Rukia walked around the house cleaning up the mess Takeshi and Mai made before they ran off to school. When they came back to Karakura after the gallery's opening, Ichigo had to stay behind in Tokyo because of his job. It was hard on Rukia and the kids to leave him but knew they really couldn't do anything about it.
At least Unohana-san is going to let him transfer here in about a year or two, she thought to herself. She smiled at that thought. By then they'd be married and finally living like the family they should have been since ten years ago.
Ring ring ring
Rukia stopped what she was doing and picked up her cellphone. "Moshi-moshi?" she answered.
"I was hoping you'd answer with a sexier tone."
Upon hearing the voice, Rukia smirked, dropping her exhausted body on the couch. "But you wouldn't want anyone else to hear me like that, now would you, Ichigo?"
The said man laughed on the other end. "True. Anyways, how are you today, soon-to-be Kurosaki-san?"
Rukia giggled. "Not much different from when you called me last night."
"Are the kids at school?"
"Yes," Rukia answered, "And then Orihime and Tatsuki are planning on taking them to one of Karin's soccer practice afterwards. So I'm pretty much alone all day until dinner."
Ichigo sighed over the phone. "Now is a really good time for our alone time, huh?"
This time Rukia laughed. "I don't think you should be thinking about those things while you're still at work, Kurosaki-sensei."
"Whatever," Ichigo grunted, "I just can't wait to visit you guys next weekend."
"And I promise there will be a little something special waiting for you here," Rukia smirked and she could just imagine the mischievous smirk on his face as well.
"By the way, I picked up this magazine a few days ago and there was an article about you," he said.
Rukia sat up with interest. "And what does it say?"
She heard some ruffling of paper on the other side before he spoke again. "Nothing much; just how successful your gallery was and how it's a place that everyone has got to go see," he emphasized. "But what really caught my eyes was this short paragraph about our family."
Rukia grinned, remembering exactly how the interview went. "And do you like it?"
"Why are they referring to me as a girl?" he growled.
Rukia giggled. "It's not my fault the interviewer though you were a girl when I said your name. And she was so busy asking more questions that I never got a chance to correct her." She could just see the deepening of his permanent scowl on his head.
"And how come it says you're taking care of my children instead of our children?"
"Oh, yeah, I admit that was my fault," Rukia confessed, "When she asked me about marriage and children, I answered that I'd be a great mother since I was already taking care of your children at home. Then I was too busy trying to stop myself from laughing at the mental picture of you as a girl that by then the topic changed."
Ichigo grunted. "Well, I guess it's not a big problem since I didn't want our engagement getting too much publicity," he replied, "And our kids wouldn't be getting too much attention this way." Rukia nodded in agreement when she suddenly heard some noise coming from the other end.
"Kurosaki-sensei! Unohana-sensei is calling for you!" an unknown voice called out from the background.
"Okay," Ichigo responded to the other person before talking back to Rukia, "Rukia? I gotta go now."
Rukia smiled. "I know. Just don't forget to call tonight to the kids."
"I won't. I love you."
"I love you too," Rukia replied before hanging up the phone. She stretched her tired muscles before she went to grab the vacuum and resume cleaning the house.
Ever since the engagement had been announced, her friends (the girls, at least) have been coming over quite often to add their part in planning the wedding. It was to be a small and simple wedding with only the closest friends and families. Of course Rukia was more excited to have Takeshi as the ring bearer and Mai as the flower girl.
Ichigo left everything up to Rukia, even agreeing to have it during spring, the season between winter and summer; perfect for them since it would be in between their birthdays and not overlapping with any other special day. Which meant there was only 4-5 months left until the big day!
Rukia smiled to herself; just thinking about the wedding was making her day great. Sadly she hasn't spoken to Byakuya since his sudden departure at her gallery, but she was hoping he'd walk her down the aisle. If he refused, then she knew Isshin would more than happy to do it.
Finally finish vacuuming the first floor, Rukia was about to walk up the stairs to start on the second floor when the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Who is it?" Rukia called out as she walked towards the door. And as soon as she opened it she noticed a tall man in his early thirties, with brown hair, thick-framed glasses, and in an Armani suit standing in front of her. "May I help you?" she asked.
The man smiled at her and bowed. "Hello. I am here to speak with Kuchiki Rukia."
Rukia smiled back. "I am she. How can I help you?"
The stranger showed a shocked expression for a second before bringing back his smile. "Oh! I couldn't recognize you at first. You grew up to a very beautiful lady," he replied, slightly mumbling to himself, "This will be a very promising marriage."
Where the fuck did that come from?
"E-excuse me?" Rukia stuttered. Her face turned pale and her smile dropped as she was now staring at him like he was crazy.
The man lifted his hands and waved them around frantically in front of him. "Don't get me wrong, I've held interest in you for some time, and not just because of your name. As the next head of the Aizen lineage I decided it'd be best to marry someone as successful as you—"
"Wait a second," Rukia interrupted, "Did you say you were from the Aizen clan?"
He nodded. "My name is Aizen Sousuke and I'm the next head of my clan."
"But what does the Aizen clan want with me?" she asked.
"Surely a successfully woman like you cannot stay single forever," he exclaimed almost sarcastically. "After the opening of your gallery, your name was plastered on several art magazines that it wasn't hard to find you. Slowly you became a woman every man wanted, though being a noble yourself you can only be married to another noble. Soon bachelors from the other clans will most likely come to propose to you as well so I decided to make my move fast and be the first."
So this is what niisama meant, she mentally slapped herself for not realizing this sooner. "I'm sorry but I have no intention of getting married to you."
Aizen chuckled lightly, obviously amused at something Rukia couldn't figure out. He looked up and eyed her before looking around their surroundings. "I was shocked at first to find out that such a woman of your name would live in such a small house with a friend and her family."
Is he referring to Ichigo as a she? Rukia thought before mentally rolling her eyes, He must have gotten this info from the magazines. "Is there a problem with that?" she snapped back.
"Well, I don't understand how you can spend so many days taking care of your friend's family… even her children! From what I've read about you, it seems like your some sort of servant here. How disgraceful is that for someone who holds the Kuchiki name? From what I remember of you, you were a very prideful person who never let others walk over you," he said.
Rukia raised a brow. "What are you talking about? I don't even know you—"
"Surely you must remember," he looked surprised, "When you were first adopted by Kuchiki-sama I visited you many times."
Rukia shifted her head to the side to eye the man more fully…still nothing. "I'm sorry but I still don't remember…"
Aizen watched her as she tried to remember, causing her face to frown. He smiled at her effort. "Well, I don't want you to strain yourself too much since that's not the reason why I'm here."
Rukia snapped back to attention, remembering the reason why this noble was there. "Right, um…well, I appreciate your interest in me but as I stated before, I cannot marry—"
"If you do not marry," Aizen cut it, "I'm afraid the consequences could be dire," he said while still wearing a sweet smile.
Rukia glared at the man in front of her. "Are you threatening me?"
Aizen looked at her for a few seconds before letting out a small chuckle. "Of course not; I'm just merely stating a fact. Call your brother if you wish to know the details," he said. Then he paused, looking into the house behind Rukia. "May I come in for a minute?"
Rukia immediately stood directly in front of him, blocking his way. "I'd prefer if you didn't," she spat out with pure anger.
Aizen looked at her with a smile (A/N: you guys should know what I'm talking about: that weird, perverted-like, mischievous look). "I guess then there's no other reason for me to stay here." He turned around, ready to leave but stopped after a few steps. "Oh, and before I forget; I do recommend myself as a more worthy candidate for your hand. Ask Kuchiki-sama and he'll agree I am far more suitable for you than any other men. I am, after all, from an equally powerful family as your own."
Rukia watched as the man walked away and got into a limousine that was parked in front of the house. She quickly slammed the door shut and reached for her phone.
Ring ring ring.
"Moshi-moshi? Kuchiki Byakuya's office."
"This is Kuchiki Rukia. I would like to talk to niisama."
There was a long pause on the other end until the nobleman himself picked up the phone. "Rukia?"
"Who is this Aizen Sousuke and what did he mean?" she quickly asked.
Byakuya didn't respond for some time until he let out a sigh. "I'm guessing this means that that man came to see you."
"Yes," Rukia replied, "And he even dared to leave after threatening me!"
"Rukia, calm down," he said, "Tell me exactly what he has said to you."
Rukia let out a huff of breath before starting her story. "Well, that man came here and asked for me. Then he blurts out that he wants to marry me! What's up with that? Then he says that if I don't marry him, there will be some consequences!" she said the last word mockingly. "I didn't know what he meant about other people that'll come here for the same thing and that it'd be best if I marry him instead of someone else! I should have just showed him my engagement ring and sent him away—"
"It's a good thing you did not do that," Byakuya interrupted.
Rukia paused to take in several deep breaths from her rant. "Why not, niisama?"
"Come visit me tomorrow and we will go into more detail," he said, and paused before adding, "And we'll discuss about your children as well." And he hung up.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Rukia gulped at his last words while listening to the dial tone. She dropped herself onto the couch and buried her face into her hands. What now?
A/N: Now you guys will find out what Byakuya really thinks of Takeshi and Mai. What will he say? What will happen to Rukia? Go and read the next chapter... NOW!
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