He Really Should've Known
AN: I own nothing.
AN#2: This is something that just came to me out of nowhere.
Sometimes, we miss what is right in front of us.
He really should've known. After all, the maids know everything.
Flowers in a vase, tracks not belonging to either Kuchiki sibling outside the young lady's door, the happiness flowing out of the lady this morning, that sparkle in her eyes… Oh the little Kuchiki is in love! I can't wait to tell the other maids! And with that, the suddenly giddy maid finished her cleaning in record time before rushing to the kitchen to share her discovery.
Once there, she relayed her story to any and all that would listen. All were happy for the lady, but they were particularly eager to know who the mystery male's identity. They were so absorbed in the story that they did not see Kuchiki Byakuya himself standing at the entrance of the room.
"I would know if someone was idiotic enough to even attempt to sneak onto the estate—especially to visit Rukia."
He really should've known. After all, his lieutenant makes it his job to keep detailed tabs on the little Kuchiki.
"Kuchiki-taicho. Have you noticed that Rukia has been spending a lot of time at other divisions?"
"She is a lieutenant now, Abarai." he responded stoically.
"But even I don't spend that much time away the division!" Renji argued.
"Then, perhaps, you are not doing your job correctly." his captain told him before walking away from his gapping lieutenant.
He really should have known. After all, the substitute shinigami makes it his business to interfere in others peaceful lives, but he isn't one for lying.
"Oi! Byakuya! What the hell is wrong with Rukia? She's even crazier than before!" Ichigo harangued to the man.
"Are you telling me that you cannot even handle a lieutenant now, substitute?" the older male quipped.
"I'm telling you! She's crazy now! She froze me to the ceiling of Urahara's shop! She's freaking insane! And none you captains seem to care! Kenpachi just laughed his head off when I told Ikkaku and Yumichika. Ukitake just brushed me off and said that I needed to calm down. Toshiro just stood there with a smirk on his face while it happened! Maybe you are all insane!" and with that the orange haired male left in hopes of finding someone who would listen and believe him.
He really should've known. After all, her promotion to lieutenant would lead her to be around the higher ups more often.
"You should have seen Rangiku yelling at Renji, nii-sama. He whimpered when she threatened to report him to you AND to Hitsugaya." Rukia told her brother, an evil glint appearing in her eyes and small smirk forming on her face at the memory.
"You seem awfully familiar with the tenth division officers." he said.
"Well, Rangiku is a good friend, and Hitsugaya is helping me train my bankai." she said while a blush appeared on her face.
"He is probably the most qualified for that task." Byakuya agreed.
"He's really great. He's so strong and powerful. He's patient with me. He listens and talks with me…" Rukia kept going on listing things about the captain of the tenth, but he wasn't listening anymore. He was seeing Rukia in a new light.
She's in love. Soon, she won't just be the 'little Kuchiki' anymore. She was no longer Kuchiki Byakuya's little sister. She was a strong woman walking her own path now. She wasn't just his anymore.
He was blind to not see it before this. The maids knew there was someone, even if they didn't know who exactly. Renji had suspected something and then later must've confirmed it. Kruosaki had told him that the two were together in the human world. Perhaps if he wasn't blind at the time, he would have noticed that she was not there on a mission and that Hitsugaya had tagged along. They may not be related by blood, but Rukia is and will always be his little sister, no matter what, and he couldn't help the small smile that was creeping onto his face at the thought.