All You Need
AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I added a rich American girl to the mix. I know most of the people in Soul Society are Japanese, since it's a Japanese show, but there has to be some other nationalities there.
It was Sunday, and that meant that tomorrow he had to go to the elders and report his decision. Today he had to meet with two women. One of them, the one he had forgotten the name of, was Eliza Doolittle. She was American, which was why her name had been hard for him to remember. She wasn't noble, but her family was very wealthy.
He was to meet with them for lunch. He hoped it would be a better meal than the ones he had endured thus far.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Kuchki." He was lead in by a butler, and he noted the expensive American rugs and furniture. It was an extravagant Western style house. There was even a fireplace on the other side of the vast room. The house was even bigger than his own, which was frankly frightening.
"This way please." He allowed himself to be led to a dining room, which was full, absolutely chock full of people. He had meet with Kukaku and Yourichi alone, but in this case he seemed to be dining with all of her immediate and extended family.
"This is the Doolittle family." To his horror, he was introduced to everyone. Cousins, grandparents, great aunts, and the like. How could he possibly remember all those names? Once lunch arrived, half of the family dispersed, leaving only twelve people: Eliza Doolittle, both sets of her grandparents, her brother, her sister, and her aunts and uncles. There was another woman who was introduced as a friend of the family, but he had a suspicion that she was a mistress of the fathers.
"Eliza has been excited to see you." Eliza looked to be a normal American girl, and quite a pretty one at that, with wispy blonde hair and plump lips. Her family hovered around her like she was the Queen of Egypt. She seemed to be the youngest child.
"It's very nice to meet your acquaintance."
Lunch passed with multiple questions, all pertaining to his career, his upbringing and his income. He had answered fewer serious, personal questions when he had been interviewed for his captain's position. When he left, all he felt was a great sense of relief.
He had to meet with Captain Suì-Fēng for dinner. He only hoped he'd survive.
Once back at home, he met with Rukia, who was sitting on the couch, next to Ichigo. They seemed to have had a date while he was gone. He discretely asked a maid what they had been up too. His maids knew to watch them when he wasn't there. He liked them supervised. He trusted them both, but he knew how teenagers thought.
"Hey, Byakuya." Ichigo greeted informally. He seethed internally. The boy had little respect. He willed himself to be patient.
"How was your lunch brother?" Rukia asked sweetly.
"The lunch was unpleasant. It felt like a job interview." He noted with some satisfaction that Ichigo looked surprised by his candid answer. He felt comfortable with his adopted sister. Perhaps it was because she was less informal with him. Again he willed himself to be patient with his sister's boyfriend.
"That's too bad. None of them seem to have been very fun." Rukia sympathized.
"You could have been more subtle when listening in to my meeting with Kukaku." She had the grace to turn a light pink. Really, she thought he didn't notice? He hadn't minded. He liked to tease her at times. The activity felt, brotherly.
"Nice going Rukia." The redhead chided. They started to bicker. He went into his room, intent of regrouping himself by doing some paperwork. Dinner time would come soon enough.
He was not greeted at the door, which surprised him. He didn't mind. The house was simpler than some of the others. The head of the Fon family was there, but Suì-Fēng wasn't yet there.
"Hello Captain Kuchki. My daughter will be here shortly. She had a job."
"I see. I did not realize she was on a mission."
"She is not out serving the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. She's assassinating a man in the 8th District. That is how we make our living." The elderly woman led him to the table.
"I see. It sounds like a most adventurous job."
"Sorry, I'm late. The bastard was fast."
"We have a guest, Suì-Fēng."
"I'm aware. I'm not going to avoid talking as I do, because of that." She sat down, primly. Her clothes were slightly rumpled, and she looked smug from accomplishing her mission.
"I expect no less from you." Her mother chided fondly.
"Good evening." He told her. She nodded.
"It is. Pass that for me." He handed her the plate of food.
"How is your Division?" She asked, helping herself.
"My Division is well."
"Same here. How are you mom?"
"I am well. I tended to the garden today."
"Did you? How are the roses?" She passed a bottle of sake to him, and he took some gratefully.
"They're a bit malnourished. I think they need a new fertilizer."
"I use a special brand of fertilizer for my Sakura trees." Byakuya
informed her.
"Do you? What's it called?" Dinner passed by pleasantly. Suì-Fēng and her mother seemed remarkable close. They both seemed genuine.
"I have something to ask you, Captain Byakuya. Who are you planning to pick? What women have you gotten along with the best?"
"In all honesty, you. Most of the meetings have gone on far more awkwardly."
"So, I'm safe to say, you're most likely to pick me? In that case I have some conditions." She sipped at her drink and regarded him sternly.
"Proceed."
"I will produce you an heir, when I am ready to. You family will not set a deadline on that. My career will continue being my focus." She stood, and ushered him out, the meal being finished.
"Agreed." He allowed himself to be led out.
"Until later on, Captain Suì-Fēng ."
"Don't think I'm kidding about my conditions. I assure you, my career will be my focus." Her serious and warning nature took him by surprise.
"My career will be my focus, as well." He assured her. She nodded.
"I await your decision."
AN: Yeah, baby, I have updated. Review please?