Story: Perfect Imperfection, Final – Byakuya's Reaction
Setting: Soul Society, and Byakuya's office – Ichigo finally confronts Byakuya, with Rukia's force, of course. ^.^
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
"Nii-sama," Rukia knocked on the door. "Ichigo is here. We're here too speak with you."
After a moment a silence, they heard his apathetic voice. "You may come in."
Ichigo gulped, a sick feeling passing through his stomach when she opened the door, pulling him in by his hand. He was convinced Byakuya was gonna kill him. What was he suppose to say? What should he do?
So many questions were swarming his mind as they entered the spacey room. The noble captain sat at his desk, as normal, painting his calligraphy. He glanced up at them, ever so briefly, before making a stroke with his paint brush.
"What did you wish to speak about, Rukia?" he questioned, after a moment of silence had passed by and nobody had spoke.
"I..." Rukia pursed her lips, nervously clutching the sides of her Hakama. "Ichigo and I have developed feelings for each other."
"I know." Byakuya replied, not looking up. "Abarai told me."
Rukia's breath caught in her throat, as she averted her gaze, no longer able to look him in the eyes anymore. Her shoulders trembled uneasily, her heart rapidly pounding in her chest. Ichigo could tell how awkward she was feeling, because he, himself, felt the same, for the tension in Byakuya's Reiatsu was becoming unbearable.
Ichigo bit his lip, his fingers twitching at his side. He'd always hated Byakuya's 'way of giving his opinion'. You never knew what the guy was thinking, and his silence only made him that much more unreadable.
He didn't know if he was doing it on purpose, or not, but it really pissed him off, and not because of how he felt, either. It was how someone could intimidate his own sister like that, without a second thought. Just who did he think he was?
He took a breath in agitation, as he stepped forward, placing a hand on Rukia shoulder in hopes to calm her down. He was about to give his own opinion on her behalf. Everyone knew how tense she got when she was around her brother, yet he didn't seem to care.
"Just who-" he was surprisingly cut off by Rukia, who looked back up at Byakuya, a mixture of frustration and anger in her eyes.
"I know what you're thinking, Nii-sama." she said. "You want to say that I shouldn't involve myself with a human in this way, because I'm from the noble Kuchiki-clan; that I'm lowering my pride. If your going to judge, look at yourself first. You've went against the law three times just for someone you loved, so you have no right to criticize me if I do the same!"
"She's right." Ichigo agreed. Rukia snapped her head up to glance at him, tears still in the corners of his eyes from her words to Byakuya.
"Ichigo..." she muttered, seemingly surprised that he'd just stepped in like that.
"If I love her, and she loves me, you can't change our feelings by intimidating us into saying otherwise." he told him. "What kind of brother would do that to his own sister?! Every one knows how tense she gets around you. Yet, you set there, as if it was nothing, daunting her with your silence."
"I do not know what you're talking about, Kurosaki," stated Byakuya, their eyes meeting. "I have no intentions of interfering with your relationship."
"Wait, you...don't?" Ichigo stammered, confusingly. Byakuya looked back down, creating another stroke.
"No. If that is Rukia's desire, I am no one to stop her." he said simply, before giving a tiny smirk. "Rather, it would be pointless, for she would not listen to someone such as I."
It took a moment for to realization to set in that he'd just make a joke. Feeling Rukia's shoulder grow stiff, Ichigo glanced down, to see her quickly look away, her bangs shadowing her eyes. Her lips trembled in a failed attempt to purse them.
"Rukia, are you...blushing?" Ichigo cocked an eyebrow, smirking. He sniggered softly, only to be cut off by Rukia giving him a small shove.
"Don't laugh at me," she said, in a sulky way that slightly favoured a child after being caught stealing a cookie from a cookie jar. "It's not like I can help it..."
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about." Ichigo assured her, placing a hand on top of her head. "Byakuya's right, though, you are stubborn,"
Byakuya paused, watching them, as he mused. Perhaps his and Hisana's relationship hadn't been exactly like Rukia and Kurosaki's, but there was one similarity they did share. It was his imperfect attraction to Hisana that led them to each other, and before they knew it, it'd became a perfect imperfection.
First the first time in years, he smiled twice in the same day. 'They are the same, Hisana-san.'
"Being stubborn isn't always a bad thing..." retorted Rukia.
"You're right, it's not." Ichigo admitted. "Your stubbornness is what I like about you."
They looked up, to see Byakuya standing in front of them.
"Nii-sama, I..." Rukia choked uncertainly on her words.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, I intend to tell you this once, and once only. If there is any harm that ever comes upon Rukia on your behalf..." he pulled out his Zanpakuto, stating it's name. Ichigo gulped, as the deadly 'cherry blossoms' threatened his throat. "There will be no mercy... Your death will be the slowest, and most painful of known deaths in all of Soul Society. This is a promise."
A sudden pinch at his neck made him flinch. Byakuya intensely towered over him, his spiritual pressure rising. "Do I make myself clear...?"
"Yes." Ichigo squeaked. A moment later, his Shikai returned, and Byakuya once again sheathed his sword, walking back towards his desk. This allowed the strawberry to finally let go of the breath he'd been holding in for what felt like an eternity.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, from now on, I do expect you to address me proper-" he scoffed, when he looked back to see they were both gone. "Such insolence... Just what is it that she sees in him?"
It really irked him. He would never admit it, but down deep, he truly envied Kurosaki, for being able to reach the unreachable, and get through to his own sister, before he could. If it hadn't been for Ichigo, convincing him to see the light, he would've never been to able to face Hisana. For that, he was gracious to him. He felt helpless, knowing that he'd brought pain to his little sister in so many ways, but, at the same time, he felt a sense of relief, seeing that she could still find happiness.
Again, he would never say it, but he knew, without a doubt, that he could trust this human boy to do what he couldn't. He could see it in his eyes. Kurosaki would protect Rukia, even at the cost of his own life. That's just the type of person Kurosaki Ichigo was.
~ Two Hours Later ~
The raven and the strawberry sat high in a tree. Ichigo held her close to his chest in a warm embrace, his chin softly resting on the top of her head. He smiled. She seemed so small to him, and so fragile.
"Ichigo?" Rukia looked up at him, their eyes meeting after a moment.
"Hm?"
"Wh..." she briefly looked away thinking her words through. "Weren't you scared earlier? You didn't have to say that..."
Rukia gazed down, as Ichigo studied her expression, knowing what she was thinking.
"Yeah, I was," he admitted, gently lifting his hand up to hold hers, giving her a pained smile. "but I couldn't stand to see you suffering like that...You're too fragile..."
"What's that suppose to mean...?" Rukia cocked an eyebrow, in agitation. "How am I fragile?"
"You must be," Ichigo sniggered. "As far as I could see, you were practically falling apart back there. Couldn't have that now, could we?"
Ichigo smirked, challenged by Rukia's glare. Her cheeks were a visible, but light, shade of pink.
"Hey, I'm the one who had the courage to go there in the first place!" she retorted. "Who was it that had to be dragged all the way to Nii-sama's office, because they were so afraid of him?! Oh, that's right, Ichigo!"
"Shut up..." Ichigo muttered, looking away. "You're right. Even though you are fragile in some ways, I have to admit, you're one of the bravest people I've met..."
"I'm not fragile at all, you idiot. As you see, I'm a lieutenant, perfectly capable of protecting myself." Rukia said as-a-matter-of-factly. A second after, her eyes softened, as she blushed. "but thanks..."
She then gave a small, but warm, smile, once again resting her head on his chest. "I love you, Ichigo."
The corner of his mouth slightly curved upward, as he placed a hand on top of her head. "I love you too...Rukia. You little butterfly..."
~ End of Story ~
A/N: What do you think? I have to say I'm quite impressed, considering this is my first romance, and only my second IchiRuki, but that me just me. So review, please.
PS: Also, if there are any IshiHime (IshidaXOrihime rocks!) fans out there who want me to write an extra chapter, devoted mainly to those two (where Ishida confesses to her, or something, so they get together) please say so. I really don't mind. I was thinking it might be a good idea, but I wasn't fully certain, since this IS really just a IchiRuki fanfic. I adore Ishihime, though, so if you can, please speak your opinion on this matter. Thanks.
