(AN): I hope everyone had a great New Years! I'm back with your weekly chapter! I hope y'all stay with me a little longer. We have just a few more chapters to go! :D Slight, OCC warning for this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 31

Shortly after Rukia left Ichigo and Kisuke, she went in search of her brother. She walked aimlessly towards Squad 6's office as her brain processed her and Ichigo's soul shattering kiss. Didn't the boy know that he was a human and she was a soul? They could never work no matter how much either of them willed it. But she couldn't let her heart deal with the fallout just yet. She was still absorbing the sensation of their kiss so she savored it. Reality would come soon enough anyway.

Finally after arriving at her brother's office, Rukia found it empty, except for a certain red head snoring over his paperwork.

"Renji, wake up!" Rukia yelled loudly, but the he didn't move. Seeing a glass of water on a nearby stool, she grabbed it and throw the water on him.

"AHHHH! What happened?" The red head came alive screaming like a girl.

"Renji, you idiot! You were sleeping on duty again!" Rukia told him with a smirk as he gave her a sleepy glare.

"You don't have to be so mean about it, midget!" Renji hollered, then a string of curses came out of his mouth as Rukia kicked him in the shins.

"You know how I hate being called that!" Rukia growled as Renji got out of his chair. The red head eyed her with brief distain. Who was he kidding? This was Rukia! He couldn't stay mad at her for more than a minute.

"Alright already! I'm sorry…" He mumbled; although, he thought she should be apologizing for kicking him that freaking hard. Renji straightened up, towering over Rukia. His slight intimidation to get some of his man credit back failed because everyone knew who wore the pants in their friendship. "What can I help you with?" he asked her.

"Have you seen my brother?" She asked. "We got split up earlier, and I wanted to talk something over with him." Rukia broke off and looked away with a slight blush on her face.

"Ah! So Ichigo came to fight then? I figured that lucky bastard would." Wide violet eyes greeted Renji. He could see the storm brewing in them as he braced for impact.

"YOU KNEW!" Rukia grabbed Renji by his and forced him against the wall. For someone so small she packed a temper, but then he thought about Captain Hitsugaya. It must be something about those ice and snow wielding midgets that caused them to have an attitude.

"Why the hell didn't you warn me, Renji?" Rukia asked.

"Because Captain Kuchiki told me not too! He said he had business with Ichigo and you were not to know about it!" Renji countered.

Satisfied with his answer, Rukia jumped up and slapped Renji upside head. "Next time they have plans like that, you better tell me if you don't want to end up as an ice statue!" She warned him.

Was it too much to ask for common courtesy to be warned when your brother and the man you lo...uh... like meet?

Thanks to Rukia's slap, Renji remembered his captain's note. "Rukia, I just remembered that Byakuya left a note for you on my desk."

Renji ran back to his desk and searched through his massive stack of paperwork. He finally found it hidden under another note about never getting time off again if all the paperwork was not finished by 7 tonight.

Taking the crumpled up paper from his hand, Rukia read the note. She was dying to know why her brother wasn't here by now. Sure, they had to take care of a battle crazed Kenpachi, but Ichigo took care of most of that. Plus, Kyoraku and Yoruichi had the reconstitution under control, especially with Kisuke present.

Rukia,

Please go to Kuchiki Manor. Rangiku is waiting for you there with instructions for tonight. You'll await there until my return.

-Byakuya

A confused look crossed Rukia's face. What the hell was this about? I want answers not more questions!

Turning to Renji, she said her thanks right before she flash stepped back to the manor, leaving a very confused lieutenant in her wake. Now, it was time for her to figure out what was truly going on. The three of them had a lot to answer for if they sent a Kenpachi in his bankai form after Ichigo.

At the gates of Kuchiki Manor, Rangiku paced as she waited for Rukia. All thanks to Byakuya, she was burdened with having to tell her friend the latest news or least hint at it. He thought that Rukia would warm up to the idea of marrying someone sooner than expected if Rangiku planned the seed in her head. All they had to do was make Rukia see the light, or rather the strawberry.

Steeling herself with a smile when she caught sight of Rukia, Rangiku ran up and gave her a warm hug. "Rukia!" Rangiku squeezed her tight enough to where she was having issues breathing.

"Ran…" Rukia huffed out.

"Oh, right! Sorry." Rangiku released Rukia with a laugh. Without giving Rukia a chance to hesitate, Rangiku grabbed Rukia's hand and headed towards the manor. "Come on! We need to have girl time and get you ready for tonight!"

"Ran, wait!" Rukia called out as she was dragged throughout the winding halls to her bedroom.

Once they were in the room alone, Rangiku turned to Rukia with a sly smile on her face. "Now, tell me all about your date! I heard to was super exciting!"

"You were there for the first part!" Rukia replied as she glared at Rangiku. "Don't act like you didn't know what was going to happen!" Rangiku looked offended at Rukia's remark.

"What? I had to leave right after we came out of the building or Captain Hitsugaya was going to destroy all my sake stash!" She whaled! Tears started to form in Rangiku's eyes as she sniffled. "All I did was try to help you get ready for your date, and this is how I get treated!"

Rukia just starred at Rangiku with this admonished look on her face. Drama queen much?

With a deep sigh, Rukia tried to consul her dear friend. "Look, I'm sorry. Okay? It's hard not to be suspicious of everything when you've had the day that I've had."

Rukia's words cheered up Rangiku instantly. Nope. There is nothing suspicious about her behavior at all! Now, why are all my friends plotting against me?

"So as a sign of forgiveness, will you spill the beans about your date?" Rangiku encouraged Rukia. After all, she didn't know what happened other than Ichigo arrived to fight for her.

"Oh, come on! Don't start too! Renji was bad enough!" Rukia complained as she put her face in her palms. She was trying to hide the blush that crept on her face because all she could think about was Ichigo kissing her.

Rangiku pouted at Rukia, and she started to beg at the petite soul reaper's feet. "PLEASE!"

"I don't care what you do, Rangiku. You're still not getting anything out of me. What happened on the date was my business." Rukia told her coldly. She wasn't ready to share about the kiss yet.

"Oh, something happened on the date then, did it?" A perked up Rangiku asked as Rukia swore.

Dammit! How can she turn things around on you like that?

"No! Nothing happened!" Rukia yelled turning bright read. Great going, Rukia. Convince her nothing happened when you're red as a tomato!

Rangiku smiled evilly. "Do I have to bring out the sake to force a confession out of you?"

"No! No alcohol for you! Toshiro is probably ready to kill me for you being here the past two days." Rukia decided to change tactics and mention work. Maybe she'll get distracted.

"You're no fun!" Rangiku countered.

"And you're supposed to be making me look like a doll again for odd reason. So, make yourself useful and help!" Rukia snapped, hoping to get her point across.

"Fine. Spoil sport!" A sad Rangiku forced Rukia onto a stool in front of her make up table. "Now, let's make you look marvelous darling!" She said.

Rukia winced as Rangiku brought out a hot pink make up bag. Instantly, Rukia started to panic, but she wasn't going to show any signs of weakness in case Rangiku decided to use it to pry information out of her. Although, Rukia didn't have to like it.

After Rangiku did her makeup and makeup, Rukia asked her, "Ran, do you know why I have to dress up tonight? Byakuya didn't tell me anything. I'm assuming its another date."

"Oh, huh..." Rangiku hesitated. "Captain Kuchiki told me that the two of you are attending a small Kuchiki meeting tonight so he just wanted to take precautions. You know how those old geezers prefer traditional dress rather than you showing up in your shihakushou."

Rukia whipped around to face Rangiku. "What are you not telling me then?" She could see the hint of worry around Rangiku's normally happy eyes. A summon from the elders was not something Rukia wanted to deal with. "They're going to force me to marry soon, aren't they?" Rukia asked in a sad voice.

A lump was stuck in Rangiku's throat. She knew what the meeting was about, but she planned to plead the fifth for now. "You're just speculating, Rukia. Calm down."

The look on Rukia's faced caused Rangiku to worry. "Captain Kuchiki will try to stop it if that's the case Rukia. He'll take care of everything." Rangiku tried to sooth her friend.

"It's okay, Ran. Honestly, I guess I should have been expecting this. Kenpachi destroyed a town with Ichigo's help along with nearly killing Ceil all because of me. This is my punishment." Rukia looked away. "None of this would have happened if I would have just married someone already."

"You shouldn't be punished for other people's stupidity." Rangiku told her as she placed a comforting hand on Rukia's shoulder. "You have the right to choose who you love and marry."

Rukia up at her friend giving Rangiku a nod. The rest of their time was spend in silence as Rukia was preparing herself for the worse tonight. How long did she have to determine the worthiness of a suitor?

Byakuya greeted Rukia with a nod as she opened her door. "Are you ready?" He asked.

"Yes." Rukia replied sullenly. A slight frown appeared on Byakuya's face as he looked into Rukia's room trying to see Rangiku. Catching her eye, Rangiku shook her head letting him know Rukia wasn't going to like this meeting.

"It will be fine, Rukia. You'll see tonight is nothing more than just a formality. It's just supposed to be the 8 of us." He told her, inwardly praying that he was right.

The siblings flash stepped to the meeting place in silence. The building never felt held such a sense of impending doom like it did today. Sure, the meetings were bad in the past, but this was her future.

Rukia followed Byakuya through the opened doors to face a room full of people. Six elders were seated up front while various other members floated around the room. Most of the people still had a distain for Rukia since Byakuya chose her as his heir. Quiet mumblings flowed throughout the crowd the moment they set foot into the building.

What the hell? I thought it was supposed to be the 8 of us! What is the rest of the Kuchikis doing here? How could they do this without Byakuya's approval?

When the elders saw them, a loud bell was rung. The crowd immediately found their seats, waiting patiently for the show to start.

This isn't how the meetings are supposed to go! They're acting like this is a trial.

A loud, thundering voice flowed throughout the room. "Rukia Kuchiki, step forward." Following the elders' orders, Rukia appeared before their council.

"You have been brought before this council because you have disgraced the Kuchiki Clan." Orochi Kuchiki stated. His voice echoed through the room. It was so silent that you could hear a pin drop.

Black hair covered Rukia's face as she hung her head defeated. She couldn't please these people no matter what! She tried their matchmaking; yet, it failed. Did that mean she failed as well? Old feelings of insecurity and doubt flowed through her as she could now hear the harsh whispers of the fellow Kuchiki members.

"You should be shamed of yourself! All your suitors have been less than desirable. You've been on a few dates with men who were not ranked or nobles. Then the ones who were nobles, you turned away! You even had the nerve to date a lieutenant with suggestive tattoos, who thinks he's walking bad boy. A photo of you appeared in a scandalous dress in an underground club, where no noble would be caught dead at! Then the old ryoka and Captain Kenpachi destroyed most of a district in the Rukon. But the worst yet may have been when Captain Kenpachi nearly killed Lord Ceil Genpu!" Orochi Kuchiki stated to the whole room in a condemning voice.

"On top of all this, you have been the talk of Soul Society, and not in a good way!" Iwa Kuchiki popped up as she shamed Rukia with her eyes. All the six elders nodded in agreement with one another.

"Your actions have sealed your fate..." Orochio continued.

Rukia was resolved to her fate before this meeting, but she had enough of their condescending talk for one day. Why did they berate her? Couldn't they just simply tell her to marry without all this commotion? Was a small and intimate meeting too much to ask?

Instead of cowering in a corner, Rukia decided to stand up for herself for the first time against them. Gathering all the courage that she had, Rukia began her speech. "Dear Elders, please take this with the utter most respect, but I have done nothing wrong! For over the past two months, I suffered through numerous, unwanted dates, been kidnapped, and held hostage all for the sake of finding love or at least a suitor that I could live with. I had no control over any fights that occurred, even the one injuring a fellow noble. I also didn't have control over the betting pool that was created without my knowledge! How was I supposed to know that would happen! I am innocent victim in all of this! Yet, you treat me as a criminal."

"Your actions over who you associate with has shamed us; therefore, this is your fault." Orochio and Rukia glared at one another.

Suddenly, the room chilled. Byakuya rushed to Rukia's. He was so proud of her for standing up to the idiot elders. Now, it was his turn. They crossed the line this time.

"It's funny you sit there and act all holier-than-thou, Orochio. Wasn't it you, the elders' council, who forced this decision on my house? Wasn't it you who threatened my beloved sister and her happiness; yet, she was willing to marry for a clan who has despised her? You who only stated that this would be a small, simple meeting, but this is a full blown trial." Byakuya stated with a deadly tone. No one went after his sister and got away with it unscathed.

Everyone in the room was frozen. "We decided to overrule you, Byakuya Kuchiki. Rukia needs to be made an example of! No one shames the Kuchiki Clan whether she is your heir or not! Now, we have decided that she has one day to make her decision as to who to marry, or she will be married off to a man of our choosing." Orochio smiled widely at Byakuya temping him to act out. If looks could kill, all the elders would have died multiple deaths by the Kuchiki siblings' hands.

Orochio turned his glaze back to Rukia. "The clan is excited for your happy announcement. Be sure to think wisely, Rukia. You wouldn't want to disappoint us again would you?" Orochio voiced with confidence. Neither Kuchiki sibling would cause a bigger scene with this many people.

Byakuya wrapped an arm around his sister. "Beware when you sleep at night, Orochio. You never know what lurks around the corner." The Head of the Kuchiki Clan stated as he plotted their revenge. The elders will be replaced before Rukia took power that he damn well promised.

Letting her anger get the better of her, Rukia turned and left the meeting with ice being to form all throughout the room. Leaving was not a lady like manner, but she had enough for one night. A cold wind blow open the doors as Rukia stormed into the night.

Feeling her heart break, but flow with pride. Byakuya challenged the elders for her. She couldn't have felt prouder. Her once icy brother showed his emotions for the first time in a long while. But Rukia needed to flee. She had to talk to someone so who better than her old mentors?

Rukia turned up the hill to run towards their graves. They would listen and support her, no judgment would be passed from them.

"Hi, Kaien. Miyako. I miss you." She told them as she sat in front of the graves. "I don't know if you can watch me up there, but I wanted to tell you about my life right now. You'd be laughing hysterically, Kaien. Byakuya finally cracked earlier with the Kuchiki elders while, like normal, I'm the worse member of the Kuchiki Clan."

She hoped for a reply from the wind or left at least something, but she knew that Kaien was within her heart. "All of this came about because they want me to marry. I know. I know what you're going to say that marriage isn't a bad thing, and, honestly, it isn't. I do want to get married, but in my own time to my chosen person. I don't want to be forced, but that's what its down to now. I have a day to decide."

Taking a deep breath, she continued. "We had a large meeting about my love life tonight and shaming the Kuchiki Clan. So instead of listening to their condensing comments, I wanted to tell you about my love life and all the dates."

"My first suitor was none other than Shuuhei Hisagi. He is a fellow lieutenant, and he reminds me a little bit of you, personality wise, Kaien. His fighting and teaching skills are excellent. The elders hate him so that's a point in his favor." She said laughing. "Shuuhei is not scared of calling me out when I hid my true self, and he makes me blush like a little girl at times. I remember you used to do that to me just for the hell of it! You said it made me prettier because I was always so solemn." A large smile appeared on Rukia's face as she remember Kaien's teasing.

"Now, Mikayo, you'd love the date I went on with Iba Tetsuzaemon. I don't think he's really my type, but he makes for a great date! He taught me about various dances and learning about other cultures that night. We went to this Roaring 20's club. I even wore a silver fringy dress and a feather in my hair. The food was to die for too! At the end of the night, Iba even gave me a get-out-of-date free card since we had such a good time." Rukia felt the wind caress her check. It was almost like Miyako was there telling her to continue.

"One time, I spent a random date with an old enemy, who now it a friend. You'd be proud, Kaien. I'm growing up and coming out of my shell. I plan on making the Kuchiki Clan different. No one will be treated as they have done to me. They will learn to like the new ways rather than be stuck in formal tradition everywhere." The wind whirled around Rukia almost hugging her as the words left her mouth.

"Then, I met a new noble - a Shihoin at that! Did you meet Kenshin before? He recently came back from a long mission, but both of you would like him. He's not stuffy in the least and I know he likes me for who I am. He would make a wonderful candidate to marry. The clans would be pleased, and I would be happy. There is potential to grow and possibly love one another." Rukia said as she looked away from their graves off into the distance.

Breathing in a deep breath, Rukia began on the final date. "But I think the most influential date was the one I went on with Shinji Hikaro. He wanted to date me because of Ichigo Kurosaki, your nephew. This date made me address my feelings for Ichigo, but everything changed when he came to visit a few days after the date. We had a heart to heart. He was going to be there to support me all the way, and he has so far. I'm just not sure if I have any right to ask him to take the next step. It seems selfish. Would it be right to ask him to give up everything?"

"But he did come to fight when Byakuya issued him a challenge. It was fight for me or never see me until his death. I think they did all this because they plan on offering him a position, but I'm not sure how soon. If stays and accepts, I don't think I can be happy with anyone else knowing that he's here because I love him."

With her last comment, Rukia rose from her spot. "Thank you for listening! I feel much better now, and I think I know what I need to do!" She yelled before heading back to Kuchiki Manor. Byakuya and her had a lot to discuss.

What Rukia didn't see were the two fade figures standing by their graves. "Kuchiki, you better marry my damn nephew! He loves you, you little idiot!" Kaien yelled.

"Kaien, don't be so harsh on her!" Miyako scolded.

"What? I can't help it if she is blind about what's right in front of her." Kaien growled. He was aggravated at his former apprentice.

"Well, if Ichigo takes after you..." Miyako said pulling her husband to her to kiss him. "Then, we have nothing to worry about. Soon there will be a Shiba-Kuchiki wedding if he has anything to say about it." Miyako stated happily as they watched over Rukia. They were both extremely proud of Rukia overcoming everything. Now, they just had to sit back and watch how the future planned out.

To all my readers, thank you for reading, reviewing, following and favoriting! As for my two one shot request, I am going to work on them as soon as this chapter goes up!

Bleach Power: Thank you for reviewing like always! :D I hope you had a lovely New Year! Oh, yes! Rukia is pissed now, but you see the ramifications in this chapter. Somehow the elders view it as her fault even thought multiple parties are involved, specifically the Captain Commander. Yes! Ichigo kissed her because he finally realized how stupid he was running from his feelings for her. He had to man up, and maybe it was from the slight blood loss, but he finally made a move!

Guest: Thanks for the review! Yes, for some reason all their friends interrupt at the most inopportune times ha!

That 1 Person: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed the last two chapters! Yes, Rukia is the MVP of this story! :D She's the Queen of Bleach! How could see not be! Also you would like Miss Persona fanfic! Read it if you haven't! You'll enjoy it and be fangirling! :D