Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Chapter 19
"Bakudo 63: Sajo Sabaku!" Yoruichi commanded as a very pissed off Rukia Kuchiki tried to escape from her nice prison once again. The after math of the little soul reaper's attempted escape was evident. The table and chairs were knocked over. Pry marks were present on the wind seals. The icing on the cake was that every large piece of furniture was moved to discover any hidden, potential escape route.
"Yoruichi!" Rukia growled. A patch ice formed on the rug as the bakudo brought Rukia to her knees. Seeing this, Rukia tried to force ice on to the golden rope surrounding her, but it was no use.
"Rukia, Rukia, Rukia. This room is sealed. Why are you even trying to escape? You know it's pointless right? You will not get free of my bakudo or escape this seal without help no matter how hard you try!" She taunted the petite soul reaper. Rukia glared dangers at her tormentor. "Be glad I forgot to borrow Kisuke's suppression collar! You wouldn't even be able to form your lovely ice puddles if that happened. But if you keep trying to escape before our company arrives, I'll have no other choice except to try one of Tessai's new sleeping formulas on you, and who knows how long you'll be out of it." The yellow eyed woman threatened.
A shiver ran down Rukia's spine at the thought of being a guinea pig for that man's awful remedies. "I hate you…"
A chuckle escaped Yoruichi's lips as she picked up the chairs and table. They were going to need those for later. "You'll be alright, Rukia." Yoruichi whispered as she left the room leaving Rukia to ponder her captivity once again. "I promise you will, especially if the damn strawberry comes after you."
Rukia heard Yoruichi mutter something but she could not make out her words. While Yoruichi was gone, Rukia looked around for something to pry or cut the ropes off, but the damn werecat was too smart. Even Rukia's zanpakuto was missing. All she could do was hopefully freeze then snap her bonds.
After two hours later of solitude, all Rukia really wanted to know was just two things. Why was she still here, and where the hell was her brother? If her guess was right, she has been missing for around two days by now. Two long days of solitude with two visits from Yoruichi and random food appearing while she was slept.
A smiling Yoruichi walked in the room carrying a tray of food and tea. "Ah, I see you didn't heed my warning." She stated.
Rukia's stomach grumbled at the sight of the teasing meal, but she didn't trust Yoruichi at the moment. Instead, Rukia chose to shoot daggers from her violet eyes at her intruder. "What are you going to do now? Poison me?"
"Rukia! Come on! Would I do something like that? Byak-boy would kill me." The purple haired woman exclaimed with sincerity.
Okay so maybe she doesn't want to torture and murder me for no apparent reason. Then what does she really want? What is driving all this to keep me separated from my friends and my brother? It wouldn't be money because she had access to plenty of it. It shouldn't be the matchmaking. She wouldn't have a steak in it even if she did join the pool. So what's the catch with all this? Rukia could not think of one reasonable explanation for her predicament.
"Are you ever going to tell me what you want with me, Yoruichi?" Rukia asked in her bored, Kuchiki tone. Rukia's facial features remained expressionless as she tried to hold the "I'm bored now leave me be look." She hoped that technique worked. Rukia was a little late on not showing her emotions. Byakuya would be disappointed there, but Rukia refused to let her "enemy" see her sweat anymore. She was going to take back this situation if it meant turning this house into a solid fixture of ice and making Yoruichi a werecat popsicle.
"Ah, I see Byakuya's been rubbing off on you, Rukia! I know that look well." A Cheshire like smirk appeared on Yoruichi's face. "Speaking of brothers, I want you to meet mine. He's been dying to meet you. Possibly even have a little date with you!"
"Then why didn't you arrange for me to meet him through the matchmaker? You didn't have to resort to kidnapping me when I was with my friends." Rukia replied calmly, but her voice gave her away. It rose a few octaves higher as her violet eyes started shifting slightly to light violet.
"But you see, we did. He wanted to do his part in helping on of the heroes of the Soul Society and the Kuchiki princess find her prince charming. I know he's slightly younger than you, but he has a good heart." Rukia felt her heart pull a little at Yoruichi's words, but that still didn't excuse the ex-captain for kidnapping her.
"The time of your kidnapped date with Yuushiro will be passed down to a few select friends. Then, we wait. It's highly probable at least one of your suitors would come after you." Head Captain Kyoraku said from the shadows. He smiled brightly at the petite soul reaper as he leaned up against the wall. "You see Rukia, we are trying to help this little social experiment. We want to see which suitor is serious about you, minus Renji of course! We know he'd follow you to the ends of the earth already."
Did he just insinuate that they are setting me up? Literally! What the hell? Why can't these people ever leave well enough alone!
Kyoraku pulled sake out of thin air while Yoruichi walked over to Rukia and helped her to a chair. A shocked Rukia asked, "Who did you really expect to come after me? If brother hears about this then…"
"You're brother already knows where you are. He has since you were taken, but he also has a conundrum. He knows your exact location, but if he comes after you himself then … well you get moved. I don't think he'd risk it even if you were with an old friend like me." Yoruichi stated. Her assessment made Rukia's heart falter.
"So I'm going to be stuck here until someone shows up to rescue me?" Rukia asked in horror. She didn't know if her arms could take being tied up any longer, and there was the question of her sanity if she stayed in this room much longer.
"Well, we are expecting a particular someone to come rescue you, and we want to play a little game with him." Yoruichi explained to a very confused Rukia as Koryak drank some sake watching the women's exchange.
Why do these things keep getting more complicated by the minute?
"Who are you really expecting? You wouldn't be doing this just to trap one person right?" Rukia finally asked. Maybe if she cooperated more, then they would free her.
"Why your favorite potential suitor of course!" Kyoraku slurred as he inhaling his second bottle of sake. It's a wonder where the man keeps all the bottles. He was more skilled than Rangiku at hiding his alcohol.
"Now, Shunsui, I don't think she has a favorite just yet!" The yellow eyed Flash Goddess exclaimed as her eyes cut to their captive. "But maybe that's because her favorite hasn't really entered the competition yet."
Rukia paled slightly much to the amusement of her two kidnappers. She knew right then who they were talking about. "Actually, I have two favorites, and neither would be appropriate by the elders. So I have no idea who you are referring to." Rukia attempted to lie through her teeth, but by their grins, Rukia knew she failed.
"How about we make a deal, Rukia?" Koryak said from his along the wall. He saw hope appear in the petite soul reaper's eyes.
"Will you let me out of the ropes before we discuss business?" Rukia countered as she watched the silent exchange between the two old friends.
"Will you listen to our proposal without trying to freeze us?" Yoruichi gestured to the tea and food. "After all, I did bring this bounty spread to share with you."
Rukia's stomach growled even louder than last time. What the hell would listening to a proposal hurt? It seems like my only option of getting out of her anyway.
"I promise on my honor as a Kuchiki not to freeze or attack either of you as long as you let me eat and release me from your bakudo!"
Suddenly, the ropes holding Rukia vanished. She rolled her shoulders and rubbed her arms. The damn ropes were so confining.
"Now, are you ready to get down to business?" Yoruichi asked.
"I guess so." Rukia replied as she grabbed an egg roll of the tray. She'd eat while Yoruichi talked. The purple haired women seemed to be the brains behind this operation while the Head Captain was just along for the ride.
"You already know that we want you to meet Yuushiro." Rukia nodded her head as she drank a sip of tea. "We want you to stay the night here. You'll be free to roam the house, but you'll not to leave it. Then tomorrow, you'll have a tea or lunch date with my brother in an out of the way public location. Once our visitor or visitors arrive and see you in one piece happily talking away with Yuushiro, then you will be returned at once to the Kuchiki Manor to the excellent hands of your brother along with all the new limited edition Chappy merchandise that just appeared in the World of the Living." Yoruichi promised.
Bunnies formed in Rukia's amethyst eyes much to the amusement of her captures. But she was still concerned for the poor souls walking into the trap to rescue her none the less. "What will happen to the suitors once they get there?"
"Oh, he'll have a surprise waiting for him!" Kyoraku replied with a laugh. "But don't worry! They'll live to fight another day!"
Big thank you to Ulquiorra9000, bleachpower, and the one person! Your reviews keep me inspired! Thank you to the others who are reading, favoriting, and following the story!
Yes, I know this is little different than what you were expecting! But we had to know what Rukia was doing, right? But fear not, I should have a chapter of the boys up later this week so y'all can release a sigh of relief.