Ichigo can't help but chuckle to himself and his hand covers Rukia's mouth while Byakuya watches the seen with something akin to amusement. It's been 3 weeks since the new school year began and almost 2 years since the Cold War against the Quincy in which Karin died and was currently attending the Shinigami Academy, he managed to convince Central 46 to let him stay until Yuzu turned 18 so she wouldn't stay alone in Karakura Town, of course with him at the University and Yuzu in her 3rd Year in Junior High meant she had more liberty and privacy than before.
It was that reason he often caught her blasting music in the kitchen at full volume, singing along and sometimes dancing while she prepared supper – like now. " Kirameku toki wo sotto mune ni lala himete mukau kono michi no naka mou mayo wa nai sonna wake wa nakute boku wa hitasura mou hisshi nan da boku no koto wo yurushita basho ga mada mitsukeranai nara tada shinjita michi wo kirihiraki kyou mo asu susunnde yukunda…" she spun her face flushing pink in color as she spotted them. "Do I want to know how long you've all been there?" she asked meekly
"I don't think so"
"I thought as much" she said blush darkening as she lowered the music before giving a small sigh "supper will be done soon so take a seat, I'll bring tea right away" Yuzu said politely. Ichigo nodded releasing Rukia as they made their way towards the living room, it wasn't too rare to have both Kuchiki Siblings visiting his home, it was rare for other Shinigami to step into Karakura Town at all with the exception of Toshiro and Rangiku, but the Lieutenant was usually hosted by Orihime while the Captain almost begged to be permitted to stay in their home.
"Here you go, tea" Yuzu said setting down the 3 tea cups "I'll be upstairs if you need anything, the food needs to boil so—"
"Stay, this involves Clan matters" Byakuya cut her off, Ichigo quirked a brow and Rukia nodded losing all happiness and he realized it must involve his sister. Yuzu uncertain sat beside him while his body unconsciously stiffened "the meeting amongst Clan Patriarch's and the Elders of each Great Noble House decreed a law yesterday" Byakuya continued "a law where all unwed Princesses must choose a proper suitor or be chosen one by the majority of age" his pointed gaze at the burnet said it all.
"I'm the second born and eldest daughter of the Clan Head of the Shiba Clan…" she whispered
"What!? Are you kidding me!?" Ichigo exclaimed shooting up to his feet "that's not fair, you can't seriously—!"
"Ichigo, sit down" Yuzu stated looking straight at Byakuya, this was obviously a scheme set by the Elders. "I'll turn 16 in less than a week…they've been planning this since the War, which means they have a candidate; who is it?" Rukia looked at her brother who shut his eyes, he was sworn to secrecy she however wasn't. "Rukia-chan" Ichigo looked at the Lieutenant wanting to know who was the stuck up Noble that they wanted to marry his sister off to.
"It's uncertain, but it's a high possibility that the Noble chosen won't be from the Great Five Noble Houses" the Lieutenant hesitated briefly "he is a powerful Shinigami" two pairs of brown eyes stared at her. "It's…Kyoraku-Soutaichou" Ichigo's eyes grew as the burnet stared stunned, of all people…the Soutaichou?
The man she met briefly after the War as she was hosted in his best friend's Division while her Reiatsu matured during her stay in Soul Society. She had trained under Urahara to mature her power and her Kido was quite advanced, her Hakuda top notch to hold her own against her brother and Zanjutsu…well, she hadn't died in a spar against Urahara yet. Last Yuzu heard, Ukitake rarely got his attacks because his body was strengthened by the influence of her Reiatsu.
"Not that I don't trust Kyoraku-san, but isn't he a little too old? And what the hell are they doing—!?"
"It's not that at all, Ichigo" Yuzu cut him off as she trailed off in thought "the Shiba Clan is just reviving, they'll gather the two last members and by having me marry to leader of the Gotei 13 is like an insurance" Byakuya's nod was enough confirmation to her theory "but it isn't just that, they'll be killing two birds with one stone. How cunning…"
"What do you mean?" and it wasn't Ichigo, but Rukia who asked.
"The Shiba Clan is only second to the Shihoin Clan in terms of power, there are very few living members of the main branch: Otou-san, Kukaku-kun, Ganju, Karin-chan, you and me that makes 6 of us, which only 2 are active Shinigami and 2 potentials, you and Onii-chan will get married the second he moves into Soul Society thus the Heir has strong connections to the Kuchiki Clan. However, the Princess needs to give potential heirs if your children aren't as powerful as you are"
"Because I wasn't born a Noble" Rukia stated
"Exactly, I was; both of my bloodlines are pure and Kyoraku-Soutaichou is a very powerful Shinigami of pure Noble lineage as well, any children we'd potentially have are potential to become very powerful as well." Yuzu stated "they certainly know what they're doing, they're not Elders for nothing" she said with a small smile.
"Why are you smiling for!?"
"It's just interesting, wouldn't you like to know how this will end if the Princess goes missing mysteriously with no trace of her?" she asked eyes glinting in mischief, "I trust that I'll have your cooperation in this little task of mine, Byakuya-sama?" his lips curled up in a small smirk, grey eyes glowing in mirth and Ichigo gaped at the two of them. That guy knew she would react like this!? Rukia seemed amused at Yuzu's words.
