AN: Happy Easter everyone! I hope you have a lovely holiday!
I do not own Bleach.
Once Rukia was placed on the bed in her room, the twins went back to Byakuya's office for drinks. "This has turned into one big shit storm." Senbonzakura shot his twin a glare as he handed him two fingers of bourdon.
"Don't look at me like that, Zakura. This was Rukia's choice, not ours. We'd rather have precautions in place, like we had, rather than her go off on her on," Byakuya retorted. Senbonzakura shot his twin an annoyed look. "Besides at that point, we were not ready to tell the world about Rukia. What else did you expect me to do? It was either have the world assume that she's running from the law because she helped kill her parents, or make the assassination attempt's focus appear to be me while my girlfriend, who was a bystander, went to the hospital since she was in severe shock."
"You could have just left the vehicle and paid the police off… It wouldn't be the first time." Senbonzakura murmured thinking about the last time Byakuya got into it with the police. There was an incident right after he got out of training where Byakuya had to save him from his own rebellious stupidity. This was the main reason the elder, stoic twin was chosen as head of the clan instead of Senbonzakura. Byakuya's preparedness and strategy in handling people were renowned rather than Senbonzakura, who was better at managing a small, specialized task force since he thought with his heart most of the time rather than his head.
Byakuya stared thoughtfully into his drink before answering his twin. "Gin was there, Zakura. If he is working with this Aizen character or with Rukia's family, then he would have found some way to turn the incident around in his favor. I was not letting that happen, but I highly doubt that this will be the last time the silver haired bastard comes after her. He'll probably keep trying until he is successful."
The men took a sip of their drinks in silence, then Senbonzakura looked over to the mastermind of their plan. "Does this mean that we even ready to introduce her to the world then?"
"No, but we are going to be left no choice. The longer she is out of the public eye, the more people will question her involvement with the murders. If she appears to have been with the Kuchikis all along, then she will not be questioned." Byakuya told his brother with a sigh.
"Did we find any leads on the murders other than Shirayuki's parents or Aizen?"
Byakuya shook his head. "Not yet. It also doesn't help that I can't to dig up too much on Aizen. Even Shinji couldn't find anything to tie to the man except for being an upstanding citizen of Japan."
"You're kidding me, right? Shinji always finds dirt on anyone he's sent to investigate. The man is basically a walking blood hound!"
"Well this time, he failed, but I also think he enlightened us to the fact that Aizen is too perfect. He is compensating for something by being so open to the public," Byakuya suspected.
"So, is your hope that Rukia will meet him in public; therefore, forcing the world to see who he truly is?" Senbonzakura asked curiously. He rarely doubted his brother's brilliant strategies, but this one seemed to worry him.
"Don't worry, Zakura, that's not my goal at all. By introducing Rukia to the public, she will be the talk of the country and most of Asia for a while. We will be hounded by paparazzi, interviewers, and everything else tenfold that comes to being an interesting noble. Her story will sell papers, causing us never to be alone. Therefore, this reduces the chances of attack or kidnapping since the paparazzi would probably catch it on camera. The only real threat would be long range attacks, and I don't think his that desperate yet. He probably just wants to see what she knows. I'm assuming this is why Gin has been playing both sides of the fence, unless Aizen and the Murakami are working together."
A loud sigh escape Senbonzakura's lips. "This seems so complicated…I could always take her to another country. We'd be out of your hair, and she'd be safe." Senbonzakura suggested, earning him a furious glare from his twin. There wasn't any point of either one of them hiding their emotions when they were the only ones who could read each other like a book, with the exception of Rukia at times.
"She's leaving this house over my dead body." Byakuya growled in a stern tone earning a smirk from his twin.
"Oh, I see the alpha male is coming out." Senbonzakura joked.
"Zakura, we need all the help we can get to keep her alive, so don't even joke about that. We are both fond of her."
"Possibly a little more than fond…" Senbonzakura murmured into his drink.
"What was that?" Byakuya asked with an icy look.
Unphased, Senbonzakura replied, "I asked were we going to proceed with the plan? I'll call Shirayuki and have here bring some of her possessions here so she can take over for me as Rukia's bodyguard. Then you can have the pleasure of calling Yoruichi to gather the press in the morning for an announcement."
Byakuya sighed in displeasure at the mention of Yoruichi. His once mentor was now over the public relations of the Kuchikis and Shihoin Clans. The woman was crafty, a perfect fit for this type of work; there was no doubt why his grandfather hired her before he stepped down.
"I'll have everyone gather around 11 as a courtesy for Rukia. I highly doubt that she will be moving fast in the morning from all the alcohol."
"Well, the she-demon has a high metabolism, so I wouldn't worry about it. She'll be fine. I've seen her when she's had worse, and let's just say I felt sorry for the ones with her." Senbonzakura stated with a slightly amused look on his face.
Curious, Byakuya asked, "Why?"
"I had to break a few bones that night because they kept trying to sneak her off." Byakuya glowered at his brother. "You try taking the alcohol from her when she's not done. The woman is like a tiger. She'll jump your bones." The youngest twin wagged his eyebrows egging his brother on.
"Zakura…" Byakuya growled at his twin, who had a knowing look in his eye.
Instead of replying with a witty retort, Senbonzakura asked, "You know what I find amusing?" Byakuya hummed in reply. "She could tell us apart. We know she loves me, but it seems she's fond of you, even if you're her unwilling husband."
"I don't know about me being unwilling, but her defiantly. I'm surprised she didn't kill either of us." Byakuya let out a little laugh at their Hail-Mary pass.
"Oh, it's coming. She's going to make our lives hell because of that stunt; although, she may forgive us for rescuing her earlier."
"We can only hope…" The elder twin said as his grey eyes stared into his glass once again. His heart was telling him that his mind was right. It's time to tell the world about his marriage to Rukia, but there was just one issue. He looked over at Senbonzakura. "Are you ready for this?" He asked with a smirk.
"Hell no, but it has to be done." The twin commented as they shared a rare double smile as they got the tools for the makeover.
Rukia slept the day and night away after the incident yesterday along with the help of alcohol. The sudden opening of her door caused Rukia to wake up, but she rolled over and hid under the covers as she nursed a hangover.
The room was instantly bathed in sunlight as she heard the curtains pull back. She growled at the idiot who dared disturb her. "GO AWAY!" She shouted at the mystery person, even if she gave herself a headache. This sent her burrowing deeper into her covers and pillows.
The bed dipped under the pressure of a new body sitting on the right side of her bed. "Rukia, it's time to wake up," one of the brothers told her. She just rolled over to the other to the other side of her bed still hidden in covers. "Why can't you idiots let me sleep?" She growled no caring which brother it was sitting on her bed.
Then she heard a muffled laugh on the other side of the room. Apparently, both twins were in her bedroom, and neither one had the decency to bring her coffee or a Gatorade.
As she scolded the twins in her head, one of the men yanked the pillow off her head while the other pulled the covers off of her. Realization dawned on her that she wasn't sure exactly what state of dress that she was in, so she quickly glanced down. To her relief and slight embarrassment, she was in her Chappy pajamas.
Rukia's amethyst eyes met Byakuya's since he was the one sitting on the right of the bed. She channeled her embarrassment to hostility to the twin closes to her. "What the hell do you want? Can't you see I'm trying to sleep?" She asked as she managed to drag the covers back to her and hide in a cocoon, completely ignoring the other man in the room.
"Well I was thinking that you'd want to get ready since we have a press conference at 11 this morning." He replied coolly.
"Uh… Why are we having a press conference?" She asked mildly curious, even if she was still pissed at him along with having a raging headache that he contributed to.
Then the other side of the bed dipped down, "How else would the public learn about our marriage?" Senbonzakura asked as Rukia's glaze shot to him. She couldn't understand why commented on them being married, then she looked more closely at him.
Why are there two Byakuya's on my bed? Is this a dream?
Rukia reached out and pitched the twins on their arms at the same time. "Shit! This is real?" She looked back and forth between the two men attempting to tell apart who was who. They're built was the same to being with, but now their hair and eyes were the same. "You have to be freaking kidding me!" She yelled loudly causing one brother to smile and the other to have a slight smirk.
They were identical now. How the hell am I going to tell them apart when they look like one another? Hell, they're even acting like one another!
"I'm glad you enjoyed the surprise!" Senbonzakura stated, or the one she at least assumed was Senbonzakura.
"Seriously?" She growled at the annoyance of not being able to tell which one was which.
"Yep. It's for your safety, she-demon." The other twin told her.
Well, this is going to be hell. Why are they both acting and replying like one another? One minute one seems to be Zakura then he'd switch to Byakuya… What did I do to deserve this?
"Get ready." The twin on the right said as he got off the bed, slightly causing Rukia to believe that this man is Byakuya yet again.
"We will leave sharply at 10, and I suggest that you do not make me come get you." The one to the left said leaving all hope being lost. How were you supposed to determine who was who went they smelled thee same, the sound the same, and they looked exactly the same?
Now, both men were standing at the door smirking at her. She rolled her eyes at them. "But we have one last surprise." They said together as Shirayuki walked through the door, earning a groan from Rukia.
"Hi!" She said happily as she went and hopped on the bed. The men left the two women and closed the door to give them some privacy.
"Not you too!" Rukia grumbled. "Why can't I get any peace?"
"Because you are going to announce to the world that you are now Mrs. Byakuya Kuchiki!"
"WHAT? How did you know?" Rukia asked. She already had one too many shocks to her system today without coffee in hand, and it was just 9 o'clock. Rukia dreaded what the rest of the day held.
A frown formed of Shirayuki's pretty face. "I thought you would take that better than you did. You know you did marry him after all. I don't understand why you were keeping it a secret from when last time."
Sighing, Rukia muttered, "I'm going to kill them once I figure out who is who, or better yet just murder them both as they sleep."
"Now, Rukia…" Shirayuki started to scold her cousin until Rukia cut her off with a surprising question.
"Do you know which one is which?"
A blush covered Shirayuki's cheeks. "Uhm. No. I don't. I thought you were in on their plan." Shirayuki replied slightly embarrassed.
"I'm also betting that you don't know how I married Byakuya." Rukia growled. Shirayuki shook her head. "Our lovely Kuchikis decided that it was necessary for me to join the Kuchiki house hold if I wanted to go visit Kaien and Ichigo. "
"No… Why would they do that?" The white-haired woman asked.
"Because they are paranoid, which was rightly founded after what happened yesterday. Now, everyone thinks that people are out to kill Byakuya instead of me." Rukia told her as she silently prayed for someone with coffee to appear.
"True. I think it was Lord Senbonzakura told me all about the incident yesterday when he called. You know he's fond of you."
"I am sure both idiots are because they wouldn't become identical otherwise. To them, I think this is more than just about helping me now. I am just not exactly sure why they are so determined."
"Does it matter?" Shirayuki asked in a quite voice.
"No, but I would love to know why they thought that they had to go to this extreme."
"Quit wallowing and worrying about things that you can't change. So, what if they are going to switch places every now and again! You have two hot twin lords guarding you. Now, go get ready. We have 30 minutes to make you presentable after all your complaining!" Shirayuki scolded her cousin, even if she was quite envious of her predicament at the moment.
A knock on the bedroom door drew the women's attention. Momo was standing there with a smile on her face holding two large, hot coffees. "Did someone mention coffee?" She asked as Rukia shot out of the bed to hug the small woman.
"Thank you, Momo. You are a life saver!" Rukia exclaimed as she hastily drunk one mug and quickly inhaled the second. "Now, let's get this over with!" The raven-haired woman stated as she felt more human. They didn't have too much time to waste.
In front of the time-honored shrine of the Kuchikis, a large crowd gathered in anticipation of Byakuya Kuchiki's announcement. Many people believed that he was going to issue a statement regarding the assassination attempt while others expected him to let chose a successor to the clan. Murmurs flowed through the crowd as their publicist, Yoruichi Shihoin handled the crowd and introduced Byakuya.
Hidden behind the building, the two twins looked at each other nodding in whatever agreement that filtered through the other's head. Shirayuki and Rukia were not far from them.
"Ever figure it out yet?" Rukia asked curiously if her cousin know which twin was which.
"Nope. I still think you have the better chance at identifying who's who though."
"I'm surprised they didn't tell you."
Why would they when they knew you'd ask me? Lord Kuchiki is a brilliant man, and he rarely underestimates anyone. Why would you think he'd underestimate you, especially with Lord Senbonzakura telling him all your dirty tricks?" Shirayuki said with a laugh as Rukia pouted.
Their conversation was interrupted by when Yoruichi announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you the man of the hour, Lord Byakuya Kuchiki!"
Loud fangirl sighs were heard as one of the twins walked around the building. He was the most sought after bachelor in Japan after all.
"Thank you, Yoruichi."
"No problem, Bya-bo…" She said lowly before narrowing her eyes. She shrugged it off thinking nothing of it.
Placing his mask of Kuchiki indifference on, Byakuya began, "I know you are all wondering why you are gathered here in this scared place today. Many of you are speculating that I will step down, ask for information about the assassin, or even name a successor…"
The crowd held on to his every word scared that the man of the hour might vanish. Everyone held their breath after a dramatic pause. "You select few of the press are here today for the biggest announcement in the Kuchiki Clan history since I took over for my grandfather at such a young age…I am here to tell you that the Kuchiki Clan has a newest member, my wife, Rukia Murakami Kuchiki!"
Senbonzakura walked with Rukia around the edge of the shrine, but she stayed hidden to everyone's surprise. Byakuya turned and looked for his petite wife, expecting her to appear around the corner.
Senbonzakura pulled Rukia close and whispered into her ear as he escorted her out to him. "Play along or else…"
"You don't scare me." Rukia countered, narrowing her eyes at him.
"I should," he told Rukia which only confused her. Senbonzakura never acted like this.
Don't tell me this one is Byakuya… Then Zakura is out there talking about my marriage? This is so messed up!
Seeing Rukia escorted by Senbonzakura, the crowd went into a furry of murmurs and lights flashed everywhere. Without much ado, the Byakuya pulled her close to him and thanked his brother for his help. "Here she is ladies and gentlemen!"
They stood there for a while allowing the reporters to take pictures as everyone thoroughly expected their surprise marriage to be the topic for months to come. Once Byakuya was tired of the pictures, he stated, "I know everyone has some questions about our marriage, and we would like to set the record straight."
The crowd quieted down after hearing the man's words. You did not interrupt Byakuya Kuchiki when he was making an announcement.
"To many of you, this was a sudden change of events to the Kuchikis and Murakamis following the hideous murders that occurred. Our clans may have not always been on the same page, but we have always respected one another, so in secret, Lord Murakami and I made a marriage contract. Rukia and I decided to honor her parents wish for us to be married, uniting both clans. Poor Rukia was with me that tragic night weeks ago. We married in secret, and she has been living in Kuchiki Manor with me as my wife since then." The crowd was stunned at this revelation. "If you have any more questions, you can ask Yoruichi Shihoin." Byakuya replied before he wrapped an arm around Rukia.
This caught the crowd's attention. "Kiss her!" Half the crowd shouted at shock of seeing such a simple gesture. They truly wanted to know if the couple was married, or if this was a publicity stunt. Byakuya looked at Rukia skeptical, half praying that she would go along with the ploy.
"As you wish…" He said shocking the crowd and his petite wife. Smirking at her, Byakuya gently cupped Rukia's chin and placed a firm, yet demanding kiss on her lips. But it only lasted a few moments. The crowd cheered louder while the female fans cried.
He wrapped his arm around a frozen Rukia as the crowd took more pictures of the new 'royal' couple. The petite woman is stunned to realize that the man, who kissed her, may have been Senbonzakura rather than Byakuya. Hell, her brain was too scrambled at this point to know who was who for sure.
No one noticed the murderous glare in Senbonzakura's eyes. So, the crowd was stunned when they saw Senbonzakura stand to the left or Byakuya and Shirayuki to the right of Rukia.
Senbonzakura placed a firm hand on Byakuya's shoulder squeezing it, almost forcing him to quince at the pain. "It's time to go, brother." He said in a deadly, calm voice devoid of emotion.
"I agree, Zakura, let's go!" Rukia piped up earning an approving glance from the twin, who she believes is her husband. Her face was covered with a deep blush, but her eyes gave hers away. They wanted to be out of the public's eyes, and she planned to give both brothers hell soon.
Thank y'all for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting!
The guys spin a pretty good lie, right? And yes, there will probably be more interchanges in the next chapter between the twins so prepare yourself for the guessing game again.
Light Desired: Yes, the Queen is adorable :) even more so that she can tell the twins apart when drunk! Also, opinions on the twins being identical now lol?