Chapter :- The Late Arrival
It surprised Rukia how well the night was going. The Kuchiki's held a gala every year for member of the Soul Society and the clans each year. For the last few years the gala had only been a small affair, with only the captains and the lieutenants of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads as well as the heads of the nearby clans attending. This year however, the Byakuya had gone all out. He had invited not only the Captains and lieutenants but all seated members from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. Many clan members who Rukia didn't know and didn't care to know showed up as well.
Rukia had spent most of the evening at Byakuya's side greeting guests with a fake smile plastered on her face. She felt like she had just spent hours there standing and greeting guests. Rukia longed to go over to the where Renji and the other were but she knew she had to behave like a noble.
Rukia and Byakuya had just finished speaking to a chubby man in a strange outfit when Rukai asked, "Ni-sama, are there any more guest to arrive?" Byakuya looked at Rukia wearily and answered in his ever stoic voice "Yes, only one clan is missing." Rukia was really annoyed now, didn't these people have any respect for the Kuchiki clan after all they were one of the four noble houses.
"Rukia", Byakuya's voice drew Rukia out of her mental conversation with herself. She looked up at her brother as he spoke to her. "I don't believe anyone else is going to show up. So you are excused, you may go and enjoy the rest of your evening." With that Byakuya Turned and walked over to join the rest of the Captains.
Rukai was finally free, she walked over to the other end of the room where all the lieutenants and seated members were gathered. She couldn't stand to deal with those boring clan members for another second. Renji had spotted her before anyone else and had left the group to go and meet her as she walked across the room. He was wearing a brand new soul reaper uniform as well as his lieutenants badge was shinning in the light of the Kuchiki manor.
"So meet anyone interesting?" Renji mocked as Rukia finally reached him. She knew Renji was only joking but couldn't help but get annoyed that he was able to spend the evening with his friends enjoying the party while she had to greet stuck up clan members. In reply Rukia simply stated, "Yes, in fact I just met my future husband." That sent Renji's face spinning in a kaleidoscope of various shades of white. Rukia couldn't help but laugh at the look on his face.
The rest of the evening went much better. Rukia managed to laugh and joke with the others, before she was swept away by Captain Ukitake. He took to the dance floor where the orchestra had just struck up a lively tune. As they danced in circles Rukia couldn't help but ask, "Captain are you sure you're up for this?" but Captain Ukitake just laughed and replied "Relax Rukia, just enjoy the party!" Rukia just smiled, Captain Ukitake always had that effect on her.
As they continued to dance more couples joined them on the dance floor. Rukia noticed that Kira was dancing with Ranginku, not surprising Captain Hitsugaya was with Momo and Yachiru was pulling Ikkaku and Yumichika on to the dance floor. The music picked up pace and each pair or group as in the case of Ikkaku, Yumichika and Yachiru, danced a little faster.
Suddenly Captain Ukitake and Captain Hitsuguya stopped dancing. The other captains went rigid also. Captain Ukitake turned to Captain Hitsugaya "do you feel that spiritual pressure?" Captain Hitsuguya said nothing but simply nodded in agreement. Rukia didn't know what spiritual pressure they were talking about but then she felt it.
It was as if all the pressure in the room was multiplied by ten and pushing down on her. She felt her limbs become paralyzed. Rukia looked around the room, she wasn't the only one affected by the over powering pressure. Many of the nobles and even some of the seated member and lieutenants were severely affected. Some were kneeling on the ground while other had passed out completely. The chubby man in the strange outfit was unconscious in the ground.
Rukia turned to Renji who had been on the outskirts of the dance floor. There was a look of concern on his face. All the Captains who were present also looked a bit wary, all except Captain Kenpachi who looked like he was just waiting for a fight. Rukia hadn't felt such strong spiritual pressure like this in long time. It was mind numbing, literally! The pressure was building. To the side of her she saw Momo fall to her knees luckily Captain Hitsuguya had caught her. Most of the guests were now lying flat on the ground. Those who were once kneeling were now flat on their backs. Rukia felt her own legs give way under the pressure. She fell to the floor on her knees but she was determined not to faint.
Rukia couldn't help but wonder what being possessed such a strong spiritual power, but more importantly was this going to be a threat to the Soul Society? The Captains seemed to be contemplating this also. None of them moved an inch since the immense spiritual pressure had appeared. Only Captain Kenpachi seemed to be moving closer and closer to the door.
The as if it had been chopped off, the powerful spiritual pressure was gone. It had completely vanished. Rukia finally felt like she could breathe again. Those who had fainted were slowly being revived while other who had been reduced to their knees, were getting up.
Movement could be heard outside the great double doors. Almost instinctively all the lieutenants and seated officers got into attack position. Zanpakuto drawn alleys were on the doors. The Captains still hadn't moved but all eyes were focused on the doors. The handles on both sides slowly began to turn. Everyone held their breath as the doors opened.
