Disclaimer: I don't own any Bleach, they're strictly owned by Tite Kubo!
DeAmonQuEen: This is totally not based on the real story of Bleach, but still, please enjoy.
"The Banquet"
Chapter3
The palace dining hall was rarely used by the royal family; it was because they usually dine separately. But tonight was special, it was an important celebration, the Spring Festival was a celebration to honor the saviour and creator of the 6th kingdom.
In Seiretei, there are 13 kingdoms, all named according to the number of when it was created. Byakuya's kingdom belonged to the 6th, and each kingdom, has the story of how it was created. Legend has it that in the old times the world was plunged in darkness and demons dominated the land, people died every day.
The gods in heaven took pity of man and sent 13 gods to save Seiretei. Senbonzakura was the god who was sent to the 6th kingdom. With his powers and the help of a mortal, he was able to save the land from demons and establish a monarchy like the other kingdoms. He gave the title "king" to the mortal, who helped him, that same mortal was the ancestor of the Kuchikis.
Everyone knew this story, which is why they celebrate this event in honor of their saviour. Byakuya knew this but even so he finds the event a hassle. He walked with his usual grace, towards the dining hall, but in his mind he was really angry at the noise that came from the outside and inside of the palace. He really despises these kind of events. He doesn't know why but he just does.
He entered the dining hall, it was a large room that was held together by large red pillars and had an open view of the palace garden where the commoners stood and waited for the start of the feast, there were also nobles present and all had their own tables and seats inside the dining hall. The emperor was seated at a long table in the middle of the room along with some honoured guests. Ginrei saw Byakuya and welcomed him; Byakuya was then led to his seat beside the emperor and Rukia.
Byakuya immediately noticed that his sister was missing. "Grandfather, where is Rukia?"
"I thought she was with you. I had ordered her to fetch you, that is why you are here."
"She did come to my room and informed me that you had wanted me to join you because you had an important announcement. But I had dismissed her immediately," he explained.
"I see," Ginrei paused then spoke, "Well, she must be with her friends. We shouldn't think about it too much."
Byakuya felt disappointed upon hearing the statement. He came not only because Ginrei asked for his presence, but because Rukia nearly begged him to come. And she was not here, probably because she was enjoying herself somewhere. He never mind her having fun, but she could have at least allowed him to see her before partying with her friends. Byakuya sighed.
The imperial bell rang, it signified that the feast was about to start. Byakuya stood up, along with everyone when the emperor stood to give the royal speech, a tradition in the festival.
As Ginrei spoke everyone listened, except some individuals who blended with the crowd. They had other plans. They gave silent signals to one another, and slowly approached the royal table, where the emperor was seated, without getting noticed. When the emperor was about to end his speech, the men slowly revealed their hidden weapons.
It all happened so fast, the brightly lit room, including the garden lights darkened. Everyone was startled. Byakuya was surprised too, he then tried to reach for his grandfather, who was seated next to him, but was surprised to find him missing.
"Turn on the lights!" he yelled, "The emperor is missing!"
The lights were suddenly lit and to everyone's surprise the emperor was indeed missing, but what surprised them most was the fact that there were armed men standing next to the table.
"Assassins!" someone screamed.
The men were so surprised that they all decided to flee the room towards the garden. But unfortunately for them, they were immediately captured by the imperial guards. Byakuya ordered them to be rounded in front of him, at the same time Rukia had just arrived at the scene.
"Nii-sama! What had happened?" she asked.
"Rukia stand back these men kidnapped grandfather and tried to assassinate me," he told his sister, then turned to face the assassins. "You, men better tell me where the emperor is or I will cut off you tongues and make you experience the worst kind of death."
The men trembled at Byakuya's threat, but no one spoke. The prince grew impatient; he then took hold of the most frightened one in the group. "If you won't tell me what I want to hear I will do everything I said to all of you and I will start with you," he whispered to the man.
The man was so scared that he confessed everything. He told them that they were supposed to kill the emperor, and he was even surprised that the emperor disappeared. He told Byakuya that they had nothing to do with the emperor's disappearance. But the ice prince wasn't convinced, he took one of the swords held by a guard and pointed it at the prisoner's throat. "I am beginning to lose my patience, you will tell me where the emperor is or I will slit your throat."
"I really don't know!"
The crowd was really frightened by the prince's behavior,soe even began to pity the captives who are going to experience an execution in front of so many people.
"Well?"
"I really don't know!"
"Suit yourself." Byakuya was about to plunge his sword when.
"Stop!" a rapsy voice echoed.