A/N: Here is the conclusion to the previous chapter! What will his family do this time, and what is Byakuya going to do about it? I hope you guys enjoy, and please let me know what you think. I love getting feedback from you guys, it makes me want to write more!
Before he knew it, the family was right back to their obvious tricks and ploys, and he began to think that maybe her fall really had been an accident. He and Rangiku had manged to find a routine that worked perfectly for both of them, spending most of their free time together, but still having time for each of them to have to themselves. It amazed him how well she fit in his life, the way she effortlessly adapted herself to his schedule and habits, but still not changing herself for him. One of the things he liked the most was that she insisted they have dinner together each night, dinner that she made for them, seeing this domestic side of her was a little surprising to say the least, but he loved it. She would even make lunches for him, to make sure he would eat as she knew he seldom left the office to go get something. When he'd agreed to them being friends, he had no idea that he was going to find his other half, she was his soul mate, the perfect yin to his yang, and he would move heaven and earth to keep her at his side. And while it was still early in their relationship, in relation to their long lives, he knew that one day he was going to ask her to marry him, and he already knew that she was going to say yes, as he could not imagine her saying no.
Speaking of lunches, he needed to take a small break and eat as it was well into the afternoon already. In fact, it was later than he thought. With Renji running the training drills for the day, he was left alone in the office and time must have slipped away from him. If he ate now, he would not be hungry at dinner, and Rangiku was making his favorite spicy curry tonight. He was about to just throw the food out (he wouldn't have the heart to take it home and tell her he didn't eat it, it wouldn't be the first time unfortunately.) when his third seat came in through the open door, carrying a small stack of reports addressed to him. "Captain, these just arrived from squad thirteen." The man said, placing the documents in his inbox. "Thank you. Rikichi, I let lunch slip my mind today, and I don't want this to go to waste. Would you care for it?" Holding out the homemade lunch in the other mans direction. "Um, actually captain, I forgot my own lunch at home, I would be honored to accept your generous offer." He said with a small bow, taking the bento from him. "Thank you captain." Another small bow.
"You are welcome. Please inform Renji that when he finishes the drills, everyone can go home early." His men were still shocked whenever he said something like that. "Yes sir!" Disappearing to relay the message. In the past, he would never have allowed his men an early dismissal from work, but after a few years with Rangiku around, he realized that their morale was as important as their work ethic. She had pointed out that they needed a reward for hard work other than words of praise once in awhile, a few hours here and there wasn't going to make any significant difference in their performance, but it would improve their moral and mental states. He was reluctant to admit it, but she had been right, and he would never forget the looks on their faces the first time he told them they were dismissed early. It had been the first day of a festival and they had not moved an inch, thinking maybe he was joking, and then it was a literal uproar of laughter and joy when he repeated himself. He had almost smiled at them in return, almost, instead saving it for when he told her that he had done it.
She was exhausted, his family had wasted no time in picking up where they left off, and it seemed they were intent to not let up anytime soon. Even worse, she'd been feeling under the weather, the symptoms were developing slowly, but surely and she knew it was probably why she was so tired. Byakuya was going to be home soon though, so she headed to the kitchen to start dinner. The kitchen had been restocked the week before, but after tonight's meal, they would be low on a few things. She still felt weird about just writing a list and leaving it for someone else, so maybe she would just go do the shopping herself this weekend, it would make her feel better than depending on the wealth of her boyfriend all the time, it would remind her that she was still the same person she was before him. With that decision made, she set to work, finishing just as he arrived. "Perfect timing!" She called out to him.
"It smells delicious." He said as he entered the kitchen, inhaling deeply and wrapping his arms around her from behind. "Here, taste it. Does it need anything?" Holding a spoon up to his lips. "Mmm...it is just right." Leaning in and pressing his lips to hers. "Good, go wash up and let's eat then." Filling two bowls and carrying them to the dining room. He was back in a flash and they talked about their day, and plans for the weekend while they ate. Byakuya did the dishes, and they spent the evening being lazy, laying around listening to music and playing board games with a bottle of sake. So when she felt completely sick the next morning, she thought it was a hangover, and moved on with her day, eating breakfast and heading to work. Byakuya had even complained about a headache himself, even skipping breakfast, and he rarely got hangovers.
As the day went on she started to feel worse and worse, but was determined to stick it out, working through her lunch, just the thought of food was enough to make her want to vomit. About an hour or so after lunch, Toshiro had asked her if she was alright, telling her that she looked pale and exhausted. "I'm not feeling too good Captain, I thought it was just a mild hangover this morning, but it's getting worse. I'm gonna get some water, I feel really thirsty all of a sudden." Coughing as her vision blurred. This was getting bad, now feeling achy and feverish, and when she got up to head to the small kitchen for water, she felt as though her legs were not listening to her brain, her breaths growing shorter and harder to take. What was going on? This couldn't just be a common cold or flu, but then what the Hell was it? Random muscles in her body began to twitch and she collapsed to her knees, not able to make herself take even one step."Rangiku! Are you alright? Here, lay on the couch for a minute, I'll get you some water." Her captain picking her up and moving her to the couch. Handing her a large glass of water, she drank as much as she could manage before she started to tremble, her arms giving up on holding the glass. Toshiro caught it before it hit the ground, and the look on his face was one she had only seen a handful of times before, he was suddenly very worried about her. Placing a hand on her forehead, he called out for their third seat and informed him that he was going to be taking her to see Captain Unohana. She felt him lift her into his arms, but lost consciousness before they could even get out of the 10th division.
He had rushed to the 4th division as fast as he could when he received the message from Toshiro. She was unconscious, breathing heavily and connected to an IV full of fluids. This was the second time in a month that she'd been admitted to the 4th squad, and it made him feel like a failure, like he wasn't capable of protecting her. After speaking with Unohana, pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place and he asked her to check Rangiku's system for toxins that would indicate that she did not in fact have some strange virus or sickness, but rather that she had been 'poisoned' so to speak. The look on the healers face when he made his request was one that not many could say they had witnessed, as she looked a bit horrified at what he was implying, but if it was true, many things would make sense. For starters, he himself had been feeling a bit under the weather, and his third seat had been looking pale and sickly as of late as well. If something had been put into their food, it would make sense that Rikichi was also sick, as he had eaten a few of Rangiku's homemade lunches when he had not consumed them himself.
When she had come to give him the results of her tests, he had allowed her to divulge the information in front of Toshiro as well, and the other man was suddenly fuming, looking as though he was ready to kill. He felt the same way that the younger man did, but he knew that he needed to handle the situation delicately, he couldn't rush forward in a blind rage, that would get him nowhere and it wouldn't make her well again either. "Captain Hitsugaya, we must not do anything rash, Rangiku should be our main concern right now. Once she is stable, I will take her home and let her rest there, where I can protect her." He said as calmly as possible. "Oh, because you've been doing such a great job at it already. This happened right under your nose, and you expect me to just let it go and trust you with her?" Toshiro snapped. It felt as though the other man had stabbed him in the chest, and he must have let it show in his face, for the other immediately apologized. "I'm sorry Captain Kuchiki. I know that you care for her very deeply, but this is very upsetting and I only want her to be ok, and happy. I do not wish for her to have to look over her shoulder all the time, in fear of someone or something lurking in the shadows." Letting out a long sigh."I want the same thing, and I do not intend to let this be swept under the rug, or made to be part of my imagination. I am aware that my family is behind this, and I have every intention of confronting them about it. After this evening, I assure you, they will think twice about harming her again." He replied, his hands balling into fists as he spoke. It was taking everything he had to not rush home and take his anger out on his family.
Unohana had released her once she regained consciousness, advising that she was to rest for the remainder of the day, and to make sure she got plenty of fluids. They could not get all of the toxins out of her bloodstream, so she was going to have to wait for her system to flush them on it's own, but she was out of danger and he was relieved at that, feeling as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Once he got her settled in comfortably, he sat with her until she drifted off to sleep again, asking Ayaka, one of the servants to sit at her side, and make sure that no one other than himself or her captain be allowed into the room. He knew that he could trust Ayaka, as Rangiku had befriended her, and the young woman completely adored her. "I will return as soon as possible, I must address some things with the elders. Please do not leave this room." He said as he made to head to the meeting he had called. "Yes Kuchiki-sama. I will tend to Matsumoto-sama's every need." Bowing deeply. Giving her a nod, he closed the door behind himself, dreading the conversation that was about to take place. They were going to deny it of course, but he would not allow this type of thing to continue, he was the head of this family, and he had been too lax with the elders in recent years, the proof in the fact that they thought they could get away with something like this.
Taking a deep breath, he collected his thoughts before entering the room, and got straight to the point. "I have called you here today because Rangiku ended up in squad four again this afternoon, and I will not allow your underhanded behavior to continue any longer." He said, keeping himself as calm as he could manage. "Again? What's wrong with her this time? And why would you think we had anything to do with it?" His grandfather questioned. "Please, do not play innocent, I know that she was poisoned, and myself along with her." His tone even. "If that were the case, why were you not admitted as well? It can't be bad enough to warrant you calling us together like this." His uncle Jirou said dismissively. He knew they were going to do this, but his anger was getting harder to keep under wraps. After a few minutes of them talking around his accusations, he had finally reached his breaking point. "Do not continue to lie to my face! The food supply in our kitchen was tampered with, and while you did not do it yourselves, you ordered it done. You almost killed her!" His voice raising to a volume he seldom used. "And if you had, you do not wish to know what I would have done. I would not be having this conversation, as you would all be at my mercy." He spat. "There was never any intention of killing her my dear boy. This was meant as a warning. You will find a suitable bride and stop seeing that woman, or else." Aunt Jin spoke, that ever present look of hatred in her eyes when she spoke of Rangiku. "So you admit it!? You think you are immune to rules and laws? Then I shall punish you accordingly, myself." His hand going to the hilt of Senbonzakura.
Opening her eyes and stretching as she took a deep breath, she was disappointed to see that Byakuya was not there. Ayaka came into the room carrying a vase full of fresh flowers and greeted her warmly as she set them on the nightstand next to the bed. "I am glad to see that you are recovering Matsumoto-sama. I will admit I have been very worried for you." She said with a small bow. "Ayaka, please, you may call me Rangiku. We've had this discussion." Placing her hand on the girls arm gently and smiling at her. "My apologies, Rangiku-san. It is a habit." A smile of her own in return. "How are you feeling? Do you need anything?" She asked, concern in her eyes. "No, I'm ok for now. But where is Byakuya? Did he head into work or something?" She questioned. Ayaka just stared at her for a few moments, as if unsure if she should say something or not.
"Ayaka, what is it? Where is he? Is he ok? I need you to tell me." A feeling of unease coming over her."He is fine, I just don't want to upset you in your condition, but I know you will make me talk anyway. He called a meeting with the elders and he is addressing the issue of the tainted food supplies that were stocked in your kitchen." She said quietly, her eyes drifting to the floor."Oh God. That stupid idiot...I've gotta stop this." She said, pulling back the covers and moving to get out of the bed. "No, you mustn't interrupt! I promised Kuchiki-sama that I would take care of you, so I am sorry Rangiku-san, but you must stay here and await his return." A bit of panic in the girls voice. "I have to, he's going to do something stupid, I can feel it. Don't worry, you won't be in trouble, Byakuya knows as well as you do that once I set my mind to something, nothing can stop me. Now, be a dear and grab me something to put on my feet." She said pointing to the closet as she stood and put on a yukata.
Halfway to the meeting room, she felt his spiritual pressure spike, and she pushed herself as hard and fast as she could manage without passing out, she had to reach that room before he did something rash. He was usually extremely calm, and in control of himself, but when It came to her, or others he loved, that hot headed child that he used to be would surface again. While it had only been once, she was familiar with what he was capable of when he let his anger and emotions rule him, she needed to stop him before someone got hurt...or worse, but she didn't want to think about that. Coming to a halt outside the sliding doors, she threw them open, her eyes going wide at the sight in front of her. He had his sword out and raised as if he was about to strike someone, the command for his shikai passing through his lips, his elders doing their best to not seem intimidated by the power flowing out of him. As Senbonzakura began to scatter, she dove forward, wrapping her arms under his and hooking her hands over his shoulders, effectively catching him off guard, and moving her right hand up to his forearm. "Stop. Byakuya, stop. It's not worth it." Pressing her face into his shoulder blade.
He froze completely, dropping his sword to the floor a few agonizing seconds later. "Rangkiku! What are you doing here? You shouldn't be out of bed." Turning and picking her up into his arms. "Byakuya, whatever you were about to do, let it go. It doesn't matter." She whispered. "It does matter. They could have killed you! This has to stop, now!" He growled at her. "But they didn't kill me did they? This isn't going to stop me from loving you, and it certainly won't make me leave you. So no matter how you look at it, they lose. It doesn't matter...more violence and anger won't solve the problem, you know this." She had to get through to him somehow, he was hurt and angry, and she couldn't stand it. But that didn't mean she was going to stoop to their level, in fact this made her want to turn the other cheek all the more, let them realize that she was being the bigger man, so to speak. Gripping her tighter, he didn't respond, just stared at her for a minute, as though he was trying to find the answers in her eyes and on her face. "You are only going to walk away unscathed today, because of the very person that you have tried so hard to run out of my life. So, I have a few things to say." He finally said, turning his gaze to his elders.
"Grandfather, you are no longer the head of this family, Aunt Jin, Uncle Jirou, and the rest of you you were never in my position to begin with. I am the head of this family, and I will not stand for any more interference in my personal life. If you do not stop this nonsense immediately, I can promise you, next time, someone will pay dearly. You are not in control of my entire life, no matter how much you might think so. This whole thing is my fault, for the last fifty or sixty years I have let you have much more say and power around here than I should have. Without someone I care for in my life, it didn't really matter to me as long as the pride of our name was kept in tact. But this recent behavior has opened my eyes, and I find your actions shameful and dishonorable. I should strip you of your status, but I am not as cruel as you. From here on out, your opinions will be taken into account, but you hold no more weight in my decisions than that. You answer to me at the end of the day, and my decisions are final." God that felt good to say! Not giving them a chance to respond, he continued. "Now, I am going to take Rangiku back to bed, and make sure she is comfortable. If you have issues with what I have said you may bring them to me tomorrow, I will be tending to my girlfriends needs for the rest of the day. And do not even think of trying to interrupt." Turning on his heel and walking out of the room without another word. Ignoring the shouts of his name, he was about to tell her that he loved her, when he realized that she was asleep once more. Letting a smile show, he made his way back to their quarters.
The next day, he met with the elders again, and this time it went much more smoothly. And he was pleased to tell Rangiku, when it was over, that they had agreed to no longer trying to interfere with their relationship, and that included setting him up on dates with noble women. The down side though, was that they would not allow him to marry her. If there was one thing they still had a say in, it was who would be carrying the Kuchiki name, and they refused to allow Rangiku the right to be called Mrs. Kuchiki. He was shocked however, at her reaction when he told her this. "So? Who cares? Who said I would take your crappy last name anyways?" She said with a wink and a smile. "Besides, if we want to get married, they can't really stop us if we do it in the World of the living can they? We can have a non traditional wedding...If we get married that is. Sorry, I was getting carried away." She laughed nervously. "Do not be sorry, a non traditional wedding sounds wonderful. You never cease to amaze me Rangiku Matsumoto. You are just always so adaptable, and clever. I'll never know what I did to deserve someone as beautiful, inside and out, as you are...but I thank whatever Gods may be that you came into my life, and I don't plan to ever be without you." Nuzzling his head in the crook of her neck. Knowing her, she would find a way to make his family accept her eventually, and when that day came, his whole life would be absolutely perfect. Little did he know, that day would come much sooner than he could have guessed.