A/N: Hi, thank you so much to all my gorgeous readers who have commented and read my story! Thanks to Renrukifanforlife, Taichichaser2000, Fireworksfeelings, and Moonblossom15 for all the support and great comments. I don't own Bleach-sorry!

Chapter 10

Byakuya felt extremely foolish as he walked slowly down the grand corridors that led to the Elder's meeting chambers, trying desperately to delay the meeting by any means possible. Why did he feel foolish? It was because he felt scared- that's right, the great Byakuya Kuchiki who had mercilessley killed and maimed hollows was scared! He knew that this meeting with the Elder's was not going to be pretty, especially when he was bringing Hisana with him! He looked down at his small fiancé who seemed to tremble next to him, her eyes were wide and her face drained of colour. All too soon the large polished wooden doors of the Elder's chambers loomed at them, Byakuya turned round and grabbed Hisana's shoulder's gently, tipping her chin up to look at him "Hisana, no matter what happens, I love you" he whispered gently before placing a chaste kiss on her trembling lips, she simply nodded, her beautiful orbs full of worry. Grabbing her hand tightly Byakuya led the way into the Elder's chambers, his head held high and his heart pounding ferociously.

As soon as Byakuya entered the grandly decorated chambers the Elder's stopped their desperate whsipering and became immediately silent, their eyes were wide with shock, and a few, scowled at Hisana, making her tremble and hide behind Byakuya shyly. He gave her small hand a tight squeeze of reassurance before leading them to the middle of the room, adressing the Elder's politely. "Thank you for gathering, I have something important to request of you". the Elder's looked at each other curiosuly before turning back to the young heir, nodding their heads, urging him to go on. Byakuya took a deep breath and stood to the side, exposing Hisana to the Elder's "I wish to marry Hisana". The faces of the Elder's soon hardened in shock and anger- how dare he come to their chambers and request a marriage to a commoner, not just a commoner- his own personal maid! Byakuya kept his head held high, his pride would not allow him to back down, he would never back down- this was too important to him. One of the oldest Elder's spoke first, his face surprisingly calm, yet his aged eyes bore anger and dissappointment "Byakuya, you cannot be serious, you cannot marry someone of such low status, think of your reputation" the Elder begged, willing him to see sense. "I am deadly serious, I care not about Hisana's status or my own reputation, I wish only to wed her" Byakuya's voice was hard, forcing his point into the Elder's brains- he would not take no for an answer. "My lord, she is but mere trash, Rukongai scum, she will never be worth anything" another Elder hissed, at his comment Hisana's head dropped in shame and a single tear slid down her pale cheek, Byakuya's fists tightened "Hisana may be from Rukongai, but her heart is purer than any noble woman" he spat, his face contorted into stoic rage, his slate eyes burned with passion. "ENOUGH! Byakuya, if you wish to be with this woman, then take her as your courtesan, your wedding to Ms. Aika will go as planned" the Elder whispered dangerously, his steely glance mocked the couple. "No, I will marry Hisana, I am the next Kuchiki heir, and anyone who dares disrespect her, on their head so be it" with that Byakuya gave the most dangerously cold look he could to the rest of the Elder's, making them cower in their seats, grabbing Hisana's hand he led them both out of the chambers, not wanting to hear what the rest of them had to say, he had made his point and now he was leaving without so much as a second glance.

Outside of the chambers they could both relax, the meeting was over, the anger and burning emotions had been spilled. However, Hisana couldn't relax as much as her fiancé, the harsh words of the Elder's and their mocking glares swirled round in her head, tormenting her. She knew that Byakuya loved her for who she was but the Elder's words were true, she was just trash from Rukongai and Byakuya would be better off without her. Smooth hands on her waist cut her thoughts short as she adjusted her gaze up to Byakuya's handsome face, a small, scared smile played on her lips- before he hungrily claimed them! The kiss didn't last long, for both of them feared getting caught when the Elder's decided to file out of the chambers. Once their lips had solemly parted Byakuya pushed a stray ebony lock from her face, chuckling when it stubbornly returned. "Hisana, their words are not even worth your thoughts, we will be married" she nodded and placed the gentlest of kisses on his cheek before they parted ways. Hisana walked slowly down the corridors, her mind reeling from the events of the day, trying to calm her overwhelmed emotions and thudding heart. Her mind came to a dead stop as she replayed Byakuya's words "we will be married" she sighed sadly "oh Byakuya, I am not sure that we will" she whispered sadly, small tears making gilstening streaks down the milky canvas of her skin, she was only glad that she was alone, she didn't want pity or reassurance and she was sure that nobody wanted to listen to her emotions, most people in this house either hated her or regarded her as unimportant or merely invisible (much to the anoyance of Byakuya) she turned a corner, her head drooped forlornely as her mind once more began to swirl round the day like a record stuck on replay. And that's when the Elder appeared before her, stopping her dead in her tracks, Hisana's eyes widened in shock as the Elder addressed her "come with me" scared to refuse Hisana's head lowered and she followed the Elder back towards the chambers, her mind desperately trying to find a reason as to why they wanted her.