Chapter 7

Omiai

"Byakuya-sama?" Hisana asks hesitantly when she sees him enter her room swiftly without even knocking. This is a first. He has always knocked during the day. He of course didn't knock at night when she woke him with her nightmares, but during the day he has always knocked.

"I'm sorry for barging in, Hisana, but apparently the doctor has important and urgent news that he wishes to share with you as early as possible today. He said that we must come to his house. He sounded serious. That's why I'm here." Byakuya says, wondering what in the hell is going on. Hisana looks at him and smiles. She has come to really like and respect Kurosaki-sensei. She's also been dying to meet his "pregnant wife." Hisana smiles graciously at Byakuya. She wonders if she'll get to have children with him. She wonders if when she does, if her uncle will follow through on his threat in his disgusting letter.

"I can be ready to leave within a half hour." She says, rushing to the closet. She wonders what could be so urgent that she should come over first thing in the morning. She wonders if there are tests she need to be in his office to take. She remembers he has a small son, a little older than Rukia. Hisana bites her lip as she feels a wave of pain flood her body. I've been spending the past month in heaven and my poor sister's been going through hell.

Hisana rushes through getting dressed and is ready in twenty-two minutes. Byakuya seems like he's anxious to get along with it too. He escorts her to the car and opens the door for her. Hisana smiles shyly at him as she gets into the car. Her shy smile is covering up her thumping heart.

J J J J

"You two sit there, and do not move. At least let us greet them before they fall over in shock at seeing Rukia-chan." Isshin says, poking his son. Earlier that morning, Isshin had gotten video of them sleeping in his bed together, and of them eating breakfast together. The camera was off for now, in the corner of the room. He was going to do his best to flip it on when Ichigo attempts to ask Hisana for Rukia's hand in marriage.

"When will they be here?" Masaki asks, nervously. Her heart is racing due to the stress of explaining Rukia and her presence in their home.

"Byakuya said he and Hisana would be over in under an hour when I spoke to him. So we have that long to be nervous until they show up." Isshin says, sticking his tongue out at Rukia, who giggles at him like he's the funniest thing she's ever seen.

"Stop teasing those children. Oh no, I'm going to be sick!" Masaki's face turns an interesting shade of green before she splits for the bathroom. Ichigo and Rukia laugh at that. Rukia, is getting more and more nervous. She grabs Ichigo's hand and squeezes it tightly. He catches her eye and squeezes her hand back. This is the day they've both been dreading. Isshin follows his wife.

"Honey, are you okay?" He calls out, getting no verbal answer. He waits by the door for her to come out. When she does, he looks at her sympathetically.

"I hope that doesn't happen while they're here," Masaki moans miserably. Hearing giggling coming from the couch, Masaki and Isshin make their way back to the family room, and they find Rukia holding Ichigo in a fierce headlock. Their mouths drop open in shock. She has him in a very secure lock. It doesn't look like a normal headlock either. The kids don't notice them. Rukia lets Ichigo free being merciful.

"No fair, Rukia! How did you do that against my special move?" Ichigo shouts. Rukia grins at him devilishly.

"It's a secret! I'll only tell you after we're married!" Rukia replies, sticking her tongue out at him. Ichigo pouts for a second before sighing.

"Okay." He says. He blushes when he hears his parents bust out laughing.

"Why were you trying your special move on a girl?" Isshin asks suddenly. Ichigo frowns.

"I told her I'd show her what I learned so that she can protect herself if ever she needs to. I would never hurt her!" Ichigo says, feeling embarrassed at his father's question. The doorbell shuts everyone up. Masaki takes a deep breath and joins Isshin at the front door as Rukia and Ichigo scramble back on the couch. Ichigo grabs her hand for comfort as Masaki and Isshin open the door.

Hisana is surprised to see a lovely strawberry blonde woman opening the door next to her doctor. They make a splendid couple. Hisana smiles at the other woman, who appears to be forcing herself to smile. Byakuya is right behind her with a supporting hand on her back.

"Welcome!" Isshin says as jovially as he can muster. His mouth feels really dry all of a sudden as he looks at the beautiful woman in front of him who has been in pain for so long.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, finally." Hisana says to the doctor's wife.

"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine. How are you doing?" Masaki asks Hisana.

"I've improved considerably in the past month. It's all thanks to Kuchiki-sama." Hisana says quietly as she slowly steps into the home.

"That's wonderful," Masaki murmurs. Hisana thinks it's a very cozy house, and not nearly as large at her own parents home or Byakuya's home was, even though they had nearly as much land. It was still a nice modest sized home, perfect for a small family. Hisana takes another step in and looks around. She sees the stairs that lead upward and then as she walks past them, she sees a couch with an orange haired boy and…oh my god!

"Rukia!" Hisana cries out. She feels her legs wobble as Byakuya catches her and stares at the owners of the home. Hisana feels tears running down her cheeks as she stares at her sister who hasn't budged from her spot. "Is it really you?" Hisana asks, before fainting into Byakuya's arms.

"Oh dear," Masaki says, looking worriedly at the scene. Rukia clutches Ichigo's hand as she stares at the man holding her sister so lovingly.

"What's going on here?" Byakuya demands in a low angry voice. Masaki stops him from continuing.

"Of course we will explain, but only after Hisana-san has recovered!" Masaki glares at the young man, who for some reason, nods his head in acceptance. He's not the type of man who argues with pregnant women. Isshin grabs his doctor's bag and pulls out the salts, but Hisana is already opening her eyes. She lets Byakuya hold her as she stares at the small girl sitting next to the orange haired boy. She feels like her entire body must be shaking.

"Rukia! It's me, Hisana!" Hisana says and Byakuya slowly lets her down as Hisana takes a step towards her sister. Hisana stops in her tracks when she sees fear and anger in her tiny sister's eyes. She stops and looks back at Isshin, uncertain. Byakuya speaks for her.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Byakuya exclaims in an annoyed voice. "I'd like an explanation!" Masaki cuts him off again.

"Please calm down. There are small children in the room!" She snaps at him. She sighs. "Please, I'd like you both to have a seat. It's a long story, and I'm sure Hisana-san doesn't want us to leave anything out. Am I right, Hisana-san?" Masaki asks the girl with a genuinely friendly smile. Hisana nods, gratefully.

"Ichigo, please introduce yourself to Hisana and tell her the same story you told us when we discovered Rukia in your room for the first time last night." Isshin says, causing Hisana to gasp and give the boy her full attention. Ichigo stands and shuffles his feet nervously.

"I am Kurosaki Ichigo, Pleasure to meet you." Ichigo says in a pleasant voice. Rukia is still gripping his hand tightly as he bows his head to her sister. Hisana bows her head in return, and Byakuya wants to snap at them to get on with it but doesn't for Hisana's sake.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm very anxious to hear this story." Hisana says patiently, looking at the boy her sister is holding onto so tightly.

"It was a long time ago now, but it was the middle of the night and I was spending the night in my tree house. I woke up to the sound of a girl crying and when I stuck my head out of my tree house, I saw her, sitting up against the tree crying." Ichigo jerks his free thumb towards Rukia as he says her. "I climbed down on my rope to see what was wrong, and she told me she was being chased by bad guys." Ichigo says quietly as realization dawns on Hisana. He met her the night she met Byakuya! She sits forward, intent on hearing the boy's story.

"Go on," she says encouragingly, with a small smile, compelling Ichigo to continue.

"She got really scared because the forest got quiet. She told me the bad guys were chasing her so I took her up into my secret hideout, my tree house. I pulled the rope up and we sat there quietly for a really long time while the bad guys looked all around. They even passed right below us where we were in the tree. They even went as far as our house. They stayed around looking for her for a really long time. She begged me to hide her until you came for her. She said you promised you'd find her, and so she begged me not to tell anybody where she was." Ichigo explains. Hisana feels the blood draining from her face. Isshin speaks up.

"My son and your sister spent at least a week sleeping in the tree house. Ichigo would bring your sister food and coloring books with crayons to occupy her time when he had to come inside. We didn't mind letting him spend the week out there because we were so intent on our mission." Isshin says gently, for fear she thinks they're bad parents. Hisana just nods. Masaki speaks next.

"Ichigo snuck Rukia-chan into the house early in the morning when we were both asleep, and she began living in his room. It seems she hid in the closet a lot for fear of being found, and my son vowed to protect her the day the men were searching for her in the woods." Masaki explains gently. Hisana looks at Rukia.

"I'm so glad you're safe." She says softly to her sister who is now standing side by side with Ichigo, still not letting go of his hand. Hisana feels hurt. She thought for sure, her sister would run into her arms.

"Why didn't you come for me like you promised?" Rukia asks accusingly. Hisana's eyes widen.

"I'm sorry! I thought, our uncle…he left a note…I'm so sorry, Rukia! I should have scoured those woods searching for you! I know that's what you were waiting for wasn't it? You didn't know who to trust did you?" Hisana feels tears coming to her eyes as she feels so guilty.

"There's one more thing." Ichigo says in a very strange voice for a small boy. Hisana drags her eyes over to him, to the boy who saved her sister from unimaginable hell. She is oblivious to Isshin sliding over to the video camera and switching it on.

Byakuya notices and scowls at the doctor, but doesn't say anything. Ichigo takes a deep breath as he meets Hisana's eyes.

"I promised Rukia…I promised her, that I would marry her!" Ichigo says uncertainly at first but with gusto in the end. Hisana blinks as her sister nods her head yes furiously.

"Pardon?" Hisana says, for lack of anything better to say. Rukia glares at Hisana.

"Omiai." Rukia says simply and calmly. Hisana feels Byakuya jump up next to her.

"What?" He nearly shouts. Hisana grabs his hand and pulls him down when she sees Ichigo jump in fear and Rukia cower back and glare at him.

"I want to marry him. He saved my life and protected me. He promised me he would protect me forever." Rukia says. Ichigo steps forward and pulls Rukia with him a step closer towards Hisana.

"We need your approval." Ichigo says simply. Hisana can hardly believe he's only four years old. It's like he's a tiny adult. Hisana feels a small smile. She understands exactly how her sister feels. Hisana can feel a path to victory.

"If I were to agree to this, would you forgive me, Rukia?" Hisana asks, her voice breaking. Rukia's eyes widen and she starts to smile.

"Yes!" Rukia says in a near shout. She squeezes his hand tighter. Hisana nods her head in acquiescence. Ichigo and Rukia look at each other and hug each other tightly. They let go of one another and Rukia runs into her sister's arms. Byakuya takes this moment to speak up.

"Unfortunately though, Rukia will be moving far away within a week from when Hisana and I return from our honeymoon." Byakuya's announcement causes a gasp from Rukia.

"What?" Rukia cries. Hisana immediately seeks to calm her. "We aren't getting married until the end of March. If the doctor and his wife are okay with it, you can spend Christmas here, and you can stay here during my honeymoon, and Ichigo can come over on your birthday! We're only going to be leaving because of my future husband's work and for safety reasons. Especially now that we have you. We can't have uncle making another attempt!" Hisana says trying to calm her sister. Masaki nods her head supportively.

"Of course she can spend Christmas with us. Christmas Eve too, if you like." Masaki says, as the two kids both start to cry. Hisana feels badly for them as she shoots an annoyed look at Byakuya, her first ever. Byakuya realizes he messed up her reunion with her sister. Byakuya sighs.

"If you'd like, we can certainly arrange for Rukia to spend two weeks in the summer with you, and he's more than welcome to come visit her for a week or two out of the year, but until their Miai-gekkon they'll have very little contact with one another. I'd also like to request for the sakes of the children in the future that they have a traditional Miai and odeto before the Yui-no Miai-gekkon. They may change their minds in the future." Byakuya says, earning him a dark glare from Rukia. He's a little surprised at her intensity, she's just a small child.

Rukia doesn't stop there, she sticks out her tongue at him. Hisana chokes back a giggle at her sister's outrageous behavior. Isshin steps forward getting everyone's attention since he's been by the running camera since Ichigo made his request.

"A friend of mine should be here shortly with the basic paperwork and to add any other appropriate stipulations then. I already gave my approval last night when they asked me." Isshin says with a grin. Hisana smiles at him.

"We'd also like to keep Rukia's recovery a secret from the world until the day Hisana and I are married." Byakuya says quietly.

"Does that mean I can stay here?" Rukia asks excitedly. Masaki laughs. Byakuya doesn't think it's a bad idea. Hisana wants her sister back but she understands. Someone could be keeping an eye on their home, and it would be better not to reveal they have Rukia until the wedding.

"We'd be happy to keep her here until your honeymoon is over. This way we can get a lot more precious video so that they never forget each other." Isshin says with a grin. Masaki smiles too.

"Hisana-san, if you need someplace to stay the night before your wedding, you're welcome here as well." Masaki says graciously. Hisana smiles.

"Would you like to stay here awhile longer?" Hisana asks Rukia. Rukia grins and nods at her sister in happiness. "Can you run home and get the spare clothes of Rukia's that I took with me?" Hisana asks Byakuya. He nods his head stiffly and leaves the room. Rukia sticks her tongue out at him some more as he leaves. Once he's gone, Rukia runs up to Hisana.

"Why do you love him?" Rukia asks sourly. Hisana smiles.

"He saved my life and protected me. I couldn't help but to fall in love with him." Hisana replies quietly. Rukia nods and Hisana smiles. "I knew you would understand." Hisana looks at Ichigo. "Thank you for saving my sister's life." She says to the boy who blushes in response.

"You're welcome," Ichigo mumbles. He looks up at her and notices her eyes are the same color as Rukia's.

"You were very brave. We're very lucky you happened to be around, or terrible things might have happened." Hisana says, leaning down and kissing Ichigo on the cheek. Ichigo blushes furiously.

"Um," Ichigo stammers, but doesn't get anything out. He blushes harder and looks down. Isshin laughs, and Ichigo starts fidgeting with his fingers since he hadn't expected to be kissed by Rukia's older sister.

"You're embarrassing him! Do you want to see the video from last night?" He asks Hisana. She nods happily. Isshin rewinds the tape and pops it in the VCR. It starts up and Isshin asks his son to repeat his request and Ichigo starts shouting that he'll marry Rukia because he promised to. Hisana feels guilty and a bit awkward at the part where Rukia wonders why her sister hasn't looked for her. The lawyer shows up awhile later and Rukia and Ichigo let Hisana and his parents sign their futures away to one another, for a future of wedded bliss.

J J J J

"Everything is perfect! Rukia is safe and sound and I am engaged to the most wonderful man ever!" Hisana says as she enters his home, twirling around in a quick circle. Byakuya's eyes widen at seeing her so completely happy, with nothing to bring her down.

"You're breathtaking." Byakuya says in a low voice before he grabs her and kisses her passionately on the mouth. She lets out a tiny gasp when he kisses her and that's all he needs to deepen the kiss. Hisana starts feeling her knees get weak as his hands travel up and down her back.

"Byakuya-sama!" Hisana whispers in shock when he finally pulls away.

"I must be the luckiest man alive to be marrying you," he says softly before grabbing her hand and kissing the top of it. Hisana's eyes soften and she looks into his eyes.

"I'm the lucky one, to have found a man as wonderful, chivalrous, and caring as you are." She whispers back. "March seems like it's too far away. I can't wait until the day you are finally my husband," Hisana says in a soft but emotional voice.

"I'm sure your sister will be okay with the Kurosaki family for the time being." Byakuya says. Hisana gives him a sad smile.

"I know that's what Rukia wanted, and after losing both of her parents at such a young age, I couldn't deny her anything she wanted if it was in my power to give it to her. I can't even imagine the terror those kids went through in the forest." Hisana says with a shudder.

"I am still trying to figure out how a four year old was able to adequately care for a three year old for over two months. Part of me thinks they should be very ashamed that they didn't realize it, and the other part of me wonders whether or not it's fair to think that since like us, they believed Rukia had been kidnapped." Byakuya says thoughtfully.

"I can understand why they didn't want to scare their son with the story about the pedophile, but it's ironic that if they had just told him, we might have known Rukia was safe a long time ago." Hisana says, biting her lip. "But that boy, wasn't he just the sweetest thing? I couldn't help but to think he was absolutely adorable." Hisana says, a smile filling her face at the memory of his asking her permission to marry Rukia. "I'm so lucky he saved my sister from being taken by my uncle."

For the first time since her uncle broke into her home, Hisana slept without nightmares.

J J J J

"I don't like him." Rukia announces to Ichigo in his room.

"Who?" Ichigo asks, confused.

"My sister's husband to be." Rukia says, clenching her tiny fists.

"Why?" Ichigo asks, he hadn't paid that much attention to the man. He had seemed like he was in a bad mood.

"He's not nice like your Mom and Dad. He's only nice to her." Rukia explains. "I don't think he liked me, either. I'm glad I'm here with you and not with him now." Rukia adds. Ichigo grins at her.

"Me too." Ichigo says, as he sits on his bed. Rukia looks at some of the new toys that Masaki went into town for.

They decided that keeping Rukia in the house was best, Byakuya was arranging for her whereabouts to be secret from the press, and from the local police, since he thought they were more useless than American mall security officers.

"I'm mad that he's going to take me far away." Rukia says softly.

"I don't like that either." Ichigo admits, as he stares at his official wife to be. Masaki walks into the room and smiles at the children.

"Are you two getting hungry? Dinner is going to be ready soon, why don't the two of you come downstairs?" She asks in a soft voice. They both smile at her.

"Okay!" Ichigo responds, he jumps off of his bed and takes Rukia's hand and they walk downstairs. Isshin is sitting on the couch watching TV when they come down. He grins at them hand in hand. He's glad Masaki picked up a bunch of blank tapes so that he can keep his word and gets lots of video for the two to remember each other by when Rukia moves away.

"There's the cute couple!" Isshin says with a big smile as they walk around the staircase. Rukia's eyes light up at the sight of him.

"Tell me another joke!" Rukia shouts in anticipation. Isshin appears to be thinking for a second before he looks at her seriously.

"What kind of bone will a dog never eat?" He asks her. Rukia shakes her head like she doesn't know.

"A trombone!" Isshin responds, causing Rukia and Ichigo to giggle.

"One more!" Rukia shouts.

"Okay…what do you do if you find a gorilla sleeping in your bed?" He asks them

"I don't know, what?" Rukia shouts enthusiastically.

"Sleep somewhere else!" Isshin shouts, causing her to giggle some more. Rukia has found that she loves Isshin's happy demeanor, and she loves Masaki's soft sweet nature. Rukia feels like she can relate to both of them in a way.

"Dinner Time!" Masaki calls out, and the children laugh and run to the table.

J J J J

Late the next morning, Rukia is surprised when her sister comes over and has a flower girl dress for her and a ring bearer's tux for Ichigo. Hisana wants both of them to be in the wedding.

Hisana was upset at first since she has nobody to give her away to Byakuya, but when Isshin offers to do so, as an honorary family member, Hisana gladly accepts. Since he took her sister in, he has become a dear friend of hers, someone she counts lucky to know.

"I won't be in town at Christmas or New Years. Byakuya-sama is taking me so that I can start making decisions on the decorations for our soon to be home. Will you try these on for me, so that I have one less thing to worry about?" Hisana asks. Rukia's confused since Christmas is still a month away, but she nods anyways and grabs Ichigo's hand.

"Come on, lets try these on for my sister." Rukia says, yanking him up to her room.

"Okay." Ichigo says and allows himself to be dragged. Hisana looks at Masaki.

"You don't know how guilty I feel that we're going to be moving so far away. I want Rukia to know how much she adores Ichigo, I don't want her to forget." Hisana says, with a worried look in her eyes.

"Isshin was worried about that too. He's already got a full tape of video between them. We don't plan on letting you leave town without copies for Rukia to watch so that they never forget each other." Masaki says, smiling at the other woman.

"I'm afraid that Byakuya is already talking about enrolling her into some American Japanese Schools so that her English is fluent." Hisana says in a whisper. "If that happens, there might be several years where they aren't able to communicate due to the difference in time, and depending on our activities. It's Byakuya's hope to be Prime Minister one day." Hisana admits, as she waits for her sister and Ichigo to reappear.

"I'm sure everything will be okay. We won't let Ichigo forget about his promise. We'll make sure he remembers her." Masaki assures the other woman who looks so worried.

"I am in love with Byakuya, but I'm scared, that my decision to be happy and be with him isn't the best decision for Rukia. I'm afraid he's going to raise her like she's a noble, and I hope she doesn't resent me for it," Hisana says in a nervous voice.

"The wonderful thing though, about being married to a man that is totally in love with you, like you and I are, is that they'll go practically any lengths to make you happy." Masaki says gently, trying to make Hisana aware of the power she possesses as Byakuya's intended. "Make sure you do what you can to keep her happy, you have the power, you know." Masaki adds. Hisana's eyes widen at that realization.

"I never even considered that. I was just quietly worrying." Hisana admits with an embarrassed flush.

"Does your sister have any training in any martial arts?" Masaki asks suddenly, causing Hisana's eyebrow to raise.

"Dad started to teach her just before he died. He never taught me, but Rukia has always been a very energetic child, at least when our father was alive. Dad traveled when he was younger, before he met Mom, and he had been trained in a special style of Jiu-jitsu. He started training her in the spring and then he died two weeks before our uncle attacked." Hisana says slowly.

"Rukia has expressed interest in being able to protect herself. I think one way for you to keep her happy would be to find out what style she started to learn and re-enroll her in it. Isshin and I walked in the room to find Rukia very effectively holding Ichigo in a headlock when they were playing." Masaki says remembering how her son had been shocked at Rukia's ability to get past his special move. "It might do wonders for her confidence too." Masaki says. Hisana nods excitedly.

"I remember what it was called now! "Gracie Jiu-jitsu!" Hisana sings out. "You're right, I think that will be one of my first priorities, to make sure Rukia continues martial arts training. I think father would be pleased too." Hisana says, feeling better.

They hear the kids coming downstairs and both women's hands go to their chest when they see how adorable Rukia and Ichigo look all dressed up.

"You look so cute!" Hisana says in a happy voice clapping her hands together happily. It's at this moment that Isshin enters the room. His eyes widen at the sight of Rukia and Ichigo in their wedding attire, and he makes a mad dash for the video camera.

"They really do!" Masaki says, laughing merrily. Isshin has the video camera in a flash.

"Okay kids, strike a pose!" Isshin yells. Rukia grins and grabs Ichigo and kisses him on the cheek. Ichigo, not to be outdone, grabs her back and kisses her on the mouth. All the adults mouths fall open as Rukia grabs his face and kisses him back.

"Wow, I didn't think they'd take you so seriously!" Hisana breathes wide eyed at their open affection for one another.

"He loves me." Rukia snickers as Ichigo pulls away. Ichigo crosses his arms and looks away.

"So? You love me too!" He challenges. Rukia looks at him and smiles.

"Yep." Rukia says smiling.

"Okay kids, get out of those clothes before you ruin them!" Masaki says with a laugh. They all watch as the kids dash upstairs.

"It looked like there was room in the clothes too, in case they grow in the next couple of months." Hisana says, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Are you doing okay? You look a bit stressed out." Isshin says, sitting down on the couch to join the women. Hisana sighs.

"Planning this wedding is starting to get stressful. Byakuya-sama knows so many people, and his family knows even more. I'm afraid my parents always kept us tucked away, and you two are the closest family friends that I have." Hisana says a bit sadly. "Plus I'm worried about how Rukia will adjust to the change. Byakuya-sama is very different from our father or the two of you. He even asked me if I'd want him to adopt Rukia." Hisana says, "It's a lot all at once."

"If you need any help, advice, or a friend to shop with, please call me, I'd be happy to help you out." Masaki offers with a gracious smile.

"I appreciate that very much. I am sure to be taking you up on that offer." Hisana says, smiling in relief. "Thank you so much for everything that you've done for my sister and myself. You don't know how much it means to me!" Hisana says, surprised when a tear falls from her eyes.

"We should thank you for not thinking the worst of us, since our son was hiding your sister for so long and we didn't even notice it!" Masaki says, quickly going over to the other woman and offering her a hug.

"I could never think such a thing! You are a lot like my mother, and you sir, in some ways are like my father. Although you're a lot more cheerful, and perhaps a little bit more energetic than he was. It's easy to see why Rukia loves you all so much." Hisana says smiling at the couple she has come to love and respect.

"We consider you both to be family. You and Rukia are always welcome here." Masaki says with feeling. Isshin nods energetically to show they're united in this belief.

"It's encouraging to know that such wonderful people exist in this world. Rukia's already been exposed to too much evil for a child of three." Hisana says sadly.

"I'm sorry that you've been through so much, please don't hesitate to call if you need anything at all!" Masaki says. Hisana thanks her and her sister comes dashing downstairs. Hisana kisses Rukia before leaving.