Thank you Rukes for the great beta work! I also want to thank everyone who has put this on story alert and/or has taken the time to review. I love hearing from you. :D
Letting a deep sigh leave her, the little Kuchiki made her way towards the dining hall. The sound of the chirping maids seemingly set the stage. Rukia froze, out of sight in the broad corridor. She truly hated moments like these.
"Welcome, Lord Kuchik!" The girl ignored her brother's welcome, the name the help was ordered to address him by, ringing in her ears. She turned sharply when she felt the calming presence that she recognized so easily behind her. Ichigo crowded her, pulling her forward and against his chest.
"It will be over soon." He whispered into soft raven locks, and although Rukia wanted to push the demon away, she felt herself relax against him, the butler's comforting words soothing her in the most perfect way imaginable.
"I hate him." She mumbled weakly, hiding her face in the soft material of his front as she held the fabric between tiny fingers, "I wish they would just leave me be."
The young lord forgot momentarily that she wanted to distance herself from her demonic butler and, just for a moment, allowed herself to be weak. It was only for a moment.
He cupped her chin, tilting her head as he met her gaze, honey browns reassuring and absolute, "I will protect you."
She allowed him to pull her in for a sensual kiss, melting against him.
As their tongues danced, she remembered the person she had to be for Byakuya, cold Lord Rukia Kuchiki. The little sister of the love of his life that had passed away years prior, leaving Byakuya Kuchiki broken and hollow inside.
Rukia knew he resented her. It was obvious in his cold stare that always followed her while in her company. He resented her for taking his love away and she resented him for finding similarities between her and her big sister. But most importantly, she hated herself for killing her beloved Hisana.
She would allow herself to be weak in Ichigo's arms so she could rebuild her walls and keep moving forward. It was how she would keep the remainder of her sanity intact.
"It's good to see you," Rukia forced a smile, "Brother."
Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes were cold and indifferent, the gray hues coming to stop briefly at the butler currently at his little sister's side, "We have important matters to discuss, Rukia."
The petite noble forced back a snarl, the underline order clear in his tone. "You know very well that Ichigo will be at my side, no matter who is present." Closing her eyes momentarily, Rukia took a miniature sip the tea set before her, "This situation is no different."
"These are the family's orders. That boy is not meant to hear such important discussions."
The butler felt his anger flutter, as it did constantly when involving Byakuya Kuchiki.
Rukia let out a dark chuckle, signaling the berry at her side.
Ichigo strained himself to obey his master, placing dinner before the two nobles. The younger Kuchiki simply waved her hand dismissively at her sibling's words, "As are all your orders, brother. My personal butler can be trusted. I know that for a fact. Please do continue."
Byakuya didn't look convinced in the slightest as he watched the strawberry butler closely, his blank gaze meeting Rukia's after a moment of silence, "You know why I'm here." It wasn't a question but Rukia simply nodded her head in response nonetheless, thankful that the topic of her butler was dropped for now. After a long minute of silence, she motioned Ichigo closer to her side with a flick of her wrist once again.
"The family wishes for you to settle down."
Ichigo's eyes flashes red as he froze, forgetting his lord's request for another cup of tea, ears ringing.
"I'd imagine so." Rukia let out a soft sigh, "But the family knows very well that Her Majesty wishes for me to stay close. With a husband involved, it would become overly complicated to say the least."
With a warning glance at the demon at her side, the man forced himself to relax some and placed a fresh cup before his lover.
"The family has been informed," Byakuya countered darkly, "That doesn't change the request…Or the importance of it in the eyes of Lord Ginrei."
Rukia's façade dropped briefly, her passive expression twisting into that of anger and clear aggravation.
"You and I both know this is no longer a request, Byakuya."
"These are grandfather's instructions, Rukia," The man took hold of the saucer of brown liquid before him, words turning obviously personal, "His wishes are absolute."
If it weren't for the severity of the current situation, she would have laughed out loud at the bitter tone of her brother-in-law. Rukia's grandfather was the reason why this man would never officially see the life of royalty. The old man held the utmost power of the Kuchiki House. He did not rule as the head but he made sure the best interests of the family were always the primary objective.
A pure family that held the utmost most power directly beneath her Majesty, the Queen.
That was his wish.
"You may be his favorite, but even Lord Ginrei knows that he can no longer bend to your will, Rukia. You are to be wed for the best interest of the Kuchiki family. You no longer have any say in the matter. It has been set into motion."
To be wed to gain power for her House, it would be the right thing to do, after all. It was how she was raised to believe; everything for the good of the family. But could she really go through with it? The question stunned Rukia for a moment. It had been at the back of her mind for years now. It seemed more real, more serious, now that her grandfather had placed the order. To leave Ichigo…they would surly wish to take him away from her side. She knew he would not stand for such a thing. No matter the orders given to him.
After all, he absolutely did not share his toys.
Rukia didn't have to look to know that demon was moments away from snapping her big brother's neck. He could sense her inner turmoil; anger oozing out of the demon in furious, dark waves.
She needed to end this quickly. The power she held over the strawberry was almost nonexistent when he lost control and allowed his demonic emotions to break free.
"Tell my grandfather that we will discuss the following situation the next time I meet with him." She stood from her seat as she patted her mouth politely with the napkin that had resided in her lap throughout the meal. The young noble waved off the man before her as if he were a mere fly that were distracting her from her duties; "I have more important matters to attend to so if you don't mind, Ichigo will see you out."
She moved past her butler, the spiky-headed man watching his lover closely with a deep scowl, ready to intervene if necessary.
"Even you cannot change his mind now, Rukia," Byakuya interjected as he rose to his feet angrily. His normal calm nature being overrun with hostility, the actions of the arrogant little woman before him causing major damage to his ego, "You will become nothing more than a house wife, I will see to it myself."
Rukia's eyes flashed as she stopped at her brother's side, "It is in your best interest for you to watch your tongue, Byaku and remember your place." She hissed, "I do not care how dear you once were to my sister, I could make your precious lifestyle shatter with a flick of my wrist if I felt the desire to do so. As you said, I am grandfather's favorite after all."
Byakuya's eyes were wide as the little noble walked past him, the surprise and panic clear in his gray orbs.
Rukia turned on her heals, her smile wide as she bowed towards him playfully; "Please do have a safe trip, brother."
Byakuya watch the young woman climb the stairs with a clearly placed glare on his normally apathetic face.
"Right this way, Lord Kuchiki," Ichigo said with a deep bow at Byakuya's side, the demon's smirk rather obvious. "I shall escort you to your carriage."
He gave the butler a hard stare, reverting back into the high and mighty Byakuya Kuchiki within seconds; cold and full of composure, pride obvious in every step of his shiny dress shoes.
"I do not know how you manage to handle her." Byakuya started as they made their way down the drive, the man not bothering to look back at the servant currently accompanying him.
"She is my master," Ichigo explained with a small smile, "There is nothing to handle; only to please."
"It's a shame. I honestly pity you, boy," Byakuya said offhandedly. "She will never be anything but a damaged child."
It was laughable how this human was constantly addressing a being centuries older than himself simply as boy. But the demon simply shook his head as he let out a dark chuckle, Ichigo's smile widening along with his obvious blood lust at the human's words against his mate. The so called big brother that had caused his Rukia so much pain sure had a lot of nerve.
"Have a pleasant trip," was his reply, the strawberry butler holding the door of the stagecoach open for the irritating noblemen.
The elder Kuchiki stepped forward, taking a seat in the carriage with poise.
"Hm," Byakuya's reply sounded like a scuff but Ichigo didn't care one way or another. "Our grandfather will wish to speak with her soon. I suggest you start accepting the fact that Rukia will not be your beloved master for must longer, Kurosaki."
Ichigo's eyes flashed as he jolted forward, bracing himself on the door of the horse-drawn carriage, "My master's best interest shall be my main priority." The demon growled lowly, "No matter the orders or the puppeteer controlling the strings, I will make sure nothing gets in the way of her happiness." He leaned in further, watching as the man recognized the obvious threat in his words.
"Nothing," he snarled, slamming the carriage door shut with a little too much force. "Remember that, Byakuya Kuchiki."
Pivoting on his heels, Ichigo sent a glace to the old man on top the stagecoach; "Drive," the demon order.
The sound of the whip was heard followed by the click-clack of the trolling horses exiting the drive. The demon butler watched the wagon disappear with dark red eyes before turning and disappearing back into the mansion with a growl.
I haven't read a fanfic that really had Byakuya and Rukia fighting against each other and I decided that in this situation, it seemed understandable that these two would not get along—In any way whatsoever.
On another note. Get read. Possessive Ichigo will be making an appearance shortly.