Hey people! Sorry for the late update (again). I've got 2 more stories swimming around my head which is quite distracting. I posted one, Mark Your Territory, because I know this fic lacks some ByaRuki moments... for now. The other story was going to be another ByaRuki but now I'm not sure. I've grown to really like UlquiRuki and there aren't many of those fics around. But then I really love ByaRuki... Maybe I should have a vote lol

My sincere apologies to my chapter 4 reviewers. I forgot to thank them last time. So, Nathalie Shiffer, Cima1305, 1superkawaii, sagittariusleo and Vicky, thanks! Lots of hugs and kisses! Many many thanks to Nathalie Shiffer, rukiharem, 1superkawaii, Rukes, isaraaries, sepsis, xdayanarax, xlightningx, Vicky, Namine1993, CJ and Vicky73 for all your reviews for chapter 5! Loved them all! It means so so much to me! Special thanks goes out to 1superkawaii and Rukes for adding me as their fave author! (bows) And thanks to all those who added this story to their fave story and alert list! isaraaries, I don't want to give away too much but I'll just say Grimmjow is hiding a little secret... Vicky73, you are Vicky right? I updated this a little earlier for you ;) x

Thanks for the good luck wishes for my charity run. I managed, to this day, to raise near $250 for Cancer Research. I managed to run 5K in 36 minutes. Hopefully, I'll do better and raise more money next year! Heh

Anyways, on with the chapter. Hope I don't disappoint!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach just this plot (sorry I keep forgetting to add this in)

Bound duty

'She is my fiancée. Stay away from her...'

Rukia stiffened. The look on Ichigo's face was heart breaking. She just couldn't look at him anymore. She had lied to him on many occasions. On purpose. About everything. How could she look him in the eye again?

I'm so sorry

'Fi... fiancée?' Ichigo whispered under his breath.

It was just one word but still it was difficult for him to mutter. Not only was Rukia a pureblood vampire, the very being he most hated but she also belonged to another. He couldn't get his head around all that had just happened.

Could this day get any worse? Tell me this is just a sick joke; a nightmare. Please let it be a nightmare so things would be normal again!

He lifted his eyes to Rukia. She was hidden behind Ulquiorra but she had her head to the side staring at the floor anyway. Was she avoiding him? Why wasn't she saying anything? Ichigo needed to get some answers.

Please, tell me it's not true, Rukia...

'If you value your life you will stop looking at my future wife life that,' Ulquiorra warned as he stared harder at Ichigo.

This man does truly look like...

The moment his eyes met Ichigo's his blood began to boil. Ulquiorra saw that longing looking Ichigo gave Rukia. He knew there was some romantic emotion hidden in there. There was no way that Ulquiorra would allow that. No one else could have her.

'Come near her again and I'll definitely finish you off.'

'Itoko-san...' she whispered.

Ulquiorra twitched a little. Her voice was lifeless almost sad. Was she upset? Why would she be upset? Everything he did was to protect her; for her. He loved her. Couldn't she see that?

'Let's go home,' Rukia offered. 'Let me atone for my behaviour.'

If they didn't leave now she was certain that Ichigo would be killed. Ulquiorra barely lifted a finger and Ichigo was already ripped to shreds. Ichigo was no match for him and Ulquiorra spared no mercy for soul reapers. Kill all soul reapers on sight. That was one of the most important vampire rules and Ulquiorra didn't like to break rules.

'Very well,' he looked straight into Ichigo's eyes placing as much hatred as possible, 'I won't kill you,' he turned slightly towards Rukia, 'for now.'

'Why?' Ulquiorra looked back at the soul reaper.

'Why did you save me?' he directed to Rukia. 'Why didn't you just let me die?' Ichigo shouted.

Rukia finally met Ichigo's eyes. His anger took over his sadness. It was unbelievable that he, a soul reaper was saved by a pureblood vampire. They were enemies. How ironic? How humiliating?

Unforgivable!

'I...'

Her eyes glistened threatening to cry. She had not only hurt his feelings but she also hurt his pride. She knew he hated her.

'You irk me to no end,' Ulquiorra said calmly.

He raised his hand to the side ready to gather another cero until he saw a huge burst of yellow electricity flash his way. The power was great but Ulquiorra pushed it away to the side with just one wave of his hand. The bolt of light hit into a tree exploding into a huge fire roaring with rage.

Way of destruction; thunder roar cannon?

It was a magic spell. It was one of many weapons used by soul reapers. It was quite a high level spell. The user was more powerful, much more powerful than Ichigo. One that did not have to read the incantation of the spell out loud yet still brought a big amount of energy. Ulquiorra looked up a little further ahead to where the spell came from. Two men stood in the near distance but he only recognised one of them.

Urahara Kisuke.

No one moved for what seemed like years. Everyone was trying to guess their opponents' next move. Sharp winds blew against them fiercely but still no one moved an inch. Kisuke and Ulquiorra were both incredibly powerful men. Both names were famous amongst vampires and soul reapers but they both had someone they wanted to protect right next to them. Was it worth risking a fight? Neither man wanted to spill any unnecessary blood. Not right now anyway. Ulquiorra turned round and offered his palm to Rukia.

'Let's go.'

Rukia's eyes moved side to side from Ulquiorra to Ichigo then back to Ulquiorra. Eventually she nodded and folded her hand into his. It was warm and always gave her a sense of security but today she felt worried.

He could feel the slight shaking of her hand so he squeezed it tight with his as he led her away. Scared that she would change her mind he began to walk a little faster tugging her along.

'Rukia!'

Ichigo moved to get up but his muscles wouldn't listen to him. The cero did a lot of damage to his body. It couldn't work properly. Something deep down within him ached as he watched Rukia in someone else's hands and began to leave him probably never to return to him again. She paid no heed to his call. A twisting feeling began in the pit of his stomach.

'Rukia!'

Beams of yellow light circled Ichigo forming like a wheel around his body commanding every single muscle in his body to not move. His body froze completely. It would take a strong energy to counter attack the spell. Only then could the captor could break out of it.

Way of binding; six rod prison of light

'Ichigo,' Kisuke suddenly flashed to Ichigo's side, 'you are too weak.'

He looked towards the departing vampires. Perhaps the binding spell was a little too excessive but he wanted to be certain that Ichigo didn't move. He didn't want him ruining his plans.

'Surely even you know that you do not stand a chance against a pureblood, especially in your current condition?'

Ichigo looked to the floor. There was no denying it. He was useless. It was so shameful. He had trained for week but he couldn't even react to even one shot from a vampire. How could he carry out the simple duties of a soul reaper? He didn't even realise Rukia was a vampire. She was also in love with someone else.

And to think that Rukia and I... I'm such a fool

'Ichigo, would you want to get stronger?'

'Huh?' Ichigo looked up to his master.

'I promised to train you to be the strongest soul reaper and I will not fail you.'

'Master, I...' Ichigo hesitated. He lost all confidence in himself.

'Don't get depressed about it. Just get stronger.' Ichigo remained silent with his head hanging low.

'What an ungraceful scene.' A shadow towered over and stared at the sight of Ichigo's injuries.

How ugly

'So this is the secret weapon you were talking about, no?' Yumichika asked as he walked a little closer to them. A dark grin appeared on Kisuke's face.

Indeed...

Kisuke looked at the tattoos on his palms. The black ink etched firmly; permanently into his skin soiling his image for years. He hated it but then it did constantly remind him of his mistakes. He had to learn from it but for what price? He balled his hands into fists at the thought.

Soon, I will have my revenge...

'Byakuya was just teasing,' Rukia said nervously.

She shouldn't be nervous. She had no real reason to be nervous but Ulquiorra didn't look impressed when he saw all the roses in her room. Then, of course, there was the whole incident with Ichigo. For a strong law binding man, Ulquiorra also didn't like others breaking rules. And she just happened to break a very important law by associating with a soul reaper and more importantly, by saving him.

Itoko-san must be mad at me

Out of the blue he circled his arms around Rukia and pulled her into a hug. His hand lightly stroked her hair as the other hand rested on the curve of her back. Her head, buried into his strong chest and she could hear the smooth rhythm of his heartbeat. He closed his eyes trying to savour the closeness; desperately trying to hold onto it; hold onto her.

'Rukia, you're too kind.'

'I...'

She was rather puzzled as to what he meant. He leaned back to cup her cheek gently rubbing it. His intense eyes gazed right into hers. A faint blush started to grow on her.

'I know it's in your nature but your kindness would give people the wrong idea. You have to let them down gently.'

'Y-yes...' It meant that she had to reject Byakuya. It meant that she had to reject all other men.

'Good,' he said as he continued to stroke her hair. 'And you will not see that soul reaper again. Don't waste your time on such human trash.'

'Itoko-san,' she sprung out slightly from the embrace, 'I just didn't want anyone to die because of me...' she meekly offered.

Ulquiorra frowned. The image of Ichigo suddenly appeared in his thoughts.

'I see, Rukia. That man does look a little like Kaien,' Rukia twitched a little, 'but this teacher complex you have has gone far enough.'

'Huh? Teach... teacher complex?' her eyes widened.

'I knew you looked upto him a lot like an idol but don't get confused. That was nothing but admiration.'

'I...'

Rukia just didn't know what to say. Did she really have feelings for Kaien? Sure, she really admired him but did she have any romantic feelings towards him? Was that why she acted the way she did with Ichigo?

Ulquiorra could see Rukia struggling with her feelings. Her eyes were always so expressive. She was still rather young and unable to hide her emotions but he liked that innocent nature of hers.

'Rukia, Kaien is gone, forget about him. Those feelings are not real. This,' he moved to hold both her hands in his; 'us, you and me are real. You and I belong together.' He stroked his fingers lightly along face and rested them under her chin.

'Or do you want me to be all alone again? Should I lose you too?'

She looked into his eyes and recognised the sadness and loneliness. Every time she looked at him he always held those emotions. His life felt empty. Only she could fill that emptiness in his heart. She placed a delicate touch of a hand over his.

'It-'

'You said you...' he voice cracked slightly, 'you said you would be with me. Have you had a change of heart? Are you to abandon me?'

Are you to break my heart once more?

Those words made her heart feel heavy. It ached. She could feel his hurt. Many years he wondered about lost. She wanted to soothe his pain.

'Are you to abandon me like Hisana?'

He found it harder to breathe with every second. It scared him. Every part of him wanted her to stay with him; love him. Her rejection would probably kill him. It took all the courage in the world for him to fall in love again. What would he do if he lost his loved one again? Would he survive it?

Rukia enveloped him tightly in an embrace. She couldn't bear to see him so full of sadness. She hated herself for causing it. How she wished for all his pain to go away. Her love was the answer.

'I won't leave you,' she whispered as silent tears began to roll off her. 'I won't.'

'Rukia,' he held onto her tightly and rested his chin on her head, 'I love you.'

Please stay...

Please love me...

Be mine...

She shuffled a little in his arms trying to hide her tears. Was he saying it to her? Was he saying it to her because she looked so much like Hisana? Both sisters shared the same face, same hair, and same eyes. You could hardly separate the two just by looking at them.

'Do you love me?' Ulquiorra's voice hitched a little higher than normal. He was nervous or perhaps he was afraid of her answer. She was shocked; caught off guard from the sudden question.

'I... itoko-'

'Don't love me as a cousin,' Ulquiorra interrupted quickly. He hated the word. 'Love me as a man; as a lover.'

A lover?

Her heart raced ahead of her threatening to leap out from her throat. Louder and louder it started to pump. It was thudding so fast she was sure that he could tell she was shocked. What was she supposed to say? What was she meant to say?

Duty. Honour. Pride... Love?

She looked deep into those sad looking eyes of Ulquiorra. He was very lonely, and has been for these past years.

Hisana, I will take your place and fulfil your engagement to itoko-san... It is my duty

So is she wearing lacy or silk underwear? Actually, why does she have to be wearing

any underwear at all?

'Byakuya, are you listening to me?' Aizen asked.

'Yeah, sure,' Byakuya said as he snapped out of his little daydream of Rukia and wiped the wicked smile off his face.

Aizen had summoned him to the Assembly Hall and started talking about 'family duty' for the past 10 minutes. Byakuya zoned out pretty much from the beginning. His mind was... was on other things.

'What were you saying, Aizen-sama?' Byakuya asked.

'Byakuya-san,' Orihime greeted him with a bow as she walked into the room. He nodded to acknowledge her then looked back to Aizen who sat on his throne looking bored.

'Byakuya, why the formality? This is just a family gathering,' Aizen said as he opened his arms.

'Oji-sama,' Byakuya muttered. Aizen smiled at his stubbornness.

'Byakuya, you do know that you are my favourite nephew?'

'Aren't I your only nephew?' he retorted.

'And that is what I want to talk to you about, Byakuya. Being my only male heir, you have great responsibility. You both do.'

Aizen was amused by the confused expressions on his daughter and nephew. Perhaps Orihime had some use after all.

'Otou-sama?'

'Byakuya, you are aware that you will be the future king, no? It is then important to keep the Kuchiki bloodline completely pure.' Aizen stood up from his throne and began to walk towards the cousins.

'I am proud to announce your engagement to one another. Together, you will bare heirs with the purest of pureblood flowing through them. They will be the strongest vampires.'

'Otou-sama!' Orihime gasped.

'I refuse,' Byakuya stated flatly. Aizen sighed. In truth, he did expect them to react this way.

'You do know I wasn't asking, right?'

'Y-Yes, Otou-sama,' Orihime said softly as she bowed.

'I will not marry her. I don't like her that way.' He raised a hand towards Orihime. 'No offense, but I don't.'

Orihime blushed at Byakuya's blunt statement. Aizen placed a firm hand on Byakuya's shoulder. No one ever dared to disobey him. All except for his nephew. As he was his only heir he wasn't in a rush to kill him. And Byakuya knew it. He often took advantage of that fact.

'As a Kuchiki, the first pure bloodline, there are some things we have to do that don't like. We have to act in the best interests for the royal family name.'

'Oji-sa-'

'It's our responsibility. It is your responsibility as my only male heir.'

Byakuya sighed. Sometimes he hated being a Kuchiki. Then he also had to be the only heir. So much was expected from him. He had to learn about everything. Swordsmanship, dark magic, arts and literature. Everything. And he had to be the best at everything. It meant that he had to work twice as hard compared to other purebloods. The Kuchiki name always came first. It sucked. Sometimes he just wanted to be a normal pureblood.

'Don't space out on me, Byakuya. Besides, you don't have much choice. All the other female purebloods are all paired up.'

'I don't care, I'm not ma... Wait a minute. What did you mean all of the female purebloods?' Byakuya asked. His eyebrows knitted in confusion.

'Is Rukia...'

'Ulquiorra is marrying Rukia but he's asked me not to announce it just yet. So, as I was saying-'

'What do you mean he's...He can't marry her,' Byakuya protested. All thoughts of his own marriage were forgotten.

'And why not?' Aizen asked lifting an eyebrow.

'Rukia wouldn't marry him. He's her sister's fiancée-'

'And Hisana is dead,' Aizen dead-panned.

Byakuya's heart rate quickened. His breaths quickened. He always knew Ulquiorra was overprotective of Rukia but he thought it was rather normal from cousin behaviour. Or perhaps she was his dead fiancée's sister so he looked after Rukia on Hisana's behalf. Or perhaps it was because she was the only family member he had left. Never did Byakuya think Ulquiorra felt anything else for Rukia. Never. Why would he? She was Hisana's sister! Sister!

How could I not see it? Rukia had grown to look so much like Hisana over these years. That bastard!

His eyes widened in disbelief. Blood within him began to surge through him. It was beginning to boil burning throughout his body.

'We shall celebrate with a huge wedding. A wedding befitting the noble purebloods you are. What do you say, dear nephew?'

Aizen turned round to see Byakuya already leaving the room completely ignoring everyone even the King of all vampires. He sighed. Byakuya had ignored him even when he called out to him. It was in his nature to be arrogant and rebellious. Majority of the Kuchiki males were like that even Aizen was like that when he was young.

Byakuya didn't care for Aizen's calls. He clutched his hands into fists unable to contain his silence any longer. He had to find her; to win her heart. It was now or never. He wasn't going to marry someone he had no interest in and he was certainly not going to let the love of his life marry someone else.

I might be a fool up until now but I'll be damned if I don't do something about this now!

He began to run making his way to Rukia's room. Finally realising his feelings for Rukia after all these years, was he going to be too late to be with her? How did she feel for him? Will she marry Ulquiorra? There were so many questions that he had to know the answer to. He rushed past other vampires and his female fans desperately trying to find his way to her. Her kiss was so soft. It was only a few days ago when her kisses touched his. It was so sweet he could almost taste it now. It was unforgettable because she had kissed him back.

Rukia, I can't lose you.

'Rukia!'

Byakuya charged into the room. So many emotions were flying around his head which made him forget to knock on the door first. It swung wide and bounced slightly when it hit the wall. His eyes bulged flaring with anger at the sight. The coiled fire within him was about to erupt like a volcano.

'You?' Byakuya hissed. 'What are you doing here?'

'Me?' Ulquiorra smirked. 'Why can't I be here? This is my room.'

Silence lingered for a while as Byakuya looked around. He recognised the room and the crowd of Chappy bunny teddies gave away the answer. He looked back at Ulquiorra with burning resentment.

'This room belongs to Rukia. Where is she?' There were no traces of her energy and no traces of the roses he sent her.

Did she... No, Ulquiorra must have removed them...

'Correction, this room belongs to me and Rukia,' Ulquiorra retorted with a hint of pride.

'You and... but Rukia... Rukia is...' Byakuya stuttered.

It came to such a shockto him he could hardly speak properly. His throat ran dry. He just couldn't form the words. And Kuchiki Byakuya never stuttered. Did he just hear right? Rukia and Ulquiorra in the same room? That would mean the same bed!

Impossible! Rukia wouldn't-

'Rukia has agreed to marry me. She is to be my wife. So, naturally, we will be sleeping in the same room.'

Byakuya was fuming...

Ooh I didn't just add another cliffee...! I placed a little hint in chapter 4 -

It was a sad day for both of them when they lost Hisana. You could say Ulqiorra suffered more than Rukia. I wonder if anyone picked up on that... What do you think of the Ulquiorra/Hisana/Rukia relationship? What do you think of the chapter? Let me know.

All reviews welcomed. Ja x