A/N I don't own Bleach nor do I make any profit from it

This is set a little before 100 years before the main story line so in other words it's set a little before and during the Turn Back the Pendulum Arc when Byakuya is a teenager. Nerine's name is pronounced Ne-rin-ay.

Chapter 1 - Marriage Contract

The late afternoon sun illuminated the mountain landscape. The sounds of horse galloping echoed through the valley. The girl riding through the valley headed towards her family's mansion. She was a girl of an hourglass build and her hair was the colour of copper, curling down her back in loose coils. Her eyes were as blue as the twilight sky. Her hair shined in the late afternoon sun and it bounced as her horse cantered.

"Nerine," then came the voice of her elder sister, Haruhi, who looked like her but had golden curls instead of copper. Nerine turned her head, "Father has returned from his trip! He wants to speak to you about something important."

"All right," Nerine replied as she steered her horse in the direction of the Tsukishiro mansion. She rode to the stables and dismounted her horse. A stable boy appeared from around the corner to lead the horse away, "Thank you, Jun," Nerine said politely as she sprinted towards the house. She met Haruhi at the door.

"Did he say what he wants to speak to me about," Nerine asked. Haruhi shook head.

"Not a word," Haruhi said, "But he seems troubled about it though. You'd better get a move on."

Nerine raised her eyebrows, "Father has been disappearing from the mansion for hours at a time lately. Where has he been going?"

"I have no idea," Haruhi said as she played with a strand of her golden hair, "But there's only one way to find out."

Nerine nodded and walked to the main reception room. She knocked on the door and she heard the deep voice of her aging father, "Come in, Rina."

Nerine smiled at the pet name her father gave her, "Yes, father," Nerine opened the door and smiled at her father, Takuma Tsukishiro, "Haruhi says that you want to speak to me."

"That is indeed true, my dear," he said kindly, "Please take a seat."

Nerine nodded and knelt down in front of her father, "What is it that you want to speak to me about?"

"I have secured a marriage contract for you," Takuma said seriously and straight to the point. Nerine was taken aback. She blinked and her back straightened from its slumped position.

"A marriage contract," Nerine questioned, "May I ask…to whom?"

Takuma smiled triumphantly at his daughter, "I have secured a marriage contract to the prince of the Kuchiki family, Byakuya Kuchiki. As you know, it is important to marry well in order to save us from destitution as the elder daughter of this family."

"I know that…but…how did you secure it? The Kuchiki family is very prestigious and wealthy. Why would they want anything to do with us?"

"As you know, I work with the current head of the Kuchiki family, Captain Ginrei Kuchiki as his 4th seat," He said casually, "His grandson is in need of a wife and he approached me, knowing that I have a daughter of around the same age."

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful, father," Nerine said, her countenance showing signs of uneasiness, "But I've only met Byakuya Kuchiki once…and I didn't like him. He's very spoilt and selfish. In addition, he has a temper that could make even the Soul King tremble."

"I understand your nervousness, my dear Rina," Takuma said, almost dismissively, "But I am certain that this is a good match. But do not act as if you do not have a temper, my dear. God forbid that you two will clash; the Soul King will really tremble then," Takuma said with an uneasy smile. Nerine frowned.

"Please don't joke about this, father," Nerine said, "I'm still in shock."

Takuma stood up and walked over to his daughter, kneeling in front of her. He caressed her cheek lovingly, "You look just like your mother…so beautiful…"

"I wouldn't know," Nerine said pensively, "She died when I was a toddler and I cannot remember what she looks like."

"Look in the mirror and you will see her," Takuma said, "She loved you and your sister very much."

"Father, I love you very much," Nerine said sadly, "For you, I will honour this…but I am scared of marrying him," Nerine closed her clear sapphire eyes.

"Bearing in mind, you were nine years old when you first met Byakuya and he was only ten years old himself," Takuma gently reminded, "Do you remember, Rina?"

"I suppose so," Nerine said with a small smile, "I thought he was so rude and stuck up."

"People change, my dear Rina," Takuma cleared some of her bangs away from his daughter's face, "Perhaps you can change him, Rina, and you have that effect on people."

Nerine felt like she was going to cry. Once married, she would be taken away from her father and sister, her only family whom she loved very much. The Kuchiki family wasn't exactly known for being very warm. This wouldn't be an easy experience.

After a while, Nerine walked out of the reception room and slid the door closed. She breathed a bereft sigh. The reality of this had not yet sunk in and she didn't know what to do with herself. Haruhi approached her and cocked her head to the side.

"What's wrong, Rina," Haruhi asked, "What did father have to say to you?"

Nerine looked up at Haruhi, "Haru, father has secured me a marriage contract."

Haruhi, who was already engaged, smiled, "Well, it's about time, Rina," Haruhi said with a gleeful smile, "May I ask…to whom?"

"Byakuya Kuchiki…the prince of the Kuchiki family," Nerine said with an uneasy smile. Haruhi's smile brightened.

"Do you realise how much your life will change? It's amazing! You're going to be one of the most powerful women in the Seireitei and even in the Soul Society! As the Lady of the Kuchiki family, you will live a life of decadence and luxury! It's amazing!"

"Are you sure about that," Nerine asked sceptically, "Because…I'm a free spirit. Can I be contained by the Kuchiki family to become the perfect wife?"

"I have to admit, you have been indulged," Haruhi said, "And you're father's favourite because you look like our mother," Haruhi said playing with one of Nerine's copper curls, "I don't resent you; it isn't your fault you are favoured."

Nerine's eyes saddened, "I love you, Haruhi, and I'm going to miss you."

Haruhi immediately wrapped her arms around Nerine's neck, "If he hurts you, Rina…don't hesitate to come home and divorce him. I fully support you and as your elder sister, I will defend you to the very end."

Nerine wrapped her arms around her waist, "I love you, Haru," Nerine said, burying her head into Haruhi's golden curls. The two girls stood in a tight embrace for what seemed and age. Sisterly love definitely triumphed over all.

Meanwhile, within the Kuchiki family compound, the young master of the house trained. Raven hair tied back in a high pony tail, sweat dripping from his forehead and swinging a wooden training sword in an elegant yet untrained fashion, Byakuya Kuchiki trained hard. The muscles in his arms were beginning to form, giving him a lean appearance.

After a while, Byakuya placed his sword on the floor and opened the white kosode and revealed his lean torso and poured a cup of icy cold water of his head, cooling him down.

"What a day," Byakuya whispered, clearing his damp bangs from his face for them to fall back. He shielded his steely grey eyes from the sun as he felt the immense spiritual pressure of his grandfather Ginrei.

"Byakuya, I'm glad I have found you," Ginrei said pleasantly, "I hate to disrupt you whilst you're training."

"Oh no, Grandfather," Byakuya said with a heart warming smile, "I'm just taking a break."

"Well, that's good to hear," Ginrei said, "As I have some news."

"News," Byakuya asked, "What news?"

Ginrei knew that would he would say could be received either way by his temperamental grandson. He knew that Byakuya had a terrible temper when angered, "Well, I don't want you to fly off the handle when I inform you of this, Byakuya, but I have secured a marriage contract for you."

Byakuya's already pale face paled even further, "A marriage contract?"

"Yes," Ginrei replied.

"To whom," Byakuya said blankly yet at the same time, a little rudely.

"She is a lower class noble who lives in the better parts of the Rukon District. Her father is the 4th Seat of Squad 6 and a very dear friend of mine. Her name is Lady Nerine Tsukishiro and she is a very fine young lady despite her standing with in the noble rankings," Ginrei said. He still hadn't received a reaction from his grandson. It appeared that the news was only just setting in. Byakuya sat on the patio and wiped some of the excess sweat away from his forehead, "She will make a fine bride and the elders approve of the match."

Byakuya stood up, "Why couldn't you have told me about this earlier?"

"Because, I knew how you'd react, Byakuya," Ginrei replied, "You must admit that your temper has left much to be desired. You must learn to control it in order to be a good husband and eventually a good role model to any children you sire. You're a nice, caring boy at heart; please show this side to this girl because she will be just as scared and unsure as you will be."

Byakuya looked up at his grandfather and swallowed silently. He was at a loss for words and remained silent. Ginrei walked closer to his grandson and laid a hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner, "I know you will uphold the honour and pride of this family," Ginrei said proudly, "I know you can do it because you're very much like your father before you."

Byakuya's lip trembled at the mention of his father. He didn't like talking about his father, who had been killed in the line of duty. Sojun Kuchiki had been cheerful man with happy manners. He had been a good father to Byakuya and a good husband to his wife. The Kuchiki family was never the same after the death of their heir. They were very fortunate to have another heir, Sojun's son.

"You are the image of your father, Byakuya….a very handsome young man you are," Ginrei said, pensively, "Well, you'll be meeting her soon next week and hopefully, the wedding ceremony will be held soon after that."

"Why is there a rush? Why can't I get to know her?"

"There will be plenty of time for that, my boy, when you're married," Ginrei said, "You can always go and meet her yourself if you're that eager."

"I'm not," Byakuya hissed and the blood had rushed to his cheeks, "I'm less than eager."

Ginrei chuckled a little; he had been anticipating this, "You say that now but wait until you see her."

Without another word, Ginrei turned on his heal and walked away, leaving his hot headed grandson alone with his thoughts.

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