Soooooooorry for the late update. I hope you'll enjoy this one. (Andraq, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. This chapter is dedicated to you. Thank you for your kind words and constant reviews. It really means a lot to me. Cheers!)
Disclaimer: Damn. Bleach ain't mine. KT, marry meeeeee!!!
"You threatened to abduct Hanatarou and make him a live bait to the sharks of South China Sea. You think that's funny Kurosaki? You think that's mature?."
Despite his calm voice and seemingly casual appearance, Kurosaki Ichigo knew Uruyuu Ishida too well to say that the black haired guy seating across him is very much enraged. It is six o'clock in the morning and he practically dragged Ishida from Orihime's flat to 'talk about some serious business'. Ishida didn't like the idea, but his fiancée eagerly agreed on his behalf saying that 'Ishida-kun shouldn't forget about his career obligation and that she can manage the other details of the wedding even without him' – to the utter loathing of the poor Ishda-kun.
The orange haired heir of the Kurosaki Empire grimaced at his flustered friend. Really, if there is one thing he admired the most about Ishida, it is his uncanny ability to compose himself no matter how awkward or ugly a situation is.
"Ofcourse Ichigo, you find it very amusing and humorous eh? Even if the poor guy has to seek for a professional psychologist after having nightmares of being thrown in the sea by a certain orange haired pirate, you would still think its funny." adjusting his eye glasses and looking away at the window, Kurosaki Ichigo knew his friend is really serious about this one.
"He wouldn't drop the other maniacs who are paying them to spy on my Rukia. How the hell do you think would I react?" He nonchantly said as he sipped his coffee.
"Well, I'm not really sure Kurosaki, – but you know, there is such a thing as PERSUASION." Japan's most awarded news anchor irritably retorted.
"What I told him is the only language of persuasion I know – you knew that." Still unfazed by his bestfriend's remarks, Ichigo managed to let out a laugh. "And see, It worked."
"Oh yeah, too bad that kind of persuading powers cannot affect Rukia-chan, can't it?" for the first time since they arrived at the restaurant, Uruyuu Ishida looked directly and intently at his high school bestfriend. Ishida's words hit Kurosaki Ichigo like an avalanche. He felt his body getting numb, as if the airconditioning of the restaurant suddenly blasted on his body.
"This is all about Rukia-chan, isn't it Ichigo? After all these years, it was still Rukia-chan."
Flashback
"Can I speak with you, Ichigo?"
Nineteen year old Kurosaki Ichigo was startled to see Kuchiki Byakuya at their library. Although he knew Rukia's brother since he was young, he still feel this odd aloofness whenever he is around. Maybe its his aristocratic upbringing, or the mere fact that he IS Rukia's brother, Ichigo doesn't really know, all he knows though is that he didn't like it whenever this man is around.
"Err.. s-sure. I didn't know you were here, Byakuya-san. Can I offer you anything?"
"Thank you but I won't stay long."
Ichigo held his breath in anticipation of what Kuchiki heir is about to say. And he felt the world crash into his feet as the raven haired man said his next words.
"I have a favor to ask you… for Rukia."
end of flashback
Kurosaki Ichigo sighed at the image that has been haunting him since that afternoon, that incident that has lead him away from Rukia. His Rukia.
"Do you love her Ichigo? Are you inlove with Rukia-chan?"
Ichigo looked away and shook his head.
Kuchiki Rukia woke up at the sound of her door bell.
Groggily looking at her bedside table, she saw it flash "7:00". Who the hell would wake her up at this unholy hour?! She grumpily thought as she reached for her robe.
"Who is it?" she muttered in between yawning and scratching her raven mane.
"Is it too early for breakfast my cherie?" A beaming Hisagi answered at her paging system.
"Hisagi.. its freaking seven in the morning! What are you doing here?!" slightly amused, Rukia asked, rolling her eyes in the process.
"I hope to discuss it over coffee and croissants" Rukia can almost see Hisagi's to die for smirk on the other end of the line.
"Fine. Get over here." She said smiling, adjusting her robe and opening the elevator door.
Kurosaki Ichigo jolted at the flashing red light in his cellular phone. Hanatarou told him that he activated a GPRS/Infrared mechanical thingy on Rukia's home directly to a video streaming device on his phone so he would know when Rukia is home. He has never tried it before – and was never planning to, (ofcourse, he wouldn't want to invade Rukia's privacy!) but the red flashing light seems to tempt him.
"Ichigo, don't tell me..?" Ishida asked, noticing Ichigo's apparent discomfort while staring at his cellular phone. As if on cue, his orange haired friend looked away evading his knowing glare.
"I…"
"You did not let Hanatarou install the GPRS camera on her – don't you?" with his eyes slightly widening at the idea, the man behind the eye glasses managed to let out a disapproving glare on his friend.
"I…I.." Kurosaki Ichigo stuttered, cheeks turning a little red.
"Oh my God Kurosaki.. Are you insane?! What about her privacy?" Ishida almost fell off his chair upon seeing Ichigo's guilty look.
"I know.. I know.. its just that, I want to make sure she's fine. There are people who would like to take advantage of her. How would I know that she'll be safe?!" the orange haired tycoon reasoned out scowling, crossing his arms around his chest, looking threateningly at the uneaten pancakes on his table.
"Really huh. Are you sure its not the possessive part of you speaking here? I mean really, when we were still young, not even a male cockroach is allowed to get near her." The black haired man said, enjoying every minute of torment he is causing his high school bestfriend.
"Shut up. Ofcourse not." He replied looking away, partly pouting his already scowling face.
"Aw. Ofcourse you do. I would have courted her if you're not my bestfriend" Ishida said, earning a death glare from Ichigo.
"See? That's what exactly I am telling you. You wouldn't want male species get near her. She's like a territorial property for you. So stop acting as if you don't care because I know that you're dying to know why that freaking cellphone of yours is beeping like hell." Ishida commented casually, smirking at Ichigo, reaching for the newspaper being given out by the waiter.
"I can't believe you have the guts to call yourself my bestfriend" the orange haired man muttered as he examines his phone – only to be stunned by the image he was seeing.
There is his Rukia, seating on her bar stool, obviously fresh from sleeping, with her tousled hair and robe and that Hisagi guy, with his wet hair, in Rukia's apron (which was pink with a big smiling chappy), cooking something in the oven. Ichigo felt his heart being squeezed by an invisible hand – as if he is going to have a major heart attack anytime soon if he wouldn't get the chance to strangle that black haired model freak Rukia is obviously dating. Damn him.
"Ichigo? Are you okay?"
"Ichigo?" Ishida tapped Ichigo's arms after he failed to give him a response. "Ichigo, if she's taking a bath or dressing up, for God's sake, give her a little privacy – will you?" with Ichigo still ignoring Ishida, the black haired man just rolled his eyes and continued reading the newspaper.
Did he spend the night there? Did they just…? Ow shit. Murderous thoughts are running uncontrollably on his mind now, cursing himself for not checking that goddamn video streaming device on his phone last night to check whether she is sleeping with that bastard or not. Sleeping with him. Ichigo is sooooo going to hire an assassin to kill that jerk before the day ends.
"You look like you are about to kill someone Ichigo." Ishida exclaimed chuckling, interrupting the sadistic thoughts running inside his mind.
"Is the man you are planning to kill happens to be a red haired tattooed NBA star?" Ishida continued, tossing the gossip column of the newspaper he is currently reading.
The first picture showed Rukia drinking tea, smiling brightly at Abarai Renji who is just blushing like a preschooler. The next photo is taken at a grocery store, with Renji pushing the cart and Rukia looking puzzled at some juice boxes. The last photo is at the parking lot, with Renji carrying two big grocery boxes and Rukia pulling his arms towards his red sportscar. Written on top of the photos is a big caption that reads: "A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN: ABARAI RENJI AND KUCHIKI RUKIA"
"Looks like you're going to have a busy day my friend." Uruyuu Ishida said, smiling knowingly at the furious orange haired man. "Yup. I'm going to tell Hanatarou that karma is now digital" he added, before reaching for the newspaper to resume his reading.
"Croisants! And Bacon! And Fresh orange juice! …You really know how to make a girl happy so early in the morning, don't you Hisagi?" Kuchiki Rukia smiled tenderly at her colleague who looked so damn cute in her apron. "And oh, you're to die for in that apron" she winked before sipping her juice.
"Hah. You know that I do have a verrry gorgeous body – with or without clothes, I am one heck of a man." He playfully smirked at the raven haired super model in front of her.
"Yeah right." She replied rolling he eyes.
"Well, it will be my pleasure to show you my assets if you would let me, ma cherie" the black haired photographer cum model teasingly smiled at her, seating himself beside her.
"Scrap it Hisagi, your charms won't affect me." Kuchiki Rukia grinned at her black haired friend who is now looking at her tenderly.
"What can I do make it affect you ne, Rukia? What can I do to make you love me the way I love you?" Shunsei Hisagi said thoughtfully, a sad smile gracing his lips.
"H-hisagi.."
The black haired male super model reached out to touch Rukia's tousled hair affectionately, "You are so exquisite Rukia, and I will do anything to make you happy"
Rukia cannot believe with what she's hearing, she doesn't know what to say nor how to react. She and Hisagi are good friends, since she had started modeling, it was Hisagi who has constantly supported her despite the some critics' initial apprehension to her because of her height. If not for Hisagi, she would probably have given up on modeling a long time ago. She liked him a lot, but to be his girlfriend, -she is totally speechless.
"Err.. Kisuke, why exactly are we spying on our godson?" the gorgeous former super model Shiounin Yorichi stifled a yawn as she reached for a piece of bread.
"Sheesh. We have been watching them for what? Two hours now?" she continued pouting.
"My beloved Yorichi-san, I just want to make sure that dim wit godson of ours won't mess up his chances on Rukia-san" a grinning Urahara Kisuke answered, smiling under his favorite paper fan.
"But you didn't do anything about the paparazzi photos, you knew it would enrage him. Look at him now, even Godzilla himself wouldn't dare to touch him." the violet haired woman asked, quizzically.
"Because everything is happening according to plan.. Abarai Renji meeting Rukia-chan while we kept Hisagi busy, Ishida recommending Hanatarou, Ganju installing that video streaming device, Hisagi showing up today, cooking her breakfast and Ichigo watching them through his phone. Ahhh.. I am such a genius for orchestrating this love story Yori-chan! Aren't you proud you're married to this man?? The blond haired man giddily smiled, raising his cup of coffee for a 'toast'
"Is this the penance you swore to take after messing up with Ichigo's love life before?" Yorichi said in a serious tone, after toasting her cup to Kisuke's.
"I take full responsibility with what had happened between the two of them before.. that is why I am determined to get them together this time. I promised Isshin and Byakuya, I won't fail them this time." Urahara Kisuke said in soberly, with half his face covered in the shadows.
"And I know you won't Kisuke. I trust you." Yorichi smiled tenderly, touching her husband's hands, reassuringly.
"Have I told you that Hisagi will be doing the photo shoot for Rukia's talk show today?" Urahara Kisuke smiled widely, a mischievous glint shining in his eyes.
So, the reason for their 'break up' is unfolding little by little. I hope you can bear with me and have a little patience towards it (smiles brightly) and yup, you heard it from the man himself, Urahara has something to do with 'it'. (wink)
Please review if you liked it (especially you andraq. smiles) (And yeah, my other fanfic too its entitled "Drabbles 101" about Ichigo being jealous of Rukia's new suitor (yeah, I totally love a jealous Ichigo) if you have time and is willing to take another chance on my work, just check it out.
Till next time! Chill!