Disclaimer: Bleach does not belong to me. Advil does not belong to me either. I make no money from this.
Warnings: Crack, OOC
A/N: Thank you all for reading and reviewing and favouriting and following. There will be one more chapter after this. Hope you all enjoyed the lemon too!
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XI.
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The door chimes to the Kurosaki clinic announce the arrival of a patient. Isshin Kurosaki looks up from his desk, picking up the barely suppressed reiatsu, and gets to his feet.
"Good afternoon," he greets the new arrival.
Byakuya looks around the tiny clinic, and his grey eyes are inscrutable as they land on the older man. "Captain Shiba."
"Oh, no need for formalities, Byakuya. And it's Kurosaki now. I haven't answered to Captain Shiba in a really long time." Isshin rubs the back of his head, smiling. "Have a seat." He gestures to the wooden bench on the wall of the clinic.
"I can see where your son gets his blatant disregard for formalities," Byakuya remarks tonelessly.
Isshin bursts into laughter. "Ah, my son is his own person. And as his father, it can be really annoying. But he's a good kid." He rubs the stubble on his jaw thoughtfully. "I take it you are here to discuss him and Rukia?"
"Correct, Captain," Byakuya says formally.
"The kids have not told me anything, and I'm not supposed to know." Isshin winks and nudges Byakuya in the ribs with his elbow. "But you know, I could tell, the first time Rukia came home and saved my girls. Ichigo was a goner. It was only a matter of time, and to be honest, Ichigo is pretty dumb."
Byakuya is inclined to agree with the last statement, but it does not do to insult someone in his own house, especially if the insult is so obviously accurate.
"Would you like a drink, by the way?" Isshin calls over his shoulder, flipping the sign on the door from OPEN to CLOSED.
"A refreshment would be most welcome," Byakuya replies. It is, after all, high summer in Karakura and it never gets this hot in the Seiritei.
"Excellent. Follow me." Isshin leads the younger man into the main house.
Byakuya studies the main receiving area with well-concealed curiosity. Photos of a wedding, and three distinct infants (the hair colours are a giveaway), and a large photo of a naked toddler with orange hair sitting on a pot decorate one wall. He mentally recoils, trying to scrub the image of an unclothed Ichigo from his brain.
"Cute kid, isn't he?" Isshin appears beside him, and hands him a cold metal cylinder marked Sapporo. Byakuya eyes it curiously.
He has heard of this "beer," and the vice captains regularly imbibe it. It causes intoxication, which Byakuya would prefer not to go through. Still, he is a guest of Captain Shiba-Kurosaki, so he must be polite. He is not a barbarian, after all (unlike a certain redhead who is trying to "date his sister".)
"I would have used another adjective," Byakuya responds icily. He notices a large poster of the late Captain's wife decorating the wall of the dining area. "Your wife - she was beautiful."
Isshin toasts the photo with his drink. "Yes, she was. But she left me with the three greatest gifts of all. And I miss her every day, but I am grateful for the time we had together." He takes a swig of his beer, eyeing Byakuya. "I understand that you are in a similar situation as well."
Byakuya did not expect to find understanding in Isshin Kurosaki's eyes. Awkwardly, he studies the can in his grip. There is a small metal tab at the top. He twists it in a circle. Nothing happens. He applies slightly more pressure.
Kurosaki takes the can from his hands and pulls it up, punching a hole open.
"And then you drink from the rim. Like so," He explains, handing the foaming can back to him and demonstrating with his own drink.
"Thank you," Byakuya replies gravely, and promptly pours half the can over his face, drenching the front of his shihakusho.
"Hmm," Isshin looks him over. "Maybe we'll start with something easier."
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Ichigo turns, as Rukia taps his shoulder.
"Hey." Even looking at her makes him want to touch her, so he does, reaching out for her hand. Rukia flushes, and looks furtively at their classmates, quelling him with a shake of her head.
"Ichigo." She looks a bit worried, so he lets this slide. But Ichigo vows to get her used to his touching her in public.
"What is it?" he asks instead.
"I got a text from Karin. It seems there is a shinigami at your house. She doesn't know who it is, so I asked her to send me a photo." Rukia chews on her lower lip.
"My house?" Ichigo starts packing up his schoolbag.
"Yes." The chirp on her phone makes them both pause. She flips it open, then pales. "We have to hurry." Rukia grabs him by the wrist, and drags him out the door.
"Why? Who is it?" Ichigo notices her sudden anxiety.
"Byakuya-sama," She bites out. They both start running.
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Which is how they both find Byakuya in the living room of the Kurosaki residence, calmly sipping beer from a straw in his can.
Yuzu is overjoyed by the extra person for dinner, and she is in the kitchen, whipping up dinner. Karin sits on the armchair, focused on the soccer match on tv, chin on her knee.
"Oni-sama." Rukia pauses in the doorway, and bows deeply.
Karin quirks an eyebrow. "This guy is your brother?"
"You may address me as Kuchiki-sama, young child," Byakuya tells her, the furrow in his brow betraying his annoyance. Karin rolls her eyes and raises the volume on the soccer game. He goes back to sipping his beer.
Isshin appears behind them, wrapping an arm around each of their shoulders. "Hello, my son and third daughter," he sings out, waving a plastic bag with two six packs of beer. "We ran out of drinks so I went down to the store to get more."
He herds them into the sofa to sit on opposite sides of Byakuya, shooing Karin away to watch TV upstairs. Rukia and Ichigo trade tense looks over Byakuya's beer can.
"I suppose you are both wondering why I am here," Byakuya says quietly. The smell of beer on his breath is unmistakable, and his cheeks are the exact same shade as Senbonzakura's blossoms.
Isshin beams. "Oooh let me tell them, let me tell them." He clasps his hands together excitedly.
Byakuya cuts him a glare that can cut glass, but Isshin ignores it.
"News of your relationship has reached Yamamoto soutaichou," Byakuya announces. Both Ichigo and Rukia freeze, unsure of how to react to this. "And the elders of the Kuchiki family as well. They, of course, are aware of your courtship, Ichigo, clumsy as it was."
"My poor son," Isshin interjects, wiping a tear from his eye. "You should have asked your father for advice, as it is my duty. It would have been so much better! And also, you rascals! You never told me you were dating!"
Rukia glares at Ichigo and then bows to Isshin. "I am sorry, Kurosaki-san. This is really new to us and we were going to tell you soon." She lets out a yelp as Isshin hauls her into a bear-hug.
"All is forgiven, my third daughter," Isshin booms, swinging her around. Ichigo rises to his feet, prying Rukia out of his dad's arms and tucking her behind him protectively. "You are not to blame here, my son is."
"Anyway," Byakuya cuts into his dramatics, opening another can of beer and transferring his straw. "We just received word at the Manor this morning." He takes a long sip from his straw. "Because of the formalities and technicalities involved, the Seiritei has presented you, Ichigo, as a possible candidate for betrothal to Rukia. It is now only up to the elders to approve it."
"What?" Rukia shoves Ichigo aside angrily.
"You are a daughter of the house of Kuchiki," Byakuya states calmly. "And Ichigo is the human son of a disgraced Captain who has taken on the name of his Qui- his wife. It is your duty to marry for the future of the house. There was a small chance of a betrothal to him being approved by the elders. But now the Seiritei has pushed forth his name. This is completely unprecedented. Normally, noble houses provide the names of their eligible children, for prospective matches. But with the downfall of house Shiba, Ichigo was inappropriate. So with the Seiritei acting on behalf of Ichigo, he is completely eligible now."
Rukia's fists clench. "What? So I was never meant to choose my own mate?" she asks in a low voice. Ichigo eyes Rukia, who is fairly vibrating with fury.
Byakuya looks at her, straw in mouth, sipping nonchalantly.
"What if I had never met Ichigo? Would you have found me a," she raises her fingers in air quotes " 'suitable' mate? One that I did not love?"
"That is irrelevant," Her brother tells her calmly. "We should know if he is approved in three days."
Rukia snaps, "Then why did you never tell me this? Was this the price I had to pay to be adopted into the Kuchiki house?" Then a thought occurs to her. "Was this because you married my sister? You married for love so you were going to sacrifice me to duty?"
Byakuya pulls the straw out of his mouth, rising to his feet. "You go too far, Rukia. Remember where you came from," He says, furiously. "And who you are."
"Oh, I never forget," Rukia retorts. "Ever. You never let me forget." She whirls on her heel and runs out the door, slamming it behind her.
Ichigo curses, chasing after her. Byakuya plops back down on the couch, and leans his head back. "Shiba taichou," He groans. Isshin comes over to peer at him. "Why is the room spinning?"
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Ichigo finds her on her favourite rooftop, overlooking the town square. She crouches, hugging her knees, watching the sky ablaze with the setting sun.
He settles on the ground beside her, legs outstretched. He knows better than to say anything. After a few minutes, she mutters, "Aren't you angry?"
Ichigo grabs her wrist, pulling her into his lap to cradle her as she leans against him. "Nope."
"I feel like a commodity," Rukia admits, relaxing into his arms. He tucks her head under his chin. "I told him we were trying to see where this goes, you know, the whole dating thing. Marriage? We are nowhere near that. And he is one to talk of marrying for duty, after what he did with my sister."
Ichigo kisses her forehead, rubbing her back soothingly.
"Why aren't you mad?" Rukia demands, poking him in the chest. "Did you know about the seiritei representing you?"
"Nope." Ichigo replies, grabbing her finger and lacing it into his own. "The first I heard of it was tonight."
"How can you be so calm?" Rukia mutters, settling into him crankily. "About the whole betrothal thing and such."
"Well, the way I see it is, your brother is drunk from sipping beer with a straw and sitting on the couch in my family's living room so he can tell you in person that you have a future with me." Ichigo grins and kisses her nose. Rukia nods, digesting this. "As for the whole betrothal thing, I know it's a bit early for us, but I want to think we are heading there eventually." He flashes her a lopsided grin. "If they do approve it, we won't have to get married right away, would we? Not that I wouldn't mind getting married young, as long as I get married to you."
He feels her stiffen in his arms, and chuckles. "No pressure, my fierce girl. And if we do get engaged, I'm going to ask you properly. Though I am kind of touched that the Seiritei did this for me. Without telling me. Hmm, I wonder who thought that up?"
She punches his leg sulkily. "I still don't like the idea of old people plotting out my life," she grumbles.
"Are you terribly unhappy about it?" Ichigo asks, nudging her chin up to face him.
"No," Rukia scowls. "I just don't like being manipulated."
"Well, knowing how scary you are, say we get engaged. And then, heaven forbid, I mess up in a big way and you want to get out of this theoretical betrothal." His eyes are amber in the sunset, holding her captive. "You would probably kill me and bury my body somewhere they would never find me. And that's fine." He places a quick kiss on her lips.
Rukia smiles in spite of herself. "That wouldn't work, Kurosaki. You'd end up in Soul Society again, as a full-fledged Shinigami."
He smiles back, glad to see her relax. "Then you'd kill me again, right? So really, what have you got to lose?"
She snorts, and kisses him back. "Idiot." She sobers quickly, turning her head to hide her tears. "What if you change your mind?"
Ichigo pulls away, hearing the undercurrent in her voice. "I won't," he assures her, his eyes serious. "We've been through a lot, you and I. And looking at my parents, I know life is short. I am grateful for every day I have with you now, Rukia. The nineteen months I could not see you were hell, even if I could sense you close by." He tightens his arms around her again, kissing her forehead. "So I really cannot be angry that other people are looking to our future together, since it is a future I want so badly. I have no right to ask for anything more. You've come back to me."
She nods, watching the sun go down completely behind the mountains.
"And one more thing," he murmurs, sighing. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe try not to be too hard on your brother. He must be terrified right now. He really does want you to be happy, you know?"
Rukia scowls miserably. "I may have been out of line."
Ichigo does not say anything; he just holds her until the stars come out.
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"Oni-sama." Rukia bows at the entrance of Byakuya's morning chamber. Isshin had assisted the younger man, escorting him home the previous evening. A quiet grumble answers her greeting.
She walks into the dimmed study, where Byakuya is currently holding his head in the darkness. Rukia pushes the tray in front of her; a peace offering of two advil, a giant glass of water and a chocolate bar.
She places the pills in his hand, and brings the glass to his lips. When he opens his eyes to glare at her, they are so red they almost glow in the dark. "I do not know why Abarai and Matsumoto are so fond of imbibing," he growls. "And why are you here, disobeying your orders?"
"Because my brother is not feeling well," Rukia says, unwrapping the chocolate bar and handing it to him. He takes a bite, and glares at her.
"I am not an infant." Byakuya tells her, chewing on the chocolate.
"Neither am I," She retorts, crossing her arms stubbornly.
"Kurosaki-san is a bad influence on you," Byakuya mutters around the chocolate bar in his mouth. "You were a lot more civilized before, never raising your voice or accosting me or giving me lectures."
"I'm sorry, Oni-sama." Rukia bows formally in apology. "I know I'm a disappointment to you, constantly. But what I said to you yesterday was inexcusable. Please accept my apology. I do not deserve your kindness."
Byakuya rises, and opens the curtains. The twitching of his eyes are the only sign of his rampaging headache as the light pours into the room.
"You- are my sister," he says finally, turning to face her bowed head. "It is the duty of elder brothers to protect their younger sisters, even from themselves."
"But it is difficult for older brothers to see when younger sisters are old enough to make their own choices. And I cannot protect you forever." Silver eyes meet her purple gaze, serious and sad. "But I can support you, in your search for happiness."
He hands her a scroll marked with the seal of the elder's council of the Kuchiki clan. "This arrived this morning. They took a lot less time than I thought. Apparently saving the Seiritei counts just as much as being born into a noble family. You are now free to marry Kurosaki."
Rukia stares at the rolled parchment, a million thoughts whirling through her head.
"Take it, Rukia Kuchiki," Byakuya says gently. "This is for you to do with as you please."
Her eyes snap to Byakuya's. "Oni-sama…."
He gives her an uncharacteristic smile. "You're the captain of your own fate now. Be happy, sister."
Rukia stares at the scroll for a moment, then raises her eyes to her brother. "Can you please hang on to that for me, Oni-sama? Until I need it?"
Byakuya nods, understanding. "Of course. Until you are ready."
He is rewarded by a dazzling smile. "Thank you, oni-sama." She flushes, getting the words out, before bowing again.
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A/N: One more chapter! Thank you so much for sticking with my story.