Chapter 2: Shiro
There were two important things about the seventeenth of October. The first being the day of my birth, upon which I would normally receive a hundred flowers in segments of thirty-three roses, thirty-three cherry blossoms, thirty-three Chinese bell flowers, and one orchid, the second, being the death of Hashiro (Shiro) Shihoin, or to me, Shiro-nii-sama. Every year for the last eleven years I have planted the orchid at the grave of Nii-sama.
Normally, Byakuya goes with me and we say a small prayer.
I sighed and entered Yoruichi-Taichou and my office.
"Good morning Taichou."
"Eh? What's wrong with you today Raye-chan?''
"Hashiro-Nii-sama."
Yoruichi chuckled, "Ah yes, I remember twelve years ago he came in and sighed just like that because he had forgotten to give you your present. He died two hours later after I had him finish his paperwork and sent him home. Shiro-kun was a great man, Raye-chan, and he loved you very much."
"I loved him too, Yoruichi-sama."
"Mm, your mother is with child again you know."
I flinched.I had not spoken to either of my parents since Byakuya and I got married.
I hardly saw them. I wasn't considered a Shihoin anymore although I had married to the elders choice.
I had loved Byakuya for a long time and he had ended up loving me. He was my first choice for marriage, not that I had a choice.
Yoruichi was my wild aunt, though no one would scold her for being so as she was the head of the family. When Shiro first died my parents would not comfort me either being stoic or overwhelmed in their own grief. My aunt took me under her wing. Byakuya kept a closer watch on me and found me digging at Shiro's grave furiously on my tenth birthday. The thing about Byakuya is he never questioned me. He stared blankly a tme for a moment, then sat next to me and helped me dig. There are now ten orchids, a rose bush and a sakura tree at Shiro's grave, Everyday I stop on my way home to water each little plant.
Yoruichi smiled, "You should go see her. I'll go too! I'm sure if you ask Byakushi will go!"
I grimaced slightly the sound of seeing my mother..It wasn't my father as much as it was my mother. She was upset with me for marrying into the Kuchiki clan, he sister after all was Byakuya's mother. My father on the other hand just wanted me to do what was best for the clan. I nodded vaguely at my aunt and worked on my paperwork until lunch time.
"Have a good afternoon Taichou!" I called to her.
She peered out around the corner, "Training?"
"Hai, do you mind?"
"Of course I don't mind! Have fun. Say hi to Byakushi for me! Don't forget to bring up your mother."
"Yes ma'am." I replied.
"Oh and Raye-chan?"
"Hai?"
"Happy Birthday."
"Arigato, Yoruichi-sama."
She nodded at me. I grabbed Mirionbaraben and fled.