And finally the 13th Chapter. Sorry for the long wait... but lately i've been really busy with studying Japanese. Hope you'll enjoy it!

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Operation Tea Ceremony: disaster

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The reporter: Kuchiki sama, but what was the Elders first impression about Ichigo?

Byakuya: Ryoying must have truly liked him... I cannot understand why though. Some things are too much even for me.

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Back in Ichigo's room both he and Rukia didn't even know when morning came. As some point he looked on the porch and the sun was already up. After that in what seemed to be seconds later, a servant came and called them to breakfast.

"I feel hangover" Ichigo complained with eyes slowly closing.

"Don't!" Rukia uttered almost scarred. "Please don't fall asleep during the ceremony. Not now when you finally learned how to do it well."

But Ichigo's contact with reality was completely shut.

"Ichigooooooo!"

"No! It wasn't me! Byakuya put the vinegar! I just defeated Aizen!" he snapped as he brutally woke up.

Rukia started to laugh.

"It's the second time i hear you worrying about the 'vinegar' thing! It's good to know that i don't have to worry about it anymore. Now let's go to breakfast! We don't want Nii-sama to wait for us."

But in the dining room Byakuya was already waiting for them. Even though his presence was composed and stoic as ever, he watched the two of them with great interest.

"Did the two of you have a good night rest?" he asked after they greeted him.

"Yes, Nii-sama we had."

"You will need a fresh mind this noon during the Elders visit." The noble one added.

Ichigo didn't bother to answer. He just gave him the "I'll pay you back for this one day. I don't know how, but i will" look and took his seat. After that silence filled the room and only the silver could be heard as they were eating. Even so, there was a tense atmosphere: Byakuya was eagerly waiting to find out what improved in Ichigo's upstanding, Rukia didn't know how to begin the conversation and Ichigo... well Ichigo was half asleep and uncomfortable with the entire situation.

"Nii-sama..." Rukia decided to break the ice. "As the Elders will arrive today, you will receive them and then i will accompany Ichigo in the main saloon as you will introduce him to them as my future...husband" - here she made a pause as she still found it difficult to utter the word 'husband' while referring to Ichigo- " Further, you will serve tea for our guests ,then exchange gifts and finally retire in order to obtain the final position of the council. Is that correct?"

Byakuya guessed where his sister was heading, so he decided to play along.

"That is correct, Rukia."

Rukia sighed as if she was giving herself courage to continue and implicitly to take responsibility for what she was about to say:

"Nii-sama, giving that this matter regards the Council Elders i judge that it will be better for you, as head of the clan and us as members of it, to respect the Kuchiki tradition. Therefore i consider that Ichigo will be the one to perform the tea ceremony to the Elders, as a way to properly introduce himself."

Byakuya slightly frown. So Rukia prepared indeed Ichigo for this visit. Moreover she looked confident that he was prepared for it.

"I admit, Rukia, that it will be better to follow the custom, but as we were both able to observe yesterday and equally the past four days, Ichigo is simply not able to perform it. A talent cannot be taught and if it doesn't exist it is pointless to look for it." He spoke fixing Ichigo with an accusing look to which he replied with a weary sight.

"I have to agree, Nii-sama that so far, Ichigo has no talent regarding the noble ways. Yet i believe that he is capable of remembering some steps and quantities of components in order to prepare a decent tea for the Elders."

And that's what he needed to hear from her!

"Do you strongly believe that?" he insisted.

"Yes." Rukia answered confidently.

"And do you understand that by taking the responsibility of these words you also take the responsibility of this event on which your future with Kurosaki Ichigo depends and also the pride of this house?"

"Yes, i understand" she answered on the same manner.

"And Ichigo, do you stand up for Rukia's words?"

He just gave a "yeah, whatever..." look and went back to his breakfast.

"Very well." he concluded as he turned to his sister. "Giving that it is your word that I'm taking in consideration, i will trust you Rukia."

"Thank you, Nii-sama." she concluded with a bow.

"Now, please let's run through the schedule one more time so that i can leave this dining room and prepare myself with the relieving thought that, at least, i did explain Ichigo what he has do."

"And what is this supposed to mean?" Ichigo jumped out annoyed.

"Therefore, once I will make the introductions, the servants will bring the utensils for the tea." Byakuya continued without paying attention to Ichigo. "The Elders will question you. In most of the cases i will be the one to be answering for you. You will know when to be spoken for i will give a subtle look. After that, we will move to the gifts part: Ichigo will offer to the Elders souvenirs that he brought from the real world .

"So that's why you asked for… Let me remember exactly: an Armani suit, a Dolce and Gabbana watch, a Versace perfume and the latest smartphone?" Ichigo asked.

"Indeed." Byakuya answered. "And even if i paid for them, you will offer them as gifts from you. If they will find them to their likening, in return they will also grant you with presents, which will be a sign of acceptance. Once this is done i will retire with them in my study and receive their final answer."

Rukia nodded.

"Is everything clear for you, as well, Ichigo?"

He wanted to throw again an "yeah... whatever" look, but in the end he gasped and said:

"Yes."

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A few hours later, in the main saloon, all alone both, Rukia and Ichigo were staying on the seiza position on the tatami all dressed in ceremony kimonos. Rukia was silent and solemn. Ichigo was sweating and purple, as if he was about to get asphyxiated.

"Rukia...i can't stand these clothes!" he grunt trough this teeth.

"Just bear with it. It won't take longer than one or two hours."

"Too much. They're killing me! They're too warm... too tight... I'm going to change in my shinigami uniform!" he added and raised his knee in order to get up, but right in that moment Rukia turned to him with such deadly glare that he literally froze.

"Don't you even dare!"

Without any supplementary comments, he just went back and retook his place on the tatami.

"Any moment now they should enter. Ichigo, remember the gift order. First you offer Katsuya with the suit, then the watch to Saito. They first, because they didn't sign the agreement. After that you give the smartphone to Ryoing and the perfume to Nanakuma, alright Ichigo? And don't forget the speech you have to say before each gift! It's OK, Ichigo?"

But before he could answer, the front door opened and in the threshold Byakuya appeared followed by four old men. Before, Byakuya could make the introduction he could already guess who was who: The tallest with sharp features and impenetrable face expression ought to be Katsuya. He also recognized him from the Council Meeting two weeks ago, as he referred to Rukia as 'a disappointment' for the Kuchiki clan. He already hated that man. Next to him, must have been Saito, since he looked as an undecided type of person, but also as an easy to impress one. On the opposite side, must have been Nanakuma since he looked like a good man and last but not least, there was Lord Ryoing. He caught most of Ichigo's attention since he had a strange and unpredictable sparkle in his eyes, as if he was hiding a lot of secrets and surprises. Besides, he had the appearance of someone who must have been pretty handsome during his youth.

The four men walked behind Byakuya, approaching him and Rukia so he got up in order to greet them. Suddenly his feet felt heavy. He lost all his confidence.

"Don't worry. I trust you." Rukia whispered next to him.

And his eyes widened surprised as if those were the exactly words he needed to hear.

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Ichigo felt as he was at some job interview. Everybody was studying him from head to toes. Some of the looks such as Saito's and Ryoing's were curios. Some such as Katsuya's were venomous. Nanakuma was the only one indifferent, stating his case from the beginning: "I'm not strict. If they love each other and if Byakuya-sama approved their union, i do not see why i'll oppose it."

On that line Katsuya rolled his eyes annoyed and then turned to Ichigo with despise. Strangely, Ichigo felt a cold shower on his back. It was something that didn't occurred not even in his deadliest fights. It wasn't even like he feared this old men standing before him.

'But if he will convince Saito to reject him... Rukia will marry Renji, or even worse Byakuya!'

He clinched his fists and did his best in order to act polite, composed and distinguished. From time to time he discreetly turned to Rukia to see if he was doing alright, but she looked more stiffed than he was.

'For Rukia's sake! Only for Rukia's sake!'

Indeed, he was here to save Rukia and even though it wasn't the first time and it wasn't a matter of life and death anymore, he felt a lot more nervous and uneasy.

"Personally, i believe that Kurosaki Ichigo it's an interesting acquisition to our clan." Ryoing suddenly spoke. "If we reject this proposition, he might be snatched by other clan, and then we might regret it."

Ichigo stayed put. Of course he hated to see himself treated as piece of meat or and auctioned art object, but for Rukia he stayed put.

"What about you, Saito? Have you decided on your position yet?" Byakuya asked.

The shy man, only smiled repeatedly as if that question only confused him more. Meanwhile the servant brought the tea set and tool and Ichigo mentally took a deep breath as began to work on it. Suddenly the Elders voices faded and heard nothing of their discussions. From time to time he could hear Rukia's voice or Byakuya's, but he didn't distinguish a word from what they were saying since he was all over tea cups and their components.

'So less jasmine... No! More jasmine!... Good, now the mint... F***! That's the sugar and Rukia said no sugar!... But where is the mint? All leaves look the same! I can't tell the difference if i don't smell it and i can't smell it, can't i?...Oh, Kami! I hope this is the mint!'

"Right, Ichigo?"

He suddenly heard his name spoken. Was it Byakuya's voice?

" 'Right' what?" he snapped but then he immediately bit his tongue and review his language. "I mean... I beg your pardon, Kuchiki sama?"

"Lord Ryoing, here, was wondering in perspective of you joining this family if you will keep your connections to the human world."

Ichigo blinked. Of course he will, but he didn't know what to answer. What if this was a trick question?

"Kurosaki Ichigo, you will have to excuse Lord Ryoing." Katsuya suddenly cut in with a fake kindness. "Of course he will be interested in such frivolous matters such as human world since his own daughter is wandering around on who knows what human continent for sixty years now."

On this comment Ryoying, visibly annoyed, smiled back at him maliciously.

"But you Kurosaki Ichigo, in the perspective of a becoming a member of a noble clan in Seireitei " continued Katsuya. "You would not be so foolish to 'keep in touch' with your human acquaintances, right?"

It was settled. It was a trick question. But what should he answer? He didn't even pay attention to their previous conversations to know their general opinions about human world! He turned to Byakuya but his face emotionless as ever. What should he answer?

"Lord Katsuya, I do not understand: what you mean by frivolous matter when you are referring to the human world?" Byakuya cut in, saving him. "Isn't the human world the actual field of work of the shiningamis? And am i not, beside the head of this clan, a shinigami , as well?"

Katsuya was obviously in difficulty.

'I owe you this one, Byakuya!' Ichigo mentally stated and took advantage of this escape to go back to his tea. Trying hard not to spill it, he served a cup to everyone present and silence fell as each of them took a gulp. Rukia didn't state any reaction, but Byakuya looked back at him with an intense look.

'So should i take it as good thing or as a bad thing?'

The first to put down the cup was Katsuya. He had a disgusted expression which obviously discouraged Ichigo. Next to him Nanakuma was holding the cup close to his lips, as he looking with a dreamy eyes at the paintings on the walls. He didn't even bother to taste the tea, his mind being obviously elsewhere. Ryoing though took the second gulp and smiled as if he had found something amusing in that taste.

'Uh! People just say something! Does it still taste like vinegar or not?!' Ichigo mentally shouted.

And then the silence was broken by no other than Saito who said:

"I like this tea!"

And with that all the tension disappeared. Ichigo relaxed, Rukia smiled and even on Byakuya's the suddenly good humoured could be read. Shortly after that Byakuya discretely made a sign to Ichigo to move to the gifts part. Of course Katsuya barely looked at his Armani Suit, while Nanakuma even though he showed himself impressed with his Versace perfume, he didn't even bother to open it. Again Ryoing and Saito were the ones make an impression. When Ryoing's turn came, Ichigo didn't even have the time to grab the little box, for he immediately said:

"Please tell me, that's a smartphone!"

Ichigo's eyes widened surprised only by the idea that the nobleman knew what a smartphone was.

"So it is a smartphone!" Ryoing exclaimed ecstatic as he received the box. "And please tell me it's Windows based! I don't want the Android stuff anymore because the RAM memory gets full in less than a year. Oh! And is it a 32 or 64 GB version? Regular USB port?"

Ichigo was... speechless.

"As i mentioned before, Lord Ryoing's daughter Haruna lives in the human world and she makes sure that her father stays in touch with the latest human technologies." Katsya stepped in drily.

"What's the harm? I'm just collecting these objects!" Ryoing defended himself.

Equally impressed, Saito looked at the D&G watch as if it was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

"And, Kurosaki Ichigo, do you say that it keeps the measurement of the human world time? Extraordinary! This is something very deep because each time i will look at it, i will understand how short it's the human life and how blessed is the afterlife! I must thank you Kurosaki Ichigo and admit that, giving the rumours, i would have never expected such sensitiveness from you."

Ichigo humbly bowed and thanked for his words, even though he had no idea of what the noble was talking about.

"I also have a gift in return." Saito suddenly added, words brought a relieved smile on Rukia's lips and a less stoic expression a Byakuya's face. Now it was clear that Saito will sight the adoptions papers and Katsuya's opposition will remain isolated.

"You see Kurosaki Ichigo you came here to teach us about the human world, but it's less possible for us to teach about Soul Society since you already know so much about it. Even so, there are many things for you to learn if you want to become a Kuchiki and most of them are to be learned in your heart. Therefore my gift for you is something that will help know the moment when you will have achieved that goal." Saito added and brought forward a little cage in which there was a golden cricket.

Suddenly, Byakuya's and Rukia's eyes widened.

"I must admit that you are far too generous, Lord Saito" Byakuya commented, but Ichigo looked confused at all of them. Soon after that everybody finished their tea and Byakuya invited the Elders to his study. The last one to leave was Ryoing who savoured his tea until its last drop with the same amused expression:

"Not too much jasmine, right?" he said looking into Ichigo's eyes and then suddenly turning to Byakuya, added: "It's a little sour for the Kuchiki taste but i'm sure it will do!" he put down the cup and headed to the door: "Kurosaki Ichigo, i also have a gift for you in return for the smartphone. Come by to my house one of these days to pick it up!"

The doors were closed and Ichigo found himself again alone with Rukia. One moment of stoic and ceremonious silence. They made sure that everybody is gone and then:

"It's over! I can't believe it's over!" Ichigo snapped ecstatic.

"The cricket! I can't believe he offered you the golden cricket!"

"Who cares about the cricket? It's over and they seemed pleased, right?"

But Rukia was starring at the little cricket cage.

"They seemed pleased, right Rukia?" he insisted.

"Ichigo, i don't think you understand what this cricket means...they're very rare and in the popular language they're called the noble seeker. It is said that you can check if one is a noble just by putting a golden cricket in front of it. If it is, the cricket will jump on him..."

"And what is this supposed to mean?"

"Ichigo, this means that Saito acknowledged you as a Kuchiki. As a matter a fact it was something like "You are not a noble, but soon you will become one."

"So we made it, right?"

"Yes Ichigo! We made it! We obtained the Elders' accept!"

"Now we can get married!"

"Yes we can finally get married!"

And they both began jump around like two lovers who obtained their parent's approval for their marriage. If no would have seen them before, would have sworn that no couple could look happier and more in love as they looked in that moment.

"I can't wait to tell Dad! He will be so proud of you Ichigo! Oh, I can't believe! Let's give him a call now!"

"Right now?" he asked not very , enthusiastic as the fanatical verve of his father was the last thing he needed now. Even so, Ichigo got up from the tatami and followed Rukia. His feet were aching from the seiza position from which he didn't move for four hours, but he didn't care. He was glad and relieved that everything was over.

"I can't wait to go home! Tell me we're packing tonight!"

"Well, it's less than one month left to the wedding. I suppose we have to…even though I don't like living Nii-sama here alone."

"He'll manage Rukia, don't worry." He added as he reached her from behind and put an arm around her shoulder with such a familiar gesture that Rukia's heart skips a beat. She knew it couldn't have any deep meaning. They were friends for ages and they were accustomed with each other. It was natural… yet it made her feel as if she was in love. She closed her eyes for a second and imagined: How would it be? How would it feel? For her to be in love just like any other woman? She opened her eyes with a slight regret. She knew she couldn't afford this luxury, so the best thing she could to was to enjoy Ichigo's arm around her shoulder.

"Can't wait to get rid of this clothes!" he said and retrieved his hand in order to pull the long sleeves of his kimono.

'And the magic broke' Rukia mentally stated with a guilty disappointment. But then as she was watching him pulling the kimono she realized that he was empty handed.

"Ichigo, where is the golden cricket?"

"I left it back there, on the tatami!"

"Really? You receive such an important gift and you nonchalantly leave it behind?" she scolded and she went back to the tatami. She took the cage and looked once more at the little insect with amazement and curiosity.

"You know, Ichigo? This is the first time I'm seeing a golden cricket." She said and raised her hand in order to open the cage.

"Rukia, I really don't think it's such a good idea. Leave the insect in the cage."

"Oh, don't be silly, Ichigo!" she laughed. "It's golden a cricket, it likes pure noble reiatsu and none of us is….Ah! Ouch!" she suddenly snapped and jumped around as if something just stung her. Ichigo's eyes widened as he saw the little cage empty.

"Ouch! Ih! Ah!" Rukia continued to exclaim while Ichigo was trying to puss the pieces together.

"Rukia don't tell me the cricket…."

"Oh, Ichigo! Just take it of me!" she snapped as she began to jump all over the place.

"But you said it only sticks to noble asses!"

"Oh, shut is Ichigo!" she cried as she continued to jump. She just looked as if she was performing a strange rain dance. He started to laugh. "Ichigo, it went unerneath my clothes!"

"And what am I supposed to do?" he asked while laughing.

"I don't know! Do something! Get it off me!"

He began to scratch his head.

"Should I smash it?"

"NO!" she shouted scarred. "Nii-sama will kill us!"

He approached her and slightly grabbed the collar of her kimono.

"Now what?"

"It's on my back!"

"And?"

"And I can't reach it! Use your hand to take it out!"

Ichigo frowned confused.

"Are you sure? I mean you won't get violent?"

"Ichigo!" she growled.

"Ok, ok…" he said and leaned on his knees, sleeping his hand under the lower part kimono, touching her legs. Instantly she hit him.

"I said on my back! Not on my legs!"

"For goodness' sake, Rukia! I can't slip my hand from the top, the kimono is too tight there!"

"I don't know Ichigo! Find a way! I said not my legs!"

He gasped and backed off with a thoughtful expression, while she continued to turn and to jump like a dog chasing its tail.

"I think I've got an idea…"

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"I am very glad, we've reached a consensus." Byakya stated. "And you Saito, as I mentioned you were extremely generous. I shall repay it when the time will ask for it. Now gentlemen, I invite you back to the saloon so we can give the news of the approval to my sister and his fiancé."

The five nobles got up and existed the study. In front of the saloon's door though, all of them stopped as some strange sounds came from inside. Then the sounds became clear and as they turned in to words all nobles became petrified. All of them, except Ryoing who began to laugh:

"Ok, Rukia. Straighten up your back so you'll make room for my hand. I'm coming down your collar. Rukia don't you hear me? Straighten up!

"I am standing straight!"

He gasped annoyed.

"Ok, then lean forward. I'll come from behind!"

"What?!"

"Just lean forward!"

"Like a dog?"

"Yes, yes! Doggy! That's perfect! I'm coming! Just relax, ok?"

"Ok, Ichigo. I trust you, but hurry!"

"I'm trying, but it's too tight! Geez, Rukia! Why does it have to be so tight?"

"What kind of question is this?! It has to be like this way! Imagine how I would look with a loose one!"

"Never mind! Oh! Oh! I'm in Rukia! I'm in!"

"I can fell Ichigo! But it's not there! It's lower! Lower, Ichigo! Ah, ah… yes, to right a little…ah… ah… a little more!

"I think we've heard enough!" stated Katsuya , while the others were still in shock. The door was opened and everybody freeze.

The nobles were starring speechless at Ichigo who was leaning form behind over Rukia with his hands inside her kimono.

The couple was staring back at them horrified.

The only thing that moved was a little golden cricket who jumped out of Rukia's kimono and went straight Byakuya's shoulder. The rest was an absurd movie:

Ichigo pulled back and snapped: "It's not what it looks!", while, with a terrified expression, Rukia tried to explained what had happened.

Suddenly Ryoing began to laugh again and Nanakuma asked him to stop. Ignoring those two, Katsuya stepped forward and yelled:

"Can't you wait until the wedding?! Or at least until you get to your bedchambers?!"

Saito though, noticing the treatment that the golden cricket had suffered, burst in to tears and ran out the door.

Above all, Byakuya looked as if he was about to release his bankai…

'It is a nightmare. This cannot be happening. I will kill everybody and then I'll wake up." He stated.

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