Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. If I did, Hisana wouldn't be dead. Or maybe I would've found a way to bring her back! *sighs*
A/N: This was previously intended to be a one-shot but it's turned out to be way longer than I expected. Plus, it's been sitting half-finished on my laptop for weeks now. And it was literally begging me to get out there so I decided to split it into chapters and post whatever I had written. Hopefully I'll finish it soon.
Also it might be a little frustrating but I had this sudden urge to write something in present tense so that's how it's turned out to be like this.
Anyway, read on…
To Have Her Back…
The long line of new recruits with starry eyes makes him want to sigh. The introductions are the most utterly boring activity of the year end, more because Kuchiki Byakuya couldn't care less to remember all those names and faces. But a job is a job. So he stands there, wearing his stoic, impassive mask of zero expression and observes. The lieutenant is just as lively as ever, handing out the papers, greeting the nervous bunch of new shinigamis with his same wide grin. For a second, the captain closes his eyes, wondering what it is about this particular activity that interests his subordinate so much. But then, Renji has always been the same curious kind. He makes friends real quick.
A little pause compels him to open his eyes. The red-head is staring at the next candidate in an almost dumbstruck manner. He casually shifts his gaze from his gawking face to the person concerned.
Freeze.
Stare.
Gape.
Blink.
Come back to normal.
It's hardly been a tenth of a second as Kuchiki Byakuya loses and gains his composure. A tenth of a second that has felt like ages. A tenth of a second that has triggered a hurricane inside of him.
"Rukia…" Renji blurts, still staring wide-eyed at the person in front of him.
"Pardon?" the candidate blinks, clearly uneasy under his stare.
"Oh… wait," he looks down at the paper held in his hand, scanning the picture and the name of the recruit. "You're… Takahashi… Hisana?"
Freeze.
Stare.
Gape.
Blink.
Come back to normal.
It's a hard struggle to keep the composure when the normally I-couldn't-care-less-captain's inner self is now in a state of turmoil. The lieutenant shoots him a fleeting glance which is returned by a cold, meaningful stare. He jerks his head back to the confused woman and shoves the paper in her hand.
"I'm sorry… Takahashi," he scratches his head and grins sheepishly. "Welcome to the sixth division."
She nervously nods at the tall red-head with a tiny smile, a little comforted. "Thank you."
Kuchiki Byakuya can't stand it but he freezes right there as she makes her way over to him and bows. "Kuchiki taichou."
He does not reply. She looks up at his blank face, a little hurt and a lot scared. He finally gives a very slight nod and she turns away, walking faster; more to get away from the condescending captain than to catch up with the others. She has heard more than enough about her division's cold captain. Yet the firsthand encounter hasn't helped a little shudder that runs down her spine at the thought of having to work under him. At least the vice-captain seems like a more approachable person… kind of warm—she ponders as she follows the line going through the division barracks.
"Renji," he calls for his subordinate, who enters at once, as if he's been waiting on his haunches.
"Hai, Kuchiki taichou," he stands in a stiff posture which is unusual for his most recklessly less-than-formal ways.
"I believe you understand the situation," he says, tiredly closing his eyes.
"Yes, taichou," he replies in a flat tone. "I understand."
It is an unwritten yet absolute rule of soul society to never mention a person's past life to him/her irrespective of what the situation is. And this isn't a very grave one. At least for everyone else but Kuchiki Byakuya. He stares at the red-head for a long moment, studying his face before he finally nods.
"Good," he says in a monotone. "I entrust you to see to it then."
He nods and walks out, knowing by the look on the superior's face that another word concerning the matter might just pull him off the edge. He knows better than that. So he decides to leave it on time to run its course and see how things turn out. Though, on the other hand, he has little faith that things will settle down as they are. Time can't heal all wounds. And people do not always follow the rules. Working with the stoic man for so long has given him at least that much of an insight. Under all that strict, law-abiding demeanor, there is a soft, caring person. He never makes it obvious, but people do know.
He bumps into someone when he's walking without paying much attention. He can't blink as the splitting image of his best friend flashes through his mind and he's about to blurt something stupid again before the not-so-familiar voice breaks his reverie of thoughts.
"I-I am so sorry, Abarai fukutaichou," she stammers. "I wasn't looking…"
"Ah, no, sorry. My bad," he grins his signature sheepish grin, which in turn sends a tiny smile across her face as she bows and walks away.
Warm and cold. That is the contrast between her two superiors. She wonders what it is that makes her look forward to assuming work in the division so much. Spotting a familiar face around the bend, she shrugs off the thought. It is but natural to be curious about the superiors, especially when one of the personalities is such a handsome, eerie loner. It's nothing more than genuine curiosity. She reassures herself as one of her friends from the academy waves at her and she makes her way through the crowd.
Kuchiki Byakuya has never been one to mix up. He despises going to parties and gatherings. He'd rather even avoid the meetings if they weren't all that obligatory. Yet, there he sits in his quiet corner, wondering for a hundredth time what made him except the invitation on the graduation party. He is tired of the wary glances being shot in his direction every now and then. The news is around. There are people who had known Hisana in her previous life and it's no surprise there is tension lingering in their eyes every time they look at her or him.
She's as lively as ever. She smiles, she laughs, she blabbers with her friends. It's nice to just sit and watch her happily bustling about. She's always stood out in the crowd; like a kindle of light surrounded by a swarm. He stares for long with casual, yet unblinking eyes. She's still charming, cheerful, bright and beautiful. She's still so much the same Hisana. Except for one thing—she isn't his Hisana anymore.
He does not look up as a white-haired man comes to stand by his side. After a long moment of no response, he sighs and slides down next to him.
"Ukitake," Byakuya speaks in a low voice, not meeting his eyes. "If you are concerned about my new subordinate, you can rest assured. I know the rules."
The tired man smiles at the hard-faced young man. He hasn't changed a bit. But he can't help wondering how long he can hold out in that state. He has no doubts in his decorum, yet he does not have faith in the situation. But there is little anyone can do about it. He believes it to be best to let time sort its way through the tangles.
It's a surprise for many that the captain of the sixth squad has graced the party with his presence. Few know the truth behind it. She passes drinks around and her eyes trace their way back to where one of her friends has been constantly throwing glances. The captain is sitting with a very blank look on his face. She must be imagining the intent look in those slate grey eyes just a moment ago. She smiles a very tiny smile at him as her heart skips a beat and turns around before the creeping shade of red becomes too evident on her face. She must definitely be day-dreaming if she saw a hint of an answering smile on his face.
The woman does not even realize she's stomping all over his heart—the beating thing he had been so oblivious to for this long that it hurts when it skips a beat or gallops at a pace faster than his shunpo. Before long, he gives up. There is a limit to how much he can take in a day. It's time he headed to the manor to get some sleep—even though he is very clearly reverting back to his state of insomnia, but on account of a very different reason.
She steps out into the dense night air after bidding goodnight to all her friends. She needs sleep, yet there is some place she should be heading to. She sighs, slowly dragging herself under the dark moonless sky. A strange feeling tweaks her senses and she is suddenly alert.
Kuchiki Byakuya is no stalker. He actually just happened to pass by when his senses picked up a trail of her reiatsu leading towards Rukongai. And the little devil called curiosity always gets the better of everybody. He isn't following her. He is merely observing. And then suddenly, she disappears in a flash from right in front of him where she was walking a few paces ahead and before he can make out, he's down on the ground, a katana drawn at his throat from behind.
She lets out a loud gasp as she recognizes the person she has pinned down. In one swift movement, she's on her feet, bowing deeply.
"My deepest apologies, Kuchiki taichou," she says frantically. "I… I-I thought I was being followed. I am so very sorry."
"I happened to be taking a walk, Takanishi," Kuchiki Byakuya was only passing by. He was not following her. He reassures himself.
"Uh, it's Takahashi, Kuchiki taichou," she mumbles, a little embarrassed. "You can call me Hisana… if that is okay."
How can he call her that? The one overly familiar name he hasn't uttered in decades. The woman really doesn't seem to care she's stomping all over his heart.
She sees him nod slightly before he turns away. She's a little grateful of the dark that conceals her deeply reddening face. Why did she suddenly have this urge to hear him say her name? Still, it's better that he didn't. She wonders what her reaction would have been. Something tells her she wouldn't be able to react if that happened!
She does not particularly like zanjutsu, although she is good at kidou. But the process of seating them requires showcasing the best of all their skills. Needless to say, she is nervous as she watches the captain bring down each one of the new recruits without having to even move from his spot. He's way stronger than she has heard and she can't help but admire him greatly.
"Next," the lieutenant yawns, clearly bored of doing nothing. But when he reads out the next name, his eyes are suddenly alert as they dart back and forth between the captain and the candidate. "Takahashi."
Byakuya stares at the petite woman as she stands up from where she has been sitting in the group. She's clearly nervous… maybe a bit scared as well. He briefly considers asking the lieutenant to take his place. He cannot fight Hisana. Not even in a drill. But the idea of having the brazen vice-captain test her skills is even more repulsive. So he nods as the woman takes in a deep breath and bows in front of him before unsheathing her zanpakutou.
She looks so very fragile. Her pale skin and mass of silky black hair. But the one thing that holds his attention are her eyes. They're the same as he has remembered in his dreams night after night. The same shade of purple with a tinge of blue. A color he cannot explain in words. They're deep, very deep and beautiful like nothing else. Her smile is still so much the same—capable of paralyzing him on the spot. She's still charming, cheerful, bright and beautiful. She's still so much the same Hisana. Except for one thing—she isn't his Hisana anymore.
His katana flies from his hand and the tip of her blade is now pointed inches from his throat. When did she manage to do that? He has no idea. A few of the squad members cheer and clap but they don't hear or see anything while their eyes are so fixed onto each other's.
She smiles her tiny smile before drawing back her sword and sheathing it. She knows the captain did not even attempt to fight her. The victory wasn't hers. It's an odd feeling—how adrenaline suddenly surged through her seeing his deep slate grey eyes so intent on her. Truth be told, even she has no idea when she managed to unarm him. She smiles at her friends as they clap her back and cheer for her. Her mind is lost in thought. What was that feeling a moment ago? She had felt like she couldn't break free from the intense contact of eyes that made her stomach twist in an uneasy manner.
There is a moment of hesitation before she can bring herself to knock on the door and announce her name. The deep voice grants permission from the other side. She takes in a deep breath and closes her eyes before sliding the door open and stepping in. The captain is buried into paperwork.
"Ku-Kuchiki taichou," she takes another step. He looks up with a blank across his face. "Can I talk to you? Just a moment?"
He stares at her, trying to read her innocent face and then nods slightly.
"I… Kuchiki taichou, you let me win on purpose today, didn't you?" she looks on the floor, trying to keep the heat from her face. "You did not really fight me."
Kuchiki Byakuya has never been one to explain his reasons. He is definitely taken aback by the boldness with which she so outrightly asks him the truth. That is how he has always known Hisana. So innocently honest and straightforward.
"I merely lost my concentration, Taka… hashi," he tries to bury himself behind the stack of papers again but the shuffling of her feet compels him to look up. She is right in front of him, the only distance between them is the table.
She can see a little hint of surprise on his otherwise inanimate face and for once, that gives her a sense of accomplishment. She wonders what it is about the man that arouses such emotions in her that are yet too complex to be deciphered. She smiles, leaning in at the table and then murmurs in a low voice.
"I told you, Kuchiki taichou, you can call me Hisana," her voice has a slight undertone of a request. "… if remembering Takahashi is a problem."
What she adds belatedly holds little significance as he sits unmoving and watches her go. There is something very nostalgic about the whole situation. She's almost at the door, and this is the only chance he can take.
"Hisana," his voice comes out in barely more than a whisper and he's sure it's okay, because she wouldn't be able to hear it. But he's forced to look up when a low gasp escapes her throat. She's staring back at him in utter surprise, a bit of confusion and probably a hint of satisfaction. And then the angelic smile spreads on her face that is too hard for him to take his eyes off. It's already struggle to maintain his composure. And yet the little hue of red on her pale cheeks makes it impossible for him to conceal that tiniest of the tiny smiles which graces his features like once in a blue moon. The wide blue-tinged-purple orbs are shiny as she chuckles at the ticklish feeling in the pit of her stomach and exits. He shifts in his chair to redo the stack of papers he was pretending to be busy with. They sure are messed up. He was way too distracted to have known what he was writing. He holds back a sigh as he wonders for the umpteenth time how long he can take things as they are right now. For she is still so much the same Hisana. Except for one thing—she isn't his Hisana anymore.
A/N: Liked it? Hated it? Mind telling me? Well, reviews could help the next chapter come out faster xD
I'll update as soon as I can get the right words for the ideas in my head x_x also, after the exams, when brain-sama is out vacationing, it's a little hard to crawl to my laptop and actually sit down to do something! But I shall most sincerely try. It feels good to be back though B)
So thank you for reading!
Please leave a review.