Disclaimer: Bleach and its characters are property of Tite Kubo.

Note: Another chapter is up and it's super-long! I had written one part of this chapter (the walk in the garden) quite some time ago and was wondering where to include it. I think it fits in fine right there. But take a look yourself and enjoy!

Chapter 31:

"Shimaru-sama and Ayasi-sama kindly invite you to have afternoon tea with them, Shihana-sama", said the maid bowing low.

"Thank you for the message. I will be there in a few minutes", replied Shihana and stood up.

She set her kimono right, brushed her hair until it shone and reattached the Kuchiki hairpin. Taking a deep breath, she made her way to her parents quarters. She was afraid she knew what this was about.

"Good afternoon, father, mother", she said upon entering and gave her parents a slight bow.

"Come and sit down, Shihana", advised her father. Ayasi gave her the ghost of a smile and began to pour the tea.

"We wanted to talk to you about the upcoming wedding", Shimaru began. "I did not foresee that you would come to an agreement with the Shihoin house so soon."

"I tried my best", answered Shihana.

All three sat for a moment in silence and sipped their tea. Then Shimaru continued.

"We had the impression you would rather remain unmarried."

"That may have been initially the case", explained Shihana, "but I have changed my opinion. I will marry Shihoin Reki."

"Would you not rather marry Abarai-fukutaichou?" asked her father.

Shihana's eyes widened slightly. She showed no other emotion, but was sure that it hadn't gone unnoticed. This were her parents after all. But still, to ask that...

"You need not propose that, father", Shihana said coolly. "I won't bring further misfortune upon you in marrying a commoner."

She nearly jumped, when her mother suddenly spoke up.

"But Abarai-fukutaichou is no simple commoner", she said gently. "We have spoken to him and I perceived him as a strong and steadfast young man with an honest personality. A devoted shinigami of the thirteen court guards and worthy of admiration. I would not weep to see you as his wife."

Yet you would not cry for joy, either, thought Shihana. It pained her to see her parents trying so hard for her. She knew they would have a hard time if she gave in now.

"I have decided", Shihana spoke, banning all doubt from her voice, "I will marry Shihoin Reki of the noble house Shihoin and I will be happy with my choice."

"We accept your decision and will not inquire further", said Shimaru and bowed his head. "Then let us pass on to discussing the last details of the wedding."

Back in her room, Shihana tried to continue reading the book she had started, but found herself unable to concentrate. Surprised, she noticed that her hands were slightly shaking.

She had crossed the point of no return now. To think that her parents would actually praise Renji like that...

For a moment an unbidden image came to her head, of Renji, all dressed up standing in the grand salon of Kuchiki manor, smiling at her. She shook her head to drive the thought away.

A soft mewing came from the door. When she opened it, the black cat from Shihoin estate prowled in. It had visited her a couple of times ever since their first encounter and she found consolation in petting the small animal and pouring out her heart.

It was like a friend for her, whom she could tell things she couldn't even tell Rukia, because she had to keep her mask up for the wedding's sake.

Softly closing the door, she lay down on the futon. The cat jumped on and curled up on her chest. She scratched it behind the ears causing it to purr and half close its golden eyes.

"You won't believe what happened today, kitty", sighed Shihana. "My parents asked me if I would rather marry Renji than Reki. Can you believe them? They've been acting different ever since I came back. More caring. I have always wished for them to show me more affection, to consider my feelings, too. But now, I would rather have my cold-hearted stone-faced parents back. It would be much easier, then. They should know that this is for the best. They won't be ruined and living at Shihoin estate, I'll be able to distance myself from them. Prevent them from getting hurt again for my sake. It is for the best. Yet why can't I feel happy, kitty?"

Shihana stiffled a sob and raised a hand to wipe away the tears that wouldn't stop.

The cat mewed and looked at her with her golden eyes. Shihana had the impression it was trying to say something.

"What do you want to say, kitty? Can you give me some advice?"

"Yeah, get a grip and sort this bloody mess out! I always thought the Kuchiki's were stubborn, but plain stupid? Have Bya-bo pound some sense into you!" spat Yoruichi. With these words, she sprang up, whacked Shihana across the face with her tail and made her exit through a nearby window.

Shihana lay frozen with shock.

"I-it actually spoke?" she whispered. Then she broke into laughter. That cat! It had really tried to show her around Shihoin estate. And it had listened to her pointless rambling for days. Shihana blushed slightly. How embarrassing to have shared her most intimate thoughts with a stranger. It had sounded so annoyed at her and called her stupid! And who the heck was this Bya-bo she should talk with?

"Hm", muttered Shihana, making a thoughtful face. "It couldn't be Byakuya-san in any case? Should I go ask him whether he knows a talking cat? Way to look like the fool of a lifetime! No way I'm asking that!"

She covered her laughing face with her hands and suddenly remembered that she had an appointment with Byakuya-san this evening. He had promised to practice dancing for the wedding with her, which she had never done before. She hastily stood and went to prepare herself.

When she finally walked over towards Byakuya's rooms, Shihana wore four kimono layers which were about as heavy as her shiro-maku and uchikake would be. She was grateful that she wasn't marrying during summer.

She thought she heard voices from the room, when she knocked on her cousin's door. Who could it be?

"Enter", came Byakuya's smooth voice and she slid the door open.

She barely restrained herself from closing it again and running away. Behind Byakuya stood Rukia and...

Renji.

Shihana forced a nervous smile.

"Good evening Byakuya-san, Rukia-san, Abarai-fukutaichou", she said.

"Why are we back to last name, Shihana-san?" asked Renji, baffled. "Did I do something wrong?"

"I apologize", said Shihana and bowed. "It was my mistake, Renji-kun."

"I hope you do not mind those two joining us for training, Shihana-san", said Byakuya. "I dare say they need the practice."

"And why is he only looking at me saying that?" whispered Renji to Rukia. She grinned. "He is underestimating your natural grace, Renji."

"Eh, stop mocking me in front of Shihana-san! And remind me why I try so hard for this stupid wedding."

"Don't pout, it's unmanly!" laughed Rukia and straightened up, when Byakuya shot them a look.

"Let's begin", he announced.

The room was big to begin with. Now a wide free space had been made and many lanterns were lit to illuminate their private dance floor.

Byakuya gestured for Shihana to come to him and took her right hand with his left.

"Now put your left hand on my shoulder", he said. Shihana did so while he put his right hand on her hip.

"Are you spacing out, Abarai?" he called over the the other couple.

Renji jumped and hurried to copy him.

"Not so stiff", Byakuya chided. "Hold your arm in a way your partner can relax. As Rukia is much smaller than you, you need to hold it lower."

"Uh, like this, taichou?" asked Renji, cheeks slightly reddened from embarrassment.

"It will suffice", replied Byakuya. "Instruments, please!"

At his word, a group of musicians emerged from the next room and settled down near the door. Soon, they began to play a light melody.

"We will start with a classic waltz", said Byakuya. "First, listen to the rhythm of the tune. It will tell you when to place your steps. The woman does the first step. Step forth with your right foot while I step back with my left foot. Then step back with your left foot and immediately put your right foot next to it. Start now."

There was a shuffling of feet followed by an "Ow!" from Rukia and a hushed "Sorry!" from Renji.

"Be sure not to step on your partner's toes", reminded Byakuya.

"You are doing quite well for a beginner, Shihana-san", he commented then.

"If I remember right, this is all about the man being a good leader", replied Shihana and smirked.

"What's that supposed to mean?" cried Renji from across the room. "I guess this Reki-guy with his domination complex is really good in this then", he grumbled so low only Rukia could hear.

"I guess he would be good at it because he has learned it since he was a child", said Rukia. "But we'll make it anyway. Think of it as a complicated fighting move."

And really, after a few minutes, they had managed to move with the rhythm without entangling their legs or stepping on each other's feet. But when they looked over to Byakuya and Shihana, they realized those two had already progressed to the next stage and were turning with elegant grace.

Soon, an hour had passed and Byakuya allowed them to have a break to catch their breath.

"I expected this to be hard", said Renji, "but I never thought it would be so exhausting!"

"Huh, so hot!" Shihana exclaimed and tried to fan herself some fresh air with her flat hands.

"I advise you take a walk in the garden to cool down, Shihana-san. Abarai can accompany you", said Byakuya and gave Renji a look that clearly said there was no point in arguing.

"Might be nice", nodded Shihana and shot Rukia a questioning glance. The small woman just shrugged and smiled.

When they stepped outside, the sky was silky black and it was snowing.

They walked in silence, only the soft whisper of the falling snow and their crunching steps echoing between the white walls.

Shihana forced herself not to look at Renji and when she finally did he looked every way as fascinating as she had dreaded. His red hair stood out against all the white and black like a splash of blood. Snow had caught in it and dampened the strands, making it shine.

It was only then that she noticed he had been watching her.

"You look very beautiful tonight, Shihana-san", he said softly. "Winter seems to be your season."

She could not speak. What was she doing, walking here in the garden with Abarai Renji of all people? She should be thinking of Shihoin Reki and the well-being of her family.

Renji's voice ripped her out of her thoughts. "You're shivering, Shihana-san. Are you cold?"

Before she could answer, he had shrugged out of the cloak he had thrown over and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Can't have taichou chiding me for letting you catch a cold, can I?", he smiled.

Shihana breathed in deeply. The air was fresh and sharp, but in the cloak lingered the scent of Abarai Renji and she felt slightly dizzy inhaling it.

Renji looked down into her pale face framed with the familiar black Kuchiki hair. He suddenly realized what her parents had meant to say when they informed him they would rather see another shinigami having her hand.

Was it really all right to assume they might have meant him? Was he truly going mental now, having the guts to think the noble house of Kuchiki would want one of their daughters in the hands of a commoner like him?

All to hell with it!

He bowed down and captured her lips in a searing kiss.

Shihana stiffened. But there was no pain in the chest. Only Renji. His soft lips on hers, his body emanating warmth and this delicious scent making her head spin.

This was nothing like the kiss she had shared with Reki. She had felt nothing then.

Now she felt as if the world had narrowed down to only the two of them. She wrapped her arms around his back and clung to him desperately. She could not lose him again, she would never let go.

Renji pressed her closer. The sweet taste of her mouth made him lose his mind. He wanted her so much that it hurt. He had wanted her the moment he saw her in Rukongai, all proud and perfect and every part a Kuchiki.

He snapped back to reality. Gently he drew away and carefully observed her face.

The grey eyes had glazed over, dark lashes half hiding them. Her cheeks were flushed the delicate pink of cherry blossoms.

"Why'd you stop?" she whispered and smiled.

"Here I'm being proper for once and all ya do is complain", he laughed. "Let's go back unless you catch a cold."

The way back seemed far too short a time to enjoy Shihana leaning against his shoulder, still with that content smile on her lips.

About time they got it going, thought Byakuya and barely restrained from rolling his eyes. Young people nowadays! He would have been cursed to have that dreadful Shihoin dragging her away to his lair. Abarai might be a fool, but he was a honest, hard-working one.

"Way to go, Nii-sama!" grinned Rukia. Then her expression darkened. "But that's not enough, is it?"

"I am afraid not", answered Byakuya, his gaze still lingering on the two shadows in the garden. "Her parents told me she's dead set on going through with the wedding. Though we can rule out she really has feelings for that Reki-brat now."

"Nii-sama!" exclaimed Rukia. This surely was an evening of surprises. For her brother to use such expressions.

"And this is really all right with you, Rukia-san?" Byakuya asked almost gently turning his grey eyes on her.

"Sure", said Rukia and smiled. "But you might have to get used to the presence of a certain substitute shinigami around the house."

"I knew it", said Byakuya, expressionless. But Rukia's sharp eyes couldn't escape the small smile tugging at his lips.

They finally got it going! Satisfied? Disappointed? Please let me know your opinion. Next chapter you'll find out whether Shihana still
refuses to let go of her false sense of duty. Review and I love you!