A/N: Hey everyone! Thank you so much for voting on my poll! You helped out a lot. In case you didn't see, the side pairing that has been chosen by you all, is Ukitake x Unohana. By 1 point! But because I feel so guilty for all you Urahara x Yoruichi fans that missed out, that I will be doing a UraYoru one-shot called Crimson Princess soon. :) So I hope that everyone is happy with the side pairing. I love you guys! Thank you! Shout out to: Byakuya-sensei! She practically co-wrote this chapter with me, seeing as I have a serious case of writer's block. Swing by her profile and check out her awesome stories! :) Read and Review please. But no flames! As flames shall be used as pencil lead to write my stories! BWHAHA!
Byakuya Did Whaaaa?~
Byakuya immediately let go of Rukia and she jumped away from him a little. Then they both started blushing, with unique expressions on their faces. They both looked like teenagers who got caught doing something bad. Rukia has turned an even darker shade of red, if it were even possible. Even Byakuya was blushing. But luckily, none of the Elders noticed their odd predicament.
"Byakuya, Rukia, we have made an important decision." The eldest Elder said.
"We have decided that we are NOT going to kick Rukia out. However, we have a condition…" Another one of the Elders said, directed towards Byakuya.
"And what condition is that?" Byakuya asked the Elder.
"She has to leave the house for 3 weeks." Yet another Elder said.
"3 weeks? Why?" Rukia asked.
"Well because little Byakuya here is so sick, we are going to keep him under the direct care of Unohana-Taichou during the time Rukia is gone. Rukia, you have to stay with your own Taichou during this time. We have already talked to him and he agreed to take you in." Kureijī Kuchiki, the Elder who visited the manor when Rukia was taking Byakuya to the 4th, said.
"Why?" Byakuya asked.
"Well, because we feel you and Byakuya need a little time away from each other. We have noticed that Byakuya never has time to look into finding another wife because he is too busy with you. So we are going to give Byakuya 3 weeks to find another wife." The Elder turned to Byakuya. "You have the entire Soul Society to choose from. Everyone and anyone that you choose to date shall be ordered to comply. Please make your decision wisely. Remember, we need an heir."
"You must have lost your minds! You finally do something smart and realize Rukia is not Public Enemy number one, and then you have to go and do something as stupid as this!" Byakuya said to all of the Elders. "I have told you time and time again I do not wish in remarrying just anyone! I understand that you want an heir, but you cannot get rid of me just yet, as much as you want to. I am not close to death. I still have a long life ahead of me. Why must you push the situation as far as to bring Rukia into this?"
Rukia looked carefully at Byakuya's face. He looked scared. Byakuya Kuchiki. SCARED. It was one of the weirdest moments of Rukia's life, seeing HIM scared. Rukia interjected before things got worse. "Byakuya-sama, I believe that they have made the right decision. If I am in the way of your happiness then I will leave without sadness or anger. I am just privileged that I am still allowed to be a part of your life." Rukia said looking at Byakuya with all seriousness.
"Rukia…are you sure about this?" Byakuya asked, his eyes softening.
"Hai, Byakuya-sama."
"Alright. We'll agree to your terms." Byakuya said turning towards the Elders. "But can you leave my room now?"
"Fine. But be warned Rukia, a lot of housewives wouldn't want to live with their husband's sister." One of the Elders said while leaving Byakuya's room.
~.*.*.*.~
"Rukia. Thank you." Byakuya said after the Elders left his room.
"You're welcome, Byakuya-sama." Rukia said
"I think that you'll be leaving in the morning. You're going to need some sleep. Go to bed. I will see you in the morning."
"Hai. Goodnight, nii-sama." She said getting ready to leave his room.
"Oh, and Rukia?" Byakuya asked.
"Yes?"
"Please forget what I was talking about earlier." He said.
"Sure, nii-sama." Rukia said quietly leaving Byakuya's room. Rukia was sad. She was so happy that Byakuya was finally talking about his feelings. Now, Byakuya was going to be marrying some woman that she didn't even know! Rukia started to cry softly as she ran to her bedroom.
When she got to her bedroom, she threw herself on her bed and cried herself to sleep.
~.*.*.*.~
"Rukia-sama, it is time to get up. We have to pack." Kasumi said, shaking Rukia lightly. The curtains were already wide open and the room was filled with the white morning glow.
"Kasumi, the last thing I want to do is leave FASTER than I was going to before." Rukia said turning to the other side in her bed.
"Rukia-sama, please understand. Lord Byakuya-sama said he would be here in two minutes!" Kasumi said, again trying to pick Rukia up out of bed. Kasumi stopped her failed attempts to get out some kimono and her shinigami shihakushō and pack it into a fairly large suitcase. She then picked up Rukia's zanpakuto off of its stand in her room, which immediately woke Rukia up. Rukia and Sode no Shirayuki, as with all shinigami and their respective zanpakuto, have their thoughts interconnected. So when another person besides Rukia picked up Sode no Shirayuki, she screamed. And that same scream traveled from Sode no Shirayuki straight to Rukia's brain, which made her get up out of bed like a piece of toast coming up from a toaster.
"I am glad you are finally up, Rukia-sama. Would you like your zanpakuto back, now?" Kasumi said bowing and extending her arms forward so Rukia could easily pick up her zanpakuto from her hands.
"Kasumi…Don't ever do that again. That scream will haunt me for a very long time." Rukia pushed her covers off of her and grumpy sat up in her bed. Rukia took the zanpakuto from her maid and set it on her bed while she got dressed in the clothes that she laid out for her. Once she was dressed in her usual shinigami uniform, she equipped her sword at her waist and walked out of her bedroom.
As Rukia started down the hallway, she was too busy listening to Sode no Shirayuki's complaints to notice that Byakuya was walking right towards her. Byakuya, too, was busy. He was trying to figure out to strategically kill off all of the elders and get away with it. The two together, were so busy, that they didn't have time to stop before they ran into each other. Rukia, being the smaller of the two, fell backwards on her butt. But Byakuya, on the other hand, didn't even notice that he ran into anything as he kept on walking. Luckily he stepped over Rukia, and not on her.
Rukia picked herself up and without a word she chased after him.
"OW! What the hell?" Byakuya screamed as Rukia hit him over the head, like she does with Renji and Ichigo.
"YOU! You knocked right into me and then STEPPED OVER ME! You didn't even notice that I just broke my butt on this hard-ass floor!" Rukia screamed stepping on her tippy-toes trying to get to his level.
"I...did? I am so sorry, then. Are you okay, Rukia?" Byakuya asked looking genuinely concerned for her. Rukia swooned at this. She just loved the way he said her name and had that adorable look on his face. 'No! No! I must not have these thoughts. Especially since Byakuya is getting married now...It's not proper.' Rukia thought to herself. Her smile immediately turned into a frown as she thought about this. She simply walked past Byakuya and into the Living Room that connected to the door that led to the Kuchiki Manor gates. Byakuya looked upset as he followed behind her.
Kasumi was already in the Living Room waiting for Rukia, so she could hand her her luggage. Rukia, just arriving in the living room, softly grabbed the luggage out of her hand and gave her a quick hug just as Byakuya was arriving in the room. "Bye Kasumi. I will miss you very much. Thank you."
"You are very welcome, Rukia-sama." Kasumi said, blushing and bowing at the same time.
"Rukia! Wait! I was going to walk you to Ukitake's." Byakuya said walking fast after her.
Rukia turned around and looked at him with a look of intensity that made Byakuya stop in his tracks. "No. I can't. I have to leave. I refuse to be in the way of your life. Don't come with me. Don't follow me!" Rukia let out all of her pent up anger at one moment. This side of Rukia slightly scared Byakuya. He had never seen Rukia like this. She was...jealous.
"Rukia. Please listen to me. No matter what happens nothing will ever change between us. All I want is your happiness. I am going to walk you to Ukitake's. I apologize that the Elders are making you do this, but it is not my fault. I would stop it if I could...and trust me, I have been trying to stop it." Byakuya walked closer to Rukia and grabbed her suitcase and walked out of the door, leaving Rukia standing there, expressionless. After a couple minutes of just standing there, Rukia walked out of the door to catch up to him.
Soon after that, Kasumi left to go inform the Elders of Rukia's recent absence.
~.*.*.*.~
"Rukia, I don't expect you to be happy about this, but could you at least speak to me?" Byakuya said walking side by side with the petite raven-haired girl. They were on their way to the 13th Division to see Ukitake.
"...I am...not unhappy." Rukia said sadly.
"Rukia, after all that has happened since Aizen's death, I think I know you better than that. You ARE unhappy. Would you like to talk about it?" Byakuya took Rukia's hand in his and led Rukia to a bench under a sakura tree.
"So?" Byakuya questioned after the two had sat down.
"Well, I am kind of upset about leaving. I had thought that the Elders were going to let me stay after Ginrei-Ojii-sama's speech. I guess I am just kind of shocked. And now...you're getting married in the next three weeks." Rukia said.
"Rukia, I am going to fight this. After your sister's death, I thought I could never love again. I thought that, but now...I realize I was wrong."
"What do you mean, Nii-sama?"
"I mean that I already know who I am going to marry because I am already in love." Byakuya said looking Rukia straight in the eyes.
"Really? That's great. I wish you happiness. I really do." Rukia looked down to hold back the tears. She loved him. She really did. Now, he was going off and marrying another woman. Heck, he was already in love with that woman. 'Whoever it is sure is lucky' Rukia thought to herself.
"Can we get going now, Nii-sama?" Asked Rukia, standing up.
"Sure, as long as you're okay."
"I am. Thank you." Rukia lied.
The rest of the way to the 13th Division held nothing but silence. Along the way, a few people stopped to ask Kuchiki-Taichou if he was feeling better. Apparently, when Rukia carried him to the 8th, the entire world witnessed him at his weakest moment. Which did not make Byakuya happy. 'How could all of these people see me in only the couple minutes she was carrying me?' He thought.
When they arrived at the 13th, they were greeted by familiar faces. Renji, Kiyone, and Sentaro all came out of the door with a loud burst, right before Byakuya was going to open the door. So the three goofballs were met face to face with Byakuya and Rukia, as they stopped their mindless laughter.
"Hey Rukia! I was just over here looking for you." Renji looked up from Rukia to his taichou. "Hey Capt'n, whatcha doing here?"
"Nothing, Renji. What did you want?" Rukia answered for Byakuya.
"Oh not much really, just wanted to talk. If you are busy, I can leave." Renji said politely.
"No. It's fine. Go ahead and wait for me in my office, I'll be right there." Rukia said with a fake-smile.
"Okay. Bye Taichou!" said Renji, walking back into the division.
"Rukia, do you want us to leave?" Kiyone and Sentaro asked simultaneously, in a very creepy manner.
"Nooo, but do you mind getting Ukitake-Taichou for us?" Rukia asked while Byakuya just stood there staring off into space.
"Sure!" They both said at the same time. "We don't mind! Be right back!"
"I'll be back first!" Kiyone said.
"No! I will!" Sentaro said.
"STOP! GO!" Byakuya finally broke his silence, getting impatient. Too bad he scared the living crap out of the two third-seats, because they ran into the division faster than the speed of light. When they had left, Byakuya looked down at Rukia and noticed that she still looked fairly upset.
"Rukia, are you sure that you are okay with this?" Byakuya asked, genuinely concerned.
"Honestly, yes. I am. I am just worried that after you get married, that I'll be kicked out. I know that it sounds selfish, but it's not because I like the luxury. I mean I do like it, but-" Rukia was cut off.
"Rukia, I understand. You don't have to say anything. You are scared that you will have to live in Rukongai again. It's okay, I won't let you live there again." Rukia slapped her palm on her forehead.
"No. That's not what I meant. Byakuya nii-sama, I have had many great times in the Kuchiki Manor with you. I am scared that after you get married I will never get to see you again." Rukia said.
"Rukia..." Byakuya started.
"Hello Rukia, Byakuya." Ukitake said nodding at the younger shinigami.
"Ukitake." Byakuya said bowing his head towards him. "I believe you were already informed about the situation."
"Yes. I was." Ukitake said.
"Well, there has been a slight change in plans. I would like Rukia to be my fukutaichou. The Elders said that she couldn't live in the Kuchiki Manor, but nothing about Rukia's position as a shinigami. I believe that she is more than worthy of the fukutaichou position, don't you agree, Ukitake."
"Well, of course. I have been asking you to let her become my fukutaichou for years." Ukitake said matter-of-factly.
"Then, from this day on Rukia is the fukutaichou of the 6th Squad."
"But Byakuya, you know that you have to take the qualification test to become a fukutaichou." Ukitake said, worried.
"Then she will be taking them immediately." Byakuya said. "Rukia, go unpack your stuff at your new home, and then grab Renji and meet me at your new division."
"Um, okay, Nii-sama." Rukia said, glancing at Ukitake before walking into her old division.
~.*.*.*~
"Renji?" Rukia asked to get his attention.
"Yeah." Renji said.
"We need to talk." Rukia said.
"I know that already! Why do you think I am here?" Renji sat up from the couch to make room for Rukia to sit down with him.
"Well, let's start at the beginning..."
~.*.*.*.*~
"Byakuya, what are you planning on doing?" Ukitake asked.
"Doing about what?" Byakuya asked back.
"Rukia got kicked out of her home and ordered to live with me. So you change her division and rank as a shinigami. How does that solve your problem?"
"It doesn't. But it did solve some of Rukia's problems." Byakuya replied.
"How so?"
"She said that she was going to miss all of the times that me and her spent together in the Kuchiki House. Well, while she is staying here with you, she can still work with me and see me whenever she wants now." Byakuya said.
"And what are you going to do about Renji?" Ukitake asked.
"I am going to give the idiot a promotion...I am going to have him take the Captains Exam."
"To fill which division?" Ukitake asked.
"I think that he'd fit the 9th, don't you agree?"
"Well..." Ukitake started, but was interrupted by a fast-talking Byakuya.
"Yes. I think that is what I will do. Good-bye Ukitake. Thanks." Byakuya said as he shunpoed off to do god-knows-what.
~.*.*.*.~
"Unohana-Taichouuuu!" Hanataro came running down the halls of the 4th Division to see his Captain.
"Hanataro", Unohana started with her signature creepy glare, when he came into her office. "It is not proper to run indoors. Yes?"
"H-h-hai taichou! But umm...someone from the Kuchiki Clan came by to-"
"I know Hanataro. They came to tell me that I need to check up on Kuchiki Byakuya-san. Thank you Hanataro. I appreciate you coming here to tell me. You may get back to work now." Unohana said, getting up from her chair behind her desk and walking past Hanataro.
~.*.*.*.*.~
"Kuchiki Byakuya. What brings you here today?" Yamamoto Sou-Taichou asked, looking as intimidating as ever.
"I would like to request for my current fuku-taichou, Abarai Renji, to take the Captains Exam for the position of 9th Squad Captain." Byakuya said looking back at the man seriously.
"Abarai Renji, eh? Well, first we need two more Captains to recommend him for the position of Captain and then he may take the exam." Yamamoto said.
"That's not a problem..." Byakuya said turning around and walking out of the door.
~.*.*.*.*.~
"That's basically everything. The Elders ordered me to stay with Ukitake-taichou while Byakuya-nii-sama has to look for a wife. Since they decided on this, I don't need to stay with you and also I'll still be able to see Nii-sama," Rukia said, as she looked down at her hands.
"Still, I can't believe the Elders did that. What does Taichou think of all this?" Renji asked as he leaned back against the couch.
"He's mad, of course," Rukia replied. Suddenly she remembered why she was over there. "Renji, there is something else."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"You remember when we were outside earlier?" Rukia asked.
"Yeah! What did the bastard do now?"
"Nothing, nothing." She quieted down to a whisper. "He only gave me your position as fukutaichou."
"Did you say something?" Renji asked.
"Um...yeah...Renji?"
"Yes?" he said impatiently, awaiting to hear what she had to say.
"I don't think Byakuya and you are going to see each other anymore." Rukia said a little louder this time.
"Why is that?"
"Because he kinda gave me your job."
"HE WHAT?" Renji cried in outrage.
"Come on," she says, standing up. "We're supposed to meet Byakuya at his office." When she noticed that Renji was not moving, she grabbed his hair and dragged him out screaming. Quickly stopping by Ukitake's office, she said goodbye and continued dragging Renji to the 6th Division.
~.*.*.*.*.~
A couple of minutes later, a knock came to Ukitake's office. "Come in."
Unohana-taichou opened the door and stepped inside hurriedly. "Jushiro, I was told that Byakuya was here since I could not locate him at the 4th."
Ukitake sat down at his desk with his fresh brewed tea. "He was, but he had some matters that he needed to attend to." Unohana moved to leave, but Ukitake stood up and caught her hand. "Retsu, I was wondering...would you like to join me for a cup of tea?"
Unohana looks at Ukitake, staring into his dark brown eyes. "Jushiro," she says with a smile on her face, "I would love too."
Jushiro smiles as he tightens his hand around Retsu's. He leads them back over to his desk, where they sit and he pours her a cup of tea.
~.*.*.*.*.~
Byakuya arrives back at his office wondering which two captains he could get to recommend Renji for the Captain's exam. Upon opening his door, he was greeted by the sight of Renji and Rukia sitting closely together on his couch, laughing. The two of them were oblivious to his presence. Hiding his reiatsu, he stood there watching them. At that moment, he was consumed by an emotion that he never thought he would feel. Jealousy. Kuchiki Byakuya, the 28th head of the noble Kuchiki clan and taichou of the 6th division, was jealous. Finally seeing enough, he clear his throat and the two officer jumped apart. "Abarai, hallway now!" he practically shouted, turned and headed out the door.
Renji looked at Rukia, who just shrugged her shoulders. Getting up, he headed out to the hallway where Byakuya was waiting. "Taichou?"
Byakuya turned to face Renji and stepped closer to the younger man. "I don't know why you were sitting so close to my sister, but rest assured, I'm not happy about that. But for now, I am going to let it go. You and I have a lot more important matters to attend to." Byakuya gave him a truly evil smile, which made Renji stumble back a bit. "First, we have to make a couple of pit stops."
"Pit stops?" he asked dumbfounded.
"Yes, let's go."
"WHAT? WAIT...UGGH!" he exclaimed, as he never got to finished since Byakuya had grabbed his wrist and dragged him out of the 6th division, in the direction of the 8th division.
Upon reaching the 8th, they were greeted by Ise-fukutaichou. "This way, Kuchiki-taichou." Upon reaching Kyouraku's office, she knocked and heard a mumbled 'Come in'. Opening the door, she ushered Renji and Byakuya inside. "Taichou, Kuchiki-taichou and Renji are here to see you."
Kyouraku Shunsui was laying on his couch, but opened his eyes and sat up when he heard Nanao. Looking between them, his gaze landed on Byakuya. "Does this pertain to what Ukitake mentioned to me?"
"Yes," he replied, nodding his head.
"Well you two have my recommendation. I will send it to Old Man Yama-Jii right away." Shunsui said getting up from his couch.
"Thank you Kyouraku. We'll be on our way then."
"Okay. Bye Kuchiki-Taichou! Come back another time we can have a sake party!" Shunsui said as he watch Byakuya grab Renji's wrist again and drag him out of the 8th Division.
Finally reaching the 13th division, they head inside the main hall. Upon reaching Ukitake's office, Byakuya noticed that the door were closed. As he put his hand up to get ready to knock, he heard noises coming from inside. Curious as to what they were, he places his ear up to the door. What he heard was something he never expected. "Ahhhhh...Ukitake, don't stop," came the moan of Unohana-taichou. Wide-eyed, Byakuya stepped back from the door. Turning to Renji, he couldn't help but laugh on the inside because of the look that was on his face.
"Okay, that is an image I did not need in my mind," Renji said, backing away. All of a sudden, Renji burst out in tears. Byakuya chuckled at the sight of Renji crying. He found a chair to sit down in and waited.
After a few minutes, the lock on the door could be heard turning and the door opened. Ukitake and Unohana walked out holding hands. Ukitake looked over and noticed Byakuya sitting there. "Oh, Byakuya, nice to see you again."
Byakuya was about to respond, but was interrupted by a loud thud. Unohana, Ukitake, and him turn to the sound. They are greeted by the sight of Renji banging his head against the wall. Renji had his head leaning against the wall. He couldn't believe the sounds that he had heard coming from the office. "I will never get that image out of my mind," he kept muttering to himself, banging his head constantly.
Grinning, Byakuya turned his attention back to Ukitake and Unohana. "I was wondering if you would give the 2nd recommendation that is needed, Ukitake?"
Ukitake looked over Byakuya's should at Renji. "I'll be more than happy too, Byakuya," he said chuckling. "I'll send the recommendation right away to the 1st so it should be there by the time you get there."
"Thank you very much, Ukitake." Byakuya turned, heading to the front and grabbed Renji's wrist again.
Renji's eyes shot open quickly as he felt Byakuya grab it. "Oh, no, not again," he mumbled as he felt himself being dragged again by Kuchiki-taichou.
Before heading out the door, Byakuya turned back to Ukitake and Unohana. "I believe a congratulations is in order," he said with a smile on his face. Making sure he had a grip on Renji's wrist, he dragged him away and shunpoed in the direction of the 1st division.
A/N: Happy almost Thanksgiving for all my fellow Americans! And for everyone else, Happy almost Thursday! The next chapter will have the first lemons of the story. And yes, there will be more UkiHana-ness. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Again, one more shout out to Byakuya-sensei for helping me so much with this!
Next Chapter: Byakuya's Plan~