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Chapter 10

**World of the Living**

It was Monday. Orihime was dreading going to school. After what happened Saturday between her and Ichigo she didn't know how things would be between them. She also didn't hear from him after that night at the stores, but she figured he must have been with Rukia. After thinking things over she realized her mistake. Ichigo had been an impeccable friend to her all along and he didn't deserve to be put in that type of situation. She entered the classroom and noticed the orange haired boy sitting at his desk looking out the window.

"Kurosaki-kun" she gathered up the little courage she had.

"Inoue?" he said surprised.

"Can I talk to you for a few minutes?" she asked unable to look at him in the eyes.

"umm sure." He said as he got up and followed her to the hallway.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what happened Saturday. You're such a great friend, I don't want to lose you!" she blurted as she started tearing up. "I…I know that you don't like me that way. I didn't mean any harm, it's just that seeing you so sad was making me so sad and a small part of me hoped that I could be the one to make you happy…."

Ichigo was perplexed. Since when did his life become a soap opera? After being with Rukia these past days anything non-related had been put in the back seat. He just wanted to put an end to all of it and go back to class before they got in trouble with the teacher. He knew he never liked her like that, besides, he was used to not being able to understand half of the things she said and did due to her personality.

"No problem, it's no big deal. You're my friend and I know you wouldn't mean any harm. Let's just forget it and move on." Ichigo said carefree.

Orihime didn't know whether to be offended or relieved, but since she wanted to get done with the awkward conversation she agreed.

"Thank you, Kurosaki-kun!" she gave him a smile that hid her pain.

Ichigo was relieved to put an end to it and walked back to the classroom. The week had just started and he was already hoping for it to end so he could see Rukia once again.

**Kuchiki Mansion**

"I'm sorry Rukia but I'm afraid what you are asking for is out of the question." Byakuya said.

"Nii-sama, I know that what I'm asking of you is very inconvenient and it puts you in a bad position, but I…I really want to do this." she said.

"I understand you have become quite attached to that boy and I also understand the reasons behind your feelings. His stubborn personality and sense to protect people have saved you and protected you countless times. Regardless, he is a human and you are a shinigami. Are you to tell me that you have lost your shinigami pride? And what about your sense of pride as a Kuchiki? You have been part of the family long enough to have developed some type of attachment or pride for your family, have you not?" He asked in a regal demeanor as he looked down to see her.

Ever since she had been part of his life he had not seen this side of her. She was always compliant, respectful of his every request, and most importantly she always had an exceptional ability to keep her feelings guarded. Her walls had finally come down and left her heart bare for him to see, her eyes welling with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry nii-sama. I'm very thankful for what the Kuchiki family has done for me. My pride in being a shinigami has not been lost, nor will it ever be. I'm sorry for being weak and egotistical…to inconvenience you with such behavior. Any other time I could comply, but not for this." Rukia said.

"I see." He said with slight contempt. "What is it exactly you intend to do? You are a soul. Do you intend to live a false life, a mere human life with that boy? He is a child. His feelings might be true for now, but for how long? Can you stand here and tell me you are certain that those feelings will remain? And what do you make of your responsibilities here in Soul Society? Do you believe they will simply vanish? Furthermore, do you intend to disgrace your family by running off with someone less than worthy?" he said coldly.

"He is worth far more than anyone in Seireitei!" Rukia said as she turned her hands into fists and trembled. "I don't intend to make anyone suffer for my actions. I plan on taking full responsibility for them. All I'm asking is that I am given a chance and perhaps your support! Are you so selfish that you would not allow me that? Rukia said with tears running down her cheeks.

She then did what she'd never done. She left Byakuya standing as she ran into the garden amongst the cherry trees, her loyal companions.

Byakuya felt like he had instantly turned into the father of a teenage girl. I guess he had it coming. All these years of having a compliant young woman must have had a price. He decided to go to his Shinigami quarters to release some stress, but strangely, on his way there he felt it might be helpful to pay someone else a visit for advice.

**13th Division Quarters**

"Kuchiki taichou!" said the silver haired man from his desk. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Byakuya gave Ukitake his usual icy look as he proceeded to calmly sit across from him.

"Ukitake taichou, I believe I have a very complicated predicament and you might be the indicated person to shed some light into the matter." Byakuya said uncomfortably.

"I would be delighted! I am always pleased to lend a helping hand." He said excited. Unfortunately, he got a little too excited and started coughing. Byakuya sweat dropped but decided to cut to continue.

"I am here because of Rukia. I suggested to her that she is now of proper age to be married. I allowed her to go to the world of the living to cut her ties to Kurosaki Ichigo. Unfortunately, she has become defiant and insists on returning to that boy." Byakuya said loosening the scarf around his neck.

"That is quite a predicament indeed, Kuchiki taichou." Ukitake said as he pondered. "I'm sorry if I might be out of line, but allow me to speak frankly. She was coping with the loss of Kurosaki-san quite amazingly for the past year. Unfortunately, I believe that seeing him again has revived some feelings in her heart. I would assume that after their last meeting he returned her feelings as well and prompted her to stay with him, which complicates the issue further. The fact that she's a soul and he's a human also poses a challenge, although it is not something that has not been done before. In regards to captain Yamamoto, I believe he is indebted to Kurosaki-san to the extent that rejecting this request would be quite difficult for him. All in all, it appears that the one abstaining from allowing this to happen is your inability to let her go, Kuchiki taichou."

Byakuya's eyes widened at his fellow taichou's forthright statement. He had basically told him that he was the problem. It was then that he remembered why he did not ask for outsider's advice. He was told the truth, but it was something he did not want to admit himself.

"That is a very interesting analogy, Ukitake taichou. I believe my purpose here has been fulfilled. Thank you." With that, the noble man got up and left. He was more stressed now than he was before, and he had nowhere to go! If he went home, he'd have to deal with Rukia. If he went to his shinigami quarters, he'd be dealing with his meddlesome fukutaichou. Luckily for him, a captain's meeting had been announced.

**Captain's meeting**

"I have received notice from the department of research and development that there have been slight waves of reiatsu being emitted from ex-shinigami substitute Kurosaki Ichigo. This has been made known to us due to the re-activation of his representative shinigami badge. The reasons behind him reacquiring his power are still unknown. I would like to suggest that you continue to strengthen your divisions. It is very fortunate that the shinigami representative has once again regained his power given our alliance, but having person with his capabilities outside of Seireitei might pose a problem in the future should our associations with him ever become strained. You are dismissed" Yamamoto said.

Byakuya could not believe his ears. That boy had managed to regain his power again. Furthermore, Yamamoto had basically implied what Ukitake taichou had told him earlier. This was not his day. He proceeded to head home. He couldn't think of anything else that could possibly go wrong.

**Kuchiki Mansion**

Rukia was in her room, her sliding door open letting the cool breeze in. She was laying on her futon thinking of her brother's words. She wondered if in fact Ichigo would be capable of having such a change of heart. As she looked at the sunset, she closed her eyes and thought of him, his warm embrace, and the tenderness radiating from his heart. Ichigo had proved to her again and again the power of his heart. There had never been a time were she felt his heart waver. Granted, it might waver at his thoughts of feeling powerless or his inability to protect his loved ones, but never about her.

If her brother wouldn't accept their relationship, she would do this on her own. She had grown stronger not only physically but also internally. She would prove to herself and Ichigo that she could make this right for them. Although she loved her brother and the thought of leaving him pained her, she was willing to fight anything that got in her way. She got up to close her doors when she felt his presence getting closer...

"Rukia, we need to talk." Byakuya said stopping her on her tracks.

"Nii-sama…" she was speechless. She wasn't expecting him to be there nor was she expecting him to look the way he did. She knew that even if they did not agree he meant well, but she had no idea her actions would affect him the way they did. His eyes were….sad.

"Follow me." He said as he quietly led them to the garden to Rukia's favorite bench.

"I received news today that Kurosaki Ichigo has regained his powers. I presume you were unaware of this?" He said. Rukia was speechless. Byakuya decided that although these were favorable news, he should get on with the heart of the matter. "Rukia, do you love the boy?" he asked looking deep into her eyes, as if searching for something.

"Yes" she replied faintly.

"Given that Kurosaki Ichigo's shinigami powers have been strangely reawakened yet again, I find the situation to have changed. I believe there might be a way for us to come into agreement. I wish only but your happiness, but I will not allow you to go through situations in which you make unnecessary mistakes. I will support your decision to be in a relationship with the boy, but I would like to be able to give my advice as often as I see fit and have it be respected." the regal man said.

It was then that Rukia felt their bond grow deeper. She felt her heart grow with happiness at her brother's concern and thoughts for her. Without notice, she hugged him, her petite arms stretching over her brother's muscular frame.

His eyes widened. Given their interactions earlier he expected anything but this. He hugged her back. It was their first time displaying concern for each other in this manner. He was content. She had the warmth of Hisana but her scent was different. His adoptive sister was growing right in front of his eyes…

Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to leave feedback! I love reading your thoughts on the story since it fuels my inspiration :)