11
The grand ballroom was full of people who were gathering to hear the Zaraki family welcoming speech. Rukia felt incredibly shaken and was holding onto Ichigo's arm tighter than she thought. He put his other hand on hers gently and stopped.
'Hey, he's never coming near you again, understand?' Ichigo asked her in a rather stern tone.
Rukia nodded, her eyes scanning the room, desperately trying to seek Gin Ichimaru out. 'I feel like he is watching me…'
'Well I am watching you, and so is father and Renji. None of us will let anyone harm you. I promise you the next time I meet him I will spill all of his blood.' That heinous glow to Ichigo's eyes lit up again and Rukia felt very intimidated by the presence of her brother. Gin sparked something in him that brought out the hidden wickedness in Ichigo. When angered, her brother was terribly frightened and though she had never seen him this way, she knew he would not hesitate to fight especially for her.
'Ichigo, please don't say things like that…' she pleaded quietly, 'let's just… try and enjoy the night.'
'We will Rukia,' Ichigo said in a slightly more upbeat voice. 'I just don't want you to worry okay? Trust me, I will protect you until my last breath.' She smiled up at him and gave Ichigo a hug and he slowly returned her embrace. Rukia felt scared when she thought of Ichigo lately, so much had changed between them, they did not interact in the same way and she had a strong feeling deep down things would never be as they were.
&&&&&
When they parted, their attentions were stolen by Rangiku who was running over with Shuuhei's hand in hers. Ichigo left Rukia in the company of Rangiku and left with Shuuhei to go join Isshin and Sosuke Aizen for a smoke. All of a sudden, Rukia eyed Gin from across the busy room, who smiled what would have been a friendly grin to an outsider, but Rukia saw the devil in his grin and taunting wave. Rukia's focus gave away her uncomfortable disposition, she could not move for his shadow stole her air, made every reaction in her body stop yet run a mile a minute at the same time.
'Rukia,' Rangiku asked touching her shoulder, 'are you all right? You look as though you've seen a ghost.'
'I'm fine Rangiku,' Rukia responded, her answer met with a look of skepticism from her good friend, 'really, I'm quite all right.'
Rangiku looked across the room and saw Gin Ichimaru staring back at them. 'I know him, that is Gin Ichimaru, he is a close family friend.' Rangiku waved back at him, finally Gin turned and looked away.
Rukia's eyes widened in disbelief, 'I have never met him before until this night.'
'Well he does work for the government so he is mostly based in London,' Rangiku noted, 'he usually comes to visit when my father is home from work.' Rangiku's father was also a minister in the government and worked in London and was always away.
Rukia then noticed that she had not seen the Matsumoto family that night. 'Where are your parents by the way?'
Rangiku stiffened at his and her voice went quiet, 'they were not able to come.'
'Oh? Where else would they be Christmas Eve if not with you?'
'With their family,' Rangiku answered, her tone rather bitter. What did she mean by 'their' family… it was her family too… Rukia realized Rangiku may have had a row with her parents and decided to quickly change the topic of conversation.
'What do you make of Gin Ichimaru's character?'
Rangiku shrugged, 'he is a little off sometimes I guess, but he has always been most kind with me. He says I am like the daughter he never had.'
'Right,' Rukia replied, not wanting to discuss him further. It was bad enough feel as though she were being suffocated when he was near her. Rangiku clearly harboured respect and kind thoughts towards Mr. Ichimaru, and Rukia was not interested in sharing her personal experience with him to Rangiku. 'How is Shuuhei doing? You two looked happy as always.'
Rangiku smirked, 'he is very well, and uh, he says that you and Renji are as hot as ever.'
'Oh god he told you?'
'Of course, honestly Rukia you need to learn some self control,' scolded Rangiku playfully.
Rukia nudged her and scoffed at the insult, 'right need we get into your past misdeeds Miss. Matsumoto.'
'You wouldn't dare,' challenged Rangiku.
&&&&&
The girls went back and forth with their playful bantering until a clanging on a glass was heard. General Kenpachi Zaraki was now standing on a landing, his wife at his side along with Yachiru. Shuuhei, Renji, and Yumichka were nearby though not directly on the landing. Renji smiled and winked at Rukia from where he was standing. She smiled in response and turned her head to focus on General Zaraki.
'Welcome family and friends to our home on this wonderful night of Christmas Eve,' Zaraki began, his brief introduction earning a strong round of applause from the crowd. Zaraki chucked, 'well it's not hard to impress you people I see. Thank you all very much for coming I hope you drink me out of libations and indulge on the food my wife has spent weeks planning and arranging. Oh, and for the kids… we have a special guest! Father Christmas!' Zaraki motioned to his left but nothing appeared. 'Father Christmas? Dammit boy get the hell out here.'
'No! I'm not coming out like this!' Rukia recognized that voice as Ikkaku.
'Boy don't make me come back there,' threatened Zaraki.
'Yeah come on out baldy-Claus!' Yachiru encouraged.
'Dad! She's calling me that name again!' Ikkaku whined.
Zaraki rolled his eyes, 'I really question how you boys turned out sometimes.'
'Hey, Renji and I turned out all right. Ikkaku is not always so impossible, your two daughters are as stunning as ever,' Shuuhei teased, knowing he would piss Yumichka off.
'Pardon me dear Shuuhei, how dare you insult my masculinity!' Yumichka fought back.
'You do not need me for that Yumichka, you do that entirely on your own,' Shuuhei commented smirking.
'I did not realize it was treason against my gender to enjoy a lustrous shine to my hair or a flawless complexion! Brutes! You are all just not sophisticated enough to appreciate, aspire to, or attain true beauty!' with that Yumichka began to storm off.
'Oh goodness, he has always been rather sensitive,' Lady Zaraki sighed staring at the direction in which Ikkaku was hiding. 'Ikkaku honey just come out in your suit, the children would love to see Santa!'
'No! I never consented to this!' Ikkaku protested.
'Well, you are wearing the costume are you not?' inquired Lady Zaraki.
'You guys tackled me down and forced me in it!' Ikkaku yelled in defense.
'Baldy! Come out! Please! I want to see Cue-ball Claus!' Yachiru begged.
'Mum tell dad she did it again! Tell her to stop!' Ikkaku demanded whining.
'That is quite enough!' bellowed Zaraki. He stormed off the landing, disappearing from site for a few moments only to return dragging Ikkaku in by the ear.
The whole room erupted in laughter at the site. Ikkaku was dressed in the traditional Father Christmas outfit and had been stuffed by pillows. A fake, white beard was stuck on his face and the most ridiculous hat Rukia swore she had ever seen. Ikkaku clearly looked displeased at this.
'I hate my life,' Ikkaku said angrily.
Suddenly, Yachiru (somehow?) was in the air, grabbed Ikkaku's hat revealing his baldhead, and landed near her scooter and began to run off with the hat. She was giggling mischievously at her deed.
'Oi! You! Yachiru get back here!' barked Ikkaku who began to foolishly chase after her, only to be followed by a swarm of little kids wanted to play with Santa.
General Zaraki shook his head sighing at his children's juvenile behavior. 'Well everyone, that is my eldest son… bloody hell. Anyways, enjoy yourselves! Dinner will be served shortly in the dining hall!'
&&&&&
The rest of the party had been, most definitely the best time that Rukia had ever had in the same company as her parents. Everyone was in the best of spirits, which Rukia came to learn had been pretty much had been a surprise to everyone. Dinner had been simply amazing; the Zaraki's had the best cooks. It had been buffet style and there were countless options, and many international dishes that Rukia found quite a delight to try.
Rukia was laughing at her parents dancing together; her father, successfully this year, had managed to get her mother a little intoxicated. Karin and Yuzu were running about with Yachiru and some of the other children. Yachiru had a huge toy room with tons of different things to occupy all of the kids. Karin and Yuzu managed to steal Rukia away and were showing her everything in the playroom.
'Look Rukia, do you see all of the dolls?' Karin asked pointing at the entire wall filled with shelves and shelves of gorgeous china dolls.
'And the tea set! Look Rukia!' Yuzu said excitedly. Rukia couldn't believe it, the gorgeous pink and white tea set was displayed on a cute little table that Ikkaku had carved and made for his little sister Yachiru.
'This is incredible, even the toys are fancy,' Rukia said, mostly to herself.
'Excuse me ladies,' a male's voice called from behind. Turning around, they saw it belonged to Renji who was smiling romantically at Rukia.
'What do you want?' Karin asked glaring at him.
'Pardon me Karin, and Yuzu but I was wondering if you would allow me to borrow your sister for a little bit this evening,' Renji asked, humouring the girls.
Yuzu giggled, 'of course Renji!'
Karin on the other hand was not so open to this idea, 'you had her all dinner.'
'Karin!' Rukia scolded.
Renji was not put down by this and decided to reason with Karin. 'Karin, do you know how to play tennis?'
'No, I wanted to but mummy won't allow daddy to play or teach us because he broke his nose and arm and was bed-ridden for weeks one time after playing a match,' Karin answered. No one in the Kurosaki family really understood how Isshin had managed to brutalize his body in a mere tennis match—then again, no one really wanted to know.
'Well, what do you say I teach you how if you let me borrow your sister for the night until you all head home?'
Karin considered this carefully, 'promise you won't be awful? Because if you are I have no qualms with beating your ass.'
'You are a lot like Ichigo eh?' Renji pointed out. 'It is a deal sound good?'
'Deal,' Karin agreed. The two exchanged a high five and Renji took Rukia's arm in his and they left the girls and the rest of the kids to the wonderments of the endless toys in the playroom.
%%%%%
'You were great talking with Karin,' Rukia said to Renji, 'she is quite a lot like Ichigo, they are both so forward, short-tempered and so bloody stubborn.'
'I think stubbornness runs in the whole Kurosaki family Rukia,' teased Renji, recalling when they first met how hotheaded Rukia had been.
'It does not,' Rukia objected, 'I am much more reasonable, and calm. '
'Right… you're not stubborn at all…'
'Renji Zaraki I—' He kissed her to silence her, taking hold of one hand and wrapping his arm around her waist, leading her out to the dance floor.
'You can't always kiss me to shut me up you know, it won't always work,' Rukia said, her hand squeezed his shoulder a little.
'Always putting up a fight,' Renji laughed and kissed her again. He then leaned closer to whisper in her ear, 'I have something to show you later.'
'Oh? What's that?'
'Well I can't tell you, it's your Christmas gift,' Renji said, spinning her around then recapturing her in his arms.
'You fool, you didn't have to get me anything.'
'Please, you women always say that and I don't know why. It's complete bullshit.'
Rukia laughed and kicked his shin lightly, well lightly for her. 'It's true you pompous git. I am really happy just spending time with you. Falling in love with you is the best gift there ever was or will be…' She blushed slightly at this, causing her voice to fade.
'It's incredible how in love with you I am,' Renji told her, his voice sultry and his eyes looking into hers with soft, sensuality. 'I don't know what I did to deserve you, you're far too good for me.'
'I know,' Rukia said making sure not to laugh and sound as serious as she could.
'Oh yea?' Renji taunted. He then picked her up and carried her out of the ballroom down the hallway.
'Renji! Renji what are you doing! Put me down!' He wasn't listening, instead quickened his pace. He took her into a small room, shutting the door behind him, and nudged open the door to the balcony with his foot. Realizing he meant to toss her off of it Rukia shrieked. 'Renji! You maniac!' Rukia managed to kick him, causing him to loosen his grip. They play fought around the room and ended up laughing in one another's arms.
Rukia was sitting on a desk with Renji standing in between her legs. 'Were you actually going to toss me?' she questioned suspiciously.
'No, well, not tonight anyway,' he replied cheekily. 'maybe I just wanted to get us alone.'
They were leaning in for another kiss when Rukia felt something land in between her breasts. 'What?' she asked aloud. Looking down, she saw it was the necklace from her brother, 'oh this silly thing, always falls off.'
'Here let me get that,' Renji offered slyly. Rukia smiled and rolled her eyes, knowing full well he just wanted to reach down her dress… He slowly moved his hand down, gently touching her skin as he roamed his fingers across her chest…
When his touches reached her breasts, Rukia flinched from his cold hands. 'Renji… ah…' she moaned softly.
He snickered and began kissing her neck, moving up to her ear, biting it playfully, 'I love when you moan…'
A strange creaking noise unexpectedly broke the silence of the room. Renji and Rukia looked at one another, 'did you hear that Renji?' Rukia asked, resuming to look around the room. Renji's eyes were focused on the door. It was still closed but something seemed rather off to him. 'Do you think someone came in?' Rukia questioned, noticing his intense stare.
'Perhaps… I don't know why though, this is Ikkaku's private office… we're so far down the hall…'
Rukia gently stroked Renji's cheek encouraging him to look back at her. 'I'm sure it is just the house.'
'Maybe… whatever, they didn't come in and they're not going to.' He moved away and locked the door. As he was coming back he took a look at Rukia's necklace. It was a small white rabbit with tiny diamonds for eyes. It looked rather juvenile to be honest. 'Aren't you getting a little old for stuff like this?'
Rukia frowned. 'Not even close, Ichigo gave it to me last year for graduation.'
'Seriously? Blimey, your brother's tastes in jewelry are questionable.'
'What's wrong with it?'
'It's a rabbit…?
'Well what's wrong with rabbits?' she asked sharply.
'Nothing Rukia, calm down. It's just not what I would get you.' Renji had that look most men seemed to get when they realized what they just said most definitely annoyed their significant others.
'You know Renji,' began Rukia coolly, 'sometimes I think when you open your mouth it's only to change whichever foot occupied it previously.' With that she snatched the necklace from his hands.
'I'm sorry?' he said, hardly trying to sound sincere, 'is there some reason to why it's a, well, a bunny rabbit?'
'Yes, but as if I am going to tell you now.'
'What? Why not? Just tell me.'
'No, you don't care and you'll just laugh, after all it's a "stupid rabbit"'
'Hey, I never said it was stupid,' Renji said, defending himself. Rukia merely crossed her arms and avoided his gaze. Renji decided to give in and apologize, leaning to kiss her temple, and along the side of her face, 'look I'm sorry, it's a beautiful rabbit. Absolutely stunning really, it's a magnificent bunny. Ichigo has a brilliant eye.'
Rukia wanted so badly to hold in her laughter but it was slowly escaping her lips. 'You're such an ass Renji.'
'Yet you love me anyway,' he smirked, capturing her lips again, 'now please tell me the story of this most fascinating bunny necklace.'
'Well, when I was small—'
'You're still small.'
'Renji!'
'Okay, sorry I'll shut it.'
Rukia exhaled, releasing her urge to smack Renji across the head. 'When I was… a child… I had this stuffed white bunny that I named Chappy. I took it everywhere with me. Ichigo, when he was small, followed me everywhere. He's always disliked the rain and thunderstorms so one night, I gave him Chappy so he wouldn't be scared and so he's have something there when I couldn't be with him. Then one day when I was I think turning fourteen, I got a terrible bout of pneumonia. I was really sick, no one was supposed to be near me for fear of catching it. But Ichigo would stay with me and keep me company. I got worse though, there was one night were everyone thought I would die. Ichigo brought Chappy to me and I remember holding it the whole night.'
Renji smiled softly, holding Rukia close in his arms, 'he's a good brother hey?'
'The best,' Rukia answered, 'after that though I got better completely, but my parents insisted on burning the sheets and Chappy so as not to spread the sickness. I was sad I mean, I loved that stupid bunny. So when I graduated from secondary school, Ichigo gave me this.'
Rukia's hands opened, revealing the necklace. Renji took it from her and put it back around her neck again. 'I guess there is more to Ichigo than just a psychotic older brother.'
'You would be the same I guess when Yachiru is old enough to date.'
'She will never date, or grow up. I forbid it.'
'Right cause—'
A knocking followed by the shaking of the door handle startled them both. 'Who's there?' demanded Renji in an authoritative tone. No one answered, not verbally anyway. Three knocks echoed again loudly on the door. 'Bloody hell,' muttered Renji as he got up to answer it. When the door opened, Rukia nearly died of fright as she saw the sinister face of Gin Ichimaru.
'Oh Mr. Ichimaru,' Renji greeted, 'what brings you over to this part of the house?'
'Hello young Renji, I was just taking a stroll, your father said I could find some excellent reading material on current events shall we say down this way?' Gin smiled and waved at Rukia. She wanted to look away but was fearful not to keep a close eye on him.
Renji eyed Gin suspiciously, 'my father sent you alone?'
'Perhaps, if you do not mind I could ask you some questions out here?' Gin offered. Rukia swear she saw him wink at her.
'Don't!' she exclaimed.
Renji looked at her puzzlingly, 'you all right Rukia?'
'No…' she said softly. Maybe it was the adrenaline causing her senses to be extra sensitive, but she swore she saw a beam of light shining off that knife Gin had pulled on Ichigo earlier.
'Rukia, have you gone around the bend or something?' Renji motioned to Gin to wait outside and went over to comfort Rukia, 'are you feeling okay?'
'Don't go out there,' Rukia whispered.
'What? Rukia I will be like a minute, tops, just wait a—'
'No Renji, please don't—'
'Look, I don't know what this is about but it needs to stop. Wait here.' Renji seemed annoyed and left wondering what the hell had gotten into his girlfriend.
Rukia felt more on edge than ever before as she sat listening intently. Maybe she was overreacting, Gin surely would not be so foolish as to kill Renji… and Renji would not be tricked into leaving her alone… would he? She felt warm, naucious even, her chest tight. She decided to distract herself a bit to calm down and regain some composure just so Renji wouldn't think she was completely insane. Looking on the desk she saw a few papers, news article clippings, nothing of interest. Suddenly though, something caught her eye…
Rukia only got to see a few words before the door swung open and Renji was storming towards her. He snatched the papers from her hand looking at her angrily. 'What did you see?' he demanded.
'Nothing.'
'Don't lie to me Rukia, what did you read?'
What had gotten into him? 'Honestly not much just…'
'Rukia those papers are not for your eyes.'
'I'm sorry,' she said quietly. The words she saw were troubling, so much so that it seemed unreal, as though it were a work of fiction. 'Is it… is it true?'
Renji looked at her, reluctance in his eyes. He nodded quietly, clearly not wishing to discuss this further, but he knew Rukia deserved a better answer than that. 'Yes, the Nazi Party is showing strong signs of potential aggression. My knowledge is limited, my father would know more but… well there's no need for you to worry yourself over this.' He had chosen his words carefully, Rukia knew that, and she also knew that he was hiding many things from her.
'Ichigo is thinking of joining the army,' she said. 'I know there's much talk of a war, and I can't bare to think it… do you think…'
'Rukia please,' Renji said, raising his voice slightly.
She acknowledged that he was done discussing this matter and dropped it. 'Is Mr. Ichimaru gone?'
'Yes, he was making his leave. Did, did something happen you seemed incredibly on edge when he came…'
'He just, he scares me,' Rukia answered honestly, 'I feel like he's a serpent and he's just slithering over me, poisoning me…'
'He is a little eccentric; I personally don't care for him much. Pretty sure he's harmless though.'
Rukia nodded, her thoughts wrapped around those words she saw on the paper: Threat… Nazi Party… defense… warfare… What was coming in the following years? What if Germany were to… no she couldn't fathom the idea, it couldn't happen, it wasn't possible. That would mean… she would lose everyone… Renji's hand came up to brush her tears away and pull her into his arms.
'I promised you I wasn't going anywhere,' he said sweetly to her, 'I love you Rukia, I will do everything possible to keep you safe, and keep your happiness.'
'You are my happiness,' she responded, clinging to him tightly, 'I don't want to ever let you go.'
'You won't ever have to,' he said, dreading the thought of ever having to let go of the love of his life who was in his arms now.
They stayed there in each other's arms for a while, until Renji suggested they go back out and get back in the Christmas spirit. Relieved to see that Gin Ichimaru had left, Rukia let herself push those haunting words from her mind and enjoy the rest of the party. Looking around the room at the smiling, laughing faces of her family and friends Rukia found both comfort and a deep sadness. She wondered if she wished really hard if time would freeze, right now, this very moment, where everyone was happy… the tolling of the clock however at every hour reminded her otherwise, reminded her that was she just an insignificant life and that no matter what happened, time would continue, day would become night… all Rukia could do was move helplessly forward…
