CHAPTER 18

A/N:

Oh my, I know it has been ages since I last updated. I really don;t have much of an excuse except a very big writers block and the worst case of the lazy's ever.

So I am sorry for taking too long.

I am starting on the next chapter as of now, so hopefully, you guys won't have to wait that long. (fingers crossed!)

I guess I can thank my super bitchy (as in I want to slap her face and gag her mouth type of bitch) co-worker for this chapter. My inner annoyance at her gave me the push to write again.

Though that bitch, being the bitch that she is just gave me the will to write, not the muse to go with it.

Bleach manga is starting to get interesting again. I was like screaming when Rukia came back. Finally! I missed our midget!

I can't wait for the Rukia-Ruriko showdown!

And the Byakuya-Tsukishiro match up too!

Anyway, enough with my crazy fan girl babbling... on with the chap!

Chapter 18

Roadblocks

Rukia kept her head bowed down, sitting quietly in one of the chairs inside her brother's office. She has not said or done anything else since being ushered to it by her brother. She doesn't even know how long she had been sitting there. Outwardly, she may look calm. But she was fuming inside. Just the image if a smirking Ichigo sends her blood pressure soaring high. If she could undo what happened earlier, she would not have stopped with just one punch. Dammit, she freakin wants to pummel him!

She closed her eyes and took a deep calming breath. She really needed to get her wits and her emotions in check. But it was proving to be a very difficult task at the moment. Just the thought of everything that she had went through for the past week makes her want to scream and do a bloody murder number on Ichigo.

And that was just for the confusion she had felt. That is not taking into account the roller coaster, stomach sickening, nerve wracking, mind numbing 'moments' of their kisses. Heat surged up her cheeks while guilt rose in her throat. How could she allow that to happen? How could she have allowed that stupid dandelion to play with her emotions that easily?

She wanted to go and bang her head hard on the walls.

Stupid... stupid... stupid.

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Byakuya stood silently by the window, his eyes never leaving his sister's stiff form. The corners of his mouth curled upward as he recounted the last few conscious moments of the gaki, who, as of the moment is still out cold on the dayroom. He couldn't even get himself to scold her for the lack of propriety and tact that she has shown earlier. Rather than feel annoyed with such aggressive and uncouth actions, he wanted to pat his sister's back and congratulate her on a job well done. Her kido skills were superb, fitting of a Kuchiki heiress. Truly, who would have thought that her petite and beautiful sister could pack some mean punch?

He looked at his sister again, but this time his eyes held some glint of respect and admiration for her. She was sitting erect, head bowed. The only sign of movement was the continuously clenching and unclenching of her knuckles. Byakuya thought that if smoke could really come out of a persons' ears, he could bet that the whole room would be covered with billowing white fumes.

She was stewing, he knew. She needed time to collect herself and come into grips with what she has learned earlier. And so he waited. Waited for her to regain some semblance of composure. She needed time and he was going to give it to her. But then, after everything, he would get his answers.

His eyes slanted as he remembered how Rukia had so casually called the gaki by his first name. His hands curled into fists when he recalled how the stupid boy so nonchalantly addressed her. There was something there between the two that he is not aware about. The familiarity that he sensed between them was real. He could not have had imagined it.

There was one thing Byakuya was sure of, they know each other. They know who each other is. The how, when, and where, was one mystery he intends to find out. But Byakuya also knew that the surprised attitude that Rukia has shown earlier was also real. She didn't know that the gaki was her fiancée. But, she damn well knew him.

Byakuya tried to smooth his furrowed brows into a cool mask of indifference. The way Rukia is right now, she was bound to be very difficult. He knew that getting the truth out of her would require some tact, and a lot of patience. Good thing that he, being the exemplary older brother that he is, has long ago learned a few tricks when it come to dealing with a sister who is just as, if not more, stubborn as he is.

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Ishida sighed for the nth time as he waited for Ichigo to wake up. It had been 40 minutes already and the said man was still unconscious and sprawled on the sofa. No matter what he nor Chad did, they just can't get their stupid comrade to wake up.

He sighed once again and looked at the door. Chad was still outside trying to get some help. They both knew that whatever Rukia did to Ichigo, it was not a regular fist in your face punch. Could it be that he was right in guessing that Rukia had somehow effectively combined kido with her physical strength?

So far it was the only logical explanation that he could come up with for Ichigo's current state. He has seen him get up time and again after receiving much more powerful blows without even losing consciousness. So it was really bothersome to see him get knocked out, for almost an hour, by just a measly punch. And by a girl that is half his size nonetheless!

Ishida cringed at the thought of Rukia's skill in kido. He now has new found respect for the petite princess. He looked once again at Ichigo and thought of his friends future with the midget. He grinned evilly. He was going to enjoy watching their life together.

He heard the door open and found Chad assisting two ladies inside the room. Hopefully they were from the medical team.

"How is Ichigo?" Chad asked

"Still out cold as you can see" he said while his eyes stayed with the two ladies now in front of him. One was smaller with round direct dark eyes and black straight hair. The other was noticeably tall, taller than what is common for a girl, with short cropped light, almost white, ash blond hair

"Where is our patient?" the smaller of the two asked in a monotonous and unemotional voice. Ishida flinch inwardly, Seriously, does everybody here been trained to sound bored just like Byakuya? Or maybe it was like a requirement of sorts. Have any infliction and intonation in your voice and your fired.

"Reaction time, 30.4 seconds... too slow" the smaller of the two said as she took out a small notepad and scribbled something. "Linguistic capability and understanding inadequate. IQ is that of a moron"

"Oh my..." the taller of the two said as surprise and pity clouded her facial expression. Leaning slightly "it is quite ok sir" she said as she crunched down a little to his height "Sir? Can... you... tell...us...where... the... patient... is?" pronouncing every syllable slowly and accompanying her words with some random hand gestures.

What the hell? "You!" he said pointing to the smaller woman who was not even giving him the time of the day. "You!" Ishida could not even form the words. Moron? Him a moron? Just who the hell is this robotic woman to call the best tactician in all the kingdom a moron? He was a fucking quincy! And it was known throughout the whole land that quincys' have higher mental capabilities than that of a regular human! Who the hell gave her the right to call him a moron?

"Unable to complete sentences... thought process and mental understanding of a 5 year old. Developmental and emotional skills stunted." She said again without stopping from her notes.

Chad saw Ishida flush red from what the other girl was saying. His mouth was opening and closing without any words coming out. His glasses which were normally perched properly on the bridge of his nose was askew and dangling haphazardly on his face. Had the situation been different, Chad knew that he would not be able to stop from laughing. He has never seen the dignified quincy reduced to such state.

Putting a restraining hand on his dumbfounded friend, he stepped in front and pointed towards the couch. "Ichigo is right there. Could you please attend to him now?" he asked, his had still firmly holding the quincy at bay.

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"How..." Shuuhei couldn't continue what he was saying. Fear and dread have gripped him from the moment he saw Renji sprawled on the floor, unconscious. He has never seen him as battered and bruised as he was earlier. No matter how many times he tried, he couldn't get any reaction from him. And his wounds... he was badly injured at , well, everywhere. They wouldn't even stop bleeding.

Dr. Unohana looked at the young man before him. She could tell he was really worried about his friend. With good reason, she thought. "His energy and life force is very low. A few hours more, and he would have gone into a coma." She saw him open his mouth to say something but she stopped him with a wave of her finger. "He will be alright, given proper rest and continued treatment with reiatsu healing kido."

She saw the young guards shoulders drop into a relaxing pose, as he ran his hand thru his spiky hair. His relief was very much evident in his posture and stance.

"But before anything else, Could you step up into my office, there are a few questions that I would need you to answer."

Shuuhei could only nod. Though her tone was very friendly, her stare, and the underlying coldness in her voice gave no room for argument.

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Unohana watched the young guard walk out if her office. Her hands were clasped together on the table, but her eyes were sharp, her mind going over everything that has been going on n the palace. It was amazing how troubled the prince has become since the royal decree has been passed. She had thought that Byakuya has already outgrown this rebellious streak in him. Well, despite his perpetually cold demeanour, it is also known among those who knew the young prince personally, how much he cares and values his younger sister. He could be seen as an unemotional and strict brother, but underneath it all, each and every action that he did, all decisions he made, was all for the welfare of the princess.

She closed her eyes and slumped into her chair. Her lips had inadvertently curled up into a small smirk. Though things are a little bit muddled and chaotic right now, she was damn glad to be present to see how everything would unravel.

In any case, a brash, stubborn and flustered Byakuya is always fun to see.

Now all she had to wait for is her young assistant to come back with reports about the young knight who would be, in her estimation, the bane of Byakuya's existence.

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Rukia waited in bated breath for whatever her brother has in store for her. She knew that he was just waiting for the perfect opportunity to scold her for her inappropriate behaviour in the dining hall earlier. But dammit! That strawberry buffoon deserved it! No, scratch that, he deserves a more serious beating than that. When she gets her hands on him again, ohh, the things she would to his person.

Oh yes, he would know just how painful it would be to deceive the Kuchiki princess.

She closed her eyes and the entire lunch scenario played once again in her mind.

Fiancee... He called her his fiancée.

And her brother did not even deny it!

That stupid strawberry! He fucking knew all along! And not once in all their encounters had he bothered to tell her! What kind of sick twisted kind of thinking is that? There she was, psychologically and emotionally tortured at the thought of liking two different guys. She was even thinking how morally corrupt she is for liking the attention of two men.

And Kami sama, those kisses! Fuck! Does he even know how anguished she felt when she thought she just gave her kisses to two different men!

Rukia clenched her hand tighter into fists and swore to herself that Ichigo would suffer. She would make sure of it. She swears on her Kuchiki pride, Ichigo would be begging once she is through with him.

She tensed as she heard her brother clear his throat. Here goes nothing she thought as she took a deep breath and lifted her eyes to her brothers piercing gaze.

Her stomach knotted and twisted painfully in anxiety as she saw her brothers serious and stern expression. Uncomfortable and unable to hold his stare, she sighed and lowered her face.

Byakuya swallowed a chuckle as he saw her sister squirm in her chair. Call it an older brother's inborn talent. And he was glad that he still can get that reaction from her sister.

"Rukia" he waited until she slowly looked into his face again, "Who is Kurosaki to you?"

He heard Rukia's gasp and saw her eyes widen in surprise and indecision. Byakuya could almost hear the wheels turning inside her brain as she tried to think of a suitable answer. He knows that she knew just what he meant by his question. And she was trying to look for an answer that would placate him.

"Don't lie to me Rukia" he said even before a sound could escape from the princess' lips. He knew that she would lie, or stall at the most, but he will not give her that opportunity. Something was going on between the Kozo and his sister, and he would know what it was.

Rukia clamped her mouth shut. Much as she wanted to deny it, the stony look and the muscle ticking in her brothers jaw told her to proceed with extreme caution. He was angry, very very angry.

"It's not... um..." started in a feeble voice, trying to rack her brain on how to tell her brother the truth, without him blowing the roof off it's hinges. At the state her brother is now, she knew there would be no placating him. Nothing will be enough for him but the truth. And dammit, her brother almost always knew whenever she is lying! Damn older brothers and their insights!

She wanted to tell him the truth, she does. But she knew that by doing so, she would also be endangering her friends. Not Ichigo and his group. Infact she wouldn't even stop her brother if he sends Senbonsakura after him. She was more concerned about Inoue and Shuuhei.

Evaluating her options, she sighed dejectedly as she saw no other way out.

"Sorry nii-sama..." she said

Her head was bowed, but Byakuya could hear the quiver in her voice. Why was he protecting them? His anger burned stronger. Honestly, he wanted to shake her until he could forcibly hear the truth from her.

He turned his back to her, he himself trying to hold his temper in check.

"Why are you protecting him Rukia?" he heard her gasp but continued on " Why do you continuously lie and plead for that kozo's life? We both know that this is not the first time that you lied to me because of him" He looked at her sister directly in the eye and the surprised expression in her face was enough of an affirmative answer for him.

"I'm waiting Rukia" he said, his eyes never leaving hers. Boring directly into her troubled orbs. Caging her. Trapping her.

"they... they... I... met them a few days ago nii-sama" she said in a soft voice. But given that it was her nii-sama that she was talking to, she knew well enough that he heard her clearly.

Byakuya walked towards his table and sat quietly, waiting patiently for his sister's story to unravel. He already knew the rest. His muscles clenched as he thought of the things that his sister has been up to and exposed to while he was busy prancing out to the tune of the King's liking.

His mind was working fast, connecting the dots with the new information that Rukia just supplied him with. So it was the kozo that Rukia was meeting outside of the castle. It was him that had his sister sneaking out and disobeying his rules.

The stony silence from her brother just made Rukia more nervous. "Please nii-sama, what I did, it was my own decision. No one is to blame but me. I will accept whatever punishment that you may deem necessary."

"Don't try to placate me Rukia" he said. Anger was steadily rising in him. "Nothing you say will change the fact that you disobeyed my orders in favour of frolicking and fraternizing with people that are obviously beneath your station. Not to mention disregarding your safety and that of the whole kingdom."

"I'm sorry nii sama" she said as she hung her head in shame. She knew that her brother has all the reason to scold her. But what was more unnerving was the disappointment that is laced in his tone. "I just wanted to experience what it is like outside. I never meant to disrespect you. I just wanted to feel how to be free." She finished lamely as she looked at her brother, her violet orbs pleading.

"Nii-sama..." taking a deep breath, she looked at her brother straight in the eye and voiced out the question that has been running through her brain from the moment that Ichigo said the word fiancé "is.. is he, I mean Ichigo... er... Kurosaki dono, is he really my fiance'?"

"Yes" one word, yet it sent her stomach into a clenching and gut twisting frenzy.

"But how nii-sama?"

Byakuya sighed " It was grandfather's idea" he started "Apparently that Ryoka had saved the whole kingdom time and again. He believes that the kozo's allegiance to the kingdom would be further strengthened with his marriage to the royal family"

Rukia heard the subtly hidden dislike in her brother's voice. She knew that although Byakuya did not deny it, he was not a bit happy with the decision.

"Everyday" he said abruptly stopping the words from her mouth "for the next week, you will be given time with the ryoka so that you two will be able to get to know each other." He said in a voice that leaves no objection whatsoever. "You will not however be alone in his presence. Do I make myself clear Rukia?"

Rukia could only nod to the threatening quality in her brother's voice.

"Renji will be your personal bodyguard and Inoue your personal chaperone and lady in waiting. Wherever you go those two will be with you." After seeing her sister nod in agreement he continued " you will also prepare for the tournament at the end of the said week."

The mention of the tournament had Rukia's head snapping back towards her brother whose stone cold serious expression has not altered even a little bit.

"Tournament?"

"Yes, a tournament to see if that brash ryoka boy is worthy of the Kuchiki Princess' hand" the steely glint in her brothers eyes as he said it had Rukia's nerves dancing in thin wire. There was something sinister in the way her brother spoke to her about the tournament. Not to mention the fact that her brother is one of the strongest and best warrior in all the kingdom, Rukia could only haphazardly guess what her brother has in store for Ichigo.

"I will announce about the tournament three days from today at the throne room. Be sure that you present yourself honourably. Till then you are to remain in your room."

As quick as her brother finished talking, Ulquiorra stepped inside the room accompanied by Inoue.

"Renji, is admitted at the infirmary sire" Ulquiorra said without preamble. Answering the unsaid question in the prince's gaze.

"What happened to him?" Rukia asked worriedly.

"Training your highness."

"And what about the ryoka?" Byakuya asked, before his sister could say anything else

"Is currently being looked after by the medical teams second in command."

"Rukia, you will go straight to your room. I will send for you if necessary. Until then, Inoue will keep you company in your room" he said with finality that booked no argument. "Shuuhei will be your temporary guard while Renji is still recuperating.

With a nod to the young buxom woman, Inoue them ushered the still indignant princess out of the room.

"If I may say so sire, you do know that Shuuhei will not be able to say no to your sister and will find himself accompanying your sister to the medical wing"

"I know" was all he said as Byakuya stood up, going out of the room.

It was now time to deal with the ryoka.

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"How's Renji?" she asked, rushing to the said guard, pulling his arm further inside her room.

"He's fine Princess" he said as he put steadying hands on her shoulders.

"You've got to help me see him Shu." She said, her mind already counting off the ways she could sneak out of her room.

"No can do Princess" much as he want to help her, the threat of Gin finding out was enough reason to keep Rukia out of the medical wing of the fourth squads area.

"Don't do this now Shu. Please" she said in a tired tone. "Not you too. Please"

His stance did not waver against her pleas. He would rather face an angry Rukia than let the snake eyed knight have his hide.

With a dejected sigh, she sat on one of the cushioned chairs. Why do things keep happening to her?

"He proposed to me Shu." It was barely a whisper but the young guard heard it. "I... I hurt him" She looked at her friend thru tear stained eyes. "I didn't want to... but I had to" she closed her eyes and tried to reign in some control. "I need to talk to him."

Shuuhei could see and hear the worry and guilt in Rukia's eyes. Kneeling down in front of her, he held her hand in his "later, when he is awake. I already told Hana to contact me the moment he wakes up." He only could pray that Gin would not catch them. Or he'll be joining Renji in the sickbay as well. The things he does for his friends. He could never say no to her pleading eyes anyway.

"Thank you Shuuhei"

"Anytime Princess, anytime" he said as he stood up and ruffled her hair. Sometimes he really wonders how the cold and stoic prince could be related to Rukia. As far as personalities go, the two were worlds apart.

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After a brief instruction to his knights and getting the reports from the fourth squad, Byakuya found himself in front of the door that would lead inside the morning room. Where inside the stupid ryoka is resting. If it was left to him, he would have sent him back to wherever he came from while still unconscious. But alas, a lot of things were out of his control. So he would just have to make do.

With a nod to the servant, he swept inside as soon as the doors were opened. His gaze focused on the young bright head of orange that is currently being held by both hands that are propped up on his lap. He almost smirked at the sight of him looking dazed like he had just been ran over by a marching band of elephants. His taller companion was already standing, alerted by his presence.

Standing towards the windows was the quincy, currently mumbling to himself. It was an effort to keep himself from smirking as he remembered the analysis done by the intelligence unit. Moron indeed!

His gaze once again landed to the ryoka ho was still holding his precious head in his hands, not even acknowledging his presence. His fists clenched as he thought of the things that the stupid boy had oput his sister through outside of the castle walls. He was brash, uncouth, ill mannered, ignorant and stupid. He had no right whatsoever to even lay his eyes on Rukia. It was because of this pathetic excuse of a knight that his sister was forced to lie and deceive him.

But most of all, he could not forgive the gaki for putting his sister in danger like that.

Swallowing his anger, he tried to think of the upcoming tournament. His rage tamed down a bit at the thought of dicing his loud orange head into tiny bi and pieces with his zanpakotou. Ah, he could not wait. "Now that you're finally awake, Gin will escort you out"

"The hell am I getting out of this place without speaking to my betrothed!" He tried to maintain his stance and ground as the world around him tilted on it's axis. Whatever type of kido Rukia combined with her measly punch was superbly effective. The clanging of the cymbals inside his temples has not yet abated. It was just pure determination and pride that he was able to stand still and glare at the prince.

Byakuya arched his eyebrow as he watched the dandelion try to maintain his ground. He could give him points for trying at least. "I now bid you adieu gentlemen" he said as he turned and started to walk towards the door. Signalling that it was the end of their discussion.

"I will not leave here until I talk to Rukia." Jaw set, eyes hard, hand crossed in his chest, he stood there not moving an inch.

Byakuya stopped in his tracks, his anger rising. "Do not test me Kurosaki" he said threateningly, his reiatsu spiking in ire. "The only reason why I have not slashed you into a million tiny pieces is because of the royal decree." Slowly turning and facing the young man "But I can very well ignore it's existence" he said as his hand took hold of the hilt of his zanpakotou.

"My, my... it is unbearably hot in here" Gin said as he stepped inside the room. Though it would be fun to see the prince fight seriously again, he had other plans in mind. Bowing low in front of the prince "I shall see then to the door your highness."

Without as much as a nod of acknowledgement, Byakuya swept out of the room, his hand never leaving the hilt of his unsheathed sword.

Ichigo, Chad and Ishida looked at the grinning knight in front of them. Each one alert, not trusting the silver haired man.

"Shall we?" Gin said as he motioned for them to move out.

"No" Ichigo's stance did not waver. There was no fucking way in hell that he would go without talking to Rukia. That midget of his owes him big time for knocking the daylights out of him. He winced slightly as he thought of the snickers and jokes Ishida and Chad would probably throw on him once they were alone. Not to mention the ruckus it would make if his father will know about it. He was sure that they would never let him forget it.

"Ichigo" Ishida said threateningly. At that specific moment there was nothing more that he would rather do than scour the whole palace to look for that doe eyed petite woman. Oh he will make her swallow all of the things that she had said about his intelligence! No one, absolutely no one can call a quincy of his abilities an imbecile, or developmentally challenged or, well, all the other things she said about him. But as of this moment, it would be wise to just let all of their head cool down first before going through the paces again later at dinner time.

"Ishida is right Ichigo, we should just go for now. We are coming back later for dinner anyway." He said as he held Ichigo's shoulder and squeezed it. "Besides, you need your rest" he added with a small smirk.

"'Hai, hai!" Gin said before Ichigo can mutter indignantly to Chad's tirade "You have such perceptive friends!"

Ichigo sighed and closed his eyes. "Fine. We'll go. Just tell me how Rukia is doing now" He would rather talk to her first. But maybe she also needs time to think about everything first. Maybe after a few hours of thinking she would then feel guilty about hurting him. Maybe he would even get an apology if he played his cards right. Then again, knowing her stubborn streak, maybe not.

"The princess is busy right now." Gin answered as they started to walk. "She is busy playing nurse to her injured dear friend Renji" He felt Ichigo stop dead in his tracks. "the princess was really worried yah know. They are very, very close you see" enunciating the words clearly.

"Who the hell is this Renji guy?" Ichigo asked. It took all his will power not to run back inside and find the midget himself. How could her brother let her go and be alone with another guy? He wanted to snatch her up and take her away from this 'close friend'.

Ishida understanding what the other knight was doing slapped Ichigo at the back of his head. "He's baiting you, you moron!" He looked at Ichigo straight in the eye, making him understand.

"Fine" he said as he continued to walk with them. But he swore that he would talk to her later. That Renji guy had better be wise enough to keep his hands away from his fiancée.

Gin sighed inwardly. He would have loved it if he got some violent reaction from the other knight. He would not have minded a quick spar. His session with Renji felt like a measly warm up instead of a training session. His body is humming with unleashed energy that only a good fight can cure.

But then again, he got the reaction that he wanted. Planted the seeds of doubt and insecurity and jealousy in the young knight's head. Whoever said that a battle only happens within and between swords and fists?

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A/N

Please forgive my typo and grammatical errors... posted this chap fresh out of the smoking embers of my pitiful imagination.

Anyone who want to be my beta?

Not much happy with this chap myself. More like a filler. A necessary one, but it still feels like a filler for me.

I am soooo not in my game right now.

Gomen!

I have started the next chapter already... and i am sure with enough motivation (reviews...ehem...reviews...) I should be able to finish it sooner than I did this chapter

So what do you guys say to a little motivational push for moi?

Yes?

Well then, go ahead...

Press the review button!

(^;^)