop during that rainy day, Rukia never talked more than two sentences with him. Even if they didn't have a proper conversation at that time, something in Ichigo Kurosaki made her felt... safe. Her brother would definitely scolded her about trusting her opposite gender based on an unreliable feeling, but Rukia couldn't control it. She trusted Kurosaki.

Despite how she trusted him, she needed to keep everything between them purely business. Their meeting in his messy office or in her office were purely business. Visiting Kurosaki's house... now, that wasn't business.

"Really, Kurosaki, this isn't necessary, and... and I have to wake up early tomorrow so I have to go home now and take a rest. You can come to my office tomorrow."

Kurosaki put his hands on her back and pushed her gently toward his kitchen. "Liar. Tomorrow is a Sunday, so you don't have to go home now. You can sleep a little bit late."

"I have to work on something. And I'm trying to maintain my business, remember? I don't do holidays."

"Well, you can take one day off tomorrow and sleep a little bit late. We need to talk now and find out what we are supposed to do next." Kurosaki turned on the lights.

His kitchen was... shining. That was the only word Rukia could use to describe this room. The kitchen appliances were made of chrome. He had twin waist-height cabinets, one coloured in black and another in white. Almost all parts of the kitchen wall were made of glass and showed the scenery of the bay. Even in the dark, small twinkles of light shone the water. Is it ship or just a buoy?

Rukia wasn't sure.

One thing for sure though, that if she was offered to decorate Kurosaki's kitchen, she would decorate it exactly like this. This style fitted Kurosaki's personality.

He had a glass table right in front of a large window, he then pulled out one of the two chairs and said to her, "Sit."

"I..." Rukia was about to protest, but Kurosaki's glared convinced her that this problem should be solved immediately. "Thanks."

"Do you want something to drink?" asked Kurosaki.

"No, I'm fine."

"I have an already opened wine," he said, ignoring Rukia's rejection before. Kurosaki poured the wine into two glasses and brought them to the table. "Here."

"Thank you."

"Now, about the wedding plan."

"Kurosaki, I'm so sorry. I didn't know how it happened in the first place. One minute I was talking to Nel, Kiyone and Orihime, the next minutes their parents joined us then I realized everyone was busy talking about our wedding plan in November."

Rukia sipped her wine. She wasn't an expert in wine, but she knew it was wine of good quality. It was warm and soft.

"I feel as if half of your colleagues suddenly appeared. They talked about wedding dress and bridesmaids before I managed to say a single word."

Rukia sipped her drink again. "We need to break up in front of them. The faster we do that the better. They are planning to look for tents next Monday. I don't want to spend money for something redundant like that. It's wasting money."

"Or..."

"Or?" Rukia chirped.

"Or we can do that."

"Do what?"

"We can get married."

A/N: Yea... another long chapter is finished. So... what will Rukia said. She said "no" for the engagement then said "yes". Will that be a pattern? Again,

I personally like this chapter, even though it was short, there was a scene where Rukia and Ichigo bickered. Lol. And as usual, I'm sorry for grammar and spelling errors. Also I still love to read reviews, so please be kind and hit the review button.

PS: Don't forget to vote in my poll... you decided the next chapter -- wink --