Chapter 15
On their way back, Rukia kept shooting Byakuya sly glances as if she was trying to figure out a puzzle. The man was a mystery at times and other she completely understood where he was coming from.
"If you keep glancing at me, I am going to think something is wrong with my face." Byakuya chided her.
"Hahaha… You know as well as I do that your face is perfect." Rukia said out loud before she could restrain herself.
A sexy smirk appeared on Byakuya's handsome face. "Oh, really?" Byakuya asked causing Rukia to turn a brilliant shade of red.
"You're handsome, and you know it, Mr. Kuchiki. You don't need me to tell you that when you were voted the most desired bachelor in Asia before you married me. Now, quit milking it, and pay attention to the road!" Rukia fired back, but there was no venom in her voice.
"Tsk, like anything can…" Byakuya started, but nothing was heard over the sound of metal on metal. Rukia's cry filled the air as Byakuya tried to keep their SUV steady.
Once the vehicle stopped skidding sideways, Byakuya deflated the air bags with a knife.
"Oww…" The petite woman said as she gripped her head. She had a large bump on her head from hitting the passenger door. Once she quit seeing double, she looked over at Byakuya, who had a bad gash from one of the air bag parts not working correctly.
"Rukia are you okay?" He asked as he tried to see her through a curtain of blood running down his face.
"I think I should be asking you that," Rukia groaned as she tried to undo her seat belt to get to him.
"Rukia, are you hurt?" Byakuya asked again in a voice that said her smartass comments were not welcomed.
"Yeah, I think I am fine, but what about the people who hit us?" She asked worriedly. The last time that they were in a similar situation Gin tried to kill Rukia.
This made Byakuya's blood run cold. He didn't know whether this was a complete accident or if this was someone from Aizen's organization. He had to clean up his face if he was going to protect Rukia.
Slowly and carefully, Byakuya untangled himself from the driver's seat and exited the vehicle. He helped Rukia out before he walked around to the back of the vehicle and pulled an emergency kit from it along with a spare gun. Quickly, he cleaned allowed Rukia to cut.
"You need stitches." She told him softly.
"I just need you to stop the bleeding until I can access whether they are a threat or not." Byakuya countered. All his nerves stood on end. They were literally in the middle of nowhere with just three guns, two knifes, and a first aid kit. Service was iffy in the area, so this was a prime location for Aizen to attack them if he wanted too.
Byakuya cautiously approached the car, his hand remaining on the gun in his waist band the entire time. The sight that greeted him was a man with dark brown, wavy, shoulder length hair. His grey eyes assessed Byakuya like he was watching for something. But they young girl in the front seat caused Byakuya to pause. She couldn't be no more than 13 years old.
"Are you okay?" Byakuya inquired about their health.
"We're fine, sir. I am sorry about your vehicle though. My sister distracted me for a moment in her excitement in going to see the Espadas play in Tokyo tonight. She thought we were just taking a trip to visit our grandmother until I told her because she realized this wasn't the way there." The brunette man explained.
A cold look crossed Byakuya's face as he turned to scold the girl, "Young lady, do you know how dangerous it is to distract the driver? You could have been killed or killed us."
"I'm sorry, mister." The girl whimpered at Byakuya's scowl. Blonde hair fell over lilac eyes as she tried to hide her face in shame.
"Byakuya, let up. You are scaring the poor girl." Rukia said as she placed a hand on his arm. "Everyone is fine. I called the police and they are sending someone out to investigate the accident."
The driver tensed slightly, but only Byakuya noticed this while Rukia tended to the young girl who began to cry again.
"Is something wrong?" He asked the driver, trying to hide the threat in his voice. Could he have been right all along and these were Aizen's pawns?
"Yes, actually there is…" The brunette scratched his head sheepishly. "You see, we do not have our vehicle information up to day since we just moved here. I am scared that the cops are going to take Lilynette away from me if they find out. I couldn't bare losing my little sister since we lost our parents at a young age. We have been the only thing each other has since she was 8."
Something in the man's words caused Byakuya to question him even more. Byakuya didn't know if it was the driver's laid-back attitude at telling such a sappy story or the way that the sister kept clinging to Rukia once she made her appearance. Either way, the safer choice was to get rid of them. Overall, their car was drivable even if the front fender was smashed. Unfortuantley for the Kuchikis, the crash itself was not bad, but the angle of impact caused severe damage to the Kuchiki's vehicle.
Giving the siblings a way out, Byakuya said, "Since you're so worried, why don't you go ahead and leave? We will tell the police that we settled everything without their involvement, and you can go on your way." The pistol was never too far from the raven-haired man's hands. He would not let them be a victim of circumstance.
"Thank you so much Mister…" Byakuya glared at the man who dared ask his name.
"Kuchiki. And you are?" Byakuya countered, eyes narrowing when the man didn't act too shocked to learn who they wrecked.
"Starrk, sir, and the little lady is my lovely sister Lilynette." Starrk gave the couple a lazy smile.
"Well, have a lovely evening and be safer. That goes for you as well, Lilynette. I'd hate for something to happen to such happy siblings." Byakuya said with a devilish gleam in his eyes.
"You too, Mr. and Mrs. Kuchiki! We are sorry for the trouble that we caused." Starrk replied, then he waited for the couple to move back towards their wrecked car. Someone would have to come get them.
Starrk drove a few miles before he pulled off into a cut out off the highway. Before he could turn off his car, his cell phone rang.
"Lord Aizen…" He greeted the caller.
"Did you make any progress?" Aizen asked as a chill ran down Starrk's spine. He despised the man, but what was he supposed to do when Aizen threatened to kill Lilynette? Complying was the only thing that he could do at the moment.
"I was able to copy their phones from the car and implant a wireless virus into them." Starrk paused as if he was trying to formulate his next words carefully.
"Do go on, Starrk, I know there is something else since I do not hear yelling in the back ground." Aizen told the slightly nervous man. No one failed Lord Aizen and lived to tell about it.
"My lord, Kuchiki was suspicious of us from the start, so we were not able to capture Mrs. Kuchiki like you asked. The man barely left her side, but they are alone and isolated right now. I can always climb to the top of the hill and take Kuchiki out, my lord, then we could grab Mrs. Kuchiki and return to you," Stark replied. He was a solider of war, and he would do anything to keep his sister safe even if it meant sacrificing an innocent.
"He wouldn't even leave her, you say? This is odd behavior for him…" Aizen hummed. "I didn't think he would be that attached to her already. We may have more of a fight on our hands than anticipated."
Starrk knew that Byakuya had a lot to gain since marrying Rukia, but she had to be alive and produce an heir for her to be extremely useful. "Power does strange thing to a man, my lord." Starrk suggest simply.
"Starrk, this isn't a game of power, it is a game of love. Love that you find under the repeating gunfire until you either die from it or you survive it."
Starrk held his tongue he didn't understand Aizen's words full. How did one find love under gunfire? The lankly man shook the thoughts from his head. It was always better to just do what Aizen said rather than ask again.
"Is there anything else that I need to do, my lord?" Stark asked.
"No, you were close enough to copy their phones so come home. The main mission was a success, and Gin is receiving data from it as we speak. By the time you get back, we shall have a plan for the gala, then we can discuss the use of your other talents."
"Yes, my lord. We are returning to base." Starrk replied as he hung up. He looked over at his sister with a depressing on her face.
"We're almost free, Lily. Just a little longer," Starrk promised. If Gin's plan failed, then they were all dead.
The couple arrived home slightly battered, but no worse for wear. Byakuya instantly went to his office with out so much as a good by to Rukia. He had not been the same since the wreck. Did he suspect the siblings of something?
A high-pitched squeal brought Rukia back to reality as she based by the living room.
"Rukia, you're back! I just heard that you put the elders in their place and wanted to congratulate you for finally standing up for yourself!" Shirayuki wrapped her arms around her sister.
"You act like you've been waiting FOREVER!" Rukia replied dramatically, as she returned the hug.
"Of course, I have been waiting FOREVER! You and Byakuya are the talk of the whole manor. So, tell me all the details! Did you really threaten to replace all elders on the council?" Shirayuki and Rukia piled on the couch as they began to discuss all that occurred today.
"Well, you heard correctly. We had to otherwise they would never let us leave that dreadful room until we conceded to their demands, which were ridiculous might I add." Rukia said feeling lighter now that they were back.
Worry crossed Shirayuki's face. She was ecstatic that her best friend was doing something about the elders and council, but she wasn't too sure how their life would fair after this. "Rukia, it's great that you and Byakuya are changing things, but just remember that they are old and set in their ways. Clans have always had a certain way of doing things and payback is hell for the ones who break their traditions.".
"How can I be worried when I have Byakuya at my back?" Rukia asked with a smirk. She knew where Shirayuki was coming from, but her sister needed to have a little more faith in their abilities. "We started the first level of change today, Yuki! Nothing grand, and we only removed one person, not all of them. But our goal is to take over than whole damn council and replace the elders with OUR people. Then, we shall see true change. They need to come into the 21st century." Rukia stated with eyes filled with fire.
"But, Rukia, what if they come after you? People like them don't handle change well, and I wouldn't put it past them to send someone to kill you or at least hold you for ransom." Shirayuki said worriedly as she imagined all the scenarios in her head.
"Everyone needs a bit of change in their life. It shows that the life is being lived; otherwise, it is wasted just staying in the endless, monotone cycle" Rukia gave her sister a hug, reassuring her that they could handle whatever life throws at them.
"I agree with her." Senbonzakura murmured as he joined the ladies in the room. "Besides, Rukia is a skilled fighter. She will be fine, especially with the 3 of us behind her protecting her back. No one will be able to her." He said reassuringly to both women.
"To what do we owe this pleasure, Zakura?" Rukia asked as she eyed one of her best friends. He still wasn't happy with her, but at least he was talking to her now rather than avoiding her now.
"I had a little discussion with Itachi after you and Byakuya left earlier. He told me to tell you that you are brilliant, and they should kiss the ground that you walk on." Senbonzakura told her with a hearty laugh. "I don't know what you did to that man, but he is already wrapped around your little finger."
"I just stood up to the idiots who wanted to argue over EVERY little thing. I mean come on, why is it important for the color of the napkins to be voted on or the flower arrangements as long as they fit the theme?" Rukia sighed. "I was hungry too so yeah… I got grouchy, then Kurama start verbally attacked me causing Byakuya to stand up for me."
"Which resulted in both of you suggesting Tsunade take her place, right?" Senbonzakura asked with an arched eyebrow, daring Rukia to lie to him.
"Itachi mentioned that too then?" Rukia asked with a wince while Shirayuki had her head buried in her hands, whispering we are going to die. "Yes. You know the elders are not going to like their security on the council threatened."
"I told her the same damn thing!" Shirayuki groaned, and Senbonzakura gave her a comforting hug causing the poor woman to blush a brilliant shade of pink. Shirayuki slipped out of his grip, eyeing Senbonzakura wearily while he just gave her a grin.
"Zakura, we know what we are doing. I've over heard Kurama complain numerous of times that she doesn't see her grandkids enough, and we used that to our advantage. Now, the council has a lovely replacement, and we don't have to watch for a knife coming at our backs. Tsunade wants to see change like we do. Besides, can't complain who we suggested for the council. Tsunade is a Kuchiki by birth, a renowned doctor, and she has military experience. There is no fault in my choice to replacement, especially since it's replacing a woman with another woman."
"She's a gambler, Rukia." Senbonzakura deadpanned. "They will eat her alive if she even gets close to money and a budget."
"I already have that covered. Dan, her husband, is close to a few council members. He can be given a job where he is required to be present during meetings, and he will curb any ounce of gambling from Tsunade."
"You know, I don't remember you being this scheming a few months ago. It was all me and Byakuya leading the charge then." Senbonzakura said with a pout.
"Ask Yuki, we can be. You just don't know it because we look so innocent." Rukia said with a cheeky grin on her face. This grin normally would have caused Senbonzakura's heart to speed up. Now, he was looking at the white-haired beauty siting right beside her, grinning like an idiot at the memories that the two females shared.
Covering his almost noticeable mishap, Senbonzakura said, "I am sure that you like to think that, my dear, but you and Yuki are two of the purest souls that I know." Just then, his phone went off. "I am being summoned apparently. Try not to get into too much trouble while I go see what my brother wants." Senbonzakura said as he showed them his phone.
"Byakuya takes all the fun out of life." Rukia said with a cute pout as the girls watched Senbonzakura leave them.
"I'm sure he just loves taking away your fun." She said with an eye roll. "He treats you so horribly!'
"He does!" Rukia laughed as well, but then she sobered. "Yuki, can we go up to my room? There is something that I need to discuss with you."
"Is everything alright?" The white-haired woman asked curiously.
"Yeah, it is. I just don't know how to explain it, and I don't want anyone over hearing this just yet."
"OMG, you're pregnant!" Shirayuki exclaimed loudly.
"WHAT NO!" Rukia yelled as she covered Shirayuki's mouth with her hand. "That's not it! We haven't even had sex yet!" The black-haired woman whispered.
"Oh…I was kind of hoping that was right. I am reading to chase after my 'niece or nephew'!" Shirayuki said sadly.
Rukia bristled at this. She wasn't ready for kids yet. "Then go have babies with Zakura! They'll be lovely!"
"Yes, they would be beautiful, but atlas, that is not in the cards for us at least not yet." Shirayuki looked away from Rukia. "But he is noticing me more. He's been talking to me a lot lately and attempting to take me on dates, but I keep refusing him."
Rukia's forehead wrinkled, "But why? I thought you had feelings for Zakura."
"I want to make sure he's dating me for me. He loved you as well, but I am not sure what type of love and I don't want to be a rebound to him."
"You're anything but that Yuki! Maybe Zakura is coming around because he finally saw the light." Rukia offered hope to her sister.
"But what if he still loves you?" Shirayuki countered thoughtfully.
"He doesn't," Rukia said softly. "He knows I have feelings for his brother, and he has accepted that. Besides, we talked briefly. We missed our shot if we ever wanted one, but I think we were always better best friends. Now, Byakuya on the other hand…"
"Is a man with many talents, and one of them just so happens to be protecting you and making you happy ." Shirayuki suggested.
"Something like that. He's full of surprises and keeps me on my toes. Just when I think I know him, he throws a wrench into everything." Rukia said softly, smiling.
"You love him…" Shirayuki stated as she noticed the light in Rukia's eyes. Her best friend always seemed happier when Byakuya was around or when he was being mentioned.
"Love? Hmm… I don't know if I am there yet, but since we have been giving this marriage a real shot, there has been something growing. Now, whether its fondness or love, who can say."
Shirayuki was slightly teary eyed at Rukia's confession. "You have really grown up well. Your parents would be proud."
"So, would yours." Rukia told her sister as they both hugged each other.
Their bonding was interrupted by a coughing. "Rukia, can I speak to you?" Byakuaya asked. Senbonzakura was right behind him.
"How much did they over here?" Rukia asked Shirayuki.
"I have no clue." Both the girls looked at each other in dismay. Neither were ready to tell the men how they truly felt.
Rukia walked over to Byakuya who looped her arm through his as they walked to their room. "Care to tell me why the maids think you are pregnant?" He asked in a deadly, calm voice. Rukia facepalmed herself. "Do I even want to know?" He asked seeing Rukia's reaction.
"Yuki shouted that I was pregnant when I asked her to talk earlier. I didn't want anyone to overhear and she automatically thought that we were expecting a child."
"What were you going to discuss with her then?" He asked with a blank face as he led Rukia into their adjoining room. This poker face is one that Rukia hated. He was always so hard to read him in this mood.
"I thought it was time that I told her about her parentage… our parentage." Rukia whispered.
"That's dangerous right now."
"It may be, but she does deserve to know. I am scared that they are going to go after her if they can't get me." Rukia told him softly. A large, warm hand squeezed her arm in support.
"I just have one question then, Rukia. Are you ready for the fallout from this secret? The more people who know, the more dangerous this game is going to be."" Byakuaya warned her. He knew the topic of telling Shirayuki that she and Rukia were biology siblings had been eating away at his dear wife.
"If I don't tell her soon, then it will be too late. What if something happens to me and she never knows? I want the clan to be in good hands, and I know that she will be if you and Zakura are by her side." Byakuya's arms automatically opened for Rukia when he sensed her struggling.
"I promise that I will not let anything happen to you or your clan. You are one of mine now, and I would die protecting you." Byakuaya told her as he pulled her closer to his chest.
The scent of mint and cherry blossom filled Rukia's nose, instantly calming her. A strong hand rubbed her back gently filling her with hope. Hope that her relationship with Shirayuki would only bring them closer and that the clan would be safe. Hope… the endless hope that her marriage with this cold, yet warm man would work out because she finally figured everything out as Byakuya placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Rukia Kuchiki was in love with her husband.
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