Here is the last chapter. There is also an epilogue with Tatsuki after this that will be out later today or tomorrow.
Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach
Rukia stood at the top of the steps, staring sadly at the front of the temple. The men where talking amongst themselves, and she had taken this time to have time to herself.
Ever since the war ended, Maroh had not left her alone for more than ten minutes. She figured that he was worried she would run back to Renji, which was exactly what she wanted to do. But like it had always been, the good of the Kuchiki family was at stake, and both her and Renji understood that.
Still, she could not stop the fact that she was not happy. She would never be happy without Renji.
Exchanging a knowing glance with her brother, Byakuya seemed to have a sympathetic look in his eyes. Probably because he had married for love and not politics. Rukia was jealous of him for that.
Lyro, as well as the other Kuchiki advisers were in deep conversation with each other when the doors were torn open and a tall figure marched inside the temple room.
"Renji?" Rukia stared at him in confusion, "What are you doing here?"
"I won't let you marry him, Rukia." Renji told her, "I won't stand here and do nothing."
"Renji." Byakuya was instantly at his vice-captain's side, "What is the meaning of this?"
"I'm in love with her, Taicho." Renji looked square into Byakuya's eyes, "I won't let any of you damn nobles make her do something she doesn't want to."
"You disgrace this place, commoner!" Lyro demanded, drawing all attention to the Shinigami who had just entered, "Remove yourself before you are thrown out!"
"I will do no such thing!" Renji roared, "You'll have to kill me first!"
"Maybe that can be arranged!"
Rukia felt the whole situation quickly zoom out of control, Maroh had even joined the fray.
"You son of a bitch!" Maroh roared, "Get the hell out of here!"
"What did you say?!" Renji grabbed his collar.
Shit, Byakuya quickly surveyed the situation. If he did not do something now his vice-captain would be sitting in a cell for the rest of his natural life, and Rukia would be even more distressed then she was now. Not to mention the fact that he would have utterly dishonored his wife's memory by insuring that her sister would be miserable.
So, like always, Kuchiki Byakuya took control of the situation.
Grabbing Renji's collar, he shoved the Shinigami against the wall.
"Oniisama!" Rukia shrieked.
"Do you wish to spend the rest of your life in a cell, Abarai?" Byakuya's voice dropped dangerously low.
Renji glared back at him, and Byakuya hoped that Renji would catch on and play along.
"I won't let you marry Rukia to that bastard." Renji snapped, "She won't be happy-"
"I'll decide what Rukia needs to be happy, and what is best for this family, Renji." he said. There was only a short window of which he could take control before the advisers and Maroh made the whole situation worse, "Rukia?"
She looked up as her brother called her, "Y-Yes?"
It was apparent that she was upset by the whole thing.
"Do you want to marry Maroh Kazah?"
She was silent, and opened her mouth to say that she was not bothered by it. Keeping the family safe was important to her, the family had been her elder sister's family, and that made it hers as well. Honestly, she really did care about Byakuya as her brother, and never wanted to do anything to contradict him.
Standing at the top of the stairs in the temple, her eyes than fell on Renji. He seemed to have stopped breathing, waiting for an answer.
"Of course she does!" Maroh replied, "Why would she ever want to marry a filthy commoner from Rukon-"
"No." Rukia replied, glaring at Maroh, "I don't want to marry him."
"Alright," Byakuya tilted his head slightly, "You don't have too."
There was an instant uproar in the temple room. Kuchiki and well as Kazah elites were hovering around him to demand and explanation. Byakuya ignored them, and looked back into Renji's surprised face. If Hisana would have been alive, she would have approved of Renji. He was head-strong, outspoken, and quite often rude, but he was a good man. A good man that would make Rukia happy.
"If she does not marry someone, I will see that she is exiled from the Seireitei!" Lyro roared, "There will be a wedding tomorrow, and I will personally see to it that it is carried out!"
Rukia's heart sunk, they were going to try and surpass her brother's authority and make her marry Kazah anyway. Fortunately, Byakuya had a reply for this outburst as well.
"Fine then." Byakuya took a gruff hold of Renji's collar once again, "This man will marry her."
"Taicho!" Renji gasped, still trying to free himself from Byakuya's grip, he stopped struggling long enough to stare at his captain in utter shock.
Lyro glared at Byakuya, "I refuse-"
"Abarai Renji is one of the more prominent Shinigami in the Soul Society. I trust him with my life, as well as the well being of my sister." Byakuya looked at them all, "His strength and intelligence have much to add to the Kuchiki family. Besides, I am the head of this house. If anyone tries to contradict my orders again, they will find themselves very sorry for doing so."
The dark glare that swept the room from the 6th Captain promptly cut off all objections in the room.
Lyro Kuchiki, and the rest of the advisers nodded, "If it is your wish, Byakuya-sama." he firmly replied.
"Very good," Byakuya released Renji, and turned to his future brother-in-law, "Congratulations on your engagement, Renji."
Renji's mouth dropped open, son of a bitch.
Knowing that none of the other family members were watching, Rukia and Renji did not miss the sly smile that touched Byakuya's mouth. He straightened his uniform, and walked towards the exit of the temple. Renji could not help but grin at his captain. Despite Byakuya's outward appearance, he was much more cunning and sly then he let on. He would have to thank his captain profusely later.
Rukia was still frozen where she stood and watched Renji ascend the steps of the temple towards her. He really did not know what to say, having not expected things to go the way that they did. The idea of being thrown in jail was more likely to have occurred, not to mention the fact that Byakuya had bailed him out. In other circumstances, he would have been willing to get married to Rukia, but only after they had time to get used to each other.
"I...uh...okay." Renji scratched the back of his head, "I really didn't know that was going to happen."
"Idiot!" Rukia smacked him in the shoulder, "They could have killed you and been well within the right to!"
Renji shrugged.
He was infuriating. Rukia grabbed the front of his uniform, "I thought I told you-"
"Rukia," he grasped her hands, releasing them from his clothes, "When I have ever not fought for something I wanted?"
"Renji-"
"I know its very sudden, I didn't know it would happen either." he said, "But we can get used to it, right?" he offered her an encouraging smile, "We're getting married tomorrow after all."
She watched him, knowing that the idea was just starting to sink into her mind.
"I'm not the most graceful man." he said, "I'm not a noble, and I don't have the patience to deal with high society. But I'll take good care of you, and I'll be happy to spend the rest of my life making you happy."
He always knew what to say. When she did not say anything back, he began to look nervous.
"Rukia-"
Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she kissed him.
"I'd be happy to spend my life making you happy too, Renji." she smiled.
As her words sunk in, Renji could not help but burst out laughing.
Byakuya sat on the railing of the porch around his quarters. Tomorrow would be an eventful day, and he was looking forward to it. A little excitement and happiness would be good for the people, and they would be able to fully enjoy the fact that the war was finally over.
He took a sip of the sake that sat in his hand.
Byakuya never drank, it was not something that he did unless that situation demanded it. Even then, he would refuse if still possible. There was only one day a year that he drank, and always in the same spot, at the same time of day.
Today was the day that he had married Hisana.
Taking another sip of the sake, he tilted his head back against the wall, letting one of his legs swing off the edge. Looking over at the picture through the window of his quarters, he looked at her smiling picture from where he sat. He remembered the day that picture had been taken, she had been very flustered about wearing such expensive robes but delighted that he had them made especially for her.
He lifted his sake cup slightly, nodded his head, and took another sip.
Your sister is getting married tomorrow to someone she loves.
Hisana was smiling down at him from wherever she was, he knew it. Byakuya smiled himself, and proceeded to down the sake in one gulp.
I enjoyed writing this story a lot, it was always one of favorites and I'll miss writing for it. Thank you again for all the wonderful reviews and all the messages, I really appreciated them :D Since the beginning, this story became a lot more than I thought it would be.
The sequel will not be as long, and it is still in the works. All the original characters will be back, as well as some new ones that I hope everyone will enjoy. Until than, Shadows on the Wall is now online and ready for reading. While this was my Orihime/Ichigo story, Shadows on the Wall will be Orihime/Grimmjaw themed. There will also be something for the Hisana/Byakuya people out there. I have been dying to do a story about them for a while.
There is a short epilogue after this chapter that is a interlude between Tatsuki and Muruguma. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks again everyone. Keep safe!
Arigato,
Lilith