CHAPTER 2
Melody approached her husband, curtsied again and looked around and shrugged. She smiled at Byakuya who only turned around and headed back inside. She looked at everyone else who just looked at her. She braved eye contact with the red headed man who gave her a friendly smirk and gestured with the lift of his eyebrows towards a rapidly departing Byakuya to imply she should follow.

She picked up his meaning and skittered after her fiancé in her large dress. She tried to scuttle up next to him to try and charm him, but he was moving faster and did not appear to want company. She peeped "Byakuya-sama?"

He stopped and half looked at her over his shoulder. "Melody-san?"

"Please wait" she managed.

She walked to him smiled flirtatiously as she had been taught but was not met with the charmed smile like she used to receive from the boys of her home county. To his utter astonishment she scooped her arm around his and faced the house, expecting him to walk with her on his arm.

He looked at her wide eyed and incredulous. He looked down at how the yellow ruffles pressed into his space and up against his leg. He looked at her and she saw his face red with pent up anger. She released his arm and stepped back. He stalked off towards the house leaving Melody unsure of what she had done to offend him.

The shocked look on her face drew Rukia to her side. Melody closed her mouth and tried to smile. She was uncertain of what she had done to offend him and was too ashamed to look at Rukia. The others walked on, all eyeing Melody up and down confused about why she would throw herself at Byakuya as she did.

Rukia had keenly observed her with Mr. Kennedy and could see she meant no offense. She had a soft spot in her heart for the girl who had a great deal to learn about her new home and new etiquette. Rukia spoke to her knowing the girl would not understand but hoped to transmit her sympathy. "I love your dress. It's amazing" she smiled.

Melody did not understand but saw Rukia's smile which allowed her to relax and understand her intention. "Don't feel bad. You still need to learn. I'll try to help when I can" said Rukia.

Melody did not understand her words but nodded because she understood her intention. The two girls smiled and walked arm and arm into the house.

***
Rukia dropped Melody off with a group of servants who gestured for her to enter a bare room. She had read about tatami and about the custom of taking off shoes before entering the home. She walked in her silk stockings across the tatami and into the center of the empty room. She didn't know what she was supposed to do there but nodded to the three ladies who were lined up against the wall. All three bowed deeply, then stood. Melody bowed and greeted the ladies in return.

She said to herself "Well, I guess this is my room. Let's see what we have here." She walked over to the opposite end and opened one of the shoji doors. It opened up onto a beautiful garden. She gasped at its beauty and brought her hand to her heart.

The eldest of the three women approached and knelt down on her knees, opened the door fully then stepped outside and put a pair of zori. The old woman gestured to the shoes as Melody's proper heeled shoes had been left at the front entrance.

Melody stepped into the shoes finding they were comfortable and fit well. She nodded and said "Thank you, very much" to the old woman, and offered her hand to her to help her up.

The woman did not take her help and was able to stand just fine on her own. They smiled to each other and Melody walked out into the garden, her feet disappearing under her hoop dress. She stepped down onto the grass and made her way across to the narrow path that wound into finely manicured flowering trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds. She realized she did not have her parasol and thought Oh dear, I wonder if I could get one of those paper ones I saw in the drawings. I wonder if that's okay for the wife of a lord…

Melody smiled to herself. A lord! Me! Little Melody Sullivan! A true noble lady! She came to a small bridge over a picturesque pond full of koi. She recognized them from a book given to her by Mr. Kennedy's called "Culture of the Seireitei".

She gazed at the greedy fish and she thought They just look like overgrown gold fish. Like my littlest sister Birdy. She had a string of those tiny googly eyed orange fish. At the thought of her youngest sibling the damn of tears she had been holding in poured forth. She dabbed her eyes with a hanky she kept in a secret pocket in her large skirt. She took a few deep breaths and said out loud "Birdy did always say I should marry a prince. I think this is pretty close."

Melody pulled herself together and while she wanted to explore further down the path in what appeared her own personal garden she decided to retrace her steps and head back to her room. She wanted to meet her ladies, officially.

She returned and they all mimed to each other for the most part. Melody knew how to introduce herself and did so individually. The eldest woman who helped her with her zori was named Haira. She was white haired, slim, and wrinkled, but had a very pleasant gentle smile.

In Melody's mind she had already labeled the two younger women, who were in fact middle aged, Maid 1 and Maid 2. They were obviously sisters, if not twins, were also slim, with pleasant oval faces, crooked teeth and shiny black hair tied back in low buns. Maid 1 was Tina, Maid 2 was Mina.

Tina turned to her right and Mina turned to her left and both returned front with large lacquer boxes. They opened them up and revealed to Melody her very first kimono and obi.

Melody pointed to the boxes and then to herself "Mine?" she managed in the Sacred Tongue.

All three women nodded and smiled enthusiastically.

I guess I have to get used to this new way of life. Melody eyed how neatly her ladies were put together. Not a hair nor thread out of place. Melody nodded and lifted her arms as they did their best to figure out how to get her out of her dress. Melody pointed to the back and pulled on the bow of the big pink ribbon. It fell away and they saw that the skirt and the bodice were separate. All three ladies exchanged surprised looks as they pulled away each layer.

First was the actual skirt and bodice. Under that were two petticoats since it was only spring. Then after the second petticoat was removed it revealed the large bone hoop skirt. The three ladies were shocked, but fascinated, by the elaborate construction of her clothing. After they untied the cage of her hoop skirt they removed a camisole and observed the corset and her abnormally tiny waist underneath. They began to gingerly untie and unhook the corset and were horrified that the Lady Kuchiki would endure such a contraption every day of her life.

Melody grumbled in the Civil Tongue "My waist is just as tiny as that Miss O'Hara. We measured at the last barbeque just before nap time. Both of us 18" on the dot." None of the ladies listened to her as they were all examining the construction of the corset.

Melly was down to her chemise and knee length pantalets. She felt naked and her eyes darted around looking at the unlocked entrances. Haira saw her anxiety and had Tina and Mina immediately draped on Melody's under kimono while Haira expertly slipped away the last layer of Melly's most personal garments. Tina and Mina then wrapped her into two more layers of kimono. Melly accepted the feel of the new clothing, and her new life. She had a bit of padding secured with a silk scarf of some kind, and then her elaborate obi was secured with a beautiful cord with tassels and charms on the end.

A little while later Melody looked at herself in the mirror wearing the pink kimono. It was a soft silk with hand painted sakura splashed across the deep sleeves and hem. Her obi was a fresh bright green and her obiage and obijimae were a deep golden yellow. She half turned and looked at the odd socks which split her toes into two separate compartments. Her three ladies directed her to a tall standing mirror.

"Mr. Kennedy said I wouldn't wear shoes inside..." she mumbled to herself. She knew it was the native dress and by the feel of the fabric knew it was all fine clothing, but Melly felt very vulnerable and naked without the multitude of undergarments and the layers of fabric to which she was accustomed. She turned around and faced the three ladies who helped her dress.

Melody curtsied and noted the flap of fabric along her leg opened up and only then recalled "Oh right" she said and she mumbled to herself. "You all baow here." For some reason she could hear her own drawl with new ears. "Bowin' is gonna take me some time."

The ladies all exchanged looks.

Melody didn't want to waste time trying to mime out what she needed. She just bowed as she remembered seeing Mr. Kennedy do.

The two younger women laughed, and the elderly woman sprung to her feet and rushed over to and spoke rapidly at Melody. The old woman waved her hand around making the young girl flinch. She stood next to Melody and demonstrated the proper bow for a lady. Melody took note that her hands were in a different place than Mr. Kennedy had done and bowed again. The two younger ladies bowed low to the ground in response saying words Melody had yet to understand.

"The lack of proper underwear makes this a bit of a risky undertakin'." She noted her servants did not have ample breasts as she did and feeling them loose under her clothing was a source of insecurity. She crossed her arms across her chest.

Her embarrassment was apparent to the insightful women. They were at a loss, but the old woman nodded knowingly. She pointed to her temple, scratched her chin and let out a long "hmmmm".

Melody was touched that these women were taking her concerns and welfare into such deep concern. She was a stranger in their home and not part of the family yet. They didn't speak the same language, but they were doing everything they could to make her as comfortable as possible. She watched the three older women and thought about all her younger siblings at home and wondered what they were up to and what they might be fussing about.

The elder woman held up a finger in a eureka moment scuttled pout of the room. The two others walked over to her and began to undress her again "Well, what now?" she asked in a lilting whisper.

The eldest woman returned holding what looked like gauze bandages. "Oh, I see" said Melody, a bit disappointed. "Well" she smiled 'Beggahs can't be choosahs' as mama used to say."

Melody was promptly undressed and got over her modesty with these women. As the women wrapped her she saw the distinctive silhouettes of men carrying their swords right outside her room. She was startled that the doors were so thin and shrieked and ineffectively covered herself up.

The men outside stopped, startled at the sound and yelled out to the women inside. They put their hands on the hilts of their swords and the clank terrified little Melody and she shrieked again. The men's voices were very serious and as the two younger women tried to calm Melody the elder woman walked over and slid the door a crack open and calmly talked down the three men outside.

While Haira chatted with the passersby Melody wriggled into her kimono hastily with the rushed assistance of the two younger women. Haira closed the door and said "Ii desu, ii desu, Melody-san."

"I'm not sure what that means, but I'll take it they were not here to kill or ravage me" said Melody.

*******************************************
Byakuya walked with Renji in silence towards the dining room. Byakuya had invited him to have tea before lunch as they were now brothers. Their relationship had not changed all that much since Renji married Rukia. Byakuya was still the authority figure, but now included Renji in personal rituals. His vice-captain was a good man, and while the Kuchiki clan did not approve of such low born blood, they could not criticize Renji's record. He was an upstanding citizen, who lived all 7 virtues of the vaunted Shinigami class: Justice, bravery, benevolence, veracity, politeness, honor, and loyalty. He struggled with politeness sometimes, but was learning rapidly and there was no doubt his intent was there.

Since Renji had married Rukia, Renji had come to a deeper understanding about his captain. That was in part due to Ichigo Kurosaki's influence, but it would never have happened if not for that orange haired kid from the living world. Renji smirked thinking to himself how well everything had worked out and how he had not seen Ichigo in some time. I'll see if there's room on the next mission in the real world for us to go. Wow, can't believe it's been that long.

Renji and Byakuya continued down the endless engawa that wrapped around the enormous estate. Renji realized they were going a different route past private rooms. He was part of the family and free to do so, but he realized they were passing Melody's rooms. "Eh…Taicho…should we be, I mean, should I be here…?"

"Where else would you be?" he responded cryptically. Renji had decided perhaps it would be best if he walked two paces behind when he heard a screech come from the room they were passing. His hand instinctively gripped Zabimaru and Byakuya turned towards the door clinching Senbonzakura with a practiced hand.

Haira opened the outside door and said to the gentlemen "I'm not certain what she is screaming over Byakuya-sama, but I can assure you that she is perfectly safe and sound."

She eyed Renji Abarai critically, but understood that even though he sported wild, long, unruly hair, intimidating tribal facial and body tattoos, and no honorable family name, he was Byakuya-sama's Vice Captain and brother-in-law.

Byakuya sighed and said "I trust you, Haira-san, more than any other woman in this house. Please make sure Med...Mer..." He grimaced angrily still struggling with the strange foreign consonants. He exhaled and said "Please make sure my wife makes it to the wedding without incident. As you know it is scheduled for tomorrow. I pray it goes smoothly."

"Of course, Byakuya-sama!" bowed Haira.

The two men relaxed and went on their way. Byakuya was clearly irritated and Renji searched for something nice to say about his fiancé but came up dry. "Eeeh…Taicho…Her…dress was quite…Eh, Rukia really liked it."

Byakuya's eyes darted to Renji, and away to the gardens. "Don't" he said.

Renji exhaled in defeat then muttered "At least she's go strong lungs."

Byakuya chuckled.

While Renji and Byakuya sat in silence looking out on the gardens, listening to the birds with a cup of tea in their hands, Rukia arrived. She saw her brother and husband sitting, not at the table, but out on the engawa taking in nature. Her heart sighed observing Renji learning to take in the beauty around him. Despite years of living on the manor Renji still had some adjusting to do. Rukia understood because she too had gone through the transition of living in the ghetto, to the clean disciplined area of the Seireitei, then to the manicured luxury of the Kuchiki estate.

It was a dream come true, but Rukia and Renji shared an unspoken survivors guilt. She was further along in her adjusting and acceptance of her good fortune and saw Renji coming along nicely.

She thought she would leave to two men in peace and find Melody and arrive with her.

Rukia walked through the halls, nodding to familiar faces and enjoying the realization that she was well practiced in life as a Kuchiki. I hope I can help Melody-san adjust smoother than I did.

Rukia came to Melody's door and was about to call out to enter when the door slid open. Melody was stunning. Her new look took Rukia's breath away.

Melody wore her kimono and obi, and her hair had been pulled up and back into a traditional nihongami hair style with wide sides and a large voluminous bun in the back. The combs she wore were appropriate for the next Lady Kuchiki and all the details were in order.

"oh!" said Melody. "Hello, Rukia-san" she managed in Sacred Tongue.

"Hello Melody-san, you look beautiful!" Rukia said, sincerely.

"Thank you, very much!" responded Melody, with better pronunciation than she had since the morning. Rukia gestured for Melody to walk with her and shot an approving wink over her shoulder to the three ladies who prepared Melody.

Melody turned around and said, "Thank you very much, everyone!" then gave her ladies an exuberant thumb up. Among the ladies it was appropriate, but they all secretly hoped Melody would keep calm through the lunch and save the energy for a more appropriate time.

Rukia and Melody arrived for lunch and the gentlemen were already there seated at a square table. To Melly's eyes it appeared they were having a very important conversation which the ladies interrupted. She flashed back to walking in on a meeting her father was having with Mr. Kennedy one afternoon not too long ago. Both men were surprised, and she had the distinct feeling she was not welcome, but her father welcomed her and made a fuss about her arrival like he always did. "Come in my favorite eldest daughter!" he had laughed. Mr. Kennedy had looked a smidge guilty but plastered on a smile for everyone's sake.

Little did I know that conversation would lead to this day. To this moment. She looked at her new family and entered and lowered herself to the table with a respectable amount of grace. "Good evening" she said with her new well practiced pronunciation. Melody looked down at her lap, afraid of meeting her fiancé's gaze.

He said something she couldn't quite make out but heard the word for "beautiful". Melody looked up and shot a hesitant look to Rukia, for some kind of subtle direction. Rukia spoke to her brother taking off some pressure from Melody to respond. She stole a few glances at the red-haired man and wondered if he was some kind of body guard for Byakuya-sama. Body guards don't usually wear such fine clothing, nor sit at the table with their employers. To prevent fidgeting Meoldy clasped her hands on her lap.

Renji caught Melly looking at him and she quickly looked away. He leaned in a bit and in a gruff, but soft voice he said something to her. Rukia quickly spoke up to the man and Melly caught "Renji, she doesn't understand."

"Renji?" Melly asked Rukia.

Everyone realized she had not been formally introduced and Rukia extended a hand to gesture to her husband and said "Renji, Abarai. My husband."

Melly's face lit up she said "I understand." She looked at Renji and in her somewhat broken Japanese said "You're my brother. New brother."

She had such a broad smile, so proud of her limited language skills, Renji didn't want to split hairs and get into the correct words to use for in-laws so he just half smiled and nodded his head in agreement.

Byakuya sighed in irritation and rapidly spoke to Rukia and Renji. Rukia nodded, and gingerly answered her brother.

Melly thought to herself. Don't worry Byakyya-sama, we all know who is in charge. Does he need the attention on himself? Why is he so impatient? What is he so upset about?

The food was then served, and everyone's tea was freshened.

Byakuya, Rukia, and Renji all said "Itadakimasu" and began to eat.

Melly exhaled, surprised at their lack of what she considered good manners and clasped her hands, then said a quiet prayer. "Thank you Oh Lord for the bounty with which you have blessed us. Amen."

The other three paused, curious as to what she had just said, then went back to eating. Melly had practiced using chopsticks with Mr. Kennedy and had picked up quickly. She made it through most of the meal with no problems. She did have trouble eating as much rice as she wanted and tried to watch the others and how they were able to get as much on their sticks as she wished she could.

Byakuya noticed her subtle glances and ordered one of the servants to come over. They presented her with a western style flatware set. She would have been grateful except it was made for a child. They were finely made solid silver with elaborate filigree up and down the handles. There was a tiny fork, a tiny spoon, and a small dull knife. She looked at the set, presented in a fine box lined in red velvet. She finished chewing, and gently put down her chopsticks on the tortoise shell rest provided her. "Thank you" she said politely to the servant and he rest the box on the table.

Melody had enough of feeling self-conscious and being made to feel ashamed already. She was trying her best to fit in and her fiancé continued to pour on the insult and impatience. She was a lady, but a lady who would have no more of his superior attitude.

In very controlled anger seethed in her voice making her words calm, precise and sharp like a dagger. It was at a near whisper, but she was heard. "I am not a child" she managed in the Sacred Tongue. Her face became hard and she spoke in the Civil Tongue so no one knew what she was saying exactly, but they knew she wasn't happy. "You lily livered, foreign-weirdo man. You think I'm a child? You're tryin' to demean me in front of everyone? Hm? Well it simply. Won't. Work. Tomorrow I become your wife and you had better get your act togetha because otherwise you will find out real quick why they call us steel magnolias. We heat up red hot when angry and we will burn you through and through mistah!" Melody was flustered, her cheaks were red and she couldn't control the feelings she was having. She stood, smoothly as she had been taught said "Excuse me" and left.

Rukia, Byakuya, and Renji exchanged looks of surprise. Byakuya shook his head and said "This does not bode well. Someone needs to teach her some proper manners."

That evening Melody sat in her room and had a late dinner alone. She walked outside and wandered around the garden outside her room. She didn't wander too far and kept the house in sight. She waited for the sun to set and returned listening to the crickets, anxious, fearful, and alone the night before her wedding.

She found her way up to her room, slid open the door and stepped in. She wiped a few tears away and looked at her barren room. Inthe middle of her room her futon was laid out. It was yet another strange thing Byakuya's people did that she did not quite understand. The tears flowed more freely and a small pathetic whimper escaped her pout.

The door slid open and Tina said "Oh Melody-san! You're back! We were concerned! Byakuya-sama's guards said you left and we were afraid you were running away!" she joked. She called out into the hallway "She's back!"

Melody looked at Tina dumbly as she spoke. The servant yelled into the hallway to alert the others Melody had returned. The other two arrived a flutter of smiles and foreign words surrounded her.

Haira looked at Melody and how she was standing there, tears running down her face. "Oh!" The other two took notice and came to her side.

Melody understood their intent, if not their words. A gentle squeeze of the hand, a warm pat on the shoulder, smiles, and reassuring nods and bows of the head.

"Thank you, ladies, um, ari-got-toe" she tried awkwardly.

The ladies each tried to coach her in prettier pronunciation, while preparing her bath.

Melody sank in the hot water, while her ladies trailed out to give her time to herself. Melody's tears dried up, and a different anxiety took its place. "I hope he gets nicer" she said to herself.

Byakuya listened to the crickets while he blew out a stick of incense. The smoke rose past the photo of Hisana, Byakuya's beloved late wife, in her shrine. A security guard appeared in the doorway behind him succinctly delivered his news "Melody-san had been located. She is being attended by her ladies".

Byakuya nodded and the guard flash-stepped away. His grey eyes lingered on his lost love's delicate features, and her deep loving eyes. "Hisana, I'm sorry. I truly am, but I was left with no recourse. I was left with no options. I will let live here as comfortably and securely as I did you." He bowed and said "Please, forgive me."

Rukia stood behind an inner door listening to her brother and sadness blanketed her. She did not mean to eavesdrop but was on her way to pay her respects as well. She wiped away a tear and decided to wait until her adoptive brother was gone to speak to her elder sister.

Melody sat up after a sleepless night and looked over at the white kimono she was going to wear. She stood up and walked over to it and stroked the fine silk embroidery and admired the heft of the fabric. She put her hand under the obi which was draped over the sleeve and saw it was covered in a crane motif along with some flowers and plants. When she heard the door slide open she promised herself she would dedicate herself to this strange man and this strange place. "It's my home now and will reflect on me. I'll never stop learning and I've got to keep trying."

Haira approached Melody and bowed in greeting. "Good morning!"

"Good morning" replied Melody.

"Very good, Miss, very good. The Lord Byakuya will be very pleased to know thou are learning the Sacred Tongue so well."

Melody didn't understand all of what Haira was saying but thanked her regardless. "Thank you, Haira-san."