A/N: Yeiiii….athenaphoenix17 is back. I'm so sorry… Everything in the last two months has been driving me mad. I passed the competency test! Yeay…. Thanks to you all… it's all because your good luck-wish. _
Oh, I also got myself a new job… as an assistant editor in Indonesian Nursing Journal. So… I have to spend myself during my working hour to fix the layout, small mistakes, etc… ^_^ (don't worry, I have my own office space, so I can sneak up trying to write the fanfiction). LOl
Ooooh… and I have to apologize for the lateness in my story. And I have to apologize to my beta: ksko81 because I forgot to mention her in my appreciation corner last chapter. And I also have to apologize for those of you whom I didn't give a review reply in person. The last apology will be an advance apology. I do apologize if this chapter is far from your expectation. I will make it up later…
Furthermore, I wasn't able to give some of the reviewers a direct reply. I do apologize… -_-
Happy reading…
Appreciation Corner:
Thanks a lot to my dearest reviewers… I miss your review ^^
jorie: I hope I don't disappoint you with the Ichigo – Byakuya's meeting ^^ I'm sorry I should make you wait for how Ichigo will handle Byakuya. And yes… I like the kiss too… lol
gnarley-: I'm so sorry that I couldn't update soon… I'm glad you like the girls. I save the best part of Rangiku's ranting. lol. Oh… and I also like the part where Ichigo errr Kurosaki, acted like primary school's students. :p (fortunately, you weren't the first to review, but you got the second place ^^)
darklover: Thank you for your good luck wish! ^^ and yes, you will see how Byakuya really despised Ichigo. lol
khfan forlife: Thanks for the good luck wish and the information about cosmos. It's really interesting. ^^ And yeah… hehehe… agree… Kurosaki was far more dangerous than an unlock office. lol
LazierThanShika-kun: Oooooh…. you insert a spoiler there in your review. lol… ^^ let's see how they will turn out. Hehe… Glad that you like Byakushi. Is that meant I made him in character?
SinoviVaatell: thanks for reviewing… ^^
StupidMe: thanks for your good luck wish ^^. Unfortunately, I couldn't wrap Kurosaki in the box and sent it to you, coz I want to keep him for myself. lol ;)
Luminous Snow: thank you for your good luck wish. And also for the idea. I did make the appearance of "Senbonzakura" with different name, though. Since I had used the name for the place I described earlier. Hope you like it… ^^
BleachOrcalover13: Wooooow…. thank you for submitting such an encouraging review. I love it. And thanks for the good luck wish. ^^ Hehe… I am flattered by your compliments. And here it is… when Byakuya and Kurosaki met…
Mikazuki Mitsukai: Ahahaha… thank you…. ^^ Don't rush things out, honey… Let them take a baby step, ok? *wink*
kesu25: Thanks for the good luck wish and your review… ^^
Meong: Thanks for the good luck wish. Sorry… the "disaster" effects took more time to handle. lol…
falconrukichi: Thanks for the double review… ^^ and also for the picture. Oh my God. I love it. A lot. And I have changed my profile picture, do you notice it? ^^
near-note: Awwww…. that's sweet. Although I don't mind if you read the original novel. And let me know what do you think as a comparison. ^^ And thank you for your compliments ^^
ruffy: Wooow… another Indonesian I met in this site. Yeii… nice you like my story. And I do understand about not reviewing the other chapters. It's okay… as long as you will review my following chapters… ^^
Rukes: Ahahaha… what can I say? Rukia was just being… Rukia… lol
Violentkitty: Awww… thank you thank you thank you… you really flattered me. I'm glad to know you found they are in character. ^^ And don't worry… I love to read the review… don't stop yourself… lol
xdayanarax: Thank you for your good luck wish. Hehe… hope I don't overdo the Ichiruki here.
Aragaki Rey: Sorry for the mistakes, and if I'm not mistaken, I've already told you about "brush" means, right? ^^
pamianime: Wooow… 10 reviews? Thanks a lot… I'm glad that you like my story and keep reading it. Hope I won't bore you with the following chapters. ^^ Did you manage to get the breakfast they had? lol… Yep… even though it was a peck, it's still a kiss. ^^
Roma88: Hey, I could say the same to you. You really know how to make an author blushed furiously… At first, I thought that way too, that by making her saying those "What's that?" will be cliché. But I'm glad I decided to insert that scene. Turns out you like it. ^^ And yes… I do have much time (too much, actually. So that I kept you waiting for the update… sigh…) to figure out what will Byakuya do. And here it is… the thing that I thought will be possibly done by Byakuya when he came face to face with the guy who will take his precious sister from him. I'm glad that you agree the scene between Hisana and Byakuya. I think, Byakuya will be different when he had Hisana with him. And yes, in this story, Byakuya and Rukia were blood-related siblings. PS: Thanks for your good luck wish… (ah… how I miss to read your review…)
ashezo: Glad to hear that your exam is over. And thanks a lot for the triple reviews. Lol… I also imagined how will they sleep in the small sofa-bed? Hugging each other? lol… I guessed Kurosaki will have a hard time… ^^ And he was a coward, true… But I don't blame him. Just imagine if he had to face Orihime, Kiyone, Rangiku, Nel, Lisa, Tatsuki, and alsooo…. the calm but fearsome: Retsu… lol….
headyzest: Oh My… thanks a lot for such flattering words… I like your review. And I'm glad that you thought I already owned this story… Hope I don't disappoint you with my original plot in this chapter.
Personal Riot: Thank you. Glad that you like it…
ksko81: You know the answer, right? ^^
0namakiza0: Hope you manage to read this story without having a fight with your aunt. lol. Kidding. Hehe… "Chicken" in what way? In realizing their feeling? I agree… ^^
Jazzabell: Yeiii… another person who like my Byakuya…. Thanks a lot… ^^
Cherryblossom snow: Ahaha… don't worry… you'll find it about it… (can't promise you when). So, keep looking forward when this engagement broke, will you? lol. Btw, thanks for the music recommendation. I still haven't found it, but I will keep looking for it. ^^
Anne Camp aka Obi-quiet: Thank you for all the compliments. And yes, I do have a good beta. The mistake that you pointed out was the one in which I hadn't had a beta before (and actually, "rite" means "right", it's a slang in Australia). I like your supportive critics. I hope I can write better this time. ^^ And oooh… thanks for the double reviews. I do hope that you will enjoy the rest of the story. ^^
Zip: Wooow… I am flattered. Thank you thank you thank you… I lost of words. I really don't know what to say to respond for such an adorable review. Thank you.
And thanks for those who added this story to their favorite list:
Caliberlove; Violentkitty; pchanlove; pamianime; violet404; catch22x; gamb1t; Personal Riot; ftrinh98; Jazzabell; kataang013; and Cherryblossom snow.
And also thank you for those who added this story to their story alert:
DeviantHollow23; buchielle; Violentkitty; pamianime; Oreda; violet404; FATUA; Personal Riot; U-Teru; ftrinh98; Jazzabell; falconrukichi; kataang013; Cherryblossom snow; Pixie Heart1; and Anne Camp aka Obi-quiet.
Last but not least, thanks a lot for those of you who added me to your favorite author and/or author alert. I feel honored. ^^
Violentkitty; Personal Riot; U-Teru; kataang013; and .li6220
Disclaimer: Kubo-sensei still owns this awesome manga: Bleach and even though the original plot belongs to Holly Jacob, I dare to say that the whole chapter's plot belongs to me. So, if this chapter is sucks, please forgive me... -_-
Chapter 12
Rukia didn't know why, but she felt so comfortable having her morning routine in Kurosaki's house. She only lived here for three days, but she felt that Kurosaki's house was like…. home.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror while she apllied on some light pink lipstick on her lips. She lightly touched her lips with her fingers, reminiscing the moment when Kurosaki kissed her (or, like what she insisted to say: brushed her lips). No matter how hard she tried to bury that memory, it kept on playing on her mind, and in her dreams.
She said that she didn't like this kiss. It was half true; she didn't like the kiss because… it ended too fast for her liking. She won't admit it to anyone, even to herself. Rukia groaned in frustration.
She wished that this nightmare will end soon, …or did she?
Rukia shook her head, brushing away her thought. She sighed as was about to take her purse when her cell phone rang.
'Nii-sama,' thought Rukia.
Yesterday Byakuya didn't call her. Rukia just thought he was busy, but it was kind of weird since Byakuya always called her no matter how busy he was, or Hisana would've called on behalf of Byakuya.
"Good morning Nii-sama," Rukia greeted her brother, even though she knew that it wasn't morning in Europe.
"Good morning Rukia," Byakuya answered.
They both silent. Rukia was waiting for Byakuya to start the conversation.
"Rukia," he started (Rukia let out a small 'yes'), "I just noticed that you didn't leave your postal address when you move out to open your business."
Rukia crooked her eyebrow; she didn't expect her brother to start the conversation with such a weird opening.
"I didn't," she admitted, "Because I haven't decided on which apartment I'd choose at that time."
Rukia didn't tell her brother that she only stayed at an apartment for only a month. Grimmjow was her first big project, but after Rukia sacrificed the rest of her savings to decorate his office, he didn't pay her as he should have. Rukia didn't have any another choice but to live in her own shop ever since.
She didn't want to come back to the Kuchiki Mansion because her brother would've noticed something is wrong. And the last thing she wanted was to look helpless in front of her brother. Rukia wanted to prove that she was capable of taking care of her own self, so that Byakuya will stop acting like her guardian.
It's not that she didn't like it. It's just that she felt like she wasn't good enough. She just wanted to be independent. She wanted Byakuya to acknowledge her.
"Rukia?" her brother's voice startled her.
"I'm sorry Nii-sama, what did you say?" Rukia realized she had been daydreaming.
"I asked you, where do you live right now?"
Rukia walked towards her bed and sat on it, "Umm…" she hesitated, "I…" she cleared her throat, telling the truth was always the easiest thing to do, "I live in Zangetsu Condominium."
There was a long pause. Rukia didn't know what her brother had in mind.
"I see," finally Byakuya spoke. "I shall meet you soon and take a look at your new place."
"Ah… No worries, Nii-sama. You can take your time on your business trip and then visit me when you come back to Karakura." Rukia said, trying hard to conceal her nervousness.
'God… don't let him know that I live with Kurosaki.' Rukia prayed silently.
"That's the point, Rukia," Byakuya answered with his monotone voice, "I am back in Karakura, and so I'm looking forward to meeting you this evening."
Ichigo knew something was wrong by the time Rukia came out from her room. Her face was paler than usual, and she looked like she just saw a ghost.
She walked across the living room, towards the kitchen, ignoring Ichigo who was sitting in the sofa, reading his newspaper.
Rukia poured herself a cup of tea, and took a seat in her usual chair. She sipped her tea slowly, filling her stomach with the warm liquid.
Ichigo took a seat across her and watched his fiancé intently. He gave her some time to calm herself down, before asking her what's wrong with her.
Rukia finally calmed down. She took a few deep breaths. She looked up and saw Kurosaki was watching her intently, his expression showing concern. Under a different circumstance, she would have blushed, but not this time.
"Are you ready to tell me what's wrong with you?" Kurosaki asked gently, pouring her another cup of tea.
Rukia was silent, mentally weighing the pros and cons. Pros won.
She cleared her throat before dropping the bomb, "My brother wants to visit me this evening."
Kurosaki raised his eyebrow, "Do you mean 'visit us'?"
Rukia shook her head, "I didn't tell him we're living together."
"So, what did you tell him?" Ichigo felt a little bit hurt because Rukia seemed to hide their relationship, "That you live in your shop? Sleeping in your sofa-bed, and no..."
"No shower, lack of security system." Rukia finished his sentence, "Jeez, Kurosaki should you say that in a row?"
Kurosaki resisted the urge to smirk, Rukia was pissed. He knew it, but he couldn't help himself to admire her.
"I said that I live in Zangetsu Condo." Rukia told him.
Kurosaki was silent, then realization hit him, "Don't you think that your brother will notice that we live together?"
Rukia's eyes were enough to tell him that she forgot about "that".
"The black folder he sent me." Kurosaki stated.
Rukia choked by her tea. Ichigo stood abruptly and walked behind her. He rubbed Rukia's back gently to help her cough subside.
Rukia patted his hand as a sign for him to stop. He took his seat again.
"I forgot about that," Rukia stated.
Kurosaki nodded. "I don't see any reason why you shouldn't tell him that we live together. Everyone in my firm already knows."
Rukia shook her head again, "You don't know my brother."
Kurosaki sighed. He had a lot of experiences dealing with people, from the nicest one to the worst. He thought nothing could surprise him anymore.
"Listen, Rukia." He started, Rukia looked right into his eyes, "I think you are overreacting." Ichigo held up his hand to stop Rukia protesting. Rukia pouted.
"Let's see this from a different point of view, by meeting with your brother, I can directly ask your hand in marriage, not by phone as our first plan. We can show him how close we are. He can't say no to my request."
Rukia sighed, "You really are clueless about him."
Now it was Kurosaki's turn to glare at her, and as usual, Rukia wasn't affected by his death glare.
"Kurosaki, I think you should find more information about my brother before you meet him this evening."
'Or he will crush you completely,' Rukia added mentally.
Kurosaki didn't tell Rukia that ever since he received his "file" from Rukia's brother, he'd been researching about Byakuya Kuchiki. However, it wasn't as easy as he thought. Byakuya Kuchiki seldom appeared in public. Several media personnel stated that he was a low profile person.
"Too low profile," Ichigo grunted when he first researched about him.
When Kurosaki looked at his picture for the first time, he noticed several things.
He was a tall guy, almost as tall as him, looked five or six years older than him. He had raven hair like Rukia's. His hair was long, and he wore kenseikan, a sign of nobility. Ichigo finally found a reason of why Rukia called him "Nii-sama".
Kurosaki noticed that in all his pictures, Byakuya Kuchiki had the same expression: no expression at all.
Emotionless, flat, stoic or whatever people might call it.
Kurosaki was known as ice man. He, too, never showed his feelings to the crowd. Nevertheless, his had a usual scowl often attached to his face, so at least, he had an expression.
Kurosaki opened the folder he used to put the information about Rukia's brother. He always learned about his rival in court, so he was used to gaining information and an expert in knowing their weaknesses.
However, Byakuya Kuchiki wasn't someone Kurosaki would face in court. He won't be trying to defeat the guy. Instead, he had to know how to gain his trust. Something that was different with his usual purpose of research.
And that was not an easy task.
With that stoic expression, how should Kurosaki know whether he was happy, angry, mad, furious, or even relieved that someone asked his sister's hand in marriage? Kurosaki was good in reading facial expressions. He knew exactly that emotion can be shown in one's expression. A very good reason to keep himself unreadable. But now, he found himself a good rival.
But Kurosaki wasn't being the best lawyer in firm for nothing. He already found Byakuya's weakness. At least, Kurosaki thought it was his weak point. Kurosaki smirked at the photograph of Byakuya Kuchiki and a slender deep-blue eyed woman beside him.
Both Kurosaki and Rukia decided they would come home earlier than their usual schedule. Kurosaki drove them to his... no, their house , like he always did ever since they lived together.
Kurosaki glanced at the woman beside him, Rukia still looked nervous. Paler than usual, if possible. Kurosaki stretched out his hand and squeezed hers. Rukia looked up to meet his eyes and smiled weakly.
Rukia could feel the warmth from Kurosaki's hand strenghten her. They didn't need words to soothe each other. Rukia didn't know why, but she understood his body language completely. And she had no doubt that Ichigo felt the same way towards her. Rukia wasn't sure if that's natural, but she welcoming this situation.
Kurosaki parked his car in the garage, and together they walked inside the house. They agreed to makee a homemade cooking to serve on dinner. And of course, Kurosaki would handle most of the cooking.
The bell rang as Rukia put down the last glass. Kurosaki came out from the kitchen, holding a bottle of fine wine. They looked at each other, and then Rukia nodded.
Together, they walked toward the front door. He turned the knob.
There, standing in front of them were Byakuya Kuchiki and... Rukia's dopplenganger.
Years in court had trained Kurosaki to maintain his facial expression and hide his surprise. And this time, Kurosaki couldn't be grateful enough for that ability. Even though Rukia had warned him that her sister-in-law was almost like her twin (and Kurosaki knew this from his research too), still… the similarity stunned him.
Rukia was the first to break the silence, "Welcome Nii-sama, Hisana Nee-sama."
Kurosaki put his hand around Rukia's shoulder and stretched out his right hand toward Byakuya.
"It's nice to finally meet you in person, Byakuya, Hisana-san."
5 seconds… 10 seconds… 15 seconds…
"Ah… it's nice to meet you too, Kurosaki-san." Hisana took the outstretched hand of Kurosaki, saving Kurosaki's pride.
Rukia nudged Kurosaki to step aside, and giving the older couple to enter their house.
Ever since that, Kurosaki knew that asking Rukia's hand in marriage from Byakuya Kuchiki would be a nearly-impossible task.
"What do you think of the food, Nii-sama?" asked Rukia when they having the desert.
Their dinner was filled with silence. Dead silence. A kind of silence which Kurosaki would love to have while he was having dinner in his father's house.
Not that he wasn't trying to break the silence by throwing a light topic to make a small conversation with his future brother in-law -all of that failed.
Rukia kept glancing nervously toward Kurosaki and her brother, as if waiting for something to happen. On the other hand, Hisana, she was the only one who wasn't affected by the silence.
So, now, Kurosaki was wondering whether Byakuya would answer Rukia's question by more than a nod or a shrug.
"I enjoyed the food, Rukia." Byakuya answered with his deep calm monotone voice.
Rukia smiled in relief.
"I never knew that you can cook this good, Rukia-chan." said Hisana, smiling encouragingly.
"Ehm… actually," Rukia glanced at Kurosaki, "I'm not the one who cooked this food."
Byakuya now stared at her. Obviously questioning where this conversation would lead.
"Oh, but it didn't seem like a restaurant-made cooking too." Hisana, again, stated the obvious.
"Well… actually," Rukia grabbed Kurosaki hand under the table, "Kurosaki is the one who cooked all of these." Rukia smiled genuinely.
Hisana let out a small "oh", while Byakuya tried his best not to curse under his breath because he, involuntary, had complimented the brat who was going to marry his sister.
Byakuya cleared his throat, "We need to speak in private…"
Kurosaki stood up from his chair, "Yes, I agree. I've been waiting for the right time to…"
"…Rukia." Byakuya finished, as if Kurosaki wasn't saying anything.
Kurosaki was dumbfounded.
'Alright. So this Byakuya is planning to ignore me all the time, huh? We'll see…' Kurosaki thought.
Rukia rose from her seat. "We can use the study room, Nii-sama." She looked at Kurosaki, who gave her a nod of approval.
Rukia closed the door behind her.
Byakuya walked to the centre of the room. Obviously, this room was Kurosaki's study room.
"Rukia," he started.
"Yes, Nii-sama." Rukia answered.
"How long has all of this happened?"
Rukia didn't need to clarify what Byakuya meant with "this".
"It happened so fast, Nii-sama."
"And you didn't think I'd need to know all of this until you'll marry him?"
Rukia gulped. She knew Byakuya was furious, but… was that sadness she heard underlying his monotone voice?
"I'm so sorry, Nii-sama. I didn't mean it that way. It just… happened so fast and so suddenly, and I thought I shouldn't bother you with petty things like this because at first I wasn't sure that we'd end up in marriage, and I don't know what have come to me because when he asked me to marry him I just had the urge to say yes. So… I'm so sorry, Nii-sama." Rukia delivered this speech in one breath, so she was gasped for air in the last sentence.
Rukia kept her head low. Not daring to look into his brother's eyes.
"Rukia…" Byakuya said in his rare soft voice.
Rukia dared herself to look up and meet his brother's eyes. Those grey eyes were filled with concern. And this time, Rukia was sure of it.
"Did he force you to this marriage?" Byakuya asked.
Rukia gasped, 'How could he know about our agreement. No… no… he couldn't know about that.' Rukia panicked. The blood from her face was drowned; she was become paler by the second.
This was not being unnoticed by Byakuya. He clenched his fist. It was enough as an answer for him.
"Pack your things, Rukia."
Rukia's eyes even more widen if it's possible.
"Wha… what do you mean, Nii-sama?" Rukia's voice was slightly wavered.
"You will return to Kuchiki House tonight." Byakuya stated.
"But… this is my…"
"And don't think that I don't know that this condo belongs to that brat." Byakuya interrupted.
"But… Nii-sama… he is my fiancé." Rukia stated desperately.
'Oh my God… Nii-sama did know about our agreement. What should I do?' Rukia thought.
"We will find a way to end your engagement without making a scene." Byakuya stated.
He walked closer to the stunned Rukia. Concern filled his eyes as he watched his little sister. He put his hand on her back, and nudged her softly.
"I will protect you from him." Byakuya said softly, "You don't need to worry about anything."
Rukia was still dumbfounded. She really didn't know what to do. So, she just walked toward the door when Byakuya opened the wooden door.
Both Kurosaki and Hisana were chatting in the living room when Rukia and Byakuya walked in. Both of the siblings had a very different expression, yet similar. Both of them were clenching their fist and both of their knuckles went white.
However, while Rukia appeared to be nearly faint, Byakuya's cold eyes looked furious.
"Rukia…" Kurosaki started walking toward his fiancé.
Byakuya, however, stepped aside and hindered Kurosaki from moving closer to her.
The front door opened, and a man in black suit came in. His long hair held in high ponytail. His face was handsome but lack of emotion as well.
"Hisana, help Rukia pack her things. Kageyoshi will carry her luggage to our car." Byakuya stated.
Hisana stared at his husband, "Byakuya-sama," she said softly.
Byakuya stared at her, "Not know, Hisana. We'll talk about this later. Right now, I need you to help Rukia pack her things."
"Rukia won't go anywhere." Kurosaki grabbed Rukia's wrist and she was stumbled toward him.
When Kurosaki was about to catch Rukia's body, Kageyoshi beat him to that. He caught Rukia perfectly, before she made any contact with Kurosaki.
Kageyoshi then escorted Rukia to the nearest chair, leaving Kurosaki dumbfounded.
Kurosaki glared at Byakuya. He never thought he would ask this question in this kind of situation, but this time, Kurosaki never felt so sure that there will be another right time.
"Byakuya, I want to marry Rukia. Will you give her hand in marriage?"
There, he said it.
Hisana gasped, Rukia glared at him ('How could he ask Byakuya Nii-sama in a situation like this?'), Byakuya remained cold, Kageyoshi remained still.
Kurosaki clenched his fist, realizing that indeed… he was nervous. He was definitely nervous. However, he can conceal it perfectly.
"And do you wish I will say "yes" to that rude-impulsive question of yours?" Byakuya finally responded his question.
"It's not a question," Kurosaki still not averted his gaze from Rukia's older brother, "it's a request."
"And what makes them different?" Byakuya raised his eyebrow.
Kurosaki was about to answer his question, before Byakuya added, "For I will say no, either it was a question or a request."
Byakuya glanced at his little sister who was now sitting next to Hisana. "Hisana, please help Rukia in packing her things. We don't have all night."
Byakuya was walking toward both women before Kurosaki grabbed his arm.
"What should I do to make you say "yes" upon my request?" He asked while gritting his teeth.
Rukia looked up. She didn't expect that Kurosaki will ask that kind of question. Somehow, she felt something and she didn't know what.
"Nothing." Byakuya answered while removing Kurosaki's hand from his arm. "Not in this lifetime, or any lifetimes, will I give my sister's hand in marriage to a person like you."
Byakuya finally stood in front of both women. "Now, Hisana…"
Hisana nodded. Whenever Byakuya was in this state, she knew that nothing can change his mind. Nothing she can do to help Kurosaki changed his mind, neither can Rukia.
Hisana and Rukia stood up, they were about to reach Rukia's room when suddenly, Kurosaki grabbed Rukia's arm. This time, Kurosaki held her firmly. Not going to let her go.
Truth be told, Kurosaki didn't know why he felt so down when Byakuya refused his request upon marrying Rukia. He didn't know why he tried so hard to marry this woman. All he kept telling to himself was because marrying Rukia was the only thing that separated him from being a partner in his firm. He kept telling that all the time, ignoring the unknown feeling he somehow felt.
"Then it's not a request. It's a statement now." he stated, still holding Rukia but looking straight to Byakuya who didn't miss the scene.
"I believe that I don't understand what you imply." he answered.
"I am going to marry Rukia." he stated. "And it's not a question, it's not a request." he added.
Byakuya eyes even colder now, Kurosaki even felt that as if the room temperature had dropped. Byakuya walked toward them, and this time, Kurosaki moved in front of Rukia to hinder Byakuya reaching her.
"She is an adult. She can make her own decision. She already agreed to marry me." Kurosaki stated.
Byakuya, however, was a few steps before them. He looked towards Rukia.
"Rukia, pack your things. We will return to Kuchiki House." he said.
"She will not go anywhere. This is her home." Kurosaki stated.
Rukia gasped. She was quite surprised that Kurosaki will say those words. Sure, she had already considered his home as her home too. But she didn't dare to say it out loud.
"You can't force my sister to do anything that she doesn't like. You have forced her once. I will not let you do anything to her." Byakuya now grabbed Rukia's shoulder and drawed her toward him.
"I never forced her to do anything that she doesn't want." Kurosaki grabbed Rukia's arm and pulled her toward him.
Byakuya didn't let Rukia go. Neither did Kurosaki. Rukia was stuck in the middle of her brother and her fiancé.
Byakuya's cold glare met with Kurosaki's scowl. Both were too stubborn to give in.
Someone's cleared their throat. And all the attention from those in the room went to Hisana.
"I think we should hear what Rukia wants." she said, now walking toward Rukia and freed her from both men.
"After all," she put her hands on Rukia's shoulder, "this is her life. Right, Rukia-chan?"
Rukia couldn't be more grateful toward her sister in-law. She nodded. However, she didn't miss the twinkle in Hisana's eyes. It was as if Hisana was trying hard to suppress her laughter. Something Rukia didn't understand, because she didn't think that she found anything's funny right now.
"I agree, Hisana-san. Rukia should decide whether she will stay here with me or return to Kuchiki House." Kurosaki stated, nodding toward the said woman.
Byakuya nodded, "Rukia… what do want to do? Don't worry whatever your choice will be; I will still protect both of you."
Rukia looked up in confusion. "Both of us?" she repeated.
Byakuya nodded. "Yes."
Rukia thought maybe Byakuya was saying about Hisana and her. So she didn't go any futher.
She looked at Kurosaki. He returned her gaze, and nodded. That deep scowl was still etched in his forehead.
"I…" Rukia started.
A/N: I am so sorry… I know, I know… this chapter is S n S (Short and Suck). But I will try my best to fix it later… TT_TT. Please review, so that I will know what I should fix… thank you for reading…