The teenage boy sat on the last step of the grand stair case, leaning his head on the large pillar looking at nothing in particular. His long sleek black hair was pulled back haphazardly out of his face; minus a few stragglers dangling right on front of his face, tickling his nose. He sighed and pushed himself up walking towards the exit of the marvelous building where he lived.

He felt a sense of relief, a lifting of pressure, whenever he left his home. He walked slow, practiced throughout the streets and corridors, nothing more important than if he didn't present himself anything less than perfect he would surely know about it when he got home.

That was something that people in the rest of Soul Society never realized. For instance, if he was to walk down the street, make an unusual face or talk to someone strange, or even smile at someone, an onlooker would surely think of something to say about it and news would travel quickly and transform into something completely different. Eventually, it would get back to the Kuchiki house.

That is why the young man held himself the way he did. Why he walked with such practiced poise that it seemed effortless. Why he never showed a hint of emotion on his face. And while his appearance made him seem so stiff and unreachable, he still had ears, and still had the ability to hear.

As he continued his way down the busiest street, he was mentally kicking himself for coming this way.

Why the hell do I always come this way?

"Do you see the way he has his hair?"

Oh yeah, because it is the quickest way out.

"I heard that he is to become to head of the Kuchiki house soon…"

I am walking right by you, you know…

"…he is so young. What does he know?"

He was almost at the end of street, about to pass through the exit.

"He'll probably 'disappear' just like his sad excuse for a father."

"How are we supposed to look up to someone like that?"

Why can't I just let it go?

He crouched down and dropped his sword on the ground, trying to catch his breath. He often came to a deserted part of the forest to practice his technique, thinking that in the solitude he could concentrate whole heartedly. But that often wasn't the case.

What the hell do they know? They have no idea what it is like…

He leaned back, out of his crouch and laid down on the soft grass, closing his eyes trying to forget about everything.

I wish I was just normal. If I was normal…I would be praised but, now all I am is criticized. I don't do anything right.

He rested his head on his hands, taking a deep breath.

"Hello?"

The teenager immediately jumped up, snatched his sword and was already in a defensive crouch before his could even register where the noise came from.

A small girl walked out from behind a tree, raising her hands a bit.

"I'm so sorry if I frightened you…" she could see the boy eyeing her carefully, not lowering his stance, "…but really I am no threat."

He raised an eyebrow, and lowered his sword as she took small steps forward. He saw that she wasn't wearing any shoes and her clothing looked old and tattered.

Where is this girl from?

"I…I actually am quite ashamed to admit this but…" her eyes focused on the ground in front of her, "…this is not the first time I have been here."

Byakuya stepped back, beginning to think that maybe dropping his sword was not the best idea after all.

"It's just…I have seen you here before, and I just felt like I should tell you that—"

"—That what? You're going to tell on me? That you're disgusted with my behavior?"

The petite girl tilted her head, "No, no! I think you're mistaken, I was just going to tell you that when I see you out here, you look…"

"Stiff and stuck-up, right? Listen, I've heard it all."

"…elegant."

His eyes narrowed on her, and he pushed his bangs out of his face.

"Who are you?"

She placed a hand on her chest, "My name is Hisana." She smiled softly, "Just…Hisana."

Only a first name? That…that means…this woman is from the Rukon district! Damn, I am going to be in so much trouble if someone sees me with her.

"Well?" she was standing only a few feet before him now, "Usually when you ask for someone's name, they also give you theirs..."

I should just make this easy for her, she'll be too afraid to come back here after she realizes who I am.

He raised his head slightly, looking down on her, "My name is Kuchiki." He paused waiting a reaction.

Did she not hear me?

"Kuchiki…Byakuya." Again he waited for any kind of reaction.

"Kuchiki Byakuya…" she tried the words out herself, "What a beautiful name!" She smiled and tried swiping the bangs that seemed to permanently hang in her face.

His eyes brows knitted together, "Wait…you mean," he looked her directly in the eyes, "You have no idea who I am? You have never heard of me?"

"Well…" she placed a finger on her lips, "…I believe I have. You're the boy who lives in that great big house."

"So why are you talking to me?"

Once again she sported a confused look on her face, "Well…am I not allowed?" She laughed at the look on his face, "I can leave if you want—"

"—No." He cheeks reddened a little, "I- I mean…it is appropriate if you talk to me."

He turned towards his sword, and bent over to pick it up almost whispering, "I don't mind."

She smiled and fell onto the ground with such grace Byakuya had to focus to not stare at her.

"So you don't mind if I lay here and watch?"

He turned away and unsheathed his sword.

"I don't mind at all."

A/N: Hello! I really hope you like the story and please review! Let me know what you think so happen! I have always wanted to write a story about Byakuya but I never imagined that it would because of a dream I had…anyways! Please review and let me know what you think! Constructive criticism please!

-M