A/N: Hello everyone… Sorry for making you wait. Here is the new chapter. I hope you enjoy this story… And oh, I'm so glad to know that most of you liked the jealous Kurosaki. I was nervous, I'm afraid I made him out of character by acting like that. ^_^

Appreciation Corner:

As usual, I thanked all of you who have spent your time in reviewing my story. Allow me to say that I really really really love your reviews. I'm not trying to be nice by saying that your reviews motivate me to update sooner and write better, because it is true…

pamianime – Yeah… Jealous Ichigo was hilarious to write ^_^

Personal Riot – Tee hee… I'm feeling lots lots better now ^_^ You gave me a very enthusiastic review. I love that. Hope you enjoy the Ichiruki interaction in this chapter ^_^

huecorukia – Here is the new chapter. Hehe… would you be someone who told them about that, because they needed help in that department.

near-note – Hello there. Actually, that was the second time of Renji appeared in this story. The first one was during the Ukitake's party where Kurosaki announced his engagement. And you're right about Kuukaku. She was just a usual character. Actually, Kurosaki started to question himself of why he told others about his marriage when he intended just to keep the marriage for his colleagues and family. And Renji won't be a bad boy. Don't worry ^_^ Ahhh… about Rangiku. I have already given her a role in this story. She didn't appear much, but she played an important role too in Ichiruki relationship. ^_^

LazierThanShika-kun – Hello, hope your blackberry is okay now ^_^ And I've revised the last chapter. Yeiiii… Hope I don't make the same mistake again in this chapter. Lol. ^_^ And you know Kurosaki, he would do anything to delay telling Isshin that he was about to get married. Hehe… poor Isshin.

SunRises – After quite some time in deep thought, I think that Renji wasn't the only person that acted like a child. Kurosaki did too. But no one dares to tell him that he was acting childish, right? ^_^

ashezo – Thank you for the information. I haven't revised the chapter though. Sorry… feel free to let me know if I made some mistakes again. I will definitely revise it later. ^_^ And I'm glad knowing that you love the jealous Ichigo. Hehe…

buchielle – Ehehehe… could someone tell Ichigo already that what he felt was jealousy? Lol… The wedding? Hm… do you think it will happen?

Black Sun Upon An Icy Sky – aha… you know my friend, a secret is hilarious because it is a secret. Lol… hehehe… You are very much welcome to imagine things. Hehehe… don't let it go too wild, though. Lol :D

1crazedude – Uh oh… hm… I don't know whether you will consider Ichiruki's interaction "tonight" was something "good". ^_^ And about the argument, I think that whenever they have a quarrel, even for something sooooo trivial, it's nice to watch and it made me smirk. That's why I want to show some quarrel in here. :D

Cherryblossom snow – Thanks for your double reviews. :D Yes, I am indeed planning something, but I don't know whether you will think that my plan is kind of absurd or something. Just let me know, okay? PS: Don't think too much about the whole bentou thing, Rukia didn't understand it either. lol

eatteresa – ehehehehe… and here goes the next drama :D

A man called E – Damn right. I was writing the last chapter when I suddenly felt hungry. Lol. It seemed I wasn't the only one who was affected by the whole bentou thing. ^_^ Yeah, Renji with his hot headed and brainless head would be a total crack pairing along with Tatsuki and her temper attitude. :D

Gee-chan – Hello there. Though we chatted a lot in DA, I haven't replied your review. I'm so sorry… -_- Now, about your review… thank you… thank you. I never imagine that a lot of readers will like this story, and the idea of Ichigo being a lawyer and stuffs. Like I said, this was one first AU story. I'm glad that I chose this storyline. Applause for Holly Jacobs and her wonderful novel :D And about Urahara. Hm… I'm still thinking about a nice role he can play here. I did mention him, but to be honest I haven't put to much thought on that one. And about Ulquiorra… since you gave me a wonderful offering, I'll make his appearance in the later chapter. It was short, but he was hard to write, so I hope you don't feel disappointed. ^_^

Hime – Uh oh… you don't need to check everyday. I usually update the story once in a week. And usually in Monday or Tuesday. :D And it's nice to know that you love this story :D

0namakiza0 – Ahahaha…. Why, couldn't you stand Tatsuki and Renji together? Lol. And Tatsuki was an observant character. That was why I gave her the role of suspecting something. But no… you can feel relieved because she didn't suspect anything like you suspected before :D

thesecretfromzaft – I think I want to give a try of Kurosaki's bentou too ^_^ Hehehe… you know, sometimes it's hard to decide whether Kurosaki was just acting out or not. He's hard to read, except for Rukia. But sometimes, Rukia was overanalyzing something so… ^_^

darklover – Thank you… I'm glad you like it. ^_^

gmn – Aaaaawww… thank you for such a nice review. I'm glad that you love it and even don't care if it is predictable. You're very nice. And you're right, this chapter will be chalk-full of emotions relieved just like you said, but I don't know whether you will consider it good or bad ^_^

falconrukichi – Ehehehe… like I said, Ichiruki's trademark is their hilarious sometimes pointless arguments. Lol :D

snowywhite – Here is the new update, hope you don't mind to review it too ^_^

dodus – Yei for the ladder-scene ^_^ I started to think that Holly Jacob's novel was written for ICHIRUKI fan. Lol

saiyan prince1 – Again, thanks for your compliment. I think there are great stories in this site, you just haven't found them yet. Fortunately for me, you found my story. ^_^

mitsuishi – I'm so sorry if the last chapter was short. I think this chapter won't be too much different too. I'm having this annoying writer block. Hope it will end soon so that I can write a longer chapter. ^_^

StupidMe – a late review from you? Mind? Me? Never. Hehehe… Yeah sista, me too craving for a certain carrot top. ^_^ but if he chose Rukia, then it's okay for me. I could never ever compete with that raven shinigami. Lol. And I'm glad you like the bentou talk. And yea... if I will put the title for my last chapter, I think "bentou" will be appropriate :D

Roma88 – Aaaah… finally… I read your review. It always amuses me how you can conclude everything in the right place. Yeah, Ichigo was acting like a caveman and I'm glad to know that you thought I did a good job on that one. And about the irony, hehehe… Rukia could catch Renji's hidden objective easily, because it was obvious. Well… at least for her. I'm relieved to know that I made a right choice of including Rukia-doing-her-job in the last chapter. I never thought that someone (you) would appreciate it. :D Oh, before I forget, the Urahara thing. He did have antics that no one could ever compare. Lol. I'm still portraying how to make his debut in this story. Hope I can make a good one. Till next time ^_^

kaoru240 – I like reading your review, so please feel free to review my story. And as I said before, I don't have enough confidence to make some lemon scene. Maybe in the other stories. ^_^ Hope you're okay with that.

Thank you for those of you who added this story into your favorite story:

soulraven98; renee18; Hiona01; fionamoto; Starshine333; Rima Touya-Rose; RoxRocker90; Red6; ; The Blue Mask-cara; kaoru240; and Mello's-Dark-Chocolate

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

IT RIO; snowywhite; windstrail; The Blue Mask-cara; kaoru240; XxStrawberry PrincessxX; and cappychan

And for those of you who added me into your favorite author and author alert, I can't tell you how flattered I am. Thank you so much…

buchielle; saiyan prince1; and The Blue Mask-cara

Disclaimer: It's obvious that I don't own Bleach. Kubo-sensei does. And the original storyline belongs to Holly Jacobs

Chapter 15

"Talk." demanded Tatsuki.

"There's nothing I can say. We've just had a small lover's quarrel. He just felt jealous toward Renji."

"There's more than that. What about the 'bentou' conversation?"

"Our lunch."

Tatsuki sighed in desperation, "Come on, Rukia, I thought we are best friend, or at least we'll be one. We share lunch, share stories, but you never told me about your dates with Kurosaki. Even though I understand completely about that. I mean, Kurosaki always keep everything for himself, and if he asked you not to tell anyone about your dates, I won't blame you. But there's something wrong here. I'm not stupid, you know?"

Rukia thought about how she could tell Tatsuki about their relationship without mentioning about their agreement. "We…" she started, Tatsuki chewed her lunch slowly, nodding her head to encourage Rukia.

"We are facing a problem in defining our relationship. It seems that Kurosaki sees himself as a dictator, as a boss. Meanwhile I see it as a mutual relationship, and this relationship has to be built based on trust. How could he think I was hitting on with Renji Abarai? Oh, Renji is actually a nice guy…"

"Ha!" Tatsuki exclaimed.

"Right. But he is not Kurosaki." Rukia opened her bentou and started her lunch.

"Wow… you really feel it, don't you?" Tatsuki said.

"Feel it?" Rukia asked. Confused.

"Love. You're really in love with Kurosaki, aren't you?" answered Tatsuki cheerfully.

Rukia choked by her salad. Love?

Oh… right! It can't be! But she couldn't say that to Tatsuki, right? So… she decided to give a respond with, "Maybe my mistake, my biggest mistake, is that I'm not sure what he feels about me."

Tatsuki almost snapped her chopsticks, "Rukia… come on. Any fool can see clearly what he feels about you. Do you think he would be rushing after you like before if he didn't even care?"

"Maybe he just did that for his own favor."

"Or maybe he has a crush on you just like you do."

Crush on him?

'Do I have a crush on him?' Rukia thought.

Had a crush on Ichigo Kurosaki?

Rukia wasn't sure. She wasn't even sure of anything after this mess happened. One time she was just trying to save her business, the other time she was engaged with a man who didn't love her and vice versa.

Wait, the part of she didn't love him back felt awkward. No… not awkward. It's completely wrong.

Love.

She couldn't fall in love with Kurosaki, could she?

Besides, they hadn't known each other for a long time.

"Rukia?" Tatsuki asked the silent girl slowly.

"Hm?" Rukia responded, looking right at Tatsuki's eyes.

"You love Kurosaki, don't you?"

Love. Did she love Kurosaki? Her logic wanted to say no, but her heart shouted a different answer. Even without an inner battle, her heart was already win easily.

"Yes," whispered Rukia, ever so gently as if she just wanted to say that to herself. "I think so. Loving Kurosaki changes everything."

"Yes, love does it all."

Rukia Kuchiki loved Ichigo Kurosaki, her fiancé and soon to be husband.

And loving him changed everything.

"Rukia?" Kurosaki called out while opening the front door that night.

Rukia knew he would be coming home, but not this early.

She turned around from the sauce she was stirring a while ago. "Diner will be ready in a few minutes."

"You cook?"

"Yep." She wanted – No, she needed – to do something. Anything. And the only thing she could think of was cooking. "I know that you do most of the cooking stuff, but I can cook too. Moreover, people said that my teriyaki sauce is great."

"It smells good," Kurosaki agreed.

An uncomfortable silent filled the kitchen. Rukia couldn't stand that, so she turned around and started stirring her sauce again. Stirring the sauce was far much easier than had to face Kurosaki. She knew what she had to do, and she knew why she had to do that, but she didn't want to do that. She wasn't sure whether she'd be able to break her own heart.

"How if you change your clothes first?" asked Rukia without turning around and looking Kurosaki right at his amber orbs.

"Alright." Rukia heard he walked away, and then stopped. "Rukia?"

"Yes?" Rukia watched her sauce intently, asking whether she put too much paprika into it. There's too much ugly green spatter in her sauce.

"I'm sorry about today."

"No, never mind that. But we need to talk."

'That ugly green spatter,' Rukia thought.

The green paprika could be stick in her teeth. She had prepared for tonight's dinner, but this green paprika wouldn't help her plan.

Rukia didn't need to turn around to know that Kurosaki was stiil there, waiting. It's easier to worry about the paprika rather than to worry about him.

"Alright," finally Kurosaki said. "Let's talk."

"No. Not now. Later." Rukia was preparing their last dinner, and then she'd do what she had to do. She did that because she loved Kurosaki. "Just change your clothes, and then we'll have dinner, after that… we'll talk."

"If that's what you want."

"That's exactly what I want."

What she wanted? No… that's a total lie. She didn't want anything from any of this. What she need? Perhaps. But what she really wanted was…

'No,' Rukia scolded herself. She shouldn't have that thought. It's just a fantasy, just a wrong imagination which had nothing to do with her real life.

Rukia had planned this night just like Kurosaki did during their engagement night.

She might not take Kurosaki to have a romantic dinner on the Yacht, but she prepared a delicious dinner, opened a nice bottle of wine, and prepared their table on their balcony. She wanted to end this relationship as smooth as the beginning. Maybe that was weird, but that what she wanted to do right now.

When Kurosaki finished showering and changing his clothes, Rukia had prepared their dinner and was about to serve the teriyaki. The wine was as cold as ice, so was her heart. But she welcomed the coldness she felt. When this feeling was gone, Rukia knew that she would hurt inside. Deeply.

"About today," Kurosaki started after he sat on his chair.

"No," said Rukia. She knew what she had to do, but she tried her best to hold it as long as she could. "Just taste my teriyaki first."

Rukia served the teriyaki and waiting. Kurosaki tasted it and said, "You're right. Your teriyaki sauce is great. It's delicious."

"I added wine in it. Just to make the taste stronger."

It's lame. Rukia knew it. What she really wanted to say was, 'I love you, idiot. I want to marry with you. A real wedding. I want to live my life with you and loving you all my life.'

But Kurosaki didn't feel that way. For him, she was just a business partner. Rukia couldn't have a fake marriage, because loving Kurosaki made this fake marriage hurting her. She chose to break her own heart tonight, rather than had to let it crumpled and shattered little by little day after day. And that's what exactly would happen if she stayed with a man who didn't even love her.

Kurosaki ate his teriyaki, not noticing Rukia's inner battle.

"Did you prepare all of these alone?" asked Kurosaki when he swallowed his last meat.

"Yep. Everything."

"I'm impressed."

"Glad to hear that."

It looked as if they didn't have anything else to talk about. They pretended they enjoyed their dinner, even though for Rukia it felt like sawdust.

Rukia looked at the bay. It was easier than had to look at Kurosaki.

Rukia loved him.

She didn't know when it was started. She wasn't even sure why all of this was happening, because she never intended to fall for him. But she did.

Rukia played with the ring in her finger. In a few minutes, this ring would be taken off of her finger and returned to the rightful owner, Kurosaki. One day, this man would find another woman. A woman whom he loved and this woman would be the one who wore this ring. This woman would be the one who would go to Irish with Kurosaki, to fulfill the old promise.

"Rukia, I want to apologize about today," said Kurosaki, interrupting Rukia's thought.

"You don't have to. I just want you to know that I didn't hit on Renji. I would never do anything like that to you," answered Rukia.

"I know. I can't explain why I did the thing I've done before. I just can say sorry."

Rukia had thought about how to do this "thing" a whole afternoon. She knew Kurosaki wouldn't let her go that easily. Kurosaki needed her… at least he needed to marry someone. Any woman could do that. So, rather than telling him that everything's over, she had another idea.

"We need to talk about this marriage," said Rukia. "The wedding date is approaching, and we haven't finished our prenuptial contract. I think today is a perfect example of why we need that agreement. We need to write everything, every little thing, in detail."

"I have made some notes since we've started."

"Same with me." Rukia took a piece of paper from her jeans pocket. "I've started making a list of anything that we have discussed before. I'm not a lawyer, but my list is clear enough."

Rukia took a deep breath, and then started, "Rule number one – what yours would always belong to you after this marriage over. And vice versa."

"I think it already conclude everything," said Kurosaki.

"Oh, no," said Rukia. "You said it yourself that we need to write everything, and I think we need more than jus a simple basic rule. Rule number two – there will be no "our" property. If something breaks and needs to be replaced, the one who breaks it will have to buy the replacement and after that the replacement will belong to the one who bought it after the marriage is over."

"Rule number three –"

"Rukia, I think we don't have to mention it one by one," said Kurosaki, he sounded upset.

"Oh, but we have to do that," said Rukia convincingly, and she kept on mentioning about things they had been agreeing, then started to add some more. "Rule number 28. Kurosaki is responsible of throwing off the garbage. If he couldn't come home sooner to do that, he had to tell Rukia verbally to ask her doing that."

"Rukia, that rule can't be added into our agreement. Of course if I can't do that, you should help me doing that." this time Kurosaki sounded more than upset.

Rukia planned to start the fight, and it worked. But it didn't satisfy her enough.

"I don't agree", Rukia snapped. "You said we need to write down everything. And I want everything."

"I don't want to write down that I have to have dinner with your brother once a week."

"You should know each other better," said Rukia.

Kurosaki growled, "Rukia… what you need to do is just ask, and I will definitely come. You don't have to write it in our prenuptial contract."

"But you are the one who insisted of writing down everything. We don't love each other, and we don't have anything to do with love commitment or something like that." Saying those things sure made Rukia's heart shattered even more. But her Kuchiki façade helped her hid it.

Rukia forced herself to continue. "We have been friends, or at least that's what I think until now, but you are right. Everything needs to be written."

"Including the part of putting my laundry in laundry basket?" asked Kurosaki.

"I tripped on your towel."

"That towel was in the bathroom."

"I was cleaning the bathroom. Bathrooms have become my responsibility," said Rukia.

"Oh yeah, another small term in our agreement. Which number?"

"Seventeen, I guess. You want me to check it out?"

"No. I think you don't have to write down about the housework into our contract."

"Well, you clean the house and cook, and we take turns in cleaning the kitchen, because it is…"

"I don't need reasons, and I'm tired of adding these terms and agreements into our prenuptial contract which supposed to be just simple." Kurosaki drank his wine and put it back with such a force that startled Rukia.

"Don't you see that there's nothing simple in this situation?" That was the meaning of all the ridiculous terms and conditions Rukia made. Kurosaki didn't realize how this situation had become complicated… at least for Rukia. Marrying with a man she loved, but didn't love her back – couldn't be more complicated.

"We can make it simple if we just let it be."

"Maybe I don't want to let it be," Rukia cut in. "Maybe I don't want this situation become simple. Maybe I want this marriage to succeed. And if we can make it succeed by having a prenuptial contract I will do that."

"I don't understand you," shouted Kurosaki, harsh.

"I know," Rukia said sadly. And she didn't intend to explain it to Kurosaki.

"Alright. You want to add new rules? Unimportant ridiculous things? Fine… let's see what happened with Abarai today. I want to add a rule in our contract. No hitting on another guy."

"I didn't hit on him," Rukia snapped back. "He just used me to make Tatsuki jealous."

"No way. They hated each other."

"You said it before and you are wrong. They both want to make you think like that."

"You are crazy and you are trying to change our conversation. I want to add that rule."

"Fine. But I haven't finished with my rules. Rule number, oh, I don't know which number it is, but every Tuesday we will have lunch in MacD."

"What?" asked Kurosaki, Rukia stopped. "You included MacD into our prenuptial agreement? Rukia… that was totally ridiculous!"

"And golden weeks," said Rukia, ignoring Kurosaki's statement and the hurt she felt inside her chest. "We haven't discussed about where we will spend our holidays."

"I'm not going to divide the holiday with my family or your family in our agreement."

"And Disney World," said Rukia, still ignoring kUrosaki. "I want to go there. In spring. You don't write anything. Start writing. In spring, we will visit Tokyo Disney Land, of course."

"Rukia, I don't want to write it down." Kurosaki threw his notes and pen on the middle of their table and crossed his hands in front of his chest. "It's done."

"And I want you to write you won't drunk and lose your foot. And even if you did that, I would never use that reason to leave. It…"

At that moment, Rukia realized that she was crying. She didn't want to cry.

"What is this all about?" asked Kurosaki, his voice was gentle.

"I can't do it, Kurosaki. I'm sorry." Rukia let her tears rolled down her cheeks and consentrated on her words. "I think I can do this. But I can't. I tried to start a fight, but I don't want to end it like this. It looked like a nice idea this afternoon, but not now. I just can't marry with you. This is my fault. Just say it to them, that you've tried – and indeed you've tried – but I just being insensible. I am insensible. I have packed my clothes."

"You have packed?" asked Kurosaki. "What is this? This is how you show it what you mean? If that so, I don't understand."

"I… I have to go. That's the only thing you should understand."

"Rukia."

"Listen, Kurosaki. We can't even agree in what we should write in our prenuptial contract. How could you expect that we will be doing just fine in our marriage?"

"It's not the same thing."

"It is the same. Basically, we are just strangers."

"Strangers? You have lived with me almost a month. I know things about you. I know you cried when you watch old movies, and your favorite movie is Heaven Forest. I know you like to have your wine as icy cold not just cold. I know you love to watch the sun set, and you love the seagulls even though I think they are no more than just a bunch of flying mouses."

"They are pretty," whispered Rukia.

"I know you love your family. I know you are independent and strong willed. I know that you are a good interior designer, and because of that I know Shirayuki design will be success and developed."

"It's because of you and your promotion. But aside of those things, and no matter how much I thank you for what you did to me, I don't think our marriage will work. You know a lot about me, but there are things that you don't know, and I think you won't know about that forever."

"You can teach me."

Rukia shook her head slowly. "No. There are few things that cannot be taught. And I've learned a lot about you to know that you aren't a person that likes to be taught about something. When Juushiro-san told that you need something to balance in your life, you felt insulted."

"I have plan. It doesn't mean that I want to make my career as the center of my life forever. It just I have to… do something. I have to redeem my mistake. And after that, after I reach my goal I will reduce my work load and concentrate on my family."

'Redeem his mistake? What does it mean?' Rukia thought, but she kept that thought aside.

"When will you reach your goal, Kurosaki?" Rukia sighed. "I know you have your life planned well. And I know that I'm not a part of that plan. I'm just a stepping stone that you took to get what you want. And Kurosaki, I realize that I can't just be your stepping stone."

Rukia's heart was broke. Rukia swore she could feel the fragments in her hearts. Was it possible to die because of bleeding due to a broken heart? She would find out later, after she finished what she did here.

"I'm leaving," said Rukia.

"I don't want you to leave."

"But I have to. If I stay, if I'm still in this fake engagement, we will end up hating each other."

"I can never hate you."

"That's what you say now, but you can hate me. You will hate me. I have packed, and I'm going to leave."

"Rukia, please don't go." Kurosaki started standing up from his seat and reached Rukia.

Kurosaki thought Rukia would take a step back and avoid him. He was surprise when Rukia put her hands on his shoulder and forced him to sit back.

She bent down a little, and kissed him. Gently.

"I'm sorry."

She put the ring on the table.

Kurosaki was frozen. He looked at the ring, and then Rukia's figure… retreated from his sight.

Kurosaki was still sitting in his chair when he heard a door opened, something rolled on his floor. Another sound of the door.

He could hear Rukia's footsteps in his living room. And Kurosaki prayed that she would never open the front door.

But she did. She closed the front door gently and Kurosaki knew… He knew that she didn't only leave his house. She left his life. She left him alone. Rukia Kuchiki had left him, Ichigo Kurosaki, alone.

And the worst thing was… he didn't do anything to stop her from leaving him.

A/N: Alright, so I haven't receive the feedback from my beta. I will revise it later when she sends me the document. Anyway… I'm still struggling to write the next chapter. It won't be uploaded anytime soon, but I try my best not to keep you waiting.

Thanks for reading my story and reviewing it… ^_^

PS: Started from next chapter, I will upload this story in both and in Deviantart. You're welcome to review in both sites.