Untitled Love
Author: LonelyWriter42
Summary: Rukia's memories on all the major events in her life after she is forced to marry Byakuya. Set from about a year after Hisana's death to the arc where Rukia transfers her power to Ichigo. ByaXRuki Twoshot
Disclaimer: Don't own the Kuchiki or Bleach. Sorry.
Prologue:
Rukia stood outside the gates of the great house, her hand brushing against the bars of the gate. "I don't know," she said softly. "Do you really want to serve this family? There are others..."
"Rukia," Reiko said, turning and glaring at her friend. "The Kuchiki have given me a job. I cannot refuse. My mother needs treatment and the only way that we can get it..."
"I know, I just don't like the thought of you living here where you are cut off from all your friends. I mean, what do we even know about these people? Who are you going to be serving? Will you be placed in a situation that you can't handle? Will I be able to see you again?" Rukia glanced at her friend.
"Rukia, you worry to much." Reiko said, a single tear falling down her cheek.
"I have to worry for the both of us." Rukia shook her head as a guard came around the bend.
"Hey! What are you doing here!" He called, rushing over to them. "If you do not have business here, move along!"
"I, I, I," Reiko stuttered, pulling out a slip of paper. "I am a new maid."
"And her?" The guard gestured at Rukia.
"She came along to see me off," Reiko whispered.
"Then say your goodbyes. The new servants are supposed to already be here." The guard gave Reiko a grudging look.
"Rukia, promise me that you'll go see my mother when you can?" Reiko asked, pulling her friend into her embrace.
"As much as I can," Rukia said, hugging her tight.
"Promise that you'll finish your studies and become a Shinigami?" Reiko asked as she pulled back.
"I promise," Rukia nodded, forcing tears not to fall.
"Come along," the guard hissed, opening the gate. "You are late as it is."
Reiko nodded and followed him into the yard, the gate swinging shut behind her. She turned and waved once before squaring her shoulders and walking up the path to her new life. She followed the guard that took her to the front door and then handed her over to a sour faced woman that informed her that because she was late getting there, she would have to work through supper and miss it.
With a sigh, Reiko resigned herself to her fate and took the bucket and mop she was given. She was sent up the stairs to a grand looking room that was full of pictures and on the far wall was the grandest looking koto she had ever seen. She set her bucket down next to the door and drifted over to the koto, reminded of the one her mother had been forced to sell when she had gotten sick.
"It is beautiful, is it not?" A voice said from the doorway. Reiko spun around, a blush coming to her cheeks.
"I was..."
"Do not worry, I will not tell Sachiko that you were daydreaming," the woman laughed, floating over to her. "I am Hisana," she said, light coming from the window and hitting her just right.
"Rukia?" Reiko whispered, her eyes widened.
"What?" The woman # her head to the side, her hand going to the small bump of a belly.
"Nothing, I was just reminded of someone I know." Reiko went back to the door and retrieved her mop.
"I see," Hisana smiled. "Hum."
"Hisana," a male voice said from the doorway behind Reiko.
"Eek!" Reiko squeaked.
"Oh, Byakuya-sama," Hisana placed her hand on Reiko's arm.
"You know that you are not allowed to wander the house without an escort," he sighed.
"But I have one," Hisana replied. "We were just looking at your mother's koto. It is a shame that no one plays it anymore."
"Hisana," the man, Byakuya, sighed. "Please come back to your rooms."
"Only if she can come with me," Hisana said with a sickeningly sweet voice.
"Fine, she may come." He said, turning and walking away.
"I'm sorry that he is such a stick in the mud," Hisana sighed. "He truly does care, he just doesn't know how to show it. By the way, his name is Byakuya-sama. He's the head of the Kuchiki."
"Head," Reiko whispered in shock.
"Yes," Hisana grinned. "And I am his wife, so when Sachiko goes off on you for not doing what you are supposed to do, just tell her that Hisana-sama says that it is okay," Hisana laughed.
A year later Rukia stood in the same room that Reiko had met the lady of the Kuchiki family, staring at the koto that was painstakingly kept dust free by her friend in memory of Hisana-sama.
"Hey, what are you doing!" Reiko yelled, entering the room just as Rukia leaned down to touch the musical instrument.
"I," Rukia straightened quickly and bowed her head. "I am sorry."
"Rukia?" Reiko asked, taking a step toward her friend.
"Reiko!" Rukia cried, running over to her and wrapping her arms around her. "I've missed you so!"
"Rukia, why are you here?" Reiko asked fearfully.
"I," Rukia opened her mouth then stopped. "Come on," she said, grabbing Reiko's hand and pulling her out of the room. "Yes?" She called.
"Rukia-sama!" The maid that had been calling her said in relief. "I thought that I had lost you."
"No, I just was looking," Rukia gave her a reassuring smile. "And I found Reiko!"
"Rukia-sama," the maid bowed her head. "Kuchiki-sama is looking for you. He wishes to speak with you."
"Yes," Rukia sighed. "I'll go now. Please return to your work," Rukia smiled then started down the steps, dragging Reiko behind her.
"Rukia, what is going on?" Reiko asked as they made it to the bottom.
"Reiko," Rukia said, avoiding eye contact. "I have been adopted by the Kuchiki. I am now Kuchiki Rukia."
"Rukia?" Reiko said in shock as Byakuya's shadow made its way to them.
"Come," he commanded, not even looking at the women.
"Yes, Nii-sama," Rukia bowed her head. She gave Reiko a sad smile then she followed after the Kuchiki lord, knowing that she could never return to the same friendship that she had before the name Kuchiki entered their lives.
The days then weeks and then months went by since Rukia had entered the Kuchiki family, but not all where pleased that she was there, some even going to lengths to get her unworthy blood removed from the noble house of Kuchiki, but every attempt was stopped by Byakuya who wanted to keep his wife's last wish in life: that he would take care of the sister that had been abandoned.
He continued to battle them until one day they came up with the scheme that would either end her relationship with the Kuchiki, or make it life long; they declared that he and Rukia where to wed...
Everywhere was pandemonium, and Rukia stood in the middle of it.
It was the day of her wedding to Byakuya-the man that had taken her into his family as a sister-but the council had other plans for her. She wouldn't be his sister but his wife, something she had fought for months but in the end she could do nothing against the Kuchiki council's ruling.
"Gah!" She screamed, causing the servants who were helping her dress to jump back in fear.
"Rukia-sama?" The woman who had been serving her since she joined the Kuchiki family- her one time best friend- asked softly.
"I am fine, Reiko." Rukia sighed, pressing her hands to her face. "I just wish..."
"I understand, Rukia-sama." Reiko gave her mistress a sad smile. "This is not what you wanted."
"Reiko, please don't speak that way. Someone might hear." Rukia pulled her friend close so they could speak without being overheard by the other servants. "I will do what the council says not because I agree with them, but because I am a member of the Kuchiki clan because of Byakuya-sama," Rukia swallowing hard. "Because of Byakuya-sama's kindness and because I look like Hisana-sama." She whispered, a distant look in her eyes.
"Please, Rukia-sama, today is a glorious occasion, it is your wedding day. Do not dwell on such thoughts as your husband's first wife." Reiko said.
"I may look like her but I'm not Hisana-sama!" Rukia hissed. "He sure enjoys the Rukongai girls, doesn't he?"
"Rukia-sama," Reiko gave a helpless look before shaking her head. "He, he loves..."
"What, Reiko? What does he love?" Rukia said, turning her back to the girl.
"He loves you, Rukia-sama. He looks at you with the eyes of a man in love." Reiko whispered.
Rukia gave a bitter laugh. "He loves me, does he? If he loves me, why did he force me to leave the academy early? If he loves me why does he always hold me back? If he loves me, why did he assign me to the squad he used to be the lieutenant of? If he loves me, why is he doing this to me?" She turned and gave Reiko a sad smile. "I don't believe that he is capable of love, Reiko."
"Maybe," Reiko bit her lip. "Maybe, he just doesn't know how to show his love"
"I think you have been reading to many love stories, Reiko." Rukia went over to the window overlooking the gardens where the canopy where she would pledge her life to a man that had no interest in her was standing. "Byakuya doesn't know how to love." She whispered to her reflection.
"Then it is a good thing that you are not marrying for love, is it not?" The voice of Byakuya's aunt startled Rukia enough that she hit her head on the glass.
"Kotoko-sama!" Rukia said in surprise.
"I see that you are as clumsy as ever, Rukia darling." Kotoko rolled her eyes. "Are you ready yet? The ceremony will be starting in ten minutes."
"I, um," Rukia glanced at Reiko who gave a shrug. "I am ready." Rukia said in a firm voice, trying to cover up her discomfort at the fact her life as she knew it was over.
"Good," Kotoko took hold of Rukia's arm. "Then you won't mind if I escort you down to the garden?"
"Uh," Rukia glanced back at Reiko in panic. "I am..." Her breath started coming out in short gasps. "I..."
"Will get over it." Kotoko said, pulling her to the door. "You will be the wife of the Head of the Kuchiki clan, the first and noblest of the noble clans of the Seireitei, of all Soul Society. It is something that every girl dreams of as she falls asleep at night, marrying Kuchiki Byakuya-sama. The very good looking Kuchiki Byakuya-sama."
"Then let some other girl marry him!" Rukia hissed, trying to pull out of Kotoko's grip but failing. They stood at the top of the stairs and Rukia wasn't sure if Kotoko meant to push her down them and end the problem Rukia created for Kotoko. "They at least believe themselves in love with him!" She growled.
"Believe me when I say that I was against you marrying him from the start. What can a girl like you offer Byakuya-sama? You are so skinny that I doubt that you will even give him sons." Kotoko's eyes narrowed as she looked Rukia over. "But he would not hear of marrying any of the girls that the council put forth as potential wives. He only said that you would do and said no more." Kotoko's eyes took on an almost demonic light. "What is it about you? Just because you look like Hisana doesn't mean that you act like her. She was calm and quiet, she knew her place, where you are loud, act in a scandalous manner, and you continually step on even Byakuya-sama's toes. In the year you have been here, you have caused more trouble than you are worth."
"Maybe he deserves a wife like me!" Rukia hissed, her hands coming together to preform the first binding spell while she muttered the incantation under her breath. The moment the spell took hold Kotoko's hands fell to her side and her eyes widened.
"You..." She hissed, trying to move her arms but failing. "How dare you use demon magic against me?"
"Maybe if you acted in a manner befitting a Kuchiki I wouldn't have had to use it on you." Rukia hissed back, her mind suddenly clear. "You may think that I won't be a good wife for him but you are wrong! I will prove you wrong and I will do it as loudly, scandalously and crudely as I feel like!" With that last declaration, Rukia turned and marched down the stairs, her shoulders square and her head held high.
She got to the bottom and was whisked away by more servants who wanted to make sure that her kimono and hair and a thousand different things where perfect before she was taken outside. Finally at what she knew was only a minute until the service she was pronounced ready for the ceremony.
"Great," she muttered as the door opened in front of her. "I'll be late for my own wedding." She stepped out of the dark house and into the light, her eye's taking several seconds to readjust but when they did she gasped. The garden had always been beautiful to her was now like the one she only saw in her dreams, flowers everywhere, white roses, pink, red, even purple ones lined the path she would take to Byakuya's side. Her eye's traveled the path and stopped on her soon to be husband, her breath taken away.
He looked the same as always, his face expressionless, his kenseikan in his hair, the scarf of the Kuchiki around his neck, but there was something different about the way he stood, the way his eyes met hers.
"Byakuya-sama," she whispered and was embarrassed to find that blood rushed to her cheeks. "What's wrong with me? I don't love him, I don't want to marry him. But I am acting like an love struck woman." She mumbled, biting her lower lip.
"Rukia-sama," a servant whispered from beside her. "If it is pleasing to you, Kuchiki-sama is waiting for you."
"Yes, I know." Rukia said, taking a deep breath, trying to slow the wild beating of her heart. "Yes, let us start the ceremony." She took a deep breath and started down the path to her new life.
The wedding ceremony had been long and boring to Rukia and by the time it was over she was half asleep. She had pinched herself to force her mind back to the event taking place when she realized that it was coming to an end. The holy man was saying something to the crowd after which Byakuya offered his hand to Rukia. She stared blankly at it for a second before she realized that she was supposed to take it. Blushing like mad, she placed her hand in his and they walked down the rose lined path together as husband and wife.
The reception afterward lasted well into the night with all the Captains and Lieutenants of the Thirteen Courtyard Divisions in attendance. Rukia had stayed close to Byakuya most of the evening, not wanting to anger him on the first night of their marriage with the fact she had disappeared when he was ready to leave.
Renji, who had some how gotten an invitation, had been the first to give his well wishes, then he had left early, mumbling something to her about needing to get some sleep; but Rukia knew the true reason he had left: he couldn't bare the thought that she wasn't his. She was still mulling over this thought when Ukitake came over to the newly wedded couple and offered his congratulations. Rukia had given her Captain a small smile that had brittle edges and Byakuya had merely gazed at his former mentor with a stoic face as he went on about anything and everything.
Eventually Ukitake got the hint from Byakuya's glare and walked away with knowing smile on his face, chuckling softly to himself about Byakuya's behavior. With Ukitake gone, the rest of the guests gathered enough courage to come one or two at a time to wish them happiness, and by the time Byakuya and Rukia sat down for their meal, Byakuya was radiating an dark aura. They ate without conversation and when they were finished Byakuya stood.
"Come Rukia," he murmured, offering her his hand.
She stared at him blankly, not quite sure what to make of the change in his attitude. "Yes, Nii... Byakuya-sama." She bowed her head then gripped his hand and stood.
All the guests saw this exchange and wondered if this was the way that the marriage was going to continue, Byakuya giving the orders and Rukia obediently following them. Many hearts grieved at this thought while others thought that the marriage might crumble and Kuchiki Byakuya would once again be eligible for marriage to their daughters.
If Byakuya and Rukia noticed this shift in mood, they didn't let it show as they left the reception.
"Byakuya-sama?" Rukia asked softly as he lead her to her bedchambers. "Why?"
"I am in no great need of another in my bed, Rukia." He said, regarding her with an almost disgusted look in his eyes.
"But," she whispered, lowering her eyes.
"Do you wish for the marriage bed, Rukia?" His fingers cupped her chin and raised it so their eyes met.
"I, Byakuya-sama, it is expected of us." She said softly, tears coming to her eyes.
"Why?" He asked with a frown.
"Because you need an heir, Byakuya-sama," she whispered, avoiding his sharp gaze.
"Is that so?" He questioned cooly, his eyes showing no emotion.
"Yes. That is why we were married. To produce an heir."
"You make it sound like we are mere animals that are forced to breed for the convenience of others, Rukia." He said in a hard voice.
"But Reiko said..." Rukia swallowed hard, gathering all her courage to meet his gaze. "Reiko said that you look at me as a man would gaze at a, a..."
"A what, Rukia?" He said in annoyance, wishing for solitude.
"A lover, Byakuya-nii... Byakuya-sama." Rukia whispered, a tear running down her cheek.
"Do I, Rukia?" He said tightly.
"Yes." She said with a sob. "Do you not feel the slightest bit of emotion for me?"
He gave her a sharp look before turning his back to her. "Do not worry, Rukia. You will be the mother of the next head of this clan, the elders will make sure of it, but do not expect for this... event, to take place any time soon. I have no desire to force you to carry out such an act. Now go to sleep like a good girl. I will see you in the morning." With that he walked away, leaving a heartbroken Rukia behind.
The next morning was then most awkward situation that she had ever experienced. She had awakened with eyes red and poofy, the night not used for sleep but for crying. Several times in the night she felt as if her heart was trying to forcibly leave her chest, only a hole left in its place. When she had finally been able to sleep, she had nightmares about the rejection Byakuya had given her the night before. By the time the sun started to rise, Rukia had given up all hope of sleep and had been lying in bed trying not to think about anything.
She had risen like a zombie, going though the actions of getting dressed and ready for the day without really thinking about what she was doing. She opened the door to her room without trying to hide the fact she had spent the night in it instead of Byakuya's; the servant's gossip almost encouraged in her mind as it helped her forget her bold declaration of her love and Byakuya's sharp rejection.
She ignored the main dinning room, opting to take her breakfast in the kitchens where she had less chance of seeing him. The cook had given her a look that said she should still be in bed working on the heir all the Kuchikis were holding their breaths for, but had said nothing to her as he set her breakfast down in front of her and walked away.
Rukia had just given the man a cold smile and ate in silence, the thought of having Byakuya's child almost enough to make her sick. Forcing herself to concentrate on her breakfast, she almost cursed Ukitake for giving her the week off, that form of escape lost to her. With a growl, she stood leaving her half finished breakfast behind. She wandered the Kuchiki mansion aimlessly, not knowing where she was going, just knowing she had to avoid him at all costs.
Eventually she found herself in the garden that had only yesterday played host to a wedding she now regretted going through with.
"Why?" She asked the flowers. She looked at them in deep thought then, as if another spirit possessed her body, she started ripping them out of the ground, ignoring the thorns that were tearing her skin to shreds. "Why doesn't he love me?"
"Do the flowers give you an answer?" A voice from behind her asked dryly.
Rukia spun around, hiding her hands behind her back like a naughty child. "Kuchiki-sama." She greeted her husband cooly.
"Rukia." He said her name with such emotion that she took a step back.
"Why are you here?" She gave him her best glare before turning back to the flowers.
"What have the flowers done to you that they deserve such treatment?" He asked, coming around so she had to look at him.
"They have done nothing. I just didn't like the way they were planted in such nice, even rows." She hissed.
"Hisana planted them like this." He said softly, gazing out over the garden.
"She did?" Rukia glared at him before attacking the flowers again with a renewed fury.
"Rukia." Byakuya narrowed his eyes at the woman before reaching out and taking her hands in his own. "You are bleeding."
"What did you expect?" She asked sarcastically, jerking her hand back. "The roses have thorns or didn't you know?"
"Rukia." He said her name in the same voice that he always did, but it was somehow different this time. "What have I done to you?"
"You, you, you," Rukia sputtered, her temper flaring. "You rejected me! You forced me to sleep in my bed on our wedding night! You keep comparing me to your dead wife!" She cried. "I hate you, Kuchiki Byakuya!" She screamed as she turned and fled. "I hate that I love you," she whispered, entering the shrine at the end of the garden. "I hate that I love you," she sobbed, sinking down to her knees, covering her face with her bloodied hands.
Rukia spent the rest of the week a prisoner in her own house, the only good thing the fact Byakuya had been called away on an important mission the day after the incident in the garden.
When she had finally been able to leave the house, she went straight to the Division headquarters, wanting to look in on Ukitake-taicho, and, even though she didn't admit it to herself, to see Kaien-dono.
She found him behind the main building, talking to a man that had joined the squad at the same time as her, but had never had all the trouble she had at making friends, the two obviously having just finished sword training.
"Kaien," the man laughed. "You should be a captain yourself with that zanpakuto."
"Yeah, well, I don't think Miyako would like it if I became a captain right now. She's content, and so am I. I like it here. The captain might not be in the best health, but that's okay. I'm happy that I can be a helper to him." Kaien raised his hand to his brow. "Though, I should take a shower or Miyako will be after me for smelling so bad."
"You do smell," the man laughed. "See you tomorrow, same time?"
"Yep. We'll get you to the perfected shikai in no time." Kaien laughed, raising his arm in dismissal. He turned and gathered up his belongings, not taking notice of the figure standing in the shadows.
"Kaien-dono. Why can't Byakuya-sama be more like you?" She whispered.
"Maybe you should ask him." Kaien said from behind her.
"Eek!" She spun and stared at Kaien in shock. "Kaien-dono..."
"May I ask why you are standing in the shadows? Are you stocking me?" He asked in mock horror. "A married woman such as yourself?"
"Kaien-dono." Rukia groaned. "Please."
"I know, I know, Miyako is always after me to be lighter on the cute little underlings, but I still haven't gotten that memo... So why are you here? Shouldn't you be with the priss?"
"Byakuya-sama was called away on an important mission six days ago. I haven't seen him since." Rukia stated, glancing away.
"That's just like that priss, running away to play the hero on his honeymoon. That guy sure irritates me. He's always got to be the best at everything, the idiot. To run away on his honeymoon... Especially since he married such a good looking gal... Byakuya, you idiot." Kaien rolled his eyes then turned and made a face at Rukia. "Don't mind him, he's just not used to having to interact with people. He'll come around." Kaien grinned at her.
"Yes," Rukia said, her heart lifted from the dark place it had been. "Byakuya-sama is just busy." She said, wanting to keep her lieutenant talking as long as possible.
"So why did you want him to be more like me?" Kaien's head tilted to one side as he studied her thoughtfully.
"You are... He doesn't, I mean that..." Rukia gave Kaien a helpless look. "You are always straight forward. I don't have to guess your thoughts, but with him... Talking to a brick wall is easier sometimes." She admitted.
"Yeah, I know. Byakuya does things his way and expects everyone else to understand what he was thinking. It's been like that ever since his mother died and he started training with Ukitake-taicho..." Kaien's eyes drifted to the building where the sickly captain was resting. "Did you know that he and I both started training with Ukitake when we were young?"
"I didn't," Rukia said softly.
"Yep. When Byakuya's mother died, his father sent him to Ukitake-one of the greatest swordsmen that Soul Society has ever seen-to start training. My father didn't like the fact that the priss was getting special attention from Ukitake so I was sent to him as well. We were rivals in everything, which, now that I think about it, probably was the best thing that could have happened because we were always pushing each other's limits, always forcing the other to get stronger." Kaien laughed. "Don't tell him I said that."
"I won't," Rukia grinned. "Kaien-dono?" She asked softly.
"Yep?" He stared straight into her eyes.
"Would you..." She broke off and lowered her eyes. "Would you... Help me with my shikai training?"
"Hahaha," Kaien threw his head back and laughed. "You don't have to act so feeble when asking! Of course I'll help you. I'm your lieutenant, aren't I?" Kaien gave her the thumbs up and put his hand on his hip, a giant grin on his face.
"Yes," Rukia grinned, her heart feeling like it was flying.
"Shiba!" A yell came from the window above them.
"Hey, Miyako!" Kaien waved at his wife.
"Get in here! You are supposed to be giving a lecture to the newbies!" Miyako squinted at him. "Is that Rukia?"
"Yeah, she just got here. The priss couldn't keep her forever! Anyway, I need to get a shower and I'll be in soon to give them the lecture of a life time." Kaien cackled evilly. "See you, Kuchiki," he called as he walked away.
"Goodbye, Kaien-dono." Rukia whispered.
"Rukia, come up here!" Miyako called. "I want to hear about everything!"
"Yes, Miyako-san." Rukia gave the woman a smile. "I'll be right up." Rukia quickly made her way up the hill to the front of the Division headquarters, ignoring all the questioning looks she was given by her fellow members.
"Rukia, Rukia, Rukia!" Miyako giggled as she entered the building. "You look wonderful!"
"Rukia does!" Kiyone laughed as she went by, carrying a large box.
"Kuchiki-san always looks like that," Sentaro muttered as he followed Kiyone with an even larger box.
"Take those to the Fifth Division," Miyako demanded, pointing at the door.
"Yes, Miyako-san," they said, going out the door.
"Those two," Miyako said thoughtfully. "If they don't get married is when I'll be surprised. But anyway," she giggled, turning back to Rukia, "Tell me everything!" Miyako looped her arm through Rukia's and pulled her into the empty Division office. "No one will disturb us here. The captain is napping and Kaien is lecturing the newbies, and I just sent Sentaro and Kiyone to the Fifth... So...?"
"Well, you where there for the ceremony," Rukia said. "So you know how that went, and you were there at the reception, the only thing you missed was the servants fussing over my clothes and hair."
"Yes, yes, yes, now tell me about how Byakuya reacted to you?" Miyako peered into Rukia's eyes.
"He..." Rukia turned away, not wanting her friend to see the tears that had come to the surface. "He... we argued."
"Oh," Miyako's eyes dimmed. "About what?"
"About my place in his life." Rukia said bluntly. "He told me that he didn't need me and then I told him I hated him. End of story."
"Rukia," Miyako moaned. "You need to try to get along with him even if you don't like him."
"Then that's my problem," Rukia sighed. "I don't like him, I love him and yet, I don't know why. He has always been polite with me, showing me the courtesy that a man of his class should show a woman, but he has never shown any emotion other than distaste when dealing with me."
"It has been only a year since Hisana's death. I honestly didn't think that he would marry again so soon, but the Kuchiki are desperate for an heir. Byakuya is the last of the head house. If he was to die without an heir, one of the lesser housed would take over and the council couldn't bear that." Miyako gave Rukia a sad smile. "I'm happy that the Shiba have Kukaku and Ganju if anything were to happen to Kaien... There wouldn't be a power struggle in the family over the next head."
"But the Shiba don't have to worry. They have a strong head in Kaien-dono, and he is married to a woman he loves, so an heir isn't out of their grasp." Rukia looked Miyako in the eye. "I don't think that the Kuchiki are ever going to get the heir they want. Byakuya quite bluntly told me that he would never touch me."
"He's still in mourning over Hisana's death. He will come around, Rukia. Do not worry." Miyako gave an encouraging smile. "He will come around and you will have seven babies."
"Seven?" Rukia's eyes widened. "Seven children? Are you crazy, Miyako-san?"
"No, you will have his babies. I'm sure of it." Miyako declared with a toss of her head.
"One is a little far fetched," Rukia sighed.
"Then you will have two," Miyako giggled.
"And when is Kaien-dono going to have his seven children?" Rukia asked dryly.
"Well..." Miyako blushed. "We are trying, so hopefully soon. I will retire as a Shinigami and he will get the captaincy of the Tenth and we will be happy together for the rest of our days."
"The Tenth?" Rukia frowned.
"Yes, Edogawa-taicho of the Tenth is going to retire. He says that he is starting to feel old and it's about time that someone else was captain in his place. He's only been there for seven hundred years. Ukitake-taicho, Kyoraku-taicho, and Yamamoto Genryusai-sotaicho are the only ones who have been captains longer than him." Miyako grinned. "And Kaien is close to Bankai. He says that he can feel it right there, just beyond his grasp, but Ukitake-taicho is working with him daily, so soon he should be there."
"Kaien-dono as Shiba-taicho," Rukia whispered in awe.
"And then I will have the good fortune on being married to a captain myself," Miyako said. "Kuchiki-taicho's wife-sama."
"Miyako-san," Rukia groaned. "Don't joke, please?"
"Sorry," Miyako glanced at the window then jumped up in surprise. "Did you know that it was getting so late? I need to go make sure that the kitchen duty people are there! I'll speak with you again soon?"
"Of course," Rukia smiled. "Have fun."
"Yeah," Miyako rolled her eyes as she went out the door. "Loads of it."
The road back to the Kuchiki mansion had never felt longer to Rukia after the talk she had with Miyako. She walked slowly, not wanting to return to the house, but she knew that she was expected to be there for supper. Her conversation with Miyako had lasted for several hours, giving her the chance to forget all the troubles she had gathered to herself after she had become a Kuchiki. She stopped along the path, glancing at the trees that were heavy with the fruit of late summer.
"I could always eat those and then spend the night in the barracks..." She muttered to herself. Glancing around, she decided that no one was watching her and it would be the perfect time to scurry up the tree. She settled down on a branch near the top, eating greedily of the fresh fruit. She had finished off two and was well into her third when she heard voices beneath her. Furrowing her brow, she strained her eyes to see who it was and was surprised to see Byakuya standing in the road with a woman.
"Byakuya-sama," she moaned, hugging his arm. "You shouldn't."
"I won't," he said dryly.
"You are so dry," she giggled, releasing his arm, letting Rukia get a good look at the woman. She had long blonde hair that was laired and wavy, falling almost to her waist, a kimono that was tight against her waist showing off how skinny it was and lose at her chest, revealing ample cleavage. Rukia stared slack jawed at the woman who had the body any girl would die for, her thoughts bleak.
"That woman," she whispered as Byakuya and the woman with the big bust walked away. "So, she is the type that Byakuya-sama prefers. Tall, long wavy hair, a tiny waist and big boobs. It figures," she hissed as she dropped to the ground. "I'm the farthest from his type as one could get." She glanced at the path to the Kuchiki mansion then back towards the Thirteenth. "You sure don't make things easy on a person," she grumbled as she ran after her husband. She arrived at the front gate as the watcher was closing it.
"Wait!" She called, out of breath.
"Rukia-sama!" The man said in surprise. "I thought you had come home already!"
"No, I just finished my business at the Thirteenth," she said, entering Kuchiki land. "Is Byakuya-sama home?"
"Yes, he arrived only minutes ago," the guard said as he sealed the gate for the night.
"Thank you," she said sincerely. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to walk at a pace expected of a lady when all she wanted to do was find her husband and beat him up. She entered the house with every intention of hurting Byakuya but was stopped short by the woman she had seen on the road.
"Rukia-sama?" She asked with a smile.
Rukia looked the woman over with a distasteful smile. "Yes?"
"I am Kuchiki Kimiko." The woman smiled again. "Byakuya-sama has told me much about you. Please, I would like it if we could be friends."
"Kimiko, where did you go now?" Byakuya's bored voice could be heard from the other room.
"In here, Byakuya-sama. I found Rukia-sama." Kimiko called.
Byakuya entered the room and frowned. "Where have you been, Rukia?"
"I went to see how Ukitake-taicho was," she hissed.
"Do not leave the house without my permission again." He said emotionlessly before turning and leaving the room.
"What?" Rukia yelled, following him. "You can't tell me what I can and can't do! You aren't my keeper!"
"Rukia, I would rather that we didn't discuss this right now." Byakuya's eyes took on a cool appearance.
"Why? Because you have a guest that you didn't tell me about?" She yelled, tuning to point at Kimiko who had followed them.
"Rukia, you are acting like a child." Byakuya said.
"Well, maybe if I was treated like an adult by you I wouldn't have to yell at you to get you to listen to me!" She cried, her hands shaking in fury.
"I do listen to you, Rukia."
"No you don't!" She screamed, spinning on her heal and rushing out of the room. She ran up the stairs and entered her room, throwing herself onto her bed. She buried her head in her pillow and wept until no more tears came, ignoring the servants that came in to check on her.
Finally at close to midnight a knock came to her door that didn't stop until she answered it. "What?" She hissed when she saw that it was Kimiko.
"Rukia-sama," Kimiko bowed her head. "I was hoping that we could talk?"
"Why?" Rukia hissed, not feeling like talking with anyone.
"Byakuya-sama said that I should become acquainted with you." Kimiko said softly.
Rukia gave the woman a dark glare before moving aside and letting her into the room. "What do you want to talk about? How you are going to be Byakuya's next wife after he divorces me?"
"No!" The woman's brows lifted in surprise. "I will not marry Byakuya-sama! I am married to Kuchiki Eijimaru, Byakuya's cousin!"
"Kuchiki Eijimaru," Rukia whispered.
"Yes. Byakuya and I are cousins, though distantly. Our parents once hoped that we would marry, but Byakuya-sama and I never felt that way about each other. And when I met Eijimaru, I knew that he was the one that I was to marry. Byakuya excepted this and even helped the council realize that he was the best choice for my future husband." Kimiko gave Rukia a smile. "Eijimaru and I couldn't come to the wedding, but now we are able to leave and come here to greet you into the family." Kimiko smiled at Rukia. "Don't worry, you have a special place in Byakuya-sama's heart, Rukia-sama. He will forever be yours."
"I don't know about that," Rukia said softly. "You saw how he treated me, how he never tells me anything."
"Well, yes, but you treat him the same."
Rukia gave Kimiko a dark glare. "Oh, so now you know all about Byakuya-sama's and my problems. Go, tell everyone you can. Tell them that I despise my husband and he wishes that he had never heard of the girl from the Rukongai!"
"Rukia-sama, Byakuya-sama loves you in his own way. He just doesn't know how to show you it." Kimiko said softly, going over to the door. "Please, Byakuya-sama needs you more than you know. Give him the chance he deserves." She said as she left the room.
Rukia stood there in silence, her thoughts in confusion, Kimiko's words oddly echoing Miyako's own. "Everyone wants me to love a man that cannot feel that very emotion! If only they knew," she said. "If only they knew that my love for him is greater than anything. If only he would love me in return."
The weeks following were of somewhat strained happiness, but happiness none the less. Kimiko had taken it on herself to acquaint Rukia with all the perks that came with being the wife of the Kuchiki head and Eijimaru had bought a sense of silliness into the house, the man not being able so say a bad, or serious, word about anyone or thing.
Kimiko had managed to talk Byakuya out of the ban of going to the Thirteenth Division and early one morning she had drug Rukia down the path, claiming that she wanted to see if it really did have the nicest landscaping of all the divisions, but Rukia knew she had some other reason, though she hadn't figured it out yet.
"Glorious!" Kimiko exclaimed when she saw the gates of the Division. "Come Rukia-sama! You must show me the whole place! You must introduce me to Ukitake-taicho! Come on, Rukia-sama!"
"Okay, whatever you want, Kimiko." Rukia muttered, not quite sure what had come over the woman. "Ukitake-taicho might be napping, though. We'll have to see."
"If I can't see him, that's ok. Oh, I can't wait! Byakuya took me on a tour of the Sixth when he was made captain and then he told me that the Thirteenth was nicer and then he never took me to see it! That man," Kimiko stuck out her tongue, "If you don't beat him over the head he'll never remember about what he was supposed to do! It's always work, work, work with him..." Kimiko continued chatting but Rukia blocked her out, suddenly nervous about seeing Kaien, Miyako and the rest of the Division after her unexplained absence.
She stopped in the middle of the path when the thought occurred to her that Kaien might not want to help her anymore after she had asked for the shikai training then disappeared. "Oh no." She mumbled, a pit opening in her stomach. Kimiko had continued along the path when Rukia stopped and now she half ran to catch up with the other woman.
"Kimiko-san," she called, rushing to her side.
"Rukia-sama?" Kimiko turned and looked at Rukia. "What is the matter?"
"I, uh, I'm not feeling so good," Rukia pressed her hand to her abdomen and gripped Kimiko's arm as a wave of nausea came over her.
"Rukia-sama!" Kimiko cried, glancing around desperately. "Help! Someone help!" Kimiko continued to yell for help even though Rukia tried to stop her, saying that she was fine. Several people came running to Rukia's embarrassment and when Kaien himself showed up, she fainted.
"...But is she okay?" Kimiko's voice demanded from nearby as Rukia woke.
"She will be fine. She merely fainted." Miyako said dryly.
"But it could be something serious! I demand that you take her to the Fourth!" Kimiko cried.
"She ain't going to the Fourth," Kaien said angrily, "For merely fainting! She'll be fine."
"Please, Kimiko-san. Rukia will be waking soon. Perhaps she will feel better if someone she knows is there with her..." Miyako's voice trailed off when Rukia pushed open the door and went into the room they were in.
"I'm fine, Kimiko-san," she whispered softly. "Just dizzy and hungry."
"Rukia." Miyako grinned.
"Brat," Kaien stuck out his tongue.
"Rukia-sama!" Kimiko cried, rushing to her and wrapping her arms around the smaller woman's waist. "I thought that something was seriously wrong with you!"
"I'm fine. Please stop all this ruckus. Ukitake-taicho is resting." Rukia said softly.
"Well," Kaien frowned, "When the captain heard that you had fainted, he rushed out and saw to you himself and you were kinda in his room, sleeping."
"Oh," Rukia blushed and looked away. "I'm sorry that I'm such a burden."
"You aren't, Rukia." Miyako reassured her
"Just a brat." Kaien muttered.
"Kaien!" Miyako turned and glared at her husband. "Be nice."
"Why? She's the brat that deserted us."
"She didn't desert you!" Kimiko gave Kaien a look that would curl paint. "Byakuya-sama was just being the idiot that he is by saying that Rukia-sama couldn't come to the Thirteenth but I gave him the tongue lashing of the century and he straightened out."
"Whoa, Kimiko can tell off the priss... I'm scared of her powers." Kaien said in genuine surprise.
"That's right. I might of graduated the Academy with you after all six years of classes, but you will never overcome my overbearingness!" Kimiko laughed.
"I should hope not," Miyako muttered, walking away.
"Miyako-chan!" Kaien called, running after her.
"Oh, so cute together." Kimiko sighed.
"Kimiko-san?" Rukia said softly.
"Yes?"
"Can we go home now that you've seen Kaien-dono?"
"Yes," Kimiko gave Rukia a smile. "I might have graduated the Shinigami Academy but never was one. I met Eijimaru and got married before joining a Division. And now you know everything about Kuchiki Kimiko," she laughed as she looped her arm through Rukia's.
"I'm so happy," Rukia responded as dryly as she could.
"Ah! Rukia-sama can use sarcasm to the level of Byakuya-sama! They were destined to be together." Kimiko giggled.
"Do we have everything?" Eijimaru called.
"We just need to find your brain," Kimiko answered dryly.
"No one will ever be able to find that," Rukia giggled.
"Rukia-sama and Kimiko-chan are so mean to Eijimaru-kun," he pouted, stacking the luggage that a servant had just carried downstairs for him.
It had almost been six months since the two Kuchiki had shown up unexpectedly and turned the mansion into chaos, and now Eijimaru and Kimiko where going home, much to Rukia's disappointment. She and Kimiko had gotten off to a rocky start but now Rukia counted Kimiko as one of her closest friends.
"Oh well," Eijimaru sighed. "Can't live with women and can't live without them so might as well put up with them, right, Byakuya-sama?"
"I suppose," Byakuya said in that dry voice of his from where he stood in the shadow of the doorframe.
"Byakuya-sama," Kimiko stuck out her tongue. "Don't encourage him. I'm the one that has to deal with him for the rest of the day."
"If you do not wish to put up with him, why did you marry him?" Byakuya questioned.
"Byakuya-sama!" Both Rukia and Kimiko said at the same time, the former in shock and the latter in mock hurt.
"I thought it was a valid question," he responded dryly.
"He has a point!" Eijimaru laughed as he directed a servant to place the bags in the wagon that had pulled up outside.
"Eiji-kun," Kimiko groaned, going to her husband and hugging him. "Must you be so cruel to your wife?" She pouted.
"I'm not being mean, I'm just stating the facts," he said soothingly.
"Fine, state all the facts you want." Kimiko grumbled.
"Kimi-chan," he smiled, pressing his forehead to hers. "You need to lighten up. Also, if we don't get going, we'll not get home 'til late."
"Alright," Kimiko pulled back from him. "Let's go."
Eijimaru gave her a soft smile then turned and bowed at Rukia and Byakuya. "Byakuya-sama, Rukia-sama, be safe."
"Rukia-sama!" Kimiko cried, running over to her and hugging her. "You must write me every day! Twice a day! Three times! Tell me everything!"
"There, there, Kimiko-san," Rukia patted the woman awkwardly on the head. "Have a safe trip."
"Yes," she smiled before hugging Byakuya. "If you screw up this marriage, I will personally come and beat you up!"
"Yes," Byakuya rolled his eyes. "Have a safe trip, Kimiko-san, Eijimaru-san."
"We will!" Kimiko yelled, running over to her husband who was sitting in the wagon. "Be safe yourselves! Get working on loads of nieces and nephews for me!"
"Kimiko-san!" Rukia yelled, her checks bright red. She glanced up at her husband, wanting to know his reaction but the ever present stoic mask was in place.
"Goodbye! Be good! Remember to write!" Kimiko called as the cart moved forward and out the gates.
"I'll miss her," Rukia sighed.
"Yes," Byakuya said thoughtfully. "She does lighten the atmosphere."
"Oh." Rukia's eyes dimmed. "Byakuya-sama?"
"Yes, Rukia?"
"Do you think that Kimiko-san is pretty?" Rukia said softly, almost afraid of the answer.
"She is pleasing to the eye." Byakuya said as he turned and walked away. "But she will never live up to Hisana's beauty."
Rukia stood there, slack jawed, feeling like she had just been punched in the gut. "Do you really think so lowly of me, Byakuya-sama?" She whispered to his back as he disappeared. "Am I truly that lowly in your eyes?"
"Stupid Byakuya, thinking that I'm worthless, stupid Byakuya, thinking that I'm not pretty, stupid Byakuya," Rukia hissed, her words becoming a mantra as she stood on the Thirteenth Division training grounds, shooting kido spell after kido spell into the training dummies. "Stupid Byakuya, why do I love you so?"
"Does that help?" Kaien asked from behind her.
"Eek! Kaien-dono!" Rukia squealed, spinning around, a blush coming to her cheeks. "Kaien-dono, I..."
"I understand. That priss can be so idiotic sometimes I wonder, wait. He's an idiot all the time," Kaien said thoughtfully. "Never mind. Anyway, I came to tell you that I'm willing to help you anytime with your sword practice and Miyako wants to talk to you."
"Thank you, Kaien-dono," Rukia said softly, her cheeks still bright red. "I'll go see Miyako-san right away."
"Get going!" Kaien gave her a push and turned to yell at the other people on the training grounds.
"Kaien-dono," Rukia sighed happily as she made her way to the Division office. The instance she stepped into the room, Sentaro and Kiyone where on top of her, jabbering about something that Rukia didn't know about.
"Off of her!" Miyako cried, grabbing Sentaro's shoulder. "As Fourth and Fifth seats, you two are supposed to be down on the training grounds, helping the new recruits!"
"Yes, Miyako-san." Kiyone giggled. "C'mone, dog breath."
"Oh yeah, chicken butt? You wanna go at it?" Sentaro called as they went out the door.
"I'm going to do something not to nice to those two one of these days," Miyako pressed her hand to her forehead. "Why do I have to put up with them all the time?"
"Because you make a wonderful mother," Ukitake said with a strange grin on his face as he walked past.
"Ukitake-taicho," Miyako wined. "Kaien is the fukutaicho. Why doesn't he put up with them?"
"Hum, good question." Ukitake's brows drew together. "Anyway, Shunsui should be over soon. Please have tea ready, Miyako-chan?"
Miyako sighed then gave the captain a smile. "Of course, Ukitake-taicho. I would be delighted to make tea. Rukia will help." Miyako grabbed Rukia's hand and pulled her out of the room.
"Oh, that's nice," Ukitake smiled.
"We're saved," Miyako sighed as she pulled Rukia into the kitchen and locked the door. "Oh, the insanity that is the day new recruits come."
"Didn't we get new recruits about six months ago?"
"They were the ones that graduated early, this is the batch that graduated on time." Miyako sighed. "Ukitake likes his tea brewed for exactly three and a half minutes," she said, motioning at the supplies on the counter. "You make it. I need to sit down."
"Are you ok, Miyako-san?" Rukia asked concerned.
"Just tired." Miyako pushed hair out of her face. "Don't tell anyone, but I think that I could be..."
"Be?" Rukia prompted.
"With child," Miyako said softly, a wistful smile coming to her face.
"Miyako-san!" Rukia squealed, rushing to the woman and hugging her. "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you!"
"Please, Rukia. I don't know yet and I don't want anyone to know, not even Kaien, until I'm sure. I just thought since you are in the same boat..." Miyako looked Rukia over considerately.
"Miyako-san, I'm not with child. Byakuya-sama and I sleep in rooms halfway across the manor from each other. I don't think that I'll ever know what it's like to hold my child in my arms." Rukia sighed, tuning back to preparing the tea.
"You will be, eventually." Miyako grinned.
"Then maybe you should inform my husband of this." Rukia rolled her eyes.
"I could right now." Miyako said, closing her eyes. "Because he just entered the Division office with Kyoraku-taicho."
"Miyako-san, don't!" Rukia yelled as the other woman went out the door. "Miyako-san!" She cried, giving chase.
"Oh, Rukia-chan!" Kyoraku grinned when she entered the room where the captains were speaking.
"Miyako-san isn't here?" Rukia asked.
"I haven't seen her," Ukitake said. "Is something wrong?"
"No, she just disappeared." Rukia groaned.
"Is the tea ready?" Ukitake asked hopefully.
"Um, yes. I'll go get it." Rukia said, Byakuya's eyes catching her's. He gave the slightest shake of his head before looking away. "I'll go get it right now." She turned and forced herself to walk normally out of the room, not run like her brain was telling her to. "Miyako-san, I am going to kill you!" Rukia hissed as she entered the kitchen and placed the tea and cups on a tray. "Miyako-san," she muttered, trying to think of the best way to get rid of her friend as she reentered Ukitake's private rooms. "The tea." She placed the tray on the table and was retreating when a man rushed into the room.
"Ukitake-taicho!" He yelled, a scared look in his eyes.
"What is it?" Ukitake frowned, standing.
"There is a, a, a, Kaien-fukutaicho is calling for you, sir!"
Ukitake pushed past the man with Kyoraku on his heals, leaving Byakuya and Rukia alone.
"Aren't you going?" She asked softly.
"No. There is no need." He responded, his eyes unconcerned.
"You will just..." She broke off when immense reiatsu flowed over her. "A hollow?" She asked, her eye's widening.
"Yes," Byakuya said without emotion.
"That's," Rukia looked out the door. "That's Miyako's shikai! Miyako!" She yelled, running out the door.
"Rukia!" Byakuya hissed, going after her. "Where do you think you are going?" He asked, grabbing her arm.
"I have to help Miyako-san! Let go!"
"What do you expect to do to help, Rukia? You aren't powerful enough to handle this. You should just stay back and let others deal with it." Byakuya said.
"How can you say that?" Rukia cried, pulling out of his grip. "They are my friends! I have to help!" She turned and ran out the door, her heart racing. "Please be okay, Miyako-san." Rukia cried, taking in the destruction that was the training grounds. Several hollows roamed freely as her fellow Thirteenth Divisioners fought to dispel them. Ukitake stood on the top of the hill, his unreleased sword shining in the sunlight, Kyoraku at his side, throwing bait at them.
"I'm right here!" Kyoraku called, an evil grin on his face. "Come, my friends. It has been a long time since I played with your kind."
The hollows started migrating toward the captain leaving the field free for Rukia to dodge across. "Miyako-san!" She cried, dropping to her knees next to the woman.
"Rukia," Miyako said weakly. "There is something wrong with those hollows. They aren't acting right. Get away from here. Save yourself." Miyako exhaled slowly, her eyes closing.
"Miyako-san? Miyako-san!" Rukia cried, gathering the woman's form against her. "Don't die, don't die, don't DIE!" She screamed as the woman's reiatsu faded. "NO!"
Several hollows appeared in front of her, drawn to her scream. "No." She gasped as the first one advanced, only to disappear. The Sixth Division symbol appeared for a second then was gone. "Byakuya-sama," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Byakuya-sama," she said softly, her strength slowly webbing away. "Byakuya-sama, thank you."
"Where am I?" Rukia moaned as she drifted to wakefulness.
"The Fourth Division." Byakuya said from beside her.
"Byakuya-sama," Rukia said softly, tears springing to her eyes. "You saved me. Thank you."
"If I hadn't, I would have had to deal with the council trying to find me another wife." Byakuya said with a slight smile.
"Byakuya-sama," Rukia said in awe. "I didn't think you had a sense of humor."
"Rukia, that girl, what is she to you?" Byakuya asked, walking over to the window, letting Rukia get a good look at him.
"You are wounded!" Rukia gasped, sitting up, pointing at his bandaged hand.
"It is fine. That woman was Shiba's wife, wasn't she?" Byakuya turned back toward her, his eyes full of emotion.
"Yes. Shiba Miyako. She's dead, isn't she?" Rukia whispered.
"No. She in a coma but Unohana-taicho doesn't believe that she will ever wake up. Rukia, what were you thinking, rushing onto the battlefield?" Byakuya came over and sat on the bed next to her. "That was the stupidest thing that anyone could have done. You aren't powerful at all! If I hadn't been there, you would have died. You didn't even have your zanpakuto! You are the stupidest person I have ever had the displeasure of knowing!"
"I'm stupid?" Rukia repeated, full blown fury coming to the surface. "I'm stupid? You are the stupid one, Kuchiki Byakuya! You are the one that is always insulting my person, my power, even my ability to give you children!" She screamed, jumping up out of the bed. "You are always, always, always! You are the worst person that has ever lived! You, you, you, I hate you! I don't ever know how I could have even thought that I liked you! You arrogant, blockheaded, prissy cad!"
"Rukia, calm down."
"Calm down? Calm DOWN? How can I calm down when you are over there insulting me? How can I calm down when you told me that my best friend is in a coma, never to wake? How can I calm down after nearly dying?" Rukia sobbed. "I'm, I'm so lonely. All the servants just see me as your wife, and all the people in the Division keep their distance because they have heard rumors about how you would kill them if they so much a looked at me. How can I calm down when my life is in a million pieces?" Rukia looked Byakuya in the eye. "How?"
"Rukia, when you are a member of a noble family, you realize quite early that everyone is going to treat you differently, that everyone expects you to be perfect, that you can show no signs of the pressure that you are under. If you cannot except this, perhaps you are not cut out to be my wife." Byakuya said cooly.
"Oh, really? Then maybe I don't want to be your wife!" Rukia hissed.
"Hisana was never like this," he growled, standing. "She knew her place, and it is about time that you learned yours." With that last remark, he exited the room.
"My place, my place, my place. Maybe someone should put you in yours!" She yelled after him. "Idiot!" She said, glaring at the door. "Put me in my place, I'll put you in your place." She hissed, going to the window and jumping out of it. The sky was dark as she made her way to the gate, keeping to the shadows so people wouldn't be able to see her. Voices drifted across with the wind, Ukitake's soft tenor speaking with Kaien's harsher voice.
"Let me go!" Kaien yelled.
"Kaien, try to keep a level head. You cannot just waltz into a hollow's den." Ukitake said compassionately.
"I can't not do nothing! Ukitake-taicho, please let me go!" Kaien's voice broke. "I have to avenge Miyako."
"Kaien, I'll go with you." Ukitake's voice was stern. "Let me investigate first, though."
"Yes, Ukitake-taicho," Kaien took a deep breath. "Let's go."
Ukitake nodded and motioned for Kaien to go first. The two men dashed out the gate, leaving Rukia with no choice but to dash after them, needing to make sure that nothing would happen to Kaien. They ran across the night, the shadows the moon cast taking on a devilish appearance in the night. They exited the Seireitei and turned toward the northern districts of the Rukongai, toward the districts that Rukia knew from her childhood.
They bypassed the villages, instead heading into the forest. They slowed down as they approached what Rukia assumed was the hollow's den, both men's hands resting on their swords.
"Rukia, come out," Kaien called as the rain started to fall.
"Kaien-dono," She whispered, stepping out from behind a tree.
"Why did you follow us?" Kaien questioned.
"For Miyako-san. She wouldn't have wanted you to get hurt, Kaien-dono." Rukia whispered.
Kaien gave her a sad smile. "I can't argue with that."
"Rukia, stay by me," Ukitake said softly. "The hollow is waking up."
"Yes. Ukitake-taicho, please let me fight it." Kaien pleaded.
Ukitake closed his eyes then nodded. "Do what you have to do, Kaien."
"Thank you," Kaien sighed, turning and walking up to the den. "Come out!" He yelled, drawing Nejibana.
"Ukitake-taicho, we should help," Rukia said as the hollow appeared.
"No, Rukia. This is his fight. We must not interrupt it." Ukitake sighed sadly. "So be my days that the young parish and the old linger. Kaien, be careful. Do not do anything rash."
Rukia glanced up at her captain, a sense of foreboding taking hold. "Ukitake-taicho, we need to help him!" She gasped as Nejibana broke into a thousand pieces. "Kaien-dono!" She yelled, gripping the hilt of her sword.
"No, Rukia. This is Kaien's fight." Ukitake put his hand on her shoulder, causing her to look up into his eyes. She could see that he was forcing himself not to jump into the fight himself.
"But," she whispered as reiatsu washed over her. Her head whipped around and saw that Kaien was now standing funnily, a long black tongue hanging out of his mouth. "Kaien-dono!"
"Rukia, run!" Ukitake yelled, drawing his sword and rushing toward Kaien. Rukia stood in shock as Ukitake started yelling at Kaien, saying that he was going to draw the hollow out of him and then Kaien's distorted voice saying that he couldn't, they were bonded and couldn't be separated. Ukitake suddenly stopped and in a clear voice said if he couldn't draw the hollow out of Kaien's body, he was going to kill them both.
Rukia had started to move when Ukitake had told her to, but now she stopped, having heard what Ukitake said. She turned around in time to see Ukitake stop short and start coughing into his hand, blood covering it. "Ukitake-taicho?" She whispered, taking a step towards him.
"No, Kuchiki, run!" Ukitake yelled as Kaien dashed across the space between them.
"Kaien-dono," Rukia whispered as he appeared in front of her.
"Kuchiki, kill him!" Ukitake yelled then doubled over as a coughing fit took him.
"Kaien?" She murmured, her sword coming up in front of her. Kaien gave her a smile then forced himself on the blade. "Kaien-dono!" She screamed.
"Thank you, Rukia. You saved me," he whispered, wrapping his arm around her. "Tell Miyako that I love her."
"Kaien-dono!" Rukia sobbed, slowly sinking to the ground, Kaien's arm still around her. She sat there on the forest floor for what seemed like an eternity, Kaien's life slowly draining from him, his blood staining her robes. "No," she sobbed as Ukitake came over to her and pulled her to her feet. He silently took Kaien's lifeless form into his arms and started walking away, motioning to Rukia to follow. They went past district after district until finally they stopped in front of a house.
"Ukitake-taicho?" Rukia asked.
"This is where Kaien's family lives," Ukitake said sadly. "I thought that we should return his body to them." He took a shaky breath then went up the path and knocked on the door. It opened a crack to reveal a boy of no more then ten years.
"Who is it, Ganju?" A woman's voice called as she appeared behind the boy. "Ukitake?" She said in surprise. "What are you doing here? Did Kaien do..." Her voice trailed off when she noticed that Ukitake was supporting someone. "Are you hurt?"
"No, Kukaku. Kaien is, Kaien is..." Ukitake's voice broke. "He is dead, Kukaku, Ganju."
"What!" The boy cried, pushing past his sister. "Onii-chan is dead?"
"Ganju," the woman said sharply, pulling him back inside. "What happened, Ukitake? Why is my bother dead?"
"I killed him," Rukia said from behind Ukitake. "I drove my sword through his heart. I killed Kaien-dono."
"Rukia," Ukitake said, turning to her, a strange look on his face. "You didn't..."
"I killed him. It is his blood that stains my robes. It is my soul that bears the burden of this act of murder. I killed him." Rukia said emotionlessly.
Kukaku gazed at Rukia with a look akin to unguarded rage. "Give me Kaien." She hissed. "Then leave and never step foot on Shiba land ever again." Ukitake eased Kaien's limp form onto Kukaku's arm then turn his back on her, taking Rukia by the arm and guiding her back down the path to the main gate and the Seireitei.
They slowly made their way slowly, many people lining their path, muttering under their breaths that the Shinigami killed their own kind and not to trust them, but Rukia paid no heed, her mind blank of all though. Ukitake steered back through the gate, mumbling something about helping her get home but she just gave him as absent look and started off to the Kuchiki lands.
She stumbled several times, falling and scraping her hands and bruising her knees, the pain from these new wounds noting compared to the hole in her heart or the memory of Kaien's lifeless eyes. A sob escaped as the house she lived in came into view, the sudden realization that Kaien had been Byakuya's closest friend coming over her. She stared expressionlessly at the house then she started up the hill, hoping that Byakuya would see her as the failure she was and put her out of her misery. She forced the gate open and went through, the gate keepers staring at her in shock, both muttering under their breaths about the blood covering her. She payed them no notice, her mind set on the one goal of seeing Byakuya and begging for her death.
Servants met her at the door with towels and clean robes, all asking her what had happened to her but she didn't respond, her eyes locked on Byakuya who stood behind them. He stared at her as if she was an apparition, his face white.
"What happened?" He asked.
Rukia took a deep breath then said, "Kaien-dono is dead, and I killed him. And now I beg you to kill me."
Byakuya's hand rested on his sword as he looked his young wife over. "Yes, you will die," he hissed as he drew his sword.