The King's Death

Chapter 9:The Kuchiki Manor

"Rukia-sama your brother says that you need to leave now to be on time for dinner." I nod quickly pushing the comb into my hair. I rush down the stairs slipping my shoes on my feet and then over to my brother breathing heavily.

His eyes gaze into mine quizzically as a small fraction of a smirk works its way onto his lips. "What took you so long?"

"I didn't know what to wear. Do I look alright? I want to make a good impression on the elders." Nii-sama stares at me for a moment and shakes his head softly. Nii-sama has picked up too much from Ichigo. I swear they really do need to stop spending so much time together.

"Come Rukia, we're going to be late if we don't leave right now." He mutters walking out. We flashstep to gates of the royal palace where two men appear before us clad in all black with a golden insignia of the royal guards on their chest. We bow swiftly and they, in turn, return to greeting easily.

"Names…" One commands dryly before looking at us but it was more like he was looking through us.

Nii-sama speaks for both of us addressing the men in a cold yet calm voice. "Kuchiki Byakuya and Kuchiki Rukia…" They bow softly and open the gates. We walk through the locked gates and into the gardens. Each area is lined with thousands of twinkling lights. A maid with strawberry blond hair that is tied at the nape of her neck is standing near us bowing softly. Her eyes are truly lovely.

"I am Yasu, K-Kurosaki-dono has asked me to show you to the formal dining hall when you have arrived. If you would please follow me I will do as he has asked me. Kurosaki-dono has also asked me to tell you that he is very excited to see both of you and wishes to meet with Kuchiki-taicho after dinner to go over the final groom's apparel." We both nod slowly and follow her through the winding pathways of the garden until we reach two large marble doorways. She pushes them open with ease and we walk through. They have to be very heavy but she pushed them aside like they were flimsy paper. The walls are white marble lined with warm colored tapestries. "I apologize for the inconvenience but we are remolding the main entrance to the palace so we must take an unusual route to our destination." Her voice barely wafts to us but we hear in none the same.

We walk straight and turn down a hallway passing a large arching doorway, left open that leads into a large library. We continue past the doors and turn down another few hallways only to stop at two tall arching glass window shine light on a large set of black marble doors. She opens them and bows softly. We walk in and Ichigo stand quickly moving toward us. The elders watch in interest as he smiles at Nii-sama.

"Hey Byakuya nice to see you. You're seats are by me." Nii-sama nods and goes to his seat. Ichigo hugs me softly and kisses my cheek, of course the elders didn't notice, before taking my hand and leading me toward the table.

"Elders this is my chosen Kuchiki Rukia and her brotherRokubantai taicho KuchikiByakuya." They all murmur their welcomes albeit a bit low for our tastes.A blush spreads across my cheeks and I curse it as I take my seat beside Ichigo. We eat slowly and one of the royal guards walks over to Ichigo and whispers something in his ear. His fork falls from his hand and clatters on the table echoing in the dead silence of the room. All eyes swivel to him in confusion as no one really heard what the guard had said.

"Bring me the letter…NOW!" He says loud and clear, for everyone to hear. The guard nods, a bit afraid, and hurries out before returning a few moments later with a cream colored page. The ink is clearly written in red ink and the scowl on Ichigo's face is not a very good sign. His eyes skim the letter and he folds it slowly. He stands from his seated position and paces a few steps before stopping at a large arching window. His large fingers fall to the sill and tighten around it. His head drops down a glare and scowl placed on his features in one go.