(AN) Sorry for being a little late this week y'all! Work had me exhausted. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Chapter 34
Rukia burst forth through the senkaimon gate. Ichigo followed after her blindly like always. Where she went, he would follow, and he would protect her with his life.
Throughout their whole journey, Rukia was mumbling to herself and bouncing though the shadows. "Was she sensing more minions of the elders. How could they plan to kill the Kuchiki princess and heir? Did they want Byakuya to murder them in their sleep?" Ichigo asked himself.
Ichigo glanced over at Rukia noticing the fine wrinkles of worry on her face. She couldn't face these people alone. Who knew what their next move would be if they didn't get their way. Her safety was his and both Zangestus priority. Actually, his inner hollow was howling in frustration for him to just kill everyone who stood in her way, but that wasn't Ichigo's way. He always thought things could end in peace or at least be resolved without death. All the while his hollow whispered that this fight may come down just to that – death. Death for the Queen. Death for the ones who are after her.
Speaking of death, Rukia had that on her mind as well. She didn't know what she was going to do with the elders, but they were not going to like her when she got through with them. Honestly, she would love to take revenge, but what if all the members weren't involved? Could she still seek revenge, and if so what would their punishment be? Unfortunately, Rukia didn't know the answer herself.
A large, warm hand wrapped around Rukia's bicep "Hey, midget!" Ichigo yelled causing Rukia to stop in her tracks. Turning to look back at him, she leveled a deadly glare at him while her body radiated tension.
"Ichigo, we don't have time for this! We have to get to the elders!" Rukia told him as she yanked her arm away with a sigh. "You don't understand what's at stake." She whispered.
Tilting up her chin so he could see those gorgeous eyes of hers, he asked, "They tried to kill you. What don't I understand about that, Rukia?" Violet eyes pleaded with him to drop the subject and just follow her, but his will was strong as ever.
With a sigh, Rukia began to explain. "On top of those assholes trying to kill me, the reason I am in a hurry to get back is because I had a deadline to announce who I will marry, but I'm scared we are too late."
Wide amber eyes started at her. Shortly after hearing that disturbing information, Ichigo's inner hollow appeared. "Why didn't you say that to begin with, Queen? Let's go find your jail keeper!" He stated and scooped Rukia up bridal style, flash stepping towards Byakuya's spiritual pressure. If anyone could stop this ridiculous farce, it should be him right?
The doors to the council room flew open with a loud thud. Everyone in the room held their breath as they stared at the intruders who dared to disturb the council meeting. Being in the presence of the clan leader was bad enough considering someone's move against his sister, but the two spiritual pressures pulsing from the door way caused many to shirk away. Their last hope of salvation was gone for none of them could rival the three soul reapers in their presence.
Deciding to remain calm, even if she wanted to strangle people right then, Rukia formally bowed and greeted everyone from the door way. "Brother. Elders." She elbowed Ichigo to do the same, but he just nodded.
"Rukia, you need to leave." Byakuya told her simple without even facing her. He was focused on one main elder, pinning him to his chair.
A disturbing look crossed Rukia's face at her brother's blunt dismissal. She took a defiant stance while Ichigo scowled over her shoulder. She came all this way, and she refused to be dismissed and treated like he did before Ichigo recused her.
"With all due respect brother, no. I will not leave because I have unfinished business with elders." Byakuya raised an ebony eyebrow at her challenge. "But first, I have come to name the man that I will marry." Rukia simply stated causing Ichigo to smirk. His heart swelled with pride until Byakuya opened his mouth.
"Kurosaki, please take my sister and leave. We are through here." Byakuya growled as he turned to meet the boy head on. Before Ichigo could reply deadly, grey eyes silenced him for a change. He could sense that Byakuya was holding on by a thread.
"You mess with Queen, the you mess with all of us." Ichigo's hollow whispered to him. The strawberry wanted to roll his eyes, but his hollow was right.
"You will not dismiss her!" Three furious council members shouted not bothering to conceal the fear in their voices. Rukia took note of those particularly anxious to be left with her brother.
What the hell did you threaten them with, brother?
"Rukia, go home. We will discuss this later." Byakuya yet again commanded, but this time he met her glaze. She could see the words that he dared not utter in front of the elders. Please. It was such a simple word; yet, it held great meaning and signified respect.
A lady in a pale pink kimono sitting at the far end of the table caught Byakuya's attention. She said in small quiet voice. "Lord Kuchiki, Rukia should know what we have decided since it is about her future." Rukia looked up at the lady - Yuuto Kuchiki. At least Yuuto was always one of the calm, nicer elders who didn't like to rush into anything. Rukia and Ichigo went to Byakuya's side after Yuuto's encouragement.
Byakuya meet the sapphire stare of Elder Yuuto, and she didn't even flinch that's when he knew he had to tell Rukia the truth. "Rukia, the deadline was up so I chose your husband like you wished." Byakuya's deep emotionless voice froze her heart.
Rukia paled at her brother's words. After everything she's been through, she still wouldn't be able to decent her fate. Being a noble was harsh, but being a clan heir was absolutely brutal.
Byakuya's voice snapped Rukia out of her thoughts. "You shall meet with the man three days hence. We have to finish drawing up negotiations with his clan."
His clan? Brother must have chosen Kenshin since he said clan. That could be the only answer, right?
Rukia's face fell slightly. Ichigo noticed the change in her body language. She looked defeated, and that could only mean one thing. Their face was out of their hands. Whoever Byakuya chose was the luckiest bastard in the Soul Society.
Taking a deep breath, Rukia put on the face of the future Kuchiki leader. She ignored her aching heart and proceeded. "The elders still need to be punished for attempted murder, brother." She demanded.
"I agree." He said simply shocking Rukia while Ichigo let a slight smirk appear on his face. On the other hand, the elders sat in fear except for two – Yuuto and Hayato. They met Rukia's glaze with…welcome relief?
Unshed tears glistened in her eyes as she walked up to the elders' table. If she couldn't have what her heart wanted because of these idiots, then she would have some fun with them. One by one, she would pick their brains until they told her who was behind it all.
Maybe her own previous hollow rubbed off on her or maybe it was the horrors of war, but Rukia knew that this battle in front of her had to be won on the mindfield. Human instinct would take over, and each of them would turn on one another until the real culprit was unearthed.
Rukia's blank face was filled with a sadistic grin Rukia pulled her sword out. "Dance. Sode no Shirayuki!" Rukia cried.
The leaders looked on at the scene in shock, well except for two of them. No one expected the once meek, petite girl to rise and rival her older brother, but she did learn from the best after all.
With her head held high, Rukia began her plan of attack. "You have commit sins against this clan. How do you plead?" The hushed group stared at her in awe while Byakuya and Ichigo watched silently behind her.
No one answered. All of the elders looked at each other daring one another to speak, but two looked overly distraught. "Dear elders, you have brought this upon yourself." Rukia scolded them. "First, you blame me for something that was out of my control. Secondly, I am a soul reaper first, not a noble. You should have realized my matchmaking wasn't going to be simple. How could I be happy and control the clan with a whiney brat like Mamushi…Unless that's what you wanted? Did you want to control me through marriage? Did you think that I would bow out just because I was married?"
"Rukia, none of us wanted these things for you." Iwa plead.
Violet eyes silenced her in a hurry. "I'm sorry, but weren't you the one who called me a disgrace to the clan multiple times, Iwa?" Rukia asked. The lady in questions puttered a response and mumbled an apology.
Everyone's glaze followed the petite soul reaper as she walked around the elders table. Her men were bracing for the after math because they knew what the next question would be. Byakuya had hoped that he had the culprit punished properly before Rukia arrived, but, alas, he still wasn't a 100 percent sure. He was positive that Orochio had a helping hand in the matter, but if he acted alone or with an accomplice was still to be decided.
"Finally, which one you idiotic geniuses tried to kill me?" Rukia asked in a cold voice. She dropped the temperature of the room by 30 degrees to emphasis her question. Again, no one answered so took matters into her own hands.
First, Rukia walked up to Iwa Kuchiki, who was already shaken, but she was also one of the first to voice her opinion of Rukia at her "trial". "Was it you who tried to kill me?" Rukia asked as she leaned in seeing a tremor in Iwa.
No. This woman is literally shaking and fearing for her life. She wouldn't even have paid someone to kill me.
"No, Lady Rukia…" Iwa trailed off praying the Kuchiki heir would be kind. Fortunately for her, Rukia didn't find her guilty other than having too much pride.
The second victim was Hintana. She was the youngest of the elders. "Lady Rukia, if I had wanted you dead, I would have done it myself." The brave elder spoke causing Rukia to grip her sword tighter.
"Why is that, Hintana?" Rukia asked curiously.
"Simple. Honor and dignity." Hintana replied with a smile of her own.
"Do you not fear change like the others then?"
"How is that a relevant question?" The young elder asked.
"Just answer it!" Rukia growled trying to calm herself. Why did this elder have to back talk her so much?
"People fear what they do not know, but we know you, Lady Rukia. Your changes will have a lasting effect on this clan, but for the better or worse no one can say just yet. Preferably, I would rather still be breathing to see the curious outcome of your changes." Hintana answered her thoughtfully.
So this is a woman who supports change; yet, she will make sure I say within a certain line. But does that mean she would cross it when the time came? At least, I'll be able to expect a front attack from her. The culprit behind the attacks was a coward. Time to move on.
Rukia's third victim was a male with a clean shaved face and shifty eyes – Hayato. He followed her movements like a hawk. Bringing up her sword slightly, Rukia asked, "Was it you who tried to kill me?"
The man said nothing. He didn't even flinch. Rukia glanced over at Byakuya to see what he thought, but her brother's face was emotionless. On the other hand, Ichigo was a different story. His eyes were two different colors. The amber one begged her to move on while the golden one told her to slit his throat.
Instead, Rukia placed her hand on Hayato's shoulder. "Why are you being so calm, Hayato? Do you have something that you would like to share with me?"
The man looked up at her with a slight smile on his face. "You shall make a wonderful leader, my dear."
Rukia was taken back by the Hayato's nice words. Could he has sensed what she was really doing? "Thank you, Hayato, for your kind words." Hayato nodded in return, but he was able to slip something into Rukia's hand.
Without looking at the paper, she moved on to the man who she dubbed the worst sinner. "Orochio Kuchiki, you were the one who spoke out so forcefully against me. You who made me go on the revolted date with Mamushi Kuchiki, and I am betting it was your idea to marry me off to Kami knows who! Your choice was bad enough that Byakuya refused to tell me who the damn man was."
"You deserved what you had coming to you, street rat! We shouldn't soil the house of Kuchiki with blood like yours." Orochio spat out.
"So you willingly admit to attempted murder?" Byakuya asked. His voice was like a steel blade cutting Orochio the wick.
"Yes, my only fault was that they didn't kill her then." Ichigo was behind Orochio the second the statement left his mouth.
"Queen, please let me do the honors." Ichigo asked instantly knowing that it was his hollow rather than him who asked.
"Not yet, I'm not through." Rukia told him with a smile. "But please do stay right there, won't you?" Hollow Ichigo nodded in agreement.
Walking gently over to Yuuto, Rukia leaned down to whisper in the lady's ear. She approached Yuuto differently than the rest, but this change of movement also gave her time to read the not Hayato gave her. Once Rukia read the note along with noting Yuuto's words, she stood up and bowed. "Thank you, Lady Yuuto. You are most gracious."
In the next second, Rukia placed her sword at the sixth elder's throat. Hollow Ichigo was excited while the real Ichigo looked confused at Rukia's movements.
An evil smile graced Rukia's lips as she leaned down to whisper, "You're the one who tried to kill me with all those damn hollows."
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Rukia. Now, quit with this childish game so we can move forward with the proceedings." Jun looked straight forward as he issued the command.
Jun turned his head in shock, cutting himself slightly on her sword. "You should have taken better care to hide your hate for me, Jun. Too many people already know your secrets." Rukia said as she moved back to allow the man some room to breathe. Her previous action got her point across without any issue.
Orochio jumped up, and Ichigo hand pushed him back into the seat "You shall not become the leader of the greatest clan in the Soul Society! We refuse to allow it!" Ichigo's knuckles turned white as Orochio let out a shout of pain.
Rukia figured that hollow Zangetsu was fighting hard for control right now to end the men's lives who went after her. "Since you could not kill me or marry me off, I believe it's your turn to worry." She told the men with a lovely smile.
Turning to Byakuya, Rukia asked, "What punishment do you see fit for these who have wronged the clan?"
"Death." Byakuya stated coldly. He didn't want to let anyone live who went after his sister.
As he was about to unsheath his sword, Rukia stopped Byakuya. "Brother, I believe death would be to go for them, and you would just dirty Senbonzakura. Why taint your fine blade with their blood?"
This got everyone's attention in the room. "What do you suggest then?" He asked curiously. Rukia knew her suggestion would define her reign even before it began.
"Send them to the 78th district in the Rukon. They are to be stripped of all titles and family names along with the loss of their material possessions. They are to be deposited with nothing but the clothes on their back. They should learn how to survive without food, water, any help from the outside. Sentence those who try to stop this or help them the same fate." Rukia ordered
Orochio and Jun yelled at the same time, "You can't do this to us!"
"We'll never survive…" Orochio whispered.
"Speak for yourself, father." Jun stated. "I welcome the challenge. Then I am coming back for your head, Rukia Kuchiki."
"Can I just kill this one, Queen?" Hollow Ichigo asked.
"No." Rukia told hollow Ichigo, who pouted. He was disappointed that a death did not happen today.
"Yoruichi, please come in." Byakuya called out. Soi-Feng and Yoruichi grabbed the two henchmen from their seats.
Before they left, Rukia stopped the two soul reapers. "Would you make sure all of their wealth is distributed to the orphans and people in need of money in the 78th district, please?" They nodded in agreement.
Soon after the traitors were lead out of the room, Iwa and Hintana disappeared as well. "Should I go after them, Rukia?" Ichigo asked.
"No. They were not included in this. The main traitors have been dealt with."
"You were brilliant, little one." Hayato told Rukia as he approached her with Yuuto at his side.
"Thank you for your note, Lord Hayato. I had a feeling that Orochio was behind some of this, but I never expected Jun to be included. Hell, I didn't even realize that was his son until Lady Yuuto told me."
"I'm glad we could help, Lady Rukia. I am just sorry that we could not do anything sooner. We were forced to go along with the rest of the elders because Orochio and Jun held our most beloved member as a hostage stating that it was a much needed 'holiday'."
"Holiday my ass…" Hayato commented. "You should have let this guy take care of Jun. He will be coming back after you." He said as he pointed towards Ichigo.
"Let him try…" Byakuya and Ichigo growled at the same time causing everyone else to laugh.
"Thank you again, Lady Yuuto and Lord Hayato. I look forward to working with you for many years to come." Rukia stated as she stood in the middle between the Ichigo and Byakuya. "Now, let's go home." She linked an arm through one of theirs as she steered everyone towards Kuchiki Manor.
Once in front of the large house, Rukia asked Byakuya. "Can Ichigo stay for dinner?"
"Unfortunately, you are an engaged woman now, Rukia. You are not allowed to be alone in the presence of another man unless he is your family member or captain until after everything is formalized." Byakuya told them.
"You're not even going to tell me who it is?" Rukia squeaked.
"You'll find out in three days' times." Byakuya told her before heading towards the door. Those two needed a moment to tell one another good bye without prying eyes.
Rukia looked downtrodden at the thought of telling Ichigo goodbye. "Midget, it's okay." Ichigo told her and pulled her into a hug.
"No. It's not. It's not fair!" Rukia told him as she wrapped her arms tighter around his torso. He tilted her head up and gave her one last kiss on the lips. "This is not good bye, midget. I'll see you soon. I promise." Ichigo told her right before he left. Returning to the World of the Living was the hardest thing he ever had to do.
Thank you for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting! So I lied, this chapter was longer than I expected so you'll meet the suitor next week then an epilogue.
Don't kill me, but this seemed the way Rukia would actually handle this! I do hope it was satisfying to my blood thirsty readers lol! Love y'all! :D
On a side note, Jun is supposed to mean obedient in Japanese so I thought it was fitting to make him Orochio's son. Jun was just following his father's wishes.
That 1 person: Thank you for the review dear and for the other one on 2.0! Yep. Unfortunately, we are very close to the end, but be sure to be on the lookout for new stories! I have a few that I haven't wrote about yet, but they have a few of your favorite pairings! Also if you get bored check out the Love Under Gunfire. You'll love Senbonzakura in there! It's a Senb/Ruki and Bya/Ruki (No relation) AU. I also plan to update Wish soon - it should be the next one-, and I do have a Hichi/Ruki in the works, but I am still debating on rating T or M lol. Anyways, I am glad I could make you like Ichigo a little more... I'm sure Hichigo helped ;)
Bleach Power: Thank you for the review, friend! Well, I went a little different route, but I think Rukia's punishment was better than just straight out killing them. They have to learn to survive without help, titles, money, etc just like Rukia did. Payback sucks to be them... But yes Hichigo was screaming to murder them. But I think he understood her decision and liked it. They would suffer more than if they just froze to death or if Byakuya or Ichigo killed them. I hope you had a better time in school this past week! You're very welcome! I think I forgot to note that if you write like really graphically violence, excessive language, lemons, abusive situations, etc just note it, but that's mainly for the M ratings. Since you like IchiRuki check out my The Only Thing I Know for Real 2. You'll like the ending ;) It's definitely anti-canon ha!