ARRANGED LOVE OR COERCION?
Disclaimer: I donot own bleach or its characters.
Chapter two: Be prepared
Ichigo and Renji arrived at the thirteenth division. The red head kept patting her on the shoulder every other minute and smiling weakly.
"If you wanna stay out here; or puke over in those bushes, I can go on my own and see if I can get Captain Ukitake to let Rukia have a twenty minute break."
Ichigo nodded and sat down on a nearby wall and watched as Renji disappeared from view.
She felt so confused, so trapped and taken advantage of. Ichigo bit her bottom lip in frustration. She had only been away from home a few hours and already she was desperate to return. When would she be able to see her sisters again? Goodness she even wanted to see goat face and have him kick her in the head for being late for dinner.
How dare that woman say she could not go home! How dare she threaten her family and friends!
Ichigo felt like a dark cloud of despair had settled over her head ensnaring her thoughts and twisting them into a physical force that reached down through her body and viciously ripped at her heart and stomach.
The day seemed to have taken on an almost dreamlike quality, she felt detached and her body buzzed in a way similar to the time Kyoraku had persuaded her to drink Sake with him only this buzz was not good a good one.
Her brown eyes threatened to tear up; but she quickly swallowed and bit them back. There was no way in hell she would give into Momoko. No way in hell that she would let the woman see how greatly she had been hurt.
Ichigo suddenly had the Image of standing next to Byakuya in a Shiro-Maku a traditional white wedding Kimono and the Noble in a dark Black and silver blue Montsuki Kimono and hakama; the traditional garb expected for a man to wear on such an occasion and cringed.
Ichigo remembered her mother's Shiro-Maku and how her dad had given it to her shortly after her death.
He had given it to Ichigo so that when she found a man she loved she could wear the beautiful white Kimono and in a way feel as though her mother was there with her on what was supposed to be the most wonderful day of her life.
Now Ichigo was going to be married to a man she did not love, wear an unworn dress that held no meaning and not even have her family beside her when she gave her life away.
Ichigo's lips quivered and her shoulders shook as she tried to repress tears of overwhelming sadness from escaping.
She was strong, on par with a Captain for Goodness sake! How could this happen to her! Damn Byakuya Kuchiki! Damn his family! And damn their stupid pride!
She was overcome by the urge to runaway; to go back to the human world grab her family and get help from someone, maybe Urahara would be able to help her!
She would only have to get someone to open a Senkaimon, Ukitake could do it.
The teen leapt to her feet as the first flames of hope ignited within her chest and flash stepped throughout the thirteenth division towards the kindly Captains office.
She stopped when the Captain's office door came into view and felt the flame of hope quickly go out.
Momoko had said if she left that she would never be able to come back and that also meant she would never be able to see the friends she had made here again. Besides there was no guarantee Urahara would even be able to help her. Maybe Momoko would hurt her family if she even attempted to leave, maybe the Kuchiki elders already had assassins in Karakura town waiting for her to escape; to kill her family before she got home.
"Damn it!" Ichigo shouted. She felt so frustrated.
Ukitake's office door slid open and revealed Renji, Rukia and the Captain. All three Soul Reapers looked at Ichigo; surprise evident on their faces.
"Was that you who screamed Ichigo?" Ukitake asked gently.
"I'm sorry." Ichigo mumbled.
The look of shock upon the Captains face melted away to be replaced by calm understanding.
"Renji just told us." Rukia said sadly as she walked over to her friend and gently placed a hand on her arm.
"Why don't we step inside and have a talk..." Ukitake motioned for them to follow. "...away from prying eyes." His two third seats could be heard squeaking in shock nearby shortly followed by the sounds of them running away.
Ichigo nodded in agreement and once inside the comfortable office all four settled on to plush cushions around a low drinking table.
"Renji said Momoko threatened you." Rukia said after a long uncomfortable silence.
Ichigo nodded, her ability to speak seemed to have escaped her and she swallowed thickly around a lump in her throat.
"There has to be something we can do to stop it." The red head lieutenant demanded, his tone filled with spite.
"Ichigo was there a piece of paper and did you and Byakuya sign it?" Juushiro asked.
The teen nodded in confirmation.
The white haired male sighed and Rukia's grip on her arm increased.
"I'm sorry Ichigo but there's really nothing anyone can do. That piece of paper you singed would most certainly have been a marital certificate. Momoko Kuchiki is too cunning to have let you leave without it first being signed. It acts as a legally binding contract. If you did indeed put your name on it then you are now by law already Captain Kuchiki's wife." Ukitake sighed.
"What!" Ichigo cried "But I haven't had a wedding! I can't be married to him!"
"It's the way the Nobles work Ichigo. First you are married by Seireitei law. Afterwards you are married before friends and family in ceremony. It's a way to ensure that the heirs of noble families and their brides wouldn't elope with other people before the wedding could take place." Rukia said gently as she rubbed Ichigo's arm.
"I'm already married to him and he didn't say anything to me."
"He won't address you as his wife until after the wedding." The small dark haired woman stated.
"I can't go home." Ichigo mumbled as her body finally betrayed her and tears began to slide down her now pale cheeks. "They won't let me go home, Please Ukitake please open a Senkaimon for me." Ichigo begged him desperately.
The Captain shook his head; his warm eyes filled with sympathy.
"I can't do that Ichigo. The Kuchiki's are a very influential family. The head Captain has already been informed to keep you here. I received word shortly before Lieutenant Abarai arrived. I am sorry."
"You can go Home after the wedding. I'll make sure of it." Rukia whispered kindly.
"But it won't be the same; I'll have to come back." Ichigo hissed as she swiped the tears angrily from her face. "I feel like a Prisoner, Hell I might as well be! They blackmailed me; the contract can't be legal if I was blackmailed."
"I know what I am about to say will sound hurtful, and I apologise beforehand, but Ichigo there are no witnesses to confirm what you say is true; and against the word of a Kuchiki your accusations will fall on deaf ears." Ukitake explained.
Ichigo nodded in understanding; she truly was treading on thin ice.
The captain got up and walked over to a cabinet and returned with a bottle of Sake and four cups.
"A gift from Shunsui, Normally I would not offer at this time of day but considering the circumstances."
The four spent the next couple of hours drinking the salty beverage trying their best to avoid the subject of Ichigo's impending wedding and the issues surrounding it.
By the time five o'clock arrived Ichigo felt what little peace of mind she had gained fly out of the window.
"Byakuya said I have to be back at half five." She stated glumly and bid farewell to her friends.
"I'll come home and see you as soon as I can." Rukia assured; as Ichigo walked towards the exit. Renji nodded in agreement with his friend's words.
The walk back to the manor was arduous and every step she took was measured carefully to ensure she did not arrive a second before the aforementioned deadline.
If only this had not happened. If only her family and friends were not being threatened, if only she had stayed in the world of the living and had gone to school today. If only.
Upon reaching the ornate gates Ichigo was quickly ushered into the mansion by a very grumpy looking Yagari and led into a large room.
He gave her his customary look of dislike and walked out of the room leaving Ichigo alone.
What's his problem? Ichigo thought as she watched him disappear behind the sliding door.
She looked around trying to figure out why she had been brought to this room in particular. It was large with vanilla coloured walls, each wall had a sliding door and every door was decorated with delicate art depicting various gardens and mountains scenery in subdued pastels.
Ichigo found it odd that there were no windows in this room; however they were not needed; for the light filtering through the thin paper of the doorways let in a soft golden glow.
The floors were bare and apart from two kneeling cushions there was nothing in the room apart from her.
The sound of a door sliding open, startled her. She turned around expecting to see Byakuya and was surprised when she saw a woman instead. The woman was dressed in a rich burgundy kimono, had dark brown hair which was wrapped into a low hanging bun, and a pretty face with flawless skin and piercing dark green eyes. She looked to be in her mid twenties but Ichigo had learnt looks in regards to age meant nothing in the soul society.
The woman looked at Ichigo as though she were an item rather than a person and smiled; Ichigo noticed that said smile did not reach the woman's eyes.
"My name is Shoshi Shikibu. I have been charged by the Kuchiki family with the task of tutoring you." Her tone was cold and snobbish.
Ichigo immediately wished she had disobeyed Byakuya's earlier order and had stayed in the thirteenth division.
"What are you gonna teach me?" The teen scowled petulantly at the woman before her.
"Please may I ask; what it is you wish to teach me?" Shoshi corrected. "And thus you quite spectacularly stumble upon the reason as to why I am here." Sarcasm dripped from the woman's voice like bitter poison.
"So you're here to make me speak like a stuck up, arrogant twat." Ichigo surmised, as she smirked and placed her hands upon her hips and began to rock backwards and forwards.
"Among many other things." The woman pointedly ignored Ichigo's behaviour."I am charged with the duty of instructing you in the ways of etiquette, speech, appropriate dress wear and most importantly your duties as the wife of Lord Kuchiki."
"Not going to happen." Ichigo hummed in a sing song voice.
"It is what is expected of you."
"You can't make me do anything. I don't want to learn any of those things; I'm only interested in being a Soul reaper."
"It is now understandable as to why Lord Kuchiki wishes me to tutor you. When I first entered this room I thought that he only wanted me to teach you the basics. However upon seeing the state of your appearance and hearing your appalling use of language. I have reached the conclusion that he wants me to train a pig not to roll in filth; an almost impossible task."
Ichigo was across the room before she was even aware that she had moved, and soon had her hands buried in the front of Shoshi's Kimono.
"I don't care what you think! I don't care what any of you think!"
Shoshi's sneer fell and was replaced by a small, genuine smile.
"Lesson one passed."
"What?" Ichigo muttered her grip loosening slightly.
"Dear girl, you are to become a Kuchiki and as such the opinions of any beneath your status should mean nothing to you. You have passed the first lesson. The goal of the lesson was to see if you had it within you to act in a way befitting a lady and stand up for yourself when openly attacked by a commoner."
"Oh." Ichigo felt embarrassed and her hands fell limply by her sides.
"I can assure you, I am not a cruel person by nature. I am here to make sure you are fit to stand against the elders of the Kuchiki clan and fellow Noble families. And to ensure that you will find yourself in no situation in which you will be mocked. Now if it is not too much of an inconvenience shall we proceed to lesson two?"
Once Ichigo had begun talking with Shoshi, she had found the woman to be quite a pleasant person. Her new tutor was still a snob and talked to the orange haired teen as though she were a child. But Ichigo understood now that the lessons would be a benefit. It would allow her to learn the inner workings of the Noble families; such as who she had to listen to, who she could ignore and the certain things she was entitled to as the wife of a clan head.
The two women had spent a good few hours discussing the various things she would learn over the next year. Ichigo was promised the lessons would not interfere with her life as a soul reaper; which the she was thankful for.
Shoshi had discussed a few smaller details such as what Ichigo should and shouldn't do at dinner, what she should wear and most importantly told her that when dealing with characters such as Momoko she should aim not to insult, but rather belittle her; by reminding Momoko that as the wife of the Clan's head, she was in a higher position and as such demanded respect.
Ichigo had actually found all of the information extremely helpful and when she had bid farewell to Shoshi at the end of her session, felt more confident that given time her situation would become more bearable.
As soon as Shoshi was gone Ichigo had been taken by a servant to what would be her new bedroom. It was beautiful and decorated in creams and and soft shades of muted purple. It held a large futon and amongst other finely crafted furniture. She was upset to find that later on she would not stay in these rooms; as after the wedding she would be moved to larger living quarters which to her mortification would be joined next to Byakuya's own private rooms.
At least I wont have to share a bed with him. Ichigo thought positively.
The next few days were hectic to put it mildly. Ichigo had been barraged constantly by tailors measuring her body so that her wedding Kimono could be fitted. Several more Tutors had come to the Mansion teaching her to walk properly, talk properly. One man had even tried to make her sing and dance; that lesson had not gone well, and the man had left with two black eyes and a ripped Kimono courtesy of Zangetsu.
Ichigo had not seen Byakuya since the day of the proposal, except for the few seconds as the man walked past her one morning; he had not even bothered to look at her as he stormed out of the mansion in all his glory. Ichigo did not know whether to see his lack of presence as good sign or an ominous one.
She had expected the man would have at the very least shown up at dinner times. But he had not, Rukia told her it happened often because of his duties as a Captain and Clan head and said not to worry; and that it wasn't a reaction caused by her presence.
Outside of her lessons Ichigo spent a large amount of time moping around in her room. She had thought she would have been involved in planning the wedding. Yet soon found out that beyond turning up and saying yes, she had not part in the whole affair which angered her. It was not that she wanted to plan the wedding, but being cast aside during the whole process was upsetting and made her feel like an after thought. No on second thought it made her feel more like a decoration.
On the fourth day of her stay at the Kuchiki manor Ichigo had been awoken by a maid and presented with several long boxes. After opening them she had found dozens of finely made Kimonos and Yukata's covered in extravagant designs, along with a note from Momoko that stated when she was not on active duty as a Soul Reaper she should wear them, and that more would be sent in the following days.
Ichigo had refused to wear them at first; yet Momoko had basically ordered her to do so after turning up and finding her still wearing her soul reaper uniform. An argument had taken place and in the end Ichigo had given in and was relieved beyond words when the foul woman had finally left.
Ichigo now stood in front of a full length mirror looking at the image reflected back at her.
She had chosen one of the more simply designed Kimono's; it was dark blue with flowers embroidered up the side in white silk and around the waist sat a soft white obi which pulled in tightly around her waist accentuating her slight hour glass figure and bosoms.
The outfit made her look like a true woman, poised and beautiful. She had left her hair down after refusing a maid's help. The small woman had insisted Ichigo must not attempt such a thing on her own as it was unladylike. Ichigo had then shooed her away with a few well chosen swear words.
The teen felt out of place in the elegant kimono, especially so since Momoko had sent it to her, but what choice did she have?
She had gone to breakfast and Rukia commented on how beautiful she looked, which only added to her growing discomfort.
Later that afternoon; after another Lesson with Shoshi had ended; Ichigo decided to blow off some steam by spending some time out in the garden.
It was really quite beautiful after she had gotten over how perfect it appeared and began to appreciate how calming the atmosphere surrounding it could be to her raging heart.
She had been in the garden for nearly an hour and was stood below one of the cherry blossom tress admiring its beauty when she heard someone approach.
Ichigo turned to look at the person; and was shocked to see Byakuya walking towards her. He was wearing a soft green Kimono which suited him far more than his usual Soul reaper uniform, His hair held no Kenseikan and in their absence hung loosely around his shoulders a few strands of unruly fringe falling to cover his left eye. His ever present scarf was for once absent.
Ichigo could not believe how casual the man looked and her stomach fluttered slightly with nerves.
"Good afternoon." Byakuya greeted as he came to a halt next to her.
"Good afternoon." Ichigo replied her voice shaking slightly.
"The Kimono suits you well, I thought it would." The Captain said as he looked at her with dark eyes.
Ichigo looked at the man in astonishment; it was the first time he had ever given her a compliment. She then replayed his words in her head before realising what they meant.
"Did you choose it?" She asked hardly daring to believe such a thing could possibly be true.
"Yes, are the Kimonos to your liking?"
"Uh, Yeah I...they're really beautiful thank you. I didn't know you got them, I thought Momoko did."
Byakuya had chosen the Kimono's for her! Ichigo tried to process this information but found it difficult. She did not think the noble would ever do something like this; it was so out of character for him.
Byakuya began to walk away; however the man had not gone five paces before he turned around.
"Would you accompany me?" His face betrayed neither emotions nor what he was thinking.
Ichigo hesitated; before deciding that getting to know her husband would be a good idea and began to walk with him.
He slowly walked around the garden, and didn't seem to be intending on doing anything else. Ichigo didn't know what to say and so stayed silent. ten minutes later Byakuya gestured for her to sit on a bench; which was surrounded by a cluster of Sakura trees. Once she was seated he took a position next to her.
"I wish to apologise." He stated as he watched the Cherry blossoms blow gently in the warm breeze. "I know what you said about my aunt was true. Yet you must understand it goes beyond her. There are many within the Kuchiki family who would do you harm should this marriage fail and although I am the head of the Clan, until I have an heir I have a precarious hold over their loyalty."
Ichigo nodded, understanding that the he was trying to tell her in his own way that Momoko's behaviour was in no way a reflection upon his own disposition.
"You are probably wondering why you were chosen to be my wife." He continued his eyes still focused upon the tree tops.
"The thought had crossed my mind." Ichigo replied as she studied his features, He was very handsome once she took a good look at him; that was not to say that she hadn't already thought the man was good looking. Anyone would have to be gone in the head to think otherwise. But this unguarded expression upon his face was new and it lent his features a kinder and gentler tone which suited him greatly.
"I was presented with several eligible women yet I chose you and I did this because you are strong enough to survive the arduous task of being the wife of a clan leader. You will be able to continue your duties as a soul reaper and see your family. I know it will not be as often as you would like; but at least with the protection the Kuchiki Clan has you would be safe in the knowledge that they will come to no harm and I will do my best to keep them safe, as they are my family now also. Besides you shall be living with my sister, your best friend."
Ichigo nodded the whole situation felt less of a burden now and she felt that in some small way she was already sharing that burden with Byakuya. Perhaps she would not be marrying for love, but marrying to protect her family was not such an awful thing. Especially when the man she was wedded to was intent on protecting them as well; and she had no doubt that he would. Something in her gut told her every word he had spoken was true.
"I don't really see why we have to have a wedding though." Ichigo muttered. "After all we are already husband and wife."
Byakuya turned to look at her an unnameable emotion stirring across his face.
She felt her stomach flutter again.
"A wedding ceremony is tradition." Byakuya replied simply.
Ichigo looked away from the older man blushing furiously.
Why him? Ichigo thought.
"In three days we shall wed. On that day you shall officially receive the title Lady Kuchiki and then be in all ways my equal."
Ichigo nodded, a question arose in her mind which she could not stop from leaving her lips.
"You and Momoko have both talked about having an heir, does that mean on the wedding night you and I have to..." She trailed off unable to continue.
Byakuya quickly looked away from her again and turned his head back to the trees he had been studying earlier.
"I will not force you; however it is part of our duty as heads of the Kuchiki clan to produce an heir. I think this is a conversation best left until after the ceremony."
Ichigo nodded in agreement her face now the same colour as a tomato. She and Byakuya fell into a strangely comfortable silence; considering what had just been the topic of conversation. The two watched as the wind played through the branches of the Cherry blossom trees.
Ichigo thought about how that particular conversation would go on the night and the resulting actions that might follow should said conversation lead to the marital bed. Ichigo's face burned red again as she imagined Byakuya suspended over her his hair loose and his face unguarded in the heat of passion and found the image conjured was not displeasing at all.
That evening Byakuya joined her and Rukia for evening meal.
Rukia regaled them both with a recount of her daily activities as well as the latest goings on in Seireitei. Byakuya occasionally added to the conversation but for the better part of the meal stayed silent.
Soon the food was eaten and the Captain excused himself.
"Do you want to sit out in the Garden?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo hesitated, she would rather be alone to think for a while but Rukia's lower lip began to drop dangerously low.
"Okay midget, lets go." she replied with a devilish grin.
"Idiot! Don't call me a midget!" Rukia screeched, however her tone held no reproach, only humour.
Soon they were both settled comfortably on the wooden deck outside.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo looked out over the moonlit grounds, it was beautiful in an eerie, almost Gothic sort of way.
"Yeah."
"You know, I never wanted to join the Kuchiki Clan."
Ichigo spun around to look at her best friend a mingled look of shock and disbelief now written across her face.
"I lived with Renji for years, I can hardly remember my life before knowing him. I asked him what he thought I should do when Byakuya asked me to become part of the clan. I really wanted Renji to say no, stay with me. But he didn't. I know that he only wanted a better life for me, and I also know that he didn't want me to leave him. But it hurt, I felt like I had been rejected. So I didn't speak to him again until he helped you rescue me from Sokyoku hill. I regret that decision. I spent years alone and ostracised, not good enough to be fully accepted by the Clan. And in such a position that I found it hard to make friends. That was until I met Kaien Shiba. He was my lieutenant and in a lot of ways you remind me of him. He taught me that it was me who mattered not my last name. Because of that I was able to move forward. I suppose what I am trying to say is, you have a better advantage than I did."
Rukia placed a comforting hand on Ichigo's shoulder.
"People already know the real you and although your last name will change soon, they will respect you for who you are and not what you represent."
Ichigo felt her eyes water slightly.
"I didn't know that. Rukia thank you, it means a lot."
Ichigo hugged her friend in a rare embrace.
"But that's not to say I am not thankful." Rukia assured. "Brother is wonderful in his own way. And besides he choose you and although you don't like that; for him there has to be a reason."
"Yeah I know. He said he thought it better for me and my family, that it made sense."
"Idiot!" Rukia hissed as she clipped Ichigo roughly on the ear. "I meant that he must feel something for you. It was too personal a choice. He could've chosen anyone but he didn't he chose you."
"Are you saying he has feelings for me?" Ichigo asked her face turning red with embarrassment.
"I don't know, You'll have to ask him." Rukia smirked.
"Like hell!" Ichigo screeched in reply.
Rukia stood up and brushed the front of her yukata off.
"Goodnight sister." Rukia smiled. "And sleep well."
Ichigo stared after her as she left. It felt nice to be called sister again and made her feel as though she were home. She continued to sit on the wooden decking for another hour. Turning over the thoughts in her head. Was it possible? Had Byakuya chosen her because he felt something for her? He had bought her the Kimonos and had sworn to protect her family. Perhaps, maybe.
Stay tunned for the next Chapter