Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Chapter 27
After Byakuya left to talk to the ninja wannabe in his office, Rukia eyed her closet with dismay. She didn't know if she should call Rangiku or Yumichika to help. Knowing the damn elders, she probably didn't have much time left before the snake showed up at the manor.
Relying on her intuition, Rukia chose a deep purple kimono with large pink cherry blossoms embroidered with gold trimming along the sleeves and edge of the kimono. A wide gold sash was chosen to highlight her waist. She even pulled out the cherry blossom combs Byakuya bought for her birthday last year.
Once she was dressed in her attire, Rukia dug through the dreaded makeup drawer. "Why do we follow this tradition of wearing goo?" She asked out loud. With a heavy sigh, Rukia finally found the white face powder, bright red lips stick, and black eyeliner.
Thirty tortuous minutes later, Rukia looked like a doll. Her next mission was to find Byakuya for his seal of approval. She did not want to risk dishonoring the Kuchiki name in anyway.
Rukia found Byakuya sitting behind his desk working through piles of paper work. He didn't even acknowledge her presence, but Rukia knew he sensed that she was there. Once he finished his sentence, Byakuya looked up to see the vision before him. Rukia looked so much like Hisana that it hurt his heart, but it also swelled with pride. Not only was Rukia beautiful on the outside, but she was stunning on the inside as well.
"Rukia, you look…" Byakuya starred more at his sister.
"I know, brother." Rukia replied. Byakuya stood up and walked over her. In one of his rare moments of emotion, Byakuya kissed Rukia on top of the head before escorting her to the living room. Their moment gave her the strength that she needed to get through the night.
A brief 10 minutes later, Rukia felts a sense of dread wash over her. "It's time, isn't it?"
"Yes, I sense him approaching as well." Byakuya grabbed his sister's hand and looked her dead in the eyes. "If he acts inappropriately, you have my permission to freeze him or whatever you need to do, Rukia. I personally will make sure the elders do nothing to you."
Rukia nodded in relief. In other words, Byakuya would murder Mamushi and hide his body if need be. "Thank you." She told Byakuya as they stood in the door way together. Tonight was going to be hell.
Mamushi escorted Rukia to Hinata Yamamoto's house. She was hosting an all noble party, and all the important people in the Soul Society was there. Unfortunately for her, Rukia wasn't impressed. She went to millions of these things with Byakuya, and Hinata's was subpar. The damn elders and their involvement! They just want to parade me around like a trophy for all the other nobles to oohh and ahhh over.
"Rukia, you look lovely as ever my dear!" Hideko Kuchiki greeted the couple as they entered the packed room.
Cringing, Rukia attempted to side step the nosey noble with a simple greeting. She tried to cautiously back away, but Mamushi placed his hand on her arm. It took all of her will power not to recoil in disgust. This was the 10th time in less than an hour he touched her in a small way whether it was just their arms grazing or him directing where she should go. Rukia knew she had to keep her disgust hidden since he did nothing out-of-line, but it was damn hard.
Little did Rukia know a few familiar figures were mixed into the flock watching her. One of first men to spot her was Kenshin. He knew instantly when Rukia walked through the door. Relief filled his face as soon as he saw her, but his heart fell when he realized she was in the company of another man. "Is she with him? Where is Byakuya?" He asked softly.
Ukitake heard Kenshin's question. Like any good father figure, Ukitake decided to answered Kenshin's question in hopes of Rukia finding happiness and to keep her out of trouble. "If I know her, Rukia was forced to come, young man. She hates these things, and I am betting that Byakuya couldn't get her out of it with all the matchmaking going on."
Kenshin turned around to face the white-haired captain. "How do you know this, sir?"
"I'm Jushiro Ukitake – Rukia's Captain." He said with a friendly smile. "She's one of the best soul reapers out there, young man, but she hates playing politics. More than likely, the elders chose her date and required her to attend this party. You can also tell by the subtlety veiled threat in her eyes. She doesn't like the man that she's with."
A ray of hope appeared in Kenshin's eyes. "Thank you, sir." Kenshin said bowing right before he left Ukitake in hopes of stealing Rukia away.
"Byakuya, I hope you know what you're doing." Ukitake breathed out as said captain stood beside him.
"I do, Ukitake. Rukia will be fine because she is resourceful. Kenshin is just insurance. I do not trust Mamushi or the elders right now."
Ukitake nodded to Byakuya. "I shall watch over them as well." Byakuya disappeared without any parting words.
In a dark corner of the room, Sasuke blended into the crowd. He wore an ornate version of the stealth force uniform. "Why can't Yoruichi ever ask for something simple." Sasuke swore as he saw Rukia disappear into down a darkened hallway with Mamushi right on her heels.
Before he could do anything, his cousin Kenshin was right behind Rukia, who was unaware of his presence. Both men watched as Rukia's left eye twitched as her date attempted to guide her back into the room full of people. A Kuchiki elder came to greet them with his petite wife in tow.
With a deep breath, Rukia forced out a painful smile. "Greetings, Lord Raiden and Lady Sakura."
"Lady Kuchiki, how have you been?" Lord Raiden asked.
"I am well. Thank you, and you?" Rukia asked politely as she could through clinched teeth.
"Good. Now, I was wondering what you thought about expanding the…" Rukia lost interest in Lord Raiden's words when Mamushi placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Lord Raiden, if you will excuse me, I believe I see my brother." A frustrated Rukia stated as she tried to leave, but Mamushi's grip tightened.
Kenshin intensively watched the couple's interaction. He noticed Rukia did a small nod with her head every so often. He started to count. At everything 10th second. Rukia would nod her head slightly. Once he realized what she was doing, all Kenshin just wanted to laugh. Rukia was trying to control her temper.
The red-haired warrior decided to make his move. "Rukia..." He whispered in her ear.
She whirled around looking for man who called her. She looked like she was ready to cry with relief when she saw Kenshin.
"Kenshin!" Rukia exclaimed rather loudly to the disapproval of her date. The first genuine smile of the night graced her lips.
"Greetings. You are the envy of every woman in this room tonight." He stated as he brought her hand up to his lips. " Would do me the honor of gracing me with a dance?" Kenshin asked as he brought her hand.
The petite soul reaper gladly accepted Kenshin's offer with a smile and a nod.
"Rukia, you can't be serious leaving me for him?" Mamushi said as he attempted to stop her. "You are my date after all. It would be inappropriate."
"I am going to dance with a dear friend, Mamushi. Go have fun visiting with the elders, but I wouldn't hold your breath on me coming back." Mamushi's mouth hung open at Rukia's cheeky reply.
Rukia took Kenshin's had as he pulled her into a traditional dance. But their joy didn't last long. As they whirled around the dance floor, Rukia could hear the nobles' words. "The ice queen just struck once again." An young woman in an emerald kimono stated.
"Who is the mysterious man with the Kuchiki princess? Why did she give up Mamushi?" Rukia notched this to be a voice of a Kuchiki elder.
"He's astonishing! He needs a really woman not a petite street rat." A blonde bimbo in a low-cut dress stated rather loudly.
The last gossip finally got to Rukia. "Kenshin, I need to step outside for a minute."
"Why don't I come with you?" He asked. Not that it really mattered though. Kenshin planned to follow Rukia whether she wanted him to or not.
"No. Stay here and enjoy the socializing. You've missed out on so much while you've been away." Rukia replied with a small, sad smile. Kenshin watched her leave with disappointment reflecting in his eyes. Nobles were still so cruel after all these years.
A composed and smiling Rukia tried to make it to the door. This room was suffocating the life out of her. If she couldn't make it to freedom, Rukia was scared that she would crack a little. How could these people still talk about her when she was a lieutenant with a bankai. Not many people ever even achieved that!
On her way out the door, she smoothly ran over a large man standing in the doorway. She glanced up into the face of a familiar man. Akhiro Shiba stood in her way.
"Rukia, my dear! You are just the woman I wanted to see!" Akhiro exclaimed with a twinkling look in his eye.
No! Not him too!
"Akhiro, how have you been?" She asked with grace and poised. She owed it to the Shiba Clan to at least be polite to their members.
"I'm more wonderful than all the stars in the heavens right now to look upon your beauty."
Do men really say crap like that?
"Charming as ever." Rukia replied in a neutral tone. She glanced around for Kenshin, but he seemed to disappear. Cutting to the chase, Rukia asked, "What do you want, Akhiro?"
"I'm glad you asked, Rukia." He replied with a sly smile. Rukia loved his cousins, but this man gave off a unique vibe. She wasn't sure what to think about him so she retained her "ice princess" personality.
"Lead the way, Akhiro, so we can get this over with. I have a date to get back to." She fixed Akhiro with a cold glare as she followed him into the library of the manor.
"Thank you for joining me, Rukia." Akhiro told Rukia as he circled around her. His facial features reminded Rukia of Kaien and Ichigo, which was a point in his favor. Still, an unsettling feeling ran down Rukia's spine. "Do you know why I asked you here?"
"I'm assuming you want a date with me, but Kukaku will not allow it." Rukia concluded since that is what most men wanted from her right now. A bloody date and her hand in marriage.
"Kaien always said you were quite brilliant, even if you were little mouse." Akhiro replied with a smirk. Rukia wanted to slap it off his face because Kaien wouldn't have said anything about her.
"You and I both know why she will not let you date me." Rukia scolded him. "Kukaku needs all hands-on deck for training her new members and running the fireworks business." She replied smoothly.
"I thought she wasn't going to let me date you because of Uncle Isshin. Every single word out of Kukaku's mouth involving you has Ichigo attached to it. My people thought the Kuchikis and Shibas had a marriage contract in secret, but I guess I was wrong seeing 2 Shihoin men at your house. Why the sudden interest in them?" An evil look entered his eyes as he spoke of Rukia's other suitors.
"Not that it's any of your business, but Kenshin is an old friend of Byakuya's. I've just been showing him around the Soul Society." Nonchalantly, Rukia looked around the library for a statue to hit Akhiro over the head with. At this range, a bakudo kendo would blow them both out the side of the house.
"You were smiling genuinely at him, Rukia. Many men have tired, but only few have succeeded in making you happy." He took a step closer as his deep brown eyes bored into hers.
"Since when is smiling and being happy a crime?" Rukia asked in astonishment at Akhiro forwardness.
"As of right now, it is. I want to bring honor back to the Shiba family! Kaien death shamed us all."
A little slap resounded from the room. The man looked madder than hornet. His hand wrapped Rukia's wrist with bone crushing force causing a small gasp to escape her lips.
"Shiba, remove your hand from Lady Kuchiki's wrist." A voice from behind Rukia demanded. She wanted to turn around and face this semi-familiar voice, but she couldn't with Akhiro hold on her.
"Go away, Genpu." Akhiro growled at the young man. "This is between Rukia and I."
Ah. No wonder I recognized him. He's the heir of the Genpu Clan and serves in central 46.
"Release me, Akhiro! I business with Lord Genpu."
"Are you that desperate to make a marriage contract with the Genpu Clan now just because of my digression? My family will be so disappointed, especially Ichigo." Akhiro said with smile.
Rukia's violet eyes froze over. There is no way in hell she'd date let alone marry this once friend. Money and power changed people. She refused to make another scene in public tonight, but at least no one saw her slapped Akhiro, expect for Ciel.
Anger vibrated all through Rukia's petite body. "Ichigo has a full human life ahead of him. Why would he be disappointed in my decision." An icy voice flowed from Rukia's lips. Her face was emotionless and her spiritual pressure filled the room bringing the would be traitor to his knees. "It doesn't matter what you think, Akhiro. Ichigo and Kaien are two men you'll never be able to compare yourself to so go crawl in the hole you came out of and stay there. I'd hated to tell Kukaku why her nephew disappeared, but then she'd understand. Kaien was her hero after all, especially if the news comes from me."
Ciel watched with amusement as the little noble before him put one of the playboys of the soul society on his knees. The man literally could not stand the power she emitted. How the hell he thought he'd ever control her was beyond Ciel's mind. But the young heir learned something very important. Never underestimate a Kuchiki.
Rukia whirled on her feet. "Thank you for your assistance, Lord Genpu. Please forgive my rude manners." Rukia replied in a voice daring him to challenge her.
"I should be thanking you, Lady Kuchiki. You've made this boring night more entertaining. If you ever need my assistance please call upon ne. I'd love to take you out one afternoon."
This man was stupid or he had a death wish...
"Lord Genpu, I don't think..."
"Please call me, Ciel, milady."
Why did men always flock to her?
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find my brother." Rukia bowed to the two noblemen as she weaved her way into the crowded room. One man started at her in awe and delight while the other plotted her demise.
My lovely readers, thank you for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting my story! I appreciate all the support :D
That1person: Thank you for reviewing! Yes, Rukia did that because he didn't understand NO! He should have learned his lesson in not messing with a lady, especially one with a sword in her hand.
Bleachpower: Thank you for reviewing! Oh yes, Byakuya wanted to kill his cousin - slowly, I'm sure. As for the Shihoins, Kenshin was a friend of Byakuya's before hand, but I thought it was funny making him a Shihoin. As for Sasuke, he moves like a ninja and I needed a noble group for him so the best clan would have been the Shihoins. Over this chapter and the next one you'll meet nobles from other Clans. Yoruichi is like that friend who wants to see a couple wind up together and she will stop at nothing to make her plans succeed. But she's also like Kisuke. Yoruichi's back up plan to help Rukia find a good match is Kenshin. You'll see the Kurosaki siblings shortly, and I think you'll be happily surprised.
For my ByaRuki fans out there, I have a new story started. It's called "Love Under Gunfire". The story is set in a modern AU (they are not related in anway in this). Rukia is the daughter of a wealthy clan leader until one night everything was ripped away. Her beloved bodyguard was injured in trying to keep her alive. With nowhere else to run to, he takes her back home to the Kuchiki Clan - more importantly to his brother. Can the great Byakuya Kuchiki keep Rukia safe, or will the men who killed her parents succeed in killing her as well?