---2---

(Rukia POV)

I trailed behind my brother out of respect, although he showed no emotion I knew it was there I had seen it for a while until my sister 'may she rest in peace' had died, his laughter, love and happiness drained from his features his eyes thicker than glass almost mirror like as you stared into them only your reflection and feelings were displayed. I learned to distance myself as I noted the pain his gaze when it landed on me.

I couldn't help the guilt that fills me every time those once bright now dull pained eyes land on me as if he knew his gaze would flick away almost instantly I knew why I caused him pain it's because I resemble Hisana too much. His footfalls became silent again I walked into him.

"Sorry Nii-sama I guess I spaced out again, I am truly sorr-"

"Rukia stop apologising, come" I gave a slight inclination of my head in understanding and followed him into the room I was in before the ritual. "Now that your ritual has been completed, I will tell you this once and no interruptions until I am finished understood"

"Yes Nii-sama"

"You completed your ritual ahead of your birthday because you are the only current eligible female of nobility status, in order to be matched with another of nobility or even royalty…" I was about to ask, when I caught the look he was giving me; I knew I would have to withdraw as he would not continue. "But your pairing will be discussed later. I believe it is time for you to know the reason why you had it ahead of time because a prophecy was given to both parents of your suitor and yours-" I couldn't resist.

"How would you know of it then?" I asked I regretted my action but in a way I was proud of the emotion displayed on his face 'shock, apprehension' and several more but his well formed mask slid back on as of I hadn't spoken.

"I will get to that…so ah according to the prophecy 'two children of the opposite sex from either royalty and or nobility of pureblood and of the same age will unite against the dark lord and thwart his plans for the sake of both humanity and the existence of other supernatural beings they may choose to follow the path with two or create a task force of using beings their age or will fail if he rises to power no power not even the destined pair will stop his reign' this prophecy will come into affect in three months time two months after your birthday."

"Can you tell me how you know of it please?"

"I suppose you will not let this lie…it is time I told you the truth you can hate me for it but this was for your protection do not judge me until I have told you…I know I told you that your parents were murdered, that is not so my parents were" a lone tear fell from his eye. "if you had checked their death date then you would see that they could not possibly be yours, this is where you have to wait until I explain myself before you fly off the handle," he took a deep intake of air "I, Kuchiki Byakuya, husband to Kuchiki Hisana am your biological father, we… Hisana and I had to fabricate things to help save you from the prophecy yet no other child was born so the prophecy was immediately linked to you and another …Hisana wanted a normal life for you perhaps if she were still living I would have been more of a father, she died I grew colder and distanced myself from the one I should have shown love to but I was afraid, I am sorry Rukia." He stood up, the door closed behind him; I was alone which left me to his last words, as they swam through my mind circulating several times not sinking in straight away.

I don't remember when tears slipped from my eyes, or even when sobs whacked me, my chest was tight I don't even remember collapsing to the floor screaming hateful words and curses, these all became quieter as my throat couldn't take the scratching anymore, my throat dried the only thing closest to water was my saliva, I used it to ease the soreness it worked for all of two seconds but I wasn't fussed, my life was…I lived a lie.

"I hate you, I hate my life it was all a lie!!...everything…I…hate…you" I croaked this repeated many times I had lost count of the actual amount, exhaustion hit me like a wave I finally allowed myself to submit to sleep. My dreams were empty, nothingness filled it everywhere I turned, then faces flickered through laughing faces, happy times, times of sorrow and now; his warm amber eyes shone, his velvety deep husky voice, his smile.

(End of Rukia POV)

Byakuya waited patiently for her to empty her aggression, hate and other emotions before stepping back in he wasn't being cowardly, no he was being respectful. He looked down at her collapsed form 'I am sorry, my baby girl I've never told but I have thought it you truly are worth everything to me more than my life, you are my beautiful baby' he picked up form and carried her, servants watched in awe at the mighty Byakuya Kuchiki carrying his sister, one came forward to help his master but was turned away, stunned at the fact he stood there until the shock dispersed and hurried forward to open the car.

Fro the rest of the journey and walking in the mansion Byakuya carried her ignoring the looks from servant and family members never releasing his hold until he placed her on her bed even then he sat there for several hours, grasping her hand in some sort of comfort to himself and her when she began to whimper he squeezed it like he would when she was a toddler, when he and Hisana spent hours watching her sleep. Gradually the whimpers stopped and he left.

The current king of vampires Isshin Kurosaki had taken to his role perfectly banning vampires to hunt people, if they wished to stay within his country as a guest or even a habitant then they would have to pay those with knowledge for blood these were known as the blood donors many of the noble families paid a lot of money to families willing to give away some relatives for money to help them survive. Although they were blood donors they were taken care of fairly they had all meal meals, drinks and other accessories in the Kurosaki and Kuchiki mansions they were even provided with a wing to themselves until they were required.

Many vamps hated the idea of paying for blood when it could be taken for nothing and the victim is unaware of the danger. Two days had passed since the ceremony he had been true to his word and sent an invitation to Rukia, to congratulate her on her initiation as an adult but also consult her about going to school to meet with others as most nobles were home schooled.

Rukia was wearing one of her summer dresses, hat and sunglasses at the request of her father, she slung on her bag shoving a book in it to read it as she knew she would need it whilst waiting, she was nervous as she had never met the king on her own she had always accompanied her bro- father, although he was there with her it didn't feel the same as he wasn't seeing him she hid her nervousness almost perfectly as she had practice she floated with elegance across the entrance before raising her hand to knock the door swung open revealing the king himself accompanied by his wife and servants. "Rukia-chan, thank you for coming at such short notice but this had to be discussed, Byakuya-san she'll be okay Masaki will discuss your matters while I talk. Okay."

He nodded his head, taking of her hat and glasses Rukia followed they lead them through the hall Masaki turned left while Isshin turned right, he opened large oak doors to reveal a music room a black grand piano bang in the centre, he sat on the stool and motioned Rukia to sit next to him he played a light tune.

"So Rukia-chan, I'm sure you know about lady Hisana and the lies that fabricated your upbringing I'm sorry if this caused a rift between yourself and Byakuya-san" he paused "but congratulations on becoming a recognised adult you and your partner have a strong bond but that will grow, we have organised a meet between you, your partner and some other supernatural's who have been linked to prophecy"

"…" nodding her head in understanding.

"You'll be travelling to England to study as most are stationed there," he noticed her expression of shock. "I take you've never left the country, don't worry Byakuya-san has given his permission to send you as you'll be a representative for the vampire race, you'll discuss ways to prevent the prophecy from falling into the wrong hands but also strengthen the ties between all races… because vampires live longer they are home schooled this is because you have a larger memory than normal humans so essentially you have a larger expanse of knowledge and experience so to prevent vampires giving to much detail on what has happened in the past or giving those with special abilities away they are home schooled but some have actually started schools and give them shortened versions of ours curriculums…are you with so far?"

"Yes…so vampires go to the vampire academy or are home schooled to prevent excess knowledge being leaked or their abilities being used against our own."

"Basically, so you must be very cautious as there are still vampire hunters to this day that do not agree with the treaty we formed like how some vampires prefer to kill rather than pay for blood. So Rukia-chan you leave next week on Saturday morning on your bro- sorry father's jet, for you to look and act like a real student you have a job lined up at Urahara's a friends bar…don't tell Byakuya-san where you are working or he'll kill me…I'm going to tell him it's a café but if you have any queries talk to him or call home and Byakuya-can pass on the message, you start a week later on the 5th September, Urahara and yourself will tour it on the 3rd"

"Okay thank you, your majesty."

"Rukia-chan there's no need for formalities just call me Isshin"

"Thank you Isshin-dono." She said awkwardly.

"It's an improvement; please take a walk while I catch up with my wife and Byakuya-san…"

"Thank you for your hospitality"

Isshin chuckled, now she may walk past his idiot son and grasp his attention so he investigates instead of shutting himself in his room. Rukia walked to the pond in garden whilst waiting, she took off her small bag and opened taking out one of her favourite books 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' because of the glare from the sun she had put on sunglasses and hat, she had just got to the bit where Sirius is about to be killed when a shadow fell over her. She yelped and nearly fell in but a strong arm caught her.

She looked up and noticed a young male but couldn't see his eyes nor his hair as they were both covered. "You should really be careful there being too engrossed in a book especially next to a pond is not a great experience" aside from not seeing his eyes and hair his voice intrigued her.

"Umm…thank you for you know stopping me falling in but in future you should let people know of your presence."

"Sorry, I felt your presence and thought I ought to see who it was, I'll be going now. Bye" 'wow…that was some weird shit…I've just been electrocuted from a little touch it was like that day all over again'

"Bye." 'that was weird…he seemed so familiar…and what is up with that reaction, I got an electric shock but it wasn't one of those everyday ones this was like a huge current coursed through but it wasn't over bearing it was nice' but she didn't dwell on the matter.

Ichigo felt that his father set this up to meet her there, she had the same feeling as the one from two days ago but he wasn't sure if it was her or not so he left as quickly as possible.

Elsewhere Isshin grinned 'looks like he got off his lazy bum' "…So effectively they will report their findings, and suspicions to either you, myself or Masaki where we will have a meeting with the council then one with the other nobles."

"Your son is leaving tonight and Rukia next week"

"Yes, he'll be working as will Rukia in a café…I know you may feel that is unbefitting of Rukia to work there but she needs to keep up the pretence as does Ichigo, they will have an apartment each in the same building so she will be protected even though I think she can take care of herself. Their wages will to be buy their food everything else is taken care of."

"I'll send Kaien in as extra support as I've heard he is currently teaching across there at that school."

Isshin smiled mischievously "That's fine, brief him then it's a go." Byakuya stood and nodded, his height intimidated many as they moved out of his way, servants scattered, opening and closing doors after him.

"Rukia come" he barley looked her way, ever since that night he couldn't face her, he couldn't bare to the hurt her anymore, he walked ahead and climbed into the limo, Rukia followed and got in opposite Byakuya her head turned to the window watching the scenery she sighed and turned to face forward.

"Bro- Father, I-I don't hate you no matter what I said I know you may think I do but…"

"Please don't try to explain…I should have never kept it a secret from you… I should have realised all the pain-" A tear slid down his face. Rukia moved and sat next to Byakuya as she contemplated her next words she held one of his in hers and wiped the tear away, he bristled but slowly relaxed.

"I want to, besides I can't help that you've hurt me but I've hurt you and disrespected you I'm sorry for causing you pain, don't tell me otherwise …don't spare my feelings when I did nothing of the sort for you. I'm not proud of myself I acted irrationally and impulsively…I didn't want to take into account that you did it for me…" she didn't finish as she stared to sleep resting against him.

"Rukia…I never told you but I do love you with all my heart…my baby girl"

"…I love you too" his eyes widened but resumed their original size as he smiled gently and kissed the top of her head.