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"Sorry to bother you, Nii-sama. If you'd like I may come at a later time." She spoke quickly. Byakuya placed his pen on the table while taking in her nervous demeanor. "I was just finishing up. I take it you need something?" He asked as he stood from his writing. He slowly made his way over to his desk and sat in his chair. He motioned for Rukia to come and sit in the chair in front of his desk. She followed his gesture and sat down. "Well?" He asked. "Um, I was won…ah...Rangiku san wanted for me to make sure that um…that you were aware that the invitation for the… uh... party tonight was also extended to you." Rukia couldn't help but look down from his hard gaze. "I am well aware of her desire for me to attend. Is this what you have been worrying yourself with today?" He inquired. "Um, well…." Rukia stuttered, looking up at his face. "I have been sensing fluxuations in you reitsu as of late. I was curious as to why this was." It was true. All day he had been quite put out as to why Rukia seemed to be feeling so anxious. He studied her face for a moment and when she did not speak, he continued. "I have no intention of attending such an event." Rukia looked from his face back down to her lap. Byakuya thought that he saw a flash of disappointment in her eyes. He immediately felt bad for being the cause that look. "Hai, Nii-sama. I will leave you to your work." Rukia was about to leave her chair when he spoke again. "At what hour will you be returning? I will have one of the servant's escort you home. Or I could escort you myself if such is your wish." Byakuya didn't know why he had just offered to lose rest just to personally walk her home.

Rukia's eyes widened for a moment before turning to normal. "I am unsure of the hour in which I will be returning. However, I can have Ichigo escort me. You needn't worry about such things and get some rest, Nii Sama." Rukia said. She noticed his face change. Byakuya couldn't control his anger when that name came up. Did he not already leave soul society? Byakuya was sure he had made himself very clear. Byakuya fought back the urge to scream. "Kurosaki is attending? I was sure he had already been escorted to the lower world." He said dryly. Rukia gulped nervously. "Hai. He has postponed his return to the lower world to attend." Rukia said, wondering about her brother's sudden change in reitsu. After watching her brother struggle with some hidden emotion, she slowly felt his spiritual pressure return to normal, along with his expression. "Rukia, perhaps it would be best if you were not seen walking the streets at night with that… ryoka." He said in an authoritive tone. "I do not follow, Nii-sama. What would the harm be in.." He glared at her from his chair. "It is dishonorable for a noble young woman to be seen walking out of a party with some man." Rukia felt a little tinge of anger flow through her, but kept it in check. "Nii-sama, Ichigo is not some man. He is a dear friend that has saved me countless times. I do not see the problem in…" He stood abruptly, his eyes holding me in my place. "You dare dis-obey me?" Rukia went to speak but was cut off. "You entered into a contract to become a member of the Kuchiki family, therefore you shall abide by the rules that I as the head of the Kuchiki Clan have given you." Traces of anger played on his face as well as in his tone. "With all due respect, Nii-sama, I think this only has to do with your dis-like for Ichigo." Rukia said defensively. She immediately realized that she had said too much and looked up apologetically. "That is neither relevant nor does it concern you. I think it best that you retire to your quarters for the rest of the evening." He snapped. He just could not control the anger that seethed through him at the thought of Rukia being with that boy. Rukia looked away from him. "I will be going to my room then, however, I still will be attending the party tonight. As you said days ago, I need not ask permission. Excuse me, Nii-Sama." Rukia stood out of her chair and walked towards the doorway when she heard a quick flashing sound. Byakuya had used shunpo and was blocking the door way now. Rukia suddenly felt her wrist being grabbed. Byakuya was looking down at her with a strained expression. "Are you in love with that ryoka? Is that what this is?" His grip tightened around her wrist. "What?! Nii-sama, you're hurting me." She tried to pull out of his grip. "Nii-sama, what is the matter? You are not acting like yourself." Rukia could see anger flaring up in his eyes. "Nii-sama…" He looked down at her, and changed his expression to one of pain. "You have been lying to me for quite some time, Rukia. I know about you and him living under the same roof, as well as your dates." Rukia looked shocked, then frightened, and lastly ashamed. She hung her head. "Nii-sama, I apologize for not telling you. It is true that I stayed with the Kurosaki's during my time in the lower world, but nothing dishonorable happened. And while it is true that Ichigo and I did date a couple of times, I only agreed to go for the experience and so that I did not hurt his feelings. I am not in love with him." Rukia did not know why she felt like she had to explain her feelings for Ichigo to him, but she did anyway. Byakuya slowly loosened the hold on her wrist, but still kept his hand there. Rukia began to blush at their sudden closeness. Byakuya noticed her blushing and it made him loose even more of his control. Byakuya looked down at her with a confused expression. "Why do you feel that you cannot tell me things? Have I not proven since….. that day that I wish to be a part of your life?" Rukia looked up at him and smiled. "Nii-sama, you have done more than enough for me. I am un-worthy of such attention. This was my mistake. I never should have kept such things from you Nii-Sama." Byakuya felt regret as soon as he saw her smile. This was not her falt. It was his. He was the one that had developed such un-natural feelings for his sister. But as wrong as he knew it was he was beginning to not care.

Rukia looked down at her brother's fingers which had now twined into her own fingers, and then back up into his cerulean eyes. She saw such deep emotion within them. Rukia felt herself blush uncontrollably at the knowledge that he was looking at her this way, and touching her. She couldn't help but wonder just why she felt this way. In the past she had been acutely aware that she found him attractive, even though she had never admitted it to anyone, but she had tried to keep those feelings in check. Why now were those feelings coming back even stronger now? Wasn't he her Nii-Sama? Suddenly Byakuya's eye's filled with an emotion that Rukia could not recognize. "Rukia…" Byakuya said quietly as he leaned his face down towards her's. She could feel his warm breath tickle her face. Rukia started to feel slightly dazed. She could not believe that this was happening. And what was even worse is that she wanted it to happen, had even had dreams about this happening.

Byakuya slowly brought his other hand up to Rukia's face. His fingers began to softly brush against Rukia's lips. Rukia trembled at the feel of him touching her in such a way. "Nii-sama…" Rukia said shakily as she arched into his touch.

It was as if Rukia's words had broken him out of some trance. His eyes suddenly became wide with shock. He let go of Rukia and turned around, facing away from her. "Do as you wish tonight." His voice sounded un-emotional. Rukia stared at Byakuya's stiffened back. "Nii-sama, I…" Byakuya interrupted. "Leave me at once." Rukia flinched at his words and ran towards her room, tears forming around her eyes and spilling over.