Title: Chimamire no Tsubaki

Synopsis: During a time where five noble dynasts rule their respective Kingdoms, one Marquis upholds the law above all else. However, when the independent colonies of Rukognai break out into war and endless riot, what becomes of the two Princes in their effort to restore peace?

Rating: M - It's only like that because eventually events will lead up to justify this rating. Just, not yet.

Disclaimer: Tite Kubo-sensei owns Bleach and all its characters; I only use them for writing funtimes.

Author's Note: I'll admit (willingly) that as I created this, it was probably the greatest yet most arbitrary story idea that has ever struck me. Hmm. It's also the first I have thoroughly planned in my mind, so no worrying about the plot wavering—though I might tweak the title later on. Forgive me for any OOC-ness now or in the near future. I hope I'll be able to convert a few others into liking this pairing as well! Reviews and criticism are always appreciated~.


In Kaien Shiba's eyes, life as a Prince was definitely neither the easiest nor the most pleasant thing to go through. He found it, for explanations sake, easily comparable to being like an unreachable itch: you know it is there, irritating the flesh so much so it hurts, yet one can only obey another's advice to refrain from scratching. The way he saw it, though, was that the person kind enough to give such advice clearly never experienced something as bad as that, themselves.

In less roundabout terms —he found it excruciatingly annoying when someone who had not seen or gone thru what he had, whined to him of how good he must lead of a life, due to the social status crowned to him since birth.

Then again, he didn't exactly hate his life altogether, either —he simply found it a great pain in the ass that his parents constantly forced him to speak in formalities with them, despite that he felt they were quite close. Alternatively, that his caretakers were ordered to prevent him to set a foot outside the Palace, unless it was to help him gain the peoples favor. Even the fact that his family had over a hundred servants waiting on them daily, or that he even held the lawful right to say "my Kingdom" brought him ire.

How hard was it, so that he could go through a whole day without acting as if he were a thoughtless, handsome, public figure for his family? Especially when he was hardly ever allowed to travel beyond the castle walls, to begin with?

Things only got worse for him, when it came to freedom of privacy —nay, any form of liberty he naturally should have been entitled to, for that matter.

He was the first-born son, to the grand Shiba family's latest generation: healthy, strong, beautiful, popular for his benevolence, known for being a delightful man to befriend, and an indiscriminate, highly respected man. Therefore, it only made sense that he was to be the next heir for the throne his ancestors had worked so hard in establishing.

However, this, in no manner whatsoever, brought him any joy.

Kaien knew that this was yet another way for his parents to make sure he never escaped the palace, much less his predestined fate; never to have a chance —nor choice— to truly experience freedom as any commoner could in his entire lifetime.

Every day, he was awakened in his painfully large bedroom by a handful of flustered maids, whom then insisted they undress, bathe and dress him again. Though he usually managed to get away with performing those tasks himself, the morning was then proceeded by heading to an extravagant dining room draped in priceless tapestry and velvet furnishings.

His meals consisted of only the finest, freshly picked or killed that very dawn substances, served in wasteful amounts in silverware that may was well have had God's very signature on them.

The rest of his day continued with activities decorated in exaggerated forms of wealth, in their respective forms, so much so that he had long grown bored of seeing so many expensive things in his time.

Gazing wistfully out of a row of opened windows, faking his attention as his eldest sitter told him of that day's duties, he idly delved into his own musings.

The very act itself was about the only habit of his that neared selfishness, so he had learned how to feign attention to keep it in his life.

Conceivably, absentmindedly, he had actually put some effort to look for something past the deep, lush hills outside.

It just so happened that, to the far, far, far west of their country neighbored another Kingdom.

During his primary days of training and education, he had learned that that demesne was ruled by their own long dynasty of noble's: the Kuchiki.

He had never met anyone from that empire, much less anyone legitimately related to the royal family, so he only knew as much of they and their customs from what he was taught.

There was, however, one fact of that neighboring Kingdom that obtained his interest recently — it turned out, that they also had a young Prince who was only a few years younger.

Although Kaien did have siblings, a sister and a brother, he was always segregated from the two, so he had begun to grow accustomed to being thought of as the only child.

With the knowledge that there was someone outside of his prison —someone whom his parents would, undoubtedly, acknowledge as having come from an equally respectful lineage as he— made him giddy to meet the other boy.

About two weeks prior to, the leader of the multitude of his caretakers had told him that his parents were invited to visit Sode no Shirayuki. At first, he had made the assumption they were simply telling him so he would take responsibility of the Sovereignty until their return. Regardless, as luck would actually have it, they had actually asked Kaien if he wanted to go as well.

Eager and tempted to say no at first, in a sense of rebellion, he took a day's worth of thinking and reflection, until finally deciding on going.

The mere thought of seeing what life abroad was like brought him much joy, as he was equally enthused in knowing that the Kuchiki Prince would be attending the gathering, too.

Kaien himself, admittedly, was not exactly a fully grown man, either —having just turned sixteen the past month— so, when they told him the other heir was still only of thirteen, he did not let it affect his current exultation.

Perhaps, there was a chance that they both were looking forward to meeting one another.

Getting up to go meet his etiquette mentor, Kaien wore a smile that did not wear out the rest of that evening.


"Byakuya."

A young, raven-haired boy looked up, eyebrow quirked curiously.

"Hai, jii-sama?"

The elder male frowned, perpetual half-lidded glare narrowing only in the slightest, as he maintained his apathetic mask up, like always.

"Do you not see the faults of your actions?"

Looking away from his unnerving, steely gaze, Byakuya managed to cease any thoughts of fidgeting under the scrutiny. He knew such disgusting physical displays only brought forth more humility to oneself, but he had no clue in how to respond, which made him tempted to give in. Then again, it was not as if what he had done was all that bad.

Was life for him becoming so uptight, to the point he was not allowed the simple pleasure of chasing around a catty old woman…?

The raven-haired boy batted away the fleeting query, paranoid his elder would somehow be able to read his thoughts.

Taking a seat across from the youth, the older man idly spared a glance at the various texts and such the former was learning from, carefully selecting his words for his reprimand all the while.

"Byakuya."

However reluctant to do so, the youth gracefully focused his attention back to his grandfather.

"Hai, jii-sama?"

"Do you not realize how your impulsiveness is sullying your title as the Kuchiki heir? As our country's Prince, it's future King?"

Byakuya absentmindedly kept note of how stoic his grandfather had kept his expression, wondering evanescently if he would ever be able to do the same. Bowing his head, he kept his own gaze void of usually fervent emotions.

"I have, jii-sama; prior to my studies. I know now not to act so selfishly and childishly any longer."

A long moment of silence pursued —an awkward pause, the youth was convinced it was— until, finally, the Kuchiki ruler locked his gaze with the raven-haired boy.

"I would expect no less from you. See to it that you accomplish your studies before your etiquette mentor arrives."

Almost immediately, the Kuchiki Prince's face lit up after confirming his elder's order.

"Before, jii-sama? Should there be any urgent news relayed to me then?"

Mouth turning into a thin line once more, Ginrei pondered deeply into whether or not it was too soon to tell Byakuya or not. Heavily sighing, he cleared his throat a bit.

"Shunsui and Nanao-san of Natsu-seppen shall be arriving here by tomorrow's noon."

The unexpected burst of joy Byakuya had shown on his complexion quickly dissipated at the clear disappointment.

"I see. I'll make sure to watch myself even closer, then, jii-sama."

Suddenly, his grandfather motioned that he had something else to add, though visibly reluctant to.

"It has come as belated tidings, but we are also to expect their eldest son to be accompanying us as well. Be sure to find something of mutual interest to distract the two of you from interrupting your elders."

There was neither warmth nor implications of comfort in his ever-flat voice, but Byakuya acknowledged how great of a feat it was, to have the Kuchiki ruler tell him of such grand news before originally anticipated.

As the older man stood up, the youth bowed his head once more, despite that his grandfather already knew of the vibrant smile plastered on his face.

"Hai, jii-sama."

It came as an even greater shock to when Byakuya did not receive any reprimands from the other, for having allowed such disgraceful expressions to be on his features.

Then again, he had never looked forward to anything else in his life as he was now.

He made sure to behave closest to perfect the remainder of the day.


"Ōji-sama, I think —"

"Oi, Ukitake, should you really be calling your nephew that?"

Chuckling softly, the silver-haired man humbly accepted defeat, marring frown back to his usual smile.

"Kaien, I think you have every right to be happy about this."

The navy-haired Prince grinned reflexively, grateful for the other's unwavering sincerity.

"You really think so?"

Ukitake almost reprimanded Kaien for his current insecure thoughts —that he was being selfish— but had the good grace to ruffle his spiky locks warmly, instead.

"Of course. As to why your parents insisted you consider coming along —"

Instantaneously, the youth's grin broadened.

"You're going, too?"

Nodding his head, Kaien silently inquired his uncle to continue.

"—let us just enjoy this miracle with a positive attitude, agreed?"

"I won't ruin this by doing anything stupid, if that's what you meant. I promise."

Ukitake gave him a thoughtful but playfully dubious look, making his younger relative grow slightly angry.

"Are you absolutely sure? You can never really guarantee such things, beforehand, so freely, Kaien…"

Groaning in faux defeat, the adolescent sent him a mock glare and pout.

"I'm sure." He assured.

Standing up in one fluid motion, Ukitake gave on last disheveling to his hair.

"I will trust you, then, Kaien."

For reasons unclear to himself, the Shiba Prince was honestly proud that he had elicited such words from his Uncle. Nay —the very man that raised him as his own son.

The unusual widening of his aqua eyes promptly receded, as if they had never dilated, but he had begun to blush uncharacteristically a light peach.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning. Oyasuminasai."

Both men bowed to each other, each sharing one last, easy smile before departing for their own sleeping chambers.

Jūshirō, Kaien thought to himself as he dressed into his pajamas, you sure know how to spoil a kid.

Sighing wearily into his silk bed sheets, he overlapped his hands behind his neck and allowed himself to drift off into the promising slumber that undertook him and his idle musings.

He had all day tomorrow to share them with a fellow Prince, anyways.