Yuzu can't believe what she's hearing, the 17 year old wants nothing more than stop her foot and shout her protests against the whole idea that her father came up with. 10 months away from coming to Soul Society she had to find a suitor to marry after she graduated the Shinigami Academy, Rurichiyo, Yoruichi, Kukaku, Rukia and Karin were looking at the man in shock. 'Otou-san wouldn't…so who gave him that idea?' she thought as her hands clenched and then she saw him.

Byakuya Kuchiki.

"Are you satisfied?"

"Not quite, with your freelance behavior you are not just shaming the Shiba Clan, but the Kuchiki Clan or have you forgotten that my sister has married your brother?" of course, this man and his duty was everything. He didn't care how she felt even when he made her come into terms with her feelings. Yuzu couldn't help but scoff earning shocked looks from her family so she stood.

"Thanks for nothing" that being said she left the room and slammed the door causing the wall to rumble.

"My, my aren't you drinking a tad bit much?" at the familiar voice she sighed as she took another drink of the Sake bottle she had managed to get from Matsumoto who was all too willing. "I think I should confiscate this" a scowl pulled at her lips instantly and he chuckled "aren't you in a bad mood? I suppose I can change that" she bit her lip to keep her from sighing in relief as his lips kissed the nape of her neck and trailed down as his hand began to trail up her shirt she stiffened.

"I have to go"

"…" usually he was very good at reading people, keeping his cool and keeping sharp observations yet this girl rendered that skill useless when she had such a stony expression and wasn't meeting his gaze he had no idea what she was thinking. The sting of her rejection was blinding him as well, she had actually pushed him away…how was he supposed to react to that? So he just watched her go wondering what could have brought out this bad mood. He decided he needed answers, he got them from her troubled elder brother who was boring holes to Byakuya's head.

"Is something bothering you, Ichigo-kun?"

"Byakuya's a dick"

"Pardon?"

"That guy filled Oyaji's head with ideas about Yuzu needing to get married so she wouldn't embarrass herself or something like that, the Elders agreed without a second thought and they're gathering all the young nobles from Noble Clans to present them to her. Like she actually has a choice…bastard" Kyoraku felt like a bucket of ice cold water had been dumped on him, too cold that his body was freezing up and that answered many questions. It wasn't her fault, he knew that yet…

He was boiling with jealousy.

"S…stop it" the teen protested as he had her pinned against the wall while he assaulted her neck as he pressed himself against her holding her arms above her head. "Stop…" Yuzu stated feeling her will waver yet he was hurting her. "That hurts, stop" he wasn't listening to her, it was the opposite he was being too rough practically manhandling her "I said stop!" kneeing him in the gut he winced yet he leaned in to kiss her "e…enough!" her hand made contact with his cheek and she pushed him off.

"…" Yuzu stiffened – why was he looking like he wanted to cry? She was the one who wanted to cry! Yuzu didn't think twice about running off as she fixed her clothes feigning ignorance as many questioned the Soutaichou's bust lip. It stung when he didn't even look her way which had Karin and Nanao asking questions, the next 6 months were hell especially with the Elders breathing down her shoulders she reached her limit and locked herself in the Shoten where she currently lived at and refused to come out keeping 10 layers of barrier around her to keep them from entering.

"It's important, please let me pass!"

"Urahara?"

"Urahara Kisuke, you should know better than to interrupt a Captain's Meeting" Soi-Fon spat.

"What's wrong, Urahara-san? Is Yuzu okay?" Ichigo asked concerned,

"I don't know" the man answered

"What are you talking about?" Isshin demanded on guard,

"The past few weeks she's been closing off, but it was 4 days since she locked herself in her room refusing to come out, she's hasn't had water or a meal, she's placed barriers around the room." Urahara stated "Tessai taught her himself, it's not that easy to break them" Ukitake looked worried "I was hoping if Ichigo would be given permission to come with me, I think she will listen to him" the orangette whipped his head towards the Soutaichou.

"Kyo—"

"Go"

"…Thanks" he ran past the blonde who politely excused himself and followed the orangette. Ichigo was yanked into the room, who knew after insulting his father and Byakuya would get him easy access? "Yuzu…" she looked like hell. Pale, thin, dark circles around her eyes with red-rims a sign she had also been crying "come 'ere" the burnet slipped into his embrace easily and then, she broke down into tears "talk to me, what's wrong?" he asked.

"H…he hates me" she sobbed "he hates me now"

"He? Who are you talking about?"

"Shunsui…hic…"

"Shunsui? You mean…Kyoraku-san?" she nodded "why would he hate you?" he asked yet his ears went numb at the things she confessed, things that Byakuya had discovered and was forced into something she clearly didn't want. That guy and his dammed rules, "wait, wait, wait…" he said trying to understand "you were sleeping with, Kyoraku-san!?" she sniffled.

"We didn't actually go that far" she mumbled meekly.

"Yuzu" he groaned "what the hell!?"