Disclaimer: Do not own Bleach. Dare to dream!
Warnings: This is still a little bit AUish in the fact that I am attempting something close to the Bleach storyline, but it is probably still different enough to not be a non-AU.
Pairings: Mainly Byakuya/Hisana but with some Ichigo/Rukia
A/N: Many thanks to my beta, ForeverSam, for everything as always.
Abiding Love
By: akirk85029
Byakuya sat rigidly in the solid wooden chair in his office pouring meticulously over stacks of paperwork, his hand gliding elegantly with the felt brush marking each paper as he moved through his morning's work. He lifted his gaze from the pile of work that his lieutenant conveniently forgot to do before heading out to the real world, as he felt the presence of a hell butterfly. He gently raised his hand out for the dark butterfly to land and relay the message.
Byakuya slowly raised himself from his desk, his hand running down the soft silk of his light green scarf moving to the hilt of his Zanpakatou at his side. He moved soundlessly around his desk to start towards his destination. He really was in no mood for a last minute Captain's meeting.
As he moved quietly along the streets Byakuya took in the recent reconstruction that was still going on after Aizen's defeat at the hands or blade of one Ichigo Kurosaki. Byakuya controlled the irritation he felt when a familiar spiritual pressure was making its way towards him. He slowed to a stop as he waited for the new Fifth Division Captain to appear before him.
Byakuya readjusted his white haori after it billowed around him from the wind of the other captain's fierce landing.
"Hey Byakuya; taking the long way today?" The new captain asked while readjusting his own white haori.
"Captain Kurosaki, I believe I have asked you not to address me so informally, more than once." Byakuya said in a scolding tone before resuming the path he had been taking towards the First Division Headquarters.
Ichigo chuckled before falling into step with Byakuya. Their footsteps echoing off the stone walls, was the only sound between them for the majority of their journey. Ichigo tugged on his haori, a habit he formed when he wanted to ask something but wasn't quite sure how to go about doing it. Rukia had pointed it out to him several times and when he noticed what he was doing he forcefully moved his arms down to his sides.
Byakuya noticed the forceful gesture and then he realized that there was a real reason that Ichigo was insisting on accompanying him instead of going to the meeting by himself. Byakuya slowed his brisk stride as they rounded the last corner before heading to the main doors that housed the meeting hall where their destination laid.
Ichigo understood the small sign given to him and he decided not to waste it. This was for Rukia's sake after all. "Uhmm…Bya…I mean, Captain Kuchiki?"
That stopped Byakuya in his tracks immediately and he turned slowly to face his fellow captain. His hand moved ever so slightly towards Sebonzakura. If Ichigo Kurosaki was addressing him formally then he knew the boy wanted something from him badly enough to try and get on his good side.
Ichigo halted as well and watched as Byakuya turned to face him. He met the man's gaze head on; he was not going to be deterred. He knew what he wanted and if this would make Rukia happy he was going to do it. "I want to marry Rukia."
Byakuya raised a slender brow at him. "So I am to assume that you are asking for my permission, correct?"
"Kind of, but not really." Ichigo replied honestly.
"So what is it you are seeking from me exactly?" Byakuya asked slightly annoyed at this new development. He had known that Ichigo had been courting Rukia, but he had tried to remain blissfully ignorant of any details of their relationship.
"I kind of already asked her and while I don't believe we need your permission, Rukia does want your approval." Ichigo answered shifting his feet slightly as he crossed his arms over his toned chest.
Byakuya stared at the young man before him. He honestly had no idea what his sister saw in Ichigo, but he knew she must have answered in the affirmative if Ichigo was here pestering him for his approval. Byakuya started back towards the meeting hall as if no words had just transpired between them. He turned his head ever so slightly at the sound of Ichigo behind him. "You and Rukia will join me for dinner at my residence and I will have my answer for you then."
Ichigo nodded his head in understanding and followed the stoic man into the overly warm meeting hall. He rolled his eyes as the Captain Commander congratulated them on finally deciding to join the rest of the group.
Byakuya walked at a leisurely pace along the edges of the Kuchiki grounds. He gradually made his way to a small wooden bridge and stopped near the railing placing his hands lightly upon the worn timber and stared into the slightly pink sky signaling the approaching dusk.
This certain bridge amidst the flourishing plum blossom trees held a special significance for Byakuya. This was the place where he had asked Hisana to marry him. He let a small uncustomary smile form on his lips as he remembered the confused look she had given him and asked him why he would want to marry someone such as her. He remembered pulling her into his arms, raising one hand to push back her midnight colored hair. He had stared into her deep, dark blue eyes which were only one shade lighter than being black and kissed her sensuously but also with such an intensity that had left the both of them breathless. He remembered the plum blossoms that had fallen and caught in her hair. He had plucked one from her dark tresses and presented the bloom to her. She had told him once that she had never had a favorite flower until that day.
Byakuya was shaken out of his memories as a very familiar presence moved next to him. He turned to look into the light ice blue eyes of Sebonzakura. "Why have you manifested yourself?" Byakuya asked, knowing that he did not call forth his Zanpakutou's form.
Quite contrary to popular belief Sebonzakura was actually a male and according to Hisana, despite Byakuya's disdain, was a very handsome man. Sebonzakura stood tall with his long golden blonde hair flowing down past his broad back to rest near his waist; his ardent gaze was prying into Byakuya's self-composed calmness. "You are troubled?"
Byakuya returned to his previous position, his eyes transfixed on the small, flowing stream that ran underneath the dark lumber that supported their forms. "Rukia wants to get married to someone I'm not sure I approve of." Byakuya responded, knowing it was pointless to keep secrets from his Zanpakatou.
Sebonzakura leaned against the opposite railing, his tall warrior's frame barely being supported by the old wood. If any Shinigami knew human history well enough they would compare Sebonzakura to a Spartan warrior except that he wore a late-Victorian era black suit with a bluish gray vest and silk puff tie. "Ah, yes, she wants to marry Zangetsu's wielder."
Byakuya gave his Zanpakatou a cool gaze. "Exactly how much do you know?"
Sebonzakura gave a deep laugh. "Both Zangetsu and Sode no Shirayuki have both asked me to talk to you. They don't want you to single handedly bring down the light that is shining on them."
Byakuya's attention was called elsewhere when he felt something soft land on the back of his hand. He slowly lifted his free hand to pick up the tiny blossom. He held it gently, a small memento of better times, he inhaled the faint scent that made him ache even more for his Hisana. He closed his eyes and listened to the soothing sounds of the nature around him. He opened his fingers and let the bloom fall tenderly in the soft breeze.
"You still miss her after all this time?" Sebonzakura asked even though he knew the answer.
Byakuya looked to the darkening sky and realized he needed to be heading home before he was late. He ignored the question knowing that his Zanpakatou was not really expecting an answer. "You should return." Byakuya said before walking away, his footsteps becoming soundless as he moved off the given path before him.
Sebonzakura stayed there for a moment longer to watch the gradually setting sun. He turned his gaze to the path his wielder had taken. "I too miss the light and when you are ready I will tell you that even though she is far away I can still hear Jisei."
Byakuya returned to his house just as Ichigo and Rukia were being shown into the dining room. He noticed immediately how close the two were standing next to each other. He moved forward and sat down at the head of the table followed by his sister and her fiancé. Rukia sat on his left side while Ichigo took the seat on his right.
"Good evening brother." Rukia greeted as wine was being poured into a glass before her by one of the servants.
Ichigo surveyed the expensive dinnerware before him. He hated coming to Byakuya's house, he always felt like he was going to break something, which was probably why Rukia made him leave Zangetsu in his quarters. Ichigo had been reluctant at first; he didn't want to be unarmed around her brother, but now seeing that Byakuya was at the table without his own Zanpakatou he felt somewhat better.
Byakuya studied the both of them as they tried to make small talk and chanced affectionate glances towards each other. Rukia still looked the same as she always had but somehow happier and he tried not to feel guilt behind that. Ichigo on the other hand looked older now or at least not so much as a teenager anymore. If his memory served him, Rukia had informed him that Ichigo was about twenty in human years and that his sisters believed he was away at college. Ichigo's father was another story entirely. He had investigated human wedding rituals versus that of Soul Society's. He gathered that Ichigo would act according to human customs and he knew his suspicions were correct when he spotted the platinum diamond solitaire ring on Rukia's left hand. "So when do you plan to get married?"
Rukia smiled brightly at her brother. "Does that mean you'll come?"
Byakuya nodded his head in the affirmative even if it was against his better judgment. He was surprised though when Rukia hugged him and whispered a 'thank you' in his ear before returning to her seat. He straightened his robe before lifting his glass to his lips and tasting the sweet taste of the wine.
"What was your wedding like?" Rukia asked surprising Byakuya for the second time in less than five minutes.
Ever since Byakuya had told her the truth about why she had been adopted into the Kuchiki family he had expected a lot of questions but Rukia had been respectful of his memories and besides Byakuya still considered himself to be in mourning. He knew he would never get over Hisana's death. "Troublesome."
Rukia and Ichigo both looked at him confused.
"The Kuchiki elders were opposed to the idea of my marrying your sister from the very beginning. We had to get married in a small ceremony with only close friends in attendance. Captain Ukitake was one of them." Byakuya commented revealing more to them in these few minutes than he had to anyone in fifty years.
Ichigo stared at the man a little unnerved. For the first time he actually understood something about him and agreed with the decision he had made.
The next day Byakuya was again sitting at his desk, his back straight, and his hands moving expertly across the papers. His peace and quiet was interrupted by a swift knock at his office door. Byakuya glanced briefly at the door and bid his visitor to enter.
Jyuushiro Ukitake strolled casually into the office taking the seat across from the Sixth Division Captain. "So I hear you actually gave your approval for Rukia and Ichigo to get married?"
Byakuya looked over to his former captain and mentor. "Yes."
Jyuushiro coughed lightly into the cloth handkerchief he carried with him and watched as his former lieutenant, from many years ago, continued to fill out reports. "You know I think Hisana would be proud."
Byakuya stopped the movement of his brush, setting it down firmly on his desk. He had never felt comfortable talking about Hisana with anyone let alone someone who knew her as well as Jyuushiro, he had been instructing Hisana personally, teaching her to call upon her own Zanpakatou. He followed Jyuushiro's gaze out the office window.
"She was so close you know. She had just been able to release her Zanpakatou into its Shikai form. We were about to start learning its abilities when she became too ill to continue. It is curious though." Jyuushiro said turning around as he felt Captain Kurosaki's spiritual pressure pass by followed closely by Captain Zaraki's.
"What is?" Byakuya asked before he could stop himself.
"That she died so soon after her initial release. It just bugged me is all, don't mind my musings. I'm sorry to have bothered you. I just had to know if you really gave in to the kid." Jyuushiro said before giving one of his customary smiles before bowing out of the office.
Byakuya closed his eyes for a moment. It was pointless to ask questions when it wouldn't bring Hisana back to him. He stood up ignoring the complaints from his body from sitting down for too long. He decided he needed a good long walk to clear his head.
Rukia was walking swiftly down the corridors in her division when an arm shot out from around a corner and dragged her into a small hallway. She nearly belted her would be attacker when she realized it was only her orange-haired fiancé. "You idiot, I could have seriously hurt you. And since when have you been able to conceal your spiritual pressure so well?"
"Shhh…I think Kenpachi's still looking for me." Ichigo said trying to quiet her down.
Rukia just rolled her eyes. That had just answered her question. She then realized how close they were standing to each other. Her eyes traveled up towards his amber eyes and she knew he was thinking the same thing when she saw his damnable smirk. She smiled though before his lips claimed hers in a scorching kiss.
They were interrupted a few moments later by someone coughing. They both blushed furiously at having been caught by none other than Captain Ukitake. Ichigo had to remove his hands from Rukia's backside and Rukia had to detangle all of her limbs from Ichigo's tall frame.
Jyuushiro was amused by the whole event even though he wished they would not do that kind of thing in a public hallway but he was not about to scold another captain. "Captain Kurosaki, do you mind if I borrow my lieutenant for a little while?"
"Of course." Ichigo stammered out before moving down the hallway.
"Oh and I believe Lieutenant Hinamori has been looking for you as well." Jyuushiro added before Ichigo was out of earshot.
"Thanks Captain Ukitake, I'll find her now." Ichigo called out before flash stepping out of sight.
Rukia quietly followed her captain to his office. She was a little embarrassed that it had to be Captain Ukitake to find her like that, but it could have been worse. It could have been her brother.
Byakuya walked back and was not surprised to find his great-uncle in his office. Byakuya was not anywhere close to being fond of this particular relative of his.
Satoru was an older man with short dark grey hair which he proudly boasted was still all there. He liked to think he had influence over any of Byakuya's decisions and was showing clear signs of irritation in his creased forehead and dark eyes.
Byakuya moved to sit at his desk and waited until his fifth seat left the office before addressing the man before him. "Why are you here?"
Satoru stretched his long legs before sitting upright. "Well since you gave your approval to allow Rukia to marry that new captain without consulting the council first, I have been sent to find out what you plan to do on providing our clan with an heir."
"First, I am the head of this family and so I do not need the council's permission to make any decisions regarding my sister and second, any plans concerning my producing an heir would never be the concern of someone who was not born into my clan." Byakuya stated coolly.
Satoru's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Do not think to belittle me about blood! I was not the one trying to dirty the Kuchiki blood by marrying a commoner! We were just lucky she died before she could ever…"
Satoru stopped mid-sentence when a blade was pressed firmly against his neck. He looked into Byakuya's icy eyes. He hadn't even seen Byakuya move.
Byakuya pulled his Zanpakatou back just enough to keep from slicing into the man's withered neck. He could take any kind of insult but no one was going to insult Hisana in such a manner, in any manner, in his presence. "I would suggest you take your leave while you still can."
Satoru nodded and quickly picked himself up and walked out of the staggering pressure inside of Byakuya Kuchiki's office. He raised a hand up to his neck once outside; he knew that the blade had actually cut him. He just hoped Byakuya never found out the truth or he was as good as dead.
Byakuya moved to the window looking out over the garden in the Sixth Division, his face back under his stoic mask. He placed Sebonzakura back into its sheath. Things were starting to bother him and he wondered why now, after all this time, were things starting to present themselves to him? Why did he have the feeling that something had happened that he couldn't see before? He refused to give in to hope though that he had missed something big enough and that Hisana could still be alive.
A/N : So how was my first attempt at being closer to a Bleach storyline? What do you all think of Sebonzakura now? :) I've been thinking on this for a while but Twilight Countess's Bya/His challenge made me actually start on it. I also want to thank Inazagi for letting bounce ideas off of her!!:) Please review and let me know what you all think!!:)