WHEN THE SNOW FALLS
by Yih

Chapter Twenty-nine
The Weight of Approval

Byakuya approached the situation of gaining his peers, his fellow Taichous' approval of his relationship with Rukia with trepidation, but with logic. He started first with Yamamoto-sou-taichou, who he expected to be the hardest, but surprisingly Yamamoto didn't seem so surprised at his announcement. Byakuya was coming to the distinct suspicion Yamamoto had known about their affair for a while, but how?

Anyhow, Yamamoto agreed to give his approval of the match as long as he got the unanimous approval of the other Taichous, which Byakuya didn't think would be such an easy thing. Soifon had just looked at him with disinterested eyes before telling him that she gave her approval only because he should be allowed to his life as he chose.

Byakuya had gritted his teeth when he had gone to Ichimaru Gin with his endlessly grinning face that just reeked of something sinister. Ichimaru's grin had widened when he heard what Byakuya had wanted and he had said, "Oh, you and your sister together like that? My, my, I never knew Kuchiki-taichou liked such things."

Byakuya had set the parchment with Yamamoto's and Soifon's seals on Ichimaru's desk and stood there with a rigid back. He had already explained to Ichimaru that Rukia was adopted and as not being his true-blooded sister, was eligible by a past situation to be considered a possible wife for him.

Gin had continued grinning and staring at him for a good long while before he stamped the parchment with his own seal. Byakuya had held himself back from quickly snatching it into his hands, instead he had said in a detached voice, "Thank you, Ichimaru-taichou."

"Of course, Kuchiki-taichou, of course."

Unohana Retsu was unexpectedly difficult, considering Byakuya had gotten by Yamamoto, Soifon, and Ichimaru without a hitch. Unohana had questioned him about his decision thoroughly, bringing up an especially important thought he hadn't considered.

"It is an uphill battle for you and Rukia-san," Unohana stated calmly and serenely. "Despite the fact, you found evidence of a prior relationship like yours, it will be hard to make all those in the Seireitei understand the situation. You are the Taichou of the 6th Squad and the Head of the Kuchiki clan whereas Rukia-san is an unseated shinigami from the 13th Squad, who do you think it will be more difficult for?"

Byakuya thought long and hard about Unohana's words before he murmured, "It will not be easy, but both she and I know this and accept that we will have to struggle… her moreso than I."

"As long as you understand," Unohana said and smiled while she imprinted her seal on the parchment.

Aizen Sosuke had been the easiest Taichou to convince and Byakuya had seen the gentle looks he would give to his fukutaichou, Hinamori Momo. And it was even more obvious the love and worship in Hinamori's eyes. Byakuya had thanked Aizen and made his way to Komamura Saijin's domain.

If possible, Komamura had been even easier than Aizen. He simply said, "Who am I to judge you?"

It reminded Byakuya a lot of what Yamamoto-sou-taichou had said earlier. Now the next Taichou, Kyoraku Shunsui could be difficult to predict. Byakuya had carefully explained the situation as he had done previously with all the other Taichous before he paused and waited for Kyoraku-taichou, who was lounging beside his desk in his relaxed laziness, to respond to the request. "Well, I have nothing against it," Kyoraku remarked as he gestured for Ise-fukutaichou to hand him his seal. "You certainly do surprise me, Byakuya-sama."

Byakuya didn't care if he shocked Kyoraku into a seizure as long as he got his seal of approval so that he could confront the other captains. He was past the halfway point and his goal seemed within reach. It was time to visit Squad 10.

Hitsugaya Toshiro had been busy working and barely looked up at his paperwork to greet Byakuya when he had stepped into his office. Byakuya noticed that Hitsugaya-taichou's fukutaichou, Matsumoto was lazing around much like Kyoraku. Byakuya briefly told Hitsugaya about the situation and he wasn't even sure if Hitsugaya really was paying attention, he stamped his seal and motioned for Byakuya to leave him to his work.

Byakuya was amused as he walked over to Squad 11. It took a while to finally locate Zaraki-taichou because he wasn't where he was supposed to be and Byakuya kept a bland face when his fukutaichou cried, "Ken-chan, it's Bya-kun!"

Zaraki had turned to him with a huge grin. "Looking for a fight?"

Byakuya decided it was useless to explain anything to him, instead he handed him the parchment and told him to place his seal on it because it was a requirement of all the Taichous within the Gotei 13. Zaraki shrugged and sealed it and handed it back. Byakuya left quickly, flashstepping over to Kurotsuchi Mayuri's research laboratory.

While within the Research Institute, Byakuya made a point not to look carefully at anything lest he see something he would regret as Kurotsuchi-fukutaichou guided him to the private laboratory where Kurotsuchi-taichou did his own personal experiments.

Byakuya was glad to see that there were no current experiments being conduced and that Kurotsuchi was busy typing away at his database. He handed the parchment to Kurotsuchi and told him flat out why he was here. Kurotsuchi had an amused expression on his face, not saying anything as he pressed his seal into the parchment.

The only one who said anything to break the silence that had ensued was Kurotsuchi-fukutaichou was said, "This way, Kuchiki-taichou."

Byakuya was glad when he emerged from Squad 12 and he quickly flashstepped to Squad 13 because he was eager to get the last seal so he could send the parchment back to the King of the Soul Society and receive his official dispensation. The day had been hard and tiring, awkward and difficult, but it was worth it to be able to finally tell Rukia tonight that everything was done and settled.

The weight of worry Byakuya had carried on his shoulders ever since having to tell the Elders about Rukia and him was finally being lifted. Byakuya anticipated that Jushiro would be surprised about his relationship with Rukia, but Jushiro would finally understand why Byakuya did the things he did regarding her.

Byakuya was careful to make his way to Jushiro's office without running into any of the shinigami that would alert Rukia of his presence in Squad 13. He didn't want her to know what he was up to… he wanted to surprise her tonight once he got Jushiro's seal.

"Shunsui told me I should be expecting you," Jushiro remarked when Byakuya slipped quietly into the room. "Of course, he did not inform of what exactly, but he said it would greatly interest me."

"It does concern you," Byakuya stated.

Jushiro motioned for Byakuya to take a seat and he sank down onto the cushion in front of Jushiro's desk.

"As you know firsthand," Byakuya began, "the Elders of the Kuchiki clan wanted to marry Rukia to a noble and while I manage to avert such a circumstance, it came at a cost."

"I thought as much," Jushiro murmured, then waved his hand for Byakuya to continue.

"The Kuchiki elders wanted an heir for the clan…"

"And you offered," Jushiro finished. "I do not think you would be here for a simple congratulations for your upcoming nuptials…"

"No," Byakuya agreed. "I am here to ask you to approve of a marriage between Rukia and I."

Jushiro's only indication that he was surprised was the slight widening of his eyes. "So I see."

"Your seal is the last one I need," Byakuya continued. "And this isn't a sudden solution to an unexpected problem."

"What would you call it then?"

"Fate," he said softly.

"Fate," Jushiro repeated. "Do you love her?"

"I do."

"If I agree to this," he said, staring Byakuya straight in the eye, "I will require you to accede to one request that I will determine at a later time period, it is a request you cannot refuse. Do you agree?"

Byakuya nodded, knowing there was no way Jushiro would budge from his position without his acquiescence. He didn't care what request, whatever favor Jushiro asked of him as long as he got the seal and the ability to make Rukia his wife. Byakuya felt like he was watching years go by as Jushiro pressed his seal into the parchment. When it was finally done, Byakuya let out a sigh of sweet relief.

Nothing could stop them from beginning together – at least for now.

-

A/N: This chapter took forever to write! Thanks for those of you that reviewed, I really do appreciate it. So what do you guys think of what has happened so far? What would you like to see next?

Released: 2/11/2009