CHAPTER 1
Byakuya Kuchiki gazed at the wide violet eyes of his late wife Hisana in her portrait. The afternoon sun shadowed Byakuya's angular features and got into his sharp grey eyes. His thick black lashes did nothing to block the intensity of the setting sun. Her portrait sat peacefully in the shrine which was meticulously maintained in her honor. He bowed, said "I'm so sorry". He then stood, closed the doors, and pressed his grief deep down into his heart.

It had all happened so suddenly. So quickly the fortunes of the nobles had reversed, and their coffers had emptied. After the invasion of the Quincies rebuilding the personal estates of the nobles had left the families bankrupt. It would take years before the fields that produced the rice which gave the Kuchikis their independent wealth would recover. They would eventually recover but over the years of reconstruction the fields had to be cleared, repaired, and lay fallow. The Kuchikis were on the brink of collapse and without the support of the Soul King they were close to the end of their reserves. If they didn't have an influx of cash soon the great and powerful Kuchikis would go completely broke, and some would starve. History would be lost. Byakuya would shoulder the blame. He would go down in history as the last and branded the most incompetent Kuchiki family leader.

Byakuya left his late wife's shrine to finish his evening routine and settled at his desk where he would record his daily log. He wore his black shihakusho, and white captain's cloak. His old kenseikan rested comfortably on his head. He sat there, holding his pen, staring at a blank journal page. His stomach growled, and it snapped him out of his self-pitying spiral.

His head cleric called from the hall. "Byakuya-sama"

"Ah" replied the young family's head. He was eager to get away from having to log yet another day's details about his failures and disappointments. He turned away from the desk and back towards the door where his cleric entered. The elderly man was similar in looks to his grandfather in face, but his posture was that of a man who spent his life bowing. He entered, slowly took a seat while Byakuya patiently waited for his family's most loyal retainer to become settled and comfortable.

"Byakuya-sama" he started "I bring bad news, but also good news. An opportunity. Which would you prefer to hear first?"

Byakuya said "I'll take the bad first then."

The old man nodded. "Yes, of course m'lord. We have three months left before there is no money, four before all the rice in storage is gone completely."

Byakuya closed his eyes and dropped his chin. His brow was furrowed. The cleric knew the young man before him was not only under social pressure, but the cleric knew his heart. He had served Byakuya's grandfather and father before him. He knew of Byakuya's continued heartaches and was pained each time he had to update him on the estate troubles.

Byakuya cleared his throat and opened his eyes. He said, "Is this adding my personal captain's salary to the coffers?"

"Yes, sire" the old man half-bowed acknowledging Byakuya's personal contributions.

"Can we sell the lands?" he asked.

"Sire, I hate to remind you, no one has money here to buy them, and secondly even those that do don't want them. 10 years has been a long time to wait and they don't have faith that anything will grow. Especially if they have to wait an additional season for the harvest."

Byakuya's chest heaved with a long sigh. "We cannot grow, we cannot sell, but I cannot allow my retainers, my people, my family, to go without, nor to burden them with the shame in our decline."

"They don't have to sire" said the cleric.

Byakuya became alert. "The good news?"

"Yes, sire. I'm cautiously optimistic. A family from the west, beyond the districts, has heard of the troubles here and has an interest in establishing a connection."

The raising of Byakuya's lower lids silently expressed his apprehension and the sheer horror of the possibilities. "From the west? Beyond the districts? You mean…barbarians?"

"Well, eh" the cleric hesitated and continued with obvious caution. "Yes, sire. While they are culturally, erhm, let's say lacking, their technology and wealth has grown considerably. It is garish to state numbers, but they could easily buy the entire Kuchiki estate ten times over and have plenty left to live on comfortably.

Byakuya crossed his arms into his sleeves, but he struggled to not wince and failed. "The connection…as in an investment?" he asked hopefully.

The cleric tried to soften the truth of the answer with a smile. "Of sorts. It would not be a loan."

Byakuya's head dropped again. "A marriage."

"Yes, milord."

"I-" Byakuya stopped himself form dismissing the idea. "Who do they plan to…" Byakuya shook his head knowing full well what the arrangement would be.

"They would send their eldest daughter, their eldest child with a large dowry and a yearly allowance thereafter."

Byakuya tried to find a way out, but had a difficult time finding the words. He swallowed hard. "Well the…" his chin came up as though he smelled something unpleasant "send her to…" he shook his head side to side knowing the plan, but refusing to accept it "l…for you to marry?"

The cleric laughed heartily. "Sire, I think my two wives would be very jealous."

Byakuya saw no humor in the situation

"Come now, sire. You are a young man still. You cannot mourn forever…"

Byakuya nodded slowly, looking away. He felt himself sinking deeper into despair. The retainer said "You have the chance, sire, to secure the family, secure our security, and to preserve history. My first wife was not a love match, but matched we were. My second, again was for duty, and I am not lying when I say I am a better man for both of them."

Byakuya crossed his arms. "Neither were barbarians from the Far Side."

"Sire, please think of your duty" he pleaded.

"Is there…" clear that there was not any other option Byakuya finished"…there is no other option. I will…consider."

"Sire, the girl is apparently very popular and quite a catch to her peers. Her family's wealth is nothing like we have ever seen in Soul Society." He pulled a photograph of the girl from his sleeve and placed it between them. "They know you are a noble of lineage and character. And her father rather appreciates your military service and…"

Byakuya's eyes jumped up to the old man "What?" he was confused, but curious how his reputation had spread so far.

"The…eh…nature of your first marriage."

Byakuya blinked and sat up a bit straighter. Marriage had not been a high priority topic for them because while Hisana was well beloved by all who met her, she was, in the end, a stain on the Kuchiki honor and branded Byakuya as a less than desirable match for many of the other aristocratic and noble houses. He was branded as selfish for putting his own desires before his family, and stubborn for refusing to listen to his advisors, and reckless for ignoring tradition and his parent's wishes.

Byakuya did not disagree with this assessment, but he felt the love he had built with Hisana was well worth it. So, when a foreigner admired his recklessness, he felt questionable about them welcoming that behavior. But, again, his options were limited. He looked at the picture of the girl, a mere teen by the looks of it and said, "You have this photo, and a bio?"

"I do" replied the advisor.

"You have arranged everything already" confirmed Byakuya knowing, and dreading, that it was going to move very quickly once he gave his consent.

"Not everything, Byakuya-sama. We all await your agreement." Byakuya quietly considered, gazing at the photo which lay ajar just within his reach. "How much is the allowance?"

"The dowry is 35million Soul Dollars, and then the allowance will be S$10million thereafter, per month."

This took his breath away and he looked at his advisor with his mouth agape. "Soul Dollars?"

"Yes, sire. Based on precious metals, sire."

Byakuya's eyes involuntarily widened further. "What?" he asked, not aware that much money even existed in Soul Society. The family had been wealthy over time because of different reasons, but never had anyone in his line ever, dead or alive, who brought that kind of security. "That type of wealth would care for the Kuchiki line forever."

"Yes, sire. With a few conservative investments it could last many millennia. A Kuchiki fortune. A Kuchiki Byakuya fortune" he smiled.

"For a mere daughter?" asked Byakuya now suspicious. He looked at the photo again. There was no question of what the head of the Kuchiki clan had to do.

"Yes, sire. It is a mere pittance to them."

Byakuya's heart went cold. "Are there stipulations regarding the receipt of this fortune?"

"None of which should be difficult to accommodate. The money is to ensure her comfort and maintenance of her standard of living."

"And…" the next question was delicate but Byakuya had to know. "And any expectation of…" he looked up at the ceiling losing his patience with the situation, with his poor luck, with hard decisions. "…progeny? Are we expected to have children?"

"There was no specific mention of it in the paperwork, regarding children per say, but it does stipulate that if she does not…uhm…fulfill her wifely duties you can return her home. But the money goes with her."

"Mmn" he said understanding.

"But…sire…the marriage must be consummated. Or else, by their custom it is not a true marriage."

Byakuya dug his arms deeper into his sleeves, uncomfortable with the situation with a multitude of reasons. "Millions" said Byakuya "A barbarian." He shook his head. "I will have sold out to greed. I cannot stain my hon-"

"It is not greed to house your family and provide for everyone on your lands. To secure the safety of your realm. This is a traditional practice, even for our own people. Think of the implications of this on the Kuchiki army. What it might do for the level of poverty which plagues the countryside. All of these problems will go away, almost overnight when this girl arrives. It is not greed. It is in everyone's best interests."

The cleric nudged the picture. "Considering the situation sire, this isn't the worst you could do." He gestured to the photo and said, "It wouldn't be such a terrible task" and chuckled.

Byakuya reluctantly picked up the photo of the girl. She was fair skinned, but rosy cheeked. Her dark blonde hair was shining, but done in a ridiculous pile of curls, the style of which he had never seen. She sat holding a lacy parasol and was wearing a very strange ostentatious dress. He had seen dresses from the living world, but this dress was absurd in its enormous full skirt and layers of ruffle and lace. Her waist appeared impossibly small and was emphasized by a wide pink ribbon. He did allow his eyes to drift to her pert breasts and silently admired their fullness and shape. "What is she wearing? Hardly indicative of a sophisticated lady. This is not he silhouette of nobility."

"She can learn fashion. She'll learn" said the cleric with the shake of his head.

Byakuya dropped the photo and resigned himself to the task ahead. "Fine. If it solves all our problems I agree to the match."

Byakuya immediately got up and walked away, relieved of his burdens, large and small, but angry at the personal obligation he now had to take on. The shoji opened in front of him and the cleric called out to him "Don't you want to know her name, sire?"

Byakuya stopped and sighed. He turned to look at the cleric. The cleric's accent made it difficult to say her name. "Melody Sullivan."

Byakuya shook his head "Even her name doesn't fit here."

Melody Sullivan sat in her family's richly appointed horse drawn carriage riding to meet her new husband. The carriage was black wood with gold filigree accents. The doors had small paned windows through which the passengers could view the passing world. Melody was exhausted because the ride had taken so long but found energy from her curiosity. She was fascinated by the change in architecture and the look of all the people and fashion. She leaned back into the tufted maroon interior, gazing out the window at women and men wearing the local traditional clothing.

"Nenny?" she asked her long time nanny, by name.

"Yes, mein child?" responded her husky long-time caretaker, gently, half asleep.

"What were the clothes called again?" asked Melody in her lilting western accent. Her eyelids were low, but her eyes darted to every person they passed and took in the colors and fabrics they wore.

"I don't know. You're the one learning that language" said the nanny, closing her eyes fully. Her accent a regional and rustic give away of the small village she was raised in.

Melody squinted in thought "Ki-moe-noe!" she exclaimed and she hopped to another to issue which weighed on her mind. "I wish mother could've been here."

"She's coming little one. You know she vas feeling sick and needed to delay her departure. Your father and mother will be delayed, that's all" reassured the sleepy nanny.

"I'm nervous, Nenny" she whispered.

"What's that, child?" asked the nanny, opening her eyes.

"Oh! Nothing" she nodded. Then they entered the white stone of the Seireitei and she noted the cleanliness and the overwhelming number of black clad men and women she saw. The black kimono of the Shinigami appeared to be a bad omen to her. "Nenny, I think they're all the Shinigami. All that black is…a bit…dour, no? Not like our white clad Guardian Angels."

"Mmhm" she said with the same lilt and emphasis as Melody. Nenny nodded her very round, chubby pale face. Nenny shifted in her seat and said "You know the Shinigami are similar to our Guardian Angels in function, right? They are the souls with natural powers to protect and defend the rest of us. Though the hierarchy here is a bit different and they seem to have more trouble with invaders." She pushed her bright blonde curls back under her bonnet and unconsciously touched her ruddy cheeks.

Melody made eye contact with one fellow in the street with bright orange hair, brown eyes, and a large nasty sword wrapped up on his back. "Oh, he looks formidable" she mumbled. She sat back and nodded off on the last leg of the trip as she saw nothing but white stone. She woke to Nenny gently tapping her bare elbow "Child, we're here."

Melody smoothed out her curls, affixed her large woven sun hat and pinched her cheeks. She glanced out the window and saw her future husband standing among a line of other eastern people. She knew which one was Byakuya because she was told what his age was, but otherwise she assumed it was him because of how he held himself. "He is one severe lookin' young man, but handsome" said Melody to Nenny. "Hair like a raven, skin like buttahmilk. Very elegant. Lawd Nenny, he is fiercely handsome."

"Mmhm, sure is" said Nenny. She smiled, proud of the girl who had been like a daughter to her. "He's fierce alright. I hear he's a captain, which is like a general in our army. Powerful. Handsome. Well respected, a bit of a romantic. He's just right for my little buttercup"

To Byakuya's left was the elderly cleric wearing a long-sleeved cloak over a black haori and grey hakama. Byakuya wore the same but had a gold chain with dangling gold bars. To Byakuya's right was a petite woman with large violet eyes, a short black bob haircut, and a black kimono with subtle lavender flowers and white piping. To her right was an intimidating man standing at attention. He had a shock of fiery red hair pulled back in an unruly ponytail. Melody noted, from a distance, he had elaborately tattooed eyebrows that ran up under a bandana which was tied around his forehead.

She had heard the people of the east looked different but didn't know what rumor was and what was true. "Oh, Nenny, that's him, isn't it? Not the red haired fella? It is the black-haired man, right? The other one looks just savage."

"Yes, child" said Nenny as she straightened and fluffed the yellow and gold ruffles of Melody's skirt before she exited the carriage. The dress nearly filled the carriage.

Then the door opened abruptly. The footman held Melody's hand and she took a few cautious steps out of the carriage towards her new life.

Byakuya's family and advisors all stood in order shoulder to shoulder in greeting, all in formal clothing to mark the occasion. The group watched as the door of the ornate wooden horse drawn carriage opened and a wave of golden yellow and white ruffles poured out.

Byakuya glanced at the cleric with alarm at the enormous flashy style of her dress. The cleric smirked, but it was hidden behind his thick grey mustache. Byakuya's adopted sister Rukia and brother in law, Renji Abarai, both looked on incredulous at the pile of ornate fabric topped off with a wide brimmed straw hat that was approaching Byakuya. Rukia was overjoyed, Renji was a bit horrified. The large round hat blocked their view of the new girl's face.

A big boned, servant followed her out of the carriage in a highly starched grey cotton dress with a white apron. She was buxom and blonde. She was very matronly and immediately got to work fluffing and straightening the pile of ruffles. The girl wore a tight bodice with a sheer neck, but her arms were bare. In the courts of nobles in the Seireitei this was considered very vulgar. She wore matching sheer gloves which tied with tiny delicate ribbons at her wrists and matched larger versions of the same ribbon and lace which tumbled down over the wide rim of her sunhat.

Melody floated up to Byakuya and curtsied deeply, her ostentatious dress pooling around her. Rukia's eyes lit up with adoration at the sight due to her love of all things cute. It was foreign, but the charm and colors appealed greatly to her. Renji didn't quite know what to think of this strange foreign dress. The fabrics were unfamiliar and the amount necessary was astounding.

When the small fair girl reached the lowest point of her curtsy she spoke in her language, but it was an unfamiliar language known as the Civil Tongue and the words drawled out of her mouth sounding strange and unintelligible to the regal family. She whispered to herself "Umm…Heeereyegoe…" Then she attempted something in the tongue most commonly used in the Seireitei also known as the Sacred Tongue. "Haj-ee-may-mah-sheetah. Yo…um" she stumbled on her syllables "…yo roh shiku onay, gai, shimass!" Please with her efforts she then spoke in the Civil Tongue even though it was unintelligible to her new family "Immelody, lawdbyakuya."

Byakuya did not know how to react. He was so overcome with what her dress represented. Excess, vulgarity, and foreign blood about to come into his court. Her native language was so strange and unrhythmic to his ears. Byakuya looked down at her round face and admitted she was pleasant looking. He assumed he understood most of what she meant due to a lifetime of conditioning in etiquette and replied "Likewise" in his proud Sacred Tongue.

Her eyes darted around. "I'msawry" she said "Idoneunderstand—Uh, wah-kari-maah-sen."

He closed his eyes to retreat into his thoughts as he often did and ticked through his options. Before Byakuya could decide how to reply, a second carriage came racing up. He opened his eyes in time to see the door flung open and wiry white man with short brown hair, slicked back, and round spectacles in a brown three piece suit jumped out.

Byakuya assumed it was Melody's parents who were also supposed to be joining their daughter through the ceremony at the temple, however, no one outside of the slim man with spectacles in strange dress came out of the carriage. The vehicle itself appeared not to be as high status as Miss Melody's carriage as it was not gilded nor as fussy in design.

Renji threw an eye at Byakuya for a bit of direction and the captain signaled that all was well. As captain and vice-captain they had grown close and able to read each other well. Rukia watched her husband and brother exchange the look and relaxed.

The family and advisors silently stood by taking in this strange young lady and her odd companions and their foreign possessions. They all waited for Byakuya's direction, but he just watched, and waited. Something wasn't right. The man in brown was a bit harried. The experienced Shinigami captain could see the slender man was learned, but nervous. He was happy to see Melody-san but showed fear in his eyes. He carries bad news thought Byakuya. I will wait for him to give it to Melody. It must be that her parents are not coming or will be delayed further. He must be an advisor of some sort.

Melody stood up from her curtsey and watched her language tutor emerge from his carriage. She was not expecting the man but sighed with relief. She exclaimed "Oh Mistah Kennedy, it is about time! I neahly made a complete fool of m'self just now! I am so glad you are here. I need some guidance! I have a lot to learn about these people! You, sir, should be very helpful in this pursuit!"

Melody only teased the eccentric man, but she was glad to see him. Mr. Kennedy was dressed in a complicated three-piece suit which he tried to straighten after his hasty entrance. "Apologies, Miss Sullivan. We got caught up in some difficulty" he explained to her.

"I noticed. Back outside the gate. You were at the message station? I didn't think you were coming this far! I thought you were turning off at Soul's End to head home to your extended family for the summer."

"Yes, Miss Melody. I, well…" he looked over at the group and said, "Oh dear." He looked back at Melody and first explained "You need to cover your arms. It's like showing your cleavage here" he whispered.

Her eyes went wide and quickly swept the arms of everyone present and immediately brought her shawl down to cover her arms. She blushed deeply. "I haven't been here five minutes and I've already offended everyone!"

Mr. Kennedy tried to change the subject as Nenny tied Miss Melody's shawl around her shoulders, covering the length of her arms. He said "Why don't we try introductions?"

Melody looked down at her gloved hands and said "I tried…" Nenny gave a last tug and tuck to the ribbon accented crocheted shawl.

Meldoy's posture told him she did not do great. "It's alright Miss Melody" he said encouraging her as usual "it is a different language than you're used to and to think you've never even heard a native until today!"

She looked up through her brow in a way that made her round eyes appear even larger. "I think my accent needs some work. I said the thing, and the magic word thing you mentioned, but…" she pursed her lips and nodded no. She glanced towards Byakuya and his stern face was all that her tutor needed to see. "I think I'm just embarassin' myself."

Mr. Kennedy approached with a smile and to Byakuya's surprise bowed and spoke the Sacred Tongue fluently. "It is a pleasure to meet you Kuchiki-sama. This is Melody Sullivan" he gestured to the girl in ruffles who half curtsied. "I am Melody's language tutor. I have not had enough time to prepare her thoroughly, but she is a quick study and I feel she will learn and adjust quickly. She has studied a good bit to learn about your language and other customs, but she has not had any exposure directly to a native speaker. Also," he shrugged with a crooked smile "old habits are hard to break."

The cleric nodded and smiled trying to encourage all the good things about Melody outside of her immense wealth.

Byakuya nodded, feigning interest. "You have a good command of the Sacred Tongue."

"Yes, thank you" He looked over to Miss Melody who was straightening her skirt. "I have been her tutor for her entire life. She knows several other languages and dialects should you have need of them in your diplomatic dealings. I have instructed her thoroughly in history, arts, music, and a variety of sciences and mathematics. As the daughter of such a successful businessman it was to everyone's best interest for her to have a strong grasp of finance and economics."

Byakuya's eyes flicked over to Melody and he eyed her from top to bottom and back up again. "She should do well to run my household then. It can be a bit of a complicated task."

The cleric next to Byakuya nodded with a smile and said "I noticed that in her bio and I concur with Byakuya-sama. She has a great deal of skills and talents to share with our household."

Mr. Kennedy looked at the cleric and realized "Hello, you must be Fujiwara-dono!"

The cleric nodded, and the two gentlemen bowed. "It is quite an honor to meet you in person, sir" said Mr. Kennedy and the cleric, to Mr. Kennedy's surprised outstretched a hand for a shake. The men smiled, very glad they could have a small cultural exchange. They had been the two to correspond to arrange the marriage and they were finally meeting in person.

Melody watched the gentlemen converse and was impressed yet again at Mr. Kennedy's mastery of language. It was always the subject he was most excited about teaching. I'm glad he's had the chance to use it. I have a long way to go in my own learning.

The young lady glanced over to her carriage and noticed a lack of baggage on the roof. I thought I had packed my dresses and underthings along with my other possessions. Where are they? Did they bring them inside already? She looked over to Mr. Kennedy's carriage and noted his luggage was still on top. Melody felt something was amiss. Her parents were not to arrive for another day, but she should have her dresses. Why are they not here? She began to feel very uncomfortable and very nervous.

Her eyes began to dart around, from the stern looking man she was to marry, to the friendly looking others who were there, back to Nenny, down at her dress, up to the carriage and back to Nenny. As the men continued their conversation Melody asked "Nenny?" asked Melody "Where are all my dresses?" she looked at Kennedy and back at Nenny.

Nenny gently explained "I'm sorry child. I thought it best to wait until we were here to tell you."

Melody did her best to compose herself and smiled, but her strained voice belied her clam demeanor "And what, pray tell, do you need to tell me?"

"Mr. Kennedy said, dresses, Miss Sullivan, won't be so practical. You will be expected to wear dose kimono things as the lady of the home. You will be a Kuchiki, not a Sullivan."

Meldoy's face fell. Her eyes went wide. She glanced over at Rukia wearing the black kimono with the purple and cream flowers. Melody's face drained of color. Enough so Nenny touched her elbow "Miss Melly, Are you alright, mein child?"

Melody swallowed and nodded. "Of course." I am basically going to be wearing robes for the rest of my life? This can't be. This cannot be at all! This won't due! She looked at Nenny and said "There must be some kind of compromise, no? I can't wear that" she chuckled. "I mean, it just isn't decent for a lady to not wear proper dresses."

Nenny shook her head and said "Child, that's what's proper here. You're going to have to get used to it. What their ladies wear is different from what our ladies wear."

Rukia noted Melody looked very upset but swallowed whatever troubles she had and continued talking to her servants. This girl looks very upset. I wonder what all the commotion is about. I would love to approach to welcome her, but Nii-sama should really be the first to do so. I have been part of the family for many years now, but I still don't know all the etiquette. I need to wait and take his lead. She eyed the layers and layers of Melody's dress and she couldn't help but feel a wide grin spread across her face. "Renji," she said "That dress is AMAZING!" her eyes went wide with adoration and she clasped her hands in front of her chest.

"Too much…" he grumbled. "Just…what is all that?"

"Oh, but it's just wonderful!" said Rukia, ignoring her family's rejection of foreign dress.

Melody overhead the family chatting and noted Rukia's positive expression. Melody wanted to say hello, and find out who all of them were, but she had a priority to sort out. She cleared her throat and approached Mr. Kennedy and her fiancé. The sound of the dress approaching caught the gentlemen's attention. They ceased their conversation, and all looked at Melody as she approached. She tried her Sacred Tongue again in an attempt to be polite "Sue-mee-mah-sen, ev'rybody" she nodded. She looked at Mr. Kennedy with a sweet smile. "Mistah Kennedy, did you see my parents on the way?"

"Oh, about that" he said "Actually that's why I'm here…" He looked back to Melody's hosts and excused himself.

He walked a few paces away with her on his arm, as gentlemen from far off were expected to do.

Byakuya's brow furrowed at this man touching his fiancé. He snapped at his advisor "Look how free she is with her body. Showing off her arms, allowing whatever man is around to hold her close to him."

Cleric Fujiwara chuckled. "It is perfectly polite custom where she is" he explained. "Look at that contraption she is wearing. Nothing is going to just slip off. It's perfectly alright. He has known her for her entire life. They are not unfamiliar."

Byakuya relaxed and said "It is shameful. I hope you are right" and he took a deep breath. "I am concerned about the dress though. Her mother is to arrive tomorrow."

"What is the concern, Byakuya-sama?" asked Fujiwara.

"My estate is large, but is it large enough for twice as many ruffles?"

Fujiwara laughed.

After a polite distance was between them and their hosts, Mr. Kennedy handed a letter to Melody and then walked back over to the Kuchiki's who explained the contents of the letter. "Kuchiki-sama, my sincerest apologies for the commotion. It appears that her parents will not be able to visit. At first we thought Mr. Sullivan was only a little ill, but it has come to light she is with child so she cannot make that journey safely. In addition, Mr. Sullivan is facing an illness of his own."

Melody gasped as she came to the end of the letter. "Mama, Daddy…" she said breathlessly. Everyone's eyes went to her. She felt the attention on her and took a deep breath. As Mr. Kennedy explained the contents Melody had brought her hand to her mouth then dropped it into the folds of her dress. It was not obvious to her observers that she clenched her ruffles.

"Miss Melly?" prodded Nenny.

Melody replied in a controlled but disappointed voice. "It seems mother is in no condition to travel and father's gout is acting up. Neither are coming."

"Oh dear, oh child , and your sisters?" said Nenny, surprised and saddened for her little buttercup.

Mr. Kennedy approached and put a hand on Melody's shoulder "They won't be coming for the ceremony either. Young unmarried ladies traveling this far on their own simply wouldn't be proper." Melody hadn't lifted her chin since she read the letter. Mr. Kennedy put both hands on her shoulders and turned the girl towards him "You can do this, Melody. Learn from your surroundings, remember the things your mother taught you, and observe."

Byakuya bristled at Mr. Kennedy's hands on his future wife. He unconsciously rested a hand on the hilt of his infamous sword Senbonzakura. The subtle clank caught Mr. Kennedy's attention.

The tutor dropped his hands in response. Melody missed the quiet interaction and nodded then he said "Nenny and I will be leaving now."

Melody was coming to her limit with the amount of shock she could handle for the day. Her hands and bottom lip trembled but her eyes did not allow tears to fall. "But who will be my chaperone? Who will give me away?"

Nenny's heart broke seeing little Melody near tears. She had been employed by the Sullivan's a long time and practically raised the girl herself. This was a bitter good bye for her. "Be brave Miss Melly. Be brave, buttercup" she cooed.

Mr. Kennedy said "Technically you're already married. The contracts are all signed. The ceremony is just a cultural experience."

"Don't I get a say? Don't I need to…What about the church, my…But, what about a priest?" asked Melody. Her voice was failing her as she realized she was sold off to the stranger into a foreign land and was going to be separated from her family for a very very long time. "My dress. My white dress…" she gasped. It wasn't really the dress she was talking about. She had imagined her wedding day to be a big affair as her family was very important. She was now marrying nobility, so she assumed the entire county would want to attend. She saw herself in a large white ballroom gown, with fresh flowers in her hair and surrounded by family and (envious) friends. Without her sisters and her parents, she was at a loss. While wealthy and privileged she had not always been so. During their more humble days the Sullivans taught their children to value her family above all else except her Spirit King. She didn't know what to expect if she did not have her family around her.

Byakuya sighed with thinly veiled irritation and the cleric chided him "Have patience, Byakuya-sama. She is saying her goodbyes. She is missing out on saying farewell to her parents. Give her a moment."

The young lord begrudgingly nodded his understanding.

Mr. Kennedy explained "That's not how they worship here, Miss Melody." He smiled trying to raise some optimism. "You'll have your finery. Trust me. Byakuya-sama is the wealthiest man in all of the Seireitei. You will have the finest kimono possible."

"Thank you, Mr. Kennedy, I did not mean to appear ungrateful for the match" she said with well-practiced grace. "I only lament my parents, and all my sisters and brother will not be able…" she found her sadness caught in her throat. "They will not be around to share the joy with me."

Mr. Kennedy could find no words to comfort her. "You have a new family now, Miss Melly. Good luck. Please understand you are being left with very very good people."

How do you know? she thought, knowing no one knew the Kuchikis. None of the negotiations had been done in person. The negotiations were all written and posted through the mail. Melody nodded and as she did so heard Byakuya sigh. She looked at him and noted that while he was dashing and handsome, and apparently very high class, he was cold.

She was still gazing at her fiancé as Nenny and Mr. Kennedy crawled back into their respective carriages.

The footman handed Melody a satchel she had carried inside the carriage, and a small box with a lock, then whispered his well wishes to her.

Nenny was weeping and could barely wave to Melly as they rode off. Melody Sullivan watched the last of her old life rush off down the white stone street. She felt a small hand on her arm "Nice to meet you, I'm Rukia."

Melody looked at Rukia and despite her pain she smiled. "Nice to meet you, Rukia. I'm Melody. Please bestow your honor on me." She curtsied deeply to Rukia. It was the only thing she knew how to say and could understand with a modicum of confidence.