Chapter 49 (Shizuko)

I sat in this meeting, hoping in vain for a favorable outcome. My mother and grandmother sat beside me, while Kisuke and Yoruichi stood not far behind. The Kuchiki Elders did not look pleased that we had dragged two other noble families into this mess. Byakuya only sat in the midst of the feud.

My mother growled out her demands, "She's married once. She shouldn't have to marry again—no one else has to—"

"Do not speak as if you understand what it means to fulfil your noble duties," One of the Elders spoke.

Kisuke chuckled quietly, "Don't speak to my wife like that unless you understand the consequences of pissing both her and I off."

She reached back and patted his knee. He only smirked at the Kuchiki's with the same fire she had. The same kind of daring we all had as we sat in this meeting.

"Shizuko, you are to marry Rei Kuchiki. He is the seventh in line to become the Head Clansman," Byakuya said quietly. I clenched my fists and shook my head, "Do you understand?"

"No, I don't," I bit out, "I've done what you wanted. I married the man you wanted me to—"

"And see how that turned out? You ended up loving him!" One of the male Elders garbled, "Who's to say—"

"Yes, who is to say!" I raised my voice. I surprised them all when I pointed at myself and yelled, "I am the master of my fate! I am the one who calls the shots in my life—it's only fair after what you people have put me through—"

"Us people? Mind yourself, little girl, when you address your Elders. Your parents may have planted pretty ideas of freedom into your head, but they are a special exception to our rules. See how tumultuous their lives have been—it's because they defied their Elders."

"I'd rather struggle a free woman than live your slave," I began towards them, but my mother's hand kept me at bay. "I won't marry him."

"If you don't then you will be forced to resign from Squad Six. We will not stand for this defiance—"

"You will not do anything, Ai," Sachiko finally spoke and all fell quiet. She rarely spoke in these family gatherings, but now she fixed them all a look, "My late husband told me a secret. A secret that he told me to keep unless it was deemed necessary to remind the Kuchiki Clan of. I deem this necessary—"

"You can't possibly be talking about—" Sachiko silenced the Elders with a single glare.

"My husband, Akio Kuchiki, was never in line to become the next Head Clansman. It had always been Sojun—Byakuya's father," Sachiko didn't flinch as she dropped this bombshell, "Akio was indeed a Kuchiki, but of a lesser standing. His parents were close cousins to Ginrei, but had died when he was a newborn, and Ginrei had adopted him as his own son."

"Mom," My mother stammered, "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that you and Shizuko are only distant cousins to the main bloodline. You're Kuchiki's by name—and barely at that since neither of you actually carry the name." She looked on smugly at the Elders, "I and the head of the Urahara family—in other words, Kisuke—have more say in your destiny than these old farts."

They all sat in stunned silence. My family and Byakuya from the revelation, and the Elders because they never knew my grandmother knew such a secret. However, I could no longer contain it.

For the first time in a long time, my composure completely broke. I was stripped bare and could do nothing but laugh. Laugh until I could no longer breathe and was left to wheeze and clutch my stomach.

It was too comical. Seeing these proud Kuchiki's finally be trumped.

"Quiet, Shizuko—"

"Screw you," I hissed, standing to my feet abruptly. They all watched me with wide eyes, growing smaller as my lips twisted up into a grin. My shadow loomed over them and suddenly I became aware of why I reminded people of my mother. This was what it felt like to intimidate those around you. Seeing the people who tormented me my whole life and held me to ransom now cower…to now be the ones underneath the tip of my thumb. "Pests—bugs…every single one of you."

The old hag that had sneered at me when Jirou passed away stood up, "Young girl, mind your tongue—"

"Mind your tongue," I met her fierce glare with my own. She faltered when I flicked her chin like she was annoying child. "You have nothing over me anymore."

"Your mother is still a Kuchiki from the deal she struck with Ginrei. So are you—and you're still in our Squad Six."

My mother was by my side instantly, nose crinkled in a way that scared them all. No one openly threatened her and saw the next day unscathed. I looked up at Byakuya. He only watched quietly but did nothing to stop us. He didn't defend the Elders.

"Try me," I grasped the Elders' jaws between my fingers. Her eyes widened, wincing as my reiatsu heated up my hands. An orange filter cast over my eyes. "Play this game with me. You'll lose."

Sachiko spoke again, "I hate to bring up the blood relations. It never does us minor families to remind you greater Clans of what little relation we have to you. But even you, Byakuya, must see that this is pointless."

Before he could answer, I broke away from the group, "It doesn't matter what he decides. I'm done."

"You can't walk away," The Elder began but I flicked her again.

"Watch me," I met Byakuya's gaze defiantly before I marched out, my mother followed me in tow.

For so long, I had asked myself who I should be picking. The Kuchiki's or the Kuna's. Being a geisha or being a shinigami. Renji or Byakuya.

I realized now what my answer was. I picked me. I chose me above everything else.

With that in mind, I walked out of the room.