A/N: I'M SORRY!!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry for the late update but I had writers block, and so churned out this, which is similar to the other byarukis but they r good so they kinda inspired me, my editor was away for a while so she couldn't edit it and I was working on the prequel to my one-shot "Letting Go" and have started my Rukitake. On top of this, I have had lots of work and college dealines! (No surprise there!)

Anyway, enjoy! (Sorry for the rushed note but it's kinda late here and i am very tired!)

Warnings: Contains, Lemons, Limes, Angst, Pain, Suffering, Language, Voilence etc.

Chapter Eight

Keeping Byakuya

When Rukia woke up the next morning, she immediately felt the throbbing headache from sleep deprivation. She shifted lazily, the sheets rubbing against her skin as she pulled herself up, rubbing her eyes as she did so. She blinked a few times, letting her blurry eyes focus to the light. She yawned as she slumped back, her heavy body immediately failing her, making her sigh as she stared at the ceiling. She blushed as she thought of the night's events, making her smile in satisfaction. She glanced sideways, to where her lover should have been laying, however, what she found was not her gorgeous brother sleeping but a neatly folded piece of paper with her name written in familiar writing on it.

She slowly reached for it, frowning as she did so, what could he possibly have written to her? She felt the cold paper under her fingers as she examined the writing. It had been written with the composed hand of her Brother, unrushed, with the utmost care and precision. Just looking at the writing of her name made her heart pound, and recalling the sound of her name being called made her hands shake. She shook her head, getting a hold of herself as she flipped open the paper and reading the message inside.

Rukia,

Do not panic when you read this and look at the time, I have taken the liberty of telling your captain that you had little sleep last night due to paperwork and consequently, you will be in to work later.

I expect to see you at dinner at six sharp, if you are not present at this set time, you will be severely punished.

Byakuya

Rukia shivered with anticipation that suddenly shot through her as she read his name. She rested back on the headboard, smiling as she re-read the note. She eventually checked the time, her eyes widening at her discovery. She shook her head as she threw back the bed covers, sliding out of bed lazily. She stretched before flopping back down onto the soft bed, too exhausted to even stand. She sighed; this was pathetic. Heaving herself up using the bedpost for support, she managed find her clothes that had been hastily thrown on the floor during the night and slipped on her underwear and t-shirt. As she did so, she gasped, having failed in her panic that this was Byakuya's room. She was about to leave when her gaze flickered to a strange door, closed and almost calling at her to be opened. She quickly ran over to it, promising herself a small peek, but her eyes widened at bathroom that had suddenly revealed itself, never had she seen a room so exquisitely furnished in all her life. As her gaze swept over the flawlessly tiled under- heated floor, the marble counter tops and the sparkling sink, she blushed as she saw the size of the bath; it was large enough to fit eight people minimum. She grinned as she imagined sharing said bath with him. She flitted over to it, sitting on the rim and running her hands down the side, she could see him now, resting in the bubbles as he coaxed her in.

She stood up quickly, suddenly aware of the time as the grandfather clock chimed in the corridor. She hurried out of his room, rushing into her own to shower before going into work very late.

xxxxxxx

Kiyone and Sentaro smiled brightly as Rukia eventually turned up at the squad barracks. She gave them a weak smile in return and waved a little, trying to hide her obvious tiredness. She walked past them quickly, heading for the office in which she worked. However, she had jumped from the frying pan into the fire as Captain Ukitake bombarded her with questions upon her arrival.

"Rukia, you look awfully tired!" he exclaimed, "Are you ill? Why are you in work today if you are? Is your brother not taking care of you properly?"

"If only you knew," she muttered under her breath before replying properly, "No, I'm fine, I'm just tired."

"Well," Jūshirō advised, "I suggest you go home soon, I don't want you falling asleep on the job, and it would be better if you did a little work now and then went home to rest."

Rukia nodded as she tried to take a large pile of sorting; however it was soon taken off her by Jūshirō, who then gave her a much smaller pile. She rolled her eyes at her captain's thumbs up sign as she walked to her desk and began to file the papers into the appropriate sections, marking off those for immediate transferral with her Chappi pencil. As she did so, her mind wandered back to Byakuya's bathroom and how she hoped to bathe in it with him at some point. She found herself blushing at the thought and quickly hid herself behind her sheets to avoid suspicion. She continued working like this, keeping her head low, until she had finished her pile and had searched for something else to do as the time neared five. Ukitake however, had found her in her mission and with a firm voice, had sent her home.

She dragged her tired feet as she made her way to the Kuchiki manor, looking out for Byakuya who would also be travelling home at this time. She ignored the sounds of the seireitei and focussed on her own thoughts as she continued home, her stomach fluttering with anticipation as the prospect of spending another night with Byakuya crossed her mind. She picked up her speed a little despite her exhaustion, determined to get home as soon as possible. She glanced at her watch and gasped, she only had ten minutes before she had to meet Byakuya, and her slow walk home had taken longer than expected. She used the rest of her energy to flash step home, nearly collapsing on the doorstep when she finally got home. She heard the clock chime six as she rested against the corridor wall, making her jump and rush to the dining room. She bustled through the door and immediately blushed as she saw Byakuya sitting at the table, awaiting her arrival.

"You're late," he reprimanded in his aloof monotone, far from the passionate, sensual voice she had heard last night. She shivered at the thought of that voice in her ear and sat down suddenly, her gaze fixed upon him.

"I-It has just chimed six," she stuttered, "I am just on time."

"Hm," Byakuya reluctantly replied, "Very well."

She sighed in relief as she was given the first course; however he continued in such a way that almost made her choke as soon as they were alone again.

"But those clothes are very dusty; you need to take them off immediately after dinner and I need to check that your nightwear is warm enough before you put them on, I don't want you getting cold again."

Her eyes widened at the comment, was this, his version of innuendo? Was he seriously asking her to strip in front of him? On saying this however, Rukia shrugged, considering last night nothing was surprising anymore. She blushed a little as she carried on eating before giving a little nod, to which he allowed a smile to form. The pair ate in silence, anticipation and lust the only bridge between the wide gap. Byakuya, never really fond of deserts denied the course when it finally came round. Similarly, Rukia, who had acquired herself a sweet tooth, denied the course, preferring to find her sweet fix another way.

She stood up as dinner had finished; only to be joined by Byakuya who had flashed stepped over to her already.

"Follow me," he commanded icily, leading her out of the dining room and to his room, sensing the fluctuations in Rukia's reiatsu as her veins coursed with expectation. He smiled, she will enjoy this greatly. She followed him, trembling a little as she went through his room and stopped outside his bathroom. He opened the door and urged her forward, giving her a little nudge as his nose touched her ear. She slowly inched forwards, closely followed by him before he turned back and shut the door and locked it. She shivered as he was behind her in an instant, teasing off her Shihakusho to reveal her porcelain skin before him.

"That's better," he whispered before he led her deeper into he large bathroom, revealing that the spacious bath had already been filled with steaming water, the vapours rising, spreading the scent of flowers as the candles along the rim flickered a little.

"Did you do this for me?" she gasped as he had begun to take off his Haori.

"Let's just say that I have a good relationship with one of the servants," he replied, "I only had to distract you with dinner."

"And he didn't say anything to the romantic setup?" she enquired; a little worried that this could get out.

"No," Byakuya laughed as he continued to undress, folding his Hakamas over the heated rail, "He is more than trustworthy."

Rukia raised her eyebrows, since when did he make friends with the servants? And since when did he trust someone other than himself? She shook her head, confused at his words, however she squeaked as he swiftly undid her bra and eased her panties down. She held her breath as he picked her up and carried her into the tub with him. With utmost grace he laid down, placing her on top of him so that he could rest against him. She sighed in bliss as the hot water gently washed over her aching body whilst Byakuya massaged her, making her close her eyes and rest her head against his shoulder, exposing her neck.

"Tired, Rukia?" he asked in an innocent voice.

"You know full well how exhausted I am," she said wryly.

"You should have gone to bed earlier and not asked for a second and third round," he said in a matter-of-fact way.

"The third round was your fault," she pointed out as he stroked her neck, "I tried to sleep."

Byakuya could only laugh, defeated, at her comment, however he turned serious as the news nagged at the back of his mind.

"You don't have to worry," he assured, his voice serious now, making her sit up and turn around her see him, startled by his change in tones, "We will have to keep any love making to a minimum tonight, so you can catch up your sleep, we have an early start tomorrow."

"Why?" she asked quickly, her stomach tightening, she didn't like the sound of this.

"We have been sent for by the elders," he admitted with a frustrated sigh, "They need to see the two of us first thing tomorrow morning."

Rukia opened to mouth to reply, but Byakuya carried on, "I don't know what it's about before you ask."

Rukia scowled at the news and sat back down, folding her arms over her chest. Byakuya chuckled at her strop before easing her arms to her sides and running his hands delicately from her stomach to her neck, making her arch a little as he fingers touched her breasts.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," he said as he continued his work, hearing small gasps and sensual noises as her replies. They continued like this until the water was lukewarm, at which time Byakuya lifted her out and carried her to the bedroom. As she dried herself with a fluffy towel, he blew out the remaining lit candles and joined her, gently guiding her down to begin the one round of love making that they could enjoy that night, both a little worried of the meeting, despite being in each other's calming presence.

xxxxxxx

Rukia was fidgeting with the sleeves of the exquisite kimono she sat next to Byakuya, waiting for the elders to join them. She kept glancing at her brother, who despite the tension in the air seemed perfectly at ease. His face was straight, not a single line of emotion gracing his features as they waited. She inhaled deeply, the heavy air choking her, threatening to squeeze the life from her veins. She concentrated on a corner of the room, focussing all her attention to that spot determined to not succumb to the tension.

Rukia could have sworn that her heart skipped a beat as the door in front of them slid open and head elder, who luckily, Rukia knew the most and was closest to Byakuya out of all the Kuchiki elders, sat in front of them gracefully. He cleared his throat, making Rukia jump, biting her lip to stop her from demanding what the problem was. Byakuya, sensing her discomfort, gently placed his hand over hers before retracting it as the elder looked up.

"Byakuya-sama," he addressed him in a deep voice, "I'm not going to string this out like the other elders would, and I feel that a direct approach would be more tactful."

Rukia was suddenly aware of Byakuya's wavering reiatsu, although his face did not give any emotion; his reiatsu said it all; he was just as worried about this as she was. The elder paused for a few seconds, before continuing, almost making Rukia yell at him for stalling. Byakuya shot her a warning glance before turning respectfully back to the aged man.

"We need an heir," he said in a slow voice, "The Kuchiki clan is desperate for one. We need an heir to carry on the Kuchiki clan, as you have no siblings or any legitimate next of kin. We have comprised a list of noble women whom you must marry and produce at least one heir with. I apologize that this is sudden, but desperate times call for desperate measures."

Byakuya's mask broke as his eyes widened at the information, marry someone else and produce an heir? Silence took over; Byakuya speechless and Rukia on the verge of a metal break down.

"No," her faint voice broke the silence, "You can't do that to Byakuya, he deserves better than that, he is the Kuchiki leader, and no noble woman should have him."

Byakuya gasped, the cat was out of the bag now, and the elder would surely pick up on all the little things that had changed between them since their meeting in the closet. He clenched his fists, stopping himself from saying anything, if he tried to bail them out, he would only be digging the hole deeper.

"Byakuya can't…he can't marry someone else…" Rukia's voice was small as her tears splashed onto the carpet.

The elder sat for a moment, unsure how to proceed after Rukia's sudden outburst. He cleared his throat again and ruffled the papers as he smiled a little.

"What do you say Byakuya-sama," he asked.

"I will do whatever the elders require of me," he said, his voice monotone and unwelcoming.

"Of course," the man continued, "This may seem a little unorthodox but there is no objection to you marrying Rukia-sama. She is in fact a Kuchiki already and it may make the procedure a little less formal as you two have been living with each other for at least fifty years now. That is of course neither of you refuse."

"Marry…Nii-sama," Rukia said, managing to call him brother despite it being too late now.

The elder nodded, "It can all be arranged swiftly and a small marriage can be held, this will make sure that word doesn't get out."

"I think that will be the best option," Byakuya replied, "Rukia and I have become close over the years and I have no desire to court noble ladies."

"Very well, now if you could please sign the documents, they are contracts that will secure the Kuchiki heir."

"What do they entail?" Byakuya questioned as the paper and brush was pushed towards him. Rukia, who was beside herself, took the brush with a shaky hand, still in a state of utter shock over what had happened.

"The contract is that you will marry your chosen bride and produce at least one heir in two years, if not, then the Kuchiki land will be sold to other nobles and the Kuchiki name will disintegrate."

Byakuya nodded and rubbed Rukia's knee under the table, reassuring her that this contract will be fulfilled. She too nodded as she signed and passed it to him. He briefly glanced over the small print and signed his name next to hers. The elder bowed as he gathered up the papers and took them carefully before thanking them and dismissing them. As they walked home, Rukia didn't say anything, only stared at the ground, traumatized at nearly having lost Byakuya to another woman. Byakuya too felt he had nearly lost Rukia and tried repeatedly to console her, but he knew it would fall on deaf ears.

xxxxxxx

That night, neither of them felt like making love, they were simply happy to lie next to one another and share a peaceful night, hopefully that many more were to come in the following years.

A/N: Please Review! Thanks for the lovely reviews, even the one that told me to update lol, which, I must admit, did its job!

In the next chapter, the wedding of Byakuya and Rukia and everything that comes with it!

See you then!