A/N: Target for number of reviews: The more the merrier :)
Numb
Chapter 5: Kuchiki Rukia
As he made his way into the Academy, uneasy silence fell, heads bowed deeply out of both respect and fear. Ignoring the anxious principal, he beckoned for the folder that Hitsuguya was currently holding on to.
As he opened the folder, a photo of a juvenile looking red-haired man grinned back at him. Narrowing his eyes, he scanned the document, Abarai Renji, class 6-1. Swiftly making his way down the corridor, he silently pushed opened the class door, on which boldly imprinted was 6-1.
The noisy classroom immediately turned silent, as he made his appearance in the classroom. The gray-eyed man surveyed the Academy seniors, who were currently scrambling back to their seats, with disdain.
As he glanced around, his eyes narrowed even further as he saw a student with flaming red hair. Abarai Renji…
Glancing at Ukitake and Hitsuguya, they nodded slightly before Ukitake stepped out and began speaking, "Kuchiki-soutaichou is here to oversee today's training. It is essential that you leave a good impression to stand a high chance."
Glancing to his superior, Ukitake realized that his superior's gaze had not moved from the red haired student. Ukitake knew that something was wrong. It was probably the first time in the long history of The Court of Pure Souls that a King had taken time out to survey mere Academy students. Even if Kuchiki Byakuya was lacking a lieutenant, there was no reason why he was here; didn't he usually send someone to pick a lieutenant for him?
As Hitsuguya started briefing the students on the agenda for the day, Ukitake noticed there was a shift in his King's attention. He was now focused on what was happening outside the window. On a closer look, Ukitake realized that Kuchiki Byakuya was watching a first year with striking purple hair, who was trying desperately to wield her wooden sword.
When he focused his attention back to the lesson, he realized that more than half of the students were already filing out of the classroom, lead by the tenth division captain.
Catching up with Toushiro, Ukitake whispered, "Shiro-chan, what do you think our King is trying to do?"
Toushiro frowned as he shrugged, "All he told me was to find a man whose name was Renji and track down every bit about him. It was hard work, there are so many souls named Renji."
"The one with the red hair?" Ukitake whispered urgently as Byakuya neared them.
Nodding discretely, Toushiro fell silent as they exited the building into the main training grounds.
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Rukia looked up as the elite class of year six walked silently into the training ground. Knitting her eyebrows in confusion, she thought, aren't they supposed to be making a lot of noise as usual?
Wiping her sweat on her sleeve, she turned to her training partner, "What is wrong with them today?"
Her partner answered immediately, "Some of the high ranking officers of the Gotei 13 are here today to judge the elite class."
Another person chimed in, "It ain't just the officers ya know, it is actually the King and 2 other captains followin' him."
Rukia froze, did they just say, the King? He is HERE?
She frowned; her savior was much colder to her since her first day at the Academy. It was a month since he stopped speaking to her completely. She decided that it must be that she was performing way too badly in her results. Chewing her lower lip, she decided. She was going to work hard, so that he would not be ashamed of her…
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Abarai Renji stood out when his name was called. Students were to battle a seated officer. If they won, they would have to proceed to fight another. So far, none of the students have failed to have the top hand. Renji smirked; he wanted to be the first to win. He wanted to show that he was the best, that students from Rukongai could do equally well, or even better.
As another officer announced the start of his challenge, Renji ducked a would-be-harmful blow and went straight for the officer's gut. Slamming his fist there, he then took the opportunity to force the officer down and pointed his wooden sword at the opponent's throat.
The students clapped loudly and cheered for their classmate. Renji grinned, feeling proud for himself.
Renji turned his attention back to the group of officers who seemed to be debating amongst themselves on whom to send out next.
An audible gasp was heard as while the officers were still heatedly debating. Kuchiki Byakuya had gracefully stepped into the ring that fights were held in.
Jyuushiro and Toushiro gaped.
Other classes which were training stopped to watch. The officer who was in charge of announcing the start of each battle seemed to hesitate. When Kuchiki Byakuya tilted his head to stare at the officer, he nervously announced, "Start!"
Renji grimaced. He knew that the man standing in front of him was the strongest Shinigami ever. If he managed to even land a hit on the Kuchiki Byakuya, he would become famous and would probably be allowed a seat in a division straight away.
With this thought set in mind, Renji gripped his sword tightly and charged towards his powerful opponent.
Kuchiki Byakuya narrowed his eyes in distaste.
Suddenly, Renji felt that he could not move anymore. He couldn't breathe, couldn't see, his body felt so heavy that he fell on his knees. Every single place began to hurt; it hurt so much; he needed to scream. He suddenly felt something rising and rushing out of his lips. What is happening to me?
Rukia, who was watching at the side, gaped in horror as the seemingly gentle Kuchiki-sama manage to torture Renji without even moving. She continued watching in horror as blood began to trickle and spurt out of his mouth. She wanted to scream stop it! But she was too stunned too shocked, unable to open her mouth.
Kuchiki Byakuya surveyed the twitching body in front of him. Suddenly he felt a presence that should not be there. He tilted his head, and amongst the sea of faces, he saw her. Her face was pale, and he saw the fear in her eyes. Frowning, he turned away from both Renji and her.
The pain subsided slightly after a while. Renji's body was so numb that he could not move a joint. He saw, through his blurred vision that Kuchiki Byakuya had turned away coldly. Kuchiki Byakuya was strong, so strong that he didn't even move a single bit while he inflicted pain on Renji. The difference in power between them was so huge. Perhaps for the first time in life, Renji felt so small, so pathetic, and so weak. He felt like a stray dog, looking up at an immortal.
Suddenly, Renji knew what he wanted as he watched the two captains with white hair follow behind Kuchiki Byakuya. He wanted to become stronger, he wanted to be the one to beat Kuchiki Byakuya…
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Rukia ran along the corridors of the Academy. She needed to see him; she needed to make sure he was fine. She burst into the ward for sick or injured students and saw Renji wrapped in bandages.
Renji stared in shock as he saw his friend in the Academy uniform. "Rukia?"
Rukia screamed, "You are such an idiot you know? You should know that he is unbeatable, you should have declined when he stepped out."
Renji snapped back. "You haven't changed at all you know? Always the screaming brat."
Rukia narrowed her eyes. "Abarai Renji!"
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Kuchiki Byakuya wanted to sigh irritably. The elders of the royal house of Kuchiki were assembled in front of him.
One of the elders croaked, "Ou-sama, it is a disgrace to the royal house of the Kuchiki to have adopted pests running down the pristine corridors of the manor. Surely you would know that?"
Byakuya stated coldly, "I am merely informing you of my actions. I have no inclination of delaying her adoption simply because the council of elders disapproves of it."
Another elder cleared his throat before speaking, "Very well, Ou-sama. However, I have a request. The council of elders have to be present when you speak to it tomorrow."
Byakuya felt anger boiling up but said nothing about it. He said, "Then you have my word. Dismissed."
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Rukia beamed as she ran up the stairs. Renji had promised to treat her to something after their lessons after he was healed. He was always like her brother, taking good care of her, just like a brother takes good care of his sister.
When she reached the top, what she saw made her heart stop. There were many people, perhaps over a hundred, all dressed in purple and black waiting for her. She recognized them as the guards of the Kuchiki family.
Upon seeing her, they bowed slightly before the guard in front spoke, "Rukia-sama, we are under orders from our master to take you to meet him. If you refuse to go, we will have to bring you, by force. We presume that you would not want that to happen, therefore please follow us."
As Rukia walked, she felt more and more uneasy and nervous. She felt that something was not quite right.
The guard then opened a door knelt, "Ou-sama, Kuchiki-samas, she is here."
A voice from the room croaked, "Let it in."
Rukia entered the room alone. Everyone in the room was clad in white haoris, the Kuchiki symbol boldly imprinted at the back. Kuchiki Byakuya stood at the front, coldly surveying her.
An elder spoke, "Your name is Rukia, is it not?"
Rukia nodded nervously.
Another wizened-looking elder spoke, "You are going to have the honor to become a Kuchiki."
Rukia stared at everyone, clad in formal attire. Finding her voice she hoarsely said, "Could you please repeat?"
The elder frowned at her, "I said that you are to be Kuchiki Byakuya's sister. It is a great honor, so we suppose you will have no objections?"
"It is an honor, to be a princess of the royal house of Kuchiki, to be considered in the main bloodline." Another elder piped in.
"Yes, such an honor…"
Rukia froze on her spot. Slowly, she swiveled around to stare at Kuchiki Byakuya. Surely, he won't want this?
Byakuya met her gaze evenly, without emotion.
"Your answer?" An elder said.
Rukia was at a loss of words, "I…I…" She tried to stop the tears from sliding down her face.
Suddenly, there was a loud bang inside. The elders frowned. The door opened again. "Kuchiki-sama, there is an Academy student who claims that he knows Rukia-sama."
One of the elders frowned deeply, "Let it in."
Renji was dragged in by a few guards then dumped very unceremoniously on the ground.
He stood up and glared at the elders in front of him, failing to notice both the presence of Kuchiki Byakuya, and the Kuchiki symbol on the haoris.
"Who are you?" Renji snapped.
An elder replied, "How impertinent. Do not associate yourself with these commoners anymore, Rukia."
Renji snarled, "Why you!" Reaching for his boken, he found himself stopped by a small hand.
It was Rukia. Renji looked at her questioningly. Rukia sobbed, "Stop it Renji!"
Renji froze as Rukia continued, "I am a Kuchiki now. Didn't you hear that I am not allowed to speak to you anymore? You have always been my older brother figure when we lived in the slums, but now, it is different. I am a Kuchiki!"
With that, Rukia ran. She wanted to be as far away as possible from the intimidating Kuchiki elders, from Renji, who was currently staring after her. Most of all, she needed to be away from the suffocating presence of Kuchiki Byakuya…
She stopped when she ran out of the gates of the Academy. Leaning against a tree, she panted. It was impossible, Kuchiki Byakuya would never do that to her, or would he?
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The Kuchiki elders watched as Rukia ran away. An elder coldly stated, "How rude, she needs to be properly tamed."
Another elder who was in the shadows spoke, "At least she agreed to it. We have to go back, Ou-sama, there are more pressing issues to deal with."
Byakuya nodded. With a final bow to their King, the elders departed along with the guards.
Byakuya looked over his shoulder at the red haired man who was still currently staring at where Kuchiki Rukia stood moments ago.
As Byakuya walked past that man, he paused and spoke softly, "Please conduct yourself, Abarai Renji."
Renji did not answer.
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Byakuya stood near the thin door that separated his room from Rukia's room at night.
Muffled sobs could be heard. Byakuya lowered his eyes. "I am sorry, Rukia, Kuchiki Rukia."
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A/N: Loves Byakuya. I will have to say again, nope, this isnt Rukia love Renji fic. They are like siblings kay?
Anyway, On with the preview!
Chapter 6:
Rukia looked at the millions of swords displayed in the room.
Suddenly she found it. She saw the ugliest sword in the room. However, it was calling to her.
Ukitake prompted her, "Well?"
Rukia pointed to it, "Could I have that sword please?"
Ukitake's face turned pale as he saw the sword Rukia wanted...
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Thanks:
1. Itachi ni san
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5. imthebrideofbyakuya
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13. ByaRukifan