Wow. I realized...I forgot the disclaimer in the first chapter. Oops.

Rukia: Fool. Why would I want an imbecile like you to write fanfics about me?

Me: Oh, come on, it was a simple mistake...

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"Miss Kuchiki. You've been in there all day. Your brother demands that you come out straightaway."

There was a pause.

"Well, tell nii-sama that if he cares that much, he should come tell me himself." Another pause. "Never mind. I'll go see him myself. Where is he?"

"He...he's awaiting you at dinner."

"Oh. All right then. Tell him I'll be there in a minute. I want to look presentable."

Byakuya Kuchiki was innocently eating when Rukia came in.

He didn't even look up. "What have you been doing all day? I don't have time for your childish behavior."

"Sorry, nii-sama. It's merely...I know I stick out like a sore thumb. It's taken me awhile to adjust...to, you know, being a noble and everything. But I figured that the first step is to look the part."

"What do you mean by that?" He made the mistake of looking up.

"That's really a priceless look you've got on your face there, nii-sama. So let's eat, shall we?" She sat across from him.

"Rukia...you're..."

"Do you have something to say, nii-sama?" asked Rukia, barely able to hold back her glee at his discomfort.

"What is the meaning of this, Rukia? Why have you done this?"

"What do you mean?"

He was growing increasingly irritated. "Your hair. Your face. Your clothes."

"Sorry, nii-sama. You should have been more clear. You never said you were against purple hair, ripped clothes, and nose studs. Oh, or belly-button piercings, either."

"You..."

"Do you want to see?"

"No."

She showed him anyway.

"Oh, yeah. My hair covers it up, so you probably didn't see..." Rukia pulled back some bright purple hair to reveal lines of earrings up and down her ears. Then she held up her hands, showing him her black nails. "You probably didn't notice these, either."

"Painted nails, maybe...maybe. But black lipstick?"

"It brings out my eyes."

Rukia shivered with delight. She could practically see the throbbing vein.

His fist was clenched and he was avoiding looking at her. Finally, and with great effort, he said calmly, "You are to explain yourself, Rukia. Immediately."

"What do you mean, nii-sama?"

"Do not make me repeat myself."

"This is Rukia Kuchiki. This is your sister." The bracelets on her wrist jangled together as she flourished her hand dramatically. "This is who I am, nii-sama. This is me."

"Very well, then. Play your little games. But you're not going outside looking like that."

"You can't keep me in here!"

"I can."

"You have no right!"

"I have every right."

Rukia attacked her food furiously.

"By the time I see you tomorrow", said Byakuya, "This foolishness had better be over, or there will be consequences. This is your only warning."

Rukia sat in her room looking at herself in a mirror. Byakuya's reaction had not been to her liking. Did he always have to be so cool and composed?

What did a girl have to do to get a reaction out of him?! Bright purple hair didn't do it. Multiple piercings didn't do it. Black nails and lipstick didn't do it. What did it take?! A tattoo?!

She looked at the face in the mirror, wearing an expression of serious consideration.

She set the mirror down, then crept over to the window. There was almost no moonlight tonight.

She opened the window and climbed out.

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If nobody reviews, I'll sic Bleach characters on you!

...not really.