We're The Same

Chapter 20: Screw The Laws!

Disclaimer: I own no rights to Bleach or Nekojin. Although, I praise the creators as geniuses.

Byakuya sat in this study, refusing to go to the meeting that would decide his sister's fate. Shame was all he felt; he had broken his word to his wife and was prepared to face the consequences in the after-life for his lack of courage. Whoever "obtained" his sister's hand would get a deadly glare and a vicious talking to before they escaped the estate, it was the very least he could do for her now. As he contemplated this, a knock suddenly vibrated through the small room.

"I believe I gave instructions not to be disturbed. Please be so kind as to…" The door slid open and the tall, dark haired Nekojin, Yoruichi Shihoin, stepped into the room. Although the shock did not register on his face, the head of the Kuchiki House felt it's furious throes.

"Hello there, Byakuya. It's been quite a long time." She said without letting him speak. "I've come for a very specific purpose today." Byakuya glared at her form across the room, his anger evident.

"Yoruichi Shihoin, even if your family is connected to mine through business that is no excuse for such a disrespectful display." He turned away from her and back to his desk. "Please see yourself out. If you have pressing business, please speak to my—"

"I'm here about a certain Nekojin that getting the burnt end of the fish in this arrangement," she swiftly cut him off. "I think you understand what I'm talking about." The Nekojin woman leaned against the wall, folded her arms across her chest and patiently waited for him to reply.

"If you've come to ridicule me," he said without turning around. "Then I must ask you to wait for another occasion." He glared over his shoulder at her. "I am in no mood for your sharp tongue this day. Be gone." Yoruichi grinned and gazed toward the direction of the meeting hall.

"That's a shame. I came all this way help my dear student, Rukia, but her brother turns me away at the door. After all, you were the one who asked me to keep an eye on her while she was away at the University." The Nekojin woman's tail taunted him from across the room and her mischievous catlike smirk did nothing to instill confidence.

However, Byakuya did tilt his head and look back at her with a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Continue," he demanded, his voice firm and cold. Yoruichi knew she had him now, he was just as easy to manipulate as she remembered. Ever since they'd met as young adults they had been rivals. Well, Byakuya thought of them as enemies but it was all the same to the fun loving Nekojin.

Yoruichi let her smirk fade and honestly smiled at him, frightening yet encouraging the man. "What would you say if I offered you a way to keep both of these precious promises you hold so dear?"

The entire meeting hall was silent as the tall, orange haired man interrupted their proceedings. No one understood the reason for his intrusion or who the young man was either. Judging by his clothes, he could be a last minute suitor that failed to notify them ahead of time.

A particularly old and nasty looking Elder Kuchiki woman, Chiyo, frowned at the young man, her glare only beginning to intensify. How dare this ruffian show himself before them with such a wretched color atop his head? Even if he was a respectable suitor, which she highly doubted, his conduct was completely uncalled for! She stood from her seat and shouted, "What is the meaning of this! We have received no word of an additional suitor! Leave at once!"

Ichigo completely ignored the crazy old lady and instead strode into the room, stopping in front of Rukia. The Nekojin girl gazed up at the Dandelion as he held his hand out to her. Lost in a state of bliss, the Nekojin instantly gripped his outstretched hand and he pulled her to her feet. A defiant smirk appeared on his lips as he turned and addressed everyone…

"Well…it seems she's chosen me."

Ichigo tugged on her hand and gently pulled her toward the door. However, a menacing figure stood in their way; an infuriated Elder Chiyo glared at the courageous young man. She shifted her furious gaze to the Nekojin and commanded, "Rukia! Resume your seat this instant!" Ichigo tightened the grip on the catgirl's hand, refusing to let go. Like it or not, Rukia couldn't break away from him at the moment.

Chiyo's evil glare shifted back to Ichigo, who was growing impatient with the bitchy old woman. "You will leave the premises this instant, you lowly piece of trash. How dare one of your kind come barging in here—"

"Old Lady," Ichigo had a forced smile on his face, a clear sigh he was less than pleased with her. "Get out of my way or I make you get out of my way." His voice was calm and clear, no hesitation existed in it.

Elder Chiyo grew red with fury. "Insolent little bastard! I demand you release that creature immediately and—" the moment the older woman dared to call Rukia "that creature", Ichigo's eyes changed. Gone was the man of kindness and reason, only protection and anger dominated his mind.

He set a hand on the old lady's shoulder and gave her a very light shove or at least he thought it was light. The woman shrieked at the top of her lungs as she fell the short distance to the floor, not because of the force but because he actually dared to touch her! Ichigo wasted no time in opening the door and pulling Rukia along with him, shock all over her face.

He slammed the door shut behind them and vigorously pulled her down the hall. Shouting and exclamations were heard from the meeting room but no one dared follow. "We need to talk," Ichigo informed her as he roughly tugged her hand.

"No shit!" Rukia shouted, trying to keep up. Ichigo stopped and glanced back to her.

"Where's your room?" he asked so nonchalantly it was almost painful. Rukia tore her hand away and punched him in the gut, causing the Dandelion to double over.

The Nekojin strode in front of him, grabbed him by his bright orange locks, and pulled him along. "Hurry up, Dandelion!" she yelled as he gave a girly wail at his hair being pulled.

Rukia opened the door to her room and tossed him in. She locked the door and bravely approached him, her fists balled. "What the hell are you doing here?" she screamed as she hit him in the face. The tall Dandelion fell to the floor and raised an eyebrow up at her. "I thought I made it clear that you needed to stay away!" she delivered another punch and he gladly took it. "Do you want to ruin your future?" This time he caught her fist and gazed up at her.

"My future was already ruined!" he exclaimed, standing up and towering over her. Anger clouded the Nekojin and she gritted her teeth at him.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she tried to kick him but her evaded. "Are saying that my being with you was ruining your future?" Her hand swiped at him and barely missed.

"No! I mean that you running out on me gave me no future at all!" he dodged another fist aimed at his face. "Would you just calm down so we can talk?" Rukia ignored his comment and went to kick him again. This time, her kimono caught her leg and she fell forward. She closed her eyes and braced for the fall but two strong arms caught her.

Her eyes snapped open and she realized that, once again, Ichigo had prevented her fall. She was breathing heavily and her heart was racing. She just didn't know what to do now. Even if she went back to the meeting hall, Ichigo would still be on the Kuchiki Family's shit list and there was no saving him now. As Ichigo set her upright she gazed up at him, as if asking what to do.

He gave a surprising answer…

"Why are dressed like a doll in an antique shop?" Rukia's eyes widen and her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a laugh. Finally, someone who realized how ridiculous she looked! He was back less than ten minutes and he already had her laughing. God, she had missed him!

"Turn around," she ordered. Ichigo raised an eyebrow but she glared at him and raised her fist at him. He instantly turned around and she discarded the red kimono but left the white under layer on. She sighed in relief and proclaimed, "Much better!" Ichigo turned around, drank in the image, and nodded.

"I agree…" His shin felt pain and he realized she was better equipped to hurt him now. Either way, she did look much better and not so dolled up. Rukia stretched her arms above her head, her tail and ears straightening out too. She glared at him and commanded, "Sit." He did so and she took a seat in front of him, cross legged and infinitely more comfortable. Sitting on her knees was entirely too painful and stupid looking in her opinion, Ichigo would have agreed.

"Now, tell me what the hell you're doing here. And it better be good!" Her tailed swished behind her and her ears perked up, a sight he missed seeing very much.

"I'm here to rescue you…" Rukia's fist collided with his face and knocked him over.

"I thought so!"

Ichigo struggled to get back up, hissing, "If you knew then why did you hit me?" She grabbed his flailing arm and pulled him up.

"The part about why that should matter as long as you're with me!" A perplexed look overtook Rukia's face and she froze in place. "How can they destroy my life if the only person that makes my life worth living is with me? The only way they can do that is by…I don't know…taking her away from me!" His voice nearly knocked her over. "Seriously, Rukia! Did you think I was just gonna go on with my life without you like nothing happened! I've told you this enough times but now I'm gonna spell it out nice and clear for you!"

He reached out and gently gripped her face in his hands. He smashed his lips on hers and her eyes widened in shock. He quickly pulled back and said directly in her face, "You are my world, Rukia…and there's nothing you can do to change that." Her whole body felt tingly after that passionate kiss. Her ears and tail twitched and fluttered in unbridled delight and her mind was quickly melting.

She reached up and placed her hands on his face and pulled him into another kiss. She pulled back, breathing heavy and blushing. "I hate it when you pull that trick on me…it always works. You cheating Dandelion." She gently smiled at him.

Ichigo smirked at her and replied, "Get over it, violent Midget." Ichigo knew he never pulled that kind of trick before but he forgave her, because she was smiling again.

"What now?" she nervously asked, the smile still visible on her lips.

"Get your stuff." He replied quickly. "Were getting the hell out of this festering hell hole!" The catgirl raised an eyebrow at him.

"You never plan things out before hand, what the hell is wrong with you?" the Nekojin asked as she stood and moved to pack her things. Ichigo scoffed, then smirked at her way.

"Your right, I just kind of wing it. That's why I've got back up…"

Although a little apprehensive about running from her family duties, Rukia could honestly care less about her family right now. Hisana would have understood, she would've even encouraged her little sister's choice. Byakuya was a frightening matter to contend with but it was too late to worry about that now. Rukia made her choice, she chose Ichigo over everything else.

Luckily, she didn't have much unpacked and it was easy to get it all back into her suitcase. She reached for the handle but Ichigo grabbed it first and easily lifted the large travel ware. He held his hand out to her and she eagerly took it.

As long as they avoided her brother surely they could find a way to…

"We need to get to your brother's study." The Dandelion blurted out, causing the Nekojin's mouth to gape at him. He was driving them to their deaths! It was like a snowman wanting beach front property on the sun…during the summer! That's how stupid her Agitatee was!

"No! We need to avoid him to live! Is that too hard for you to understand! He'll kill you!" Rukia pleaded/demanded, fear and panic in her voice. Byakuya was the only one that she would not be able to stand up to, the only one she'd be afraid to disobey.

"No, he won't." Ichigo answered defiantly, "I told you, I brought back up." Rukia wracked her brain but no one came up until…

"Oh, hell no…"

Byakuya reread the contract in front of him for the third time, checking for any loopholes. "How long have you had these?" he asked the dark haired Neko woman. Yoruichi smirked at him.

"Nearly a year. Figured it was best to be prepared." Her catlike grin annoyed him but he did find merit in her strategy. He had in front of him, completely filled out aside from his signature, the rights to transfer Rukia's guardianship from himself to Yoruichi.

"How am I to be sure she will be well provided for?" the business man asked, concern laced deep down in his question. The catwoman continued to egg him on.

"I may not be as loaded as you but I can definitely pay for her tuition." She answered, more than pleased with herself. She didn't look it but she came from a very rich family with just as many connections as the Kuchiki Family, maybe even more. "Besides, that girl's like daughter to me. I didn't watch out for her for last year just for kicks, ya know."

Although not completely satisfied, it was enough to convince the Kuchiki Head. Yoruichi had kept him well informed on many matters concerning Rukia. After he had ruthlessly scolded his sister for the fight she was in last semester, Yoruichi had called him and informed him of the truth. It was devastating to him but he did not possess the will to apologize for his actions.

Instead, he had Yoruichi keep a closer watch on her than usual. However, Yoruichi failed to notify him that Rukia had a little Dandelion in her life and that needed to be rectified, that's why she told Ichigo to bring Rukia to her brother's office after the "rescue". It would be an explosion but one she had waited for ever since Rukia first made mention of the orange haired youth.

Byakuya gave the paper one last look over before sighing to himself and reaching for a pen. He signed his name on the line and silently said a prayer to Hisana, informing her that he finally felt he'd done something good for Rukia.

Yoruichi grabbed the paper from him and smirked, "And with that, Rukia is officially under my care…by the way she has a boyfriend…"

Byakuya's pen snapped and his eyes narrowed. Before he could interrogate the deceitful Nekojin in front of him, his door flew open and there was his sister…with a young man whose hair was brighter than the sun!

"Perfect timing!" Yoruichi proclaimed. "Byakuya…Ichigo…Ichigo…Byakuya." Immediately, Byakuya made an assessment of the boy. His hair was too loud, his appearance was subpar and his defiant eyes bugged the businessman to no end.

"Yo!" Ichigo responded, followed immediately by Rukia smacking him in the face. "What was that for you crazy, cat Midget?"

"Don't insult my brother like that you asshole Dandelion!" she shouted at him, glaring all the while. In that moment, Byakuya made another assessment about the situation. Rukia was clearly the dominate one between them and aside from that, her fingers were laced between his own affectionately.

Despite the boyfriend aspect being dropped on him like this, the Kuchiki Head's soul was finally beginning to find peace. Byakuya was no fool, he knew Rukia was not the dainty little flower she pretended to be for their family. She was fierce and wild, just like her sister only more so. It was something he regretted having to suppress in her.

However, whoever this young boy was, he was able to bring out her innermost nature and had her comfortable enough to shout at him in front of her own brother. It was not enough to convince him the boy was worthy of her but it was a definite start. "Boy," he called out to the young man. "I wish to speak to you in private." He turned to Yoruichi and said, "Please inform Rukia of this development. I have a few questions for this…boyfriend." Ichigo courageously released Rukia's hand and stepped into the room.

Yoruichi nodded to Byakuya and pulled a panicking Rukia out of the room. The idea of her brother alone with Ichigo was bringing up horrid nightmares. Yoruichi patted her ears and whispered, "Ichigo can handle this. He's a lot tougher than anyone else, believe me!" Rukia forced herself to calm down but the worry still proved to be overwhelming. Yoruichi sighed and turned her fellow Nekojin's face to glare at her own. "This is important so listen..."

Rukia nodded and Yoruichi began explaining about the papers in her hand.

For at least a minute, Byakuya stared directly into Ichigo's eyes, his arms folded across his chest. Ichigo returned the glare in kind and they sat, wordlessly judging one another. Ichigo wanted to punch this guy's light out for all he put Rukia through and Byakuya wanted to disembowel this delinquent for daring to be near his beloved little sister.

It all evened out really…

However, Rukia was more important to them than that so they remained motionless and merely exchanged glances. After what seemed like an hour Byakuya's voice rang out, "What is your name, boy?" The businessman's tone was hard and cold, just as Ichigo expected.

"Ichigo Kurosaki." The boy's tone was as loud and unruly as his unusual hair, just as Byakuya expected. Byakuya huffed and Ichigo's glare intensified, he hated being judged so quickly and decisively.

"Ichigo Kurosaki," Byakuya repeated, his voice commanding respect. "We have little time so I will get straight to the point…What is my sister's worth to you?"

Ichigo instantly fired back, "Don't talk about her like she's something that involves gain! If you're not going to respect her then I won't answer your question." Although his defiance upset the businessman, it also gave him great insight into the boy. The boy may have misread the question but he still came to Rukia's defense first and foremost, something Byakuya could undoubtedly respect.

"I will rephrase the question then," Byakuya replied, his voice still frigid and distant. "What does my sister mean to you?" Ichigo's eyes suddenly changed and Byakuya noted something extraordinary—confidence filled the young man so much it practically overflowed.

"If I had to choose between the world or her, the world would be screwed." Even if it was a vulgar analogy, it got the message across. Slowly, Byakuya's soul was becoming clearer and more resolute in letting his sister go. He uncrossed his arms and let them hang at his side, a sign of growing respect, even if the boy would never understand it.

"I have one more question for you, and then you may go." Ichigo hated the way this man was so demanding but it reminded him of Rukia which reminded him to be on his best behavior. "You have gone through a lot of trouble just to be with my sister so I must ask…How serious are you about her?"

The two questions were similar but also comparatively different. He first asked if he cared about his sister, now he asked if he was going to love and care for her for the rest of their lives. Quite a loaded question but one Ichigo had no trouble responding to.

Ichigo took a deep breath and allowed himself to smile brightly. "She is the most important thing in my life and I will do whatever I need to do to make her happy." For the first time in many years, Byakuya's eyes widened. This boy had repeated the very same words he had defiantly proclaimed to the Kuchiki Elders over ten years ago.

Flashback: Kuchiki Manor – Ten Years Ago

A young Byakuya Kuchiki stood with a lovely Nekojin girl at his side, facing down the glares of the Elders. He glared back at them while the Nekojin, Hisana, looked to him with concern. "You dare make such a request of us! Absurd!" the Elder's voice boomed.

"It is not absurd." He gestured to Hisana and said, "This is the woman I have chosen to marry. She is noble and strong, as well as kind and intelligent. There is no reason to reject this union!"

"Silence, boy!" a younger Elder Chiyo shouted. "She is filthy animal! She has no place among us and will only serve to drag our noble name through the mud!"

"It is not only that." Another Elder pointed out. "You also wish to adopt her younger sister into our noble house, how can you justify this atrocity?"

Byakuya's anger flared as he yelled back, "It is not an atrocity, don't you ever speak that way about her again!" Hisana glanced lovingly up at him and he smiled down at her, not caring that the Elders could see his affections.

The tension in the room intensified. "Nevertheless," Chiyo called out. "The laws of our clan are absolute. This union will never be—"

This woman had tried the limits of Byakuya's patients for the last time. "Screw the laws!" he shouted, causing everyone to gasp. He pulled Hisana close to himself and shouted "She is the most important thing in my life and I will do whatever I need to do to make her happy!" He embraced her tightly and shot the Elders a final glare before storming out of the room with his beloved.

As Byakuya glanced down with wide eyes at this boy, he knew the young man had made his decision. No matter how much he could hate this young man and all he stood for, he knew without a doubt that his opinion did not matter in the slightest to this brave young man.

The business man recovered and cleared his throat. "I see," he closed his eyes and continued, "Be warned that if any harm comes to her…I will personally hunt you down and disembowel you for failing to protect her." It was the closest Ichigo was going to get to approval and it was all he needed.

"If anything happens to her, I'll kill myself before you get the chance to." He smirked, annoying the older man thoroughly. Just then, they heard an older voice scream something outside the room and they both turned to face it.

"Okay, I'm a what now?" Rukia questioned for the third time, her ears deceiving her. Yoruichi sighed and tapped her fellow Nekojin on the head.

"Basically, you're a Shihoin now, not a Kuchiki." Rukia seemed to actually register it this time. "As of now, I'm acting as your legal guardian so you have no obligation to the Kuchiki's anymore." The younger Nekojin continued to stare blankly at her. Yoruichi sighed again, "You're free to be with Ichigo now. Plain and simple."

Rukia blinked twice, "Is it really that easy?" Yoruichi scoffed, "Trust me it was a lot harder than you think…"

"There you are!"

The Nekojin women turned around to see a furious Elder Chiyo walking directly toward them. "You filthy little bitch!" Chiyo slapped Rukia across the face. "How dare you disgrace us in such a…an animalistic way! Come with me!" she gripped Rukia's arm and tugged but she went nowhere. She glared back at the catgirl and shouted, "How dare you disobey me!"

The older woman swung her hand back for another slap but Rukia caught it firmly in her hand. Rukia glared at the older woman, tightening her grip. "You will never speak that way to me ever again!" the Nekojin shouted, "You're a despicable woman who made my sister suffer and you deserve to rot in hell for such a thing!" Fear enveloped Chiyo as the young Nekojin berated her.

Rukia pushed the frightened Elder away and hissed at her with ferocity. Her tail stood straight up and her ears flattened to emphasis her rage. Chiyo slowly regained her anger, "How dare a filthy animal like you talk to your better like that!"

"You're not her better anymore!" Ichigo shouted suddenly appearing at Rukia's side, Byakuya not far behind. Ichigo turned to his Agitator and smiled, "Couldn't have done better myself…"

"No, you would've just punched her. I was being nice." Rukia retorted grinning back at him.

The instant Chiyo spotted Byakuya she shouted, "Byakuya! How can you allow her to treat me in such a disrespectful way! It is time to teach this disgusting beast a lesson!" The old woman was sure to win now or so she thought…

"Lady Chiyo, you are addressing an honored guest of our house and are acting rather shamefully." Byakuya's voice was laced with venom and Chiyo's demeanor began to crumble.

"H-Honored guest! This filthy beast is, regrettably, a member of our house and needs to be shown discipline!"

Byakuya stepped in front of his sister and glared down at the disgusting woman, he had waited years for this moment. "Lady Chiyo…I must inform you that we have made a fatal error in judgment." The old woman's eyes became nothing but perplexed. "It seems that Rukia had already been formally adopted into the Shihoin House before her arrival here. Rukia, herself, was unaware of this since she was not able to be contacted during her travel."

His glare continued to strike unending fear into his fellow Kuchiki. "I made a grave mistake in that I had forgotten about Miss Yoruichi Shihoin's request before I instructed my sister's return." He gestured to Yoruichi, who only grinned at the frightened woman. "It seems that all the paperwork was completed before we arranged for the suitors to meet with my sister. Therefore, she is no longer a part of our noble House and you have displayed a great amount of disrespect for her and her new household."

The older woman fumed, she would not give up so easily. "That does not excuse the rudeness of the ruffian behind you. The boy struck me!" Elder Chiyo shouted and Byakuya glared back at Ichigo.

"Is this true?" The business man politely asked.

Ichigo shrugged meekly, "No, I only gave her very light push but that was because she refused to stop blocking the door." The Dandelion defended himself. Byakuya nodded back to him.

"I see," Byakuya glared back at Chiyo. "I sent the boy to fetch my sister as soon as possible to avoid further problems with the situation but it seems you misunderstood and brought even more shame to our House. I am very disappointed in you, Lady Chiyo."

Even if they all knew it was a lie, the frightened Elder did not. Chiyo struggled to form words, "B-But…how can this be…?" she muttered as Byakuya partially bowed to her.

"The fault lies entirely with me and I will receive my punishment in due time." He quietly smiled to himself, pleased he'd been able to do something to protect his sister after so many years of unfair treatment. He lifted his head and his cold gaze pierced the horrible woman again. "I suggest acting with more dignity and respect, such as my sister has displayed for many years."

"You should be ashamed of yourself." Yoruichi added behind him. For once, Byakuya didn't mind her commentary on the subject. Yoruichi turned to the couple and said, "I think we've overstay our welcome." She bowed to Byakuya, followed by Rukia who pulled Ichigo down with her. "We will be in touch." They all lifted their heads and filed toward the front door. Rukia and Ichigo glanced back and stuck their tongues out at the miserable woman.

Byakuya watched them go before turning back to Chiyo. "Please endeavor not to drag out noble House's name through the mud any longer. That is all." And with that he returned to his study, leaving a humiliated Elder Chiyo to seethe.

Once back inside his study, Byakuya moved to the adjacent room and sat before the alter dedicated to his wife. He smiled to himself as he viewed the lovely picture of his beloved.

"It has taken many years…Hisana, but now you can rest easy. Rukia and I will be fine."

It was dark and the road was completely empty, save for a single car on the lone highway.

Yoruichi glanced at her rear view mirror as she drove her car back toward the beautiful city of Tokyo. In the image in the mirror, the Nekojin woman saw the young couple leaning against each other, peacefully sleeping in the back seat. Rukia's soft purring filled the area and Yoruichi noticed Ichigo's arm securely around her waist and his fingers intertwined with hers.

It was gonna be a long drive back but the view was more than forth it.

To Be Continued…

That was epic! I loved writing that scene because I always like the Elders getting what they deserve! Ichigo, Rukia, Yoruichi and Byakuya kicked some verbal ass and taught everyone a valuable lesson…don't f**k with IchiRuki!

Side note: Anyone else find this new viewing format on the site awkward?

Please Review and thank you all for reading!