To Be a Kuchiki
-a Bleach Fanfiction
(Disclaimer: I'm not the owner of Bleach...Everything belongs to Kubo-sensei…)
As a member of the Kuchiki Family, you must exhibit great discipline…
Endless sword, kidou and shunpo practices shaped the Kuchiki Byakuya everyone sees. Even though he was deemed as an arrogant brat in his childhood, his discipline is remarkable. What every single shinigami under his command sees now is the product of the said discipline. Because for Kuchiki Byakuya, if he is not disciplined, he does not have the right to be the 28th head of the Kuchiki Family.
…you must always follow the rules…
As a member of the nobility, Kuchiki Byakuya is expected to abide the laws governing the Soul Society. That he can do and follow, but when he was given the order to capture Rukia, his sister, everything collapsed. He was in deep conflict. Should he follow the orders given to him and take his sister back to Soul Society, or go against them, let her live in peace in the World of the Living and fulfill his promise to his late beloved? He didn't know what to do anymore.
…maintain a calm and controlling composure…
When the death sentence of Rukia was given, every single emotion one could ever feel raged inside him. Should he engage in battle for Rukia or fight the mysterious orange-haired ryoka who claimed that he came to save his sister? Should he play the role of the overprotective brother or the cold, emotionless rokubantai taichou? All the conflicting thoughts were running in his mind that day, yet he remained calm—because he is Kuchiki Byakuya.
…show no fear…
A simple message sent him running to the 43rd district of Rukongai.
A certain member of the 13th squad was fighting a Bounto—with no other weapon aside from kidou.
That certain member is his sister.
Panic coursed in his veins, fear bubbling in his chest.
But being a Kuchiki, he was taught not to show fear, for fear is the enemy of oneself. Feel fear and you're doomed.
That's why while he is still breathing, living and fighting; he will never let fear betray him.
…never let your weakness get the best of you…
Anger.
He wasn't supposed to feel it; he was supposed to feel calm despite their situation. Yet when that arrogant Espada said that he was about finish her off, all his repressed emotions went lose.
He tried not to show it. He repressed it again. He didn't want the enemy to know his weakness.
But he was too late. The moment he asked if that Espada was the one who fought her, he knew.
He knew that she is his weakness.
That Espada controlled her using his powers. He felt uneasy, having to fight her.
"Freeze!"
She stopped.
What Byakuya saw next made his blood run cold.
She pointed her blade at herself—ready to strike once the command was issued.
Hating himself, he only did the single thing he could do.
"Way of Binding No. 61: Six Rod Prison of Light."
…and never, ever let anyone, be it your friend or foe…
That Espada was the second one who infuriated him like that, the first being the Bounto.
"Sovereignty…means absolutely nothing to me."
He released his bankai without going into shikai first, yet he didn't care. All he gives a damn about was killing the creature who dared to take his sister's life.
That blasted Espada was still alive and was now spewing nonsense about the existence of hollows and shinigami.
He became more and more impatient and angry.
The next thing he did made the Espada gasp.
…threaten your pride.
"Since when did I say that will kill you as a Shinigami?"
Every syllable, every word, was leaking with impassiveness. Even Byakuya himself was surprised at how far he can control his rage.
"The only reason I killed you was because…"
His eyes darted at Rukia, who was still imprisoned in his way of binding with her sword still pointing at her throat.
"…you pointed your blade at my pride."
-owari