Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
"What is this, Captain Kuchiki?"
"Is this some kind of joke?"
"This boy has fooled you, surely she's not-"
"Silence." The cries of dissent from the Kuchiki nobles around them were suddenly cut off by Byakuya's cold and commanding voice. The silence continued for a moment and no one dared to speak until an older man walked forward from the crowd and broke it.
"Lord Byakuya, would you be so kind as to explain why you have allowed yourself to be so obviously duped by these commoners?" Byakuya's eyes grew, if possible, colder as he focused on the old man before him.
Ichigo suppressed a snarl at the arrogant noble, Rukia's eyes were burning with indignation but she laid a hand on Ichigo's wrist to stop him from moving. The noble noticed this and scoffed. "It seems your adopted sister has found herself a pet dog to play with as well, I am surprised that you allow this."
Byakuya didn't respond immediately, but when he did, his tone was dangerously neutral. "I do not expect you to understand my reasoning as you are not head of the clan,Shichiro Kuchiki." He purposefully said his full name, giving his sister and the boy the information they needed.
If Ichigo's glare was bad before, it was terrifying now. Shichiro raised an eyebrow at the boy, not dissuaded by the fierce look he was being given, after all, he was untouchable. "You may be head, Byakuya, but your actions of late have made the council doubt whether or not your actions are in the best interest of the clan."
Silence again followed after that, less-than-subtle challenge and Byakuya stared down at the oblivious traitor. "Ignoring your insult to my wife for a moment, I imagine that you would find issue with the relationship between my sister and Captain Kurosaki?" The other elder nodded and looked at Ichigo with disdain.
"Yes, if we are talking about that issue then I don't see how you are allowing his courtship to continue. The boy may be a Captain, but he is still a commoner and not deserving of the honour you have handed out so freely." Byakuya gave a mental sigh, he knew that there was nothing that could be done for this man now. Shichiro was one of the eldest Kuchki's and had clung to the old ways whilst the clan attempted to move around him(slowly Byakuya would admit ).
He gave the arrogant man one last look, knowing this may be the start of change in the Kuchiki clan, before he turned away from him and took Hisana's hand. "I see. It appears that there is no changing your mind on this matter, very well. If the rest of the Kuchiki clan would come with me we have other matters to discuss." Shichiro scoffed as Byakuya and Hisana walked away, the other Kuchiki's flocking to him.
"You are overstepping your bounds, boy. You underestimate my influence to think that you can so carelessly ignore me. I will not allow you to walk away from this and shame this clan." Byakuya stopped but didn't turn back to him as he responded coldly.
"You have already shamed this clan, Shichiro. Henceforth, I will not recognise you as part of it and strip you of your position. Captain Kurosaki, Rukia; I leave this to you. Return to find me as soon as you have finished your business here." Shichiro floundered slightly along with a few stunned elders who had remained with him. He found his voice moments later, but before he could throw out a retort Ichigo stepped up to him, his face grim.
Shichiro looked at him with contempt. "What is this about, boy? Do you think that just because you can pleasure a girl like that, thatyou have authority over me, I-" He was cut offby a slap that resounded through the hall.
"How dare you! You are a despicable old man who shames the very name of noble." He cursed and looked down at Rukia, who had anger burning in her eyes and was itching to teach the man a lesson.
Shichiro just scoffed and walked forward to tower over her. "Such audacity could only come from the filth of Rukongai! Do you see what I mean my fellow nobles? This girl has no refinement, she is just a fraud dragged in by her arrogant brother to tread mud on our good name." Ichigo allowed him to continue his rant, purely becausehe was using every fibre of his being to force himself to stay put and to not break the man for his words.
"You know...I would be happy to give these stuffy pricks a show-"Shirosaki tried, but was instantly cut offby Ichigo's snarl.
'Now is not the time, go bother Zangetsu.'The hollow almost pouted, if only his King had a few less morals.
Containing his anger for now, Ichigo scowled fiercely at the noble. "Shichiro Kuchiki, you are being taken into custody by the fifth squad for numerous despicable crimes in Rukongai. You will come with us or we will take you by force." For once the smug look on Shichiro's face fell and the noble around him started gossiping almost instantly. He growled mentally, but gave no indication of his anger.
"I don't know what you are talking about, and I really think you should learn your place. Even Captainscan't get away with throwing wild accusations at the noble families." Ichigo was about to retort but Rukia got in before him.
"Actually, Shichiro, I believe my brother just ejected you from this family. You are now under no protection and even if you were your crimes are toogreat to ignore." The noble felt his eye twitch slightly and clenched his fists.
"Regardless, a crime must be committed against people for me to be taken into custody. You are not telling me that Central46 and the Seireitei are now counting those animals as people are y-" That was as far as he got before he was forcibly stopped, to gasps of surprise around the room.
Ichigo had embedded his fist into the man's stomach in the blink of an eye, his restraint having finally broken at the sheer arrogance of the noble. Glaring down, he picked the man up with his other hand and slung him over his shoulder, preparing to leave. He glanced down at Rukia, who had raised an eyebrow at him.
"What?" He questioned and she sighed and looked out at the sea of shocked faces.
"I thought you wanted to do this quietly? Though I suppose it was foolish of me to hope that you had learnt some restraint." She smirked up at him and he just scowled back as he started to walk for the door, the crowd parting before him.
"Whatever midget, if I don't have any restraint, what do you call kickinghis ass when he was insulting you?" She looked back up at his scowl, slightly surprised, before smiling slightly and looking back.
"Fool, I don't need your help if you hadn't noticed." Ichigo chuckled lightly as they made it do the door that lead out of the hall.
As he opened it he paused and looked back into the room. "Eh, sorry about the disturbance to your party, I guess." With that sincere apology he left, Rukia beside him.
Hisana sat next to Byakuya as the Kuchiki elders around them found their place, she was slightly nervous of what direction this meeting could take. Byakuya noticed and felt a need to comfort her, but pushed that back for now; it was not the time for that with all the elders watching.
"Now that we have gathered, perhaps you would be so kind as to explain the current situation to us?" One of the elders asked, adjusting her glasses primly.
Byakuya nodded but did not answer her question directly. "I will, of course, but which situation are you talking about?"
The elder woman grit her teeth slightly and responded immediately. "Well let'sstart with your...wife shall we? Then we will move on to the boy and your sister. And to the apparent situation with Shichiro." There was a slight muttering about the second,but Byakuya ignored it and nodded his head again.
He motioned to Hisana as he started talking. "As you can see, Hisana is very much alive. This is due to a swift transition through the reincarnation cycle. Iam sure you are aware thatthis is exceedingly rare, but she is here as a result."
Another elder raised his voice to interject. "I can at least understand that my lord, but surely she will have lost her memories if that were the case?" Byakuya paused in his explanation to figure out a way to word the next part.
When he started, it was slow and deliberate. "I am afraid I do not completely understand the mechanics myself, as the memory recall was done by someone more scientificthan I." He fought back a grimace at that, as he knew the previously exiledscientist would tease him to no end if he found out. As would the werecat. "However I cannot tell you who assisted me, as he prefers to remain anonymous and I do not wish to betray his trust after he has aided me so." There were more murmurs of dissent throughout the small room they resided in before finally the old woman that had spoken first voiced her opinion.
"It seems you have already made up your mind on this matter considering your abrupt dismissal of Shichiro. In that case I will schedule her official re-admittance into the clan" A frown appeared on her face as she continued. "Now onto the other matter; that of your sister and the Captain courting her."
Byakuya nodded and saw Hisana relax slightly out of the corner of his eye. It was shewho spoke up first in defence of her sister. "I do not see the issue here. My sister is happy, from what Byakuya has told me the boy has been good for her. Why should we break them apart?" Instead of agreement there were scoffs and chuckles around the room, Hisana frowned and looked slightly confused.
Another old male elder spoke up. "Lady Hisana, I appreciate that you have been gone a long time but you of all people should know that your case is an exception. Noble marriages are a political tool, so what are we to gain from gaining Kurosaki?"
"Captain Kurosaki." Byakuya reminded, softly. Whilst the boy maynot put much stock in manners and titles, the elders should have already known. The old elder bowed his head in apology, and Hisana responded with a sad note in her voice.
"I cannot answer that, however I can tell you this. If we try and deny them this relationship...my sister will not remain in this family. It may be her last resort and she will not wish to take it, but I'm sure it has already crossed her mind. Her faith has already been shaken by the actions of that elder who my husband dismissed, I would not test her now." There was silence aside from a few murmurs after statement.
It was broken by a comparatively young elder who snickered and muttered, loud enough for it to carry to Byakuya. "Well at least we would be rid of that problem then." Hisana gasped and Byakuya's eyes grew cold again as he fixed his glare on the young upstart.
"Remember your place,boy. You will not speak ill of those above you, especially if they are related to me." The boy gulped but Byakuya did not stop, despite turning his attention away from him. "As for what Captain Kurosaki could bring to this family, at least one advantage is obvious. Young or not, Kurosaki is one of the most powerful Captains in the Gotei 13, if not the most powerful. The only reason I cannot be sure is that he has not yet found the need to go into bankai since his return from Hueco Mundo wherehis power grew beyond what we have already seen in the Winter War." The elders nodded in agreement, some more reluctantly than others and the old woman spoke up again.
"That's very true my lord, but what of political power? The boy, regardless of his position is a commoner." She attempted to not insult him despite her wish to, she had seen the result if she did.
Byakuya considered this, then responded, inwardly happy at his own quick thinking. "Politically in that sense maybe, however he does have a very significant amount of support behind him. Considering his publicly appointed title of 'Saviourof the soul-society' it is no surprise. Not only that, but he has the support of the commoners. Whilst you might consider this useless, it may prove to be of assistance in the future." There were more reluctant head nods and agreements as the elders considered this.
They has all seen the impact that the boy had made, shattering theirtraditions and questioning their morals and laws with ease. He was supported by most, if not all of theCaptains of the Gotei 13 and was considered a hero by many other shinigami and Rukongai dwellers alike. Despite this, he never abused the influence he had over people, which only served to make people admire him all the more.
Byakuya spoke up again, noticing the shift in the faces of his clan. "We have little to lose and everything to gain should this relationship progress to marriage. I have no doubt that it will, it is simply a matter of time." There were more murmurs of dissent from the elders and Hisana hid a smile with her hand. Despite his disapproval of Ichigo, Byakuya seemed to at least understand that he really had little choice in the matter.
A few moments later Byakuya spoke up again. "If you have finished, I will let you vote on this matter, as it will affect the entire clan." It was no secret that even as he said that, the outcome had already been assured. Regardless of what they chose, Byakuya would overrulethem if he needed to,so he would still win.
The old woman decided to get it over with and began the vote, "Very well, all those opposed raise their hands." Lookingaround to check who had raised theirhands. No one had, despite some of the elders looking very sour at this fact.
She spoke again "All those who accept the courtship and possible marriage of Rukia Kuchiki to Ichigo Kurosaki, raise their hands." Though reluctantly in some cases, all hands were raised and Byakuya nodded.
"Very well, now that that has been settled I have asked Kurosaki and my sister to join us and it seems they are returning now-" Byakuya stopped talking as he heard raised voices emanating from beyond the closed door.
"Are you sure this is the right way Rukia? The other two rooms were empty after all." They heard a grunt of pain after that and Rukia's irritated voice reached them.
"Of course I am, it's Nii-sama's reiatsu. I am perfectly capable of finding it. It's not my fault that he happened to go through two other rooms to get to this one." They barely heard Ichigo's response, but felt him stop before the door.
"Whatever, let's get this over with so we can try another one." Moments later the door opened and Ichigo looked in, still in his formal Kimono.
He couldn't see Byakuya from his angle and rolled his eyes. "Well I don't see him, do any of you know where Byakuya is?" Byakuya wanted to hit the boy himself. Anythingbecause of the embarrassment he was causing. After all he hadonly just convinced them this would be a good idea.
Instead he maintained his stoic façade and spoke. "Kurosaki, I am indeed in here, please enter with Rukia and come over to me." He heardRukia's triumphant, not quietenough whisper as Ichigo scowled and walked in.
"Hah, I told you so." Rukia walked in just behind him a smug look on her face until she noticed that all the elders were present. In an instant she adopted a similar mask to Byakuya and followed Ichigo until he stopped before Byakuya.
"Sit." The single command was all he gave and Ichigo followed it grudgingly, sitting beside Byakuya.
Rukia followed suit and sat beside Ichigo, inwardly worried as to the reason that the Kuchiki elders had gathered. She voiced this concern to her brother. "Nii-sama, for what purpose have you called Ichigo and I to you?" Ichigo noticed her more formal speech and took that as a hint that these men and women before him were powerful in some way or another.
He silently groaned. Hehated dealing with the nobles. Byakuya looked at the two of them with a piercing gaze before he spoke. "You are here as the Kuchiki elders have accepted your courtship, as such we must inform Kurosaki of the terms and also allow the elders a chance to view your partner themselves." Rukia nodded and all attention suddenly became focused on Ichigo, making him slightly uncomfortable.
One of the elders spoke up, looking at Ichigo almost curiously. "Captain Kurosaki, I am well aware of your actions and that you have a great deal of popular support. So I feel I must ask, why are you interested in Rukia Kuchiki?" Ichigo was about to raise his voice in response, thinking that he was implying Rukia wasn't worth his time, but paused before he did so. He thought over the words and looked back at the man. 'No, he doesn't mean to insult her...he really doesn't understand.'
Ichigo relaxed slightly and frowned trying to figure out what he should say. "I, Uh...Rukia is-" He stopped abruptly, scowling at his own inability to figure out his own thoughts.
"Do you want the power and influence that would come with this union?" It was another elder that spoke up now, his eyes just as cold as the rest.
Ichigo's scowl deepened and he shook his head. "Nah, I don't care about that stuff. I have enough money as it is, I never spend it and politics has never interested me. Hell, if it were up to me I would simply never associate with the nobles...but I suppose I'll have to." Rukia struggled to suppress a groan at Ichigo's blatant insults towards her family.
The elders muttered together slightly. "So would you mind telling us why you wish to court her?" Ichigo scowled as the question was repeated, after a few moments struggling he looked away and mumbled something, his face turning red.
Rukia started and cursed mentally, she hadn't noticed that she had been leaning towards him in anticipation. The elder who had asked the question snorted derisively and responded. "Would you mind speaking up Captain Kurosaki, I didn't hear that. Unless you can give me a reason for this relationship we may continue to assume that you merely want access to our level of society." Ichigo growled in response and paused for a moment to think before he looked back around, still red faced.
"Dammit, shut up! I-I love her, okay?" Ichigo confessed, though it wasn't quite as romantic as he had first envisioned. Sure he knew that they were just words, but they were given such weight that he had found himself pressured to say it. Sure he knew how he felt and could see she felt the same way, he couldn't help but be hesitant over her response.
Rukia's eyes widened and she stared at the blushing man, she had admitted that to herself but hadn't toldIchigo. They weren't the type of coupleto have long, deep conversations and she just hadn't felt the need to. Now it had come out into the open at the worst possible time. Sure,romance was subjective and neither of them were into the mushier side of things, but no one wanted to talk about their feelings in the middle of a room of judgemental old people.
She had her own blush now and lent over and spoke softly so only he could hear him. "It might not be the best time but...I love you too, Ichigo." The Captain's blush remained and he nodded slightly to show that he had heard her.
Hisana smiled and suppressed a giggle at the pair, she had a soft spot for...well lots of things but romance was one of the things that she loved to see. She looked over to Byakuya and saw his face passive as ever. 'Of course, he's not going to show anything with them here.' One of the few things she sometimes disliked were the nobles who Byakuya resided with. Theyseemed to constantly want to split them up and were nothing but trouble.
The noble blinked in surprise before he sighed slightly. "I see, well that is a reason I suppose." Ichigo rolled his eyes at the casual way in which they dismiss it. Theywere just as he had imagined them.
"Is there anything else I need to be here for then?" He asked in a bored tone, Ichigo would be happy to leave this place as soon as possible.
"First, we must inform you of proper courting procedure. First of all..." Ichigo groaned mentally as the man started reeling of a list of dosand do nots, emphasising the importance of appearance over reality. Rukia glanced at Ichigo mid-rant and saw that his gaze was glassed over, his eyes staring unblinking at the elder with a vacant look in them.
She gritted her teeth in irritation. "He could at least listen, if I have to pay attention so should he.'She would, of course, punish him for it later.
"...urosaki, Captain Kurosaki?" Ichigo blinked out of his daze as he heard his name being called, blinking and looking around for the one who had spoken.
Apparently at one point the female elder at the front had taken over again for she was looking at him again now. Ichigo scratched the back of his head uncomfortably, not sure what direction the conversation had taken whilst he had not been paying attention.
Byakuya resisted the urge to sigh (as it was undignified) and brought Kurosaki up to date. "To simplify it for you, Kurosaki, do you understand the boundaries which have been set?" Ichigo took a chance when he answered, praying that it wasn't something ridiculous.
"Sure, whatever you say." Byakuya nodded and looked out over the gathering of nobles, most of which were giving Ichigo dirty looks.
"Very well, it has been confirmed that Ichigo Kurosaki will start his courtship of my sister...in one month." Byakuya let hit lip twitch up as he heard the boy groan and saw him drop his head into his hands. The young Captain had to suffer after all, and this is was the best way, after all physical pain wouldn't last very long with him.
Byakuya continued. "In addition to this, once the courting officially starts, you will only display physical affection after we allow it, and you are under no circumstances allowed to preform sexual acts. This is only allowed if your relationship progresses to a soul bonding, if not then Rukia's honour will remain pure." As he finished, the three people surrounding him had all turned red.
Hisana, Rukia and Ichigo were all sporting a deep blush from the, rather explicit statement that Byakuya had given. Ichigo finally found his voice as he stood up, making sure he didn't link eyes with anyone as he scratched the back of his head again in embarrassment.
"Right, sure. C'mon Rukia, we're done here." Rukia, who was mortified by her brother, didn't object as she stood and gave a quick goodbye to her siblings and the elders. Sheand Ichigo left as quickly as they could after that, neither speaking to the other.
Their silence continued until they reached the exit to the Kuchiki estate, where Ichigo suddenly stopped and looked at Rukia, his expression shocked. "Wait...Does that mean we can't even kiss anymore?" Rukia had to chuckle at his slow realisation and smirked up at him.
"Well, that was what Nii-sama said werethe terms of our courtship at any rate. We have to wait until he says till we can do anything, ah, intimate." Ichigo's face immediately flushed as he thought back to Byakuya and Rukia's followed soon after. "Not that intimate. Pervert, you'reas bad as Kon."
Ichigo started and scowled back at her. "Hey! Don't compare me to that damn plush toy, I just wanted to keep our relationship on the same level…" He grumbled, crossing his arms and looking away.
Rukia sighed and looked over her shoulder, checking that they were far enough away from the mansion. Seeing that they were alone, she pulled him down and captured his lips in a brief, passionate kiss. Ichigo was surprised and even tried to pull back briefly, to check Byakuya wasn't watching them (he wouldn't put it past him to spy on them to make their life more difficult). But Rukia would have none of it and fisted her hands in his robed, yanking him closer to her. It didn't take long for him to submit and encircle her waist in his arms, fighting back against her domineering tongue.
Rukia pulled back from Ichigo, both panting hard and his head still being held down by her. She looked into his eyes, her own swirling with lust and love before speaking in a husky voice. "If you think I'm going to let him stop me having this then you're as big of an idiot as I always say. We just have to be more...careful." Ichigo grinned back at her and raised his hand to brush his hand on her cheek.
"I didn't know I had such an effect on you, Rukia. I think we're cutting it fine here though, I'll see you at work." A blush crept up her cheeks andshe slapped his hand away lightly. She felt slightly embarrassed now at her lack of control, but the thought of not being allowed access to Ichigo, especially when he would be working with her all day, every day…
"Don't let it go to your head, I suppose a hundred years without that special someone, as you humans say, may have more to do with it than you." Ichigo smirked in response and leaned down into her, his face close to hers. Very close.
"Oh really, then how come I can hear your heartbeat from here, midget." Less than a second later he was gone, his presence quickly returning to the squad five barracks. She clenched her fists in irritation: now she would have to deal with cocky Ichigo next time she saw him.
She glared at the spot where he had just been before he flash-stepped away. "How the hell did the berry get so good at flirting?" Rukia couldn't fathom how he had suddenly gained that...talent, unless it was somehow natural to him and just hadn't made an appearance before now. Either way, part of her wanted the flustered boy back, the other wanted to see what the man could offer.
'Well I suppose it doesn't matter in the end.' She mused to herself. 'Because I have both.'She let a small smile grace her lips as she thought about him, that his sudden confidence could be gone in a flash if she tried.
No their relationship hadn't changed, the stakes had just become higher.
With that thought she turned to go back into the mansion and find her sister, they still had a lot to catch up on after all. Her last thoughts of Ichigo bounced around her head as she walked past the guards, her elegant Kimono making them stand to attention.
Beta'd by .lyingtoungesareclumsy.
(A/N) Yeah I'm actually behind on this story atm. I need to get chapter 40 written but I've just been soo unenthused with anything. I will do it trust me xD but I've been ill recently and on top of that I discovered blueshipping...which I now love aha. Ah well, I''m planning on finishing 40 today when I get my brain in gear. You honestly shouldn't notice a difference :P
So there's a time gap coming up next chapter, it won't be large, two months. I'm only telling you so you're not surprised haha, I'm sorry if you wanted more but to be honest their relationship isn't going to change in that time because of Byakuya and co. Noble courtship and all that.
I haven't got around to replying to reviews...very sorry about that! They really are always good to have but I've been busy and lazy in equal measure :/