Chapter 10

A young woman's wedding day is meant to be the happiest day of her life. For Rukia, it would be the best, and the worst.

She was dressed in a long elegant white robe, with her entire body painted as pure as snow. Her eyes were dark and outlined, like lumps of coal and her lips were painted a shining red. The large breasted female Espada had dropped a lace veil over her eyes.

Gin held onto her arm tight as he could while escorting her down the corridors in complete silence, until they reached the main hall.

As the large doors opened to the sound of a shamisen, she was astonished at the beauty of it all. Simple, yet it held charm and class.

A bored looking Espada stood at the foot of the thrones, a two large golden hoops hanging from his neck on a thin chain. He gestured his head to the man in dark robes by his side, and Aizen turned to face his bride.

Aizen certainly looked handsome enough, but her mind was in uproar. Why was she doing this? She didn't love him! She loved... she knew who she loved but it was too late for anything.

Breathing deeply, Rukia and Gin made the long journey down a thin red silk carpet and bowed to the Espada and then Aizen.

"My name is Coyote Starrk and I will be performing the service. We are joined here today to join this Lord and this shinigami, in holy matrimony," the Espada said, addressing the gathering of arrancar, who were seated in black spindle legged pews, with white and red lace covers hanging delicately from them.

He turned to Aizen.

"Lord Sosuke Aizen, will you take the shinigami Rukia Kuchiki to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy relationship of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and cherish her in sickness and in health, be true and loyal to her, as long as you both shall live?"

Aizen smiled at his bride. "I will," he said loudly.

The arrancar's made noises of pleasure. Starrk turned to the now trembling Rukia.

"Rukia Kuchiki, will you take the Lord Sosuke Aizen to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy relationship of marriage? Will you love, honour and cherish him in sickness and in health, be true and loyal to him, as long as you both shall live?"

Voice shaking, she said quietly, "I will".

"You most certainly will not!"

Byakuya Kuchiki, head held high and with wearing a scowl to rival Ichigo's was stood in the doorway, his zanpakuto grasped in his hand.

"Brother!" she cried and instantly made to move towards him. Her brother would surely help her now. Aizen grasped the sleeve of her kimono and pulled her against his side, hard. She stumbled and caught the back of her kimono on her okobo.

"Do you mind? We've just been married," Aizen said, sounding rather bored.

"Well considering that's my little sister, yes I do mind. In fact, I mind a hell of a lot, and if I were you, Aizen-" Byakuya spat his name- "I would remove yourself from her, before I remove you myself!" Byakuya took one step forward, and the spiritual pressure he exuded began to warm her.

She felt Aizen grasp her harder and she winced.

As Byakuya moved further in, she saw figures making their own way into the room. Her eyes grew wide, as she saw, Renji, Ichigo and Ulquiorra line up, either side of Byakuya, with eyes as hard and as cold as ice.

"The traitor returns," drawled Aizen, his eyes sweeping along the line and focusing his attention upon his his fallen Espada. He turned his attention to the shinigami's. "Is this all the Thirteen Court Guard Squad can send?"

"It's all that we need to bring down scum like you," retorted Renji, tightening his hold on his zanpakuto.

"And if you think we're going to let Rukia make the biggest mistake of your life, you must be joking," laughed Ichigo, his cocky head ever present.

"Oh dear. It looks like we may have a spot of bother," Aizen said turning to Rukia. "I think my arrancar army can handle this".

Smiling slyly, he brought his lips to hers and circled his arms about her waist, bringing her up and over his shoulder.

She screamed.

"Rukia!" shouted Ulquiorra and without warning, he sprang forward, swinging a blade from nowhere at Aizen's back.