Tale of the Two Lovers

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter 2

Later that afternoon, Rukia came face-to-face with Captain Hirako's bored, vaguely annoyed face when he opened Squad 5's barracks' front door. "Yeah? Oh. Hey, Rukia," he said. "What's up?"

Rukia made a polite smile. "Good afternoon, Captain. May I see your lieutenant?"

"Hmmmm? Okay, sure. Come in." Shinji stepped back and led Rukia through the barracks. "So what brings you?" he asked. He shoved his hands into his pockets as he shuffled along.

"I have a little, uh... art project I'm working on," Rukia said craftily. "I hoped Momo could help."

"Oh, right. Artsy stuff. Funny you mention that, 'cause she's in the back garden sketching squirrels," Shinji said. "That's cool with me, though. Sure beats having Mashiro as your lieutenant! I don't envy Squad 3." He snorted with amusement.

Shinji slid open the back door. "Here. Stay as long as you like. I've got some new vinyl records to listen to, anyway. See ya around." He shuffled off toward his office.

What a Captain, Rukia thought with a small grin. She stepped into the lovely garden.

"Oh! Hi, Rukia!" Momo, who sat on a wooden bench under a weeping willow, waved. A sketchbook was balanced on her lap.

"Hi, Momo." Rukia sat next to her friend and breathed in the sweet garden scents. "Do you have some free time? I've got a project in the works, and I hoped to have professional eyes on it."

"You flatter me." Momo beamed and scuffed the ground with her feet. "So, what are you working on? If it's nature sketches, I can show you a few tips from my latest works..." She held up the sketchbook, and sure enough, there was a big fat squirrel drawn right there.

"Well... it's more in the literature department," Rukia explained. She dug into her robes and got out her short story. "Nice sketch, by the way."

"Thanks. So, let's see what you've got..." Momo accepted the story from Rukia and read it at lightning speed.

Rukia fidgeted. "So? What do you think?"

Momo lowered the paper, a dismayed look on her face. "Rukia, this isn't any good."

Whoops.

"But..." Rukia spluttered. "I worked hard on that last night!"

Momo gave her a knowing look, the kind only an artist could give. Whoa, that was intense...

Rukia lowered her shoulders. "Okay, maybe not that hard. But seriously, what's wrong with it?"

"This feels more like brainstorming," Momo said, tapping the paper with a finger. "The narrative isn't compelling, and the two characters are thinly realized. That, and the prose is clunky and amateurish."

Rukia hung her head. "Oh. Uh... should I give up?"

"No, not at all!" Momo gasped. "I didn't mean it like that. Don't get discouraged, Rukia. I mean, this is probably your first foray into fiction, right?"

"Right."

Momo set down the paper and held Rukia's shoulders, her eyes burning with passion. "Then no matter what, I'll make a fantastic author out of you. You can do it! What do you say?"

Rukia hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Yeah. Let's do it!"

"Then let's get started." Momo cleared her throat and held up the story again. "What inspired you to write?"

"Well, I was doing my paperwork, and I decided to have a little fun."

Momo stared at her. "Don't tell me that's it?"

"Huh?"

Momo held a hand over her heart and sighed. "You need passion! Inspiration! A new lens through which to see the world, and a stunning narrative to weave! Getting bored of paperwork isn't why the literary masters became what they are. Well, maybe there was one, but..."

Rukia clenched her hands into fists on her lap. She stared down at them. "Well, there's another reason I thought of that story... promise me you won't tell anyone else about this..."

Momo nodded. "Go ahead."

"I'm engaged to Ichigo," Rukia explained in a rush, her face warming. "My big brother announced it last night. It's official."

Momo clapped her hands over her mouth. "I can't believe it! Congratulations! You must be so happy."

"It's kind of scary," Rukia admitted, "and it's a lot to process... but once I got over the initial shock, I realized something... that it could only be Ichigo. Byakuya was right."

Momo's face fell. "But what's wrong?"

"What's wrong is that stupid carrot-top is avoiding me!" Rukia exploded, chest heaving. "He won't even give it a chance! Or me a chance! And after all we've done for each other? The nerve!"

Momo patted Rukia's back. "I'm sure he'll come around. Like you said, it was a big shock..."

"But he could stand to show at least a little happiness," Rukia argued. "Right? I'm his best friend! But no, he goes crawling back to the human world like a scaredy-cat."

Momo rubbed her chin, studying her friend. "Hmmmmm... interesting."

Rukia jolted. "What is?"

"You have a lot of unprocessed and unexpressed feelings and desires," Momo said. "Yes, indeed! You're frustrated not only at Ichigo, but yourself. I'm thinking that you need this story so you can sort yourself out, and figure out what this engagement, and Ichigo, really mean to you."

"Whoa." Rukia stared. "You're like a psychic!"

"It was obvious enough from this story, even if it's badly done," Momo said with a teasing smile, indicating the paper. "Rukia, it's official: I must help you out. Together, we can make something wonderful."

"So, you'll be my editor?" Rukia shifted bashfully on the bench.

"Editor, sounding board, coach, friend, everything you need," Momo said, saluting.

"Then let's do it!"

"Perfect." Momo handed over the story's paper. "First, scrap this. It's quite awful."

Rukia went red. "I'm already regretting this."

"Come on..."

"All right." Rukia crumpled up the paper and tossed it into the garden's small pond. The rice paper turned into a soggy bit of pulp and vanished. Rukia sighed and sat back on the bench. "Okay, I'm starting over from square one."

"Exactly." Momo shifted in her seat to face Rukia, her eyes eager, her hands clasped under her chin. "Now, think about how you first met Ichigo, what your relationship to him has become, and everything in between. Can you do that?"

"Hey, that's an awful lot, Momo."

Momo waved a finger. "I'm your editor and coach. I need you to dig deep."

Rukia tucked up her legs and hugged them close. "But that's so much work, and I don't know where to start..."

"Do it!" Momo barked.

Rukia yelped. "Yes, ma'am!" She scowled. "Hey, don't do that!"

Momo giggled. "A little tough love comes with every editor, Rukia. If you want to make great fiction from the heart, you need to get pounded into shape like hot iron."

Rukia glanced up. "How much of this is going to be fiction, and how much will be autobiography? I'm getting a little confused here..."

"That's up to you, the author," Momo said. "What do you think you should do? How should this be expressed?"

Rukia stared at the pond's calm surface. "Well..."

"Yes?"

"My sister and brother-in-law are there for me, and I love my job," Rukia said slowly. "But Hisana and I grew up poor. There's some things I don't want to think about."

"And some you do, right?"

Rukia grinned. "Yeah."

"I suggest epic poetry," Momo said, her eyes bright as she pounded a fist on her open palm. "Yes... it's perfect! I can show you the proper techniques, and give you some study material. In no time, you'll weave your own narrative like a master!"

Rukia sat up. "Are you for real?"

"I'm for real that I'm for real." Momo beamed. "Whatever you're feeling inside, Rukia, you can spin it into a fine tapestry of the written word to inspire the masses!"

"Whoa, there." Rukia held out an open hand. "You're setting a pretty high bar."

"Because I know you can do it," Momo said sternly. "You get me? You can do it. Don't you dare back down!"

"Y-yes, ma'am!"

Rukia winced. She did it again! How did Momo have that effect on her?

Momo tore out a page from her sketchbook and handed it over, along with her pencil. "Here. Let's start brainstorming. Write down whatever comes to your mind as we talk things over."

Rukia accepted the supplies. "Okay."

"Now, when you see Ichigo, his face, his hair, or hear his voice, what do you feel?' Momo asked. She snapped her fingers. "Quick! Write it!"

"Yes, ma'am." Rukia pictured herself meeting her orange-haired fiancee and wrote down a few things without even realizing it.

"And when you hear his name, what do you think?"

Rukia wrote down something else.

"What about when you think back on his heroic deeds, or that time on Sogyoku Hill, or when he saved the Soul Society from the Quincies?"

More ideas.

"Or..." Momo made a sly smile. "What about when you think of him as your fiance, your one and only, the man you'll share your household and your very soul with?"

Bits of ink went everywhere as Rukia wrote at top speed. She felt her face warming again, her heart beating excitedly. Momo was right... this did feel good! All these pent-up thoughts... they poured out just like that.

Momo motioned. "Okay, let's see what you've got." She accepted the paper and read Rukia's brainstorming.

"Is it any good?" Rukia asked cautiously.

Momo went red and her hands trembled. "Rukia, th-this... this is...!"

"What?" Rukia eagerly leaned forward to hear Momo's answer.

An embarrassed but cunning smile spread across Momo's face.

*o*o*o*o*

Byakuya, snugly encased in a gigai and with Hisana by his side, stood on the Kurosaki Clinic's porch and knocked sharply three times.

The door swung open at once, and Issin Kurosaki's jovial frame filled the doorway. "Welcome to the clinic!" he cried, throwing his arms wide. "I can offer - what the...? Byakuya Kuchiki? Huh? What?"

"Good afternoon," Byakuya said, determined to inject a note of formality into the scene. "May I introduce my wife, Hisana Kuchiki? I don't believe you two have met."

"Nuh-uh. Nice to meet you!" Isshin actually held Hisana's hand and kissed it. "Welcome to Karakura Town."

Hisana giggled as Byakuya scowled. "What a kind fellow. So welcoming," she commented.

"Yes. Indeed," Byakuya said, mentally sighing. "May we come in, Mr. Kurosaki? We have something to discuss."

"Yeah! Make yourselves at home! I'll get beer." Isshin stepped back and let the Kuchikis into the living room, and he scampered to the fridge, returning with three beer cans. "Fancy a drink?"

Byakuya opened his mouth to say no, but the cool can was already forced into his hands. Humans...

"Anyway." Byakuya cleared his throat and took a seat at the kitchen table, Hisana next to him. "Isshin, in case your son did not tell you, he is now engaged to my sister-in-law, Rukia. I'm sure you remember her?"

Isshin's jaw dropped, his beer forgotten. "I-I don't believe it! The third daughter, engaged to my boy? I mean, whoa!"

Byakuya raised his eyebrows. "Your daughter?"

"Sorry, sorry. I should explain." Isshin waved a hand, growing misty-eyed. "For a while, Rukia stayed with us. What a sweetheart! Staying in Ichigo's closet and having the time of her life at school and hanging out with my family..."

Hisana giggled again behind her hand. "She really does sound like your unofficial daughter. I'm glad you got along with her so well. She can be... challenging for people who aren't ready for her."

"Yes," Byakuya said with forced patience. "But the point is: you needed to know, Isshin. Now, the engagement itself may last for some time. Of course, you are welcome to the Soul Society for the ceremony when the time comes. You can also use this time to make any appropriate preparations with your son."

"Hmmmmmm." Isshin glanced up and rubbed his bearded chin. "This is a lot to process, y'know. I mean, my boy is still in his senior year at the high school. And he's still neck-deep in college scouting! He's behind enough as it is... and now this?"

Byakuya stiffened. "You object? Marrying into the Kuchiki household is no small thing, in case I need to remind you."

Isshin sank onto the chair opposite Byakuya, leaning on his elbows, chin nestled in his hands. "Look, you all are some nice folks. Especially you, lady Hisana..." He winked at her, and Hisana chuckled. Byakuya narrowed his eyes dangerously.

"But about my son," Isshin added hastily, "I ain't sure he's even ready for this! He's never had a serious girlfriend before, no matter how much Yuzu and I tease him. Heck, I dunno if he's even emotionally mature enough!"

"I personally gauged him to be worthy," Byakuya said in chilly tones.

Fortunately, even an ape like Isshin was quick to get the implications. "Okay, so you see something in him," Isshin added, going pink in the face. "Didn't mean to offend, my dear sir. But all the same... whew, what a shock! Ichigo hasn't said a word, and believe me, even though he's usually sullen, this silence feels a litle... different than usual. I don't think he believes he's prepared for this, even if you do. Again, no offense intended."

Byakuya leaned back in his seat and sighed through his nose. This was like trying to cut leather with a butter knife. "The laws and customs of the Kuchiki noble house are absolute," he said. "And the head of the family is entrusted with the family's fortune and image. My word has considerable gravity to it."

"I know my sister," Hisana added earnestly. "I've never seen her happier than when she's with your son. And she talks about him all the time!" She smiled. "I know that look in her eyes. He means everything to her."

"Well, I'll be darned. My boy really is a lady's man," Isshin said, cracking a wide grin that was by no means returned. His face fell. "It may be too soon to force this, fellas. Ichigo needs his space. Trust me. I'm his pop."

Byakuya stood. "Then I will speak with your son myself. Where is he at this time of day?"

"At school," Isshin said off-handedly. Then he bolted to his feet in alarm. "Wait! Don't tell me you're gonna...?"

"A quick word with young mister Kurosaki should do some good," Byakuya said. "It shouldn't take long."

Isshin went pale. "H-hey! You'll give poor Ichigo a heart attack if you barge into his classroom like that."

"I do not barge in," Byakuya said peevishly. "I only need a little chat -"

"Honey." Hisana held her husband's arm. "I think Isshin's right; Ichigo needs more time. He'll come around. I'm sure of it."

"I... all right," Byakuya said. "Very well; we will take our leave, then, and I trust you, Isshin, to handle Ichigo properly."

"He's not a dog," Isshin retorted. Then he grinned. "But you're pretty close."

"I may be back next week, if necessary," Byakuya said as though there were no interruption. "I look forward to hearing about your son's enthusiasm for the engagement. Good day to you."

Byakuya led the way to the front lawn, and when he was so that no humans were looking, he opened a senkaimon gate, and both Kuchikis stepped in.

"I have to admit, dear husband, you may have been a little tactless back there," Hisana said with a teasing smile as they stepped onto the Kuchiki manor's front grounds.

"Was I, now?"

"Just a little. You need to put more faith in my sister and her fiance." Hisana took Byakuya's hand and led him inside. "Now get your butt inside, buster..."

This certainly wasn't over.