Chapter 17 Break

"Good morning Captain Kuchiki" said Atsumi from the captains office door. The captain just looked up from his paperwork and then back down. He continued to fill out his reports and signed off on various orders. Atsumi laughed in the door and finally said "Well aren't you going to invite me in?" No response. "I did pour you sake you thankless royal jack-"

"OYE!" interrupted Renji when he heard where it was going. He stood behind Atsumi with a folder he needed to drop off to Kuchik. Renji looked down at Atsumi and said "The captain is busy. Come back later."

Reni squeezed in the door and Atsumi said "I just wanted to ask if Captain Kuchiki had to approve the unions in his domain."

Renji said "Unions?" as he approached the desk.

"Yea, like marriages of his noble subjects."

"Why do you wanna waste his time like that?"

Atsumi appreciated Renji's question. 'He's telling me to leave for Kuchiki's sake, but giving me an opportunity to voice my questions. He's smarter than I gave him credit for.' "Well I wanted to know f he had to approve Tashi's marriage to Yukimaru."

"I think there's time before that, eh?" said Renji dropping the folder o the desk.

"Not really. She's been told to give up her sword. The wedding is a month from now."

Renji's surprise distracted Atsumi and she missed Byakuya's reaction, or rather if had any at all. Renji said "But she hates that little puke! She has to petition for squads before she can be seated properly! The time has passed for those foregoing a seated officer spot, even as a back up! If she doesn't petition she can't be a Shinigami! She'll have to wait an entire freakin' year!"

Atsumi sighed and said "and she's giving up a bright future as a Shinigami for that doofus Yukimaru."

Renji's protective nature began to bleed through and his determined frown held back a host of invectives. Kuchiki then said, without looking up from his work "This is none of my concern. Atsumi-san, please waste your time elsewhere."

Atsumi was understandably insulted "Fine!" she snapped "here" She pulled out a scroll. "Maybe you'd like this. It's the announcement."

Atsumi dropped the scroll in Byakuya's IN box and left.

Renji looked at the scroll and then at his inscrutable captain. "But captain! Why did you have me keep tabs on her if—"

"Renji" he said silencing his subordinate. "If she is no longer going to be a Shinigami, she is no longer our concern. She will honorably fulfill her duties as a royal wife."

Renji couldn't believe his Captains heartlessness when they knew Tashi's distaste for Yukimaru and her potential to be a great Shinigami. Renji and Byakuya were both aware of Yuki's less than honorable activities. "If she chooses to marry him she cannot be a Shinigami" said Renji.

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Eri watched Tashi pack her possessions. Tashi pulled her clothing out of a dresser and Eri sat on the bed helping fold the smaller items. Tashi's new black robes and zanpaktouo were carefully placed on her bed. "Tashi…how…how can you just give it all up? For Yuki, no less?"

Tashi calmly continued to pack and without looking at Eri said "It is my duty. A union between Touichi and Satsuna will be helpful to not only my parents butt to the people who live in our land."

Eri said "Are you deaf, dumb, and blind, Tashi? Yukimaru is—"

Tashi slammed a drawer shut and aid "I know, but I don't have a choice." Tashi became a bit more flustered and said "Why are you and Atsumi bringing to make this harder for me? SHIT ERI!"

Eri was stunned at Tashi's outburst. She was also surprised the girl swore. Eri's anger surged and she yelled "Yuki's a loser in more ways than one, and if you think that'll be good for your family think again Tashi! It's easy to have others make decisions for you, but maybe it's time you made some on your own!" Eri then threw down a folded item and stormed out of the room.

Tashi picked up her suitcase and left it near the door for the footman to pick up the next day. She stared at the suitcase thinking about her pending marriage. An unpleasant thought crossed her mind, she shook her head to get rid of it, but it followed her all the way back to her room.

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The weeks passed and Tashi did not undergo the Shinigami ceremony and missed the period of time the students were permitted to petition for the 13 squads. Two days after when the window of petitioning closed, the 13 captains had a meeting. They reviewed the new graduate's profiles and discussed their thoughts about each of the candidates. Ukitake casually asked "So who has Tashi Touchi's application?"

Everyone at the table looked to each other assuming her name would be among them. After a few silent moments of these looks Byakuya finally said "Touchi-san is to be married in two weeks."

Captain Komamura said "So why isn't she here?"

At the head of the table, Yamamoto scratched the x shaped scare on his bald head and said "When a noble woman commits her self to marriage she does so fully and completely. She cannot be both a Shinigami and the head of her household."

Kyouraku threw a glance over to Ukitake who looked very disheartened. Soi Fong swore under her breath and Unohana smoothed out her papers. Zaraki was the first to speak. "Huh. The Nutcracker, right? Mmm. If she loves this boy more than living as a Shinigami then she wouldn't fit for my squad anyway."

"Unohana smoothed out her writing tablet and said quietly "It is a royal wedding Captain Zaraki. Love has very little to do with it."

Yamaoto interrupted and said "The loss of one of our brightest students is quite sad, but we now have other new graduates to consider."

The captains solemnly continued their discussion.

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It was Tashi's wedding day. She sat on the edge of her bed staring at her feet. One of the servants came in and sat down next to her. The servant unbraided Tashi's hair and began to comb it out. Another woman came in with a large wooden box and three others followed with similar packages.

Tashi bathed and her hair was washed, dried and perfumed. She was brought to another room to dress. Tashi stared into a full length mirror. In the mirror, through the open door behind her, Tashi could see the maids preparing her outfit; her wedding dress.

It was a decadent white kimono newly commissioned for this occasion. 'The order for that kimono must have been put in when I first entered the Academy.' One of the servants then began to dress her. Each layer of clothing bound her tighter, and lay heavier on her shoulders. Soon when Tashi thought she couldn't hold herself up anymore the obi was bound. It forced her posture to be perfect and bound her tighter. 'I'll have to wear these everyday after I'm married. I'll be bound like this all the time.' Tashi longed for the comfort of her Shinigami uniform.

When her clothing was in place she was helped into another room where the hair dresser was waiting. Tashi kneeled and the hair dresser began to pull and yank her hair into place. Her scalp was throbbing and her neck began to ache. The hair dresser began to put in the jeweled hair pins and valuable decorative combs. A woman then sat in front of her and began to apply Tashi's make-up.

Tashi felt the hairdresser back away and her mother entered the room. She wasn't as bright and bubbly as Tashi expected her mother to be. Her mother said "This white face paint will help you hide your feelings today." Her mother picked up a white hood that Tashi was going to put over her hair. "This hood is said to bind a woman's horns and represents the obedience she pledges to her husband." Tashi's mother became serious and said "It is easier to do what your husband says, Tashi. I knew women who tried to go against their husbands, and ended up trying to scrounge out a living in the lesser districts of Rukongai. Don't be foolish, Tashi."

"Yes, mother." The make-up artist then put on the finishing touches to Tashi's makeup: red paint for her lips. She didn't put the paint all over her mouth, but created a small mouth, one of which would not be affected whether the corners of her mouth were smiling or frowning.

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Byakuya Kuchiki stepped out from his palanquin and approached the Touichi residence. It was a large residence, and had finely kept grounds. An official announced Kuchiki's presence at the door and they were immediately allowed in.

Byakuya said "I want to see Tashi and congratulate her. Unfortunately I do to have the time to attend the ceremony later."

It was an unorthodox request, but the servants could not refuse the lord of their domain. A servant from downstairs made her way up to Tashi's room. She bowed in the doorway and announced "Kuchiki-sama requests the presence of Tashi-sama" This was just as Tashi's mother helped finish securing the hood over Tashi's hair.

"What? What did you say?" Tashi's mother said "Tashi I knew he was at your house that one day, but how well do you know him?"

Tashi was snapped out of her daze at the sound of his name. Tashi was confused at why he demanded to see her before and replied "Not well, not well at all."

Kuchiki was escorted to the reception room and seated in the finest chair. He was offered their best tea and a variety of dishes to eat. He declined them all. He sat in silence, waiting with two of his officials.

Kuchiki heard the rustle of heavy fabrics and the clinking of ornaments as Tashi approached the room. When Tashi appeared in the doorway she looked like a ghost. Two young attendants helped carry her kimono and when Tashi kneeled (in her perfect posture) the attendants fixed her clothing once again. Tashi's mother took a chair behind Tashi's left.

Kuchiki spoke first "Congratulations Tashi."

Tashi's father was rolled in and said "You honor us with your presence sire."

Kuchiki slid his grey orbs towards the crippled man and said nothing. He spoke again to Tashi "Yukimaru is the groom correct?"

"Yes sire" she said.

Her fathers spoke freely again "With this union the boarder disputes will vanish and your southern domain will be at peace! No more squabbles to waste your time, sire"

Tashi thought 'That was only your time father.'

Kuchiki said "Though I have never seen you wearing traditional garb before you look like a proper royal bride."

Tashi's mother said "She has been trained for years. Milord."

"Mmm. She has." Kuchiki looked down at Tashi, bowing at his feet and said "I hope this marriage brings you great…honor."

"Oh it will! It will" said Tashi's father.

Tashi's hands were shaking Kuchiki thought perhaps it was fatigue until she balled them into fists "No, father…" she peeped. Then with more force she said "It won't" She lifted her head with speed and force shaking her hair ornaments. The fire in her eyes took her father aback. "It won't bring our family anything but different troubles."

Tashi's mother was horrified at her daughter being so outspoken, especially in front of Byakuya Kuchiki. "TASHI!" she gasped.

Tashi looked at her father and said "Yukimaru is bad with his money father, our treasury will be empty in month." She said to her mother "And if you're worried about reputation he has more skeletons in his closet than I care to describe." She bowed her head and grumbled and "Who knows how many illegitimate children."

Her father snapped "Who cares about his indiscretions! We all have them!"

Tashi said "You'll care once his 'indiscretions'; come to make claims on your throne!"

Tashi's mother said "Well I never….It's a bit late now."

Tashi stood with out the help of her attendants and sad "No it's not"

Kuchiki passively watched the family. Tashi realized after her brother passed she was the only heir. She had all the power. "I will not marry Yukimaru!"

"You will do as we say!" said her father.

She argued "not if it's not good for this family or the lands and people we are supposed to care for!"

Tashi ripped off her hood and threw I on the floor. "I am not marrying that loser!" She then picked up her own skirts to leave. She bowed to Kuchiki and said Thank you very much sire! Please excuse me."

Then she stormed out of the room.

She wiped a stripe of her make up off her face. She ran back up to her private room and locked the door. She began to cry, but counted what she had set out to do.

Byakuya watched her parents argue. Her father said 'This is all your fault!'

"What?"

"Yes your fault! Allowing her the freedom of going to that damned academy! What the hell were you thinking!"

"What was I thinking? You're the one who paid the tuition!'

"You said if we gave her freedom during that rebellious time she would come back to us easier! That's the only reason I agreed to this!"

"You're the one who encouraged her! What was with the 'I need you to be strong' crap?"

"We needed to make her feel she had control!"

The parents then realized Byakuya and his officials were still there and were embarrassed by their wild daughter, their own outbursts.

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Tashi awkwardly removed her obi and the layers of constricting clothing. She ran to the back of her closet and dropped to her knees. She pushed away a layer of shoes and hat boxes. She pulled out a wooden kimono box with the sign of the Shinigami carved on the cover. She flung the cover aside and inside sat her Shinigami uniform. She quickly redressed, and pulled out her zanpaktouo and slid it neatly in her belt. She walked straight to her front door and found her parents bowing to Kuchiki and apologizing for their daughter. She watched. Byakuya saw her and exited with his officials wordlessly.

Tashi went to follow and her father said "If you leave Tashi, we'll never take you back!"

Tashi sighed and said "I could have led this family better than almost any man I married. If you disown me, it's your loss. I am your only heir now. Plot more carefully."

"Tashi! Yelled her mother tearing up at the loss of her daughter.

Her father was just angry. "Get out! GET OUT! I never want to see you r face here again you treacherous wench!"

Tashi turned around and left her family.

My computer had a miricle revival last night and I was lucky to post the last of this story. Thanks again! And once I get a new computer I'll be sure to finish this up for you:)