Supernova

By Willow Athena

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or any of its characters, but Rien and this story are definitely mine

Author's note: This is a valentine's day gift for all my readers, and especially my fabulous reviewers. I was so swamped at work, I could barely get a chance to eat, or breathe, but your support has meant so much to me that I could not delay or disappoint you – like I said, I keep my word…Here is a chapter I loved writing, and I hope you love reading.

Chapter 19 – Noble

The next day was madness in the Shihouin house, as teams of people attempted to get both Rien and Yoruichi ready for the Kuchiki dinner. Yoruichi wore a beautiful dark purple and white kimono, with an orchid design, and had all her hair pinned up, because she was to represent the Shihouin Clan as its head tonight. Yoruichi hated it, and whined and pulled at the excessively expensive grips restraining her wild purple hair.

Rien wore a dark blue kimono with silver cherry blossom embroidery and a silver waistband. A few pieces of Rien's hair were pulled back from her face, and some placed in a little bun with diamond encrusted black chopsticks to hold the hair in place. Most of Rien's long hair was left to flow over her shoulders, differentiating her as the younger Shihouin princess and not the head of the Clan. Rien's bangs were as uncooperative as always, and fell defiantly, partially obscuring her right eye – eventually, the Elder just gave up on them and let them fall and rest on her right cheek. Rien knew that all eyes would be on her, as the 'special guest'; and the Shihouin Elders tutored her in matters of etiquette and protocol – what it meant to be noble.

Rien didn't feel very noble, and in truth, didn't think about herself in that way at all. She was just happy to belong to a family, Yoruichi's family. But, she realised that rights, came with vast responsibilities. The Shihouin Clan had done so much for her, and they did not ask very much in return, so she decided, for their benefit, she would project this façade of nobility that they prioritised to be so important, more important than the truth – she was not noble, not truly, not by birth, anyway.

It was a long, boring day, while people prodded and poked her. She had never worn make-up before, but she enjoyed the taste of the strawberry lip-gloss. Looking at herself in the mirror, she could hardly recognise herself; the subtle rosiness of her cheeks, the soft, red, liquid quality of her lips. However, she thought the smoky effect of the eyeliner made her already large blue eyes look…smouldering.

"Don't worry – you look good," Ishida said from the doorway.

"Good!? She looks fantastic," Renji corrected, with a mouthful of tea-time muffins. Renji had been spending an extraordinary amount of time with her this week, almost shadowing her, but she did not question his company – she would rather have him with her than most other people. Perhaps he was just worried, but she got the impression he was fishing for information about her awakening. But that, she had promised to keep a secret.

"Forgive him Renji – he can't look at other girls like that when he has a girlfriend," Rien smugly stated, still viewing their reflections in the mirror.

"Girlfriend? What girlfriend? Who?" Renji inquisitive inquired from both of them. Inwardly cursing Ishida for getting a girlfriend before him, even though there is only one person he would consider.

"How did you know?" Ishida didn't even attempt to deny it.

"It's hard for two people in love to really hide it – if you know what to look for," Rien cryptically began. She had noticed an attraction, perhaps just an affection between them previously, but now, she was sure.

"Who?" Renji blindly insisted.

"Inoue, of course – who else?" Rien added.

"Wow, she's beautiful!" Renji clapped Ishida hard on the back in congratulations, making the slighter man lurch forward a little.

"She's more than just beautiful." Ishida sighed, knowing before he began that Renji would be a lost cause on this point. Inoue was far more intelligent than she appeared; she was also kind, and generous, and caring, and loving…

"How was the first kiss?" Rien inquired, turning her innocent eyes on him.

"Um…" Ishida blushed, the question startling him and snapping him out of his reverie.

"Better than ours, right?" Rien added, knowing the answer already. She was ecstatic that he was happy, with someone who cared about him – but, she couldn't resist inducing a blush from him.

"No…it was just different." Ishida turned even more red. Rien enjoyed the colour on him, it made him look so alive, so happy. She was tired of being the source of pain for him, and so many others – she vowed that she would not do it again.

"See, I knew all you had to do was be open to the right person. She looks like she makes you happy – without all the pain. Hold onto her, Ishida-kun." Although Rien's words sounded happy, the was a deep sadness mixed in with them.

"Hey! When did you-two kiss?!" Renji demanded, shocked.

All the guests seemed to be filing in through the side doors of the hall. There looked like a lot more guests than Rein had expected for a dinner. Surely, dinner, meant a few people eating for an hour or two, not the collection of spectators she witnessed filing in through the doors. Yoruichi took Rien down a separate corridor.

"It looks like the Kuchiki Elders are going to milk this for all its worth. They have invited our clan, as well as some of the other noble and lesser noble houses. Don't be scared, but the hall is full," Yoruichi calmly stated, but it didn't stop anxiety from beginning to rise in Rien. "There's Hitsugaya. I think they must have invited some of the Captains as well – only looks like some came though."

Yoruichi led Rien to a small sheltered alcove, in front of which stood two double doors. "Since you're the special guest, you'll have to enter through these doors. I'm gonna go now." Yoruichi put her hands on both Rien's shoulders. "Don't worry about any of it, you look beautiful." Though Rien's 165cm frame was slightly taller than Yoruichi's, Rien always felt shorter, younger, protected.

"Hai," Rien softly stated, since it was all she was able to choke out at that moment. Desperately wanting to hold on to Yoruichi, but deciding against it.

"Wait here until Byakuya comes to escort you in. You both will be announced and enter, and then he will lead you to your seat, okay." Yoruichi hastily left, but, she had lost Rien after she said Byakuya's name. Rien had know he would be present, but she expected that he would ignore her, and that she would barely get a glimpse of him.

Rien's first instinct was to run, but she pushed it aside, shook her hands loosely at her sides and took deep breaths for a few moments. Byakuya appeared next to her, as though he had been watching her whole panic-filled performance, and waited until she was relatively composed to reveal himself. Although he displayed no amusement in his expression, his eyes betrayed him.

There it was! Her increased heart rate pumping her delectable scent to him, it wafted through the air and consumed all his senses, bringing the memory of her taste to the forefront of his mind. If ever a scent could inspire love, it was hers. He had waited for himself to gain enough control, to withstand the memory without blushing, without giving himself away. When he had judged it to be relatively safe, that he would not act on his almost uncontrollable instinct to possess her, he had stepped forward, hopefully looking as composed as he always did, although he himself could not be sure of the reflection he cast.

He offered his strong, beautiful, naked hand, palm up, in front of her.

Panic rose in her, threatening to engulf her. He continued to look straight ahead, waiting for her to take it. She had not counted on having to touch him, she wasn't sure she'd be able to control her traitor emotions. She gave up on trying to hide her nervousness. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in – it didn't help that his unforgettable scent filled her lungs. She opened her eyes, stared straight ahead, and gently placed her hand in his. Noble, she thought, just be noble, just for a little while, just until she was alone.

"Are you ready to proceed?" his disinterested melody resonated next to her. He continued to stare straight ahead, neither chancing even the slightest glance in the other's direction. But her eyes were greedy for the sight of him, and registered every detail of his perfection in her peripheral vision. He looked beautiful, as always, not in his usual Shinigami uniform, but a long open white coat, and pale blue robes beneath, just like his uniform, but looking far more expensive, far softer to the touch…She distracted herself from that thought. The pale blue softened his cool silver eyes, making them look like quicksilver.

I can't think of him in this way, not again, not anymore. I won't hurt him! Never again.

"Yes, thank you." Rien's voice sounded detached.

He nodded to the doorman who opened the big double doors. They continued to stand still. His hand gently closed its grasp on hers as he held their hands between them and took a step forward into the entrance.

"Presenting, Kuchiki Byakuya-sama, the 28th head of the Kuchiki Clan and Captain of the 6th squad. And…Shihouin Rien, princess to the Shihouin Clan," the short doorman bellowed loudly to the packed hall of guests – who audibly, all took a deep intake of breath as Byakuya and Rien stood in the entrance.

Byakuya squeezed her hand, obviously indicating that she should begin walking, as he did not want to drag her behind him. He found her surprisingly responsive to the gesture – she squeezed his hand and began to glide slowly forward.

It was obvious that they would head to the table at the front, on the raised platform. Rien attempted to adhere to her earlier tutoring, and simply blankly stare forward as Byakuya did. But, in her peripheral vision, she saw the whispers and some girls giggle, while others gave her death stares.

Was it really prudent to stoke the embers of that fire, she wondered. But, she knew that the Kuchiki Clan would do anything to put out the searing fire cause by Byakuya stabbing her through the heart. And she knew that tonight, they would try to quash that fire without any regard for its shooting off embers – which themselves may consume her. She would need to remain on her guard.

The walk down the long isle felt like it took forever. Byakuya matched Rien's pace, being cognisant that the restricting kimono would not allow her to walk with any freedom. Rien felt her knees begin to turn to jelly as they neared the end. She was not sure how much longer she would be able to endure the pulsating electricity surging from his hand and dissipating throughout her body. She had been afraid of this most of all – his touch.

As they got to the five stairs which elevated the platform, on which their final destination perched, Rien looked doubtfully up at them. She had been able to retain an incredible amount of dignity until now – enough to even fool Byakuya, she hoped. But, each stair had to be taken one at a time, and she reluctantly placed some of her weight on his hand to balance. She was surprised by the attentiveness of his response, as though he had been expecting it. She could have gotten up the stair unassisted, had she used her other hand and to lift the kimono up slightly, but she had judged that as perhaps a less visually dignified method, and decided to rather betray herself to him alone. A servant held out a seat near the middle of the table. Byakuya led her to it, and waited for her to sit down.

The movement surprised Rien. He bent down and gently, affectionately, ever so softly, kissed the back of her hand before letting it go. She realised the insignificance of the gesture for him, that he was probably expected to do it, but she could not stop her body from reacting. He heart raced, her vision blurred , and she struggled to keep the impassive noble expression on her face. She noticed nothing and no one.

When Rien finally regained her senses, some Kuchiki Elder was droning on about her beauty, and what an honour it was and so forth. She hadn't noticed Byakuya sitting next to her until now. This was not helping her composure, at all. She pinched her lower arm to attempt to get her body to focus. It didn't help.

He doesn't care about you. He doesn't care about you. She repeated the phrase to stop her vivid imagination from running wild, from reading far too much into, what was arguably, nothing. They were both just trapped next to eachother, that was all.

She felt a hand claim hers under the draped tablecloth. She turned slightly towards it. She hadn't noticed before, but Jyuushiro sat to her left. A warm calm washed over her, and she resisted the impulse to reach out and touch his beautiful face. Of course he would be there – he was a captain after all. Why had she not noticed him before? In fact, she hadn't noticed anyone else at the table until now.

Yoruichi sat on Byakuya's right, as Rien sat on his left. On the left hand side of the table, was a line of about six captains, who had bothered to come, including Mayuri. On the right, was Rukia, as well as the oldest Kuchiki and Shihouin Elders. Rien hadn't ever given Mayuri a second thought until now, but, now that she allowed herself to dwell on it – she felt an undeniable need to hurt him.

"Are you not well?" Byakuya impassively whispered, without anyone else noticing.

"Fine. Just curbing my need to hurt Mayuri," Rien whispered back, quickly.

"It is impolite to call a captain by his name," Byakuya suggested.

"I think I can remain on a first name basis with the people who have seen me naked," she snapped back at Byakuya before she could control her tone.

Jyuushiro's warm hand was extremely secure and soothing, and his absent minded stroking pulled her back form her flight-or-fight response to Mayuri. And, this time, it would definitely be fight instead of flight. She hadn't seen the captain in days, but Jyuushiro's touch was an understanding one, and made her feel safe, cared for, loved.

Rien just uninterestedly picked at the first few courses of the meal. Consumed with thoughts of Mayuri and his close proximity, having to restrain herself from attacking him in the crowded room.

"Why have you been eating with your left hand all night, Ukitake?" Koryaku taichou inquired, while sitting next to his best friend. He saw the panicked, 'caught' look cross Ukitake's face before he wiped it clear, and he knew he had hit on something.

"I am ambidextrous, Shunsui," Jyuushiro attempted to laugh it off.

"But I know you prefer your right," Shunsui insisted.

"What are you…Have you met, Rien?" Jyuushiro stumbled on his words. "Rien." She turned to him, beaming warmly, affectionately. Shunsui continued to give Jyuushiro a quizzical look.

"Yes, Jyuu…um…Ukitake taichou?" Rien caught herself, remembering Byakuya's earlier words. Shunsui smiled broadly.

"Has he also seen you naked," Byakuya sarcastically whispered to only her. It was beneath him, and he knew it. He could not understand what had possessed him to do it, it was such a petty, insignificant thing to do – why should he care who had seen her naked? The possessive intent that motivated his words surprised him. He knew he had always been extremely possessive, but she was not his, and he didn't know when he had come to think of her as such – but it had to stop. Rien did not respond, she had decided that she would not be baited by him – he didn't really care about anything but the etiquette of it, she thought, and she couldn't have cared less about that.

"I'd like you to meet, Koryaku Shunsui, captain of the 8th squad," Ukitake formally introduced the captain in the pink haori.

"I'm also your best friend," he smiled at Ukitake, his green eyes gleaming with affection.

"It is an honour to meet Ukitake taichou's best friend." Rien attempted to remain formal as the elders of both houses eyed her every move. Shunsui leaned over Ukitake, and caused Rien to stifle a soft giggle as she was startled back a little, accidentally brushing the back of Byakuya's hand. They both ignored the insignificance of the movement, the touch, barely worthy a second thought, or a single word, though it had caused both their bodies to stiffen at once.

"I can see why everyone adores you – you're breath-taking." Shunsui smiled with an eyebrow raised in Ukitake's direction.

"You are most kind, Koryaku taichou, but I am nothing special." Rien softly stated, her eyes downcast, not having fully recovered from Byakuya's touch.

"No, you are extraordinarily beautiful, princess," one of the female Kuchiki elders began.

"And extremely talented as well. We have been hoping that she will one day take over as head of the military, as it is supposed to be," an old Shihouin elder croaked, from the end of the table.

"No. I won't be taking over the military." Her voice had no doubt in it, it was commanding and certain. The whole table was now in silence. "Soi Fon-san's skill far exceeds mine at the moment, and it is as it should be, she is apart of our family and the head of the military. I fully trust in her capabilities." The elders were still in awe of her words. Until now, she had been silent, complaint, demur – they blamed it all on Yoruichi's influence, and immediately began to have nightmares of a repeat experience of Yoruichi's upbringing.

"Rien-sama, I am humbled by your confidence in me." Soi Fon, almost in tears, smiled at her. She vowed to protect her with her life now.

"She's right, she is young," one of the Kuchiki elders began. Rien hadn't said anything of the sort, and she didn't like where this was going. Rien could see the dusty, rusty cogs turn in all the elders' heads, as she sat helpless.

"Yes, yes…she needs to unleash the full potential of her talent before she can become a taichou," a Shihouin elder continued where the elder form the opposing clan had left off. So, it's captain now, Rien thought, amusement filling her hidden expression.

"She would need training for that – private training, of course," a Kuchiki elder picked up the ball.

"Yoruichi-san and Urahara-san are wonderful teachers, and I am sure my skills will mature in their care," Rien offered, trying to derail wherever this train was going. She felt like they were planning her life at the dinner table, but she had no say. Rien did not miss the distasteful look in the Shihouin elders as she said Urahara's name.

"Nobility can only be taught by nobility," a Shihouin elder authoritatively stated.

"We agree," a Kuchiki elder backed the sentiment.

"Ukitake taichou, you helped Kuchiki Byakuya in his early training, would you consider training Rien as well?" a Shihouin elder peered in Jyuushiro's direction.

Ukitake sat, mouth agape, chopsticks tentatively hovering above his food. At first he had thought he had imagined it, but they all continued to look in his direction. "Um…," he cleared his throat.

"Of course Ukitake will do it," Shunsui clapped him hard on the back to snap him out of it. "Ukitake loves to teach!"

"That's wonderful! You honour us," the elder beamed at the still shocked Ukitake.

"But…if I could suggest one, small, possible amendment…" a Kuchiki elder began. Come to think of it, Rien noticed all the Kuchiki elders' unhappy faces. "Byakuya is the best zanpakuto user in all of Seireitei, not to mention his tactical knowledge – I'm sure he could assist Rien in calling out her zanpakuto; without one, she can't even join a squad, or the shinigami academy," the Kuchiki elder offered, hopefully, obviously having created this entire line conversation to get to this point.

Panic rose in Rien once more. She would not be able to maintain this noble façade if she had to see him for daily training. Not everyday…with him. I would slip, hurt him for sure. He doesn't want me, not like I want him. Just because he cares enough not to want me dead, doesn't mean he wants any more. It was my imagination, when we kissed, I thought he…but, it was just me – reading far too much into nothing. I can't do this, not everyday, not with him so close.

"I would be happy to accept Ukitake taichou's offer if he is sure I will not be a nuisance to him," Rien squeezed Jyuushiro's hand under the table. Please say yes, she thought, save me from hurting him again.

"You will always be welcome at my home." He smiled, still unsure about the matter. But he could not deny her pleading expression, or the fact that he wanted her around him – in whatever capacity fate saw fit to allow.

"Why would we let Byakuya-sama train Rien?! He would be just as likely to stab her through the heart with the zanpakuto as train her with it." An older, more senile looking Shihouin elder stirred the pot, causing mummers of agreement to ripple through many of the other Shihouin elders as well. Rien saw Byakuya's jaw clench ever so slightly, an his grip on his chopsticks, unconsciously, tighten.

"Kuchiki taichou did his duty – he carried out the orders of Seireitei. Is that not all we can ask of a captain." Rien defended him and simultaneously quashed the civil war that had been brewing over the past month. "I would be honoured if Kuchiki taichou would train me in the use of a zanpakuto…as long as I would not be a burden to him, and cause him to neglect his other duties." Rien looked at him searchingly, almost apologetically, although she, like him, had little control over this situation.

"I am at your disposal, princess." The cold steel of his eyes would have made anyone shrink back, but she felt tempered to it now. I mean, he couldn't do anything worse to her, right?

They both knew that this was the only way to stop this civil war from breaking out. Neither of them relished the idea, but for vastly different reasons. Or, were their reasons really so different?

By the time main course arrived, Rien was too distracted to eat. But with all eyes on her, she decided to take a bite of the spit-roasted Kobei beef, and roast potatoes – which was the main-main course of their meal, she was told. Rien reluctantly let go of Jyuushiro's hand, realising they'd both need two hands to eat this meal. Everyone was waiting for her to take a bite before they began with their own meals. As she reluctantly cut off a piece and bit into it, the rich flavour melted into her mouth.

"This is amazing…it's truly delicious!" she enthusiastically stated. "Yoruichi, why don't you ever let me have food like this at home? Its been boiled this and steamed that all week!" Rien beamed, across Byakuya, to Yoruichi.

"It's just until you regain your strength, then you can go back to eating whatever you like," Yoruichi said, slightly invading Byakuya's personal space.

Rien's bottom lip stuck out a little, forming the most enticing pout. Byakuya cursed having to sit next to her. Everything about this evening had irked him, tested his control, his composure. He had never thought her capable of it before, but she had been noble and dignified, for most of the evening. He had hoped she would prove herself a simpleton so he could allow himself to forget her. But, she had turned out to be intelligent and insightful, about a variety of things. As though the feel of her body had not been enough of a distraction to him, she now displayed this perfect, enticing pout. He felt it call to him, as though her red liquid lips would turn to water beneath his. He tried to distract himself – think of anything but her. However, all the could think about was how beautiful her golden skin looked against the dark blue kimono, and what an exquisite present she would be to unwrap…

NO!

"The Kobei beef is Byakuya sama's favourite as well. If you really like it, we will send a supply to the Shihouin manor," a friendly looking Kuchiki elder offered. She smiled warmly at Rien, the only real smile Rien had gotten form the group.

Rien's pout instantly disappeared at this offer. Byakuya felt a relief he could not explain course through his body. "But…I suppose, I couldn't possibly accept such a generous offer, and deprive Kuchiki taichou of his favourite meal," Rien said, after having thought about it, and her pout returned. Byakuya felt taunted by it.

"Please accept it as my gift for your coronation next week," Byakuya quickly added so she would stop torturing him with the perfection of her lips.

Jyuushiro couldn't help but smile at Rien's pout. He found it irresistible. "Hmm…you've got it bad, don't you?" Shunsui whispered to Jyuushiro.

"Got what?" Jyuushiro whispered back, with no idea of what his best friend was referring to.

"You have feelings for our little ryoka, here," Shunsui teasingly whispered.

"Don't be ridiculous, she's just a child!" Jyuushiro sternly whispered, a gentle crease forming between his brow.

Rien leaned in close, whispering in his ear, "This look suits you – its adorable," she gently chimed. She had almost touched the gentle crease of his brow, but then, reigned herself in at the last minute, realising she probably shouldn't be whispering to men around the table, even if it was Jyuushiro. She quickly pulled herself away from him, and returned to 'not talking to Byakuya'.

Her cool breath had danced across his skin, and he knew he had not controlled his expression enough to fool Shunsui – who now looked at him , knowingly, with one eyebrow cocked.

"Besides the fact that I'm far too old for her, I'm her teacher now – thanks to you," Jyuushiro defeatedly whispered.

"She's not a child, Jyuu. She looks about 21, and anyway, students grow up, they never stay students forever," Shunsui whispered, putting a hand on Ukitake's shoulders.

"I'm almost a thousand years older than her."

"But that translates to about 30 human years – and DON'T say that's old! I look at least 37 human years," Shunsui gently chuckled.

"You can see she has feelings for him, can't you?" Jyuushiro looked defeated as he pushed his Kobei beef around.

"So what! I can see she has feelings for you too, and you know it!" Shunsui whispered in frustration.

"She doesn't feel about me, the way she feels about him. And, even though Byakuya would never admit it…he feels connected to her."

"Jyuu, I've seen women persistently chase you, throw themselves at you, and though you have had relationships in the past, I've never once seen you this preoccupied about a girl…I've never seen you this happy at someone's touch. Don't just give her away without fighting. People grow up, feelings change, and from the way she looked at you just now, I think you have as good a chance as him." Shunsui looked deep into Jyuushiro's eyes, trying to assure his friend of a love that he so desperately wanted, but would not allow himself.

Author's Note

Hope you guys liked it, and that it was worth the wait. Do you guys think Bya has anything to worry about with Jyuu around? Training with Bya…in the next chapter – I haven't given that chapter a title yet. So yeah, update will be in three weeks…'cause I'm really swamped at work, and it's my birthday at the end of the month.

Getting ready to go out tonight, for Valentines Day awesomeness with my bf and a group of friends. Have a love-filled Valentines everyone. Thanks a lot for reading my story.

This story had gotten over a thousand hits a long time ago, but I didn't say anything, 'cause I didn't know I was supposed to. So Yay!!! But I would love more reviews. I appreciate all the people who favourite me or the story, but I would really appreciate input and encouragement in the form of a review. I think one of the best compliments I had gotten, about my writing, was when a reviewer said something protective about my OC, because then I knew I had really done something right.

Please Review, who knows, I may become so energised by them that I may update sooner. Thanks guys.

~Willow~