Disclaimer: I do not own the rights of Bleach.

Slight AU

Dissidence

Chapter 1: Preparations

Doors slamming open and shut and the creaking of floorboards under staccato footfalls could be heard throughout the Serenity House. Acutely aware of the unusual chaos creeping down every corridor of the restaurant and spilling into the residence hall, Hisana emerged from her room dressed in a plain cerulean and yellow kimono. She was just finishing the tie at the end of her braid when she was stopped by a frantic Azumi.

"Oh, no, Hisana! Oh, no! You look terrible!" The young hostess rattled out as she nervously pulled on the sleeve of her kimono.

Hisana, unaccustomed to Azumi addressing her in such a manner, stood dumbfounded. Perhaps her hairstyle was not the most flattering, but it made her job as a hostess easier. "I'm sorry?"

"Oh, Hisana, please forgive me for my impertinence. Won't you? It's just…" Azumi stopped short of what she was going to say to quickly survey the corridor. Thinking better of divulging whatever information she deemed too sensitive for prying ears, Azumi grabbed Hisana's arm and pulled her into the bedroom.

"What is it, Azumi?" Hisana asked, trying to temper the agitation flaring in her heart.

"Aya is ill, Hisana – very ill. She's so ill Dr. Toya put her to bed for the rest of the day!"

Hisana lifted a brow, failing to comprehend the problem. "I think we can manage the night without her, Azumi."

Azumi's large blue eyes widened to the size of half dollars at Hisana's sentiments. "No! No, we can't!" she cried.

Hisana furrowed her brows as she tried to understand what was distressing her friend so. Aya's illness, while a bother, was not exactly the worst thing that had ever happened to the restaurant. "We'll just call Koda in if we get too busy." But, Hisana's attempt at reason fell on deaf ears. Azumi's frantic state quickly deteriorated into full blown panic when she yanked at the obi of Hisana's kimono. Her thin nimble fingers made quick use of the belt.

"What are you doing?" Hisana exclaimed upon feeling Azumi take her by the shoulders and shove her deeper into the room all while disrobing her.

"I'm making you presentable! You'll thank me later!"

"Presentable?" Hisana echoed, still confused as to what demon had possessed her friend.

"Yes," Azumi replied, harshly ripping Hisana's hair from the braid. Hisana's long tresses quickly spilt down her back and shoulders in an inky black mess. Azumi took a handful of hair and leading Hisana backwards by it, went over to her friend's vanity to fetch a brush.

Now, not only perplexed but in pain, Hisana tried to regain control of the situation by pulling away from the maddened Azumi. Azumi, however, was swift and relentless and managed to block Hisana's attempt at escape. "What is this all about? Surely, you're not risking our friendship and your mental health due to this tiny inconvenience?"

"Tiny inconvenience? Do you know who's coming here?"

Hisana sighed at the question. "Actually, no, I don't. You never told me," she said, readjusting her white under-kimono.

Azumi, ceasing her assault on Hisana's hair, crossed over to the small oak dresser beside Hisana's futon. "Where is it? Where is it?" she chanted softly to herself as she tore through Hisana's garments.

Still in wide-eyed-wonder at her friend's desperation, Hisana stood stricken as she watched the spectacle Azumi was making in her very room. "Azumi, what has gotten into you?!"

"Here it is!" the girl cried out with joy once she had found the object of her search. With as much delicacy as she could muster in her current state of delirium, Azumi removed the folded garment from the drawer. With a sharp motion, she unfurled the kimono to reveal her selection to Hisana, who was still standing aghast.

The design was unmistakable – muted greens with an intricate cherry blossom design. It was simply the most expensive thing Hisana owned, and it had been given to her as a present by the owner of the Serenity House. "Why are you pulling out my best kimono? Put it back!" she ordered, having had her fill of Azumi's antics.

Apparently having gone temporarily deaf along with insane, Azumi offered Hisana the garment. "Put it on."

Hisana responded by folding her arms securely against her chest. "This is ridiculous! Whose imminent arrival is causing such a commotion?"

"A captain from one of the Thirteen Divisions along with a commander from a Special Forces unit!"

Hisana's complexion blanched in response. "A captain and a commander?" she repeated distantly to herself. "What business does a captain have coming this far out in Rukongai?" she asked discriminatingly. The moment she uttered the words her mind quickly apprehended the answer: Political dissidence. Hisana did not know all the details, but she had heard rumors of an uprising in some of the districts. She, however, found it hard to believe that a few skirmishes could warrant such attention; there had to be something more to it.

"One of the two is supposedly a noble!" Azumi's voice swelled with glee that was far more appropriate for a child than a young woman.

Hisana quickly turned her head to hide her displeasure from Azumi. The discontentment she was feeling, however, was not aimed at the standing of the guests but at what their presence implied… Assessing the situation, Hisana now wished that she had paid closer attention to the idle mongering of the busybodies who regularly frequented the establishment.

"Now, you see, Hisana, why it is so important for you to look your best?"

Still refusing to make eye-contact with Azumi, Hisana reluctantly took the kimono from her friend. Seeing this as an open invitation to aide Hisana in her preparations for the party, Azumi began helping her dress.

"I take it this means I am awarded the pleasure of serving them?" Hisana said while trying to steady her voice between Azumi's sharp tugs on her robes.

Azumi nodded with feverish excitement. "With Aya out, Mr. Hideyoshi personally assigned you as the host. He said you had the calmest demeanor."

"Very well, then. I will try to do my best… for Mr. Hideyoshi." Hisana hated to admit it, but she felt a tinge of terror at the prospect of entertaining such esteemed guests -- especially a noble. Perhaps, with a little luck, the two would want to discuss business and ask her to take leave of their company.

"Are you nervous?" Azumi asked, coiffing her friend's hair.

Hisana replied by heaving a sigh. "I wish Aya wasn't sick. I'm afraid I'm not very good at making small talk."

Azumi leaned over to make eye contact with her friend and to offer her a reassuring smile. "Don't doubt yourself. These guys probably want nothing more than a private room in which they can speak freely. Just don't trip and fall or drop the food. Oh, and make sure to smile politely and laugh when appropriate. If you do all that you'll be just fine."

Hisana gave Azumi a sidelong glance. "I hope you're right."