The new 'couple' had a little trouble finding proper living arrangements. Rukia lived in a prestigious mansion that had it's own river and a security force of ninjas. Rangiku lived in a simple apartment a few blocks away from her station. Obviously Rangiku wouldn't be allowed inside the Kuichi without a proper invitation and she would most likely not stay long as Byakuya wouldn't tolerate her presence. And people would get suspicious if the high-class Rukia constantly went off to a rather shabby shack all the time. So they had to find a compromise.

So Rangiku's idea of a compromise lead her to asking Byakuya up front and personal to live at the mansion for a while. At night. After he had already gone to bed.

"Okay." Byakuya yawned and turned over in his bed spread.

"Wait." Rukia blankly stared at her brother-in-law. "That's it? No complainants, no refusal, no demands, no extra conditions…just okay and she can stay here?" She expected him to remain as stoic as ever but she didn't expect him to agree.

"She did say she lost her home in a fire." Byakuya spoke as he yawned again. "Rangiku can stay for a few weeks…should be long enough for her to locate a new house and recover." If Byakuya hadn't been so drowsy when the two women approached him and given their flimsy-and-easily-checkable fake excuse he might have also noticed that Rangiku had drew Rukia into another choking hug between her breasts. Rukia had guessed this would be her life from now on; constantly making excuses for her brother and surviving the far more deadlier threat of being smothered by Rangiku.

"Thank you kindly mister Kuichi." Rangiku politely stated as she placed a rather sloppy kiss on Rukia's cheek.

"Can you handle the rest of the arrangements yourself, Rukia?" Byakuya asked, still massively tired. "I wish to get some sleep." Rukia whispered a quick yes and Byakuya went silent as he finally got some well-deserved rest after a day of writing paperwork. Rukia and Rangiku snuck out before they continue their conservation they were having right before Rangiku just barged into Byakuya's room.

"Can't believe he bought that." Rukia groaned.

"Can I see my new living quarters?" Rangiku asked with a mock polite attitude like Byakuya's. "It's been a long night and all…my place burned down and I…"

"You didn't really burn down the place did you?" Rukia earnestly asked.

"I didn't, all I just did put it on lease and moved out for about three weeks." Rangiku held up a finger. "I predicted that Byakuya would at least give me three weeks before he got tired of me." Waving her fingers around she added, "Maybe four weeks if I do all the chores?"

"We don't have much chores around these parts…" Rukia then imitated Rangiku's manner of speaking. "…cause we rich folks have people to do that."

"Well, I'm poor, so does that mean I'm a servant of the Kuchiki family?" Rangiku huffed out a rather mean smile. "I really have gone up in the world. From starving hobo to lieutenant of the Gotei 13 to servant of the Kuchiki family." Her smile faded as she raised a eyebrow in thought. "Huh. Ya think I would get paid more if I actually became a servant…"

"Enough." Rukia gasped and stopped Rangiku short. "You're a GUEST. You don't have to do anything other than relax and pretend you're looking for a home. And cover for the fact that Byakuya could very easily check to see if there was a fire at your place."

"Ah, but will he find time to do so, let alone even care?" Rangiku lead Rukia down the hall with a hand gentle on her shoulder. "As long as I keep my head down and drink a little less than usual, I should be fine. Maybe I can win Byakuya over and convince him to stay here permanently."

"Ha!" Rukia started to laugh. "Like-ke…hell he will!"

"No sense in not trying!" Rangiku playfully slapped Rukia on the back. "One day, we'll be sharing rooms…"

"Speaking of that!" Rukia turned around. "We're heading in the wrong direction. This is towards the backyard rather than the guest chambers." Rukia sighed as she had to push Rangiku along the way towards the actual rooms. "And no! We aren't sharing a room. And not even adjoining rooms. We haven't developed that deep of a relationship yet...let alone a steady relationship." Rangiku sighed as she realized she couldn't retort to anything and let herself be dragged off to her new room.

The guest room offered a little bit more than your usual hotel room in the middle of the city. The beds were cleaned twice a week and the room smelled obviously like a bouquet of camellia flowers. Rangikus immediately made herself right at home by jumping onto her personal bed spread. Rukia turned right around and went through the door before being yanked back in by Rangiku. "What now?" Rukia groaned. "You need a tour of the room?"

"Aren't you going to wish me good night?" Rangiku asked sincerely.

Rukia took in a deep breath before replying with, "Good night." Finally being let go, Rukia darted over to her room and tucked herself in. The day was finally over and tomorrow might be even worse, so Rukia wanted to get as much sleep as possible. Sleep came to her eventually, but all she dreamt of were giant mounds attacking her and moaning…