Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach because I am not Tite Kubo. Copyright belongs to those who legally do.

N/A: For more information about butlers, put this link on your browser and place the right punctuation where they should be. http[semi-colon]/www[dot]probertencyclopaedia[dot]com[forwardslash]A[underscore]BUTLER[dot]HTM

Although I've taken a little bit of my creative license for Ichigo to hand out the duties because their housekeeper (Mrs. Nellie) has Alzheimer's disease. Of course, back then, they don't know it as that. Also, for future reference, I made up the titles.

Thanks to Hese Solstis. Honestly, I keep forgetting about this rating stuff so I changed it to M because of certain situations in the future chapters, if you know what I mean. *wiggles eyebrows*

Do enjoy!

The Rules of Aristocracy

Chapter 2

"Oi, Rukia, what took you so long?" Ichigo's question took her by surprise. Not because of his asking per se, but because of the sheer volume of it. They were still approaching, actually a good distance away, when he shouted that question addressed to her from the door leading to the kitchen. She stamped the blush that threatened to color her cheeks away and didn't shout her answer back at him, at least not in front of an audience.

"I asked you a question, Rukia!" She turned her face away from his glare and continued walking. His question could wait until she would not shout her answer the way he was doing. One shouldn't forget one's manners. Then as if, he had just noticed, he called out, "Oh, Chad! Long time no see!"

Beside her, Chad raised his hand in acknowledgement and continued on leading the horse. They have attached Chad's wagon to the horse and had placed the stuff there, it was his idea. And Jinta was walking behind her and Chad with his hands crossed over the back of his head. It took them a few more minutes to reach the scowling Ichigo where some of the kitchen help appeared and unloaded their cargo.

Suddenly amidst the controlled chaos with Tessai barking out the orders for the inventory to be taken and Ichigo merely supervising, Chad spoke out, "Ichigo, about that." Now, that was vague. Her curiosity was peaked now. She might have to ask Ichigo about that later if he won't tell her right away. Maybe.

"That is for later, Chad. Who did you leave your store with?"

"No one."

"Ah, spend the night here. I'm sure the baron wouldn't mind it." These two men were incredibly short with words, Rukia thought. She also thought that the Baron really must have so much trust in Ichigo for him to decide who can and cannot stay in the manor before the Baron. Who was this Baron, anyway? Everyone seemed to have good thoughts reserved for this person although Ichigo had said he was a weird sort of person so maybe His Lordship was an eccentric. She'd have known her share of those.

Still, it might be a good idea if she never meet this Baron. There's no knowing what might happen and personally, she'd shudder to think if her worst scenario will happen. She knew why Ichigo sent her on this trip; so she and Baron won't be able to see each other when he arrived. Servants were expected to greet their employers upon their arrival. As a housemaid, she was expected to do exactly that but a missing servant or two shouldn't phase them, servants were many and one couldn't expect the Baron to know all of them. Heck, even she, herself, knew there were servants whose names and faces wasn't known to her. That's just how it was.

Unbeknownst to her, Ichigo had an eye on her the whole time. It was late afternoon already, and the Baron had arrived hours ago but went straight to bed after his midday meal though not before he had specifically asked to meet the new maid. He might have to brief Rukia on what she might have to say; and even though it was not needed, he wanted to be there to reassure himself; especially that her speech slips whenever her emotions get the better of her.

It was more for him than for her, really.

When the scent of tea and sweet icings wafted up to his nose, he was reminded of the fact that the Baron and his guest would take their afternoon tea. Already, his hands were sweating though he kept his calm façade. It was certain that his eccentric employer would request to see Rukia and should he ask to see her recommendations, then he would vouch for her. No doubt about that.

"Tessai, are the scones, the croissants and the little cakes together with the afternoon tea ready for His Lordship?"

"Done they are, Kurosaki. Just keeping warm on the stove, send out a maid when they're to be eaten 'cause I'll be right here fixing the kitchen."

"Good. Thank you, Tessai."

In a low voice that Ichigo was sure only he could hear Tessai added, "Take care of the little miss."

Ichigo's eyes narrowed at the unclear message insinuated in his words.

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The scent of freshly cut green grass hung in the air and the rays of the sun from its low angle made everything look picturesque. The water from the man-made pond (a work commissioned by the one of the Baron's ancestors) sparkled in its clarity and a number of fish broke its surface from time to time, it would be a great spot for fishing and the landscape was spectacular with tall bushes cut in different styles and the maze was a tall wall of green intimidating those who wanted to go walk through the puzzle.

"Ah, Kurosaki, remind me to thank you later. You really took great pains to make this place look so beautiful, didn't you?"

Ichigo snapped his head to face the Baron. Urahara's eyes were obscured by the green hat he wore and in its entirety, the hat was the only thing that looked out of place as he walked with the help of a cane. The Baron's cravat was elegantly tied in a simple knot, his shirt was crisp and clean, and the gray trousers, long white stockings and heeled shoes matched well with the big great-coat. He could hardly believe his valet was the one who laid out these clothes for him. "It's a pleasure, my Lord."

"Oh no, really. It must have been great pains after what happened to Mrs. Nellie and you took over her duties too. And my staff are a wayward bunch aren't they?" he let out a chuckle, "It was one of my best decisions ever to hire you, I would really regret if I would lose you one day. I don't think I've ever met someone who could handle the jobs of being my steward, butler and a housekeeper. Your talents inspire awe."

"My lord, you flatter me too much." He gritted his teeth at the unexpected praise. There was something there and he had a slight feeling that something was about to happen. He tried to brush off the feeling.

"Oh stop it, Urahara. You'll make the boy blush to his toes with fancy compliments." In front of them, Lady Shihouin interjected and she and Urahara shared a laugh as if it was a private joke between the two of them. Next to her was her black cat, her namesake, which spoke volumes of the pair's compatibility. Really, who in the name of all that is good, names their cats after themselves? Scratch that. The real question was how did he manage to stick himself to people of strange temperaments.

Trailing behind them were two maids bringing a basket of edibles and a pot of tea with dainty little teacups. Ichigo was brought for company as to Urahara's suggestion. They soon found a spot in a nice shaded area near the pond where the titled persons spread a blanket and sat on. The two maids were dispatched soon after leaving Ichigo catering to whatever needs they wanted and the lady's maid, whose name he didn't catch, was sent back along with the other maids.

He was pouring them their tea, when seemingly out of the blue Urahara popped a question.

"Kurosaki, could you handle a party?"

Speechless, he stared at the serious faces of Yoruichi and Urahara and realized that they were expecting an answer. "Who would be the guests?"

"Lords and ladies of the realm, just a few really although they would be staying here for three days. Business, you see. Since I don't have the heart to throw out our old Mrs. Nellie, the responsibilities would be left to you and my valet. I'm afraid I don't know how these things are supposed to go."

He could agree to this. He really should agree to this; it would mean that this would take the baron's attention off Rukia for the time-being if he could be that lucky. And even though it would be his first at throwing parties of this size and importance with titled guests, he was pretty sure he could manage with a particular someone's help. He placed the teapot down and served the butter and said, "Yes, my lord, it would be a great opportunity to hone and practice my skills."

"Hold your horses boy," the lady abruptly snatched his attention, "don't just say you'll try. Make this party a success, alright? Even though we'd be entertaining only a few of them, they are very important people. One even has the Regent's ear so you better treat it like a battlefield."

He nodded in agreement. "When are you planning to have this party, my lord?" The guest list was also crucial for his purpose. Indeed, he felt the strong urge to run back to the manor and talk to Chad immediately and keep Rukia hidden for the whole duration of this event. That would definitely settle his worry and return his peace of mind.

"Next week," the Baron absent-mindedly licked a wayward dollop of butter from his croissant, "and you shall have the guest list as soon as we retire to bed, my man of affairs have kindly made one for me but I left it in the bedroom."

"What a hassle, Urahara, you shouldn't forget things like that."

"Hmm, that may be so Yoruichi, but it's a simple thing. I forget about simple things. Now, if we're talking about missing heiresses and the like, that is likely unforgett-are you alright Kurosaki?"

"Of course, my Lord," he composed himself again from the near-disaster of the teapot slipping from his hold that he so slightly missed, "just worrying about the party, is all."

"Right, just the party. So Kurosaki, have you forgotten about my little request?" The Baron took a little sip of his tea and showed great delight in the brew.

Ichigo instantly placed the teapot back on the spread blanket and sat back on his heels lest his hands decide to show his emotions too well again, "No, my lord, I was just waiting for your orders. But there is no need for interview. Let me assure you of her character even though you may find it irresponsible for me to have-"

Swoosh! The loud unfurling of Yoruichi's fan in one swift motion effectively stopped his speech. "Don't doubt for a second that we have such high trust on you Kurosaki. We're merely curious, and would like to meet her. I'm afraid we have spent too many months traveling in the Continent and when we arrived back at London, the Season was in full swing, that we haven't checked upon how our dear Ichigo was doing." A mischievous smile appeared on her face.

Nothing good could possibly come out of that smile so he decided not to voice out his disapproval. He have never known nobles to take such interest in their household staff as these two eccentrics did. The snapping of a twig took their attention and their sights fell on a quickly approaching petite female.

Suddenly, the urge to run and hide her rose up in him so violently he had to clench his fists until his knuckles turned deathly white and his nails bit into his palms to stomp it.

Rukia first noticed the almost reddish-blonde, unruly hair that glowed orange in the sunlight. His tall physique gave nothing away and he was looking at her so intensely that the determined frown etched into his face made her more resolved to not botch up her acting. She knew not why she was being called, not to say that this was highly unusual and that the two aristocrats were conversing with Ichigo as if they were old friends!

She had never known anyone to be that familiar with their butler.

A few steps more and she was bowing in front of her employers. She didn't dare look up at them but the dark skin of the lady marked her as someone familiar. Really familiar, in fact when he heard her voice, she almost groaned out loud because there was no way this could be happening.

"Kurosaki, I really must commend you now. She is interesting. And Kisuke, I want in on this." There was audible amusement in her voice coupled with Kisuke's (she surmised, the Baron) loud chuckling.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Ichigo looking back and forth at her and their other companions uncertainly. She wanted to reassure him but she couldn't at the moment. Tentatively, she raised her eyes and looked at Yoruichi and Kisuke while her face remained impassive. A knowing glance passed between the two and she had an epiphany.

"I didn't catch your name," the Baron had spoken up in between mouthfuls of the sweet-smelling cakes.

"It's Rukia, my lord, my lady."

"A most unusual name. I heard your story from my valet who heard it from my cook who, in turn, heard it from the butler himself. I understand you are an orphan, so sorry to hear that, by the by, and that the farm you've lived in ever since had suffered a fire?"

She nodded politely and wished, off all things, for the earth to open up and swallow her whole then and there. She felt like a child who was caught sleeping in Mass! Vaguely, she remembered concocting that background with Ichigo and have almost forgotten it. It's been so rarely mentioned these days she could have sworn she forgot it. Well, almost completely forgotten it, at any rate. And damned if Yoruichi wasn't sporting that mischievous look she always had on her face when she discovered something uncanny and right. The two of them never did become friends in the sense of the word. Rukia only ever saw her on the few occasions she came to London and the few times they had a conversation weren't especially enlightening. Lady Yoruichi Shihouin was what they called a woman of the world.

"What a pity…I would like to hear more about this. How exactly did you meet our Ichigo Kurosaki over here?" Her gaze fell on the Baron once again as he continued, "I, for one, know how unfriendly he can be. I swear, he's so uptight he doesn't know what fun is."

"It is as you have heard, my lord."

"But we want details, my dear." Yoruichi's golden eyes were filled with amusement as they strayed all over her dirty uniform while her black cat strolled from its place on the woman's lap and proceeded to wrap itself around her feet and purred its contentment.

Before she was able to speak as she opened her mouth, Ichigo managed to draw all attention back to him. One moment, he was standing beside Kisuke and the next; he was in front of her, effectively blocking her from their view. All she saw was the black material of his coat as she heard him say, "Pardon, but I'm afraid Miss Rukia is needed back at the house, my lord. She still does have her duties."

Her hand rose to smack him however she stopped herself. What was she going to say, after all? The truth? And in return, bring scandal to her name and family? She couldn't have that. All her life, she was protected, sheltered and privileged. This time, it felt good to know she was doing something for them.

Yet she can't shake the feeling of wanting to clobber him senseless. His remark had bordered on impertinence. No matter how curious she was to see the other pair's reactions, it was almost impossible. Ichigo's wide back barred her from seeing how they received his statement. From the clenched fist and tension she could feel radiating from him, she could only stay silent and anticipate the next course of action…

Long moments of silence passed before the bored voice of Kisuke broke through the tense atmosphere, "We might as well be going back to the house. The sun is setting and the tea is gone."

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The moon had long risen in the sky, and from the windows of his study, Kisuke could clearly see the crescent moon and the stars winking back at him mockingly. He wasn't born into nobility. A distant uncle had bestowed the title unto him upon his death although he was aware of the possible good fortune, it still came as a surprise to him. Back then, he thought he would be fully living his life as landed gentry, albeit poor.

That was twenty years ago. He learned of his good fortune when he was twenty-four years old and not a day had gone by that he didn't think of how his life could have been. He remembered that he tried to get into the army to fight against Napoleon but then, he lacked the necessary funds to get into the army for his commission and there was the farm too. When he had the funds necessary after his sudden good fortune, he got injured in a simple horse-riding accident and had to recuperate. Recuperate, he did. He still had a minor limp, hence the cane.

Kisuke Urahara tipped the brandy decanter directly to his mouth. If he was going to get drunk, he was going to do it his way. He abandoned his glass on his desk and strolled to the nearest couch where he promptly fell on his back. His untied cravat fell limply from his neck as he made himself comfortable. It still confused him why he felt this mood settle into him tonight.

Ah, of course, he thought to himself belligerently. Who wouldn't be troubled upon finding out that they have just hired the Rukia Kuchiki? And I have a party to host next week. Damn it!

The door to his study opened and someone came in. The soft footfalls he recognized were Yoruichi's who was garbed in only her nightgown in the slightly warm weather.

"I knew I'd find you in here, Kisuke. What I didn't expect was to find you drinking." The decanter was soon grabbed from his hand. He raised his eyes to meet hers just as she, herself, drank brandy straight from its source. "This is good brandy."

"I should know," a smile crept into his lips, "Isshin taught his son well."

"How incredible. You managed to catch two birds with one stone."

His arms snaked around her waist and brought her down on top of him. "Coincidence, really. Tessai tells me she has been here for 6 months already. She's a real catch for Kurosaki, isn't she?"

"You saw it, too?" She crossed her arms on his chest as he rubbed small circles at the small of her back, "don't interfere then. Let them go at their own pace."

"Of course, I saw it and why are you accusing me of something I'm not doing…" he huffed, and added silently to himself, 'at least, not yet'.

"Let's just say, I know you too much. You're meddling too much in the affairs of others." She let out a slow moan as he continued to rub small circles on her back, only that his hand was now slowly trailing farther south. A dark hand shot out to grab his untied cravat from his hold while the woman atop him smiled deviously.

He had a feeling he was going to enjoy this. "That's a half-truth and you also know that, Yoruichi," slowly, he brought his other hand to land on top of her shoulder, "I don't meddle, I only help things go along smoothly, the way they want them to." Within him, he debated whether this was going to be another destroyed nightgown or not.

"Now, that sounds positively cunning." Urahara couldn't help take a sharp inhale when she all too suddenly whispered to his ear while her hand slipped easily into his hair, "why don't you put that cunning to another use, eh?"

Smiling to himself, he answered, "My pleasure, madame."

And their lips crushed together in their tight embrace.

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Yawning, Ichigo stared at the dark-haired valet of Urahara. His insistent knocking woke him up. It was unfortunate that he had almost forgotten how weird the guy can be with now that he was facing him. The entire household was quiet now, the staff having gone to bed almost half an hour ago. The man had woken him up in his sleep and he cursed for he was tired and he really wanted his sleep.

"Kurosaki."

Standing by the door, he glared at the candle filling his dark room with a soft, yellow light. "Bloody hell, Mayuri, isn't it a little bit late to go calling?"

"His lordship wanted you to have this." He detected a bit of disgust in the valet's voice. Those who met him for the first time would likely be offended by that tone but you get to learn to ignore it after living with him for a long time. Urahara surely did.

A note appeared in front of his face brandished by the valet. He grabbed it and tried to read what as written on it but the light wasn't cooperating. It flickered and danced so much that the letters were nothing but a jumble of squiggles he possibly couldn't read. A few seconds later, he gave up and met the glinting, amused eyes of Mayuri.

Feeling uncomfortable, he swiftly grabbed the note from the valet's clutches. "Uh, thanks. Goodnight." He said nothing more as he slammed the door close.

Taking the few steps to his bed, he placed the note on the little table beside his bed and sleep took him even before his head hit the pillow.

When he opened his dark, brown eyes again, he instinctively knew it was the next day even though his room was still dark. Feeling reluctant to get off the bed, he sat for a while, his eyes alighting upon the corner he had left the note last night. He would have wanted nothing more than to hide under his covers, but that would be detrimental to his character. He stood up to brush aside the curtains of the room's lone window.

Still, the day promised to be fine; a few rays of the sun peeped out of the horizon and fat clouds marred the sky. It would have been a fine day, indeed, to go riding with Zangetsu. A simple luxury he had no more time of indulging in. The sound of paper filled the room as he read the names on the guest list, a few sounded familiar.

Yet, one stood out.

He crumpled the note and his scowl deepened, though, if one looked closely, one could somehow see the helplessness etched into his dark expression.

Even the favor he had asked of Chad wasn't enlightening. Silently, he cursed his lowly existence and the shackles of his birth.

"The road to true love never did run smooth." William Shakespeare