Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

Chapter 26

Rukia traced the tips of her fingers ever so gently on Ichigo's chest, afraid to disturb him when he looked so peaceful. It was getting late. Ichigo probably needed the extra sleep, and Rukia didn't mind the extra time to relax against his beating heart, their naked chests stuck together.

She took the time to memorize his face: the sharp angle of his jawbone, the small freckles under his eyes, the stubble forming on his chin. He looked so cute in his sleep. It reminded Rukia that Ichigo could be defenseless too.

There was something childlike and innocent about Ichigo last night. Rukia could only smile to herself when thinking about the way his fingers trembled when he unzipped her dress or the way his face turned beet-red when glancing to look at Rukia's naked body, mumbling how she was beautiful. Ichigo was so unsure of himself, claiming it wasn't his first time even when Rukia had to guide him. Ichigo was so sweet when it came to sex. Rukia liked being taken care of by him much more than any of the other times.

What made this time so wonderful? Perhaps it was because she was with someone she loved, and he loved her back. Rukia never believed that it made a difference whether or not it was with someone you love, but she was proved wrong.

As much as she didn't want to, Rukia quietly raised herself off of Ichigo and swung her legs off the edge of her bed. Ichigo shuddered, missing the warmth of Rukia's body. Rukia turned to look at him with a sweet smile, covering his bare chest with her comforter. She slowly bent over to pick up Ichigo's dress shirt to cover herself as she stalked out of her room, not even bothering to button up the shirt.

On her way, Rukia stopped to inspect her neck, making sure that Ichigo didn't leave any marks. She told him that she'd kill him if he left a single mark in her neck. The last time she had a mark, Byakuya embarrassed her publically.

Rukia checked her phone while digging in her refrigerator. She needed to be at the office in thirty minutes, but she wasn't worried because she wasn't really required to be there all the time. Plus, Rukia's assistant Sentaro Kotsubaki was already notified that Rukia would be busy in the morning.

"Good morning," said Ichigo from the doorway in a groggy voice.

Rukia turned around with a smug smile, loving the way he looked at her with her current attire. "Oh, good morning. I'm surprised you're up so early considering… you know…" Rukia said as her smile grew.

"God," Ichigo mumbled as he strode towards her small figure, reaching to grab her waist. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Rukia Kuchiki?"

With a scoff, Rukia turned around to face the beaten eggs in the bowl. She leaned back and caused Ichigo to groan as he rubbed her shoulders and kissed under her ear. "We've tangled ourselves in quite a mess, haven't we?" she said offhandedly.

Rukia could feel him smirk. "I suppose we have, but I don't have any regrets as long as you don't have any."

"I don't have any either, but are you sure? What I mean is… Are you sure you want me? I'm damn close to being a public figure, so there would be no such thing as privacy."

"Then, what would you call this? This seems pretty private to me," Ichigo chuckled.

"You aren't getting the picture," Rukia quietly as she scrambled the eggs. "Personally, I don't care about shit like status and wealth, but for my small family and dozens of others, that kind of shit is make-or-break when it comes to suitors."

"And?"

"And, no offense, but you aren't exactly the 'image' that people will expect to see. If we are seen together in a romantic relationship, people will talk and shake their heads. There will be headlines about 'scandal.' Richer men are going to start pursuing me more intently because they think that I would be able to resist the money and power they have to offer. People will glare at you for breaking an outdated status quo. A lot of pressure will be put on you, and I don't want you to get hurt in the aftermath of society's little tantrum," Rukia explained in a serious voice, keeping her eyes on the almost ready eggs.

Ichigo turned her around to face him, his face honest. "I don't care if they scorn me or mock and ridicule me. Rukia, as long as I can love you and be loved by you, I'll be a happy man until the day I die. You are worth everything, you beautiful woman."

Rukia smiled slowly, her face turning from shock to a demure look. Ichigo kissed the top on her forehead mildly and then rested his forehead on hers.

"I almost swooned there," Rukia teased. "I'm glad we have that all cleared up. I hope you know that I'm not taking any shit from anyone about this relationship."

"Good, I'll do the same."

"It's weird to think that when we first met, you were such an ass. I wanted to punch you in the face daily back then," Rukia said haphazardly.

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "I'd rather not remember that. I had nothing to change for, you know? I felt that my life had already peaked, so there was no point in trying to build relationships with anyone. I regret that part of my life because I pushed everyone away desperately, afraid that they'd let me down too. I only trusted myself. I put every ounce of my life into my work because I believed that I could be redeemed that way. I clung to what I believed that the perfect officer, turning myself into the emotionless monster that I was for so long. I thought I was boosting myself in the eyes of the other Police Departments, but in reality, I was tucking myself away, losing all emotions because I was afraid to get hurt again. I was practically a kid when the Kanisawa Incident happened. I didn't know how to cope because I was publicly shamed and looked down upon by everyone. It was different when my mother died because I had everyone there to support me. When I returned to Karakura Town after the Incident, well, people had less faith in me before because there was reasonable doubt about my guilt. I had messed up big time and everyone knew it. With my confident blown, I felt no need to grown as a person. That's how I became so bitter."

Rukia reached to grab his hand and smiled. "It's crazy how similar our stories could be. Maybe that's why we understand each other so well. No one else understood what it was like to be put under so much pressure by my family that any accolade wasn't enough to make up for the fact that I'm from Rukongai. I was beaten down mentally and emotionally time and time again, losing trust to open up to anyone."

"We both were the product of crushing pressure," Ichigo said quietly. "We made it out alive, though."

"Almost," Rukia responded. "Almost. I have a few loose ends to tie up before I'm free."

As Rukia strode confidently through the office towards Byakuya's and soon to be her office, nervous eyes followed her as she walked. Rukia glanced side to side as everyone hurried to huddle over their work as she walked by. What was the big deal? Was there something on her shirt? No.

They all looked like they knew something that she didn't, and that made her uneasy. Rukia wanted to ask what had them all tied in knots like that, but they looked worried and afraid to talk to her. What did they know that she didn't?

"Miss Kuchiki, how are you today?" called her assistant, Sentaro Kotsubaki.

"I'm feeling pretty great today actually," Rukia said with a little bit of cheer in her usually serious tone. "It was a good idea to go to that party. Originally, I didn't want to go without my brother, but I need to start acting like the head of the family considering I will be taking the responsibility soon."

"Yes, ma'am! It was a wonderful idea for you do so, ma'am!" Kotsubaki saluted in a loud and proud voice.

"Easy, Kotsubaki."

"Wait, ma'am!" Kotsubaki said while stopping her from walking into the office. "You have a visitor. I let him in. He's waiting."

"A… visitor? I wasn't aware that I'd have any visitors today."

"Why don't you see for yourself…"

Rukia slowly opened the door and craned her head in. A true disappointment was what was waiting for her. Her grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki, sat in a chair tapping his cane against the finished wood from the armrest of the chair. Byakuya stood behind him with his usual unreadable face. His disapproving scowl was plastered across his mustached face. Ginrei had these narrow, slate grey eyes that peered into the very soul of his victim. While he had long white hair just as majestic as Byakuya's, it was much thinner and course.

"Grandfather," Rukia drew out slowly. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I haven't seen you in quite a while, young lady. I would think that you would show more excitement to see your grandfather, hm? No matter. I should not have expected such manners from you." Ginrei's voice was quiet like an autumn breeze but held a harsh undertone hidden by the serene nature of his mannerisms. He often stood still like a statue, moving only to blink his eyes.

"My apologies, grandfather. I am simply a little tired after last night's party."

Byakuya's eyes flickered slightly, showing Rukia the slightest sign of distress. Unlike Byakuya, Ginrei was completely unreadable. That man was an apathetic monster hidden behind a quiet demeanor.

"It would seem you have quite the reason to be tired, young lady," Ginrei responded.

Rukia's eyes narrowed slightly. Did he just refer to what she thought he did? There was no possible way for him to know such a thing. This conversation was taking a darker turn, but this was no surprise since Ginrei was usually the bearer of bad news. He often got to the point right away, leaving no time for small talk.

"Why are you here?" Rukia said suspiciously.

"My, my… Such rudeness…"

"Please answer my question."

Ginrei swallowed, moving his neck slightly. "According to information given to me, you were seen dancing with a police officer from Karakura Town. In fact, it was the very one well known from the Kanisawa Incident. Not only were you seen with said officer, but you were seen leaving in a hurry with him. God knows what you did with him, but it is unacceptable."

"Did you come here just to scold me?" Rukia said in a calm voice, her throat starting to close in panic. How could he know that in less than twenty-four hours? The upper-class society sure loved their gossip.

"Don't think of it as scolding, think of it as a helping hand. I don't want your reputation to be sullied by some lower-class… scum."

Rukia opened her mouth to let him have a piece of her mind but held her tongue. She grit her teeth and clenched her fists. It was impossible to raise her voice at Ginrei Kuchiki. The last time Rukia raised her voice at him, she found herself being disciplined into silence. She was afraid to know what he would do this time. Ginrei was one of the top five most powerful men alive. Although he was not the head of the family, the man had political power. Anyone would do anything at the snap of his fingers.

"How did you find out?" Rukia said, glancing at Byakuya who was still silent.

"That is none of your concern. You must imagine the fury I felt when I found out a member of my family was seen being friendly with that man."

"Grandfather, you must have seen the news about Ichigo Kurosaki. He saved my life from Sosuke Aizen," Rukia said firmly, hoping that those words could sway his stubborn, old mind.

"Ichigo Kurosaki is his name, is it? Well, I've seen the news, and frankly, I'm embarrassed that a member of my family was involved with that situation. Being a hostage is something that a lower-class person would do. I suppose I'm not surprised considering where you came from."

"Aren't you glad that I'm safe?"

Ginrei paused for a moment. "I suppose. I simply wish that you acted like a fine member of society once. Byakuya, you are much too lenient on her."

"With all due respect, sir, I believe Rukia is a fine member of society," Byakuya defended.

"Oh, please, Byakuya. We both know someone from Rukongai could never really become a fine member of society," Ginrei said smoothly.

"Then why do you push me so hard?" Rukia asked seriously, glaring at Ginrei with her violet eyes.

"It takes extra work to condition someone like you to become someone like us," Ginrei added. "That is beside the point. End whatever relationship you have with that Kurosaki boy, platonic or romantic. God, I hope that your relationship is not romantic. That would be the worst-case scenario."

"What would you do if I didn't end our relationship?" Rukia asked boldly.

Byakuya's eyes widened slightly. "Rukia…" he warned.

Ginrei chuckled lowly in gasps of breaths. "Where did this insubordination come from? I assure you that an office in Rukongai could be arranged from you. In fact, I think it's possible to get that Kurosaki boy to find his way home back to whatever town he came from. Maybe, he might like Rukongai just as much."

"You would go that far," Rukia whispered.

"Young lady, you must know that I am completely serious about this. I cannot have our family name being tarnished."

"Grandfather," Rukia said lowly. "You know I'm a little too old to be called a young lady."

"Well, act less like a child and I won't feel compelled to call you that. It is hard to believe that you will be taking control of this family soon. I'm worried about our future."

Rukia glared at Ginrei. His slate eyes noticed her anger. A smug smile formed on his face. Rukia was much too bothered by his words, yet she could not do a single thing about it. She had everything to lose by losing her temper.

"I see…" Rukia breathed out.

Ginrei slowly raised out of the chair, his rickety joints cracking as he stood. "I hope that you make the correct decision. You owe everything to us, remember that. Your family is counting on you, young lady." He wobbled slowly passed Rukia with his normal, disapproving smile. "Byakuya, please escort me out," he said while opening the door and leaving.

Rukia was silent for a moment as Byakuya walked passed her. "Are you proud of yourself?"

"What do you mean?" Byakuya said quietly.

"You know what I mean. You just love seeing that old bat beat into me without consequence," Rukia said bitterly.

"You know that's not true."

Rukia's straight face turned into a frown. "Why didn't you help me? You just let me drown, Byakuya, and you know I can't do anything about it. That cantankerous man has overstepped his boundaries this time."

"Don't call our grandfather an 'old bat' or 'cantankerous.'" Byakuya said firmly.

"I can't believe he is trying to control my personal life now. What else does me what from me?"

Byakuya felt a knot in his stomach. He remembered a similar experience when he explained his intentions to marry Hisana, but Ginrei didn't put up such a wall. It was probably because Sojun was a mediator in the fight. In this fight, there is no middle-man, letting Ginrei run wild with his ideas. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"Your relationship… with Sheriff Kurosaki…"

"Detective Kurosaki," Rukia corrected.

"Is it true?"

"Yes, it is," Rukia said bluntly. "Byakuya, I love him, so I'm willing to fight to have him in life. I'm done letting that bag of bones control my life. I want Ichigo to stay in my life. Byakuya, you have to understand."

Byakuya paused and hovered his hand over the door. His mouth was dry. "I see…"

Howdy

So, what do you think of this chapter? Ginrei is one of those characters that is hard to capture accurately because of how little screen time he had. I tried my best to make his character as real as possible.

I'm going off to college in a few days, so we'll see how my schedule changes.

Peace ( ͡° ͜ ͡°)