A/N: Ayame desu! As always, thank you for your wonderful comments and thank you for your patience (I know I've been a bit slow in updating) This omake is the first out of a series that I will use throughout the story to make a transition or to add some further details. This particular one gives a bit more context to the sub-plot. The next full-length chapter will be up in a few days and will put the spotlight back on our lovely couple. Please look forward to it!
OMAKE #1: FAMILY PORTRAIT
By Ayame 213
For the first time in its entire existence, the Kuchiki Clan ruling circle was faced with an intractable dilemma. They could not afford to lose Byakuya over this nonsense but at the same time, there was no way they could live with his decision.
So what do you do when your once perfect leader has now seemingly gone astray? Well, the answer is actually quite simple: you secretly plot for a way to set him back on the right path...
"…so he really went through with it…"
"…yes…even though we boycotted the ceremony…"
"…and attempted to kidnap the priest…"
"…and ambush the witnesses on their way to the temple…"
"Dammit! We can't let Byakuya jerk us around like this! Just because he is the leader of this Household does not mean he can do whatever he likes…"
"…but we have already exhausted all other means of appealing his decision. Our hands are tied. Our strongest argument was that this went against the sacred rules and traditions of the Clan…but as our current leader, Byakuya's will is also just as valid as the Law…"
"…and that is why we are in this mess in the first place…so what now? Shall we just have the girl killed?"
"…no, too predictable…besides, what if he decides to go slumming again and brings out another one just to spite us?"
"…yes…anything seems possible now"
"…you know, the humiliation is one thing…losing access to the Miyamoto wealth is another…but what I really cannot tolerate are the possible consequences on the Kuchiki lineage. We absolutely cannot let Byakuya's phenomenal reiatsu go to waste!"
"You're right…because of that girl's filthy blood, there is a high probability that a child from this union will be weak…such a thing must never come into this world"
"Well then gentlemen…maybe we should start by thinking more along those lines…"
Akira listened but did not say a word to intervene in this sinister debate. Blood was thicker than water and he loved his nephew like his own son…but it was ultimately power and influence that would dictate the survival of this family for generations to come.
His eyes darkened as he considered his own course of action.
"From now on…it seems like things are going to get even more complicated"
