Most of those who left comments/reviews on the last chapter seem to have correctly guessed what's coming. Awesome! Virtual cookies (shaped like Chappy and Ambassador Seaweed!) to you all!

As for why I've chosen to go down this route... I've never seen it done (not saying no one has done it, I just haven't read such a fic... not this early on, at least) and I wanted to shake things up a little. Also, it seemed like a good way to kickstart things!

Someone calls this particular development an excuse for Ichiruki. Maybe? Not sure what one would consider an excuse. The way I see it, the chemistry is there, like it was in canon, though it hasn't been as obvious because Ichigo and Rukia haven't spent as much time just the two of them, they're not alone this time around. Though I did try to hint at the connection, especially back in Memories. Granted, once again, it wasn't just the two of them, but still!

So... on with the Ichiruki!


Chapter 14. Burdens to Bear

Ichigo, Karin and Yuzu marched into the Kuchiki Manor after announcing themselves with as much dignity as they could. They were all wearing kimonos, showing their position and the formality of the event, though Ichigo's was plain black and as much as a shihakusho as he could find, he was also wearing a royal-blue thin sash; since they weren't making his position totally public he couldn't wear the royal blue wide-obi that signaled him as the Head of the Nagaken Clan. Karin was wearing a dark-red kimono with black birds, a huge contrast to her royal-blue thin obi, and had a sapphire pendant with the kanji for the Nagaken Clan hanging from her neck signaled her as the retainer for the aforementioned Clan. Yuzu, for her part was wearing an amber colored kimono with what looked like white and yellow dandelions on it, yet again a blue sash finished her attire. Also, regardless of the formal clothing, Ichigo was still carrying his sealed zanpakutou on his back.

They followed a servant to the entrance of a meeting room, from where they could hear heated voices arguing.

"Kuchiki Rukia will marry Murata Keitaro!" One man was saying a strong, commanding voice. "The arrangements have already been made."

"I'm sorry to say that, if that is the case, the arrangements will have to be unmade, honorable councilman." That was Byakuya, speaking with a healthy dose of anger and sarcasm. "I never authorized for my sister to marry that man."

"Your input wasn't asked on this matter, Byakuya-dono." A councilwoman spoke in what obviously was false politeness. "This marriage is for the good of the Kuchiki Clan. That girl would do well in remembering all the kindness that has been shown to her thus far, and feel grateful that we have arranged such a convenient match for her."

"That match is only convenient for you." Byakuya replied. "I know the Murata Clan, very few of them have ever had enough reiatsu to become shinigami, most work in other crafts, particularly as merchants. They will never allow a wife of the clan to hold a position that could be seen as higher as that of her husband. They will never allow Rukia to remain a shinigami."

"She will be at the house, as is the duty of every well-educated wife…" Yet another councilwoman began speaking.

It was at that point that Ichigo loss what little control he had over his reiatsu, even if just briefly. Still, the flare-up was enough to interrupt the discussion going on inside and no one would have been surprised to learn at least half of people inside that room were left gasping for breath at the weight of Ichigo's reiatsu.

"I have to say that, in the end, it matters little." Byakuya declared, a certain tint of satisfaction in his voice. "Other arrangements have already been made in regards to my sister's future."

The doors were opened wide in that moment, right in time for the three Kurosakis to watch the quiet satisfaction in Byakuya's eyes, as he otherwise remained expressionless; as well as the equally quiet confusion and surprise in Rukia's own expression and the general displeasure in practically everyone else in the room; with the exception of one man, who looked a bit old, dressed in clothes that resembled a shinigami shihakusho…

"Who dares interrupt a private meeting of the Kuchiki Council?" The councilman the siblings had first heard asked in a pompous tone.

"We're here, Kuchiki Byakuya-dono." Karin called ignoring the man completely.

"They are not interrupting anything, councilman." Byakuya corrected. "For it was I who called them here. Kurosaki-Nagaken Karin, retainer of the Nagaken Clan, and her escorts: Kurosaki Ichigo and Kurosaki Yuzu."

The three siblings bowed in silence, though Ichigo barely even remembered to do so. And it was that in that moment Ichigo was growing angrier by the second as he saw Rukia. She was dressed in a formal kimono as well, though much more elaborate that the ones his sisters were wearing, the top layer was white, with elegant and intricate embroidery of sakura petals, and the neckline was a scarlet red. Also, she was not carrying her zanpakutou, or anything to signal her as a shinigami. Whoever had dressed her like that was trying to sell her, like some bride in ancient times…Ichigo really hated the Kuchiki Clan in that moment.

Kuchiki Byakuya could see the barely reigned in reiatsu as it swirled slightly around Kurosaki Ichigo and knew it was better to settle matters soon, before things got worse. Truth be told, he had never called on the siblings, he didn't even know how they had found out what was going on when he himself hadn't had the slightest idea before being called to that meeting. In any case Yuzu had called ahead using Tenteikura so he had known they were coming, and what their intentions were, that had made it relatively easy to pretend it had been planned. It would also serve to make the Elders wonder how he had been able to plan for something he hadn't been informed of beforehand…those meddling old men and women needed to learn not to try to control his life, or his sister's anymore!

"I thought the main branch of the Nagaken Clan was extinct…" A voice commented in the back. "For there to be a retainer…"

"I am here representing the interest of the Nagaken Heir who, for reasons you need not concern yourselves with, cannot be here himself." Karin stated blankly.

That was a blatant lie, but only the Kurosakis knew. Byakuya suspected a few things, but since he didn't actually know anything it was really a case of 'plausible deniability'.

"What is the meaning of this, Kuchiki Byakuya?" Another councilman asked. "Why have you called members of other clan to a meeting that pertains only to ours?"

"I was explaining to you earlier that my sister could not marry Murata Keitaro." Byakuya explained stoically. "Here is the reason. Your arrangement will not stand, since other arrangements were previously made, with a Clan that far outranks the Murata in every way." He turned to Karin. "Kurosaki-Nagaken-dono?"

Karin gave a signal to Yuzu, who immediately took a scroll out of one of her sleeves. She had offered to act as a high-ranking messenger since each of her siblings already had their part to play in the act they were putting on. But before she could give a single step Ichigo stopped her with an arm before her.

"Ichi-nii?" Yuzu whispered, confused.

"Ichigo, what do you think you're doing?" Karin hissed under her breath.

"No, Yuzu, Karin." Ichigo shook his head slightly. "Not like this. Just look at Rukia, that bunch of stuck-up asses, all they're doing is taking her choices from her. I'm not going to be the same as them. If we do this…it's gotta be her choice."

Karin sighed, she should have known something like that would happen.

"Kuchiki Byakuya-dono, as Head of the Kuchiki Clan, I, Kurosaki-Nagaken Karin, in my duty as retainer of the Nagaken Clan, ask that you allow your sister, Kuchiki Rukia-dono, to approach us; for it is my brother's, Kurosaki Ichigo's, desire to speak to her before any deal is finalized." Karin said in a very formal and elaborate way.

Byakuya didn't answer Karin's speech directly, instead simply turning to his left, where his sister sat and nodded. When the governess that had been tailing her tried to follow Byakuya stopped her, what was happening was of Rukia's concern, not anyone else's. He'd come to realize in the last couple of hours that he couldn't fully trust his own staff, not if they would keep things from him even when He and no other was the Head of the Clan.

It took a bit of time for Rukia to make her way around the table and down the few steps to get to the entrance where the three Kurosakis were still standing, especially since the multi-layered kimono she was wearing, and the rather small shoes made it hard for her to walk.

Noticing all that only made Ichigo bristle even more.

Once she got to them Karin offered Rukia her hand, which she took and bowed to in a show of respect; then Karin bowed herself to Rukia, before finally pulling her to Ichigo and Yuzu.

"Ichigo? Karin? Yuzu?" Rukia asked in a whisper. "What is going on?"

"Calm down Rukia-san." Karin whispered in as soothing a manner as she could. "We're here to help you, I promise."

"How can you possibly help me?" Rukia wanted to know. "The Elders have already made up their mind. Nothing Nii-sama has said in the last hour and a half has been enough to make them desist. What can you do that Nii-sama can't?"

"It's not like he can't, not exactly, more like it's something he cannot do on his own." Karin explained. "Hence us being here. Ichigo…"

Rukia's attention immediately turned to him.

Ichigo, for his part, was trying to catch his breath; at first all he'd noticed was the way the Clan seemed to want to sell Rukia, and how they had dressed her in such clothes for that very reason; but it wasn't until he had her standing right in front of him that he realized just how beautiful she looked in that moment…

"Ichigo!" Karin hissed at her brother.

"I need to ask you a question Rukia." Ichigo stated, returning to his senses, and then thought it better. "but first, I want you to summon your zanpakutou."

"What?" Rukia didn't understand what that had to do with anything.

"Summon your zanpakutou." Ichigo insisted. "Do it Rukia."

"What should I do that for?" Rukia hissed back. "How do you even expect me to do it? I don't have that kind of power!"

"Yes you do." Ichigo insisted. "You can do it. You could after having spent months cut off from your own power, weeks wearing that stupid suppressor, and a week inside that damned white tower. If you could find the power to do it then, you can do it now."

"Maybe that's true." Rukia admitted, though she still sounded very unsure. "In any case, what has my zanpakutou got to do with anything?"

"I need to ask you a question." Ichigo repeated. "But I won't ask it to a porcelain doll, or a damsel in distress, I want to ask that question to a shinigami; so show me you're one and summon your zanpakutou already!"

Karin couldn't help but smile slightly to herself, it was just like her brother to focus so much in something that would appear so trivial to most. Only for him it wasn't, because he was a warrior, and he understood the value of being one. It's why he wouldn't ask the question to Rukia as she was in that moment, because he didn't want the Rukia that her Clan would sell to some noble to be a 'wife' and a trophy, no, he wanted the warrior he had met in Karakura, who had nearly died fighting to protect them all even before knowing them, who had kept on fighting hollows even when having no powers, who had been willing to die to protect all the Nakama and their secrets; whom they had all risked so much for…

Byakuya himself seemed quite satisfied with what he was hearing as well. The thing he'd liked the least when hearing just who the Elders expected his sister to marry was knowing that they would take away her passion, her dreams; Ichigo and the others wouldn't do that, because they had met her as a shinigami and they respected her as such. Yes, even a half-human as Kurosaki Ichigo deserved his sister more than any noble he knew…

The rest of those present who had actually heard the exchange practically snorted in disbelief at the whole thing. In their minds there was no way that a 'Rukongai rat', mere adopted noble, who wasn't even a seated officer, could have enough power to actually summon her zanpakutou; they didn't know what had happened in Soukyoku Hill, or the fact that the only reason Rukia wasn't a seated officer was because Byakuya had blocked her from being promoted in an attempt to keep her safe, by making it so she wouldn't be given too dangerous assignments.

Moved by Ichigo's belief in her, which was much greater than hers in herself, Rukia raised her right hand above her hand and called in a similar way as she had once before:

"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"

Once again it was like a small snowstorm formed right around Rukia, and the snow and ice gathered together to form the beautiful, pristine white blade with a long ribbon hanging from the hilt and twirling gracefully around its wielder.

The gasps were quite loud from almost everyone in the room. Except for two particular people, who only watched the scene with obvious pride.

"There." Rukia declared with great satisfaction, holding Shirayuki by her side. "I have my zanpakutou, I am a shinigami. Ask your question!"

Ichigo took a deep breath, his hands were sweating, he was feeling so nervous, and he just had no idea why! Or so he claimed…

"Will you stay forever with me?" He asked almost in a rush.

"What?" Rukia was in shock, not quite sure she was hearing what she'd first thought.

Ichigo took another deep breath as he reminded himself that this was Rukia he was talking to, his nakama, someone dear to him, there was nothing to be afraid of.

"I know this isn't usually how it's done." Ichigo said softly. "And I hope Byakuya-san will forgive the breach in protocol, but I truly believe it should be your decision, and no one else's." he looked her straight in the eyes, taking her free hand in his before adding. "I am asking you, Kuchiki Rukia, if you would consent to being my wife?"

Rukia was in absolute shock, her mind blank, not knowing what to do, how to answer that. Was it his idea? Was it his choice? Or was he only offering to marry her to save her from the arranged marriage to another man? Did her brother really approve? Did her clan approve? What did he even have to offer that might make the Kuchiki Clan accept their marriage instead of marrying her off to Murata?

The Kuchiki Elders didn't seem to have the same problem with speechlessness as the young woman, since they all immediately began expressing their complaints and absolute refusal of the union, loudly.

Byakuya could barely contain his own chuckle of amusement, he could really count on the Kurosakis to create chaos wherever they went…his eyes then met those of the aged and wise man sitting on the opposite end of the table: his grandfather, head of the Kuchiki Council, and former Head of the Kuchiki Clan: Kuchiki Ginrei…

There was a glint of amusement in the old man's eyes as well. While he was very much a stickler for the rules, he also believed that everyone deserved to be happy. He had disapproved of his grandson's marriage with Hisana, not because of her origins, but because he could see that his grandson was marrying her for the wrong reasons; he was doing things for her and not for himself, never thinking about his own happiness. In regards to Rukia's adoption, he had nothing against her, the man had only feared that after so many years of living in Inuzuri the girl might not adapt to being a noble, he had also had his doubts on her treatment from several of the more hard-headed members of the Clan; on the first matter, he'd been pleasantly surprised to see how well Rukia took to being part of the Clan, even if a part of him had been sad to see the cheerful and innocent young girl vanish bit by bit as she became more like a 'noble lady' as time passed, and of course, her treatment from certain members of the clan was less than stellar…the current situation proving that fact beyond any shadow of doubt. Ginrei was sure that even if the surprising plan Byakuya and the representatives of the Nagaken Clan seemed to have concocted at some point worked, his grandson would still make sure to punish the insubordination that had caused the whole situation to happen in the first place.

"Silence!" Ginrei ordered after judging it was enough.

The man didn't shout, he didn't need to, there was enough raw power, enough authority in his voice that everyone took notice; even the Kurosakis.

"It almost creeps me out how he can do that." Karin whispered under her breath. "Always has and probably always will."

Yes, she quite remembered Kuchiki Ginrei, both from the time she'd been simply the little sister of the Head of Clan, but especially she remembered him from the time after she had assumed leadership of the Nagaken Clan.

"That ryoka isn't eligible for a match with a noble lady of the Kuchiki Clan, whether the lady in question is adopted or not." One of the councilwomen said in a derisive tone.

"For your information lady, I am a shinketsu shinigami." Ichigo deadpanned, and before he could be questioned he added. "And the circumstances of that are Clan Secret."

They of course knew what that meant, he would not speak about it, and no one could make him, not without the approval of the one who had made it clan-secret in the first place, and a representative of the clan keeping the secret (if they were different people).

"As of this morning Kurosaki Ichigo has been officially inducted into the Nagaken Clan." Karin informed all of those present in a dispassionate tone.

That caused yet another round of whispers. Even an adopted member of the Nagaken Clan held far more weight than a born one of the Murata Clan; after all, regardless of the size, the Nagaken Clan was still one of the Four Great Families, the greatest of them all in fact…

Yuzu took the chance of everyone busy with the whispers to finally approach Byakuya and hand him the scroll she'd been keeping; it was the formal offer for the union through marriage of the two clans; their Aunt Kasumi had helped them get it done and make it official right before they'd gotten on their way to the Kuchiki Estate.

"You're…a noble now?" Rukia had a hard time grasping everything.

She could hardly believe that Ichigo was going through so much trouble just for her. Granted, he'd already done a lot to save her from execution, but this was different, this was forever!

"I have already made my choices, now it's time you make yours." Ichigo told her solemnly. "Whatever your answer is, know this Rukia, I will never allow anyone to force you to do anything: whether it is getting married, remaining or leaving your life as a shinigami, nothing at all." He sighed and smiled at her sadly. "I know who you are, Kuchiki Rukia, I accept you that way, as a woman, as a shinigami, as everything you are. I know what I'm asking you is insane, especially in such short notice; but I knew it was now or never, and you know how I am, once I know what I want nothing will stop me from giving everything I can to achieve it. You know where I stand Rukia, the rest is up to you. Like I said, I won't force you on anything. The decision is yours…"

The silence seemed to last forever, even the elders had quieted, knowing how important the whole situation was. While normally the decision wouldn't be up to the girl in question, they seemed to be able to realize the young man would do things the way he wanted, and suddenly the whole situation was too convenient for them to risk ruining it.

"Answer him Rukia." Byakuya almost ordered suddenly.

The noble had noticed how Ichigo's reiatsu began reflecting his anxiety, and he wondered if his sister really was immune to the changes in his aura, or she was just too focused on her own thoughts to notice anything.

"Yes." Rukia finally answered after what seemed like forever, first a bit hesitant, then with more confidence. "Yes Ichigo, I will be your wife."

xXx

The union was celebrated two weeks later; a simple san-san-kudo ceremony in the presence of the Nakama, the elders of both clans and a handful of friends from the Gotei 13. After that a formal dinner was arranged, still in the Kuchiki Manor, since Byakuya had insisted on honoring his sister in every way possible the day of her wedding. Since Ichigo knew how important it was, not just for Byakuya but for Rukia, he didn't complain.

During the ceremony there was a traditional exchange of gifts between the bride and groom, during which Ichigo gifted Rukia with a kanzashi: it was a bira-bira made of pure silver, once the pin was on her hair from it hung a red silk-ribbon that held several white and black pearls; he also gave her a royal-blue sash to wear always, as it would signal her as a member of the Nagaken Clan. Rukia, for her part, gave Ichigo a pair of tekkou, like the ones her brother wore, and she had taken to wearing since making peace with Byakuya (though hers were longer than her brother's), except Ichigo's were black in color; on a more personal level, she gave him a platinum locket which inside held a lock of her own hair.

If the Nakama thought it was insane or anything that the two were getting married so soon, especially after only knowing each other for a handful of months, they didn't say anything. They just smiled and congratulated the couple on their union. Karin was even heard muttering about how they were going to have trouble controlling their father once he learnt that Ichigo and Rukia had gotten married, especially without him present.

The whole event was considerably small since, as far as most of those in attendance were concerned, it involved only two adopted members of Noble Clans; even if they had status due to their positions, it wasn't the same as if they had been actual children of their clans. Of course, not all people knew everything…

When the dinner party began clearing, Byakuya unexpectedly asked the Kurosakis, now including his sister, to follow him. They walked a little while but eventually reached what was obviously a private office, one that wasn't Byakuya's.

The moment Rukia saw the old man sitting in a comfortable chair in the back of the room she bowed to him. It was so fast Karin barely managed to discreetly stop her from bowing all the way, she was no longer just an adopted child of the Kuchiki Clan, she was the wife of a member of another, even higher Noble Clan. While she was still expected to show respect to someone like Byakuya and Ginrei, it wasn't to the same level.

"Kuchiki Ginrei-dono." Karin greeted formally, standing in front of the others.

"Nagaken Karin-dono." Ginrei addressed her by her old name. "It does an old heart good to see a soul as bright as yours back in this world."

"You honor me, Ginrei-dono." Karin smiled softly.

She remembered the man, had known him practically her whole previous life. He was a good friend of her Aunt Kasumi, an honorable, respected and powerful former shinigami and captain, and not the kind of noble who used to look down on everyone else. He was also one of the few who hadn't looked on in disapproval when she was made Head of the Nagaken Clan after her brother's disappearance. Karin had always respected him a lot.

After a silent signal from Ginrei, Byakuya indicated the others to take a seat and silently went to take a place on a comfortable chair at his grandfather's right; it took a second for the others to react, but soon Karin and Yuzu took places on a couch at his left, while Ichigo and Rukia did the same in another one right across from him.

Once they were all comfortable, Ginrei wordlessly placed a piece of paper he'd been holding on the center of the table. Karin was the first to realize what it was and she gasped.

"A…an alliance between the Houses of Kuchiki and Nagaken." She said, eyes turning to Ginrei instantly. "But for something like this to be possible Rukia-san would have to be…"

"She would have to be a blood member of the Main Line of the Kuchiki Clan." Ginrei finished for her in a solemn tone. "And she is."

That took all the Kurosakis by surprise, especially Rukia. As far as she was concerned she was just a commoner who had been lucky enough to be adopted by Byakuya; how could she possibly be a blood member of the Clan? And of the main line?

"My son…Soujun…he wasn't a good man." Ginrei admitted in a low, almost grieving voice.

Rukia's brows furrowed, she knew who Kuchiki Soujun was, Byakuya's father, Ginrei's only son, he'd died before becoming Head of Clan, which is why the title had gone straight to Byakuya; and why Ginrei had even stayed in power for so long. Still, Rukia had never met the man, he was already dead by the time she was adopted. Everything she'd heard about him said he was a powerful shinigami, lieutenant, handsome, always smiling, kind and well-loved by most who knew him. And yet…to hear Ginrei, his own father, say he wasn't a good man…

"It is true." Byakuya stated in a blank tone. "My father wasn't a loyal man, to his wife or to the Gotei; he was a disgrace to the Kuchiki name."

And the reason why things seemed to be so hard for Byakuya at times, the Elders remembered Soujun, and too many of them feared that Byakuya might end up being the same way.

"The story of Kuchiki Soujun is long and filled with disgraces." Byakuya continued, keeping himself mostly blank in voice and expression. "However, the important part here is his unfaithfulness to my mother. Her name was Kuchiki Shiori, even before marrying; she was the only daughter of a minor Kuchiki Line and theirs was an arranged marriage. My mother was very beautiful, but her reiryoku very little, she only managed to give birth to one son, me, and even after that she was left very weak. So much that my father began seeking 'entertainment' elsewhere. He had a number of mistresses, in both the Soul Society and the Material World; but two in particular turned out to be strong and compatible enough to give him children. In particular, one of his mistresses in the Human World was strong enough, and stayed with him enough to give him two children, two daughters…"

Suddenly realizing where it was all going Karin slapped her hand against her mouth to keep the gasp from escaping.

It was obvious that Byakuya could no longer speak, so Ginrei took over the story instead:

"My son had wanted to remarry since learning that Shiori wouldn't give him another child." The aged man explained. "But since his wife still lived, and she was still Lady Kuchiki, he was not allowed to. Instead he took mistresses, and showed his disdain towards his own wife by making little effort in keeping his affairs a secret. Shiori's own sickly state only got worse when she learnt that a human woman had been able to do what she could not, give her husband two children. It didn't matter that neither of those girls, or the one born in Soul Society would ever be considered a part of the Clan, or even that two of them were technically human, there was still a sense of failure for Shiori." He sighed and shook his head. "The situation only got worse when rumors of a possible new civil war arouse, and Soujun was found to be one of the instigators. When he realized someone had turned him in he immediately made arrangements to erase all trace of his involvement in the matter, and somehow that included getting rid of his human mistress and their children. By the time I got to the house it was already too late. The older woman had been brutally murdered, and apparently some poison had been used on her eldest daughter; then she'd been pushed out of a second floor window while trying to run away, with her baby sister in her arms, the fall killed them both instantly."

Tears began silently falling down Rukia's eyes as Ichigo held her tightly against his chest, they'd both finally understood the purpose of the story they were being told.

"With the evidence vanished Soujun retained his ranks and position." Ginrei continued in a bitter tone. "He kept trying to convince the Elders to let him marry again, especially when a decade later Shiori finally died, but I refused to allow it, and five years later he himself died, during a mission to Hueco Mundo. It didn't matter that he was never formally accused of anything, several of the Elders and I always knew Soujun was guilty of many crimes. And that had affected Byakuya terribly…"

Yes it had, and Ginrei regretted that more than anything else. His grandson was a model noble, shinigami and Clan Head, and yet he couldn't catch a break, the Elders just kept pushing and pushing, waiting for him to make a mistake so they could accuse him of being the same as his father. Even when he was more like Ginrei, or Shiori than he ever was like Soujun. The Elders just wouldn't leave it alone, it was their way of at least trying to hold onto some kind of power, some kind of authority over Byakuya, even when they had no right to any at all.

"I found Hisana many years later in Rukongai and from the moment I first saw her I knew who she was." Byakuya continued. "The hint of blue in her eyes, the black beneath her ashen hair, and even some of her features were clearly those of my father. I saw her in Inuzuri, I saw the life she had, and knew it was not the life she deserved. I knew that the Elders would never allow for her to be brought into the Clan, and we still didn't know who exactly had been sent to kill her and her family in the human world, what if they tried to kill her again? So instead I offered her the chance to become a Kuchiki by marrying me. At first she denied me, saying it wasn't worth it, that she wasn't worth it, sick as she was. But I was insistent. Then she learnt that my Clan was pressuring me to take a wife, and I wasn't interested so she finally accepted. She became my wife, and in doing so we kept the Elders shut, and I could give her what she deserved. At the same time we began looking for her sister, for Rukia…" his eyes met those of his sister as he explained. "Hisana didn't leave you because she didn't want you Rukia, she did it to protect you. The same assassins who poisoned her when she was still human, taking most of her reiatsu and making it so she didn't actually have any spiritual abilities once in Soul Society, found her again in Rukongai, and they used the same poison against her yet again, it's what made her sick. Hisana abandoned you hoping it would keep you safe from them, believing that if you weren't with her the assassins wouldn't find you. You were a baby, and she hoped that someone would have mercy on you and look after you, and that you may have the life she couldn't have. By the time I found you it was already too late, you never got to meet each other again, and I couldn't tell you just how brave Hisana had been, because we still didn't know what had been of those assassins. It was also why I had to use a promise to Hisana as an excuse to adopt you, I couldn't tell anyone that you were, truly, a daughter of the Kuchiki Clan, in case you were attacked again. So I had to let everyone believe you were just a commoner, and I couldn't step in every time they looked down on you or talked to you with disdain. I could only stand there and watch, and realize how strong you were, how much of a Kuchiki you were as you moved past it all and became one great woman and shinigami; as you became my pride."

"Nii-sama…" Rukia whispered in a broken voice.

She wanted nothing more than to embrace her brother, thank him over and over again for all the things he'd done for her, but she knew it wasn't proper, so she allowed her new husband to hold her in place. She also wished she could have met her sister, that she could thank Hisana for all she had done for her, even in abandoning her as a baby, all the older girl had wanted to do was protect her…if it weren't for Hisana Rukia wouldn't have any reiryoku, she probably wouldn't even be alive.

"What happened with the assassins?" Karin wanted to know.

"They eventually made their appearance." Ginrei stated. "I don't know if they somehow found out who Rukia truly was, or if someone else hired them because they thought Rukia's position as Byakuya's sister was threatening; but they made several attempts against her life. All of which were thwarted, the assassins caught and executed. It took a while but eventually we tracked those responsible and had them killed as well. However, we never found any member of the Kuchiki Clan who might have been involved…"

"Which doesn't necessarily mean there were none, just that they were hiding particularly well." Ichigo finished, understanding the danger.

"Yes." Ginrei nodded grimly.

"It's one of the reasons I didn't reveal the truth of Rukia's parentage even after we were sure all of the assassins had been dealt with." Byakuya added. "I also knew that if the Elders were to know the truth, it would only put more pressure on her. I decided she was having a hard enough time already. However that morning, two weeks ago…I came so close with breaking my own vow and telling the Elders who exactly they were trying to sell."

"While they could have married off any minor lady of the Kuchiki Clan, they couldn't do the same about a potential Heiress, especially not when what they were trying to do was to marry her off to another clan." Karin said, understanding. "It's the same reason why the Elders could never make me marry in my last life."

"Yes." Byakuya nodded, he remembered that time well. "However, Yuzu-san's message stopped me just in time, and instead I decided to let you handle it."

"So that's how you knew what they were going to do." Ginrei commented, he'd been wondering just how his grandson had been so prepared.

"I was willing to reveal Rukia's parentage to protect her, though at the same time I know that in the end she would have just been used as leverage against me; the Elders would have taken the chance to force one of us to marry and sire an heir." Byakuya pointed out. "Yuzu-san's warning that she and her siblings were on their way and the arrangements that had been made already on their part allowed Rukia to be protected both from the arranged marriage and the Elders and still remain in a relatively comfortable position. Even if Kurosaki Ichigo is just an adopted member of the Nagaken Clan, I know he will keep her safe."

"With my life if need be." Ichigo replied instantly.

Then, as he met his sisters' eyes, everyone watching them knew something was going on, it was like the three could have a full conversation without saying a word.

"Karin…" Eventually it was Ichigo who broke the silence.

"It's up to you Ichigo." Karin finally declared. "You know I support you whatever choice you make. Both Yuzu and I do."

Ichigo nodded with a smile at his sister before turning to the Kuchiki men.

"You being so honest with us, warrants us being the same." Ichigo declared seriously as he signaled to the paper still on the table. "While it is true Karin could sign that paper as retainer of the Nagaken Clan and form a considerably strong alliance with the Kuchiki Clan, I have a better offer." He took a deep breath and revealed himself. "I will sign it."

"You?" Ginrei wasn't sure he understood correctly.

It was confusing, as far as the two Kuchiki men were concerned, how could an adopted son of a clan have more standing than a retainer in place of the heir?

"Nii-sama isn't dead." Karin stepped in.

"Isshin?" Byakuya asked, suddenly beginning to connect the dots that had been provided during the meeting weeks before.

"He didn't die." Karin insisted seriously. "There was an attempt on his life, courtesy of Aizen. He lost all his shinigami powers for a while, but he didn't die. He spent a few years on the World of the Living, where he eventually met a woman called Kurosaki Masaki, he fell in love with her, and it was because of that love that even when he regained his shinigami powers he chose not to return to Seireitei. He married Kurosaki Masaki, taking her family name to hide who he truly was. And she gave him three children, of whom I'm the second." She chuckled slightly. "It seems like a big cosmic joke, for me to have become my own Nii-sama's daughter…in any case, I was not the firstborn…"

"I am." Ichigo spoke seriously. "My birth-name is actually Kurosaki-Nagaken Ichigo. I am the rightful heir of Nagaken Isshin, and as such the next Nagaken Clan Head."

"So it is you Karin is acting as retainer for." Byakuya realized.

"Yes." Ichigo nodded.

"Does anyone in the Nagaken Clan know?" Ginrei wanted to know.

"Kasumi-oba-sama." Karin answered. "She knew who we were from the very beginning. She was my strongest supporter when I announced I would act as retainer. She's also the one who helped us make the arrangements for Ichigo's and Rukia's marriage."

Byakuya and Ginrei nodded, suddenly things made a lot more sense. It also meant that Rukia was even more protected, since her husband was not an adopted member of the Nagaken Clan, but a blood member of it, and not only that, but the heir!

"Who exactly knows the truth about your parentage?" Byakuya asked, signaling to all three siblings in general.

"Aside from those in this room right now?" Karin asked, and then without waiting went on. "The other Nakama who came with us to Soul Society, and Kasumi-oba-sama. We expect to share the information with the Nakama still in Karakura, and our father, who might want to share it with his friends of the Urahara-Shouten. But that will be it. The vast majority of people in both words will continue believing that I am just the reincarnation of Nagaken Karin, now acting as retainer for the Clan, and my siblings have been adopted by the same Clan, something that isn't hard to believe considering the prowess they have shown thus far, Ichigo as a shinigami and Yuzu as a kidou expert. Eventually the whole truth will be made public knowledge, but we don't know when exactly."

Rukia for her part was having a hard time processing everything. For many years she'd known that one day she would marry, most likely someone not of her choice, which seemed to become evident when she was informed of the arrangement for her union with Murata Keitaro; she'd been surprised when being made another offer, this time for her to marry Ichigo, who had suddenly been inducted into a Noble Clan, the Nagaken Clan. She had accepted the union to Ichigo deciding that even if it wasn't exactly something they had chosen, she knew him, accepted him and cared for him, and it was the same from him to her; Ichigo would never want her to be someone she wasn't, and neither would she; Rukia could think of far worse people to end up sharing eternity with.

And yet, as overwhelming as the whole situation had been when the initial arrangements were made, now she was being told that her new husband wasn't just a human and adopted member of the Nagaken Clan, no, he was in fact a born shinigami and the for-the-most-part unknown Heir of the family! The future Clan Head! She, who she just learnt was in fact a Kuchiki Lady by blood instead of just by adoption as she'd always believed, was married to a half-human shinketsu shinigami who was in fact the heir of the Nagaken Clan; to the man that would one day lead the highest of all the Noble Clans in Seireitei!

The young woman was almost dizzy with the realization of it all. And with the fact that before that day he hadn't told her anything of it…

"I know what you're thinking Rukia…" He whispered into her hair as he held her tightly. "I want you to know I am sorry. I wasn't keeping this from you because I didn't want you to know, but because I thought we had time. I thought we would get back to Karakura and then I could explain who I was, who my father was supposed to be. However, the Kuchiki Elders kind' a forced our hand. I hope you do not regret accepting to become my wife…"

"No, I don't." Rukia assured him with a sigh. "But we will be talking more about this. No more secrets Ichigo."

"No more secrets." He promised her.

If he'd just known how complicated that promise would end up being…

"Are you happy Rukia?" Byakuya's unexpected question took her by surprise.

"Nii-sama…?" She asked, not quite knowing what else to say.

"Since the first moment I saw you at the Academy, all I've wanted was for you to be happy." Byakuya explained. "All I've done has been in attempt you give you what I could never give your sister. I know I've failed in many ways, your near execution just being one example. But I hope you will be happy now…"

Rukia couldn't hold herself back anymore, in an instant she had vanished from Ichigo's arms and had pretty much thrown herself into Byakuya's.

For the longest time it seemed like the noble didn't know what to do, even as his sister, still in her elegant wedding kimono held onto him for all she was worth.

"I am happy, very happy Nii-sama." She assured him in a slightly broken voice. "You are my dear brother and I would not change that for anything. I don't think you've failed at anything. You always cared for me, always did what you could, and for that I will be forever thankful. I love you Nii-sama…"

"As I love you Rukia…" He whispered as he finally gave in and hugged her.

"Such are the burdens we bear…" Karin half-quoted under her breath in a solemn voice. "But as long as we have others to share them with, may they not be as heavy…"

Close to her, Kuchiki Ginrei, the only one to really hear and understand her words, could only nod solemnly. Such heavy burdens his grandson had been forced to carry his whole life, because he had a mother who fell ill after giving birth to just one child, because he had a father who could not be faithful, because he had an uncle who was a traitor and an aunt who committed suicide rather than face the world after her husband fell from grace. The sins of so many people had fallen upon Byakuya's shoulders when he'd still been so young, and he'd done his best to bear them, most of the time on his own.

Rukia too had been forced to carry heavy burdens, the sins of her parents; the first of which had caused her death in the Living World when just an infant, she'd also been forced to grow up on her own in one of the worst districts of Rukongai when her sister decided she brought more danger than safety with her; forced to go from free commoner to tied-down noble in an attempt of her own brother to care for and protect her; kept from realizing her true potential by the same brother trying to protect her; nearly killed by a madman in a crazy quest for power and a position never meant for him; and then nearly married off to a man who wanted nothing more than a trophy wife, and who would never see Rukia's true value. Even in that moment, married to Kurosaki Ichigo, a man who knew her value, who accepted her true self, there was no way of knowing if they would be able to make each other truly happy. Only time could tell.

Yes, such are the burdens those closest to him bore, Ginrei knew, and he had no doubt the three heirs of the Nagaken Clan had their own; he could only hope that they would remain a tight group, as they did in that moment, and that they, along with the Nagaken's and his granddaughter's nakama, might be able to move forward and to find true happiness.

xXx

One week later the Nakama, in their usual clothes, were standing on Soukyoku Hill yet again, though this time waiting for the final preparations to be finished so they could travel back to the Material World.

Rukia of course was going too, she had been given authority equivalent to a fukutaichou and was to act as liaison between the Nakama and the Gotei 13, at least until the conflict with Aizen ended, when most people expected more permanent arrangements to be made; for the same reason she'd also been granted the power to open official Senkaimons when needed.

Only those who'd been present at the ceremony were aware of the fact that Ichigo and Rukia were married; though it was public knowledge that he'd been 'adopted' by the Nagaken Clan. This to give him a bit of more authority, and in her case so the sleeper cells wouldn't inform of her change of status to Aizen, putting her in even more danger; though even that didn't stop them from wearing the gifts from their union.

All the Nakama had been gifted with small badges that had the symbol for the Gotei 13 on one side and the kanji for Nakama in the other, signaling them as allies of Seireitei; Ichigo had also been handed enough for those who remained in Karakura. Also, Ichigo and Uryuu had been given denreishinki similar to Rukia's, to aid them in their duties. Karin had rejected being given the same considerations, and when not doing her duties as Retainer of the Nagaken Clan she preferred to be seen as any other Nakama and had no trouble following Ichigo's, Uryuu's, or even Rukia's orders.

The tight-knitted group had had lunch together that morning in a private dining room of the Nagaken Main House. Byakuya and Ginrei had been invited to eat with them, and others like Hanatarou, Kasumi and Yoruichi were there as well.

In case of the shy shinigami, the Nakama had wanted to show their appreciation in some way, even if no one but them and four other high-ranked shinigami knew that he'd been involved at all with them and their 'infiltration'. Hanatarou had felt very embarrassed at the attention, but had still thanked everyone profusely for the honor and promised to do his best to always be there to help. Karin had the suspicion that all the time he seemed to spend with Yuzu may just be improving his confidence.

Chad himself had been a bit late, as he'd been visiting the 4th Division, again…it had become something pretty normal in the weeks since their leaving of the place, even if no one knew exactly what made him go there so often.

Yoruichi was present, even when she had never stayed with the other Nakama there, she knew of the marriage between Ichigo and Rukia because she'd been present at the wedding, as the only heiress of the Shihouin Clan. She knew there were a lot of secrets being kept from her, but chose not to press the teens too much and instead hoped that they would be honest with her eventually; she'd seen how fast they'd all closed up to Kisuke after realizing that much of what was happening was, directly or indirectly, his fault; and the hurt in the Kurosakis eyes after confirming the truth their father had kept a secret for so long; she really didn't want to end up being considered in the same level.

Byakuya had, with a very satisfied expression, informed everyone that those responsible for nearly marrying Rukia off without his consent or even his input had been 'properly dealt with' already. No one had even though of stopping him after they were informed of the alliance the Kuchiki Clan now had, thanks greatly to the match between Kurosaki-Nagaken Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia; something that would have never been possibly if certain people had gotten what they wanted and married Rukia to the second son of the minor noble Murata Clan. Yes, they had nothing to complain about after that.

And so it was about an hour after noon that the Nakama and those closest to them arrived together to Soukyoku Hill and waited for the Senkaimon to be opened.

It was a great surprise for them when, shortly before the wait was over, all of those who had been at the meeting weeks before showed up at the Hill to see them off. Especially when Yamamoto called them close:

"I know the decision you've made with regards to Aizen and the other two traitors." The aged shinigami declared. "As I also know that if he were to attack the Material World you would be the first to act."

They all nodded in unison.

"As you all know by now all of you are the only high-ranked warriors who haven't seen Aizen's shikai, and therefore cannot be tricked by his illusions." Yamamoto continued. "Which is why I'm giving you this,"

With a signal to Juushirou, who had been standing behind the Captain-Commander in waiting, Yamamoto took from him a long, folded, piece of white cloth and handed it formally and silently to Ichigo, who took it with a mix of confusion and apprehension.

The orange haired shinketsu's anxiety proved right when, upon unfurling the cloth, it turned out to be a sleeveless haori in his size, just like all the captains' haoris he'd seen, except that instead of a number, that one had the kanji for Nakama inside the rhombus of the Gotei. Ichigo was as good as being promoted to a captain, at least as far as authority was concerned, and they all understood that.

"Why?" Ichigo asked, holding the haori tightly in his hands.

"Like Yama-jii just explained, all of you are our best chance against Aizen." Juushirou said solemnly. "Whether you choose to consider him your enemy now, or wait until he's gone after you. I think we all know such a confrontation is inevitable. Whether because of you, or because of the Juureichi…it just can't be helped."

They all nodded grimly, that they knew those were facts didn't mean they had to like them.

"The rest of the shinigami will need to see proof of the authority you now hold, in particular in such a situation where a battle might take place and you might be the only ones knowing what is really going on." Juushirou added, just as grimly. "That's what that haori represents. You, of course, won't be expected to attend meeting or fill paperwork, this is just a formality for, let's say, just in case…"

Once again, they all nodded. They knew the time would come, sooner or later, and it was good to see precautions had been taken.

"The gate is ready." A shinigami informed them right then.

"Very well." Ichigo nodded, finally putting on the haori. "Let's do this."

His nakama just smiled and went to stand at his flanks, they knew that even if he didn't really show it, he liked the recognition.

The gate was opened and everyone waved goodbye one last time.

"Here we go." Ichigo said with a smile. "Nakama!"

"Nakama!" They all cried out in one voice.

And without further ado, they were on their way, back home…


And with this we finish the rewrite of the Soul Society Arc! It seemed to last forever! Really, between this arc and the intro we're more than a fourth into this fic!

Of course, the fic itself is far from over. I know some of you have already guessed some of the things coming the Nakama's way, but I can promise you there's no way you could ever guess everything (you can try, I'd love to see what you all think). Hope you'll enjoy!

See ya next week!