A Beneficial Arrangement

 

Inari frowned a little at feeling two people watching as she and Byakuya parted company. There was malice behind those gazes, she knew it.  She felt them start to follow her down the hallway and shrugged it off, they would reveal themselves one way or another.  She was midway down the central foyer of the palace when she heard the rustle of cloth speed up somewhat and turned around to face the people following her.

“May I help you ladies?” she inquired, one eyebrow going up in question.  Both were dressed well, clearly members of a noble house.  Since they were not members of HER noble house, that left only one other option that would have the gall or the idiocy to follow her through the palace.

“You can help by keeping your hands off of the head of our clan,” the one in pink said, eyes narrowing with intense dislike.

“Oh? Whom might that be and why should I refrain from contact?” Inari asked mildly, folding her hands behind her back in an at ease stance that anyone who knew her was aware was a sure sign of trouble.

“Lord Kuchiki,” said the one in blue. Both women looked utterly furious and Inari had to fight back the truly evil smile that threatened.

“That was the whom, yet not the why,” Inari said, shifting her stance slightly, pivoting onto the balls of her feet.  That was easy enough to do since she still hadn’t bothered to put on shoes.

“I would think that was obvious, even to such a lowly peasant as yourself,” the one in blue stated, looking down her nose at Inari.  “The likes of you should never have contact with someone of his status unless it’s cleaning robes.”

“Really? Now, that is fascinating to know,” Inari said, grinning maliciously.  “I’ll have to inform Bya I need to get into his robes.”

“Trollop!” the one in pink shrieked and took a swing at Inari.

 Inari caught the other woman by the wrist as her other hand snapped out and grabbed her by the throat, pinning her to the nearest wall.  Her friend got into the act as soon as she was pinned, beating futilely against Inari’s shoulder and side.  Inari released the pinned woman’s wrist and seized her companion, securing them both against the wall.

“Perhaps neither of you noticed the jacket I am wearing or the insignia on it. Though considering you’ve been following me, I fail to see how you missed it.  I’ll explain since it somehow escaped your tiny minds.  It marks me as a member of the Wolf Pack also known as the Royal Guard.  Ever hear of them? I’ll take that wobbling of your empty heads as a yes.”

“Might I inquire why you have two members of my house pinned like butterflies on a board, Inari?” came Byakuya’s calm and somewhat amused tone from behind her.

“It all began with them following me after we parted company,” Inari said, not turning to look at Byakuya. “It continued with them confronting me and insisting someone of my status should only have contact with an individual of your stature in the realms of servitude.”

“Indeed? Exactly how did this lead to them being held against the wall?”

“I’m coming to that part, Bya. This one,” Inari shook the woman in pink a little while still keeping her firmly pinned.  “Called me a trollop and attempted to strike me.”

“Chie, I expected better of you and Manami,” Byakuya said mildly.

“Both Kuchiki, I presume,” Inari said.

“Yes. I apologize, they will be dealt with,” he said, still in a very calm tone.

“I’m sure.  You do realize I can execute them where they stand,” Inari said, taking great pleasure in the widening of both women’s eyes and the draining of all color from their faces.

“I am aware.  However, I’m certain they have no idea as to who you are.  If you would release them so I may correct this error in their judgment?” Byakuya asked.

Inari shrugged and released both women, who stood rubbing their throats for a moment. 

“When you get air back into your lungs, both of you will apologize to this woman,” Byakuya said, his tone silky but with an underlying steel to it.

Both women stared blankly at him for a moment.  “Why?” they both managed to gasp out.

“Quite simple, I ordered you to,” he said, giving them a look that should have frozen them solid.  “If you need a further reason, it is because not only have you insulted Her Royal Higness, Kurosaki, Inari but MY future WIFE.”

If at all possible both women went even paler than before, glancing back and forth between Byakuya and Inari as though seeking some sort of denial of what was just said.  As none was forthcoming, they dropped to their knees in front of Inari, begging for her to spare their lives and forgive them for their ignorance. 

Inari wasn’t sure if she should be amused or just disgusted and when she glanced up at Byakuya, she could tell he was having much the same dilemma.

“Get them out of my sight, Bya.  Before I really do kill both of them,” Inari said.

He bowed slightly to her.  “As you wish, Inari Hime.  I suggest you both go back to your rooms for the rest of the day,” he said to his family members.

They scrambled backward and slightly sideways away from the wall, still crying and begging forgiveness before standing and all but running down the hallway.

Byakuya’s lips were twitching and trying to turn up at the corners as he watched the two women flee both his and Inari’s presence.  “You know, I believe that was the most enjoyable interaction I’ve had with my family members aside from Rukia in countless ages.”

“I can certainly see why if all of them are like that,” Inari said.  “Sorry to interrupt your dealings with other members of your family this morning.”

“It isn’t a hardship,” he said.  “I suppose we should talk to the Sovereign concerning the year and a day contract after this.”

“Yes, as I believe that demon cat is well and truly out of the bag,” Inari said.