48So, I guess I'm the 'saltiest' and the 'bitterest' of you lot. It took me months to get out of my funk and force myself to at least complete this fic. I'm sure this would have been way better if that blasted chapter did not kill me or rather my muse.
Disclaimer: Kubo who? Ahh him. Whatevs.
Final Epilogue
When the small family arrived back at Rukia's house a little late in the evening, they saw a Limo parked. Rukia and Kouichi knew who is waiting for them inside the house. Ichigo have a feeling too that he won't be spending the evening with Rukia again. He scowled.
As they enter, they saw Renji sitting in their living room. He stands up and motioned his head to a room that Rukia uses as her office.
Kouichi immediately run and went inside the room. His parents and Renji following. Ichigo squeezed Rukia's hand and confidently entered the room.
There in Rukia's home office, seating regally in front of a drawing table, is Byakuya Kuchiki. Head of one of the most prestigious family in the country and owner of multi-billion group of companies. His name is always in the World Most Eligible Billionaires list and often voted as the most elusive famous personality to ever grant an interview. These are according to the magazines and newspapers that Ichigo has read when he was still searching for Rukia and still reads even when he thought he had stopped searching.
But Ichigo only see Byakuya in one light, and that is, a huge pain in the ass.
Ichigo remembers the times he chased this man. It had felt like chasing a sports car with your bare feet, you could see him for a few seconds and then gone the next. In the rare chance that he was able to get a hold of him, he always ends up in jail. So yeah, he was/is the biggest pain in Ichigo's ass.
"Oji-sama!" Kouichi run to his uncle, bowed then beam at him. Byakuya's features softened looking at his nephew. He reached out and patted Kouichi's head.
Kouichi who is very fond of his uncle started to tell him stories "Oji-sama, I'm so glad you are here. Look! Daddy's back and not only that, I met Grandpa Isshin too, and Auntie Yuzu and Auntie Karin! They were all great…."
Byakuya's softened feature hardened instantly as his cold eyes landed on Ichigo whose hand is tangled with Rukia's. The temperature in the room dropped significantly, or so Renji felt.
Oblivious to the surrounding, Kouichi continued "Then this afternoon, Mom and dad…."
"Kou-chan, it's late sweetheart, go wash and do your assignments. I'll come check it later." Rukia stopped her son.
"Come on kid, let's have a snack first, your uncle brought some of your favorite snacks from UK." Renji ushered Kouichi.
"I'll see you tomorrow, oji-sama. Good night." Kouichi told his uncle and allowed Renji to usher him outside.
When the door closes, Rukia removed her hand from Ichigo's and greeted her brother "Nii-sama."
Byakuya swiveled his chair to the side where Rukia's big project's architectural designs are hanged, he sat back and crossed his legs, eyes on the designs. "Rukia, I heard from the elders. Did you mean what you told them?" He asked without looking.
"Yes, Nii-sama." Rukia responded without a second delay.
Byakuya closes his eyes for a moment, then "I brought you tea selection from your favorite shop, they are in the kitchen."
Rukia understood the meaning behind her brother's words. She was dismissed temporarily. "Thank you, Nii-sama, I'll prepare some. Please excuse me."
As the door closes for the second time, Byakuya spoke again, this time addressing the only person left in the room aside from himself.
"Kurosaki, last time I heard, you are engaged. What are you doing with my sister?"
No beating around the bush, I see, Ichigo thought. "I was engaged. Not anymore." Ichigo responded, his eyes bore at Byakuya who did not even bothered to look at him.
"Why? Because you found Rukia again? Personally, I think you are suited more for someone like Orihime Inoue. Someone who can provide you a life you are more familiar with – a commoner's life."
"There's nothing wrong having a normal life and you should have realized it by now that I don't give a damn what you think either." Ichigo fired back. Geez, couldn't they give up already. Do they have to repeat the same argument over and over again? Haven't he shouted his view enough at Byakuya's face back when he was demanding where Rukia was?
"Aren't you being unfair to her? She is a kind woman, she waited for you for years, and you even offered her marriage." Byakuya said again. This time, he spare Ichigo a fleeting look moving only his eyes.
Ichigo cursed inwardly. Leave it to this guy to know everything. And he sure knew what to hit him with. He couldn't berate himself more for giving up on Rukia and proposing to Orihime. Ichigo thanks the Gods again for seeing Rukia before he made the biggest mistake of his life – marrying the wrong woman. He shuddered at the thought.
"Tch! I know it was unfair to her, alright. Maybe in another life I could return her feelings but that is only if Rukia doesn't exist. With all the things you've put me through, you should have already known that I would always choose Rukia. If you had only allowed me to see her…" he choked.
Ichigo felt like he is seventeen again, he remembers the pain of losing Rukia, the petrifying feeling when despite all his efforts he realized he'll never see her again, never to see her beautiful amethyst eyes shines again as she plays with the kids in the orphanage, or when she's teasing him or bickers with him. She was the one who gave him purpose. She was the reason why his life became meaningful, that he had felt so alive after meeting her.
When she left, he was reduced to his old self. Uncaring. He was like that for months until Uryuu knocked some sense into him. Uryuu had nagged him endlessly that time but he only heard his last words- You are pathetic, Kurosaki. I'm sure she'll tell you that too when she sees you. Uryuu had used when and not if. So he had worked hard to get back on track but he graduated and all and still no Rukia showed up even after so many years.
He glared daggers to the person in front of him, the cause of all his pain, the bane of his existence. The person that plays the biggest part in making him live like a fucking corpse.
"But Rukia chose for you to have a normal life. I can see it turned out good for you. Why don't you let it stay that way?" Byakuya tried again.
There is that too. He couldn't really blame Byakuya fully for Rukia herself decided not to contact him, for his benefit, so she say.
"You and your sister do have a lot in common. You like deciding things on your own. The only difference was she was being selfless while you on the other hand thinks only for yourself or for the benefit of your clan. But I am telling you now, I am not backing away this time, Byakuya." Ichigo declared, determination flaring within his brown eyes.
Byakuya continued as if he didn't hear Ichigo's declaration at all. His face still compose. "It's a known fact that my sister is the next heir of the Kuchiki clan, Kouichi will be expected to head the family and the whole business. Being with Rukia would affect your life considerably. You might have to change your profession, change your priorities, even your habits." Byakuya's eyes are now intensely looking at Ichigo's reaction.
Ichigo was taken aback. Not because of what Byakuya informed but because he felt that he was being tested now.
"It's not too late yet, Kurosaki. You can always go back to that Inoue woman whose only worry is if you like the dinner that she cooked for you. And you can continue with your mundane life. Beside, aren't you in the middle of your research?"
Ichigo gritted his teeth. Why couldn't Byakuya understand that what he felt for Rukia is beyond anything else? That there was no comparison? That she's the bearer of his happiness? He doesn't want to feel so fucking empty again, dammit.
"As to my sister, I will make sure to marry her off to someone I personally approve."
Ichigo lost his patience hearing that last sentence. "You still don't understand, do you? I don't care what you throw at me. I am not letting you take my family away from me anymore. Don't you think you have caused us enough pain? If it's not for the fact that Rukia and my son respected and love you, I can do what you did and hide them from you, in that way, you will feel what I felt all those years ago."
Byakuya suddenly stands, eyes colder than ever "What's make you think you can do that? You will find yourself locked up with no hope of getting out before you can put that plan in place."
"I did not say I will, but I can if you so much as threaten to take them away again. Besides you cannot marry Rukia off anymore, because as of this afternoon, she became my wife." Ichigo watched the usual cold eyes widens then narrowed instantly, jaw tightly clenched, as well as his fists on top of the table.
Byakuya's inside is raging, if not for the table in between them, Byakuya guess he might have lost his composure and strike the boy already. He continued glaring daggers at Ichigo. Ichigo glared back.
Rukia despite of her upbringing, did not really left the room, she stayed behind the door, listening in. She entered the room again when she thought her intervention is now needed "Nii-sama."
Byakuya spare her a glance "Rukia, what is this boy saying?" He asked through gritted teeth. Cold and slightly narrowed eyes still directed at Ichigo.
"It's true, brother. We got married this afternoon." Rukia confirmed with a small smile. She knows her brother is furious but the only regret she felt is the hope that her brother was there to witness her union with the man she loves.
-Flashback-
5 hours earlier..
"I still need your answer, midget." Ichigo reminded her. Eyes still boring into her.
Rukia gripped Ichigo's arm, the other fisted in her skirt "You know that I love you, that my heart is incapable of loving anyone else but you. I've always been yours, Ichigo, and I want you to be officially mine too."
Ichigo couldn't contain his heart. Then a thought entered his mind "Then let's get married now. Come on, the municipality is near here. I know someone who can officiate us." Ichigo tugged her from the bed.
"Wha… Ichigo! Aren't you rushing things?" Rukia asked. She couldn't explain if she's feeling more amused or surprise.
"What do you mean rushing things? It's more like overdue, don't you think? I don't want to wait anymore. I want us to be official too. I want us to be family already. So let's go." Ichigo urged her.
She supposed there's no stopping her berry-head anymore. "But.. " Rukia looked down at what she's wearing.
Ichigo reached for her face and made her look at him "You look fine. That's what I don't understand with you rich people, you dress like you are always attending a gala even if you're only at home. Besides, even if you are wearing rags, I would still marry you. So no more excuses, alright?" He smirked and tapped her nose.
"Idiot." She said fondly. Rukia lovingly gaze at the man caressing her face. She herself is getting excited. Ichigo is right, she will marry him anytime, and it doesn't matter when, where or how.
Ichigo took that as a yes. His heart thudded hard with the way Rukia looks at him. His midget rarely voice out her love to him but her expressive eyes compensate for it a hundred fold and he prefers it that way.
Ichigo lifted her face upwards and kisses Rukia tenderly. He wraps his other hand in her waist and proceeded to kiss her more deeply. Rukia wound her hands in his neck, bringing their bodies to mold together and responds to Ichigo's kisses, deepening it even.
And just like that, warm, terribly pleasant sensation washed through him. Ichigo's body reacted strongly as it remembers the night they almost made love. He lifted Rukia's body and lay her on the bed, him following to cover hers. His kisses became more intimate and more urgent, his hands busy mapping her body until it rest and got busy in her chest. His need is becoming unbearable. He is hungry for her, he desperately wants her and he knew he will go crazy if he won't have her now.
But of course he was thwarted once again. God damn it!
He was in the process of stripping Rukia of her dress when "Ichigo, it's broad daylight and we are in your family's house." Rukia reminded her raving partner.
"I don't care!" Ichigo's focus is still at the task at hand- getting more access to Rukia's skin. He tugged at Rukia's dress signaling her to raise her hands so he can take the damn thing off her already.
Rukia complied, she put her hands up and smirked at her seductively, she then tangled her leg at Ichigo's thigh and lifted the other one to rest on his crotch "Aren't you so adamant of bringing me somewhere? Somewhere where we can legally have each other?" She purred.
Ichigo suddenly stops his movement and glared at her, his mind and body battling with each other, but seeing her pose like that and feel her tiny foot gently rubbing his crotch and thigh, he couldn't control the shiver running down his spine, he gulped hard.
Why does he love this evil woman again?
Rukia chuckled. She wants him too, alright. As much as he wants her. But one of them has to keep head. She raises her head to reach the glowering man and pacifies him with chaste kisses all over his face as she slowly drags her dress down again and covers her naked skin.
"You are not helping, midget." Ichigo closes his eyes to control his raging hormones. It took him longer than he thought.
"Ichigo?"
"I'm fine. Just give me a moment." Ichigo answered as he extracted himself from Rukia and lay a little father from her. Careful not to touch any part of her or his body might betray him again.
When they eventually came out from the room, they saw Isshin leaning on the wall, whistling, looking like he changed clothes hurriedly, his tie askew.
They also heard hurried feet noise from Yuzu's room. Then Yuzu opened the door and yelled "Wait up! We're almost done."
Rukia and Ichigo were confused. He looked at his father again who averted his eyes and still whistling happily. Realization dawned on the two. Ichigo scowled at his dad. "Tch! You've been eavesdropping."
Isshin grinned. "It's a good move, son. I'm proud of you."
"We're done." Yuzu came out wearing a simple dress tugging Kouichi who seems his hair has been brushed, shirt neatly tucked.
"Mom, are we going somewhere? Why are Grampa and Aunt Yuzu very excited?" Kouichi asked his mother.
It was his father who answered "We are doing something that will make you a Kurosaki, son"
"You mean you are getting married?" Kouichi's eyes widen in excitement.
Ichigo chuckled. His son is smart, alright. "Yes, Kou-chan."
Kouichi's happy face turned thoughtful "But, how about oji-sama? And aren't you supposed to meet with the elders first? And should I be wearing like this?"
Ichigo crouched down to Kouichi's level and told his son "We are doing this the Kurosaki way, we will do the Kuchiki way after I speak with your uncle."
"Ok." Kouichi nodded.
-End of flashback-
Ichigo breaks his glaring competition with Byakuya and looks at Rukia. He feels his heart has gotten a lot bigger upon hearing her confirmation that she was indeed his wife now. For he still couldn't believe it himself. Rukia looked right back and smile at him a little, he smirked back. Raging Byakuya forgotten.. until they both heard the scrape of chair. They both turned their eyes to the person in front of them.
Rukia look at her brother, eyes begging. Ichigo's eyes still on Rukia, he couldn't care less if Byakuya doesn't accept him but he knows that his wife needed her nii-sama's blessing so he waited with a bated breath until the siblings finishes their silent communication.
Byakuya sighed inwardly. He has seen this coming. Have been expecting it to happen sooner actually. He had deprived his sister her happiness for a long time, it's time he allows her. He nodded imperceptibly.
Ichigo who is looking at Rukia was amazed as he witness Rukia's eyes widen and her face brighten so much he thought he has gone blind. His heart faltered. He feels like a heavy weight- he didn't know existed, has been lifted from his chest.
Thank you, Byakuya.
A/N:
I was originally thinking of at least giving you a glimpse of a proper wedding, Karin's story and to solve the mystery of the video culprit but I guess I can't anymore (I know I'm pulling a Kubo here, huh). I'm sorry if I disappoint any of you, guys. I got inspired to write because of Ichiruki only and I couldn't find the inspiration anymore. This chapter was halfway done before 686, hence I just had to wrap it a little.
Thank you so much to those who followed, commented and favorite-d my stories.
Take care all! :)