Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Chapter 35
Three days went by in a blur. Today was finally the day that Rukia would learn the name of her soon to be husband. In other words, the normally calm and collective lieutenant of Squad 13 was actually a bundle of nerves driving everyone insane who crossed her path.
How could she not be when fear and uncertainty seized her heart throughout the past two days? Although, all these feelings quadrupled in size on the third day. Rukia felt like she was suffocating in her own home.
Hell, if the multiple rounds of sparring with Renji and Hitsugaya didn't work to calm her down for the past two days, then what was she going to do today? She couldn't wait in her room like some fairy princess and mull over who had Byakuya chosen for her.
NO! I refuse to let this phase me even more! Rukia climbed out of her bed and grabbed her shihakusho. I need to go to work! Nice, peaceful work.
Determination crossed her features as she snuck out of the manor past the guards. She flash stepped to her office where Ukitake greeted her as she walked through the door. "Why hello, Rukia! What bring you in here today?" He asked softly. Like many of her friends, Ukitake noticed Rukia's change over the past three days. Her aggressiveness and need for distractions was worrisome.
Big amethyst eyes pleaded with him to drop the subject, but Ukitake ignored her stare. "Byakuya told me that you wouldn't be available to work due to your engagement celebration."
Instead of answering his question, Rukia replied with one of her own. "Would you like some tea, captain?" She asked him in a soft voice. Ukitake sighed realizing that his lieutenant would not give him a straight answer.
"Jasmine tea would be lovely." Ukitake told her with a fatherly smile. "I'll be in my office when its ready!" Rukia nodded as she headed towards their small kitchen. She was grateful that she had something to do other than worry.
After the tea was ready, Rukia loaded up a small tray with tea for two and a few tea cakes for them to enjoy. As soon as she walked through the door, Rukia felt a slight bit of tension float through the air. Great! Byakuya got to Captain Ukitake too! Huh!
Dismissing the growing awkwardness, Rukia poured them both some tea, then she sat down right across from her beloved captain.
"I know you have questions, captain, but I just want to work until lunch. Would that be possible?" Rukia asked addressing the elephant in the room.
Taking a sip of his jasmine tea, Ukitake thought about her request. Byakuya wouldn't kill him for letting his little sister work till lunch, especially if she was pleading for something to do. Considering how nervous she is, work might be the best thing for her. With his mind made up, Ukitake cautiously asked, "Would you like to tell me why you're not at the manor being overjoyed with the prospect of being a bride, like most young women?"
To his surprise, Rukia answered him truthfully. "How can I be happy to a man that I didn't chose, captain? I was too late to give the elders my decision, and Byakuya had to name my fiancée for me."
"Why did Byakuya have to name your fiancée?" He asked curiously since he knew the deal Rukia had with the matchmaker.
Rukia cursed herself for not seeking out Toshiro to fight, but maybe talking with her only father figure would be therapeutic. "I'm sure you heard about the plot to kill me or at the very least control the Kuchiki Clan." Ukitake nodded for Rukia to continue. "Well this all started because I left to talk with Ichigo, but I was attacked just as I exited the senkaimon. All the fighting left me exhausted in the world of the living. B y the time I woke up and arrived here, it was too late." She explained sorrowfully.
"Didn't you tell Byakuya your preferences before you left though just to make sure you were on the same page?" Ukitake asked in his best fatherly voice trying to ease some tension from Rukia.
"No. Not really, captain. I thought that I'd make it back on time so I told Byakuya to choose because the elders were going to marry me off to a horrendous man. But honestly, I wasn't even sure of my decision because everything depended on Ichigo's answer. Byakuya knew who I was leaning towards, but I'm not sure if he chose for my best wishes or for the clan." Rukia replied defeatedly. "See all this was my own fault…"
At hearing her words, Ukitake rose to go sit next to her. "Rukia, the ways of the heart are not something that can be decided in a day." He told her wisely. With a final glimpse at her face, he sighed. "I will allow you to work until noon. If you stay longer than that, Byakuya will be after both us for making you late." He told her. Suddenly, he arms were full with his petite lieutenant thanking with a hug.
"Thank you, Captain Ukitake. It means the world to me that you are letting me do this." She excited exclaimed.
He smiled broadly at her. "Oh, Rukia, darkness is just a state of mind. The light always finds its way in to shed rays of hope." With his words in her mind, Rukia left his office and went about her day.
Between the paperwork in her office and taking care of Ukitake, Rukia spent her whole morning occupied until the fated time - noon. Rukia tried to stay longer, but Ukitake hounded her to leave. He kept reminding her that life was what you make it as she grumbled all the way to the door. Ukitake even stood outside to watch her leave for good measure.
She sighed. Will my life ever be normal again?
Just as Rukia walked in through the door of Kuchiki Manor. Ami came towards her fretting like a mother hen. "Lady Rukia, why are you wearing your uniform? You should be dressed like a princess for your engagement! Oh, whatever am I going to do with you, child?" Ami chided her.
Wide amethyst eyes were the only thing that greeted Ami. Rukia's voice was stuck in her throat for a few minutes as she processed Ami's words. "I'd rather wear my shihakusho for the meeting, Ami." Rukia stated in a hushed voice. "My fiancée should know what he's getting himself into. After all, I am a soul reaper first, a noble second." Rukia dared her servant to argue with perfect, sensible logic.
"Young lady, you're going to scare the man to death looking so... so… fierce! Your zanpakuto and shihakusho must remain in your room!" Ami screeched, which caused Rukia to arch her raven eyebrow. The servant didn't believe her eyes. "Lady Rukia, meeting him in all black is not proper for a LADY let along the heir of a clan! This is supposed to be a joyful time for you!"
Rukia huffed at the ferocity of her servant. "If he can't handle me now, what makes him think that he can handle me at my worst?" She asked her servant with a defiant glare. Ami just stared gapping at Rukia's new found attitude as she walked away to her room.
A small smile stayed on Rukia's face until she arrived at her room. For some reason, her small trip was rather uneventful. She wondered why no one interrupted her like they normally did. Shrugging of her uneasy feeling, Rukia walked towards her bed and noticed a small envelope laying on it.
Holding her breathe, she slowly began to read the letter.
Rukia,
Your fiancée shall be here shortly. Meet him in the gardens. The clans have already approved of the match with great happiness. Please wear the kimono hanging in your closet for lunch. Please be nice to him. He is as nervous as you are about all this, and do not even think about scaring him by wearing you shihakusho!
Byakuya
P.S. If you try to leave, I'll know it! I have spies so don't even think about running.
The only sound that could be heard in the room was Rukia's erratic heart. If the clans have approved, then there was no going back. Of course, Byakuya had to write the last little bit - reading her mind like always! It was just like her brother to threaten her to be sure that she did his bidding. Rukia pushed her door open. Right in front of her hung the most beautiful kimono that she ever saw. It was sapphire blue with ornament with crystal snowflakes and a sparkling white sash.
It's almost too beautiful to waste on this unhappy occasion…
Sighing in defeat, Rukia took a quick shower before dressing in her spectacular kimono. Rukia admired herself for a minute in the mirror. The kimono was beautiful beyond belief. Part of her why Byakuya went through all this trouble for her, but she guessed that he was saying the face of the clan.
The clock chimed loudly throughout the house. Was it louder because now was the time of her "doom"?
Quickly, Rukia walked out to the luscious garden. Immediately, she saw the table where her fate was going to be decided. It was set perfectly with a pot of tea and two cups along with various types of sushi for their meal. Everything was just waiting for her and this fiancée of hers.
Instead of being polite like she should have been, Rukia poured herself a cup of tea. She drank the refreshing lemongrass mint tea with a smile.
Suddenly, a very familiar voice startled her out of her trance.
"Hey, midget!"
No! I'm dreaming he's not supposed to be here. He can't be here! Brother will kill him if he ruins this!
Rukia panicked as she placed her tea cup down clumsily causing the tea to spill every. Ignoring her debacle, Rukia decided that Ichigo was more of the pressing matter than spilt tea. "Ichigo, you have to go! You can't be here! If Byakuya finds out you interfered with my engagement luncheon, then he'll kill you!" Rukia surprised him by wrapping her arms around him. "Please, Ichigo. I wouldn't be able to take it if something happened to you."
"Midget, everything is going to be alright." Ichigo told her as he squeezed her tighter. Everything would be since his world was in his arms.
"No. It's not going to be okay!" Rukia unwrapped herself from Ichigo and started shoving him towards the garden exit in a hurry,
Ichigo gave her little resistance until he whirled around to face her. "Rukia! Look at me!" He tilted up her head to stare make eye contact, but she refused. Rukia was terrified at what she would see in his eyes because it was the same thing that hers held – love.
"You have to leave! I will not be accountable for your death!?" Rukia slapped Ichigo upside the head and yelled at him trying to get him riled up.
He smirked at her, ignoring any pain. Instead, Ichigo brought his lips crashing down on hers. A shiver traveled down their spines and electricity hung in the air.
"What the hell, you stupid strawberry?" She asked angrily as she shoved Ichigo away. Kami help them if anyone saw their kiss.
"Now that I have you attention…" She looked utterly confused at him. "Rukia Kuchiki will you marry me?" Ichigo asked as he slid down to one knee.
"No! Go back to the World of the Living!" She growled thinking that this was all some elaborate prank or attempt to get her to run away with him.
Ichigo sighed. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but damn this hard-headed woman and damn Byakuya for not sticking around to explain everything to her. "Rukia, I am the one marrying you!" He told her trying to get the information to sink in. "You don't need to protect me from Byakuya because he knows I'm going to be his damn brother-in-law!"
Amethyst eyes stared at him in horror. "You're... You're just telling me this so I'll run off with you!"
"Rukia Kuchiki, I am marrying you whether you want to marry me or not! All your options are hereby rejected expect for me!" He yelled using similar words that once brought so much hope to her life.
Once she emerged out of shock, Rukia wanted to jump up and down like one of his crazy fan girls the other part of her wanted to kill him. Most importantly, she wanted answers. "But you can't be my fiancée though!"
"And why is that?" Ichigo asked with a smirk. "I do have the permission of your brother after all." He told her confidently.
"But the elders said that you have to be a captain or a lieutenant..."
"Or a noble." Ichigo finished the rest of the sentence for her. Gather her hands in his. "I am an official member of the Shiba Clan thanks to Kukaku. I may even be their heir someday if Ganju doesn't grow up soon. Could you handle that? Us being two heirs to the clans?"
Rukia stuttered. "Bu…But what about your father, sisters, our friends in the World of the Living? Are you just going to give them up?" Rukia asked amazed at his previous answer. Her heart soared so high, but she was bracing herself for a reality check soon.
"I'd have given up the world if you asked me to, Rukia Kuchiki. But it seems fate loves us just as much as I love you, you stupid midget." She could see the sincerity in his amber glaze, so she let his insult slide for the time being. "The challenge was all a test. You are looking at the future Captain of Squad 8 because Lisa wants back to the World of the Living and run a squad comprised of the vizard. I am also now a reserve member of the Royal Guard." He told her proudly.
"Oh, my Kami!" Rukia launched herself at him. "Congratulations, Ichigo! I'm so proud of you!"
"That's not all, midget. All the extra time in Kisuke's new hot springs increased my spiritual pressure. Kyoraku says that my power will continually grow faster until I can't go back to the World of the Living without a special gigai now. You'll never be rid of me!" Ichigo told her proud of the fact that she was going to be stuck with him for eternity, but he saw the expression on her face change from one of joy to sadness."
"I'm sorry, Ichigo. That's my fault for taking away your option of the human world. I was the stupid one who put you into the hot spring and didn't listen to Yoruichi's advice." Rukia told him with unshed tears in his eyes.
"Midget, you are so hardheaded!" He yelled at her. "What part of I'd give up the world for you did you not understand! Why can't you just accept my damn proposal already?" He sighed yet again. Ichigo thought he was going to have a permit scowl. What happened to the woman just being happy and saying yes?
"Fine, one more question then…" Rukia trailed off waiting for Ichigo to nod. "How did you convince brother to let us marry?"
"Really, Rukia?" He asked her as she nodded enthusiastically. Well, at least she wasn't hitting him this time. "I didn't have to seek your brother out because he came to me. Hell, he had talked to my dad before he talked to me to make sure I would be okay with this arrangement. Byakuya knew that I loved you since I rescued you from the Soul Society so long ago. I just didn't realize it at the time, and by the time I did, I lost my powers. I never thought I'd see you again until I died. Then my powers returned, we went through a damn war, and finally months of matchmaking before I could even tell you that I love you!"
Rukia was trying to comprehend the words coming out of Ichigo's mouth. He said he loved her, but her mouth had a mind of its own. "I'm still surprised that he didn't kill you. Brother always hated you." She countered.
"Yes, but who better to keep his little sister safe and love all her life?" Ichigo told her with a smile.
Finally, Rukia smiled back to him as she thought over everything. "We're really getting married?" She asked him.
"Yes. Even if you say no, it's a yes because we both know life without each other is pointless."
"Then I guess we should marry, right?" She said with a laugh. "I'd hate you to be running around all without a clue about life."
"You are so lucky that…" Ichigo began to shake his head all of a sudden. Then he looked up at her with golden orbs.
"You're the Queen! Thank you for accepting the King's horrible proposal! We'll help keep him in line!" He told her happily.
Rukia laughed at the fact that Ichigo's zanpakuto and inner hollow liked her better. "Thank you, Zangetsu and Zangetsu! I look forward to spending time with you both."
Ichigo did not like the way his hollow's thoughts were going after Rukia's devastating smile. "Now, give me back my body since you spoke your peace!" Ichigo yelled at his zanpakuto.
"Fine. Whatever. I just wanted to congratulate the Queen." His hollow replied before with a pout before they switched places again.
"Now, where were we?" Ichigo asked Rukia as he pulled her to into his arms.
A heavy force of spiritual pressure disturbed the two love birds. "You were letting my sister go so you can come along for training and your crash course on." Byakuya warned him.
"Awe, Byakuya come on! We haven't even celebrated yet!" Ichigo whined. Byakuya was always a stick in the mud.
"It's not my fault that you didn't have you act together before you proposed. I told you the other day to talk to her and drop hints, but you didn't listen."
Ichigo growled at his soon to be brother-in-law. "You should have told her you chose me so she wouldn't have been freaking out so much! Rukia ignored me because of you!"
"Why would I ruin my perfect plan? Everything turned out just the way I intended it to." Byakuya told them before he dashed off. He left two stunned soul reapers behind.
"Did he just admit to planning this entire thing? Like us being the end game all along?" Rukia asked as excitement flowed through her veins. Her brother knew what she wanted and needed all along.
"I think he just did…" Ichigo replied just as shocked. "Maybe he thought it was inevitable though? You know since you're the white moon and I'm the black sun."
"I have new found respect for that man! He knew what was best for us from the very beginning." Ichigo wrapped his arm happily around Rukia.
"Yeah, but Ichigo." He hummed at her. "You better go before Byakuya sends Senbonzakura after you. I prefer to have my groom in one piece."
Ichigo's eyed widened at Rukia's suggestion. He cursed inwardly.
Later tonight, he planned on celebrating their engagement formally with her, but right now he gave her a quick peck on the lips before he dashed towards Byakuya's spiritual pressure. Who knew the Kuchiki heir was the best at protecting the Queen?
Thank you again for reading, following, reviewing, and favoriting Matchmaking Trouble everyone!
Okay, I lied. I'm going to write a separate wedding chapter so I can just focus on the engagement day! Hope y'all enjoyed it!
Bleach Power: I'm glad you loved the title of the last chapter and that this was one of your favorite chapters! I thought it was very fitting! Awe! Yes, I loved making Rukia turn the tables on everyone because she is going to play the politics game very well even if she doesn't like it. She did learn from the best after all! She will even have less problems now that she has a certain strawberry by her side. None of his three personalities will let anything happen to her, and heaven forbid anyone go after her again. They'll be dead meat. Also the two elders who helped her, I felt that she needed someone else on her side. They were willing to work with the her, and that itself is a big step. Everyone is so proud of the woman she turned out to be. Also I hope you're story is going good! I know you mentioned wanting to write one!
That 1 Person: I just smile insanely big when you all caps things in reviews ha! Yes, Rukia is completely awesome! Yay! I'm glad this is one of your favorites!