Byakuya and Rukia Learn About the Family (But Mostly Byakuya)

So, the first people to ever meet Ichigo's extended family are the Kuchikis. He figures since, hey, the siblings were practically his family already, they may as well meet everyone else.

There's also the fact that Ichigo grew up playing manhunt with Byakuya's older sisters, but that's a minor detail compared to the 'please meet my family potential future girlfriend and girlfriend's brother' thing, though he's not quite so sure they're relationship is going to end up that way, since he's found out recently he has a slight penchant for dick.

Surprisingly, Byakuya takes the sisters thing pretty well, and Rukia, once she and Lilit realize they share a love of Chappy, are joined at the hip, much to Joy's dismay.

Ichigo introduces everyone as they come and go through the kitchen, shocking Byakuya with names like 'Aizen' and 'Hirako'.

This is when he meets her. Tsukiko.

She's the last to be introduced, and certainly the most eye-catching, even with Minoru's multiple tongue piercings and Ayame's mismatched eyes. Pure white, golden eyes, dressed in a white gown fitting of a Jane Austen novel... She's absolutely gorgeous in every way.

When he introduces himself, she just gives him a cold, calculating glare and sniffs.

"Another Kuchiki, Ichigo?" She asks disdainfully. "I thought I told you they were below your station."

Byakuya blinks, and Ichigo clears his throat awkwardly.

"Ah, Byakuya, this charming lady is Yamamoto Tsukiko, Yama-jii's grandaughter by his second wife. She's a bit... Selective."

"I prefer the term 'well-bred'," she tells him, nose in the air. "And honestly, Ichigo, princes shouldn't be fraternizing he way you do with the common people. It's just not done."

"I'll fraternize with whoever I like, if it's all the same to you, baa-chan," he says mildly. "And the girl over with Lilit is his adoptive sister Rukia, by the way. You said you wanted to meet her?"

Tsukiko brightens.

"Is that her? My, I think I was right. She does look and awful lot like a member of the Fukazawa house. Girl, come here," she orders imperiously, making both of the Chappy fans look up. "Not you, Lilit, the other one. Rukia, was it? Come here."

Rukia glances at her brother and obeys, pulling out all the best of her nobility that she'd learned over years of being a Kuchiki.

"Yes, you're quite pretty, indeed," Tsukiko murmurs. "Adopted, were you?"

Rukia, well-trained at this point to understand the obvious superiority of the other woman, nods meekly.

"Nii-sama adopted me after my elder sister died," she says in her best speech. "It was a last request."

"I see." Tsukiko's eyes soften slightly. "Well, my dear, it seems he didn't realize what a gem you really are. No doubt a blood right will be necessary, but I'm almost completely certain of your noble blood. The Fukazawa clan has nearly died out, you know, and they certainly are in need of a proper heiress."

As Rukia stutters out a reply, wide-eyed and utterly bewildered, Ichigo takes a moment to look at Byakuya.

The man's eyes are wide in surprise and maybe a little bit of admiration, his mouth is slightly open, and his gaze is locked on Tsukiko.

Ichigo smirks. He may not be Tadao, but he can tell a sucker when he sees one.

He can't wait to see how it all plays out.

15

As it turns out, Byakuya isn't very good at dealing with people who are of equal or higher standing of him, and eventually admits defeat and comes to Ichigo.

"Don't look so down, she's like this with everyone at first," he tells the uncomfortable lord sitting with him at his kitchen table. "The trick is to get Nancy to like you, first."

Byakuya blinks.

"Who's Nancy?"

"Nancy's her... Other, personality. She developed it when she was locked up in an asylum in England." Ichigo sips his tea absently. "Nancy's easy. She likes power, and powerful people. Ask Tsukiko to spar, and if you win, you'll manage to dazzle Nancy enough to maybe get Tsukiko to give you a chance. You lose though..." Ichigo trails off with a shrug. "You'll probably win, though. Nancy isn't strong enough to beat a captain level, I think, especially not one like you."

Byakuya nods slowly. "I... I think I understand," he says at last, and Ichigo smiles.

"I thought you would. Be warned, though- she was in eleventh division, before she disappeared, under the second Kenpachi. She'll be out for blood, if she fights you."

That's not a comforting thought. At all.