Hi there,

Have you ever read those kind of Byaruki fanfictions on which the elders were always compelling the two to get married in order to procure an heir. They don't want but in the end they fall in in love and get married. Well this story is the reverse of this stiuation. The elders are compelling Byakuya and Rukia to get married, but Byakuya is thinking of a solution... and this solution implies... well read and find out!

This is an ichiruki story.

I am a fast updater, sometimes even dialy... but it all depends on the feedback i receive. ( the more reviews i get, the faster i update... this is how i work)

And one more thing... be kind on my english mistakes. I'm not a native speaker.

Otherwise enjoy!

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1. The Issue

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Kuchiki Byakuya was starting to have a headache. During the last hour it became stronger so in order to get rid of it he decided to not listen to what the elders had to say. He knew very well that there were more important things that required his attention, things like keeping a constant amount of hollows in the human world or maintaining his recruits prepared for battle at any moment. His celibacy wasn't in his opinion, an important matter. The elders though, found it pretty interesting.

"Lord Kuchiki, our clan still doesn't have a heir… you are the only pureblood left."

This is how the debate commanded. Byakuya found it harmless on the beginning. It wasn't the first time when "the heir" issue was brought up in the spotlight during the Council's meeting. Like the other times he was prepared to close himself in ignorance until the topic would about to be used up, but even after an hour, the elders were far from arriving at a conclusion. There was though, an opinion unanimously shared by the old nobles:

"Kuchiki-sama needs to remarry in order to produce us an heir"

And this was the affirmation that was annoyed Kuchiki Byakuya the most. He was never interested in others' personal life so why would they interfere with his? It was not like he had something against "marriages". It wasn't a matter a principle, because he used to be the only married captain in Gotei 13. It was more a matter of personal choice. He loved once, he was married once… and it was enough for him. He didn't plan to spoil Hisana's memory with a second marriage only for the sake of an heir. If they really wanted an heir, he will offer them Rukia. She wasn't a pureblood but she had the Kuchiki ways in her spirit more than half of the elders. 'Yes, Rukia is the best solution' he stated mentally, prepared to end once for all, "the heir issue" among the elders… bit then on the elders went ahead:

"Indeed, Rukia-sama is the best solution! She is already aware of the Kuchiki ways…"

'Good' Byakuya stated. 'For once, they will agree with me.'

"…And they're not blood related. Yes, Rukia-sama will make the perfect wife!" the same voice added.

Byakuya's eyes instantly widened. Both he and the elders had though at the same person as the solution to this endless quarrel, but the approach was different. He was thinking of making Rukia, the heir directly, while the elders thought of compelling Rukia to offer them "the heir", by passing trough his bed.

"Outrageous!" Byakuya stated… but it was too late. The elders seemed to be unanimously on making Rukia his wife.

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Byakuya's headaches became unbearable during the next few hours. He knew that he could escape death in front of an enemy… He knew that he could avoid the captains meetings twice a year… but he was aware that could not ignore the elder's decisions. Even so he was not going to marry his sister. This was out of the questions!

He spent the rest of the day trying to figure out a solution. How could he escape a marriage? At a certain point he thought of telling the council that his sexual orientation has changed and because of that it would have been impossible for him to be with Rukia. Maybe he would have even come up with a story between Renji and him. Desperate moments requires desperate actions!… But no! He wasn't that desperate!

In what other way could he escape the marriage? If he went and talked to Rukia directly she would have certainly lowered her gaze adding something like: "If Nii-sama believes it's for the best, I will marry him." So it was useless trying to get for an honest opinion from her. He knew though, that she will also find this idea outrageous. She was still an innocent and pure woman wondering how will her first love look. He didn't know if she had already experienced romantic love, but an arrange marriage with her nonetheless brother would have destroy all her chances for a happy family… and he had promised Hisana that he will do anything in his power to make her little sister happy. Rukia had the right of a loving marriage. What if she already had someone that she loved? Won't the elders ruin her plans then?...

And then an idea crossed Kuchiki Byakuya's mind. He had suddenly found the solution to "the marriage issue". The elders wanted so bad to marry him with Rukia… but that would be impossible if Rukia would marry someone else first!

A slight smile appeared on his lips. In moments like this he was glad he was Kuchiki Byakuya and that unlike Abarai Renji , his brain's synapses were really working. Now only one issue remained unsolved:

"To whom should he marry Rukia?"

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Rukia was sitting silently in Byakuya's study looking around at the beautiful calligraphy paintings that were covering the walls. She was never good at calligraphy, but that didn't stop her from admiring her brother's talent. As a matter a fact she was admiring all the people that were good at things she couldn't handle. Lately she found herself admiring a lot of people.

She mentally gasped and turned her gaze to her brother who was sitting quietly at his desk, adopting his usual stiffed and official air. She was here because he asked her to meet him after the dinner. She thought it must be a matter of importance, but it's been more than five minutes and he hasn't said a word. Normally she would have broken the ice by now, but when she was around her Nii-sama she will remember her good manners and wait for the older ones to address first… If it would have been Ichigo in his place, she would have punched him by now, for making her waste her time by watching him staying still and silent. She suddenly remembered Ichigo. She hasn't spoke with him for more than half a year. There was no fight that cut between them. She had been busy with her lieutenant duties, while he needed time to write his master dissertation. She promised that she will visit from time to time… he promised that he will call, but none of them kept their promise.

She mentally scolded herself for that behavior and promised that after Nii-sama will let her go, she will go the her office and call Ichigo.

"How was your day, Rukia?" Byakuya suddenly asked.

Rukia almost startled. Due to the silence around her, for a second she almost forgot about Nii-sama's presence.

"Well… busy…" she replied, using the first words that crossed her mind.

"So you are tired…" he stated.

"Mmm… n-not really…" she replied unsure.

"But still… you are working too much."

Rukia didn't know what to answer because she couldn't find the point her brother was trying to make.

"Maybe you should refrain from working so hard and save some time for yourself" he added.

She just bowed and nodded affirmatively.

"A woman of your age should go out more…" he continued.

She frowned confused, as she was wondering herself, what kind of conversation was that?

"You should go on dates also…" he added.

Her eyes widened. It was settled. Nii-sama must have hit his head. She had no other choice but to go along with him. This way this conversation will be over sooner.

"Yes, Nii-sama… I will" she said.

"You will or are you already going?"

She remained speechless, still processing his last words…and then he put that one in a lifetime question:

"Rukia are you in love with someone?"

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It was useless receiving an opinion from Rukia. If she had someone she loved or not, he, Kuchiki Byakuya will never find out. Poor girl was so shocked when he put that question that he decided to end the conversation and sent her back to her room.

But Kuchiki Byakuya was intrigued. If a question like that was letting her speechless, he wondered her reaction when he will tell her that the elders had decided to make her his wife and that her only escape is to marry someone else.

Now in the loneliness of his study he was thinking of finding the right suitor for Rukia. Giving that he was forcing her to get marry, he will at least be reasonable and let her marry anyone she'd desire. It was true that the laws were compelling her to enter into a noble marriage, most probably an arranged one, but giving the sacrifice she was about to make, he will allow her to find the husband she pleases.

The only problem nagging him, was that Rukia would not be able to name the person she wants to marry and that will leave him the only capable of finding her a husband.

If she will marry, he wished he a husband that could make her fell comfortable. Perhaps someone she knows already for a long time… someone who could make her feel at ease. Of course, on the other hand that person ought to cherish Rukia the most, willing to give his life for her at any moment.

A list of names begun to appear in his mind:

It started with Renji and giving that he was his best shot and top of the list, he felt somehow disappointed. He wished better for Rukia…

If that Shiba Kaien would have still been alive and unmarried, he would have been perfect…

Then his eyes widened. He realized that he knew a person who was the best mixture from those two, early mentioned.

A self pleased smile appeared on his lips. He suddenly knew the person Rukia will marry…

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Ichigo sneezed. It was the third time during the last five minutes and he didn't even catch a cold. He was perfectly healthy, having his usual Friday at the local pub with his highschool friends.

"Bless you!" Mizuiro said.

"Someone must be thinking of you intensely if you are sneezing like this… who knows…perhaps a girlfriend?" Keigo added.

"What girlfriend?" Ichigo snapped annoyed. "I don't have time for girlfriends!"

"This line is too old!" Keigo replied with boredom. "It was good when you were writing your dissertation… but it's been already two weeks since you graduated from your master, so…"

"It's the shinigami thing…" Mizuiro added.

"If I were a girl I'll find it pretty cool to have a boyfriend with a huge sword…"

Mizuro widened his eyes at Keigo's allusions.

"If you were a girl, Keigo, you wouldn't like a boyfriend who, in the middle of a romantic dinner, suddenly disappears for half an hour, telling you that he needs to use the toilet when in reality he's going to fight some hollows." Ichigo replied.

"Well in the end you'll have to find someone to make your girlfriend and then marry her…" Keigo concluded.

"What's wrong with you, bringing marriage into discussion?! I'm barely 25…" Ichigo snapped.

"So what…I'm also 25…" Keigo replied.

"And single…" Mizuiro added apathetically.

"I may be… but unlike Ichigo, I am open to perspectives…"

"Which literally means that you are desperate…That's why you'll be forever alone, while Ichigo will eventually find someone to fit his special… shinigami needs." Mizuiro concluded.

"Now can we cut the marriage crap, please? It's not like I want to get married!" Ichigo asked with boredom. "Anyway… it's late so I'll go home… and probably I will apply online my CV, hoping that one of these days someone will call me to an interview so I won't ask money from my old man anymore!"

"Good luck!" stated Mizuiro, while he ordered another beer.

"It's so cold of you Ichigo to leave me here only this mean guy! Stay a little more, Ichigoooo!"

"Go home, Keigo and try to find a job! Good night, guys!" Ichigo added while heading to the door.

When he left the pub, Ichigo found himself in the middle on warm summer night. He loved the smell of summer. It made him think of vacation, of late mornings and the pleasant feeling of having nothing to do. Of course it was just a sensation, a reminiscence of old highschool days… Even though he graduated from college and he was free for the time being, he needed to find a job…a flexible one. In other words, he needed a job that could permit him to perform his shinigami duties. Having a bachelor degree in law and master degree in commercial procedure it shouldn't be hard… and yet… he was wondering: did he really want to work in a multinational company for the rest of his life? … The answer was futile. Even if he wanted, even if he didn't, he had no choice but to accept it.

He gasped. At least he had this shinigami thing to get him out of the routine. His shinigmai duties and all that was related to Soul Society…

He suddenly remembered Rukia. They haven't spoken for more than six months. He promised to call when he will have some free time on his hand. Today it has been two weeks since he had nothing but free time on his hand. Yet he didn't call her. He wasn't sure why… but lately he found himself keeping a distance from her. Was it because he was slowly realizing that, even though he was a substitute shinigami, they were actually parts of two different worlds? Even so… he missed her, because she was different from any other girls he had met. She had something that made him feel at ease around her at any time, in any circumstances. She had something that could make him smile in the middle of crappiest situation… something that gave him courage to struggle, even when there was no way out. But what made her the most special was that even after all this time she was still the only one who could stop the rain…

He twisted the key and opened the door of his house. Since it was past midnight, everybody was asleep so, he silently took of his Converse shoes and headed to his room.

'Well, that was a stupid behavior from his part, to maintain the distance from Rukia' he thought. Right after he will enter the room, he will take that mobile phone he received from the 12th Division and call Rukia… but when he arrived in his room, something happened that would changed his plans.

A hell butterfly was waiting for him on the window carrying a message from no other, but Kuchiki Byakuya. He cocked his eyes surprised. The captain was actually inviting him to his estate tomorrow. It was also reassuring him that he meant no harm… and that he is expecting a meeting in cordially terms.

Ichigo waited a couple of seconds before he stated mentally: "Yeah… what the hell! I don't care of what he has to say, but i kind of missed Rukia…and Renji and the others…"

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So that was for the beginning. Let me know what you think! Remember ... the more reviews i get, the faster i update...

See ya!