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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Aug 9, 2014 22:07:54 GMT -6
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on May 3, 2015 13:38:42 GMT -6
"Moving Behind the Scenes":Byakuya stopped at the back entrance to the Ukitake estate. His eyes were slightly narrowed, the only sign of his annoyance at the information he had received from Central and the Elders of the Kuchiki clan. He wasn't surprised at the new marriage proposal, but the direction from which they were pushing it was more than being crooked or controlling. It was cruel. He entered through the door and nodded to the guard, waving him away. Unlike at his house, it was normal for people to come this way without an escort. Escorts made the children of the estate uncomfortable, and that was the last thing the master of the house wanted. As he passed deeper into the courtyard, he spied Juushiro bouncing a niece on his knee, two young boys sword-fighting nearby. He waited to be noticed, not wanting to disturb the group.
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on May 3, 2015 13:55:10 GMT -6
Juushiro sensed the noble and finished the tune to which he was bouncing his niece, Sakura, and kissed her forehead. "Taiyaka, Nobuyuki, I think that's enough practice for today. Will you take your sister and ask your mother to bring me some refreshments?" The two boys halted and bowed to each other before bowing to their uncle and the noble in shadows. Nobuyuki picked up his sister on the way.
Once they had left, Juushiro turned to Byakuya with another smile. "I apologize for keeping you waiting, Kuchiki-san. What can I do to help you?"
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on May 3, 2015 17:36:03 GMT -6
“There is no need to apologize,” Byakuya murmured. “I didn’t call ahead, and time with your family is precious.”
“Is it Rukia…”
“No, Rukia is well. Even after the long night last night. I wish to talk on another matter.”
The other noble’s keen eyes narrowed in confusion before he smiled at the young woman bringing them tea and a couple choices of treats.
Kuchiki waited for her to leave and then, his eyes narrowed and turned steely. “Central and the Elders of my clan are in agreement about the positive aspects of a certain…. arrangement.”
Juushiro remained quiet and sipped his tea.
Kuchiki sat at the patio and took his own cup, sipping the jasmine tea favored by the Ukitake clan to calm his reiatsu. Then, he spoke quickly and firmly. “The Kuchiki clan is without its next heir and Rukia - though my sister through adoption - is common blood. Now, through her ‘unfortunate’ circumstances, her limited use for the clan has ceased to exist.” His hands clenched.
Juushiro sighed. “Who are they suggesting this time?”
“One you know well,” the higher noble stated. “Yumiko Ryouma.”
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on May 3, 2015 17:57:18 GMT -6
“What?!” Juushiro exclaimed. “Yumiko-” His eyes narrowed. “What has her family said on this matter? Or is this all the will of Central?"
Kuchiki closed his eyes. “I wasn’t aware there was a difference, after that day when she failed them. For most clans, such a decision is absolute.” He opened them again. “The exceptions are the already eccentric Shihoin clan and the Koriyama clan, who still haven’t forced their heirs to marry. As it is, I believe the Ryouma clan sees this as a way to bring her back to the family.”
“Their reasons?” the usually gentle captain questioned in a tight voice, holding his temper back. He did not like this turn of events - of Central extending their reach in this direction again at all.
“The lady has a powerful zanpakuto which will likely breed other ones… and she is susceptible to certain…. weaknesses. She needs protection.”
Juushiro chuckled bitterly. “It has nothing to do with protection. It has to do with control.” He stood. “Yumiko has been moving between Karakura Town - home of the eccentric shopkeeper - more than she would be able to bound to her noble heritage again. And once bound through marriage, she couldn’t escape or disappear. That type of rebellion was never something she would do.”
His eyes narrowed. “They’ve already taken so much. And I know an apology was never expected. But I had hoped they would at least leave her alone now. After Aizen….”
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on May 3, 2015 18:17:22 GMT -6
Byakuya's eyes narrowed, glad that Rukia's Bankai had been one too difficult to exploit. He did not intend to let Central or the weight of her adopted nobility to manipulate his sister. He had protected his wife and he would protect her sister. He could - because he was the head of the Kuchiki line - the ONLY male heir - and they were not of pure noble blood. But things were different with Ryouma.
“If anything, Aizen seeing her worth made her more valuable… and dangerous…” Byakuya murmured behind Ukitake, blunt.
"How long do you have to reply to them?"
He remained quiet.
"It is uncertain then..."
Byakuya nodded. "They are not in a rush yet. I believe there may be more going on behind this proposal."
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on May 7, 2015 17:06:43 GMT -6
Juushiro sighed. “Very well,” he stated quietly before he looked down the flowers near his feet. The trickling of the shallow waterfall, half hidden in ferns, and the hollow ring of the bamboo fountain assuaged his worry. He could end it this time. He turned back to the other noble, his eyes more dark with sorrow than anger. "I had hoped that this action wouldn't be necessary. That they would be forgiving after her torment in Las Noches," he murmured. "However, if they are going to push her towards a political marriage, then I won't stay quiet. Not any more." He closed his eyes. "I won't let her suffer anymore." |
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Jun 10, 2016 21:59:15 GMT -6
"Weight of Nobility":Juushiro smiled and kneeled down at the flowering bush, staring at it for a moment before reaching and tugging on a branch with only half as many blossoms and leaves. He clipped it and set it in a bowl of water. Three days had passed since Kisuke had sent word that they had made some progress with Ichimaru. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be much longer. Eyes narrowing, he leaned over and clipped another branch, setting it in the same bowl. That family deserved peace. “Uncle, Juu-jii,” a little voice called out. Juushiro turned and smiled at his second youngest niece peeking from the sliding door. He rose, retrieving the bowl, and set it down on the porch. “What is it, Akane-chan?” “Company,” she murmured, sucking her finger. “Is Juu-jii sick again?” So it was someone she didn’t know yet and that was why she was hiding. Juushiro kneeled down and took her little hand. “No, Akane-hime. I am sure it’s nothing bad.” “Really?” she whispered. “No one will die?” Juushiro’s smile grew. “No one. And I am right here.” Akane nodded and flung herself in his arms. Juushiro held her close. “Do you want the flowers for your vases?” She nodded quickly. “Can I?” He nodded. Rising as the sliding door opened further and one of his remaining sisters entered. She bowed her head. “Kuchiki-dono is waiting for you in the sitting room.” Juushiro nodded. “I’ll be right there.” He reached over to a dandelion growing on the edge of the staircase and plucked it, holding it up to his niece. “Shall we make a wish?”
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 10, 2016 22:11:20 GMT -6
Byakuya sat at the table with his eyes closed, keeping himself composed, still. Unaffected by the noise around him. Though it also made it easier to listen for the pitter patter of young feet. The Ukitake line had always been large. It had probably helped them recover from the war, too. And fortunately-
“I apologize for the wait,” Ukitake called out as he entered. “I had my sister prepare mint tea. I hope that is acceptable.”
Byakuya nodded. “A refreshing choice.” He inclined his head. “And I must offer my own apologies for calling on you at your estate without any warning. I do believe I have worried some of your family.”
Ukitake smiled gently. “Do not worry about it. They are recovering, and I am here. And well. They will continue to heal and their fear will fade.”
“That is most fortunate.”
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Jun 10, 2016 22:12:01 GMT -6
Juushiro chuckled as the items for the tea arrived. As his sister exited again, he selected some leaves and poured hot water into one of the earthen cups, swirling the brush through the mix. “I don’t believe you called on me to inquire about my family, Kuchiki-san,” he stated. He squeezed some lemon into the blend and continued to swirl the tea.
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 10, 2016 22:21:49 GMT -6
“Nevertheless, they are something to be admired,” the High noble murmured, bowing his head as Ukitake finished his blend. He accepted his cup, taking a sip and watching as his fellow captain prepared his own cup. “They are a strong unit and happy. More than content. It is something special.”
Ukitake smiled. “I do what I can, but they do most of it on their own.”
“You underestimate yourself, as usual,” Byakuya muttered. He set his tea down. “It is not because of our discussion last week that I am here but rather a detail that has caught my attention.”
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Jun 10, 2016 22:57:30 GMT -6
In other words, this was a personal matter. Juushiro finished preparing his own tea, set the brush aside, and took a drink. Closing his eyes, breathing in the moment, before returning his attention to his guest. “And does this detail have to do with Rukia and Renji?”
"No, not today," the younger noble murmured. He looked down into his cup, his eyes narrowing and falling silent.
Juushiro sipped at his tea, intrigued. Even when it concerned Rukia, Byakuya was fairly straight-forward in his discussions on the matter with him. Since they both felt that she had suffered greatly because of them and their debt wasn't easily satisfied. Or they both cared for her. If it wasn't Rukia, the older noble was curious to what it was that Byakuya was referring to.
Another face formed in his mind. "Is this about Makino Masunobu?" he asked.
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 11, 2016 12:24:44 GMT -6
Byakuya lifted his teacup up again. “Indirectly perhaps.” He took a sip and then lowered his cup. “Her mother sent me a generous gift along with a letter about that evening, offering her gratitude for reminding her daughter of her heritage….. And when I began my search for something fitting in return for her efforts, I met a certain lady again.”
“Masunobu?”
“I do not know. We met on the grounds of the academy and again at the shopping district. She calls herself Lady Saya, but I know that is not her family name.” He took a longer drink of his tea. “The first time we met I did not linger. We did not exchange formal introductions, but on this occasion, the merchant she was dealing with referred to her by that name. It is not a family name of nobility, and she holds herself too well to have been adopted into the line.”
Byakuya looked towards the courtyard. “It is unusual.”
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Jun 11, 2016 13:19:03 GMT -6
Juushiro took a slow drink from his cup, watching the younger noble consider the problem at hand. He smiled. “You are wondering if you should press her next time you see her or if it something that has deeper meaning, right?” Kuchiki-san nodded. Juushiro chuckled. “Perhaps she prefers to not always be seen for her noble heritage.”
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 11, 2016 13:21:17 GMT -6
“That is not like her.”
Ukitake stayed quiet, letting him elaborate, which Byakuya appreciated.
“She is proud of her family. If she weren’t she wouldn’t pay so much attention to her training and apologize for any possible slight that may have offended me.” He lowered his head further. “It is something else. And yet…. with the same voice that hides her true name she ….” He lifted his cup again. “She understood many unspoken things."
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