Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Hollow Charm ❯ Decorum and Deceit ( Chapter 14 )

Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I just borrowed the characters.

 

Decorum and Deceit

 

Renji was impatient. Rephrase that. Renji was pacing the floor as he waited impatiently in a private room in the tea house. This was the place where he had arranged to meet his betrothed. Tired of pacing, he sat and soon he was tapping his foot and jiggling his knee as his irritation increased. Rukia was late; at least he thought she was late. They hadn't arranged a time to meet, but she should be here by now. Didn't she remember he liked to eat breakfast early when he had work to do? They had to have breakfast early and get away before anyone noticed. As he thought about it, he realised it would be better if they left at night; that would give them more time to make their way to the Arrancar stronghold before anyone noticed their absence. He'd mention it to Rukia and see what she thought, when she finally arrived. If only there was someone who would create a diversion that would engross everyone this morning, then they could have even more time to travel. When was she going to arrive? If she didn't come soon, should he send a messenger for her?

 

The door opened and Rukia's smiling face appeared around the side of the door. “A private room, Renji? What made you spend so much money? You're usually pretty cautious, not to say extremely reluctant to part with cash.”

 

His relief as seeing her dispelled some of his irritation, but her words roused his temper. “What do you mean?” He demanded angrily and saw her grin at his immediate reaction. “I'm not stingy, I'm just careful. You remember how we grew up, never having enough money or food and I wasn't adopted into a noble house where my every wish is granted. You're late and I've been waiting too long for you to arrive. I chose a private room as a celebration of our engagement.” Softening his voice he allowed himself to linger over the last words he uttered. Finally he had admitted his feelings and found that Rukia shared his love and they had permission to marry. Before they disobeyed orders and went to help Ichigo, he wanted to celebrate their possible future.

 

“I'm not late, you're early. A private room is a nice idea.” Walking across to where he was seated, after shutting the door, she kissed him lightly on the forehead.

 

“Is that all? A kiss on the brow and you think that's enough?” Renji pulled her down to sit beside him. She should know that as his future bride she should kiss him properly. He tried to draw her close, intending to kiss her heartily, but she tensed and pulled away from him, astonishing him even more.

 

“My brother wants me to behave with decorum, especially now that I am betrothed to you; his words, not mine, and I agreed. I don't know what he would say if he knew I was in a private room alone with you. I think I should keep my distance in order that we evade temptation.” Rukia shifted along the cushioned bench on which they were sitting, moving away from him.

 

Open mouthed, Renji looked at her. What happened to the woman who had demanded he make love to her the previous day? Was this the same woman who had tried to seduce him after he proposed, or were his eyes deceiving him? The kiss on the forehead, the refusal to kiss him on the mouth and the insistence on decorum. Had her brother brainwashed her during the night? He began to feel rather unnerved.

 

The door opened again to admit the waiter bearing the tea, Taiyaki, and the other assorted delicacies Renji had ordered while he was waiting. He thanked the waiter as he left, tipping him as agreed in order to guarantee the privacy he wanted, but he wondered at Rukia's strange behaviour. Would privacy matter if Rukia was intent on fulfilling her promise to her brother?

 

Hungry and tempted by the scent of the food, Renji began to eat, savouring the little pancakes. They were as good as he remembered them to be.

 

Glancing at Rukia who was sipping tea, he noticed she wasn't eating, nor smiling or even looking at him. Her eyes were unfocused as she gazed across the room at the wall. “Aren't you hungry? When we were growing up I used to have to watch my food carefully as you'd always try to steal the bits you liked best.”

 

“I told you: decorum. I've been trained to eat with delicacy and manners. I do not wolf food down like a famished beast,” her implication was obvious and she made a little face as she looked at his mouth.

 

Wiping his mouth with a napkin he glanced at it. There was no mark on the fabric from his mouth. He hadn't made a mess of his face as she'd implied. “Famished beast? You're marrying this particular animal, or had you forgotten? What did your brother say to you? You're not acting like you did yesterday at my place,” he grinned as he saw her skin flush at the reminder. She might tease him about having food on his face. He could tease her for her immodest behaviour.

 

“I apologise for my conduct and I promise it will not be repeated,' she pulled her lips together primly and stared into the cup she was holding. Her body radiated disapproval at the reminder.

 

Feeling disappointed at her promise, Renji continued to eat, but instead of concentrating on the food, he watched her face. She seemed very distant and it made him pause. He didn't want to ask the question, but he wanted their relationship clear right from the beginning. “Rukia, do you still want to marry me?”

 

Still gazing at the cup, she nodded slightly, her face remaining expressionless. The response did not reassure Renji very much.

 

“You know if we marry we will have sex.” Hell, he wanted the passionate woman who took off her clothes and demanded he make love to her. The friend who found life fun. This person seemed like a changeling.

 

Rukia nodded even more slightly. Giving up on the food which seemed to lose its taste in the presence of this transformed Rukia, Renji slid close to her and tried to hold her close. She resisted. Instead his hands dropped to her sash and he quickly undid it.

 

“Renji, what are you…” Her words were cut off as he removed her sash and pulled her shirt apart, pushing her down on the bench. “Renji, what…” she began again but his mouth muffled the rest of the comment, kissing her as his hands were busy undoing her hakama.

 

He had planned this all night in between confusing dreams and bouts of uneasy sleep. When he followed her last night he had been ready to compromise about what she wanted and what he had promised. If his Captain hadn't interrupted he would have been able to do this in his own quarters instead of this rather public place, but he believed that Captain Kuchiki might have someone watching his residence.

 

Pulling his mouth from hers, he tugged at her trousers and seemingly stunned, Rukia lifted her hips and allowed him to remove them, leaving her knickers on. He noticed they were decorated with little flowers and that caused him to smile. How cute could she be? Undoing the last fastenings of her shirt he uncovered her body, allowing the shirt to remain on her arms. She now lay, mostly exposed to his gaze, perfect in his eyes. Placing the palm of his hand between her breasts he said, “I will not hurt you, I swear, but I need to do this.”

 

“No you don't. You want to do this, and I won't allow it…unless,” Rukia said, looking slightly annoyed. The frown on his face made him wonder if she would demand that she be allowed to dress. At least she didn't seem so solemn anymore. Anger was a more acceptable emotion for Rukia.

 

“What? Unless what?” Impatiently he demanded that she provide her requirement. It crossed his mind that she might want something difficult.

 

“Unless you take off your clothes too,” Rukia said, grinning at him, her hands busy on his sash. “I wanted you to take your clothes off yesterday but you were acting like a killjoy. I wondered how you would react if I acted like a frightened, demure innocent and it seems to have worked. It sounded so funny when you said `have sex' when you really wanted to say another word.”

 

“You love to manipulate me, don't you? Always getting me to do what you want. That will change.” Making sure the door was firmly shut, Renji removed his shirt. “That's all for now, the rest is for later. I don't want to cause you heart failure.” He moved closer, his hands itching to touch her and feel her soft skin.

 

“Unfair, I'm naked, mostly” Rukia argued. “Any why would your nude body cause me any problems? I want to see you.” She raised her voice slightly but her eyes were fixed on his chest as her palm rested on his shoulder.

 

“Shhhh. I've bribed the waiter not to disturb us, but do you want spectators? If you make that sort of announcement, people might hear you. I know this room is private and segregated and it's unlikely that anyone will walk past, but just in case.” He knelt beside her and kissed her firmly on the mouth.

 

As Rukia kissed him in return, her hands loosened his hair until it fell around his face. “I like to see you like that,” she commented letting her fingers run through the length of his hair. He pushed his cheek into her hand as she did so, feeling her palm soft on his face.

 

“I like to see you like this,” gazing at her unclothed body, Renji wondered if he would be able to do as he planned. It would mean he would have to ignore what he wanted to do and think only about Rukia. But thinking about Rukia would make it more difficult. Ignoring his doubts Renji began to stroke Rukia's shoulders, using the tips of his fingers. She moved her head to watch his hands, a curious expression evident on her face. Gradually he allowed his hands to move lower, still touching lightly, feeling her skin soft under his hands, her skin forming goose bumps when he crossed a tender spot. He bent down and kissed Rukia on the lips as his hands finally reached her breasts. He was finding it increasingly difficult to keep his focus and concentrate solely on Rukia. He had thought all the training, all the denial would have made this easier. Instead if made it so much more difficult.

 

Yesterday when he had done this, he had been both eager and unwilling, fearing what might occur. He'd had to struggle hard to find enough strength to deny her demands, but now he knew he would marry her and this was one way to make certain that she knew of his desire for her, but also a means to cement their relationship. Cupping her small breasts in his hands, he again became aware of well they fit into his palms. He began to caress them, not centring on the erect nipples, but the whole breast. Ignoring his inclination to lean down and take one into his mouth, he teased Rukia's mouth with his tongue. Her hands were on his shoulders, holding him close to her.

 

“Where do I go from here?” Renji wondered. “I've got to keep to the original idea.”

 

Rukia ended the kiss asking impatiently with a hint of desire “What are you doing, Renji? Are you going to…”

 

“No, he is not and nor are you. Dress, please Rukia and replace your shirt Abarai. I am to escort you to the Senkaimon. I am bitterly disenchanted that both of you failed to listen to my warning. Acting in such a flagrant manner in a public place is dishonourable and I am almost inclined to withdraw my consent for your marriage. The one thing that stops me is that at least you retained some sensibilities in not removing all your clothing, Abarai.” Byakuya's voice startled both of them.

 

Renji watched as the blush travelled up Rukia's exposed skin and wondered if he was turning a similar colour. Rukia quickly fastened her shirt, not looking at Renji, obviously nervous about her brother's reaction. She was dressing very fast.

 

“Does the guy follow his sister everywhere? When did he enter the room and how come neither of us noticed? Damned Captains are too sneaky,” he thought as he shrugged on his shirt and retied his hair. Fully clothed, he turned to see Byakuya framed in the doorway, his back to them.

 

“Could you please speed up the process? I think it would be best if you finish eating. As there seems to be ample food I will partake also.” It was not issued as a request but as an order. “Are you clothed now, Rukia?”

 

“Yes, brother,” she sounded demure and uncertain.

 

“Good. I will sit between you to prevent further temptation,” as he spoke Byakuya sat down contemplating the food available.

 

Rukia was now fully dressed, looking uncomfortable and her brother indicated that she should sit next to him, and Renji on the other side of the table. “I thought I impressed upon both of you that you were to restrain your fleshly desires until the wedding. I noticed you left early this morning, even after agreeing to behave with more decorum, Rukia. I am disappointed but not amazed that I have to remind you. If you were not leaving today, I would be taking matters further.” As he spoke he rapidly filled his plate, taking the remaining Taiyaki, Renji noticed with a touch of resentment. He then selected some food for Rukia and placed it in front of her.

 

Rukia gulped some tea and then answered. “It wasn't my idea,” she said with dignity. She dropped her eyes and began to eat, keeping her eyes firmly on her plate.

 

Renji's jaw dropped. Not her idea! She'd started the whole thing yesterday when…..

 

“I am well aware of what has transpired, but now is not the time to discuss the issue. I would recommend you eat heartily. I have some provision for you,” Byakuya said, indicating some cloaks and packages of food. “What you are planning is dangerous, foolish and rushed, but I will assist you.”

 

Then it finally sunk in. Renji had been too embarrassed to listen when Byakuya had said he would assist them. “Why are you helping us, then?” He didn't care if he was rude. His Captain had been rude earlier and he didn't notice him apologising for interrupting.

 

“If I don't, you'll go anyway and it might be more hazardous. I entrust my sister's safety to you Abarai. Don't neglect to watch over her.”

 

“I can take care of myself,” Rukia grumbled softly. She had been eating quickly and frowned at Renji.

 

“Nonetheless, I believe it is the responsibility of your future husband to ensure you are not harmed. If you have both finished, we will leave. Collect your belongings and follow me,” Byakuya said after he finished the last Taiyaki while Renji watched sadly. He had planned on eating all of them, but he didn't want to appear greedy.

 

“I will take care of your sister, Sir,” Renji said. That would have happened even before the order was made. Nothing could happen to Rukia; they were meant to spend the rest of their days together.

 

As they walked to the gateway to the human world, Byakuya provided more instructions, directions and orders. It was a relief to leave the Seireitei and the reminders of all the hazards they would face.

 

He felt uneasy at the amused expression on Urahara's face as they arrived in the human world.

 

“I've been expecting you,” the shopkeeper cooed. “Please follow me. By the way, congratulations on your engagement. Will you invite me to the wedding?”

 

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

Orihime was unhappy. The promised food was provided, but it was bland and uninteresting. No wasabe to squirt on the sweet biscuits, no maple syrup to flavour the miso. She ate, regretting the chance to try new flavours, but even by normal standards, the food was bad. It would have been better if they'd just given her bread and water.

 

While she ate she pondered her dilemma. How could she be under continual threat, terrified of what was going to happen to her, to Ichigo, to her friends and at the same time be bored? It made no sense to her. It should not be possible to feel fear and boredom at the same time, but she did.

 

When Ulquiorra summoned her to Aizen's presence she almost felt a sense of relief. She did not have to spend more time on her own, hoping, wishing that she could hear from Ichigo, but as she approached the room her spirits sank. The man would ask about the charm, the one she had given Ichigo, she was certain of it, and again she would have to lie to him. It had been so easy to lie to him on the previous occasion because she was preoccupied with trying to blot the violent acts she'd witnessed and her shock at the comments made by Aizen regarding her powers.

 

Now her friends had arrived to save her she felt very uneasy. She knew Ichigo had brought the charm into this world and she felt uncertain if it could be sensed. “How could you sense a charm, unless it has reiatsu? Can a charm have reiatsu? Or maybe if you had a charm detector, like a metal detector you could find it. But metal detectors don't work properly so maybe charm detectors won't either. How would you make a charm detector anyway? Wouldn't each charm be different or do they have to have one element in common. That element would be some form of magic, but there seems to be more than one type of magic, so that wouldn't work either. I'm only thinking like this because I don't want to think about what will happen when I see Aizen. It sounds funny when Ulquiorra calls him Lord Aizen. I wonder what Ichigo would say if he heard that name. Would he laugh, make fun of the name, or get annoyed? I'd hope he'd make fun of the name, but he'd probably get annoyed.”

 

By this time they had arrived at the door of a room that Orihime had not been before. By the time she had left the room her world had changed again and she was more confused and terrified than she had ever been.

 

Aizen had shown her the Hyogyoku, explained its workings and complimented her on her powers, but that was not the thing that scared her most. When they were alone, after he had dismissed Loly, Ulquiorra and Menoly, he stood close to her.

 

“I am offering you much more than the role of an unwilling ally. If you work with me, voluntarily, you will be rewarded with a partnership. I will rule over heaven with you by my side,” he leant down to her and his fingers brushed her cheek. “You are a very unusual person Orihime, with so much power and so much promise. Why concern yourself with inconsequential people like the ones you freely left behind,”

 

Orihime gasped and pulled away from the hand that continued to stroke her cheek.

 

Aizen looked at her, a small smile stretching his lips as he ran his eyes down her figure. “Shy? Of course you would be. I can understand the offer I am making you must cause you to wonder. But think of it, freed from all the worries of school and human life. You would never need to concern your head with study or what you should do once you are of age. You would be served as I am served. Together we would make the world a better place.”

 

Shaking her head Orihime opened her mouth to reject his suggestion. She would never accept what she thought he was offering.

 

Taking one step closer he gently took a tress of her hair between his fingers. “Such a pretty colour, such beautiful eyes. You do not have to provide an answer now, my sweet girl. I hope those engaging lips will part one day soon and say `Yes', but I can wait. Say `Yes' and your friends will not be harmed. I will allow them to return home, if they desire to do so.”

 

To say she felt overwhelmed by this chain of events would be an understatement. Her emotions roiled within her as she gazed into the eyes of her gaoler. “But what about the key? You have to destroy Karakura Town to create the key and some of my friends live there,” she stammered, realising too late that she should not know that information.

 

Aizen tutted gently, his face grave. “Who would tell such an innocent girl such lies? Only ignorant fools who cannot see what is clearly in front of them. I imagine some of the Shinigami dismissed your abilities as if it was trite and unimportant. They only did so because they feared your power. Why would I need to destroy a town? Doesn't that sound absurd to you? I fear people have probably told you many untruths, but Orihime, I could not act as has been suggested. That would make me a vile, unprincipled being and I'm sure a person with your fine judgement can perceive the truth and dismiss those evil words.” Gazing deep into her eyes he sighed sadly. “I know that some of the Arrancar and Espada have gone to the human world and hurt people, but that was not at my command. Think of me as a benefactor, taking Hollows who only exist to eat souls and from these monsters I create new beings with more intelligence, power, grace and some of them may even develop consciences as time passes.”

 

Each word he said confused Orihime more. “Did Captain Yamamoto lie to me? It is true that Mr Urahara was very dismissive of my powers. And the Arrancar are evil. They fought and nearly killed my friends,” she thought. Yet Aizen was telling her that he had not ordered those attacks. Each word he spoke made her question the truths she thought were certainties. She gripped her hands tightly together, trying to reject his words and becoming more ill at ease the longer he stayed close to her.

 

“I regret that I seem to have upset you. You will need time to think things through. I will have Ulquiorra take you back to your room. To please me, will you wear a uniform that will be brought to you? It will be a symbol of your acceptance of your role, the role you agreed to take when you came here with Ulquiorra? The other role I've suggested needs your verbal agreement. Think of me kindly, Orihime. I want only what is best for you.”

 

Dumbly, Orihime nodded. Even if she wished to, she didn't think she could speak. Any word she said might betray her confusion. If she had some time alone she would be able to work through all the things Aizen had said. Quiet and solitude might assist her to distinguish between truth and lies and she felt she was constrained by a web of falsehoods mixed with fact. Every time she tried to disentangle one from the other, the web ripped a little, but never enough to enable her to find reality.

 

“One more thing, lovely one. Did you manage to remember where you dropped that paltry charm? If you agree to work with me, it may prove to be useful,” his lips brushed her forehead and she tried to control her instinctive desire to push him away. For the moment she didn't want to antagonise him. It would be foolish to provide him with another reason to harm her friends.

 

“I'm sorry, I can't remember. It could be so many places because I went to say goodbye to my favourite sites before I met Ulquiorra. When I went to the river it may have slipped out of my pocket, or it may have fallen in the street. I wasn't paying much attention.” The lie came out with less conviction than she would have hoped, but that could be attributed to her fear of his proximity.

 

“How sad. I'm sure you will endeavour to remember as soon as you can. Now, I think it's time for you to rest. You have had a busy day and you must be exhausted,” he said moving away from her to summon Ulquiorra.

 

As they entered her room, the Espada gestured to some clothes that were on the lounge. “Lord Aizen requested that these be placed here for you. Think carefully before you don these clothes as to wear them means you have committed your life to assisting Lord Aizen in his work.”

 

He left the room, carefully sealing the door behind him and Orihime sank onto the couch next to the uniform, her head in her hands as she vainly tried to think of her answer.

 

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Author's Note

 

Hooray, I think I can see the end in sight. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, or is it an oncoming truck? (It's a truck)

 

Seriously, (you serious?) my muse has provided little assistance with this chapter. (That's right, blame me). Only recently did she decide to assist with the last half after I promised her something. (It took you long enough. Now, where's my chocolate pudding?)

 

Please review.

 

MS