A/n: This takes place six years after the previous chapter.
It will take turn towards the main pairing after I take care of the Hisana business. That will probably be after this chapter or maybe next to next. I don't want to make the story look too rushed.
Chapter Two : The Day When
It is a dull afternoon. Grey clouds hang low and hide the sun from shining out and thunder roars ominously, as if foreboding the coming of a bad omen. A demure party, dressed appropriately in black for the occasion, assembles in front the gravestone of the late Lady of the Kuchiki household.
"Hisana…" the name slips off his tongue in a low whisper; it is as easy as breathing. The sad emotions related to it flood him inadvertently.
He stands there, in front of the last remembrance of his beloved, surrounded by members - prying, judgmental, busybodies - of the Family. They never cared for her well-being when she was alive, and openly caused her mental and emotional abuse.
He holds back a sudden feeling that descends upon him, angry and mournful at the same time, and turns it into a detached expression. A mask that prevents his real self from leaking out, a mask that prevents the world from reading him.
Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Byakuya manages to look straight, and face the priest chanting a Shinto verse. He does not know at what point in the ceremony they are, just that it is going to get over soon. He is right. Hushed voices and sounds of traditional wood sandals are heard as people move about.
The former head, Kuchiki Ginrei, is meeting the guests and accepting their condolences, nodding slowly. Excusing himself to the side, he approaches Byakuya slowly and addresses him in a grave voice, "Byakuya."
Said person knows that this was not a statement or a simple calling of the name. It was a question, Are you satisfied?
Not one to lose at his grandfather's mind games, Byakuya acknowledges him back, "Jii-sama." He has neither the answer nor the patience for that sort of a query. Giving a respectful, he takes his leave.
"I hope that you remember," Ginrei's voice interrupted, "that no more disobedience will be tolerated."
Byakuya grits his teeth, but does not let his irritation show "I remember well."
He moves outside the sacred burial grounds, walks to his car, where the chauffeur has opened the door and steps into it gracefully. "To the office." He instructs.
Using work as an excuse to work frustration off is a bad habit already.
End of two
To be continued
A/n: Review if you must. I'll explain more about the timeline and such next chapter.
Thank you isaraaries and PetalMedic for the reviews! You guys made my day.