Unexpected Guests [Rukia - OPEN]

The paranoia for his adoptive sister's safety had reached a rather new high as of recent. So much as a scratch was on her, and Byakuya would already be irritated. Ergo, it wasn't much of a surprise that he would entail some level of protection for Rukia -- although, he was still able to think clearly and make sure that it wouldn't be suspicious or worrisome for others who would come across her. Rather, it would seem as if she was being escorted, like any other noble would be.

But, eventually, Byakuya felt that he needed to take it upon himself in order to keep her safe -- a brief moment of pride taking over and causing him to believe that the people that he had sent with her to be inferior to him, and that he would need to be the one to watch over her -- at least, today. After the lack of speaking with her for so long, it felt required of him as the Head of the Kuchiki Family, her brother, as well as for them to be able to catch up after so long.

Thus, Byakuya was quick to dress, even sliding the ages-old Captain's haori over his shoulders as he walked throughout the Kuchiki Family Manor, checking himself over many times, before reaching to his neck and realizing the reason for the consistent check-overs of his attire. While his reaction was rather lack-luster, Byakuya was very annoyed. His scarf was missing. He scoured the manor for it, searching every last nick and cranny that it could possibly be, and it never turned up.

So, with that being said, it was a bit natural for Byakuya to assume that someone had stolen it. But -- just as the thought popped into his head, a new possibility did as well -- what if Rukia had it, or, at the very least, seen it as of recent? Now, there was even more reason for Byakuya to go and accompany Rukia. So, stepping outside, the man's voice would be clear as day as he simply waved his hand and gave a single order to her servants.

"Leave us."

The servants bowed their heads in understanding, silently moving back inside as Byakuya made his way towards his little sister, his features unmoving as he soon came to a stop behind her, his hands behind her back. Silence encompassed the Kuchiki Manor for quite some time before the Angel of the Cherry Blossom broke it with a brief remark.

"There are things that can hurt your feet if you don't keep your footwear on, Rukia."

Taking a step closer, the male peered at his little sister as the tone of his next question turned...almost accusingly.

"I have reason to believe you have something that belongs to me."

Byakuya mentally cursed himself at such a pathetic statement about her footwear. He knew that the grounds were kept at the peak of safety and cleanliness. So much as a single block was out of place, the entire pathway would be redone to ensure that it would not happen again. So, it wasn't a surprise that Rukia was to ignore something like that -- it was an absurd thing for even him to say.

Yet, there was something that Byakuya could tell from her that gave way to his suspicions. Her expressions, her body language -- the unwillingness to look him in the eye, the stuttering in her voice, everything was slowly giving way to the one feeling that Byakuya could tell, even through just a glance: guilt. His eyes scanned over his adoptive sister, looking over her shihakusho to see if it was anywhere on her person.

And then, he saw it. The small glimpse of the item peeking out from the neck of the robe, sticking out like a very subtle sore thumb. The blank, yet ever so ominous expression never ceased to bore into the core of Rukia's soul. Ergo, the male took one final step forward as he briefly stated his reason for suspicion.

"My scarf...has gone missing. It is nowhere within the Manor."

His eyes briefly lowered to the neck of her shihakusho, eying the scarf once more to confirm that it was indeed what he saw and believed it to be.

"You are the only person to have entered the Manor over that period of time."

He receded, leaning backward to stand upright as his hands remained behind his back, with only his eyes narrowing at his little sister.

"I know you're not stupid. Give me the scarf, Rukia. I know that you have it around your neck, it's tucked under your shihakusho."