Ahem: Disclaimer- I own nothing but this fanfiction.

This chapter had been re-uploaded to correct all the grammatical errors found in the original post. I owe it to my readers, who had taken the time to read, review and like my word-smith work of fiction, to provide the best reading experience imaginable. And to who I want to say a very big;

"Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU!"

Now, here's chapter one. Please, Enjoy!

For the few times, Rukia found herself in the middle of a meeting with the Elders of the Kuchiki Clan it had never bowed well for her. At the very least, it was uncomfortable. Today as she sat beside her brother with her hands on her knees, fingers nervously clutching the fabric of her uniform, she wondered why- for the hundredth time-she was summoned. She had been pondering this ever since a servant knocked on her door this morning telling her that her presence is requested at the assembly hall on the East Leg of the manor.

Since her adoption into the family some fifty years before, the Elders had made it no secret that she wasn't welcomed. If not for the will of her brother-wait that wasn't completely right. Though Byakuya had adopted her into the family and she was no longer in the slums of Hanging Dog, he had made it seem like a chore when he adopted Rukia. Like B-Team.

Their relationship was completely awkward. He ignored her like the pet he didn't want to own. Feeding her and providing all the necessities but that's all she got.

At first, Rukia had thought it was something that she had done with her street savvy persona. So she tried to learn the ways of how to conduct herself in the manner of a noble lady- a Kuchiki lady. But she knew that they knew that she was only kidding herself. Their whispers were loud enough.

The meeting had begun with the normal proceedings as the Elders filed in. Every Elder had that 'I am looking down my nose look' superiority about them. Some things never change.

As soon as everyone was seated, Byakuya's steady baritone asked.

"Why are we having this meeting?"

It surprised Rukia that even he, the Head of the Kuchiki Clan, didn't know why he was here either. So, she wasn't the only one the Elders liked to be rude to.

Byakuya's gaze was cool and stormy at the same time. She wondered for a brief moment, how someone can be so gorgeous yet so monstrous? So empty.

"This meeting, Byakuya-Sama, is called to discuss the long-awaited topic of an heir to the Kuchiki Clan." One of the Elders said.

Byakuya wasn't surprised when they called a meeting neither was he surprised about the topic of 'that' being the Elders' main reason for calling it but why would they bring Rukia here?

In the past when they wanted to pester him about his obligatory responsibility to bed and breed someone to produce an heir, he was the only one that they'd invite to meetings like these. Sometimes, they'll start off with insignificant things beating around the bush with the topic as if they are the ones being inconvenienced or uncomfortable with the notation. Then when he'd had enough of their foolishness and sternly express his displeasure at them wasting his time, they would get to the point. Now they had Rukia...here?

His thoughts trailed off and dread settled in the pit of his stomach.

No, they wouldn't dare force her into that position.

Byakuya slanted a glance at the small childlike figure seated beside him. She looked nervous, evident from the strangling of her uniform folds in her grip but she hides it well otherwise. He could understand why. The Elders, on top of being intimidating, hated her.

He closed his eyes. There has been a lot of things he had done wrong by her and they were only now-slowly-picking up the pieces trying to make them fit into places that never existed in their relationship to begin with.

The problem with Byakuya Kuchiki was that he couldn't do anything half-assed. Whatever he did it was always done to the maximum and that, unfortunately, went for his emotions as well.

After Hisana died, he was broken.

Alone, again, in a world of rules and responsibilities where he's required to hide his feelings, to null anything that could bring shame to his family's name.

Fate is a cruel bitch indeed and after so long Byakuya Kuchiki was an adept student; learning too well her lessons that it might be too much to ask for happiness. To feel the sun, to really feel warmth in his cold world.

First, it was his parents. Both of them dying without seeing their son grow up. Him, loving and respecting them as any good son should.

Then he met Hisana and knew love with a woman.

His heart freely given. He never wanted to let go.

Being with her felt like he had been holding his breath all the other times without knowing that he was and with Hisana, he could breathe again after waiting so long. So he did what any drowning man would, he held on with all his strength.

A/N

Thanks for reading my first fanfic. Hope you were entertained as much as I enjoyed writing it. Remember to review so that new chapters can be uploaded soon :D.