A/N: Hello guys… I planned to upload this chapter sooner, unfortunately I got a high fever so that for couple days I should get bed rest. Thus, I am so sorry that I updated late, again.

By the way, since there were few readers who said that I have to spice up my story, I have to tell you this (in case, there are more of you who think I make a predictable story, thus I need to spice it up). Firstly speaking, I do avoid having too much spice in my cooking and my story. The reason is, once your tongue tastes too much spicy food, it will be resistant toward the important spice. Same case here. I've planned to make a climax, hence… I don't want to add too many conflicts here because it will decrease the effect of the climax. Besides, I don't think I am capable of writing too much drama in my story. So, I'm sorry for those of you who expect more "spice" in my story. ^_^ I love how you all guys care about my story, though. It's nice to read all of your review.

I'm extremely happy because most of you thought that Rukia's last statement was great. I had fun writing about it. J

And I think I couldn't thank all of you enough. Oh my… I really really really lucky to have readers (and reviewers) like all of you. I would like to thank dodus-taichou (I'm not sure I know your fanfiction ID) for her amazing fanart. Really… she even promoted this story in devianart (just like what my dearest friend: falconrukichi did before) so that I got more reviewers and readers. Thank you thank you thank you… Oh, I copy the link of her amazing art in my profile. You are welcome to click it and please leave a comment for her if you can.

And for those of you who offered to help me with proofreading, I already have a beta myself, ksko81 (thanks for helping me in this chapter and saying my grammar is improved. Yeeeiiii) and I think the more people doing the proofreading, the later I can upload my story. Thank you for the offers, I do appreciate it. ^_^

Appreciation Corner:

Of course, my sincere thank you goes to those of you who had spent your time in reviewing my story:

near-note – Hhhhh….. Glad that you think so about Hisana. Of course, upon reading your review, I wouldn't change her character. Since Rukia was Byakuya's sister here, I think he will be more protective but less cold toward her. And I'm happy that you agree with me. Hehe… you gave me a detail review… THANK YOU! _ please enjoy more Rukia – Ichigo's interaction in this chapter… J

Luminous Snow – Hope this chapter will make your day too… ^_^ I'm glad you love Hisana too. She's rather hard to write, but I'm glad that few of you found Hisana was adorable.

thesecretfromzaft – Yeps… hehe… the way Byakuya's act was the one that I want to emphasize during the who-should-Rukia-choose. ^_^

ashezo – Yeiii… Nice to hear that you thought the previous chapter was funny. Like I said, I wasn't confident enough to write humor story. But let's see what I was trying to do in this chapter… J

sayap hitam – Well… hehehe… there is time for everything… J Keep reading, then you'll find out ^_^

LazierThanShika-kun – Your review is soo adorable ^_^ Hm… I don't know if you consider their interaction in this chapter is romantic or not. Let me know what do you think, okay?

falconrukichi – Of course Kurosaki had a good sense of smell, how could he smelled his father's antics if he didn't. lol… kidding… sorry… ^_^

Rukes – fiuuuuh… glad that you think they weren't OOC. Hehe… I know I know, I thought that Rukia was actually (always) smarter than Ichigo. Hehe…

Personal Riot – well thank you… your reviews always brighten my days too ^_^

Black Sun Upon An Icy Sky – Thank you for your understanding J

SunRises – Welcome to then… ^_^ There are a lot great authors here, I envied them for they can make such amazing stories… J

food lover – Firstly, don't worry about your review. I am open up to any kind of review, after all, that's your opinion and you're kind enough to share it with me. Of course, I would be glad if you still want to continue reading this story and moreover review it. I appreciate your review. It meant that you cared for my story and tried to make this story better. I'll be waiting for your next review then…

Jazzabell – Again, I am so sorry… that cliff hanger will still be hanged in there until the next upcoming chapters. Please bear with me –wink-

darklover – Geee thank you. Nice to know you also liked the ending

0namakiza0 – You know what they say about siblings. They are very much alike. Byakuya and Rukia always tried to make everything sensible, but they sometimes came up with a wild imagination. Lol

hime – Hello hime, did you finish reading till the last chapter yet?

anime-lover-2410 – Ohoho… glad that Byakuya here still got a lot of fans ^_^

kesu25 – Smooth? Oh… well… maybe I should have put more pressure on Ichigo during the conversation, but I pitied him. Lol… hehe… yea… I kinda love the eavesdropping scene too

youtubesam – you pointed a good point there. Action speaks louder than words. However, I should remind you that in the last chapter Byakuya finally agreed to let Kurosaki married Rukia because it was the first time she stood up for a man. If Kurosaki was the one who took the action, it would be pointless. I might sound to find excuses, but that was truly my reason. Hope you can accept it. ^_^

Roma88 – aaaaah… as usual. Your latest review was great. You really grasped the idea. Yes, it was predictable, because of course, we all know Rukia, aren't we? ;) And you really got it! The point I wanted to emphasize in that scene was Byakuya's opinion about the baby. Well.. Byakuya always believed that Rukia must have her own reason of having a sudden engagement. Hehe.. that's why, when she decided to stay, Byakuya thought that the only reason was because she didn't want to ruin the Kuchiki reputation (I always think that Byakuya was a self-centered individual. Hehe). And yeah… Ichigo might be a good lawyer, but he never had a lover argument like that before, so of course our Rukia would score more in their "lovey-dovey" conversation. ^_^

Craftycowsmoo – Well… be glad now coz chapter 14 is up. Hehe… thank you for your compliment. Glad that I can still keep them in character without messing the story. ^_^

otaku-drea or huecorukia – Yes, I can't never thank my friends who promoted this story in devianart enough for giving me more readers and reviewers. Thank you for being kind in reviewing my story. ^_^

Hellsive13 – I would gladly welcome you as my reviewers. I like your reviewing. It motivated me. ^_^ Nice to know that you enjoyed each chapter. And your compliment kind of made me blush. Hehe… And you're too kind to offer me your help. However, as I said before I had my own beta. But I would love to have your help in my other stories. If you're still willing to help. Btw, thanks for the comforting sentence. ;)

Gee-chan – Thank you for your sweet review. I can't help but to read it over and over again. You really flattered me there. ^_^ you know what? Actually I am speechless. I don't know how to reply your hilarious review. But let me try it. Firstly, there are actually a lot more amazing stories than mine, so that I am flattered to read your first sentences of your review. I hope you don't feel depressed anymore now. Not because of my story, but because you have overcome whatever it was. But I am happy to know that my story can help. And it was a great thing to hear that you can visualize the scene in your mind. I did that too every time I write a story. I wanted everything in details so that people can easily imagine the scene. ^_^ And I am so sorry to put Grimmjow into bad guy. Hehe… but he's kind of match the situation because he hurt Rukia twice in Bleach. I thought that he was the one who appropriate to become someone who caused Rukia's trouble. Lol… Next, let me know if I make the story too sickly romantic. Because it was not my style either. That is why I'm not having difficulty in making not-too-romantic scene, on the other hand I kind of not good in making a romantic-lovey-dovey-scene. Another reason why I am in Ichiruki shipper. Lol. And about your proposal… I would love to. It such an honor for me. Let me now if you didn't change your mind and we can talk about it. And about proofreading offer, as I typed in the beginning… I have a beta myself. But I appreciate your offer.

A man called E – Firstly, I'm not sure whether I understand this line "your english has driven my inner grammar Nazi to seppukku, but now
he's out of the way" will you please explain it to me? And thank you for your compliment. ^_^

Monica – wooooo this is the first time someone's gave a rating to my story. Thank you… ^_^

Sae Arara – you got it ;)

kairi-Sparda – thanks for reading my story. I do hope that even this story is AU, I can still make them in character.

pinky – Thank you ^_^

gmn – Thank you for your enthusiastic review… ^_^

Welcome to the club for those of you who added this story into your favorite story:

buchielle; okamihana; kilose; otaku-drea; Thasken; StarMeetsSkye; wars; .Resort; XelaKitsune; ZIRS; and Greg3943

And thank you for those of you who added this story into your story alert:

buchielle; anime-lover-2410; 1blackcat; SunRises; Arsene Lupin III; teshichan; okamihana; otaku-drea; eatteresa; StarMeetsSkye; Starshine333; wars; oneangredwarf; Seductive Screamer; nghts1lk3r; Sae Arara; kairi-Sparda; and CrystalMoon23

Now for the ones who added me to their author alert, I would say thank you so much:

carapau; otaku-drea; nghts1lk3r; and kairi-Sparda

Alert. I made a mistake. A big mistake. I forgot to mention some of you who I'd like to appreciate.

My dearest friend: khfan forlife - I'm so sorry for a late reply review and for forgetting you earlier. Oh my God... How could I... Hm... well.. I'd like to thank you for your review...

SakuraMoon08 - Thank you for adding this story into your favorite story and story alert

AteneaB - Thank you for adding this story into your story alert

1crazedude - Thank you for your review. And you suggested something nice too... hm... we'll see in the next chapter, shall we? Also thank you for adding this story into your favorite story and moreover, for adding my name into you favorite author. Thanks a lot... _

Kiraa Satsuki - Thank you for adding this story into your story alert.

Disclaimer: almost forget to write it... but you all already know that the rightful owner of BLEACh is Kubo-sensei and the original plot belonged to Holly Jacobs.

Chapter 14

"Kuukaku-san, how are you doing today?" Kurosaki asked the one-arm lady who barged in to his office without even bother knocking at the door. The said lady brought along a picnic basket in her only hand.

Kurosaki knew, based on his experience, that Kuukaku wouldn't ask how he was doing that day, and it was a good thing because he didn't know what to say if she asked. Three weeks had passed since Kurosaki kissed Rukia, that also meant that three weeks after he met with Byakuya. However, his conversation with Rukia was still lingered in his mind:

"Why were you trying that hard to convince your brother that you want to marry me?"

"I…" Rukia stopped in track when Kurosaki stopped.

Something clicked in her mind; Rukia looked up with more confident and said to Kurosaki, "Perhaps… it is the same reason of why YOU're trying so hard to ask my hand in marriage from Nii-sama."

"How am I doing today? Do you hear that, he asked me how I am doing today," answered Kuukaku. "Not good. Not good at all, Kurosaki."

Kurosaki didn't sure to whom she was talking to because it was just the two of them in the office, but since she answered her own question, Kurosaki thought that it was just a rhetorical question.

Despite only having one arm, she was an energetic woman. And Kurosaki wouldn't be surprised if she could strangle him right here right now if Kurosaki said something that insulted her.

The said woman now busied herself by taking bowls and plates from her picnic basket.

"Any problem?" asked Kurosaki.

"I have decided not to cross out Ganju from my will. You're right. He may be idiot, but he never did any crime. And after all, he is still my brother."

"Well, I'm sure he will be glad to hear that."

Kuukaku was a rich woman. She had her own company, produced the finest fireworks in whole Japan. She wasn't too old, but she kept insisting that it was better to make a will when she was still in good condition. Therefore, she didn't have to worry about her family quarreling over her fortune.

She always came every Wednesday, at lunch time, to change her will. Kuukaku never actually changed it, though. Kurosaki thought that their session was just her therapy session. She just needed someone to listen to her ranting, and Kurosaki was sane enough to not taking it seriously. So, while she complained about one or few things, Kurosaki enjoyed the lunch she brought.

"But I want to delete Hanatarou from my will."

Kurosaki reached out his notes and wrote down Hanatarou in it. Kurosaki was more than glad to let Kuukaku distracted him from his own problem. "Alright. Hanatarou is out. May I know why?"

Kuukaku offered him a plate of chikansushi, while kept talking. "Well, I heard that he complained about the way I run the company. He said that I am a control. Ha! Me? A control freak? Please…"

And so she went on with telling Kurosaki about reasons telling her being a control freak is absurd. Kurosaki just listened to her. Nodded in the right moment, then he started to eat his lunch.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, Kuukaku-san, but I must tell you that this chikansushi is very delicious."

She stopped talking, and smiled wildly. "Oh, I'm sure you will like it. Miyako's chikansushi is the greatest ever. She never told me her secret ingredients, though…"

Secret.

Kurosaki wished he knew the secret between Rukia and his relationship. What was going on between them? If he didn't know any better, he would have thought…

"Kurosaki, are you listening to me young man?"

"Ah… sorry… I was daydreaming. What was that you're talking about?"

"I was saying that Kaien is lucky because Miyako is a great kitchen queen, and knowing that you're not bad in kitchen either, I said that any woman whom you married will be lucky too."

"Actually, I already have a wife to be."

Why did he tell that? Besides his colleagues, he never told anyone else. Not even to his family. And that reminded him to call his father and let him know about this. As much as Kurosaki hated to do that, their wedding invitation will be sent out this week.

Damn. He didn't want to cause a scene with his family. He could ignore his dad, but not his sisters.

How could he explain his marriage with Rukia to his family when he didn't understand it either? He was supposed to be happy. Besides, he would have a marriage he always wanted. Rukia knew the purpose of this wedding. He would marry a woman he could never hurt. After all, it was impossible to hurt someone who didn't love him.

Despite being relieved with that though, Kurosaki felt even more restless, almost upset. Even though he didn't know why.

"Well… well… who would have guessed," Kuukaku smirked. "You let me come here once a week yet you kept that news from me until now? Who is she?"

"Do you happen to know the new shop in this square, Shirayuki Design? The owner is Rukia Kuchiki. In a near time, she will be Rukia Kurosaki."

Pronouncing Rukia's new name made Kurosaki wondered whether Rukia would use his surname. After all, "Kuchiki" was a noble name. Maybe she wouldn't change her surname. Besides, if they were divorced later, she didn't have to change her last name again.

That thought made Kurosaki even more depressed.

Kurosaki decided not to think about Rukia's last name, instead he focused himself toward his conversation with Kuukaku.

"We will be married in the following weeks. A simple and semi-formal ceremony, but I hope you can come…"

"Do you invite me to come because you're hoping I will add your name in my will?" asked Kuukaku while laughing hard.

Kurosaki tried his best to look annoyed. "It's against the ethical code. Besides, we both know that even if you add my name in your will, you will delete it even before you sign it."

Kuukaku clapped her hand to her thigh. "Oh… you think you know me."

"I guessed I do know you, Kuukaku-san." Ichigo smirked.

"You are so sure of yourself." She snorted.

"No, I am so sure about you."

"So, what do you think you know about me?" Kuukaku bent forward.

"Despite your regular ranting about your family, especially your brother. You still love them."

"So, why do I come here once a week to change my will if I do love them?"

"Because, you enjoy our session." Kurosaki smiled and intertwining his finger while saying that.

Kurosaki knew that their relationship was beyond normal client-lawyer thing, so did Kuukaku. But Kurosaki learnt a lot of things from her.

"Is your fiancé aware that she will have a big-headed husband and because of that he can't even pass the door?"

"Maybe that's why she arranged a garden party."

"I definitely have to meet your wife. So, where's my invitation?"

"In your mailbox, or soon it will be in your mailbox."

"Huh. You better do that. Or else, I'll tell Miyako not to share her recipe with you again. Ever."

"You sure know how to get anything that you want. I have to write down your address immediately and send the invitation."

"Yeah, yeah… do what you have to do," Kuukaku's smile widened.

."And about deleting Hanatarou from your will?" asked Kurosaki.

"Just make the draft, and the decision will depend on my mood next week." Kuukaku started to put off the plates and the bowls back to her picnic basket. "And I better have already received your invitation at that time."

"I will make sure you do."

Kuukaku did something that was unusual in their former meeting. She walked toward Kurosaki and patted his shoulder. "You deserve happiness. Remember, when you love someone, you will be able to go through any kind of troubles. You two could do anything… when you love each other."

"Thanks, Kuukaku-san."

Kurosaki watched the older woman left his office.

When you love someone.

That sentence kept repeating in his mind.

But love wasn't a part of his relationship with Rukia. Nevertheless, he had to admit that these three weeks was a greatest moment he ever had.

They had their own activities. Kurosaki still the one who cooked, but Rukia was willing to help. They went home together, had their dinner while watching the night view. As simple as that. Nothing special. They prepared their dinner and shared about their day.

Kurosaki would listen to Rukia, telling him enthusiastically about her new projects. On the other hand, that girl would also listen to his new cases and how he handled them. They continued this conversation while washing the dishes.

After that, they would sit in the living room while working their own project, or sometimes watching TV.

It was so simple.

And every night, he would escort to her room. Said 'good night' to each other in front of her door, and then got inside their own room.

The wall wasn't thick enough to hinder Kurosaki listened what happened in the room next door. The wall wasn't enough to avoid Kurosaki to feel that Rukia was there…

Every night Kurosaki went to bed, and dreamt… about Rukia. About small stuffs. In his dreams, there were no worries about their relationship and the truth beyond their marriage. No worries about his own career. Just Rukia and him.

Love.

When you love someone, you will be able to go through any kind of troubles, said Kuukaku before.

Kurosaki got everything he wanted from Rukia, except that. Except love.

And that thought made him felt uncomfortable.

Rukia crawled on the floor to measure the receptionist room in Seireitei Firm. She had made a sketch about the room and Ukitake had agreed upon seeing her idea. Rukia wanted to start decorating this room soon.

Decorating is a part of the job that she loved the most. To watch the room intently, designing what style will fit the most, and then to see the realization of her design… it was the kind of magic she was working on. Rukia saw a movement from the corner of her eyes and looked up. She saw a one-arm lady descended the stairs, bringing along a picnic basket.

"Who was that?" Rukia asked Tatsuki when the said woman left the firm.

"Oh, that's Kuukaku-san. She was the reason of why you'll be having lunch with me instead of Kurosaki. She always comes on Wednesday afternoon to make some changes in her will."

"I don't think you should tell me all of this. About a special relationship between lawyer-client, something like that."

Maybe Kuukaku was the reason Kurosaki cancelled their lunch. Kurosaki didn't explain it to her. Rukia didn't ask him either.

"Oh, don't worry. There is no such thing like special relationship. Kuukaku-san tells everyone who'll listen. And that's what they do. Kurosaki… just listens to her ranting. She kept deleting the name from her will, then the following week she would say that she didn't want them to be deleted from her will. And Kurosaki just listens to it. I think they haven't made any significant change in her will up to now. That woman only wants to talk about that. She said that we are her weekly therapist."

"Kurosaki is very kind,"

Damn. There were a lot of good things about Kurosaki, and Rukia's list about that kept overflowing.

Despite his messy office, Kurosaki kept his house clean. He was a good chef. He helped doing the housework. He listened to his clients. Rukia didn't ever see him kicked a dog either.

She hoped Kurosaki did that, kicked-the-dog thing. At least, it would give her a reason to keep an emotional distance.

If Kurosaki really were an ice man, it would be easier to ignore the… well, anything that she felt for him. No, Kurosaki was definitely not an ice man – he was so kind. Rukia smiled when imagined how Kurosaki will react if he listened to her thought now. That tough guy wouldn't like it at all. Since he kissed her that night, Kurosaki never did any emotional approach toward Rukia. It was so sweet, because he respected Rukia.

Too sweet, thought Rukia while letting the measure-taped rolled in.

Yeah. Rukia was glad that Kurosaki just touched her once. And it was no more than a brush on their elbows.

They went home at night, had dinner together, shared their stories, and spent most of the night by working, and sometimes watching the TV in separate chair, without brushing each other.

That's what Rukia wanted. She convinced herself for the hundredth times already.

"You know," said Tatsuki, "Kurosaki has changed a lot since you two are engaged. He… I don't know, becomes more open up to others. You're good for him. And I think, he's good for you too. Lately, you can smile more often."

Rukia stood up and moved the ladder near the door. She wanted to measure the small window above the door. The glass of that window was already cracked a bit. She wanted to know whether she could change the window.

She spent a lot of time to design a new receptionist area, and she wanted everything to be perfect, including the window. The window glass was a kind of antique glass and had a wavy motive. Rukia found that unique. She knew she could count on Urahara to make the replacement.

Rukia climbed the ladder to reach the window.

"Hello there beautiful. Need some help?"

Rukia looked down just to face Renji Abarai, Kurosaki's co-worker, who kindly offered to bring their lunch.

That guy wasn't being too nice toward Tatsuki. He offered to bring her lunch, reluctantly. And Tatsuki responded it even more reluctantly. When Rukia asked Tatsuki what was going on, the usually cheerful receptionist was silent.

Rukia planned to find out about it later. Right now, she just wanted to enjoy her bentou.

Rukia looked at the red hair man who stood near her ladder. "Thank you, but everything is fine."

"Well, hurry up, have your lunch."

"Give me a few moments." Rukia responded.

"What she wanted to say is, Renji, go back to your cave and don't return here, ever again." said Tatsuki coldly. "After you give us our lunch, of course."

"Don't listen to her, babe," Renji butted in, ignoring Tatsuki. "How about you break up with Kurosaki, and I'll show you what a gentleman is?"

"And who is the gentleman is, Renji?" asked Tatsuki sweetly. "Besides these bentou, I can't see any single clue that you have more that you can give to a woman."

"Besides, where can you find another man better than Kurosaki?" Rukia added while standing on top of the ladder.

"You're looking at him, right now," said Renji.

Rukia smiled toward him, finally noticed that all of his acts weren't for her purpose, instead… all of this was for Tatsuki's. "Oh, Abarai-san…"

"Renji," he corrected.

"Renji," Rukia repeated obediently, while continued measuring the window. "You are a truly gentleman, but I have already been with Kurosaki now. If I didn't have a fiancé, I would definitely look for you."

"That's what happening in this world. You used a man to buy you your lunch, and then you crush his hopes. Just like that."

Renji looked at one of the bentou he brought. "I think I should be satisfied with this bentou. This bentou has always been my favorite. During these past few years, there are a lot that has changed, but I feel like I am going along this phase along with it. To be more mature, you can say it like that. There was one time when that kind of rejection will disappoint me."

"Oh, really?" Rukia chuckled hearing the redundant words from Renji.

"A poem for bentou… yeah, that is the only thing that you can do, Renji." Tatsuki grumbled.

Rukia started descending the ladder, and Renji was offering his hand. "Come on, at least let me prevent you from falling from that ladder. If I can't wint your heart, at least give me a favor to save your neck. Besides, you really have a beautiful neck."

"Oh my God…." Tatsuki hissed.

Rukia was about to take Renji's hand when Kurosaki roared, "What do you think you are doing?"

"Hey, honey." said Rukia, proud of herself because she remembered to do the lovey-dovey things in front of his colleagues. She saw her fake fiancé descending the stairs in a rush. "I've just measured this window and ready to have a lunch break."

Rukia asked Kurosaki to have a lunch today, just to give stronger impression in front of Kurosaki's colleagues, Rukia said to herself. But he said that he already had another appointment. That's why she received the bentou offered from Renji.

"Do you intend to break your neck?" Kurosaki snapped. "Get off from the ladder, Rukia."

"I'm here to catch her if she falls, Kurosaki," said Renji, he still had his hand stretched out to Rukia.

"That bentou lover is trying to catch her," mocked Tatsuki.

"Just offering some help," responded Renji.

Kurosaki's scowl was deepened. "Get your hand off of my fiancé."

"Kurosaki, you sound like… jealous," said Renji, didn't even notice the killing intention from his coworkers. "The ice man is jealous? Oh my… maybe we should change your nickname."

"I would love to help you doing that. Let's begin with your habit of checking out with the wrong woman." Kurosaki shoved Renji and offered his hand to Rukia.

"There's never going to be a wrong woman. I always choose a perfect woman, and your fiancé surely is perfect. Except for a small detail, she made a wrong decision by choosing you, not me."

"Rukia, get off," said Kurosaki.

Rukia ignored Kurosaki's hand and started to descend the ladder. "Don't talk to me like that. As if I am your servant. I am capable of climbing this ladder."

"It's not climbing it that I am worried about, I just don't like the idea of you falling from this ladder." Kurosaki held Rukia's back, causing her to stick to the ladder. It was impossible for Rukia to descend the ladder on that position, needless to say to fall from it.

"I am a grown up woman, Kurosaki." snapped Rukia.

What is the meaning of Kurosaki's I'm-Tarzan and you're-Jane attitude?

This is not his character. Just another side of his act in their little drama. Kurosaki wasn't jealous, even though he looked like it. Kurosaki was really good in acting, Rukia was sure that he could be succeed if he wanted to be an actor. Because, to be honest, Rukia was almost believe that Kurosaki indeed was jealous.

"You are my fiancé, and it is my duty to protect you."

"Protect me? This is what you called protecting me?" Kurosaki might act it out, but Rukia didn't. This caveman attitude was upsetting her.

"Yes. And what do you think it is?"

"Babysitting, that is!"

"Oh," said Renji. "It seemed that I don't have anything left to do here. I think I will put your bentou here and I will have my own bentou in my office, my fine shelter."

"Oh… shut up your mouth, Renji," said Tatsuki.

"Come with me," Kurosaki dragged Rukia towards the stairs to his office.

"Stop ordering me around."

"We need to talk."

"I agree. But after I have my lunch." Rukia took her bentou. "I am starving, and you need to calm yourself down. I can have lunch with Tatsuki, and you? Well… you can…"

"Alright… alright. Besides, I have another appointment." Kurosaki cut in, "We will have a talk tonight."

"Okay."

"And Rukia," Kurosaki said gently… too gently for Rukia's favor.

"What?" asked Rukia, realizing that Tatsuki was paying attention to every single word they said.

"Stay away from Renji,"

"You can't tell me what I should do or not."

"I am your fiancé, and I will be your husband soon, so I have rights for doing that. I am not allowing you to hit on another guy."

"So, according to your definition, sharing bentou is hitting on?"

"It's not just a bentou, he was trying to flirt with you."

"To make Tatsuki feel jealous."

"Me?" Tatsuki shrieked. "Renji wasn't trying to make me feel jealous. Making me crazy, maybe, but not jealous."

Kurosaki laughed and then continued without even looking at Tatsuki. "You must be kidding. They hate each other."

"You heard that?" said Tatsuki. "Even Kurosaki knows we hate each other. There is no way Renji was trying to make me feel jealous by checking out on you."

"Renji wanted you to think like that… that he doesn't like you. I think he is trapped in his own game, and trying to make you feel jealous because he likes you… very much."

"The point is, stay away from him," snapped Kurosaki to Rukia. "If you want bentou, I will buy it for you. Even better, I will make it for you, and after you taste my bentou, you wouldn't want a bentou from other guys."

There was a cheerful tone in Kurosaki's voice, and Rukia realized that they didn't just talk about bentou.

"According to our agreement, I won't taste your bentou… never."

"Maybe you can taste it if you ask," said Kurosaki.

"But I don't want your bentou, and I would never want it." Okay, maybe that's a lie. Kurosaki's bentou must be delicious, Rukia was sure about that.

"Kurosaki, you don't own me, you can't just command me like that." said Rukia flatly. "And you can keep your own bentou for yourself."

"Well, we'll see."

"Yeah, we'll see."

Kurosaki walked towards the stairs and ascended it, and Rukia could hear him when he mumbled about bentou all the way.

"Come on. We should find a nice spot in the park to eat our bentou, after that you can explain to me what it was about." said Tatsuki, almost dragged Rukia toward the door.

"You can't just leave your desk like that." Rukia didn't want to explain anything to Tatsuki because she didn't understand either.

Bentou?

"This is lunch time. There'll be no appointment for the next few hours. Let's go."

They crossed the street; Tatsuki still grabbed Rukia's hand while clutching the bentou with another hand. She nodded toward the first bench they saw.

"Talk." demanded Tatsuki.

A/N: Alright… so… guys, what do you think? Tell my by reviewing please…