Fandom: Bleach
Title: Hana-wa sakuragi, hito-wa bushi (Among Flowers Be A Cherry Blossom, Among Other Men – A Knight)
Author: Sophia
Theme: No 14 – Blind
Pairing: Kuchiki Byakuya/ Shihouin Yourichi (hinted at Yourichi/Kisuke)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Bleach is not my own creation, I do not own any of its characters as well. Written for pleasure, not for profit.
Summary/Notes: The first episode of battle between feelings and duty (giri to ninjō) – two individuals from noble families, two different paths, two different loves. Sometimes it is impossible to meet halfway... /BE spelling and grammar.
Hana-wa sakuragi, hito-wa bushi
Courage is not the lack of fear, but acting in spite of it (Mark Twain)
April is the most enchanting of the months of Spring. Alongside the river, the old and strong cherry trees in full bloom, envelop the greenery of the grass beneath them in a delicate, pink mist of fallen petals. They stand in silence, surrounded by the aura of majesty and supernatural splendour, letting two young souls hide underneath their understanding, patient branches.
The prince and the princess, a handsome young man in an indigo kimono with kamon and a beautiful young woman are sitting side by side on the tatami. She is dressed in a furisode made of the finest silk, her hair done in a momoware style, with golden combs on both sides, face hidden behind a fan which itself is a work of art. He watches her slender palm and wrist move as one as she gently fans herself according to the inner rhythm of her thoughts and emotions.
They are both children of the two great noble families, the strongest in all generations, the reliable leaders of their vassals and captains of the silent army of invisible soldiers, destined to protect human souls. She knows it and he does as well – they are to get married, for what better solution there could be than to unite two great, powerful houses? It was decided at the very moment of their birth that they shall be brought up together, train together and, finally, at the suitable age, become husband and wife and spend the rest of their existences together.
He would never go as far as to think otherwise: she fascinates him, enthrals him with her dark, soft skin, long hair that have a violet gleam, her strength and undeniable intelligence. She is the one whom he shared his first kiss with. She is the beauty anyone would be more than willing to marry, so how could he ask for more? They know each other's weaknesses and strengths, the dreams and ambitions... And their families approve of their relationship, encouraging him to propose to her as soon as he reaches the age of consent.
But even though he is Kuchiki Byakuya, it takes him years to find the appropriate words to express his will and propose to princess Shihouin Yourichi, his first passionate and sincere love, childhood friend and sparring partner.
Therefore, on that day, he takes her hand in his and, bowing, asks her hand in marriage, waiting for her answer and not knowing why his heart trembles as the silence falls.
He can feel her gaze on him and his heart trembles even more.
"Raise your head, Byakuya, and look at me", she says and the Kuchiki heir does as he was told, desperately holding on that last shred of hope he has left.
"I am sorry, but I cannot reciprocate your feelings, my dear friend", Yourichi continues, looking him straight in the eyes, "Our marriage is not what I have planned for my future".
Byakuya's throat suddenly feels dry and tongue stiff, his lips move but the voice does not come out. Nevertheless, the experience he'd gathered in years of education and training help him to regain control over his body and mind, and he manages to form a question:
"What are your plans, then, if I may inquire?"
"I want to live my life the way I feel is right and appropriate, Byakuya-bo", Yourichi replies and, raising her hand to stop him from interjecting, she continues:
"I do not care if it will ruin our families' plans, although I acknowledge the fact that they'll probably perceive my choice as a disgrace to the family and banish me. Moreover, I do not worry about the future of my division, because I've already managed to find someone capable enough to become my successor: she is strong, she is young and needs to stand on her own, as all she lacks is self-confidence. If I'll stay here, in Seireitei, Soi Fong has no future ahead of her, she'll remain my subordinate forever, she'll never trust herself enough to believe in her own abilities and instinct".
Byakuya nods more out of good upbringing than out of understanding, still filled with disbelief and involuntary fear of the family's rage. This is different from what he'd ever dare to imagine, this is not what he'd dreamt of, and certainly not what generations tirelessly fought for.
"This is unthinkable. Do you have any idea what your family will do to you when they learn that you refused to fulfil your obligations?", he asks her in a cold, emotionless tone underneath which he hides his own anxiety and an overwhelming disappointment. She seemed such a suitable woman to share a life with...
"I know, Byakuya-bo", Yourichi says with a crooked smile on her lips, "but honestly, I don't give a shit"
Byakuya shudders in disgust as her vulgar, loutish words reach his ears. Feeling even more disappointed, he asks one last, desperate question.
"But what will you do, where will you go?". His voice is hoarse, almost inaudible.
Yourichi sighs and squeezes his trembling hand. "Don't worry, I have someone waiting for me. And before you ask, yes, that's why I cannot be your bride: my heart belongs to someone already, so it is impossible for me to give it you, my dear friend"
"That... despicable Urahara Kisuke!" he hisses through his clenched teeth before he can stop himself.
"Don't forget to live, Byakuya-bo", Shihouin heiress says, getting up from the tatami. "Believe it or not, but I'm going to miss you" she ads and in split of second she's gone, leaving him all alone with his broken heart and an extremely heavy burden to carry on his pale shoulders.
The years go by, the future brings new challenges and, inevitably, choices to be made. It becomes harder and harder for the Kuchiki heir to follow the tradition and rules, for the sacrifices are far greater and more painful than he'd ever expected. Actually, each time there's very little to gain and a lot to lose.
Only then he realises what Yourichi had been trying to get away from, for it's the same thing that strangles him, makes him behave the way he does and constantly puts the thoughts into his head.
The world around them slowly becomes more and more filled with pain, putridity, corruption and infinite sadness.
Additional explanatory notes
Furisode – a kimono with very long sleeves, appropriate only for young, unmarried women
Momoware – literally: a cracked peach; a hair-do appropriate only for young, unmarried Japanese women
Kamon – an equivalent of a European crest
