Heart's Desire Chapter 8, a bleach fanfic

Heart's Desire Chapter 8 By C. LeShay

Genre: Romance, AU

Characters/Pairings: IchiRuki, etc.

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Me no own Bleach!

Warning: As this is an AU story, many of the situations are changed to fit my idea. I'll try to make the characters as in character as I possibly can do. All of the captains are here (that means Aizen, Gin, and Tousen) but I added a division (thus Gotei 14 instead of 13). The setting is in Seiretei and no one is living in Karakura. The timeframe is somewhat feudal, so no technology stuff except for what the 12th division uses.

Summary: In the middle of the war against the Arrancar in Seiretei, Kurosaki Ichigo laid siege to the district of the noblest of all nobles. The mission: to capture and take as hostage the sister of his enemy, Kuchiki Rukia. The problem: the hostage herself.

Warning: the obligatory fluff chapter; I'll try to tone it down as much as I can, okay? Plus, the much-mentioned Byakuya FINALLY makes an appearance. Then again, there aren't that much dialogue here, especially towards the last part of this chapter.

…

Recap of previous chapter:

Ichigo stood to his full height. "Is there anything I can do for the SMC?" From the corner of his eye he could see Soi Fon Taicho standing a good distance from behind Rukia without making any move to attack. This was the only reason he did not draw his zanpaktuô.

"Kurosaki Taicho." The cold voice of the 10th division taicho, Hitsugaya Toushiro was heard. From around a massive tree, the smaller captain stepped out. "By orders of the Central 46, you are hereby placed under arrest."

"On what charges Hitsugaya?"

Beside him, Rukia stiffened as Hinamori Momo fukutaicho also appeared.

"For attacking the 6th division and for the kidnapping of Kuchiki Rukia."

…

"Is there anything you need, Kurosaki Taicho?" Hitsugaya asked politely as he looked back at the other taicho was seated calmly behind the doors of his cell. Of course, despite his current predicament, Kurosaki Ichigo was still at the same rank as he was, so Hitsugaya was forced to be more cordial than what he wanted. Yet he looked at the other man with guarded eyes, watching the man who had crushed the headquarters of the 6th division with just a great handful of men with him.

"I'm fine, Toushiro. Thanks for the comfy accommodations. I can't wait to let you try ours sometime. Do you want me to reserve you a cell?" Ichigo said snidely.

The shorter taicho gripped at his patience harder. "This will only be temporary, Kurosaki. Until the Central 46 comes up with their decision, that is."

Despite the gross exaggeration of the said siege, not that many were killed. True, there was bloodbath, and almost all of Kuchiki taicho's remaining men were either in sickbay, lost their shinigami abilities, or just fell shy from their second death; but the bottom line was, they had more casualties in Rukongai when hollows found their way there. They were taken out in such a brisk and orderly manner for a siege that only lasted several days. Even more surprising was that no one seemed to remember what happened at all.

Hitsugaya did not know how this happened. Was it because Kuchiki Rukia turned out to be an excellent commander who took over the squad of her brother in his absence (despite being from a different division)? Or was it because Kurosaki Ichigo and his men showed restraint and a level of ability that was above the 6th division's seated as well as rank and file shinigami? That mystery alone made Hitsugaya extra wary of the Taicho from the 14th division. And by association, Kuchiki Taicho's younger sister.

Behind him, Matsumoto, was keeping an eye on Kuchiki Rukia who refused to leave the holding cells. His fukutaicho may think that she was ordered to protect the noblewoman, but Hitsugaya wanted Matsumoto to be nearby for other reasons.

Because honestly, Kuchiki Rukia's loyalties may be somewhere else already.

"Kuchiki Rukia, don't you think its time you return to your brother's home or to your division at least?" Hitsugaya asked quietly, his voice carefully modulated to hide his questions. If there were anything that would be a threat to Soul Society, he would put a stop to it – no matter what the cost.

"I wish to stay, if you don't mind, Hitsugaya Taicho." Rukia said evenly, as her eyes took in everything that transpired. She remained a respectful, unobtrusive distance behind him but her presence was constant and her gaze unwaveringly taking everything around her in consideration. It was like she was not there but there at the same time. "Of course, someone will have to inform Isshin-dono about this."

Matsumoto laughed jovially, "Don't worry, Kuchiki-san, we've already sent shinigami to the 14th. I'm sure, Kurosaki Taicho's family will be here soon."

Rukia wanted to retort that SHE was his family, but was stopped as she saw Hinamori fukutaicho step in. Now she was sure that Aizen Taicho and her brother knew. It wouldn't be long now… and she would meet up with them. That was a prospect she didn't relish to experience.

Hinamori stepped beside her "Let me escort you, Kuchiki-dono." She said, "I think that it's about time you went back to your brother's home. I'm sure they'll be here soon."

Of course they would, and that was what Rukia feared. "I would like to stay."

"Rukia-san!" Hinamori gasped, her surprise making her call her as informal as she could dare go. "Everyone is worried for you. Aizen taicho –

"I have to stay here until his father arrives. I have to make sure nothing happens to him." She insisted, looking at the 10th division Taicho seriously.

Hitsugaya turned to face the Kuchiki noble in irritation. He had heard that Kuchiki Rukia could be a pain in the ass if she wanted to, and obviously she was being one right now. Why couldn't she act like a normal noble this time? "I assure you, Kuchiki, no harm will happen to Kurosaki Taicho –

"Will you shut up for a while, all of you." Ichigo's voice lashed out like a whip. "You're giving me a headache."

Hitsugaya glared at the orange-haired taicho, his patience wearing thinner by the minute. "May I remind you," he gritted out angrily "that as of this moment you are in no means able to give out orders?"

"Didn't you just want me to be all comfy and stuff?" Ichigo challenged.

"I was merely extending professional courtesy, Kurosaki." The anger was now unmistakable in the other taicho's voice. "It seems that you are not aware of the consequences of your actions. I wonder what has gotten into your head to make you act like a lunatic beneath your station?"

"Do not talk to my husband that way."

Everyone turned to Rukia. "What?" Hinamori asked fearfully, in a small voice.

Rukia looked directly at Hitsugaya's eyes, the noble in her back in place. "He is married to a Kuchiki, address him in a way that is befitting to a Kuchiki."

"EH?" Shrieked Matsumoto. "You MARRIED Kurosaki taicho?" She giggled with unhidden glee as she looked intently at Rukia then Ichigo. "Oh this will be the juiciest gossip that will hit Seiretei! I am so gonna ask for drinks in exchange for news."

Beside her, Hinamori was looking at Rukia in horror. "But Kuchiki-dono, you're engaged to Aizen taicho."

Ignoring the outburst, Rukia instead looked at her husband who was also looking back at her from his cell. Her face was again devoid of any expression except annoyance while he scowled back. Unfortunately, both had not talked about how they wanted their marriage to be made public knowledge. Ichigo had only mentioned fleetingly that he wanted to say it in front of Byakuya and Aizen.

The conversation did not get past that point after Rukia commented that Ichigo had a hammy acting voice, and that her brother would not buy it.

"Go back to your brother's home." Ichgio told her "I'm sure he's already there. I'm sure both Ishida and Inoue are outside now; let them take you."

For the others who were with them, Ichigo's statement may seem like he was worried for Rukia and at the same time it was a blatant claim of his ownership of her. Yet Rukia knew that he wanted Ishida to know everything that went on with Rukia's impending encounter with her brother and Aizen, in lieu of his absence.

Rukia knew she had no choice but agree. Like it or not, she was now a Kurosaki, and she definitely had to make sure there were no covert plans and conspiracies against her husband and his family. Even if she did not completely believe her husband's ideologies, she was honor-bound to support him – to an extent. Besides, she was the only one who can convince her brother to drop any charges he planned against Ichigo. Obviously, if he was in jail, he wouldn't be able to prove his claim about Aizen, nor could he help her find her parents' murderers either. "Very well. I will go now, but I will be returning tomorrow for a visit." Saying that, she bowed to Hitsugaya, "I shall take my leave now, Hitsugaya taicho. Please see to my husband's safety."

Hitsugaya knew that this was no mere request. The unknown reason for her command was something that baffled the taicho. "I most certainly will, Kuchiki… Kurosaki-dono." He said, only missing a slight beat.

Giving Ichigo one last look that said nothing in particular, Rukia went out to follow a still shell-shocked Hinamori out of the holding cells. At the signal from Hitsugaya, Matsumoto likewise followed the two outside.

Minutes after the noble was out of hearing distance, Hitsugaya turned to the other man. "You MARRIED Kuchiki Rukia? Are you out of your mind?" he asked. "Did you somehow forget that as a noble she couldn't just marry without her brother's permission? Or maybe you forgot that she was betrothed to Aizen?"

There was no reply.

"Kurosaki." Hitsugaya gritted out "You risk creating yourself a deeper hole to be buried in. Granted attempted rebellion is the worst kind of atrocity you can commit in Seretei, but having Aizen take a personal vendetta against you is –

"Well I married her – isn't it too late for that now, Toushiro?"

"You ass." Snarled Hitsugaya "Did you not think of the consequences?" Despite being known as one of the most serious Taichos in Gotei 14, Hitsugaya Toushiro considered himself more comfortable around Ichigo. True, they might have not agreed on many things all the time, and neither were they close enough to be friends, but it was the 14th division Taicho who was the only one who understood the pressure of being inducted to the highest position in the militia at a relatively young age. Even if he had served for a good number of years and proved his worth in battle and in commanding people, Hitsugaya still felt that many shinigami accepted his authority grudgingly out of fear and protocol. For him and Ichigo, each day meant another chance to prove that they deserved their position; and another opportunity for someone else to topple them down. Being stronger than possible was a goal that the two shared – aside from the paranoia and bouts of self-consciousness.

"Not at the time." Ichigo answered dismissively, as if the topic was of little importance to him.

"Can it be dissolved?"

From his cot in the cell, Ichigo snorted "Not a chance in hell."

"Not a chance in – Kurosaki," Hitsugaya asked sharply "Was it out of NECESSITY that you had to marry Kuchiki Rukia?" There was a slight tinge of red along the bridge of his nose, something that did not escape the notice of the other man.

For the first time since he was brought in, Kurosaki Ichigo allowed himself to chuckle. "Oh, Toushiro is curious."

"Damn you, Kurosaki!"

As quick as it came, the amusement left Ichigo. He looked at the other Taicho directly. "I HAD to marry her. There really was no other way out of it."

The ambiguous reply only confused Hitasugaya more.

…

Rukia was surprised to see the 6th division looking like nothing happened to it. She knew her brother's officers worked fast – but this was ridiculous. In less than two weeks, everything was back to normal.

As the gates were opened, Rukia felt a lump lodge itself in her throat. Throughout the trip from the 10th division to the sixth, Rukia was silent. She and Inoue did not discuss anything, nor was Ishida forthcoming. Beside them, Hinamori Momo did her best to ignore her. Rukia wanted to sigh. Aizen's fukutaicho had a serious case of hero worship that possibly bordered on something else, it was expected that she be angry at her apparent betrayal.

However if she were honest, Rukia did not particularly care about Hinamori's feelings – not when she was more worried about her brother and his reaction.

From ahead of them Rukia saw the telltale red hair of Abarai Renji, her brother's fukutaicho. Great, her brother did not leave him behind despite the fact that they were at war in Hueco Mundo. That only meant this was really serious and could possibly take a while to iron out. Belatedly, Rukia wondered if Ishida could handle Zabimaru's attacks. Well, Renji did often act like a protective older brother while she was growing up, and he was fairly nice to Inoue too. If anything, she was sure that Renji would blow up in anger at what happened to her.

Now Ishida… as her husband's fukutaicho, Rukia was sure that whatever protection he gave his Taicho would be extended to her as well. Loyalty to one's superior officer was not a rare thing in the Gotei 14. Honestly, this was what scared Rukia. As a Kurosaki, her place was now with her husband. Temporary the arrangement might be, Ishida would probably make a fuss if she wasn't allowed to return to the 14th. It wasn't that she doubted the Quincy's battle abilities – it was the fact that he was back in the place he trashed before. Come to think of it, it was by Ishida's hand that a good number of men in the 6th lost their powers as shinigami when he destroyed with pinpoint accuracy the sources of their reiatsu. That just proved how dangerous an opponent the bespectacled fukutaicho was. What Rukia was concerned of was the wrath of her brother. True, he may act like he cared about nothing, but Rukia was aware that a blow to the Kuchiki/shinigami pride did not go unpunished for Kuchiki Byakuya.

Judging by the way Inoue was siding beside him as they walked, Rukia knew her friend was thinking about the exact same thing.

The glares that the shinigami of the 6th was giving them were enough to cause a chill, but Ishida was holding up pretty well. Rukia felt a vague sense of pride knowing that Ichigo's men were able to handle the pressure.

Renji's frowning face was looming larger and larger. Rukai wanted to think that her imagination was the cause, because he looked far more menacing than the time he returned from a mission where the men he took with him died.

"RUKIA." Renji's voice booms, "Welcome back. Thank you, Hinamori fukutaicho." He says, nodding towards the other officer who looked like she was in shock. Renji wanted to ask what it was about, but he decided to do so later after he got Rukia back.

Rukia clenched her fists unconsciously, "Renji."

Her friend looked at her all over, as if judging the kinds of hardships he thought she experienced. His eyes burned over her as he looked pointedly at the bones protruding at her wrists, the slightly noticeable thinning of her face, and the tension on her shoulders. His gaze went only to Inoue's for a split second before it returned to her. After being sure that she had no severe injuries of any sort, his unwavering glare hit Ishida full blast.

Without meaning to, Inoue sided closer to the other man. It was an action that Renji saw. "Inoue, step aside and come up here."

She remained silent, her eyes fixed on the ground she was standing on.

"INOUE ORIHIME."

Gasping, Inoue looked up to see the furious look in Renji's eyes. Suppressing a shudder, she turned to look at Rukia who nodded her reassurance. Finally, she was able to muster enough courage to step away from Ishida and walk closer to Rukia instead. "Hello Renji." She said, trying to be as cheerful as she could. "Lovely weather is it not?"

Renj glared. "Well? What are you still standing here for?"

"Renji." Rukia said quietly, "Ishida fukutaicho is here on my behest. Please treat him as you would treat me."

"What the hell?" Spat Renji, "What are you talking about Rukia? This is the man who destroyed and annihilated all of 6th division's men!"

Raising up a hand to quiet him, Rukia looked at her friend in the eye. "Renji. You do him too much credit by saying that he single-handedly did the assault in the 6th division." As she saw the red come out more across the face of her brother's fukutaicho, she continued on "Ishida fukutaicho did not annihilate your subordinates. In case you forgotten, a lot more are still surprisingly alive. It's thanks to Inoue here that they were all treated before they could sustain severe damage. Last but not the least, Ishida fukutaicho was only following orders that were given by the one who had authority over him."

Gritting his teeth in annoyance Renji said nothing but just grunted to show that he acknowledged the order. Motioning the others to follow, he spun back on his heel and walked into the division.

…

Kuchiki Byakuya was a name everyone in Seiretei was familiar with. Heck, among the taicho's of the 14th Gotei squads, he was the most influential ever. As the current head of the noblest clan in the afterlife, he had access to important documents, businesses, and properties that were very much a dream for the regular soul. Because of his status, to meet with Kuchiki Byakuya meant only two things: you did something REALLY good, or you did something REALLY bad.

As Rukia walked to her brother's study, she felt this insane urge to run away and hide. Of course it was useless, if Byakuya could not find traces of reiatsu, the men he could hire definitely would – since they would be in large numbers to ensure that no stone was left unturned in Soul Society. When she was younger, Rukia once fancied that her brother's bodyguards were as plentiful as the shinigami he had in his division.

"You can't go in until he asks for you, Quincy. I even doubt if he wants to see your ugly mug." Renji said in a low tone as he blocked the path to the door just as Rukia was about to step in, anger coloring his low voice. Abarai Renji was a pretty simple man. When he was angry, he was angry – and he settled things with Zabimaru or his fists and nothing else. Now, he wonders if he should have learned a thing or two from his taicho. Since fighting did not seem to faze the Quincy (plus he had an awful advantage over shinigami), Renji was now feeling so enraged that he wanted to hit Ishida with something that would definitely pain him: paperwork.

If there was one thing Renji knew it was that no fukutaicho ever wanted to do paperwork. Hell, no taicho even wanted to do it; which was why his taicho was very anal about making sure that their paperwork would be finished on time. For him, there were only two types of shinigami that were willing to stay indoors and scribble than hunt for hollows: one who was driven to please and be noticed AND one who was extremely bored.

After the part Ishida played in the siege at the 6th division, Renji vowed to swamp him with all kinds of paperwork – from a variety of inter-division forms – that he could come up with. It didn't matter if he had to stay up all night to write those petitions and complaints – as long as the annoying Quincy got more (he was counting on Aizen taicho and Ukitake taicho to do the same), anything was worth it.

Of course, if he could avoid this unnecessary sacrifice and just be allowed to hit the Quincy, life – or the afterlife in his case – would never be any better.

Ishida looked at Rukia who nodded. "If I hear her call for me, I WILL force my way in." he told the red-head. "I don't care what reasons you have, but I have my orders."

Renji raised an eyebrow "Really? Why wouldn't she be safe in her brother's division?"

"Renji." Warned Rukia as she gave her friend a withering glance. "We don't have time for this…"

But Ishida chose that moment to show his stubborn streak. "I will only leave her be if she's in the 13th division; these are the orders given to me."

"She's a Kuchiki –

"Enough." Rukia gritted out. "How am I supposed to go in when you're blocking the door, Renji?"

In embarrassment, Renji stepped aside. Sending a glare to quiet the others, he cleared his throat before knocking. "Taicho. Your sister just got back. I'm sending her in."

As the door was opened, Rukia walked in as quietly as she could, her eye fixing immediately on the man seated behind the desk. Kuchiki Byakuya, the current head of the illustrious and affluent noble clan of the Kuchikis. Her brother had been the taicho of the 6th division for many years yet Rukia still remembers the ceremony and the extravagant feast that was held in his honor. Of all her years in Seiretei, nothing burned in her mind more than the sight of her noble brother as she saw him garbed with his taicho's haori for the first time.

She remembered rushing out of the manor to greet him, only to stop in her tracks as she felt a different aura about him. It had nothing to do with his already impressive reiatsu, rather it was all about his stance. Against the glare of the sunlight Rukia saw her brother, his haori fluttering in the breeze at the same time as his hair; the silky strands of long ebony shimmering as it reflected the rays of the sun in the all-too familiar kenseikan. As he slowly turned to face her, Rukia noticed for the first time the almost perfect angles of his face and the calm yet piercing stare that were held in his eyes.

Amusement bubbled within her as Rukia noticed the gaped mouths of the women who followed him on his way home. Even the most hardened shinigami woman was definitely not immune to the cold yet angelic visage of Kuchiki Byakuya. It was a good thing he was her brother because Rukia knew that to be in his constant presence was enough to make a woman fall for him hard.

Unfortunately, at the present, amusement or awe was the farthest thing in Rukia's mind.

"Rukia."

"Nii-sama." She said, bowing deeply. "I have… returned."

Byakuya said nothing as he shuffled the papers, piling them away. Then he looked up and focused his attention on his sister. "Take a seat. Would you like some tea?"

"No thank you, nii-sama; I'm fine." Seeing that her brother was looking at her intently, Rukia decided to keep silent and let him lead the conversation. The problem was, Byakuya also employed the same manner when dealing with anyone, so the possibility of them spending the time in uncomfortable silence was high.

"Welcome home, Rukia."

Rukia's head snapped up so her eyes could meet her brother's. He was welcoming her home? Right; and soon after he'd say that he was worried or possibly proud of her, right? Pft.

"I'm glad to see you safe and sound, Rukia. I often wondered what would have happened to you when I heard that you were abducted."

Resisting the urge to gape and babble unintelligently, Rukia settled for blinking owlishly. It was unnerving to hear her brother say anything of that sort to her.

Byakuya sat straighter "I also heard that you were the one who held up the division's defenses. That if it wasn't for you, the 14th would have breached the walls of the shinigami residences and subsequently, the Kuchiki manor."

Was it a compliment? "Nii-sama, I only did what I could do." Rukia said weakly. "They were able to raze the nearby farms just outside the walls… it was short of a miracle that we were able to prevent them from getting through the defenses."

"Under your orders, a lot of my shinigami and their families were kept safe. As a Kuchiki, your skill and knowledge is expected. No doubt, Ukitake will be pleased."

Okay, so it was a roundabout way of conveying appreciation, but Rukia was not the type to ignore the fact that her brother said he was pleased with her actions. So far. "I am glad to be of assistance." Hoping against hope, Rukia wondered if she would be promoted to a seat this time.

As Rukia was lost in her thoughts, Byakuya took his time to study the sister that his wife gave him. The first time he saw her, she was crying in Hisana's arms. When they were rescued, the little Rukia did not speak and remained catatonic for several weeks. After she recovered from her injuries, it was discovered that Rukia developed amnesia due to the stress she was forced to endure.

Hisana was heartbroken by the news. Her anger and disappointment doubled as she saw just how much of her life was stolen from her by their family's assailants. Even if she wanted to take care of her sister, Hisana became afraid of being close to Rukia. It was as if her younger sister was out of her reach, unable to remember their family. The knowledge broke Hisana terribly. In the end she accepted the offer of Byakuya's parents to adopt Rukia as their own child and take her away from the place that caused them so much grief. Even if everything in Hisana was rebelling against it, she knew that the only way Rukia would have a normal life – a normal childhood – was if she completely became someone else.

For Byakuya there was no sacrifice as great as what Hisana did for her sister. It was the selflessness of the young woman that taught him the value of responsibility and the nature of unconditional love. There were times that Byakuya suspected that Hisana married him out of pity or gratitude for saving her life, but he knew that she was trying to help him find his way in life even if she has lost the will to live hers.

"Nii-sama?" Rukia asked hesitantly.

Come to think of it, Hisana just withered away a few years after their marriage. For five years he saw the way she destroyed herself in private while she gave him smiles that made his worries lighter.

"Nii-sama…"

Byakuya mused on the events that led to him being the brother of his wife's beloved sister. He knew there was nothing he regretted and he was pleased that his sister grew up into a fine woman. However, as he promised Hisana, he would make sure she would be safe – that meant she would not take difficult missions if he could help it. She was Hisana's legacy, and he would be damned if he didn't keep his wife's legacy safe for her.

"Nii-sama?"

"Yes?"

Rukia forced herself not to fidget "Would you be pressing charges against Kurosaki Ichigo."

Byakuya wondered about the validity of the question. "We follow rules Rukia. To break them must mean one should also deal with the consequences."

"Can you drop the charges against Kurosaki Ichigo?"

Her brother hardly blinked. "The question is pointless. He ravaged the 6th division for no reason at all, and then he kidnapped you. Do you not think that the answer is obvious, Rukia?"

"He had a reason, Nii-sama." Rukia said, feeling her throat constrict her breathing. This was the moment she was dreading…

Byakuya stared at her impassively, "Did you find that out while you were in captivity?"

"Yes."

The head of the Kuchiki house leaned back carefully in his chair "Then what was his reason, Rukia?"

Rukia took a deep breath. "Me. It was me that he wanted, nii-sama."

"Explain, Rukia."

Clenching her hands to hide the tremors that were running down her body, Rukia took a deep breath before opening her mouth to speak "I'm married to him, nii-sama."

…

Back in his cell, Ichigo sat as comfortably as he could. Of course it was no easy feat, the 10th division cells were about as comfortable as a straw mat over a slab of bricks. Damn that Hitsugaya. Back in the 14th, holding cells had cots that were softer and more comfortable. Prisoners were still treated properly unless they were to be interrogated. Thinking about his offer to Hitsugaya, Ichigo came to the conclusion that his divisions cells were too comfortable to the other taicho who had such a huge stick stuck up in his ass. If he wanted to torture Hitsugaya, he should stick him in a cell with Matsumoto and a lot of sake. With luck, the 10th taicho would probably decided to kill himself to escape the misery.

Or, he could let Rukia keep him company. Now THAT was a fate worse than death.

As soon as he thought of his wife, Ichigo's mood dampened considerably. Ishida was yet to report to him what happened therefore he assumed that whatever conversation she had with her brother wasn't over yet. Then again, there was a possibility that Ishida was thrown in jail too, unless Rukia chickened out. At any rate, he would know if Rukia spilled the beans already, not just because Ishida would report it to him, but also because Kuchiki Byakuya would not resist seeing him to confirm it.

And he was sure that Aizen would be making an appearance as well. It was all coming into place one by one.

"Stay safe, midget." He murmured to no one in particular as he looked outside the window.

…

"What did he do to you?"

Rukia almost flinched at the coldness of her brother's tone. "I was brought to the 14th division with Inoue –

"You are not answering my question, Rukia. What did he do to you?" he faced his sister with a stare that was positively glacial. "Did he force himself on you?"

The implications of the question struck Rukia just then. Vehemently, she shook her head. "Nii-sama… no… it wasn't like that… I mean…"

Despite the fact that Byakuya had an iron-clad control of his emotions, Rukia was sure that he was seething in anger. He looked at her intently, as if he was attempting to bore a hole in her head.

"On your way to the 14th, what happened?" He asked quietly "Tell me the truth, Rukia."

"NOTHING!" Rukia almost burst out in nervousness. "I swear, nii-sama… he didn't touch me…not really…" she said haltingly, unable to explain the situation in a detached manner after seeing the slightest trace of anger in her brother. Well, it wasn't really obvious, but his eyes were narrowed a couple of centimeters more… Really, her mind cried out almost hysterically, this what was what she was afraid of. Now was the right time to hope that Ishida left, because if her brother found him within his division…

"What do you mean by Not Really?"

Rukia clenched her hands on her lap, in an attempt to stop herself from gesturing wildly with her hands or wringing them, and risk irritating her brother even more. Summoning all of the Kuchiki training she received, Rukia was able to say something without sounding like a cowering dog. "Nothing! It didn't mean anything nii-sama. He just covered me with his blanket – it was awfully cold you know."

He wasn't a taicho for anything; and Byakuya's sharp mind picked up some signals that were definitely being pushed into a hole by Rukia. "You shared his bed." He said, in a tone that implied he knew what she was hiding and it wouldn't do her any good if she kept it up.

"Nothing happened that night, nii-sama, I swear."

Byakuya looked like he wanted to say something but he held his peace. He stared at his sister instead. "Who married the two of you?" he asks instead.

Grateful for the change in topic, Rukia was able to compose herself before she answered. "Ishida Ryuuken, a Quincy."

"A Quincy. Ishida Ryuuken." Byakuya repeated; his words sounding like he had something dirty in his mouth. Ishida Ryuuken, the Quincy who officiated her marriage to Kurosaki Ichigo. Why was it that his name was so familiar? She had been caught up with the whole 'getting married to a stranger' thing and the worrying that someone might find the contract that she and Ichigo had drawn, that she failed to address the questions regarding Ishida Ryuuken and why it feels like she's heard his name before.

It was only after Byakuya said them out loud that Rukia's mind rang with clarity. Ishida Ryuuken, the Quincy who officiated Byakuya's marriage to Hisana.

Small world isn't it?

"Then it is legal and binding."

Rukia did not even want to reply to that. Trust her brother to come up with that on his own – it was fairly easy anyway. Obviously, no one can contest to the legality of her and Ichigo's union. What would nii-sama plan now?

"An annulment." He says out of the blue, causing Rukia to double check her mental conversation to discern if she had been speaking out loud. "An annulment is possible. Has the marriage been consummated?"

"Nii-sama…"

Think, Rukia urged herself, think! To tell the truth means to have the marriage annulled, but that would also mean betraying the agreement she and Ichigo drew together. If she breached the contract (and her Kuchiki name was signed over the papers legibly), she would only be bringing in a load of humiliation not only for her family, but the Kurosaki's as well.

Naturally, it would be Ichigo who will be the laughing stock of Soul Society, if they found out he was unable to consummate his marriage. However, his pride and male ego was the last thing in Rukia's mind as of the moment. All she was thinking about was his family. Isshin-dono, Karin, and Yuzu would be in trouble not only with the Central 46, but also with her brother and Aizen as they would be seen as having a part to what Ichigo had done.

"Because I told your father that I would do anything to return the favor and protect the life of his children. I was unable to help you the night your parents were murdered, Rukia. So please, let me help you now. Let my son protect you from Aizen."

Isshin's words rang on in her head. Taking a deep breath, Rukia looked up to meet her brother's eyes. "It was consummated, Nii-sama."

…

C. LeShay's corner:

So, how was it?

There is no sure way of knowing if Byakuya is protective of Rukia, only Kubo knows. However, for my own purposes (I don't own Bleach, I make no profit out of it. I won't accept money for this, only e-cookies and other e-stuff), lets say that he is a bit protective of her. Lets also pretend that for Hisana's sake, he accepted her as a sister together with the rest of the Kuchiki clan. So, it's only natural for such a brother to worry if his sister has been debauched (I love that word, it screams regency and bodice-ripping historical novels…). Plus, we all know that Byakuya was not really that ice-block man since his birth, right? Its canon, ask Kubo.

I like Hitsugaya. He's a very serious young man who takes his responsibilities very seriously. He may feel a bit of kinship with Ichigo, but that does not mean he'd allow the other to go unpunished. Awww. Unfortunately, I'm not very familiar with his characterization (or the term is I'm not used to write him), so I don't know if he's in character or not. I apologize if I ruffled any Hitsugaya fan's feathers. It was not intentional.

On a side note, as of now, I really won't be hinting other pairings other than IchiRuki and IshiHime. To think of another pairing will make my head hurt. So please have mercy on my brain… I need it.

Unless I say that I'm hinting a certain pairing that I like, let's play it safe and assume that I'm not hinting anything. So… if Aizen gets a sly grin and a very telling body-brush from Gin (who knows, it MIGHT happen), it does not mean I'm branching to Yaoi. It only means that the hallway is so cramped, people risk impregnating another person accidentally… or something like that.

Arigato!