Ranting Author (Gung-ho Guns Version): Yeah. I've been recently CRAVING some Trigun action. Vash is so awesome. I wish I could have a super angel arm and fire out bullet torpedo things. I liked Wolfwood too. It's too bad that he died though, in Manga and the heavily distorted anime where he was in love with Millie.

He 'shagged' her the night before he died.

I hate Meryl.


-

Chapter IV
Circle of treachery

-

-

-

Ashamed to look at him, Rukia lowered her gaze. "Renji. I'm only here to clear things up. Nothing more. If you have something to say, save it until I'm finished speaking, alright."

He nodded, understanding what she was saying and continued to smile forlornly. "Alright."


"As you may know, a few months ago, Brother and I had a discussion on as to whom I was to wed. Back then, he had already decided on the individual, and thus, it is the one you know I am bound to now," Rukia shot a quick glance to her redheaded friend, and then switched to the other who was with them. Renji looked away and shook his head in dismay, turning his back to her and crossing his arms in a swift manner. "Days after he had established the pact with Hitsugaya-Taicho, and I was finally informed of my betrothal, I…could not stay in the Soul Society." She paused, gathering her thoughts, and Ichigo saw it to be a good moment to ask a question.

"So," he began in a curious tone, raising an eyebrow, "That's why you left here—to get away from it all? Just ran away? That's not like you."

"I didn't run, Ichigo." She gave him a fierce look, and sighed, returning to her explanation, "In fact, there was a mission issued to the Sixth, Eighth and Thirteenth divisions concerning a obstinate Hollow that emerged from time to time. Seeing a way out of my current situation, I accepted to annihilate the Hollow with selected others who had also agreed to this assignment." Rukia smiled faintly, chuckling to herself as a thought passed through her mind. "When Brother found out I had accepted…he was fuming, yet he never showed it in his expression. Even so, he permitted me to attend the project, though he was highly against it."

"Uh-huh." Ichigo flashed a half smile, "If I could only imagine that."

"Did I not say 'don't interrupt me'?" The raven-haired girl asked, sounding somewhat annoyed.

"You answered one of my questions before," The other retorted in kind.

"In any case," she restarted, "I took the mission, feeling as though it would give me time to think about the future, and that it would be somewhat of a simple assignment. However, the idea of it taking so long to find the hollow, or it even being closer to a Vice-Captain rank mission than my own, was merely not something I considered." Her gaze wandered to Renji, an inquisitive yet gloomy look in her eyes. She wondered what was his opinion. "Now you're aware of what I was doing for the past few weeks."

Renji's despondent gaze rotated to Rukia, inquiry in his expression.

Knowing it was for the best, even if he wanted to hear everything, Ichigo made a hasty escape sensing that alone time would benefit the both of them. The young shinigami disappeared, going who knows where.

"Why didn't you say anything before you left? That's all I wanna know—is why didn't you tell me anything? About your assignment; your beliefs on the current commitment the Captain forced you into." Renji looked away, turning to face the distant night sky once more. "You left without saying anything."

"I know…and I ask for forgiveness."

"You know I always do let you off the hook. Still no answer on my question though."

"Despite that," she stated plainly, a hint of indignation in her voice, "I can't tell you everything—but believe me, I'm so sorry."

"Why him? Why not me? You were supposed to tell him! Think of our early days, Rukia!"

"I know, I know, I know! I understand what you're trying to get across to me, but I can't just drop everything and say: 'No thanks, brother. I think I'll go do what I want now. I'm already engaged to Renji.' If I did that, who knows what he'd do to you." She paused, taking a sharp breath to hold back an oncoming sensation of misery. "Brother has done so much for me…"

"And have I done nothing?!" Renji exclaimed, eyes now burrowing into hers. His voice steadily rose in pitch as he argued until it was thriving with resentment. "Haven't I been there longer than them?! Don't you remember me?! Our relationship!" He stopped upon seeing the pooling tears in her eyes as they began to overflow, turning his back to her and lowering his voice. Renji could not bear to look at her—the one who put titles above love in importance. "Obviously, my existence has meant nothing to you."

"Renji, you know I love you."

"Indeed I do," His voice was bitter, full of sarcasm. The statement had no significance; being an empty reply. "You love me so much, that you'd throw away our engagement and accept another. How touching."

"Please, you have to be aware of —"

"I appreciate it, all right, and there's just one thing I wanna ask before I go: did you tell your glorious brother about us—about our affiliation and promise to be married?"

Rukia did not answer. Truth actually that she had no idea how to answer.

"I see." There was a hint of acidic amusement in his tone. "So you didn't even mention it, did you?"

He hopped down to the lower roof below without warning and she sprinted to the edge in alarm. "Renji! Wait! You didn't let me answer—"

His vacant stare turned upwards. "We're done here."

Then, he vanished.

"Please!" She screamed, although he was gone by now. Slumping to her knees, Rukia sat, sobbing in the darkness of night. "Don't leave me behind!"

He was fuming—more than annoyed. None other than his previous bride-to-be did the ultimate betrayal. At least, in his eyes she was the traitor; though on her side, she did what was best for him.


Rukia memorized that night so well, being that it was her most beloved remembrance before the turmoil and rejection came when her brother discovered her so-called treachery. It was the night when Renji, her long time companion and aficionado, made the pledge of a lifetime.

The Seireitei was celebrating a certain holiday, allowing its workers to do as they pleased that night—whether it was to visit family or wander though the streets. All of the Soul Society was in gaiety.

It was during festivities that he pulled her to the side, dragging her through the rukongai until they reached the location where their previous acquaintances were buried; the place where Renji avowed to become a Shinigami. So many events had taken occurred atop the cliff that it almost seemed so long ago that they last visited.

For hours they conversed, reflecting on their past, present, and suddenly, their future.

"Will you stay with me…as my wife?"

Her eyes widened in surprise and she gasped at his sudden request. The young man smiled slyly and reached, grabbing her hand gently and pulling her towards him. Rukia stiffened as she was pulled into an intimate embrace by the handsome vice-captain. From her knowledge of him, he was never one to suddenly show affection, and Renji would never request something such as this—marriage. It was nighttime and the both were currently atop the same cliff their previous best friends were buried on, outside the Court of Pure Souls.

There was a reason as to why Renji had chosen such a spot—to pull the big question. Festive music could be heard from out in the distance, making the forlorn environment almost romantic.

"Renji…I…" she began, her voice faltering as she spoke, "I don't know—I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything except that you'll stay with me." He smiled warmly and hopefully, pulling away to look at his radiant lover.

After a few moments of pondering, Rukia gazed up at him, eyes filled to the brim with tears. She truly did not know how to answer. "Brother will not approve of—"

"Kuchiki-Taicho?" He interrupted, "He will not understand, but I suppose that in the future he'll see it differently. He doesn't have to like it. Itis between us, after all." The red-haired Shinigami soothingly brushed a few tears from the young woman's cheek, still supporting that confident smile in which she adored. She nodded in agreement, but still felt a bit uneasy about the situation. "Perhaps you should deliver the message to him first—considering that his is your brother. If you need me, you know where to find me." Renji turned to leave, but she grabbed him by his sleeve. A joyful tune began to play from far-off in the distance; nevertheless, the night was still young during the celebration.

Rukia paused, and then spoke softly, "You assume that I agreed. Why is that?" She sighed and turned her gaze to the grass beneath her feet, "Is it all right if I…consider this over time." Rukia smiled sweetly, looking back up at him, "All this is so extremely startling. Give me some time to take it all in."

"Heh…All right then. Take as long as you need—just don't make me wait forever." He turned and gave her a small hug before leaving, heading back towards Seireitei. Rukia sighed deeply and stared off towards her next destination—the Kuchiki Estate.

The girl had no idea that before the night was over, a second fiancée would be added to the list.

Later that night, she had mustered up the courage to confront to Head of the Kuchiki house.

Silently, Rukia eased her way onto the cushion placed conveniently within Byakuya's room, hoping that he would discuss the most recent matter without argument. Rukia prayed her brother was in a agreeable mood.

The young noblemen and Captain of the sixth Division, shot an indifferent glance in the girl's direction from looking over his shoulder; and she, always feeling anxious around him even though he did not face her, nodded weakly and began with a barely audible statement of: "Byakuya-Nii-Sama."

After a few moments, he sighed and nodded, signaling that she could begin. Even though it was exceptionally late at night, the Head Kuchiki was entitled to attend festivals from time to time, and so he was still awake. "What is it? Be swift."

"Nii-Sama…This festival has brought many surprises and new experiences. I was able to express myself and find out new piece of information, also making a promise after simply looking in a particular someone's direction."

"You are stalling."

"No, no, Nii-Sama. I was just inferring that I…"

"…Are delaying the point. What is it? Answer."

"I am…I was asked to—"

"To what?" He was beginning to lose his patience and it showed in the growing irritated tone within his voice.

"To marry. Renji proposed—" she finally blurted out.

There was silence within the room, as Byakuya seemed to sit motionless.

"Byakuya-Nii-Sa—"

"You agreed…to marry that man?" There was nothing pleasing about his tone.

"I did not agree. He simply asked…"

"Good. Then there's still time to correct his dim-witted philosophy," The elder responded, rising to his feet and turning to face his sister. Luckily, the darkness did not show his fuming appearance, though she could feel the air around him was full of disgust. "Where is he now?"

"I don't know," She lied. "Please…I know that you're going to confront him on this, but please…consider this at least."

"Consider what? You marrying a plebeian?" He countered hardheartedly.

"I was one too, back before I entered the academy."

"That was then. I am addressing the present."

"But I love him…!" She trailed away from her sentence, sensing a slight change in the atmosphere.

"You don't seem to realize what I am trying to say," Byakuya unexpectedly declared sympathetically, not quite affectionately, "Aristocracy does not linger with—or wed, in your case—with the lower-class. It has been that way for many years." He turned his gaze to the side. "You were not born into nobility. I did not expect you to have recognized this."

"But…My sister. And you too, brother. We were the same."

"That was a mistake I made—and I know it was a calamitous one now. Hisana and I were not meant to—"

"So all this was just a mistake?! Everything and me being here was just an error?! What does that mean exactly?"

"It means," Byakuya declared, drowning out her dismayed voice. As he continued, his volume lowered and tone changed. He was nostalgic. "That when I became engaged to Hisana, I disregarded all the rules—no; when I first saw her, that was when I ignored the rules. Time and time again; one by one; I bypassed all the regulations just to satisfy my own desires and where did I end up in the end? A widower. Alone." Rukia stared at her elder brother, a questioning reaction radiating from her. What was he trying to tell her? What was his concealed message?

"And now," he continued, "You ask me to allow this matrimony between you and my vice-captain to take place? To put it simply, I forbid it."

"No! Please reconsider your choice!"

"I do have my reasons and there will be no re-evaluation. You cannot." He clenched his fist, standing just about gallantly. "Listen to me well. Your ignorance and endless devotion for that man blinds you from what I say, evidently." The elder paused, changing the topic. "Before Hisana passed away, she asked me to find you—and I did just that; but that was not her only request. She wanted me to adopt you into my family and permit you to call me brother. I have honored both her wishes, and now I act on those and the ones of my lineage."

"What…are you implying?"

"Try and be aware of my position, Rukia. This may seem vindictive, but I have the finest intentions." Byakuya moved, strolling casually in her direction until he passed his sister, stopping at the doorway and being only feet from her. He still had a few things to say before he called it a night. "I am the elder between we two; born first and what I say is law—not up for discussion. I know what is best and have chosen another—though he remains undecided for a reply. He will be well suited for you, a fellow captain: Hitsugaya Toushirou."

Rukia felt disloyalty from her brother, aggravation from his attitude and resentment all together. "This isn't right—"

"Silence. My judgment is absolute." He commanded firmly. "The Kuchiki name has been disgraced by my previous actions on wedding Hisana, and I know that." Back then, he had no care in the world when it came to what others thought of his decision, but as things were now he had to arbitrate. Even now he still believed his choice to marry Hisana was the best verdict made in his life, however, Rukia would have to suffer by it. To clear out the chaos he created was his first step. "

"But Renji…what do I do…?" She forced out, whipping around to face her brother and hopping to her feet with vigorous movements. "Just this once…let me have my way!"

"Do not think of me as the antagonist," Byakuya spoke with unforeseen warmth, still not facing her. "And forgive me if my words seem inconsiderate. You are familiar with my account and naught must be said on it. Don't follow my path on marrying for love. It never ends well. First his wife, then himself. Hisana passed and I wondered if I am to leave this world soon and follow her. Even the story of Kaien should tell you that." With that, he departed soundlessly, leaving Rukia to reflect on his words.

His answer had caught her off guard, almost like a low blow. He knew her weakness and exploited it. Her idol, the third seat female was possessed and killed by a Hollow; and by nightfall, so was the Vice-Captain of the Thirteenth Division. Both were husband and wife.

Only the surplus of frustration kept her from her terrifying feelings.


Ranting Author (Just-catching-up-a-bit Version): Yeah. I know. It's been a while.

Just thought I'd write something at least. Should clear up why Renji's been extra down and out. To sum it all up, Renji had proposed to her and she had not answered, yet he took it as a 'okay'.

-Vincentre