I am Your Slave Wife

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN BLEACH…
A/N: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS… I HOPE YOU'LL ALSO ENJOY THIS CHAPTER.

Do you love me? I asked.
Everything around me change
I don't know anyone, anything anymore
but I remember, only the fact that I love you
is the only thing left unchangeable by anyone…

CHAPTER 9: I AM YOUR SLAVE WIFE

Rukia didn't feel like talking. She didn't know where Ichigo was taking her but the silence is something she was thankful and at the same time felt uncomfortable. On their way to wherever Ichigo was taking her Rukia received a message from Renji. He was telling her that he has now a reliable lead to Orihime's current location. She thought she'll be glad that at last their hard work pays but she realize that finding her is something she is now hesitating to continue. Rukia texted Renji back, thanking him for all his hard work and she also asked him to update her immediately. Finding Orihime might uncover why they are arranged into this kind of predicament. The people who plan their marriage won't be able to keep their silence. A living proof will talk why she was exiled 5 years ago.

Rukia observe the fast moving scenery outside as their car steadily past them by. She knows this place, she already guess where they are going. How can she forget such place that holds so many good memories for her and the man beside her? From the long, steady and clean river that looks like a mirror reflecting the sunny blue sky, Karakura River is always welcoming her. Ichigo park his car near a tree beside the concrete bridge. He watches Rukia hurriedly went out of his car. Rukia inhale the refreshing air of Karakura River. It didn't change one bit.

"So, you still remember this place? It's been a while since we had some time to hang around here."Ichigo said. Rukia nodded and was taken aback when Ichigo offer his hand to help her walk down closer to the river. "Let's go down." He invites her. Rukia stare at his hand for a sec and look back at Ichigo.

"You don't have to, I can handle myself-

"I insist, please let me even just this small things I can do for you." He pleads his eyes showing utmost sincerity. Rukia gave into him and they walk together down the river. Ichigo sat down on the grass legs cross. Rukia neatly tucked her skirt under her knees before sitting down a good distance beside Ichigo. She snake her arms around her knees and lays her head over them.

"Why'd you take me here?" She asked. Ichigo's eyes were focus on the river; in his intense amber eyes the river reflected its sparkling untainted water.

"This is the place where I confessed everything that I am to you. From my mother's death which was the hardest thing to get out of me, I didn't find healing even with the help of my family. The rebellious me which everyone thought was something I am proud of but they didn't know I was ashamed of myself because I take all my regrets and self-pity to others through fighting. All the remorse, loathing and my thirst for revenge and justice I told them all out here to you. You even cried with me and never let me go under the cold merciless rain." He said. As Ichigo continue talking Rukia remembered and reflected all he had said. He was right that was the time they become inseparable. They share their heart to each other letting the other see and know the inside of the other soul.

"Both of us were a mess inside at that time. At our young age we hold so many responsibilities and difficulties a normal child, young people shouldn't experience. But we had each other at that time we are together with mutual understanding, supporting each other's back." Rukia response desolately, that was at that time. She sadly thought. Ichigo nodded in conformity. He can still remember everything they had been through. From her hard kicks and punches to her witty, smart, fake sweet acts, and the infamous Kuchiki death glares. Solving high school dramas together then graduating as him the salutatorian and her valedictorian. He was glad at that time Ishida was not in the same class with them because for sure he'll snatch all their honors then college where everything was not to take lightly. They got more mature each day and he started to change his views becoming more explicit or should he say his mind was full of shit. He was like a dog out of his leash, party here, drink there, dating woman left and right. Rukia didn't stop him but she also didn't stop reminding him of the consequences. He then meets the promising star Inoue Orihime. She was beautiful and sweet. She tastes so sweet that it was addicting. And yes the first time I saw her I had taken a like on her then we got our relationship seriously with a lot of passionate, intense love making.

"Are you thinking about her right now?" Rukia gently asked. Ichigo was cut out of his thoughts. He felt his face heating up, ashamed for being so drawn in his own chain of thoughts.

"She was part of our circle. Whenever I think of those times we had in college I can't help but remember her. I'm so-

"Don't be." Rukia sharply cut him off. Ichigo shift his gaze on Rukia who has a far look in her eyes as she stares on the river. It's been a while since he had the chance to contemplate how truly beautiful this woman beside him. "She has a big part in your life." She said. Ichigo didn't move his gaze on her. He thought that yeah she has a big part in my life but right now he didn't feel like there's anyone in this world he can compare of how big Rukia's part in his life.

"Let's not talk about the past I brought you here to talk about us right now." He gently said. He will definitely say he was deeply sorry for being an ass for the past years. He was even thinking to ask Rukia to beat him if she wanted to.

"Lie on the grass and spread your arms." She ordered him. Ichigo was surprise and confuse by the sudden request but he submit to her. When he was laying flat on the grass he almost jerk up when he felt Rukia lay her head on his stomach. "Don't touch me." She coldly said. He saw her close her eyes and her face was relaxed and at peace. Ichigo do as he was told. Comforting silence sway with the wind as it blows the grass and rustles their hairs.

"I'm sorry for everything Rukia." He uttered. "I know it's too much to ask from you. You can beat me up if you want to, you can do everything you want to me. I will gladly take them all." Rukia covered her eyes with her arm. She didn't feel like opening them, tears might just come out again. "Just do whatever you want if it will make you feel bet-

"Shut up Ichigo." Rukia impassively order him. Ichigo bit his lips. "If I want myself to feel better, then I wouldn't have come here with you. Let me inform you that being right here with you make me sick. The pain in my chest is almost unbearable. I wanted to cry but I don't want to. I'm tired very tired of crying." She firmly said to him. Ichigo was having a hard time to stop himself from engulfing her in his arms. He wanted to comfort her.

"Tell me more…" He gently said. He wanted her to take it all out on him like what he did a long time ago that started a beautiful journey with them together.

"I always wanted to help and reach you but what did you do? After the marriage you let me deal with fake rich people who only talk nice when I am facing them! You know how much I hate dealing with them! They judge my whole being and see me as a disgusting rat dress in fancy clothes. You left me and worst after that in your own home, you slap me with words saying that you despise me and our friendship was nothing to you!" Rukia sorrowfully laugh.

"Fuck you Kurosaki. Playing with me like that I don't even have any idea why you hated me then I settle myself with a reason that maybe you just need some time to sort out your thoughts. That one day you'll realize I am not guilty of your heartbreak. But no, you started ignoring me, taking my rights to work at the company I work so hard to where it is now, my only way to prove myself and to them that I am worthy of being a Kuchiki. Without even looking at me you had taken all my rights but even so I swallow everything and let you do whatever you want. I am so dumb." She said her voice quiver after saying the last words. Tears are now slowly falling from her eyes.

"I tried to hold on hoping that our friendship will come back. That you'll come back the Ichigo I know. But again NO! You played with my heart knowing that I love you. You started bringing women and cheat in front of me! How dare you!" Rukia shouted getting up and strangling Ichigo. She was sitting on top of him. Her legs on both his sides, slapping him right to left, left to right non-stop.

"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you! I tried so hard to hold on, to understand you! But not a bit, even just a little feeling that I had moved your cold heart. I didn't ask much for you to love me but I CRAVED FOR EVEN JUST A TINY PIECE OF YOUR SYMPATHY! AHHHHH, I HATE YOU!" Rukia scream as she cried on Ichigo, crumpling his polo on her face as she cries everything on him. The right side of Ichigo's lips was now bleeding. Ichigo tasted the metallic and bitter taste of his blood. His cheeks sting so bad but his insides felt worst. The guilt, the sins and the pain, her pain was hastily eating him. He can't resist anymore, he engulf her with his strong arms and hold her shaking form. He can feel her tears wet his chest and the only thing he can do was to embrace her.

"This is the last time I will make you cry Rukia." He whispered and buries his face on her hair inhaling her sweet scent as he silently comforts her. "I promise."

….

"What now, I think your plans didn't work out well." Isshin seriously said it's time to get down to business. "It's time to be vigilant Byakuya. We can't take things lightly from now on. Their only goal is to bring us all down." Byakuya stare at Isshin for a while Isshin can tell that he was in a very foul mood right now.

"Go home." He unemotionally said getting up and starts to walk his way back to his office. The sound of Kisuke's fan opening sounded in the uptight atmosphere of the Kuchiki Mansion.

"Ara, but Byakuya-kun we can't hide anything from them any longer. No matter how much you tried to protect those secrets it will surely leak out soon and did you know that in anytime soon. Rukia will meet Inoue Orihime." Byakuya's eyes shown a bit of fright he was not expecting that Rukia is doing her own investigation. "The nearer she gets to her the more closer she gets to danger." Kisuke said. Isshin stand up and put his hands on his pocket.

"We are not saying that you directly lend us a hand Byakuya. I know you got a lot of pride in you but at least you can help us explain everything why they were in an arrange situation. You are after all involved in what had happened 5 years ago." He coolly explains. Byakuya nodded in agreement.

"I understand but that doesn't mean I will stop pursuing Rukia to divorce your son. When the time comes that she'll be free from him I'll take her to a place where all of you can't reach her." He said and continues walking away from them. Isshin followed him through his gaze. A weak smile was on his face.

"You know that is impossible to happen. I choose Rukia because I know she was the right woman for my son. The most faithful woman, more faithful than the changing of the four seasons." He calmly said. Kisuke stand up beside him too.

"Ara, what's that supposed to mean?" Isshin shook his head and grin at Kisuke. "You can have me as a model of what I just said. My wife had died a long time from now yet I can never compare nor look at anybody else around me. I can never compare her to any other woman in the world. I understand Rukia-chan you know." Kisuke close his fan and pat his friend on the shoulder as he made his way to the door.

"People can give everything in the name of love." Isshin nodded and follow him. Both friends stand outside the Kuchiki Mansion looking up the clear blue sky. They saw the divorce papers scattered on the ground. Isshin smiled, he will definitely protect them. He swears that to his beloved wife.

"I will never forgive who ever hurt my family now. I'll definitely make sure they'll go down this time." Kisuke saw that intense, dangerous look in his friend's eyes. He only saw that look when they secretly hunt down the killer of his late wife. He was serious.

"Yeah, and don't forget we are standing right beside you…

….

Tokyo, Ikebukuro West Gate, 1:00 PM

"Where do I deliver these fingers, Boss?" A huge man with tattoos all over his body asked a handsome calm man, sitting elegantly in his long white chair. It was a bloody mess in front of him. Two men were standing beside him. The creepy fox-faced man was standing at his right and the dark skin man in dark sun glasses was at his left.

"The four fingers on her right was for the Kurosaki's, make sure to put them in a very expensive and presentable box. We want to give them the best; we don't want to disappoint them for cheap things." He sarcastically said. "The other four was for the Kuchiki's, wrap it in a very expensive traditional box. You know Byakuya is very kin to details." He continued. The man nodded and started working, keeping his orders in mind.

"Oh, wait I almost forgot. The two pinky fingers don't forget to wrap them too. Put it in a cute box since it will be given to someone who is expecting a tiny cute little baby."

"She'll be so surprise when she saw that you know she was not use to those kinds of things." Gin sarcastically state. Tousen's forehead crease, it pisses him that he can say whatever he want in front of their boss.

"I'll kill her if she didn't." Aizen calmly said. Gin chuckled in return. It always amazes him how the mind of this man works.

"Mah, Mah… You kill pregnant woman now?" He asked astonished. Aizen cross his legs and asked Tousen to fill his glass with wine again.

"I will eliminate them all especially the Kurosaki Family. He has taken everything from me. It's time for them to pay." Aizen said, drinking his wine.

"So this is all about a long time grudge Boss."Gin pushes his luck more. Tousen was not able to hold his silence.

"You don't have any the rights to imply anything." He sharply said. Gin look at Tousen with his fake, creepy smile. The atmosphere suddenly filled with intense death auras.

"Mah, Mah… Tousen-kun, don't be such a tight ass. I was just having a little chitchat with Boss nothing personal." He chirped. Sarcasm was clear in his voice. Tousen impassively look at Gin.

"I don't like your guts. Justice should be put on you." Gin raises his brow, putting his forefinger on his lips as if he was thinking.

"I wonder what kind of sick justice you are talking abou- "He did not finish what he was about to say when Tousen raise his dagger on him Gin just smirk.

"Don't make fun of Justice a brainless guy like you will not understand that word. So you keep your mouth shut or I'll slit you-

"I like that rivalry going on with you two but do the killing later on. I still need the both of you to work for me. So save the best bloody moments for last." Aizen said with a grin on his face. Gin's eyes slightly opened showing his crimson orbs. He thought that he like how this guy gives chills down his spine.

….

Rukia's eyes were puffy and her neck hurt. These past hours of travel she was just looking outside the window without moving. She really thinks that she'll have stiff neck soon. It was so awkward inside; she wanted to end this day soon. She was very embarrassed of losing control of her emotions in front of Ichigo just a while ago. But she may not admit it to herself she feel a little better taking out all that bitterness inside her heart. Rukia's face heated up when she remembered that when they decided to leave Ichigo carry her to his car because she was so weak to walk for herself.

"Are you alright? Your face is really red. Are you feeling sick?" He asked concern for her. "Do you want us to made a stop first or have something to eat?" Rukia immediately shook her head.

"No! Just drive and take me back will you." Rukia stubbornly said. She just want to go home, she was really embarrass. Ichigo sighed and do again what she asked. After that his eyes cross with his rear view mirror and saw the bunny. He almost forgot it.

"Ah, Rukia I have something for you. Look at the back." Ichigo said. Rukia hesitant at first but afterwards she obeyed. Her eyes widen in amazement as she saw the white fluffy bunny. She immediately unbuckles her seatbelt and reach for the bunny.

"Oi, don't take off your seatbelt!" Ichigo peep. He was about to say something again when his eyes caught the smiling face of Rukia. His eyes soften. "It's hard to really let you go when you show such a happy smile on your face. It's been a while Rukia." Ichigo warmly thought.

"Where are you taking him?" Rukia asked. Ichigo who's eyes was focus on the road meet Rukia's eyes on the rearview mirror.

"It's yours, I bought that for you." Ichigo said. He saw how her eyes widen in awe. He can't help but smile for himself too.

Rukia squirm in her sit, she was having a hard time saying what she was about to say. "Tha-thanks Kuro-

"Ichigo, Rukia it's me this time, Ichigo." He softly said. Pain was carved on his face. It was painful to think that it was this late he was able to wake himself up, to go back what he was use to be. Rukia just nodded and silence again engulfs them.

When they arrived at the Kuchiki Mansion Rukia bow down to Ichigo and turn her back on him. She can't think of anything to say. But before she can walk any further Ichigo spoke for her.

"I'll see you again tomorrow Rukia. This time let's go to work together at our company." Rukia was frozen in her tracks. Is he serious? She asked to herself. Rukia face Ichigo back. She saw a faint smile on his face as he walk closer to her. Ichigo saw how surprise she was, for him now is the time to give what was rightfully hers… her freedom.

"I won't hold you back to whatever you want to do Rukia." He said. "As long as you'll find your way back to me." He said those words quietly for his self. "Just look over your shoulders and I'll be standing there." Rukia's hold on the rabbit cage tightened.

"Take care on your way." She simply said and walks away when she was inside their mansion. She leans on the huge sturdy door for support. Her heart was beating so fast that she thought she was going to have a heart attack. Rukia shrugged the idea and compose herself; she looks at the rabbit inside the cage. It made her smile and at that moment also Sasakibe arrived informing her that her brother wanted to see her immediately to his office. Rukia asked Sasakibe to bring the rabbit to her room and walk her way to her brother's office. When she arrived there she saw his back on her. He was looking calmly at the beautiful view of the late afternoon.

"Nii-sama." She said making her presence known. Byakuya turn to her, the same stoic face greeted her. "You called for me Nii-sama." Byakuya nodded and sit comfortably on his chair. She invited Rukia to sit with him.

"Why didn't you agreed with the divorce. It's for your own sake." He calmly said. Rukia knows he'll bring this up again. Her brother knows no defeat.

"Divorce is for people who wanted to run away. I am Ichigo Kurosaki's wife I have my responsibilities." She was not saying that what she was doing was neither right nor wrong. It's just that before she will let go of everything. She wanted to put everything in their right places.

"You know you wouldn't be happy with him. Let's be honest Rukia, he doesn't love you. It's wrong for you to love him." Byakuya knows his words hurt her but she needs to wake up. Being with Ichigo will just break her more.

"If it's wrong for me to love him then I don't want to be right." She said clearly. Deafening silence lingered with them.

"You have to move on Rukia. No one will stop you for doing whatever you want including me. You can enjoy your life to the fullest. You can travel around the world; you can spend as much money as you want. I am giving you full control of your life now." Rukia gently smile at her brother. She knows she was very worried of her but she was still not forgetting why she was in this kind of situation.

"Help me Nii-sama to right what is wrong by doing so tell me everything you know, all your reasons why you arrange me to marry Ichigo. I am willing to listen and understand as much as I can. Let's not keep anymore secrets to each other brother. You are the only family I have in the Kuchiki Clan. I wanted you to open up your secrets to me brother. I will understand you, so please tell me I have the rights to know. I will never go anywhere as long as my life is still hiding from the shadow of the past." She seriously said.

"How much more can you give and endure Rukia for that useless man?" He asked. Rukia look at the portrait of her sister on the wall. She has a distant look in her eyes.

"Love can take a little brother but love can also give a little more…

"THANK YOU FOR READING"

"ALWAYS FAITHFUL"