Skeleneko's Note: This isn't my story. I have permission from Twilight Countess/Lady Hellfire (Amy) to repost this. If you like this story be sure to look out for her book "Eris"! Some stories are too good to go to waste and be deleted!
('nother note: The Author's notes are the original ones by Twilight Countess)
Senbonzakura
Chapter One: Roof Tops
Hisana's P.O.V.
Hisana stood completely still on top of one of the many roofs of Inuzuri. The midnight breeze billowed through her messy black hair and long red skirt. She also wore a loose white blouse and an orange sash around her waist. She had her gaze held upward towards the full moon. The great ball of light seemed to be mocking her.
"Three years," it said. "Three years since you abandoned her…"
Hisana then ran the length of the roof top and jumped onto the next one.
Every since the beginning of last year, Hisana had taken to the roofs for refuge. She found it the surest way to avoid the thugs and thieves down below, but it was also much easier to search for Rukia from higher up. Not that she had been any more successful in her quest, but the security of solitude was much more comforting than having to mingle with the dangerous people in the street.
Suddenly, Hisana felt a very powerful spirit force. She increased her pace, jumping onto the next roof, trying desperately to put as much distance between her and the unknown reiatsu.
When Hisana learned that hunger meant you had certain abilities, she had toyed with the idea of leaving Inuzuri to become a Shinigami. Hisana knew that the life of a Death God would be far superior to her life now. But to her, entering the Seireitei seemed to be an unofficial line between finding Rukia, and losing her forever. That was a line Hisana would not risk crossing.
Then Hisana felt the spirit force pulse again and she jumped off the roofs when she reached the edge of the town. She landed on the ground and ran onto the pathway that led into the woods, only slowing her pace when she felt the spirit force fade away. Hisana walked calmly down the winding path until she came to a stop at a bridge. She placed her hands on the railing and looked into the water.
"Always moving, always flowing, and always changing like life itself…" she thought. "Where does it go when it reaches death? Does it just stop or make a new stream for the water to flow in?"
"Don't do it," said a deep voice.
Hisana blinked, and turned her head to see a man in Shinigami robes standing at the edge of the bridge. Her eyes widened. She could tell that he was of the elite class by the kenseikan ornaments in his hair.
"Don't do what?" she asked, genuinely confused.
"Don't jump into the river," the man said as if it was obvious. "I do not wish to have to drag you out."
Hisana saw his face more clearly and it felt as though she was looking through a mask; a mask of icy indifference. It sent a shiver down her spine.
Byakuya's P.O.V.
Byakuya saw her mouth open in indignation. She then closed it abruptly, and narrowed her eyes.
"Excuse me, but I don't remember sharing my thoughts with you!" she said heatedly. "I was just wondering whether if a soul dies, does it go to heaven after this world or is reborn on Earth again."
She brushed a stray piece of hair from her face and tucked it behind her.
"That doesn't mean I'm going to kill myself," she continued. "Do not presume that just because I am not as rich or powerful as you does it mean I am undeserving of life."
After her little speech the only thing that had changed in Byakuya's cold façade was that one of his eyebrows was higher than the other.
"That's a bit hypocritical," he said. "To accuse me of believing you are unworthy of life after you have given me a lecture on not to assume too much."
Hisana smiled and laughed. It was a lovely sound, like the ringing of bells. Byakuya found himself saddened when it stopped.
"Well, that makes us even then, doesn't it?" she said, still smiling. Byakuya couldn't restrain himself from walking over to her. She hoisted herself up so she sat on the railing with her head level with his.
"Why were you following me, anyway?" she asked. "You had me worried. I was afraid it might've been on of those thugs from the Eleventh squad looking for a fight."
Hisana's P.O.V.
Hisana swore she saw the faintest of a blush in his cheeks through the moonlight. He said nothing for a long time until…
"You felt my presence?" he finally asked. Hisana chuckled slightly.
"I doubt there was a soul who could not feel it."
He stiffened at this, thinking she was laughing at him. Hisana saw this and her giggling subsided.
"Oh, come on," she said. "It just shows you're very strong. Don't take it as an insult."
Hisana saw him relaxed.
"So, what's your name?" she asked. Hisana saw the suspicion in his eyes. She could tell he was
debating whether he should answer or not.
"My name is Byakuya."
"Byakuya…" Hisana said slowly. "That's a nice name, though I am quite fond of Kenseikan Boy." She smiled and pointed at his hair.
She then saw that the sun was rising. Beams of yellow light were starting to sprinkle all over the forest floor.
"Oh!" She practically leaped off the rail. "I have to go!"
Hisana didn't know what made he say it, but she felt like she was breaking some rule of conversing with someone from a higher class for so long. She started to walked briskly away from him.
"Wait," he said, grabbing her hand. Hisana froze.
"What is your name?" he asked quietly. Hisana turned to look at him before stuttering,
"H-Hisana, sir…"
"Goodbye, Hisana," he said, and then he pressed his lips to her knuckles and vanished.
Author's Note: Hello, everyone! If you notice a few differences in the story, I decided that since I'm not getting any inspiration for my other stories, I would use the time to try and edit my typos in Senbonzakura. There are so many errors that it's disgraceful! I can't believe you reviewed this crap!