Enjoy~
Chapter 15
Orihime threw herself unto her bed, letting out a frustrated breath as she buried her face in her fluffy pink pillow.
Rukia is back.
Rukia is goddamn back!
Of all people - on the day her husband was down, it was Rukia who picked him up again. Ichigo had been so strung out earlier today, so much he even got into a fight, at work! But now her husband was smiling, downstairs, in the living room, right next to Rukia.
She sat up and stared at the door, which remained innocently still.
He didn't even come up to check on me! But then, why would he?
She threw her pillow at the innocent door and watched as the pink item fell helplessly on the floor.
She scanned the room for something else to throw, something to smash, something to let it all out...
But suddenly she felt mortified as she realised what she was thinking of doing, or rather, how, she was behaving - especially the way she raised her voice and stormed off earlier. Her emotions were running wild and she felt like she couldn't control them.
Why was this happening again?
Defeated, she broke into quiet sobs.
Downstairs, dinner was ate mostly in silence.
Ichigo had served up two portions of fried gyoza, putting aside the rest for his wife.
Rukia knew better than to comment on another married couple's internal affairs, well, not for now anyway.
"So why exactly are you back? What's the deal with the strange reiatsu?" The ex-shinigami broke the silence.
"Have you noticed any changes in Karakurra recently?"
"Hmm... I've just been so caught up with work. I don't expect you to understand the corporate world-"
"No, it sounds awfully boring to me. But has there been anything unusual? Anyone?" She probed.
"Well, the CEO had gone AWOL... It seemed to be too much of a coincidence that he just disappeared, without any reason provided."
It won't be a bad idea to look into his disappearance, he mumbled to himself. "And my uncle came back to Japan out of the blue with his son, who was just appointed acting CEO."
"Hmm. The one you punched?"
"No, that's Tsukishima. He had it coming for him, he had no business with Orihime! Anyway, I was referring to my cousin, Ginjo, who got the position. He is more experienced than me, after all."
But Rukia tensed up at hearing that name. "Ginjo?"
"Yeah, my uncle's adopted son," Ichigo probed, noticing the change in Rukia's demeanour. "Why? Do you know him?"
"Maybe, but I will need to confirm something before I share more," the new captain hurried to leave but paused, "Mind if I talk to Orihime before I go?"
The sun was barely risen. The orange head didn't get a wink of sleep.
He couldn't believe the turn of events at work, or seeing his old friend Rukia again, but what occupied his mind was his wife. All because of his wife. His wonderful beautiful yet unreasonable wife.
Of all people, on the day it was most stressful for him, she couldn't be supportive.. no, he take that back. She was always supportive and caring... but the way she ended the night on a bad note, in front of their friend... left him perplexed.
Why was this happening again?
So here he was at the office, way earlier than usual. He worked out at the office gym to let off some steam. Then grabbing a large extra strong cappuccino before settling in his office before burying himself with work.
Then the newspapers delivered to his office just in time to ruin the start of his day.
He could hardly believe his eyes at the scandal unfold in bold printed black ink.
Storming into Chairman Yukiko's office, the look on her face meant she had read the news.
"You should take a break Ichigo."
"No I will get to the bottom of this!"
"It wasn't a question Ichigo. Take a week off."
"Aunt Yukiko, I need to rectify this. It's false!"
"The company has expert teams to deal with this, you don't need to worry."
"But-"
"It may be false but the organisation is accountable to our shareholders, they don't want to be associated with this scandal. It will take time, they will forget. Now I just need you to lay low. It takes maturity to handle this, you were prepped for this. All our actions are scrutinied by the public. Have you forgotten?"
No he hasn't. He knows that the success, the wealth, the glitz, the glamour... they come at a price, of hard work, determination, strong stakeholder management, engagement, thorough preparation, detailed action plan, multiple back up plans, flawless execution, and making decisions, very difficult decisions.
"Hai. I understand,"
Dejected, he packed his bag, but something caught his attention.
What was it doing here?
The old black object glowed and vibrated.
He reached for it mindlessly and jolt of electric static ran through his fingers, sending a shock of waves through him.
"Damnnit," he cursed at the unexpected sting.
What the hell was that?
The sun was shining brightly. The auburn forced herself out of bed.
Rukia came by her room to say goodbye last night and the shinigami's words really comforted her. But she had another problem, her husband. Her sexy strong but frustrating husband.
She was glad to be on annual leave so she didn't need to face Ichigo after their earlier exchange. Her husband didn't deserve her unreasonable antics, she acted like a spoilt brat, dramatic and cringey. She needed to apologise to Ichigo and face his wrath sooner or later.
As she sat down for breakfast prepared by the chef, she started browsing the news on her phone. Her eyes widened in horror at headlines and was mortified when she clicked on it, revealing a spread of photos of Ichigo's brawl with Tsukishima in the office, and photos of herself standing very close to Tsukishima from the gala, his hand on her bare shoulder.
Acting CEO appointed just in time to save Blut Corp.
Ichigo Kurosaki marriage in trouble.
Gold digger Orihime Kurosaki's new beau.
The auburn haired healer gasped in shock and disbelief. The stories goes from the successful appointment of Ginjo, but leads into stories about the young heir's rocky marriage and office scandal. It even included a piece of Orihime's poor background and how she's was unfit for Kurosaki family.
Instinctively, she began to text Ichigo, but stopped short before pressing SEND... What use would it do? Ichigo would be troubled by this no doubt. And Aunt Yukiko was probably giving him a hard time right now.
She married him because she loves him. He may not love her but she wanted to be of use to him. That's the least he deserves for saving her life more than once.
She's tried. But it's not really working, is it?
The problem wasn't Rukia. It was herself. And now, she's just a burden to him.
She found her resolve.
Ring ring.
{Hello?}
{Heyy Orihime OMG! Where are you? Are you coming to work today?}
{No, I'm taking a week off. Sorry to be trouble but... ... Can I crash at yours tonight?"}
Stepping outside Blut Corp towards his car while on the phone, he failed to notice two figures waiting for him.
{Yo Ichigo, I was expecting your call,}
{Yeah... hey I need you to look into this,}
{You name it Sir}
{You saw the photo?}
{It was clearly taken from inside the offi-}
{That's right. And I've emailed you the other file too. Can you help?}
{Of course, leave it with me,}
{I owe you. Arigatou, ja ne,}
"Well well he kinda sounds like a boss, our kid has matured,"
Hearing the familiar voice, Ichigo quickly turned around to see two figures smiling at him.
"Long time no see Ichigo,"
"Renji?! Yes, not since I lost my powers, " Hazel eyes blinked."... And stopped seeing ghost and-"
The married couple exchanged a knowing look.
"You guys, you're wearing hakamas. Which means... I can see you again!"
Renji hit the orange haired in the back.
"Congrats! But how?"
"It must be my badge! I dunno what it was doing in my briefcase," Ichigo took it out of his bag to show his friends.
Rukia grabbed it from him for a closer look.
"It's not your badge Ichigo." She spoke. "We should hurry,"
"What's this about?" Before he could figure out what's going on he bent over in pain as Rukia had shoved the badge towards his chest.
"Ouuuuchh you bitch!" But the pain didn't last as he watched as Renji carried his now lifeless body and chucked into his car.
Ichigo felt amazed being in shinigami form again.
"Fill you in as we go,"
The three figures disappeared in a flash.
Before you were substitute shinigami, there was someone else.
In fact you've been in contact with him.
This badge belonged to your predecessor.
His name was Ginjo Kugo.
What was an ex-substitute shinigami doing, joining Kurosaki family, and taking over? It seemed deliberately done to trigger Ichigo, pushing him till he lost control. When he punched Tsukishima, the power in him was awakened. With the tempered badge from Ginjo, his powers returned... But why did Ginjo go through these lengths, just to return his powers?
Ichigo can't believe that Ginjo was in such close proximity, they didn't even know the threat he posed - to Karakura, his family, his wife... Orihime!
"We don't know what his end game is but seems he's targetted you, so we should take precautions. Your father's been informed and he's taken your sisters to stay at Urahara's. Now we will goto Orihime and take her with us," the violet haired captain said and Ichigo nodded.
"Where is Orihime?" Renji asked.
"Home, oh, and Ichigo made her mad." Rukia continued, "...one of those horrible husbands,"
"Sounds like his fault, what an idiot!" The red haired husband agreed.
"I am right here, and I can hear you guys talking about me,"
"Were you not supposed to?"
"Ichigo mate, rule number one in marriage, say: I'm sorry,"
"For what?"
"For lying," Rukia offered.
"What? I didn't lie!"
"Yes you did. You could have turned down the offer from the lawyer."
Ichigo tensed.
"I didn't think you were the corporate type." Renji snickered.
"More importantly you aren't the type who would marry someone you don't love, just for stupid inheritance money."
"Shut up."
"But you went through with the deal and dragged Orihime along. Because it was a convenient way to force her to marry you."
"I said SHUT UP!"
"Poor Orihime thinks this fake marriage is just for the sake of Blut Corporate inheritance from your grandfather!"
"Of course she would be mad, well in the first place, she was mad to agree!"
(Flashback)
Rukia gave him powers, gave him a purpose. He was attracted to her at one point, she was that older stronger wiser girl, who made him better. Did he love her? He didn't know, he was 15!
They had chemistry, they had banter. But the same could be said about her and Renji. Well, the same could be said about him and Renji!
After Rukia left, that void left by the meddlesome noble was replaced by heartwarming care. The auburn healer and him became closer since Hueco Mundo. Mostly reading mangas or chatting while munching on leftover bread from the bakery where she worked.
But Orihime seemed to miss Rukia more as she never failed to bring her up. "Kurosaki-kun, you miss Kuchiki-san right? I'm sure you must want to see her again."
If it was a common topic that connected them, that bonded them like their shared journey to Soul society and Hueco Mundo, so be it.
And one day, she declared:
"Kurosaki-kun, I never really thanked you for saving me. I promise I'll do anything I can to repay your kindness, so if you need anything tell me, because..."
Ichigo half expected where this was going, as he had a feeling she liked him; he half dreaded it, as he didn't know where he stand or how to deal with it.
"Because Kurosaki-kun, you are a very important friend to me," Then she looked up to him earnestly with her smiling eyes, she then added, "... I'm grateful to have you as a friend."
A friend, she said.
Truth be told, that was not what he expected but he was somewhat relieved, and somewhere slightly disappointed.
She said it so confidently, so surely, so happily. No more blushes or stares or stutters when she said his name.
After he declared himself to be her protector, after he rose from the dead to save her... still just a friend.
That's right, that's all he was to her, that's all he'll ever be to her.
That confirmed what he always thought, she was Inoue the school klutz, who had a crush on him (yes, he noticed the awkwardness and blushes). It wasn't love. Maybe just a crush, and apparently, that crush has disappeared.
"Aa. That's what friends do, so...don't worry about it Inoue." He smiled genuinely.
That's how it ended before it even started.
Fast track a few years later to his 21 birthday, a lawyer rocked up at the Kurosaki residence.
"The condition is you have to be married..."
It was his crazy dad who suggested Orihime-chan would make a good choice. His sisters even commented that Orihime reminds them of their mum. Big round grey eyes flashed across his mind and made his heart skipped a beat.
So there he was walking her home after her shift at the bakery, because he had something urgent to discuss with her and a favour to ask.
"Of course! Just name it Kurosaki-kun... After all I did promise, anything you ask I-..."
"Uhm... will you marry me?"
She was in shocked, her grey eyes wider than saucers, stopped in her tracks. Then she was embarrassed of her reaction so she laughed, believing it was a joke.
Letting out a frustrated breath, Ichigo explained the ordeal from the lawyers visit to the healer.
Orihime tried to comprehend that Ichigo had to get married to inherit his late mom's wealth and he was actually asking her.
"So you weren't joking..."
"Crazy huh?"
"Wait, what about Megumi?"
"Oh, we broke up,"
"My women's intuition tells me that your relationships don't last because you have feelings for another,"
"Inoue, I-"
"But she's not here,"
Somehow that stung. It was like she couldn't imagine that someone like him would actually like her. She didn't see him as a potential lover or suitor. She didnt see him as a man. He should have known better. She didn't even care when he started dating in university. She didn't seem to mind. And that, bothered him endlessly. Not that he would allow himself to admit it. She was just a close friend, he like her, as a friend anyway.
He ran his hand through orange spikes. He knew it was a stupid idea. He wasn't interested slaving away in corporate life. He wasnt that hard up for the inheritance. He will tell his aunt and the lawyers - no deal.
"So, my answer is yes," She nodded affirmatively.
He stared blankly at her.
"Is that... Do you mean-?"
"Yes, I will marry you, Kurosaki-kun, I can't offer much but I will be the best wife I can to you, even though it's a contract marriage."
That's right.
That's all it was.
That's what he needed, someone who knows him, someone he can trust, no feelings, no complications, no expectations, no disappointment.
He found his resolve.
His friends didn't approve but he didn't care, he wasn't marrying them.
They would have two separate rooms in the massive house they would move into after the wedding.
But the wedding was a different story... the big day came by so quickly they didn't even talk about consumating the marriage... it just happened.
His lips captured hers hungrily as they undressed each other.
Her inexperienced hands all over him, and she trailed them lower till they were wrapped around him.
He was so excited at the thought of having sex with her.
She was eager to please, the strained look on his face gave her confidence that she was doing it correctly.
His gaze were filled with lust and desire, and it made her feel hot, all the way to the core between her legs.
When he entered her, he knew that he was ruined. Sex has not felt like this before.
She gave herself completely, trusting him, following his lead.
Her body was made for him, he didn't realise how crazy he was about her body, her perfect tits which he devoured with passion was something he will never get tired of.
He continued diving into her until she came gloriously apart. And he was at his limit too.
Tears streamed her cheeks, overjoyed to be one with him, the love of her life.
But he mistook her tears for something else, he shut his eyes, his frown slowly taking over.
This isn't how it was meant to be... She didn't marry him because of love. She was doing this - just to help him, as a way of repaying him for protecting her.
Knowing Inoue, she was selflessly giving herself completely to him, putting him above herself... but it was just a favour she's returning.
That's not what he wanted!
He can't do this to her!
He had to stop this, he would build a wall from day one, and not let it blossom into anything else.
She believes he loves that midget, so be it. He would use Rukia to push her away.
He found his resolve once again.
So he distanced himself from her due to the guilt and self loathe since their wedding night.
(End of flashback)
"You're in love with her, right?"
There was only silence. But Ichigo's crimson cheeks put Renji's hair to shame.
"You should tell her," Renji put a hand on his shoulder "Don't keep a nice girl waiting so long."
.
.
.
Blitch out.
Here's the long awaited treat for my ichihime Canon shippers, in celebration of Kubo's latest one shot, which was a masterpiece with character banter, aesthetics, and sweetest little genius Kazui - him and Kon are the perfect combo. Pretty mama Hime is hot af but as usual doesn't get much screen time (not even same screen with ichi) But that's ok, it means creative juices for FF authors. A sense of foreboding filled me when I realised Kazui summons gold fish which had a sadistic story, and he seems to open gates to hell. He looks so sweet like Hime I hope Kubo doesn't do something stupid like make Kazui the next BAD guy.
As always, thanks for reading & please leave a review x