DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, TITE KUBO IS THE OWNER AND THE EVER AMAZING AUTHOR OF BLEACH.

"No way!"

"What do you mean no way! It's my birthday Ichigo! Be a good boyfriend and buy me that!"

"Hell no... I know your size is there considering how minuscule you are but it's filled with children who love Chappy. I can't go in there..."

"But I thought you liked kids."

"I would if they were yours."

She blushed. With pale milky white skin like hers, it was impossible to miss her blush. He gave up and sighed before flashing her favorite smile. He was about to turn around to buy her said fashionable Chappy coat before she tugged at his shirt. He looked back at her and she was staring at him with her gorgeous amethyst eyes. She grabbed his collar and dragged him down. She tiptoed and wrapped her arms around his neck before kissing him just for an instant. She then smiled at him.

"Thanks Ichigo."

He chuckled as he pressed his lips against her cheek before flicking her forehead. She pouted. "The things I do for you midget." he sighed before.

"It's because I'm your midget that you're doing it." she retorted childishly.

He laughed. "True..."

Ichigo left her to buy the coat she had wanted despite the shame. Ichigo grinned as he remembered her blushing face at the mere mention that he wouldn't mind kids if they were hers. It meant that she liked the idea and he had hoped it occurred to her that he was hinting towards himself as the father. He wanted to do nothing but be with her forever.

He came back with the coat and her eyes were practically glowing. He smiled.

"Happy Birthday Rukia."

She smiled at him wholeheartedly.

Ichigo slowly opened his eyes. He blinked slowly as his vision was still a sleepy blur. His eyes had finally focused onto the lights on the ceiling of his apartment. Using some of his morning strength, he brought his hands to his eyes and rubbed them before yawning. After a few more seconds, Ichigo slowly sat up and stretched his arms upwards to get rid of any kinks and sores from his neck and his back.

The first thing he did was grab the television remote and opened the TV for some morning news. The screen flickered for a moment before it opened on the channel he always watched on. He leaned back against the headboard and sighed.

"Once again, The Kuchiki Princess Rukia Kuchiki has managed to win another high profile cases concerning the murder of a senator and his wife. The rival senator and defendant have just been officially arrested as of yesterday and will be sentenced in a much higher court in one month's time. Our news station managed to get a few words from Ms. Kuchiki herself."

Then the screen switched to the Courthouse and there she was in her usual glory, smiling with her usual professionalism. "Ms. Kuchiki! They say a bargain was struck!"

"Bargain? There are no bargains in a court of law, only justice. The truth comes out in the courtroom, nothing more nothing less." she replied swiftly as she fought off the paparazzi.

"There are rumors that your ex Ichigo Kurosaki was arrested for drinking and driving. Will you be prosecuting?" a reporter from another station asked and the camera for this station caught it.

She only twitched slightly before speaking clearly. "Mr. Kurosaki is a professional, if he does get drunk, his manager Ms. Arisawa drives him home." she replied before abruptly walking off and ignoring more questions.

Ichigo merely sighed as he closed the television set. He placed the remote on the table carefully before pulling of the sheets and standing up. He stretched his body for a bit more before hitting the shower. The paparazzi have been getting worse as the days pass. He stopped by his calendar on his way to his bathroom for a shower. It was that time of the year again huh...?

How long has it been since he's seen Rukia?

Eight? No, almost nine months...

It was just like her to be doing great in just a matter of months. She had been doing great just one month after the official press conference by the Kuchikis saying that Ichigo and Rukia no longer had a relationship. It shocked the world, that press conference. Everyone could see how in love the couple was but people feared the Kuchiki clan, no one would dare to speak their mind against them.

Ichigo knew that fact very well. He knew how powerful the Kuchikis were and was given a firsthand taste of their power when he stupidly bumped into some of them and the topic just happened to be about Rukia. That was a few weeks after Rukia left him.

That was horrible, even to remember.

They even dared to mention disowning her in front of him. Such arrogant asses... No, they were bitches the lot of them. He bet they didn't have the balls to back up their bark. They were lucky Tatsuki was with him at that time or he would've sent them flying towards the nearest post.

He shook his head and tore his eyes off the calendar. He approached his bathroom and took of the shirt and the jogging pants she had even sleeping in. He slowly slipped off his boxers and just tossed it to the nearby laundry basket before absentmindedly stepping in the shower and twisting the knob for cold water. He only had cold showers when he had particular dreams about a certain woman.

He leaned against the wall as the cold shower beat against his skin. He sighed fitfully. Even now he still had dreams about her and it just had to be that particular memory. Of all the days for his brain to pick from, it had to pick one of his favorite days which was to say, Rukia Kuchiki's birthday.

He loved that day.

Waking up next to her, getting caught by Momo when they tried to sneak back in to the cafe from his apartment, jumping her in the shower, having her dress up just for him and making her happy by taking her wherever she had wanted to go with no qualms. On January 14th, he was so sure that he loved this girl to no end.

Even now, he was still in love with her.

Feelings were simply too hard to change but Christ, he loved her more that he loved himself and that was saying something. Not a day went by without her in his thoughts. Even though he looked okay on the outside, his inside was the complete opposite. He held himself together pretty well, people in the world really thought he had moved on from Rukia even though in reality, he hadn't and he didn't intend to. Tatsuki obviously knew he loved her and when he occasionally met Renji, they had a silent agreement to avoid the topic but sometimes it just couldn't be help. He would sometimes ask about how she was doing but Renji wouldn't say much and Ichigo knew why.

It was because Rukia had asked him too.

Not that Ichigo was surprised.

He still saw Momo occasionally and his work entitled him to see Orihime a lot more often since both of them had been backed into a corner. They had no choice but to accept the offer and as of now, Orihime was his one and only ally in the production, Orihime also kept Ichigo posted on what Rukia had been up to but being a friend of Rukia's, even she kept quiet.

Ichigo was finally through with thoroughly cleaning himself before stepping out of the cold shower and grabbing a towel. He looked at himself in the bathroom mirror. He looked tired and his face lacked its usual fire. He shook his head and hung the towel loosely around his hips. He walked up to the closet and found the usual kind of clothes he wore on a daily basis if he wasn't doing anything special.

He got dressed rather quickly and fixed the watch on his wrist. He checked the time and saw that he still had some time for breakfast. He found his keys and his wallet as well as his cellphone before walking out of the apartment after slipping a hat that mostly concealed his orange hair.

He found the elevator and closed his eyes as it descended slowly. He massaged his temples softly as he suddenly remembered how Rukia massaged her temples the same way. She must have really rubbed off of him for him to be subconsciously doing such things. First he gets her overanalyzing trait, now he rubs his temples the same way she does. What's next? The Kuchiki glare Nah, the Kuchiki glare was beyond him.

The doors opened and he stepped out casually. He exited the building after greeting the doorman a good morning. The man smiled at him warmly and asked if he was going to the usual place. Ichigo answered yes and he made his merry way to the beautiful autumn scene outside. He met Rukia in this season didn't he?

He smiled softly as he remembered their first argument ever. He placed his hands in his pockets for some much neede warmth and followed a path her had memorized so well. After a few minutes, the book cafe was in view. It was called Bookend now. He entered and sat at his usual seat.

"Hey Kiyone, that cute guy's sitting there again. Is he your boyfriend?" one girl asked the familiar blond and she smiled as she had just skillfully added swirls in the drink.

She shook her head. "Nope... He's just a friend." she said as she wiped her hands with a towel and stepped out of the counter with a tray in hand. She approached the table and set the hot drink and plate in front of him.

"Here you go Mr. Ichigo."

He smiled out of cordiality. "Getting better Kiyone... Rukia would be proud of you. Has she stopped by?"

Kiyone shook her head. "Not once in nine months." she replied sadly.

"I see..."

"Anyways... There's your hot chocolate and Strawberry Shortcake as usual. Don't you get tired eating this all the time?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Never." he replied confidently.

She shook her head. "If you need anything, just call me." then she returned to the counter along with those other girls who wore the same uniform as she did.

He sighed softly as he drank his hot chocolate. It tasted delicious as always, but it felt lacking. Why should it taste lacking when it tasted just fine? It always lacked something, something was wrong with him. He went through his breakfast rather quickly and he paid as soon as he finished.

He said his farewells to Kiyone before leaving.

Where would he go today? What would he do? Today was his day off. It was still just the morning.

Maybe he should go to the park.

He headed towards that direction. Wherever the wind would take him, he would follow. It occasionally worked.

He sat down and watched the sky. No clouds in the blue heavens, none at all. It was such a beautiful day. The sky was just so clear and the trees around displayed so many vivid colors. It was constantly raining a parade of colors along with the cool breeze of autumn. The weather was simply breathtaking and he wished that he was was sharing the sight with someone.

It didn't have to be her. This sight was just too good to simply pass up.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he could hear a familiar voice shouting his name from a distance.

Hmm...? That loud obnoxiousness...

Is that Momo...?

He opened his eyes softly. Amber met chocolate brown and he was right. It was Momo Hinamori in the flesh. She had a wide grin on her face as she flagged a certain paper in between her fingers playfully. She stood in front of where he was sitting.

"You look like an unemployed bum Ichigo."

He rolled his eyes. "And what does that make you Momo?"

"A working wife by next week." she replied smugly as she shoved the envelope she had been holding in her hand towards his face.

He groaned as he took the envelope and opener it revealing a wedding invite. He scratched his back of his head and directed his eyes towards her. "Right... I almost forgot. You're getting married next week."

"I thought I already rammed that down your throat." she replied.

"Guess you didn't ram it deep enough." Ichigo replied brusquely.

She sighed. "You don't have to go if you don't want to but it wouldn't feel right if you weren't at my own wedding. You've become a good friend of mine thanks to..."

"I know." he said as he placed the invite in his pocket before flashing her a reassuring smile. "Of course I'll go."

"Will you be alright Ichigo?"

"I've had nine to learn how to reel it in. I'm not like most guys who would force a girl to do something she doesn't want. If she truly doesn't love me anymore then I'll accept it."

Momo gave him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry... I'm being selfish."

He shook his head. "No it's okay... My only question is: is she okay?" he replied.

"What do you think?"

It was just like Momo to throw back a question that would psychologically mess with his head.

"On the outside she'd be fine but I don't know about on the inside. You know how she is." he replied with a weak smile on his face.

"I'm sorry about Rukia..."

He raised an eyebrow. "What for?"

"I know that you looked for her for a whole month and more but... I've lied to you on several occasions. Renji has done so too and so has Orihime. Rukia has avoided you and I-"

"Momo... It's alright. You're her best friend. It's perfectly understandable."

"So you knew we were lying to you?" Momo asked. He could tell she felt pretty horrible right now.

"Yeah... I did. Look, I promise to leave Rukia alone unless she herself wants me to mind her. Just keep her on a leash okay?" he joked as he stood up.

"I'm really sorry."

"Want some lunch Momo?" he asked, brushing off her apology.

"Your treat?" she asked as her face instantly brightened up

"Yeah, lunch for the bride." he replied.

She chuckled. "I like how that sounds..."

"Momo Hitsugaya isn't that bad to hear." Ichigo complimented.

"Really...? Rukia keeps saying it sounds horrible!" Momo whined.

"Since when was Rukia honest?" Ichigo asked.

"True..."

Ichigo walked with her out of the park and stopped. A random thought entered his head. "How did you find me?"

"Please, you're way too easy to find. I asked Tatsuki and Kiyone." Momo replied swiftly.

He sighed. "Since it's on me, what do you feel like eating?"

"Hmm... I could go for Chinese right now actually."

He smiled as he accompanied Momo Hinamori for some much needed lunch. He could talk to her best friend like this yet why couldn't he talk to her?

It was cruel.

"Ms. Kuchiki... The file you requested for is-"

"Just put it over there." Rukia cut the poor girl off.

Rukia was currently doing background checks on potential suspects while Toshiro was busy authorizing her right to investigate so she could finish this case faster. It was just relatively simple actually, the case that is. The only issue was that the one she was trying to indict was way to stubborn and persistent. Bringing in stupid laws. He had no right to obstruct justice.

She was as sure as hell going to send his ass back to jail.

The poor girl walked inside and placed the file where Rukia had instructed and left abruptly. She was a rookie and all rookies were afraid of Rukia Kuchiki.

"Wow Kuchiki... Scaring the greenhorns already I see."

"Shove it Zaraki. You know I'm not in a good mood today." she shot back.

He had probably snuck in after the intern came in.

"Wow, that pole is shoved in deeper than usual." he stated sarcastically.

"Like I don't know that already? Now go be a good father and watch your daughter's Swan Lake ballet shit." Rukia snarled as she looked up to glare at the insufferable detective.

"Don't get all pissy on me just because you haven't been getting any for nine months... I mean come on, nine months of being celibate? How do you do that?" he replied in his usual rough calloused manner.

"I have been getting some but that's not the issue Zaraki, I just want this guy to stop pressing charges against my client. The defendant's already as good as guilty and my client's getting frustrated already." she lied about the first bit.

"Your client? Or you? You were practically glowing in that comeback trial of yours back when you were still dating that Kurosaki kid, now here you are being the bitchy cold Kuchiki your family is. I'm just getting a tad bit bored."

"I didn't come back here to satiate your boredom. I thought you had Soi Fon for that." she snapped at him.

He frowned. "If she's all bitchy right now then I blame you. She doesn't even properly acknowledge that I'm a human being right now."

She smirked as she innocent fixed a stray bang. "Me? What did I do?"

"You just happened to be the Assistant Chief Prosecutor. Something higher than her position which is just High Prosecutor right now? Yeah, she hates you Kuchiki. Like big time hate if you catch my drift."

"Why are you even here Zaraki? Do I need to listen to your girl problems? Just grab her and fuck her brains out or something." she yelled at him.

He was serious for once despite that maniacal grin of his. "I can't... She's too delicate."

"Delicate? Wow, you're getting soft Zaraki."

"I know. You got soft too for the exact same reason. Why don't you just run back to him and fuck his brains out too." he replied in an insulting way.

"I can't go back... You should know, there's Kaien and-"

"Yeah I know."

"It doesn't suit us to have problems over things like these does it Zaraki? We're supposed to be ruthless and shit. Christ, look at us. We're tamer than a poodle." Rukia scoffed.

"Poodle? More like a Chihuahua. Goddamnit... Just go do your work and I'll do mine."

"Hmph... You came here for a request didn't you? I'm guessing it's along the lines of handing this case to Soi Fon am I right?"

He twitched as he fixed the eye patch on his eye. "Like hell it is."

"How sweet. If you show me how desperate you are I might hand her a few more high profile cases with no qualms whatsoever."

"You are such a bitch Kuchiki."

"So I've been told. So...?"

He rolled his eyes. Yes eyes, that eyepatch was just for decoration since he enjoyed scaring the shit out of people. "Shut the fuck up Kuchiki. Fine... Please... Give her a case or two. She won't calm down until she gets a case worthy of her skill or if she sees her precious Yoruichi." he sighed in defeat.

He hated losing.

Man must be in love, Rukia thought.

"Consider it done."

"Under what conditions?"

"Hmm? What are you talking about? There aren't any conditions. I'm a girl too Zaraki, I know how it feels like when the guy I like does something awesome for me."

"Like asking you to be his girlfriend at a premiere which was broadcasted internationally?"

She blushed but averted her guys. "Something along those lines. Can we not talk about him?"

He grinned in the sadistic intimidating grin that usually got him confessions. "Sure sure... Why the hell not. Anything for the attorney in love."

"I'm not in love anymore!"

"Like hell you are... I may not be the most romantic guy in the whole fucking planet but I can still tell who's in love and who's just bitter."

"Zaraki!"

"Okay fine... Go be in denial if you want. The only thing that's been stopping you for nine months was yourself. You keep telling yourself that those bitches that call themselves Kuchikis are stronger than you and you can't fucking do a thing about it when you can. They've been training you to think that way when you're obviously above them! Answer me Kuchiki because even though you've been as ruthless as ever, it's too empty. You have no goals anymore Kuchiki. What the hell are you living for, tell me?"

Rukia gripped the mouse she had been holding and she gritted her teeth. She most certainly didn't need someone like Kenpachi Zaraki to lecture her about love just because he had just recently discovered it. It was just plain stupid.

"I'm Rukia Kuchiki! I'm the Kuchiki heiress but I can't do a thing right now... I have no power... I couldn't even stop Kaien from getting hurt before... I couldn't stop Grimmjow from leaving me out of guilt... I couldn't even cling onto Ichigo. I'm weak Kenpachi... What do you want me to do! I can't be that Rukia anymore... I can't..." she cried out. She didn't expect to get into an argument with her most trusted detective on the force.

He was taken aback. Rukia rarely called him by his first name and if she did then it was serious.

"Rukia... Look, I'm Kenpachi Zaraki. Captain of the eleventh sector of the Homicide division of the KPD. I have a five year old daughter whom I've adopted and I'm trying to win back a woman for once in my life and you expect me to give you answers..." he said in such an unKenpachi way.

She laughed through her nose but it was broken laughter. "Sorry..."

"Woah... Did I just hear Rukia Kuchiki apologize to li'l old me? I must be getting deaf."

"You heard me Zaraki. Just get your ass back to Homicide..." Rukia sighed and grabbed a particular file. She shoved it towards him.

"Here, pass by Soi Fon's office and drop this off. Make sure she gets it finalized by Toshiro if he has the time. The poor growth stunted man's getting married next week."

He laughed. "To your best friend no less."

"I know... But they've been dating for a while... They deserve each other." Rukia replied as she massaged her temples.

"You know Kuchiki... You're too tense. Loosen up. You deserve someone too ya know?"

She rolled her eyes. "Since this is Soi Fon's case now, that means I'll get some rest. Expect raging hormones Zaraki, this case has been pissing me off and her temper is worse than mine. Good luck and thanks for increasing my stress level a while back Zaraki." she said in such a sarcastic way the sarcasm was enough to fuel a nuclear power plant singlehandedly.

He smirked at the sarcasm. "You're welcome your anal retentive highness." he said in a fake bow before leaving the office.

Rukia sighed as she slowly slipped her hand into her shirt and brought out a silver Chappy necklace. She played with it with her thumb and her forefinger before sighing and slipping it back into her shirt. She sighed fitfully as she buried her head in her hands and allowed one tear to slip by.

"God... I thought I was past this but... I miss you Ichigo. I miss you terribly."

"You know what to do right?"

"Yeah... Can I provoke him?"

"If he leaves then yes, go ahead by all means Mr. Shiba."

He smirked. "Good. I don't want to send him too Tartarus so early."

"Kaien... I'd like to keep my son intact thank you very much."

"I can't help it Mr. Kurosaki, he can't be a wimp when it comes to Rukia."

"Enough you two! Mr. Shiba, just follow what we instruct you to do. You are a good man, I am sure there would be someone out there aside from Rukia."

"Ignore Byakuya, he's only fallen in love once Kaien and that was Hisana."

"Isshin... You must not want that hand."

"Fine fine, what a huge stick in your ass. I can't believe my boy is taking nine months."

"I can understand how he feels though... Look at me after all, three year comma?"

"You don't count. You're a special case Kaien my boy."

"That is true Mr. Kurosaki."

"Well... This plan wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Byakuya."

"I'm merely keeping my promise to Hisana."

"Face it Byakuya, you love your little sister so much. I mean look at Ichigo, he may not show it all the time but he loves his sisters. You're becoming an older brother Byakuya."

"Isshin... You must not want that mouth."

"Alright already... Chill Byakuya. I'm your senior you know."

"That aside Isshin. Mr. Shiba, everything is already set and out two uncontrollable factors are right where we want them but you too may become an uncontrollable factor so I will warn you. If you hurt my sister, I will cut off all ties with the Shiba clan hence losing your financial support. Am I clear?"

He smiled. "Crystal."

"I really don't mind paying for half Ichigo."

He shook his head as he ate some heavenly Xiao Long Bao. How the hell did they stuff soup in a dumpling? Then again, why should he care? It tastes heavenly. After eating the dumpling did he respond.

"It's fine, it's your wedding." he replied bluntly before taking the spoon and eating his Chao Fan. Even the fried rice was good.

"I'm not going to convince you am I?"

"Not any time soon."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Because you know me Momo. Didn't you figure out my character in two seconds flat?"

"True, I just can't read you right now that's why I'm slightly bothered." Momo admitted as she grabbed a dumpling for herself.

"Well that's new."

She gave him a serious look. "I can't read you because it's like your dead. It's too empty and blank for me to get any body language from you. You're like a zombie no matter how much you smile naturally. This isn't a part of my ability anymore, it's called woman's intuition."

He stopped smiling as he took his glass of Oolong Tea and sipped it slowly. He let out a sigh before looking at Momo. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me, just worry about Rukia okay?"

"Ichigo I-"

"Just worry about Rukia okay?" he cut her off abruptly as he stared out the window. Momo wasn't too fond of this Ichigo. She liked the fiery, arrogant and lively Ichigo. The Kuchikis were doing a number on this couple.

"Alright..."

"Speaking of which... I thought the wedding was supposed to be next year... Why did you push it to November?" Ichigo asked in order to change the topic.

Momo's bright face suddenly got darker before she awkwardly grabbed we drink and sipped a little. If Ichigo was any normal person then he would've noticed how she calmed herself down in an instant. If he was any other person, he would've even noticed Momo's face change from bright to dark in the first place.

Interesting, Ichigo thought.

"Just a few issues with the venue and the like... You know how weddings are. So we had to move it earlier. It may be a but rushed but it's still a wedding." she quickly replied to cover her slight faltering.

Ichigo was intrigued. There was no reason as to why Momo would conceal the truth unless it involved something important. Knowing Momo, the reason's probably Rukia related. Based on the way she's acting, this concerns Rukia's life and it's pretty much a life changing thing. Still though, how does something that will happen to Rukia affect Momo's wedding? Something huge was up and it reeked of Kuchiki.

"Momo."

Momo was suddenly taken aback. She regained her composure. "Yeah...?"

"I've already promised not to touch or go near Rukia... It's okay to tell me why the wedding was moved. For real."

She cocked her head to the side. "What are you talking about? It's the wedding venue that's the issue."

Ichigo sighed before looking at Momo intensely. "Momo... I just want to know."

Momo fell silent for a moment. Ichigo's heart pounded in anxiety and he could hear the ticking sound of the restaurant clock. The suspense rose and that was when Momo finally spoke.

"I can't give you details Ichigo but there's no way you can't know what happened once my wedding's through. Contrary to what you're thinking right now, the Kuchikis have nothing to do with this and this was entirely my decision along with Shiro's consent. However, it is related to Rukia. Let's just say that... She won't be around with the official date we set before. She'd be very busy and... Y-you'll see..."

All of a sudden, Ichigo stood up and nearly toppled the table over. He didn't understand why but he felt mad out of reflex. "What do you mean Rukia won't be around! Where's she going?"

"I thought you were trying to stop caring Ichigo."

He clenched his fist. "That doesn't matter! Is she leaving...?"

Momo shook her head. "No... It's something a bit more different. It's her inauguration."

"Inauguration? What are you talking about?"

"Byakuya Kuchiki will now be the chairman of the Kuchiki Corporation."

"Then what about the empty President's seat!"

"Don't you get it Ichigo? Rukia's going to be the president by then. Do you know which elder died those nine months ago? Do you know whose funeral it was? It was Ginrei Kuchiki's funeral and although he wasn't head anymore, he was the chairman. Now Byakuya has to take his place and his only heir is Rukia."

Ichigo swallowed thickly as he forced himself to sit down. "But... Isn't marriage a requirement for a Kuchiki to assume such a position in the clan and the company...? That's what Rukia told me... Don't tell me-"

"You have your answer Ichigo... Now just shut up and don't ask because clearly, you aren't the only one who's hurt and it's not just Rujia either. Me and Renji have had our own fair share of suffering thanks to this Kuchiki crap you know!"

Ichigo swallowed thickly as he found himself staring at the table sourly. "I know... It's everybody but... Did you say Rukia's been hurting...?"

Momo bit her lip before she suddenly became interested in the autumn scenes outside. "Er... D-did I say that...?"

He nodded.

"Oh shit... I am so screwed. Rukia's going to have my ass for breakfast and dessert."

"Why...?"

"She told me to make sure that you don't know how much she has cried these past nine months. How she would sometimes cry herself to sleep and how she would wake up with dreams of the times you've spent together. How she would get this strong urge to see you but she had to reel it in. Rukia still wears that necklace you know. I'm practically betraying her trust by telling you this but I feel like it's the right choice now. Anyhow, I can't do anything else for you Ichigo so I'll see you at the wedding. I'm just worried about how you two would end up doing the same thing you did in the party before and I'd like to warn you how out of a fit of Rukia rage, she refused to wear something like the other bridesmaids. Her dress is rather sexy so reel that boner in won't you?" Momo admitted before ending it all with a wink.

"Now, I have an appointment with the wedding cake. See you next week." Moko declared before grabbing her purse and leaving the restaurant.

Ichigo stared at where Momo was seated dumbfounded.

What was that all about and why was little Ichi acting up over a mental image? He shook his head before calling for the bill. He had promised to go next week. How would he handle seeing her again? Would he be able to control himself or would he lose himself. The latter was most probable seeing as thought it had already happened once.

Why was he feeling so hopeful?

How was he even sure that what Momo said was the truth seeing as though she had admitted to lying to him before and on several occasions as a matter of fact.

He massaged his temples in frustration.

"I swear... It's been a whirlwind since I met her... That infuriating devil's incarnate she-midget. That anal retentive, prudish demon in disguise. God... Why did I have to fall for her so hard...? I hate her for that yet I love her so much for that as well. I am so fucked up." he muttered under his breath.

Why did he fall for her?

He needed to be reminded why.

Looks like this rain won't be dying down soon.

AN: So any violent reactions….? If there are, I will gladly hide but then again violent reactions barely faze me. Heck even derogatory comments and insults barely faze me so whomever wants to, I dare you to but jesting aside, I hope you guys don't mind the nine month timeskip and I hope I didn't pull this off to badly, maybe it was a bit sudden for a timeskip after a chapter like chapter 26 so I await your Reviews thank you very much. I am posting this chapter while anxiously waiting for the next chapter of Bleach to come out and I have just watched the latest episode, based on next week's episode preview…. They're bringing on a certain Black Swastika looking fullbring already and that means we'll be hearing Rukia's lovely dulcet voice soon though we're just gonna hear it. Still though, just hearing from her is fine. If you catch my drift then Kudos for you.

Thanks as always shnizlefritz, Astounded newcomer TJ, arya-demon4-bloodmoon and teshichan

Don't expect an update soon because I have barely 1000 words in yet for chapter 28 but I'll try my best to squeeze my creative juices because there is a lot I want to do for the next chapter but once again, I have no intention of reaching that frightening 5 digit anymore… I scare myself

AkaBaka-chan signing off.