WHEN THE SNOW FALLS
by Yih
Chapter Twenty-four
A Terrible Sin
"I don't need an explanation," Byakuya said as he walked into Jushiro's office without permission and unannounced. "I don't want to know why you offered for Rukia, but I am here to inform you that your offer has been declined."
Jushiro turned away from the window where he was watching the shinigami within his squad practicing under Rukia's lead. Even though he had been unable to promote Rukia to the 3rd seat that she deserved, he was giving her more responsibility anyway. Nothing dangerous of course, remembering quite well that Byakuya had specifically shown his concern. Jushiro glanced at the younger taichou. He was awfully protective of Rukia, slightly confounding when he never seemed to care or show any emotion before for anyone, much less his adopted sister.
"May I inquire why my offer was declined?" Jushiro asked, meeting the intensity of Byakuya's gaze head on.
He might not like confrontation, especially when a peaceful and agreeable mututal solution was always better in his mind – that didn't mean Jushiro was weak or bent to the will of others. He had allowed Byakuya to block the promotion of Rukia to the 3rd seat mainly because Byakuya was trying to protect her in his selfish way. That didn't mean Byakuya had any right to offer Rukia as a wife to any eligible man within the Seireitei without letting her know.
Jushiro knew she had no idea that her future was being decided right now. He had politely asked her to come in and chat with him about how her new duties were suiting her and he had offhandedly mentioned if she had any intention of marrying anytime soon and she had looked bewildered. She also had told him softly that she was too young at this time and that she supposed when it was in the hands of Byakuya-sama – whenever he decided that she should be married then she would be – which told Jushiro enough. She hadn't even been warned before her name had filtered to appropriate suitors through discreet means.
"Rukia is too young," Byakuya stated.
Jushiro lifted an eyebrow up in surprise. "I am in agreement."
"Then you should withdraw your offer."
Jushiro continued to stare into Byakuya's eyes, wondering at the new information and what that meant for current predicament. So Byakuya hadn't approved of Rukia being put up as a bride for any eligible noble husband. What exactly was going on then?
"Why were the Kuchiki elders seeking a husband for her if you do not think she is of age to marry yet?"
"The elders," Byakuya said softly and coldly, "believe it is their personal duty to ensure the succession of the Kuchiki line through whatever means possible. I am sure Takahiro-san informed you that the stipulation for you marrying Rukia was to forego your family name, is that correct?"
Jushiro inclined his head. "It was implied."
"And you were willing?"
"I have no idea who offered for her," Jushiro said. "There may have been better, nobler men who might have suited her better, but in the case that no one suitable stepped up that was willing to agree to that implication, I wanted to be sure that Rukia was well taken care of."
Byakuya narrowed his eyes before he averted them. "You care for her."
Jushiro wasn't exactly sure how to interpret Byakuya's suddenly looking and the tone of what he had said. There was something that was going on that he didn't understand between Byakuya and Rukia. What was it?
"I care for everyone in my squad," Jushiro remarked, looking down again at the courtyard where Rukia was helping a new recruit practice zanjutsu. "There are some I grow to know better and consequently, they come to have a special place in my heart."
Byakuya said nothing to that for a while, instead he moved to the window and from there they both watched Rukia practicing with the young recruit. Finally, Byakuya said, "I would appreciate it if you graciously withdraw your offer to the Kuchiki elders without stating why."
"Byakuya," Jushiro said as he heard Byakuya slide the door open to leave. Byakuya stood at the door, still. "May I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Do you care for Rukia?"
Jushiro turned to look at Byakuya and he was momentarily stunned by some indescribable emotion that he saw flicker across Byakuya's gray eyes before they disappeared beneath the stern, unreadable mask. "I do," Byakuya admitted in a hushed voice. "Good day, Jushiro."
"Good day," Jushiro echoed to the empty room.
His gaze return to the courtyard and Rukia as his mind wandered through the conversation he had just had with Byakuya. He didn't know what to make of it, but he decided that he would honor Byakuya's request and withdraw his offer for Rukia's hand in marriage. He only hoped that Byakuya wouldn't make him regret doing this, not when he was placing his faith in believing Byakuya's words.
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He had absolutely no idea what he was doing. He had never felt more lost, more anxious in his life, even though he kept it all underneath a façade of indifference. Byakuya stood at his grandfather's grave and stared up at the dark sky. How was it he had been so happy a few days ago and now felt so distraught?
"Do you remember the promise I made years ago when I took Rukia into the family?"
The wind didn't – wouldn't answer.
Byakuya sighed. "I am afraid I may have to break it."
It went against everything that he had been taught, what he stood for – to break all such a law – to even consider it… it was a sin to marry your own sister.
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A/N: To everyone that reviewed and gave me such sweet encouragement, you made my day and this is out superfast because of you guys! Okay, this was an extremely exhilarating chapter to write, and I just 3 Ukitake Jushiro! It made me want to write a little omake about Jushiro thinking of Rukia as a potential wife for himself (which didn't fit into the chapter), which I'll send to you via pm/email if you review!
Released: 1/27/2009