Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Hollow Charm ❯ Lies and Honour ( Chapter 9 )

Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I just borrowed the characters.

 

This is a Rukia/Renji chapter.

 

Lies and Honour

 

“Are you sure this is the right time?” Even though it had been her idea, Rukia was questioning her notion. The main thought passing through her mind was that this could end badly.

 

“It will never be the right time; we both know that, may as well be now. It was your suggestion. Come on, stop trying to put it off or I'll think you're scared.” Renji grabbed her by the hand and pulled her along with him as he began to walk to his Captain's office.

 

“I am scared. Renji, you'll still want to marry me, no matter what my brother says, won't you? You won't let him talk you out of it, will you?” Rukia was feeling increasingly nervous, the closer they came to her brother's office.

 

“I've loved you all this time; even though people told me I had no chance with you. If they didn't manage to talk me out of it, why would your brother? Why do you think I tried so hard to become an Assistant Captain? It wasn't for the responsibility, I want to marry you.” He kissed her on the mouth briefly. They were standing outside the door to Byakuya's office as it was only a short distance from Renji's quarters. There was a light on in the office indicating that the Captain was inside. Renji knocked at the door.

 

“Come,” said Byakuya's voice. He sounded normal. Rukia had expected him to sound different, but then she realised he wasn't expecting anything.

 

Rukia preceded Renji into the room. Byakuya smiled lightly as he saw his sister. “I've just received a very amusing letter, Rukia. Sit down and let me tell you about it. Abarai, you can wait outside.”

 

“I'd prefer it if Renji stayed.” Rukia tried to keep her voice firm, but pleasant. She noticed Renji had reacted instinctively to the dismissal; he had almost obediently walked out the door at her brother's command.

 

“This is family business and none of his concern.” Byakuya did not seem pleased by her request and pressed his lips firmly together.

 

“Please brother.” Rukia smiled as endearingly as she could. “You know how long Renji has been my friend.” Renji stood behind her chairs and she wondered if he was controlling his expression.

 

“I'm only thinking of you. It is inappropriate that a person, not a member of our family should be privy to our discussion. I insist he leaves.” Byakuya was displeased with Rukia's intercession on behalf of his assistant captain.

 

“I insist he stays. He won't tell anyone and we want to tell you about the human world.” Rukia widened her eyes imploringly at her brother. She hoped this would work, but realised it probably would be futile.

 

“Very well, if you insist. It will be common knowledge soon.” The captain of the 6th Division immediately assumed his austere persona. “Rukia, I have received an offer of marriage for you. I think we should consider the matter seriously.”

 

Rukia felt the blood drain from her face. She wished Renji hadn't heard that someone else wanted to marry her; it would be likely to anger him. She felt his hand briefly touch her neck as if reassuring her.

 

Who would offer to marry her? Her mind raced as she tried to work out who had made the proposal. She could think of no one. It would have to be an Assistant Captain or above, or her brother would not have mentioned the matter. She shuddered slightly as she thought of some of the candidates. “Who wishes to marry me? I'm sure I am not worthy. I rely on your advice, brother.” She asked the question, needing to know the answer.

 

“A captain, no less.” Byakuya was making her work for the answer.

 

A Captain? Rukia thought quickly. Most of the captains were male. At least she could take solace in the fact that it wasn't Captain Ichimaru. Not only would that betray her budding friendship with Matsumoto, but he made her flesh crawl and not in a sexual way. Who could it be? She closed her eyes and tried to consider the matter. It would not be her captain, of that she was sure. She couldn't think of any of the captains who had ever shown any interest in her in that way.

 

“I cannot think of any captain who would wish to pay court to me. They are polite but mostly disinterested. I have not sought this honour, brother.” Rukia hoped that Byakuya would end the suspense and tell her. She would not accept the offer, but until this was finalised, they could not discuss her marriage to Renji.

 

“Captain Kurotsuchi has petitioned me, requesting my permission to pay court to you.” A grim but amused smile played over her brother's face.

 

Rukia was pleased she was sitting down, or she would have sat down from shock. She hadn't known the 12th Division Captain was aware of her existence. Everything she knew about him made her wish the proposal had been from Captain Ichimaru, at least Matsumoto would have stopped those marriage plans. This offer was unexpected and unwelcome. She hoped her brother's pride would prevent the match.

 

“I am honoured, brother. What is your advice on this matter?” Rukia almost gritted her teeth as she formulated the polite response.

 

“I don't expect you to accept the Captain of the 12th Division. I am uncertain of his reasons for the proposal. There is obviously some advantage to him if he manages to form this alliance.” He paused. “If you wish to marry him, I will accept on your behalf, though I do not encourage you in this.”

 

“I did not encourage the captain, older brother. While I am flattered by the request, I did not know that Captain Kurotsuchi had any interest in me, nor do I wish to marry him. Please forgive me if I am causing you any inconvenience.” Rukia tried to provide the correct formulae of refusal.

 

“The refusal will need to be handled carefully. The captain is quick to take offence if his wishes are denied and I will need to think how I may best reject his suit without causing antagonism. While he is a commoner, he is still a captain.” Byakuya sounded thoughtful as he considered the matter. He stroked his scarf between his fingers as he spoke and Rukia watched the long fingers move against the white material. He must be disturbed by the matter as he normally did not fidget in any way.

 

“Thank you, brother. May I convey my regrets at refusing his suit? I am flattered but feel unworthy to be his bride.” She paused and then decided to move onto the matter which did concern her. “I have one reason that you may provide; I wish to marry another.” Rukia forced the words out. She swallowed as she awaited the inevitable questions.

 

Byakuya flinched visibly at her response. “You wish to marry. Not the ryoka?” Her brother's voice was hard as he asked the question and his fingers gripped the scarf.

 

Rukia's eyes opened wide at the question. “The ryoka? Which ryoka?” She was confused. Did her brother think she wanted to marry Chad? Or Uryu? She wasn't even sure he'd met either of them. Surely not Ganju, but he wasn't a ryoka. Why would her brother think that she wanted to marry a human?

 

“The loud orange one: the substitute Shinigami. You will not marry him. I will not allow such a person to join our family. He has no manners, no finesse.” Byakuya was firm, his tone disdainful. “I forbid the marriage.”

 

Rukia smiled fleetingly but suppressed the smile. How had her brother thought of that? Was it because he had attempted to save her, and had finally done so? He had defeated her brother and perhaps that added to the vehement refusal to agree to the marriage. Marry Ichigo? Maybe this would work out, if she revealed the real identity, slowly. She felt Renji touch her back softly, as if reassuring her. The touch gave her courage.

 

“I am sorry to hear that, brother,” she said dropping her eyelashes over her eyes. She had to play this carefully.

 

“So it is him you wish to marry?” Byakuya sounded alarmed. She quickly glanced under her lashes at his face, he seemed thunderstruck. The material of the scarf was starting to stretch under his grasp. It must be an unconscious action as she knew her brother treasured the scarf and all it represented.

 

“A much as the idea appeals to me; I do not wish to marry Ichigo.” Her answer was quiet and composed and she noticed her brother relax at her assurance. She had trouble controlling the smile that was struggling to curve her lips. Marry Ichigo? He was a kid!

 

“Not one of the other ryoka?” There was a note of incredulous disbelief in his voice as he asked the next question.

 

Rukia felt that this particular scarf might end up in shreds by the end of this conversation, if her brother did not release his grip. She had never seen her brother so distressed and felt ashamed to be the cause. It made her wonder why he believed it was one of her friends from the human world she wished to marry. Did he think she'd lost all her judgement along with her powers in the human world? “Brother, I do not wish to marry any of the ryoka. They are my friends, nothing more.” Her clear assertion seemed to placate him. She looked at her brother and noticed he had suddenly become aware, once more, that Renji was still in the room.

 

His gaze clear and cold, Byakuya looked at Renji and then at Rukia. His expression hardened and he dropped his hands from his scarf as he regained control of his emotions and planned his next observation. For a moment, Rukia felt a return of her earlier fear.

 

Renji took Rukia's hand in his and addressed his superior. “Captain I wish to petition you for permission to pay court to your sister. I am an Assistant Captain of no noble rank, but I do outrank her. I believe our stations are equal. Please grant me this very great honour.” Renji's voice was firm as he made the request.

 

Rukia could feel his hand becoming slippery with sweat as he asked the question and she squeezed it reassuringly, proud of his courage and determination.

 

“So, it's you Abarai.” Byakuya leaned back in his chair a few inches. There was silence. Rukia found she was holding her breath as she awaited her brother's response. “Have you broken our unspoken concord?” The words hissed out of his mouth and his gaze on Renji contained a restrained fury.

 

The words shocked Rukia. What unspoken concord? What did that mean? Why was he so angry?

 

“No.” Renji's voice was hard, his expression angry and his grip on Rukia's hand tightened.

 

“What are you talking about? What unspoken concord?” Rukia found herself asking the question. She had a theory about this, but wanted to hear it confirmed.

 

“He wants to know if I've had sex with you; taken your virginity,” Renji explained glaring at his captain.

 

Rukia's gaze switched between her brother and her love with her mouth open. Why was it so important? She knew Renji had warned everyone, as had her brother, but she had not considered her brother to be so serious about the matter.

 

“I do not wish to bestow the hand of my sister on you, Assistant Captain. I would prefer she marry the 12th Division Captain. Sister, I will send an acceptance to Captain Kurotsuchi tomorrow.” Byakuya's voice was icy and his expression severe.

 

“I refuse to marry that weirdo, I want to marry Renji. If you try and force me to marry the pasty faced creep, I'll propose to Captain Zaraki or Ikkaku or Yumichika, or all of them. At least 11th Division has some fun,” Rukia burst out; forgetting the protocol and the lessons about correct behaviour, so disgusted was she at her brother's decision.

 

“Captain Zaraki has not asked to marry you and I will not ally our bloodline with his uncertain origins. As to the other two, they are even less in rank than Abarai. I do not know why you suggest them. It would be impertinent and incorrect for you to seek an alliance with these people. Why do you think they would accept?” Byakuya seemed a little put out by Rukia's outburst. “I thought you wanted to marry my Assistant Captain. Why are you talking like this?”

 

“I'm trying to make you see reason. I do want to marry Renji, I love him. I'm just saying I don't want to marry Captain Kurotsuchi. Any of the other male captains would be preferable. Anyway, why is virginity important?” Rukia couldn't work out where this conversation was going. She realised her confusion was causing her to make strange statements.

 

“The daughter of a noble house should retain her purity until given in marriage to her selected husband. She should accept the advice of the head of the house regarding her marriage and not suggest initiating peculiar liaisons. Before you suggest any further alliances, I would remind you that you require my approval to wed. No one will dare rouse my anger by marrying you without my sanction.” Byakuya's explanation infuriated Rukia.

 

“Not everyone respects the noble houses. 11th Division don't. If you think the daughter of a noble house should retain her purity, what about Yoruichi? She's the daughter and was the head of a noble house and she's living with Urahara, or close enough. There's no question about their relationship and they're not married.” Rukia was disgusted by the old fashioned notions being promoted by her brother.

 

Byakuya's lip curled at the mention of Yoruichi. “We are not speaking of her family. I am referring to our family and the duty that you owe. You should accept that when you marry it should be a suitable alliance, not marriage to a person with a background that may cause embarrassment.”

 

“I have the same background as Renji. I'm not ashamed of how we grew up, we survived together. If it had not been for Renji, I would have died. You married my sister who was a commoner, not a member of a noble family. That marriage was not a suitable alliance for the head of a noble house, but you married her anyway because of love. You adopted me because of that marriage, even though it was considered incorrect for a person of my background to be brought into this family. I want to marry for love and I love Renji. Don't deny me what you allowed yourself.” Rukia's plea was impassioned as she made her case.

 

“Sir, I want to marry your sister.” Renji, obviously impatient at the turn the conversation had taken, interrupted the debate between brother and sister.

 

“Leave here Abarai. I do not give you permission to pay your attentions to my sister. Not now, nor in the future. I forbid you to talk to her again while she is unmarried. Once she has been given in marriage, and the marriage has been consummated, it will be her husbands' decision if you are allowed any contact.” Byakuya was dismissive.

 

“I'm not a virgin.” Thinking about the turn of the conversation, Rukia told the lie without considering the consequences, crossing her fingers, to cancel the lie. She found herself under scrutiny of two pairs of eyes; one looking astounded and the other horrified.

 

“Which contemptible person violated your purity? Was it one of 11h Division? Is that why you suggested a marriage with one of their number?” Byakuya asked the question, with purpose. His hands were clutching the table, his knuckles white. Rukia knew he was upset but at least his scarf was safe for the moment.

 

Rukia thought desperately. Who could she say? It had to be believable and irrefutable. “I'd prefer not to say,' she demurred while still thinking frantically. Who would her brother believe crazy enough to ignore his warnings? She didn't want to cause trouble for anyone.

 

“Tell me Rukia. This is a stain on the family honour. He will either marry you, or I will kill him.” Byakuya's voice was firm.

 

Hearing this encouraged Rukia to state the name. “Renji. As you said you will force the person who took my virginity to marry me, it was Renji. Now you have to allow us to wed.”

 

Renji was shaking his head in disbelief. He had released her hand when she had stated she was no longer a virgin and now crossed his arms across his chest.

 

Byakuya stood up and leant his hands on his desk. “Abarai has confirmed that he has kept the unspoken agreement and has not had carnal knowledge of you. In this I believe him.” His eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at his assistant captain, as if questioning his trust.

 

Rukia phrased her next statement carefully. “Then ask him to deny that we were in his bed together, just before we came here.” It was true; they had been on his bed.

 

Renji opened his mouth to deny the charge, but then realised it was correct.

 

“Is this true? Did you take my sister to your bed?” Byakuya's expression was frozen, his voice artic.

 

“It was an accident.” Renji began. “We were on the bed, but not doing…” Renji gulped as he was obviously remembering the events, his face flushed. “We didn't…”

 

“He said he'd planned on making love to me.” Rukia interrupted, slightly twisting the facts by omitting parts of the conversation.

 

Byakuya became even colder. “Abarai, you have lied to me and broken the unspoken concord. You must die.”

 

“You said he'd have to marry me if he had violated my purity. Why do you want to kill him? I could be carrying his child.” Rukia decided to make the story even more difficult to refute. She might be carrying his child if they had made love, which they hadn't, but if they had, she could be pregnant, but she wasn't. It was a very fine line between truth and lie. Okay, she was kidding herself, she was telling big lies. Lies so large they nearly made her eyes cross as she embroidered even more on the truth. If only she'd managed to take all his clothes off, they wouldn't be having this conversation, or at least she might not be telling untruths. Her fingers were starting to ache from remaining crossed for so long.

 

Renji's eyes almost started from his head at her comments and he was shaking his head. “It's not true, I didn't sleep with Rukia. Rukia tell the truth, please.”

 

“We were too busy to sleep.” Rukia was trying to make the case stronger. She smiled at her brother.

 

Byakuya looked at the two of them, Renji flushed red and Rukia trying to think of another convincing false or twisted fact that might force his hand. Rukia noticed her brother was frowning as his gaze flickered between them. He sat down slowly as he considered the matter.

 

“Rukia, are you a virgin? Hold your hands in front of you as you answer, so that I may see them,” Byakuya ordered. He had a slight smile on his face.

 

Rukia remembered he knew about her habit of cancelling the lie by crossing her fingers. The slight smile made her realise that her brother knew she was telling a story. Angrily she held her hands in front of her. “I was in Renji's bed earlier.”

 

“But are you a virgin?” Byakuya asked again.

 

Rukia lowered her eyes and replied heatedly, “Yes. Renji said he respected me too much. I tried to seduce him but he wants to wait until we are married. I will tell any person who asks to marry me that I am no longer pure. That should prevent a number of offers if what you say is true about the need for virginity. I'm not going to be denied on this issue, brother. I will marry Renji, with or without your consent.”

 

Byakuya seemed to relax and smiled widely. “I'm disappointed that you lied to me, Rukia. You must be set on marrying this man. Abarai, you have recovered your honour in my eyes. I am sure she made a convincing argument as she tried to seduce you, but I am proud that you managed to withstand her blandishments. You may commence paying court to my sister. I think it's a mistake, but I know how stubborn she is, as are you. I may as well agree to the marriage now, or she will make my life miserable for the next few decades, or she may well propose to Captain Zaraki. I am uncertain whether he would accept, but I do not like the risk. An alliance with 11th Division is slightly less undesirable than an alliance with the 12th Division, but neither is acceptable. Remember, her purity is to remain unsullied until you are married. You will remain betrothed for two years and then I will permit you to marry.”

 

“Two years? Two whole years? What do you expect me to do for two years? Sit in a cold bath? I can't believe you want me to wait that long. Why? Two years!” Rukia couldn't believe it, hence the unfortunate outburst. Wasting two years of her life before she could finally take Renji to her bed. Damn it, she'd seduce him the first chance she could and this time she wouldn't listen to him. She'd use kido on him, tie him up and then kiss him into submission as she had threatened when she talked to Orihime.

 

Byakuya began laughing. “You should see the expressions on your faces. I didn't think you'd take that seriously but you always ignore my sense of humour. What point is there in delaying? Get married as soon as you want. I suggest a small wedding as we are under threat from invasion by the Arrancar. A week, maybe, would that suit you, Rukia? Can you wait a week to marry?”

 

Rukia's heart leapt within her as she realised her brother was treating her like a sister. A week and she would be able to do anything she wanted with Renji. If only it was tonight. “Thank you brother,” was all she said.

 

“Thank you, Captain.” The joy and relief in Renji's voice was obvious. “Are you sure I have to wait the whole week?”

 

Byakuya looked at Renji piercingly. “Yes. You have to wait until you are married, remember the concord. If you shatter the agreement, I will crush you. Sister, you will wait here until I am ready to leave and I will escort you home. Abarai, you are dismissed until tomorrow. We don't want to put temptation in your way.”

 

Renji caressed Rukia's cheek and left without saying another word but bowed deeply before leaving the room.

 

“I promised to visit my captain.” Rukia remembered the promise she had made earlier. She didn't want to disappoint Captain Ukitake, it would be very impolite.

 

Looking up, she noticed her brother was smirking at her slightly. “Can you assure me that you will not be meeting with Renji tonight? You only need to wait a week.”

 

“Brother, you hurt me. I did promise my captain. I would also like to talk to him about the disappearance of my friend, Ori…”

 

Standing quickly, the Captain of the 6th Division interrupted her. “I do not wish you to speak that traitor's name, or hear you acknowledge her as being your friend. She left with the Arrancar, a fact that Captain Ukitake attested. You will not mention her again or I will withdraw my approval to your marriage. We should remember to keep our name free from further scandal. Must I remind you of the importance of maintaining the peace and dignity of the family?”

 

Rukia bit her lip. For a moment her brother had relaxed, but now he had assumed his dignity and conscientiousness again. “I apologise brother. Forgive my thoughtless words and forgive your sister for her foolish actions. However, I did commit to visiting my captain tonight and I feel it would be disrespectful if I failed to meet that commitment. I am sure you appreciate the importance of honouring promises and respecting a superior officer.”

 

“Nicely put, sister. I permit you to visit with your captain for one hour, then return to our home. I will be waiting for you to discuss the other events which took place tonight. You must realise it was a shock to find that you wished to marry my Assistant Captain. I know you are friends, but neither of you indicated that it was anything more than friendship. Because of the lengths that ryoka, Ichigo, had taken to rescue you I believed you were romantically involved with him.” Byakuya walked to the doorway and opened it for her. “One hour only sister. If you see Abarai, please don't torment the man.” He smiled at her briefly as she left the room.

 

She walked down the street toward her captain's office and a familiar figure fell into step beside her as she turned the corner. “I only have an hour Renji and I promised to visit my captain.” Her words were cut off as he seized her and kissed her soundly.

 

“You nearly got me killed, devil woman,” Renji said when he finally released her mouth from his.

 

“But we can get married….We have to help save Orihime before we can get married. Should I sneak out of the house after my brother goes to bed tonight and come to visit? We need to talk about how to save Orihime.” Rukia made the suggestion, but there were other motives behind the offer.

 

“Your brother will kill me if you do and I don't think we'd end up talking. Let's meet tomorrow morning, early in that tea shop and make plans. You know the one I mean? They serve Taiyaki. This idea to rescue Orihime is a risk, and it might end in disaster.” While he spoke they continued to walk toward Rukia's destination.

 

Reaching the office, Renji kissed Rukia once more, with longing and passion. “I'll come in with you. I still have to ask your captain for permission to marry you and I don't want you walking home alone.”

 

Rukia laughed. “Scared the Arrancar will abduct me? Aizen's has already taken what he wants from me.” She tapped on the door and entered when she heard the quiet response from her captain.

 

 

Author's Note:

 

According to Tite Kubo, Renji's favourite food is Taiyaki, a fish shaped pancake filled with sweet bean paste,

 

I know it's another Rukia and Renji chapter, but the idea amused me and the next chapter will feature them once more. It does seem unlikely that Captain Kurotsuchi would wish to marry Rukia and possible reasons for the proposal will be examined in the next chapter.

 

When I was writing the previous author's note for this story, I almost commented that this story should be called `Frustrated Desire' or `Thwarted Passion' because just as the characters get close to following their desires, something happens.

 

Is there a lemon in the future? There are a few lemons in my fruit bowl. Do you want one? Oh, you mean the other sort of lemon. I've had a very strange idea for the end of this story, which I thought of when I decided to continue, but, wait: I'm not answering the question! It's called avoidance. That's when you don't want to answer the question and change the topic.

 

The above author's note was written without any assistance from my brain, which shut down due to a disagreement with my muse. My muse is now contemplating the illusion of reality and has asked for some lemonade. I don't think she's listening to me.

 

Thank you to the people who have reviewed this story so far. Please review.

 

MS