Hello again. I've been busy with some GinRan one-shots lately but here I am once again vigorously writing this fic! =] Thanks for the kind reviews. They really kept me going. In fact, I'm already halfway through Chapter 9 (yay us!)

Just so you know, the name of this chapter has no relation to the plot. I was just compelled to put it there because I have just decided to write an AU fic about ByaRuki, in which they are the kings and queens of a faraway land (no, the story will not be as lame as it sounds).

Okay, once again: Bleach and its characters do not belong to me.

Some of my OC's from Chapter 1 are in this chapter, so you might want to do a little bit of revision.

Remember to read and review.


CHAPTER 8: QUEEN OF HEARTS

It was just pass noon when she finally blinked her eyes open. He was serenely working on his paperwork, his desk facing the futon she lay in. "Welcome home, Nii-sama," she gave him a belated greeting, dreamily watching him as he paused and grunted softly in reply.

"I…oh!" Rukia sat up straight as her eyes grew wide in realisation. "I didn't mean that, as in, I forgot!"

"Rest, or get the servants to bring in food," he replied without looking up from his paper. He was simply too busy to engage in playful arguments, though he didn't mind giving her a guilt trip for calling him 'brother' again.

There was a long silence and he finally lifted his gaze out of curiousity. She still sat in his bed, fatigued, but her eyes shone brightly and she was grinning at him. "What, Rukia?"

"I'm just glad to see Byakuya-sama looking so…normal. It's nostalgic—feels like what our lives used to be like before the engagement," her smile dimmed and she inhaled deeply before asking, "and where have you been? Was the mission successful?"

"The Southern Forest, where a long forgotten Himura clan resides," he replied monotonously, "and yes, it was."

"Oh." She was visibly disappointed by his lack of explanation, her head lowered and her voice laced with defeat. She left his room to freshened up and an hour later, with her hunger quenched and spirit renewed, she plopped herself down on the futon again and waited.

He sighed and stacked the documents neatly, putting away his brush and inkwell. "I talked to Yamamotou Sou-taicho about the wedding," he then suddenly said, successfully gaining her attention. "He made it clear that he will not intervene in noble dealings unless it concerns the wellbeing of Seireitei, which in this case, it does. He expressed his gratitude and support for our clan's well-timed marriage proposal, for it might halt the Seiryus from leaving too soon."

That doesn't sound like good news, does it? Rukia nodded in response, much like an attentive child in school.

"However, I voiced my objection and of course, I had to present him with a new plan to solve the building material crisis. Surprisingly a brief negotiation was all it takes for him to agree to a deal: I will find him a new spirit particle manufacturer that serves as a Seiryu replacement and in return, the Gotei 13 and Central 46 will allow the annulment of the engagement," Byakuya finished his explanation just as emotionlessly, his eyes searching hers for a reaction.

"So the mission… You found the Himuras?" Rukia's tone heightened in excitement, her eyes alive and burning bright.

"I did, and they were sent to be interviewed by Yamamoto Sou-taicho. They were easy to deal with, being a minor noble clan which has little contribution over the past century."

She stood up and half-ran to him, and he readied himself for a hug. Upon contact, Rukia buried her face in the crook of his neck, his scarf soft against her cheek. He patted her back and allowed himself a small smile, but there was so much more left on his mind.

"Rukia," he started, "this is definitely a good start but when I said 'allow the annulment' it doesn't necessary mean a guaranteed termination of the engagement. What we have now is the simple consent from the Gotei and Central 46 to unlawfully break the agreement of marriage, not direct intervention. In other words, we will still have to deal with the Elders."

She untangled herself from his arms, worry slowly etching itself back to her features. "I see."

"Nevertheless you would be happy to know that in view of our family's loyal services and the fact that he wishes to keep you as a shinigami, Yamamoto Sou-taicho has accepted my personal request, if all else fails." Three days is too short a time to get through the thick skulls of the Elders.

"What request…" her question died as he placed his hands behind her head, then tracing the outline of her ears in a soothing gesture. She leaned forward, unsuspectingly and subconsciously twirling the end of his scarf.

"Now tell me, did he touch you?" Byakuya's moved a hand down her jaw and tilted her chin so that they are eye-to-eye.

She became suddenly alarmed by his change of topic. Who? Shishio?

"Seiryu Shishio," he clarified, as though reading her thoughts.

"No," she replied uneasily, her eyes darting away from his face. That kiss doesn't count.

"I read your letter," he said matter-of-factly, fighting the smirk he was about to form as she blushed in embarrassment, "and you said he reminded you of me. How so?"

"Byakuya-sama, he is nothing like you, if that's what you are worried about," she countered, silently hoping that he would drop the topic entirely. But she should have known, Kuchiki Byakuya was the Kuchiki Byakuya, stubborn from the very minute he was born.

"I am not the slightest bit deterred by the possibility of him resembling me in any manner. It is his actions that trouble me, Rukia. I've heard rumours. The servants are never good at keeping secrets, you know that. So don't lie. Tell me, what did he do?"

"Nothing." She turned her head away, a futile effort, for his grip on her tightened and she was once again forced to look into his grey eyes.

"Rukia," his voice was stern and hard with controlled anger, "did he do anything, at all, that only I am allowed to do to you?" It was the ultimatum, the question that took only honesty as answers.

She instinctively shut her eyes from him and sighed. "He kissed me. I didn't want him to."

He didn't move, nor did he say anything in reply. Without her sight aiding her to read his emotions, she remained still as well, waiting for the next thing to happen.

"That will never happen again," Byakuya finally spoke, his demeanor chilly and frosted by hidden emotions. She felt a rush of adrenaline and perhaps pure fear along her spine. Fear for herself or the man who forced a kiss on her, she did not know.

"Hnn," her voice was small. Before she knew it, her back was against the desk, his hand behind her head to cushion her fall, and her body was flushed against his. She gasped in surprise, and that opening was his cue to give her a dominating kiss.


"Oh, you know us well, Kuchiki-sama. We don't compromise for the sake of your personal reasons," a bearded elder gave the Head of the Clan a deadpan stare. Byakuya didn't take the sarcasm lightly, and fixed a dangerous stare in defiance.

"Such a disgraceful request! We Kuchikis stay true to our word, always!"

"The one time we accepted your immature request, we didn't even get an heir out of it," a woman added. Byakuya turned his head to her. It was Subame.

"I believe that being noble does not denote that we are beings that simply reproduce for the sake of increasing Soul Society's population," he retorted cooly. "Which reminds me, you don't seem to particularly excel in the reproduction department yourself, Subame."

"That's….irrelevant, Kuchiki-sama!" Subame reddened in anger and shame while Yukina, seated next to her, snickered as politely as she could master.

"I'm glad that you realise so," Byakuya replied.

A man stood up and cleared his throat.

"You wish to speak, Ryoga?" Byakuya toned his words with moderation as he directed his attention to his great uncle, Kuchiki Ryoga.

"Kuchiki-sama, even though the authorities permit the termination of the engagement between your sister and the Seiryu master, it is still highly inappropriate to break it off just four days before the wedding. And such elaborate plans have been set in motion just for the sake of this union. Moreover, I've heard that Rukia has been getting along well with her fiancé. There is simply no need…"

"She doesn't love him," Byakuya interrupted.

"Perhaps she will? The Seiryu representatives who attended a meeting informed us that their young master is very happy with the wedding arrangement. He is capable of providing her with proper care and… the love that you so highly regard in a marriage. Please do not worry, Kuchiki-sama."

"Rukia has made it very clear that she is not in love with Seiryu," Byakuya paused thoughtfully, searching for the best vocabulary, "in fact, she is now in bed, still ill from the depressing marriage arrangement. You should have noticed her recent change."

"Oh yes," Yukina joined in, "she did not eat and the maids reported that she did not sleep well either."

Ryoga spoke again, "There's hope of her recovering, but there certainly is no hope of saving the clan's reputation if we call off the wedding at this point."

"I am willing to risk the reputation for the physical and mental health of my sister. We will not be committing a crime. The Central 46 has made it so. Our reputation is not at stake. Great uncle, you are implying that I should go against a vow I've made to my late wife in favour of a superficial agreement made with a lesser clan. You are asking me to abandon the pride and reputation of the Head of the Clan. This, I cannot accept."

"I…am sorry." The elderly man bowed in defeat and returned to his seat. But more voices bombarded Byakuya in the hall.

"Outrageous! Kuchiki-sama, Ryoga-sama has a point there…" someone half-yelled.

"Your late wife has already claimed her rights during her stay in our clan. The agreement with the Seiryus is definitely worth more consideration in the current situation. Obviously…" a mumble followed by the sounds of agreement.

"My, my…" Yukina rubbed her temples as she eyed her surroundings.

"You are perhaps overly concern… Rukia is capable of performing the duties of Lady Seiryu…"

"I don't see the point of this meeting. A mere girl from nowhere, causing us this mess!" A woman made wide circular motions in the air with her arms, appearing upset.

"Kuchiki-sama," Yukina's voice, firm and loud, successfully silenced the others. "Do tell us, why are you doing this?"

"I've made my reasons clear," Byakuya, appreciative of the calmed atmosphere, replied plainly.

"Your worry for Rukia's wellbeing is not a sufficient reason, because worries are abstract, immeasurable and unfortunately limited to the very few here who truly care about her. You are not winning this battle with such a pathetic explanation," his aunt elaborated, her eyes displaying a scheming gleam.

Byakuya narrowed his eyes at her, unsure of what to say.

"Do tell us, your real reasons of disapproving the upcoming wedding. Why are you worrying so exceedingly? Is Seiryu Shishio not compatible with your sister? Did he not impress you? Aren't you being biased?"

"The problem lies with Rukia, not Seiryu. She is unfortunately incapable of loving him."

"That does not mean she can't be a good wife to him. And Shishio-sama seems like a very tolerant man," Yukina smiled widely at her nephew. Just say it, Byakuya.

A suffocating silence followed and dragged on for a couple of minutes.

"I love my sister and I do not wish to send her away. It is too soon, in my opinion. Her reluctance to wed has convinced me that a cancellation is due," Byakuya finally replied. Surely half truths will satisfy you, Yukina?

"You love your sister, but do you love her as a brother?" Yukina questioned confidently.

And the hall exploded with exclamations.


Countdown to the wedding: 4 Days!


NEXT:

RENJI AND ICHIGO AGAIN! A CONFRONTATION WITH BYAKUYA!


THIS CHAPTER IS MOSTLY EXPLANATORY AND I HOPE IT DIDN'T BORE YOU TOO MUCH. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! THANKS AGAIN, TO THOSE WHO ARE FOLLOWING THIS FIC. I'M GLAD THAT MY STYLE OF WRITING APPEALS TO YOU. DO CHECK OUT MY GINRAN ONE-SHOTS. MY LATEST, 'DUST IN THE WIND' FEATURES BYARUKI TOO.