SO WE AMEND OUR ASSUMPTIONS
"What?" 15-year old Rukia asked, staring horrifically at her brother.
Kuchiki Byakuya had a barely noticeable crease on his otherwise flawless brow.
"You have to marry the boy our grandfather chose for you, and it shall take place soon, within the month."
She bit her lip. Though she didn't really want to question her brother, she had to ask. "Why?"
Byakuya looked at her for a moment before replying. "We have obligations to keep that we cannot neglect. As much as the…arrangement…bothers me, we have to respect our elders' wishes - our grandfather, especially. He only has a few months left to live.
She understood the urgency of the situation, but she couldn't help getting frustrated. She sucked in her breath, nodding her head in reluctant agreement. Who? Who would she have to marry?
...
"What?" Ichigo exclaimed, wiping off water that dribbled from his chin when he choked on it earlier.
His crazy dad, Kurosaki Isshin, had a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh! My son! You are so blessed to be married off to a girl from a family who practically has noble blood flowing in their veins! Such an honor bestowed upon this lowly servant!"
"But I'm only 15!" he screeched.
Isshin clicked his tongue at him. "My boy, even 15-year olds can do the role of a grown man! All you have to do is-" He suddenly yelled out.
Ichigo had his hand raised, ready to fire off another plate. "Cut the crap. Why do I have to marry the girl at my freaking age? First off, I don't even know her!"
Isshin rubbed his temple, feeling the slight bump. "Ah! You had to ask! Well, your grandpa and her granddad had an agreement-"
"AGES ago" Ichigo cut off.
"-and the other party had already given us notice that they wished to comply with it. Your grandpa's gone, but Kuchiki Kamiya is still alive, but barely. Byakuya-san wants to fulfill their end while Kamiya-dono is still well."
Ichigo had to shut his mouth at that. He was having a headache just thinking about having a relationship with a girl, and now he was about to get married! He sighed a few moments later as he realized that he had already unconsciously resigned himself to the matter. He may not look like it, but he had a deep sense of responsibility. He wasn't about to let some poor old man down just because he can't sacrifice a bit (well, okay, THE REST OF HIS LIFE).
In the corner, Isshin had to bite down a knowing grin.
...
"Onii-chan, good luck!" Yuzu whispered while holding up both hand in front of her as if in prayer. Karin had a smirk on her face as she grabbed her twin's arm and safely steered her away from his sight.
Ichigo sighed as he gazed off at his sisters' direction. Then, he glanced down at his watch. Damn, but that brat was making him wait.
He was at some classy-looking café that his soon-to-be brother-in-law picked, about to meet his future bride. He wasn't thrilled, but he had to admit, he was a bit curious. He was, after all, going to face the girl he had to spend the rest of his life with for the very first time.
...
"Remember to be polite. I know that you both don't know each other, but a Kuchiki should hold the front when needed. And he is, after all, the boy you would soon call husband."
"Yes, nii-sama."
Rukia sighed as she remembered her earlier conversation with Byakuya. She fidgeted once more with her dress and tried to look a little bit cheerful. Then, she took a deep breath and opened the glass door.
She easily spotted the bright orange hair. She inwardly cringed. Well, at least she'd be able to recognize him anywhere.
She strode silently to their table near the back (the café was really cozy and had a homey feel) and quickly seated herself across from him. He had been looking out at the window, so he didn't notice her arrival. She took that moment to fully study him. She had been given a picture of him a week ago when her brother brought all the nasty stuff up about marriage to her. She had raised a somewhat disdainful brow at his frowning expression, but now that she was facing him like this, she could see that he had thoughtful-looking eyes. Those warm, golden brown eyes glinted in the midday sun, and she could just imagine the world being reflected off of them.
Her eyes widened, and she shook herself mentally. What the hell was she thinking? She couldn't possibly be complimenting him now, could she?
...
Ichigo finally shook himself from his thoughts…and almost gulped. The seat that was empty just a moment ago now had a petite raven-haired girl occupying it. He almost didn't recognize his fiancée (for he thought of her as one, even though they weren't formally engaged). His picture of her showed a smiling girl of fifteen, holding a white stuffed bunny to her chest. It portrayed a childish girl, one sheltered from the harsh realities of life. It gave him the impression of a rich, spoiled brat.
But he knew now that this wasn't the case. He studied her face fully. She was silent and her face held no smile now. In fact, she looked like a porcelain doll – cold, and expressionless. Even now she bravely suffered his gaze on her, and he almost smiled at that. She must have sensed it, for she raised a delicate eyebrow at him. It made his attention rivet on her eyes, and he had to hold his breath and force himself to regain his usual frown at the sight of them. They were a curious shade of amethyst that reflected blue in some angles, and they were looking at him as if they could penetrate his soul.
He swallowed and gripped the fork he was holding idly earlier tighter in his hand.
"Kuchiki Rukia, right?" he asked, finally finding his voice.
She gave a cool smile. "Kurosaki Ichigo," she acknowledged.
"It must have been a shock for you," he awkwardly said.
"As if it wasn't for you, too" she retorted. "We don't even know each other."
He relaxed his grip and smirked. "Yeah, but we don't really have a choice. I don't want to upset an old – I mean, your grandfather's wish."
She turned her body slightly away from him, but kept her gaze locked on him. "Hmm… Aren't you a good boy?"
He frowned. "Oi. Was that a compliment or a snide remark?"
She couldn't wipe the small smile that crept on her face. "You decide which."
He rolled his eyes, smirking as he did.
Meanwhile, the Kurosaki family was enjoying the view, er, meeting between the two from a few feet away. While Ichigo had trained his gaze on their backs, they had rounded the corner and headed back to the café from the opposite direction. They had then entered from a side entrance and proceeded to their reserved table, which strategically made them inconspicuous.
Karin bored holes at the raven-haired girl. She was by no means a slut, but she wasn't really cold either. She decided that she still had to examine her longer before she could give a decent impression.
Yuzu and Isshin were of the same opinion. They liked the girl instantly and wanted the two of them to hit it off.
Outside, unnoticed by the other people in the café, a silver car was parked. A dark-haired man sat on the leather seat, diligently observing the encounter.
"I heard from my brother. Your mom died when you were younger?"
He glanced away. "Yeah," he answered softly.
She knew it must be a touchy subject, but she had to hear it from him. "It must have been tough. I never knew my parents, but I know I'd be hurt if something were to happen to them, were they alive."
He paused in raising his glass to his lips. "Oh, yeah… Dad did mention something about that. I'm sorry I forgot." His hand was clenched tightly on his thigh, but his face didn't show his tension.
"It's okay. We can't really change the past. Besides, we have no control of our fates."
He raised his eyes to hers. She had a sad smile on her face. They were silent for a while after that.
...
Ichigo had come up to his room that night, surprised that his family didn't ask him about his earlier meeting. He thought for sure they'd be digging into his case and beg for details the moment he turned the door knob.
Now, as he sat up and gazed at the night sky from the rooftop above his balcony, he found himself thinking about the events earlier.
Kuchiki Rukia, huh?
...
"Rukia!"
She stopped and waited for her best friend to catch up to her. When he finally got to her side though, she started walking forward again.
"Where are you headed to?"
She almost didn't reply. "The principal's office. I still have to finalize some things."
Abarai Renji grabbed her arm. "So you're really going, huh? But, why so suddenly? I never even heard about this until yesterday!" His voice held a note of desperation in it.
She looked away. She couldn't bear to see him in the eye. Gently pulling her arm from his grasp, she murmured, "I'm sorry… but this is something that I must do. That's all I can say to you." With that, she gave him one last look before leaving him alone in the school hallway.
"Damn it, Rukia" he muttered, grounding his teeth together. "You're pulling farther away from me."
He punched the wall beside him, shaking a sign that hung directly above. "But I won't let you get away that easily this time…"