Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 1509
AN: Hey guys! Hope it's a beautiful day in your neighborhood! Gratitude for the follows and favs!
Rukia returns this chapter. As I mentioned she'll have a good part in helping things along- though her gracious scheme won't come to light until the end most likely.
A Kiss for Shelter
Intimidation
Rukia had been summoned.
It was about the time she would have been visiting the estate in any case so it was not so troublesome to rearrange her schedule. Ukitake-Taichou, however, had hesitated a moment when she had come to him- a shadow passing over his features before he offered a warm smile and agreed.
It wasn't just her captain's momentary look of concern that had the lieutenant shrinking from the Elders' summons. She had a feeling she knew all too well why she was being called.
By the time she had left the council chambers, Rukia's chest felt as though it would explode under the pressure. She had only just been able to offer her vote for time.
Despite her temper rising with each thinly veiled criticism of her Nii-sama's actions, the heiress had kept her anger in check and suggested a month to allow the Lord to consider his options. The old windbags had grumbled, but eventually agreed to reconvene in favor of allowing Kuchiki-sama leeway to arrange his affairs.
She managed not to stomp away from the meeting hall, kimono snapping about her like an angry dragon, but once she was out of sight of any she had slammed her palm against a wooden beam. After a few deep breaths- hissing with agitation- she had fought valiantly for calm.
Her brother was occupied at his division- which seemed well-calculated on the Elder's part. It would have been her first instinct to seek him out, but as it was her feet were already carrying her to a destination she must have had in mind.
…
Rukia watched Xochitl pace with growing apprehension.
"Things between you two… are going well?"
"They were! But Arashi- he… And then your brother… With the Elders of your clan… One of them came to me…" She turned to Rukia a kind of desperation in her features that was startling to the lieutenant.
"My, you are fair of face… You're very young aren't you?"
"I'm old enough, my lady."
"Oh yes," The woman glanced at her belly pointedly before looking back up with a tight smile, "Old enough… But I wonder… How much experience you have…?"
Xochitl stiffened, yet she knew when she was being baited and she replied carefully, "Life experience is subjective."
The woman's smile drew into a smirk as though she found it ironic that a courtesan might be so articulate. "Aa, I suppose you are right… But still, what can you know of the inner workings of a noble clan? Of politics in the Seireitei in general?"
"Very little," Xochitl admitted, "Though I believe I am aware of what you might think of me given your position."
"Aa… Women are always perceptive regardless of their walk in life. We can instinctively know things about people and emotions…" The brown eyes narrowed, the smile chilling, "But you… you are hard to read my dear."
The young woman did not reply, hoping she had learned enough from her lord not to let on her growing unease.
"Still, knowing, who you work for I can decipher a few things." The smile fell, the gaze penetrating. "It's a clever woman who ensnares a man of Kuchiki-sama's prestige. Especially if she can feign innocence about the circumstances- ingratiate herself because of them and ultimately… demand a title."
Pain bloomed in Xochitl's cheek as she bit into it and tasted blood.
The Elder's eyes seemed to gather darkness, "You are taught to seduce, after all. The greater the patron the greater the charm needed to gather wealth and position. And it seems you've come up with the perfect way to secure yourself here."
"No!" Xochitl couldn't stay silent. Her chest burned and her child was wildly tossing inside her as though understanding the insults. She shook her head, "What you are implying has never crossed my mind! And you with all your knowledge should know how impossible it would be to plan! I've little reiatsu- the fact that I am in this state is miraculous- a gift!"
"And my nephew- what is he?"
Xochitl knew her eyes had to be luminous now, but it was hard to swallow past the emotion. The accusation stung, even knowing it was unfounded. A part of her felt desperate to convey the truth.
"He's… prideful. And somewhat ascetic. But he is good enough to see past titles and castes. He's a little materialistic, but he has a warm heart."
"Is that what you're after? His heart?" The woman asked in a light tone. She looked away scoffing, "How ambitious."
"Do you give him so little credit as to think he would fall for a woman's machinations? If I had deception in mind you think he would be fool enough not to see through it?"
Xochitl watched the woman's jaw clench in agitation for a breath before her thoughts were veiled behind an indifferent mask. She remained quiet for some time before she spoke stiffly, "Perchance your intentions are pure, have you still no thought to how fragile his credibility will become if he continues to entertain this notion of marriage? You said you understood how one might think in my place." The older woman shifted a somewhat entreating gaze upon the expectant mother.
Before she left the Elder offered one last thought, "As of now, Rukia-san, is heir. It is a hard-won title considering… She has proven herself; she is her brother's pride. There are many that would be affected by a change in power. Because of Kuchiki-sama's decisions of late- it might not be helped if his judgment was discarded in some cases. I sincerely hope the faith my lord has in your integrity is not misplaced… Surely you know that you are not the first to come from the Rukon and swear truth in your affections?"
Just the recollection seemed to grasp fiercely at her reserves of patience. Abruptly she turned her gaze back on the young woman sitting at the edge of the chaise Byakuya had sent a few days ago (a predictable masculine attempt at an apology).
"Rukia, I know you are the heir! I would never contest that! I mean- any claim my child might have- would go unacknowledged most likely- but I would never force the issue. You must know this?"
Rukia was flushed with indignation after Xochitl's recounting. But she quickly snapped from her ire and rose to her feet to put an arm around the other woman. She led her to the couch. There was silence between them as they sat next to each other.
Xochitl inhaled however, "Rukia… I crave no position here. Please don't think I've ever considered some kind of elevation due to the circumstances…" She trailed off as she noticed the other woman's preoccupation with her hands, head bowed and shoulders hunched. "Rukia?"
"I… had a very selfish thought when I found out about…" Rukia kept her eyes trained on her hands, shame coloring her voice, "There's someone I- really want to support… And as heir I- I'm not sure I could do that."
Dim-eyed Xochitl replied softly, "I see… Do you… mean to step down?"
"I won't lie… I've thought on it… But," Rukia looked up, gaze conflicted, "But, that is something that would burden you, isn't it?
Xochitl's throat was aching with pent up emotion and her voice came out strained, "Rukia… I still…"
Without hesitation Rukia reached for the other woman's hand clutching it tight as she angled toward her, "Have you spoken with Nii-sama?"
The woman shook her head, "He does not know that she came."
Brow furrowed in contemplation Rukia nodded, "I'll speak to him. And then… you two can speak." She squeezed the woman's hand in encouragement, watching her face anxiously.
But Xochitl kept her sights on the floor, lost in her own thoughts.
After a deep breath, Rukia rose to her feet decisively, "Rest, Xo-chan. I'll go to Nii-sama. That woman won't get away with bullying you."
"I'm not ready." Xochitl's voice halted the lieutenant at the doorway.
Navy eyes peered back at the woman, "Ready?"
"To see him just yet- there are other things… Please don't say anything about Sushiko-san."
Naturally Rukia hesitated about keeping something so important from her elder brother, but the stress clear in the other woman's frame made its own case.
She gave a nod, sighing "I will keep it to myself. But Xo… You have to speak to Nii-sama. The tension between you can't be good for the baby. I'm going now, but I'm sending Takeda-san. You need rest."
The young heir-apparent left then, forcing herself to take small gliding steps to accommodate the pale lavender kimono. Storming the halls certainly wouldn't help anything and as it was she knew she needed her wits about her.
She did indeed have a position that afforded her some sway when it came to clan matters; it was time to come up with her own contingency plan.
With a wry smile Rukia dipped her hand into her sleeve feeling for the cell phone tucked securely in the layers.