Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Though Rukia and Ichigo expected contact from Byakuya quickly, demanding that they come and listen to his rules for their relationship; it wasn't until a week had passed since he had assaulted Ichigo with his shikai that they finally received a hell butterfly from him. It had been a relatively normal day, until Rukia saw the butterfly fly through the window and land on her desk.
Ichigo looked up as she was relayed the message, paying careful attention to her expression which shifted from nervous to anxious. When the butterfly took off she turned to him. "Ichigo, have you finished your work?"
He looked down at the empty space before him, there hadn't been much for him to do today so looked back at her and nodded. "Yeah, was that for both of us?" Rukia stood and he mimicked her actions.
"Yes, it was from Nii-sama." Ichigo shuddered slightly, he wasn't sure if he should be glad they were getting this over with or not. "He has asked that we come to the mansion as soon as possible, he didn't give a reason but..."
She glanced up at Ichigo and he sighed, it was obvious why her brother had requested their presence. "I hope Byakuya's in a good mood today...or at least a less violent mood than before."
Rukia snorted and smirked up at him. "I wouldn't bet on it, maybe you should just be polite to him again." Ichigo waved the idea off as they walked out of the barracks.
"Nah, if he's gonna try anything again I'll just have to remind him of our other fight." He smirked back at her and she rolled her eyes.
"Nii-sama has been training for 17 months unlike you, and you at least had bankai available to you when you fought him at my execution."Ichigo frowned .
"Oi, it's not like I wanted to be powerless for so long. Anyway, I still have bankai...I just haven't used it yet because I haven't had the time, would you rather see me smother a bunch of slightly spiritually sensitive people in Rukongai?" Rukia didn't speak for a moment as she formulated a comeback.
Ichigo was about to claim victory when she finally spoke up. "That wouldn't happen if you had better control of your reiatsu, the Captain Commander doesn't smother souls everywhere he goes." Ichigo scowled back at her, almost walking into another shinigami as his attention was diverted away from where he was going.
"He's had longer to train it, at least it's gotten better than it was before." Rukia gave a slight sigh, she would have to give him that. Though his reiatsu was still largely uncontrollable at the moment he could at least pull much of it in the majority of the time, rather than flatten everyone in his squad. It only really broke free when he was experiencing some intense emotion, or when he was fighting.
Rukia looked up and saw that they were near the gates of the Kuchiki mansion so decided to put their argument on hold with a decisive strike. "Maybe so, but I still wouldn't want to be the poor soul next to you when someone irritates you slightly Captain." Before Ichigo could retort she walked up to one of the guards at the gate.
"Greetings, I believe that my brother is expecting us?" The guard nodded at her then looked critically over at Ichigo.
"And this is?" Ichigo scowled at the guard's arrogant attitude and Rukia made a mental note to tease him when their argument resumed because the guard had started sweating under Ichigo's slightly raised reiatsu.
The annoyed Captain glared at the guard as he responded. "Ichigo Kurosaki, Captain of squad five." Before the guard could respond the gates opened and revealed a woman looking coldly at the two of them.
"I apologise for the ineptitude of this guard, however I must ask you to stop acting so boorishly when close or within the Kuchiki estate. Your reiatsu has disrupted a few of the guards so please contain it. Please follow me, Byakuya is awaiting you. Ichigo spluttered slightly at the concise woman, who just continued to look down at him, or appeared to.
Before he found his voice Rukia bowed before her. "I apologise Lady Kuchiki, we are sorry if we disturbed you and do not expect you to assist us yourself." Ichigo blinked in surprise at Rukia's cold tone before he understood: she was acting exactly she had been taught. This is what she had learned when Byakuya had taken her in, how to put on that Kuchiki mask.
The woman who had greeted them looked down at Rukia with something akin to a sneer before it was quickly gone and she bowed in response. "It is not a problem Lady Rukia, if you and your...guest, could please follow me."
Rukia softly ran her hand over Ichigo's, which was clenched into a fist after the insulting way they had both been spoken to. The walk through the mansion was awkward and stilted, numerous looks were shot at them from all the Kuchiki's they passed, and even some of the servants. In addition Ichigo felt as though the woman in front held some sort of power over all of them, since he could hardly speak his mind to Rukia whilst she was here.
He breathed out a silent sigh of relief when the woman stopped at a door. "Please go in, Lord Byakuya is expecting you." She didn't wait for a response and swept away with an air of haughtiness that caused Ichigo to scowl.
His mood slightly worsened, Ichigo pushed open the door and Rukia followed him inside. Her eyes widened slightly and she stopped as she saw what greeted them; her sister was awake and smiling softly up at her brother. Her smile was directed at Rukia when she noticed that the pair had entered the room. "It's good to see you again Rukia, I am so grateful that we have this second chance." Rukia smiled back at her, her eyes full of emotion.
"As am I, how long have you been awake?" Hisana looked over to Byakuya, who was choosing to glare at Ichigo (who was glaring back) and sighed before responding.
"A day ago, I wanted to speak with you sooner, but Byakuya insisted on filling me in on the past that I have missed. In retrospect I am glad because..." She trailed off slightly and turned to look at Ichigo. "...Ichigo Kurosaki."
Ichigo didn't notice his name being spoken so Rukia nudged him in the side with irritation, he flinched slightly and redirected his glare to her. "What is it, can't you tell Byakuya to-"
"Nee-san is speaking to you, fool. Pay attention." Ichigo's anger faded and he looked down at Hisana in surprise, slightly taken aback by the sincere emotion on her face.
She smiled up at him and clasped her hands together. "Kurosaki, I can never thank you enough for what you have done for my sister. You risked your life, no, you gave-upyour life for hers without any hesitation or thoughts for your own safety, not only that but you have even managed to help Byakuya over my death." The elder Kuchiki shifted slightly at this, not wanting to admit there was some truth to her words, but she continued. "For that I will be eternally grateful...and will support your relationship with my sister."
Ichigo and Rukia's eyes widened and Ichigo responded, humbled by her eloquent speech. "Uh, no problem, really it wasn't a big deal. And just call me Ichigo." Hisana smiled brightly back at him.
Byakuya however, looked down at his wife with a slightly shocked expression. "Hisana, though I agree to an extent the boy has-" She stopped him by placing a finger on his lips and smiling up at him.
"Did you forget Byakuya, I don't think we followed the noble way of courtship exactlyeither, or have I been gone too long." To Ichigo's amazement, Byakuya's cheeks gained a slight red tinge to them before he pulled away and stood straight, his face once again pale. But Hisana had seen it and took that as confirmation of her words.
Byakuya frowned and gave a small sigh. "Very well, I shall let this pass. However this is only because both Kurosaki and Rukia must be ready for tonight." Rukia looked up at him, confused.
"What are you talking about Nii-sama, there's nothing on tonight." Byakuya narrowed his eyes and looked towards Ichigo, whose expression was as equally blank.
"I put the invitation in Abarai's paperwork." Rukia and Ichigo blanched and glanced at each other, both knowing that Renji hated paperwork as much as Rangiku did.
Ichigo looked back at Byakuya. "Ah, that might have been a mistake." The elder Captain sighed in irritation.
"Yes, I see that know. I cannot fault you for my Lieutenant's lack of enthusiasm." Ichigo's lips twitched up in a smirk but he tried to smother it, he wanted to see Renji after Byakuya was through with him. "However, you are here as you needed to be so all I need to do is tell you the reason why." He paused before he explained it to make sure he left out no details, only for the task to be taken of his hands by Hisana.
"This evening, the Kuchiki clan is gathering to...celebrate my return, though they do not know this. However other topics will also be discussed and one of these might be an attempt to pressure Byakuya to let suitors start courting my sister." Rukia looked sideways and saw, as she expected, Ichigo's eyes darken at that. "Because of that, I thought that it would be better if Ichigo joined you in attendance, Rukia?" Ichigo's anger dissipated as quickly as it had come and he looked at Hisana as though she were mad.
"Me? You want me to go to a gathering of stuffy nobles?" Byakuya glared at him but Hisana just gave him a smile in response.
"Indeed, Byakuya agreed with me on this." Ichigo still looked more than skeptical as he turned his attention to Byakuya.
Rukia raised an eyebrow and looked at her brother. "Nii-sama? You think this is a good idea too, you know what those gatherings are like." Ichigo frowned at her statement, for the moment ignoring his own misgivings. 'Does she think I can't handle it?'
Byakuya raised his hand to stop her before he spoke. "I am well aware of the situation Rukia, perhaps more so than you, regardless of what you think of him Kurosaki must be introduced to the elders. Now may not be the perfect time to do that but because of your...indiscretion, we should act as soon as possible." Rukia looked down, feeling humbled by her brother.
"I apologise Nii-sama, I was not thinking." Ichigo's frown turned into a scowl at her submissive behaviour, which tended to present itself when in Byakuya's presence.
However he didn't have time to question it as Hisana had fixed him with surprisingly piercing eyes. "Ichigo, I am sorry to heap this upon you now but I must request that you do everything you can to hold your emotions in check. Trust me, I know how difficult this could be because of the nature of the elders as I had to deal with them also. You...may not have given them a good impression from your sudden and rash actions."
Ichigo groaned and slapped his hand to his head, he had never been good at holding back his emotions. If he were trapped in a room full of people like Byakuya for an extended period of time it would just be harder, he was tempted to just find a way out of the situation. Giving it one last chance he looked over to Rukia, taking in her humble appearance, her anxious eyes, everything about her he used to draw strength from. This was not for him.
It was for her.
"Fine, I'll do my best." Hisana smiled widely back at him and Byakuya simply nodded and called for a servant.
"Escort Captain Kurosaki to select some clothing for the evening, my sister knows the way back to her room and she has clothing there." The servant nodded and motioned for Ichigo to follow him form his position next to the open door. Before he could leave Byakuya spoke up again. "Kurosaki, if you would also hand me your haori. I will keep it safe but it is not suitable wear for these formal events as much as your shihakusho isn't."
Ichigo grumbled but did as he was told, shrugging off his Captain's haori and handing it to Byakuya, he thought he detected a hint of something...amusement? In the older Captain's eyes, but it was gone in an instant. 'I must be going mad if think Byakuya's acting like that.'Still in his own thoughts he missed the looked that Byakuya and Hisana exchanged.
As he left the room he glanced back to Rukia but she gave him a reassuring smile. "If you would follow me, Captain Kurosaki." The servant spoke up, so Ichigo relented and followed him, giving Rukia one parting remark.
"See you at dinner then, Rukia." Then he was gone.
Rukia could feel a smirk growing on her own lips: she knew that tone. Ichigo had accepted the challenge that she and Byakuya had thrown his way, and would face it as he did everything else in his life. Head on. 'I hope that fool is ready for this...I don't know what the elders will do once the meet him, but it won't be anything good.'Part of her had already started worrying for him, for them, despite her confidence in him.
Sode no shirayuki's calming voice helped ease her fears. 'Relax, Rukia. Ichigo is a Captain now, not the ryoka he once was. He has the support of the entire Gotei 13 and even if you ignore that, you both have to complete your mission.'Rukia's eyes widened at that, they had not been able to apprehend Shichiro Kuchiki because of his ties to the nobles.
'Nii-sama must be told about him.'That was there only option, despite the man's unspeakable crimes he could not be taken before Central 46 without concrete evidence, which they didn't have. They had the testimony of one man who was currently being held by squad two and were awaiting the private investigation by them to be completed.
But if she got her brothers consent, she and Ichigo could take him under suspicion with Byakuya's assistance. Rukia immediately turned to her brother. "Nii-sama, there's something important that we need to discuss." Byakuya looked back at her, his face unreadable.
"What is it concerning Rukia?" Rukia looked down at Hisana and knew that he was also considering If she should hear the information or not, she would leave it up to him.
"It is concerning Shichiro Kuchiki and his affairs." Byakuya raised an eyebrow at that and wondered why his sister had brought up one of the oldest Kuchiki elders.
He glanced down at Hisana again and decided that it she deserved to know as much as he did, she was part of the family too after all. "Why is he of interest to you?"
'So he doesn't mind Hisana being here...very well.'
Rukia's face hardened to mirror his as she responded. "During our investigation in Rukongai, Ichigo and I discovered that he has been manipulating the districts. We do know for how long it he has been doing this but we do know that it has caused Rukongai to be worse off, as supplies and...people were being stolen and resold or otherwise abused." Silence followed Rukia's small report and Byakuya's face gave nothing away as he returned her gaze stonily.
Rukia noticed Hisana out of the corner of her eye, her horrified face and wide eyes standing out besides Byakuya's immobile ones. Finally he spoke.
"Who else knows of this." Rukia responded immediately, silently thankful her brother believed her.
"Only the Captain Commander and Ichigo, we are waiting for concrete evidence from squad two but if you can help us then-"
"I will assist you in his capture and allow you to use any means necessary." Rukia was momentarily surprised by how much colder Byakuya's voice had gotten, even when she looked into his normally steeled eyes she saw a spark of anger glowing in them.
She bowed slightly and smiled back at him, relieved. "Thank you, Nii-sama." He responded with a nod of the head.
"We will pick our moment at the event, now you should go and pick out something to wear." Rukia nodded and turned to leave, groaning slightly as she heard Hisana's voice follow her down the hall.
"Make sure you look good for Ichigo, I'm sure he's doing the same for you!"
Ichigo meanwhile, was looking blankly at a rack of formal Kimono's, having no clue where to start. He couldn't remember the last time he had needed to dress formally, for the most part his shihakusho served as a garment for all occasions. Sighing slightly before scowling at the clothes like it was their fault he wondered how he was going to resolve this issue.
"Sir, you have 10 minutes until you must be ready." Ichigo jumped slightly at the voice and turned to see a woman standing at the open door. He hadn't seen her before but she wore the robes of the Kuchiki servants.
His scowl deepened in irritation but he forced a thanks. "Thank you for telling me." He was about to turn back to glaring at the Kimono's but the woman's voice hesitantly spoke up again.
"If you'd like sir, I could help you pick something." Ichigo raised his eyebrows in surprise and the girl instantly bowed low. "I apologise, I shouldn't have suggested it-"
Ichigo waved her apology off and interrupted her. "No, actually I'd like the help. I've got no clue on what I should wear for this kind of occasion." This time it was her eyebrows that rose as she walked over to the rack of clothes.
"That's strange, it was my understanding that all nobles, whether from a lesser or greater noble house, were taught how to dress and behave for events such as these." Ichigo chuckled in response and leant up against a wall, watching her look through the clothing.
She looked back at him and he shrugged. "That might be true but I'm about the farthest thing from a noble you can get. Well I think Byakuya would put it like that roughly." The servant remained confused and frowned slightly as she looked through the clothes again.
"You mean Lord Kuchiki? How can you not be a noble but speak so informally of him, and if you are not then why are you attending this event?" Ichigo wondered if she was actually curious or if this was some test from Byakuya. Either way he didn't care really.
Pushing himself of the wall, he walked over to look at the clothes besides her. "Lord Kuchiki huh, it must get irritating to have all these Kuchiki's around, since they all have the same last name." He mused avoiding her question of asking who he was, getting a disapproving look from her.
"I don't think anyone else has brought the matter up." Her voice was slightly colder now and Ichigo sighed inwardly, even the Kuchiki servants seemed quite stiff.
There was a moment of tense silence before the servant sighed slightly and drew out a kimono for him to wear. "I suggest that you wear this to the event and...I apologise for my earlier-"
Ichigo snorted and waved a hand to stop her and took the Kimono from her hands. "Don't worry about it, I can't expect more from someone in this" he waved his hand again to generally indicated the environment. " place."
She bit back a retort and bowed before him. "Still, it's not my place, I'll be outside."As she left Ichigo sighed, there was no hope in him trying to change these servants. Though that didn't mean he wouldn't try.
"Never be afraid to speak your mind, sure you should know when to and when to keep your mouth shut but I don't care what you think of me." He spoke from the other side of the door, hoping that she might hear him whilst he changed. He eyed the Kimono before he put it on and had to admit that she had chosen a nice one.
Putting it on, he folded his shihakusho and placed it down before opening the door to leave. The servant looked him up and down before she nodded approvingly. "The dinner and entertainment is down the hall, take your third right and second left. Tell the guard at the door your name and he will introduce you." Ichigo nodded and turned to leave, but was stopped by a soft voice.
"Wait..." The servant spoke up again, she knew she shouldn't but she couldn't help but think that his face was familiar. She couldn't remember where from but she knew she should, maybe this would help stop the nagging feeling. "Would you be so kind as to tell me your name?"
Ichigo smirked and turned, letting his voice carry behind him as he said it. "Ah, now you want to know. Well it's Ichigo Kurosaki, pleasure to meet you." Her eyes widened in shock as she watched him walk down the hall, she should have known with that hair. Mentally she berated herself, she had just insulted a Captain and the one who had saved the soul-society. Disappointed in herself, she turned to go and attend to her other duties.
Rukia hid a grimace as she stood with her brother, instead keeping her mask on and smiling mechanically when she should. Byakuya had yet to introduce Hisana again so the focus seemed to be on her, specifically from fathers who wished for their sons to court her. After all, she could inherit the position as head of the family which so many of the noble men were eager to obtain her. 'That's what they want, to win me like some prize.'Rukia thought with disgust as she smiled at the advances of another noble heir.
The father stepped forward and spoke to Byakuya. "Come now Byakuya, you can't keep such a beauty hidden from her duties for so long. She needs to marry someone who will suit her." Byakuya's remained impassive as he responded.
"I don't believe I gave you permission to call me by my given name." The man frowned slightly but covered it up quickly and looked down to his son.
"Come then, it was a pleasure to meet you Captain Kuchiki." Byakuya nodded in response and the noble heir looked at Rukia .
She looked back impassively and he smirked at her. "I'm sure we will be seeing each other again, Ms Kuchiki." Rukia fought back the urge to teach him a proper lesson and simply responded primly.
"We shall see." Then they left, leaving the Kuchiki siblings alone again. Only moments later a large man walked up with his son behind him, equally as bulbous.
"Ah, Captain Kuchiki. Your family always throws such nice events, with such nice food." Byakuya hid a disdainful look and nodded back at him, regarding him with his cold eyes.
The man was tall as well as fat, bearing a resemblance to the 2nd squad Lieutenants for good reason. "Thank you, Seiji Omaeda"
The man nodded in return and looked down at Rukia, who felt even smaller in comparison. "And this must be Rukia Kuchiki, yes I can see why you have concealed her for so long. But her being here must mean that she is...'on the market' as it were, she would make a fine match for-" Before he could continue to explain the meritsof a union between the families the guard called out the arrival of another guest.
"Announcing the arrival of Ichigo Kurosaki." Rukia noticed that many of the nobles quietened down as Ichigo walked in, his bright hair instantly visible. Her eyes widened slightly as she took him in: he was wearing a predominantly black kimono with a dark green obi and green patterns spiralling up the arms of the robe. The robe made his hair and eyes stand out all the more and her breath caught slightly as she simply burned his image into her mind.
The chatter resumed shortly, though Rukia noticed that many of the nobles were now glancing at Ichigo whilst talking. Byakuya watched as the boy made straight for them, he had to admit the young Captain cleaned up well. He would have to remember to thank Hisana for requesting that formal wear suited to him was made up.
Ichigo drew on everything that he knew about formal situations as he arrived before the Kuchiki head and bowed. "Thank you for your generous invitation, Captain Kuchiki." Byakuya hid his surprise behind his mask but Rukia allowed her eyebrows to raise slightly before she got them under control.
"Who's this kid Kuchiki?" Ichigo struggled but remained passive as he looked over to the large man who seemed to be irritated that his conversation had been interrupted.
Byakuya narrowed his eyes slightly at the rudeness but responded in his normal tone. "Kurosaki is..." he seemed to think for a moment before he found the right word. " a friend."
Ichigo fought to hide his surprise, still curious as to why Byakuya had yet to refer to him by the only real title he had; that of a Captain. But if he hadn't there must be a reason for it so he wouldn't be the one to ruin whatever Byakuya's plan was.
The Omaeda elder scoffed slightly and glanced at Ichigo critically. "Kurosaki...I've heard of it before , is it some low ranking noble family? You must be just above the commoners then, you're lucky that you are even here." Before Ichigo could lose his control Byakuya spoke up ( to Ichigo's surprise) in his defence.
"I would be grateful if you didn't insult the boy...you see aside from being my friend he is also courting my sister. So to insult him is to insult her." The nobles eyes practically bulged out of his head at that and he practically shouted out.
"Him? He's courting the sister you've hidden for so long, he's barely a noble!" The attention of most of the hall was now focused on eavesdropping on the conversation and Rukia wanted to disappear into the floor. Preferably with Ichigo but she wasn't picky. Ichigo meanwhile was fighting to keep both his temper and his spiritual pressure in check, which he had been doing since his short discussion with Byakuya.
Byakuya, well aware of the many people looking at them responded coolly. " I assure you he is the most suitable candidate, unless you do not trust my judgement." Omaeda hesitated, it was one think to insult the boy but another to insult the head of the Kuchiki clan.
"I-I do not mean to, but I'm sure my son is more than suitable. He recently joined the stealth force, in time he will be as great as his cousin the Lieutenant as I am sure you know. This boy has nothing, no power, no money and no family name." Silence followed the angry statement and Byakuya realised that it was now that the entire hall had focused their attention on them, just as he had planned. Well Omaeda had helped unexpectedly but it only helped the situation in his eyes.
Glancing back at Ichigo and Rukia, noting their enraged and embarrassed positions he decided that now was the time. "You believe that your son will produce more powerful offspring, if I were to allow it, than Kurosaki? Politically you may be correct, however I'm afraid I must correct you as you seem woefully ignorant of recent events." He paused to take in Omaeda's angry and shocked face for a moment before finally continuing.
"As at least some of you should know, Ichigo Kurosaki is the Captain of squad five." The wind was suddenly blow out of Omaeda's sails as he remembered where he had heard that name before. It came hand in hand with his unofficial title: the Saviour of the Soul Society.
He gulped but refused to be put out by this face. "S-still, that is irrelevant. He is nothing, just a common boy and worse he was once a ryoka! Worse than the commoners in Rukongai!" Rukia's anger shot up but she held back as Byakuya responded coldly.
"Common...like her?" and he pointed, not to Rukia like Omaeda had expected, to which he had prepared a response, but to the entrance. His jaw dropped when he saw the mirror image of Rukia, looking between the two with wide eyes.
The crowed parted in a stunned silence as Hisana made her way to Byakuya and took his outstretched hand. "May I re-present my, until recently, late wife: Hisana Kuchiki. I am fortunate enough to have her back with me due to the assistance of both Captain Kurosaki and my sister, for that I am indebted to them." silence followed from all parties, the nobles expressions ranged from simply shocked to looks of veiled contempt whereas Ichigo and Rukia's were surprised, surprised that he would say something so deep, so publicly.
Omaeda finally shut his dropped jaw and glared at Ichigo for a moment before turning away with his son. "Very well, Captain Kuchiki."
Moments later the small group was swarmed with the Kuchiki nobles.
Beta'd by .lyingtonguesareclumsy. and I forgot to add this to the chapter until now, very sorry!
(A/N) has made me find a way of uploading this chapter without actually uploading it...yeah I had to paste this into an older file and the formatting is all screwed up for me, I hope it's more readable at your end.
Edit: the apperance actually seems to fix itself in the live version, so there shouldn't be an issue when I actually upload the file :P You probs won't notice a change!
On a lighter note the new arc that Kubo is hinting at seems really...strange xD But it looks like it will be so far. Thanks for the reviews as always! You really keep me going.