I am Your Slave Wife

Disclaimer: I Don't Own Bleach…
A/N: I bow and THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REVIEWS. For those who were confuse or didn't understand much of this story… I apologize; I'll try to explain things at the right moment in every chapter. The story was just starting so things are a bit about what are Ichigo and Rukia had become after their marriage. :D Leex: That was a long Review lol..And you got some point there but let's just see what happened. Lol I think I'm being cruel… but really I'll try to explain things inside the story so just check it out. Thank you by the way for your review.
I apologize for grammatical errors… Thank you again.

CHAPTER 4: I AM YOUR SLAVE WIFE

"Renji, any progress or lead for Inoue's disappearance?" Rukia asked hopeful. Renji look at the woman sitting before him. They were inside a cozy café in Tokyo. She was still slim, petite, pale, shiny raven hair, dark blue-violet crystal like eyes, over all she was a pretty face but all her beautiful outer appearance seems to look so lifeless.

"No progress Rukia. She just disappeared like suds in the air. I had checked everything, family background, birthplace, I investigated all her friends, the media, the entertainment agency she was employed, even paid some people in the international airport of Japan just to know if she'd gone overseas. Sorry to say Rukia but we don't have that much luck in finding her." Renji explained. He had been investigating Inoue Orihime's disappearance 5 years ago because of Rukia's request. He was now a high ranking police officer in Karakura. Rukia entrusted him the case and from time to time she would call him to come in Tokyo and check the progress but she may find it disappointing, he can't really find the woman.

"I see." Rukia gloomily said. Renji sigh, he knows he was going to let her down but if he will be honest to himself. He was not really a hundred percent dedicated to find that woman. It was still a puzzle to him why Rukia wants to find a woman who might ruin her already ruined marriage. She was Ichigo's fucking ex.

"You should stop looking for her, ya know. We don't know… she might be part of the underground organization called Espada who also disappeared in Japan 5 years ago without leaving a trace." He seriously informed her. Rukia's eyes widen in disbelief.

"Is that really possible?" She asked. Renji chuckled. He likes to catch her off guard.

"I was just kidding." He said steering his coffee with a grin in his face. Rukia pouted and glare at Renji.

"Be serious, Renji. This is important." She reprimands. "She can't be on that underground organization; she was too delicate and angelic to be with criminals." Rukia reasoned out.

"You don't know a thing about criminals Rukia they can be deceiving. Like a wolf in sheep's skin. Actors and actresses are good assets for illegal and criminal doing because they mingle and influence the public but yeah, let's just hope Inoue's not one of them." Rukia nodded, it really didn't cross her mind that it is possible for Orihime to become a criminal.

"By the way, Rukia why are you so eager to find that woman? Wasn't it enough that, that Ichigo bastard is treating you like nothing? She's the reason Rukia why your relationship with Ichigo is hanging somewhere unknown." He may be away from her but he knows if she was hurting. He had friends in the mansion in case that bastard will physically hurt her. He'll be the first one to drag him out of his mansion, arrest him, charge a case then put him behind bars. He saw Rukia avert her eyes from him and bite her lower lip.

"She's a friend too Renji and I wanted to clear the misunderstanding." She softly said with a hint of hesitation.

"What if it will only lead of you losing Ichigo?" He bluntly said. He wanted to tell her so badly to free herself. To tell her that it's enough, you have to move on and think of yourself instead of other people. Life is too short Rukia, live your own. He wanted to tell her that so badly but he can't he'll hurt her. Just now, telling her that she might loss Ichigo almost put tears in her eyes.

"That's not going to hap-

"Enough let us just change the subject." Renji said cutting her off because if he will not do that she might actually cry before finishing her sentence. This Rukia is very different from the reckless and brave Rukia he had known before. He truly wonders what Ichigo did to make such a fearless girl fear to lose a guy like him. "You look pale and you lose a lot of weight. I think you are not taking good care of yourself." Renji assumed eyeing her intently.

"I'm fine officer." She playfully said a faint smile emerge in her face. Renji can't help but smile also. Rukia when they were still in college always make fun of him about being a cop. She said the criminals would most likely mistake him as one of them because of his tattoos and it will lead in solving the case. Accidentally the police will say he is good, good to become a secret agent because he looks more like a criminal than a police and her imagination will run lose.

"I am not blind Rukia. The next time we meet you better gain weight or else I'll arrest you." Rukia's smile widens. Renji are one of those rare people she can't hide her sadness nor her smiles.

"Sir, yes sir." Renji laugh, he wasn't use of people saying that in a very soft voice if Chief Zaraki Kenpachi will hear this. He'll probably be barking, insulting and cursing in front of her face right now.

"You should really start eating a lot Rukia. I'm afraid the next time we meet you'll not have enough energy to finish even an hour of conversation. Skin and bones Rukia you're getting quite close to that if you don't start taking good care of yourself." He said a matter of fact. Rukia nodded in understanding.

"You're exaggerating things again Senior Inspector Abarai but enough of me. Thank you for coming here Renji and for still continuing the investigation of her disappearance. I can't thank you enough for that I know you are busy but then again I thank you for sparing some time." She sincerely said.

"It's nothing Rukia, it's a privileged to help you. You and your brother help me a lot back then. This is just a little favor from you it won't be enough to pay all the goodness you and your brother had shown to me."

"You're family Renji so stop thinking that you need to pay us." She said making contact with Renji's eyes.

"That's the main reason why I had let you go and give you up to that ungrateful bastard." Renji thought. He likes Rukia so much back in their younger days but because of Byakuya and her treating him as family he had let her go. Besides she fell in love with Ichigo secretly on that time too.

"How are you and Tatsuki?" She asked. A grin form in his face Rukia can tell he was happy.

"Fine, we are living together." He might love Rukia but unlike her, he can move on.

"Really, I'm happy for you Renji. Inform me if you'll plan to ask her to marry you. I'd like to sponsor some flowers. I had samples in my car. It's for you actually I grow them myself." Rukia proudly said. Her garden was her sanctuary, her pride and joy.

"Oi! Hold your horses. I'm still not going to get married that-that takes a lot of planning." Renji said startled. Rukia chuckled.

"That's why you have to inform so that I can help you." Renji rub the back of neck.

"Marriage, huh?" He was uncertain. "It's really a big step in my life I don't want to rush things and end up wrecked." He honestly said, voicing out his thought. Rukia silently agreed.

"Yeah, you shouldn't rush things; rushing things often lead to mistakes and regrets." Rukia sadly said.

"Did you regret marrying him?" Renji ask his full attention on Rukia. Rukia shook her head.

"No, I will never regret marrying Ichigo. I love him; it's just that if only things weren't moving so fast back then Ichigo and I won't have to suffer like this."

"Wait, what do you mean by if things were not moving so fast back then?" Renji asked completely confuse of what she means.

"The people involve back then, if they had just explain why we are suddenly getting into one of life's biggest step. If they had just listened what Ichigo was feeling, what I was feeling we wouldn't end up like this. You know what hurts the most Renji. Even if the person you love breaks your heart every single day. It still can't compare the pain knowing that you are the reason why his heart was seeking revenge, seeking for something that even just a little will ease his own pain and sadness." Renji was dumbstruck. Is this really the outrageous girl he had known before? He felt ashamed to himself who thought that he had experience all the pains in life physically or emotionally. This woman before him had more understanding about pain than anybody he had known.

"But again let's not talk about that. Why do I have this feeling that every time we talk the topic will always have its way on my life?" She said trying to break the unwanted atmosphere.

"Maybe because you have more meaningful things to share in life than I do." A smile was on her face. He can't help but silently swear to himself that no matter what happened he will always protect this woman sitting right next to him.

"I guess because of that I treat you to lunch today and become your tour guide here in Tokyo. What do you think Senior Inspector Abarai?" Rukia lightheartedly said.

"That sounds really good, Mrs. Kurosaki." Renji good-humoredly replied. Due to the happiness of being called or recognized as Mrs. Kurosaki even just once in a while Rukia surrender to her urge to hug Renji. It was so unlikely of her to do such things but she didn't care. Renji was slightly surprise but he knows deep inside he yearns for this. His heart and soul yearns for this and he tightly hugs her back without caring what the people inside the café would say and without noticing a certain orange hair.

….

Ichigo's eyes almost bore holes at the two embracing figures before him. Her face looks so contented and she was smiling. He clenches his fist to control his self from making a scene.

"Hon, what's wrong?" One of Ichigo's stage woman said, trying to pry behind him but his towering figure impedes everything. Ichigo tried his best not to yell and curse them all.

"I forgot I have more important things to do. I'll head back to my office." He said turning his back to them and make his way out of the café as fast as he can. The woman was left dumbfounded, her date just left her.

Ichigo can hardly conceal his anger. Alcohol and cigarette, his escape, he wanted to kill someone so badly right at this moment. He lights his cigarette and quickly inhale the addictive nicotine. His body felt the ecstasy but it did nothing to ease the strong turmoil deep inside him. He can hardly tame the beast within him. If he didn't move out of that café as quickly as he can, god knows what he'll do to those two. He dug his cell phone in his pocket dialing Tatsuki's number. The cigarette dangled between his lips as he waited for the other line to answer.

"Hello, Ichigo what's up-

"Do you know where Renji is right now?" He cut her off; his patience was at its peak.

"He told me that he will be patrolling in Karakura. If you need something to him, I'm afraid he will return late. He also said that he have to meet an important person to report some important matters. You can call-

"Do you know he's in Tokyo right now?" He said sitting in his office chair. Legs cross together pouring wine for himself. The lights was off, the only source of light was the slight glow from the outside behind the heavy curtains.

"What? In Tokyo? Why? How did you know?" Tatsuki asked surprised that her boyfriend was in Tokyo.

"I saw him with a woman." He didn't care what the other line would feel. He will voice out the truth. He had enough of being fooled. "Yes, I saw him with Rukia." He said blowing cigarette smoke in the air.

"Oh I see, I think they just want to catch up." She said without presuming anything. Ichigo was not satisfied by her answer.

"He was hugging her shamelessly inside a café with a good deal of audience. They didn't even notice me." Remorselessness was clear in his voice. The other line was silent for a while.

"What are you trying to say Ichigo, she's your wife." Ichigo's fangs cut the cigarette between his lips and it fall on the floor.

"Have you already forgotten what she did to your friend Inoue Orihime. What she did to us. She's a thief; she can steal Renji from you!" Ichigo bark on the phone. Tatsuki was speechless. She can't believe Ichigo was saying this to her. She was his wife but she can't also shake the feeling of distrust towards Renji and Rukia. What happened to her best friend was a proof enough to start assumptions.

"I advise you, to do everything to make Renji stay away to that immoral woman." He orders her. Tatsuki nodded and she suddenly felt down. Renji was everything to her. She didn't want to lose him.

"I have to go Ichigo. I still have worked to do." Ichigo nodded and ring off. Ichigo lights another cigarette, his lone figure sitting in the dark. He felt like the rain inside him will never stop falling and soon everything will go down. Deep inside he was asking why his life have gone this wrong. This empty addiction, he doesn't want to let go. There are so many questions he wanted to ask to his self but he was afraid, answers might open his eyes.

"Hatred is the only thing that is binding us together and it's the only reason why I keep on moving." He ruefully said.

….

It was already late afternoon Renji and Rukia was now walking in the park. After Rukia brought him to Tokyo's most amazing places and treating him to a lot of food, he was now very satisfied.

"That was fun!" Renji said grinning at Rukia, who in return gently smile at him.

"Yeah, I was wondering how much more you can eat after that?" She playfully asks. Renji laugh, patting his well toned stomach.

"Ahhh, I can still eat more than that!" Rukia elbowed him in the gut. Renji stifle an "ooof", as he follows her walk.

"What a glutton. You'll get fat and Tatsuki will turn you down." Renji shrugged his shoulders, he was not fazed.

"I am very confident with my body. I know I am in that category of men they called tall, dark and handsome. Girls can't resist this." He boasts, showing Rukia his limb muscle. Ruka just shake her head, a smile was playing in her lips.

"What? Here standing before you the living evidence of Renji's awesome self and body." Rukia just pat him on the shoulders.

"Alright, alright macho man cools it before I get sick of you." Renji pouted but he was happy at least Rukia's verbal jabs are slowly making it's come back. Silence follows as they wanders around the park both contented watching the carefree children play in the playground. High school students walk their way home with their friends bickering and teasing. Renji's eyes soften as he remembers his old days too. With Rukia, Ishida, Chad, Keigo, Mizuro, Tatsuki, Orihime and Ichigo. The noisiest and the most popular group at school back then not just because they have a celebrity with them, Ichigo and Rukia's family backgrounds alone often catch more attention. Ichigo and Rukia habitually quarrel too but in times of need they are thick as thieves but what happened next in both of their lives was a 360 degrees turn. Until now he can't still decipher who really was at fault, was it their families particularly Byakuya and Isshin? Was it Orihime or Rukia and Ichigo themselves?

"Hey, care to share what you're thinking." Rukia asked to a very daze Renji. Renji shakes his head can't believe he was caught off guard.

"Tell me Rukia, why did you let the marriage happened?" Renji seriously asked. Rukia stop walking, she didn't see this coming.

"I have no choice." She coldly said. Renji also stop walking right beside her. He put his hand inside his pocket and was looking straight ahead.

"Everybody has a choice Rukia. If you marry Ichigo because you love him then yeah that's a choice but I really don't think you are willing to get married to him knowing he loves another woman." Renji's brows furrowed. He knows he was crossing the boundaries. He has nothing to do with their affairs but his curiosity got into him.

"Loving him was a part of me." Renji nodded a sign telling her that he was all ears. "But yeah, you are right that alone is not enough to make me a mad woman and marry a man knowing that he already loves another woman. Isshin-dono had come to me and asked me to save Ichigo." Renji turn to Rukia confuse.

"What do you mean save Ichigo?" Rukia shook her head, she doesn't know the answer.

"I don't know. I asked him so many times why Ichigo needs saving? I even threaten him that I won't agree to the ridiculous idea. Ichigo needs to know all of his father's schemes but after that even Nii-sama came to me and asked me to agree." It was getting late children with their families started to walk home. Renji was speechless. Byakuya came to hand her sister to marry a man he dislike? Something is not right; both families are hiding something big and dark.

"I swear to god I tried to stop it. Telling them Ichigo loves another woman. I even explain to them why Ichigo would be devastated if they'll take him away from her. Until the last minute I was planning the last resort to stop the impending engagement. I went to Ichigo and was about to tell him that he needs to run away with Orihime but he shuts me off, he shuts everybody off." Intense confusion was carved in her face. Renji's brows furrowed even more.

"What happened next?" He asked.

"Both of us were engage." She said. It just happened so fast even Rukia didn't know what came to them it seems like they've been drug and controlled.

"Just like that, what about Ichigo? Did he just came to the engagement and agree? What about Orihime? Damn, it was too complicated. It seems like everybody was keeping secrets and keeping their emotions and… now you are the one to suffer." Rukia's eyes have a distant look of sadness.

"I don't even know what Ichigo was feeling at that time. I don't even know if it's right for me to be there. I was thinking I should be the one to run away but I just can't ignore the idea that someone is threatening Ichigo's life. So, I came to the engagement and hope to settle everything after that. I tried to tell Ichigo that someone is threatening his life that's why both heads of the family agreed to marry us but he won't listen to me. He said it was all made up and I was a fool to believe them." She said tears are now slowly falling down from her eyes.

"Bastard, did he really say that? Ungrateful son of a bitch, he didn't even do anything to stop it." Rukia wipe her tears by the back of his hand.

"No he tries his best too Renji but every attempt Isshin-dono stops him. He tried to look for Orihime, rebel to his father, fight his own right but it was futile. Ichigo was powerless back then and the formal wedding was held." Renji thought that there are still too many secrets and questions to be uncover and only Byakuya and Isshin can answer.

"Why don't you try to ask your brother Rukia, what is the true reason for the bold act they throw together. Maybe they can enlighten both of you especially Ichigo then all of you can be set free." He concernedly said. He didn't care about Ichigo, he cares for Rukia's freedom.

"I tried so many times but he won't tell me. They told me it's still not the right time for us to know the truth." Renji's jaws tightens.

"Not the right time? When will be the right time? When Ichigo ruined you? Hell, did your brother even know what Ichigo is doing to you? What about his father? Did he know that his son was being an asshole?" Rukia wipes all the tears in her eyes and turn herself to Renji. She knows he was angry that's why she had to assure him that she'll be fine. She then weakly smile at him.

"I'm fine Renji. I can take care of myself besides I am now Mrs. Kurosaki Rukia. I vowed to god that I will take good care of my husband. As long as I can, I'll endure everything." The gentle breeze blows to them. Silence engulf them for awhile then Renji put both of his hand on Rukia's shoulder, looking at her straight in the eye.

"If you already had enough you know I'm here ready to help you." He sincerely said. Rukia nodded tears are forming again in her eyes. Ichigo, no not just him all the people involve to this arrange marriage had broken you so much before you wouldn't cry even if you are beaten to dust. You'll stand up and fight until you had no more strength. The pride and determination was always there, always on fire but now you're just like a fragile doll. He thought.

"Thank you so much but I think criminals in Karakura right now are thrilled knowing that the notorious Senior Inspector Abarai Renji was slacking off." She good-heartedly joked. Renji's smile was back, she might be a fragile doll now but her jokes are something that can lighten your heart. They both agreed that it's time to depart. Renji walk Rukia to her car even offer her to drive for her but she refuse telling him that she had already cause too much trouble for him. She didn't want to add her debt. Renji tried to argue but Rukia won. As he watches her car move away, he has this sinking feeling that he had more things to investigate not just Inoue Orihime disappearance.

"I will investigate and find the truth. I will help you be free Rukia." He vowed to himself. He stares at the Irises in his hand. They look so lively, beautiful just like their care taker. "Iris, to believe huh…I wonder how real is that." He thought turning his way home.

…...

It was already dark when Rukia arrived at the mansion. It's been a long time since she's been out this late. She looks a little cheerful; it was really refreshing meeting old friends once in a while. She opens the door inside she expect Shuuhei or Hanatarou to greet her but the mansion was empty.

"Where have you been?" Rukia's soul almost leaps out of her body when she heard a cold voice from the corner of their spacious living room. As her eyes look for the source of the voice she saw Ichigo Kurosaki sitting on the sofa at the dark corner of the room. His back was comfortably leaning on the soft cushion and his right leg was place above his left forming a number four. A glass of wine was smoothly swirling in his hands. Rukia felt like there was a lump in her throat. She's getting nervous; she didn't want him to know that she meet Renji to discuss about Inoue Orihime's disappearance. It was supposed to be a secret until she find her.

"I was just strolling around Kurosaki-dono." Rukia's body jerked up hearing the glass shattered on the floor.

"STOP FUCKING WITH ME KUCHIKI I SAW YOU WITH RENJI TODAY!" Ichigo bark eyes burning with intense loathing. He despises liars. Rukia felt her body tense up, she was nervous and afraid.

"Yo-you are ri-right Ku-Kurosaki-dono I was with Renji. We-we stroll together in Tokyo most popular places. We just want to-to hang out li-like the o-old days." She stuttered. Ichigo was not satisfied she was mocking him. He stand up from the sofa and walk his way to her. Rukia instinctively step back feeling intimidated.

"You liar, I saw you hugging him inside a café you shameless woman." He whispered in her ear. His body, dangerously close to her. Rukia's body shivered, she felt like being hunted and her predator easily caught her, sniffing before devouring her.

"It—it's not what you think Kurosaki-dono." Ichigo steps closer to her while Rukia step back until her body collide with the wall. Her eyes traveled from Ichigo's chest, to his neck then to his purse lips. Ichigo raise his right arm trapping her and breathing just above her head. Rukia felt dizzy and her heart was beating so fast. She unintentionally grazes her hand on his chest. Ichigo's body jolt he was surprise by his reaction. He immediately step back, diving his hand on his hair. He was now royally pissed.

"You can't meet Renji anymore." He coldly said. Rukia's face showed distress. Ichigo's face darkens even more.

"But, but Kurosaki-dono-

"Shut up, stop questioning me!" He shouted. "You can't ruin Tatsuki's relationship too. You should thank me; I was trying to save your sorry face Kuchiki. If you are thinking Renji can help you out of here then take that out of your mind there is no way out here, out of me Kuchiki." He said turning his back on her. He was about to walk away when he felt a gentle tug on his long-sleeved polo.

"I was not planning to get out… not here, not to you Kurosaki-dono." She said. Silence lingered for a moment. "So please, Renji was my friend. I don't want to stay away from him." Ichigo clenches his fist.

"You don't have a choice Kuchiki. When I say it you do it." He said and continues walking away. Rukia stare at his back for a while.

"Here it is again you walking away from me and all I do was stares at your retreating figure." She thought. Rukia inhale some air and look at Ichigo straight ahead.

"I can't Kurosaki-dono." She openly said. Ichigo stop his tracks, eyes widen in disbelief. "We are not doing anything wrong. I will see him if he needs my help. I will see him if I need his help. I hope you understand. That's what friends are for, just like the old days. What is happening to us right now has nothing to do with Renji or the people around us." Ichigo's body becomes stiff when Rukia passes beside him. She then stops facing him and bow down. "I apologize for not telling you and going home late. I'll go ahead to my room." She said and walks away. Ichigo was left alone standing. He still can't believe Rukia disobeyed him. He was alarmed very alarmed.

"Don't you dare think you can get away with that Kuchiki. You are supposed to be at my mercy and I will make sure it stays that way…

"Thank You for Reading"

"ALWAYS FAITHFUL"