AN: Thank you to everyone who reviewed the first chapter! :) Enjoy.
Title: Symptoms of a downfall CH.2: It was you
Pairing: StarkxRukia
Stark was late getting to his appointment. Grumbling mildly to himself, he exited the elevator, being left off on the floor below where his office was. 'Sosuke Aizen, family law-guardianship-divorce cases', proclaimed a metal plaque hanging above the paneled door. He checked the time on the memo from his secretary once more, squared his shoulders and then went in.
Aizen greeted him cordially after he'd been conducted into the older man's back office. It was tastefully done in light, creamy blues keeping with a tranquil seashore type theme from the framed watercolor of beachside in Sendai, a simple child's sandcastle being the image, to the roughened edges of three nautilus shells reposing in a small bowl upon a sheaf of documents. From here, Aizen gathered up the topmost ones, gesturing vaguely to a pair of curved Chippendale chairs meant for clients.
Stark perched at the edge, nervous though before he'd dismissed the summons as nothing more than litigation for the estate, but now he had a feeling that wasn't the case anymore. "As you're aware of, I came here for a strictly business matter. Your office was handling the settlement of my sister's estate and as it stands-for her children." He paused waiting for the other to continue.
The older man nodded, "yes. The late Mrs. Kuchiki- the Gods rest her soul-entrusted me with the greater part of her treasure-as she called them-her children. Their joint well-being was asked of me as a personal favor not merely as her solicitor. Sadly…it is with sorrow that I called you here on a simple matter of the guardianship of the girl, Mr. Shibien."
He winced inwardly at the name. He heard it often enough from his clients and never reacted the same…but somehow hearing it from the thin lips of the man sitting behind the imposing desk with a fatherly smile that never quite reached his eyes…Stark brushed it off. "Ah…I see. I hadn't had much contact with my sister after her illness set in—so I never did meet that girl she adopted…how old is she now? Fifteen?"
"Seventeen." Aizen answered succinctly.
"Oh." Stark not knowing what else to say, shrugged, "…about the girl—where is she?"
"She was supposed to be here." Aizen frowned at the tiny desk clock, "twenty minutes ago. Perhaps she was—"
A pair of hesitant footsteps crossed the length of the outer room.
"That's probably her now."
Stark smoothed the charcoal gray of his suit free of nonexistent lint. Standing up, he turned partially, expectant as a peculiar sense of mounting trepidation grew.
The knob twisted in someone's reluctant hand.
He took in a few quiet, calming breaths, trying to smile for his niece's arrival. Welcome. He'd have to make her feel welcome and not be resentful for having his former bachelor's life disrupted.
The door swung open on silent hinges. A pair of violet eyes, familiar at once, but startling all the same, stared straight ahead. Mouth drawn down in a sulky…yet sexy pout. The girl zeroed in on him, her eyes widening. Stark forgot himself.
"IT WAS YOU?!?"
Being both of their responses.
Aizen had stood up also; quietly he interceded between his stunned clients.
He could not afford to lose the management of this account.
"Rukia, this is Stark Shibien, your Uncle and new guardian. Stark," here he gave him a warning look, "meet your charge, Ms. Rukia Kuchiki."
~~~To be continued~~~
AN: Heh, heh. Yeah I know I haven't updated a lot of my fics in a while…sorry. But um I actually have to start cracking the books…so I won't have as much time to write like before. I'll try though! :) How'd you like it, hmm? Let me know! Review!