And here's Chapter 1! Enjoy!
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Get Out Of My Head!
:: Chapter 1 - The Day Before ::
Everyone is fallible...
The afternoon was hot and still. The glaring sun beated down relentless on the backs of the Soul Reapers going about their daily activities. Ominous dark clouds drifted from a distance, slowly advancing, hinting the coming downpour. It rarely rained in this world.
Somewhere in the Sereitei, it was just as dark and cloudy in the inner world of a certain captain. Sheet after sheet, his hand raced across the lengths of each paper, filing up the blanks with such finesse and intensity that anyone would have thought that he was rather engrossed in his work. Eventually he dropped his brush with a sigh, feeling worn and tired.
The events of the morning's clan meeting raced past his mind once more, feeding his growing anguish.
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"You do realise that it has been almost a 100 years with you as the head of the Kuchiki clan, don't you?" One of the elders had prompted him with a shrewd look in his eyes.
Byakuya could tell where this discussion was headed to and groaned inwardly.
"And what of it?"
The elder frowned at his stolid response.
"Do not feign ignorance, Byakuya. It has always been a strict tradition of our clan that the head is to have a heir ready by the 100th year.
"If the head is unable to fulfill such a simple task, the council of elders has every right to strip the head of power and re-elect a new head for the clan." The elder finished his sentence with a taunting simper.
Byakuya sighed inwardly. He detested the elders of his clan with great passion. Such power-lusting monstrosity. Their immense greed and despicable skulduggery as they vied for the position of the clan head disgusted him.
"I am aware of that," the clan head stated, unruffled. "The selection of the heir is my decision. None of you have any right in this matter and I suggest that you keep yourselves out of it. I do not wish for this matter to be brought up again. Do I make myself clear?"
Another elder simpered, making Byakuya feel sick inside.
"Oh? Do you think that we have no right in this matter at all?" He said with a sly look, enunciating each word slowly in an attempt to annoy the Kuchiki head. "You have sorely underestimated us, Byakuya. Even if we do not have the right to chose a spouse for you, we have every right to chose the spouse for one other member of the Kuchiki clan who is young enough…"
Byakuya felt a great sense of dread pervade his being.
The Kuchiki elder noted with pleasure that his words had sunk in with an impact and grinned cruelly.
"Yes, Byakuya. We're referring to your sister, Kuchiki Rukia. Whoever who marries to her shall be the new Kuchiki head. We were thinking that Kentarou here would be a fitting spouse."
Byakuya felt rage growing within him.
Those bastards! How dare they involve Rukia!
They had him trapped, and were savouring their success. His fingers coiled up into a fist.
After what had happened to Hisana, he knew that he could never have another wife. The thought of him being married to another woman was completely appalling and offending. He would never betray Hisana, even in death. He had sworn his love true to her, and to no other woman.
Yet… His thoughts drifted to Rukia. He wish he could know her better. His duties as a captain had maintained that gap of understanding between them.
Who did she love?
Byakuya was unsure. His mind wandered between Kaien, Ichigo, and his own lieutenant, Renji. Kaien was not around anymore, and that narrowed his options to either Ichigo or Renji.
But the council of elders would never allow her to be married to a mere human, or one from Rukongai. All the same, Byakuya would never permit Rukia to be bride to any of them either. He recalled with a staggering pain the consequences of bringing Hisana in. Byakuya had been just days away from seeing his child, but that joy had been torn away from him promptly with her sudden departure. Though her death was supposingly due to natural causes, Byakuya was very sure that it was not natural.
With that thought in mind, his cold gaze landed on Kuchiki Kentarou.
He could already unfold the elders' scheme in his head. Kentarou was as hungry for power and fame as a starving beast. With him as head, the elders in lieu with him would be given high-ranking positions in the clan.
Byakuya shuddered inwardly at that thought.
If such self-seeking people gained control of the Kuchiki clan, what would happen to Soul Society? The other clans had always followed the Kuchiki clan's lead as a role model. The Kuchiki clan held important records of the Sereitei which would be disastrous should they fall into wrong hands. The vast amount of power and influence the Kuchiki clan had over this world had to be safeguarded and well practiced by a responsible and reliable head.
Byakuya could never let such selfish beasts have such power.
"So, what do you think of our plans, Kuchiki Byakuya? Do you have any better options?" The elder prompted him with a smirk, victory dancing in his eyes.
Byakuya was torn between the well-being of Soul Society and his sister. He knew that if he disapproved of the marriage, then he would have to come up with an alternative solution to the problem of the heir. But he had no solution and thus, gave no answer.
The elder watched him with morbid interest. "Well, its not as if a heir-less head has any rights to oppose to this marriage!"
The council of elders laughed in agreement.
Byakuya opened his mouth to protest, but could not find an answer.
Kentarou was smiling widely across the table. "Do not worry, Kuchiki Byakuya. I will take good care of your sister and the Kuchiki Clan."
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BANG!
Renji jumped when his captain suddenly slammed his fist down on the work table.
What's wrong with the taichou today? He's acting all weird and gloomy. And all of a sudden he bangs his table in the middle of work.
Renji watched as his captain stared off into space for a good many minutes before picking up his brush again, only to drop it once more.
The noble then stood up and left the room abruptly.
Rukia stood outside the door of her brother's room, a feeling of anticipation lingering in her heart. She had been training in the grounds of her squad when she received a message for her to meet her brother at his room immediately.
I wonder what Nii-sama wants with me this time… maybe… maybe…
She remembered that two years ago, she had too been standing here on the same day. Her brother had called her in and had given her a fluffy white rabbit with the ears tinged black at the tips. She had been over the moon then, picking the rabbit up and holding it close to her, thanking her brother over and over again. Byakuya had explained that it was a stray that had wandered into his room and felt that Rukia should be responsible for it, but Rukia knew very well that he was just making excuses. The little rabbit had of course been named Chappi.
The following year Byakuya had been involved in the fight with the Arrancars and did not have the time for her. But she received a full week of leave to the human world the next month.
With a smile on her lips, she was about to report her arrival when Byakuya's voice cut through the futon. "Come in, Rukia."
Rukia slid open the futon while kneeling. "Kuchiki Rukia report…"
"Rukia…" Said girl looked up to see her brother looking at her sadly. She then remembered that Byakuya disliked formalities between them when there was no one around.
"Sorry, Nii-sama," Rukia smiled and entered his room, hoping that the smile would lighten the tension in the air.
Byakuya did not return the smile, as usual. He stood up and walked towards Rukia.
I wonder what excuses will he make up this time… Maybe he will claim that I am too vulnerable and that he does have the time to always be on the look out for me… and that his lieutenant has too much free time on his hands and he wants him to protect me to make himself useful… and that in order for Renji to always be by my side protecting me he will allow Renji and I to…
"Rukia."
Rukia snapped out of her reverie upon hearing her brother's voice.
"Yes, Nii-sama? Why did you want to see me?" She could not help but let a little of her excitement slip through her expression as it grew stronger.
Byakuya's eyes averted from her face. "…On the first day of the following month…"
Rukia felt a little flame of hope ignite within her. Say it! Say it!!
"… we will be holding a marriage ceremony…"
Yes!! Rukia screamed with euphoria inwardly. It was a dream come true. She could not believe it, but it was real! The best birthday gift ever!
"…between you and…"
I love life!! I love my Nii-sama!! Rukia could feel tears of joy already brimming at the edges of her eyes.
"… Kuchiki Kentarou…"
… What?
Rukia stared up at her brother, shock visibly splayed out over her face.
Kentarou…? That nasty cousin!?
Rukia was about to protest when Byakuya continued.
"This has been decided by the council of elders. Kentarou shall be your husband. Both of you shall bear a child that will be the heir to the Kuchiki clan."
Rukia felt raw anger flare up within her. How could Nii-sama be this cruel to her? Didn't he know who she truly loved? Why didn't he oppose to the marriage? He was the Kuchiki head for goodness sake! He had every right to oppose to the marriage!
"But Nii-sama! Why him? I've never liked him!"
"Cease with such childishness, Rukia. This is all for the sake of the clan…"
"BUT I DON'T LOVE HIM!" Rukia cried out, feeling hot tears flush down the sides of her face.
"Rukia…" Byakuya seemed upset with her reaction. Rukia couldn't care less. How could her own brother treat her like this? Why couldn't he consider her feelings!?
"Please, Nii-sama!! I want to live my own life! I do not want to spend the rest of my life bound to a man that I do not love!" Rukia begged, voice choked and strained with emotions.
Byakuya stared at her for a moment before looking away again.
"There is an alternative…" He said it so softly that it was hardly audible.
Hope sparked in the gloom of Rukia's heart. She could tell from his downcast expression and avoiding eyes that he did not like the second option. But Rukia was desperate, and anything else rather than being bethrothed to that awful man would be infinitely better.
"Tell me, Nii-sama!" Rukia clutched at her brother's cloak and looked up at him pleadingly.
Byakuya's eyes finally dared to meet hers. Rukia could see the uncertainty and unhappiness from the abysmal depth of his dark eyes, stirring emotions which he had always kept away from his facial expressions.
"Rukia…"
"Just say it, Nii-sama!!" Rukia could feel her sanity on the brink of breaking asunder.
"… Marry me."
Everything fell silent.
Birthday wishes were long forgotten.
Rukia looked into her brother's eyes with utter shock.
"Rukia… I…"
SMACK!
"You're horrible!" Rukia cried, face contorted with hurt and ire flaring together. Her entire frame was trembling with a paraoxysm of emotions. "How I wish you could understand how it feels, to have your life controlled and manipulated. You'll never understand how it feels... Why can't you!? You're just as bad as those Arrancars, humans who have lost their hearts! I can already see that awful hollow hole in your chest! I hate you! I HATE YOU!"
Rukia ran out of her brother's room, heart wrenched and eyes bleeding with tears.
She would run away from it all.
Away from Kentarou.
Away from all those hateful nobles.
Especially Byakuya.
Byakyua stared at the spot where Rukia had been standing moments ago, his right hand touching the cheek where Rukia had slapped him. The acerbic sting of her actions and words had jarred his heart.
He had decided that his position as the Kuchiki head was nothing when compared to the well-being of Rukia.
Soul Society meant nothing without Rukia.
He knew that it would be better if Rukia was married to Kentarou. He was a strong man despite his greedy ambitions. Rukia would be safe.
Yet, he realised that if Rukia was married to Kentarou, then he could no longer protect her anymore. Rukia would be separated from him forever. He could not bear that.
Then it had struck him that the best solution would be for him to…
Byakuya mentally slapped himself.
What had he been thinking!?
Rukia resembled Hisana, but they were two different people!
How could he had said that to Rukia!?
How could he have tried to encroach on her rights?
If she wanted to marry that Kurosaki brat, let her! If she wanted Renji, then let her!
He would make sure that she'll remain safe. Heck, he would even get Soul Society to exile the entire council of elders so that they would be bereft of their powers.
Suddenly, Byakuya hated himself.
Hated himself more than how he detested any of the Kuchiki elders.
Hated himself so much that he wanted to kill himself.
Because of his selfishness he had hurt Rukia… no, he had scarred her… a fait accompli that he could never forgive himself for.
He had to find Rukia.
"I'm sorry, Hisana."
Renji looked up from his paperwork.
The rain had started to pour.
He let the coolness of the downpour refresh him after the blistering heat of the afternoon. Such rain was a rare treat that he had to relish. Thunder rumbled and lightning crackled.
His captain was not back yet. Was he preparing something for Rukia's birthday? Renji had already decided to take her out on a date later that night.
He was starting to wonder whether something really serious had happened when he was struck by a terrifying sense of foreboding.
Something was not right.
The tentacles of unease stretched and grew, haunting his heart, stirring fear.
Something was definitely not right…
Rukia!
With a start, Renji leapt up from his zafu, slid Zabimaru to his side and rushed out of the room.
Rukia was in danger!
As Byakuya neared a turn at a corner, he stopped short.
Before him, was Rukia.
She was unconscious.
In the arms of Gin Ichimaru.
Kurosaki Ichigo stood backfacing him, frozen in the moment with the blade of an extended sword protruding out from his back, blood dripping down from its tip.
Impossible!
Byakuya could not believe that he did not sense Ichimaru's presence. Even now, with Ichimaru right before him, his reiatsu was completely hidden and untraceable.
Ichimaru withdrew Shinso. Ichigo jerked forward as the sword released itself from his flesh, blood spewing out from the now open wound.
"Now ya be a good bo' and lie here, kay?" The former captain of the 3rd Division flashed his trademark grin derisively at the toppling Shinigami.
"Augh…" Ichigo groaned and collapsed onto the ground.
Ichimaru smiled and hefted Rukia's limp body up. "Bai bai!"
Rukia!!
Byakuya gathered all the reiatsu that he could elicit at his feet.
With one massive shunpo, he would knock Gin down and release Rukia from his grasp.
The brother's wrath was so powerful that he drew a tremendous amount of reiatsu out. It was a shunpo that even Yoruichi would be impressed of.
Rukia, I'm coming!
Byakuya propelled himself forward, and he was off in a flash.
Everything that happened next occurred in a painful blur.
He felt his head crash into something with a such an immense force that the impact would have split the skull of a human in an instant.
He thought he saw a flash of red.
A sharp pain.
Darkness.
A/N:
Stop, stop! Don't murder me just yet! Byakuya just said that to Rukia because he saw Rukia's reluctance to be bethrothed to Kentarou and thought up of the best alternative in a moment, and he let it slip his tongue carelessly. I know you guys were looking forward to the actual storyline, but I had to give you the skeleton first so that the story will be more enjoyable later on.
But still, here's a flamethrower for you.
Yep, you can kill me with flames via reviews for this chapter. I know there wasn't any humour in there, but I just couldn't find the right moment to inject any.
Anyway, the next chapter will be more fun! Chapter 2: Renji Awakens!
Thanks for reading!
R&R! Criticism welcomed!