Sorry it took so long, it seems like i have been writing this chapter for ages! So we see the first insight into Yuki and Byakuya's childhood and Jūshirō has decide what to do. What will he do? Read to find more in the upcoming chapters to find out!
Chapter Nine
Yuki and Byakuya's Childhood and
Noble Negotiation
Jūshirō slowly sat down in the comfortable chair on the opposite side of the polished oak desk in front of him. His palms were moist and his heartbeat was starting to rise rapidly. His eyes darted around the room, desperately trying to focus on something. He listened to the steady tick of the clock as head captain Yamamoto sat down in his seat himself on the other side of the table. Jūshirō turned to face him as he was addressed.
"Captain Ukitake" he started, "Thank you for joining me."
Jūshirō nodded, "That's fine."
Shigekuni gave a weak smile before delivering the news to captain whom he had trained and poured so much faith into all those years ago.
"Jūshirō" he said in a more relaxed manor, "As I said earlier at the meeting, there has been talk from the Rukongai of mutiny and trouble, sprouting from the fortune tellers and the priests. As you know, I am not one for believing in the day to day poppycock and rumours floating about however…" he hesitated as Jūshirō shifted in his seat, "I can't ignore the lack of support from the lower noble clans. As you claimed the Ukitake family have always supported the noble clans however your allies do not. I know that they do not trust our way of negotiation, preferring physical rather than verbal methods of sorting matters out. That is why I believe that a solid, concrete way of getting their support is needed."
Jūshirō nodded wondering what he meant by this.
"I believe it is in all of our best interest that the Ukitake clan make a binding contract with the Yamamoto family, this will show lower clans that are your allies that you have utmost faith and confidence in the Yamamoto clan and it will encourage them to join us if these rumours were true" he smiled as he tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.
Jūshirō sat for a moment he looked around confused, he had a theory but he couldn't believe for a second that he was suggesting this.
"If you catch my drift," he finally concluded
Jūshirō's eyes opened wider a fraction, and his heart beat quickened more, he couldn't tell whether it was disbelief or excitement.
He scanned the room until he found the vase of flowers; he stared at them for a few seconds before looking back at the head captain who nodded at him, confirming his theory.
Jūshirō was gripped with anxiousness and worry, he couldn't be possibly suggesting that he and Yuki…made a binding contract, the only kind of contract they could make to make peace and allies was through, marriage. Jūshirō shook his head slightly unable to comprehend what he was saying. Sure, he was coming to grips with his feelings and growing attractions but he couldn't fling himself into this, and what about Yuki? She certainly doesn't feel the same way; she would probably be horrified about this marrying someone old enough to be her father?
"W-With all due respect" Jūshirō started to stutter, "I-I want as much as the next person to all get along with everybody else and for everybody to support everybody else but… I feel we should try another way of negotiation."
Shigekuni continued to smile as he watched Jūshirō blush slightly, desperately trying to cover up his feelings and trying to suggest what would be best for Yuki. It wasn't only political reasons that he wanted this to go through, he deeply trusted Jūshirō and he knew Yuki would be in safe hands with him. It is never easy to give your pride and joy over to marriage but he could think of no one better to hand her to than the man sitting before him.
In all honesty if things didn't work there was a backup, but it was a long shot and there would have to be a huge force of attraction to make that one work.
"I understand" he continued, "However I have tried various methods of negotiation and all have failed. I strongly believe that this is a way forward."
"B-But what about Miss Yamamoto? I believe that she should have a say in this as well, we can't force her into marriage with her own captain, she wouldn't be happy and…" Jūshirō tried to say.
"My granddaughter" he cut Jūshirō off, "Is fully aware of the situation and wouldn't think twice about doing something if it meant peace. She knows her status and she knows what she must do to protect it."
"Yes that might be so but she won't be happy, she needs to marry someone she loves and…" Jūshirō ran out of defences, instead he sighed and looked at the flowers again.
Shigekuni smiled as he watched Jūshirō stare at the vase of beautiful tulips.
"Don't sell her short" he laughed, "All those days training in the fields, the late night meetings, the races, helping her pack her things from her dorm room, and all the other things that have been happening between you two have all added up. I believe that she would be happy and as far as I can see if she seems to be happy, it in turn makes you happy."
Jūshirō quickly turned his head to face him again, "How do you know all those things? And…I'm not exactly…in love either."
"Come now, Jūshirō" he said, "I thought you were smarter than this, I have seen you two together and how content you are, the way Yuki comes home every day with smiles and happiness after spending the day at in your squad, working closely with you. I have also heard from Retsu that your health has improved a fraction, since spending time with her. I may be old, but I am not stupid, I have experienced all of this when my daughter was Yuki's age and she fell in love for the first time."
Jūshirō didn't know what to say, he had been defeated in this arena. He was slightly relieved however, he was glad that old man Yama felt this way rather than have a completely opposite attitude towards the matter.
"Of course I'm not forcing you into this and it is completely political" he smiled, "But I would like you to consider it, take a few days off and discuss it with your family. I will expect your answer in a few months unless I hear from Yuki first."
Jūshirō nodded, "Thank you, I will mull it over as it were and I will take my leave immediately and converse it with my family, I will then return in a few days with my answer."
He bowed to Shigekuni before taking his leave, feeling the cold brass handle of the door and pulling it towards him. He was instantly greeted by his brother as he closed the door behind him and walked Takeo outside once more.
"What's wrong?" Takeo asked worriedly, "Your skin colour matches your hair, you've gone really pale."
Jūshirō shook his head unable to talk about it, "I will say when we get home, I will need to spend a few days at home, and there is something I need to discuss with the rest of the family."
Takeo nodded; neither said anything for the whole of the two hour journey back to the main house.
xxxxxxx
As Byakuya silently watched Yuki lean over her balcony rail he was instantly reminded of what was before. She hadn't changed one bit she was her beautiful same, as always. As he trudged through this to say to her he watched as he raised her hand to the ribbon holding her hair. She effortlessly pulled one end of the ribbon so her hair fell out of its strict place; spontaneously bursting with life once more as the white ends glided on the breeze. She tied the ribbon with difficulty to her wrist making him laugh lightly to himself, concentrating to not make a sound. It is just like her, she does the strangest things, he knew that she won't stop until it's safely on her wrist; she has always been stubborn like that, ever since childhood.
Aware that he was running out of time before she turned around and saw him he had two options, knock on the door and walk on egg shells around her trying to tell her or he could take the forward, up-front approach and get it over with. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He scowled to himself at his inability to talk to her, he hadn't been this way since he was hit hot-headed self in his youth, he had never acted this way around Hisana, and he had always been able to communicate with her no matter what the problem at hand was, so why couldn't he talk to Yuki? Well he felt guilty acting like this to start with, he kind of felt like a stalker sneaking around and watching her.
"You don't remember do you" Byakuya asked before he had a chance to stop himself, he had already said the words without meaning to. He had subconsciously decided to take the direct option. As to be expected Yuki jumped ten thousand feet in the air as she cried out in fear. She immediately built up a Kidō, aware that she did not have her Zanpakutō with her. As she turned around ready to fire she saw Captain Kuchiki behind her leaning on her door frame. She immediately dispersed the reiatsu that had built up her Kidō and bowed to him.
"C-Captain Kuchiki, g-gomenasai" she said as she stood straight, "I didn't realise it was you."
Byakuya kept his face straight even though he was sorry that he had scared her so hard. He walked up to the rail and stood next to her. Resenting how he had not apologized for making her jump even when it was entirely his fault. What was he doing here anyway? He has not right to suddenly barge in and shock her to near death! She felt slightly pissed off with him and felt her reiatsu rise a little.
"You don't remember do you" he repeated deciding that this was the best way to handle the situation. To which Yuki didn't reply she felt the coldness behind his voice and the uncaring tone. She didn't know what he has talking about and nor did she want to know. She continued to stare down on the streets below, concentrating on the Shinigami below avoiding his question to which she had no reply anyway.
"I thought as much" he continued, "You were very young and a lot has happened between then and now."
Yuki was utterly confused; she allowed her eyes to wander over to him. The wind was also carrying his hair slightly and showing his well defined chin and face. Yuki had never seen him like this before he looked different, his face looked softer, like he could care for people and he could love. She was soon distracted as Kiyone was making a racket below them. She was yelling and arguing with Sentarō, she sounded tipsy, as usual and she seemed to be headed in the direction of the briefing hall.
It was obvious to Yuki that they had fallen out again and they had gone in search of their beloved Captain who would sort them out.
To Yuki's amazement Byakuya also gave a little laugh as they heard Kiyone shout various words taken from her colorful vocabulary. Who knew the word 'bastard' could be so funny when shouted across a huge courtyard from the mouth of Kiyone? Yuki instantly turned her head to Byakuya again who was still watching the scene. She squinted her eyes trying to remember something, she recognized that laugh from long ago, as if she had heard it lots of times before. She shook her head and dismissed the idea, it's impossible, isn't it?
"C-Captain Kuchiki" she stuttered, "W-What are you doing here?"
Byakuya turned to face her he knew that the way she addressed him was a little disrespectful but he would let it slide.
"You still haven't answered my question" he replied.
Yuki shifted slightly, she didn't understand his question so she had no idea how to reply. She felt her reiatsu rising further she knew she couldn't take on a captain but she would have to be angry if he was to suddenly turn on her. He both fascinated her and deterred her. He was the type of guy who kept everything to himself and never let anyone in to his life or private world, it made her curious. She was suddenly gripped with the want to know, to know what was behind his 'wall' that he constantly kept up.
She realized that she was staring at him and suddenly snapped out of her sudden want to interrogate him. "Get a grip! What am I doing? He's an emotionless captain and I'm not a psychiatrist! Why am I trying to pry into his life, I have only know him since coming here and I have only met him twice!" she pleaded, she turned her head away from him and hid her face in her hands desperately trying to stop blushing. "Why am I blushing? It's ridiculous! It's not like I fancy him or anything!"
Sensing Yuki's turbulenceByakuya stepped in, "Normally I wouldn't be this kind but since you are a fellow noble and the head Captain's granddaughter, I will make an exception, I will answer your question first before you answer mine." Yuki shivered at his cold voice, she failed to see how anyone could be that cruel, but he was married at one point so he can't be that callous can he? Yuki continued to shiver as the sharp wind cut through her, causing goose pimples on her bare arms. Byakuya had to watch as Yuki shivered, he would have offered his Captain's outer coat, but he didn't want to scare her with this sudden act of boldness, it was bad enough that he was already there without her permission.
"I am here because I wanted to speak with you" he continued, "But clearly I see that it was too soon." Rasen would not be pleased with this but it was progress, he himself was not pleased he had hoped for more than this, but it would have to do for now.
"Captain Kuchiki…I…" Yuki hesitated, her head said one thing but there was something else, an invisible force willing her to say something else entirely, and that she did know what he was talking about, "I…don't understand…," she managed to say, "your question…I don't know what you mean." She looked down at the Shinigami below and concentrated on watching them.
As she watched she saw her captain leave with the man from the meeting, who she presumed to be his relative as they looked similar. She watched him leave confused she had seen him leave after she did, she shrugged to herself. "He must have forgotten something" she thought as she watched him until he was out of sight.
Byakuya watched Yuki as she watched Captain Ukitake walk away from the building with his brother. He watched as her eyes shimmered and how she smiled as she watched the captain below. He felt a sudden pang of jealousy as he envied the grip that Jūshirō had on her, he hadn't felt this emotion in centuries. He quickly brushed the emotion away, knowing that it was soon about to change.
"I have also come here to tell you" he continued, "That you will no longer be training with the captain of squad thirteen. This summer I will be taking over your training."
Yuki suddenly turned to face him, her eyes instantly watering, her heart beat and breathing rate quickened. Byakuya hated seeing her like this; he didn't want to hurt her feelings but he knew he would have to if he was going to pursue this further and he had already made a deal with Rasen so he had no choice. In the end it would all turn out, even if it was far off.
Yuki felt her reiatsu rise, making the branches shake and the wind grow rife; the open flowers shook their petals making them fall to the ground. Byakuya immediately calmed the situation as he felt Yuki's reiatsu grow; he silenced the trees and the flowers. Much to Yuki's annoyance as she saw the branches still once more, she immediately retaliated and made the petals quiver more and the wind stronger, to which Byakuya stopped it again effortlessly. After several times of doing this, I turned into a kind of game in which neither of them knew they were playing really, they were just testing which one could control the flowers better.
As if second nature Yuki raised her hands as if holding an imaginary bow and arrow. As if practising with a real one, she pulled back her right hand as if to build up the elastic potential energy. Immediately millions of flower petals rushed to compose her bow and arrow as she was being deadly serious in firing it. She poured her reiatsu into the arrow as it build up stored energy.
Sensing that she was serious Byakuya moved his hand from the right to the left, his palm facing downwards in a rapid movement in front of him. Abruptly the flowers petals shattered in Yuki's hands, the sharp ends that she had built up cut her, making her wince as she bled.
It was over, Byakuya had won, it was only natural, having the practise and training over the many years. He instantly walked over to her and took her hand, assessing the damage.
"I-It's fine" she said blushing as she pulled her hand back.
"That was an act of sheer foolishness and stupidity towards a captain" he said harshly, pissed off that this whole charade had been unsuccessful, she hadn't remembered and the only thing that had happened was that she managed to slice her hand. Not to mention that he was pissed off that she seemed to be attracted to Captain Ukitake.
"I'm sorry Captain Kuchiki" she replied, "It's just that I had expected to be trained by someone else, you see I have already been taught by Cap-…"
"I am fully aware" he cut her off, "I am not as sympathetic as Captain Ukitake, so you will need to get used to training under me."
Yuki nodded, fighting back tears, not only did she have a smarting hand but she also had to give up a summer with her captain to spend the summer instead with a Captain who has the emotional capacity of a brick wall.
Seeing Yuki crying, Byakuya decided to call it a day, "I'll take my leave for now" he said before flash stepping off the balcony and landing half a mile away on the ground floor, leaving Yuki stunned and slightly windswept.
She then slowly turned around and closed the door behind her before slumping on her bed. She checked her clock and groaned. It was only two o'clock in the afternoon and she didn't feel like going back to the squad barracks even though she knew she could seek refuge with her Captain. She spread out further on her bed and closed her eyes as she wished he was with her. He always knew how to make her relax and how to talk to her when she was upset. She sat upright thoroughly pissed off and putting her head in her hands. She knew how she felt toward him, knowing and accepting that she was in love, unrequited love that is.
She got up and slipped out of her dress returning it to her wardrobe and putting her pyjamas on. She crawled into bed weary and upset, spreading out her body in her cold and lonely bed, drifting off into a light and uneasy sleep.
xxxxxxx
Jūshirō and Takeo made their way up the winding path to the gate of the main house. The Sakura trees were blooming and their branches were trembling in the wind. Jūshirō inhaled deeply taking in the smell of nectar and flowers that surrounded the Ukitake household at this time of the year, Yuki would love it here. Jūshirō groaned aloud making Takeo glance at him as he remembered Yuki and the binding contract. He hadn't forgotten, that's why he was here in the first place but he had been pleasantly distracted by the beautiful scenery that comprised the Ukitake estate.
He and Takeo hadn't said anything to each other since they left the centre of the seireitei, now they were on the outskirts and in the opposite direction from Jūshirō's own house.
They made their way into the outer ring of the building after being nodded by the guards. After making their way into the secondary ring, passing the primary gardens and features and to the heart of the building they hit the larger gardens complete with fountains and ponds. Jūshirō was reminded of how he would play with his brothers in the fountains at the age of nine. He would always hide behind the water reeds and laugh while his brothers went searching for him. They never did and he would always sneak behind with his hands full of water and drenching them, making them scream with fear and shock of the cold water on their bare skin. Then he would get chased inside the house, dripping water all over the spotless carpets and smashing their way through the ornaments and statues arrive face to face with their Mother who was billowing steam out of her ears. After she would lecture her boys she would never stay mad and would embrace each in turn especially Jūshirō as he was always her favourite, her first child after all.
That wasn't to say that she didn't love all eight of her children but Jūshirō was special, he needed attention during the winter when his tuberculosis was its worse so they had bonding moments during the long winter months with their father built snowmen with the rest of the boy and by he time he was seventeen had already left home, his first sister was born. He had only ever met his youngest sister twice so he was keen to see her again as he preferred to spend Christmas from the comfort of his own home.
They quickly made their way and were spotted by the maids who went scuttling back into the house to bring the news to the rest of the house.
Jūshirō instantly heard the pounding of feet getting closer as Ayame his youngest sister jumped off the raised floor and hurtled towards him, closely followed by June the elder sister and then the twins and the two elder brothers afterwards. Jūshirō barely had time to take it all in before Ayame flung herself at him with much gusto that he only just managed to catch her and remain standing.
"Blimey Aya you're heavy" he laughed, "How old are you now?"
"Twelve" she replied, happy to see her brother as she embraced him.
"Wow" she said, "Where does the time go?"
"Well, you're always stuck in the thirteen court guard squads" Fumitaka, one of the twins yelled from the veranda.
"Yeah, we never see you Nii-sama" Yoshio the other twin yelled.
Jūshirō laughed to see his family and he released Ayame and lowering her onto the floor.
"I have to work you know!" he replied.
Ayame studied his Zanpakutō carefully and laughed as she unravelled the purple ribbon attached to the hilt. She held it out and felt the smooth silk beneath her fingers.
"What's this Nii-sama?" she asked.
Jūshirō blushed as he saw his younger sister holding up Yuki's ribbon that she had dropped on day whilst training last year.
"Nii-sama has a girlfriend" Ayame laughed as she saw his reaction.
"I do not" he quickly protested, "It's always been part of the hilt; you just haven't noticed it until now because you hardly see me."
"Ok, let's go in" Takeo said with haste trying to save him from further embarrassment.
Ayame carried the ribbon, claiming it hers now and streaming it around as if it were a prize she had just won.
"I knew she that she is more to you than a student and squad member" Takeo whispered to him as they walked the rest of the way into the house.
Jūshirō tutted and rolled his eyes, "There is nothing going on, nothing I tell you!"
Even though he kinda wished there secretly was.
Once inside the main house, all eight siblings sat at the table, drinking tea and catching up on what has happened since his last visit. And by supper time, it was Jūshirō's turn to deliver the news as they finished eating.
"Why are you here anyway?" June asked, Jūshirō raised his eye brows to his younger sister, "N-Not that we don't want you here" she stuttered.
"Isn't visiting you a reason to be here?" he asked.
"No" Li answered, the third brother, "You're up to something."
Jūshirō gaped as all seven siblings looked at him, "I can't believe you all have such little faith in me!" Jūshirō looked back at his younger brothers and sisters, each one in turn, "Ok, yes, there is something" he sighed.
"I knew it!" Yoshio cried, "Ok pay up, one hundred yen please."
June, Ayame, Fumitaka and Eriko, the fourth brother, all sighed at the prospect of paying up one hundred yen to Yoshio.
"What? You were betting on me?" Jūshirō cried on disbelief, "And worst is Yoshio bet against me?"
"I didn't" Li answered.
"Oh good" he replied, "At least someone didn't."
"No" he continued, "I was going to bet that you had lost your job or something, you know for drinking and stuff like that, but alas, I'm broke so I decided to give this one a skip."
"I do not drink" Jūshirō yelled, "Did you know about this?" he asked Takeo.
"No, not at all" he lied.
"You liar!" Ayame butted in, "You was the one who suggested it while Nii-sama visited his old room again!"
Takeo smiled sheepishly as Jūshirō glared at him.
"Whatever" he concluded, "The truth of the matter is that I must to talk to the rest of you about the news Takeo and I received today. However, June and Ayame are too young to hear it so I'm afraid it's just us." He referred to the males around the table.
Both girls scowled and pulled faces at him, "Sorry girls, but you will find out soon" he said as he feared some outburst of inappropriate comments from his younger brothers.
They cleared from dinner and retired to the drawing room. June and Ayame continued to scowl as the maids ushered them to the baths. It was now half six and the sun was beginning to set, ending the long spring day.
Once in the drawing room all six siblings sat in the comfy chairs in anticipated silence, the tension rising rapidly by the second.
"Drink Nii-sama?" Takeo offered whiskey to his brother.
"Yes" he replied, "A very large one…better yet give me the whole bottle."
"I told you he drinks like a fish!" Li cried.
"Shush now Li" he pressed changing the atmosphere, "I have to tell you guys something very important and the drink will help."
"Can we have some?" the twins asked.
"How old are you now?" he questioned.
"Eighteen" the said in unison.
Jūshirō thought for a moment, "Well you have to be twenty one to drink so I guess it's a no" he said as the twins deliberately looked betrayed, "But since I am your brother and I was the same at your age…you can have a little bit."
The twins high-fived each other, "Yes."
Takeo poured a small amount of whiskey into two glasses for the twins, a larger amount for Li, Eriko and himself, and then he poured even more for Jūshirō until the glass was nearly full.
He then made several trips to each brother delivering the drinks before returning to his seat.
All the siblings waited with bated breath as to what Jūshirō was going to reveal to them. Jūshirō sipped his whiskey and cleared his throat, trying to gear himself up for the unveiling.
"Earlier today" he started, "Takeo and me attended a meeting in which we discussed noble politics and clan structure. It has become apparent that our sister clans and families which we have been in alliance for millennia do not trust the Yamamoto clan or some of the noble families i.e. The Kuchiki clan, The Shihoin clan and the Shiba clan."
All the siblings nodded, "I was given a private briefing with head Captain Yamamoto afterwards" he continued as Takeo stiffened and listened intensely wanting to know what happened while he was sitting outside the private study earlier.
"There has been talk from the Rukongai of troubled times ahead and of mutiny and there needs to be utter faith and trust from all the noble families including the lower noble families in the system and the four noble families. This faith as I said is not there and head captain Yamamoto feels that…" he hesitated unable to phrase the rest, "…that…there needs to be a…b-binding c-contract to…show that we have complete loyalty to the Yamamoto clan and the noble families" he sighed in relief at getting the information out of his system.
All the siblings except Takeo looked at him in confusion unable to read between the lines. Takeo raised his eyebrows in suspicion, taking a wild guess what he meant.
After Jūshirō realised that they didn't get it he put it in simpler terms, "Bottom line, I'm getting married in an arranged marriage."
The room went silent and the all the boys mouths hanged open, in utter disbelief.
"Y-You?" Li asked, "You? Marriage? Well, that's two words I thought I would never hear in a sentence together."
"Yeah" Fumitaka laughed, "Unless the sentence was 'Jūshirō is never going to be interested in marriage'."
All the boys chuckled, including Jūshirō as he decided to look at the optimistic side.
"So" Takeo laughed, "Who's the lucky girl?"
Jūshirō turned to look at Takeo and raised his eyebrows, "The head captain's granddaughter."
"I knew it!" Takeo cried, "I knew it, I knew it. I knew there was something going on between you two; I knew you were 'hanging' around with her!"
"Hey" Jūshirō protested, "It's an arranged marriage and I have not been 'hanging' around with her!"
"Whatever" Takeo said, "The truth of the matter is that you've got one pretty girl coming your way, I know you two will be happy, even though it's a 'political marriage.'"
Jūshirō rolled his eyes at the advice he had been given several times.
"Do you have a picture?" Eriko asked.
Jūshirō thought for a moment and smiled as he pulled out the old picture of Princess Yukika. It wasn't Yuki but she was identical so it may as well be. He pulled the picture out of his sleeve and handed it to his brothers.
As the picture passed from one sibling to the next, all pulled faces and all made comments to themselves as they inspected it.
Eventually the picture made its way back to Jūshirō where he replaced it in his sleeve and awaited the verdict.
All the siblings were silent as they stared at their brother in awe.
"Well" Li broke the silence, "She's…She's…"
"Gorgeous!" the twins cut him off in unison.
"Nii-sama" Eriko laughed, "You lucky dog! Jesus, she's hot! She has an amazing figure and she is pretty!"
"Yeah, well I do find that she…" he started to reply, "What? No, no, no, no, no!" he stopped himself when he realised how much of a young teenage boy he was being, "I can't marry her, she is too young and she doesn't want to be forced into a marriage with her own captain, its wrong! We will try and find a way to make alliances without resorting to this! Besides I d-don't…love her".
The twins looked at Jūshirō as if he were an insane man who belonged in a lunatic asylum.
"You're absolutely nuts" Li said, "Completely off your rocker."
"Yes" Eriko agreed, "If I was in your situation I would be married tomorrow!"
All the siblings except Jūshirō nodded in agreement.
"How old is she?" Takeo asked.
"Same age as June, fifteen" he sighed.
"Perfect" the twins said in unison, nudging each other, "If you don't want to marry her, we will!"
"No" Jūshirō hastily replied, "I'd rather marry her myself than give her over to you to adolescent boys."
The two of them scowled.
"It sounds like you care about her" Eriko suggested, "And age isn't that bad I guess; besides if she loves you she won't care how old you are!"
Jūshirō shrugged, he hadn't thought about that, if she did love him back, would she mind him being a lot older? And as well as having a disease? Jūshirō shook his head; it was a huge thing to ask of her. Most of his previous relationships had ended because of his disease or something like that, so why could Yuki at such a young age comprehend and deal with something that a woman twice her age couldn't? It was unbelievable and he refused to believe it.
"So then" Takeo said, "It wasn't perpetual love I saw in your eyes as you stared at her longingly at the meeting?"
Jūshirō blushed as the other boys grinned at him, "No it certainly wasn't" he defended, "It was…it was…confusion on why she was staring at us!"
"Uh huh" Takeo said unconvinced, "That's not what it looked like from my point of view!"
"Look" he said cutting through the laughter, "No matter how either of us feels it is a last resort to the noble crisis and that is it!"
The siblings all conversed on this matter for a further hour, at which Jūshirō lost the argument on reasons not to marry her. They retired after this and went their separate ways in the house, some going to the Onsen, and other's going to their rooms.
Jūshirō bathed in one of the Onsen for a while, reflecting upon what had transpired during the long day before putting on his night time robes and making his way back to his old room. On his way he checked on his sleeping sisters and smiled as he returned Ayame's book that she was still clinging to on to the shelf, tucking her in and turning off the light and then shutting the door so it was only open a crack.
He returned to his room and lay on his bed gazing up at the ceiling. He spread his arms out and looked to the side. Could there ever be Yuki lying next to him? He scowled as he stopped himself from fantasizing it. He turned off his light and drifted into a light sleep.
xxxxxxx
It was three in the morning when he awoke suddenly, the thoughts of the previous day circling in his head. He got up and sat bolt upright bringing his knees up to his chest and resting his head on them. He sighed, unable to comprehend sleep. He turned on his bed side lamp and crept downstairs trying not to wake the sleeping household. He instantly greeted the cool spring air, he knew he shouldn't be out in the cold with his condition and without a warmer outer robe or warmer robes in general, but he needed to clear his head.
He made his way to the large fountain and lay down on the stone ring around it, resting his head in his hands whilst he listened to the trickle of the water as he looked up at the beautiful stars, trying to make out the constellations.
He pointed up and drew one of them as he noticed Orion's belt. He sighed again and dropped his arm. He failed to hear someone's footsteps getting closer and closer, rustling the grass.
Takeo sat next to him on the outer ring, startling Jūshirō for a moment. He joined Jūshirō in looking at the stars.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Yeah" Jūshirō sighed, "I just needed fresh air. How did you know I was up?"
"I heard you walk through the house" he replied, to which Jūshirō nodded.
"Shouldn't you be living with your fiancé?" he asked.
Takeo shook his head, "She went to live with her parents for a little while as they are arranging the marriage at their end and I thought I would spend some time at home as well."
"Fair enough" he replied.
"Are you sure you're ok? You don't look to good" Takeo asked.
"Yes, I'm just tired" he replied.
Takeo watched as his brother looked for constellations in the velvet sky. He smiled at his older brother recalling how he would probably be married soon as well.
"You love her" he said gently, "Don't you?"
Jūshirō sighed and closed his eyes he was growing tired of this repetitive question, but he couldn't keep hiding the truth forever and it was just him and Takeo, the person he trusted most in the world, even though he had Shunsui to talk to. He opened his eyes and embraced the truth at last.
"Yes" he whispered, "Very much so."
xxxxxxx
On the other side of the seireitei Yuki woke up at nine o'clock in the evening, hungry from her long nap. She stretched her arms and yawned before sliding out of bed and slipping into her silk nightgown. She wandered the empty halls and to the kitchen, it was deserted which was unusual for saying it was only nine o'clock. She figured that her grandfather was in his private study and that the maids had gone home and those that lived here had retired to their quarters. She slinked into the grand kitchen to raid the fridge. She found a box of rice balls and so pillaged them and made off with her loot back to her room.
She sat on her bed and slowly ate all four rice balls relishing the taste of the sweet baby plums in the back of them. She placed the box on her bed side table and went to brush her teeth before going back to bed. Once she was in bed again, she couldn't sleep, her head was full of the words Captain Kuchiki had said earlier. She wondered what captain Ukitake was doing at the moment tearing herself away from the harsh words of Captain Kuchiki.
She shuddered at the thought at spending a summer with him and she dreaded sparring with him knowing how strong and harsh he is.
She clambered back into bed and pulled the quilt tightly around her, conserving heat. She sat her pillows upright and leant against the headboard before staring around her room and studying the shadows in the half light. She looked down and yawned, she instantly saw the corner of her picture poking out of the pillows. She stared at it while she ran her fingers lightly over it. She kissed her captain as it were, or rather his picture. She replaced her picture back under her pillows and closed her eyes. She
let her mind wander, she started to fantasize about what it would be like to kiss him for real, how soft his lips would be on hers and across her skin.
Yuki snapped out of it as she her mind delved deeper into this, appalled by her own fantasies of unrequited and forbidden love. She didn't know whether love between a squad member and a captain was forbidden or not, but it was certainly frowned upon. Besides, she was too young and he probably wouldn't entertain a girl like her. She sighed and pulled her pillows down so that they were flat again before laying her weary head down.
Byakuya's words kept spiralling through her unconscious mind as she drifted off to sleep again, having consequences on her dreams.
xxxxxxx
Yuki hid in the closet in the drawing room, the temperature was stifling and she desperately wanted to get outside to the fountains and play. She knew she couldn't move until she was found, she could have revealed her hiding place but she was persistent and wanted to win. Besides she didn't want to give Byakuya-kun the pleasure of winning.
She peered around in the supply closet a little overwhelmed by the huge shelves that towered above her. The door was open a crack and she only had a ray of day light in which to strain her eyes in the lookout for him and she also had to strain her ears for the sound of his footsteps running across the floor. She had no idea where he was on the grand estate, she sighed, he could be anywhere within the thirty acre perimeter that makes up the Yamamoto domain. He had no idea where she was and he was currently scouring the place looking for her.
She was close to walking out and bathing in the cool water that she so desperately needed. She heard the grandfather clock ticking away in the drawing room making her want to enjoy the scorching summer sun all the more.
She pushed the door open a little wider when she heard footsteps and the sound of the door shutting. She edged further into the supply closet scared that Byakuya had found her and had won. She peered outside to find that it wasn't Byakuya but his parents and her own parents moving deeper into the room laughing and chatting. She groaned if she were caught in here she would be given a belting for trespassing and dirtying up the drawing room which the adults use to talk out of the ears of children, to hold meetings and discussions and every Thursday evening her father held a poker night for the other noble males in the area. Byakuya of course, being too young to gamble often scowled from outside the door before walking off in a teenage strop.
Yuki shifted position in the supply closet and sat down quietly, she had three options. She could wait until they left and possibly die of the heat but avoid being told off, she could walk out now and live but receive the thrashing or she could simply wait for Byakuya to find her which could take hours. She didn't want to get told off and face the wrath of her father so she decided to stay put and see what happens.
The adults stopped laughing and talked more seriously, her parents were sitting opposite Byakuya's parents and were passing documents across the table.
"I think a betrothal is an excellent idea" her mother said to Byakuya's mother, beaming.
"Yes" Byakuya's mother laughed, "It would certainly ensure the success of heirs with both Yamamoto and Kuchiki blood. It is unfortunate that we both only had one child each, but on saying that we are very lucky that we had one child of each sex."
Her father nodded and smiled in agreement, "So, what age are we thinking of marrying them off?"
"Lets see" her mother replied, "Yuki is six and Byakuya is fourteen so in about eight to nine years I'd say."
Both Byakuya's parents nodded, "In nine years it is" Byakuya's father spoke up as they shook hands and wrote out a contract.
Yuki's mother clasped her hands to her chest and smiled as she closed her eyes, "It's so cute! Little Yuki and handsome Byakuya, together!"
"Yeah" Byakuya's mother said joining in with Yuki's mother, "It will come sooner than you think!"
Yuki peered through the crack in utter confusion she had no idea what they were talking about but it sounded like fun as she studied their happy faces. It made her smile too as she watched them talk further.
There was a sudden knock at the door and Yuki went stiff worried that it was Byakuya to come and blow her cover. She strained her eyes further desperately trying to see the door to the drawing room. The adults went silent, hushing up their conversation quickly before calling the intruder in.
Yuki peered as Byakuya opened the door and bowed to his elders, "You haven't seen Yuki have you?"
"I thought she was with you?" his mother smiled.
"She was" Byakuya explained, "But we decided to play hide and seek and I am it so I have spent the last two hours searching every square meter inch of this place and I still can't find her."
"Well she isn't in here" Yuki's mother replied, "Have you checked the stable? You know how much she loves horses."
Byakuya nodded which stumped the adults. Yuki edged further into the closet and bumped her leg into something sharp, making her give a little gasp and a whimper. Only Byakuya heard her and immediately walked over to the supply closet under the watch of the now confused parents.
Byakuya gently opened the door to find small and timid Yuki rubbing her leg on the floor. She looked up in the broad daylight blinking as her pupils adjusted. She caught Byakuya's eye and blushed as she got up, he did not look amused.
"I win" he said as he grabbed her hand and yanked her out of the closet, dusty and dirty. Nobody said anything as Byakuya continued to drag Yuki to the door out of the drawing room and into the corridor. They both bowed and said their apologies for being there before scuttling out the room with their tails between their legs.
After they had left the adults still failed to talk.
"You" Byakuya's mother eventually said addressing her company, "You don't think she heard anything do you, about our conversation?"
"Absolutely not" her father said, "She's only six, she probably doesn't understand a word we said. I wouldn't worry, she was playing a game, and the only thing she was probably listening to was the footsteps of your son!" All the adults chuckled at Yuki and Byakuya's innocence.
xxxxxxx
Yuki woke suddenly, she felt warm, as if the room was sweltering. She threw back the covers and changed into pyjama shorts and a strappy top. She paced around the room, her temperature rising, she felt like she was being roasted alive despite the air conditioning being on. She started to breathe heavily, her head spinning. She seized her dressing gown and went on to her balcony, checking the time as she went; three o'clock in the morning.
She greeted the nippy air with open arms as she lay down on her side on the wooden slats that made up her balcony. She concentrated on her breathing, afraid of her dreams and underlying memories. She pushed Captain Kuchiki's words out of her head ad concentrated on Captain Ukitake and let the wave of affection for him wash over her, immediately calming her and bringing her back to her senses.
She pulled herself up slowly as she gripped the rails of the balcony to balance herself. She stared out at the seireitei and watched the glowing dots of light that provided the streets with luminosity. "What was that just now? It was such an odd dream. I feel I have seen it before and it was as clear as day and Captain Kuchiki was in it, but, he looked younger like a teenager or something…" Yuki sighed, unable to understand what just happened. Afraid to sleep and thoroughly pissed off, she stayed on her balcony until daybreak, desperately trying to place the pieces into the puzzle; little did she know that she was placing them in the wrong slots.
xxxxxxx
Byakuya also woke up in the early hours of the morning. He woke slowly in comparison to Yuki; he shifted onto his back and stared at the ceiling. He scowled and checked his clock, four o'clock in the morning. As he started at the ceiling, he recalled his dream, scowling all the more, if only he had known then what he knows now. He eventually closed his eyes and trudged through the memory that had displayed itself in the form of a dream.
xxxxxxx
It was the fall and the leaves had turned regal, showing their red, yellow and orange colours to the world with pride.
Byakuya and Yuki were playing in grand Kuchiki gardens. To Byakuya, Yuki was like a little sister, he didn't like to play all the childish games she played with her friends, being fourteen he was maturing and had taken an interest in his own games with his friends, he played much older games which involved the local girls and lads who lived in he nearby town with whom he was not allowed to socialize as they were 'commoners' in opposed to the game Yuki played where you would actually tag someone and then they would be it. However Byakuya did enjoy spending time with Yuki. They were both talented horse riders, often racing through the vast fields. When Byakuya won Yuki would protest that her small pony was no match for Byakuya's horse and that she was at an unfair disadvantage. When Yuki won Byakuya claimed that he let her win, Yuki said that she was just better and that he should accept it. They would also walk the dogs together and Byakuya couldn't resist a game of hide and seek, just for old time's sake and to keep Yuki entertained.
Yuki laughed as Byakuya pushed her on the swing, Yuki watched as she learnt to swing her legs back and forth to keep up the momentum. She stopped laughing and just smiled. There was something she had wanted to ask Byakuya since the summer and had never managed to ask him. She had been too scared to ask her parents as they would know that she had been listening to their conversation.
"Byakuya-kun" she said, her parents had discouraged the use of Nii-sama, not wanting them to go down the road of a brother-sister relationship if they were to be married one day, it was too late for it now though, and "can I ask you something?"
"Hai" Byakuya replied as he continued to push the swing.
"What does B…B…" she said trying to remember the word, "Bet…Betro," she failed to remember.
She wracked her memory for her mother's own words, "Betrothal, what does it mean?"
Byakuya tensed up and stopped pushing so hard, he felt rage and frustration, his hot-headedness beginning to rise up.
"Why" he snapped, "Where did you hear that?"
Yuki flinched at the harshness in his voice and the sudden change in his mood.
"I-I heard our parents say it" she stuttered, "W-When we were playing hide and seek and I was in the supply closet, I heard them say the word 'betrothal' and then they said something about us, being together. Do they mean that we are going to be friends forever, Byakuya-kun?"
Byakuya stopped pushing altogether and clenched his hands, his anger rising rapidly. He didn't want to answer, instead he stomped away leaving Yuki swinging by herself. As soon as she realised she hopped off and followed him.
"So" she asked again, "What does it mean?" running to keep up with his fast pace.
"Nothing" he yelled at her, "Something that you shouldn't know!" He trudged back into the grand house. Well it was either nothing or it was something but Yuki didn't want to argue this point with him, he had already gone into the house and she didn't want to anger him further by following him.
Byakuya thrashed through the house and went straight to his parents.
xxxxxxx
It was then that Byakuya had woken from his dream; he opened his eyes again, having refreshed his memory on his dream. He cursed to himself, he was so hot-headed and rash in his teens, he never thought things through properly and often rushed into things and he stomped off when he heard things that he didn't want to or that interfered with his plans. Not like now, he keeps things hidden to himself and never lets anyone past his wall made of granite. He always keeps a straight face and never shows his emotions in any way.
Byakuya wracked his brains, when was the last time he smiled? Was it when he was with Hisana? Of course, how could he forget?
Knowing he couldn't sleep he got up and went to his desk and continued with the last of the paper work until the bright rays of the sun penetrated the blinds at the window.
xxxxxxx
Jūshirō woke several hours later that day. After his discussion with Takeo he was feeling touchy after revealing his feelings, he felt like he was walking on egg shells and he was extremely nervous about seeing Takeo again, he feared the looks he would get from him. He desperately hoped that he hadn't told the rest of the household as he would be in for some serious lectures and teasing sessions with his younger brothers.
On saying this he did however feel relieved at revealing his feelings, he felt like a little of the weight on his shoulders had been lifted.
He got up and changed into his uniform as he recalled the embarrassing walk back into the house earlier this morning. They hadn't said anything about it further when they walked back to their rooms only exchanging a "good night" when they parted.
He edged his way out of the door and quietly shut the door behind him, constantly on the lookout for his siblings as he crept through the halls. He instantly hit the smell of breakfast and the sound of plates and pans banging, making his stomach rumble loudly. He sighed; he wouldn't eat breakfast until he had visited whom he desperately needed to.
He flash stepped down the stairs to avoid the creek on some odd steps and stopped at the main door. He gently opened the door and skirted out the door as fast and as silently as he could.
He continued down the path before splitting off onto a separate one and taking a completely different direction. After walking for several minutes, the house was no longer visible; he could just make out the shape of the shrine, set out against the blue sky. As he walked along the path, he came to the stone sign with the characters "Ukitake Shrine" professionally carved into it. He passed the sign and continued down the path, the sakura trees that lined the path border, shook their petals and littered the path, showing how magical the shrine can look.
Upon reaching the shrine he paid his respects and lit the incense sticks before placing them in the brightly coloured vase. As they were burning he made his way to his parents' graves and stood in front of them. He bowed, showing his respect and continued to feel the breeze glide over him.
"Okasan" he whispered as he knelt down and traced his Mother's name edged in the marble. He did the same to his father's grave, tracing his name in turn and calling his name. He sat down in front of both of them, confused and in need of help.
"Lend me your wisdom" he asked of his father, "And lend me your grace" he asked of his mother. He suddenly felt embarrassed and quickly turned around to see that nobody had followed him. To his relief the place was deserted apart from him, he sighed in relief and turned back to his parents' graves.
"I need both your help in my decision" he continued, "I am unsure on which is the best option." He sighed, he didn't know what he would gain from this, but he hoped he would be able to draw strength from their love and trust for him, even after death.
He explained his situation again, feeling a little better that he had consulted his parents.
"So" he concluded to his parents, "I'm stuck on what to do."
He lowered his head and stared at the grass, he cleared his mind, hoping to hear his parents voices or any sort of answer to his problem. He reached out to touch his mother's grave once more as he tried to figure out what she would say if she were alive. "I have faith in you my son" he could hear her saying. He felt his eyes beginning to water as he remembered her voice so clearly, "I know you will make the right decision and I know you'll make her happy." He smiled and turned to his father's grave, now imagining what he would say, "I agree with your mother, you and I both fully well know what you have to do, so be a man and snap to it!"
He gave a small laugh at his father's ignorance. He stood up and bowed before turning around back the way he came, feeling slightly better and very hungry.
As he faced the main door once more, he snuck in back into the house, instantly hitting the warmth being given off by the grand fireplaces throughout the house. He stood in the shadows for a while, warming up before breakfast so that his siblings wouldn't be able to tell that he had been in the cold. It would make them suspicious, he would end up telling them where he had been and then they would gang up on him and make him tell them about his feelings and what he had chosen to do.
After loitering around for a few minutes, he continued to the dining room, meeting several maids on the way who stopped to bow and greet him. Upon entering the dining room, he slid through the ajar door and sat down silently. As he sat down he was aware that all eyes in the room were upon him, making him blush slightly.
"As we were saying" Takeo said taking the unwanted attention off Jūshirō as he turned to the girls, "Have you decided what to do with the barn conversion?"
The two girls nodded as Jūshirō watched in confusion, what barn conversion?
"Ok" started June, "We decided to knock down the beams in the lower half so that it is completely open. We are then going to re-do the overall structure so that it is more stable, using new, strong wooden logs to replace the old and in some place rotting wood. Once it is safer we will concrete the floor, carpet it, and then plaster the walls and paint them pink and blue. Then we will add all the cool stuff like the pool table, the darts board, the beanbags, the punching bag etc."
Takeo nodded, the household had their work cut out for them and it would certainly cost a bomb.
"And then" Ayame took off from where June left off, "We'll turn the upstairs into a sleeping area with beds and stuff for sleepovers. The ladder will be replaced with a new one and the walls will be plastered and painted, the wooden floor will be replaced and varnished and the window will be replaced and double glazed."
The other siblings nodded and smiled in agreement, while Jūshirō looked confused, "Barn conversion? What's going on?"
"Oh" Li jumped in with the explanation, "Aya and June found the old barn, you know, the one we used to play in?" Jūshirō nodded and remembered the old tyre swing hanging from the rafters, "Well they want to refurbish it and make it into a 'play room' where we can all chill."
"Fair enough" Jūshirō said brightly, though he couldn't help but feel a pang of loss for the barn that he used to spend his childhood with his brothers.
"You were late getting up" Eriko stated.
"Yeah" Jūshirō said, "I was tired so I had a lie in."
"You needed it" Yoshio laughed
"Yeah, you need as much beauty sleep as you can get" Fumitaka cut in.
"I agree" Ayame said, "And it looks like you haven't had much beauty sleep since you were born!"
All the siblings sniggered except Jūshirō who felt slightly insulted.
"So are you saying that I am visually unappealing?" he asked.
"That Yuki girl doesn't seem to think so, probably quite the opposite as she couldn't take her eyes off you!" Takeo said under his breath.
The boys looked at each other, remembering what their brother had said the previous evening. The girls looked in confusion.
"Girl? What Girl?" June asked Takeo
"Who couldn't stop looking at him?" Ayame asked.
"Why would they want to? I believe is the question" Li interjected, which set the table except Jūshirō off again.
"No" June cut through the laughter, "I'm serious, what girl?"
"Well you see June" Yoshio put gently, "Nii-sama took it upon himself to chase and seduce a young girl!"
Fumitaka and Yoshio burst out laughing, could they be blunter?
"I have not seduced her!" he quickly cut through them, "Unlike you two perverts, I have morals and I respect her, I would never do anything like that!"
"Sure you wouldn't" Eriko said.
"It's true" Takeo defended Jūshirō, "You all know as well as I do that he would never do anything like that so stop teasing him and eat your breakfast!"
Fearing Takeo's wrath, all family members fell into silence and continued to eat.
"Right" Jūshirō said, turning to the girls "I will explain it properly. There is some noble difficulty and mistrust and complicated stuff like that and in order to fix it I have to marry Yamamoto Yuki, the head captain's granddaughter, who is currently fifteen and during this time I am at war with myself over what to do."
Ayame and June took a minute to go back over the jumble of fast words that Jūshirō had said. They squinted and nodded as they realised his predicament.
"So" June said, "You know what to do don't you?"
All the siblings looked at her curious, she continued which shocked all of the siblings, "You have to marry her, it's obvious isn't it? Every girl dreams of getting married to prince charming, not that you are one but you are the closest thing to it, we know that you are kind and caring, a little over protective at times but decent and you have strong morals and you know right from wrong. She will be safe with you and she probably loves you anyway."
Jūshirō was stunned, he hadn't expected this from her, he was expecting a Ewww, or a "Nii-sama, how could you?!"
"That's nice of you" he started, "But say you were in her position, you are the same age as her. If you had to marry someone as old as me, could you deal with that?"
June thought for a moment and smiled, "If I truly loved him and he was as kind and as caring as you, then it wouldn't matter."
The table went silent; it seemed that the whole world was encouraging this wedding, encouraging that they get together.
"Well spoken June" Takeo said, "Now, why don't we use the indoor pool after breakfast, Nii-sama isn't leaving until tomorrow, so why don't we make the most of it?"
Everybody nodded in agreement as they cleared away and scuttled off to their rooms to find their swimming things.
xxxxxxx
Jūshirō and Takeo sat the deck chairs at the edge of the warm pool. The Palm trees wavered in the air conditioning and the smell of chlorine filled the air. The room was extremely warm, as the ceiling was a glass dome; it instantly filtered through the suns rays providing the swimming paradise with light and warmth.
Jūshirō looked up at the blue sky, what would it be like under the stars? If he and Yuki were to go swimming under the stars, she would wrap her arms around his neck as he held her close to him while they gazed into the velvet sky, watching the twinkling stars.
Takeo watched as his brother started at the sky, lost in a world of his own. He watched June and Ayame practise back flips and twists off the side of the pool and the diving board. Yoshio was sitting in one of the rubber rings, reading a manga comic, usually about school girls and crazy love. Li and Eriko were racing each other and Fumitaka was in the sauna.
"Don't worry" he said, bringing Jūshirō back into reality, "I didn't tell them about our talk in the early hours of this morning."
"Thanks" Jūshirō said in relief, "I would never live it down if they found out!"
"Have you been to see mother and father yet?" he asked.
"Yes I have actually" he revealed, "This morning."
"What did they say?" Takeo asked.
"What everybody else has been saying" he laughed, "Father told me to get on with it and be a man."
"I knew they would," Takeo smiled.
They went silent for a few minutes before Jūshirō broke the golden rule.
"Takeo" he smiled, "I think I have found a solution to the problem."
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